Philippine Canadian Inquirer #274

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VOL. 6 NO. 274

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ARRIVAL HONORS

Former Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. waves as he arrives at the Sandiganbayan on Thursday. Story on page 4.

NINO JESUS ORBETA / PDI

Palace: Nothing wrong with Du30

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA AND DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT DUTERTE is not suffering from any major illness, but opposition lawmakers are demanding that he explain his “unusual absence” from public functions since Sunday.

Malacañang on Thursday doused speculations that Mr. Duterte was sick, saying he was taking “some time off to

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rejuvenate” after spending 23 days on the road to oversee the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.

“I’m saying that there is nothing to worry about in terms of sickness, major sickness. Considering the schedule that he has given, he needs to rest,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella told reporters.

Abella, however, could not give a definite date on the 72year-old President’s

Islamic State poses a growing threat to Southeast Asia

10 Celebration of the 119th Philippine Independence Day ❱❱ PAGE 22

❱❱ PAGE 11 Palace: Nothing

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PALACE REACTS TO NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL

What ‘braggadocio’? Duterte pleaded with Maute for peace

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte had been pleading for peace months before the Marawi City siege, so the New York Times did not present the proper context in blaming the President’s “braggadocio” for the crisis.

“There are reasons for the statements of the President,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in Filipino during an interview on government radio.

Abella noted that Mr. Duterte had repeatedly pleaded for peace during his visits to various military camps around the country.

“He was quite open. He asked them not to cause trouble. He pleaded with them,” Abella said a day after the New York Times, in an editorial, blamed Mr. Duterte for challenging the ter-

rorist Maute Group to go ahead and raze Marawi.

“But when they continued their actuations, he said he would no longer talk to them,” Abella said.

Abella recalled the President pleading for peace when he spoke before the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade last Nov. 13 in Butig, Lanao del Sur. “He clearly said: ‘What is very certain is that I do not want to wage war against my own countrymen. So I am appealing to you all to help me,’” Abella quoted Mr. Duterte as saying.

“The word ‘all’ includes the Maute Group,” he said. “He repeatedly says ‘I don’t want to argue with you. I don’t want to fight you. I don’t want to kill you. But please do not force my hand.’”

But Abella quoted Mr. Duterte as saying there were “outside forces” influencing certain groups, including the Maute group, and the President had

warned he had a limit and there were things he could not accept. “[Mr. Duterte] clearly said he could not keep coming back for talks every month and then, whenever he turned his back, they would resume killing each other,” Abella said.

He also emphasized that achieving peace across the country continued to be the priority of the Duterte administration.

“First, it is really an interest of the President. The foremost intention of the President is peace within our borders. Peace especially within Mindanao,” Abella said.

“Let’s remember that he did not want to run [for President] just because he wanted to. He saw that no one was attending to peace in Mindanao,” he added.

“So let us give the President enough credit. He does not just pick fights. Of course, some people do not know this, espe-

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte acknowledges the heroism of wounded soldiers confined at Camp Edilberto Evangelista Station Hospital.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

cially those who only listen to the media and just choose what they want to hear,” he added.

Abella made the remarks after the New York Times editorial said Mr. Duterte’s “braggadocio” was one of the reasons for the escalation of the situation in Marawi, including the declaration of martial law.

Instead, the US newspaper urged Mr. Duterte to talk with militants.

But Mr. Duterte said martial law in Mindanao would not end

until the fighting in Marawi ends.

“Until I’m satisfied or we are satisfied that not a single shot will be fired ever again and all arms there will be retrieved. I want to run them over with a bulldozer in front of them,” the President said.

He again wondered why the extremists did not seem to run out of ammunition and arms, and surmised that they could have been stockpiling these for years. ■

Robredo, Marcos poll tussle heats up

BY DJ YAP AND DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE CAMP of Vice President Leni Robredo ridiculed the latest moves of losing vice presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in pursuing his election protest, saying his claim was an attack not only on Robredo’s votes but his own.

“Marcos is throwing everything on the wall, hoping that something sticks,” according to the prefatory statement of the pretrial brief for the preliminary conference submitted by Robredo counsels Romulo Macalintal and Maria Bernadette Sardillo to the Supreme Court acting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).

In a news release, Macalintal said Marcos, in his protest, claimed that the 2016 Automated Election System was noncompliant with Republic Act No. 8436, as amended, “a defect

which he claims has rendered the whole automated election system null and void.”

“Yet, in doing so, Marcos limits his questions to one position—the Vice Presidency. It is clear, however, that his claim effectively attacks not only protestee Robredo’s canvassed votes but also his own,” the lawyer said.

Marcos now wants the PET to proclaim him as the winner in an election “which he simultaneously impugns and claims to be null and void,” Macalintal said.

“Marcos then proceeds to contradict himself by asking for relief inconsistent with his claim that the 2016 elections was invalid,” he said.

Macalintal noted that while Marcos limited his allegations to a barangay or municipality, he was seeking the annulment of the results of the elections in an entire province.

Marcos is also asking for the revision of votes in all clustered precincts in 22 provinces and five highly urbanized cities, in

MANAMAPE.DFA.GOV.PH

effect outside the ambit of an election protest, he said.

“With due respect, Marcos must come before the Honorable Tribunal certain, at the outset, of his cause and able to prove it, and certainly without resorting to false testimonies,” the statement said.

Robredo defeated Marcos by a close margin of a little more than 260,000 votes in last year’s general elections.

Marcos on Friday asked the PET to conduct a vote recount www.canadianinquirer.net

in the home province of Robredo and in two provinces in the Visayas where the Vice President posted landslide wins in the May 2016 elections.

Marcos found it “highly improbable” that Robredo got more than 80 percent of the votes cast in Camarines Sur, where she served as representative immediately before she won as Vice President.

Marcos also questioned Robredo’s wins in Iloilo and Negros Oriental where he claimed

to have had the support of political families in those provinces.

In his case brief submitted by his lawyer George Garcia to the PET on Friday, Marcos said the investigation of the results in these three provinces would best show that he had grounds for his election protest.

The PET has scheduled the preliminary conference for Marcos’ protest on July 11.

According to Marcos’ spokesperson, Victor Rodriguez, the three provinces showed “major discrepancies” between the actual ballots cast and the votes transmitted by the vote counting machines.

He questioned how Robredo obtained 643,865 votes in Camarines Sur when two other Bicolano candidates obtained combined votes of less than a tenth of Robredo’s votes.

Senators Francis Escudero and Gregorio Honasan who are from Sorsogon province obtained 36,509 and 7,005 votes, respectively. Marcos got 40,195 votes in Camarines Sur. ■

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Philippine News

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Court OKs Revilla’s hospital visit

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer FORMER SENATOR Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was granted leave by the Sandiganbayan to visit his ailing 90-yearold father next week but for a period shorter than he requested.

In a June 15 resolution, the antigraft court’s First Division allowed Revilla, who is on trial for plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam, to visit his father, former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City.

The first furlough is set on June 19 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. while the second is on June 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Revilla, in his urgent June 14 motion, originally wanted to visit his father on the first date from 6 a.m. to 12 noon, and on the second date, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In his motion, the former TV and movie actor said he was “deeply concerned about the medical condition” of the elder Revilla, who was scheduled to undergo a medical procedure for his heart ailment on June 19.

The court earlier granted Revilla’s requests to visit his father in December, February and March. He is being held at the detention center of the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

In the resolution approved by First Division chair Justice Efren De La Cruz the court said Revilla would be transported from his detention cell no earlier than an hour before the appointed time.

The court said the Philippine National Police would have control and supervision over Revilla’s use of cell phones or any other electronic gadget for communication during the hospital visit. ■

PNP to deploy ‘ethical’ hackers to catch web intruders

BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer WITH THE website of the Philippine National Police under constant intrusion, the police information technology management service (ITMS) has decided to deploy “ethical” hackers to thwart the intruders.

“If you want to know how the hackers do it, you need to be a hacker, too. But ethical,” said ITMS planning and public information officer Chief Insp. Jhoanna Garcia Fabro in a press briefing on Friday in Camp Crame.

“We are building our pool of ethical hackers so that we’ll be able to check the vulnerability of our systems, networks and databases,” Fabro said.

The move will boost the PNP’s capacity to check hacking activities, such as defacing the PNP website or extracting confidential data from the national police, she said.

However, Fabro declined to give details of the recruitment of “ethical” hackers who would be helping the police protect the PNP cyberinfrastructure.

According to the ITMS web service head, Chief Insp. Felizardo Eubra, the PNP’s webpage is a “targeted website” and any attack against it will have “political implications.” www.canadianinquirer.net

Constant monitoring

“We are constantly monitoring suspicious hacking activities,” Eubra said.

“We are very watchful when it comes to that. We are resisting a number of attacks daily. We are being probed continuously, 24 hours a day.”

He said ITMS aimed to be on constant alert to deter any attack.

Eubra said there was no 100-percent security, and that police chased away hackers cat-and-mouse style.

“We have levels of security and we treat every level of security as critical,” he added.

The most effective way to stop hacking is to frustrate the web intrusion by putting up measures that will isolate the attack on the PNP’s infrastructure on the internet, according to Eubra.

“We cannot stop a determined hacker,” he said. “What we can do is … make it harder for him to do it so that in the process, he will lose that motivation.”

After an intrusion is blocked, the ITMS would work with the Anti-Cyber Crime Group to identify the hacker, Fabro said.

“We have to protect the critical infrastructure of the PNP in cyberspace,” she said. “Not only do we deter hackers but [we] also identify and neutralize them.” ■

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

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Philippine News

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

SolGen argument negates Indonesia, Malaysia, need for ML, say petitioners Philippines launch joint sea patrols

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer WHY IMPOSE martial law then?

Solicitor General Jose Calida’s admission that President Duterte’s martial law authority is “not much different” from his power to call out the troops to quell a rebellion just did the government in, according to a lawyer of the petitioners questioning the emergency rule in Mindanao.

Marlon Manuel said Calida’s remarks during the oral arguments in the Supreme Court last week only proved that Mr. Duterte’s martial law proclamation was not necessary to deal with Maute group terrorists who seized Marawi City on May 23.

The lawyer for a group of Marawi women said no less than the state’s principal counsel acknowledged that Mr. Duterte could order the military to crush the Islamic Stateinspired terror attack even without declaring martial law.

“That is actually an admission that will go against the government’s position. Why? Because if there’s ‘ not much difference,’ then what can be done without martial law can also be done with martial law,” Manuel told the Inquirer.

BY ANDI JATMIKO The Associated Press

The remains of unidentified civilians retrieved in Marawi City believed to have been executed by terrorists are buried at a public cemetery in Barangay Dalipuga, Iligan City DIVINA M. SUSON / PNA

Sought for comment, Calida fired back at Manuel, maintaining that no less than the 1987 Constitution provided the President’s power to apply martial law if necessary.

submit today as ordered by the 15-member tribunal to all parties involved.

The court will rule on the case by July 5, or within 30 days from the filing of the petition, in accordance with the Consti‘Redundant’? Absurd tution.

Besides, the Solicitor General Under questioning by Senior said the 30-year-old Charter Associate Justice Antonio Cardefined the various powers of pio, Calida insisted that Mr. the President as Commander in Duterte’s Proclamation No. Chief.

216, which imposed martial law “Is he saying that the framers and suspended the privilege of of the Constitution wrote iden- the writ of habeas corpus in all tical or redundant powers of of Mindanao, was consistent the President? That’s absurd,” with the Constitution.

Calida said in a text message to Pressed by Carpio and other the Inquirer. justices, Calida admitted that the declaration of martial law did not give the President addiBecause if there’s ‘ not much tional legal powdifference,’ then what can be done Charter ers in dealing requirement without martial law can also be done with the terrorwith martial law.

“This shows ists. the absence of At some points the necessity for during the open the imposition court proceedof martial law, which is a very “The context of my statement ings, Calida used metaphors in important requirement of the is that Section 18, Article VII of defending the President’s marConstitution,” he said. the 1987 Constitution degraded tial law declaration, describ“Even if there’s rebellion or and diminished the martial law ing it as “calling-out power on actual invasion, the public safe- powers of the President,” he ex- steroids” and an “exclamation ty must compel the imposition plained. point.” of martial law,” he added. “‘Not much difference’ means Apparently amused by his If the government fails to there is still difference. There play of words, Chief Justice Maprove that the imposition of are still things that can be done ria Lourdes Sereno reminded military rule was a “compul- in a martial law situation which him that taking steroids could sion,” Manuel said enforcing it the calling-out power cannot,” actually adversely affect a per“cannot be justified.” he added. son’s health.

Section 18, Article VII of the “Steroids give the appearance 1987 Constitution authorizes Memorandum of increased muscular presthe President to declare martial Calida said he would ex- ence. It can give the appearance law “in case of invasion or re- pound on the matter in the of greater power. However, bellion, when the public safety memorandum that the Office steroids do not address the illrequires it.” of the Solicitor General would ness,” Sereno said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

TARAKAN, INDONESIA — Southeast Asian neighbours Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines launched co-ordinated maritime patrols on Monday to intensify their fight against Islamic militants who have laid siege to a southern Philippine city.

Defence ministers and military chiefs from the three countries launched the patrols in the Indonesian city of Tarakan in northern Borneo, just across the border from Sabah, Malaysia.

Indonesia’s military chief, Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, said Maritime Command Centers were also opened in the cities of Tawau in Malaysia and Bongao in the Philippines. The information and intelligence sharing centres establish designated sea lanes for ships in the seas along the countries’ borders to prevent Islamic State groupaligned militants in the southern Philippines from fleeing to neighbouring nations.

The conflict in the Philippine city of Marawi has raised fears that the Islamic State group’s violent ideology is gaining a foothold in the country’s restive south, where Muslim separatists have fought for greater autonomy for decades.

Nurmantyo said the idea of the trilateral maritime patrols was initiated by the countries last year to maintain stability in the region in the face of threats such as piracy, kidnapping, terrorism and other crimes in regional waters.

“This trilateral co-operation is needed to anticipate infiltration possibility of IS-aligned militants from Marawi disguised as refugees,” Nurmantyo said in a speech.

Philippine military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the co-ordinated patrols aim to tighten protection along porous borders and prevent abductions at high seas.

They will also help prevent the movement of fugitives seeking haven in a different country or

planning to provide assistance to jihadists, he said.

He said immigration procedures should also be strengthened since they are the first line of defence in blocking militants who come in through the countries’ airports.

“The enemy we face right now is a different breed, and with the presence of foreign fighters in the area — a matter that we are trying to validate and prove based on whatever we recover from the field — is part of that continuing concern,” he told reporters in the Philippines. He was referring to the reported presence in Marawi of foreign fighters, who he said bring a kind of terrorism seen in the Middle East but not practiced by local militants.

Thousands of troops and police are struggling to end the 28-day siege by Muslim militants aligned with the Islamic State group. Officials said the fighting has left at least 26 civilians, 257 militants and 62 security forces dead.

Monday’s opening ceremony of the joint patrols was held on board an Indonesian warship and was attended by security officials from Singapore and Brunei, who acted as observers.

Authorities in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslimmajority nation, have carried out a sustained crackdown on militants since bombings on Bali in 2002 by al-Qaida-affiliated radicals that killed 202 people. In recent years, it has faced a new threat as the rise of the Islamic State group in the Middle East has breathed new life into local militant networks and raised concerns about the risk of Indonesian fighters returning home from fighting with IS. Marawi is 750 kilometres (465 miles) northeast of Tarakan in Indonesia’s North Kalimantan province. ■ Associated Press writer Teresa Cerojano in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

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Ched: Worst fears over for K-12 program

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE “WORST fears” about the government’s K-12 education reform program are over.

A massive drop in the enrollment of college freshmen hasn’t happened, according to the Commission on Higher Education (Ched).

“We’ve been doing this over two cycles already and there were some very interesting things that came out,” Commissioner Prospero de Vera III told reporters on Tuesday.

He said the government recorded a drop of only “20 to 25 percent” in the annual college freshman enrollment after the Department of Education (DepEd) included a two-year senior high school— regarded as general university courses— to the previous 10-year basic education program.

20-25 percent drop

“The actual drop is a reduction of between 20 and 25 percent … the total number of students in higher education is a little over 2 million so about 20 percent of that is the annual drop,” De Vera said.

“The worst-case scenarios then was that private schools will start firing teachers … that there will be no new freshmen because there is no intake

CHED Commissioner Prospero de Vera III announces during a press briefing in Malacañang on June 20, 2017 that the P8.3-billion allocation for free undergraduate education is currently being implemented.

KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

from high school,” he added.

“But remember, in anticipation of senior high, some private schools requested authority to accelerate students and this was approved by (DepEd) previously so there are graduates,” De Vera said.

“Even some public schools actually have programs that accelerate students … . As it turned out, there are (college) freshmen who are coming in plus there was a significant increase in freshmen

who did not enroll previously but decided now to go to university,” he added.

‘Underutilized’ funds

De Vera said the CHEd budget for the K-12 transition program, which was intended to help affected faculty members, was “underutilized.”

Dole steps up campaign vs child labor

BY JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is strengthening its monitoring of business establishments to prevent and stop child labor by 2025.

Adeline de Castro, DOLE planning service director, said they were closely coordinating with government agencies and local government units, down to the barangay level.

The coordination is being carried out to strictly monitor and implement general labor standards, especially laws banning child labor.

“We are serious in the commitment to end child labor by the year 2025. We aim for 1 million children to be free from child labor, especially those in the agriculture and mining sector,” she said.

Inspection teams ensure the compliance of establishments with labor standards, occupational safety and health standards, and if the company employs

workers below the mandated working age.

De Castro said they would work with barangays, municipalities, and provincial governments in encouraging informal management sectors to enlist with the DOLE so that the agency may conduct inspections.

“This may lessen and soon eradicate child labor practices and exploitation in the rural areas,” she said.

She cited informal sectors in the agriculture and mining industry, which do not have legitimate and proper registration papers. This makes it difficult for DOLE inspection teams to reach such sectors.

Giovanni Soledad of the International Labor Organization noted that children younger than 15 years old were forced to work under hazardous conditions after calamities, such as Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan), to provide income and food for their families.

He added that some of the male children were also forced to drop out of school to do agricultural work. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

“It’s more than a billion pesos annually … a large amount had been spent but we were hoping that we get zero balance since, every year, new money is coming in, so we were hoping that it would be used up,” he said.

The K-12 transition fund is meant to cover scholarships for affected faculty members who are interested in working for master’s or doctoral degrees, or those who lose their jobs and can be seconded to other government agencies, and for projects of universities that can help in the transition. “[But] it’s also difficult to get 100-percent utilization (of the fund) because the university has to plan for [its] professors … . [It] cannot send all of them simultaneously to graduate school.

There’s going to be disruption,” De Vera said.

“So we have to wait for the universities to [submit] their manpower plan and, only if they have a manpower plan can they designate who should be released to [take up] scholarships,” he said.

“Not all the universities have the same timeline for manpower plans. You cannot program exactly how many faculty members you will be sending and we’re dependent on applications,” he added. ■

Philippine News

8

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Islamic State poses a growing threat to Southeast Asia

BY MATTHEW PENNINGTON The Associated Press

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WASHINGTON — Southeast Asia’s jihadis who fought by the hundreds for the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria now have a different battle closer to home in the southern Philippines. It’s a scenario raising significant alarm in Washington.

The recent assault by IS-aligned fighters on the Philippine city of Marawi has left more than 300 people dead, exposing the shortcomings of local security forces and the extremist group’s spreading reach in a region where counterterrorism gains are coming undone.

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress last week that a long-running U.S. military operation to help Philippine forces contain extremist fighters was cancelled prematurely three years ago. Small numbers of U.S. special forces remain in an “advise and assist” role, and the U.S. is providing aerial surveillance to help the Philippines retake Marawi, an inland city of more than 200,000 people.

But lawmakers, including from President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, want a bigger U.S. role, short of boots on the ground. They fear the area is becoming a new hub for Islamist fighters fromSoutheast Asia and beyond.

“I don’t know that ISIS are directing operations there but they are certainly trying to get fighters into that region,” said Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, using another acronym for the group.

“We need to address the situation. It should not get out of control.”

U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism officials note that IS has publicly accepted pledges from various groups in the Philippines. In a June 2016 video, it called on followers in Southeast Asia to go to the Philippines if they cannot reach Syria.

About 40 foreigners, mostly from neighbouring Indonesia and Malaysia, have been among 500 involved in fighting in Marawi, the Philippine military says. Reports indicate at least one Saudi, a Chechen and a Yemeni were killed. In all, more than 200 militants have died in the standoff, now in its fourth week.

Video obtained by The Associated Press from the Philippine military indicates an alliance of local Muslim fighters, aligned with IS, is co-ordinating complex attacks. They include the Islamic State’s purported leader in Southeast Asia: Isnilon Hapilon, a Filipino on Washington’s list of most-wanted terrorists, with a $5 million bounty on his head.

