Philippine Canadian Inquirer #208

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MARCH 11, 2016

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VOL. 3 NO. 208

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Binay wrests title of Mr. Palengke from Roxas

Catholic schools back Ateneo stance vs martial law

Turn PH into next Makati?

Please don’t, Mar tells Binay

Washington will greet Trudeau with telltale sign

Wardrobe for seasonal transition

THE GREAT DIVIDE

The growing gap between the rich and the poor is best illustrated in this photograph showing the midrise buildings and skyscrapers of the Makati Central Business District overlooking the shanties of Barangay San Roque Riverside in Pasay City.

RAFFY LERMA / PDI

Court rules Grace Poe can run for president

BY JIM GOMEZ The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Sen. Grace Poe is eligible to run for president in May 9 elections, overturning an elections commission decision to disqualify her and removing a long-hanging legal question over a tightly fought race

to lead the Southeast Asian nation.

The justices voted 9-6 in favour of Poe’s petitions against the Commission on Elections’ decision last December to disqualify her on the grounds that she was not a natural-born citizen and did not have the 10 years of Philippine residency required of presidential candidates, Supreme Court spokesman Theo-

Fil-Can in Focus: Elle Harris

Cancel raids on caregivers, say local groups to PM Trudeau MIGRANTE-BC, the West Coast Domestic Workers Association and MLA Mable Elmore recently called on Prime Minister Trudeau to cancel a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) project that targets foreign caregivers in their employers’ homes.

The CBSA’s “Project Guardian”, refers to an investigative unit set up in the agency’s BC and Yukon region to tackle allegations of fraud and violations of the foreign caregiver program.

An example is where a caregiver may be working for an employer that is not stated in their work permit.

“Foreign caregivers come to Canada on work permits tied to their specific employer. So if they are let go or have to leave for various reasons including abuse, they need a new work permit.

Processing times for the new permits can take as long as half a year and while waiting, the caregivers are not allowed to work or may not be eligible to collect employment insurance,” says Erie Maestro, Migrante-BC Coordinator.

According to Maestro, her group has

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❱❱ PAGE 21 Cancel raids

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Philippine News

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

P-Noy sees BBL approval in ‘next 2 years’

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT AQUINO yesterday expressed optimism that there would be a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) “within the next two years” during a meeting with the head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), which has poured in billions of pesos in socio-development assistance in conflict-torn Central Mindanao.

Jica president Shinichi Kitaoka paid a courtesy call on President Aquino in Malacañang yesterday morning.

“President Aquino expressed confidence that a Bangsamoro Basic Law may be enacted within the next two years in order to sustain the momentum of the peace process,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

Congress failed to pass the BBL, practically freezing the peace process, as the proposed measure would create a new autonomous region for the Bangsamoro in Mindanao that have for decades fought for self-

determination.

Despite this huge setback, Japan pledged its continued support for the peace process and the development of Central Mindanao, which has been for years one of the poorest regions in the country as a result of the decades-long war between Moro secessionist groups and the government.

“The Philippines and Japan will continue to collaborate closely as strategic partners in promoting the peace process in Mindanao and in pushing major infrastructure projects to attain inclusive, long-term economic growth and development,” Coloma said.

Kitaoka told the President that the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) called the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) has “resulted in substantial peace dividends, such as the JapanBangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-Bird).”

Launched in 2006, the J-Bird project focuses on providing funding and technical support

President Benigno S. Aquino III. MARCELINO PASCUA/MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU/PNA

to micro-, small- and mediumscale industries in agriculture, fisheries and related services, under the Harvest (Harnessing Agribusiness Opportunities through Robust and Vibrant Entrepreneurship Supportive of Peaceful Transformation) project.

Coloma said that as of mid2015, total assistance under Jwww.canadianinquirer.net

Bird reached P6.1 billion.

The World Bank and Jica have committed to provide up to $250 million in loan funds to support the Harvest project.

“Total credit assistance is expected to exceed P11.1 billion and employment generation for about 21,700 individuals,” Coloma said.

According to Coloma, Kitao-

ka also commended President Aquino for his role in promoting consensus within the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to support “the primacy of the rule of law” in dealing with the maritime dispute in the South China Sea, as he reiterated Japan’s support for the Philippines’ advocacy to follow the diplomatic and legal track.

Kitaoka also assured Mr. Aquino of Jica’s continued support for major infrastructure projects, especially the NorthSouth Railway Project (North Line) from Malolos, Bulacan, to Tutuban, Manila.

The railway project “represents the single biggest ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) yen loan package that Japan has extended to the Philippines at $2 billion,” Coloma said.

Other major Jica-funded projects are the new P7.1-billion Bohol international airport in Panglao Island in Bohol province and the implementation of the roadmap for transport infrastructure development for Metro Manila, Region III and Calabarzon. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

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No ‘verifiable and credible presence’ of any int’l terror group in Mindanao — AFP

BY PRIAM F. NEPOMUCENO Philippines News Agency President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is optimistic that there would be a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) “within the next two years.”

PHOTO FROM AQUINO’S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

Binay foe, under gov’t protection, seen in casino

BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer MACABEBE, PAMPANGA — Under heavy guard, former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado went casino hopping at the Clark Freeport Zone over the weekend and was hit by a double whammy—he reportedly lost heavily and ran into his nemesis, the family of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The husband of Sen. Nancy Binay spotted Mercado—a key witness in the graft and plunder complaints filed against the Binays—leaving one casino hotel at Clark on Saturday on the eve of a scheduled two-day campaign sortie in Pampanga of the Vice President’s United Nationalist Alliance coalition.

Senator Binay said her husband saw Mercado on the driveway while the couple were in an elevator.

A source from Binay’s camp said the incident happened at the Royce Hotel.

Mercado, her godfather, was reportedly escorted by several bodyguards, possibly National Bureau of Investigation agents. Mercado is under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP), the senator said.

A few hours later, Mercado was seen leaving the Widus Hotel and Casino, this time by former Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, a staunch Binay supporter.

Mercado reportedly told Pelayo he was leaving for Manila because he had lost money at the casino.

No comment

Mercado declined to comment.

“I would like to give them a dose of their own medicine. I will only comment on the issue if the Vice President will also answer the allegations that he received kickbacks from all infrastructure projects in Makati, then I will answer.

We can do it together. We can answer the allegations together,” Mercado told the INQUIRER in a telephone interview.

Speaking to reporters, Nancy Binay said she had secured confirmation that Mercado had played at the casino. Mercado was there for only 30 minutes but “he lost big,” she said.

The senator declined to say how much Mercado lost. “For me, more than P50,000 is a big amount,” she said.

A source privy to Mercado’s visit to one casino said he lost P300,000.

Senator Binay said she would write the Department of Justice and demand an explanation for Mercado’s presence at the casinos while under government custody.

She said there had been complaints before that there were not enough funds for other WPP witnesses.

“And then you see a person under the protection program inside a casino,” she said. “Is it right for the government to spend funds for this kind of activities?”

Senator Binay said the DOJ should explain Mercado’s casino visits considering that NBI agents, being government officials, were barred from being entering casinos.

People’s money

She also said the “people’s money” was used since the government provided Mercado with security personnel.

Pelayo said he saw Mercado at the Widus casino hotel at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and had a chance to speak to him as they were both waiting for their vehicles on the driveway.

He said he greeted Mercado and told him they had a mutual acquaintance, ostensibly referring to Vice President Binay whom Mercado has accused of illegally amassing wealth while he was mayor of Makati. “(Mercado) said he lost at the casino and that was why he was on his way home,” Pelayo told reporters.

Pelayo said Mercado was surrounded by 10 heavily built bodyguards and they left in a Land Cruiser and an Innova. ■

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that there is no “direct verifiable and credible presence” of any international terrorist group in Mindanao.

This was stressed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in a briefing Monday.

“And we believe that the names of big groups like Daesh (another name for the Islamic State extremists) is only being brought into the conversation because of their desire to get further attention from many players out there in the field,” he added.

Padilla issued the statement in wake of claims made by Moro Islamic Liberation Front chair Murad Ebrahim saying that IS terrorists are capitalizing on the frustration of the Moro people over the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in order to gain a foothold in Mindanao.

“We are not putting much weight on those pronouncement but we’re put-

ting much weight on the ability of our local terrorist organization within the locality to recruit from among the young members,” he added.

Regarding the stalled passage of the BBL, Padilla said peace process deals often go through long and ardous passages before being finalized.

The good thing is that many Muslim elders are telling the younger generation about the realities on the ground and assuring them that it is only part of the political dynamics, he added.

And in due time, once these realities have been observed, a more lasting peace mechanism will be crafted in due time.

“We are banking and very optimistic on the commitment of so many sectors to peace and that is the only that matters to us for the moment but this is the warning that we have as an Armed Forces, if there are forces out there who will challenge the primacy of the peace process and who will challenge and try to disturb the peace we can guarantee you that the full force of the miltiary , our Armed Forces, will be applied to all these threat forces,” Padilla said. ■

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Philippine News

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

Philippines to impound suspected N. Korean ship, deport crew THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippines will impound a suspected North Korean cargo ship docked at a port northwest of Manila and eventually deport its North Korean crewmen in compliance with tough new U.N. Security Council sanctions on Pyongyang over its latest nuclear test and rocket launch, officials said Saturday.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III said the U.N. sanctions would be applied to the MV Jin Teng, which arrived Thursday at Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base that’s now a key commercial port. The ship has 21 North Korean crewmen.

“Our obligation is essentially to impound the vessel and not allow it to leave port and that the crew must eventually be deported,” Quezon said in a radio interview.

The 4,355-ton vessel is among 31 ships listed as being North Korean owned and that should be held under an “assets freeze” order, Philippine Foreign Assistant Secretary Gary Domingo said.

It’s one of the first known impositions of the toughest Security Council sanctions on the reclusive country in two decades, reflecting growing anger at Pyongyang’s recent nuclear test and rocket launch in defiance of a ban on all nuclear-related activity.

Philippine Coast Guard regional commander Raul Belesario, however, told The Associat-

ed Press that Jin Teng’s papers show that it’s a Sierra Leoneflagged ship owned by a company based in the British Virgin Islands and managed by a firm in China’s Shandong province.

“On paper, it’s not North Korean,” he said.

Belesario said that he had not received any government order to impound the ship by Saturday afternoon, but that he would do so if instructed by the government. The vessel needs to stay at Subic for about two to three more days to unload a cargo of palm kernel expeller, which could be used as farm animal feed, he said.

The North Korean crewmen have not been restricted since they arrived and showed their travel papers, Belesario said,

adding that there were no available records to check whether the Jin Teng has travelled to North Korea in the past.

Coast guard personnel with two bomb sniffer dogs boarded the vessel Thursday after it arrived from Indonesia. The inspectors did not find any suspicious materials, but spotted minor safety deficiencies, including missing fire hoses, a corroded air vent and electrical switches without insulation.

Aside from those deficiencies, which were being dealt with by the crew, there were no other issues with the ship, which is scheduled to sail next to southwestern China’s Zhanjiang port, Belesario said.

Domingo said the Philippine government will proceed to

hold the ship in line with the latest Security Council sanctions order and submit a report to U.N. officials.

Asked about the ownership issue, Domingo said it can be checked if the ship was using “a flag of convenience” to hide its true owner, adding that Philippine officials will meet soon to determine what to do next with the ship in co-ordination with the U.N. The latest Security Council sanctions include mandatory inspections of cargo leaving and entering North Korea by sea or air, a ban on all sales or transfers of small arms and light weapons to Pyongyang, and the expulsion of diplomats from the North who engage in “illicit activities.” ■

Binay wrests title of Mr. Palengke from Roxas

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer VICE PRESIDENT Jejomar Binay yesterday made the rounds of public markets close to his political archrival’s turf, saying in so many words that the title “Palengke King” belongs to him.

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) standard-bearer was in his element as he visited public markets in Quezon City, scouring the aisles from the fish and meat stalls to the dry goods kiosks to be in the company of the constituency that largely propelled his 2010 victory over the Liberal Party’s Mar Roxas.

“When it comes to the masses, they can’t beat me,” said Binay, as greeters excitedly lined the aisles to see him and shake his hand on his first stop at Mega Q-Mart, a few blocks from Farmers’ Market in Araneta Center, the Roxas-owned commercial enclave.

“I have long been a palengke boy. I eat in public markets in Makati City,” said the former Makati mayor when teased that he appeared to be the day’s Palengke King.

In a jolly weekend mood, Binay shook hands with fish sellers and took photos with meat vendors in their blood-smeared aprons. He kissed children and

the market wearing my bakya (wooden slippers),” Binay said.

Bargain buy

Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay campaigning in Guinyangan, Quezon.

PHOTO FROM BINAY’S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

stopped to chat with the enthusiastic ones who approached him.

He gave special attention to senior citizens, most of the time asking for their age. “I am 73,” he told them. He reserved the giveaway T-shirts for this elderly lot, and bade them goodbye with an “I love you!”

At one turn, blue-clad Binay chanced upon a woman wearing a yellow campaign shirt from the rival Liberal Party.

The Vice President asked her if he would vote for him instead.

The woman obliged and said, “Of course.” He then raised her hand campaign rally style.

‘My President’

Binay arrived to an even rowdier welcome at the Kamuning public market, where vendors and shoppers chanted his name. Those in the stalls made clanging noises with their meat and fish buckets.

“Is my President already here? Pa- hug naman!,” said 65-year-old vegetable vendor Gloria Odulio. She got her wish and returned for more at the far end of the market to get a photo with Binay.

The longtime politician agreed when asked if campaigning in public markets is a walk in the park. www.canadianinquirer.net

He said he could bear the smell of the public market and even took a deep breath in the middle of his sentence to drive his point.

“The others can’t even breathe. And once they get out, they even get dizzy ... and even use alcohol,” he said, in an apparent dig at the competition.

Binay, who has made his humble beginnings a central theme of his antipoverty campaign, recalled how he grew up doing the market chore for the household.

“When I was living with my uncle (Ponciano), after sweeping the house, I would go to

“If you want, I can show you how I haggle. But I no longer did that in the long run because I already had a suki,” he said.

In his Quezon City outing yesterday, Binay also dropped

by Barangay Damayang Lagi in Makati City, where he and his party passed through narrow alleys to greet residents.

One remarked that Binay “was the first presidential candidate and probably the last one” to visit their community, a densely populated area where houses of unfinished concrete were stacked up to four floors high, and thick tangles of cables over pathways blocked the sun.

Binay recently topped the latest Pulse Asia survey in a statistical tie with independent candidate Grace Poe. He has expressed confidence that he would make further headway as Election Day approaches, anticipating that “history is going to be repeated” in May, a reference to his 2010 vice presidential victory.

Binay continues to rise in the polls despite a string of allegations of corruption during his time as Makati mayor, charges that he has repeatedly denied, saying they are part of efforts to derail his presidential ambition. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

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Joyride gives ailing kids a lift ‘We’re not turning execs vs Marcos’

BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer

which China seized after a US-brokered end to the standoff.

Peter John is studying computer science at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig. His two brothers stopped schooling after finishing high school. They are accompanied by their mother, Angelita Obeda, a single parent.

SANGLEY POINT NAVAL BASE, CAVITE CITY—From the moment the Philippine Navy’s Islander aircraft took off and flew across Cañacao Bay on Saturday morning, the three boys aboard grinned from ear to ear, their eyes Raising awareness gleaming with joy.

After the flight, the patients cruised Twins Peter John and John Paul Parco, Cañacao Bay aboard a Navy gunboat.

19, and their younger brother Vicente Pamela Roman, mother of Julia, 15, Isaac, 18, were like children, free from wor- who has Rett Syndrome, a genetic disries about Hunter Syndrome, a rare birth order that afflicts girls, said there was a defect that had stunted their development. need to raise awareness of rare diseases.

The three boys, along with 32 chilOf the 100 million Filipinos, about dren suffering from rare disorders, were 5,000 are afflicted with rare diseases, treated to a fun-filled day, flying and also known as “orphan diseases.” sailing with the Philippine Navy as part “They are so few. Sadly, we are underof the celebration of the 9th World Rare funded while their medical needs are Disease Day on Feb. 29. expensive,” Roman, a full-time mother, The daylong event, called “Fly and Sail told the INQUIRER. with Rare,” was organized by the Philippine Roman said some people in the govSociety for Orphan ernment overlooked Disorders (PSOD), a people with rare disnonprofit organizaorders, giving priortion supporting indiity to those with comviduals with rare disOur purpose is mand diseases. eases, in partnership to involve them She bewailed the with the Philippine and let them lack of awareness of Navy and groups like experience rare disorders in the Photography with a what otherwise Philippines, even Difference and Makati they would among doctors.

Camera Club. not have At 2, Julia began to “Our purpose is experienced. lose her speech and to involve them and motor abilities, Rolet them experience man said. what otherwise they “When Julia was would not have exconfined at 5, I had to perienced,” Cynthia Magdaraog, PSOD print brochures about Rett syndrome to give president, said in an interview. away to the doctors and nurses so I didn’t have to keep on saying what it is,” she said.

Day without worries Roman said she wanted to treat Julia John Chua, a commercial photogra- like an ordinary child. For her, she is like pher and founder of Photography with a her two other children, both of whom Difference, said the project was aimed to are healthy. give the patients a day without worries.

“We want them out of their normal Rare Diseases Act routine, to enjoy life, fly on the plane On Saturday, she brought Julia on a and ride the boat,” Chua said. wheelchair to the Navy’s base here to At 5 a.m., the patients, together with make her enjoy the plane and boat rides their parents and guardians, hopped into a with the other patients. bus for the ride to the Philippine Navy base Magdaraog said the families of paat Sangley Point, a former US Navy station. tients with rare diseases were pinning First, they flew on the Islander, a their hopes on the proposed Rare Dis10-seater, fixed-wing aircraft that the eases Act that would expand the governPhilippine Navy uses for patrols in the ment’s universal health-care program to West Philippine Sea, waters within the cover patients with rare disorders.

Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in The measure would create an Office the South China Sea. of Rare Diseases in the Department of For 10 minutes, the patients enjoyed Health, encourage research and developbird’s-eye views of Cañacao Bay, the ment, and provide for fiscal and regulatobody of water off the northeastern tip ry incentives for the manufacture and imof Cavite, and the skyline of Cavite City, portation of treatments for rare disorders. the provincial capital.

Already approved by Congress, the bill “We will go to Scarborough Shoal, is now awaiting the signature of Presiyehey!” Peter John joked, referring to dent Aquino.

Panatag, a shoal off Zambales province “We hope President Aquino will sign where Philippine and Chinese vessels it into law and not veto it,” Magdaraog faced off for two months in 2012 and said. ■

BY GIL CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG HAS dismissed as nonsense Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s claim that the administration has been harassing local government officials to prevent them from openly supporting his vice presidential bid.

“I don’t know what to make of Senator Marcos’ statement. Does he mean he has a phantom army, that these are incorporeal beings? I don’t know what he’s talking about and it makes absolutely no sense,” said Undersecretary Manolo Quezon of the Presidential Communications Group.

At a campaign sortie in Laguna on Thursday, Marcos said political party leaders were pressuring some local government officials not to attend or facilitate his events.

“I don’t want to put our quiet supporters in a tight spot, but they are plenty. They have been asked by their political bosses (to support me),” said Marcos.

Quezon said he was hoping that Marcos’ statement was “garbled in translation.”

“It’s hard to argue about something that may or may not exist,” he said.

The latest voter preference survey for

www.canadianinquirer.net

vice president places Marcos in a virtual tie with front-runner Sen. Francis Escudero.

Quezon said he did not believe there was a demolition campaign against Marcos, explaining the rise in anti-Marcos news and comments in recent weeks as merely coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Edsa People Power revolt which forced the dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family to flee the country in 1986.

“I believe there are a lot of people interested in setting the record straight on martial law. At the end of the day, the public will decide if Senator Marcos should be elected. Everyone who was affected by martial law and those who believe in our democracy have the right to ensure that our countrymen know the truth,” he said.

Just like Marcos who adamantly refuses to acknowledge the wrongdoings of his father, Quezon said Vice President Jejomar Binay has also made it his strategy to evade questions on his alleged illgotten wealth and corruption as mere propaganda and part of the campaign mudslinging.

But Binay cannot just dismiss lingering questions on the overpriced Makati Parking Building and the Hacienda Binay in Batangas as part of a demolition job, he said. ■

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MARCH 11, 2016

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FRIDAY

2016-01-18 5:02 PM

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Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

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Solon seeks probe on status and implementation of laws protecting kids PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY

1992, namely, Republic Act Nos. 7610, 9262, 9208, 9344 and 9775.

However, she said there is low awareness on the aforementioned laws based on the initial findings of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation Inc. (PLCPD) which is conducting an ongoing qualitative study on the quality of implementation and harmonization of the laws.

According to the PLCPD, there is a low awareness of R.A. 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act” and R.A. 9262, otherwise known as the “AntiViolence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004” partly because agencies like

MANILA — A lawmaker is calling for an inquiry to determine the status and quality of implementation of laws providing for special protection of children.

In House Resolution 2649, Rep. Emmeline Y. Aglipay-Villar (Party-list, DIWA) said it is the policy of the State to provide special protection to children from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation DIWA Party-list Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar. and discrimination and other conditions, prejudicial to their development. rangay officials find that there when the perpetrator is also a “Likewise the State is manis a significant number of po- minor. dated to provide sanctions for lice who are unaware on the For all laws, it has been obtheir commissions and carry correct handling and process- served that Courts are often out a program for prevention ing of cases involving violence not “child-friendly.” In addiand deterrence of and crisis against women and children, tion, sometimes fiscals reduce intervention the PLCPD said. crimes to mere physical injury in situations of For both R.A. even if there is an observable child abuse, ex7610 and R.A. pattern of obvious child abuse. ploitation and 9262, it has been Meanwhile, for R.A. 9208 of discrimination,” [...] the State is mandated to provide observed that in the “Anti-Trafficking in Pershe said. sanctions for their commissions the cases of in- sons Act of 2003,” it was found Aglipay-Villar, and carry out a program for cest, many fami- out that most of the victims of vice chairperson prevention and deterrence of and lies prefer not to trafficking are from the Visayas of the Commitcrisis intervention in situations file. Though oth- and Luzon but cases do not tee on Human of child abuse, exploitation and er stakeholders prosper because victims do not Rights and on discrimination. can file, they are return to pursue the case.

Transportation, afraid to do so In this regard, there is a clear said the Philipfearing for their need for more training and pines has susown safety. mass dissemination of infortained the legislative effort to the Philippine National Police The PLCPD said another mation so that women and chilprovide for special protection (PNP) are not able to “cascade” significant challenge in the dren do not fall victim, Aglipayof children. the information to communi- implementation of R.A. 7610 Villar said.

She noted the five key laws ties due to lack of funding. and R.A. 9262 is the confusion In terms of R.A. 9344 or the that have been enacted since In reference to R.A. 9262, ba- and lack of clarity in procedure “Juvenile Justice and Welfare

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Act of 2006,” there is confusion in the inter-agency cooperation and partnership. Most of the stakeholders were not aware of the amendments of R.A. 9344.

With regard to R.A. 9775, otherwise known as the “Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009,” it was found out thus far that almost no cases were filed primarily due to lack of public awareness.

Aglipay-Villar said there is a need for the Committee on Welfare of Children to exercise its oversight mandate and look into the quality of implementation of the said five laws, specifically through the inter-agency councils.

“The results of oversight and the findings of the qualitative study can be used as the basis for future legislative action,” she said. ■

Speed up cases to save Mary Jane, supporters cry

BY ERIKA SAULER Philippine Daily Inquirer SUPPORTERS OF Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipino woman on death row in Indonesia on drug charges, renewed calls on Saturday for the speedy resolution of cases against her recruiters that would prove she was a victim of human trafficking.

Veloso was given temporary reprieve from execution by Indonesian authorities in April year after her Filipino recruiter, Ma. Cristina Sergio, turned herself in to the National Bu-

reau of Investigation.

The outcome of the Philippine cases will weigh heavily on how Indonesian government will decide Mary Jane’s fate,” read the unity statement by the Migrante party-list and the Church Task Force to #SaveMaryJane.

We call on the Philippine courts to speed up the legal proceedings. We call on the accused to face the music and stop delaying tactics. We call on the Philippine government to make good its commitment to combat trafficking by ensuring that Mary Jane’s traffickers are brought to justice,”

it said.

Veloso’s mother, Celia Veloso, is afraid her daughter would be executed since she is still on death row.

“I do not want to die without seeing her back and reunited with her two sons,” said Celia, whose own parents passed away recently.

Sergio and her partner, Julius Lacanilao, are facing largescale illegal recruitment and estafa charges that were filed in May 2015 based on an NBI complaint.

A separate complaint of qualified human trafficking was filed by the Department of Juswww.canadianinquirer.net

tice in July with the Velosos as complainants.

Migrante and the National Union of People’s Lawyers slammed the “delaying tactics” of the defense, which resulted in the accused being arraigned only last September and February for the respective cases.

“Because of their delaying tactics, Mary Jane remains on death row. We reiterate that the ball is now with the Philippine courts. Mary Jane’s life depends on Sergio’s and Lacanilao’s speedy trial and conviction,” said Garry Martinez of Migrante.

Veloso was convicted on drug

trafficking charges but she maintained she was duped into carrying the luggage that contained heroin.

“Mary Jane’s case is a testament to how rampant trafficking and illegal recruitment are in the Philippines. Filipinos are being victimized by criminal syndicates due to their desperation, poverty and lack of opportunities,” said the unity statement, which will be included in the online petition for clemency. ■ The petition at change.org/savemaryjane currently has more than 440,000 supporters.

