LAS VEGAS
We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway... and Online!
w w w. a s i a n
.com 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 27 - no. 22 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages 3700 W. Desert Inn Road Las Vegas, NV 89102 • Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879
Groups denounce Duterte’s comments on media killings by Alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA—An aide of Presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte Wednesday, June 1 claimed that the next Philippine leader’s much-criticized statement on media killings was
President-elect Rodrigo Duterte
“taken out of context.” Duterte drew flak from media groups after saying that some of the slain journalists had received payoffs or had criticized excessively. He also scored the corruption in the media, adding that being a journalist does not exempt one from assassination. “You want the truth? That’s the truth. There is still corruption in your side,” Duterte said in a press conference Tuesday, May 31. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemned the incoming president’s statement, saying it was an effort to silence the media. The group maintained that nothing, not even corruption, can justify murder. Peter Laviña, spokesman of Duterte’s transition team, defend-
USA
DATELINE Fil-Am on FBI’s Most Wanted list caught at Mexico border FROM THE AJPRESS
NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
LESS than two weeks after he was put on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) 10 Most Wanted list, Fil-Am Philip Patrick Policarpio, 39, was arrested by agents of the US Customs and Border Protection on Sunday night, May 29. According to the FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller, Policarpio was apprehended at the border, while he was crossing into the US from Tijuana, Mexico, as reported by Fox News. A convicted felon, Policarpio — whose aliases include “Damon Hiromi Tanaka,” “Paul Policarpio,” “Bugsy,” “Sinister,” and “Sins” PAGE A4
Asian American economic clout growing, says report NEW YORK CITY — Asian Americans’ impact on the US economy is growing and shifting, according to a new report by the consumer information firm Nielsen. “Asian-Americans: Culturally Diverse and Expanding Their Footprint,” a Nielsen study reports that Asian Americans are starting businesses, creating jobs and contributing to the U.S. economy, with a current $825 billion in consumer buying power, which is expected to rise to $1.1 trillion by 2020. As the fastest-growing U.S. population segment with an expanding geographic footprint in the Midwest and South – beyond traditional immigrant enclaves in the West and Northeast – Asian American impact on consumer preferences is rippling across mainstream America, with far-reaching implications for brands and marketers. Nielsen’s report highlights through a regional lens the different ways in which Asian Americana are exerting cultural and economic influence on the U.S. mainstream market today. “If marketers and companies want to be successful, it is imperative they develop PAGE A4
june 2-8, 2016
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORk/NEW JERSEY
ed the next Philippine leader’s statement, saying it should be viewed as a reminder that there is also corruption in the media. “Again and as usual Rody Duterte was taken out of context, misinterpreted and misunderstood,” Laviña said in a Facebook post. Laviña said Duterte’s pronouncement that most slain journalists are corrupt or involved in shady deals was “based on his own assessment of those killed in Davao City and not on the national OFFICIAL FAMILY. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte presents newly appointed members of his Cabinet during a press conference at Malacañang scale.” of the South in Panacan, Davao City. Inquirer.net photo by Tarra Quismundo “Certainly, Duterte has no personal knowledge on each and every single case of media killings in many parts of the country,” he said. Laviña said Duterte has vowed by TARRA Quismundo PAGE A2 secretary, and retired Maj. Gen. Delfin Lorenzana, Inquirer.net who heads the Office of Veterans Affairs at the DAVAO CITY—Saying he chose people “with Philippine Embassy in the United States, as defense integrity and honesty,” President-elect Rodrigo secretary. Duterte on Tuesday, May 31 presented members of Ex-PNP officials his Cabinet for the first time, a “hardworking” roster He also appointed former police officials to prime he handpicked to address his top governance priori- posts: Philippine National Police Director for Operaties such as red tape, corruption and crime. tions Alex Monteagudo to the National Intelligence Emerging from a three-hour meeting at the Coordinating Agency, former PNP Director Isidro presidential guesthouse here, Duterte announced Lapeña to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, new appointees to critical positions in the security former National Capital Region Police