U.S. officials are assessing whether

Photos of high-powered firearms recovered from terrorists were shown during the Mindanao Hour in Malacañang.

KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

any of the estimated 1,000 Southeast Asians who travelled to Iraq and Syria in recent years are fighting in Catholicmajority Philippines. They fear ungoverned areas in the mostly Muslim region around Marawi could make the area a terror hub, as in the 1990s.

Then, the Philippines was a base of operations for al-Qaida leaders like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Ramzi Yousef, who plotted in 1994-95 to blow up airliners over the Pacific. The plot was foiled.

But the same men were instrumental in the 9-11 attacks on the United States.

Other nations share the fear. Singapore recently warned of IS exerting a radicalizing influence “well beyond” what al-Qaida and Jemaah Islamiyah ever mustered. Jemaah Islamiyah carried out major terror attacks around the region in the 2000s. IS already has been linked to attacks in Indonesia and Malaysia, and foiled plots in Singapore, this past year.

This month, Mattis told the region’s defence chiefs that “together we must act now to prevent this threat from growing.” In Congress this past week, he stressed intelligence sharing and nations like Singapore sharing the burden, rather than deploying U.S. troops.

More than 500 U.S. special forces were based in the Mindanao region from 2002 to 2014, advising and training Filipino forces against the Abu Sayyaf, a group notorious for bombings and kidnappings. When it ended, Philippine and U.S. officials voiced concern the U.S. withdrawal “could lead to a resurgence of a renewed terrorist threat,” the RAND Corp. later reported. Months before the withdrawal, Abu Sayyaf pledged support

www.canadianinquirer.net

to IS. Supporting the Philippines isn’t straightforward in Washington. President Rodrigo Duterte is accused of overlooking and even condoning indiscriminate killings by his forces in a war on drugs. Thousands have died. But that campaign has involved mainly police and anti-narcotic forces, not the military leading the anti-IS fight.

Still, the Philippine government is partly to blame for Marawi’s violence, said Zachary Abuza, a Southeast Asia expert at the National War College. He said the root cause was the government’s failure to fulfil a 2014 peace agreement with the nation’s largest Muslim insurgency, which fueled recruitment for ISinspired groups.

Ernst, who chairs a Senate panel on emerging threats, wants the U.S. military to restart a higher-profile, “named operation” helping the Philippines counter IS. The Pentagon retains between 50 and 100 special forces in the region. At the request of the Philippine military, it has deployed a P3 Orion plane to surveil Marawi. It gave more than 600 assault firearms to Filipino counterterrorism forces last week.

Duterte has retreated from threats to expel U.S. forces from the Philippines as he seeks better ties with China. He said recently he hadn’t sought more U.S. help, but was thankful for what he was getting.

“They’re there to save lives,” Duterte said. ■ Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann in Washington and Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

9

La Niña not likely this year

BY JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella together with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson, Brig. Gen Restituto Padilla Jr., provide updates on the ongoing progress of the Marawi crisis.

KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Kids write letters thanking troops in Marawi

BY ERIKA SAULER Philippine Daily Inquirer MORE THAN 2,000 letters of gratitude have poured in from students in Metro Manila for soldiers fighting terrorists in Marawi City after a doctor started a donation drive for garments and thank-you notes to help keep their spirit up.

Dr. Tiger Garrido has gathered around 600 pairs of black socks and underwear after launching “Oplan Malasakit” drive on his Facebook account on June 12, Independence Day. After delivering goods in Kampo Ranao in Marawi with his friend Joe Green, Garrido learned from the soldiers that they lacked socks and underwear.

A soldier, who is also his friend, told the doctor that receiving letters from their loved ones kept the soldiers’ spirit high.

“We just want our heroes to get the recognition and support of the very people they are protecting and giving their lives for,” Garrido told the Inquirer on Sunday.

Spreading the word

Rinz Araneta, an English teacher at PAREF Woodrose School in Muntinlupa City, learned about Garrido’s efforts and helped spread the word to her students and fellow teachers.

Students from Woodrose, De

La Salle Santiago Zobel School in Muntinlupa City, Veritas Catholic School in Parañaque City, and Culiat Elementary School in Quezon City wrote letters of gratitude to the soldiers fighting in Marawi.

The teachers also accepted e-mails from other senders, which they wrote by hand to make the message more personal.

The garments and letters were supposed to be delivered to Marawi on Monday but the delivery was moved to later this week to accommodate more people who wanted to donate.

THERE IS little to no possibility of the La Niña climatological phenomenon recurring this year, according to the weather models studied by the weather bureau.

In fact, Analiza Solis of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Climatological and Agrometeorological division said sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean remains “neutral.”

And this neutral condition is “favored to continue throughout September to November,” Solis said.

She said there is a 50- to 55-percent chance of conditions remaining neutral in the Philippines until the end of the year with 18 out of 25 climate models predicting the same.

But, Solis said, there is a 28-percent chance of El Niño developing in 2017 with seven climatological models predicting hotter and drier weather.

Negligible chances

“There are negligible chances of La Niña, but there are higher chances of El Niño or neutral conditions by the end of 2017,” Solis said.

Writing not easy

In his Facebook account, Garrido posted the location of drop-off points in Alabang, Makati City, Pasig City, Quezon City, Cebu and Bacolod.

“I thought it would be easy to write a letter but it was actually quite difficult,” Araneta said.

“Other senders also told me it was very hard for them to start writing. What do you say to these people? How do we comfort them? We don’t know what it’s like to risk our lives for our country,” she said.

“We just want them to know that we honor them and we are grateful for their sacrifice. We admire them for their bravery.

The kids were able to express it very well in their cards,” Araneta said.

One letter read, “We all pray for you. Take care. Thank you.

Be brave.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

El Niño is a collective term for a set of anomalies in sea surface that cause fewer rain in different parts of the Pacific Rim while La Niña causes more rain.

The weather bureau made the clarification after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a memorandum urging local government units to start preparing for La Niña this year.

In a statement last June 15, the DILG said Pagasa was “keeping watch on the development of La Niña as the tropical Pacific continues to exhibit cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures.”

‘Neutral’ sea surface temps

Pagasa, however, clarified that that was just a speculation and actual sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific remains “neutral,” meaning there is no La Niña or El Niño phenomenon present.

“So regarding the report we heard yesterday about La Niña, there’s actually very little chance of La Niña developing,” Solis said.

“Based on climatological probabilities, there are negligible chances of La Niña, but there are higher chances of El Niño or neutral conditions at

the end of 2017,” Solis said.

For June so far, Pagasa noted way-below to below-normal rainfall conditions in the country, especially in Luzon. No tropical cyclones entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in May until the present.

9-14 cyclones until Nov

“The last time we had no [tropical cyclone] in May was in 1998. That was an El Niño year,” Solis noted.

Hence, “weak La Niña years” suggest that only one or two tropical cyclones are expected to enter or develop in the PAR this June.

For the rest of the month, Pagasa forecasts generally nearnormal rainfall conditions in the country, with only patches of above-normal rainfall conditions especially in Luzon.

Nine to 14 tropical cyclones more are expected to hit the Philippines until November, Pagasa said.

Pagasa advised the public to monitor their official channels either through their website or social media accounts for weather updates and assessments.

The Pagasa has started streaming weather reports and briefings live on its Facebook account. ■

10

Philippine News

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Tourism ad message is ‘genuine’ Blind Japanese retiree in scrapped TV commercial truly loves PH experience, says wife

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer DESPITE THE controversy, the Department of Tourism commercial featuring blind Japanese retiree Masaru Uchimura was based on a real person with a real life story, his wife said Saturday.

“The message the ad wants to convey is genuine,” said Uchimura’s Filipino wife Kukai Nye, a native of Bacolod City.

Nye said she and her husband, whom she and their friends call “Massy,” are sorry people feel the television commercial was a little too similar to a South African ad two years ago. “[But] it’s based on Massy’s true story,” Nye told the Inquirer from New York in an online Facebook chat.

“He traveled to a lot of other places like New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Vietnam and the United States,” she said.” Hewas also looking for a place to retire and he chose to stay in the Philippines.”

“He enjoys his experiences in the Philippines and he recommends our country to his friends,” said Nye, who shared several pictures of her husband.

Nye said her husband has not only gone to the Northern Luzon destinations shown in the commercial but also to many other places in the Visayas. She accompanies him on his trips.

She said Massy appreciates living in the tropics because “there’s no snow here. In fact, even Baguio is cold for him.”

The 37-year-old Nye, a caregiver, met Massy in 2005, when he was a 61-year-old retired civil servant who first visited the Philippines the year before.

“At first, he wanted a Chinese caregiver because he also speaks Chinese. But most of his Japanese friends recommended he get a Filipina because ‘they are the best in the world and they take care of you like you’re family,’” Nye said.

“He listened to his friends, who have traveled around the world like him and who told him there’s something special about Filipinos [who] have a happy outlook in life,” she added.

After hiring Kukai, Massy brought her to Japan but they later returned to the Philippines and lived in Dumaguete City for one year and in Mactan, Cebu for seven years.

While in Mactan, Uchimura got a special resident retiree

visa (SRRV) issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority and urged his foreigner friends to get their own SRRVs because of its benefits.

Uchimura, Nye said, has since grown fond of Filipino food, favoring Bacolod inasal (barbecued chicken), lechon, dinuguan and balot. As shown in the ad, he also favors San Miguel Beer and is a big fan of Bacoleño musician Jose Mari Chan.

Uchimura, who is fluent in English, is also very comfortable in the Philippines because people understand him.

“Nearly everybody can speak or understand English, so he has no problem interacting with people,” Nye said.

And although blind, Nye said Uchimura has said he can sense and hear the joy of the Filipinos around him.

“Despite his handicap, he loves traveling around the Philippines, meeting people.

He’s glad being given a chance to promote our country whose people he loves very much,” Nye said.

Nye said both she and husband thought the commercial was beautiful and regretted the DOT has decided to cancel its P650-million contract

PNA

with its producer, McCann WorldGroup Philippines.

“He and I were very happy with the video. He’s now suddenly famous. The ad is beautiful. It’s a shame it had to be pulled out,” she said.

Uchimura, who is turning 73 on June 22, is currently in Tokyo for medical treatment but, Nye said, they hope to be together by October when they will stay for good in their new

farm in Talisay, Negros Occidental, near Bacolod City.

“We are both eager to return home soon because we miss our dogs,” she said, looking forward to their 10th wedding anniversary on June 27.

“Massy is old but young at heart,” Nye said, adding he will surely continue to travel around the Philippines, enjoying his encounters with Filipinos and their culture. ■

Senators seek inquiry into downgrade of raps vs cops

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer THE SENATE minority bloc is seeking an investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) decision to downgrade charges against the policemen accused in the killing last year of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., a suspected drug lord who was gunned down in a predawn raid on the Leyte subprovincial jail while allegedly being served an arrest warrant.

Along with Sen. Panfilo Lacson as coauthor, the six-member bloc is drafting a resolution expressing the “grave concern of the Senate” on the move of the DOJ to downgrade from double murder to the bailable offense of homicide the charges against Supt. Marvin Marcos

and 18 other policemen.

Franklin Drilon said on Tues- committee report adopted by The move came a day after day that the resolution calling the Senate,” Drilon said in a text Lacson urged the Senate to on Lacson’s committee to con- message. denounce the DOJ action that duct the hearing would be filed In March, the Senate adoptwent radically against not only on Wednesday. ed Lacson’s committee report, findings of the committee on Congress is adjourned un- which recommended murder public order and dangerous til July 24, but Drilon said the charges against Marcos and his men following a drugs, which he finding that they chaired, but also killed Espinosa of the National and another inBureau of Inmate, Raul Yap, vestigation that They had a spurious search warrant and then when they entered [the jail], in cold blood infiled the cases they ordered the jail guards to kneel against Marcos side a jail in Bayand turn their backs and then the and his men in bay, Leyte, last killings happened. So what do you court. year. call that?

In a statePresident ment, Drilon Duterte, who has said the DOJ waged a bloody war on drugs, has move was “an accused Espinosa of involve- hearing could be held if Lacson insult to the Senate.” He notment in the narcotics trade. ed that Justice Secretary Viagreed to it.

“It can be justified as part of taliano Aguirre II had told the Senate resolution the committee’s oversight work Senate hearing that Espinosa’s Senate Minority Leader on the implementation of the killing would qualify as a “prewww.canadianinquirer.net

meditated killing.”

“It now begs the question: Why did the DOJ suddenly reverse its earlier decision, which was supported by ample evidence? Why not allow the court to determine if it’s murder or homicide?” Drilon said.

Review of rules

Lacson said he would review the rules and decide if a hearing could be conducted.

He said he was joining the minority resolution because he was standing by his committee’s recommendation that was unanimously adopted by the Senate.”

“I will do so, not based on politics, friendship or anything related to it but solely on truth and justice,” Lacson said in a ❱❱ PAGE 13 Senators seek

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

11

Looting after Resorts World tragedy? Items stolen from dead, says solon

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer A CONGRESSMAN’S wife who died in the Resorts World Manila attack had her Rolex watch removed from her body and had money stolen from her ATM card three days after the incident, a lawmaker told a House inquiry on Wednesday.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel revealed during the joint inquiry on the June 2 incident that there was “looting” of the valuables of the fatalities, including Elizabeth Panlilio Gonzales, wife of Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. Relaying information given to him by the grieving Gonzales, Pimentel said valuable items were missing from the body of the former’s wife, including her “Rolex watch, credit card and ATM card,” after it was sent to the morgue.

“The incident happened on June 2, but there was withdrawal of P25,000 on June 5 from her ATM card. How could that be possible? Somebody used her ATM card,” said Pimentel, chair of the House good government and public accountability committee.

Gonzales was among the 37 victims who died after inhaling smoke when a lone gunman stormed the casino hotel on June 2, fired shots in the air, torched gaming tables, set himself on fire and then shot himself dead.

During the hearing held jointly by the House panels on public order and safety, games and amusements, and tourism, Pimentel said he also wished to ask the families of the other victims to determine if they

also experienced looting of the valuables or whether they suspected it.

Following up on that line of questioning, Valenzuela Rep. Wes Gatchalian grilled police officers on who had first access to the fatalities and who were responsible for retrieving their bodies.

National Capital Region Police Office director Oscar Albayalde denied that the police were the ones who retrieved the corpses at the scene.

“The PNP (Philippine National Police) did not take the dead,” he told the body.

“Whatever belongings were there, it was not the PNP that took those things. If these were intact, SOCO (scene-of-thecrime operatives) will remove them, then the items will be turned over the investigator, who should be the one to give back the valuables to the families,” he said.

Albayalde said it was not the SOCO who determined which funeral parlor the bodies were to be taken but the investigator-on-case, depending on which ones were accredited by the police crime laboratory.

David Chua Ming Huat, chairman of the board of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., which owns Resorts World Manila, appeared at the hearing to express his regret for what happened.

“Allow me, and on behalf of the Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., its board of directors, management and staff, to express our deepest sympathies to the families of all who perished and were injured,” he said.

“This unfortunate event has affected so many people and will permanently change the

lives of 37 families and 6,000 Resorts World Manila staff and personnel. I count myself among them as I have been part of Resorts World Manila from the very beginning,” he said.

Chua also pleaded with the lawmakers to consider the contributions of Resorts World Manila to the Philippine economy following suggestions that the casino hotel’s license could be revoked as a result of the incident.

“We ask you to consider what Resorts World Manila has contributed and continues to contribute for the country. We have invested $1.3 billion in Resorts World Manila alone, with another $1.1 billion earmarked for Resorts World Westside City,” he said.

“We significantly contributed to the Philippine government coffers approximately P40 billion in license fees and other taxes. Since 2008, we created approximately 26,000 direct and indirect jobs. Currently, we have 6,000 staff and personnel,” Chua said.

Lawmakers earlier indicated their desire to have gaming operators again be subject to a congressional franchise, instead of licensing by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Chua said: “While we grieve with the affected families, let it not be forgotten that we are victims, too. This was an attack on our home and we lost people who are dear to us.”

“We hope that with the assistance of Congress and the other governmental agencies present, we can start the painful and difficult task of rebuilding as it is also our responsibility to take care of our 6,000 staff and personnel,” he said. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella assures the public that President Rodrigo R. Duterte is well and now in Davao City.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Palace: Nothing... return to work.

“He’s taking some time off so I cannot really give you the definite date [of his return to work]. He’s just taking some time off to rejuvenate,” he said. “Tired. He’s just tired. Like I said, he has been on the road for about 23 days.”

Mr. Duterte spent “private time” inside Malacañang for the fourth straight day on Thursday “mainly resting,” according to the spokesperson.

When asked if Mr. Duterte had seen a doctor, Abella said: “I am not privy to those matters but I am sure he has checked with his own experts.”

Mr. Duterte has not been seen in public since he condoled with the families of Marines killed in the Marawi siege at the Villamor Air Base and Marines headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on Sunday night.

He was absent during the Independence Day rites on Monday with Vice President Leni Robredo standing in for him at the last minute as he was reportedly tired and not feeling well. ❰❰ 1

National security issue

Two members of the “Magnificent Seven” independent minority bloc in the House of Representatives pressed the President to explain his absence from public functions.

“The absence of the President from the public is very unusual especially [since] there is still

an ongoing crisis in Marawi.

Much more to be absent for a week without explanation except to rest,” Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said in a group message to reporters.

Alejano said the Office of the President should be honest about Mr. Duterte’s condition, as his health was a matter of public interest and a “national security issue.”

“People cannot help but speculate about the status of the President’s health. Malacañang should be forthright in informing the public about this. [The] President’s health is a national security issue,” said Alejano, a vocal critic of the admin- istration.

Asked if Robredo should take over in a temporary capacity while the President went on a leave of absence, he said he didn’t think such a scenario was likely.

“I think they will not do that even if assuming RRD is sick…”

Alejano said, referring to Mr. Duterte by his initials.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, for his part, said he agreed with the Magdalo representative.

“The President’s health is a national concern. Transparency is a must,” he said.

Section 12, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution states that “in case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health.” ■

12

Philippine News

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

DND, AFP execs brief SC on rebellion

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer THE SUPREME Court on Thursday wrapped up three days of oral arguments after a closeddoor briefing by top defense and military officials on the security situation in Marawi City and the rest of Mindanao and prepared to rule within the 30day limit prescribed in the Constitution on the legality of President Duterte’s martial law declaration in the region.

Briefing reporters at the conclusion of hearings on three petitions questioning the constitutionality of Mr. Duterte’s proclamation on May 23, following the siege of Marawi by Islamic State-allied terrorists, spokesperson Theodore Te said the magistrates directed the parties to submit their respective memorandums by June 19.

Te said that after the presentation by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Gen. Eduardo Año, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the justices continued their questioning of the lawyers for the petitioners and the government.

Lorenzana, the designated martial law administrator, and Año faced the magistrates and the lawyers for the petitioners in a seven-hour “internal discussion” at the request of Solicitor General Jose Calida, according to Te. In the previous hearings, the magistrates had complained that the petitioners had not provided information with which to base a decision on the sufficiency of the factual basis for the declaration. Some justices averred that other areas in Mindanao remained peaceful.

Te said Rule 119, Section 21 of the Rules of Court allowed the tribunal to “exclude the public when the information that will be disclosed may be prejudicial

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte interacts with evacuees from Marawi City during his visit.

ACE MORANDANTE / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

the Supreme Court, in its dis- Documents or detrimental.”

According to Calida, the As ordered by the magis- cretion, limited the members trates, he said only Albay Rep. and persons who can hear the documents furnished the justices were different from the Edcel Lagman was allowed to testimonies,” Calida said.

The state’s top lawyer said annexes that the Office of the represent the petitioners in hearing the presentation and he was optimistic that the high Solicitor General attached to its the interpellation of the mili- court would uphold the legality consolidated comment on the three separate tary officials. petitions.

“After satisfyAs directed ing itself of the by the Constiinformation preIn the previous hearings, the tution, Te said sented by the magistrates had complained that the high court respondents, the petitioners had not provided should resolve [the court] has information with which to base a the case within directed the pardecision on the sufficiency of the 30 days from the ties to submit factual basis for the declaration. filing of the petitheir memorantion, or not later dum simultanethan July 5. ously [on June On Thursday, 19],” Te told a of Mr. Duterte’s order, which, Chief Presidential Legal Counpress briefing. according to him, was intended sel Salvador Panelo said the Military actions to preserve the country’s de- concern voiced by Supreme Court Justice Mariano del CasSpeaking with reporters, mocracy.

Calida said Año and Lorenzana “If you ask me, I am confi- tillo that Mr. Duterte might be presented intelligence infor- dent. The government is confi- “emboldened” to put the entire country under martial rule was mation and other operational dent,” Calida said. details of the military actions A military intelligence offi- “misplaced” because the 1987 in connection with the Marawi cial showed a Powerpoint pre- Constitution provided safesiege to support the factual bas- sentation of the operations of guards. es of Mr. Duterte’s martial law government forces proving that “Maybe, the apprehension is proclamation. there was actual rebellion in based on the abuses commit“Because of the sensitivity Marawi that justified the Presi- ted by the previous martial law of the answers that were given, dent’s action, he said. declared by the late President

www.canadianinquirer.net

[Ferdinand] Marcos,” Panelo told reporters.

