US Asian Post November 25, 2016

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Vol. 5 No. 54 LOS ANGELES

Friday - Thursday, Nov. 25 -Dec. 1, 2016

Petitioners to seek sanctions vs. Marcoses MANILA, Nov 18 (Mabuhay) – The groups opposing the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani will ask the Supreme Court to impose sanctions against those responsible for proceeding with the interment on Friday.

The burial caught the nation by surprise, especially the petitioners because the decision has not yet attained finality.

“Now we are considering filing

a motion next week to cite respondents in contempt for proceeding with the burial even if the SC decision is not yet final and executory,” said Barry Gutierrez, counsel for the petitioners led by former Commission on Human Rights chairperson Etta Rosales and veteran journalist Jo Ann Maglipon.

Joining the move is the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) which represents petitioners forSee PETITIONERS, page 12

PHP gliding in near 50 vs US dollar

By Joann Santiago

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – The Philippine peso took another beating from the US dollar Friday while the equities market posted mixed results.

The local currency shed another Php0.22 Friday to end the week at 49.78 from 49.56 a day ago.

A trader said this regional trend is expected after Fed futures for December rose to 96 percent following statements made by

Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen during the Congress’ Joint Economic Committee Thursday, hinting a rate increase next month.

The trader explained that comparative rate of the Fed futures and actual rate hike “is higher” in the last two years, except in the second quarter this year after the “yes” vote for a Brexit won. ”And the markets have priced in a hike this December,” the trader See PHP GLIDING, page 12 Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday said Filipinos were cheated once again with the “surprise” burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Robredo said she was “stunned” by the seeming rush in the interment on Friday noon, apparently at the request of the Marcos family for a “private burial ... held in confidentiality.”

VP Leni: Filipino people cheated anew

MANILA, Nov 19 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday said Filipinos were cheated once again with the “surprise” burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Robredo said she was “stunned” by the seeming rush in the interment on Friday noon, apparently at the request of the Marcos family for a “private burial ... held in confidentiality.”

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. and Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry on November 17 at the Lima Convention Center in Peru where President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is set to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting. (MNS photo)

HSBC ups ‘16 growth forecast for PHL

By Joann S. Villanueva

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – Banking giant HSBC hiked its 2016 growth forecast for the Philippines after the higher-than-expected economic expansion in the third quarter this year.

The government, on Thursday, reported a 7.1 percent growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), for the third quarter, the highest in Asia for the said

period and highest for the domestic economy since 2013.

It was driven by the robust fixed capital investments and private consumption, among others.

This growth is stronger than quarter-ago’s seven percent output and year-ago’s 6.2 percent print and brought the year-to-date GDP to seven percent, the upper end of the government’s six to seven per-

fiscal incentives program while working on ways to make the Philippines a more open economy for foreign direct investments (FDIs).

Dominguez said he has already tasked Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua to compare the country’s present set of tax breaks with those of the other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-econSee BUSINESS TAX, page 12

See TRAINING, page 12

See FORECAST, page 12

on Saturday.

“Meron tayong prosesong sinunod at hinihintay natin ‘yong motion for reconsideration. Hindi pa final and executory [’yung desisyon]. Parang ang pakiramdam

lang dinaya tayo all over again,” she added.

The Vice President staunchly opposes the burial. In her sharpest statement on the matter on Friday, See VP LENI, page 12

DOH assures continuity in hiring of nurses PHL, Indonesia, MANILA, Nov. 19 (PNA) – The ance in reaction to those fearing Malaysia agree Department of Health (DOH) as- that under the proposed 2017 nobody will really lose their budget for the program, nurses on launching joint sured jobs” in the agency. salaries will be increased and military training “While it is true that the Nurses therefore, after adjustments will BALI, Nov. 18 (PNA/Sputnik) – Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines reached an agreement on launching joint army training to further efforts aimed at protecting the Sulu Sea from rampant piracy, media reported on Friday.

According to The Jakarta Post, from January 2017, the countries will conduct military training on their own, while joint training will start later in the year. The training is expected to take place in Indonesia’s Tarakan in North Kalimantan, Malaysia’s Tawao Island and the Philippines’ Bongao Island.

The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Indonesian, Malaysian and Philippine defense ministers on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting held this week in Laos. On Thursday, the Indonesian defense minister stressed

DOF wants business tax breaks on par with ASEAN neighbors MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – The Department of Finance (DOF) wants the government’s income tax holidays to be on the par with those of its Southeast Asian neighbors in a bid to modernize this incentives program and further liberalize the economy to allow the entry of more foreign investors.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government has to rationalize its current

“Parang we knew that it was going to happen, pero hindi na-imagine na it would be conducted hurriedly at patago. Iyong sa akin lang, parang insulto yata ‘yon sa Filipino people,” she told reporters

Deployment Program (NDP) reduced the number of hired nurses by 6,970 in 2017, nobody will really lose their job (for those currently hired in the program) because the nature of such hiring is on a contractual basis not a permanent one.

Secretary Ubial made the assur-

result in fewer hires situations among nurses.

The Health Chief added that under the proposed 2017, NDP can hire nurses at higher than usual salary rates because the work is a short-term contract.

The longest is one year with two See NURSES, page 12

Subpoena powers for PNP-CIDG okd MANILA, Nov. 19 (PNA) –The House Committee on Public Order and Safety has approved a proposal to grant subpoena/subpoena duces tecum powers to the Philippine National Police- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) which are essential in the completion and fast-tracking of its investigation of cases.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Romeo V. Acop (2nd District, Antipolo City), approved House Bill 2993 authored by Rep. Francisco

Jose F. Matugas (1st District, Surigao del Norte) who said that in the current fight against drugs alone, the PNP-CIDG has been met with difficulty in conducting investigations because of its inability to procure documents and witnesses.

“This bill seeks to remedy that situation by giving the PNP-CIDG subpoena/subpoena duces tecum powers in relation to the conduct of investigations. It is surprising that the PNP-CIDG which is the See SUBPOENA, page 12

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Kerwin Espinosa says sorry to Duterte, asks for second chance

MANILA, Nov 18 (Mabuhay) -- Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, tagged as the biggest drug lord in Eastern Visayas, apologized to President Rodrigo Duterte for engaging in the drug business, asking the President to give him another chance to start a new life.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa presented handcuffed Espinosa, wearing a bulletproof vest and orange inmate garb, in a press conference at Camp Crame after personally escorting him from the airport early Friday.

Dela Rosa allowed Kerwin to answer questions from the media. In a low voice, Kerwin said: “Kay Presidente, humihingi ako

ng tawad sa nagawa ko dati at sana bigyan niya pa ako ng isang pagkakataon upang magbagong buhay.”

Kerwin promised the President that he would identify the protectors of the drug trade he allegedly operated in the Visayas region.

“Itong sitwasyon ko ngayon na wala na ang Papa ko, maaasahan niya na lahat ng involved sa drug trade na nalalaman ko, lalabas sila lahat—‘yung mga pangalan nila,” Kerwin said.

Kerwin’s father Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. died in a police raid inside his cell in Baybay City sub-provincial jail last Nov. 5.

Police claim a shootout ensued after Espinosa and his fellow inmate Raul Yap

fought back with the operatives.

But Dela Rosa assured that Kerwin will be unharmed under the police custody this time.

“Andito na si Kerwin, buhay na buhay ha. Hindi namamatay,” Dela Rosa said as he laughed.

Later, Kerwin said he feels safe since the PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) facilitated his security from the time of his arrest in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) last Oct. 17.

“Ngayon wala na akong takot sa pulis. Nakita ko ‘yung kanilang pagsafety nila sa akin mula sa pagkuha sa akin sa Abu Dhabi hanggang dito sa Crame.

Na-feel ko ‘yung safety ko na safe na ako,” he said. (MNS)

Clergy members slam the surprise burial of former President Marcos at LNMB MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – Members of the clergy slammed the surprise burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City Friday noon.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the unannounced burying of the late Chief Executive in LNMB was disgraceful since they kept it from the people.

“This burial is dishonorable because they hide it

from the people for fear of the people. It’s a characteristic of the Marcos rule -- secretive,” he said.

On the other hand, Fr. Jerome Secillano, parish priest at the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Parish in Sampaloc, Manila, believed that with the late dictator being buried at the LNMB, “what happened in the past will not be buried with him.”

“The atrocities committed by the late president against

the Filipino people will not be buried with him at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

He will forever be a dictator, plunderer and human rights violator,” he said.

The Manila priest noted that the Marcos family disrespected the purpose of LNMB. “With his burial, the Marcoses have desecrated the meaning of honor, nobility and heroism that are otherwise associated with that hallowed ground,” he added.

Presence of 24 Chinese nationals inside fake cigarettes factory puzzles probers LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 19 (PNA) – What were 24 Chinese nationals doing inside a factory that is screened from view by mango plantations and is suspected of manufacturing fake branded cigarettes?

The question was raised Friday after members of the bureaus of customs, internal revenue, and immigration, as well as the police, the Army’s 702nd battalion, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided the factory in Barangay Unzad, Villasis in Pangasinan province.

Also arrested in the operation were some 50 stay-in workers, all from Bolinao, Pangasinan and not a single one from the town and village where the factory is located, baffling the raiding team all the more.

There were reports that up to 50 Chinese nationals

were alternating in shifts in overseeing the alleged factory for fake cigarettes but only 24 were found at the site at the time of the raid.

