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MAY 2-8, 2019
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
Volume 30 - No. 18 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 200 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Palace: ‘Totally unnecessary’ to prove ‘oust-Duterte matrix’ by IAN
NICOLAS CIGARAL Philstar.com
In this April 22 photo, presidential spokesperon Salvador Panelo holds the so-called matrix on the alleged ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte. Philstar.com photo by Alexis Romero
USA
DATELINE Fil-Am arrested on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in LA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Mark Steven Domingo of Reseda, Calif. faces federal charges in alleged terrorist plot meant to avenge the mass shootings at New Zealand mosques in March THE Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday, April 26 arrested a Filipino American United States Army veteran in Reseda, California, on suspicion of plotting a massive terrorist attack in Los Angeles after a lengthy investigation by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, according to records unsealed on Mon-
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MANILA — Malacañang on Wednesday, May 1, sought to defend anew the credibility of the so-called “oust-Duterte matrix” linking journalists and pro bono lawyers to a plan to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte, saying it is “totally unnecessary” to provide proof of the alleged plotters’ participation in the conspiracy. A diagram—released last week in an exclusive banner story of broadsheet Manila Times and later that day in a press briefing at the Palace—alleged that LABOR DAY RALLY. Various labor groups converge in Mendiola, Manila on Labor Day to demand for better working conditions such as the National Union of Peoples’ security of tenure, higher pay, and equal job opportunities, among others, on Wednesday, May 1 Despite being open to protests, Presidential
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Bilateral talks to resolve South China Sea ‘irritants’ - Palace Canada working with PH for by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
MALACAÑANG on Monday, April 29, said China is open to bilateral talks to resolve the territorial incursions raised by President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jingping last week. According to Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Xi expressed willingness to discuss “irritants,” such as the increased presence of Chinese vessels in disputed areas, despite reiterating Beijing’s claims to the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). “What the president mentioned [were] the irritants. [They refer] to everything there. From the presence of the ships, from the al-
leged harassment, all of it — the irritants,” said Panelo at a press briefing. “Both sides repeated their previous positions on the matter, and they both agreed that whatever irritants, challenges, [these] can be resolved through negotiation,” he added. He also quoted Duterte, saying the irritants arose from the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s claim over nearly the entire South China Sea. “And both of them agreed that the mechanism of bilateral relations will be used to re- New Jersey Senator Cory Booker is among the 20 Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential election. AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal solve the conflict,” Panelo said. He noted the government’s optimism over “positive” results; however, he admitted that there is still much to be done.
‘timely resolution’ of waste issue
Presidential hopeful Cory Booker courts Protecting OFWs’ constitutional right AAPI voters in Las Vegas u PAGE A2
to vote not a priority — Migrante by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA
AJPress
Mark Steven Domingo, 26, a Fil-Am U.S. Army veteran was arrested on Friday, April 26 on suspicion of plotting a massive terrorist attack in the Los Angeles area. Photos courtesy of the FBI
Spokesperson Salvador Panelo has warned that anti-government activities could “scare away” foreign investors and eventually result to job losses. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
REPORTS of the disenfranchisement of 1.8 million registered overseas absentee voters (OAVs) were denounced by overseas workers group Migrante International on Monday, April 30 as it accused the Philippine government of negligence. According to Migrante, many Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) would not be able to vote in the midterm polls due to the failure of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure them that they would receive their mailed ballots on time.
by AJPRESS
PRESIDENTIAL hopeful U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-New The option to vote by mail is critical to Jersey) met with Asian Amerithousands of OAVs, the group pointed out, can and Pacific Islander (AAPI) since they lack access to resources and community members during his time to travel to nearest consulates or vot- recent three-day visit to Las Veing centers. gas. Migrante further said that Comelec Hosted by the Asian Pacific failed to ensure voters they would get all American Islander Caucus, over the necessary information and materials to 170 community leaders and prepare them for the elections even prior members joined the senator on to holding the OAV, as well as placing he Saturday, April 20 for a dinner burden on OFWs to pay the cost of the re- at Hong Kong Garden in Chinaturn postage. town. “This is a clear violation of Republic Act AAPIs are estimated to ac9189, which guarantees that overseas ab- count for 10 percent of Nevada’s u PAGE A2 electorate and have shown to be
a key swing vote in major races in recent years. The senator started off with his campaign message of “love” and unity in the time of “bigotry” and “tribalism.” “The goal for America is not to become a nation of tolerance, but a nation of love,” Booker said, continuing, “Love confronts and embraces. Tolerance crosses the street and doesn’t even see. Tolerance builds walls, love builds bridges.” Booker acknowledged, however, that the 2020 presidential
Pew poll: 69% of Filipinos satisfied with how democracy is working SAF 44 case: SC to review Ombudsman’s ruling on Aquino, Purisima A RECENT survey released by Washingtonbased polling firm Pew Research Center revealed that a majority of Filipinos are satisfied with how democracy works in the Philippines. The study, which measured satisfaction with the performance of democracy in different parts of the globe, was released on April 29 and showed that across the 27 countries polled, 51 percent are dissatisfied with how democracy is working in their country, while 45 percent are satisfied. Pew noted that Asia-Pacific nations tend to be satisfied with the state of their democracy — including the Philippines with 69 percent of Filipinos saying they are satisfied, while 31
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by TETCH
TORRES-TUPAS Inquirer.net
MANILA – The Supreme Court has granted the appeal of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) to allow its 15 magistrates to tackle the petition regarding the criminal cases against former president Benigno Aquino III over the death of 44 Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos during an operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015. “The Court (sitting in full court) resolved to accept this case which was referred to it President Benigno Aquino III delivers his speech during the necrological service for 42 slain by the first division in the latter’s resolution SAF members at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig on January 30, 2015. Malacañang file photo dated February 20, 2019,” read the resolu-
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tion received by petitioners last April 24. Ferdinand Topacio, counsel for VACC and families of the so-called SAF 44, immediately welcomed the SC’s decision. “We thank the Honorable Supreme Court for accepting our appeal for (full court) hearing and resolution of this case. Slowly but surely, justice will be done for the SAF 44,” he said Wednesday. The relatives of the slain police commandos went to the Supreme Court after then Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales indicted Aquino, former PNP chief Alan Purisima and former PNP-SAF director Getulio Napeñas Jr. before the Sandiganbayan only for graft and usurpation of official function
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