Philippine News

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MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

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Member

Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) national office in Diliman, Quezon City.

PHOTO FROM CEAP’S FACEBOOK PAGE

Catholic schools back Ateneo’s stance vs. historical revisionism of martial law

BY FILANE MIKEE Z. CERVANTES Philippines News Agency

distortion of history” as a response to vice presidential candidate and Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call that judgment about the Marcos administration should be left to teachers and students of history. The statement initially had over 400 signatories when it was published last March 2.

In an update, the signatories augmented to almost 550 faculty members and formators of the Ateneo de Manila University, as well as five incumbent Ateneo presidents refusing the ongoing historical revisionism.

The heads of the five Ateneo universities are: Karel S. San Juan, SJ, Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ, Member of the Board of Trustees & President of Ateneo de Zamboanga; Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, President

riods of Philippine history with its sheer disinterest toward “inclusive development, long-term state building or genuine social transformation,” as well as its MANILA — Over 1,400 Catholic schools “wanton violation” of human rights. have joined the call of Ateneo de Manila The Ateneo community also affirmed University (ADMU) in condemning the its commitment to “always teach the historical revisionism of the martial law truth” as faculty members and formaregime of the late President Ferdinand tors, which the CEAP echoed.

Marcos.

“We reaffirm our responsibility as “The Trustees of the Catholic Eduteachers and professionals to keep the cational Association of the Philippines spirit of EDSA 1986 alive by imparting (CEAP), representing the 1,425 CEAP to the young that the structures, actions, Member-Schools, Colleges and Univerand ideas — including the many lies — sities, support the faculty and formators that allowed the Marcos dictatorship to of the Ateneo de Manila University in impose and perpetuate itself should be their call against the attempt of Ferdieliminated and never again be allowed nand Marcos Jr. to canonize the harrowto flourish,” said the Ateneo community. ing horrors of the martial rule,” the umFor its part, the DepEd vowed to conbrella organization tinue underscoring said in a statement the importance of issued on Monday. learning the lessons CEAP expressed of history and preconcern over “sysWe refuse to forget the atrocities committed by serving the gains of tematic” attempts in the Marcos regime, and renew our demand that democracy. obscuring the truth the perpetrators of these crimes be brought to “We shall continue during the martial justice. to enable our learnlaw regime, thereby ers to remember drowning out efforts and understand the to raise the youth’s country’s history and awareness of the period’s “brutal savagery.” of Ateneo de Davao; Fr. Jose Ramon T. the impact of Martial Law to the lives of The organization therefore urged Villarin, SJ, Member of the Board of Filipinos today,” said the DepEd. educational institutions and concerned Trustees & President of Ateneo de Ma“We remain faithful to our comagencies such as the Department of Edu- nila; Fr. Primitivo E. Viray, SJ, Member mitment to promote critical thinking cation and Commission on Higher Edu- of the Board of Trustees & President of among Filipino learners; we encourage cation to further shed light on one of the Ateneo de Naga; and Fr. Roberto C. Yap, them to examine and rediscover the darkest periods of Philippine history.

SJ, Member of the Board of Trustees & importance of this historical marker in “We encourage our various institu- President of Xavier University/Ateneo bringing Filipinos together to build a tions of learning to assess the quality and de Cagayan. nation everyone deserves,” it added. the content of our instruction relative to “We refuse to forget the atrocities The Department of Education said the atrocities of the Marcos regime. We committed by the Marcos regime, and that with the implementation of the K demand the same level of introspection renew our demand that the perpetrators to 12 program, the Social Studies curricfrom DepEd and CHEd,” said the CEAP. of these crimes be brought to justice,” ulum is further enriched with in-depth Earlier, the Ateneo community re- the statement read. discussion on Philippine history, particleased a collective statement expressThe statement highlighted the Mar- ularly highlighting the historical martial ing strong disapproval over the “willful cos dictatorship as one of the darkest pe- law period. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

9

Gatchalian: No way I’m stepping down Pacquiao lawyers assure that the boxing icon will not get undue exposure in his fight vs Bradley on April 9

BY JODEE A. AGONCILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer

VALENZUELA CITY Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian is not about to go down without a fight.

On Friday, the Court of Appeals granted him a temporary restraining order that prevented the Department of the Interior and Local Government from serving the dismissal order issued against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Gatchalian and six other officials were ordered dismissed after they were found administratively liable in connection with the fire that destroyed Kentex Manufacturing Corp., a slipper factory in Barangay Ugong last May, leaving 74 people, mostly workers, dead.

“There is no scenario in which I step down or leave the mayor’s office,” he told the INQUIRER in a phone interview on Sunday, adding, “We did not violate any law in issuing provisional business permits for the factories.”

BY FERDINAND G. PATINIO Philippines News Agency Valenzuela Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian.

RODRIGO DE GUZMAN / VALENZUELA CITY PIO

According to a resolution approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales last Feb. 17, the Office of the Ombudsman gathered “substantial evidence” and found Gatchalian and respondents City Fire Superintendent Jose Mel Lagan, Senior Insp. Edgrover Oculam, fire officers Roland Avedan and Ramon Maderazo; Licensing Officer IV Eduardo Carreon and Business Permit and Licensing

Office officer in charge Renchie May Padayao “guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty and charged with a penalty of dismissal from the service.”

He and the others were charged after they were found to have issued a business permit to the firm despite its lack of a fire safety inspection certificate. Most of those killed were trapped on the second floor of the building. ■

‘Ghost’ workers haunt Isko Moreno

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer A MANILA lawyer and social justice advocate on Sunday called on the Office of the Ombudsman to initiate cases based on the Commission on Audit’s (COA) findings in 2012 that up to 623 suspected “ghost” employees were employed in the office of Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s office.

Vladimir Cabigao said that if COA’s findings were true, the Manila City Hall would be losing as much as P84 million a year in salaries alone to the “ghost” consultants and researchers allegedly employed

by Domagoso who is running for a Senate seat.

“The Ombudsman should wrap up its investigation soon, file the case, and preventively suspend those accountable, especially with reports coming out in 2013 that Manila was virtually bankrupt, which is also the subject of a separate COA probe. We should stop this plunder of the city’s funds once and for all,” Cabigao told the

INQUIRER in an interview.

Last Dec. 14, Cabigao filed a motion asking Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to resolve the administrative complaints of dishonesty, misconduct in office and fraud against the public treasury that he filed against Domagoso in September 2012.

“If this administrative complaint would be simply brushed aside, the campaign on “daang matuwid” (straight path) of the government would be a meaningless rhetoric and would betray public accountability as stated in the Constitution,” he said in his petition.

Reached for comment, Domagoso said that his opponents were trying to revive an old issue for political purposes.

“The cases filed by Cabigao are rehashed and politically motivated. The [original] case was dismissed by the Ombudsman three years ago and I have the documents to prove it,” he told the INQUIRER. He was referring to the case separately filed in 2012 by the city’s former legal officer who claimed he was able to verify at

least one supposed employee of the vice mayor who died in 2008; while seven others, in their sworn statements, maintained that they were never employed by Domagoso. Based on the complaint, the vice mayor had up to 623 ghost employees each earning P12,000 monthly.

However, Cabigao said he checked with the Ombudsman and verified that the case he filed was still under investigation.

“I have not yet received any notice [of dismissal], so I’m surprised that he’s claiming that it has been dismissed,” he said.

In his September 2012 complaint-affidavit, Cabigao said the Ombudsman should initiate its own investigation following the COA report which uncovered the supposed ghost employees.

He calculated that if each was receiving a salary of P10,000 monthly, close to 700 ghost employees would be paid P7 million a month or P84 million a year. As Domagoso has been vice mayor for nine years, the amount would total P756 million, he added. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

radio time is not only for Pacquiao but for all candidates for national positions, hence, there is obviously no case of undue MANILA — The camp of sena- advantage or undue exposure torial candidate and Rep. Man- for Pacquiao as the same rights ny Pacquiao is looking to push and privileges are extended by through with his scheduled law to all said candidates.” boxing bout with American The camp of the Sarangani conboxer Timothy Bradley in Las gressman noted that the letters of Vegas, Nevada next month. senatorial bet Walden Bello and Pacquiao’s lawyers, Romulo former Senator Rene Saguisag Macalintal and Antonio Carlos only “asked for advisory opinion” Bautista, noted that the Filipi- or to advise Pacquiao not to push no boxing icon will not get un- through with the fight as it might due political exposure when he violate Republic Act No. 9006, the fights on April 9.

Fair Election Law. “If the fight lasts the 12-round “Like any other courts or distance, the maximum media agencies performing quasi-juexposure Pacquiao will get is only dicial functions do not have the 36 minutes under the mandatory power to issue advisory-opinion three-minute since their judiper round rule. It cial powers could could even be less only be exercised than 36 minutes, where there exsay three minutes The law gives ists actual case or only or just a few all candidates, controversy,” the seconds, if the like Pacquiao, letter said. fight ends in the 120-minute They also cited first round,” they TV and the case of Vesaid in a five-page 180-minute larde vs Social letter submitted radio Justice Society to the Commisadvertisements (SJS) where sion on Elections per station. the Supreme (Comelec) Law Court (SC) was Department. asked to rule on “The law gives whether or not a all candidates, religious group like Pacquiao, 120-minute TV could indorse a candidate. and 180-minute radio adverThe SC said that there is NO tisements per station. Assum- justiciable controversy in the ing without admitting that the Petition filed by SJS, and that fight could be considered as po- their allegations are merely litical ads for Pacquiao, then all speculative and theoretical. he will get is 36-minute expoWith this, they assured the sure leaving a remainder of one poll body of Pacquiao’s faithful hour and 24 minutes and two compliance with all election hours and 24 minutes, respec- laws, rules and regulations. tively, to air advertisements in “His determination to hold the same TV and radio stations such event, which might be his that broadcast said fight. He still last time to climb the ring, is has the full 120-minute TV and not intended to give him undue 180-minute radio time in other or unfair advantage but that it television and radio stations, has to be done before his youth since the airing of political ads is gone to give our country and is allowed by law on a per station our people the pride and glory basis,” the letter explained. they justly deserve which is alThe lawyers added, “The said ways foremost in his heart and 120-minute TV and 180-minute mind,” they said. ■

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Philippine News

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

Drilon: Next admin must push greater women’s involvement in governance PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said on Tuesday the next administration should appoint more women in Cabinet positions and other key government posts, particularly in the area of social services.

Speaking at the International Women’s Day event held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, the Senate leader and reelectionist senatorial candidate under the Liberal Party said that the next President should ensure that more women will be given the chance to serve in key positions in government.

“In the Philippines, I would like to see an increased participation of women in the nation’s

political life, particularly in Congress,” Drilon said.

In the Senate, six of Drilon’s colleagues are women, while the House of Representatives has 79 women lawmakers out of 289 members.

In local government, 17 of 80 governors are female, along with 11 vice governors, 33 mayors and 21 vice mayors, Drilon noted.

The four-time Senate President said that the present administration has already paved the way for more meaningful participation of women in the country’s political affairs, noting a significant number of women in the Aquino Cabinet.

“We have seen exceptional leadership from outstanding women in this administration,” Drilon said, adding that the

challenge is to surpass this feat.

“I therefore urge the next President to form a gender-balanced Cabinet by appointing more women,” he stressed.

Drilon said that he believes that the country needs more female voices in government, since “it has been shown that women in government are notably committed in addressing socioeconomic and political challenges facing women, children and disadvantaged groups.”

Drilon said that as a lawmaker, he is committed towards “giving women more political voice, increasing women’s participation in policy-making and governance, expanding their representation in fields that are traditionally dominated by men, and encouraging their participation in the nation’s

Senate President Franklin Drilon wants the next administration to appoint more women in Cabinet positions and other government posts.

PHOTO FROM THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES

economic life.”

“I assure you that I will continue to do my share in addressing the challenges that women face in our society. We shall build on our gains and continue to push for reforms,” he said.

Drilon said that in recent Congresses, the Senate had

championed and passed many bills protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of women, such as the Magna Carta on Women, Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012. ■

PNP chief boosts benefits for slain cops I feel slow Internet

pain, too, says Mar

BY JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE KIN of the six police officers killed in an ambush in Cagayan Valley have received around P 2.5 million in insurance, death benefits and financial aid, according to the Philippine National Police.

Part of the aid was a personal donation from PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez, who gave P50,000 to each of the bereaved families (or a total of P300,000) when he visited the province on Feb. 23, according to a PNP statement yesterday.

Chief Supt. Ranier Idio, Cagayan Valley police regional director, said the families of the slain policemen also received P20,000 from the Public Safety Savings and Loan Association Inc., P178,008 in gratuity pay and P42,502 in burial aid from the National Police Commission (Napolcom). The families also received insurance claims from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. ranging from P125,844.01 to P127,410.98.

All in all, the relatives of the slain policemen received a total of P2,502,824.97 or about P400,000 each, including the personal aid given by the PNP

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez gave P50,000 to each of the bereaved families of the six police officers killed in an ambush in Cagayan Valley.

PHOTO FROM THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

chief, the police statement said.

The six policemen were killed while 15 others were wounded in an ambush carried out by communist rebels in Baggao, Cagayan, on Feb. 16. The fatalities, all from the Regional Public Safety Battalion, were identified as Ryan Annang, Derrel Sunico, Arjay Bautista, Rogelio Alfonso, Julius Soriano and Jaypee Aspiros.

The police were responding to an attack by the New People’s Army on an irrigation project in the town.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said other benefits due to those killed in action such as a pension from the PNP and Napolcom, special financial assistance and commutation of accrued leaves were still being processed.

He added that the Medalya ng Kadakilaan was given posthumously to the six slain policemen, while the Medalya ng Kadakilaan and the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting were given to 17 policemen from the Cagayan Valley. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

THE GOVERNMENT should address the troublesome and snailpaced Internet in the country once and for all, Liberal Party (LP) standardbearer Mar Roxas said over the weekend.

In a dialogue with executives and employees of call centers in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, the Wharton-bred technocrat was completely in his element.

Roxas shared his experiences during the infancy of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry that he helped develop as trade secretary in the Estrada administration.

“I feel really (flattered) that you’re thanking me. But I think the smartest thing that I did in those days was to wheel out,” Roxas told his audience, among them, pioneers in the BPO sector.

He expressed confidence the industry, which provides steady income for more than 1 million Filipinos, would produce another 1 million jobs under his presidency.

“I’m absolutely certain

about that. Why? Internationally, the pressure to cut costs is not just incessant, it is accelerating. So, globally, that dynamic is going to lead companies to look for places where they can deliver the service at less cost,” he said.

Reacting to a question from a call center agent, Roxas said he himself found the problem of slow Internet connection annoying and a bane to the country’s ambition of becoming a global investment and IT hub.

“I feel your pain because I go through the same frustration in my home as well,” he said.

“What are we gonna do? For me, it’s a very, very simple matter of truth in advertising.”

Instead of claiming to offer “up to” certain upload and download speeds, he said the government should order the telecommunication companies to disclose the “guaranteed minimum of speed” of their Internet service. “‘Minimum of’ means that so many hours of the period must be at that rate. And then you penalize the firms when they’re not able to deliver,” he said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

11

When PH was the only door open to fleeing Jews

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE NAZIS had robbed Lottie Hershfield of her childhood all too soon. She was just 7 years old when Germany, her place of birth, no longer felt like home.

Adolf Hitler’s regime held Jews like Hershfield and her family in the same regard as animals; at the park, benches carried signs that read “dogs and Jews not allowed.” The Nazis raided her family home, and all the frightened child could do was to tightly clutch her doll as a fierce German shepherd barked at her, as if ready to devour her.

Stateless and unwanted, Hershfield’s family and the Jewish community then learned that a country in the Pacific was ready to accept those seeking refuge.

It was in the Philippines, a place largely unheard of, thousands of kilometers away from Europe, where she got her childhood back.

“When you saw how the doors were basically closed to all of us except the Philippines ... the Filipino people are a very warm people, they’re a very friendly people,” Hershfield said in a preview of the documentary “An Open Door: Jewish Rescue in the Philippines.”

“We played sipa (kick). We learned Filipino songs, there were quite a few performances.

Art was very important. Filipinos have very, very good voices,” said Hershfield, now 84 and settled in the United States.

Sanctuary for Jews

The Philippines became a sanctuary for at least 1,200 Jews rendered stateless by the racist Nazi regime, settling here between 1937 and 1941. They escaped just in time: Some 5 to 6 million Jews would be killed during the Holocaust in the years immediately after they fled.

“When the Jews had nowhere to go, President Manuel Que-

zon was the one who allowed idential statements, this has to the Philippines and the kids are them to come in. But when they be done in broad humanitarian like ‘ come join our game,’ and came in, it was the Filipinos ev- grounds. That was it,” she said. then giving them tastes of food, erywhere who made the Jews On their own, Filipinos con- just treating them like human feel welcome,” said researcher demned the Nazi persecu- beings,” Delmendo said.

Sharon Delmendo, who has tion of the Jews, gathering in a “And it was such a miracle of devoted the last six years re- 2,000-strong crowd in an indig- kindness and decency that even searching the arrival and settle- nation rally in November 1938. now they just sort of can’t bement of Jews in the Philippines.

“So Filipinos just sort of spur lieve,” she said.

Delmendo has been on a mis- of the moment rose up and said Nearly eight decades later, the sion to spread the word about what the Nazis were doing was bond remains strong, with Jews the Philippines’ rescue of Jew- wrong, [that] ‘we could not con- still deeply indebted to Filipinos ish survivors, a part of the na- done this.’ And staging an in- for embracing them at a time tion’s history overshadowed by dignation rally was not going to when no one else let them in, acthe traditional textbook retell- change anything, Hitler didn’t cording to Delmendo. ing marked by colonization, op- care, but still they felt strongly “It’s very much utang na loob pression and conflict. enough about it that they had to (debt of gratitude). It’s very, “I think it’s very important make a public demonstration,” very interesting to see the culfor this to be known here. For Delmendo said. tural value of utang na loob that one thing, it is because it’s a When word got out that the the Jews are expressing withchapter of Philippine history Philippines was open, thou- out even knowing it,” she said. in which the Filipinos are the sands of Jews petitioned the US heroes,” said ‘Heal the world’ Delmendo, a FilThis was eviipino-American dent when the scholar based in Jewish commuNew York who [...] the Filipino people are a very nity mobilized has extensively warm people, they’re a very friendly around the world studied Philippeople. to send help to the pine-US relaPhilippines in the tions. wake of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” Humanitarian grounds state department to get visas to (international name: Haiyan) in “It was President Quezon Manila, Delmendo said in her November 2013, she said. who did the sort of heavy lifting lecture.

“The part about Typhoon to get people here, but it was In what became an ultimate Haiyan and how the Jewish the Filipinos who made them expression of affinity with people really, really rose to the welcome,” Delmendo said in the Jews, Quezon donated his support of Filipinos and raised an interview on Friday at Ayala own property in Marikina for a terrific amount of money ...

Museum, where she delivered a their resettlement. Once they the Manilaners are actually uslecture on the Jewish escape to arrived, the refugees became ing the Jewish concept of ‘Tikthe Philippines. known as the “Manilaners”— kun Olam,’ or to heal or repair Quezon, who was President the Jews who found a new the world,” Delmendo said. when the Philippines was part of home in the Philippines.

“So it’s very interesting to me, the American Commonwealth, “Quezon made the refugees his this cross-fertilization of Jews authorized the entry of Jewish next-door neighbors,” Delmendo learning utang na loob and Filipirefugees to the Philippines with said before a crowd that gathered nos learning Tikkun Olam. We’re the concurrence of US High officials from the Embassies of learning the best cultural values Commissioner Paul McNutt to- Israel and Austria, scholars, rep- from each other and using them ward the end of the 1930s. resentatives from the Quezon to help each other,” she said.

“There’s no reason why Man- family and other guests.

For Israel Ambassador to the uel Quezon had to let the Jews For the likes of Hershfield, Philippines Effie Ben Matityau, in. He had more than enough to finding a temporary home the Philippines’ rescue of fleeing worry him. He really did,” said where the Jews could be free Jews is “one of the most beautiful Delmendo of the President who was a welcome turnaround. chapters of Philippine history.” at the time was already sickly and “Lottie is so used to people “It was a great moral victoadvised to retire from public life. being mean to her and being ry. That decision of President “But basically, he said in pres- terrified, and then she comes to Manuel Quezon, it was open-

www.canadianinquirer.net

door policy coupled with openheart policy,” said the envoy in his remarks at the lecture. “[B]etween the rise and fall of Nazi Germany, the world faced its darkest days of history. This is one of the most critical chapters of moral collapse in history.

What’s so unique is the moral victory of a nation (the Philippines) without pretensions. No megalomania in this part of the world,” Matityau said.

More than the number of refugees saved, there are the lives of the thousands of their descendants made possible by one nation’s act of unconditional humanity.

“These are things of which the Filipinos can be proud and I think it does show that the Filipino tradition of hospitality is more meaningful than just merienda, and it did make a difference,” said Delmendo.

“There are over 8,000 descendants of the Manilaners, and these are people who would probably not be alive if those people (refugees) had not survived,” she said.

Delmendo’s lecture on Friday was the culmination of a series of talks on the Jewish rescue that also brought her to San Beda College in Alabang, Meridian International College in Taguig City and University of the Cordilleras.

She is working with documentary filmmaker Noel Izon to complete a full-length film that comprehensively documents the Jewish rescue, gathering funds to complete target shoots in the Philippines and Israel.

Delmendo, a professor at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York, is also working on a book about the still largely untold part of Philippine history, gathering documents from archives and libraries in the Philippines and the United States, and interviewing surviving Manilaners and their descendants. ■

12

Philippine News

MARCH 11, 2016

Turn PH into next Makati?

Please don’t, Mar tells Binay

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer MANDAUE, CEBU — Don’t make the Philippines the next Makati, please!

Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas made this mock appeal yesterday to rival candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay who has been implicated in corruption and financial irregularities in Makati during his decades-long stint as its mayor.

“Vice President Binay, you said you will duplicate in the entire Philippines what you did in Makati. Please don’t,” Roxas said in an interview with reporters here.

“It would be a tragedy if you were to steal from the Philippines in the same way that you stole from Makati. The country’s poor will become poorer.

Please don’t do that,” Roxas continued.

Roxas attended a dialogue with workers of a furniture factory here while on a twoday campaign sortie in Cebu.

He made the statement after Binay took a jab at him for his supposed failure to solve the problematic Metro Rail Transit system when he was the transportation secretary.

Binay, who served as mayor of Makati for nearly two decades, has been touting to voters the economic progress in Makati,

Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas take a selfie with his supporters upon his arrival at De La Salle Animo Center in Dasmarinas City.

GIL S. CALINGA / PNA

which hosts the country’s main financial district, as a trophy of his brand of leadership.

His rule in Makati, however, has been marred by various issues linking him, his wife Elenita and their son Junjun, who both succeeded him as mayor, to the alleged plunder of billions of pesos in city funds.

According to Roxas, the Vice President has been resorting to mudslinging to deflect attention from the corruption issues hounding Binay and members of his family.

He said Binay should explain why the city government of Makati paid P550,000 for a hospital bed worth only P35,000 and P16,000 for a sterilizer

equipment.

“That’s what our countrymen are asking,” he said.

Binay has repeatedly dismissed the string of corruption allegations against him and his family, saying these had been concocted to derail his presidential bid.

The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to pursue administrative and criminal cases against Binay in connection with the controversial construction of the P2.3 billion Makati City Hall Building II. But, being an impeachable official, Binay enjoys immunity from suit as long as he is Vice President, the Ombudsman has conceded. ■

Women’s desks of police stations need more funds, says Robredo

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer MORE FUNDS should be funneled to the women’s and children’s desks of police stations to better address the needs of battered women, Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo said on International Women’s Day on Tuesday.

“To address the problems (of battered women), we need to give additional training to (police) personnel assigned to the

women and children’s desks with the help of experts,” said the Camarines Sur congresswoman who cited her experiences lawyering for victims of violence against women (VAW) in her hometown of Naga City.

In many cases, Robredo said, the women would withdraw their complaints against their abusive partners because they had no way of supporting themselves and their children.

There should be more focus on women’s economic empowerment to give them greater control over their own lives,

said the widow of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

FRIDAY

Court rules... dore Te said.

Elections Chairman Andres Bautista said his commission respects the ruling and will assess whether to appeal.

“This victory isn’t only mine,” a triumphant Poe told hundreds of people who joined an International Women’s Day rally by a left-wing group in a downtown Manila square. “This is most of all a victory for the oppressed, a victory for those who are burdened by this system and a victory for women.”

Asked by The Associated Press how she felt, Poe replied: “Relieved, but this is only the start, we need to do a lot of things. There is now a big opening for us to start our work.”

The decision provided a major boost to the campaign of Poe, who is already leading in popularity polls, and removes a cloud of uncertainty over what has been shaping as a closely contested four-way race to succeed President Benigno Aquino III, whose six-year term ends June 30.

“She will now be the candidate to beat,” political analyst Ramon Casiple said, adding that people who were concerned that she may be taken out of the race because of her legal troubles now have a clear choice.

Pulse Asia, an independent polling body, placed Poe in the lead with the support of 26 per cent of the respondents in a survey conducted last month of 1,800 people nationwide, followed by Vice-President Jejomar Binay, who got 25 per cent.