All the suspects, who do not speak English, were placed under arrest and investigation by the immigration bureau, which may require them to produce their travel documents.

No illegal drug or drug laboratory was found in the compound that was fenced by a high concrete wall.

Discovered in the site were fake cigarettes stuffed in packs of Marlboro, Fortune, More, Jackpot, Mighty, and Winston among others, as well as equipment and apparatuses for manufacturing these.

Antero Prado Jr., bureau of customs special assistant, considered the discovery as beyond imagination because the equipment that manufacture the fake ciga-

rettes cost billions of pesos.

All these and other raw materials found at the site were believed to have originated from China.

The factory has neither a business permit from the local government of Villasis nor a clearance from the barangay where it is located.

Barangay officials confirmed that the workers found inside the factory were not locals.

Prado said the customs bureau will also verify whether the factory is connected to similar factories busted in Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City where they earlier seized PHP25 million and PHP63 million worth of fake cigarettes, respectively.

A similar raid was undertaken by customs bureau operatives in Pampanga province against another fake cigarette factory, also on Friday.

First week of registration yields over 10,000 voters in NCR

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – More than 10,000 voters have registered in the National Capital Region (NCR) during the first week of the continuing voter’s registration nationwide for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Friday.

Comelec data show that a total of 10,584 voters registered from Nov. 7, the start of the five-month registration period, to Nov. 12.

Taguig City posted the highest number of registrants with 1,884.

On the other hand, a total of 116 first-time voters (15-17 years old) and 5,821

voters, who are from the 18 years and above age bracket, filed their registration for the youth polls.

The Comelec expects more than 55 million voters in the Oct. 23, 2017 polls, with the inclusion of SK voters aged 15-17 years old.

Applications for registrants, transfer/transfer with reactivation, reactivation, change/correction of entries/and inclusion/ reinstatement of records in the list of voters will be accepted at the local Offices of the Election Officers (OEOs).

The continuing registration, which started last Nov. 7, 2016 will run up to April

29, 2017, Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Dec. 24 and 25, and April 13 and 14.

During the first week of the July 2016 voter’s registration, a total of 10,047 registered, with Caloocan City, 1st District receiving the highest number of applicants at 764.

Applications for registration for the SK in NCR from 15-17 years old bracket and from the 18 years old and above bracket were 2,326 and 5,490, respectively.

A total of 3,095,187 registered for the 2016 Barangay and SK elections from July 15 to 30.

DOJ orders probe into Customs exec slay

By C. Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Friday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a probe into the killing of Bureau of Customs Deputy Commissioner Arturo Lachica who was shot dead Thursday night in Manila.

This was confirmed on

Friday by Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes to reporters. He said Aguirre has issued a directive to NBI Director Dante Gierran to conduct the probe immediately.

Initial reports said Lachica was declared dead-on-arrival at United Doctors Medical Center after sustaining two gunshot wounds in the chest.

The official was headed home when a motorcycle-riding man fired at his black sedan around 6:50 p.m. along Espana Blvd., Manila.

Meanwhile, the BoC assured cooperation with authorities on the investigation of the case.

At a media briefing in Camp Crame early Fiday morning, November 18, 2016, PNP chief Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa points at the nose job done on suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa to alter his facial features. Espinosa, son of slain Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, is the alleged Eastern Visayas drug lord. Espinosa was brought to Manila after five months of hiding in Abu Dhabi. (MNS photo)

Bato: Kerwin is ‘missing piece’ in drug trade puzzle MANILA, Nov 18 (Mabuhay) – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa said Friday morning that the PNP is treating Kerwin Espinosa both as a suspect and a witness.

“Binabalance lang namin ‘yung aming treatment sa kanya. Very vital siya,” Dela Rosa said in a press conference in Camp Crame after the extradition of the alleged drug lord back to the Philippines.

According to the country’s top cop, Espinosa is the “missing piece of the puzzle” who can give vital information on the illegal drug trade in the country.

“Kerwin is like the missing link. He is like the missing piece of the puzzle.

Ganoong kahalaga iyung kanyang papel,” Dela Rosa said. Dela Rosa told journalists that Espinosa is willing to tell everything he knows about the drug trade.

“Sinabi naman niya sa

akin na since namatay na ‘yung kanyang father, he is willing to tell all, he is willing to tell everything that he knows regarding the illegal drug trade na kung saan sya involved.”

“Sabihin niya lahat kung sino supplier niya, distributor niya, upline, downline, protectors, lahat-lahat, sasabihin nya,” Dela Rosa said. (He will tell everything.

His supplier, distributor, upline, downline, protector.

Everything.)

Dela Rosa also claimed that part of Espinosa’s revenues from the drug trade were given to politicians during the last elections.

According to Dela Rosa, Espinosa’s statements will be made into an affidavit.

He said they will coordinate with the Department of Justice to determine whether Espinosa will be included in the witness protection program.

Espinosa said during the

press conference that he feels safe with his police escorts and is no longer afraid for his life.

He was worried he might suffer the same fate as his father who was killed inside a jail cell.

“Ngayon, wala na akong takot sa pulis... Na-feel ko yung safety ko. Na safe na ako,” Espinosa told reporters.

(I no longer fear the police… I can feel am safe.)

Espinosa also denied that he used backdoor channels when he tried to evade arrest.

According to Espinosa, he went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia first and then flew to Phuket, Thailand. From Phuket, he went to Bangkok before flying to Hong Kong.

From Hong Kong, he flew to Abu Dhabi, UAE where he stayed until he was arrested.

Dela Rosa also said Espinosa had a nose job in his attempt to evade arrest.

Aguirre: Probe on De Lima’s drug links not personal persecution MANILA, Nov 18 (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II assured the public that the government’s investigation on Sen. Leila De Lima’s alleged drug ties are nothing personal following their informal meeting at the Senate on Thursday.

Aguirre was at the Senate to defend the Department of Justice’s proposed budget for next year when senators prodded De Lima to join them in the discussion with the Cabinet official during a break in the deliberations.

The justice chief admitted to receiving a handshake from De Lima, his predecessor at the DOJ which is handling several complaints against her in relation to the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison. “The gesture of Senator De Lima is appreciated. I hope that it will show that the DOJ’s quest for the truth and to serve justice is

not a case of personal persecution as painted by some quarters,” Aguirre said in a statement.

“Be that as it may, we shall continue with our tasks in getting to the bottom of the proliferation of the drug trade in our country so that the real parties responsible will be brought to justice,” he added.

Aguirre did not say what was discussed during the informal meeting tete-a-tete which was marked by other senators laughing about the circumstances.

On Friday, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III described the brief chat between De Lima and Aguirre as “cordial.”

Aguirre and De Lima have been embroiled in a word war over the past several weeks, with Aguirre accusing De Lima of receiving election campaign money from gang leaders operating the illegal drug trade in the

national penitentiary.

De Lima, a former Justice secretary herself, has in turn accused Aguirre of fabricating evidence against her which she attributed to President Rodrigo Duterte’s anger regarding her criticism of the government’s bloody war on illegal drugs.

Duterte’s grudge against De Lima dates back to the time when she investigated the former Davao City mayor for his links to the vigilante group Davao Death Squad when she was Commission on Human Rights chairperson.

The attacks escalated when she called for a Senate probe into Duterte’s drug crackdown with the President accusing De Lima of using her former driver and bodyguard Ronnie Dayan to act as go-between in the transactions with the NBP’s high profile inmates led by convicted kidnapper Jaybee Sebastian.

Manila’s Evangelista St. cleared of 100 sidewalk vendors MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – Members of Manila’s Department of Public Services and Task Force Manila Cleanup, led by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, raided Evangelista St. between Raon and Recto Ave. Friday morning, driving away some 100 sidewalk vendors.

Head of Task Force Manila Cleanup, Che Borromeo, said the street is virtually impassable to vehicles during rush hours due to the huge number of vendors occupying the sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to walk on the street and compete with vehicles for road space.

The task force is also set to clear operations along Capulong St., from Juan Luna St. to R-10 in Tondo, he said.

Mayor Estrada vowed

that City Hall will continue with the road clearing operations. ”Just because it’s Christmas does not mean we will relax our campaign. We have to keep our roads and sidewalks open, especially now that the Christmas season is fast approaching, for the convenience of the public,” Estrada said.

Manila City Hall has already banned the night market along Recto Ave. from Abad Santos to Juan Luna streets this December to ease the expected traffic congestion during the Christmas rush.

The Manila night market was Estrada’s idea in 2013 to give opportunities to vendors who were displaced in the process of clearing out

the sidewalks and streets during daytime.

This time, however, a night market limited only to vendors of vegetables and wet goods will be put up along Recto Ave. between Juan Luna and Asuncion streets. This will be open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Borromeo said the mayor’s instructions are clear: do not allow the occupation of the city’s roadways and sidewalks again.

“This campaign will keep going, that is why we are watchful of the areas we have already cleared,” he said as he led a clearing operation in Quiapo Friday morning. “The mayor does not want another night market, just like during the past days of Recto, Divisoria.

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Salceda says infrastructure spending hastened PHL economic growth in Q3 LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 18 (PNA) – Albay second district Rep. Joey S. Salceda said the infrastructure spending, peace initiatives and economic reforms of the Department of Budget and Management under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte have helped spur the fast economic growth of the country in the third quarter this year.

According to a report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippine economy grew by 7.1 percent in the third quarter of 2016, much better than China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

It noted that the Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product or GDP was higher than China’s 6.7 percent, Vietnam’s 6.4 percent, Indonesia’s 5 percent and Malaysia’s 4.3 percent.