Office Direccluster. tor Edgar Galvante to the Land Transportation Of“It’s not a simple job looking for the composition fice, and former Davao police chief Jaime Morente of the Cabinet. I am reminded of the man holding as immigration chief. a lamp during daytime. He was asked why are you A former Army Fifth Infantry Brigade chief, Brig. bringing a lamp in the daylight when you can see Gen. Ricardo Jalad, was appointed head of the Naeverything? The man said ‘because I am looking tional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for an honest man,’” Duterte said in an evening Council, while rebel Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon press conference. was named head of the Bureau of Customs (BOC). “It took me several days. When I’m not around National Bureau of Investigation’s Davao regional the public eye, it’s because I’m reviewing papers of director, Dante Gierran, was promoted head of recommendees, and I can assure you that we are all the agency, while lawyer Cesar Dulay was apPROCLAMATION. Senate President Franklin M. Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano men of integrity, honesty,” he said. pointed head of the Bureau of Internal Revenue Belmonte Jr. proclaim Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Leni Robredo as He said none of his appointees were “tainted.” the country’s duly elected Vice President on Monday, May 30. Duterte announced (BIR). Martin Delgra was named head of the Land earlier that he will not attend the proclamation. Senate photo by Albert Calvelo Among Duterte’s new appointees are former Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board South Cotabato Gov. Ismael Sueño as interior PAGE A2
Duterte presents Cabinet members ‘We are all men of integrity and honesty’
Robredo proclaimed as VP Treats guest, supporters to ‘laing’ by nikko
dizon/Inquirer.net
VICE President-elect Leni Robredo wore a black and brown dress on her proclamation day. “It just so happened I only have two yellow dresses. I have many yellow T-shirts but clothes that I can wear to the office, I only have two. That’s why when I go to work in Congress… I am dark so I don’t use colors that would make me darker,” Robredo, laughing, said at a press conference. Yellow is the political color of outgoing President Aquino who handpicked Robredo as the second choice of the Liberal Party (LP) to be its vice presidential candidate, after Sen. Grace Poe decided to seek the presidency. Poe and LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas lost heavily to Rodrigo Duterte, the antiestablishment Davao City mayor. Robredo said that she would not forget where she was coming from. Robredo said that she had communicated with Mr. Aquino several times. “He sent me a text message congratulating me PAGE A2
New law raises tax-free cap for ‘balikbayan’ boxes by mAilA
AgeR Inquirer.net
OVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs) can now enjoy tax- and duty-free balikbayan boxes after President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), Senator Sonny Angara said on Tuesday, May 31. Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on ways and means and sponsor of the CMTA, said that under the CMTA or Republic Act 10863, the tax-exempt value of items sent by overseas Filipinos to their families back home would be increased from the present P10,000 Under the new law, Filipinos abroad can now send up to three P150,000-worth of tax- and
duty-free balikbayan boxes in a year, given that the goods are not in commercial quantities Inquirer.net photo
PAGE A2 nor intended for barter, sale or for hire.
Santiago in ICU likely due to lung cancer complications by FRAnces
mAngosing Inquirer.net
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago
Inquirer.net photo by Nino Jesus Orbeta
SEN. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Makati Medical Center on Monday, May 30 likely due to complications from her advanced stage of lung cancer. A statement from her public affairs team said on Wednesday, June 1 that Santiago was rushed to the hospital by ambulance last Monday. Quoting details from her husband Narciso “Jun” Santiago,” the
senator was transferred from her private room at the Makati Medical Center to the ICU on Tuesday, May 31. Jun said that Miriam is doing well with her “trademark sense of humor.” He also advised the public that visitors are not allowed. Gifts, such as flowers and other blooms, won’t be accepted. The senator also extended her gratitude to her family, friends, supporters, fans and others who helped her pray for her recovery.
Santiago, who lost her third presidential bid for the 2016 elections, extended her medical leave due to anorexia, a side effect of one of her anti-cancer treatments. The senator was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in 2014. In the campaign trail, she had a few sorties and even skipped the second leg of the Commission on Elections presidential debate. She also skipped a few weeks of campaigning to try an anti-cancer pill.