Former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, whose candidacy has been endorsed by Aquino, and tough-talking Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of southern Davao city each got 21 per cent.

The survey had a margin of error of 2 percentage points. ❰❰ 1

Poe had a wider lead in a Pulse Asia poll in January.

Although a political neophyte, the 47-year-old Poe carries a popular family name and has a heart-rending life story in a country where many are swayed more by personalities than policy positions.

The U.S.-educated Poe, a former pre-school teacher, is the adopted daughter of one of the Philippines’ most famous movie couples. Her late father, Fernando Poe Jr., was a movie action star who mostly played roles as a defender of the poor in a country where about a fourth of the more than 100 million Filipinos wallow in poverty.

But the Commission on Elections disqualified Poe from running in December, ruling that she was not a natural-born Filipino as required by the constitution because she was abandoned as a baby by her unknown parents at a Roman Catholic church.

Poe, who renounced her Philippine citizenship for about five years to live with her own family in America, also lacked the required 10-year Philippine residency ahead of the May 9 vote, the commission said. That prompted Poe to bring her case to the Supreme Court.

Appearing often in campaign sorties in a white shirt and blue denim pants that many people identify with her father, Poe has run on the same pro-poor platform that her father carried, pledging that under her presidency, “nobody will be left behind.”

Aquino’s successor will need to grapple with poverty, corruption and Marxist and Muslim insurgencies — persistent problems facing a country that three decades ago toppled the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos through a “people power” revolt. ■

Empowered

Robredo said she was pushing for economic empowerment to spare women from violence resulting from poverty and lack of financial capacity.

“When you say ‘empowered,’ there should be economic empowerment first, because women who are dependent on other people would not be able to fight for their own rights,” she ❱❱ PAGE 14 Women’s desks

www.canadianinquirer.net

Presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe delivers her message to members of Gabriela Party-list during the celebration of the International Women's Month.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

13

CHR to ask women: Are you getting RH services?

BY JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer ARE LOCAL governments providing reproductive health services in accordance with the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RH) Law? What barriers prevent women from accessing these services in their localities?

These are some of the questions the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will be asking in its investigation into how the reproductive health law and services are being implemented in localities.

Last Tuesday, the CHR, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) and nongovernment organizations, launched a nationwide inquiry into reproductive health which will run until May. CHR Commissioner Karen GomezDumpit said the inquiry will include surveys and interviews with women and RH service providers “to find out whether RH services are being provided by local governments in accordance with the law, particularly the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act.” Barriers

The inquiry, launched in time for the celebration of Women’s Month, also seeks to find out “what the barriers are in terms of providing RH services or

City, April 12-14; Zamboanga City, April 19-21; Tacloban City, April 23-25, and Cagayan de Oro, April 27-29.

“These are the localities where there have been reports of problems (in accessing) RH services,” the CHR official said.

Grave violation

What barriers prevent women from accessing reproductive health services in their localities?

accessing (them) in the women’s localities,” Gomez-Dumpit said in an interview.

For this purpose, the CHR commissioner invited the public to submit to the CHR regional offices proof or “documentation of their experiences of being denied access to reproductive health

“Canada was built by citizen immigrants, people who come here permanently with their families to become Canadians.”

Some cops say they won’t obey Duterte’s orders

BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer THESE ARE some policemen who would probably refuse to carry out a direct order from their commander in chief.

“He will turn us into vigilantes and that is not acceptable,’’ was how some policemen interviewed by the INQUIRER said of presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s plans on dealing with criminals.

Duterte, who is running on a platform of eradicating criminality and illegal drugs in six months, has said that he will use all law enforcement agencies and the military to achieve his objective.

The mayor, who transformed Davao City into a supposed crime-free showcase, said that if he becomes president, he would order the police and the military to kill criminals and when complaints are filed against the law enforcers, he will point to himself as the one who ordered it.

No different from criminals

services, or (how they dealt) with barriers to these services.”

Gomez-Dumpit said that as part of the inquiry, regional public consultations will be held next month: in Metro Manila on April 1 and 2, and April 4; Legazpi

She cited Sorsogon City where the mayor issued in February 2015 a resolution that led to contraceptives being pulled out from the health centers. The city also has a pending ordinance that would criminalize the dispensation of family planning commodities.

A similar ordinance in Manila in 2000, Executive Order No. 003, had been described by no less than the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women as a “grave and systemic reproductive health violation,” for which the Philippine government is accountable.

Such local laws and executive pronouncements “deprive women of the choice in the mode of reproductive health and family planning that they want to pursue,” Gomez-Dumpit said.

She added that the inquiry hopes to give concrete recommendations urging the government agencies concerned to address “this huge gap in women’s human rights.” ■

- Hon. John McCallum, MP Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

The policemen, who agreed to be interviewed on the condition they not be identified, said Duterte’s avowed anticrime policies would encourage extrajudicial killings.

“We were trained to follow the law.

When we violate it like the criminals, then we are no different from them,’’ said one police officer.

But at least one policy pronouncement of Duterte met with favor from the policemen. In a campaign rally in Pangasinan last week, Duterte again announced his plan to increase policemen’s salaries. But he said the pay increases should be reciprocated by the police with discipline and hard work.

“We hope it can really be done, but we are aware that there are also existing laws to follow to implement salary increases. We really hope Duterte will honor his campaign promise. We hope it’s not all politics,’’ said the police officer. ■

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14

Philippine News

Trillanes seeks probe of UMak

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer SEN. ANTONIO Trillanes IV has written the AntiMoney Laundering Council and the Bureau of Internal Revenue urging an investigation into allegedly questionable transactions by the University of Makati (UMak) and private corporations amounting half a billion pesos which were the subject of hearings by the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee.

Trillanes, who is running for vice president, made similar request to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange.

In a statement, Trillanes said Makati school officials “misappropriated” P547.42 million in funds intended for the univer-

sity and diverted this to Philippine Healthcare Educators Inc. (PHEI), a private company.

The University of Makati and Systems Technology Inc. (STI) had a joint venture to operate a nursing school at the university and they put up PHEI as the corporate vehicle to manage the nursing college.

He said the officials involved were Vice President and former Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, his son, former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, UMak president Tomas Lopez and private individuals, including STI chair Eusebio Tanco, president Monico Jacob, Annabelle Borromeo and Jack Arroyo.

A plunder complaint involving the University of Makati’s joint venture with STI is pending in the Office of the Ombudsman. ■

Women’s desks... added.

Robredo stressed the urgency of giving special care and attention to women victims of abuse and their children and said they should be provided economic, psychological and emotional support.

The CamSur representative cited Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women, that mandates local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies to set aside 5 percent of their funds for gender and development (GAD) programs.

“But many government agencies and LGUs do not follow the law, while others do not use the funds in the right way,” Robredo said.

“If you scan the environment, and look at where the 5 percent really goes, you’d be disappointed to see where the money is spent: ❰❰ 12

printing materials that will only be used during Women’s week, or parties where (a woman speaker) is invited just to comply (with the law),” she added.

VAW-responsive

Robredo recalled how her late husband, during his term as Naga City mayor and upon her prodding, allocated 10 percent of the city’s budget for the GAD fund.

“That was used by the Naga City Council of Women, which is composed of civil society, the private sector and women government employees, which planned on how to use the fund well,” she said.

These efforts led the Philippine Commission on Women, in 2009, to recognize Naga City as the first Outstanding VAWResponsive Local Government Unit, Robredo said. ■

Liberal Party Vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo delivers her speech during her visit in Dasmarinas City.

GIL S. CALINGA / PNA

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

SC decision is victory not only for Sen. Grace but for other foundlings — Escudero

BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Vice presidential candidate Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday lauded the Supreme Court (SC) ruling to junk the disqualification case against his running mate presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe. “The decision of the Supreme Court is not only a victory for Sen. Grace but a victory for other foundlings who aspire to seek for higher office in order to serve the country,” Escudero said in a press statement.

Escudero, a lawyer, described the SC’s 9-6 vote to reverse the Commission on Elections’ decision to disqualify Poe as “a great day for the Filipino people.”

“The Supreme Court once again sided with the rule of law in upholding the petition of Sen. Grace to reverse the partisan, biased and unfounded decision of the Commission on Elections disqualifying her from the presidential race,” he said.

Senator Vicente Sotto III, a re-electionist under Poe’s coalition Partido Galing at Puso (PGP), thanked the SC for giving Poe a chance to run in the May 9 elections.

“If her father (the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr.) is alive today, I’m sure he will be very much happy,” said Sotto, a leading senatorial candidate, in an interview during the International Women’s Day celebration event at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

Another PGP’s senatorial candidate and Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said the SC has once again showed that it is the last bastion of the rule of law in the country after it reversed the Comelec ruling disqualifying Senator Grace Poe from this year’s presidential polls.

“SC has restored our faith in the judiciary,” Domagoso pointed out.

He added that he expects the survey ratings of Sen. Poe to go even higher and the exodus of incumbent local officials from www.canadianinquirer.net

Presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe and her running mate, Senator Francis Escudero.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

various parties.

Senatorial candidate Susan “Toots” Ople, for her part, said the SC’s decision “lifts the dark clouds that threatened Senator Grace Poe’s dream of a new dawn for the Philippines.”

“To have this decision handed down on International Women’s Day is doubly providential and significant.

Watch Senator Poe rise to even greater heights now that the Supreme Court has upheld her legitimacy as a presidential candidate. As one of her senatorial bets, I congratulate her for this moral and legal victory,” Ople said.

Bayan Muna partylist Rep. and senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares said the SC decision was a victory of the foundlings, adding more political personalities will not declare support to Poe. “It’s a victory for foundlings and with the SC decision, I really hope that political personalities will jump ship,” said Colmenares, president of the Makabayan bloc that declared support to Poe’s candidacy.

Meanwhile, another vice presidential candidate Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said democracy and justice prevailed over technicalities in the SC decision.

“More importantly, with this

out of the way, we should now focus on who among the presidential candidates is truly worth to lead our country for the next six years,” said Trillanes, whose Magdalo Group also declared support to Poe. Poe’s spokesman Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian called on Poe’s critics “to move on and start focusing the discourse on what really matters to our people — platforms of governance.”

“Senator Poe will continue to drum up interest to her advocacy of ‘Gobyernong may Puso’,” Gatchalian said.

PGP’s campaign manager and Cebu Rep. Ace Durano also thanked the SC for upholding the rule of law.

“We have never wavered from our belief that the high court will ultimately affirm Sen. Poe’s presidential bid, having met all the constitutional requirements to seek the highest post in the land,” Durano said.

“This favorable ruling from the SC will allow Sen. Poe and the entire Partido Galing at Puso to focus on the electoral campaign and in explaining to the public the platforms of ‘Gobyernong may Puso’, which are anchored on rapid and inclusive growth, poverty alleviation, transparency and global competitiveness,” he added. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

15

Electoral reform before printing of receipts – Comelec

BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer NOT NOW, but later after we have had electoral reform, the Commission on Elections Chair Andres Bautista said, with regard to the activation of the voter verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) or receipt feature of the vote counting machines (VCMs).

Bautista said the Comelec was open to enabling the VVPAT feature but “in the future” when changes shall have been made to the electoral system to give voters more time to cast their ballots.

“I think we should have receipts, hopefully at some point in the future, but we have to change the current election system,” Bautista said in a press conference on Friday.

He suggested that instead of holding the elections on only one day, it should be held over several days to allow for the efficient and systematic implementation of the VVPAT feature.

The feature has the votecounting machine print out a receipt showing the candidates one voted for, to allow the voter to double-check his picks.

“We should change this con-

cept of having synchronized elections for both national and local posts. We should rethink as to why we have elections only for one day. Why can’t we have elections over several days?” Bautista said.

“If we had more time to vote, I think wewould have time to print the receipts. We need electoral reform before we can enable the receipt-printing feature,” he said.

Two petitions have been filed asking the Supreme Court to order the Comelec to enable the receiptprinting feature of the VCMs on the May 9 elections.

The petitioners were senatorial

candidates Richard Gordon and Greco Belgica.

Earlier, the Comelec announced it would disable the VVPAT feature of the VCMs, saying that printing receipts had more disadvantages than advantages.

It cited a time and motion study it conducted showing that printing receipts so voters could verify their votes would significantly delay the voting process by seven hours and open opportunities for votebuying.

Based on the study, printing a receipt and reading it through takes a minimum of 43 seconds

per voter, for a total of 7.1 hours for 600 voters in one precinct.

In his petition, Gordon said the Comelec could not use its “speculative yet baseless” fear of votebuying with the use of the VVPAT as an excuse to ignore the law.

He said there was a greater risk of cheating on a mass scale if the VVPAT were not implemented “because digital cheating would be difficult to detect by those uninitiated in the world of information technology, than cheating by isolated cases of vote buying.” ■ With a report from Jerome Aning

Baldoz asks graduates: Aspire for a government job PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis Baldoz urges new graduates this year, or even those who are already in the job market, to consider working for the government, as she bared that there are a good number of unfilled, thus vacant, jobs in the national bureaucracy —173,366 positions as of the latest count of the Department of Budget and Management.

“New graduates and young professionals can all play more active roles in public leadership and service, and there’s no better place to kick-start positive change than in government itself,” said Baldoz.

“But of course, the Civil Service Commission, which oversees the government bureaucracy, has its separate qualification standards and rules and regulations for civil servants.

An aspirant for any government position must pass first

the stringent CSC requirements and its rules and regulations before he or she qualifies,” she added.

To be a government employee, an applicant should pass the CSC-set qualification standards, or the minimum and basic requirements for positions in government. The qualification standards serve as the basic guide in the selection of personnel and evaluation of appointments to all positions in government service.

“Jobseekers aiming for a career in government must meet all four basic requirements: education, training, experience, and eligibility,” she said.

She said, however, that noncareer positions, such as casual, contractual, and co-terminus employees do not require CSC eligibility. “Appointees to these positions should meet only the education, training, and experience requirements,” she said.

She further explained that positions whose duties involve practice of profession will require the corresponding valid professional license and or

certificate of registration from the Professional Regulation Commission, while positions that are primarily confidential in nature are exempted from the qualification standards requirements. These include chiefs of staff, executive as-

sistants, private secretaries, chauffeurs, and other confidential/personal staff of government executives.

The labor and employment chief said the 173, 366 vacancies are part of the 1,205,605 authorized positions in government.

Easily, the national government agency with the most

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number of unfilled position is the Department of Education, with 54,442 vacancies, mostly for teachers and non-teaching personnel.

The other agencies who belong to the top 20 with the most number of vacancies are Department of Health, 25,129 vacancies; Bureau of Internal Revenue, 12,132; Supreme Court of the Philippines and the Lower Courts, 10,760; Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 6,433; Commission on Audit, 6,086; Autonomous Government in Muslim Mindanao, 4,956; Department of Agriculture, 3,810; Department of Agrarian Reform, 3,488; Philippine National Police, 3,545; Philippine Statistics Authority; Bureau of Customs, 2,785; Department of Public Works and Highways, 2,262; University of the Philippines System, 1,470; Department of Transportation and Communication, 1,263; Armed Forces of the Philippines and AFP-Wide Support Units, 1,248; Office of the Ombudsman, 1,006; Land Registration Authority, 980;

National Statistics Office, 954; Commission on Elections, 920; and Department of Social Welfare and Development, 838 unfilled positions.

Other government agencies with hundreds of vacancies are the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, 791; Philippine Air Force, 778; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 749; Information and Communications Technology Office, 641; Department of Justice, 628; Department of Interior and Local Government, 623; Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, 616; Environmental Management Bureau, 591; Bureau of Treasury, 581; National Bureau of Investigation, 555; Department of Trade and Industry, 527; Philippine Army, 523; Bureau of Broadcast Services, 522; Philippine Navy, 515; Mines and Geosciences Bureau, 474; Office of the President, 440; and Department of Finance, 412. ■

16

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

ANALYSIS

4 leading presidential candidates in virtual tie

By Amando Doronila Philippine Daily Inquirer FOUR weeks into the campaign for the May 9 general elections, the country is locked in the most tightly fought presidential contest since 1992, when retired Gen. Fidel Ramos captured Malacañang with the narrowest margin of 23.58 percent of the vote, succeeding the extremely popular President Corazon Aquino, and ushering in a presidency without a majority mandate to govern after the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution.

The most recent survey, conducted

by Pulse Asia from Feb. 15 to 20 and released on March 4, showed that four of the leading presidential candidates were running neck-andneck, foreshadowing a reprise of the 1992 presidential election.

The four are trapped in a no man’s land, struggling to break out of the gridlock shown by the latest survey of voter preference and to establish a momentum in the final weeks before the May balloting in which none on the short list of presidential candidates has emerged as the redhot favorite of the electorate.

In 1992, Ramos topped the record field of seven candidates and narrowly defeated populist candidate

Miriam Defensor-Santiago of the gin considered a tie, given the poll’s claimed that the standoff with Binay People’s Reform Party. margin of error of plus-or-minus 2 for first place in the polls will not last Under the multiparty democracy percentage points. long, as she will pull away following established by the 1987 ConstituBinay is also statistically tied with the recent endorsement of her presition, Ramos topped a field of veteran the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer, dential bid by the NPC, the second politicians that also included Edu- Mar Roxas, and the PDP-Laban’s largest political party. ardo Cojuangco Jr. of the National- presidential candidate, Davao City Poe’s spokesperson exuberantly ist People’s Coalition (NPC), Ramon Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, both with 21 claimed that the NPC’s more than Mitra Jr. of Laban ng Democratikong percent. Santiago, who is contesting 4,000 members across the country Pilipino, Imelda Marcos of Kilusang the presidency for the third time, is would serve as “surrogates” in bringBagong Lipunan, Jovito Salonga of far behind with a voter support of 3 ing her message to voters. the Liberal Party and Salvador Laurel percent.

This claim is based on nothing of Nacionalista Party.

According to the Pulse Asia survey, more solid than wishful thinking of a Ramos also got the lowest plurality none of the four leading candidates hypothetical shift of NPC members. in Philippine elec“Despite all the toral history. In that left-handed attacks Today, identification with Edsa I is no longer a defining election, Ramos was against the person issue in the May election. None of the five candidates contesting basking in the glow of Poe, the Filipino the presidency belongs to the post-Edsa leadership generation. of a popular hero of voters continue to the 1986 Edsa Revostand behind her,” lution that toppled the dictatorship is gaining momentum ahead of the the spokesperson said. of President Ferdinand Marcos. pack.

Of greater concern to Poe is the Today, identification with Edsa I is None of them has the basis to fact that she is fighting in the Suno longer a defining issue in the May claim to be able to maintain the lead preme Court two Commission on election. None of the five candidates in the past few weeks, as the results Elections decisions disqualifying contesting the presidency belongs to show that the race is too close to call her from the presidential contest the post-Edsa leadership generation. at this stage. because she is not a natural-born In the Pulse Asia survey, Sen. Filipino and that she does not meet Grace Poe and Vice President Jejo- NPC endorsement the 10year residency requirement for mar Binay are in a standoff for the Rankings in popularity ratings are candidates. lead. likely to shift, barring intervention of The high court is expected to hand Poe is favored by 26 percent of a fundamentally momentous event down a ruling in the next few days— registered voter respondents, while in the homestretch. a potential knockout punch to Poe’s Binay received 25 percent—a marFor example, Poe’s camp has candidacy that could reduce the elec-

tion to a three-cornered race and radically change its alignments.

Tight race Pulse Asia conducted the noncommissioned survey on Feb. 15-20, a week after the campaign started on Feb. 9. Poe’s latest score is 4 percent down from 30 percent, when she was the front-runner.

Preference for Binay moved by 2 points from 23 percent in January, while Roxas and Duterte—who were tied with 20 percent each last month—improved in standing by a point.

Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes noted that, given the margin of error, Poe and Binay are statistically tied. Meanwhile, Binay is also in a statistical tie with Duterte and Roxas.

Holmes pointed out that “the campaign had just begun when we conducted the survey. It has led so far to retention of voter preference levels for candidates.” He noted that no candidate registered significant increases or declines.

“It is a pretty tight race,” he said, emphasizing that “Poe’s 7point decline among Class D voters (the poor) is perhaps the only movement worth noting within areas and socioeconomic classes.” ■

PUBLIC LIVES

Through the prism of American politics

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer WE SOMETIMES call it “gut feel”— a phrase that designates the positive or negative emotions we have about people or issues. Conscious that such emotions do not supply a reasonable basis for an opinion or action, we may, when challenged, offer a justification for our initial feelings. Coming after the fact, this justification is not the cause of these feelings. It is, rather, the rationalization that tries to align “gut feel” to what is perceived to be socially acceptable.

The French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu argues that it is these amorphous feelings or dispositions— rather than opinions that can be expressed in a coherent way—that are typically captured as public opinion in most surveys.

“At present,” writes Bourdieu, “the opinion poll is an instrument of political action: perhaps its most important function is to impose the illusion that there is something called public opinion in the sense of the purely arithmetical total of individual opinions; … The ‘public opinion’ that is manifested on the front pages of newspapers … is a pure and simple

artifact whose function is to disguise the fact that the state of opinion at a given time is a system of forces, tensions, and that nothing more inadequately expresses the state of opinion than a percentage.”

Nothing illustrates Bourdieu’s observation more sharply than the inexplicable rise of Donald Trump in American politics. No one took him seriously at the start. In the eyes of the mass media, he was nothing but a wealthy charlatan, a loquacious con man who sought to ride on the celebrity status he has acquired as host of a reality TV show about smart management and creative entrepreneurship. To many Republicans, he was an outsider who provided comic relief to the presidential debates but talked nonsense.

That view has radically changed.

Today, despite his outrageous pronouncements about America’s problems and role in the world, Trump is close to capturing the Republican Party’s presidential nomination. Political analysts are at a loss trying to account for his phenomenal victories in recent state-level party caucuses. The leaders of the party have felt compelled to come out and warn their members against this reckless

and ignorant politician who seems to have tapped into a major vein of American anger and frustration.

Indeed, Trump has managed to establish an emotional connection to a segment of the American public that feels bad about almost everything that has happened under Barack Obama, the country’s first black president. Having done so, he has become the mouthpiece of this grumbling and resentful public. Trump’s emergence calls to mind Nietzsche’s warning: “[T]here is a small dose of revenge in every complaint; people blame those who are different from themselves for the fact that they feel bad, possibly even for their badness— as though it were an injustice, an illicit privilege.”

So strong is the emotional connection he has built that even people who are turned off by Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric have found ways to rationalize the support they are giving him. One newspaper quotes a supporter who can’t seem to find the right words to explain her mixed feelings about Trump: “I don’t think anybody understands his rise, do we?

Other than this generation votes for the American Idol. … They are not really looking at who would really be

www.canadianinquirer.net

the best politician or who would be the best president. They look at who they like.”

I used to think that the American political class has managed, through its stable party system, to insulate itself from the vagaries of demagogic politics. That view now seems inadequate. It does not take into account the element of cathexis—a positive or negative emotional charge lying just beneath the surface of everyday life. Not to be confused with catharsis, which signifies the purification of emotions or fears by consciously confronting them, cathexis packs powerful emotions that, given the right conditions, are discharged and directed at a person, a thing, or an idea. I believe that is what Trump’s rise signifies—a discharge of America’s darkest emotions and insecurities.

In some ways, this reminds us so much of Philippine politics. We don’t have a Trump in our midst; the closest to one might be Rodrigo Duterte.

Many voters see the colorful mayor of Davao as the answer to the disorder that seems to hobble our nation’s progress. But the emotions Duterte stirs are nowhere near the frenzy that Trump has successfully unleashed in his country.

Grace Poe is the other person who could be a vessel for positive cathexis.

The emotional association of her persona with the status of abandoned infants furnishes the basic material for a cathectic narrative. But, this is a movie that cannot easily accommodate the other facts in her life. We have here a foundling who grows up in the comfortable and loving home of her adoptive celebrity parents, and goes to the United States for college.

Instead of coming home after graduation, she marries and settles down there, and renounces her Philippine citizenship to become a naturalized American.

Returning to the Philippines after her father’s untimely death, she reacquires Filipino citizenship to qualify for a job in the government. After two years as head of a small government agency, she runs for senator on the strength of her father’s residual popularity and tops the elections. Now, just halfway through her term, she seeks the presidency of the country on which she once turned her back.

If we can rise above gut feel and allow these facts to sink in, we may find that this particular foundling is not exactly a figure of empathy, but of unwarranted ambition. ■

Opinion

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

17

LOOKING BACK

Antonio Luna’s curling irons

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer THE MOVIE “Heneral Luna” forced me to open my long-neglected files to uncover primary-source material I had dug up over the years and completely forgotten. The Luna brothers Antonio and Juan are worth dedicated research because their lives are the stuff of legend, and their stories worth setting into novel or film.

In my files I found unpublished correspondence and diaries from the cache of materials once owned by the noted architect Andres Luna de San Pedro, son of the ill-fated painter Juan Luna. All these papers, much of which I was not able to photocopy, were unfortunately destroyed in a fire that gutted the Heritage Art Gallery on Lantana Street in Cubao, Quezon City, three decades ago. I cannot get over the fact that the Luna papers survived the Philippine-American War and the Battle of Manila in 1945, only to fall prey to faulty wiring and a gallery that was a firetrap in all senses of the word. Only Juan Luna’s paintings now in the National Museum and the Bank of the Philippine Islands were saved from destruction.