Salceda said the Philippines showed the fastest growth in Asia with “83 percent in the national government’s infrastructure

spending in September … indicative of the third quarter’s performance.”

He cited the big contributions of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to government’s coffers as another factor for this fast economic growth. Salceda said the OFWs, who constitute the “bulwark” of the new administration’s support have remained “strong contributors” for the higher growth.

He said the new government’s peace initiatives with the communist rebels and the Muslim groups have also earned “dividends” for the administration and “should boost business activities and investments in so-called “green field areas.”

Salceda added that the fast economic growth “on the supply side… was led by manufacturing’s resurgence with industry growth of 8.6 percent now exceeding services at 6.9 percent” while citing the modest recovery of agriculture.

PHL gov’t implements initiatives backing APEC goals

By Kris M. Crismundo

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – The Philippine government implements various initiatives to enhance trade and achieve goals of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Trade chief said.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters in a text message Friday that among the challenges in enhancing trade in the region was infrastructure gap, in which the Duterte administration is addressing. “[In] Supply-Chain [Connectivity] Framework Action Plan, [we] need more work to reduce cost, time, and certainty. [We give] importance [to] infrastructure development, which under the new administration, it is given priority and bigger budget,” said Lopez, who is in Lima, Peru to attend the concluding meetings of the APEC Summit 2016 with President Rodrigo Duterte and other Cabinet members.

The Philippines is also committed to achieve APEC’s Bogor Goals, which pursues free and open trade and investments among APEC economies by 2020.

The Bogor Goals emerged as APEC leaders’ target during their meeting in Bogor, Indonesia in 1994.

This aims to further reduce tariff and align policy measures to avoid proliferation of non-tariff barriers (NTBs).

“Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investments are the cornerstone of APEC. Trade and investment flows

by APEC economies have

expanded since the 1990s but slowed down since global financial crisis,” the DTI chief said.

According to Lopez, the Philippines’ most favored nation (MFN) tariff or the lowest possible import duty that can be applied is at 6.3 percent. MFN tariff for agricultural products is higher at 9.9 percent.

“Challenges are in services restrictions and agriculture tariffs. We noted still non-tariff barriers which affect MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), that there must be program to measure and phase down NTBs,” Lopez said.

He also shared that the Free Trade Agreement of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) remains a common vision among APEC economies.

“FTAAP must be pursued in a deliberate, step-by-step manner. We must work first on trade information sharing, capacity building, and technical cooperation,” he added.

Lopez noted that with the emerging trade pact in the region, local MSMEs should be more competitive to be part of the value chain.

“MSMEs should be given extra push through programs to help MSMEs grow; to make MSMEs innovative, modern, and global,” he added.

In improving the capabilities of MSMEs, Lopez mentioned DTI’s program to help this sector, which include DTI Negosyo Center, Go Lokal, Shared Service Facility (SSF) Projects, and pushing for inclusive business models.

Higantes Festival Parade 2016: Spectators watch and take pictures of the giant icons dressed in Filipino costumes presented in a parade in celebration of “Higantes Festival 2016” at Angono, Rizal on Sunday (Nov. 20, 2016). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

Php 650-M allotted for new DOT slogan

By Azer N. Parrocha

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 19 (PNA) – The creation of the new 2017 slogan for the Department of Tourism (DOT) costs about Php 650 million, DOT Secretary Wanda Teo disclosed Saturday.

Teo said that the new slogan would be handled by global advertising agency, McCann Erickson, which won the bid to develop the slogan during the previous administration under then DOT Secretary Ramon

need to give up economic growth - from clean energy, to sustainable transportation, to all facets of life. We need to have the courage to change the way we do things.

We cannot and must not build an economy based on suffering.”

Thus, Lopez said the Philippines will embark on a massive expansion of mangrove and bamboo plantations to strengthen the ecological and economic resilience of local communities in the face of climate change and its devastating impacts.

“We will go heavily into mangroves because, as our experience with typhoon Yolanda showed, the islands with mangroves suffered 80-percent less damage to lives and property,” Lopez pointed out.

a hit, but believed that it needed to be “upscaled.”

“When I was in Madrid, UNWTO (World Tourism Organization) told me ‘“It’s More Fun” is a good slogan why change it?’ So I said, let’s upscale it. Why is it more fun? We might consider on keeping it but adding more to it,” she said.

To recall, Teo previously said that she would be keeping the current slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” until the new slogan

is launched during the Miss Universe pageant coronation night on Jan. 30, 2017.

DOT Undersecretary for Media Affairs Kat De Castro said that the amount would cover TV all media placements all over the world including commercial, billboards, radio jingles and the like. She said that the deal between the DOT and McCann was signed a few weeks ago while bidding took place during the previous administration.

DOTr pushes for Aboitiz subsidiary inks PHP4.1-B loan integrated maritime MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) Metro Investment Corp. Cruz, Davao del Sur. transport network – Hedcor Sibulan, a subsid- as the issue manager and Hedcor Sibulan Inc. is a iary of Aboitiz Power, signed bookrunner, while Metro- wholly-owned subsidiary in ASEAN region a notes facility agreement politan Bank and Trust of Aboitiz Renewables Inc.,

By Aerol John B. Patena

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) believes that an integrated maritime transportation network in the Association of Southeast East Asian Nations (ASEAN) will help promote ease of movement of people, goods and services in the region.

DOTr spokesperson Asst.

Sec. Cherie Mercado said that the government was pursuing efforts to modernize ports and sea vessels to enable interconnectivity in the Philippines considering its archipelagic nature.

“This will enable our passengers to have a pleasant traveling experience and to enable seamless movement of goods and services,” Mercado said in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the conclusion of the 22nd ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting (22nd ATM) held Friday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. The department supports the establishment of the ASEAN Single Shipping Market and the ASEAN Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) Shipping Network, which are designed to facilitate trade, reduce costs and provide easier access to key markets in Southeast Asia through a more connected maritime transportation network.

Lopez: Fighting climate change and economic growth must go hand in hand MANILA, Nov 18 (PNA) – Delivering the Philippine Statement at the Joint High-Level Segment of the climate change summit in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said that combating climate change and economic development must go hand in hand as nations strive to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“Should the change in the planet’s temperature escalate to more than 1.5 degrees, we stand to lose whatever economic gains we make.

The planet simply cannot afford an indecisive ambiguity about what needs to be done.

The situation is clear - anything more than 1.5 degrees will destroy possibilities for quality of life,” Lopez said.

She added: “We do not

Jimenez Jr. “McCann is the one handling (the slogan). Php 650-million submitted by the previous administration,” Teo told reporters in a press conference in Davao City.

The Php 650 million was leftover budget from the previous administration which was supposed to be for promotions but Teo later came up with the decision to use it to change the slogan.

Teo admitted that the “It’s More Fun” slogan was

“The thrust will not only save our islands but will create economic zones because of the resulting increase in marine life. If handled well, our people can get out of poverty.” The DENR chief said the country will plant millions of bamboos, which not only perform “superbly” in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere but could also be used as material for buildings, low-cost housing, floor tiles and textiles, and for cleaning polluted waterways.”

With the planned expansion of its mangrove and bamboo plantations, Lopez said the Philippines will prove that climate-change adaption and mitigation and inclusive economic growth do not necessarily have to be separate choices.

with local banks amounting to PHP4.1 billion.

Aboitiz Power disclosed at the local bourse Friday that the funding will be used to finance the partial redemption of its redeemable preferred shares and other general corporate expenses.

The company tapped First

Company served as facility and paying agent.

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which is a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp.

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Spirit of Edsa I will remain despite Marcos’ ‘hero’s’ bural, says Catholic prelate MANILA, Nov. 19 (PNA) – A Catholic prelate said the spirit of EDSA People Power I will remain even as former President Ferdinand Marcos has been buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).

With this, Lipa Bishop Ramon Arguelles urged the people to let their faith in God reign in accepting the burial of the late dictator since it is important that a dead body be given peace.

“Sabi raw na wala na yung spirit of EDSA ako hindi nawawala yan, pero ang pagtitiwala sa Diyos ang nawawala. Kung tayo ay maka – Diyos kahit na iyan ay diktador basta patay na iyan. Pagdasal natin ang kaluluwa niya ang katawan niya igalang natin,” he said in an interview over Radio Veritas.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) – Permanent Committee on Public Affairs chairman added, “Nagkasala siya, kailangan hindi natin sasabihin na mabuti ang ginawa niya pero huwag naman natin siyang kamuhian ngayong patay na siya.”

Military Ordinariate Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak said that he respected both pro and anti-Marcos groups as they had their own opinion and reasons regarding the surprise burial of the former Chief Executive on Friday at the LNMB. “I respect the people na laban sa paglibing kay President Marcos sa (Libingan ng mga Bayan) at I also respect the desire of Marcos people to have him be buried in Libingan ng mga Bayan…”he said in a separate radio interview.

With this, he is praying that the issue will be resolve peacefully.

“So I just pray that this can be resolve peacefully yun lang ang masasabi ko sa case na ito, I hope it will be resolve if the dialogue is on, I hope the dialogue is on because someday it will be resolve…” said theChairman, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care.

The Marcos family, headed by former First Lady Imelda Marcos buried the former President at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani at about 12 noon Friday.

Bishop Noel Pantoja, National Director, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) believed that the people and the nation would be able to move on if truth is established and transgressions are acknowledged.

