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Volume 27 - no. 23 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

june 9-15, 2016

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Clinton clinches Democratic presidential nomination Claims victory in California primary

by Eric Licas

no ceilings, no limits on any of us and this is our moment to come together,” she said on tuesday hillAry Clinton solidified early pronouncements night after her victories in California and New Jerof her triumph in the race for the Democratic presi- sey. she nodded to her 2008 concession speech, dential nomination with victories in four out of six in which she said that campaign had put cracks in primaries, including a decisive win in California, the “highest, hardest glass ceiling.”

Polls heading into California’s primaries from on tuesday, June 7. Clinton — former first lady, former Us senator and former secretary of state the Public Policy institute of America had predicted — has become the first woman to capture a major a close race between Clinton and her opponent, Vermont senator Bernie sanders. party nomination for president. “this campaign is about making sure there are PAGE A2 AJPress

DATELINE

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

US, China officials discuss sea disputes oBAmA administration officials voiced concerns over territorial disputes between China and five other countries, restrictions to foreign investment in Chinese industries and overproduction from that country’s industrial sector at the UsChina strategic and economic Dialogue in Beijing. on monday, June 6, Us treasury secretary Jacob lew called on leaders in the People’s republic of China (PrC) to reduce its output of steel and other industrial goods. he said Chinese overcapacity is having a “distorting and damaging effect on global markets.” A glut of supply has weakened PAGE A4

US senators renew call for full benefits for WWII FilVets

US to strictly monitor Duterte administration by ian JamotiLLo AJPress

AN expert of a Us-based think tank claims that the United states government will be closely watching every move by President-elect rodrigo Duterte, especially his first 100 days in office and his response to the upcoming ruling of a United Nations tribunal court on the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China over south China sea. ernest Bower, a nonresident senior adviser for the southeast Asia Program at the Center for strategic and international studies said that the relationship between the United states and Philippines were strengthened during Pres. Benigno Aquino iii’s administration. “it is ironic that we are watching because if you ask leaders in Washington right now, they would say the UsPhilippine relationship is at a high point,” Bower said.

Observation period Bower noted that it is a wait-and-see period for the country until Duterte assumes the presidential position on June 30.

SHE’S MADE HISTORY. Hillary Clinton claimed the Democratic presidential nomination on Tuesday, June 7 after decisive victories in the Bower talked as a speaker at a symposium on “Asia- California, New Jersey and New Mexico primaries. The former first lady has become the first woman to capture a major party nomination PAGE A2 for president.

Photo from Hillaryclinton.com

Duterte to UN rapporteur: Go home and get some sleep by aLExis

romEro Philstar.com

USCIS Parole Program applications now accepted

hoNolUlU — Us senators Brian schatz (D-hawai‘i) and lisa murkowski (r-Alaska), members of the senate Appropriations subcommittee on military Construction and Veterans Affairs, introduced the filipino Veterans fairness Act of 2016. this legislation would ensure that surviving filipino veterans are fully eligible for the benefits they earned while serving under the Us flag during the second World War. “We have failed filipino World War ii PAGE A4

Pres.elect Rodrigo Duterte

DAVAo City—Go home and get some sleep. this was President-elect rodrigo Duterte’s reply to the United Nations (UN) rapporteur who accused him of “inciting violence” after he made his controversial remarks on media killings.

“Go home and get some sleep. you are overworked and sound beat,” Duterte said in a statement sent to the media Wednesday, June 8 by his spokesman salvador Panelo. “your statement is anchored on Philstar.com photo

the wrong premise. i never said that killing journalists is justified because they are involved in corruption,” he added.

Duterte reiterated that one does not need to be a journalist to be assassinated. “there are many cases where journalists are killed by reason of their advocacies but there are those who are killed because they take sides and accept bribes and renege on their commitments,” the incoming president said. “the noble vocation of journalism does not apply to extortionists and criminals,” he added.

‘Uphold and enforce the law’ Duterte was criticized by media groups after saying that some of the slain journalists had received bribes or were involved in shady deals.

While some journalists interpreted Duterte’s statement as a declaration that corrupt media workers are “legitimate targets,” his spokesman said the incoming president was just misunderstood. Panelo said Duterte was merely reminding the media that there are journalists who are using the profession to extort money. on tuesday, June 7, two UN experts asked Duterte to “stop incitPAGE A2

Bongbong Marcos camp alleges Pork barrel scam and SSS pension hike Comelec used of secret server discussed on the last day of 16th Congress by aJPrEss

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.

the camp of senator ferdinand “Bongbong” r. marcos, Jr. on tuesday, June 7 bared that it will file an election protest, alleging that the Commission on elections (Comelec) used a fourth server to manipulate the national elections held last may.

Atty. Jose Amor Amorado, head of the BBm legal team and Abakada rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz, political adviser of marcos, told reporters that there was a “fourth server,” kept secret from the public by smartmatic and Comelec. “this was never disclosed. this is the fourth server and

therefore it should have been subjected to source code review also and everything else. But this was not disclosed to the public. this is in violation of the law,” de la Cruz said. earlier on tuesday, there was a preliminary investigation into the marcos camp’s complaint alleging that Comelec and smartmatic personnel violated the Cyber Crime law. the marcos camp now seeks to file the electoral protest just a few days before incoming President rodrigo Duterte and Vice President leni robredo officially take office. “the target date for the filing PAGE A3

by ian JamotiLLo AJPress

the 16th Congress held its last session on monday, June 6, focusing on the Priority Development Assistance fund (PDAf) scam, also called the pork barrel scam, and its failed attempt to override Pres. Benigno Aquino iii’s veto on the proposed social security system (sss) pension increase. senate President franklin Drilon said that the senate did CLOSING MESSAGE. Senate President Franklin M. Drilon is congratulated by his fellow senators after delivering the Senate’s closing message for the 16th Congress, which adjourned sine more than enough in the past die during Monday’s session, June 6. A four-time Senate President, it was Drilon’s ninth time three years while declaring that to deliver the closing message of the Senate. Those greeting Drilon, are clockwise, Senators the upper chamber had “triBam Aquino, Sonny Angara, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Tito Sotto III, along with Senators umphed over adversity,” espeGringo Honasan II, Antonio Trillanes IV, Koko Pimentel III, Cynthia Villar and Senate Majority cially over its probe on the pork Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo PAGE A2

A

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June 9-15, 2016 • LAS VeGAS ASIAn JOuRnAL

From The FronT Page

Clinton clinches Democratic...

PAGE A1  However, 55.8 percent of participants in California’s Democratic primary voted for Clinton, versus 43.2 percent who sided with Sanders. The former secretary of state led the Vermont senator by more than 430,000 votes. Her success on the West Coast contributed 257 of the 372 pledge delegates she added to her tally.

Thirty-four candidates competed for the position held by California Senator Barbara Boxer, who is set to retire.  California Attorney General, Kamala Harris, captured 40 percent of the vote in the crowded contest to secure a slot on the November ballot. Harris, who is of Indian and Jamaican descent, has the backing of California Governor Jerry Brown. She will face off against House Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) of Orange County, which is home to a significant Asian American population. Sanchez, who earned 17 percent of the vote, could become the first Latina in the US Senate, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Heading into Tuesday’s primary in California, Clinton downplayed pronouncements of her nomination and focused on the contest ahead. “We are on the brink of a historic, historic, unprecedented moment. But we still have work to do ‌ we’re going to fight hard for every vote,â€? said Clinton to supporters at a rally in Long Beach on Monday night, June 6.

Clinton’s likely victory at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in July has encouraged party members to publicly rally behind the former secretary of state. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi announced her endorsement of Clinton during an interview with “Good Morning America� on Tuesday, June 7, while President Barack Obama is expected to publicly back his former cabinet member sometime this week.

Political unity on the Democratic side may be an advantageÂ

against Republicans who have begrudgingly supported their party’s presumptive nominee, real estate mogul Donald Trump. The over-the-top nature of Trump’s campaign has strained his relationship with Republican leaders throughout his candidacy.  Republican political strategist John Feary told National Public Radio (NPR) that the last thing his party needed was a “meltdown at the top of the ticket.�

Most recently, Trump has alleged that Gonzalo P. Curiel, the Latino judge scheduled to preside over a lawsuit regarding Trump University, was biased against him and unfit to hear the case.  House Speaker Paul Ryan denounced Trump’s accusations against Curiel as “the textbook definition of a racist comment,� according to the New York Times.

Trump’s incendiary statements regarding minorities have driven many members of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to endorse the likely Democratic presidential nominee.  As the Asian Journal reported last week, the Asian American Action Fund (AAAF), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Leadership political action committee, and the AAPI Victory Fund (AAPIVF) had all endorsed Clinton before multiple sources declared her the presumptive Democratic nominee.

In a statement declaring their support for the former New York senator, representatives of the AAPIVF declared its “rejection of the xenophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric embraced by the presumptive Republican nominee.�

Trump struck a more controlled and deliberate tone at a speech in light of Clinton’s expected nomination. The candidate, known for his unfiltered comments, read from teleprompters at a speech in New York on Tuesday. He acknowledged the “responsibility of carrying the mantle,â€? of theÂ

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Republican nomination,� and promised a renewed offensive against Clinton’s campaign. He also encouraged Sanders supporters to realign with his campaign and vote against a “rigged system.�

As of press time, Sanders pledged to continue his bid for the presidency. He managed to win the states of North Dakota and Montana, and split the delegates of South Dakota with the former Clinton, 10-10 .

Speaking on Tuesday, he expressed optimism for America’s political future, and gratitude to younger Americans, many of whom were first-time voters. His camp has scheduled a rally in Washington D.C. on June 14. Sanders is also scheduled to meet with Obama on Thursday, June 9. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement last Tuesday that the president thanked Sanders for “energizing millions of Americans� and raising issues of economic inequality and special interest of influence. “The President looks forward to continuing the conversation with Senator Sanders,� Earnest said and then added, “about how to build on the extraordinary work he has done to engage millions of Democratic voters, and to build on that enthusiasm in the weeks and months ahead.�

However, even if superdelegates were factored out, Clinton’s victory is still a decisive one. Sanders would need to convince superdelegates to ignore Clinton’s advantage in pledged delegates and individual votes and side with him at the Democratic National Convention.

Still with these factors against him, Sanders is not showing signs of slowing down or getting out of the presidential race.  In a report by CNN, Vice President Joe Biden said that the decision is up to the Vermont senator. “I think that’s his call,â€? Biden said. “It’s clear we know who the nominee is going to be. I think we should be a little graceful and give him the opportunity to decide on his own.â€?Â

US to strictly monitor...