Other materials on Antonio Luna

I dug up in the Rare Book Room of turned to boxes by untrained staff. form that I presume was not the one the National Library, gathered from Fortunately for scholars, the US Na- he was wearing when he was murwhat were previously known as the tional Archives donated along with dered, because it bore no bullet or “Philippine Insurgent Records.” the original manuscripts a microfilm dagger holes. In his will, he asked to These were renamed the “Philippine in 636 rolls that will take more than a be buried draped in a Philippine flag.

Revolutionary Records” (or “PRR”), lifetime to mine. If you want to locate We do not know where that flag went the originals of which were turned a document using the US National because nobody knows today where over to the Philippines by the US Na- Archives catalogue, you may use the his body was buried. tional Archives and Records Admin- microfilm, not the originals. To date, What follows may seem like a trivistration in 1958, during the state vis- only my former student Amiel Palma ial list of personal effects, but they it of President Carlos P. Garcia. But in Angeles has gone through most of the give us an insight into the kind of man Manila in the past half-century, the records for his PhD. Antonio Luna was. For example, curlPRR has been subjected to theft, high For the curious, I am reproducing ing irons. For hair or moustache? We humidity, rodents, neglect, and other my translation of the inventory of An- cannot be certain, and we will never enemies of books know if we do not and documents. look at the record While I was doand ask questions In his will, he asked to be buried draped in a Philippine ing my research, I “One leather travflag. We do not know where that flag went because nobody often asked about a elling bag with toiknows today where his body was buried. missing document letry case, one elasin a box or found a tic sash, one alcohol misfiled document in another. The tonio Luna’s property, conducted after lamp, curling irons, one packet Boric explanation was that certain papers his assassination. Luna’s weapons were acid, one packet rice powder, two small and record groups had been moved entrusted to his friend, Gen. Jose Ale- boxes shoe polish, one shoe brush, one around from their original boxes and jandrino, and these consisted of: one soap dish with soap, one pair spurs. folders because someone initiated rifle, one Mauser, one espadin (either a “A canvas traveling bag containing an ill-advised attempt at refiling by rapier or a dress sword), ammunition, one pair charol half boots, one pair name. Another explanation or excuse and a pair of binoculars. The weapons hazelnut-colored leather buskins, for the difficulty of tracing certain on him at the time of his assassination one pair leather boots, one pair high documents using the US catalogue have not been accounted for. canvas buskins, one astrolabe, a comwas that an earthquake knocked the When I went over Antonio Luna’s pact instrument to observe the posidocument boxes off the shelves and papers at the Heritage Art Gallery, I tions of the celestial bodies before the papers were haphazardly re- was shown a box with a bloodied uni- the invention of the sextant.

“A baul with one black frock coat, one mirror de tres lunas, two white tunics, white pants, one blue wool band, one Ilocano bedspread, two bath towels, one pair unused slippers, one empty leather portfolio, one metal box with coat buttons, 32 small boxes of cartridges, five cane fans, one general’s cap, one English straw hat, one Baliuag hat.

“One baul containing one thick raincoat, one pair guingon pants with sashes, three striped Cuban pants, five calzoncillos, two khaki pants, five shirt collars, two cotton shirts, two pillow cases, one big towel, three colored handkerchiefs, six books, and shoulder pads.

“One box with six books, four canes, one saber, two American bayonets, one pair hazel-colored buskins, one Japanese bathrobe, two boxes with 20 handkerchiefs, six khaki mambisas (does this refer to the uniforms or attire of Cuban independence soldiers or “mambises”?), two khaki pants, one pair pantalon de montar ( jodphurs) one wool suit, one wool americana, wool pants, eight white pants, seven white americanas, 17 shirt collars, 12 shirts, five pillow cases, two camisas de chino, two wool socks, and a Kalasiao hat.” ■

AT LARGE

Why reclamation is ‘a very bad idea’

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer BEFORE DISCUSSING a few more issues surrounding the proposed reclamation projects on the coastal areas of Manila Bay and Laguna Lake, as presented by geologist Kelvin Rodolfo, let me clarify something I wrote in Friday’s column.

Yes, Rodolfo is best known among Filipinos for his work on lahar, the mixture of ashfall, pyroclastic material, soil, rain water and other matter (rocks, fallen logs, concrete fragments from destroyed structures) that follows a volcanic eruption. But he first gained public attention for this during the period immediately following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, not the Northern Luzon earthquake of 1990 as I erroneously wrote.

The lahar flows would continue to hound the residents of Central Luzon for a few years after the eruption, causing floods and destruction along the path of rivers and streams. Thousands of residents in the affected areas lost their homes and livelihoods, especially those engaged in farming, in the wake of the lahar. But as I remember Rodolfo saying during those years, we really shouldn’t be putting

the blame on lahar for the suffering of the population. “All the lahar wants to do is to flow out to the sea,” he said. It was up to the people themselves, along with government officials, to take the necessary steps to prevent or alleviate the suffering of the people affected by lahar. The wisest move would have been to simply get people out of the lahar’s way, but authorities, unwilling to be seen as remaining passive in the wake of the lahar threat, embarked on massive dike construction, even if scientists like Rodolfo said it would be worse than useless since destroyed dikes could add even more material to the destructive power of lahar.

Unfortunately, says Rodolfo, in the Philippines we have a “history of ignoring science while building projects fail.” *** AS early as the 1980s, he notes, local and national authorities insisted on building “flimsy lahar dikes” in the waterways downstream from Mayon Volcano despite the objections of scientists, himself included. Dike building continued but finally was halted when Supertyphoon “Reming” breached all the dikes in 2006, killing 1,266 people who had sought safety by living behind the structures.

The same mistake and tragedy would be repeated in the 1990s, but on a much larger scale, says Rodolfo, with the building of the dikes postPinatubo. In October 1995, rains brought by Tropical Storm “Mameng” caused lahar to breach the Gugu Dike, “totally destroying barangay Cabalantian in Bacolor, Pampanga,” with hundreds killed.

Still, it seems that officials have not learned their lessons. Starting in the 2000s till the present, says Rodolfo, the Department of Public Works and Highways “builds numerous costly, ineffective flood-control structures in Central Luzon and Camanava” even as he and his colleagues have made their objections felt. “Year after year, they fail, and more money is spent on cosmetic repairs,” Rodolfo laments. *** AND now come the decidedly ambitious and dangerous plans to reclaim land from Manila Bay and Laguna Lake premised on the need to prevent flooding and ease traffic in Metro Manila. Of course the profit motive is present as well, since the reclaimed land will also be used for property development, for both residential and commercial purposes.

Rodolfo cites four reasons why

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reclamation of areas in Manila Bay and Laguna Lake “is a very bad idea.”

First, the rapid subsidence (sinking) of coastal lands, specially in the Metro Manila area, is “enhancing the risk of flooding and high tides.”

Among the reasons for this rapid subsidence, says Rodolfo, is rapid loss of groundwater due to decades of uncontrolled pumping. Loss of groundwater has also caused the ground level to fall, leaving these areas vulnerable to flooding.

Second, storm surges—very high tides during typhoons or weather disturbances—are, says Rodolfo, “an ever-worsening threat, due in part to subsidence, but also because climate change is increasing the frequency of the strongest typhoons.”

Third, coastal areas, such as those marked for reclamation, “are very susceptible to liquefaction and enhanced ground-shaking during earthquakes,” says Rodolfo. For those not familiar with the effects of liquefaction, where the ground seemingly turns to mud and watery mush due to shaking during an earthquake, simply google for photos of Dagupan after the 1990 earthquake. *** THE fourth reason, says Rodolfo, can be laid directly at the doorstep, not

of Mother Nature, but of the government, private-sector proponents and their enablers from multilateral donor institutions. The risks, he says, “are enhanced by the DPWH’s and JICA’s (the Japanese international agency for development) ignoring or minimizing the phenomena in their projects.” Rodolfo also cites the JBIC, Japan’s overseas development bank, which he says is the real culprit behind the packaging of such seeming developmental initiatives with commercially attractive prospects.

Rodolfo has a specially compelling video to show the effects of an earthquake on coastal areas. During the Bohol earthquake in 2013, security cameras in a resort in Talisay, Cebu, far from the earthquake’s epicenter, caught the effect on the water in the resort’s pool, which undulated periodically and grew in intensity as wave movements crested.

This was just a swimming pool, but it is easy enough to imagine the bigger and deadlier effects on a much larger body of water like a lake or a bay. Maybe what the proponents need is not so much scientific savvy as imagination, or compassion for the people who will suffer the consequences of corporate greed and official negligence. ■

18

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

Canada News

Canada’s biofuels industry facing increasing headwinds despite climate change push

BY IAN BICKIS The Canadian Press CALGARY — Canada’s biofuels industry is facing significant headwinds even as interest grows in ways to reduce carbon emissions.

A combination of low oil prices, the end of a biofuels incentive program, continued competition from U.S. imports, lack of infrastructure, and stricter fuel efficiency regulations are all expected to be barriers to growth in the industry.

Production could even go down, with the International Energy Agency predicting in its latest five-year outlook that Canada’s ethanol production will plunge 38 per cent, from about 1.68 billion litres a year in 2015 to around 1.04 billion litres by 2020 because of those headwinds.

Andrea Kent, president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, said in an email that she disagrees with that outlook.

“Canada continues to be well positioned to be a leader in renewable fuels,” said Kent.

She said biofuels are well placed to help governments achieve carbon reductions, and is pushing to increase the required amounts of biodiesel in gasoline from two per cent to five.

“This presents an ideal opportunity to leverage the successful biofuels mandates to help governments reach those ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets,” said Kent.

But Environment and Climate Change Canada spokeswoman Natalie Huneault said the department “has no plans to make changes to the federal Renewable Fuels Regulations at this time.”

The government has also confirmed that the ecoENERGY biofuels program, which paid producers an extra perlitre rate to encourage more do-

Alberta finance minister says new austerities coming in 2016-17 budget THE CANADIAN PRESS

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

mestic production, will expire as planned in 2017.

Despite the program, Canada has never produced enough ethanol to meet the five per cent federal blending mandate, and imports hundreds of millions of litres a year from the U.S. to help supply the 2.2 billion litres of ethanol needed.

And some question how effective increasing production would actually be on reducing carbon emissions.

“I would argue it’s a shortterm solution to a long-term problem, and isn’t really where we need to go,” said David Layzell, director of the Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research Initiative at the University of Calgary.

He’s looked at the life cycle impact of ethanol on carbon emissions and said it doesn’t offer significant overall savings.

Estimates of actual carbon reductions vary, but the U.S. Energy Department says cornbased ethanol reduces carbon emissions 19 per cent on average compared with gasoline, and can be as much as 52 per cent.

How much that carbon reduction costs is also up for debate, with Layzell saying in some cases it could cost as much as $800 per tonne of carbon reduction.

“I would argue that may not be worth it,” said Layzell.

Biodiesel is more effective at reducing emissions, but it suffers from poor economies of scale and the IEA is forecasting largely flat production in Canada of 348 million litres a year for the next five years.

Ian Thomson, president of the Western Canada Biodiesel Association, said the fuel would be able to compete without incentives if governments put a real price on carbon, one that is multiples above the $30 a tonne being proposed.

“If you had a real cost of carbon you wouldn’t need any quote unquote subsidies for biofuels, because you’d have a level playing field,” said Thomson.

He said biofuels are important because they offer a proven and immediate solution to carbon emissions.

“Biofuels can deliver really significant reductions right now. And there’s room for more of them,” said Thomson.

Natural Resources Canada spokeswoman Tania CarreiraPereira said in an email that the government may yet consider new policies for biofuels, as discussions continue on Canada’s framework to address climate change.

“Consideration of the transportation sector, including the role of that alternative fuels can play to meet these commitments, will be part of these ongoing discussions,” she said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

ley reiterated the plan is to save where possible, but not worsen things with deep cuts to public FORT MCMURRAY, ALTA. — services.

Alberta Finance Minister Joe “We are not going to restore Ceci and Premier Rachel Notley the price of oil by laying off say more restraint measures are teachers, by laying off nurses, coming in next month’s budget. by undercutting our health care But they also reiterated Fri- (and) by undercutting our eduday that the overall plan re- cation (system),” said Notley. mains not to cut so deep as to The government plan intromake a bad situation worse. duced last year calls for a two Ceci and Notley made the per cent boost in overall spendcomments at a town hall meet- ing in the 2016-17 budget, foing in Fort McMurray, field- cusing the extra cash on core ing questions on the upcoming areas like health and education.

2016-17 spendThe province ing plan. will continue Ceci has said its plan to acwith no end in celerate capital sight to low oil You need to spending to get prices, the exborrow within roads, schools pected deficit for what you can and hospitals 2016-17 could be afford to do, built to take addouble the origiand you need vantage of low nal projection to have a plan borrowing costs and end up over to get rid of and a larger la$10 billion. that deficit that bour pool.

He said the is realistic and The province province is lookreasonable. now has about ing to save mon$19 billion in ey where it can. debt and that fig“We’re doing a ure is to grow to number of other an estimated $48 things that you’ll see rolled billion by the end of the decade. out in Budget 2016 that shows The government does not we’re additionally restraining have a plan to pay it back, but the amount of money that goes can’t by law run up debt higher into government services,” said than 15 per cent of the GDP. The Ceci. province is currently at just unCeci declined to give more der six per cent. details on those measures.

“You need to borrow within The budget is to come out in what you can afford to do, and early April, though Ceci has not you need to have a plan to get announced a specific date. rid of that deficit that is realisAlberta’s economy is reeling tic and reasonable,” Notley said from continuing low oil prices. those at the meeting.

Oil has gone from more than Ceci admitted last week that US$100 a barrel in 2014 to the with oil prices remaining low mid-$30 range now. and the deficit ballooning to There have been tens of $10 billion, the original plan to thousands of job losses in the balance the budget by 2020 is private sector as the provincial no longer attainable.

GDP continues to contract.

He hasn’t given a new target However, both Ceci and Not- date. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

19

Washington will greet Trudeau with boulevard of maple leaves... and telltale sign

BY ALEXANDER PANETTA The Canadian Press WASHINGTON — The most famous street in Washington is lined with Canadian flags.

People are trying to finagle invitations to witness a Halley’s Comet-type rarity in international relations: a political celebrity from Canada.

And somehow, in the midst of all this, amid the pomp and preparation for the first U.S. state dinner for a Canadian in 19 years, and the even rarer show of interest in Justin Trudeau, and the decorations along Pennsylvania Avenue, one unavoidable, inescapable name looms behind the fluttering red-and-white flags.

TRUMP. That name stands out, in allcaps of course, on billboards at the new hotel project being developed on Pennsylvania Avenue by the ubiquitous realestate titan who happens to be the Republican presidential front-runner.

Trudeau was asked about him this week and tried avoiding the subject. It’s fair to assume he’ll be asked again during his threeday visit starting Wednesday.

He won’t have the same luxury of anonymity as some past prime ministerial visitors whose travels might have landed closer to the crossword puzzle than the front page of major American newspapers. This Vogue-magazine-appearing, refugee-hugging, proclaimed progressive-rock-star has already been dubbed the “antiTrump” in one Washington

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Post headline.

Canadian officials can’t help but notice — they’re being hammered with ticket requests for Thursday’s state dinner. One joked there’s probably a book to be written about these last few weeks.

“I never realized how popular I am,” one official deadpanned, without discussing secret trip details on the record.

Canadians don’t actually control the guest list. They only have a token few tickets to hand out, and there’s already some grumbling and rumours about who got one and who didn’t.

A few famous names will be in attendance. For the 1997 dinner involving Jean Chretien, guests included Howie Mandel, Diana Krall, Dan Aykroyd and a newlywed couple, Alan Greenspan and Andrea Mitchell of NBC News.

They feasted on maple-cured salmon and herb-crusted lamb

PA-GMAI-That's My Amboy-Philippine Canadian Inquirer-CAN.indd 1

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before heading to the East Room where guests sipped champagne and then-first-lady Hillary Clinton and Tipper Gore bopped to the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.”

One irony is that the rare wonks in this town who actually spend their working lives thinking about Canada aren’t the target audience for the big party.

“Nobody I know is going to the state dinner,” said the head of the local Canada Institute at the Wilson Center, Laura Dawson, when asked about the guest list.

“I think the idea is to keep the bureaucrats and the wonks to a minimum and really focus on high-level people who exemplify important attributes of the relationship — whether they’re from culture, entertainment...

“I know people who are incredibly well-connected to the White House and they are just getting rebuffed... Trudeau’s got

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a lot of star power in Washington — people want to get up close and see if this guy’s for real.”

A larger crowd will see him arrive at the White House.

Hundreds are expected on the South Lawn. Unseasonably warm 26C weather is forecast for the main day of the visit Thursday — which begins with a meeting in the Oval Office, followed by a press conference with Barack Obama, lunch at the State Department, then the black-tie dinner at the White House.

The trip starts Wednesday with an evening reception.

It ends Friday with Trudeau speaking to a university, attending a gathering of thinktanks, and laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.

The actual substance of the meetings, sources say, likely includes announcements on intelligence-sharing at the border; climate-change co-operation; and possibly on a path for-

ward to avoid another softwood lumber war.

But some skeptics — including Trudeau’s political opponents at home — note that some of these things sound suspiciously similar to files already in the works under the previous government.

They’ve also questioned how much might get done given that the president has 10 months left, and no hope of getting the Republican Congress to approve a Supreme Court justice let alone a substantive climate plan.

The advice from the Canadian ambassador for the 1997 dinner? Trudeau should start making connections that’ll be useful when Obama’s gone, and rub elbows with other influential actors.

Raymond Chretien has another suggestion for the prime minister. It involves Trump.

And it’s based on personal experience.

Chretien says some media exaggerated simple observations he made about the two presidential candidates in 2000 — some apparently even interpreted his non-verbal communication as favouring Al Gore over George W. Bush.

His advice now: “Don’t get involved in American politics. Don’t take sides in your words, don’t take sides in your moves, don’t takes sides with your smile. Don’t take sides — period... My advice would be to be very careful — it’s not just words, but everything. The whole demeanour...

“We have to live with the Americans, whoever’s in power.” ■

16-02-24 1:05 PM

20

Canada News

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

‘One Who Keeps Trying:’ Trudeau welcomed, but chiefs challenge him to deliver

BY BILL GRAVELAND The Canadian Press CALGARY — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was honoured by a southern Alberta First Nation in a ceremony full of colour and history Friday, but aboriginal leaders also challenged him to deliver on his promises to Indigenous Peoples.

Trudeau shared the stage on the Tsuu T’ina reserve with chiefs in full feather headdresses, elders in vests or beaded jackets and the First Nation’s rodeo stars.

High-pitched chanting and the rhythmic pounding of drums were all part of an elaborate ceremony in which the prime minister was presented with his own

headdress and blessed with the aboriginal name “Gumistiyi,” which means “The One Who Keeps Trying.”

The headdress presented to Trudeau symbolizes accomplishment, respect, bravery and peace-building. The Tsuu T’ina Nation on the outskirts of Calgary said it has not seen fit to bestow one on a prime minister since John Diefenbaker.

Trudeau was also given a black cowboy hat, a belt buckle and a black fringed-and-beaded leather jacket, which he slipped on to the delight of the audience.

The warm welcome also came with a reminder that the prime minister has promised to help indigenous communities and include them in the national

conversation.

Tsuu T’ina Chief Roy Whitney told Trudeau that he will be watched closely to see if he fulfils what he has said he will do.

“Mr. Prime Minister, your election has brought with it expectations, high ones, that the historical obstacles to recognition and achievement ... will finally be accomplished,” Whitney said.

“How could Canada evolve into this great Canadian mosaic ... since Confederation without First Nations as part of that mosaic?” Whitney asked.

“The answer is simple: Canada has failed, failed on a scale so unimaginably huge, failed at so many levels that ... no political will seemed able to overcome.”

Trudeau reiterated that there

is no relationship more important to him and to Canada than the one with First Nations, Inuit and Metis — a relationship “built on the recognition that the constitutionally guaranteed rights of First Nations in Canada are a sacred obligation.”

“I commit to you that the government of Canada will walk with you on a path of true reconciliation in partnership and friendship.”

Perry Bellegarde, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, outlined five promises the Liberals made during last fall’s election: to hold an inquiry into missing and murder indigenous women, to implement all 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to provide better

education for aboriginal youth, to review federal omnibus laws that hurt or disregard First Nations and to provide adequate funding.

First Nations are anxious to see a two per cent cap on federal funding increases removed in the upcoming budget, Bellegarde said.

“March 22 is coming so we are watching and we have our fingers and toes crossed that there will be something.”

“That cap was a cap on growth. That cap was a cap on potential and you have to start investing in the fastest-growing segment of Canada’s population, which is our young men and women.”

“We will honour our promises,” Trudeau said. ■

Big changes could be coming to the Canada-U.S. border, PM set to announce

BY STEPHANIE LEVITZ The Canadian Press WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will use his visit to Washington to announce support for a plan that could revolutionize the way travellers cross the border — affecting multiple modes of transportation, sources say.

He intends to endorse a preclearance experiment that would allow people to clear customs at train stations, bus stations and off highways the same way they already can at several Canadian airports.

Two industry sources and one national government confirmed that after fits and starts the initiative will move forward during the prime minister’s visit that begins Wednesday.

A U.S. official speaking to a public event would not go as far as confirming specifics but suggested an elaborate agreement later this week will include a pre-clearance component.

“They will be announcing a number of developments,” Alan Bersin, assistant secretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland, told

a forum hosted by the website Politico and the Canadian American Business Council.

“There’s really been a radical transformation in the way Canadians and Americans view the border.”

Asked what announcements could be forthcoming he referred to three areas, including long-expected plans to share data for land travellers the way it’s shared for air travel; swaps of exit data; and pre-clearance.

He said governments are starting to move beyond the old dichotomy of trade versus security at the border — and are designing a more sophisticated system intended to achieve both.

The basic idea is that travellers should be screened by customs officers far away from the border, to ease pressure on existing choke points and speed up travel.

The concept was announced a year ago by the Harper government and the Obama administration — but it hadn’t moved forward. It requires implementation legislation in both countries and neither country had yet indicated any intention of doing so, with Canada’s change

in government further muddying the picture.

That legislation would deal with thorny legal issues — such as the right of customs officers to carry arms in the other country, and the procedure for making an arrest on foreign soil.

The governments insisted last year that any arrest would have to be performed by an officer from the host country.

The new system would start with pilot projects in several places. One business source said Trudeau and President Barack Obama are expected to identify them this week. He said they will include the port at Quebec City and at Massena, N.Y. Another business group that has spent years pushing for preclearance called it marvellous news if it’s true that Trudeau plans to move ahead.

“It’s brilliant. Much needed,” said Scotty Greenwood of the Canadian American Business Council. “It has the potential to put millions of dollars back into the economy of North America.”

But one U.S. official who’s seen the issue gain momentum before only to have it slow down www.canadianinquirer.net

Cars approaching Canada Customs at Douglas, British Columbia from Blaine, Washington.

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warned: “It’s not final until it’s final.”

The hurdles include passing a similar bill in the U.S. Congress — which often kills or blocks legislation.

However, a bill introduced a few days ago received numer-

ous sponsors from both parties, increasing its chance of passing. That left open the question of whether Canada would introduce a similar bill.

Sources said that’s part of what will be announced this week. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

21

Study, work, immigrate INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS are the perfect fit to become Canadian Citizens. These are the words from The New Canadian Immigration Minister John McCallum.

TO STUDY IN CANADA as an International Student has become the most sought after way to get into Canada and to obtain an internationally recognized Canadian Credential from one or more top notch Canadian Institutions. More and more students from all over the world come to Canada to study each year. Students who acquired their credentials from Canada moved on to have better opportunities in their chosen fields.

Studying in Canada has also become one of the best pathway to become a Permanent resident of Canada. As a student you would have the necessary education, work experience, and the Canadian experience to be successful in Canada.

Before you can come to Canada to study, you must have been

first accepted from a Canadian Institution. There are processes to do after acceptance from school such as making sure that you have the money required to pay for your tuition fees. You also need to show that you are financially capable to support yourself and if necessary your spouse & your children if they are coming with you.

If in a later time you want to stay in Canada as a permanent resident after your studies, you must make sure that you follow the STUDY.WORK.IMMIGRATE path. One must be aware that not all schools and not all courses of studies can lead you to become a permanent Resident of Canada.

It is absolutely very important that as a student visa holder you must have the right information of what to do to avoid heartaches and disappointments that can cause you to become ineligible to apply for the Permanent Residency in Canada.

Cancel raids... yet to see solid data that supports allegations that caregivers are abusing the caregiver program. Instead, she says research and their case studies show many instances where employers and recruitment agencies are the ones exploiting these foreign workers.

“This program should be canceled and provincially, Premier Christy Clark and the BC Liberal government should ensure employers are not violating Employment Standards legislation. Creating a registry of employers of foreign workers would be a good start,” said MLA Mable Elmore, the provincial spokesperson on Immigration and TFWs. “The investigations conducted are also very heavy handed and they penalize caregivers who are often victimized by employers, unscrupulous recruitment agencies and exploitative government policies,” says Elmore.

For their part, the West Coast Domestic Workers Association (WCDWA) highlighted the general need for the Canadian government to respect the women that provide essential ❰❰ 1

caregiving work by protecting their rights instead of unjustly targeting them.

“For International Women’s Day, it is time to recognize and value the critical nature of care work for families and for the Canadian economy,” said Natalie Drolet, WCDWA executive director.

Other calls made by the group included: ending Harper’s policy of “four years in and four years out” (for instance, where TFWs have to leave the country if they do not obtain permanent residency after four years and cannot return after another four years); implementing industry wide instead of employer specific work permits; and taking progressive action on the issue of undocumented workers in Canada.