“We can truly move on as a nation and release forgiveness, if truth is established and transgressions are acknowledged,” he said in a statement.

The PCEC official added that the people should respect the decision of the High Court since that’s how the system works.

“We should respect the decision of the Supreme Court with all the dissensions and differing views of justices. That’s how our system works,” he said.

“I submit also to the President’s decision as it is his prerogative based on personal bias within the bounds of law,” Pantoja added.

He said, “we cannot ignore the historical facts that thousands were killed, tortured and deprived of human rights during the rule of Marcos. Millions thronged the streets in 1986 to depose him.”

Hate crime on the rise in New York, but is it Trump’s fault?

MOSCOW, Nov. 18 (PNA/Sputnik) – The New York Police Department has announced a 31-percent increase in hate crimes in the past year. Critics of President-elect Donald Trump are attempting to link the statistics to his divisive campaign rhetoric and subsequent victory.

According to the New York Police Department, there have been 328 hate crimes recorded during the 365 days leading up to November 13, 2016 — a sizable increase compared to the same period a year earlier. There were 13 more hate crimes against Muslims and 9 more hate crimes recorded against Jews during this most recent period.

NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill told reporters, “There’s been a lot of rhetoric, but this is New York City, and we’re much better than that, and we won’t tolerate these crimes. We have the best hate crime investigators in the United States of America. So if you’re going to engage in behavior like this, rest assured that you’ll be arrested as quickly as possible and we’ll work with our prosecutors to make sure that you’re fully prosecuted under the hate crimes statutes.”

Critics of the President-elect have used the announcement to link the rise in hate crimes to Trump’s divisive campaign rhetoric.

The state of New York voted overwhelmingly in favor of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (58.8 percent), while Trump received only 37.5 percent, according to RealClearPolitics.

During her campaign, Clinton accused Trump of “racist” behavior although she failed to win the black vote, according to Huffington Post, and CNBC.

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OPINION

Salceda: Duterte just fit and perfect to deal with Trump

By Johnny C. Nunez

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte’s down-to-earth candor makes him “just fit and perfect” to deal with United States President-elect Donald Trump, in negotiating better deals in light of perceived risks that possible protectionism policies espoused by the American leader could bring to the Philippine economy.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda articulated this perception, noting that the Philippines is the second most vulnerable country in Southeast Asia, next to Singapore, to a possible US’s policy shift towards protectionism as declared by Trump, who won the recent US elections chanting the “Americans first” slogan.

The Albay lawmaker agrees with popular opinions the two leaders are closely similar in temperament, “brute frankness included, which should bring them to a common ground in resolving issues.” Both were political outsiders before winning their respective presidential quests, fired up by nationalistic zeal.

President Duterte, known for his hostile rhetorics against US President Barrack Obama, was among the first heads of nation to greet Trump following news of his victory. “I would like to congratulate President Trump. Long live Mr. Trump! We both curse at the slightest of reasons.

We are alike,” he declared in Kuala Lumpur while he was in his Malaysian visit when the US poll results were announced.

“We are both making curses. Even with trivial matters we curse. I was supposed to stop (cursing the US) because Trump is there. I don’t want to quarrel with (the US) anymore, because Trump has won,” Duterte said, as quoted by one newspaper report.

Salceda said the biggest threat US protectionism could bring lies primarily in economic aspects, consisting of impacts on robust BPO business with the US at 5.7% of Philippine Gross Domestic Product (GDP), mainly trade; 2.84% remittance from US/GDP, mainly economic slowdown and deportation; and 4.5% export/ GDP, which is trade/economic slowdown.

These combine to 13% of the Philippine economy exposed to the US which makes it the second highest, next to Singapore, Salceda pointed out. Currently the senior vice chair of both the House committees on Economic Affairs and Local Government, he said protectionist policies are also bound to slow down US’s own economic growth, and flow of trade, services, migration and remittances which are certain to impact on the Philippine economy.

Moreover, he said exports to the US are “mostly electronics which have low gross value added of 20% compared to BPOs and (constructively) remittances; and secondly, the social costs of deportation of some 360,000 undocumented TNTs or Tago-ng-Tago, of the 3.4 million Filipinos in the US, 88% of them are legal

and Trump is not against legal migrants.”

The economist lawmaker, however, said there’s hope the “perceived kindred spirit of Duterte and Trump should prove useful in negotiating for Philippine economic interest, tax exemption on outsourcing and no pressure on BPO principals; and an easier Pathway to citizenship for 360,000 undocumented Filipinos in the US, or a more gradual process, say over four years.”

Contrary to widespread perception, the Philippine GDP is only 4.5% (export/GDP) exposed to the US market. It is the second least exposed among its ASEAN neighbors, next to Indonesia, the least exposed at 2.5% only. Salceda noted that the Philippines has only a USD1.5 billion trade surplus over the US, aided

by GSP preferences, and since exports to the US are mostly electronics with low GVA (gross value added) of 20% compared to BPOs and (constructively) remittances which are relatively more substantive than those of five other Asean countries, this compares more favorably with Japan’s exports to the US which accounted for 2.6% of its GDP in 2015.

Salceda said US BPOs account for 5.7% Philippine GDP. US accounts for 77% of the USD22 billion BPO sector (as market and investor) that generated 1.1 million jobs in 2015. He said Trump wants to bring jobs back to the US as attempted before by President Barrack Obama through tax on outsourcing or simply through persuasive influence over BPO companies or the industries they cater to.

Such approach, however, will be significantly countered by the Philippine competitive advantages of Filipino talents, neutral English accent, trainable and competitive labor force, socio-cultural predisposition to Western lifestyles, and cheaper hourly wage for call center agents in the Philippines at only USD2.00 only, compared to about USD10.50 in the US. In 2015, remittances from the US amounted to USD8.4 billion, a USD1 billion hike over the previous year’s USD 7.4 billion. This is equivalent to 2.84% of Philippine GDP, said Salceda. Based on a Central Bank report, 32.8% of total OFW remittances in the first eight months of 2016 originated from the US. While the figure includes remittances from other countries coursed through US-based correspondent banks and couriers which sadly cannot be disegregated as to their ultimate sources, it corresponds with the CFO estimate that 35% of Filipinos overseas are in the US. Salceda said this sector accounting for 2.8% of Philippine GDP may be affected by a slowdown in the US economy. During the 2008 financial crisis, remittances from the US fell by USD502 million from USD 7.83 billion to USD 7.32 billion, while during the Asian financial meltdown, it prompted a spike from USD4.11 billion to USD6.4 billion.

PhilHealth strengthens frontline services

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – In line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for transparency, faster transactions and customer satisfaction in the government service, the state-run health insurer is continuously improving its frontline services for the benefit of its 93 million members and their dependents.

Service delivery infrastructure Seventeen Regional Offices, five Branches and 101 Local Health Insurance Offices (LHIOs) strategically located nationwide enable the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to immediately attend to the needs of its members, whether these are membership or benefit availment concerns.

To further extend its service availability, service desks were put up inside the malls, making PhilHealth one of the few government agencies that have done so. From 11 PhilHealth Express outlets in 2012, the number grew to 63. Today, these Expresses are now located not only inside malls but in municipal or city halls, hospitals, city public libraries and in other areas with high volume of foot traffic.

Interestingly, some of the LHIOs provided additional facilities for members. Breastfeeding corners, diaper changing rooms, prayer rooms and kiddie nooks for children are provided for the convenience of the members who need to attend to their children while transacting business with PhilHealth, truly an innovative way of demonstrating understanding of its members’ needs.

As an affirmation of the quality of service being rendered by PhilHealth’s frontline personnel, no less than the Civil Service Commission has repeatedly recognized PhilHealth’s efforts to serve its clientele. There is a 17 percent increase in the offices conferred with Excellent Ratings. From 66 PhilHealth offices in 2014, 88 offices nationwide were conferred with Excellent Ratings in the 2015 Anti-Red Tape Survey. Fifteen offices were also awarded with the CSC’s Seal of Excellence award in 2014.

Point-of-service To stay even more relevant, PhilHealth made sure that its presence was felt where it is most needed. It stationed 585 proficient registered nurses in several Levels 2 and 3 hospitals nationwide to address queries and assist members in availing themselves of their benefits. Known as the PhilHealth CARES (Customer Assistance, Relations and Empowerment Staff), these nurses also proactively provide information updates to patients, conduct exit surveys and make the member experience at point-of-service truly pleasant.

This initiative won the ASEAN Social Security Association Transformation and Customer Service Excellence award in the 2016 ASSA Board Meeting and the Philippine Government Best Practice Competition organized by the Development Academy of the Philippines last 2015.

Action via offline, online and social media In tandem with efforts to beef up its physical presence and infrastructure setup in strategic areas, PhilHealth also opened its doors to offline and online customer management. Through its Corporate Action Center (CAC), PhilHealth is able to swiftly act on member inquiries, comments, suggestions and complaints received primarily through (02) 441-7442. Electronic mails received through actioncenter@philhealth.gov.ph are also immediately addressed, monitored and analyzed to ensure that customer satisfaction is achieved.

Keeping PhilHealth’s Social Media Unit and CAC busy are the numerous inquiries posted by millennials and technology-savvy members on its official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PhilHealth and Twitter account: @teamphilhealth.

Walk-in clients and referrals from different offices are also attended to by competent CAC staff, while members’ feedbacks received through other platforms or through the President’s Hotline 8888 are being welcomed with as much enthusiasm by the CAC personnel.