PAGE A1

Pacific Perspectives on Implementing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA),� which was held at National Defense College of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday, June 7.

EDCA’s importance on the USPhilippines ties remains high, especially to address China’s pursuit of nearly all reefs and artificial islands in the South China Sea. EDCA allows US troops to build facilities for equipment storage and intensify humanitarian security and disaster response operations, in addition to giving broad access to Philippine military bases.Â

LAST DAY. Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, the vice president-elect, talks to a colleague on the last day of session at the House of Representatives on Monday, June 6. The House leadership gave recognition to the lawmakers who will be bowing out on June 30.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

Duterte to UN rapporteur: Go home...

PAGE A1 ing violence� and scored him for what they described as “irresponsible� statement.

Cristof Heyns, UN Special Rapporteur on summary executions, said Duterte’s message “amounts to incitement to violence and killing, in a nation already ranked as the second-deadliest country for journalists.�

These comments are irresponsible in the extreme, and unbecoming of any leader, let alone someone who is to assume the position of the leader of a country that calls itself democratic,� he added.

David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom opinion and expression, said justifying the killing of journalists on the basis of how they conduct their professional activities “can be understood as a permissive signal to potential killers that the murder of journalists is acceptable in certain circumstances and would not be punished.� “Such provocative messages indicate to any person who is displeased by the work of a journalist or an activist, for example, that they can attack or kill them without fear of sanction,� he added.

Duterte, however, lashed at the UN experts, saying they are “more adept at fumigation, sometimes also known as ‘foul or idiocy.’â€? “I do not condone nor tolerate killing of journalists regardless of the motive of the killers or the reason for their killing,â€? Duterte said. “My duty as President is to uphold and enforce the law and I will pursue and prosecute these killers to the hilt in accordance with law,  and I will be - as I have been - protective of the rights of journalists, and for that matter of any citizen, of the Republic,â€? he added.Â

Pork barrel scam and SSS pension hike...

PAGE A1 barrel scam which involved three of its members. “How would the nation and our people remember the 16th Congress? How would history judge us? I can say with conviction that this Senate did more than enough,� Drilon stated.

He went on to boast that 30 major laws — covering the economy, justice, agriculture, workers’ welfare, health and education — were passed during the three-year term. “Our collective efforts yielded a harvest of laws that will strengthen the economy, promote social justice and transform our country into one of the strongest and fastest growing economies in the world,� he said in a speech.

Pork barrel scandal lives Among the eight senators who took their final bows during the end of the 16th Congress were Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile. The three senators were charged with plunder by the Sandiganbayan over their alleged misuseÂ

of the pork barrel funds. Enrile, who is out on bail, was previously detained along with Revilla and Estrada in 2014, before being granted temporary freedom by the anti-graft court last year.

In his closing speech, Enrile expressed gratitude for the senators and the people he had worked with for 27 years (four terms) in the Senate.

SSS pension hike override fails Over 290 lawmakers attempted to override Aquino’s veto of a bill raising the pension for Social Security System (SSS) retirees by P2,000; but efforts remained futile.

Aquino rejected the measure back in January because adding the hike would cause bankruptcy of the SSS. In a heated debate between Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, Manila Representatives Lito Atienza and Amado Bagatsing, and Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, Gonzales pointed out about the ineffective move of the veto overrideÂ

since the Senate had already adjourned.

The proposed law which would increase the monthly pension of 2.1 million pensioners by P2,000 would cost SSS roughly P56 billion despite the agency only earning an annual investment income of P30 billion.

Colmenares, advocate of the override was hoping for 193 votes needed for the House to overturn the presidential veto of the SSS bill. However, as of Sunday only 128 lawmakers had signed the override resolution. “We could make history and make a strong legislative intervention to alleviate the plight of our senior citizens. We cannot abdicate on that role mainly because it would be useless,� Colmenares said. Gonzales on the other  hand replied “It’s not an override if it would just be a statement which is far from the override provided for in the Constitution.�

The debate ended with Deputy Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao ruling in Gonzales’ favor.Â

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A

WB retains PH growth forecast THE World Bank Group is keeping the 6.4 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth it had forecast for the Philippines this year, citing public-private partnership projects and strong domestic consumption as main drivers for expansion.

WB’s projections and views are in its new Global Economic Prospects report launched this month.

The bank’s projection is below the Philippine government’s 6.8 to 7.8 target but much higher than the 5.8 percent growth in 2015.

“In the Philippines, growth is projected to firm to 6.4 percent in 2016, with an accelerated implementation of public-private partnership projects and strong domestic demand,” it said. (Mayvelin Caraballo/ManilaTimes.net)

Bicol chosen for US-funded $450-M infra projects

SHAKE DRILL. Traffic enforcers practice their dance moves for the upcoming MMDA Shake Drill, an initiative that aims to drum up support for the nationwide quake drill to be held on June 22.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

US designates CPP-NPA, Abu Sayyaf as terror groups anew

by Camille

Diola Philstar.com

THE Communist Party of the Philippines’s armed wing, the New People’s Army, as well as the Abu Sayyaf group return to the United States’s list of foreign terrorist organizations, according to a report released Friday, June 3.

The US Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism 2015, released usually every June, named 58 foreign militant organizations linked to terror activities the past year. These groups are also seen to be threats to the security of US nationals, defense, foreign relations and economy.

First put on the list by the State Department in 2002, the CPP-NPA was seen to be behind at least four incidents that led to the deaths of Philippine security personnel the past year.

The group was also said to be behind an attack on a Dole plantation in Bukidnon in January last year, burning down the facility and chopped down more than 700 banana trees. Dole is a multinational food company that started in Hawaii.

“Over the past few years, CPPNPA has continued to carry out killings, raids, kidnappings, acts

of extortion, and other forms of violence primarily directed against security forces,” the report stated. The Armed Forces of the Philippines also attributes to the communist guerillas the deaths of 383 people, including 158 civilians, in encounters with government forces, the report noted.

The State Department said the CPP-NPA has had a “long history of attacking US interests in the Philippines,” citing four separate operations in Angeles City that killed three American soldiers.

Newly elected President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed interest in reviving long-stalled peace talks with the CPP, even offering them positions in his Cabinet. The left-leaning organization said Thursday, however, that it will demand an end to US military presence in the country if it were to forge a pact with the government.

The Philippines government estimates CPP-NPA membership to be about 4,000. The State Department, meanwhile, also said that the CPP-NPA raises funds through extortion and theft.

‘Most violent’ in the Philippines The State Department’s report, similarly tagging the Mindanao-

based Abu Sayyaf as terrorists, dubbed it the “most violent terrorist group operating in the Philippines.” “[The Abu Sayyaf] claims to promote an independent Islamic state in western Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago,” the report said.

Remaining active since it was first placed on the list in 1997, the Abu Sayyaf was found to be behind road ambush incidents, abduction of locals and foreigners, extortion, public beheadings and assassinations.

In September 2015, the Abu Sayyaf was blamed for the armed abduction of two Canadians, a Norwegian, and a Filipino woman from the Holiday Oceanview Samal Resort on Samal Island. Earlier this year, the group released a video showing its beheading of Canadian national John Ridsdel, earning the condemnation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

It also beheaded a Malaysian hostage in November last year after demands for ransom were not met.

The report said the Abu Sayyaf poses a continuous threat to US interests, citing an oath of allegiance made by its leader, FBIwanted terrorist Isnilon Hapilon, to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

THE Millennium Challenge Compact ll (MCC) of the United States has again chosen the Bicol Region to receive $450 million (about P2 billion) worth of infrastructure projects within a period of five years starting 2017.

Joey Salceda, the Congressman-elect of the Second District of Albay, announced in a fullcouncil meeting of the Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC) on Friday that the MCC called him again for a meeting

last week to present his “pipeline projects” or important projects that will pull Bicol up because the MCC found in its study that the region has been left behind the other regions in Luzon in terms of development.

Salceda said some personalities at the MCC were his former fellow international economists in the group called Foundation for Economic Freedom like Joseph Yap, Emmanuel de Dios and others, who want to visit

Bicol again to put in place their flagship program or projects to accelerate economic growth in the region.

He disclosed that the MCC l, during the administration of former president Gloria MacapagalArroyo, first gave $878 million for the Bicol Region through the RDC, but because it failed to submit the needed requirements, the budget went to the circumferential road project in Samar. (PNA)

Bongbong Marcos camp alleges...

PAGE A1 of the electoral protest is June 28—a day before the June 29 deadline. Yes, definitely we will file an election protest. The truth has to come out—one way or another,” Amorado said.

Amorado explained that the protest will seek a recount of the votes in some areas including the setting aside of the election results in areas where there are clear indications of election fraud and manipulation.

Dela Cruz asserted that they are filing the election protest because they owe it to those who voted for Marcos and to the entire Filipino people to find out what really happened in the May 2016 elections.

“We believe that we have enough evidence to show that there was massive rigging and manipulation of votes,” he said.

Amorado and Dela Cruz cited that the results of their initial findings indicated that between 9pm to 10:10pm on May 9, the transmitted election results showed that Marcos lost in 1,689 precincts, many of which are considered bailiwicks of the senator, mostly in the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Pangasinan and other areas in Region II. Amorado pointed out that instead of being transmitted directly to the Municipal Board of Canvassing servers, the Comelec server and the Transparency

server, the results were instead coursed through a “4th Server or the so-called “Queue Server.”

This “4th server” was not divulged to the public and was never subjected to a source code review as what transpired with the other servers used in the elections, according to Dela Cruz. Amorado added that there were no watchers allowed in the so-called “4th Servers.”

Amorado said they have already asked the Comelec to preserve and secure any and all servers, as well as other related IT equipment used in the elections.

Meanwhile, during the preliminary investigation, Smartmatic asked for ten more days to file their answer to the complaint filed.

Amorado explained that respondents charged for the violation of the Cybercrime Law now pending before the Manila Prosecutors’ Office face possible jail sentences of six to 12 years if found guilty.

Charged for the violation of Section 4(a) of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 or R.A. 10175 were Smartmatic personnel Marlon Garcia, a Venezuelan national and head of the technical support team; Elie Moreno, an Israeli national and project director; Neil Banigued and Mauricio Herrera both members of the Technical Support Team and Comelec IT experts led by

Rouie Peñalba, Nelson Herrera and Frances Mae Gonzalez who are all assigned at the Information Technology Department (ITD).

“Our main allegation is that in the night of May 9, 2016 during the time when the transmission was already in progress, they opened the system and introduced the new script without permission from the owner of the system, which is Comelec,” said Amorado.