“It’s shameful that in 2016, we have 2nd class workers tied to specific employers like ‘slaves’ tied to their ‘master’.

These workers contribute much to our society and instead of being penalized or treated as disposable labour, the government should create a pathway to citizenship for them”, concluded Maestro.

STUDENT VISA PROGRAM TO CANADA:

• A Student in Canada of at least an eight month Course of Study can work for up to 20 hours a week.

• After graduation from at least one year program from a Public Post Secondary Institution or at least two years from a Private Post secondary Institution that is recognized by Canada Immigration you can work for the same length of time as part of the program.

• After working full-time for at least one year after you finish your school you can apply for permanent resident of Canada under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

• During these times your spouse can work full-time without restrictions.

• Your Elementary or High School children is qualified to go to school for free.

• Your spouse could qualify to apply for Permanent Residency under The CEC after only one year of working in a Skilled Oc-

cupation in Canada.

• If you perform good at work, your Employer could also sponsor you under The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to become Permanent Residence of Canada.

• Studying & Working in Canada could also add the most valuable points if you wish to apply under the Federal Skilled

Worker Program under The Express Entry System.

Good Luck. Natie Sotana is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and a member of The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). You can email at: natiesotana@yahoo.ca or contact me at: 604-584-1199.

Liberal immigration plan seeks to bring more than 300K newcomers this year THE CANADIAN PRESS

in the family class programs, mostly for spouses and children.

OTTAWA — The Liberal govWhile they are increasing the ernment is seeking a record number of applications they’ll number of new immigrants this accept for the popular paryear by increasing spaces availent and grandparent visa, they able for family reunification aren’t raising the number of and refugee resettlement. admissions in that program, as Between 280,000 and they continue to whittle away 305,000 new permanent resiat a massive backlog. dents will be admitted, a range But McCallum says more rethat’s the highest projected levsources will be devoted to getel in decades. ting wait times Immigradown for many tion Minister immigration John McCallum programs, saysaid the plan [...] the plan is grounded in Canada’s ing the governis grounded in tradition of being a welcoming and ment will draw a Canada’s tradigenerous country. lesson from how tion of being a fast it managed welcoming and to get through generous counthe Syrian refutry. mitted to resettling, it is pre- gee applications.

“It outlines a significant shift pared to triple the number of Each November, the governin immigration policy towards privately sponsored refugees ment is required to table a docureuniting more families, build- this year, setting aside up to ment in the House of Commons ing our economy and uphold- 18,000 spaces for them. In pre- laying out how many new pering Canada’s humanitarian vious years, the number hov- manent residents it intends to traditions to resettle refugees ered around 6,000. accept in the coming year. The and offer protection to those in The Liberals are also open- plan for 2016 was delayed by the need,” he said at a news confer- ing up thousands of new spots October federal election. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

ence in Brampton, Ont. Fewer spaces will be available to immigrants seeking to come for work, though McCallum said the high target mark of 162,400 people in economic programs is in line with admissions in recent years, even if the target itself is lower.

The refugee program will see the biggest boost.

In addition to the 25,000 Syrians the government has com-

22

World News

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

UN official says Biden talks about ‘nasty’ US Syria peace talks campaign during Mideast tour to begin within days

BY JON GAMBRELL The Associated Press

BY JAMEY KEATEN The Associated Press GENEVA — The U.N. envoy for Syria will begin holding “substantive” peace talks with both Syria’s government officials and opposition representatives no later than next Monday, a spokeswoman for the envoy said Tuesday.

The resumption of Syria peace talks has been expected ever since a U.S.-Russia-engineered cease-fire, which went into effect on Feb. 27, sharply reduced the bloodshed in the five-year war. The truce — though limited and tentative — has mostly held, even as sporadic fire has continued.

Staffan de Mistura is still planning for the talks to officially start Wednesday, but logistics and other issues have meant that delegations are likely to arrive in Geneva over several days, spokeswoman Jessy Chahine said.

Opposition leaders have set conditions before they agree to rejoin the planned talks, and it is not yet certain whether they would indeed attend.

Mistura “will start substantive meetings with those who are in Geneva by latest the 14th of March,” Chahine told reporters. She said the talks would resume “in a staggered and proximity system,” meaning that they are to take place in various phases and not face-to-face, at least initially.

While the cease-fire has significantly reduced the violence, a mayor of a Turkish city near the Syrian border said at least three rockets fired from Syria landed on the Turkish side of the border Tuesday, killing one person and wounding another. Kilis’ mayor Hasan Kara said one rocket hit a populated neighbourhood, causing casualties and panic, and two other rockets exploded on an empty patch of land.

It was not immediately clear who fired the rockets or whether Turkey’s military — which has been retaliating to any rockets or shells fired from Syria into Turkey — had fired back

in response.

De Mistura has been hoping to restart peace talks between representatives of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government and the so-called moderate opposition. Militant factions and those designated as terrorist organizations — such as the Islamic State group and the Nusra Front, Syria’s alQaida branch — are excluded from the cease-fire and peace talks.

The first and previous round of talks collapsed within days in early February over a Russian-backed government offensive near the northern city of Aleppo. Russia has supported Assad with a military campaign involving blistering air power.

The cease-fire has been shepherded by Russia and the United States through the International Syria Support Group, a group of world and regional powers and organizations that includes several Western powers as well as Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

A French diplomat said Tuesday that the Syrian opposition was still debating involvement in new talks, and will give its answer in the coming days. He said the conditions are only partially met to resume negotiations, saying there is a lot of progress yet to be made.

The diplomat, who was not authorized to be publicly named, warned against holding talks too hastily, or holding them if the opposition is not ready to join, saying that could be counter-productive. He said talks should only resume if they are credible, and said participants should understand the opposition’s concerns about holding talks while they’re being bombed.

The official said Russian bombing had decreased since the cease-fire began, and went down sharply over the last two days, but that Assad’s forces were still bombing this week. ■ Associated Press Writers Angela Charlton in Paris and Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden said Tuesday that not even Ronald Reagan could win this year’s Republican presidential nomination, as he lamented America’s “petty, venal and mean” politics while addressing an Arab audience in a Gulf emirate ruled by sheikhs.

Biden, a Democrat, said selfinterested lawmakers had redrawn congressional districts to the point “where the Lord Almighty could not defeat a Republican,” which he said had encouraged the rise of more radical GOP candidates.

THE WHITE HOUSE / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Biden told young Emiratis U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden. gathered in Dubai that such gerrymandering encourages from travelling to the United country’s Al-Dhafra Air Base candidates to adopt extreme States. The GOP front-runner, on Monday, which hosts U.S. positions, like saying they are whose name adorns a golf hous- and Emirati troops battling the going to “waterboard people ... ing estate project on the out- Islamic State group in Iraq and and indiscriminately carpet- skirts of the futuristic city has Syria. bomb” — an oblique reference been denounced by many in the The Emirates also hosts reto Republican candidates Don- region. gional offices for numerous ald Trump and Ted Cruz, who The United Arab Emirates, a American companies in indushave vowed to use both against federation of seven individual tries including aerospace, enextremists in the Middle East. emirates ruled by powerful ergy, technology and hospital“If Ronald Reagan were alive families, has an elected Federal ity. Dubai state-owned airline today, he could no more get the National Council, but it mainly Emirates is the largest operator nomination of the Republican serves in an advisory role. The of Chicago-based Boeing Co.’s Party than I can get the nomi- country’s president is the rul- 777 wide-body jet. nation,” Biden said, referring to er of oil-rich Abu Dhabi. The Despite those close ties, the the U.S. RepubEmirates and lican president Saudi Arabia refrom the 1980s main concerned often praised by about Shiite GOP candidates.

The problem with American politics power Iran’s in“I’m not joking. today is that it has become so petty, fluence across So what you see so mean. The American public are the region folis this movement not going to let it stand. lowing the deal to the extreme in it struck with the Republican world powers Party.” including the Those gathered to listen to Emirates saw no major protests U.S. over its contested nuclear Biden, a mix of young Emirati during or after the Arab Spring program. Saudi and Emirati men and women identified by uprisings across the region in troops are now fighting in Yelocal leaders as innovators, 2011. men against Shiite rebels there. quietly listened and laughed at Biden went on to discuss Biden met with both Sheikh times to the vice-president’s “all this chaos” caused by the Mohammed and Abu Dhabi’s hourlong talk. The meeting Republican presidential can- crown prince, Sheikh Mohamtook place in Emirates Towers, didates who have “gone over- med bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on a few floors above the offices board.” the trip. In both discussions, of Dubai ruler Sheikh Moham“The problem with Ameri- “terrorism” came up, accordmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, can politics today is that it has ing to the state-run WAM news the United Arab Emirates’ vice- become so petty, so mean,” he agency, which often serves as a president and prime minister. said. “The American public are nod toward Iran’s activities in None asked about Trump’s not going to let it stand.” the region by the Gulf’s Sunnimost explosive comments for The Emirates is one of the ruled nations. those living in the Gulf — his most important U.S. military Biden is set to visit Israel, the December statement in which and political allies in the Per- West Bank and Jordan as well he suggested banning Muslims sian Gulf. Biden visited the on his trip. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

23

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

BURNABY SQUARE – 2ND FLOOR Unit 201 – 7885 6th Street Burnaby, BC V3N 3N4

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24

World News

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

Officials from China’s Xinjiang Indonesia wants region say extremism waning Guantanamo detainee to stay in a US prison

BY GERRY SHIH The Associated Press

BEIJING — Communist Party officials in China’s far western Xinjiang region say religious extremism is waning, but the government plans to step up border controls with Central Asian countries to prevent militants from entering the troubled area.

Xinjiang Party Secretary Zhang Chunxian told reporters at China’s annual legislative session that cases of violence have declined in the past year but “the struggle will last long term” given complicated international and domestic factors.

Xinjiang is home to the Uighurs, a mostly Muslim ethnic Turkic minority that has chafed at Beijing’s heavy-handed rule and restrictions on language and religious practices. Hundreds of people have died in violent attacks that the government blames on militant Islamic separatists.

The central government under President Xi Jinping has introduced a series of measures aimed at bringing stability to Xinjiang, ranging from bolstering police presence and expanding security operations in a campaign called “Strike Hard,” to promoting cultural assimilation through educational and poverty-alleviation programs.

While banning Islamic headdresses or fasting during Ramadan, the government has also launched financial incentives for intermarriage with Han

BY NINIEK KARMINI The Associated Press

Xinjiang.

Chinese, the majority ethnic group in China.

Officials said the government will continue both types of tactics this year, as well as continue embedding hundreds of thousands of party cadres in Xinjiang villages in an effort to sway public opinion about the central government.

“We will stick to Strike Hard and high pressure whenever there are terrorist thoughts and in the meantime provide education and persuasion,” Zhang said.

The integration program has been the subject of intense debate within ethnic policy circles in China, with some experts arguing that polices such as enforcing the use of Mandarin — the national language — might exacerbate Uighur resentment while others say an assimilation process, however difficult, must take place before

ANONIAN / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

the region will achieve ethnic harmony.

Che Jun, Xinjiang’s deputy party secretary, said the government intends to strengthen co-operation with bordering countries to prevent the flow of militants and people leaving the country illegally.

China has argued it has a domestic terror problem, with militants leaving the vast western border to train in bases in countries like Afghanistan and returning to carry out attacks.

International human rights groups say many of those who leave the country are refugees fleeing Chinese rule rather than militants.

The border issue came to the fore last year when Thailand deported dozens of Uighurs who had fled China, drawing international criticism from groups including the United Nations refugee agency. ■

JAKARTA, INDONESIA — Indonesian security officials say the government would find a way to ensure an alleged Southeast Asian terror chief doesn’t return to Indonesia under President Barack Obama’s contentious plan to close the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Indonesia’s co-ordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs Luhut Pandjaitan said Tuesday that officials are “discussing all necessary steps” to ensure Hambali, also known as Riduan Isamuddin, stays in a U.S. prison.

Obama’s plan, which involves transferring about two thirds of the current 91 detainees to U.S. soil and sending the others to foreign countries, was rejected by Congress last month.

Republicans have said they are preparing a legal challenge in the event Obama presses ahead with the plan.

Hambali has been accused of heading the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah militant group blamed for a string of bombings in Indonesia including a 2002 attack on the resort island of Bali that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

He allegedly also had ties to two of the hijackers in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S., but has denied any role.

Hambali’s detention in the U.S. was a past source of tension

between the U.S. and Indonesia, which wanted him tried at home. Indonesia has convicted and imprisoned hundreds of militants in a widely praised crackdown since 2001.

But a security official said that the current government under President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo prefers that Hambali remains in a U.S. detention facility.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because officials are still working on the issue, said Hambali was using a Spanish passport when he was arrested in Thailand in 2003. “It will be one of the government’s considerations in rejecting him,” the official said.

Muhammad Taufiqurrohman, an analyst from the Center for Radicalism and De-radicalization Studies who works closely with Indonesian antiterrorism officials, said there are concerns militant groups could get a boost if Hambali was returned to Indonesia.

Indonesian prisons have not succeeded in preventing imprisoned militants from radicalizing other inmates or maintaining links to outside militant networks.

“Hambali could be a radical ideologist for other inmates in the hands of the Indonesian jail officers who have been fairly soft and corrupt in dealing with militants,” Taufiqqurrohmand said. “He could also become an icon for Indonesian extremists.” ■

Egypt taxi drivers block major Cairo road protesting Uber

BY MARAM MAZEN The Associated Press CAIRO — Egyptian security forces fired tear gas Tuesday to disperse taxi drivers who are blocking a major road in the capital, Cairo, to protest Uber and other car-hailing applications, which the head of the Cairo traffic police insists are illegal.

The drivers stood in a roundabout on Gameat el-Dowal

street after the canister was fired at them when they left their cars, witness Lamia elEtriby and taxi drivers at the protest said. They had blocked all but one lane, causing a major traffic jam as police vehicles arrived on the scene.

Taxi drivers have been protesting Uber’s presence in the country in recent weeks. The application has very rapidly become popular in Cairo, a city of 20 million people with almost-

constant traffic jams.

Egyptian clients say they prefer the dependability of the app, complaining that normal taxi drivers often tamper with their meters or pretend the meter is broken in order to overcharge them. They also appreciate the safety provided by the app, especially for female passengers at night who fear being sexually harassed by drivers.

Taxi drivers have complained that Uber drivers have an unwww.canadianinquirer.net

fair advantage because they do not have to pay the same kind of taxes or licensing fees. Domestic newspapers have published unconfirmed reports of officials saying Uber and Careem — another car-hailing app — were violating Egyptian law.

Uber Egypt General Manager Anthony el-Khoury told The Associated Press that company executives plan to meet with government officials this week to find solutions to this stand-

off and ways to coexist. David Plouffe, Uber’s chief adviser and a member of the board of directors, is in Egypt this week and will be taking part in the talks.

El-Khoury told AP that Uber drivers do pay Egyptian taxes through an indirect route. The company only hires drivers who are licensed through private limousine or car rental companies, which do pay their own corporate taxes, he said. ■

25

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

ONE SHO WO NLY

March 11 | Friday |

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26

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS:

Elle Harris: The Lady with the Grit

BY LAARNI E. LIWANAG Philippine Canadian Inquirer IN THE Okanagan Valley, she is well known as the “Lady Entrepreneur with the big heart”, being head mover in many fundraising activities for Filipinos in need. When several typhoons devastated the Philippines in the past few years, she spearheaded campaigns to gather as much funds and goods as possible to help not only her native townmates of Catarman, Samar, but other regions as well. Being well respected in the community, when Typhoon Haiyan wrecked Samar and Leyte, thru her efforts, about 400 boxes of goods where shipped to feed and aid the victims.

Elle Harris, who owns and operates Pear of the Orient Grocery Store, the biggest Filipino store in Kelowna area, till she moved it to Vernon in February of this year, is an affable young grandmother to a 13 year old. She also owns and operates Stephanie Jewels, a jewelry store named after her granddaughter, with the help of her unassuming husband, Clay.

Elle, like most of Filipino immigrants, came to Canada to get a better life. She lived in Vancouver in the early years and operated Presyong Palengke along Fraser Street in the 90’s. But she found out that

Elle Harris.

it was impossible to be a single mother taking care of a young son while manning her store.

She loves her son too much that she wanted to give him the proper guidance he needed till he reach maturity. They went home to the Philippines and stayed for a few years.

However, being determined to make something of herself and make use of her Business Degree from Araneta Univesity, she flew to Australia and worked as Marketing Manager of a big company. From there she honed her skills in marketing for several years. She learned the ropes of the trade so well that she dreamt of going

operated before.

In one of her days off, she visited Kelowna. She fell in love with the place, the lakes, the rolling hills, the mountains, the orchards, fresh fruits, and the friendly Filipinos who boasted of the peace and quiet and the clean environment of the town. They encouraged her to put up a Filipino store there as Filipino population is growing at a very fast rate and the need for Filipino products will grow with it too. After some soul searching, and weighing the pros and cons, the biggest factor which made her decide to move to Kelowna and open a Filipino store was the idea of bringing in Filipino products to Canada to help Philippine exports grow. Its economic spin off will help the Filipinos to a degree.

That was a decision she never

described to all her friends and relatives as the Canadian with the heart of gold. They fell in love and they got married.

They bought a house in Vernon which is 45 minutes away from her Kelowna store. Every day travel time back and forth took a toll on their health. So they decided to buy their own place in downtown Vernon and move Kelowna Pearl of the Orient Grocery Store there.

Right now, Pearl of the Orient is the hub of the growing numbers of Filipino immigrants in Vernon and surrounding area.

Surely a jewel of a Filipina’s love of her own country, culture, and products. Thanks to Elle who in spite of her entrepreneurial success remains humble and modest. back to Canada and start anew In her own words – “I want with her son now married with to prove to myself that I can be a young daughter. successful because I have the In Vancouver, determination after long years and the lifelong of absence, startmission to be of ing again was not help to my couna bed of roses for She fell in love with the place, the trymen in any Elle. The people lakes, the rolling hills, the mountains, way I can. I just she interacted the orchards, fresh fruits, and the hope all the Filiwith before eifriendly Filipinos who boasted of pinos in Canada ther moved forthe peace and quiet and the clean will think of it ward, moved out environment of the town. that way.” of Vancouver, Her advice to or got busy with new immigrants their own lives.

- “Do not lose So she decided to live in Cal- regretted. After a few months, hope, be patient, and be focused. gary instead where she opened she met Clay, a younger look If at first you did not succeed, a Filipino store much like the alike of her favorite actor, Sean keep on trying. There is no subPresyong Palengke which she Connery, and which she fondly stitute for persistence.” ■

PANGARAP : SO, OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

So, what is an internship worth in the working world?

How does it feel to know you need something but cannot get? That is an internship for now…

BY BOLET AREVALO

THE FIRST time I read about internships in Canada was when the daughter of a dear friend emailed a news item saying there was a non-profit organization in Canada that

matched skilled immigrants to employer-sponsors for an apprenticeship. This piece of news easily became a silver lining in my decision to migrate.

Shortly after landing, I lost no time in trying to connect to this organization. But at that time, I could not even come close to logging in to register because the system shut you out once they reached their monthly

quota of registrants. For many months, I tried. It felt like I was being offered a piece of cake and just as I was about to reach for it, it was withdrawn from my hand.

It was quite a disappointment, of course. But, if it was any indication, it showed how serious the problem is: How serious, not only the unemployment situation is, but also how desperate immigrant professionals are in www.canadianinquirer.net

trying to find their little corner in this arena.

In all fairness, the registration procedure has since changed. It now allows registration anytime, and the prior screening of registrants is based on the most sought-after pro-

fession or job position reported by its sponsor-employers.

Still, the whole exercise is highly competitive. And knowing how many unemployed professionals come in day in and ❱❱ PAGE 39 So, what

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

27

Travel Taklong Island, Guimaras.

ILOILO WANDERER / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / CC 3.0

Summer getaway and Holy Week retreat in Guimaras Island

BY KRIS M. CRISMUNDO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Aside from being known for its mangoes, which is dubbed as the sweetest mangoes in the world, Guimaras, an island province in Western Visayas, is one of the perfect destinations for this coming summer vacation and Holy Week.

Only 15-minute boat ride from Iloilo City, Guimaras has many activities to offer. Go island hopping, trekking, snorkeling, go on a pilgrimage, or some outdoor pictorial with its picturesque beaches, islets, rock formations, mountains, waterfalls, religious and historical sites and other interesting tourist spots.

The province is also a tourist-friendly destination; a good place to try solo trip.

Alubihod beach in the town of Nueva Valencia is the most common jump-off point for island hopping.

From Alubihod, island hopping destinations include Turtle Island, Ave Maria islet, Baras beach and cave, Natago beach and Naburot islets.

Another jump-off point for island hopping in Nueva Valencia is in Guisi beach, which is less crowded than Alubihod but also has white sand shoreline.

It also has interesting destinations such as Magic Island, Floating Cottage, White Sand Cave, rock formations, and sandbar.

Do not miss Guisi Point not visiting Guisi Lighthouse, a century-old lighthouse with iron tower now covered with rust and surrounding buildings in ruins.

Although the tower is all rust, one can still climb to the top of the 38-foot lighthouse which is a perfect spot to watch the sunset.

Boat renting for island hopping costs Php500 for the first hour and Php150 to Php200 per hour for the next succeeding hours.

The town of Buenavista in north of Guimaras also has breathtaking views worth visiting for. It has cool fresh spring water and beautiful beach. The town is also rich in historical and religious tourist spots.

Looking for a destination for spiritual journey this Holy Week? Guimaras has religious sites to offer and is also home to the Trappist monastery which welcomes individuals from different religions.

Balaan Bukid Shrine in the town of Jordan is a pilgrimage site for Catholics. A large cross and a chapel are situated on the top of the mountain. At the summit, Balaan Bukid Shrine offers

scenic view of Iloilo City across Guimaras Strait.

Those seeking for spiritual experiences, particularly Marian devotees, and nature lovers would love to visit the Marian Shrine in Barangay Montpiller in Buenavista.

For a deeper spiritual retreat, stay for at least a day in Our Lady of the Philippines Monastery in Jordan.

Join the contemplative Trappist Catholic Christian monks in the country as they pray seven times daily.

The monks start the day with a Vigil

www.canadianinquirer.net

prayer at 2:30 a.m., followed by daybreak prayer called Lauds at 5:30 a.m., a mid-morning prayer called Terce at 6:45 a.m., sixth hour prayer called Sext at 11:30 a.m., mid-afternoon prayer called None at 1:45 p.m., day’s end prayer called Vespers at 5 p.m., and Compline, the last common prayer before retiring for the night at 6:45 p.m.

Before going home, purchase some souvenirs and mango biscocho prepared by the Trappist monks. They are cheaper than those in Iloilo and in airport which are also made by the Trappist monks. ■

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Travel

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

Music, arts festivals feeling pinch of low loonie, booking more Canadian talent

BY VICTORIA AHEARN The Canadian Press TORONTO — The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival has recruited some notable American names in the past, including “Saturday Night Live” star Kate McKinnon and writer-actor Michael Ian Black.

But this year it will be an exclusively Canadian event for a reason that’s no laughing matter: the low loonie means the fest can’t afford to book international talent.

This year’s lineup is all homegrown and a bit more eclectic than usual, with names including Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and Dave Bidini of the Rheostatics along with comedians Gavin Crawford, Jessica Holmes and Sean Cullen.

They may be household names on this side of the border, but the festival isn’t expecting to sell as many tickets as in previous years.

“I think we probably will not,” says Paul Snepsts, executive director of the event also known as TOsketchfest, which kicked off Thursday.

“That’s not because of a lack of talent in this country. It just seems, and I think this is true in music as well as comedy, that we have a tendency to be prone to buying into something once it has achieved success elsewhere.”

Some other arts festivals are also grappling with the weak dollar.

“We’re feeling it somewhat,” says Josh Grossman, artistic director of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, which showcases talent from around the world.

“It has probably eliminated some of the artists that we could look at at the very top end of the fee scale, just because of the exchange rate. But other-

Festival Francofolies in Montreal last 2015.

JOSEPH S.L. TAN MATT / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

wise we’re still putting out a and Australia but just couldn’t “So the upshot is, we had to great roster.” afford it with the sagging ex- think about, ‘What do we do Grossman says he’s heard or- change rate. instead? We’ve got to come up ganizers of other festivals say “In all cases, whenever you’re with something that’s exciting the loonie is also affecting their dealing with an international and creative and domestic.”’ approach to programming. act, you’re going to be using the Grossman says the Toronto “Everyone is doing their best, U.S. dollar, so you’re vulnerable Jazz Festival is on a tight budjust as we are, to work within to it no matter what,” he says. get every year and is used to their budgets and have extra They also looked at the pos- working within constraints discussions with while trying to agents and make find extra sourcsure everyone es of revenue. understands Organizers what festivals So the upshot is, we had to think have also had in Canada are about, ‘What do we do instead? more conversaup against this We’ve got to come up with tions than usuyear with the exsomething that’s exciting and creative al with talent change rate.” and domestic. agents in terms Snepsts says of fee negotiaTOsketchfest tion. was picking this “They’re doing year’s lineup between last Octo- sibility of signing big American their best to understand and ber and January, at a time when names and offsetting their costs work with us as opposed to digthe loonie was sinking and by booking them in larger ven- ging in their heels, which someeventually fell below 69 cents ues with higher ticket prices. times happens,” says GrossU.S. — a nearly 13-year low.