“That has been solved by the safeguards imposed by the Constitution to allay fears of any abuse,” he added.

Panelo said these safeguards included limiting martial law to 60 days and the provision that Congress could revoke it.

He said martial law could only be declared in other parts of the country if the situation in these areas required it.

“My take on this is that it is not a question of whether or not the declaration of martial law would embolden the President or any President for that matter. The question is whether or not the facts obtaining constitutionally required the declaration of martial law,” Panelo said.

Nationwide ML

“So, we do not know that yet.

As of now, according to the President, the facts obtaining in Mindanao suffice that martial law has to be declared there,” he said.

Panelo also defended the President’s decision to declare martial law for the whole in Mindanao and not just in Marawi, where government troops are fighting Maute terrorists trying to take over the city.

He said the Maute group had a presence in other areas of Mindanao and their rebellion needed to be suppressed.

“As I said, they are wellplaced all over. These are not ordinary rebel groups, given the fact that they are still there fighting and it seems that their ammunition is unlimited,” he said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

13

DOJ chief asks CHR report of zero HR Cayetano to cancel abuses elates Palace Lascañas passport

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) is seeking the revocation of the passport of retired SPO3 Arturo Lascañas, who has been on the lam after linking President Duterte to grisly killings when the latter was still mayor of Davao City.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Thursday said he would ask Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to immediately cancel Lascañas’ travel documents after the Davao Regional Trial Court ordered his arrest last week for the murder of broadcaster Juan “Jun” Pala in 2003.

The former policeman flew out of the country in April for fear of political persecution from the Duterte administration.

“I have received threats that a lawsuit would be filed against me, and there are also people looking for me,” Lascañas told the Inquirer before flying to Singapore last April 8.

Aguirre said that three warrants of arrest had been issued against Lascañas.

“He has to be brought to court to face the charges against him,” Aguirre said in a statement.

The justice secretary said he was seeking Cayetano’s intervention “since there is no indication that [Lascañas] will return.”

Lascañas, who left for Singapore with his family, was sup-

posed to return to the country on April 22, said the Bureau of Immigration.

“Verily, his acts manifest his lack of desire to face the charges of murder and attempted murder filed against him … If he believes in his inno- cence, then he should welcome his arrest as a chance for him to clear his name and get on with his life,” Aguirre stressed.

“As it is said, when a crime goes unpunished, the world is unbalanced and the heavens will look down on us in shame. We cannot allow it. We will be remiss in our duty. We are equally guilty if we do so,” he added.

Davao Death Squad

Lascañas, Mr. Duterte’s known associate in Davao, had admitted in a Senate hearing to being a member of the dreaded Davao Death Squad (DDS), a vigilante group that he claimed was the President’s brainchild.

Prior to his confession, he had absolved Mr. Duterte from the similar allegations of fellow self-confessed DDS assassin Edgar Matobato.

Lascañas had particularly owned up to the murder of Pala, saying the President had ordered them to kill the radio broadcaster for criticizing Mr. Duterte in his radio program.

Lascañas named two other security aides of the President who allegedly helped him carry out the order, but they were not indicted by the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office. ■

MALACAÑANG YESTERDAY welcomed the statement of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that there were no reports of human rights violations in Mindanao nearly a month after President Duterte put the entire island under martial law.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the President’s declaration of martial law on May 23 was meant to ensure the safety of the public af- ter Abu Sayyaf bandits and members of the Maute terror group attacked Marawi City.

“We welcome the remarks of the Commission on Human Rights that there have been no reports of human rights abuses and/or violations committed by authorities after the President placed the whole island of Mindanao under martial law,” Abella said.

“Let this put to rest the fears and anxiety of some quarters against martial law,” he added.

Abella issued the statement after Human Rights Commissioner Roberto Eugenio Cadiz told the Inquirer on Friday that CHR regional offices had not reported any violations arising from martial law.

“But there are concerns this might be used for reasons other than quelling rebellion. It may be used for political reasons. There are fears of that, although it has not happened yet,” Cadiz said.

“We’re just airing concerns.

Chief Superintendent Agripino Javier, regional director of the Philippine National Police-10 (PNP-10), presents to the media Mohammad Noaim Maute, 22, a resident of Butig, Lanao del Sur, and a suspected bomb expert of the Maute group.

JIGGER J. JERUSALEM / PNA

We’re not saying it is happening. We’re saying it might,” he added.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) chapter in Lanao del Sur province earlier decried what it described as “wanton” illegal arrests and searches in Marawi.

In an open letter to the President, the IBP-Lanao del Sur chapter condemned the “wanton disregard of sanctity of domicile, the right against deprivation of property without due process of law, the right to be secure in one’s person, house, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures” that were alleged- ly committed by soldiers and policemen.

Malacanañg assured IBP members that all alleged abuses in Marawi would be stopped and the abusers would be punished.

Martial law critics have questioned its constitutionality before the Supreme Court, casting doubts on government claims that violence unleashed by the Abu Sayyaf and Maute rebels in Marawi constituted rebellion.

Others also pointed out that martial law should not have been declared over the whole is- land since the fighting was only in Marawi.

But Abella said that placing the whole island under martial law prevented the fighting from spilling over into other areas in Mindanao.

“As we said in previous occasions, public safety is foremost in the President’s mind in light of the continuing rebellion in Marawi and martial law is a necessary response to address the prevailing reign of terror and its potential spillover to the rest of Mindanao,” he said. ■

move to downgrade the cases.

Gordon told reporters: “The police came numbering either 25 or 30. They destroyed the lock of the jail at night. They had a spurious search warrant and then when they entered [the jail], they ordered the jail guards to kneel and turn their backs and then the killings happened. So what do you call that?

Are they insulting the people?

They should not insult the people.”

But Gordon was more for the

Espinosa family to petition the court for certiorari to review the DOJ action, which he said amounted to “abuse of discretion.”

The proposed resolution would stress that there is “no new evidence nor any compelling reason to reverse the finding that the Espinosa killing was premeditated” and “also sends a chilling message that abuses under the government’s war on drugs will be tolerated.” ■

Senators seek... text message.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who initiated the drafting of the resolution, said Aguirre would be invited to the hearing.

“We cannot allow Secretary Aguirre to continue to toy around with our justice system.

Enough’s enough,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

Sen. Leila de Lima, detained on drug charges, said that it seemed the DOJ initially adopted the NBI recommendation ❰❰ 10

“just for show, a charade, so as to please or satisfy the Senate and the public.”

De Lima, an archcritic of Mr. Duterte, said this only bolstered her suspicion that Marcos and his men “were actually carrying out an order to liquidate Mayor Espinosa, and that such order came from the top, the very top.”

DOJ decision

Senators Grace Poe, Richard Gordon and JV Ejercito—all

belonging to the majority—denounced the DOJ decision.

Poe said all the facts “provided more than sufficient probable cause to support the attendance of evident premeditation on the part of the suspects to kill Mayor Espinosa, carried out under the pretense of serving a search warrant.”

Ejercito tweeted that he agreed with Lacson that the DOJ move was a “travesty of justice.”

“Too obvious,” he said of the www.canadianinquirer.net

Opinion

14

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

PUBLIC LIVES

What happens when exception becomes rule?

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer SOLICITOR General Jose Calida, the government’s lead counsel in the Supreme Court hearings on the validity of imposing martial law in Mindanao, has taken the interesting view that Proclamation 216 does not give the President additional powers beyond the right to call out the troops. As my fellow columnist, Oscar Franklin Tan, pointed out in a short piece he recently wrote for the Inquirer online, this admission practically makes the cases before the high court moot.

Why declare martial law if it serves no legal purpose? Solgen Calida argued that while technically there’s no difference between the calling out power and martial law, the latter carries a bit more drama. He said: “It’s like a sentence; instead of a period, there’s an exclamation point. It’s psychological, an exclamation point—you better listen to me now because I imposed martial law.” Changing metaphors, he further characterized martial law as “the calling out power on steroids.”

Calida has convinced himself that Proclamation 216 is so harmless that, at one point during the hearings, he admonished Justice Antonio Carpio to help assure the

public that there’s really nothing to would not be aware that, when the A state of emergency could be conworry about in the President’s dec- framers of the 1987 Constitution cocted, expanded, or prolonged laration of ML in Mindanao. But rewrote the ML provisions in the beyond what is necessary. This is that’s not the impression one gets light of what happened during the what the power to review and to when one listens to his principal. Marcos regime, they virtually nul- revoke given to Congress and the On May 26, three days after declar- lified martial law as a tool of excep- Supreme Court by the 1987 Constitution seeks to prevent. ing ML in Mindanao, Mr. Duterte tional state powers.

But, these days, what worries So long as the argument remains told the troops in Iligan City: “During martial law, your commanders, at the level of the law, therefore, political theorists like Giorgio you, can arrest any person, search there is simply no way Solgen Cal- Agamben is not so much the abuse any house, wala nang (no need for ida can argue these cases for his of martial law powers as the norclient except by conceding that a malization of a state of emergency a) warrant.”

Maybe the President was exag- martial law declaration confers no without a formal declaration of the gerating, and, as his spokesmen additional constitutional powers need for special powers. Here, the executive invokes public safety to have explained a number of times, on the president. justify adopting he didn’t mean “a paradigm of sewhat he actually curity as the norsaid. But the imMartial law powers emerged in the context of war, mal technique of pact of such statewhen the very survival of the state itself necessitated government” (G. ments on those the use of extraordinary powers and the suspension of Agamben, “State who are charged normal liberties and individual rights. of Exception,” with enforcing 2005). There is a martial law on the But, this is not the concept of whole branch of political theory ground cannot be underestimated.

As the sociologist W.I. Thomas fa- ML that evolved in political and that deals with what is called the mously warned, “when men define legal theory. Martial law powers normalization of this “state of extheir situations as real, they tend to emerged in the context of war, ception”—when, on the pretext when the very survival of the state of protecting the public, the state be real in their consequences.”

People who have not read the itself necessitated the use of ex- effectively suspends normal legal 1987 Constitution’s restrictive traordinary powers and the sus- processes, strips human beings provisions on ML may have no pension of normal liberties and of their normal legal and political understanding of this coercive in- individual rights. The widespread rights, and anything becomes posstrument apart from what they nature of lawlessness prompted sible.

In this regard, it is important to went through, or heard, under the the sovereign to take drastic meaMarcos martial law regime. Ac- sures that in normal times would remind ourselves that, as the war cordingly, they might quietly sub- be subject to strict regulation. Like in Marawi rages and the entire city mit to any form of abuse if it’s done all state powers, the power to de- is reduced to ruins, we have barely in the name of martial law. They clare martial law could be abused. noticed that the killings in the

long-running war on drugs have continued unabated in the rest of the country. Dead bodies bearing the telltale marks of vigilante-style execution continue to pile up on our streets. There are easily more casualties in the war on drugs than in the Marawi war. Yet, the level of public alarm over the drug-related killings seems to have waned, as though the nation has finally reconciled itself to their necessity and inevitability.

Without minimizing the senseless loss of innocent lives and the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Marawi residents, one cannot help noticing how the formal declaration of martial law has quickly catalyzed the formation of a civil liberties movement and triggered the filing of cases challenging ML. In contrast, the attention paid to the routine violation of rights in the ongoing war on drugs seems to grow less by the day.

We have great reason to be vigilant when the government invokes the need for extraordinary powers in order to deal with emergency situations. But we should worry even more when, without having to invoke special powers, the state routinizes the use of violence and coercive means in dealing with social problems like drugs, and the public falls silent. ■

Speaker Alvarez threatens to dissolve Court of Appeals

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer AFTER CALLING the three members of the Court of Appeals (CA), who ordered the release of six Ilocos Norte officials and employees from detention at the House of Representatives, ignorant of the law and idiots, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez threatened to have the justices disbarred and to dissolve the country’s second highest tribunal altogether.

“They are not even our coequal branch,” Alvarez said in a radio interview on Friday.

“They only exist because they were created by Congress. Any time, we can dissolve them. So they better start thinking,” he added.

The three Associate Justices

of the CA Special Fourth Division—Stephen Cruz, Edwin Sorongon and Nina AntoninoValenzuela—granted the habeas corpus petition of the “Ilocos Six,” who had been held in contempt by the House.

The court ordered them released on bail but the House has rebuffed the CA’s June 9 order three times.

“That’s really gross ignorance of the law. That is why I will not honor their order to [allow the six] to post bail,” Alvarez said, adding that he would take responsibility for the House’s refusal to release the six.

In a text message to reporters earlier in the week, Alvarez said: “Mga gago ’yang tatlong justices na ’yan (Those three justices are idiots)!”

The six were cited for contempt and ordered detained

by Alvarez for allegedly refusing to answer questions during a House inquiry into the alleged irregular procurement of P66.45-million worth of vehicles by the provincial government.

“For me, they have no jurisdiction over us. Who are they to dictate Congress on what to do? We have rights that have been upheld by the Supreme Court a number of times,” Alvarez said.

Pedro Agcaoili, chair of the bids and awards committee and provincial planning and development officer, provincial budget officer Evangeline Tabulog, provincial treasurer Josephine Calajate, accountant Eden Battulayan and treasury office staff Genedine Jambaro and Encarnacion Gaor, have been detained since May 29. www.canadianinquirer.net

Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who visited them on Thursday, said several had fallen ill.

None of the three justices commented on Alvarez’s statements.

Lawyer Oscar Franklin Tan, a legal commentator and Inquirer columnist, said he did not believe Congress could outrightly dissolve the CA. He cites Section 2, Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution, which says that Congress has the power to “define, prescribe and apportion the jurisdiction of the various courts but may not deprive the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction over cases” enumerated in the charter and that “no law shall be passed reorganizing the judiciary when it undermines the security of tenure of its members.”

The CA was created by Commonwealth Act No. 3 passed in December 1935. Over the years, subsequent laws expanded the bench from the original 11 to 69 justices, distributed among 23 divisions.

Alvarez said Valenzuela should have inhibited herself “out of delicadeza” for being married to a former associate of Estelito Mendoza, the counsel for the Ilocos Six. He also said the discussion of the case should be restricted to its merits, not to the political feud between the Marcoses and Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.

It was Fariñas who called for an inquiry into the alleged irregular vehicle purchases. He has said Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos was directly involved in the alleged anomaly. ■

Opinion

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

15

AT LARGE

Lipsticks and letters

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer IN THE hierarchy of needs of the evacuees from Marawi, does lipstick have a place in the list? Surprisingly, it does, as the experience of other calamity survivors bear out. Soliciting for lipsticks, along with scarves and “dignity kits” for the women “bakwits” (the indigenized term for Mindanao evacuees) from Marawi, former social welfare secretary Dinky Soliman, who is helping coordinate the relief efforts, said the items are meant for public school teachers, social workers and volunteers with the Ranao Rescue and Al-Mujadilah Foundation, a Marawi-based development NGO. “The Maranao women we met said they want to have dignity in beauty,” texted Soliman in a message. “They are bakwits but will continue to be beautiful. It lifts their

very depressed spirits thinking about their destroyed city.”

Of course, rice, milk, foodstuffs, medicines, bedding—the basic necessities—still make up the most urgent needs of the displaced residents. But there is room, too, for other needs, such as books, school supplies and toys for the children, and the lipsticks, along with shawls, malongs (cotton tube outfits that serve as cover-ups, blankets, rain protection and even baby hammocks) and toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo for the women (and men). Surviving, after all, is not just a matter of eluding death or injury. It also entails finding the will to live, and the joy in life. And yes, putting on lipstick and being able to brush one’s teeth can go a long way toward lifting one’s morale and arming one with the fortitude to face further challenges.

And the way things are looking right now, it will take many more

months, perhaps years, before the bakwits can return to their broken city and restore it to its old glory. *** Other private groups have also begun sending relief packages to the troops fighting the Maute terror group as well as the ordinary folk, Christian and Muslim, caught in the crossfire.

The Go Negosyo group, among many others, has been sending care packages and “dignity kits” along with raising needed money for the emergency response. And among the usual government agencies, foremost of them the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, of Health, and of Education, the Office of Vice President Leni Robredo has also been coordinating the work being done by both public and private sectors.

Among the more noteworthy endeavors is the solicitation

of letters from schoolchildren addressed to evacuees and soldiers, to convey prayers and good wishes for them, as well as shore up their morale and express thanks for their sacrifices.

Myla Villanueva, a sister in The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) shared on our Viber group excerpts from the letters sent to soldiers, many of them sourced from public schools by the Museo Pambata headed by another TOWNS sister, Nina Lim Yuson, which are first folded origami-style into peace doves. *** Some excerpts (translated from Filipino): “I hope you will be free, happy, and lively and have a fruitful life filled with hope. I also wish you be kept safe.”

“Thank you so much for defending our country. My gratitude also to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for citizens

like us. I am also grateful to the parents who raised you to be steadfast and brave soldiers.”

“Many thanks for your help to Marawi. I hope you never tire in your efforts to help Marawi.

And my gratitude too for being heroes.”

Yuson, who is also an official of the Girl Scouts, said she would try to reach out to Girl Scouts in many other schools, but other schools could start their own letter drives. You may send the letters to the Museo Pambata.

Everywhere, it seems, individuals and groups are reaching out and searching for ways to help the beleaguered citizens of Marawi, as well as the soldiers, police, and Marines deployed in the deadly campaign to take back the city—or what’s left of it. There is no Muslim-Christian divide in all these efforts, just a common humanitarian response to an emergency that affects all of us Filipinos. ■

LOOKING BACK

Eerily relevant to current times

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer THAT FERDINAND Marcos and martial law have cast a long, dark shadow on Philippine history would be clear to anyone who listened to the oral arguments presented to the Supreme Court sitting in review of President Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 declaring martial law in Mindanao. Three decades separate us from the Marcos declaration of martial law in 1972, yet fear of its return in a new form remains alive in those who survived it.

Although they are flawed self-serving documents, Marcos’ diaries provide an insider’s view of events eerily relevant to our current times. In 1972 four Supreme Court justices attempted to review Marcos’ declaration of martial law and blinked when he threatened to establish a revolutionary government that would make the high court obsolete. This was how he recorded the events of

Sept. 24, 1972: “[Jose] Diokno, Chino Roces, Max Soliven etc. have filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus before the Supreme Court.

“I asked Justice[s] Claudio Teehankee, Antonio Barredo, Felix Makasiar and Felix Antonio to see me. They insisted that the government should submit to the Supreme Court for the Court to review the constitutionality of the proclamation of martial law, Proclamation No. 1081. So I told them in the presence of Sec[retaries] [Juan] Ponce Enrile and Vicente Abad Santos as well as Sol[icitor] Gen[eral] Estelito Mendoza that if necessary I would formally declare the establishment of a revolutionary government so that I can formally disregard the actions of the Supreme Court.

“They insisted that we retain a color of constitutionality for everything that we do. But I feel that they are still image-

building and do not understand that a new day has dawned.

While they claim to be for a reformed society, they are not too motivated but are too bound by technical legalism.

“I have amended both Gen[eral] Orders Nos. 1 and 3 to assume all powers of government including legislation and judicial and clearly excluded cases involving the constitutionality of my acts from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. I met the cabinet to emphasize the program to reform our society. And I signed the decree (No. 1) to promulgate the Law on the Reorganization of the Government…”

The next day, Sept. 25, Marcos spoke with two other Supreme Court justices. Their meeting was recorded as follows: “Met Justices Fred Ruiz Castro and Salvador Esguerra on a consulta. I told them frankly that I needed their help and counsel because we must keep all the actuations www.canadianinquirer.net

within constitutional limits.

Justice Castro asked permission to ask a blunt question, “Is this a coup de’tat [sic]?” and I told him that it is not but it is the exercise of an extraordinary power by the president for a situation anticipated by the constitution. Justice Esguerra said immediately that he feels that it is a legitimate exercise of martial law. And apparently reading my mind, he said, in the [John] Merryman case, Justice [Roger] Taney issued a writ [of ] habeas corpus for a manwho was detained on orders of President [Abraham] Lincoln. And President Lincoln just disregarded the judicial order. And Justice Taney said, ‘What can we do, we are confronted by superior authority?’

“I then concluded that there must be no conflict between the two separate departments of Justice and Executive for it would be embarrassing to both.

I believe that they are both of this persuasion.” Marcos con-

cluded by gloating: “The public reaction throughout the Philippines is a welcome to martial law because of the smooth, peaceful re-establishment of peace and order and the hope of a reformed society. In fact most everyone now says, this should have been done earlier.

It is indeed gratifying that everyone now finds or discovers I am some kind of a hero! There is nothing as successful as success!”