Earlier, the camp of Marcos said that shortly after the suspicious introduction of the new script the senator’s lead over his closest rival, Leni Robredo, in the vice presidential race began dropping until he was eventually overtaken.

The Church-based election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) also urged the Comelec to look into the allegations of poll fraud.

“For the credibility of the elections, all protests and claims accompanied by evidence should be looked into seriously,” PPCRV Chairperson Henrietta de Villa said in a statement. “So Comelec must investigate. Claimants of cheating must have hard and strong evidence to back their claims. If proven guilty, cheaters must be punished heavily and swiftly. [The] PPCRV stands on the side of the truth and the law.”

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June 9-15, 2016 • LAS VeGAS ASIAn JOuRnAL

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US agencies tapped in fight vs invest scams China welcomes incoming DFA chief’s plans for bilateral talks

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has sought the help of US government agencies in fighting pyramiding and investment scams in the country.

“The matter with scams is that these are evolving and transforming together with the times as a means to disguise and lure more people into the scheme. To address this challenge, we partnered with the United States Federal Trade Commission (US FTC) and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC) for a retooling activity for our enforcers, investigators and lawyers to be equipped with all relevant technical and legal knowhow to hamper the proliferation of fraudulent activities and further strengthen consumer protection

in this area,” Trade Undersecretary Victorio Dimagiba said.

Dimagiba said pyramiding and investment scams remain among the biggest issues faced by consumers in the country.

The DTI and Securities and Exchange Commission are the agencies at the forefront of addressing different forms of scams in the Philippines.

Betsy Broder, counsel for international consumer protection of the US FTC, said the partnership with DTI aims to provide the Philippine government with a deeper understanding of how scammers operate in order to draw the line between legitimate and unlawful marketing schemes.

Broder said learning the fundamentals of investments and multi-

level marketing schemes are a good foundation for any enforcer, investigator and lawyer who will do the groundwork for all enforcement and case-building initiatives of the government.

To solidify its partnership, the DTI, US FTC, and US SEC have recently conducted a three-day capability building training for local enforcement agencies responsible for addressing issues related to pyramiding and investment scams.

The US FTC and US SEC designed the training based on the current legal and enforcement setup of the Philippines to make the topics more responsive to the needs of the country in terms of addressing fraudulent marketing schemes. (Philstar.com)

US, China officials discuss sea...

PAGE A1 the market value of steel, according to CNBC. The US Department of Commerce has instituted tariffs on steel in response to excess global supply. Chinese Finance minister, Lou Jiwei, referred to concerns regarding China’s overcapacity as “hype” and said his country was “confronting the issue squarely,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

Lew also pushed for progress on a potential bilateral investment treaty between China and America, something which both countries have recognized as a goal, according to WSJ. The deal is currently stalled on a “negative list,” which names Chinese industries that would remain barred to foreign investors. There are currently 40 sectors identified on that list; American officials would like to see that number reduced.

US Secretary of State John Kerry restated the administration’s preference for a peaceful resolution of tensions in the South China Sea. The PRC has asserted sovereignty in the region and built artificial islands and military bases in areas claimed by the Philippines and four other southeast asian countries. Kerry urged officials in Beijing to avoid unilateral actions and submit to diplomacy and the rule of law on Monday at the S&ED, according to USA today.

Chinese military development and naval patrols at Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands have pushed Filipinos off of fishing grounds, trade routes and untapped oil deposits. In 2013, the administration of Philippine Pres-

ident Benigno S. Aquino III filed complaint against China to the United Nations’ Permanent Court of Arbitration. The Philippine government cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in its arguments to the Hague. The UNCLOS states that nations retain jurisdiction over open waters extending 12 nautical miles from their borders.

Chinese officials deny the Philippines’ legal standing to make a complaint, and did not submit arguments to the UN. They say the issue of territorial sovereignty is beyond the scope of the UNCLOS, and say the Philippines’ petition violates international law, according to China Daily. Chinese leaders say they will not honor a verdict issued by the Hague that does not honor their claims, RT news reported.

In May, two Chinese fighter jets provided unrequested escort of a US patrol plane flying in the region. According to USA Today, that incident suggests that China might consider imposing an air defense zone over the South China Sea, a move John Kerry said would be a “provocative and destabilizing act.” The two countries are currently “developing rules of behavior,” with respect to ship to ship encounters in the sea, according to a statement from the US State Department.

At the close of the meeting Chinese and American officials had agreed to intensify dialogue on Asia-Pacific concerns and work to enhance cooperation at multilateral talks. Both sides said they would “promote international law, including the UN Charter,”

according to the state department’s statement.

However, military leaders from the PRC have struck a defiant tone on the matter in the past. ““We do not make trouble, but we have no fear of trouble,” said PRC Admiral Sun Jianguo at a major security summit held in Singapore on Sunday. He added “China will not … allow any infringement on its sovereignty and security interest,” and accused other countries of causing “chaos” in the South China Sea, according to CNBC. Both the American and Chinese governments condemned nuclear weapons testing conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), according to a statement issued by the US Department of State. The two major powers reaffirmed their cooperative commitments to combat the proliferation of nuclear testing, terrorism and cybercrime.

With only a few months remaining in the current administration’s tenure, members of the president’s cabinet are expected to focus on foreign investment, the glut of industrial goods, climate change and other matters in which compromises will be easier to negotiate, according to CNBC. The thornier topics of Chinese currency volatility and territorial claims in the South China Sea will likely be inherited by the next presidential administration. US officials were in Beijing from June 5 until June 7 before traveling to a similar event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on June 8, and Jeddah Saudi Arabia on June 9.

(Eric Anthony Licas/AJPress)

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

BEIJINg welcomed the plans of incoming Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. to hold bilateral talks to resolve the South China Sea dispute.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying noted that over the 40 years of diplomatic relationship, successive leaders of China and the Philippines have affirmed their agreement to peacefully resolving the sea row.

Hua said that the two countries have conducted face-to-face meetings and have released bilateral political documents to resolve the dispute.

“Such agreement was also the solemn commitment in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea) jointly signed by the two sides in 2002.

Based on the aforementioned consensus, China and the Philippines have effectively controlled the South China Sea dispute through dialogue and consultation,” Hua said in a press briefing on Wednesday, June 8.

China is hopeful that the incoming administration of Presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte will return

Pres.-elect Rodrigo Duterte and incoming Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay Jr. Philstar.com photo

to the track of bilateral dialogue and will abide by the consensus on the disputed waters.

“It is hoped that the new government of the Philippines will abide by the relevant consensus and commitment, return to the track of bilateral dialogue, work with China to properly deal with the relevant differences and strive for the sound and steady development of bilateral relations.,” Hua said.

Yasay will be the acting Foreign

Affairs secretary until the post is turned over to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who is covered by a one-year prohibition on appointing people who ran and lost in a recent election.

The Philippines has a pending arbitration case against China’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea before the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations. The international tribunal is expected to issue a ruling soon.

US senators renew call for full benefits for...

PAGE A1 veterans,” said Senator Schatz.

“These veterans and their families have waited for decades to receive the compensation that they deserve, and it is simply wrong for our country to deny them the benefits they were promised.

Time is running out, and for some, it is already too late. We must act quickly to pass this legislation and fully honor the men and women who served so bravely in a time of war.”

“Filipino veterans put their lives on the line in the defense of US interests in the Pacific during World War II,” said Senator Murkowski. “It’s about time we treat the Filipino veterans of World War II with the respect their sacrifice entitles and eliminate the arbitrary distinctions in our veterans benefits laws.”

More than 250,000 Filipinos served under the US flag in the Pacific during the Second World War. As citizens of a US commonwealth during the war, they were promised full veterans benefits for

serving in the US Armed Forces.

However, because of the Rescission Act of 1946, most Filipino World War II veterans did not receive benefits they were promised.

Instead, these veterans have lived on quietly, often under-recognized and denied the basic veterans recognition they earned.

The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2016 fulfills the moral obligation of the United States to take care of its veterans and their families.

The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2016 eliminates the distinction between the Regular or “Old” Philippine Scouts and the other three groups of veterans — Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, Recognized guerrilla Forces, and New Philippine Scouts. It also allows Filipino veterans’ spouses and children to qualify for the same Dependency and Indemnity Compensation that current US veterans receive.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the US House of

Representatives with 37 co-sponsors and bipartisan support.

Filipino World War II Parole (FWVP) Program On Wednesday, June 8, the US Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) has started accepting applications for the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole (FWVP) Program that allows certain eligible US citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to request parole for their eligible family members.

If approved, veterans will be able to reunite with family members, even before their immigrant visas become available and apply for work authorization. Having family members in the US with the aging veterans would also provide them with the necessary support and care.

Today, there are an estimated 17,000 living Filipino veterans of World War II, now in their 80s and 90s.

For more information about the program, visit https://www.uscis. gov/fwvp.

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D ateline PhiliPPines Aquino: Presidency changed me CBCP explains silence on Duterte’s bashing

by AureA

CAliCA

Philstar.com

MANILA—After six years, President Aquino believes he is a changed man.

He said the six years of being leader of the country and the enormity of the job had changed him.

“I think I’ve grown as a person,” Aquino told Rappler in a live interview yesterday.

“My mother used to say that the one thing I lacked was my willingness to travel, (to be) exposed to a lot of different cultures... that was such a necessary skill to live with this new age where the world is getting smaller and smaller, but somehow I felt more content in the Philippines,” Aquino said.

“So here I am, I have to suddenly deal with a lot of leaders.

I have to understand where they are coming from in an effort to find common ground so we can move forward,” he added.

Aquino told Rappler’s Maria Ressa that other world leaders did not pay much attention to him in the beginning and would only talk to him because they had to.

One of them, according to Aquino, even gave him a soft key sermon when they first met. But after

the transformation of the country four or five years later, Aquino said this world leader, whom he refused to name, invited him to his country for a visit.

“Where I used to hear people say it’s such an honor to serve the people, now that I had to face so many challenges and all along...

I can always count on the people to fully support what I had to do really make me feel in a very palpable manner what it means when you say it’s really an honor to serve,” he said.

Aquino also noted he was happy to have led a Philippines that had gained credibility, specifically in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“Now we have ASEAN listening to us and trusting us that we will stand by our words on the issues that affect us,” he said.

In the same interview, Aquino said he still believes most Filipinos did not reject his Daang Matuwid slogan even as his anointed successor lost in the elections.

He trumpeted the gains his administration achieved in terms of the local economy, most especially in the fight against poverty.

“I think we are breaking that vicious cycle (poverty).”

There is also no place in the country where he is afraid to visit,

Pres. Benigno Aquino III

for the simple reason that he did not neglect them.