But Snepsts didn’t feel com- man.

They looked at booking tal- fortable asking patrons to Still, there were some talent ent from the U.K., the U.S., shoulder such costs, he says. fees they just couldn’t spring

for this year.

“It’s difficult to name names exactly, but artists that for a very good reason ask for, let’s say, (US)$100,000, (US)$150,000 or something like that,” he says.

“When we start dealing in that range, the exchange rate really starts to be noticeable.”

Grossman expects his festival may have to raise some ticket prices “a little bit.”

“It’s hard to say exactly, but a show that we might have been able to sell for $25 last year is maybe going to be $30 this year, that sort of thing,” he says.

There is a silver lining.

Festivals focusing on domestic acts means homegrown talent has a chance to shine.

“We’re having to behave a little bit like Quebec,” says Snepsts. “They create a star system internally in Quebec and it’s a mandate of continuing to invest in and strengthen their culture.”

He adds: “I think if I was a (Canadian) talent agent, I would certainly be pounding on presenters’ doors saying, ‘You can’t afford the U.S. dollar. How about this?”’

The low loonie may also spur more Americans to come up to Canada and attend these very festivals.

That’s the thinking of the Toronto International Film Festival, which says it doesn’t expect the low loonie to affect its annual movie marathon “in a significant way.”

“Incoming guest travel represents a very small percentage of our budgetary spend,” says Piers Handling, the festival’s director and CEO. “Indeed, we hope to experience some favourable effects from the exchange rate and welcome greater numbers of U.S. industry guests, visitors and media for the festival in 2016.” ■

Electric cars to travel passenger free in B.C.’s HOV lanes THE CANADIAN PRESS VANCOUVER — Drivers in British Columbia have an extra incentive to go electric.

Eligible battery-powered or plug-in hybrid vehicles will now be allowed to use the province’s high-occupancy-vehicle lanes passenger free.

Premier Christy Clark made

the announcement Wednesday during the 2016 Globe Conference on Sustainability and Innovation in Vancouver as part of a suite of vehicle-emissions initiatives. www.canadianinquirer.net

They include almost $7 million to fund more vehicle recharging stations and to encourage people to buy electric vehicles.

Clark says buyers deserve to

be rewarded for making environmentally friendly decisions.

The changes come into effect immediately and eligible vehicles will need to display a government-issued HOV decal. ■

Travel

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS Every week, the Philippine Canadian Inquirer celebrates the unwavering Filipino spirit through a feature called “Filipino-Canadian in Focus.”

The feature recognizes the achievements of Filipinos living in Canada who have shown concern for the community, success in spite of trials, and the uniquely Pinoy practice of “bayanihan.”

This year, we are welcoming nominations for the next subject of “Filipino-Canadian in Focus.”

MECHANICS: - All nominees must have (a) Filipino heritage/ancestry - All nominees must be residing in Canada at the time of nomination - Nominees from all industries are welcome (e.g. medical/health, politics, community service, business, entertainment, charity institutions, etc.)

- Who can nominate? Anybody.

Fill up the nomination form online by scanning the code with your smartphone or by visiting InFocus.canadianinquirer.net.

www.canadianinquirer.net

29

30

Community News

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

Migrant groups call for end to raids of foreign caregivers MIGRANT WORKER groups and local MLA Mable Elmore called on the federal government to end a pilot project that unjustly targets foreign live-in caregivers.

The project, “Project Guardian”, refers to an investigation unit set up in the Canada Border Service Agency’s BC and Yukon region to tackle allegations of fraud and violations of

the foreign caregiver program.

“The investigations conducted are very heavy handed and they penalize caregivers who are often victimized by abusive employers, unscrupulous recruitment agencies and exploitative government policies,” says Mable Elmore, provincial opposition spokesperson on immigration and TFWs. “The provincial government

also needs to do more in terms of monitoring the employers to ensure they aren’t violating Employment Standards legislation.

Creating a registry of employers of foreign workers would be a good start,” she added.

Others joining Elmore are the West Coast Domestic Workers Association and Migrante-BC. Instead of conducting raids on the caregivers, the migrant

groups call on the federal government to: • Scrap “Project Guardian”; • End Harper’s policy of “four years in and four years out” (i.e. where TFWs have to leave the country if they do not obtain permanent residency after four years and cannot return after another four years); • Implementing industrywide instead of employer-spe-

cific work permits; • Take progressive action on the issue of undocumented workers in Canada; • Include the voices of caregivers and other migrant perspectives in their review of the TFW Program.

The forum on Project Guardian and TFWs was held Mar. 7, at the BCTF Board Room on West 6th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. ■

Burnaby task force to investigate five recent sexual assaults

New Democrats’ mark International Women’s Day

POLICE IN Burnaby, B.C., have whether the assaults are linked, created a task force to investi- but say some have similar chargate a rash of recent sexual as- acteristics so all five will be insaults. vestigated by the RCMP say task force. there have been Investigafive assaults in tors from the Burnaby since RCMP say Burnaby's seriJan. 29, includit's too ous crimes secing an attack on a early to tell tion will lead the woman who was whether the new team, with walking on a popassaults are help from crime ular trail Sunday linked. analysts and the afternoon. force's behavPolice say ioural sciences that assault was group. stopped by a Officers are Good Samaritan who scared sharing information about reoff the suspect, but left before cent sexual assaults with the speaking with officers.

Vancouver Police Department.

RCMP say it's too early to tell – Canadian Press ■

JOHN HORGAN, leader of the B.C. New Democrats, and Maurine Karagianis, spokesperson for women’s issues, commemorated International Women’s Day and released the following statement: “Today is a day to honour the women in our lives, and the women in our communities.

“Here in British Columbia, we have a real milestone to celebrate this International Women’s Day, with the election of two new female New Democrat MLAs, Melanie Mark, and Jodie Wickens, giving us the largest percentage of women in the legislature in B.C. history.

“Making this historic event even more special is the fact that Melanie Mark is the first First Nations woman to take a seat in the B.C. Legislature. We

OFFICIALS OF the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto pose with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach during her flying visit to the city. The reigning Miss Universe made her first visit to Canada last week to talk about her anti-bullying advocacy and to offer advice to the 2016 contestants for Miss Universe Canada. “Be good to yourselves and good to each other,” she said. The Filipina beauty titleholder was in Toronto for two days with Miss Canada Paola Nunez Valdez (Photo courtesy of Roberto Roldan). ■

International Women's Day.

hope her historic achievement is just the beginning of better representation of Aboriginal people in our government.

“However, despite these strides, we still have a long way to go. Women still only make up just over a third of those sitting in the B.C. legislature, and in the federal parliament, women make up only one quarter of MPs. “This under-representation is reflected in the way that governments respond, or don’t respond, to pressing issues that women face, such as access to reproductive health, investments in childcare, and action on domestic violence.

“Discrimination and genderbased violence continue to be real problems that women face in the workplace, in the home,

and in our communities. Adding to the struggles women face, the gender pay gap in Canada is double the global average, with women taking home, on average, $8000 less per year than men doing the same work.

“These problems are even more pronounced for women who face multiple barriers, such as visible minorities and women with disabilities, which is why our work to end discrimination must not erase how different forms of discrimination make life more difficult for some women than for others.

“International Women’s Day is a reminder that we can do better.

“Together, we must work towards a province and a country that is more just, more equal, and more prosperous.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

31

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

Entertainment Celebrities urge world leaders to fight for girls and women

BY MARK KENNEDY The Associated Press

Direk Wenn Deramas and DJ Durano.

DANE ALEGANA / FLICKR

Wenn Deramas to be laid to rest

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer “WHAT HAPPENS to Philippine comedy now?”

This was the question raised

by Star Creatives head Malou Santos on Thursday night at the wake of film and TV director Wenn V. Deramas at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.

Deramas, who created numerous comedy flicks for Star Cinema that earned millions at the box office, will be laid to rest today immediately after the 10 a.m. Mass inside the ABS-CBN compound. His remains will be brought to the Himlayang Pilipino in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

Santos, who arrived around 6 p.m., immediately went near Deramas’ coffin and stood there for a good five minutes.

INQUIRER Entertainment later asked why she did this, to which she replied: “In my mind, I spoke to Wenn to thank him for all the successful films he had created for Star Cinema. I don’t know what to do with our comedy films anymore, now that he is gone.”

Santos then described Deramas as “irreplaceable.” She added: “He played a big part in the success of Star Cinema. I can’t think of any director who can take his place. I told Wenn that I know he will give me signs, that he will continue to guide me from above.”

Star Cinema, the film pro-

duction and distribution arm of ABS-CBN, organized the Mass and eulogy on Thursday. Also present were filmmaker Olivia Lamasan, Skylight Films head Enrico Santos, Star Music head Roxy Liquigan, Adprom officer Mico del Rosario, creative manager Danno Mariquit, writer Kriz Gazmen, line producer Lea Calmerin, among others.

Vice’s eulogy

One of those who delivered eulogies was comedian Vice Ganda, lead star of the “Praybeyt Benjamin” film series— considered the most successful local comedy franchise at the box office.

He said portraying all the roles in the 10 movies he made with Deramas seemed easy compared to what he had to do for his director on Monday.

“The hardest task you made me do was to choose that coffin for you,” Vice said in Filipino.

The comedian picked a traditional casket in black and gold tones, worth P1.3 million.

“I liked it because it has the simplest design, not much engraving. I was shocked to learn how much it cost. I told Tita June (Rufino, Deramas’ manager and long-time friend) to consider cremation (for Deramas),” he quipped in jest. “But Tita June said he deserved it.

His worth was neither a million nor a billion. He was worth more than how much we can ever calculate.”

Vice said he also personally approved of Deramas’ clothes—

a tuxedo in black and white, accessorized with a black bow tie, by designer Avel Bacudio.

“He had Avel make this for the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial awards ceremony in May. I was surprised to see it. It’s the first time that Mother (Deramas) chose a design that’s very simple. He had always liked shiny fabric and flashy designs.”

Between sobs, Vice said: “What will happen to me now?

Who will be my director? What will happen to our plan to make his dream movie—‘Darna na si Ding’?”

Vice said he initially went to the wake because he merely wanted to share his grief with Deramas’ loved ones. “But when I arrived, people asked me how I was holding up. It was then that I realized that it was I who lost someone dear,” he pointed out.

“Why did it have to be him? Why was I not given enough time to prepare for this?

Also present to console the crowd with their songs were Yeng Constantino, KZ Tandingan and Angeline Quinto.

Deramas was 49. He was halfway to finishing a telesine featuring JC de Vera, Alex Gonzaga and Matt Evans.

He was supposed to direct a film for Star Cinema with Vice and Daniel Padilla as lead stars.

This would have been the Kapamilya network’s entry in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.

“I don’t know yet what’ll happen to that project. I also don’t know how Vice would be able to handle filming,” said Santos. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

NEW YORK — A number of high-profile entertainers — including Oprah Winfrey, Mary J. Blige, Charlize Theron and Meryl Streep — have signed an open letter calling on world leaders to fight for gender equality across the globe.

The letter released Sunday states that some 62 million girls around the world are denied the right to education, 500 million women can’t read and 155 countries have laws that discriminate against women.

“Nowhere on earth do women have as many opportunities as men. Nowhere,” the letter states. “The fight for gender equality is global.”

Signers also include Tina Fey, Robert Redford, Shonda Rhimes, Ashley Judd, Amy Poehler, Colin Farrell, Danai Gurira, Connie Britton, Elton John, Patricia Arquette, Muhammed Ali, Sheryl Sandberg and Sean Parker. The push is organized by the ONE Campaign, co-founded by Irish rocker Bono to end extreme poverty and disease.

“We still living in a time period where the most impoverished and disadvantaged people in the world are, without question, women and girls,” said Gurira, the playwright of the Broadway show “Eclipsed,”

in an interview. “The light and the potential of women and girls in the world today is being blocked.”

The letter comes a few days before International Women’s Day, which is Tuesday. It calls on leaders to help girls and women fight HIV and malnutrition and support female economic empowerment.

Gurira, who also plays a sword-wielding zombie assassin on AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” has long been an advocate for women and will travel to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress on Tuesday.

“Enough is enough. We have to close this gap, and we have to make a concerted, focused effort and that requires speaking directly to the global leaders who have the power to make change,” Gurira said. “It’s an extension of myself to fight for and, as much as I can, give voice to those who are in systems of oppression based on their gender.”

An accompanying report called “Poverty Is Sexist 2016” reads: “In too many countries, being born poor and female means a life sentence of inequality, oppression and poverty — and in too many cases also a death sentence.”

Last year, Streep and singers Beyonce and Lady Gaga signed an open letter saying empowering women was the key to fighting the world’s inequalities and poverty. ■

SCREENSHOT FROM ONE.ORG

32

Entertainment

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

MMFF: Fest to go national Technical Working Group has met to discuss reforms

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer

Dawn Zulueta.

SCREENSHOT FROM YOUTUBE

A different birthday celebration for Dawn

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer DAWN ZULUETA celebrated her 47th birthday last Friday, March 4, this time with her family— husband, Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo Jr., and kids, Jacobo and Ayisha.

“This is the first time that I’m spending it with my family. I was always at work,” Dawn revealed at a recent luncheon for a beauty product. “I want to make it up to them, because I’ve been so busy the past years.”

“Family is important. You [should] stick together through thick and thin,” said the actress when INQUIRER asked her what she had learned from doing the ABS-CBN drama series, “You’re My Home.”

Taping for the series ended recently, but the program would continue airing until the end of the month, said Dawn, who plays Marian Fontanilla.

Unlike many women, Dawn doesn’t keep her age a secret.

“They say that you shouldn’t immediately believe a woman when she tells you her age.

I’ve always been honest about mine.”

She then revealed her beauty secrets: “I believe a woman can maintain youth and beauty— aside from using the right antiaging products—by having peace of mind and reducing stress in her life.

“You also feel good when

you give back to other people.

There’s a different pleasure that you get. You can’t get that from any piece of jewelry or acting award.”

“I’m not a believer of surgery or invasive procedures,” added Dawn, who is the brand ambassador of L’Oreal’s new skin antiaging cream, Revitalift.

As for her birthday gift to herself, Dawn said: “It’s always jewelry. For me, it’s the wisest investment.”

The actress has been in show business for 30 years and is still very much in demand.

“I feel fortunate because I know that not all actors get to enjoy this kind of success,” she said. “I treasure it, and I work hard to deserve the breaks I’m given.”

The actress recently began shooting her still-untitled movie with Piolo Pascual and Coleen Garcia where she plays the role of a married fashion designer.

“Piolo and I are still working on our rapport. We’re now getting to know each other better,” Dawn said. “I can say that I enjoyed his company in the last two days we’ve worked together.”

Does she still wish for anything at this point in her life?

“My only two wishes are that I continue to have good health and for my family to remain healthy, too,” Dawn answered.

“I have nothing else to ask for.” ■

riod devoted to Filipino movies than the current 14-day run of the MMFF,” he related. “The current thinking is to have another 14-day festival in July. This will give the Filipino film industry a period of 28 days, during which theaters will only show local movies.”

All this, of course, is in line with the MMFF’s original goal of revitalizing the local movie industry. Villareal asserted that a law is needed to institute significant changes in the MMFF. “There must be legislation,” he pointed out. “The ‘law’ that governs the MMFF is Executive Order No. 86-09 of the Metro Manila Commission (MMC). It

vis-à-vis industry involvement?

“What we have to define is the nature of government participation,” he said. “If there AFTER TWO Congressional are more incentives by law, and hearings in January, the Techthere will be support from varinical Working Group (TWG), ous government agencies and which is tasked to initiate reLGUs (local government units), forms in the Metro Manila Film so much the better.”

Festival (MMFF), has had sevHe noted: “The LGUs of Metro eral meetings, “both formal and Manila should be commended informal,” in February. for their support of the MMFF Eugenio “Toto” Villareal, chair through the years. But there must of the Movie and Television Rebe room for artists to determine view and Classification Board guidelines and select winners.”

(MTRCB), told the INQUIRER In sum, he referred to the that Rep. Alfred Vargas, a memMMFF’s current situation as the ber of the House Committee on “sandbox” period. “The MMFF, Metro Manila Development and which is still being run under the also a TV-movie auspices of the actor, has asked MMDA, can try to the TWG “to help institute reforms in the drafting of at its own level, a law that would If there are more incentives by law, then recommend strengthen the and there will be support from best practices to film festival sysvarious government agencies and Congress.” tem and introduce LGUs, so much the better.

Since it is an reforms thereto.” election year, The House overhauling the Committee on MMFF may get Metro Manila Development, uses the amusement tax waiver pushed to the back burner, though. which is chaired by Rep. Win- as a system for incentives.”

“The proposed bill will have to ston Castelo, spearheaded The MMC later evolved into the wait for a new Congress,” he clarithe Congressional hearings in Metropolitan Manila Develop- fied. “Representative Vargas, if reJanuary, which arose from the ment Authority (MMDA), which elected, hopes to introduce it with disqualification of Erik Matti’s mounts the MMFF every year. several other lawmakers.”

“Honor Thy Father” in the best During a breakfast forum held In the meantime, will MMFF picture category of the MMFF at the Tycoon restaurant in Ma- 2016 push through? last December. late, Manila, Villareal outlined the Villareal remarked, “Since The same House committee legislative history of the MMFF. EO 86-09 is still in effect, yes. has assigned to Villareal the role Through the decades, the main MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos of resource person in the TWG. mandate of the MMDA has been is calling for a meeting of the During the House committee refocused toward the “delivery 2016 MMFF executive commithearings, the task of reforming of basic services,” he recounted, tee this month.” the MMFF was passed on to the leaving the “promotion of culture Actress and Execom memTWG. Villareal explained that and the arts” out of the picture. ber Boots Anson-Roa told the in the TWG meetings, there was Is there a need to look for INQUIRER that the meeting is a move to “make the film festi- “another engine to run the fes- on March 11. Villareal is an exval nationwide in scope.” tival?” Should there be more or oficio member of the MMFF “I also proposed a longer pe- less government participation Execom, as well. ■

Sheen seeks to cut $55,000 a month child support THE CANADIAN PRESS LOS ANGELES — Charlie Sheen has sold his profit participation rights to comedy series “Two and a Half Men” for nearly $27 million.

The figure is included in a document filed Wednesday www.canadianinquirer.net

in Sheen’s divorce from exwife Brooke Mueller. The actor is seeking to change the $55,000-a-month he pays in child support he pays for the pair’s twin boys, citing what he calls a significant change in his income.

Sheen’s filing estimates a cut in his monthly income from

more than $600,000-a-month down to nearly $167,000 as a result of selling the profit rights to “Men,” which was once television’s highest rated comedy.

The filing states Sheen sold the rights within the past year.

Sheen and Mueller ended their marriage in 2011 after less than three years. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

33

‘Downton Abbey’ explored social change even as it stayed put

BY FRAZIER MOORE The Associated Press NEW YORK — For all its six seasons, “Downton Abbey” has been a graciously paced timescape through early 1900s Britain.

Home base, of course, was the grand estate that lent the series its name. There the aristocratic Crawley family and their household servants felt the world changing — however incrementally — under their feet.

Spanning from 1912 to the dawn of 1926, “Downton Abbey” was always about change. The Old versus the New. Time-honoured values accosted by modernity. Social graces under fire.

What to make of the encroachment of a telephone, or the very idea of a lady out pursuing a career! The changes navigated by the “Downton” denizens provided us viewers, a century removed, with the opportunity to measure ourselves against them as we, too, cope with change that alternately gladdens and confounds us.

And as we, too, cut ties with the past.

Now it takes nothing away from this glorious series to recognize that change, and a resistance to changing, has paved the way for the show’s impend-

ing end.

“The world is a different place from the way it was, my lord,” says the butler, Carson (Jim Carter), to his boss Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville). Then, with stiff-upper-lip resolve, he adds, “Downton Abbey must change with it.”

Not so with “Downton Abbey” the TV series, which gloried in staying put.

Airing Sunday at 9 p.m. EST on PBS’ “Masterpiece,” the conclusion is tender, upbeat and mostly satisfying, with no loose ends, nothing left to doubt, nothing likely to ignite water-cooler debate come Monday morning. This is no head-scratching finale as with “Lost” or “The Sopranos.”

Of course not. Throughout its run, “Downton” always knew what it was, as did its audience, which loved it for its steadfast clarity and sense of purpose.

It was steadfast with savory writing by series creator Julian Fellowes, who authored every script, and with its splendid cast and lush production values.

It was steadfast, too, in its posh confinement to Downton Abbey, where, even as change gradually imposed itself, the narrative refused to change, and — let’s face it — eventually

began to feel repetitive. Even at that sprawling country estate (with occasional excursions to London) there was only so much fresh story to tell.

Asked a couple of years ago how long the series might run, executive producer Gareth Neame cited a familiar principle of drama in replying, “There are only seven stories, and I think the challenge with a long-running TV show is to retell those seven stories without anyone noticing. But there could come a time where we’ll be going, ‘What do we do now?”’

“Downton Abbey” may well have reached a what-do-wedo-now point in its told-andretold cycle of ailments, heartache, duplicity and politesse, plus withering commentary from the Dowager Countess, as played by Maggie Smith (who in the finale weighs in on what makes the English the way they are by observing tartly, “Some say our history. But I blame the weather”).

The show, in short, was proudly tradition-bound, and prevailed to the end as a TV tradition for the faithful fans who watched it every week and, during each off-season, eagerly sought its return.

Bonneville has said the series is “about family — both the literal family and the staff as fam-

Some of the Downton Abbey cast.

ily. It explores the minutiae of those social structures, the nuances of the system as to whether someone’s in or out.”

We saw ourselves in them all — in or out, elite or commoner, 1-percenters or the 99 per cent. We were constantly reminded that now, as way back then, change is willing to spare no one. Everyone feels the hot breath of progress.

Now we are left on our own to face today’s version of progress, a world of upheaval from which we found weekly refuge on “Downton.” And after Sunday we can ponder the parting words from Cora, Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) as expressed to her hus-

LAFIGURADELPADRE CONGRESO / FLICKR

band: “I think the more adaptable we are, the more chance we have of getting through.”

Part of our delight from “Downton” was following the struggle of “getting through” as waged by those who seemed to have it all. We feasted on how the 1-percenters of that day kept up appearances, however much they seemed to be living on borrowed time.

“Downton Abbey” is smart to bring its saga to a close before it lets more time pass. It has “gotten through” in magnificent fashion, albeit more and more predictably. Now it’s adapting to obligatory change on its own classy terms: by saying goodbye. ■

NEXT BIG THING:

Drake’s latest find and two standout international acts

BY DAVID FRIEND The Canadian Press TORONTO — The weekly Next Big Thing column highlights what’s bubbling under the surface in entertainment with a look at rising stars in the world of music, as well as standout TV shows, movies and web series that would be a shame to overlook.

This week we’re taking a look at three recent songs that are generating major attention online without the help of music videos.

New Dvsn

Leave it to Drake to keep us

all guessing once again.

The chart-topping Toronto rapper is notorious for building a mystery with his own album releases, but many of the young acts he finds, like the Weeknd, spend years shrouded in secrecy.

Enter Dvsn — pronounced “division” — the latest project being teased by producers at Drake’s OVO Sound record label.

Earlier this week, OVO cofounder Noah (40) Shebib posted an image of Dvsn’s logo on Instagram, sparking rumours that the R&B act has been added to their roster.

With a little detective work fans quickly discovered that Dvsn’s music credits had been

changed on Spotify to credit OVO Sound as the distributor.

That’s been enough to get blogs talking about Dvsn’s soulful sound.

Listen to “The Line”: http://bit. ly/1nlGy03 Buzz-worthy blues

Across the pond, Lawrence Taylor has perked up the ears of record executives with his smoky blues sound.

The Birmingham, England, singer began as an unsigned artist playing small-town gigs, but all of that changed last year when his track “Bang Bang” became an Internet sensation www.canadianinquirer.net

pushed up the Spotify viral charts across the world.

Now Taylor has a record contract and he’s rolling into the South By Southwest music festival later this month to build anticipation for his debut album, expected next year.

You can hear “Bang Bang” on Taylor’s debut EP. Watch him perform the song live on the South By Southwest YouTube page: http://bit. ly/1QXZY95 Mome’s the word

It began in the concert halls of Paris, but Jeremy Souillart sees his new project Mome go-

ing global.

The composer and producer has been generating buzz online with “Aloha,” one of the first songs he’s released as part of the long-term project that began to take shape last year.

Since then, he’s packed his bags and taken Mome — pronounced “mom” — to Australia where he’s writing and recording tracks from a studio built in his van.

“Aloha” features Australian singer Merryn Jeann and an unruly electronic hook that’s as curious as it is catchy. ■ Listen to the song: http://bit. ly/1RMHi9b

34

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

Lifestyle

Deciding on assisted death in context of mental illness highly complex: experts

BY SHERYL UBELACKER The Canadian Press TORONTO — One of the most contentious issues sparked by Canada’s upcoming right-to-die legislation is whether people with mental illness should be eligible to seek a doctor’s help to end their lives, along with those suffering from a “grievous and irremediable” physical disease like terminal cancer.

Last week, a parliamentary committee recommended that Canadians with psychiatric disorders that cause intolerable suffering should be included in any regulations governing physician-assisted death, which becomes legal June 6 under the Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark ruling a year ago.