Our Constitution contains safeguards against martial law to ensure that history will not repeat itself. While the Supreme Court can interpret the Constitution, unfortunately it does not have the police power to enforce its decisions. I have never appreciated the Constitution as much as I do now because people who swore to defend it now treat it with contempt, as a mere piece of paper, an obsolete document that needs to be revised or, worse, consigned to the dustbin of history. ■

16

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Canada News Abortion, same sex marriage, assisted dying: charter has transformed Canada

BY JOAN BRYDEN The Canadian Press OTTAWA — British Columbians can blame Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms for the agonizing two-week wait to find out who won their province’s recent, photo-finish election.

They were kept in suspense while crucial absentee ballots were counted — a process which, as it turned out, changed nothing, leaving the province in an unprecedented state of instability.

If not for the charter, there would have been no absentee ballots to count.

Back in 1983, when the charter was just one year old, two young British Columbians who were studying law in Ontario challenged B.C.’s failure to provide them with a way to cast ballots while out of province.

B.C.’s Court of Appeal eventually agreed with the students that the lack of a provision for absentee voting violated their democratic right to vote, as guaranteed in the charter.

It was an early taste of the kind of profound impact the charter was going to have on Canadian society.

Sunday shopping. Same-sex marriage. Medical assistance in dying. No legal restrictions on abortion.

Those are just some of the momentous changes the charter has wrought since it was entrenched in the newly patriated Constitution on a rainy April day 35 years ago during a black-

tie signing ceremony — the solemnity of which was interrupted by justice minister and future prime minister Jean Chretien muttering an oath upon discovering the nib of the pen was broken, provoking a rare regal laugh from the Queen.

“The Canadian charter has had a lasting and positive impact on our country,” Beverley McLachlin, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, told a recent Senate symposium celebrating the country’s 150th birthday.

“Not only has its enactment proved to be one of the defining moments of the last 150 years, the charter has quite simply — poll after poll tells us this — become part of the Canadian identity.”

Indeed, in a 2015 Statistics Canada survey, 70 per cent of Canadians named the charter as a very important national symbol — beating out the Maple Leaf flag, the national anthem, the red-coated Mounties, hockey and the beaver.

“I think it’s made an enormous impact on the lives of ordinary Canadians,” says Josh Paterson, executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, which has led a number of charter challenges to federal and provincial laws, including spearheading the landmark case that saw the prohibition on medical assistance in dying struck down.

“Many people may not even realize that some of the rights and freedoms they enjoy today, or ways in which the govern-

THECANADIANENCYCLOPEDIA.CA

ment might not interfere with them, were as a result of the charter.”

In McLachlin’s view, the charter has become such a popular icon because it gives expression to the fundamental values Canadians hold dear — “the values that keep us together as citizens, the values that make our country work” — while providing a mechanism for “balancing conflicting interests and goals in a complex, multicultural society.”

Of course, not all the transformations the charter has wrought have been warmly welcomed by all Canadians.

Indeed, even Jean Chretien, one of the charter’s key architects, was initially uncomfortable, at least politically, with unrestricted access to abortion and the expansion of gay rights.

“Being a Roman Catholic from rural Quebec, it was not easy,” he recalls.

In June 2003, just as Chretien was anticipating his retire-

ment as prime minister, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that the traditional definition of marriage violated the equality rights of gays and lesbians.

The ruling immediately legalized same-sex marriage in the province.

“It’s the last problem I wanted to have. I was leaving a few months later,” says Chretien.

He ultimately decided not to appeal the ruling and instead referred a draft Civil Marriage Act to the Supreme Court for advice on its constitutionality.

The act was eventually enacted in 2005.

At the time, polls suggested Canadians were badly divided over the issue. Emotions ran high, with Catholic priests actively campaigning against same-sex marriage — one bishop actually said Chretien would burn in hell — and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein threatening to invoke the notwithstanding clause to override the charter.

Yet today same-sex marriage,

adoption and divorce have become commonplace.

“That’s what’s so amazing for us to sit back now, we’re coming up to 14 years of marriage, it really is kind of ho-hum now,” muses Michael Stark, one of “the two Michaels” who became the first gay couple in Canada to legally wed just hours after the Ontario appeal court ruling.

“The charter enabled us to argue the same-sex marriage case on strictly legal grounds. It put aside all the prejudices and all the stuff that gets thrown at you by the church and the religious right and it just brings it down to basic legal principles,” he says.

“It was, from my point of view, a proud moment as a Canadian to think that your charter of rights can help make your life better and more equal, especially as a minority.”

It was, agrees his partner, former Crown prosecutor Michael Leshner, “a profound social change that very positively and directly affected so many Canadian lives.”

Peter Hogg, Canada’s foremost constitutional scholar, believes the charter has not so much revolutionized Canadian society as sped up changes that would likely have occurred eventually in any event.

“While the charter has been very influential and has forced a number of changes to the law, it’s quite interesting when you think about the changes, they’re actually sort of part of the zeit❱❱ PAGE 18 Abortion, same sex

Senators defy Trudeau, propose amendments to federal budget bill THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — A Senate committee is proposing amendments to the federal government’s budget implementation bill, defying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s insistence that only

the elected House of Commons has authority over budgetary matters.

The Senate’s national finance committee passed a series of amendments Tuesday which would delete the government’s plan to increase the federal excise tax on beer, wine and spir-

its automatically by the rate of inflation each year.

The amendments came less than 24 hours after the Senate narrowly defeated a motion that would have carved out provisions dealing with the creation of a new infrastructure bank into a separate bill. www.canadianinquirer.net

The committee did not attempt amendments to the bank provisions.

The bill, as amended by the committee, must still be put to a vote by the Senate as a whole, where individual senators could opt to propose additional changes.

Trudeau’s warning that unelected senators have no business re-writing a budget isn’t swaying some senators.

They point out that although the Senate can’t initiate a money bill, it does have the right to amend one — or even defeat it outright. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

17

Boxer Hague’s death sparks calls for better protection for fighters in the ring

BY BILL BEACON The Canadian Press AS AN Edmonton elementary school mourned the loss of a beloved teacher on Monday, Tim Hague’s death from injuries suffered during a boxing match sparked calls for stricter licensing requirements and better protection for fighters in the ring.

Hague, 34, was injured in a second-round technical knockout loss to Adam Braidwood in a heavyweight bout on Friday night.

He was taken to hospital after the one-sided loss. His friends reported on social media that he underwent surgery to relieve bleeding on the brain. His death was announced Sunday by his sister Jackie Neil.

Hague, a former kindergarten teacher whose nickname was The Thrashing Machine, taught Grade 4 English at Ecole Bellevue School.

“It is with deep sorrow that we must inform our Black Gold family that Mr. Tim Hague, a beloved teacher and staff member at Ecole Bellevue School, has passed away,” the school said in a statement. “This is a tragedy for everyone — his family, his friends and the school community that he was such an important part of.

“Supports have been put in place to help the school family during this difficult time. We encourage everyone to remember the wonderful qualities Tim possessed and to respect the family and school’s need for privacy during this time.”

Hague’s death came less than a month after boxer David Whittom went into a coma with bleeding on the brain after a knockout loss in Fredericton,

TIM ELH / FACEBOOK

N.B. The two cases have raised calls for improvements in rules to ensure the safety of fighters in boxing and mixed martial arts.

Hague (1-3 as a boxer, 21-13 in MMA), a heavy underdog who accepted the fight on only two weeks notice, was knocked down three times, while another trip to the canvas was ruled a slip, in the first round against Braidwood, a former CFL player with an 8-1 record. Referee Len Koivisto stopped the bout after two more knockdowns in the second round.

The Edmonton Combative Sports Commission, which regulates professional combative sports events in the city, issued a statement that it and the City of Edmonton are “conducting a comprehensive review of the incident.”

“There are many people and organizations involved in putting on these complex events including promoters, referees, ringside judges, physicians,

chief inspector, paymaster and the presiding inspectors assigned to the fight. We have mobilized quickly and are working together to review the circumstances surrounding this incident and will determine the next steps following the evaluation of the information.”

The city said such a review is standard.

“We do our internal reviews after every fight,” Rob Smyth, deputy city manager for citizen services, told a news conference Monday. “There’s sometimes lessons learned there in terms of how that particular fight evolved and changed, and we’ll fine-tune our practices.”

But in this case, Smyth said the city wants to take it a step further and get a third party to conduct an independent, separate review.

“Our thinking ... is that the review will have to get input information from all of the different individuals who were part

CIRCUMCISION NEWBORN

OLDER INFANTS

pion Otis Grant of Montreal said boxing commissions need strict rules in place that would bar fighters who have suffered a run of knockouts from getting back in the ring.

“Sometimes you’ve got to save the boxer from himself,” said Grant, adding that boxing commissions have a duty to “do a little research into who fights in their jurisdiction and if they see a guy has two or (knockout) losses in a row, then refuse him.”

A heavyweight trained in jiujitsu, Hague put his teaching career on hold to make his pro MMA debut in 2006.

His first UFC fight came in May 2009 at UFC 98 — a submission win over Pat Barry in the first round. He competed on three more UFC cards by May 2010, dropping all three bouts.

His last UFC event was a Fight Night show in January 2011 and his final pro MMA fight was in July 2016. He compiled a 21-13 MMA record before switching to boxing.

He had been knocked out in his previous boxing match in December.

Boxing deaths are rare in Canada. The most notable was Cleveland Denny, who died 16 days after being knocked out by Gaetan Hart on the undercard of the Brawl In Montreal between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran in 1980.

A family member of Hague’s has started a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for funeral expenses. ■ with files from CHED

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of organizing the event.”

He said the details — including who would conduct it, and when it would be done — haven’t been decided yet.

Braidwood’s camp declined to comment on Hague’s death.

Veteran boxing trainer Stephan Larouche said fighters often have to be protected from themselves because they won’t stop even if they are losing badly, and they want to continue their careers even if they’ve lost a few bouts in a row.

“A fighter always believes he’s OK,” said Larouche, who took Lucian Bute, Eric Lucas and other boxers to world titles. “They believe that if they stop for a year or whatever that they’re OK, but the punches they took remain.”

When he was fighting for UFC, Hague once said: “You can turn my face into mashed potatoes and I’ll keep going.”

Whittom, who had not fought for more than a year and had lost 18 of his previous 20 fights before he was injured against Gary Kopas of Saskatoon, would not have been allowed to fight in Quebec, Ontario or many other jurisdictions in North America, Larouche said.

He said fight commissions need to be co-ordinated across Canada so that suspensions and medical records are upheld in all provinces and cities. Individual cities have their own commissions in Alberta, while provincial commissions govern the sport in other provinces.

“If all the provinces followed what we do, it could save lives,” he said.

He also said referees and judges should be tested every five years or so to keep their licenses.

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18

Canada News

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Woman’s rant for ‘white doctor’ sparks outrage after caught on video THE CANADIAN PRESS MISSISSAUGA, ONT. — A video showing an agitated woman demanding her son be examined by a “white doctor” at a Toronto-area walk-in clinic is sparking online outrage, as some medical groups say demands for physicians of a certain race cannot be accommodated.

In the video, which was posted online Sunday and has since been viewed more than 100,000 times on YouTube, the woman becomes increasingly belligerent as she repeatedly asks to see a doctor who “doesn’t have brown teeth” and “speaks English.”

As the unidentified woman repeats her demands, the video shows others in the waiting room confront her, calling her behaviour unacceptable and racist.

Peel Regional Police say they were called to a clinic in Mississauga, Ont., shortly after 12:30 p.m. Sunday on reports of a dis-

turbance.

Spokesman Const. Mark Fischer says a woman was being verbally aggressive in requesting that a white doctor attend to her son.

He says the woman’s son eventually received treatment, and the case was closed with no charges laid since no one was hurt and no threats were made.

Many took to social media to decry what they described as the casual racism at play in the incident.

“Are you really going to deny your child who is sick care just because the doctor (who is a licensed professional!!!) isn’t white???” one person wrote on Twitter.

“The video of the ‘white doctor’ woman made me cry pretty hard. It made (me) happy too.

I’d rather see racism in public, not hidden in the public,” another wrote.

Patients do make these types of requests occasionally, though in some areas it may more commonly be to ask for a

Manitoba gov’t hikes rents for some tenants in public housing THE CANADIAN PRESS WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is increasing rental costs for another group of low-income earners.

The province has issued letters to landlords and tenants in public housing units that rent will be raised later this year to 28 per cent of a tenant’s income.

That is up from the current system that charges people 25 per cent for bachelor suites and 27 per cent for larger units.

The move comes two weeks after the government announced a similar increase for low-income earners who rent on the private market, and neither change applies to people

on welfare.

Manitoba Housing says the increase will ensure the program is sustainable and helps those most in need.

But Make Poverty History, a poverty-rights group, says the change will cost tenants up to $60 more each month when they are already struggling to get by.

“Tenants in social housing are already living below the poverty line and have to watch every dollar they spend,” said group chairman Josh Brandon.

“Any increase in rents or reduction in subsidies is going to mean they will have to make impossible choices like cutting back on food or other basic necessities.” ■

doctor of a specific gender, said Dr. Alan Drummond, co-chair of public affairs for the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians.

There may be efforts to accommodate patients who would feel more comfortable with a female physician, but it’s often simply not possible, especially in small communities, he said.

Generally speaking, “if you’re sick enough to warrant emergency care or urgent care, then you’re sick enough not to be choosy about who it is you see,” he said.

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada took a similar stance in a position statement a few years ago, saying that requests for a doctor of a particular gender may be accommodated if made during regular office hours.

“Race isn’t an option,” a society spokeswoman said by email.

The position statement further says that “patients can decline the care offered, but

In the video, which was posted online Sunday and has since been viewed more than 100,000 times on YouTube, the woman becomes increasingly belligerent as she repeatedly asks to see a doctor who “doesn’t have brown teeth” and “speaks English.”

SCREENSHOT FROM YOUTUBE

should take full responsibilities for those actions.”

The Canadian Medical Association, meanwhile, said that “racism has no place in Canada nor in our health-care system.”

“Part of Canada’s strength is our multi-cultural history and make-up,” the association’s president, Dr. Granger Avery, said in a statement.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, which

regulates doctors in the province, said it does not have a policy to address that situation but stressed that the Ontario Human Rights Code states all those who provide services in the province are entitled to do so free from discrimination.

It also says that under its policies, doctors may consider cutting ties with a patient whose behaviour becomes inappropriate or abusive. ■

Abortion, same sex... geist that has affected on — unlike the United States, “If the court was constantly other similar western where abortion, for instance, rendering decisions that the countries,” he says. gets re-fought in every election. public simply disagreed with, However, there is one area He puts that down to Canadi- eventually it would have a le— myriad court rulings that ans’ enormous respect for the gitimacy problem,” he says. “I have strengthened the rights charter and for the judiciary, think that actually conditions of those accused of crimes and which is not politicized as it is some of their decisions.” limited police powers — where in the U.S. While some critics still rail Hogg thinks change may not It may also reflect the fact about “judge-made law” and the have happened charter usurping without the arthe supremacy ray of legal rights of Parliament, enshrined in the Macfarlane says charter.

That’s what’s so amazing for us to sit it hasn’t lived back now, we’re coming up to 14 Whereas the up to the worst years of marriage, it really is kind of judiciary is senfears of those ho-hum now. sitive to legal who believed 35 rights, among years ago that it the general popwould amount ulace he suspects to “handing over “there actually isn’t much sup- that judges, while not as be- the keys to the car to judges.” port for people who are accused holden to public opinion as “The charter has produced a of crime because I think there’s politicians, are nevertheless significant shift in power to the probably a widespread assump- conscious that the court “can’t courts so I don’t want to undertion that they’re probably guilty be either too far ahead or too far state it,” says Macfarlane. anyway and don’t deserve par- behind where society stands on “But the government wins ticular consideration.” these issues,” says University two-thirds of charter cases at But even when a good chunk of Waterloo political scientist the Supreme Court. So it’s not of the population is initially Emmett Macfarlane, who has as if we can say the courts have upset by a charter ruling, Hogg written extensively about the completely taken over the polimarvels at the way Canadians, Supreme Court and the impact cy-making authority of governby and large, accept it and move of the charter. ment.” ■ ❰❰ 16

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World News

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

19

Stories of sailors killed in destroyer container ship crash THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AMONG THE seven U.S. Navy sailors who died in the Saturday collision between the USS Fitzgerald and a Philippineflagged container ship off Japan were an Ohio man expecting to retire soon, a Maryland man who was his father’s best friend and a former volunteer firefighter in his Virginia hometown.

Here are snapshots of them taken from interviews of family and friends: Shingo Alexander Douglass, California

Yeoman 3rd Class Shingo Alexander Douglass followed in his father’s footsteps in joining a maritime branch of the military, enlisting in the Navy in 2014.

He started working aboard the destroyer that same year and last October joined his shipmates on a visit to an orphanage in South Korea as part of a community service project.

Douglass was seen pushing a disabled orphan in a wheelchair, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

His father, Ret. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Stephen Douglass, told the newspaper his 25-yearold son was an avid videogame player “and a really good kid.”

He had just gotten promoted in May. A 2010 Fallbrook High School graduate in Fallbrook, north of San Diego, he was unmarried.

His family described him as “adventurous” and said his hobbies included scuba diving and tennis.

“Shingo served his Nation proudly, and we are also very proud of him and his service,” his family wrote in a statement.

Noe Hernandez, Texas

Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Noe Hernandez was a tremendous source of pride for his family, a relative told Dallas television station KTVT. “We all came from poverty in Guatemala. He was the one who made it,” said cousin Aly Hernandez-Singer. “We lived through his experiences. His travels.”

The 26-year-old Hernandez, of Weslaco, Texas, had been stationed in Illinois, Italy, Califor-

nia and Japan since joining the Navy in 2009.

He died in the collision from a head injury as he slept, Hernandez-Singer told the TV station.

She said Hernandez met his wife in high school and also is survived by a 2-year-old son.

Ngoc T. Truong Huynh, Connecticut

Sonar Technician 3rd Class Ngoc T. Truong Huynh, 25, always “had the brightest smile,” his sister said.

He was selfless, Lan Huynh told WVIT-TV, of Hartford, Connecticut, and the family is coping as best it can.

Huynh graduated from Watertown High School and attended Naugatuck Valley Community College before enlisting in the Navy in 2014. The family moved to Oklahoma soon after.

Connecticut’s governor has ordered flags to fly at half-staff in Huynh’s honour.

Xavier Alec Martin, Maryland

Personnel Specialist 1st Class Xavier Alec Martin was trying to call his father after the vessels collided but didn’t get through, his father told WJZTV in Baltimore.

All Darrold Martin can think of are his son’s final moments.

The 24-year-old sailor, of Halethorpe, Maryland, followed in his father’s footsteps and was quickly rising in the ranks, said Darrold Martin, who referred to his son as his best friend.

“It’s very hard,” the elder Martin said. “He’s my only child, he’s all I have.”

Martin graduated in 2010 from Landsdowne High School, where he ran track and had many friends, said Daneace Jeffrey, Martin’s aunt.

He loved being in the military and was considering turning it into a career.

“He always put others before his own safety,” she said. “I’m sure in his last moments he was probably more concerned with the other servicemen than himself, that’s the kind of person he was.”

Gary Leo Rehm Jr., Ohio

Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr., 37, was three months shy of retiring when he was killed, his cousin

tells The Chronicle-Telegram in Elyria, Ohio.

Friends and relatives described the sailor from Elyria as generous and easygoing. They say the Navy told his mother he died trying to rescue fellow sailors trapped in flooding compartments.

“When we heard that he ran in and helped save other sailors from drowning, we said that was Gary. That was Gary to a T,” said Rehm’s friend Christopher Garguilo. “He never thought about himself.”

Rehm was inspired to join the Navy by his grandfather, a World War II sailor who took Rehm on tours of military planes and ships when he was a youngster. Rehm enlisted in 1998, right after graduating from Oberlin High School, said his aunt.

“He loved what he did,” said Rehm’s aunt, Virginia Rehm.

“He was a very kind-hearted, happy person who worked hard. It’s a big loss, it really is.”

Gary Rehm is survived by his wife, his parents and a sister.

Kyle Rigsby, Virginia

Nineteen-year-old Gunner’s Mate Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby was a volunteer firefighter in his Virginia hometown before he joined the Navy.

The Palmyra resident and Fluvanna County High School graduate was a teenager when he signed up with the Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire Department in 2014, following in his mother’s footsteps, newsoutlets reported.

Rigsby would “give his shirt off of his back for you,” said volunteer firefighter Farrah Brody.

Assistant Fire Chief Jean Campbell described Rigsby as a dependable firefighter and called his death “a tragic loss.”

Chase Karaca said he met Rigsby in fourth grade and they bonded over playing Pokemon.

The game sparked an interest for Rigsby in Japanese culture, so “it was a dream come true for him” to get to visit and “to be doing something for his country,” Karaca said.