Aquino said he would bequeath the presidency to his successor proud of what he has achieved – that he exceeded people’s expectations and that it was more than enough.

“It’s more of how does this translate to individuals? I’d like to think that this is a stepping stone towards the next level, that there was a hindrance to everything we did. We eliminated the problems and it’s up to you to nurture it now,” he said.

SO WHO AMONG THEM ARE CORRUPT? Amid allegations by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte that three high-ranking police officials are corrupt, policemen attend Monday’s flag ceremony at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Inquirer.net photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta

AMID the continuous bashing it is getting from President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, not a whimper has been heard from the Catholic Church for quite sometime. But not anymore.

In a pastoral letter entitled “Understanding Silence,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas explained that silence, amid the noise of violence and terror, should not always be interpreted as the fear of cowards.

According to Villegas, there is always a time for everything, as with silence and speech.

“There is nobility in silence like the silence of the lambs brought to slaughter in the temple to atone for sins.” he added. “Silence indeed is the language of God and only those who speak silence will be able to grasp Him.” Villegas did not name names, but he was obviously alluding to Duterte, who has incessantly lambasted the men of the cloth, at every opportune time since the campaign period until now that he is already President-elect.

Villegas said that “mine is the silence of Jesus before the arrogance of [Pontius] Pilate.” “….Mine is the silence of the vigilant waiting for destiny to unfold. Mine is the silence of respect for those who consider us their enemies but whose good we truly pray for and whose happiness we want to see unfold,” he said.

“There is virtue in silence.

There is virtue in speech. Wisdom is knowing when it is time for silence and when is the timing for speech,” Villegas added.”

“You can understand my speech if you speak the language of silence. You can understand my silence if you know how to love like Him who was born one silent night,” he further said.

The feud between the Church and Duterte started during the campaign period when the incoming President cursed Pope Francis for causing traffic during his visit to Manila in January last year.

Duterte, among others, had also claimed that he and several of his classmates were sexually abused by a priest when they were studying at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Davao University.

Duterte also threatened to reveal the names of Catholic bishops who have become fathers to include the names and addresses of their children.

The CBCP, through Villegas, responded that “vulgarity is corruption” and lamented that people become “beastly and barbaric” when they still find it

funny, alluding to Duterte without naming him.

“When a revered and loved and admired man like Pope Francis is cursed by a political candidate and the audience laugh, I can only bow my head and grieve in great shame. My countrymen has gone to the dregs,” Villegas said. (William Depasupil/ManilaTimes.net)

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OpiniOn

Minor hiccup

Features

SEVERAL emerging markets in the world have experienced exceptional economic strides. These nations are mostly highly export-driven with strong inflows of capital and investment and well-capitalized banking institutions.

Many emerging markets have already “emerged.” Now that it is no longer the “Sick Man of Asia,” it is high time for the Philippines to experience this and become an integral player in the world economy as well. The country is a good option for its low start-up costs for new businesses, desirable workforce, and geographical proximity to other Asian markets. Foreign investments are more than welcome in the country.

The Philippines’ standing in the International Institute for Management Development’s (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) for 2016 has seen a minor setback after falling to 42nd place from 41st last year. This drop comes despite being hailed as the one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

The annual report measures four broad factors in measuring competitiveness—economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure. It uses economic data from various international and national sources, as well as an opinion survey in generating over 300 criteria to assess and rank the competitiveness of nations.

The WCY also suggested that the incoming administration under President-elect Rodrigo Duterte

address these challenges to improve the country’s competitiveness landscape: Secure businesses and communities from conflicts and calamities; Sustain governance reforms at all levels and across administrations; Enhance infrastructure, human capital, and cooperation to reduce transaction costs; Develop a competitive business environment to benefit from ASEAN integration and Foster shared prosperity through entrepreneurship and decent employment.

Under a new management, with Pres.-elect Duterte at the helm, the Philippine economy is poised to emerge as an economic prospect and attractive business destination. His economic team is set to meet this month to assess current government forecasts.

Incoming Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said that the incoming government is considering lowering the economic growth targets for the country in the next three years.

“Public spending, especially for public infrastructure, does not affect economic growth instantaneously. There is usually a lag. “Second half growth rate will be slower...as the impact of election spending fades. Agricultural sector and exports would

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

continue to be weak,” Diokno revealed.

To avoid an economic regression, the incoming government should address issues such as weak institutions, poverty and corruption continue to dissuade investors and make exporting in the country challenging.

Breaking through to the next level is all about meeting and exceeding expectations. As auspicious as it is. The Philippine economy should no longer settle for minor improvements and find ways to being consistently good rather than great just once in a while. (AJPress)

The Church is now haunted by its many failings DONE mocking his opponents in the presidential race, The Digong is now using almost every forum to vent his ire on the Church. He has accused the Church of basically two things, hypocrisy and irrelevance, and, the Church, shocked by the audacity of The Digong, has come out with nothing but guarded, timid responses. Never in the history of the Church, dating back to the early years of the Spanish reign, has the institution found itself bombarded and helpless.

The minor reason is this. For the first time in the country’s modern history, the elected President is not someone the Church and its hierarchy knows.

The populist choice in 1998 was Erap Estrada. But despite Erap’s acting background and tough guy image, he was trained by the Jesuits, and the men he named to the Cabinet and important government posts were insiders webbed to the centers of political and economic power. And webbed to the power centers of the Church.

The Digong is a real tough guy whose rise to power was based on narratives he was unapologetic about—killing criminals, the summary execution of drug dealers and his zero tolerance (whatever means of containing them was OK) toward people involved in the business of crime. All Old Testament narratives of rage, death and fury. His favorite verb is “ kill.” His favorite expression is “galit ako.” The men he named to important posts, who will soon assume

Commentary

Francisco s. TaTad MANY Filipinos genuinely want to see President-elect Rodrigo Duterte succeed, if only for the nation’s sake. But they are deeply and genuinely saddened. Many others are mortally afraid. The question they are asking is this: What’s happening to the person of our incoming President? Is he going to self-destruct even before he takes off? They aren’t even talking of his “program of government” yet.

First, he wanted to bring down the Roman Catholic Church; now he wants to bring down the media. Does he need either of these institutions to be his enemy?

Two recent incidents stand out.

These are but “small” incidents.

They involve a question of manners more than anything else. Nobody was killed, and nobody was raped. But from what’s appearing in the mainstream and social media, things could not have been much worse if there had been an actual murder or rape.

Murder of journalists The first incident revolves around the unsolved murder of journalists. The second raises the issue of sexual harassment. In both cases, Mr. Duterte is seen holding the shorter end of the stick.

Having promised to kill all

frontline and Cabinet-rank positions, have very tangential if not Opinion zero links to the Church.

His campaign manager and longtime aide was a former priest-turned-rebel, who, disgusted by the irrelevance of the official Church in addressing the plight of those identified in The Marlen ronquillo Sermon on the Mount, dropped his homilies, went underground and carried a gun.

There is nothing, virtually nothing, in the institutional memory of The Digong in which he collaborated with the official Church to tame the excesses of Davao City and govern it according to his dictum.

His colorful personal life and his openness with his many affairs were, in a sense, an open challenge on the basic teachings of the Church.

But, as I said, that is just the minor reason. There is a bigger one.

The Church and its intellectuals and theoreticians cannot counter the message of The Digong. Which is to basically serve the constituencies specified in The Sermon on the Mount: the weak, the humble, the afraid and the persecuted, though through methods decried in the Ten Commandments. The people (like my neighbors and I) who have nowhere to go and turn to during times of trouble, persecution and scarcity. The Church cannot even invoke that there

is another way forward, a Christian way, a civil one and a Godly one.

Because there is none.

When, really, was the last time the Church stood for the downtrodden? Reviewing the Church’s highprofile involvement in the public affairs, the most prominent image that comes to mind is this—Cardinal Tagle tearing up after reading the sordid affairs of the Napoles scam. The accompanying article said that Cardinal Tagle was shocked to see a scandal of that magnitude, at least P10 billion in a SARO-for-cash exchange.

The pork scam was pure and unalloyed evil. It was also unprecedented in the history of a historically compromised Congress. From the part of the cardinal, condemning the pork scam was a moral imperative. After that, many hoped that Cardinal Tagle would use his great and awesome moral authority to indict and condemn the greatest evil of our time—the control of 40 or so families of the nation’s wealth and our vastly unequal society.

Even Pope Francis has said that inequality “is the defining issue of our time.” In the Philippine context, it skews everything to favor the economic elite.

It sucks up GDP gains to further fatten the already immense wealth of these 40 or so families. It is at the root of all things that cripple the mobility of the

sectors below.

By refusing to take on the greatest evil of our time, Cardinal Tagle just collaborated with the efforts of the Aquino administration to paint “corruption” as the only and true evil, the root of the national malaise. With the Church and the so-called “civil society” behind Mr. Aquino, his administration used “corruption” as a wag-the-dog narrative to divert national attention from what Mr. Aquino was really doing—serving the top 1 percent and leaving the 99 percent to fend for themselves.

Mr. Aquino raised GDP growth, got credit upgrades and created a class of dollar billionaires that are now classified as “those-who-can-buy-a-smallcountry-rich.” The understated poverty level of 20plus percent never moved. In some dying areas of Mindanao, the poverty level was 84 percent, and the ARMM had worse literacy and poverty rates than Idi Amin-wrecked Uganda.

Through all these and the unapologetic service of Mr. Aquino to his true masters—the top 1 percent— the Church was a mute spectator, and, in a sense, an abettor.

So now, as The Digong mocks and taunts the Church for its hypocrisy and irrelevance, he finds no public rebuke and sanction. The Church failed to follow a timeless Church dictum—you reap what you sow—and its failings are now haunting the institution. (ManiaTimes.net)

‘PH can elevate case vs China before UN Security Council’ criminals, Mr. Duterte was asked in a news conference how he would stop the unsolved killing of mediamen, which had grown exponentially during B.S. Aquino 3rd’s six years in office. His answer knocked the living daylights out of his audience.

“Just because you’re a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination, if you are a son of a bitch,” he said.

The strongest message that screamed out of that statement was that the journalists who had been killed were all “sons of bitches” and deserved to be killed. Relatives and friends of victims were outraged by the remark, but the President-elect will not apologize. Salvador Panelo, his bejeweled spokesman, said he will apologize only if he did something wrong, but since he has done nothing wrong, the question does not arise.

Statement of support The Manila Times ran a strong editorial “in defense of the honor of slain journalists.” Journalists had been killed not necessarily because they were corrupt or abusive, the Times pointed out, but often “because they courageously reported the truth.” This column supports that statement.