The court made no specific pronouncement about medically assisted dying for those with a psychiatric illness, and that has left mental health experts wondering how its decision might be interpreted — and what that could mean for such a vulnerable segment of the population.

“We know that society would not accept that people should be treated differently just because they have a different illness,” said Dr. Sonu Gaind, president of the Canadian Psychiatric Association.

“But the issue that we’re really concerned about ... is to make sure that there is full understanding of how in any assisteddying framework, key processes that can be affected by mental illness are properly assessed,” he said, adding that it should be psychiatrists conducting the required evaluation.

“They’re complex issues and we really want to make sure there are proper safeguards and expert assessment when mental illness is present.”

Of major concern is how to tease apart whether a request for aid in dying arises from a person’s mental state related to their illness — severe depres-

sion, for instance, can lead to suicidality — or sound reasoning based on a desire to escape prolonged suffering.

“Although both lead to the same outcome ... the connotations are very different between suicide as we’ve traditionally talked about it and medically assisted dying,” said Gaind.

When people are suicidal, they often can’t articulate why they are depressed or want to die, he said, explaining that an inability to take pleasure even in positive aspects of their lives, a sense of worthlessness, and lack of hope for the future are In any given year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental health problem, all hallmarks of depression. with a cost to the economy of more than $50 billion.

Whether a person has the capacity to make such a life-and- just so wrong to even consider tal health problem, with a cost death decision — a requirement it with mental illness,” Waters to the economy of more than to be eligible for aid in dying said from Vancouver. $50 billion, the report states.

— also needs to be evaluated, “Early intervention is so im- Of the 4,000 Canadians who die given that mental illness can portant. If people are let go, each year from suicide, most distort thinking and impair they become extremely ill and have a psychiatric disorder of the ability to process relevant then I suppose would qualify some kind. information and to appreciate for help to commit suicide. But “So part of the concern here consequences of a decision. there’s no need of it because if is that people might be looking “This isn’t to suggest just be- you treat someone quickly, as to assisted dying, not because cause someone has a mental in any disease, it’s very helpful.” they have an illness that can’t illness that they lack capacity,” However, people with men- be treated or supported, but said Gaind. “There are many tal illness can’t always access because they can’t access those times where people can still treatment, said Ana Novakovic, treatments and support,” Nohave full capacity to make all policy and government rela- vakovic said from Vancouver. sorts of decisions, even when tions co-ordinator for the B.C. In its ruling, the Supreme they have mental Court said anyillness.” one seeking asBut that’s not sisted death always the case: must be assessed “You can have In mental illness, we’re dealing by two indepencapacity to make not just with symptoms of the dent doctors. one decision and psychiatric condition. We also know For those with lack capacity to that suffering is often worsened mental illness, make a decision by psychosocial factors, things like the Schizoabout something inadequate housing, social isolation, phrenia Society else,” he said. poverty and lack of employment. wants those two Lucy Waters, physicians to whose 57-yearbe psychiatrists old son Gary has trained in the struggled on and complexities of off with schizophrenia affective Schizophrenia Society. mental disorders. disorder for the last 30 years, Indeed, a 2012 report by the Novakovic said the patient’s believes most people with Mental Health Commission request should be in writmental illness are not capable of Canada found that only one ing and a panel of witnesses of making a reasoned decision in three adults and one in four — ideally family members or about assisted death and she’s children and teens were able to intimate friends with a longhorrified by the prospect they get needed treatment and psy- standing, in-depth knowledge may be included under pending chosocial support. of the person — should provide legislation.

In any given year, one in five testimony about the day-to-day “It’s scary, really scary ... It is Canadians experiences a men- effects of their illness. www.canadianinquirer.net

Doctors making the decision must be familiar with all the nuances of the person’s illness and their full treatment history, so they can determine whether it’s severe depression or psychosis driving them to seek assisted suicide, she said.

“Or is it that they haven’t had adequate treatment and support and they feel like they have no other option?”

The high court also said a patient’s condition must be irremediable to qualify for a doctor’s help to die. But Gaind stressed the notion of irremediability is vastly different in the context of mental illness, compared with physical disease.

“In mental illness, we’re dealing not just with symptoms of the psychiatric condition. We also know that suffering is often worsened by psychosocial factors, things like inadequate housing, social isolation, poverty and lack of employment.”

Addressing those factors, along with medications and other therapies, can make a huge difference in mediating the severity of mental illness, he said.

Having treatment-resistant illness — when a person doesn’t respond sufficiently to two trials of drugs, for instance — doesn’t mean the condition is irremediable.

“They’re very different concepts.”

Waters said there were times when her son Gary, who had been hospitalized due to schizophrenia several times over the last three decades, “certainly got very low.” But she doesn’t know how close he came to wanting his life to end.

But thanks to effective medications and services that include supportive housing, “he’s really enjoying life now,” his mother said. “We dearly love our son and we’re so glad that he can come over and be part of our family life again, because he’s so much better.

“We’ve never given up. Never.” ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

35

Wardrobe for seasonal transition

BY GERNA LANE SOTANA Special to Philippine Canadian Inquirer LIVING IN Vancouver has been particularly challenging lately.

No, this time it has nothing to do with the housing market (for once), but the unpredictable weather patterns as the city transitions into spring.

There is one saving grace in the midst, and that is ‘layers’. If you are a true Pioneer of fashion, you understand why layering is the most practical solution to all your fashion woes. Layers are most functional with a fitted basic combo of leggings and a comfortable top. The layers which follow can range from an oversized cardigan with a big scarf, or a lumber jack flannel with a classic leather jacket.

True Vancouverites are professionals with this craft.

Although fashion can be a distinguishing factor between culture and society, dressing to fit one’s body, and more importantly, attitude, are what ties an

outfit together. Again, layers I believe, is the smartest way to go. You can dress to whatever suits you best, but the idea is still the same. This also applies to men as well. Layering allows you to be prepared for whatever weather is blown your way, while maintaining your true personal style. There are basic staples that every closet should hold that can be dressed up or down with complimentary layers: a leather jacket, good pair of jeans, LBD (little black dress), and ankle boots.

With Vancouver fashion week coming up this month, it will be refreshing to see the interpretations from new and upcoming designers. Vancouver is known for its street chic style, and hopefully local designers will be representing our hallmark. We have found a way to incorporate preppy, grunge, leather and lace, into our daily wardrobe and desperately dare to create new innovating trends every day. Strolling the streets, you can easily find edgy and classy in one outfit. ■

Beautiful blues — sapphire, navy and a variety of turquoises, teals and pale blues — are strong players on the spring palette.

‘Spring cleaning’ is a chance to update decor; some trends

BY KIM COOK The Associated Press FOR SOME people, spring cleaning entails not much more than a good shake of the carpets. For others, it’s an excuse to update room decor.

Here’s a sampling of this season’s new palettes, patterns and styles: Colours

Vancouver is known for its street chic style, and hopefully local designers will be representing our hallmark style.

PINTEREST

Neither boring nor drab, new neutrals are about bringing home a sense of calm and comfort. Some pastels are chalkier, like sorbet that’s been given a whisk of cream. Then there are the organic hues of earth, sky and water.

We see neutrals most often in minimalist decor, like an unglazed, branch-shaped pitcher at CB2 the colour of a stormy sea, or Ikea’s trim Mostorp media unit in a soft, rosy hue. Even Le Creuset is offering its signature cast ironware in pale pink and lemon.

Los Angeles designer Joy Cho’s new collection at Target is filled with fun, frothy pieces like an acrylic side table covered in polka dots, animal figurines in little party hats, and printed throw pillows and wall art saying, “You’re okay.” Warm neutrals — peach, blush, putty, mint and charcoal — contribute to the airy, feel-good vibe.

West Elm has partnered with Roar + Rabbit design studio on www.canadianinquirer.net

a home collection that includes a sexy, midcentury-modern swivel chair dressed in shades called lichen, nickel or dusky blush velvet.

The energy shifts with several bold hues that ride the current retro wave. Turquoise, acid yellow, emerald, pink and red are showing up, mostly in accessories and textiles.

Kirstin Hoffman, merchandising director for online decor retailer Dot & Bo, says hot pinks are trending: “Whether they’re incorporated in an accent chair or a planter, the look instantly adds energy to a room.”

A range of new baking items and dish towels at Crate & Barrel come in a yellow as cheery as a sunny-side-up egg.

And you’ll be seeing lots of lush, green, tropical motifs for spring and summer. Beautiful blues — sapphire, navy and a variety of turquoises, teals and pale blues — are strong players on the spring palette. Wisteria has a settee in a rich jewel tone, while Ikea’s got new loveseat covers in deep and delicate blues. Boston Interiors’ Conrad chair is upholstered in a watercolour-blue abstract, while Farrow & Ball has added some lush hues, including Vardo, a teal, and Inchyra Blue, a dramatic blue-grey.

White — which Benjamin Moore named colour of the year — is also trending. The timing’s perfect, says Kimberly Winthrop of Laurel & Wolf:

“Bright white is spring cleaning in its truest sense. There’ll be a lot of focus this year on incorporating whites with natural elements and textures into one’s space.”

Consider painting an existing piece of furniture, bringing in side tables or lighting, or changing window coverings to white.

On the surface

Surfaces are the focus in distressed rugs, textured throw pillows, and relief-patterned and pin-tucked textiles and wall coverings.

Printed, dyed velvets with flora or fauna-inspired patterns are luxe and painterly; Kevin O’Brien and Beacon Hill have collections.

Some furniture designs play with layers and lines. West Elm has a mirror named Tree Ring that fuses mirrored glass with a slice of Vietnamese hardwood.

An Indian pouf at the retailer is crafted from chunks of jute and cotton like a 3-D rag rug.

Cork has popped up in lots of new decor. Accessories in particular lend themselves to the sustainable material’s pleasant feel, but it’s in furniture now, too. Ikea’s new Sinnerlig collection from London designer Ilse Crawford includes stools and benches with cork seats, as well as coffee and dining tables.

Cork lampshades at AllModern and Luxe Decor throw a warm ❱❱ PAGE 37 ‘Spring cleaning’

36

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

Business

Malaysia Airlines out of danger 2 years after MH370 disaster

BY KELVIN CHAN AND EILEEN NG The Associated Press

El Niño taking heavy toll on Mindanao, says UN

BY RONNEL W. DOMINGO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE UNITED Nations is keeping the alarm raised on El Niño-caused drought that may result in food shortage as well as the spread of diseases in the worst-affected areas in Mindanao, especially among people displaced by natural calamities and armed conflict.

In a report released last Friday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted that while the ongoing El Niño has affected large areas of the Philippines, the most severe damage to agriculture is concentrated in Mindanao.

“About half of the total 194,000 hectares of affected farm areas are in Mindanao, 87 percent of which [crops] have no chance of recovery,” the UN Ocha said.

The report zeroed in on Zamboanga City, where the local government expects that up to 30 percent or 3,500 hectares of rice fields “may be lost in the coming months” as drought persists.

The UN Ocha also noted that the City Health Office was concerned that water shortages may raise the risks of diarrhea and other waterborne diseases among children and other vulnerable groups, adding that six evacuees reportedly died last December and January.

The agency added that, with fears of the mounting impact of El Niño on food security and health of the evacuees, city authorities are resuming food distribution—including kitchen

sets and cash—to all transition sites for 11 months starting March.

“However, temporary assistance to address the immediate needs of the IDPs alone cannot provide durable solutions to their displacement,” the UN Ocha said.

“As of mid-February, just over 2,000 out of the planned 6,500 permanent housing units under the government’s Zamboanga Recovery, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (Z3R) were completed,” it said. “With an increasing delay in the Z3R implementation timeline, aid agencies fear that most of the remaining [evacuees] may be left in limbo into the third year of displacement.”

Evacuees were left homeless when a group linked to the Moro National Liberation Front attacked the city in September 2013.

According to UN Ocha, other humanitarian agencies on the ground—including Community and Family Services International, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Labor Organization, International Organization for Migration and UN Refugee agency—continue to support local authorities with providing camp management, protection, civil documentation, livelihood and community engagement assistance to the evacuees. world's bet industry projects.

Considered the most prestigious annual award in global project finance, awarding was held on February 3rd 2016 in London. ■

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — Malaysia Airlines is out of intensive care. Now it’s working on long-term rehabilitation.

Two years ago this week, disaster struck when Flight 370 vanished, leaving the company reeling from a crisis magnified months later by the downing of a second Boeing 777 over Ukraine.

Shunned by travellers and already ailing from years of mismanagement that saddled it with at least $1.7 billion in losses since 2011, the Southeast Asian airline teetered on the edge of bankruptcy, forcing its government owners to carry out radical restructuring.

New CEO Christoph Mueller, a turnaround veteran, has been scaling back or cutting unprofitable routes, grounding jets and axing 6,000 workers from a bloated workforce as part of a $1.7 billion overhaul aimed at returning the carrier to profitability as early as next year.

Analysts say, however, the strategy of shrinking to survive makes Malaysia vulnerable to fierce competition from the budget carriers proliferating to serve Asia’s booming, travelhungry middle class consumers. Competitors include homegrown rival Malaysia AirAsia as well as Indonesia’s Lion Air, Singapore’s Tigerair and Scoot and Qantas offshoot Jetstar.

Mueller made his biggest move yet in December, unveiling a strategic alliance with Emirates that allows Malaysia Airlines to piggyback onto more than 90 of the Gulf carrier’s global routes as it shrinks its own network to focus on Asia.

The deal with Emirates, one of the world’s biggest airlines by seat capacity, was “definitely a rabbit out of the hat,” said Mohshin Aziz, an aviation analyst at Maybank Kim Eng Securities. “Yet they made it happen.

For me, that’s definitely a solid www.canadianinquirer.net

foundation for their future survival.”

Still, the unsolved mystery of MH370 haunts the airline.

Flight 370 disappeared after leaving Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014, carrying 293 people. No trace of the Boeing 777 has been found except for a wing part on a Reunion beach last year and, possibly, part of a tail section discovered last weekend on the Mozambique coast.

In June 2014, Flight 17 was shot down en route to Amsterdam by what Dutch authorities say was a Soviet-designed missile, killing all 298 people on board.

Despite better than expected rankings in airline safety surveys, some travellers still worry, complicating Malaysia’s battle against cutthroat competition. Passenger traffic at Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s main terminal, used by Malaysia Airlines and other full-service carriers, fell 9.2 per cent last year, while traffic at the budget terminal rose 9.5 per cent.

Mohshin credits Mueller, a German and the first foreigner to lead the airline, with making tough changes avoided by predecessors.

However, Shukor Yusof, founder of aviation research firm Endau Analytics, said Mueller’s strategy was too focused on short-term gains.

“They have taken the easy way out,” said Shukor, who was also part of a group whose offer to buy some of the airline’s assets to start a budget carrier was rebuffed. Sweeping cuts are “the quickest way to eliminate cost, but long term I don’t think it presents an opportunity to really strengthen or ... overhaul the fundamental issues of the company,” which include a history of interference from its owner, the sovereign investment fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad.

Aiming to help Malaysia Airlines re-emerge as Southeast Asia’s leading carrier, since he took charge in May he has led renegotiations of supply con-

tracts and aircraft leasing deals, brought in new senior executives with budget airline experience and introduced state of the art German cost-management software meant to cut ground operations costs by 20 per cent.

To attract more passengers, the airline is updating inflight menus and rolling out new services like on-board Wi-Fi and a new lie-flat seat in business class on some aircraft.

Malaysia’s already skeletal network outside Asia has been scaled back further. Paris and Amsterdam routes were scrapped in January as part of a broader withdrawal from international markets that started before the crisis struck. London and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, are now its only non-Asia-Pacific destinations, though passengers can buy code-share flights transiting through Emirates’ Dubai hub.

The airline is adjusting its fleet to cut costs and accommodate the route revamp, phasing out older Boeing 777s and fuel-hungry Airbus A380s and scaling back on smaller Boeing 737s. The airline has ordered four A350s, Airbus’s latest and most advanced airliner.

Tumbling oil prices have helped cut fuel costs, though the gains were partially eroded by the dollar’s recent rise against Malaysia’s currency, the ringgit.

Shukor of Endau Analytics questions whether the airline can or even should survive in the long run.

Travellers are now better served by discount juggernaut AirAsia, which flies to more places and makes more money.

Doubts persist over whether the government-backed carrier serves Malaysia’s long-term interests.

“The question that needs to be asked is does Malaysia need Malaysia Airlines now?” said Shukor. “If Malaysia Airlines were to shut down tomorrow there won’t be many people who would feel the absence.” ■

Business

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

37

PAL, Alphaland offer mileage rewards

BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer PROPERTY DEVELOPER Alphaland Corp. has teamed up with Philippine Airlines to launch a mileage rewards program that will allow the flag carrier’s premium flyers to chill in the upscale tropical island resort Balesin.

In a statement, Alphaland said the partnership would enable PAL Mabuhay Miles’ “million milers” and “premier elite” members to use their mileage

credit to stay in Balesin Island Club, citing this as the “ultimate” frequent flyer reward.

According to Alphaland, 200,000 Mabuhay Miles are needed to redeem a five-day/ four-night stay at Balesin for two, including round-trip airfare from Manila as well as the food and beverage credit per person per day. Further details will be available from PAL starting Monday.

The “premium elite” members of PAL’s Mabuhay Miles program are those who achieve any of the following on eligible tickets every year:

• earn 45,000 tier Miles on PAL and code-share flights • fly 50 one-way qualifying flights on any class of service on PAL and codeshare flights • fly 25 one-way qualifying flights on business class on PAL and code-share flights PAL’s “million milers” are those who have flown one million cumulative tier miles on PAL and PAL Express, earning the highest level of privileges in the “premier elite” level for life.

These people are given firstpriority treatment and dedicated travel assistance.

Balesin—a flagship leisure es-

Lack of confidence keeping women from investing; instead they hold onto cash

BY BOB WEBER The Canadian Press OTTAWA — A new report by investment firm BlackRock suggests most women lack confidence when it comes to making decisions on investing.

“We are seeing more and more women categorize themselves as savers versus investors and they’re sitting on the sidelines in cash,” says Karrie Van Belle, managing director at BlackRock Canada.

As women get older they gain confidence in their financial savvy.

“Over time, cash is likely not going to get you where you need nancial savvy and close the gap ments.” Women were also more to get to for your retirement.” with men. By the time are in the likely than men to agree with The BlackRock survey found 65-74 bracket, 67 per cent of the statement that they needed that of those polled who have women are confident in their more information before they started saving, men have saved investing decisions while 68 per were willing to invest. nearly double what women cent of men are.

The results were based on have.

B l a c k R o c k ’s “What we Global Invesneed to be helptor Pulse online ing women do is survey that inhave a bit more Over time, cash is likely not going to terviewed more confidence to get you where you need to get to for than 31,100 take those first your retirement. respondents steps, ask those around the questions, get world, including invested and un2,000 in Canada derstand the priority they need The survey found 78 per cent between July and August 2015. to put behind it,” she said. of women identified themselves The polling industry’s proThe poll found 44 per cent of as savers compared with 22 per fessional body, the Marketing women reported confidence in cent who thought of themselves Research and Intelligence Astheir financial decision-making, as investors. sociation, says online surveys compared to 55 per cent of men.

It also found that 63 per cent cannot be assigned a margin of As women get older, however, of women stated they are “not error because they do not ranthey gain confidence in their fi- knowledgeable about invest- domly sample the population. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

tate project of Alphaland which is led by businessman Robert V. Ongpin—is a 500-hectare tropical island resort with 7.3 kilometers of pristine whitesand beaches. It is located 21 km southeast of Polillo, Quezon Province and just 60 nautical miles east of Manila, Balesin.

It takes about 20 minutes by plane to reach this island from Manila.

Patterned after some of the most luxurious beach side resorts around the world, Balesin has a main clubhouse and destination spa as the centerpiece alongside seven themed vil-

lages with numerous villas and suites. The themed villages are: Balesin, Bali, Phuket, Mykonos, St. Tropez, Costa del Sol and Toscana. Each of these is a resort in itself, and is designed and executed authentically, from architecture and interiors to landscaping and cuisine.

In addition, The Balesin Royal Villa offers an ideal venue for large family and social gatherings, weddings, and corporate retreats.

Balesin has also put up “Aegle Wellness Center” which offers world-class diagnostic facilities and medical team. ■

‘Spring cleaning...’ light. And check out 1stDibs, Chairish and eBay for ‘70s-era vintage cork table lamps.

Metallics aren’t going away, says Chicago interior designer Mikel Welch. But warmer versions are overtaking the chillier chromes and silvers.

“This spring, we’ll begin to see a twist added,” he says.

“From warm, rich, metallic upholstery and galvanized wallpaper to shimmering coffee tables, luxurious metallic finishes in pewter, gold and bronze will command attention.”

Look for brushed copper, soft rose-gold accents, and painted metallics on throw pillows and wall art. ❰❰ 35

Mod and modern

On the heels of the midcentury revival, some retailers are banking on the 1980s Italian postmodernist style known as Memphis to be the next big thing. Characterized by bold geometric designs and often clashing colours, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Musician Lenny Kravitz has collaborated with CB2 on a furniture collection inspired by ‘70s-era New York club culture and the California music scene. A white lacquered media cabinet with brushed steel doors and a round, walnuttopped, white coffee table with concealed storage are standout pieces.

Neon-hued acrylic fits the era’s vibe; Land of Nod has flamingo and palm-tree nightlights, while Los Angeles designer Alexandra von Fur-

stenberg displayed a suite of sleek, neon acrylic serveware at the recent NY Now show.

Crate & Barrel has launched ARTWORKS, a limited-edition collection of Modernist canvas prints.

Boho comes home

Free-spirited, colorful and often pattern-happy, bohemian style is easy to embrace.

Its influences are global: India, Africa, Latin America. But the eclecticism often comes from a mashup of decorative styles and layered elements.

At NY Now, New York designer John Robshaw showed a collection of softly hued woodblock-printed textiles inspired by the gardens, crafts and clothing seen on his travels in Northern India.

Hudson & Vine stocks a whimsical collection of animals crafted from reclaimed oil drums. Urban Outfitters has African mudcloth-printed bedding from Deny Designs; medallion-printed tapestries, rugs and pillow covers; and a selection of eclectic headboards made from macrame, reclaimed wood, rattan and iron. Homegoods has some carved and painted African objets d’art, trays and vases as well as kuba cloth poufs.

One of Hoffman’s favourite trends this spring is a combination of boho and minimalism.

Designs are pared down to core elements — colour, pattern and texture. She suggests getting this eclectic style by using neutrals and accenting furniture with hints of deep indigo. ■

38

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

Sports

Harden scores 40 points as Houston ends Raptors’ perfect run at home

BY LORI EWING The Canadian Press TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors’ record run at home came to an end Sunday night.

And in the minutes after the Raptors’ 113-107 loss to the Houston Rockets — Toronto’s first defeat at the Air Canada Centre in 13 games — the players talked about a lesson learned.

“Defence” was the word of the night as the Raptors coughed up an 18-point lead and allowed the Rockets to score 36 points in the fourth quarter.

“We’ve just got to get better defensively, and continue to grow defensively. It’s a broken record for all of us,” Kyle Lowry said. “That’s where we have to get better, and I think everyone in the locker-room and coaching staff would agree.

Defence is the priority.”

James Harden had 20 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter, and was almost as lethal creating plays, doling out 14 assists.

Luis Scola topped Toronto (4120) with 21 points, while DeMar DeRozan had 19 points. Lowry finished with 17 and nine assists, and Jonas Valanciunas chipped in with 12 points and 10 boards.

Dwight Howard had 21 points and 11 rebounds for Houston (31-32) before fouling out with 2:08 to play.

DeRozan had an uncharacteristically quiet night. He didn’t attempt a shot until nine-and-a-half minutes into the game, and didn’t make a shot until about three minutes before halftime. He and fellow all-star Lowry took just 20 shots between them.

“They were trying to get the ball out of our hands, but we can’t defer to that, we’ve got to be more aggressive, and understand what teams are going to do, especially when they’re doing it to both of us,” DeRozan said. “Usually it’ll be one or the other and we’ll try to play off it.

Tonight they were trying to do it to both of us. But it’s a learn-

ing experience.”

The Raptors led by double digits for much of the night, but saw their 18-point first-half lead disappear by midway through the fourth quarter. Back-toback three-pointers from Trevor Ariza gave the Rockets their first lead since the first quarter with 4:43 to play.

Harden, the league’s No. 2 scorer, drained a three — and shot a sinister look at the Raptors’ bench — to put the Rockets up by two, then made two free throws on the next trip down the floor to put Houston up by four points with 1:18 to play.

Little went Toronto’s way down the stretch, as DeRozan was called for a flagrant foul for plowing over Patrick Beverley with a minute to play. Then Clint Capela’s basket made it a seven-point Rockets lead, and it was game over for the Raptors, much to the dismay of the capacity crowd of 19,800 fans, who headed for the exits.

“That’s been our Achilles heel

James Harden.

all year,” coach Dwane Casey said, on giving up a substantial lead. “I’ve said that millions of times. We’ve luckily won some of these games, but then I’ve always said it’s going to come back to bite us. We’ve got to keep the same intensity when we get leads, the same quality of possessions offensively.

“We learn from it, we’ve been preaching it, so I guess it’s a situation now where you get your butt kicked, and it kicks in.”

The night marked Houston’s first victory in Toronto in nine games.

James Johnson was solid in the

GAME FACE / FLICKR

first quarter with eight points, three assists, a block and a steal, while Scola contributed 11 points, and the Raptors took a 30-26 lead into the second quarter.