Rigsby enlisted in February 2016. He reported to duty aboard the Fitzgerald in No❱❱ PAGE 25 Stories of

www.canadianinquirer.net

Journalists are holding protest demonstration to mark the World Press Freedom Day arranged by Balochistan Union of Journalist.

ASIANET-PAKISTAN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Journalists in Pakistan under fire from many sides

BY KATHY GANNON The Associated Press HARIPUR, PAKISTAN — Bakhsheesh Elahi was waiting for the morning bus when a lone gunman on a motorcycle pulled up beside him and shot him dead.

Rana Tanveer had just taken his family to safety after radical Islamists spray-painted death threats on his door, when a car smashed into his motorcycle and sped away.

Taha Siddiqui answered his phone to hear a menacing voice from a government agency telling him he needed to come in for questioning, without saying why.

The three men are journalists in Pakistan, considered one of the most dangerous places in the world for this profession. But even by Pakistan’s standards, things have gotten worse, according to journalists, Pakistani and international human rights activists, and advocacy groups.

In addition to attacks from militants or criminals, Pakistani journalists are also facing threats from government agencies or the military itself.

“Journalists are not threatened from one side alone, they are threatened by drug mafia, they are threatened by political gangs. They are also threatened by religious extremists,” said Asma Jehangir, a human rights lawyer and the director of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. “They are threatened by the military. They are also threatened by people who are deeply (involved) in corruption, but when it comes to the extremist elements, governments are very reluctant to move because they themselves are afraid of them.”

Elahi, a determined investiga-

tive reporter in northwestern Pakistan’s Haripur, is just the latest example. The father of five, including a daughter born just 20 days earlier, was killed on June 11 while waiting for a bus a few hundred meters from his home.

Local journalists turned Elahi’s funeral into a protest, carrying his body through the streets and stopping traffic to demand that the killers be brought to justice, according to Zakir Hussain Tandi, president of the Haripur Press Club.

But impunity and a lack of prosecution has characterized many of the attacks on journalists in Pakistan. Elahi, who was bureau chief of an Urdu language newspaper and sister television station, was the fourth journalist killed in Haripur district in the last three years. All but one of the murders has gone unsolved.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says 60 journalists and 10 media workers have been killed in Pakistan since 1992.

Elahi’s Facebook page featured his relentless reporting against political corruption.

One of the country’s largest television news channels to feature one of his stories.

“We think his death is probably related to journalism,” said Tandi of the press club. “Lots of people didn’t like his investigations, the drug mafia, corrupt politicians, car thieves. He wrote about them all.”

Pakistani journalists and social media activists have been detained, often by intelligence agencies, tortured according to some who were released, and threatened with blasphemy ❱❱ PAGE 25 Journalists in

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Community News

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UFABC Philippine Independence Day Gala photo credit Christian Cunanan

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MHHS flag raising ceremony of Richmond City Hall

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North Vancouver's MV PACES Independence Celebration photo credit Christian Cunanan

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23

24

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Entertainment Hayden on how not to spoil Scarlet Snow Father’s Day tale on how to raise Instagram’s most popular baby

BY THELMA SIOSON SAN JUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer SCARLET SNOW, with almost 2 million followers, is seen by many as antidote to a bad-news day.

How does a father raise the world’s most popular baby on Instagram? How do Dr. Hayden Kho and his soonto-be wife Dr. Vicki Belo parent Scarlet Snow?

As of last count, 2-year-old Scarlet Snow has almost two million followers on IG, making her the most-followed baby in the world—with an average addition of about 4,000 requests a day.

What is even more striking is that we know of some people who can’t start their day without looking at the latest Scarlet Snow post. We thought that was just exaggerated talk until one morning, a casual acquaintance walked up to ask if we, indeed, knew Scarlet Snow—she had seen one of our IG posts. She told us that she couldn’t start her day without looking at Scarlet Snow posts.

“She’s a cute happy start to a day you know would be filled with bad news of killings, deaths and disasters,” she said.

“That’s why sometimes even

if I’m still sleepy, I post, because she makes some people happy,” Kho told us over dinner with Belo, arranged on a spur of the mo- ment by our columnist, Tatler editor in chief and friend Anton San Diego and another friend who hardly goes out at night, Menchu Katigbak, easily one of the most consummate hosts in Manila.

Even Belo, looking so perky and pert in her new bob, is hard put trying to explain her daughter’s incredible popularity in IG. “We really hardly go out to the mall, and when we do, people have photos taken with her,” she said. And the mother— a driven career woman who’s happiest when she’s blazing the beauty industry trail—is sometimes anxious that the tyke would not be in the mood to have her photo taken.

When malling, Kho would hoist Scarlet Snow up on his shoulders so she doesn’t have to walk and be stopped by people.

“There are other more beautiful babies in IG,” an incredulous dad said and added, “It must be because she could really be charming.”

“That baby is intelligent,” a woman who’s a hardcore Scarlet Snow follower once told me, and we wondered how she

could have known for sure from her IG. Hands-on

Perhaps it’s because her posts show her in various activities— singing, dancing, answering questions.

Well, she has Mandarin lessons many times a week, so she can speak a little Mandarin. She has her gym and dance classes.

She has lessons in swimming, voice, reading. Kho teaches her math.

Honestly, we’ve lost track of her lessons.

What I’ve observed is the hands-on parenting of Kho and Belo. She’s always with them or their friends, so that this baby must be used to adult company by now.

Scarlet Snow can be told to behave—sometimes with just the tone of voice of momor dad.

We asked Kho, what do they do to not spoil her?

“One word: discipline,” he said. “If she doesn’t obey or if she misbehaves, she will receive the ‘rod of correction.’ We don’t let Scarlet Snow get away with her little crimes—ok, sometimes we do, especially when she makes ‘ pa- cute,’ but only on the relatively unimportant ones.

“Our formula for proper cor-

@SCARLETSNOWBELO / INSTAGRAM

rection is kindness + firmness + consistency + love. And an important point to make is that love will sometimes hurt.

“But first and foremost is, she is loved before anything else.”

What’s your number one parenting rule?

“My number one parenting rule is: ‘God’s standards, not mine.’ I recognize that Vicki and I are merely stewards of the life of this child so the one who has the ultimate say on how to raise her and by what moral standards is God. He is the ultimate authority figure in her life (as He is in ours). This means that we choose Biblical truths over any unbiblical ‘parenting techniques,’ even if it is the most popular one or the most scientific.

“As much as possible, we teach Scarlet Snow these truths—we let our actions speak. This, to me, is the hardest task because, finally, I wouldn’t dare consider myself one of the most self-disciplined persons in the world.

But I try my best anyway—I have to because I want Scarlet Snow to develop a habit of doing right, serving and honoring God as she learns to make her own decisions.”

Kho added with candor, “Fortunately, Scarlet Snow is not a difficult child at all. She’s very sweet and loving, even though she can be really naughty. I can’t complain. Who else would she get that from?”

And yes, sometimes when she misbehaves she can be sent to stand in a corner. ■

Why is fatherhood no joke for Ogie Diaz?

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer IT’S NO joke; comedian Ogie Diaz takes fatherhood seriously. Well, almost. At home, Ogie is a no-fuss, no-pressure kind of dad to his growing brood of five daughters with partner Sol. “One time, my eldest started crying,” he recalled. “She said she was sorry because she landed on the 21st slot out of 34 students.”

Quick on the draw, Ogie consoled his daughter in his own inimitable way. “Congratula-

tions, anak. At least, you were able to beat 13 of your classmates!”

Humor is precisely the best way to handle the challenges of parenting, he insisted. “Millennials ang mga ’yan,” he explained. “I have to go with the flow. If my daughter tells me that she doesn’t want to go to college, I will not force her. But I will advise her to take short courses so that she can eventually find out what she wants to do in life.”

To respect his kids’ privacy, he is reluctant to reveal their names. “I’ve also instructed

them not to comment on my Facebook page, to avoid bashers. I explained to them that not everyone might understand our situation. I don’t want them to get bullied.”

His gender was never an issue to his daughters, he pointed out. “My eldest was teased by a classmate. ‘Bading ang tatay mo! (Your father is gay!)’ She answered back: ‘So what? Is your father seen on television and in the movies?’”

Fatherhood has changed his life drastically. “No more partying and late nights for me. I’m always in a hurry to go home.” www.canadianinquirer.net

His eldest recently confided to a male friend that her dad makes it a point to spend time with the family. The boy suddenly sobbed. “It turned out he came from a broken home and seldom saw his father. He told her that she’s very lucky to have a dad who’s always there for her.”

Today, Father’s Day, Ogie will treat his family to a lunch buffet in the mall, as part of their annual tradition. “My kids always surprise me by giving me homemade cards that say: ‘You are the best dad’ or ‘You’re one of a kind.’”

According to him, the kids’ letters are more precious than acting awards.

He applies the same parenting style as talent manager to young star Liza Soberano. “I always tell Liza that I am her second dad. I actually consider her my eldest child.”

Ogie, who is a regular in the ABS-CBN sitcom, “Home Sweetie Home,” and is in the cast of Jose Javier Reyes’ latest film “Recipe for Life,” will come out with a new book soon—a compilation of his hilarious ❱❱ PAGE 27 Why is

Entertainment

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

Journalists in... charges, which carry the death penalty and routinely incite mobs of radical extremists to violence.

Last week, a social media activist was sentenced to death for allegedly posting an item deemed insulting to Islam.

That sentence “sends a threatening message to all ... causing fear and leading to selfcensorship,” Steven Butler, Asia director of the CPJ, said in an email. “It’s clear that authorities — including investigative authorities, prosecutors, and the military — are keeping a close eye on journalists and ready to act when red lines are crossed.”

Last month, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan ordered a crackdown on “those ridiculing the Pakistan Army on social media (to protect) the prestige, reputation and goodwill” of the armed forces.

On May 18, Taha Siddiqui, Pakistan’s correspondent for France 24 TV, received a threatening call from someone claiming to represent the counterterrorism wing of the Federal Investigation Agency , ordering him to come in for questioning.

Siddiqui, who is also bureau chief of the World Is One News website, is an outspoken critic of Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies.

“My work is in the public domain,” Siddiqui asked. “What does counter-terrorism have to do with journalism, with free speech?”

Siddiqui phoned colleagues for advice and stopped answering his door. He eventually spoke to Jehangir, the human rights lawyer, who advised him to file a petition demanding to know why he was being investigated. Siddiqui, who didn’t go in for questioning, has already made at least one court appearance and was told by the FIA ❰❰ 19

that he was being investigated because of his critical stories about the military.

On May 30, Rana Tanveer, a correspondent for the Englishlanguage daily newspaper, The Express Tribune, found death threats spray painted on his home in eastern Lahore saying he would die for writing stories about the plight of minorities in Pakistan — particularly Ahmedis, reviled by mainstream Muslims who label them as heretics because they believe in a messiah who arrived after the Prophet Muhammad.

Pakistan has officially declared them non-Muslims, making it a crime for Ahmedis to identify themselves as Muslims. Dozens are facing charges.

“That was shocking for me,” Tanveer said of the spray-painted threats.

Tanveer has received several such threats over the years; even his landlord had been warned against renting to him because of his coverage of religious minorities.

On June 9, Tanveer was riding his motorcycle after meeting a colleague from the Pakistan Union of Journalists to decide how to deal with the threats when a speeding car slammed into him and sent him crashing to the pavement. He suffered a fractured leg and believes it was no accident.

Today, he is in hiding with his family, unprotected by police and unsure when he can return to his job.

Jehangir said she believes the government crackdown is being done at least partially at the behest of Pakistan’s military.

“They think that the image of Pakistan is being destroyed by the word getting out of here,” she said. “Now, if you stop picking up people, stop torturing people, the image will improve, but don’t shoot the messenger.” ■

Stories of... ❰❰ 19

vember.

Class Carlos Victor Ganzon Sibayan, California

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Carlos Victor Ganzon Sibayan felt that serving in the Navy was “his calling” and he joined in 2013 after graduating from high school, a friend said.

Sibayan, of Chula Vista, south of San Diego, always made peo-

ple laugh, Chase Cornils, a fellow cadet in Chaparral High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, told the San Diego Union Tribune.

“He always had a cheerful attitude and a smile on his face,” Cornils said.

An enlisted surface warfare specialist, the 23-year-old started working on board the USS Fitzgerald in July 2014. ■

25

Coroner: Cocaine among drugs found in Carrie Fisher’s system

BY MICHAEL HILL The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Carrie Fisher’s autopsy report shows the actress had cocaine in her system when she fell ill on a plane last year, but investigators could not determine what impact the cocaine and other drugs found in her system had on her death.

The report released Monday states Fisher may have taken cocaine three days before the Dec. 23 flight on which she became ill. She died four days later.

It also found traces of heroin, other opiates and MDMA, which is also known as ecstasy, but that they could not determine when Fisher had taken those drugs. The findings were based on toxicology screenings done on samples taken when the “Star Wars” actress arrived at a Los Angeles hospital.

Coroner’s officials ruled Fisher died from sleep apnea and a combination of other factors. A news release issued Friday mentioned drugs were found in Fisher’s system, but it did not provide details.

Monday’s full report contains a detailed explanation of the results, such as why investigators believe Fisher took cocaine at least three days before her flight.

“At this time the significance of cocaine cannot be established in this case,” the report states.

It also states that while heroin is detectable in the system for a briefer period of time, investigators could not determine when Fisher, 60, took it or the ecstasy. Toxicology tests also found other opiates in Fisher’s system, including morphine, although the report states the morphine could have been a byproduct of heroin.

“Ms. Fisher suffered what appeared to be a cardiac arrest on the airplane accompanied by vomiting and with a history of sleep apnea. Based on the available toxicological information, we cannot establish the significance of the multiple substances that were detected in Ms. Fisher’s blood and tissue, with regard to the cause of death,” the report states.

Among the factors that contributed to Fisher’s death was buildup of fatty tissue in the

walls of her arteries, the coroner’s office said last week.

A phone message left for Fisher’s brother, Todd, was not immediately returned.

Todd Fisher said Friday he was not surprised that drugs may have contributed to his sister’s death.

“I would tell you, from my perspective that there’s certainly no news that Carrie did drugs,” Todd Fisher said. He noted that his sister wrote extensively about her drug use, and that many of the drugs she took were prescribed by doctors to try to treat her mental health conditions.

Fisher long battled drug addiction and mental illness. She said she smoked pot at 13, used LSD by 21 and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 24. She was treated with electroshock therapy and medication.

“I am not shocked that part of her health was affected by drugs,” Todd Fisher said.

He said his sister’s heart condition was probably worsened by her smoking habit, as well as the medications she took. “If you want to know what killed her, it’s all of it,” he said. ■

New trial ordered in deadly stage collapse at Radiohead concert in Toronto

BY PAOLA LORIGGIO The Canadian Press TORONTO — A new trial has been ordered for those charged in a deadly stage collapse at an outdoor Radiohead concert in Toronto, sending the case back to square one five years after the grim incident and just as the matter approached resolution.

A mistrial was declared after the presiding judge, Justice Shaun Nakatsuru, was appointed to the Ontario Superior Court this spring and found he no longer had jurisdiction over the case.

“It is with great regret that I have come to this decision. A lot of effort and resources have gone into this trial. We had nearly completed it,” Nakatwww.canadianinquirer.net

suru said in a decision released earlier this month.

“My appointment was unexpected and without notice. I know that the defendants have waited a long time for the final resolution of this case. So has the public,” he said.

“There are many compelling reasons why it would be in the best interests of justice for me to finish this. But I cannot.”

The entertainment company Live Nation, Toronto-area contractor Optex Staging and an engineer, Domenic Cugliari, were charged in 2013 with a total of 13 charges under the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act. The setback could put the case in jeopardy as one of the defence lawyers in the case, Scott Thompson, said they will

be bringing an application to have the charges thrown out over unreasonable court delays.

That application is set to be heard in August. A similar application was rejected by Nakatsuru last fall.

If the new application is also unsuccessful, the new trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 5 and continue through May of next year.

The Ministry of Labour, which administers the Occupational Health and Safety Act, declined to comment on the case as it remains before the courts but said the right to be tried within a reasonable time is a fundamental part of the justice system.

“The Crown is always con❱❱ PAGE 33 New trial

26

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Lifestyle Product marketing has hot new player ‘Tier 1’ influencers get paid from P60,000 to P150,000 for event attendance with at least two posts on their Instagram, cross-posted to Twitter and Facebook

BY CHECHE V. MORAL Philippine Daily Inquirer

blogger doesn’t mean your Instagram game is strong. There are still those who command more influence on their blog than anywhere else.”

Blogs, however, “are no longer as important to brands as posts on social media are,” says Angela (not her real name), a communications manager at a luxury retail company who requested anonymity, citing confidentiality agreements in dealings with influencers.

One of Angela’s tasks is booking influencers to attend events and product launches, which is often required by the global brands handled by the company she works for.

Influencers typically have a large social media following, though this doesn’t automatically mean quantitative results for brands, says Angela.

“An influencer, to brands, is someone who is recognized by

restaurants to visit, or places to travel to. They could be a celebrity, a blogger or a socialite.”

Says Villaraza, “An influencer is someone who can sway someone’s interests toward a certain thing, place or activity,” regardless of the size of the influencer’s social-media following.

“Personally, I prefer those who have fewer followers but actually make relevant comments than those with many, but who don’t say a word about the subject in the post.”

IN PRODUCT marketing, the influencer has replaced the blogger as a hot new player. The influencer is sought by brands to be seen in their events and to shill their products on social media accounts, to be seen by the influencer’s tens of thousands of followers. “Tier 1” influencers get paid from P60,000 to P150,000 for event attendance.

In the ever-evolving landFake followers scape of product marketing, Apart from the quality of enthe influencer has replaced the gagement, there’s also the matblogger as a hot new player. ter of fake followers, Villaraza The influencer is sought adds. by brands to be seen in their “There’s a website I like to events and to shill their prodconsult once in a while that ucts on social-media accounts, shows how many fake followto be seen by the influencer’s ers an influencer has on Instatens of thousands of followers— gram,” he says. “Another way of at cost, naturally. finding out if the influencer is “I think, nowalegit is by looking days, there’s a at the number of fine line between likes he/she gets an influencer per post. It gets and blogger,” Today it seems brands believe that fishy when there social media, through microblogging says Alexei Vilare hundreds of sites like Instagram, Twitter and laraza, director likes for one post, Facebook, are most effective in for media conand less than reaching target consumers—such tent of Bridges half for the next that social-media animals are the new PR, a public relapost—or if they fixtures at hot-ticket events, product have thousands tions firm. launches and parties. of followers, and “Some start not many have out as influencliked a post in an ers, then slowly hour.” transform into The term “influencer” is a bloggers. And there are blog- a big group of people as the gogers who become influencers to person for a specific subject,” new label for a rarefied class because their blog stats start she adds. “It could be for the formerly known as celebrities to dwindle but remain strong latest trends, the best jewelry to or brand ambassadors, says Valelsewhere,” he adds. “Being a invest in, the newest tech to try, erie (not her real name), general

www.canadianinquirer.net

mana g e r of a PR firm whose clients always engage influencers.

“It’s used quite loosely, since not everyone who’s famous or has the following can influence people” into buying the objects they’re peddling, she adds.

In traditional media circles, it’s not unusual to hear the word “influencer” mouthed in derisive tones—in the same way the mere mention of a blogger would elicit eye rolls back in the day. The likely reason? As the power wielded by new media increased, ads in newspapers and magazines dwindled.

Back in 2013, Inquirer Lifestyle reported on how much top Filipino lifestyle bloggers made, and the enviable perks they receive from brands, from freebies to luxury trips. But those sands have shifted once again.

Today it seems brands believe that social media, through microblogging sites like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook,

are most effective in reaching target consumers—such that social-media animals are the new fixtures at hot-ticket events, product launches and parties.

Though some high-end brands don’t necessarily require the presence of an influencer at events “because their market/followers aren’t on social media,” as Villaraza points out, they are often the exception.

“Nowadays, most, if not all, international brands require at least one influencer at an event,” says Angela. “There is always a budget specified for engaging influencers, either to simply grace the event and post, or to host it.”

In one of Angela’s recent events, the brand wanted her company to invite a local equivalent of its brand ambassador, a Hollywood star. “That’s a big ❱❱ PAGE 28 Product marketing

Lifestyle

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

27

Kings of the night: New era of gender dynamics offers drag kings a brighter spotlight

BY DAVID FRIEND The Canadian Press TORONTO — Spencer Munny paces the beaten wooden floors of the Buddies in Bad Times community theatre as rehearsals for the night’s most stunning drag king performance get underway.

It’s a grim tale of a tortured music conductor who loses his young female muse before embarking on an intense search to recapture his creativity.

The scene opens with Toronto drag king Quinn embracing the woman before she disappears into the darkness. There are glittery costumes, a hammering death metal score, and seemingly nude bodies painted like musical instruments.

Munny and fellow “Kings and Classics” show organizer Pretty Riikkii love that it defies practically everything audiences expect from a drag king show.