At his Thursday news conference Duterte pressed his case against the alleged “sons of bitches.” He said he was ready to name journalists who had received bribes and favors from politicians, and had acted as their

mouthpieces.

“You know, guys, you think too much of yourselves… You want (to have) your cake and eat it too,” he said. “If worse comes to worse, we’ll expose each other.

I am ready to lose the presidency now. Or my honor, or my life. Just don’t f*** with me.”

Just drunk?

No drunk could have said anything like it without saying sorry after he sobered up. But this was no less than our President-elect who in a few days would take his solemn oath to “faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation, so help me God.” Endorsing assassination The statement did not simply “encourage impunity,” as the Center for International Law, Inc. put it. Much more than that, it endorsed “assassination” as a legitimate and legal means of settling grievances or neutralizing suspected criminals. Thus, in Cebu City, a P50,000 bounty per head is said to have been put up for the extra-judicial killing of suspected drug traffickers, while some police chiefs elsewhere are hunting down suspects with no other intent than to kill them and earn points from Malacañang.

If extra-judicial killing has become the norm, who will stand against it unless prepared to be-

come the objects of extra-judicial killing themselves? Who will dare speak out, after almost all the members of Aquino’s ruling party have migrated to Duterte’s PDPLaban like European refugees boarding the last boat to cross the Mediterranean? And after some murdered journalists had been called “sons of bitches” who deserved to die?

How did we ever get there?

After the last nitwit has ruined our lives for six years, we were hoping our next leader would lead us to a “sunnier upland,” where we could deal justly and humanely with everyone. Instead, he appears to have chosen to lead us back to the depth of the jungle, where the most brutal creature claims the right to rule.

Sexual harassment In his news conference, things got more complicated when Mr. Duterte interrupted a question from GMA-7 reporter Mariz Umali and suggested, rather playfully, that she was trying to catch his attention. He then let out a wolf whistle and broke into song. This elicited amused laughter from the conference.

It was completely out of place, and made the reporter completely uncomfortable. Had the offender been somebody else, GABRIELA and Mr. Duterte’s other rabidly feminist allies would have instantly denounced it as sexual harassment, which is punishable under the law and under a Davao City ordinance. But they have remained

silent until now. Umali’s offended husband quickly denounced it on Facebook, but spokesman Panelo was quicker to absolve his boss of any censurable offense.

Panelo said his macho boss had paid the female TV reporter a “compliment” and she should have been honored and thankful for it. How ungrateful!

Taking on media The Philippine Star reported Duterte’s outburst under the banner headline, “Duterte takes on media.” Some individual journalists have since weighed in, and the issues are now joined. No headline will say, “The media takes on Duterte,” but we can be sure there will be no “honeymoon period” between Duterte and the press.

By tradition, the mass media and the public try to ignore a new administration’s most obvious booboos during its first few months in office. But because of Duterte’s much-resented remarks, this period may be considered to have already lapsed.

Of course Duterte could take his case to a higher level by putting the media under authoritarian control. The lure of non-accountable power could prove irresistible, and unless we are misreading the signs, he could already be heading in that direction. But the fate of those who ever rode the tiger has been constant and unchanging; they never survive the tiger.

A costly delusion

Just as it is a serious mistake for the incoming President to try to take on the 2,000-year-old Roman Catholic Church, without any provocation, it would be a grave mistake for him to try to take on the mass media in the hope of bringing down the institution, also without provocation. That would be an extremely costly delusion.

I write from experience.

As press secretary, information minister, presidential spokesman and speechwriter all rolled into one, I ran the information sector of the Marcos government for 10 years. Martial law, which Marcos had declared to turn back the communist insurgency, which appears to have won four Cabinet posts under Mr. Duterte, had temporarily disabled the freewheeling Philippine press owned by the old oligarchy. But led by The New York Times, The Times of London, and all the major US, British and European TV networks, the international media came in to fill the void and hold the government accountable to a much more politically demanding international public.

The role of the world press I dealt with hundreds of correspondents from all over the world on a daily basis, and saw the kind of pressure exerted by high-powered media deputations, individual newspapers, radio and television networks not even known to most Filipinos.

It was this unrelenting presPAGE A7

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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Enrile: Old politicians fade away Henares: Pacquiao’s tax arrears mounting

by Jeff

AntipordA ManilaTimes.net

THE last session day at the Senate saw nine senators bowing out, including minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile who served as a legislator for 27 years.

Enrile, the oldest senator, served four terms in the Senate. He was also a congressman for three years.

“I would like to thank all of my colleagues and all those people that worked with me and beg their forbearance and understanding if in the heat of debate, I somehow helped them unwittingly or displeased them,” the veteran lawmaker said.

Enrile, 92, noted that he tried his best to serve the people.

“Like what McArthur said, old soldiers never die, they just fade away. I would say today, my last appearance in this chamber, old politicians never die, they will just fade away. My head was bloodied but never bowed,” he said.

Enrile was among the nine outgoing senators who were commended Saying that “old politicians never die, they will by the chamber during its last session. just fade away,” Senate Minority Leader Juan The others were Senators Pia Cayetano, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Ponce Enrile thanks his colleagues during his Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Teofisto Guingona III, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., valedictory speech, Monday, June 6.

Senate photo by Joe Arazas Sergio Osmeña III, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Lito Lapid.

‘PH can elevate case vs China before...

PAGE A6 sure, more than that which was coming from official diplomatic sources, that ultimately led Marcos to call for a special snap presidential election in Feb. 1986—which would ultimately lead to his ouster by the US- and civilian-backed military mutiny called the EDSA revolt. Read all about it, from an official American perspective, in Turmoil and Triumph: My Years as Secretary of State by George Shultz.

Despite his undiminished close personal friendship with US President Reagan, who supported him to the very end, Marcos had become, at this time, an “unpredictable ally” as far as the State Department and the Pentagon were concerned, mainly because of the hardening of his position on the military bases. Although he had fought side by side with the Americans against the Japanese in the last war, and was America’s staunchest ally throughout his presidency, Marcos had followed a consistently pro-Philippines and pro-Asia line with respect to the bases at Clark and Subic.

The role of the bases A year after his first election in 1965, he sought to cut short the term of the 1947 US-Philippine Military Bases Agreement from 99 years ending in 2046, to the next 25 years ending in 1991.

While seeking the return of base lands which the US forces no longer needed, Marcos insisted that the bases be called no longer “US military bases” but “Philippine bases,” under the command of a Filipino military commander, with

the Philippine flag flying singly over them, except for the buildings where the US forces were quartered.

Finally, Marcos proposed that the agreement’s “rent-free” provision be reinterpreted, to allow for some form of rent. The US agreed to provide an Economic Support Fund, but recriminations eventually arose when Foreign Secretary Carlos P. Romulo, in talks with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, asked for a substantial rent increase. As the 1991 termination date approached, the US felt a need to negotiate an extension, but Marcos gave no indication he was prepared for it.

Unpredictable ally He had become so “unpredictable,” complained Ambassador Stephen Bosworth in private, “that if he had but one dark suit to his name inside his closet and he was invited to a strictly ‘dark suit’ dinner, you could not be sure he would wear his one dark suit.”

That was a very serious problem to the US. Meanwhile, the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino, Jr. on Aug. 21, 1983 had put his widow, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, in the active ranks of the opposition. Although she had become part of the group of Sen. Lorenzo Tanada, Jose Wright Diokno, Chino Roces, and Jimmy Ongpin, which publicly demanded the immediate removal of the bases, she had privately intimated that she was prepared to change her anti-bases stance at the proper time.

But how to persuade Marcos to

agree to a transition was the real problem. Despite the shuttle of high-level US emissaries between Washington and Malacañang, neither State nor the Pentagon seemed to be breaking through. It was ultimately the media that did.

How the media did it In Nov. 1985, Marcos appeared on “This Week with David Brinkley” on ABC. Taunted about his allegedly declining popularity, Marcos responded by challenging the opposition to a snap presidential election in which he would run against anybody. This was five years after I had left the Cabinet, and joined the opposition; the National Unification Committee, of which I was a member, picked Cory Aquino as our candidate. She lost as expected, but the EDSA uprising ousted Marcos, and installed Cory as revolutionary President.

Contrary to the well-propagated myth, Marcos did not fall because of corruption. He became corrupt because—and after—he fell. Much of this was the work of media. Once he was out of power, the international media had no let up accusing him of corruption.

Anti-Marcos books rolled out of the assembly line from foreigners who knew nothing about Marcos or the Philippines.

Then as now, the media claimed the right to judge. But never did they hear the President call anyone of them a son of a bitch who deserved to get killed, or subject any female reporter to any ordeal on the excuse that he was but paying her a very high “compliment.”

(ManilaTimes.net)

MANILA—The tax arrears of outgoing Sarangani congressman and incoming senator Manny Pacquiao are mounting, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares said.

Henares told ABS-CBN News Channel that three years ago, the BIR assessed the Pacquiaos a tax deficiency of P3.2 billion, which included penalties, for income earned in 2008 and 2009.

“He sued us, we did not sue him. Since then, the penalties have been increasing,” she said.

She said Pacquiao’s resort to a court case did not freeze his tax liabilities. She added that at some point, the boxing champion would have to settle those obligations.

Henares denied that Pacquiao negotiated for a compromise settlement.

Pacquiao is the only billionaire member of the House of Representatives. He was worth P1.6 billion in 2014. He reportedly earned $240 million from the $600-million gross income his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May last year had generated.

Henares also denied that she gave a special treatment to Dunkin Donuts owners.

Manny Pacquiao

“They talked to me because they were contesting our assessment. I asked them if they would agree to a second audit, and they agreed.

I ordered a second audit by another team and a third audit by a different team. The second and third teams had the same findings, which were made the basis for the final assessment,” she said.

She said she gave the same treatment to Dunkin Donuts as she would give to other taxpayers similarly situated. “If you approach me to contest our assessment, I will ask you if you will accept another audit,” she added.

On the issue of increasing the

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

12-percent value added tax, Henares said what the incoming administration should probably do is to review VAT exemptions.

“Under the present law, there are numerous exemptions. The alphabet has not been enough for the enumeration of such exemptions. So they used AA, double B, double C, and so on,” she said.

She defended her boss, outgoing Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, against the statement of incoming finance chief Carlos Dominguez III that Purisima had six years to work for comprehensive tax reform but did not do it.