Two website innovations introduced last year are still being heavily used by PhilHealth members needing immediate information about their coverage. The All Case Rates Search Engine enables members and non-members to easily search for the amount of benefit that PhilHealth pays for a certain compensable medical or surgical condition. The search engine facility is particularly useful for members who do not have the luxury of time to call the PhilHealth office for their information needs.

On the other hand, the Member Inquiry facility allows members to check on their membership information and posted premium contributions, a pro-active move that aims to prompt members to update their membership records, as well.

Members may also refer to www.philhealth. gov.ph for information about PhilHealth, from membership, benefits, policies, contributions and updates.

Indeed, there is no stopping PhilHealth, where pleasing its customers is concerned. With the trust and confidence bestowed on it by its 93 million members over the last 21 years, it will definitely continue to uphold the highest quality of public service that its members so well deserve.

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Cordilleran mixed martial arts world champ visits, cheers LA

By Abner Galino

Filipino mixed martial arts world champion Eduard Folayang, a bona fide Cordilleran, said indigenous martial arts helped formed his fighting skills when he was a boy.

Folayang, who recently won the ONE lightweight championship in Singapore through a spectacular knockout of “legendary” Japanese fighter Shinya Aoki, mentioned at least two childhood games that his peers used to play during their childhood.

In one of those juvenile games, Folayang recalled, boys compete by wrestling each other.

“It was like judo,” Folayang said.

In the other game, the boys were engaged in a sort of a kicking competition.

“When the game starts, you can kick anyone you like to kick,” Folayang said while chuckling.

Folayang, nicknamed “Landslide,” was in Los Angeles on Sunday (November 20) where he had a meet and greet event at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Sunset Boulevard. It was arranged by Yey Coronel-Alcid of the Filipino American Service Group Inc., (FASGI).

The mixed martial arts

champion was participating in a show that Netflix and ONE were putting up for their viewers. He flew back to the Philippines the next day.

In the past, the proud Cordilleran had also brought to the Philippines. Folayang was a member of Team Lakay Wushu which was based in Baguio City. He has won several international Wushu tournaments, including a gold medal at the 2011 South East Asian Games, a silver medal in the 2006 Doha Asian Games and bronze medals in both the 2005 World Wushu Championship and the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

But what makes Folayang’s story more color-

ful was his incredible persistence that enabled him to rise up from extreme poverty. Five of Folayang’s siblings died from diseases during their childhood.

“So what I want to say is, whatever your circumstances, don’t give up. Believe in yourself and God will protect you,” Folayang said.

Prior to becoming a mixed martial arts fighter, Folayang was an English and Physical Education teacher in Baguio City. He graduated from the University of Cordilleras, a private university in Baguio City.

Recalling his most recent fight, Folayang said while he studied Aoki’s style (his opponent in the world lightweight title match), he did

PHL will not renege on its international commitments: Palace MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – Malacañang said on Friday that the Philippines will not renege on its international commitments after President Rodrigo Duterte earlier hinted a possible withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). ”This is an Executive discretion over foreign relations. However, the President as a lawyer will not renege legal processes such as concurrence of the Senate,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary for Operations Ana Marie Banaag said in a press briefing.

Before leaving for 2016 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima Peru last Thursday, President Duterte said he is contemplating on following the move of Russia to exit from the ICC. Last month, an ICC prosecutor reportedly said the international tribunal may have jurisdiction to prosecute perpetrators over alleged extra-judicial killings amid the Philippines’ war on illegal drugs. Senators have cautioned the President cannot just make the decision without getting the concurrence of the Senate.

Senate Minority Ralph Recto said President Dute-

President Rodrigo R. Duterte before his trip to Lima, Peru to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting will yield significant gains for the country. He delivers a pre-departure speech at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City on Nov. 17, 2016. (MNS photo)

rte’s threat to pull out from the ICC “is just one of his trademark ‘thinking out loud’ moments which spice up his public speeches.”

“We should know the drill by know. When he says something, it is not automatically a state policy,” Recto said on Friday.

Recto said “the process of disengaging from an international commitment or disaffiliating from world bodies cannot be triggered by an off-the-cuff statement from the President.”

“It should be the product of a study, debated in policy circles, even shared with our allies, so that we will be

able to cover all angles, and be apprised of all ramifications. We do not want to be blindsided,” he said.

The ICC is a world body which investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to its website.

The Philippines became member of the ICC in 2011, the same year the late former Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was elected as the first Filipino and first Asian to be elected as ICC judge.

Filipino mixed martial arts world champion Eduard Folayang

not dwell on the latter’s supposed submission skill.

“I concentrated on my own strengths,” Folayang said, adding that he patiently stayed in defensive mode until he had an opportunity to launch his attack.

Folayang ended Aoki’s winning streak that has stretched for four years in

the 3rd round of their bout in Singapore last November 11. An underdog coming to the fight, Folayang’s win was considered a great upset in the Asian mixed martial arts scene.

Asked if the win has made him any richer, the Cordilleran champion just smiled and told the crowd that he

was indeed richer but not in monetary terms “but in experience.”

ONE Championship is a Singapore-based mixed martial arts promotion established in 2011. It is supposed to be Asia’s largest sports media property, with a global broadcast of over a billion homes.

BSP posts Php 14-B net income in first nine months

By Joann Santiago

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) registered net income of Php 13.99 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2016, a reversal from the net deficit of Php 3 billion in the same period last year.

Central bank data show the net income was achieved after revenues reached Php57.12 billion, higher than the Php51.82 billion expenses.

Central bank revenues in the first nine months this year grew 32.3 percent while expenses contracted by 3.7 percent.

The central bank loses

from foreign exchange intervention, among others, targeted to address extreme volatilities in the foreign exchange rate.

The peso started the year at 47-level but is currently trading at the 49-level to a US dollar, below the government’s 47-49 range assumption for the year, on expectations for an increase in the Federal Reserve rates

by December.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said “the exchange rate is normally our first line of defense in adjusting to new shocks to the peso and the rest of the economy.”

Aside from concerns on

the expected Fed rate hike next month, the other factors affecting the peso are the uncertainties on the new leadership in the US, the Brexit, and slowdown of the Chinese economy.

Diwa, however, said that “as long as the volatility remains manageable and speculative plays are held at bay, we should allow the adjustment to continue.”

“After all, we should remember that our fundamentals remain sound with third quarter real GDP (gross domestic product) at 7.1 percent--which would anchor all of these adjustments and re-balancing to manageable proportions.

Forex reserves down USD 1.19 B to $67-B

MUMBAI, Nov. 18 (PNA/ PTI) – India’s foreign exchange reserves declined by USD 1.190 billion to USD 367.041 billion in the week to Nov. 11 on account of fall in foreign currency assets, Reserve Bank said today.

In the previous week, the reserves had increased by USD 1.074 billion to USD 368.231 billion. They had touched life- time high of USD 371.99 billion in the week to September 30, this year.

Foreign currency assets (FCAs), a major component of the overall reserves, dipped by USD 1.155 bil-

lion to USD 342.772 billion.

FCAs, expressed in US dollar terms, include the effect of appreciation/depreciation of non-US currencies such as the euro, pound and the yen held in the reserves.

Gold reserves remained steady at USD 20.460 billion, the apex bank said.

The special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund declined

by USD 13.4 million to USD 1.462 billion, while India’s reserve position with the Fund dipped by USD 21.5 million to USD 2.346 billion, the apex bank said.

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ENTERT

BB Gandanghari

Padilla eventually decided to take the name BB Gandanghari and in July 2014, clarified that she is a transgender and not gay.

“When I came out, wala naman akong boyfriend.

Wala naman akong karealsyon. So parang sabi ko, what makes me gay? Fast forward to three years after, hindi pala ako gay. Transgender pala ako,” she said at the time. (MNS)

Jodi clarifies ‘I turned to drugs’ admission Jodi Sta. Maria has learned her lesson.

“Next time I have to be specific,” the actress said after several news websites reported about her past drug use. “Maraming nag-message kasi people were thinking it was shabu, cocaine. ...I just said that I turned to drugs but it was anti-anxiety drugs that I turned to during those moments.”

Early this month, Sta. Maria was quoted by the Cebu Daily News to have said that she “turned to drugs” and alcohol after her separation from Pampi Lacson, whom she was formerly married to for five years.

She was quoted in saying at an event in Mandaue City: “Before I became a workaholic, I became an alcoholic. I drank day and night. I even drank during tapings.”

“Ang gusto ko kasi masolusyunan ‘yung feeling ko of pain and empti-

Jodi Sta. Maria

ness. When alcohol wasn’t enough, I turned to drugs. I felt empty. I pretended to be okay when the truth is hindi naman talaga.”

But despite the confusion, Sta. Maria hopes her journey to recovery would serve as an inspiration to those who are undergoing similar troubles.

“Iyong story na pinagdaanan ko sa buhay ko, I’m praying that it brings

strength and inspiration and hope to people na dumadaan doon sa pinagdaanan ko.

And it’s really with God’s grace na nandidito ako ngayon kung nasan ako sa buhay ko,” she said.

Early Thursday, Sta. Maria flew to New York to attend the 2016 International Emmy Awards. She is among the nominees for best actress for her portrayal of Amor Powers in the remake of “Pangako Sa ‘Yo.” Asked about her gown for the red carpet, she said that it was inspired by her character in the primetime drama.