They’re tired of kings only slapping on a moustache to play dudes in leather jackets or lumberjack plaid.

“The challenge right now is kings are boring,” explains Munny, who on stage wears a chin strap and spiked hair with a dash of red colouring.

“Kings are hyper-masculine and that’s ugly and toxic. We’re fighting to be like, ‘This is different! Come and see it and you’ll like it!’ Showing them a new side of drag.”

After years of living in the shadows of flamboyant drag queens and the hit TV series “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the producers behind Toronto’s Pretty Munny Productions say it’s time kings got a fair shake.

They’re no longer satisfied with bar owners telling them queens are a bigger draw, or hearing

gay men grumble about the lack of sparkle in drag king performances.

Their monthly showcase aims to put a dazzling crown on Canada’s drag king community.

Male impersonation has a history in popular entertainment that stretches back more than a century. In the early 1900s, female performers like Vesta Tilley and Ella Shields sold out London’s music halls by serenading the crowds while dressed in top hats and evening jackets.

Drag kings existed throughout the decades, but a resurgence struck in the 1980s when avant-garde performers like Diane Torr, who was born in Peterborough, Ont., challenged perceptions of gender through live performances and art projects.

While traditionally drag kings involved women stepping into the roles — and clothes — of their male counterparts, today it’s not that simple.

Kings can be women dressed as men, they can be transgender, or non-binary, which means they have no gender definition. The boundaries have been lifted like never before — which is why some people call it “gender blurring” instead.

Vancouver performer Rose Butch prefers the ambiguous label “drag thing,” which leaps across all the spectrums. After Butch adopted the phrase a few years ago, others started using it on the tight-knit West Coast scene.

Many performers honour the classic approach by binding their chests to minimize the appearance of their breasts, gluing hair on their faces with spirit gum, and “packing” their pants with an artificial bulge to mimic the male anatomy.

A man dragging a cart decorated with pink bow ties as Easter basket marches along Queen Street in the Beaches Easter Parade 2017.

YL STOCK / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Shows put on by Pretty Munny Productions — and hosted by the organizers — have those types of kings, but also others who accentuate their breasts with tassles or pasties. Some performers begin dressed as men before slowly removing layers of clothing to reveal their female body. Transgender performers will sometimes appear in the lineup too.

In other parts of Canada, drag king shows often have a dash of local community flavour.

In Halifax, kings occasionally put an East Coast spin on the night with an Irish drinking song, while Ottawa-based outfit Canada Capital Kings prefers wearing conservative attire like business suits and tool belts.

Montreal’s drag kings are more underground with performances turning up on cabaret nights and at local cafes.

In Calgary, the kings attract the smaller LGBTQ community by hosting annual Oscarsnight shows and other themed events.

Performer Flare, who’s been part of the drag king scene in Canada for more than 20 years, says the emerging trend of defying gender expectations is un-

like anything he’s seen before.

“It’s almost this ‘magical creature’ style of drag — unicorn drag,” he says.

What Pretty Munny Productions strives for more than anything is an environment filled with encouragement. While drag queens thrive on their catty personalities and insult comedy, Pretty Riikkii says there isn’t room for hostility at their king shows. New performers — known as “princes” — often get an extra boost of affection.

“We’ve fought so hard for a positive, safer space ... so we try to stray away from negative humour,” he says.

“We don’t want anyone to feel put on the spot.”

The welcoming spirit at “Kings and Classics” is palpable with smiles and laughter aplenty on the dance floor. Strangers engage in friendly conversation and share hugs before the show begins, which isn’t always the scene in cliquey big city gay bars.

Dresden Shred, a fan who strives to attend every show, says the vibe is something he never takes for granted.

“It’s a place where you belong, even though you’re part of

Ogie recalled their relationship started after he had lost a bet to her. “She dared me … that if I won against her in a game of billiards, she would stop courting me.”

Who knew she was a wiz in the sport? The billiard hall was air-conditioned, he recounted,

but he was sweating bullets all night long.

“The rest, as they say, is history,” Ogie related. “Now, we have five children.”

His kids—whose ages are 15, 13, 9 and 7—are all thrilled in welcoming a new addition to the clan.

the audience,” he says.

“A lot of queer spaces like that aren’t welcoming for trans people, but (here) you feel like you’re with friends. I just feel good.”

The vibe has also opened the doors for both co-hosts to bare their own souls.

Munny began a recent show dressed in a hospital gown for a piece called “Waiting Game,” about an intensely personal struggle with the possibility of gender reassignment surgery.

It left Munny, and some in the audience, in tears.

“I had to do it for the 19-yearold trans kid,” Munny says.

“I want to be a shining light for them. I want to do what some trans people did for me.”

Joy Serrano, who performs as Mike Hunt-Black, hopes this invigorated energy in the drag king community could be a harbinger of better things to come.

There are some reasons to feel progress is being made on a few fronts.

After objections over Pride Toronto’s sparse one hour devoted to drag kings last year, the organizers have tripled their time at this weekend’s event.

And in Prince Albert, Sask., the first public drag king performances were hosted this month as part of the city’s pride events.

Serrano says it’s still not much of a platform, but it is a start.

“It’s almost revolutionary,” she says. “But it’s going to be the hardest battle.” ■ Hear a selection of drag king performance tracks with “A Royal Playlist - Drag Kings Pick Their Favourites” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/cdnpressarts/ playlist/1gACBbFVSNG5H1H7

Why is...

Facebook musings, entitled “Pak! Humor.”

Sealed the deal His unique brand of comedy sealed the deal with Sol, as well.

In 2000, Ogie, who started as a movie reporter, found himself jobless, so he reinvented him❰❰ 24

self as a stand-up comedian.

Sol was one of the patrons in the joint where he worked, Ohh Bar. “She laughed the loudest at all my jokes,” he recalled. “I already had a girlfriend then, but she was persistent in wooing me.”

www.canadianinquirer.net

Ogie and Sol’s youngest is only 4 months old. “The baby was born premature and had to spend over four months in the hospital. We hope to take her home on Monday,” he said.

The baby is the perfect Father’s Day gift, as far as Ogie is concerned. ■

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Lifestyle

JUNE 23, 2017

Forever green: Cemeteries make more room for natural burials

BY MICHAEL HILL The Associated Press RHINEBECK, N.Y. — Last goodbyes are said in these woods with wildflowers placed on a shrouded body, or with the beloved wrapped in a favourite childhood blanket. Dirt shovelled back into the graves leaves behind slowly sinking mounds of earth on the forest floor, marked with stones.

“Green burials” like these at Rhinebeck Cemetery in New York’s Hudson Valley shun coffins, embalming fluid and concrete “vaults” so everything in the ground decomposes. It’s a movement that goes back more than a decade, but advocates say public attention has increased in recent years, with more cemeteries tweaking practices to accommodate people who want to tread lightly, even in death.

“I love the thing about just being wrapped up and going back to the ground,” said 59-year-old Gina Walker Fox, who purchased a plot right by a tulip tree and wild berries she imagines her children picking on graveside visits. “And that seems to be a very easy way on the environment, and an easy way on the human body.”

Green burials turn back the clock to the days before the Civil War, when embalming caught on as a way to preserve soldiers who died far from home. Burial vaults, which keep graves from collapsing and lawns level for mowing, became more widespread after World War II. Advocates argue it’s best to avoid introducing concrete vaults and potentially toxic embalming fluids into the ground.

And unlike cremation, no fossil fuels are required to break down the body.

Of the thousands of cemeteries nationwide, there are maybe around 125 that now offer options for green burial, said Suzanne Kelly, Rhinebeck Cemetery committee chairwoman and author of “Greening Death.” Many, like Rhinebeck 80 miles (128 kilometres) north of New York City, create natural burial grounds near the neatly ordered markers of their traditional plots.

In Vermont, a new law taking

Product marketing... ask,” says Angela. “We had to work around it and find a suitable alternative, since we can’t use our entire budget for the year for just one influencer.”

Valerie says there’s no standard rate, but “Tier 1” influencers—celebrities with hundreds of thousands of followers— could get paid from P60,000 to P150,000 for event attendance with at least two posts on their Instagram, crossposted to Twitter and Facebook.

Tier 2 rates range from P30,000 to P50,000; and Tier 3 for less than P30,000.

Such figures vary. Villaraza says rates can go as low as P5,000 to P10,000 per post, or up to P50,000 “if they’ve reached celebrity-like status.” ❰❰ 26

How much work

effect July 1 changes the minimum depth for burying bodies from 5 feet (1.5 metres) to 3 1/2 (1 metre) — a depth advocates say is conducive to decomposition and safe from animals.

Figuring out the best way to prepare shallower graves is just one question cemetery operators have as they seek to accommodate green burials.

“If they’re in a shroud, are people going to understand that, first of all, that body could have an odour to it? There could be body fluid stains on the shroud. I don’t know,” said Patrick Healy, president of the Vermont Cemetery Association. “Right now, we’re protected from that situation because they’re always in a casket.”

Alabama last year changed a law that restricted casket sales to licensed funeral directors after a lawsuit from a woman who wanted to sell biodegradable caskets for her eco-friendly burial ground.

Green burials can save people thousands of dollars in costs for a vault, a plush casket and a granite marker. But they also have nurtured a market for ecologically friendly products such as biodegradable cornstarch urns and wicker caskets.

Mary Lauren Fraser weaves her $200 urns and $2,800 caskets in her apartment in western Massachusetts. Costs for the handmade products are in line with what consumers could pay for traditional urns and caskets, though they draw interesting looks when she puts

them on display at local farmers’ markets.

“I get all kinds of reactions,” she said. “Way more people coming in and saying, ‘Is that a coffin? Did you make that? Is green burial legal?”’

While state laws vary on the treatment of bodies, green burial practices are legal across the nation, said Kate Kalanick of the Ojai, California-based Green Burial Council. The council, which certifies green practitioners, says unembalmed bodies are safe for a viewing before burial and do not pollute the soil.

For some customers, it’s not about cost or the environment.

It’s about what feels right during a difficult time.

After losing a stillborn daughter this year, Becky and Chris Mancuso looked to Vale Cemetery in Schenectady, where five generations of her family are buried. Chris Mancuso couldn’t imagine chemically embalming his daughter, and the cemetery’s new natural burial section fit in with his Christian faith that “unto dust shalt thou return.”

He built a wooden burial box for Anna himself. Their 6-yearold daughter picked wood that was golden, like heaven.

“The main motivation was just trying to connect with my dead daughter, and in any way that I could do something for her, which my wife and I, neither of us had a chance to do that,” Mancuso said. “That was very hard for us.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

“It’s insane!” he says. “It makes you wonder if you’re in the right business. Some, though, will do it for free depending on the product we’re peddling… It also depends on how much work they’ll put into it—if they need to cook using the product, pose with it, wear it, shoot an Instagram story—anything that will require them to exert a bit more effort should be compensated.

There are those who are fine with us giving them a photo they can use.”

From her experience, Angela says the range starts at P20,000 to P100,000 for event attendance, depending on the influencer’s popularity and number of followers. Some big-name movie stars/influencers may be paid as high as P300,000 just for showing up.

“One Instagram post will entail an additional amount, usually P10,000 to P15,000 per post. But if the influencer likes the brand, he/she will sometimes throw in a post on Instagram stories, or, if we’re lucky, on his actual Instagram grid.”

Instagram stories, however, have become a bane to brands, says Angela. With their novelty—they appear in an account only for 24 hours—“we have been seeing less and less permanent posts from influencers,” she says. “A year ago, if you gave them a really nice gift, some of the influencers would post a photo of it, giving you a permanent spot in their Instagram grid. Now, for some, unless it is paid for, they would

sometimes not post about it or just put it in their Instagram stories. This makes it harder to quantify the results of sending gifts.”

Manila being a small town, there’s also a question of authenticity, loyalty and integrity, as brands have been working with the same faces and personalities. It’s tricky to find influencers who are not “overused and who sincerely like your product,” and thus are believable to the target market, Angela says.

Since some Filipino influencers have a global following and are represented by talent agencies based overseas, the likes of Valerie leverage their longstanding relationships in negotiating deals. “Imagine if I had to book this or that influencer by going through her agency abroad; it would be too costly for my client,” she says.

“Some influencers are sensible,” Valerie adds. “They respect the relationship they have with our clients, so we can deal with them directly. If we send them on a trip, for instance—because some brands require us to send influencers to press events— we’re willing to give in to their requests, like accommodate a plus-one, maybe a significant other or a personal hairstylist or makeup artist. Sometimes there’s no monetary compensation. They wear the clothes, bags and shoes to the event, but they don’t keep the merchandise.”

Ultimately, these sources agree it’s difficult to quantify a brand’s gains from influencer marketing, beyond creating awareness and brand recall, particularly for new launches.

“It can definitely create awareness but it’s not easy finding out if it makes a dent, unless a customer actually says they saw it on so-and-so’s post,” says Villaraza.

“There is no clear measurement for media mileage for an influencer,” says Angela. That’s why, when forking out the enormous fees, “the best way to gauge the reach of your campaign would be to ensure that the influencers have a substantial following, and that their engagement with their followers is high.”

And by engagement, it doesn’t mean inane comments like, as Villaraza cites, “Ano poh filter gamit niyo?” ■

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FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

Sports The G League is Pinoy female boxer to fight here, replacing the world champ NBA’s D League

BY LITO DELOS REYES Philippines News Agency

BY TIM REYNOLDS The Associated Press THE G League has arrived.

The rebranding of what had been known as the NBA Development League went into effect Tuesday, designed to coincide with NBA draft week — since it’s certain many of the players who will be selected will spend some time in the G League this coming season.

It’s a partnership with Gatorade, in a deal that was announced back in February, but the new name is no abbreviation: What was often called the D-League is now officially the “NBA G League.”

“We’re thrilled with this exciting new chapter for our league,” G League President Malcolm Turner said. “We’re thrilled with the new brand identity and excited with this week in particular to make the announcement.

First-round draft picks played in this league this past season, 22 second-round draft picks played in our league, so we’ve already been a big storyline in draft week because our league is an effective, efficient place to develop talent.”

That’s never been more apparent, with the league swelling to a record 26 teams for the coming season — with hope that

it grows to 30, one for each NBA franchise, soon. The league is likely to grow to at least 27 in the 2018-19 season.

Part of the deal with Gatorade calls for G League players to benefit from an association with the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, which works with players on research and education to find how they can get the most out of their bodies.

“That’s a very key part of all this,” Turner said.

Some players in the G League this coming season will be on twoway contracts for the first time, since that feature will be added when the new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and its players goes into effect on July 1. NBA teams will be able to have up to two players on such deals, where players would be primarily on a G League club and can be on the NBA team’s active or inactive list for up to 45 days during the regular season.

Two-way players could make up to about $275,000.

The G League will continue to be both a proving ground and testing ground for the NBA. Pace of play ideas, as well as tinkering with four- and fiveman officiating crews, have been worked on in what was the D-League, and the NBA will continue studying other ideas down there this season. ■

DAVAO CITY — Filipina world champion Gretchen “ChenChen” Abaniel will be challenging the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) World female minimumweight champion Zong Ju Cai of China on July 12 in Shenzhen, China. will be the first title defense for Cai, who wrested the crown by dethroning Japan’s Etsuko Tada by a split decision last January 30 at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort in Macao.

The 25-year-old Cai (9-1-0, 1 KO) has also won in the past the vacant IBF Inter-Continental Female minimumweight title, WBC International female minimumweight title, WBC International female minimumweight title , vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council female minimumweight title, WBC International female minimumweight title and vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental female minimumweight title.

Abaniel (17-8-0, 6 knockouts), on the other hand, has already won many titles including the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) World and Global Boxing Union Female World minimumweight crowns.

MMAORIENT.WORDPRESS.COM

The native of Puerto Princesa, Palawan won both titles via a unanimous decision against Saowaluk Nareepangsri (6-20) last July 2, 2016 at the Club Punchbowl in Punchbowl, New South Wales, Australia.

The 31-year-old Abaniel first captured the vacant WBC International female minimumweight title via a unanimous decision against Lily Kokietgym in 2007 in Manila.

She later stopped Thailand’s Nongnum Mor Krungthepthonburi by a 9th round technical knockout on February 7, 2014 in Laguna to win the interim WIBA world minimumweight title.

Abaniel, however, lost in her next two title fights held outside the country. She first

bowed to Japanese Kumiko Seeser Ikehara by a split decision on September 20, 2014 in Osaka, Japan for the vacant WBO World female minimumweight title.

Abaniel then dropped a unanimous decision to Zong Ju Cai on February 22, 2015 in China for the two vacant titles WBC International female and WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental female minimumweight.

Abaniel bounced back with a split decision win over thenunbeaten Oezlem Sahin (190-1) on November 7, 2015 in Germany to pocket the vacant Women’s International Boxing Federation (WIBF) World minimumweight title and Global Boxing Union Female world minimumweight crown. ■

Pagunsan now tied for 2nd

BY ROY LUARCA Philippine Daily Inquirer

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

JUVIC PAGUNSAN birdied three of the last four holes to card a 3-under 68 Saturday and climb to joint second in the Queen Sirikit Cup in Thailand.

Even par up to the 14th, the Filipino ace birdied the 15th and then closed out birdiewww.canadianinquirer.net

birdie to catch up with halfway mark leader Thawom Wiratchant, who settled for a 70, and stay one shot behind new pacesetter Nicholas Fung of Malaysia.

Playing steadily, Fung also tallied 68 for an 11-under 202 total in the $500,000 event being held at Suntiburi Samui Country Club.

With earlier rounds of 6867, Pagunsan was at 203 with Wi-

ratchant, winner of the 2014 edition and still in top form at 50 years old.

Also in strong contention for the crown, just two shots off Fung, are Filipino Angelo Que and three others.

Que fired a 69 to pool a 204, the same totals posted by Thai Jazz Jane Wattanond, who shot a day best 65, Malaysian Danny Chia (67) and Hung Chien-Yao (67). ■

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JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Business As Brexit talks begin, Europe sees economic upswing over UK

BY PAN PYLAS The Associated Press LONDON — When Britain voted to leave the European Union a year ago, proponents argued Britain’s economy was being held back by the slow-growing, dysfunctional bloc.

A year on, and with the Brexit divorce talks finally starting, the situation is radically different.

Britain’s economy is growing more slowly than Greece’s, its households are getting poorer as inflation rises and the government is struggling to stay in power. The remaining 27 members of the EU, meanwhile, appear to have pushed into a higher gear and found renewed vigour from the election of proEU governments like that of France.

“The tables have turned somewhat,” said James Nixon, chief European economist at Oxford Economics. “The European economy is now enjoying a solid upswing and sentiment, especially towards the EU, is improving.”

The situation could embolden the EU negotiators in the Brexit talks and weaken the British side, though it is still far from certain how the talks, which are due to last two years, will play out.

For Britain, it’s a role reversal, having been buoyed by strong growth in recent times — even after the momentous vote on June 23, 2016 to leave the EU. Rather than fall into recession in the wake of the Brexit vote, as many economists had predicted, Britain last year was one of the fastest-growing economy among the Group of Seven industrial nations. That was largely due to the sharp fall in the value of the pound in the wake of the Brexit vote, which made British exports cheaper in international markets.

The EU, and the 19-country eurozone in particular, was

still reeling from a debt crisis that raised questions over the future of its euro currency and was struggling to cope with a flow of refugees seeking sanctuary from the war in Syria. The Brexit vote had raised questions about the future of the EU and its detractors, including many political parties, were looking to deliver it blows in key elections in France and elsewhere.

For Britain, things have clearly gotten worse this year.

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May failed spectacularly to achieve a majority for her Conservative Party in the general election she called for earlier this month, undermin- Following the close result in the recent referendum in the UK, the 48% marched last July 2016 to call for a resolution of ing confidence in her ability to the issue.

MS JANE CAMPBELL / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM remain in the top job. And the economy started showing clear signs of worsening. the economy and the fiscal ac- vote to leave the EU. And we as France’s new president, and A 15 per cent drop in the counts.” will leave the EU. But it must his party’s big success in legispound against the dollar has The upshot is that Britain is be done in a way that works for lative elections on Sunday. pushed up inflation as it makes now at the bottom of the G-7 Britain. In a way that prioritizMacron was elected on a imports more expensive, caus- growth table. Even Greece, es British jobs, and underpins mandate to deeply reform ing living standards to fall as which is just coming out of an Britain’s prosperity.”

France’s economy, such as makwage increases fail to keep up economic depression and is While the situation in Britain ing it easier to hire and fire pace. The consequence of that operating under an interna- has clearly worsened, it has got- workers. And he is unlikely to is households are spending less tional bailout, is doing better, ten brighter in the rest of the waste much time pushing those — retail sales are growing at with quarterly growth of 0.4 per EU. reforms through. The French their slowest rate in four years. cent, double Britain’s.

Populist politicians in Aus- economy is performing better Uncertainty tria, the Neth- than at any time in years, which surrounding the erlands and could make it more palatable outcome of the France who had for people to accept the changBrexit talks — a lukewarm at- es.