(Jess Diaz/Philstar.com)

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VEGAS&STYLE Journal

Philippine independence as history tells it On June 12, 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Philippines’ independence from Spanish colonial rule and established a provincial government that he eventually headed. However, prior to his proclamation, Aguinaldo was in exile and only made arrangements with United States authorities to return to his country and assist them with their fight against Spain.

Spain colonized the Philippines in the 16th century and was opposed by Filipino priests, as Spaniards dominated the Roman Catholic churches in the islands. By the late 19th century, many Filipinos — not just the plain folk but middle-class citizens as well — began calling for independence.

The Katipunan and Aguinaldo’s exile A secret revolutionary society was formed in Manila in 1892 called “Katipunan.” Many immediately joined in, and when the Spanish discovered the group’s plans for rebellion in 1896, the Katipunan was forced to fight them prematurely. In 1897, Aguinaldo became leader of the rebellion.

Many Filipinos see Aguinaldo as an important figure in Philippine history. However, some see him as a sell out when he went into exile in Hong Kong. With the Katipunan rebels unprepared for its battle against the Spanish, Aguinaldo negotiated an agreement with the colonizers in exchange for financial compensation and a promise of reform in the Philippines. When he and his generals departed, the Philippine Revolution temporarily ended.

The Spanish-American War Spain was also trying to take over Cuba that time and in April 1898, the Spanish-American War started. The US won a series of victories against Spain, including when Commodore George Dewey led the annihilation of the Spanish Pacific fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898.

When Aguinaldo came out of exile, he rallied his revolutionaries and began liberating towns.

Thinking that the country has

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo led the fight against the Spanish.

achieved its complete freedom from colonizers, he proclaimed Philippine independence on June 12.

Also, the Spanish commander who was surrounded in Manila by both the Filipino rebels and Dewey’s squadron, demanded two conditions for his surrender: First, the US will advance into the capital and make it look like a battle, and second, under no conditions were the Filipino rebels be allowed into the city.

So, the mock Battle of Manila was stage, and the Americans kept their promise to keep the rebels out of the city.

From one colonizer to another So while the Americans occupied Manila and discussed peace negotiations with Spain, Aguinaldo organized the Malolos revolutionary assembly in September. In January 1899, The first democratic constitution in Asia was drew up and a government was formed wherein Aguinaldo was President.

The Philippine Insurrection began in February 4, when Filipino rebels and US troops fought inside American lines in Manila. Two days later, after 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, the Philippines became a US territory — in exchange for

Manuel L. Quezon became the Philippines’ first President in 1935.

Commodore George Dewey led the annihilation of the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay.

$20 million as compensation to the Spanish.

The war against the US There was a new war afoot — this time with the US. Aguinaldo formally launched a new revolt, but Americans proved to be a strong opponent that the rebels were consistently defeated. Many of the rebels turned into guerillas, and in spite of many anti-imperialists in US like William Jennings, who was opposed to the annexation of the Philippines, the war continued.

PAGE B4

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Features

history of the philippine flag

Infographics by:

Celebrating our freedom: PH Independence Day

In the United States, Philippine Independence Day has acquired cultural awareness after the dawn of the 21st century.

This holiday is celebrated among Filipinos in America and is now a huge event for many FilipinoAmericans to rekindle their origin and heritage.

Filipinos around the world come together to celebrate Philippine Independence Day and to create awareness of the Philippine culture. Several main objectives are to raise funds for charity

projects in the Philippines and the United States.

In Los Angeles, hundreds of Fil-Ams paraded through the Historic Filipinotown district last Saturday, June 4 to kick off Philippine Independence Day festivities happening throughout the entire month of June.

Last Sunday, June 5 was the Philippine Independence Council, Inc.’s (PIDCI) celebration in new York. In spite of the rain, thousands of people — both participants and spectators — walked

through Madison Ave. from 36th Street to Madison Park.

This new York event is the oldest and biggest community parade and celebration of the Philippine independence outside Manila, which is now in its 34th year. The Philippine American Communities of the East Coast initiated the parade in 1972 on Madison Avenue. Today, that community celebration has become a tradition with the growing generations of Filipinos in the east coast. (AJPress)

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Flags of the Philippine Revolution PRIOR to the making of the official Filipino flag in Hong Kong

by Mrs. Marcela de Agoncillo, there were other flags used by the Katipunan secret society and its various factions. After the Katipunan was dissolved, the Philippine army and its civil government also had their own flags to represent their groups -- some of which were for personal use.

During the Philippine Centennial celebration in 1998, a list of official flags was released. These should not be confused as the “evolution of the Philippine flag,” but instead are properly called as the “Flags of the Revolution.”

Lastly, though many of the flags have symbols and layouts that may seem to inspire the official Philippine flag today, history states that there is no direct relationship between them whatsoever.

Katipunan flags Andres Bonifacio asked his wife, Gregoria de Jesus, to create a flag for the Katipunan. What came out was a simple red flag bearing the society’s acronym, KKK, and became the group’s first flag. The “K” in the middle of the sun stood for “Kalayaan” or “Freedom.”

Member of the group also used other variations of the flag.

As the revolution heated up, the Magdiwang faction of the Katipunan under Mariano Alvarez adopted a red flag with a white sun with the baybayin (the ancient Tagalog script) letter “ka” (for K) at the center.

Another faction, Magdalo, under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, used a similar flag to what the Magdiwang faction had. It featured a white sun with the same baybayin letter “ka.“ The final standard design was a sun with eight rays, representing the eight

The first Katipunan flag used by Andres Bonifacio, done by his wife, Gregoria de Jesus. Other Katipunan members used other variations of this flag.

Gen. Mariano Llanera’s personal flag, which Bonifacio referred to as “Bungo ni Llanera” or “Llanera’s Skull.”

Gen. Gregorio del Pilar’s personal flag, which was patterned after that of Cuba’s, which was also in revolt against Spain.

provinces place under martial law by the Spaniards (Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and nueva Ecija), which was later used in the national flag of the Philippines Personal flags Among those who had personal flags during the revolu-

The first official Philippine flag in 1897 but was only used less than year because of the truce between Filipino leaders and Spanish authorities.

Andres Bonifacio’s personal flag.

tion was Bonifacio, who was the Katipunan’s Supremo. Similar to the Katipunan’s, this flag was first unveiled on August 23, 1896 during the Cry of Pugadlawin. It was then later used during the Battle of San Juan del Monte on August 30, 1896, the first major battle of the Philippine Revolution.

General Mariano Llanera, who fought in the provinces of Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga and nueva Ecija; stepped away from the color red for his personal flag.

He instead used a black flag with a white K and skull. Bonifacio called that flag as “Bungo ni Llanera” or “Llanera’s Skull.

General Pio del Pilar also has personal flag called “Bandila ng Matagumpay,” or “Flag of the Triumphants,” was also red with a white triangle. and mountain with a rising sun behind it. The flag was first used on July 11, 1895.

Another general who used a flag was Gregorio del Pilar. His flag was patterned after Cuba, which was also in revolt against Spain.

The first official Filipino flag was adopted by Katipunan military leaders on March 17, 1897 at the naic Assembly. It was a red banner, with an eighth-rayed sun and a face. It was only used for less than a year because there was truce signed between Filipino leaders and Spanish authorities on December 14-15, 1897. (AJPress)

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Army Reserve officer crowned Miss USA 2016 applause.

“We are just as tough as men. As a commander of my unit I am powLAS VEGAS—On Sunday, June erful, I am dedicated and it’s impor5, 52 gorgeous ladies walked tant to recognize that gender does across the stage of the T-Mobile not limit us in the United States Arena in Las Vegas to vie for the Army,” she answered instantly.

Miss USA crown.

Last Sunday’s event also feaUnlike the previous years, this tured performances from The year’s pageant featured an online Backstreet Boys and Chris search for a 52nd contestant, Young. naming her “Miss 52.”

Olivia Jordan, Miss USA 2015, Miss District of Columbia, De- passed down the crown to Barshauna Barber, won the coveted ber, who will now be residing in crown during Sunday night’s New York with Miss Universe Pia ceremony. Barber, a 26-year-old Wurtzbach.

IT analyst and Army Reserve For Pia Wurtzbach saying logistics commander, brought goodbye to her former roommate the entire arena down during the was not easy. question and answer portion by In Pia’s Instagram post to Olresponding to the recent decision ivia, she described the latter as by the Pentagon to open up all a “true representation of a Miss combat jobs to women.

USA.” “As a woman in the United WME/IMG owns both Miss States Army, I think it is an amaz- Universe and Miss USA. Barber ing job by our government to will move to the New York apartallow women to integrate into ment provided by the Miss Unievery branch of the military,” she verse Organization. said as the crowd erupted into In a separate Instagram post, By charisse

Trinidad AJPress

Deshauna Barber of the District of Columbia, an Army officer, was crowned the winner of Miss USA 2016. 26-year-old Barber is the first-ever military member to win in this competition.

Photos by Raoul Gatchalian

Wurtzbach told Barber: “Welcome to the family. See you in a few hours as we fly back to New York to your new home.”

$30,000 raised at Rock the Socks Golf Classic benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas LAS VEGAS—Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Greater Las Vegas, and local community partners gathered for a day of golf, sun and fun on Friday, June 3rd at the inaugural Rock the Socks Golf Classic Benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, raising $30,000 in support of RMHC and the families they serve.

More than 100 golfers from the Las Vegas community braved the heat and hit the links on Friday, June 3, 2016 for 18 holes at the beautiful Bear’s Best Las Vegas.

Attendees enjoyed a continental breakfast, games and contests, a hosted beverage cart, photos with Ronald McDonald, a fabulous raffle, and an awards luncheon!

Photographs of all the festivities are available at www.rmhlv.org.

Rock the Socks Golf Classic 2016 was made possible by our community sponsors including Dura-Kool, Rock the Socks Golf Classic 2016 was made possible by our community sponsors including Dura-Kool, All Proceeds from Rock the Socks Golf Classic benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of

Greater Las Vegas, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that provides temporary housing for families who travel to Las Vegas to receive critical medical treatment for their children. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas also supports programs that directly benefit children and families in the Las Vegas area through scholarships, community outreach projects, and the recently opened Ronald McDonald Family Room at Sunrise Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit www.rmhlv.org or call (702) 252-4663.

Elmo Magalona on girlfriend Janine Gutierrez: No conflicts at all by

Joyce Jimenez Philstar.com

ELMO Magalona denied that there’s conflict between him and girlfriend Janine Gutierrez after they were paired with different love teams of rival networks.

Janine is paired with Aljur Abrenica, while Elmo is paired with Janella Salvador. never fully achieved until 1946.