“Hindi naman everyday na nakakatisod tayo ng isang nomination from the Emmys,” she admitted. “Maganda naman na maipresenta natin ng maayos iyong sarili natin, at siyempre pupunta ako doon na hindi lang naman sarili ko ang nire-represent ko, pati ang Philippines din.” (MNS)

Iñigo Pascual reveals reason behind new hairdo Young actor Iñigo Pascual revealed that going blond is his personal attempt to reinvent and do “something new” with himself.

The 19-year-old said he wanted to project a different image, starting with his hair.

Pascual changed his hair color ahead of the launch of his self-titled album under Star Music.

“Siguro paglabas ng album ko I just wanted to do something new with myself.

Siguro this is me showing who I really am. With my album, I wrote my songs and I guess this is my way of expressing my art, this is my way of expressing my music. I guess kung wala akong ibang gagawin, ano pa ang ibang maipapakita ko. I guess this is something different that I want to show,” he said.

Pascual admitted that he had to go through a laborious process before he decided to color his hair.

“To be honest, it was all my idea. Sobrang takot ako nung sinasabi ko sa management. Sabi ko, ‘Paano ko ba gagawin ito? Sino ba

INMENT Sunshine Cruz’s boyfriend meets actress’ daughters

It’s official: BB Gandanghari is legally a woman It’s official: BB Gandanghari is a woman.

As of Thursday, Rustom Padilla’s legal identity has been changed to Binibini Gandanghari, and her gender formally recognized as female.

A Los Angeles court approved the name and gender change documents, which she filed back in August, Gandanghari revealed on her Instagram account.

“This is it! And I thought this day would never come,” she wrote.

“And I thank my GOD and my LORD for making these things happen. Everything makes sense now, and to this great country the United States of America for providing this [basic human right]. Thank you!” she added.

Gandanghari, then Rustom Padilla, first came out of the closet during the celebrity edition of the ABSCBN reality show “Pinoy Big Brother” in 2006. In one of the most memorable moments of the popular reality TV show, Padilla admitted to fellow housemate Keanna Reeves that he is gay.

THE US ASIAN POST

After confirming their new relationship a few weeks ago, actress Sunshine Cruz has finally introduced boyfriend Ismael “Macky” Mathay to her daughters Angelina, Samantha and Chesca.

The group of five had lunch during the weekend.

“I am very happy to have finally met you girls,” said Mathay in an Instagram post.

The three children of Cruz with estranged husband Cesar Montano also seemed thrilled to have finally met their mother’s new boyfriend.

“We are also really happy to finally meet you too Tito Macky! Thank you for the lunch and hope to see you soon again,” wrote Angelina in Mathay’s post.

Cruz’s two other daughters, Samantha and Chesca, share the same sentiment and thanked Mathay for lunch.

“We are also very happy to finally meet you! Thank yo so much for the food and we hope to meet you again soon,” wrote Samantha.

Mathay confirmed last month his blossoming romance with Cruz. He disclosed that everything started when he sent a private

Sunshine Cruz

message to the Kapamilya star on Instagram.

Incidentally, when he reached out to the actress, she was with Mathay’s half sister Ara Mina in Brunei.

The two officially became

a couple in September.

Mathay said Cruz’s family is supportive of their relationship and clarified that he has been separated with wife, Camille Fariñas for over a year now. (MNS)

Karylle opens up about pole dancer role Singer-actress Karylle admitted that it was challenging for her to play a pole dancer in the upcoming Asian television series “PI (Private Investigator),” which was filmed in Singapore.

In the series, which will air January next year, Karylle plays Maya Yap, a single mother and a con woman.

“In the beginning of the story, makikita mo na isa akong pole dancer na nagta-trabaho sa Orchard Tower. Later on mami-meet niya ang isang friend at magta-try ng bagong business pero hindi sila legal. So con men sila basically,” she said.

Karylle had to take pole dancing lessons for her role.

“Nagpaturo ako kay Teacher Luningning ng pole dancing and I’m very, very happy dahil mahirap maging kumportable sa katawan. Iba ‘yung ginagawa mo siya, pero iba din ‘yung kumportable ka. So nakailang sessions din kami ni teacher,” she said.

That’s why Karylle is very thankful for her husband,

Sponge Cole vocalist Yael Yuzon, who visited her three times while she was working in Singapore.

“Si Yael, the most understanding. Actually he grew up with theater actors, ‘yung mga siblings niya ay mga actors.

Very supportive siya also.

He’s very loving,” said Karylle.

Karylle took a leave from her hosting chores on “It’s Showtime” last August after she bagged a part in the TV series.

This was not the first time Karylle worked in Singapore for a TV series. In 2010, she

For the first time in years, ace comedians Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto will not be part of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

On Friday, the MMFF Executive Committee announced the eight entries that will be screened in the annual all-Filipino film festival, which opens every Christmas Day. To the surprise of many, the movies of Vice Ganda and Sotto did not make the cut.

Here are the films competing in MMFF 2016: “Die Beautiful” (October Train Films and The Idea First Company) directed by Jun Robles Lana; starring Paolo Ballesteros “Kabisera” directed by Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido; starring Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Jason Abalos, Victor

Neri and Rj Agustin “Saving Sally” directed

by Avid Liongoren; starring Rhian Ramos and Enzo Marcos “Seklusyon” (Reality Entertainment) directed by Erik Matti; starring Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman and JR Versales “Sunday Beauty Queen” directed by Baby Ruth Villarama; starring Hazel Perdid, Maylyn Jacobo, Cherry Bretania and Leo Selomenio “Vince & Kath & James” (Star Cinema) directed by Ted Boborol; starring Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia and Ronnie Alonte “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: Forever is Not Enough” (Martinez Rivera Films and Quantum Films

Karylle

appeared in the action-drama series “Point of Entry,” and in 2013, she landed a starring role in the restaurant drama “The Kitchen Musical.”

But because she is now married, she admitted that it was harder for her to work in the Asian country.

“Kahit four months ‘yung ‘Kitchen Musical,’ at ito ay two months, parang ang tagal, gusto mo na ding umuwi. Pero masaya kasi hindi kami stuck this time sa studio, so ang dami kong nakikitang Filipino kung saan-saan,” she said.

Spending time with her fellow Filipinos in Singapore made work easier for Karylle.

“Hindi ka din talaga malulungkot. You’ll never going to be alone anywhere in the world sa dami ng mga Pinoy at sa babait at thoughtful nila,” she said.

Now that she’s back, Karylle will be busy doing projects for her Filipino fans, like her concert “A Different Playground” at Teatrino in November.(MNS)

A first in years: No Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto movies in MMFF

Iñigo Pascual

kakausapin ko muna?’ Siyempre I have my managers and my road managers and, of course, the bosses to talk to. Inisa isa ko ‘yan. So I went through a long process of trying to convince them,” he said.

Even his father, Piolo Pascual, disagreed with it at first. But later on, the young

Pascual said his dad eventually liked his new look.

“He got used to it and was like, ‘I like that you’re doing that.’ Siyempre iba and I guess this is something na for some reason it gave me more confidence as who I am, the way I carry myself it’s more of who I am. It’s more fun I guess,” he said.

in association with TBA) directed by Marlon Rivera; starring Eugene Domingo and Chris Martinez “Oro” directed by Alvin Yapan; starring Joem Bascon Vice Ganda stars in the upcoming movie “Super Parental Guardians,” the follow-up to his MMFF box office hit “Beauty and the Bestie” alongside Coco Martin. Sotto, on the other hand, top-bills the latest movie in the “Enteng Kabisote” franchise which also features some of his co-hosts in the noontime show “Eat Bulaga.”

“Hindi muna (Not now),” Vice Ganda said when asked to comment on the announcement on the MMFF entries.

His handler, meanwhile, said they are planning to hold a meeting in light of recent developments.

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Cebu City to host lunch for 2017 Miss U bets CEBU CITY, Nov. 19 (PNA) – Cebu’s city government will host a luncheon event that will present the best of Cebuano cuisine during the swimsuit competition of the 2017 Miss Universe beauty pageant.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said this will show the city’s full support for the international pageant next year, which will bring pride and lure tourists to Cebu.

The pageant’s swimsuit competition will be held on Jan. 17 at the JPark Island Resort and Waterpark Cebu in Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island.

Osmeña’s statement of support for the 2017 Miss Universe came after he announced that the city will not hold the Miss Cebu pageant next year.

The luncheon event will feature food that Cebu is best known for, among them lechon, said Arthur Lo, liaison officer of JPark.

Lo said the city will not spend any amount since they will tap the help of the private sector in sponsoring the event.

“That’s the only event I feel that will showcase everything we have here in Cebu,” Lo said.

The swimwear competition is one of the highlights of the Miss Universe pageant, which the country will host next year.

Although the pageant proper will be held in Manila, the sidelights will give the provinces a chance to showcase what they have to offer.

During the pageant in

Manila, reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach will turn over her crown to her successor.

JPark has also prepared other activities for the day, which will include the general assembly, the swimwear presentation proper, the gala dinner with the designers and the after party.

A fashion show will be held during the gala dinner with the designers, who will showcase their masterpieces.

With 73 more days to go, Jason Uy, JPark CEO, said they are working double time, especially because tourists are expected to be in Cebu on that day.

“We’re blessed. It’s a great privilege to be the regional host for one of the events for Miss Universe,” he said.