I have said before, and I remain clear such as the postachment to the All the signs are that the today, that when the British people sibility that BritEU at best, failed French economy, for years a lagvoted last June, they did not vote to ain crashes out to make the gard in Europe’s economy, has become poorer, or less secure. of the EU with headway they pushed into a higher gear. The no deal — is also may have antici- same can be said for the wider likely to make pated in recent eurozone economy, which grew consumers cauelections, while by 0.6 per cent in the first three tious. As will the prospect of Philip Hammond, reappoint- German Chancellor Angela months of the year. higher interest rates from the ed as Chancellor of the Exche- Merkel is widely expected to Investors are getting more Bank of England. Last week’s quer by May after the election, win again in elections this au- confident about its prospects, policy meeting showed that is increasingly arguing for the tumn. Meanwhile, the region’s with some funds, including three of eight rate-setters sur- need for business to be front debt crisis doesn’t look like it’s Blackrock and Morgan Stanprisingly backed the first in- and centre in the Brexit discus- going to flare up again anytime ley, recommending clients to crease in nearly a decade. sions, over and above any other soon as Greece got the money go “overweight” on European The pound’s fall has helped consideration, such as reclaim- it needed to meet a big summer stocks. exporters by making their ing sovereignty or clamping repayment hump.

It’s still unclear how this digoods cheaper around the down on immigration.

“The second half of the year vergence in performance beworld. But the impact of the “I have said before, and I re- now looks far less threatening,” tween the two sides of the Brexdepreciation doesn’t last long main clear today, that when the said Simon Derrick, chief mar- it negotiating table will play and credit ratings agency DBRS British people voted last June, kets strategist at BNY Mellon. out. The worry, surely for Britsays that whatever the shape they did not vote to become Perhaps the most important ain, is that the EU will be able of the Brexit deal, uncertainty poorer, or less secure,” Ham- development for the economy to tough it out a bit more than “is likely to adversely impact mond said Tuesday. “They did has been the election of Macron it could have done a year ago. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Business

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

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PCC teams up with Ombudsman PSEi seen staying Antitrust body sets new drive vs bid-rigging, cartels in gov’t projects

BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINE Competition Commission (PCC) has teamed up with the Office of the Ombudsman in a bold newcampaign to weed out bid-rigging, price fixing and cartels in government procurements and projects.

“A unified front in leveling the playing field, both in government and commercial transactions, will ultimately benefit consumers and the general public,” PCC Chair Arsenio Balisacan said.

While the Ombudsman has jurisdiction over corruption cases involving high-level government officials, PCC is mandated to prohibit anti-competitive conduct and impose administrative penalties on violators.

“The PCC is like an ‘ombudsman of the market.’ We go after cartels, bid manipulators, price fixers, etc.—cases that may also potentially involve criminal offenses such as bribery, graft and corruption, over which the (Ombudsman) has jurisdiction,” PCC Commissioner El Cid Butuyan said.

Butuyan said the partnership between the PCC and the Ombudsman could boost the detection, investigation and prosecution of the anti-competitive conducts.

“There are significant synergies and complementarity of the two agencies in pursuing a shared mandate to detect and

below 8,000 level

BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer

JUDGEFLORO / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

penalize misconduct. We expect this partnership between the OMB and the PCC to provide a big boost in promoting integrity both in the public and corporate sectors,” Butuyan added.

Before joining the newly created PCC, the Harvard-educated Butuyan was based in Washington D.C. working as counsel in the legal department of the World Bank where he was responsible for the investigation and prosecution of corruption, collusion and fraud in World Bank-funded projects.

The collaboration between PCC and OMB is part of the former’s enforcement of the landmark Philippine Competition Act through partnerships, parallel efforts, joint task forces and coordinated actions with partner agencies, both locally and abroad.

Some channels where anticorruption efforts converge with antitrust enforcement include bid rigging cases punishable under Section 14 of the Philippine Competition Act. The PCC is mandated to look into cases where market leaders bag large-scale transactions while government officials receive payoffs by providing cover for anticompetitive conduct.

Bid-rigging as an anti-competitive conduct carries penalties ranging from P100million to P250 million, as well as criminal penalties of imprisonment from two to seven years and a fine ranging from P50 million to P250 million.

“On a personal level, I am very pleased that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has demonstrated strong commitment for this mutual initiative,” Butuyan added. ■

THE LOCAL stock barometer is seen to consolidate below the 8,000 level this week as investors reassess their portfolio after the recent run-up.

Last week, the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) hit a high of 8,028.22 but ended the week lower by 108.02 points or 1.35 percent after the US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate.

“The market has been attempting to sustain itself above 8,000 but seems to be having a hard time. Foreign buying has been positive and significant for the past few weeks and will be a factor in the coming sessions,” said Manuel Lisbona, president of PNB Securities.

Foreign investors have been net buyers in the stock market for the last 14 sessions.

“The week could start with a rally but the underlying direction will be sideways for the coming couple of weeks,” Libsona said.

BDO Unibank strategist Jonathan Ravelas said that chart-wise, last week’s close at 7,882.22 continued to suggest that the market would trade between 7,700 and 8,000.

“Look for a break above the 8,000 levels to trigger tests toward the 8,150–8,200 levels,” Ravelas said. Immediate market support will be at 7,650 while resistance is at 8,000, Ravelas said.

Meanwhile, Ravelas noted that the peso had weakened by 0.81 percent last week to 49.90 after the US Fed officials raised its policy rate for the second time this year by 25 basis points alongside additional plans to tighten monetary policy despite growing concerns over weak inflation. “This caused a basket of major and regional currencies to weaken against the greenback,” he said.

“The week’s close at 49.90 continues to signal the currency to range between 49.60 –50 levels,” he said.

Leading online stockbrokerage COL Financial said it was cutting its risk premium assumption on the local market by 60 basis points to 5 percent to factor in potential upside to corporate earnings given an improved global economic outlook and the approval of the Philippine tax reform program by the House of Representatives.

“The outlook of the global economy has improved significantly since we last increased our risk premium assumption in 2015. Growth of developed economies such as the US, Europe and Japan is picking up due to various factors, including fiscal stimulus and cyclical rebound from economic recessions. Coupled with the rebound in China’s economy, the resulting increase in demand for commodities and other imports is, in turn, benefiting developing and emerging economies including the Philippines,” COL said in a research note. ■

Germany’s Merkel vows not to give up on US free trade deal

BY GEIR MOULSON The Associated Press BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed Tuesday to seek a broad agreement on trade at next month’s Group of 20 summit and told German business leaders that she won’t give up on a free-trade deal between Europe and the U.S. Merkel will host leaders of the G-20 powers in Hamburg on July 7-8 amid widespread

concern over the Trump administration’s “America first” approach to trade. In a speech to an annual German industry congress, she stressed the need to convince others of the advantages of open markets and free and fair world trade.

“We will do everything to achieve as broad an agreement as possible on this in Hamburg,” Merkel said. “In view of the new American administration that isn’t easy, but we must make the effort

nonetheless.”

President Donald Trump has pulled the U.S. out of a trade agreement with Pacific nations. Prospects for a planned U.S.-European Union deal, the planned Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, also look poor.

Merkel, however, insisted that it offers a chance to set “common standards that others in the world wouldn’t be able to get around so easily,” given that a U.S.-EU accord would cover www.canadianinquirer.net

about 30 per cent of world trade.

“I will continue to push for us to move forward here, for us not to put the project on ice but to try to take further steps,” she said.

Trump has criticized Germany for its sizeable trade surplus with the United States, and Berlin also has faced criticism from other European countries.

Merkel renewed her defence of her country’s record, arguing that imports and exports

shouldn’t be viewed “in isolation” as German products often include parts from elsewhere in the EU, helping boost productivity elsewhere.

German direct investments in the U.S. are almost 10 times higher than U.S. companies’ investments in Germany, she added — “a lot of jobs in the United States depend on this, but this is also a contribution to world trade because, of course, there are also exports from the United States.” ■

32

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Technology Tech CEOS visit White House Nintendo looks to talk modernizing government to keep sales of

Switch soaring by learning from Wii U mistakes

BY CATHERINE LUCEY AND JOSH BOAK The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The White House on Monday urged technology CEOs to pitch in on President Donald Trump’s effort to modernize government.

“Our goal is to lead a sweeping transformation of the federal government’s technology that will deliver dramatically better services to citizens, stronger protection from cyberattacks,” said Trump, adding that the possible changes could produce up to $1 trillion in savings over 10 years.

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google parent company Alphabet, were among those attending an afternoon of working groups on issues like technology infrastructure, cybersecurity and visas for foreign workers. Trump has spoken out against illegal immigration and signed an executive order banning travellers from six Muslim-majority countries, a source of tension with technology firms.

“We’re working very diligently with everybody, including Congress, on immigration so that you can get the people you want in your companies,” the president said.

The administration drew a mix of flattery and policy requests from the assembled technology leaders and university officials. Cook, the Apple CEO, requested that computer coding be taught in every pub-

BY CURTIS WITHERS The Canadian Press Apple CEO Tim Cook.

lic school. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said workers need more skills for a technology-based economy. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos encouraged the government to use commercial technology to save money and develop artificial intelligence to improve government services.

Venture capitalist John Doerr asked for the government to open up its databases to private firms, saying it would transform health care.

“If you set the data free, the entrepreneurs are going to do the rest,” he told the president.

The gathering was the first event for a technology-focused effort within the White House Office of American Innovation, which seeks to overhaul government functions using ideas from the business sector. Several of the executives complimented Jared Kushner, senior adviser and son-in-law to Trump, and his wife, Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and a senior adviser, for helping to drive the initiative.

Kushner cited some examples of the current technol-

JSTONE / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ogy infrastructure, noting the use of floppy discs in Pentagon “legacy systems.”

Some technology executives have clashed with Trump over his decision to exit the Paris climate accord. Leaders at Apple and Google were among the American corporate executives who appealed to the president to stay in the pact. Nearly 100 major technology companies — including Facebook, LinkedIn and Intel — also opposed the administration’s travel ban in February.

But other companies have supported aspects of the Trump agenda. IBM was prominent last week during the White House’s push for apprenticeships. Intel unveiled plans at the Oval Office in February to invest more than $7 billion in an Arizona factory, a move Trump portrayed as a win for U.S. workers.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the administration was focusing on technology this week. He said there was “a lot of room for optimization in the federal government.” ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

TORONTO — Nintendo is counting on Mario, Link and its other heroes to protect the Switch from suffering the same fate as its predecessor.

The gaming giant made plenty of noise at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, showing off upcoming titles for its hot new console while announcing the return of some popular franchises further down the road.

The presentation capped a year-long turnaround for Nintendo, which came to last year’s E3 with considerably less fanfare. The Wii U console was entering the last days of its ill-fated lifespan, there were precious few details on its successor and outside of the heavily anticipated next “Legend of Zelda” game, there wasn’t too much that moved the needle.

Momentum began to shift last fall with the release of “Pokemon Sun” and “Pokemon Moon” for the portable Nintendo 3DS, then took an unexpected spike in March with the release of the Switch. The console/portable hybrid has so far sold at a pace comparable to the hugely popular Wii, which at

its height had an install base of more than 100 million units.

For the Switch to approach that lofty number it needs sustained success, and a hot launch is no guarantee of a home run.

The Wii U sold briskly after its November 2012 launch, but a lacklustre rollout of titles over the coming months saw sales plummet. In December, Nintendo reported overall Wii U sales of 13.56 million, a drop in the bucket compared to what the Wii achieved.

“It’s more of a learning from the Wii U launch. We had a number of first- and thirdparty titles at launch and then kind of went dry for about sixplus months afterwards,” Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s senior vice-president of sales and marketing, said in a phone interview from E3. “It killed our ability to install on the hardware and it killed our momentum.

“We think the strategy ought to be about every month you see a major tentpole from Nintendo. And the early tentpoles are definitely leveraging our most popular IPs.” Nintendo has certainly employed the strategy early in the Switch’s lifetime. The console ❱❱ PAGE 38 Nintendo looks

Technology

FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

33

Amazon-Whole Foods tie up could speed grocery transformation

BY CANDICE CHOI The Associated Press NEW YORK — Grocers trying to compete with the threat of a combined Amazon and Whole Foods will have to make their stores more appealing, leverage their locations to offer delivery and do a better job of collecting shopper data.

They may also need to seek innovative partners of their own.

Amazon’s planned $13.7 billion acquisition of the organic and natural foods grocer signals a massive bet that people will opt more for the convenience of online orders and delivery or in-store pickup, putting even more pressure on the already competitive industry. Though online orders are estimated to account for just 1 per cent to 2 per cent of grocery sales, that figure is expected to grow.

It’s not yet clear what specific changes are in store at either Amazon or Whole Foods, since the two companies are saying little about their plans. But even before the deal was announced, grocers were scrambling to adapt to shifting habits.

Here’s a look at the changes that are expected to accelerate.

Show & sell

Grocery shopping is likely to get more sensory, as retailers try to make stores a draw beyond just picking up staples.

Kroger Co., for instance, has touted the opening of Murray’s cheese shops in some locations. Whole Foods, a leader in redefining the modern grocery experience, offers a “produce butcher” at a recently opened store in New York City.

“I think retailers are going to have to bring a lot of excitement to the store,” said Stew Leonard Jr., CEO of Stew Leonard’s, a grocery chain with five locations in Connecticut and New York.

Leonard noted his chain is known for free samples and costumed farm animals that walk around stores and greet shoppers. But he said he’s looking for ways to modernize elements of the “show” his stores put on — such as the singing animatronics — to ensure that grocery shopping remains a family event.

Prepared foods are another way grocers are increasingly making their stores a destination. Some chains have classical musicians play as shoppers wander from wine sections to sushi stations or meet friends for a bite. And in a nod to the popularity of delivery companies like Blue Apron, Kroger and Whole Foods

PHILIP ARNO PHOTOGRAPHY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

have been testing meal kits as well.

Delivery & in-store pickup

Major grocery retailers were already stepping up their efforts in delivery and in-store pickup of online orders. And Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods underscores the value of physical locations in offering such options. Many also say they will always want to do some of their grocery shopping in person to see what they’re buying.

“All stores are not going away, it’s just

New trial... cerned about delays which interfere with that right,” a spokeswoman said in an email.

New time limits established by the Supreme Court of Canada last summer state that cases heard in provincial court should go to trial within 18 months and those heard in Superior Court should do so within 30 months.

Though the landmark decision in R v.

Jordan dealt with criminal charges, the time limits it has set also apply to regulatory charges such as those under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, said Palma Paciocco, an assistant professor at York University’s Osgoode Hall law school.

That’s because Canada’s highest court had previously made it clear that the right to a timely trial applies to all charges, Paciocco said.

What is more likely to come into play in this case is the fact that two of the defendants are companies rather than people, she said.

Before the Jordan ruling, defendants had to demonstrate they experienced prejudice as a result of the delays, and it was understood that corporate defendants did not suffer in the way that accused people whose lives were disrupted did, she said.

But the new rules have eliminated that requirement, concluding that ex❰❰ 25

treme delays are inherently prejudicial, she said.

“This opens up a bit of a question as to whether that rule applies directly to corporations,” she said.

The Supreme Court has also allowed for a transition period during which the courts may take the earlier rules into account when weighing cases that predate the Jordan ruling.

A British drum technician who was touring with Radiohead was killed and three other workers were hurt after part of a massive outdoor structure came crashing down during setup for the June 2012 concert at Downsview Park.

The falling debris crushed Scott Johnson, a drum technician in his 30s, whom the band called “a highly skilled and valued member” of its road crew.

Live Nation Canada, Live Nation Ontario and Optex Staging each face four counts alleging they failed to ensure the stage structure was being built in a safe manner.

Cugliari, the engineer, faces one count of endangering a worker as a result of allegedly negligent or incompetent advice or certification.

Radiohead postponed a portion of its European tour that year following Johnson’s death. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

a matter of finding the store/online equilibrium,” Credit Suisse analysts said in a note.

Maintaining the right balance will be critical. Walmart has about 4,700 U.S. locations, with plans to offer curbside grocery pickup at 1,100 by the end of this year. Kroger has nearly 2,800 stores that operate under a variety of names. Whole Foods’ footprint is far smaller with about 440 locations, though those are ❱❱ PAGE 35 Amazon-Whole Foods

JUNE 23, 2017

34

CANADA

Wanted: PERSONAL ASSISTANT - HOME CARE Permanent – Full time $14.00/hour - for 40 hours per week Anticipated start date: As soon as possible Location: Scarborough, Canada (1 vacancy) Wanted homecare personal assitant to provide care to an 85 years old elderly female suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Duty includes administer bedside and personal care to client such as aid in ambulation, bathing, personal hygiene and administration of medication.

Prepare and serve nutritious meals. Perform routine housekeeping duties such as laundry and ironing clothes and linens, washing dishes, making beds and house cleaning. Taking the designated individual for walks, park, malls and doctors appointments and any other duties deemed necessary to assist the designated individual with day to day living. Preferably with 1 year to less than 2 years of work experience in elderly care. Must speak and write English.

Completion of highschool graduate equivalent in Canada.Optional accomodation available at no charge on a live-in basis. (This is not a condition of employment)

email resume to: eymard.lumbre@yahoo.com

St. Louis Bar and Grill (Bolton Location) 301 Queen St. S

Now Hiring Line Cooks - Cook menu items in cooperation with the rest of the Kitchen staff - Clean up kitchen and stock inventory - Proven cooking experience - Accuracy and speed in executing assigned tasks We have an amazing group of people working here and we are currently growing very quickly! We are looking for the right team member(s) to join our fabulous team!

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FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2017

35

Travel Amazon-Whole Foods... mostly in urban and affluent neighbourhoods where delivery might be more in demand.

As sales declined at established locations, Whole Foods recently said it was hitting the brakes on expansion and that it no longer saw potential for 1,200 locations. The company hasn’t said whether that thinking changes under Amazon.

In the meantime, other retailers are getting into the delivery game by teaming up with startups. Instacart, which operates in 69 markets, counts partners including Costco, Publix, Target and Wegman’s. Whole Foods is also among its partners, though the fate of their fiveyear contract may now be up in the air. ❰❰ 33

DANN19L / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Tokyo’s governor decides to keep famous Tsukiji fish market

BY YURI KAGEYAMA The Associated Press

said at a news conference.

“Our country has always valued tradition,” she said.

Koike declined to give an exact timeTOKYO’S GIANT Tsukiji fish market, line, stressing she was just announcing a popular with tourists, won’t be de- basic plan that still requires approval by stroyed, although it will be closed for the city legislature. up to five years while it is modernized Toyosu will also need to be cleaned and turned into a “food theme park,” the up to ensure its water systems and soil capital’s governor said Tuesday. meet safety standards. The city faces a The market will move to a state-of- challenge in calming public fears about the-art 600 billion yen ($6 billion) facil- the toxins at Toyosu, which have drawn ity in Toyosu on the widespread media eastern outskirts of coverage.

Tokyo while Tsukiji The massive new is rebuilt. After that, complex, loaded with Tokyo will have two huge refrigeration wholesale fish marOur country units, requires large has always kets, Gov. Yuriko amounts of money valued Koike said. just to maintain. tradition.

Koike had halted Meanwhile, the planned move to Tsukiji, famous the Toyosu last August, world over for its just months before tuna auctions and the new market’s quaint sushi joints, scheduled opening, after food safety has hobbled along and is still busy with concerns were raised. Toxins have been tourists. found in soil and groundwater at ToyoKoike said she wants to turn Tsukiji su, which was previously the site of a gas into a “food theme park,” rebuilding its plant. antiquated buildings and adding the latThe initial plan was to sell the bay- est earthquake-resistant technology. side Tsukiji property after the move, Japan is among the most quake-prone possibly for a shopping mall or ca- nations in the world. sino.

She believes Toyosu’s high-tech distriBut Koike said she is opposed to such a bution systems and its proximity to airone-time cash gain for the capital. Tsuki- ports will help make it a bustling market ji is a valuable brand and landmark, she that can co-exist with Tsukiji. ■

Getting bigger

To try to compete with Amazon — which has become a go-to destination online for a range of products — other chains may look outside themselves to build up their operations.

Walmart, which gets more than half its revenue from groceries, has been expanding with its acquisition of Jet.com last year and last week said it was buying online men’s clothing seller Bonobos. Other deals could follow the Amazon-Whole Foods announcement, with Credit Suisse analysts saying that mergers represent “the path to survival.”

JP Morgan analyst Ken Goldman noted that Sprouts Farmers Market, which is known for its low prices on natural and organic products, could become a more likely target for acquisition. Sprouts has about 270 locations in 15 states.

The highly competitive and saturated grocery industry has been consolidating but is still fractured. The top 10 grocery retailers plus Amazon control less than half of the market, according to John Blackledge, an analyst at Cowen & Co. Several hundred grocery chains, conve-

www.canadianinquirer.net

nience stores, dollars stores as well as mom and pop stores account for the rest.