“No conflicts at all. We supIn 1935, Manuel L. Quezon port each other,” he said in an was elected the country’s first interview with a group of press president and the Common- on Tuesday, June 7. wealth of the Philippines was He added that it’s all work for established (with US approval, them, and their respective love of course). Full independence teams shouldn’t feel awkward in was granted to the Republic of doing romantic scenes for their the Philippines by the US on July separate projects.

4, 1946 — which is also known in He even immediately informed the country as Philippine-Ameri- Janella about his relationship can Friendship Day. (AJPress) when they first met.

Filipina Queen Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015, walked the red carpet elegantly in a black caped gown and tidy top-bun with reigning princesses Olivia Jordan, and Katherine Haik at The Miss USA 2016 Pageant held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, June 5, 2016.

Philippine independence as history...

PAGE B1

In 1901, Aguinaldo was captured by Gen. Frederick Funston and his group.

The Filipino rebel leader took an oath of allegiance to the US and called for an end to the rebellion, but many still fought on.

In 1902, the Philippines was taken over by an American civil government, ending the Philippine Insurrection. At the end,

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there were more Americans who died trying to suppress the Philippines, more than that the number killed in the SpanishAmerican War. This is incomparable of course to the Filipinos who died in both wars — over 20,000 rebels and an unknown number of civilians.

The most striking fact about the Philippines’ fight for complete independence was it was

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Elmo Magalona and Janine Gutierrez

“That’s the first thing na sinabi ko ‘to her,” he recalled his first meeting with his new love team. “Sinabi ko sa kanya na

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there’s nothing to be worried about because on my part, ako na mismo nag-open and I did what I had to do na.”

Elmo will star in the upcoming primetime TV series “Born for You” together with Janella.

Since the Kapamilya actress was first paired with Marlo Mortel, Elmo understands that they have fans who find it hard to welcome their team up.

Despite this, he chose to remain positive and just focus on their goal which is “to serve them this very lovely story and sana ma-in love ang mga tao kila Kevin at Sam.” “Born for You” will start airing on June 20, replacing “The Story of Us” in the ABS-CBN primetime block.

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 9-15, 2016

GRAND OPENING + ĿĢş Ě\

LAS VEGAS GRAND OPENING FIESTA Island Pacific unveils its first store in Nevada

Hundreds of people flocked to Island Pacific Supermarket Las Vegas on May 14, 2016 to celebrate the store’s grand opening. This location is the company’s first branch in the state of Nevada and the 18th branch to be opened in the United States. Distinguished guests led by Honorable Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim accompanied by his wife, Fides; City National Bank Executives and key leaders from the Filipino community were all present during the inaugurationww. The ceremony and store blessing was officiated by a local parish priest Father Nadim Abou Zeid from St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church Las Vegas.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the store appearance of Philippine media’s most sought-after love team, James Reid and Nadine Lustre, otherwise known as JADINE. Hours before the scheduled arrival of JADINE, their avid fans lined up to see catch a glimpse of their fave real-life IT couple. An hour before the scheduled arrival of James Reid and Nadine Lustre, the line started from the entrance of the store and extended towards the parking lot.

And by the time that JADINE arrived at Island Pacific, there was hardly any room left due to the massive number of people anxiously waiting to see them.

Although James Reid was unable to come out to greet his fans due to a leg injury he acquired prior to visiting Island Pacific, Nadine Lustre spent a blissful moment on stage greeting her fans and answering interview questions from Faith Bautista, CEO of National Asian American Coalition.

The grand opening celebration was also made eventful through various activities held throughout the day such as in-store raffles for lucky customers and live performances by Noemi Aragon, Valerie Bonz, Front Page Band and Ryan Gallager.

Island Pacific Las Vegas is located in 8650 W Tropicana Ave. Las Vegas, Nevada 89147.

Store Hours: Supermarket- Daily 7:00 am – 10:00 pm Bread Republic and Philhouse - Daily 7:00am -9:00 pm.

Street food is only available during weekends.

www.islandpacificmarket.com

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Temporary Protected Status may serve as pathway to permanent residency Your Immigration Solution atty. NaNCy Miller & BeN loveMaN The Ninth Circuit will soon hear oral arguments in two cases which could dramatically alter the ability of persons granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to apply for lawful permanent residency. The two cases concern whether a person granted TPS is considered inspected and admitted. The question is crucial because many TPS beneficiaries entered the country without inspection and are not eligible for adjustment lawful permanent resident status under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The result is that they must complete their green card processing at US Consulate in their home country.

When they leave the US, they

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS ABOUT 20 percent of people in the United States (323.58 million population) have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) of some type, a condition that is not well-understood and is under-diagnosed.

I could not determine its prevalence/incidence in the Philippines (The UN population estimate of the country as of April 7, 2016 is 101,884,176), but I would surmise it could be close to that figure.

What Is IBS? Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder that involves the large intestine (colon) without causing any inflammation or permanent damage. It is a poorly understood condition and hence no specific treatment regimen could be adopted. The symptoms are non-specific, and they could include abdominal pain, bloating or cramping, gas, constipation or diarrhea, or even mucus in the stool, and the symptom may be one or in any combination of those, and could also change, even in the same patient. Most of us have experienced a sense of abdominal discomfort or bloating after a meal

invoke the unlawful presence bar and must either obtain a waiver – assuming they have a USC or LPR parent or spouse – or wait for ten years before they can return.

Section 245(a) governs the majority of applications for adjustment of status and requires that the applicant prove they have been inspected and admitted (or paroled). Without proof of admission or parole the applicant is not eligible for adjustment of status unless they are covered by a special exception contained in section 245(i). The details of 245(i) eligibility are beyond the scope of this article but to qualify a person must be the beneficiary of a petition filed on or before January 14, 1998 or prior to April 30, 2001 provided they were also physically present in the United States on December 20, 2000.

For many thousands of TPS beneficiaries living in the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington,

Idaho, Montana, and Alaska) who are not covered by 245(i), the outcome of the two cases will determine whether they can apply for green cards inside the United States or will be required to apply for immigrant visas abroad. The stakes for TPS beneficiaries are high as applying for an immigrant visa abroad requires departing the US, triggering waivable tenyear bar to reentry, and uncertain prospects about when and if they can return to the U.S. Departing the US means separation from loved ones, interruption in work or loss of jobs and many myriad of other potential problems. Applying from within the US allows the applicant to avoid the risks of departure and maintain employment while in the process of obtaining their green card.

The Ninth Circuit is not the first court of appeals to face the question posed in these cases.

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals already ruled that being granted TPS status constitutes an

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? at one time or the other, but if the symptoms happen regularly after a meal, it could be IBS. Does IBS affect children?

Yes, children could also be affected by IBS, but since the symptoms are so non-specific, IBS is hard to diagnose especially among children. A study of the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearing house (NDDIC) stated that “one study of children in North America found that girls and boys are equally prone to having IBS…..The study also found that as many as 14 percent of high school students and 6 percent of middle school students have IBS….FDA has not approved any drugs for treating IBS in children.” Individuals with IBS are usually sensitive to a variety of food items. each case is unique.

What causes IBS? Medical science does not know what causes IBS. Diet is a suspect and what persons with IBS eat or drink are important to note in a diary they are recommended to write after each meal, to find out if any food item precipitates the abdominal pains and/or other symptoms.

Could carbohydrates in general, or fried foods, or food with gluten (like wheat, etc.) be causing intolerance in some or all of persons with IBS? Could it be digestive enzyme defi-

ciency, like lactose (milk and other diary food) intolerance? Or lack of good bacteria which helps in food digestion in the gut? Irritable Bowel Syndrome is still a puzzle even to physicians today.

So, why even seek medical consultation?

It is very important for those with any of the symptoms above to see a physician in order to find out if it is only lactose intolerance (an enzyme deficiency that could effectively be treated with lactase enzyme tablet) and to rule out the possibility of a more serious condition. Indeed, medical consultation is strongly recommended for persons with any symptom or sign that bother them.

As I have repeatedly advocated in this column, we must love our body and listen to what it tells us.

Could stress cause it?

“Most people would agree that stress plays an important role in triggering symptom flares in irritable bowel syndrome,” states Dr. emeran Mayer at the University of California, Los Angeles, is an NIhfunded scientist who’s working to find treatments to correct altered brain-gut interactions. he says “one possibility is that it comes from changes in the way that the brain and the gut communicate….

People with irritable bowel syndrome often report higher levels of

admission for adjustment of status purposes while the eleventh Circuit has deferred to USCIS’s policy to the contrary. The circuit split means that people living in different parts of the country are living under different rules despite the fact that immigration law is Federal and should, in theory, be uniform across the country. Generally, when Circuit splits involve significant issues such as the one discussed here, either USCIS adjusts its policy to conform to the most immigrant friendly ruling nationwide or the issue ends up before the Supreme Court which then decides the issue on a nationwide basis. even if the Ninth Circuit does not rule that TPS approval equals a lawful admission for purposes of adjustment of status, there are other routes for TPS beneficiaries to obtain permanent residency which have been made available by relatively recent changes to immigration law policy. Amongst these is the provisional waiver

and advance parole. The provisional waiver process allows beneficiaries of immigrant visa petitions who were not inspected and admitted to the United States to apply for pre-approval for a waiver of the ten-year bar they will trigger upon departing the U.S. to apply for an immigrant visa abroad. This process significantly reduces the risks and uncertainties for those wishing to apply for permanent resident status but who have to apply abroad. With the appropriate, sufficient and properly presented evidence, the provisional waiver can be approved but the process still involves uncertainty and the need to depart the U.S. Advance parole is the name USCIS gives to temporary travel documents that TPS and other persons are eligible to apply for under certain circumstances. Those who obtain advance parole and use the permission to travel out of the U.S. and then return will be able to apply for adjustment of status

inside the U.S. upon return to the U.S. A grant of advance parole is no guarantee of being allowed to enter the U.S. and carries its own potential problems; thus, one no one should apply for advance parole before consulting an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney.

Anyone with TPS should consult an experienced immigration attorney to discuss how recent and forthcoming changes in law may affect their ability to obtain permanent resident status. ***

stress or anxiety… Stress reduction strategies and cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of talk therapy, can help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.”

Would probiotics help?

Changes (reduction) in the gut bacteria is also a suspect. To help restore the helpful bacteria, which aid in our digestion, probiotic supplement (capsules, tablet, or powder, or live active cultures as in yogurts) is an added recommendation. Many people with IBS find that certain foods can make them feel worse. “There is no specific irritable bowel syndrome diet,” says Mayer.

“Irritable bowel syndrome patients are generally more sensitive to a variety of foods. every case of irritable bowel syndrome is unique.”