A Lowry three capped a 19-3 run that gave the Raptors their 18-point lead midway through the second, and Toronto went into the dressing room at halftime up 61-51.

The Rockets used an 11-2 run to cut the Raptors’ lead to six points late in the third quarter, and Toronto went into the fourth up 85-77.

The Raptors host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. ■

Ravena makes debut as Mighty tests Jumbo

BY JASMINE W. PAYO Philippine Daily Inquirer

Kiefer Ravena.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

AMATEUR STAR Kiefer Ravena looks to debut strong when Mighty Sports tests its new but loaded roster against a champion squad at the start of the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League (PCBL) Chairman’s Cup today.

www.canadianinquirer.net

An early favorite, Mighty Sports clashes with a Jumbo Plastic side vying for back-toback titles at 5 p.m. at Malolos Sports and Convention Center in Bulacan.

Ravena, a two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player from Ateneo, teams up with former Rain or Shine guard TY Tang, Allan Mangahas and Nigerian reinforcement Bright Akhuetie

of Perpetual Help.

Sta. Lucia, beefed up by Cameroonian Landry Sanjo of Southwestern U, battles EuroMed collide in the other match at 7 p.m.

Joel Banal serves as commissioner of the six-team tournament, which unfolds with a 4 p.m. opening ceremony. Foton and Supremo Lex round out the field. ■

Sports

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

39

Whitecaps looking to be Hamhuis, Markstrom lead better at home in 2016 as Canucks past Sharks 4-2 Impact visit Vancouver

BY JOSH DUBOW The Associated Press

BY JOSHUA CLIPPERTON The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps want to make things a little easier on themselves.

The club set franchise records for points, wins and away wins on the way to finishing second in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference last season.

But for all those good feelings, Vancouver was a pedestrian 9-62 at B.C. Place Stadium. Those six home losses were the most among teams that made the playoffs, while the nine victories tied for the second fewest.

“You’ve got to be very good at home in this league,” said Vancouver head coach Carl Robinson. “We were excellent on the road last year and decent at home. I want to be excellent at home and excellent away, but 20 managers are trying to find a way of doing that.”

The Whitecaps finished 7-7-3 on the road last season — another franchise record — but were guilty on occasion of playing loose in defence at B.C. Place in an effort to push forward.

“Sometimes we did let ourselves down at home,” said Vancouver defender Jordan Harvey.

“I think we’ve gotten better and better and more consistent.”

The Whitecaps will get an opportunity to see if that’s indeed the case when they host the Montreal Impact on Sunday to open the 2016 schedule.

Vancouver and Montreal both lost in the conference semifinals in 2015, with the Impact finishing the regular season on a 7-2-2 run to make the playoffs after Mauro Biello took

over as coach. Montreal won’t have star striker Didier Drogba this weekend because the game will be played on artificial turf, but the Whitecaps are well aware there are plenty of other threats to consider.

“They were a good team last year. They really found a rhythm,” said Whitecaps defender Tim Parker. “Going into the playoffs they really got hot. With the names that they have and the team that they have it’s going to be an interesting fixture.”

Vancouver will have to keep an especially close eye on Impact midfielders Ignacio Piatti and Harry Shipp, as well as speedy forward Dominic Oduro.

“Montreal is a little bit of an underrated team,” said Whitecaps defender Pa-Modou Kah. “They have quality players. For us, it’s nothing different. We need to go into the game with our mindset of doing what we need to do to perform. It’s all about us on Sunday.”

Vancouver added strikers Masato Kudo and Blas Perez, midfielder Christian Bolanos and defender Fraser Aird over the winter as the club looks to go further than it did in 2015.

A big part of that success will come down to making B.C. Place a more difficult stop for opponents.

“We know we’re good at home on our day,” said Robinson. “We need to make sure that day’s on Sunday.”

Note: The Whitecaps announced they have expanded capacity at B.C. Place to 22,120 from 21,000. The club will also bump up capacity to 25,000 when Los Angeles visits in April, and Seattle and Portland come to town in October. ■

The Whitecaps plays its home matches at BC Place in Vancouver.

VILLAFAN / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

SAN JOSE, CALIF. — Just when it seemed as if Vancouver would have another third-period collapse against San Jose, Dan Hamhuis and Jacob Markstrom rescued the Canucks.

Hamhuis scored Vancouver’s third power-play goal midway through the third period just minutes after Markstrom preserved a tie with a brilliant glove save that helped the Canucks beat the Sharks 4-2 on Saturday night.

“We’ve seen that before in the last couple of games against these guys,” said Alexandre Burrows, who sealed the win with an empty-net goal. “I thought we stayed pretty composed. We said keep battling and we might get a break. We were able to make a nice play on the power play.”

Linden Vey and Daniel Sedin also scored power-play goals for the Canucks, who had blown two third-period leads to the Sharks the past week before coming up with key plays late in this game.

Markstrom made 32 saves, including highlight-reel stops against Tomas Hertl and Patrick Marleau in the third to help Vancouver win its fifth straight in San Jose.

Michael Haley and Brent Burns scored for the Sharks, who fell six points behind first-

place Anaheim in the Pacific Division. James Reimer made 22 saves in his San Jose debut but was hurt by San Jose giving up seven power-play chances.

“We got that first goal and then we started to take a lot of penalties,” captain Joe Pavelski said. “A lot of soft ones, too.

It was everybody tonight. It was one of those nights that we couldn’t stay out of the box.”

The Canucks lost star Henrik Sedin to an upper-body injury in the first period. Sedin got tangled up with Burns during a power play early in the first and fell to the ice. After being helped off by trainers, Sedin returned to play four more shifts before leaving again late in the first and not returning. He is not expected to play Monday.

After rallying from deficits after two periods to beat the Canucks twice in Vancouver the past week, the Sharks came back again in the third when Burns beat Markstrom with a wrister from the slot off a pass from Joe Thornton to make it 2-2 early in the period.

Markstrom had robbed Hertl earlier in the period with a shoulder save and then did it again with a glove save against Marleau during a delayed penalty to keep the score tied at 2.

“It’s a desperation save,” Markstrom said. “It was a good pass. I didn’t expect him to be there. Obviously they had the

delayed penalty, so there were six guys on the ice. I kind of forgot about him and sometimes those go in and sometimes those go right in the glove.”

Joonas Donskoi then got called for a trip late in San Jose’s power play and the Canucks made San Jose pay when Bo Horvat slid a pass to an open Hamhuis, who knocked it into the open net for his first goal of the season.

“It’s been a while,” Hamhuis said. “Certainly had my chances over the year. It was nice to get one to go in, especially one that made such a big difference in the game.”

Haley was involved in both goals in the first period. He got San Jose on the board midway through the first when he stole a pass from Ben Hutton and fired a shot that trickled through Markstrom. That was Haley’s first goal since March 19, 2011.

Haley then took a four-minute high-sticking penalty late in the first when he clipped Sven Baertschi. The Canucks capitalized when Vey lifted a rebound of Baertschi’s point shot over Reimer to tie the game.

Vancouver added another power-play goal early in the second after Pavelski was called for a trip in the offensive zone. Baertschi then got the puck in the circle and fired a wrister that deflected off Daniel Sedin and past Reimer to make it 2-1. ■

under corporate social responsibility. Companies find themselves allowing student trainees from the academe or as a probationary requirement for prospective employees in an effort to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility. A company that believes it is a beneficiary of the patronage and loyalty of the public to grow its business extends itself to this type of endeavour in order to thank its public.

The poor economy and its effects on the business of companies must have sidelined programs of corporate social responsibility, under which external apprenticeship programs fall. One economic reason that internships are so

elusive in the workplace is the practice of giving a stipend or training allowance to the trainee. Since on-the-job training is paid, the competition is great even for the very limited programs being run. ■

So, what... day out, we may need a little more than luck to be awarded a muchcoveted trainee position. And the trainee-position is coveted not only because people need a foot in the door, but also because it is a paid internship. It is like hitting two birds with one stone.

An organization such as the one just described has memberemployers that pay a minimal amount of training allowance to the apprentices. I would think that, to most of these sponsors, they are doing this more for an altruistic reason, as a way to give back to the greater community, than for their need to train people and get employees.

Some classify these programs ❰❰ 26

www.canadianinquirer.net

Bolet is a marketing communications practitioner and dabbles in writing as a personal passion.

She is author-publisher of the book: The Most Practical Immigrating and Job Hunting Survival Guide, proven simple steps to success without the fears and the doubts. The book is available in Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Chapters/Indigo, the Reading Room and other online bookshops worldwide.

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MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

Technology

Snapchat, Seagate among companies duped in tax fraud scam

BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE AND SARAH SKIDMORE SELL The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — Tax-filing season is turning into a nightmare for thousands of employees whose companies have been duped by email fraudsters. A major phishing scheme has tricked several major companies — among them, the messaging service Snapchat and disk-drive maker Seagate Technology — into relinquishing tax documents that exposed their workers’ incomes, addresses and Social Security numbers.

The scam, which involved fake emails purportedly sent by top company officials, convinced the companies involved to send out W-2 tax forms that are ideal for identity theft. For instance, W-2 data can easily be used to file bogus tax returns and claim fraudulent refunds.

The embarrassing breakdowns have prompted employers to apologize and offer free credit monitoring to employees. Such measures, however, won’t necessarily shield unwitting victims from the headaches that typically follow identity theft.

“This mistake was caused by human error and lack of vigilance, and could have been prevented,” Seagate’s chief financial officer, Dave Morton, wrote in a March 4 email to the company’s employees about the breach.

The swindlers behind the tax scam are exploiting human gullibility rather than weaknesses in computer or Internet security.

They have targeted company payroll and personnel departments, in many instances with emails claiming to be requests from the company CEO asking for copies of worker W-2s.

The schemes are so widespread that the IRS sent a March 1 notice alerting employers’ payroll departments of the spoofing emails. The agency said the scheme has so far claimed “several victims,” but

declined Tuesday to disclose about 52,000 workers but all occur during holidays and othhow many other employers but 10,500 of them were based er annual events, such as tax had reported releasing W-2s in Asia. season, to prey upon people’s to unauthorized parties. The Both Snapchat and Seagate routines, said Farih Orhan, diIRS said it’s seen a 400 per cent notified federal authorities rector of technology at security increase in phishing and com- about the phishing attacks and firm Comodo. The attacks are puter malware incidents this are offering affected workers becoming increasingly effectax-filing season. two years of free credit moni- tive because they rely on powThe federal alert didn’t come toring. ers of persuasion instead of an soon enough for Snapchat, It’s unclear how many other attachment or link that might which on Feb. 28 revealed that employers have been sucked raise suspicion, said Ed Jenits payroll denings, chief oppartment had erating officer been duped by at email security an email impercompany Mimesonating its CEO, Phishing attacks commonly occur cast.

Evan Spiegel. during holidays and other annual “It’s just like The Los Angeles events, such as tax season, to prey someone who company didn’t upon people’s routines. convinces you to specify how hand over $20 many employee on the street,” W-2s it released.

Jennings said.

Snapchat didn’t respond to re- into the tax scam. Hundreds of Sjouwerman said the W-2 quests for comment Tuesday. companies appear to have been seeking attacks are most likely “When something like this targeted, according to Stu Sjou- are being sent by Eastern Euhappens, all you can do is own werman, CEO of KnowBe4, a ropean hacker groups planning up to your mistake, take care of Florida company that trains to sell the information or claim the people affected, and learn employers to detect and avoid fraudulent tax refunds. from what went wrong,” Snap- such scams.

The most effective phishing chat wrote in a post on its corPhishing attacks commonly attacks use emails decked in porate blog .

Seagate acknowledged surrendering the W-2s for all of its current and former employees who worked at the company last year. The Cupertino, California, company said “several thousand” people were affected, but declined to be more precise. As of July last year, Seagate employed

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company logos and colours to reduce the chances of detection, Orhan said. It’s relatively easy for con artists to pose as a CEO online, since they can quickly fetch convincing details from a Google search or a perusal of professional networking service LinkedIn. That doesn’t excuse payroll or personnel departments who reflexively acquiesce to requests in apparently legitimate email, experts say. For instance, Sjouwerman said his firm’s controller received a phishing email that, at first glance, appeared to be sent by him. But the email asked the controller to “kindly prepare” employees’ W-2s, a phrase that he never uses. Company employees were alert enough not to send out the W-2s.

Even without a red flag like that, payroll and personnel specialists should be trained well enough to question why a CEO needs to see individual worker W-2s in the first place.

“It’s a case of: ‘Oh, the boss wants it’,” Sjouwerman said.

“They stop thinking, ‘Why would this be?”’

Skidmore Sell reported from Portland, Ore. AP Technology Writer Brandon Bailey contributed to this report.

Technology

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

41

Tech industry groups, security experts back Apple

BY BRANDON BAILEY AND TAMI ABDOLLAH The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — From security experts worried about hacking to independent appmakers who fear more burdens on their business, a slew of tech industry groups and civil liberties advocates are filing court documents backing Apple in its fight with the FBI. Several police groups, meanwhile, filed briefs in support of federal authorities who are seeking Apple’s help in hacking an encrypted iPhone used by Syed Farook, one of the San Bernardino mass shooters. The so-called “friends of the court” briefs come in advance of a March 22 hearing in which Apple is asking U.S. Magistrate Sheri Pym to reverse an order requiring Apple to create a software program that overrides iPhone security features, so authorities can try to unlock the encryption by guessing the phone’s passcode.

Among those backing Apple in the dispute are some of its biggest competitors, including Google, Microsoft and Facebook. Though some were initially hesitant about seeming to oppose an investigation of

violent extremists, they have undermine the trust in their either through theft, embezzlesignalled that they’ll file a joint products so essential to privacy ment, or order of another court, brief on Apple’s behalf. A group in the digital age,” attorneys including a foreign government.” of 17 smaller tech firms, includ- for the American Civil LiberMeanwhile, the app-makers ing Twitter, LinkedIn, Airbnb ties Union warned in their trade group, known as ACT, notand Reddit submitted a sepa- brief, adding that the precedent ed that Apple has said it would rate joint filing. would implicate “the security take “between six and ten” enMany, but not all, of the fil- and privacy of hundreds of mil- gineers to create the software. ings rehash arguments made by lions of Americans.”

A similar demand “would be Apple itself in a court filing last Security experts argued the exceptionally onerous for the week, saying the judge’s order is government’s request is not as small companies that constitute unprecedented and over-reach- simple as it sounds. Any new the majority of ACT’s members es current law. For instance, a software code is likely to have and that are the heart of the mogroup of crypbile economy,” tographers and the group argued. security experts Te l e c o m m u warned in their nications giant brief that forcing The security bypass this court would AT&T also filed Apple to write order Apple to create almost certainly a brief arguing software that will be used on other iPhones in the that current law overrides iPhone future. doesn’t support security features the government’s would produce a demand. AT&T dangerous new urged the magistool that itself would be vulner- unexpected bugs that could be trate to rescind her order and let able to theft or hacking. exploited by hackers, accord- Congress address the issue.

An organization of app mak- ing to a brief from Stanford Another trade group warned ers, meanwhile, argued that the computer scientist Dan Boneh, the order would undermine order would create untenable cryptologist Bruce Schneier, public confidence in “the inburdens for smaller tech com- independent researcher Jona- tegrity of the Internet.” The panies and software developers than Zdziarski and four others. Computer and Communicawho might be asked to create “The security bypass this court tions Industry Association said similar programs for their own would order Apple to create al- its members invest heavily in products. most certainly will be used on technical measures to protect “If the government prevails, other iPhones in the future,” they customers’ information against then this case will be the first warned. “This spread increases theft by criminals and hackers of many requiring companies the risk that the forensic soft- backed for foreign states. to degrade the security and to ware will escape Apple’s control CCIA members include

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Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft — but not Apple. The association has been at odds with Apple over various policy issues such as disputes over technology patents. But an official said the organization believes Apple’s position is right for the industry and the country.

Meanwhile, several law enforcement agencies, including the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, filed an 18-page brief on Thursday supporting the Justice Department.

The groups are worried about the potential “cascading rippling effects ... on the everyday investigation, prosecution and enforcement of the laws” that would come with a ruling in favour of Apple, said attorney Joseph V. DeMarco.

Calling Apple’s position dangerous in their brief, the groups said they’re also concerned about the message that could be sent to citizens, who are expected to provide “reasonable assistance to law enforcement as they investigate crimes,” DeMarco said. ■ Abdollah reported from Washington, D.C.

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Events

42

Tunog ng Pagbabago

By Filipino Canadian Toronto On. Duterte Cayetano Movement and Prestige By Night WHEN/WHERE: 7 to 10 p.m., Apr. 1, at 4544 Dufferin St., Toronto, On. New WelcomePack Canada Distribution Centre

By WelcomePack Canada Inc. WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 5 p.m., Mon, Tues, Thu & Fri at the Filipino Centre Bldg., 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, On. MORE INFO: Call (416) 928-9355

MARCH 11, 2016

Homework/Tutorial Class

By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 11a.m. to 12 nn, every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto, 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, ON MORE INFO: For registrations, call 416928-9355. The office, at 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m.

Pabasa ng Bayan 2016 in Tagalog

By St. Ann’s Parish Community WHEN/WHERE: 12 nn Mar. 24; 2 p.m.

Mar. 25, at St. Ann’s Parish Hall, 711 Gerrard St., East of Broadview MORE INFO: Call Sis Fe – 905-8897868 or the parish office at 416-4662127 NUNAVUT

Tagalog Class YUKON

By Filipino Center Toronto WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 11 a.m., every NORTHWEST Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto

TERRITORIES

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN Sharing Cultures Community Dinner: The Philippines

By North Burnaby Neighborhood House WHEN/WHERE: 6 to 8 p.m., Mar. 11, at Stoney Creek Community School, 2740 Beaverbrook Cres., Burnaby B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets: Adult - $5; Children - $3; Under 3- free Temporary Foreign Workers Uncontested Divorce Clinic

By Law Courts Center WHEN/WHERE: Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Justice Education Society at the Provincial Court of BC Room 260 800 Hornby St., Vancouver B.C. MORE INFO: To book an appointment, call/text 778322-2839 or email: tfw.divorce@gmail.com RetroWorld RetroSpect Reunion Concert Tour 2016 WHEN/WHERE: 1st show 6 p.m.; 2nd show 9 p.m., Mar. 11, at The Columbia Theatre 530 Columbia St., New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: Gold $58; Silver $38 Free Money Tips for Newcomers (English with Tagalog language support)

By Mosaic Mortgages: new immigrant mortgage programs to help newcomers transition into homeowners TFSAs: How to contribute up to $5000 per year into savings/investments that are not taxable RESPs: Government contributions and savings for your child’s education RRSPs: How RRSPs fit into your retirement plan and reduce the amount of taxes you pay now WHEN/WHERE: 1:30–3:30 p.m. Mar. 13, at Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Joy at 604-438-8214 ext 211 Skills Now: Project-based Training for Immigrants in Retail and Administration

By ISS of BC

ONTARIO

FRIDAY

CANADA EVENTS

To have your events featured on PCI, please email events@canadianinquirer.net

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Angellica Samson Cruz Fundraising Concert WHEN/WHERE: 5 p.m., Mar. 19, at South Pointe Community Centre 11520 Ellerslie Road, Edmonton, AB MORE INFO: with special guests Jess Valdez Switch Band and Delerium Band

Queen of the Festival 2016 Seven Oaks Neighborhood Town Presentation of Candidates Hall Meeting on Filipino Bilingual

By Manitoba Filipino Street Festival Program WHEN/WHERE: 2 to 6 p.m., Mar. 13, By 71 Lab Rats Events & Production at Essence Event CentreNEWFOUNDLAND WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 to 7:30 MORE INFO: Tickets at $20 p.m., Mar. 22, at Maples College (Commons), Winnipeg, MB

QUEBEC

WHEN/WHERE: Call or email at 604-684-2581 (ext 2193 Nanki) skillsnow@issbc.org MORE INFO: Receive a certificate or skills training in retail or administration; job search workshops; and strong employment opportunities.

10 Weeks of English Conversation

By South Vancouver Neighbourhood House WHEN/WHERE: Feb. 1 to Apr. 9, 18 locations in Metro Vancouver, MORE INFO: Call Amie to register – 604-324-6212 ext 142 Mentoring Programme for Immigrant High School Students: Breakfast & Baon 101

By Mentorship & Leadership for Youth Programme WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 12 nn at Corpus Christi College (near UBC) 5935 Iona Dr. Vancouver BC. Free pick up and drop off service.

MORE INFO: Meet young professionals plus learn to cook. Call/text Kyle Andrews at (778)896-0661 I Belong Support Group

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 to7:30 p.m., Mar. 14, Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Darae 604-254-9626 Free Counselling Support Group

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., every last Monday of the month, at Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Darae (604)254-9626 Bae in the City Canada Tour 2016 with Alden Richards

By Red Productions and GMA Pinoy TV; GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Mar. 24, Massey Theatre 735 www.canadianinquirer.net

8th Ave., NWestminster, B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets at $80, $60 and $50

NOVA

Youth Group SCOTIA for Education & Employment

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 1:30–3:30 p.m. every Monday until Mar. 29, at MOSAIC Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call - Solmaz at 604-438-8214 ext 120 ESL Book Club

By Vancouver Public Library WHEN/WHERE: 3 to 4:30 p.m., Mar. 19, Apr. 16 and May 28, Champlain Hts. Branch 7110 Kerr St., Vancouver, B.C. Seniors ESL Conversation Circle

By Vancouver Public Library WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays up to Apr. 7, Champlain Hts. Br., 7110 Kerr St., Vancouver, B.C. Migrante BC Fundraiser Gala for Migrant Workers

By Migrante WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Mar. 18, at Holiday Inn, West Broadway, 711 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Special guest speaker: Atty. Fay Faraday Greased Lightning Spring Dance

By University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m. to 12 mn, Apr. 9, at St. Monica Parish Hall, Richmond, B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets at $20 includes dinner Forum on Good Governance with Loida Nicolas Lewis

By Global Pinoy Diaspora Canada WHEN/WHERE: 1:30 to 4 p.m., St. Patrick’s Parish Basement, 2881 Main St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Treenee Lopez at 604-773-9192

MARCH 11, 2016

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MARCH 11, 2016

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FRIDAY

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

PEARL OF THE ORIENT Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official opening of Pearl of the Orient Filipino Store in Vernon, B.C. with Clay and Elle Harris, Stephanie and guests from Vancouver.

Line up of customers at the opening of Pearl of the Orient Filipino Store.

The amiable owners of Pearl of the Orient Filipino Store in Vernon: Clay and Elle Harris (Photos by Art Viray).

PLANNING RETREAT The Philippine Festival Council of Alberta held a Planning Retreat from Mar. 4 to 6, at Banff Gate Mountain Resort in Canmore, AB (Photos by Evelyn Lopez).

MARDI GRAS The Forever Young Seniors Society had fun dancing on Mar. 6, at the Alpen Club in Vancouver, B.C. with their Mardi Gras theme (Photos by Josefina Garcia). www.canadianinquirer.net

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Seen and Scenes

MARCH 11, 2016

MISS UNIVERSE 2015 PIA WURTZBACH VISITS Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach recently visited Toronto to give an inspirational talk to delegates of Miss Universe Canada 2016. Pia and Miss Universe Canada 2015 Paola Valdez likewise stopped by to support the Sick Kids Foundation and spoke on Diversity and Anti-Bullying (Photos courtesy of Roberto Roldan).

RETROSPECT Scenes from REtroSPECT Band’s press conference on Mar. 3, at Cusina Lounge in Toronto (Photos by Ariel Ramos).

TOWN HALL MEET Michael Levitt and Marco Medocino (Members of Parliament in Ottawa) held their town hall meeting on Mar. 6, at Roding Community Centre Toronto. This jam-packed event was attended by Canadians, permanent residents, foreign workers, international students, caregivers, and other guests. Many gave letters detailing their requests on immigration matters (Photos by Ariel Ramos).

For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net

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FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016

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48

MARCH 11, 2016

FRIDAY

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If you complete one IMT between January 1, 2016, and March 31, 2016 (the “Promotional Period”), we will refund the service fee ($13.50 CDN) and offer you one refunded IMT per month in the two consecutive months that follow. Example: If you send an IMT in February, you may send 2 additional refunded IMTs, one in March and the other in April. Totals are not cumulative, and if not used, may not be carried over to the next month. All refunds will be credited to the bank account in which the IMT originated 8 weeks after the IMT was completed. Only one offer (one IMT per month for 3 consecutive months) per client. Excess debit transaction fee may also apply depending on the account. Additional service fees by any intermediary and receiving bank may apply. Currency conversion fees may also apply. The financial institution on the receiving end of the transaction may have other requirements. The IMT service is not available to recipients in Canada and in restricted countries. Maximum of $2,500 Canadian or Canadian equivalent dollars per transaction per calendar day. 2 Must be enrolled in RBC Online Banking® and have either a Canadian RBC Royal Bank® chequing or savings account. Some restrictions may apply. Cannot remit funds from a US dollar account, or the RBC High Interest eSavings® account. 3 Not available to recipients in Canada and restricted countries. 4 If an unauthorized transaction is conducted through your RBC Online Banking service, you will be reimbursed 100% for any resulting losses to those accounts. For a definition of an unauthorized transaction and for full details regarding the protections and limitations of the RBC Online Banking Security Guarantee, please see your Electronic Access Agreement. This guarantee is given by Royal Bank of Canada in connection with its Online Banking service. ®/™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. www.canadianinquirer.net