Data determing deals

Amazon’s wide-ranging data collection and sophisticated analysis helps it set prices and decide what offers to present to different customers. Whole Foods had been working to get better at data collection with the rollout of a loyalty program, and Amazon is expected to give those efforts a significant boost.

Tracking shopper data to offer more targeted deals is seen as a critical advantage in the competitive grocery industry.

Smaller regional players that don’t have the resources to compete would be at a big disadvantage.

On the price front, Walmart, Target and Kroger were already feeling pressured. Deep discounter Aldi has been expanding and its German rival Lidl opened its first U.S. stores this month.

And the pricing pressure may intensify.

Amazon is known for driving sales at the expense of profits, Stifel analyst Mark S. Astrachan noted, saying the company will likely maintain that approach as it looks to build market share in groceries.

The technology giant has been testing a cashier-less convenience store in Seattle where sensors track the items that shoppers put in baskets. Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener says the company has no plans to use such sensors to automate the cashier jobs at Whole Foods. Still, it’s the kind of technology that could help cut costs down the road, and that others may look to as well.

The possibilities opened if Amazon is successful in acquiring Whole Foods, said RBC Capital Markets analyst David Palmer, would be “a game-changer in American eating.” ■

36

Travel

JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Car lovers’ Newport: 2 museums One of PHL’s largest highlight design on wheels travel agencies eyes Ilocos Norte’s tourism development

BY MICHELLE R. SMITH The Associated Press

NEWPORT, R.I. — Car enthusiasts now have their pick of destinations to get their fix while visiting Newport, with two car museums featuring classic and rare cars, the newest having opened just this month. The Audrain Automobile Museum and the Newport Car Museum both place a strong emphasis on design and display the cars as works of art.

“What we’re really talking about is good design, and how car design really reflects art and social history,” said David de Muzio, executive director of the Audrain Automobile Museum.

“It’s another way to understand what the cars are, why they look like they do.”

The museums fit right in to the spirit of Newport, a resort destination known for its mansions, folk and jazz festivals and beaches. Wealthy families have summered here for generations — bringing with them their cars.

“There is a car culture here, and it goes right back to the late 19th century when Willie K. Vanderbilt was acquiring and racing cars. Some of the very first car races in the United States happened right here in Newport,” de Muzio, of the Audrain, said.

Cars became part of high society, as vacationers spending time at summer homes would parade their cars around town.

Some of those car races were held on the beach here, or on Bellevue Avenue, the leafy boulevard lined by Gilded Age mansions, de Muzio said.

Both museums are drawn from private collections, and they are different and complementary.

The Audrain, which opened in 2014, is located in a historic building on Bellevue, next to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It rotates through four exhibits per year of around 20 cars, drawn from a collection of 225.

It has what de Muzio calls an “encyclopedic” focus, with a wide range of different makers and years, from pre-war cars to the present day. An exhibit on view through June 25,

PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY

Audrain Automobile Museum.

“Drop Dead Drop Tops,” focuses on convertibles and features a range of cars, from a 1930 Pierce-Arrow Model A to a oneof-a-kind white and blue 2013 Bugatti Veyron 16.4L Grand Sport Vitesse “Le Ciel Californien.”

The exhibit even includes curiosities such as a 1957 Ferrari Bimbo racer, a 12-volt electric children’s car, which was based on the open Ferrari Spider of the time.

The Audrain’s new exhibit, “Fast, Fun & Fabulous: Best of Show,” featuring award-winning automobiles that are a superlative example of design, or that have won races, opens July 1.

There’s still a new car smell at the Newport Car Museum, which opened June 1 and is actually in neighbouring Portsmouth, a short drive from the attractions of Newport.

The museum is housed in a 55,000-square-foot space in a building once used by defence contractor Raytheon to manufacture missiles. The displays here are drawn entirely from the private collection of Gunther and Maggie Buerman.

Around 50 cars are displayed in five galleries, with classics including Ford Shelby racing cars, Corvettes, Mopars and a large collection of fin cars, as well as some European, British and Japanese cars. Every model of Corvette, from a C1 to C7, is here. There’s a 1965 Ford Shelby 427 SC Cobra, designed by American automotive designer and race car driver Carroll Shelby, one of just 31 made, and valued by Gunther Buerman at $3 million.

From a 1954 Buick to a 2017

AUDRAINAUTOMUSEUM.ORG

Dodge Viper ACR, Gunther Buerman said he wanted the museum to appeal to all ages.

“The idea is to span that whole generation, so that the grandfather can come, the father and son have something to enjoy, the mother, the grandmother. The whole family can come and see something of interest,” he said.

Anna and Doug Lash, of Monroe, Connecticut, said they have been to numerous car museums and shows, but never one quite like the Newport Car Museum.

“The artistic layout is really unique, it makes the cars look like a piece of art. These cars were virtual pieces of art. The production cars today don’t even come close to some of this,” said Doug Lash, a selfdescribed car enthusiast. “The classics that he’s picked are incredible. The design is the thing that makes them stand out from anything that goes fast.” ■ If You Go...

AUDRAIN AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM: 222 Bellevue Ave., Newport, Rhode Island, next to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, http://audrainautomuseum.org/. Adults, $14; seniors, military, students, $10; children, ages 6 to 17, $8. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

NEWPORT CAR MUSEUM: 1847 West Main Rd., Portsmouth, Rhode Island (near Newport on the campus of defence contractor Raytheon), https://newportcarmuseum.org/. Adults, $18; seniors, military, students, AAA members, $15; children, ages 5 to 15, $5. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily www.canadianinquirer.net

LAOAG CITY — Another travel agency is setting its sight on Ilocos Norte’s tourism development as talks are underway for a proposed chartered flight of Chinese passengers directly to the Laoag International Airport.

Provincial Tourism Officer Ianree Raquel confirmed this on Tuesday following the visit of representatives of Asia Landmark Travel Agency to Ilocos Norte where they particularly inspected the newly-rehabilitated Laoag airport.

“We got a good feedback from them and they will come up with a proposal for a chartered flight,” said Raquel.

Asia Landmark Travel and Tours is among the country’s largest travel agencies that brings in Chinese tourists

mostly to Boracay, Cebu and Bohol, among others.

Last April, it also served as the official ground handler of some 30 Shandong delegates that visited Ilocos Norte.

With the on-going crisis in Mindanao, the company is exploring a tour of Luzon particularly in this northern gateway to check on its tourism facilities.

According to Raquel, Chinese tourists are looking for water activities such as snorkeling and diving sites, seafood dishes, and other interactive activities.

“We are hoping for a fruitful partnership with the group. It is still a long shot but we expect for some development around the year,” Raquel said.

He added Asia Landmark and other travel agents are apparently shifting their focus on other destinations where peace and order situation is relatively stable. ■

Palawan registers over 1.1M tourists in 2016

BY JESUS M. USTARES Philippines News Agency PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — The Palawan Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) said Thursday that 1,162,439 foreign and domestic tourists visited the province in 2016.

The figure is higher than that registered in 2015, which was 1,008,908.

PTO chief Maribel Buñi said the increase is 15 percent higher, and American tourists contributed the highest visits at 63,092.

She said the tourist areas they visited the most are located in the capital city of Puerto Princesa, and El Nido, Coron, San Vicente, and Taytay in northern Palawan, and Brooke’s Point in the south.

Following the U.S. citizens

in the list of visitors are Taiwanese, who made 47,613 visits; Chinese, 25,254; French, 24,092; and Koreans, 19,478.

Buñi is positive that despite the travel advisories issued by the U.S. and United Kingdom warning their citizens to take extra caution in visiting Palawan, many would still come to the province as it is safe to visit.

A few weeks ago, travel advisories were issued by the two countries allegedly after intelligence reports claimed multiple kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) activities will be done in Palawan by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.

But the Joint Interagency Security Task Unit (JISTU) said Palawan is safe as it has postured ample security to prevent violent extremists from disturbing its peace and order situation. ■

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Food Dessert rub, black pepper spiced rub for steak, all purpose rub THE CANADIAN PRESS RUBS ARE a great way to give a base flavour to grilled food — and they need not be limited to use on meats.

They’re usually applied several hours before cooking so that a marinating effect takes place. Rubs also help form a savoury crust, says grilling guru Steven Raichlen.

“And that rub anybody can make with ingredients I guarantee you have in your house. It takes two seconds. It’s so much better than a store-bought rub, which contains monosodium glutamate and really crappy spices usually. But it’s also infinitely customizable,” he says.

Substitute smoked salt or smoked paprika for plain salt, use maple or brown sugar instead of white sugar, or hot pepper flakes instead of black pepper.

Raichlen has developed a dessert rub that is delicious on fruit, especially pineapple.

Pineapple is one of the first fruits Raichlen tried grilling and it remains a family favourite.

“You grill it over a super-hot fire quickly so you caramelize the outside, but you leave the inside raw so when you bite into it it’s candy crust, then icecold pineapple in the centre.

You can imagine how amazing that tastes,” says Raichlen, who hosts the new TV show “L’Atelier du Maitre du Grill” for Zeste TV in Quebec.

Here are some recipes to add flavour using rubs: Spice-grilled pineapple with smoky whipped cream

The key to grilling pineapple is to do it over a hot fire so the sugar caramelizes while leaving the fruit raw and juicy in the centre. Mezcal is a tequila-like spirit made with fire-roasted agave cactus hearts. This gives it a smoky flavour — think of it as Mexican liquid smoke, suggests Raichlen.

Spiced Smoked Whipped Cream • 250 ml (1 cup) heavy (whipping) cream • 30 ml (2 tbsp) Dessert Rub (recipe follows) • 30 ml (2 tbsp) mezcal or 1 ml (1/4 tsp) liquid smoke Pineapple • 250 ml (1 cup) minus 30 ml (2 tbsp) Dessert Rub (recipe follows) • 1 juicy ripe pineapple, peeled and cut into 1-cm (1/2-inch) thick slices (cored or not) • 125 ml (1/2 cup) coconut milk (use a Thai or Latino brand) • Ground cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish Whipped cream: In a chilled metal bowl, place cream and Dessert Rub. Beat to soft peaks with an electric mixer. Add mezcal and continue beating to firm peaks. Keep chilled.

Set up a grill for direct grilling and preheat to high. Brush and oil grill grate.

Place Dessert Rub in a shallow bowl next to grill. Brush each pineapple slice on both sides with coconut milk, then completely dredge in rub, shaking off any excess.

Arrange pineapple slices over hot fire and grill until darkly browned (sugar should start to caramelize) on both sides, 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter or plates. Top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and shake a little ground cinnamon or grate some nutmeg on top.

Makes 4 to 8 servings.

Source: “Barbecue Sauces, Rubs and Marinades — Bastes, Butters and Glazes, Too” by Steven Raichlen (Workman Publishing, 2017).

Dessert rub

Raichlen created this dessert rub for grilled peaches and it works equally well on grilled plums, bananas, pineapple and apple (cut crosswise into

1-cm/1/2-inch thick slices).

You can also use the rub on grilled half lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit to make an extravagant sangria. Or sprinkle it on slices of buttered pound cake and grill to make dessert “toast.”

Turbinado sugar is a coarsely granulated, light brown cane sugar with crunchy crystals.

If unavailable, use granulated sugar or demerara.

• 250 ml (1 cup) turbinado sugar • 10 ml (2 tsp) ground cinnamon • 1 ml (1/4 tsp) ground nutmeg • 1 ml (1/4 tsp) ground allspice • 1 ml (1/4 tsp) ground cloves In a bowl, place sugar and whisk in cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. Transfer to a jar, cover and store away from heat and light. This rub will keep for several weeks.

Makes 250 ml (1 cup).

Source: “Barbecue Sauces, Rubs and Marinades — Bastes, Butters and Glazes, Too by Steven Raichlen (Workman Publishing, 2017).

Spicy skillet t-bone steak

Chef Corbin Tomaszeski suggests serving this steak with twice-baked potato wedges or cheddar mashed potatoes and a simple side of grilled asparagus.

If desired, add fresh thyme or rosemary, whole garlic cloves and chopped shallots to the pan with the butter; this combination will give you the best herb and garlic butter seasoning, he says.

You can use coarse salt and pepper only instead of the peppercorn spice blend.

• 2 T-bone steaks (750 g to 1 kg/1 1/2 to 2 lb), rested at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes • 30 ml (2 tbsp) vegetable oil • 50 ml (3 1/2 tbsp) unsalted butter • Black Pepper Spiced Rub Mix

• 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) black peppercorns • 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) coriander seeds • 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) cumin seeds • 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) mustard seeds • 2 ml (1/2 tsp) cloves • 2 ml (1/2 tsp) fennel seeds • 4 pieces cardamom pods, crushed, reserving seeds (discard pods) • 1/2 small cinnamon stick • 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) coarse sea salt Place rub mix ingredients into a spice mill and grind until coarse.

Rub both steaks on each side with spice mixture.

In a large heavy cast-iron skillet, heat vegetable oil over high heat. Once oil begins to smoke, carefully place peppercrusted steaks in pan. Pan-sear steaks on both sides until they turn a dark golden colour. Turn or flip steaks frequently while they are cooking.

After about 4 minutes, add unsalted butter and continue to cook steaks. Using a tablespoon, baste steaks on both sides with melted butter, being careful not to burn butter or steak. If the pan gets too hot, reduce heat to medium-high.

Continue to baste, cook and turn steaks until desired doneness. Use an instant-read thermometer to determine your preferred doneness.

Remove steaks from pan and

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let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.

Makes 4 servings.

Source: Chef Corbin Tomaszeski of Savoury at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.

Corbin’s essential barbecue rub and spice blend

This recipe is perfect for anything roasted or grilled on the barbecue. Try it with slowroasted brisket or pan-seared fish or shrimp.

• 15 ml (1 tbsp) toasted ground cumin seeds • 30 ml (2 tbsp) paprika • 15 ml (1 tbsp) salt • 15 ml (1 tbsp) onion powder • 15 ml (1 tbsp) garlic powder • 15 ml (1 tbsp) cayenne pepper • 15 ml (1 tbsp) white pepper • 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) dried thyme • 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) ground black pepper • 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) dried oregano In a small resealable jar, combine ingredients. Cover with a lid and shake. Store mixed rub or spice blend in a dark cool space until use.

If desired, add 30 ml (2 tbsp) of brown sugar for pork ribs or chicken wings.

Makes 4 servings.

Source: Chef Corbin Tomaszeski of Savoury at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.

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JUNE 23, 2017

FRIDAY

Try crab curry from Sri Lanka that’s exploding with flavours THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA AS ANY fan of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain knows, food is more than raw ingredients. To understand a bowl of noodles or a perfectly formed dumpling, a foodie must understand the people who make it, the place where it is made, and the deeply rooted history of both.

Halfway across the world, in the small-yet-mighty city-state of Singapore, students are embarking on the journey of a lifetime at The Culinary Institute of America’s first international location. Bachelor’s degree candidates studying toward an Asian Cuisines concentration spend a semester at the CIA’s Singapore location learning from world-renowned chefs, a vibrant culinary scene, and travels through neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.

On a recent visit to Sri Lanka, students explored the local flavours of traditional curries.

The country has a wealth of ingredients that were historically inaccessible in other parts of the world, resulting in flavourful combinations of spices, produce, and proteins that are uniquely Sri Lankan.

Inspired by the journey, the class prepared this recipe for Sri Lankan Crab Curry, a spiced (and a little spicy) mixture that is exploding with flavours and ingredients that you may not use every day. Alongside the

familiar coconut milk, garlic, and lime juice, you’ll find sour tamarind paste, earthy pandan leaves, and nutty fenugreek seeds.

While you may not find some of these ingredients in your everyday grocery store, they should be easily found at a well-stocked Asian market or through online retailers. If not, ask around the market for suggestions to replace the hardto-find ingredients. The beauty of a curry is that, while every ingredient plays a role, there is enough flavour to go around so minor omissions or substitutions won’t ruin the recipe.

We’re including a recipe for curry powder, and while you can purchase a pre-made blend, making your own gives you the freedom to adjust the mixture to your preferences. If you just can’t stand the flavour of fennel, then use a little bit less, because it’s your curry. Use any leftovers to coat roasted vegetables, to punch up a chicken soup, or to stir into hummus for a flavourful sandwich spread.

However you use these ingredients, and no matter where you purchase them, allow this recipe to transport you somewhere new, and maybe you’ll be inspired to go off and taste the world yourself.

(recipe below) • Two 2-pound crabs, top shell, gills, and guts removed (see note) • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder • 3 tablespoons Indian chili powder • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed • 1/2 cup coconut oil • 1 cup sliced shallots • 1/4 cup sliced garlic • 2 sprigs curry leaves (about 15 fresh leaves) • 1 long green chili, sliced • 2 cups coconut milk • 1/2 cup tamarind paste, soaked then strained • 4 fresh pandan leaves • 1 cup coconut cream • 2 tablespoons lime juice, plus more as needed

to a simmer and cook until the crab is fully cooked, about 12 minutes. If the mixture seems too dry, add additional coconut milk or water 1/4 cup at a time.

Remove from the heat and add coconut cream and lime juice, and season with salt, to taste, before serving.

Chef’s Note: If you prefer, you can substitute 8 ounces of lump crabmeat for the whole crabs.

In that case, skip the marinating step and add the curry powder, turmeric, chili powder, and salt with the green chili and lump crabmeat in Step 3, then continue as written.

• 3 tablespoons Curry Powder

To prepare the curry powder, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the cardamom pods and toast, stirring occasionally, until the pods have darkened slightly and are fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl. Add the cinnamon stick and toast until it is also slightly darkened and fragrant.

Transfer to a bowl, and then repeat with the coriander, cumin, fennel, cloves, and fenugreek until all are toasted. Add the chili powder and curry leaves to the mixture and grind in a mortar and pestle or electric spice grinder. Set aside.

Cut each crab into quarters.

Crack the claws, but leave them attached. In a shallow dish, combine the crab, curry powder, turmeric, chili powder, and salt, and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Heat the coconut oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, garlic, and curry leaves and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add the green chili and crab and cook until aromatic, about 3 minutes.

Add the coconut milk, tamarind paste, and pandan leaves and stir to combine. Reduce

veraging their popular IPs for six months. System sellers like “Mario Kart 8” and “Super Smash Bros for Wii U” came even later in the console’s lifespan. By that time interest in the console had fizzled, and the install base was too small to allow for the software sales a “Smash Bros.” title would normally enjoy.

While the Wii U disappointed overall, it did launch a new successful IP in “Splatoon,” essentially a kid-friendly shooter where cartoon squid/human hybrids do battle with colourful ink. The sequel is one of the

Switch’s upcoming tentpoles, as is “Arms,” a 3D fighting game where combatants do battle with long, springy appendages.

Both these IPs fit into Nintendo’s longtime strategy of producing family-friendly games that also catch the eye of more serious gamers.

“A conscious choice we’ve made with Nintendo Switch is that we have identified some core audiences that we really want to win,” Bowser said. “One is the Nintendo fan and active gamer, and the second is kids and parents.

“We look at titles like Arms or

Splatoon 2 as having the ability to bridge both of those targets.

It allows us to create really fun games that families can enjoy that are family safe. Splatoon, you’re using fun weapons and ink instead of other means, and it’s got a very fun, cartoony artistic look to it.

“I think Arms is very similar and is a very active game where you’re engaging the capabilities of the Joy-Con. So yes, we are actively attempting to serve multiple markets, and the kids and parent market is one.”

While Nintendo had a lot to

announce at E3, those looking for more information on its flat-rate online service, which has been delayed until next year, will have to wait. While Nintendo has announced a skeletal framework of how the service would work, Bowser said no further details are expected in the immediate future.

Bowser also said Nintendo is still deciding on whether its Virtual Console, which allows users to buy classic games that appeared on previous Nintendo systems, will be made available on the Switch. ■

Sri Lankan Crab Curry

Servings: 8 servings Start to finish: 1 hour (Active time: 15 minutes)

Curry Powder • 6 cardamom pods • 1 cinnamon stick • 2 teaspoons coriander seed • 1 tablespoon cumin seed • 1 tablespoon fennel seed • 6 whole cloves • 1 teaspoon fenugreek seed • 1 teaspoon Indian chili powder • 6 dried curry leaves

Nutrition information per serving: 455 calories; 241 calories from fat; 27 g fat (23 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 43 mg cholesterol; 405 mg sodium; 39 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 22 g sugar; 16 g protein.

Nintendo looks... was launched along with “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” which actually outsold the Switch itself in March, and the next month saw the release of a port of “Mario Kart 8.”

“Arms,” a new intellectual property, is out this month, and this year will also see “Splatoon 2” and “Super Mario Odyssey” arrive. Beyond this year are plans for “Pokemon,” “Kirby,” “Yoshi” and “Metroid” games.

Compare that to the Wii U, which saw a “Super Mario Bros.” game at launch, then nothing le❰❰ 32

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