Guidelines for protecting child sexual abuse victims adopted at Interpol group meeting PARIS, Nov. 19 (PNA/ Xinhua) – Global specialists in combating online child sexual abuse, gathered at the 34th meeting of the Interpol specialists group on crimes against children in Lyon and have adopted a set of law enforcement guidelines on protecting the identity of young victims when dealing with the media, the world police body said in a statement Friday.

The guidelines outline “the appropriate actions and language suggested for use by police when communicating on child sexual abuse cases to the media”, aiming to ensure that “victims’” identities will not be discovered, therefore reducing the risk that they could be

further victimized, said the statement.

The five-day meeting on Nov. 14-18 also provided an overview of global efforts and technical solutions for combating online child sexual abuse, identifying victims and their attackers, and disrupting criminal networks involved in soliciting and disseminating abuse material, it added.

During the meeting, experts have also discussed the future development and evolution of the Interpol’s International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database, which enables law enforcement to rescue an average of seven abused children every day, Interpol said.

Information exchanged via Interpol’s network of specialist officers in 49 countries around the world and Europol via Interpol’s ICSE database has already led to the identification of nearly 10,000 victims and the arrest of more than 4,500 perpetrators, the world police body said.

Earth 2016 Katherine Espin from Ecuador (2nd left), waves to the crowd after being recently crowned in the Philippines’ Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Other winners are (from left) Miss Earth Fire Bruna Zanardo from Brazil, Miss Earth Air Michelle Gomez from Colombia and Miss Earth Water Stephanie De Zorzi from Venezuela. The Philippines will host next year’s Miss Universe pageant.(MNS photo)

Davao City to boost Japanese female tourism market

By Azer N. Parrocha

MANILA, Nov. 17 (PNA) – The city government of Davao is tapping a new niche market in Japan called “joshi tabi” or Japanese women travelers to boost its tourism numbers, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Thursday.

DOT made this announcement fresh from the success of a familiarization tour (fam-tour) held in Davao City last Nov 10 to 13 which was participated in by at least 12 major Japanese travel executives and bloggers.

The fam-tour group, which included three Tokyo-based women executives, particularly enjoyed the visits in Davao City’s Malagos Garden where they mingled with exotic birds.

They also pampered themselves with gourmet and massage services at the honeymooners’ paradise

Pearl Farm Beach Resort in nearby Samal Island.

Taking after the tour’s success, DOT said that it will be organizing more joshi tabi tour packages to cater to tourism geared towards Japanese women.

DOT Mindanao Office Assistant Secretary Eden David said that Davao City is banking on its biodiversity, pristine beaches, exotic gourmet and amenities for wellness services in offering all-female Japanese tour packages.

Tourist Attaché to Tokyo Gwen Batoon echoed David’s views, noting that Davao City’s soothing nature tourism and Class-A wellness services could prove to be irresistible attractions to Japanese women.

Batoon explained that women travellers are an important travel segment, citing a 2016 Japan Tourism Marketing Company

research that says 60 percent of women make travel decisions by themselves.

She said Japanese women travellers are likely to come to the Philippines for “its multi-gateway destination, providing easy access to both urban and natural attractions, and the Filipino’s uniquely warm hospitality.”

The tourist attaché further said that it seems “more reasonable” for Japanese travellers in general to fly low-cost carriers to the Philippines and stay in a luxury hotel with luxury amenities.

Japan is currently the fourth biggest source of inbound tourists in the Philippines, with already more than 360,000 arrivals for the second quarter of this year, data from the DOT showed.

Meanwhile, Japanese arrivals in the country counted more than 490,000, generating 9.25 percent of the total market share in 2015.

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Oh most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruit wine splendor of Heaven.Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea. Help me and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you.

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UTREACH Asian group opposes Sen. Sessions for AG LOS ANGELES - As a national affiliation of civil rights organizations, Asian Americans Advancing Justice condemns the President-electâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choice of Senator Jeff Sessions as United States Attorney General.

Sessions has been a proponent of anti-immigrant policies at every turn. His record indicates an opposition to civil rights and he could use the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top legal position to fully disenfranchise and deny the rights of people of color, immigrants, and Muslim communities.

Based on his record, we believe Sen. Sessions has consistently undermined Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s constitutional commitment to equality and is absolutely unqualified to head the U.S. Department of Justice and enforce the laws of our nation. In 1986, Sessions had his nomination

to the federal judiciary rescinded due to his comments about the Ku Klux Klan and African Americans. Since then, as a U.S. Senator, Sessions has led the charge against undocumented and documented immigrants, immigration reform, and advocated for extreme visa restrictions and mass deportations.

In the week following the election, we have already seen a rise in hate-based crime, harassment, and vandalism.

We have grave concerns that under Sen. Sessions, this type of racist and xenophobic violence against our communities will be exacerbated and normalized. We need an Attorney General who will work tirelessly to uphold the Constitution and the rights of all, particularly those of people of color and

other minority populations and vulnerable persons. The people of our nation deserve a fair and balanced decision maker who does not have a history of animosity against the very communities his office should be protecting.

We demand that the President-elect immediately withdraw the nomination of Sen. Sessions for U.S. Attorney General.

If his nomination proceeds, we vow to do our utmost to defend the legal rights of our most vulnerable community members and to challenge any efforts to use the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest legal position to disenfranchise our community.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice is a national affiliation of five leading organizations advocating for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and other

President-elect Donald Trump has said that he would repeal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the executive action taken by President Obama in 2012 that gives certain undocumented immigrants who came here as children access to a work permit. Trump also said he would eliminate federal funding to socalled â&#x20AC;&#x153;sanctuary cities.â&#x20AC;?

underserved communities to promote a fair and equitable society for all. The affiliationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s members are:

Advancing Justice - AAJC (Washington, D.C.), Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, Advancing Justice - Atlanta,

Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus (San Francisco), and Advancing Justice - Chicago.

and the integrity of many government programs rests on our ability to ascertain the true identity of individuals,â&#x20AC;? said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. â&#x20AC;&#x153;False identification documents â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even if they can be easily recognized by knowledgeable individuals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; may allow unauthorized individuals to access controlled areas or to fraudulently receive benefits.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Proper identification and background checks of transportation workers are an important aspect of our

multi-agency, multi-layered port security system,â&#x20AC;? said Rear Admiral Todd Sokalzuk, commander of the 11th Coast Guard District, which includes the Los Angeles/ Long Beach region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I applaud the skill and tenacity of our Coast Guard Investigative Service agents and partner agencies who shut down these counterfeit ID operations, and appreciate the help of a vigilant maritime community in keeping our ports safe and secure.â&#x20AC;?

The two defendants who pleaded guilty today are:

5 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;document millsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; that produced bogus IDs busted LOS ANGELES â&#x20AC;&#x201C; As part of an ongoing undercover operation by Special Agents with the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), five fraudulent â&#x20AC;&#x153;documents millsâ&#x20AC;? have been dismantled in recent months, and the investigation has now resulted in charges against 13 defendants who allegedly produced bogus identity documents.

Two of those defendants have pleaded guilty, each admitting that they sold undercover agents and confidential informants coun-

terfeit Legal Permanent Resident cards (also known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Green Cardsâ&#x20AC;?) and Social Security cards.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guilty pleas are the latest convictions stemming from Operation â&#x20AC;&#x153;Buzzkill,â&#x20AC;? a CGIS investigation that shut down three fraudulent â&#x20AC;&#x153;document millsâ&#x20AC;? near MacArthur Park in September. Two other document mills were closed in June.

Operation Buzzkill identified the manufacturers of bogus documents, as well as the sellers and â&#x20AC;&#x153;runnersâ&#x20AC;? who facilitate their sale. As

a result of the investigation, over the past year, federal prosecutors have filed a series of cases that charge 13 defendants with participating in a black market for counterfeit documents.

The document mills allegedly produced a range of counterfeit identity documents, including driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s licenses, Social Security cards, United States passports, military identification cards, and highly regulated Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWICs), which enable un-

restricted access to secure facilities within the ports and waterways of Los Angeles. TWICs are issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and enforced by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for the purpose of restricting individuals with significant criminal records, non-United States citizens and members of terrorist organizations from gaining access to the sensitive infrastructures surrounding our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade routes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our national security

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MOTORING Acura previews next-generation cockpit

APC 1 Hero: The Acura Precision Cockpit fuses a sporty design with a next-gen touchpad-based interface and new Acura operating system.

LOS ANGELES, Nov 16, 2016 - Acura today revealed a near-production interior styling and technology concept, the Acura Precision Cockpit, while highlighting three major themes in mobility innovation – electrification, automated driving and connectivity.

Fusing an ergonomic design with a modern operating system and a touchpad-based interface that goes beyond traditional approaches, the Acura Precision Cockpit complements the exterior design direction revealed earlier this year in the Acura Precision Concept. Together, the Acura Precision Concept and Acura

Precision Cockpit form the fundamental building blocks for Acura’s future vehicle design.

Designed for Performance Driving The Acura Precision Cockpit’s seats, steering wheel and drive mode dial are inspired by the NSX, pointing toward a sporty future for the Acura brand. Brushed metal, natural wood, leather and alcantara finishes create a premium look and feel.

Expressive surfacing and modern detailing, including copper amber LED lighting, accentuate the cabin’s design aesthetic.

The instrument panel houses a wide, ultra-clear,

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12.3-inch driver’s display.

It sports a double-layered structure covered in stitched leather surfaces, providing a lightweight and high contrast image. A matching center display is placed high in the cabin, in a visually elegant location, close to the driver’s natural lineof-sight. Custom colors and animations match the mood of the driving mode selected by the driver – white for Snow, blue for Comfort, red for Sport and orange for Sport Plus.