How common is it among adults?

IBS appears to be most common among those younger than 45, with most of them experiencing the first symptoms when they were in their 20s. Women are somehow more often affected than men. Those with family history of IBS are more prone to have it too. Anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues have been found to be common among individuals with IBS. The question among those with depression and IBS is which is causing which, which came first?

Is there a medical test for it?

To date, there is no specific medical test that can definitively

confirm the diagnose of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The physician arrives at a “diagnosis” based on the clinical history, symptoms, physical examination and laboratory findings, ruling out all other medical conditions. Among children and young adults there are milder variants of this syndrome, which they grow out of without treatment.

Why keep a diary of foods eaten?

As I have alluded to above, the type or kind of food might be a triggering factor in IBS. Keeping a list of food consumed at mealtime and noting any symptoms developing after the meal, and the time interval, could provide valuable information for prophylactic avoidance of any food items that may be causing the irritation.

Does IBS lead to cancer?

No, Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not to cancer or cause permanent damage to the colon. IBS does not progress or lead to other GI diseases. The abdominal discomfort or pain, and other symptoms, if present, are quite annoying and bothersome, but they usually subside spontaneously.

What is the treatment for IBS? Since the cause is unknown, there is no specific treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. After the physician has ruled out all other more serious medical conditions, the treatment regimen includes

changes in diet (if the trigger food item(s) is/are identified), probiotic supplement, daily exercise, and stress management. Diarrhea and constipation, if present, are treated accordingly. For those with IBS with persistent and intractable (not responsive to standard drugs) constipation, Linzess (linaclotide) and Amitiza (lubiprostone), have been approved by the US-FDA recently. For IBS with persistent diarrhea, Lotronex (alosetron) is the new drug. Medications should be the last resort. Diet and lifestyle changes, especially exercise and stress management, are the first best option. Since certain foods can trigger IBS symptoms, like food rich in carbohydrates (a nutrient called polyols in carbs), fatty foods, spicy foods, milk products, coffee, alcohol, and caffeine in general, these foods are to be minimized, if not avoided.

Please visit philipSchua.com email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MoNette aDeva Maglaya (Part 2 of 2)

hALF a lifetime later and half a world away, I have forgotten much about the murdered American soldier. Buried in the mists of time, his story would have remained shelved, tucked away in my memory banks and promptly forgotten until I came across an account of that incident long ago on the internet.

Written by Virgilio Lacaba, I read a long, detailed article, perhaps a reprint, on “Strange Occurrences at the UP” and like a flood, everything came rushing back as though it happened yesterday. Weeks after the session, I remember being interviewed for an article in a then popular weekly magazine, Mr. & Ms., by Neni Santa Romana Cruz, a well-known Filipino writer who also happened to be the elder sister of a good friend from St. Scholastica’s College, the kind and gentle Chona Santa Romana, who incidentally and sadly, I learned much later, was herself a tragic victim of murder and domestic foul play, sometime in the late eighties. I had left the country for America by then and lost touch.

I do remember that during the interview for the article I have had to be careful in how the story is presented because I was living, working and studying in an academic environment, which by default should place reason and scientific explanation on everything that happens in the world.

Paranormal phenomenon is an entirely different ball of wax that supposedly rational beings do not normally subscribe to, something that would raise skeptical brows.

Yet I have found that life is not entirely rational, a lot of things don’t make sense and we have only begun to chip away at the great mysteries of life that lay before us. I am thus convinced that quite possibly, I am just one of the multitudes the world over who believe that there are things in the universe that are far beyond the scope of reason and known science to explain and things that are far beyond human intelligence to comprehend fully.

Quite plainly, there are things in this world that cannot be defined, completely understood and pegged in a nice, neat box. The curious case of this murdered

Reeves, Miller, Zhang & Diza Law Corporation’s offices are located in Pasadena, Irvine, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

The curious case of Stephen C. Davis: A ghost story “…he was no more than a lonely soul whose young life was cut down so suddenly and so tragically one dark moonless night. …”

American soldier reaching out from the grave is probably one of them.

As a postcript decades later, Lacaba updated the account by verifying the information about Stephen Davies with the American Battle Monuments Commission (http: //www.abmc.gov/ search/detailwwnew.php). Something may have been lost in the spelling and translation during the sessions, for there were two entries for Stephen Davis (there was no e though in the Davis) — one was Stephen e. Davis, a US Air Force officer who was killed in hawaii and whose remains were never recovered and a Stephen C. Davis. The latter was listed as Seaman, First Class, U.S. Navy, with Service # 3759920 and that he had entered the service in California. The approximate date of death was December 15, 1945 in Manila, Philippines.

Davis earned a Purple heart Award posthumously. Just like the other Davis in hawaii, there were no remains recovered. The name of Stephen C. Davis is inscribed in one of the hemicycles on the west side in the American Cemetery near Forbes Park and what used to be Fort Bonifacio, a military camp sold to private real estate developers during the nineteen nineties and now known as The Fort in Global City.

There is absolutely no way to verify every minute detail of this cold murder case unless one is a tenacious private investigator with the mixed pedigree of a bloodhound and a bulldog. One thing that comes across clearly, at least to me, is that the ghost of Stephen C. Davis, whether real or conjured by hypnotic suggestion, didn’t seem to be obsessed with vengeance or justice although he did seem knowledgeable about his killer’s whereabouts. Underneath the bone-chilling poltergeist tactics his restless soul employed to reach out from beyond the grave, he was no more than a lonely soul whose young life was cut down so suddenly and so tragically one dark moonless night. Stuck in a nebulous, nether

world between the living and the world beyond, nothing seemed to be as important to this murdered American soldier as being remembered. It didn’t matter even if the remembrance is by a motley crew of curious, total strangers.

With a sigh of relief over the realization that the spirit was neither malevolent nor malicious, Stephen C. Davis would probably have to deal with an incensed group of total strangers who would gladly take turns putting their hands around his poltergeist neck and choking him, if they could, for scaring them half to death while using the rest rooms.

The ghost simply wanted to call attention to his plight, to being stuck in limbo or trapped in a dimension that defies time and space. Scaring mortals was one heck of a way to do it.

If you remember the movie “Ghost” there was one such paranormal being who was practically forced into mentoring Patrick Swayze’s character in the ways of poltergeists. The movie character is a disembodied soul trapped in one dimension. he inhabited a New York subway because he was pushed on the path of a train and died. he was stuck and could not cross over to the other side because his time had not yet come. So he spends his time morosely bent on mischief scaring the living daylights out of subway commuters.

Because his approximate death anniversary is supposedly December 15, Stephen C. Davis is again reaching out from the grave one more time from another century, so that he may be remembered and included in prayers just once more until he reaches final closure and eternal rest. Do pray for him if you can.

If Stephen Davis’s story holds up, it is clear that to be forgotten as though one’s life didn’t matter is indeed tragic. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

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Meeting world-renowned fashion designer, Francis Libiran

By Monet

Lu

I had the pleasure of meeting this fashion guru at the Golden Globe awards two years ago. he and Business Manager arsi Baltazar were there. and I-being-me, I wouldn’t pass up the rare chance of meeting them. Thanks to my friends, Janet and Ruben Nepales who invited me to the event that such an opportunity was made possible.

It was a brief but memorable chat. arsi and Francis were both very nice and casual. Francis is as jovial and accommodating as I perceived him to be. It would have been great to hang out much longer and bond with them, but we all didn’t have the luxury of time to talk all night.

It’s been two years but I will not forget meeting this very talented person. I hear a lot of wonderful things about Francis. he is truly one of Philippine’s pride glory—and guess what, he’s just getting started. after his ascension to prominence from becoming a featured designer on “america’s Next Top Model British Invasion,” Francis continues to awe the both local and international followers. his fabulous hello Kitty Couture Collection was featured in the april 2012 episode of “aNTM” and caught the eyes of Tyra Banks herself, bringing the latter to wear Francis’ creations.

Because of his international success, clients from high society and even the biggest stars of showbiz are a fan of his creations. he designed Megan Young’s gown when he competed for Miss World in 2013, as well as Pauline Luna’s wedding gown. his latest project I heard is with GMa Fantaserye, “Encantadia” where he designed the “fairy-taleworthy” gowns of the female lead characters. a fusion of classic fabrics, dazzling beads, and textured accents are Francis’ trademark. he infuses a distinct and exceptional character to every garment he creates – whether for couture gowns, weddings, suits, or corporate wear – making “Francis Libiran” brand a top choice among a-listers. a futuristic-themed fashion show was also held at the Century Mall in 2014 which featured a

visual spectacle of models in geometric pieces that are almost architectural in structure. The show was titled, “Fashion of the Century,” which showcased Francis Libiran’s captivating designs.

The writer wrote and I quote, “a play of electronic and projected lights added even more panache to the fashion creations, which were presented with an incredible symphony of music and light and water fountain show Francis Libiran that matched the models’ runway choreography.”

In an article written about him

by Rachelle Cruz, she wrote: “This architect-turned-fashion designer presented his 50-piece collection at the CPFW Fashion Ball at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto on June 14, during a beautiful charity gala dinner for The Kol hope Foundation for Children.”

Francis also stunned the fashion world when he made use of purely Filipino fibers such as pineapple, banana and embellishments such as mother of pearl when he launched his ‘100 Collection’ he was also the highlight in the very first Canada Philippine Fashion Week in Toronto, Canada in June 2013 held at the Roy Thomson hall.

There is no stopping this creative genius in bringing pride to our country.

In his online bio, a number of accomplishments were listed as well, such as: being voted by Metro Magazine, as their ’Metrowear Icon’ for 2013, he was also the lone representative of the Philippines in the annual fashion show in Tokyo, Japan, the Sakura Collection held at the Tokyo Tower where he perfectly executed his own rendition of Japan’s National dress, the Kimono, infused with the Philippines’ Maria Clara which became the most-applauded collection during the festival.

The online profile also stated that a TV Special dedicated to him

was aired on national television via the Lifestyle Network. Francis Libiran drew inspiration from his trip to Bangalore, India where he was captivated by the design details of the famous Bangalore Palace and the vibrant colors of its interior design.

I could go on and on about how amazing Francis Libiran is and still the adjectives would be an understatement of his fashion authority, as well as his dedication. I wish I could still get another chance to know him and learn from him, most of all. For now, I am just as honored to have met him. I was also happy to learn that he is in a very happy relationship with a lucky man named, Christian Mark. I sincerely wish for their happiness.

On behalf of the beauty & fashion industry on this side of the world, I thank you, Francis Libiran, for sharing your talent and making us proud to be Filipinos. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 9-15, 2016

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