The center display is operated through a curved touchpad that is optimally positioned in the center stack. The touchpad is ergonomically designed to eliminate the need to visually locate a button or a switch.

Seamless Man-Machine Connection The Acura Precision Cockpit unlocks the benefits of connectivity and semi-automated driving technology, while enhancing the driving experience. For example, when automated systems are engaged, the digital meter in the driver’s display utilizes a real-time 3D engine to support a dynamic layout that displays other cars and road objects recognized by the vehicle’s advanced sensors, leveraging vehicle-to-vehicle communications to visually distinguish cars operating autonomously.

An advanced vision mode leverages sensors to display cars, pedestrians, cyclists and other objects – even those obscured from vision – using artificial intelligence to predict future pathways.

This mode builds human confidence in the car’s automated driving systems.

Touchpad with Absolute Positioning The Acura Precision Cockpit’s touchpad uses absolute position mapping for the first time in the driving environment, combining the flexibility and usability of a touchscreen with the comfort and reduced driver distraction of a remote-based approach.

A traditional touchscreen approach is intuitive and direct, but forces a compromised placement of the screen close to the driver and out of the driver’s natural line-of-sight.

A traditional remote-based interface – common in luxury cars – solves these challenges, but the interaction between the remote and the display is often indirect and clumsy.

With absolute positioning, the interaction with the touchpad aligns precisely with the actions on the main display. Every spot on the touchpad is mapped to a specific function on the main display, just like a touchscreen.

Favorites are positioned along the bottom, and scrolling is positioned along the outer edges. A tap on the top left corner of the touchpad engages the content on the top left corner of the center display.

“Absolute positioning transforms the touchpad experience, making it personal, intuitive and particularly well-suited for premium, driver-centric, performance machines,” said Dave Marek, Acura’s executive creative director.

“It’s also designed to be quickly and easily adopted, as drivers become acclimated and comfortable in minutes.”

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SUBPOENA

From page 1

country’s main law enforcement agency has no power to issue subpoena which plays a significant role in any fact finding or investigation,” said Matugas.

Matugas noted the country’s statutes allowed some agencies with the power to issue administrative subpoena and subpoena duces tecum such as the Ombudsman, Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Cybercrime Operation Center of the Cybercrime Investigation Coordination Center. “These investigatory agencies were given subpoena powers. There is no reason why we should not give the same power to the PNP-CIDG so that it can

properly carry out its mandate,” said Matugas.

He said the life blood of investigation was the flow of fact, the gathering, the organization and the analysis of evidence. “Investigations are useful for all administrative functions, not only for rule making, adjudication, but also for prosecuting, for supervising and directing, for determining general policy, for recommending legislation, and for purposes no more specific than illuminating obscure areas to find out what should be done,” said Matugas.

Matugas said an administrative agency may be authorized to make investigations, not only in proceedings of a legislative or judicial nature, but also in proceedings whose sole purpose is to obtain information upon which future action of a legislative or judicial nature

may be taken and require the attendance of witnesses in proceedings of a purely investigatory nature.

“It may conduct general inquiries into evils calling for correction, and to report findings to appropriate bodies and make recommendations for actions,” he said.

Along this line, Matugas said it was with more reason that the PNP-CIDG, an investigative unit, should be given the power to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum in the furtherance of its mandated functions, especially in the fight against the evils of illegal drugs.

Matugas said the CIDG was created by virtue of Republic Act 6975, otherwise known as “An Act Establishing the Philippine National Police, under a Reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government,” primarily to undertake the

may sundalo doon, may gun salute po tayong nakita, paanong mangyayari na hindi ito planado at biglaan lamang?” she added.

Word about Marcos’ interment spread only a few hours before it was executed. The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed past 10 a.m. that the remains of the late dictator was indeed being flown to the heroes’ cemetery, to be interred with military honors by noon.

The media was restricted from covering the burial, which lasted for more than an hour.

The burial included a march and a 21-gun salute for the late dictator.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said President Rodrigo Duterte knew about the interment, a promise he made during the campaign.

However, Palace officials said Duterte was not informed about it. Duterte himself maintained it was a family decision.

Thousands of people

trooped to EDSA on Friday night to protest the surprise burial.

The petitioners of the Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani had said they will file contempt charges against the family of the late dictator, the police and the military.

“Now we are considering filing a motion next week to cite respondents in contempt for proceeding with the burial even if the SC decision is not yet final and executory,” said Barry Gutierrez, counsel for the petitioners led by former Commission on Human Rights chairperson Etta Rosales and veteran journalist Jo Ann Maglipon.

National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) Edre Olalia, the co-counsel for petitioners former Bayan Muna Representatives Neri Colmenares and Satur Ocampo, reiterated in a post on Facebook that there is an existing “extremely urgent motion to hold in abeyance the execution of the November 8 Supreme Cout decision.”

VP LENI

From page 1

she reiterated that the late Marcos is not a hero, and tagged him “a thief, a murderer, and a dictator.”

She also scored the Marcos family for the surprise execution of the interment before the petitioners were able to appeal their case before the Supreme Court.

In a separate interview on Friday, Robredo’s spokesperson, Georgina Hernandez, said the Vice President wishes to know how the “surprise” burial was pulled off.

“Gusto pong malaman ng Pangalawang Pangulo kung paano naganap at papaano naisaayos ang ganitong activity,” Hernandez said.

“Kung sinasabi nila na hindi nila alam kung sino—kanina may interview ang Malacañang na sinasabing hindi nila alam ‘yung kaganapang ito—at ang tanong natin ay sino po ‘yung nag-utos?” “[D]ahil sa atin naman, mukhang planadung planado. Nakita natin ang naganap sa Libingan ng mga Bayani. Kumpleto po, nakita po natin lahat ng kapulisan,

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hawkish, especially because of the possible impact of the protectionist policy of US president-elect Donald Trump.

The trader said markets would not be happy with any negative growth for remittances and this was expected to contribute to the weakness of the peso and the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) down the line.

With the protectionist policy announced by Trump during the campaign period, the Philippines’ business process outsourcing (BPO) sector is seen to be vulnerable but the trader said some analysts did not expect the impact to be that big compared when the affected business involved construction of manufacturing facilities.

For the day, the peso opened at 49.70, weaker than the 49.36 a day ago.

It traded between its opening level and 49.80 resulting in an average of 49.77.

Volume of trade reached

USD 812.9 million, lower than the USD 821.5 million in the previous session.

The currency pair is seen to trade between 49.50 and 50.30 next week.

On the other hand, the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 0.25 percent, or 17.61 points, to 7,067.73 points; and the All Shares rose by 0.28 percent, or 11.88 points, to 4,254.28 points.

Four sectoral indices finished the week with gains, led by the 2.28 percent increase of the Mining and Oil. The Holding Firms, Industrial, and Services went up by 0.51 percent, 0.40 percent and 0.001 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, Property and the Financials contracted by 0.12 percent and 0.02 percent, respectively.

Volume of trades reached 1.8 billion shares amounting to Php5.96 billion.

Gainers led losers at 90 to 81 while 50 were stocks were unchanged.

man, also a petitioner, earlier asked the high court to stop the burial until the motion for reconsideration they intended to file and the finality of the November 8 decision have been resolved.

Olalia said they have until November 26 to file an appeal.

In dismissing the petitions filed by Lagman and six others, the SC said there was no law that stops the burial from taking place.

The SC acknowledged

that Marcos – having been a former President, statesman, and war soldier – met the military regulations covering burials at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Marcos, whose 20-year strongman rule was tainted by allegations of massive corruption and human rights violations, was also neither dishonorably discharged nor convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude until his death in 1989, the SC said. (MNS)

PETITIONERS

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mer Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo and Neri Colmenares.

The Marcoses and the military will be include in the motion for contempt, NUPL Secretary General Edre Olalia said in a text message.

“The Marcos family and the military should be cited in contempt of court and in contempt of the judgment of history,” said.

The NUPL and Albay Representative Edcel Lag-

against organized crime group (OCGs).

“The CIDG is tasked with the investigation and prosecution of crimes of such magnitude and yet it does not have the power to issue administrative subpoena to aid them in conducting their

NURSES

investigations,” Matugas stressed.

Under the previous law, Republic Act 5750, the then Chief and Deputy Chief of the Criminal Investigation Service (CIS) had the power to issue subpoena duces tecum for the appearance of any person for investigation or production of documents.

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six-months contracts.

The idea is to provide experience and eventually absorb the good performers in the available permanent government posts.

In line with that she said that items for other categories such public health assistants and universal health care implementors were also increased which hires nurses.

She further added that around 12 percent of the deployed nurses are eventually hired into permanent posts in government hospitals or public health offices.

She added that there were also 10,000 vacant positions for nurses needed in the treatment and rehab centers that were opened up for 2017 which other nurse can turn to.

TRAINING

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that the initiative of the joint army training was “part of a concrete action” taken by ASEAN member states to secure the region. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

BUSINESS TAX

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omies.

“We are currently doing a line-by-line comparison between ourselves and our competitors in ASEAN. Karl Chua is doing this together with some members of our staff, so that we can really compare apples to apples,” Dominguez said.

He also disclosed that the DOF is not rushing its fiscal incentives rationalization bill “because we want time to consult, to really think and check what’s going on around the ASEAN region.”

But with the limited financial government resources, Dominguez said that profitable business ventures should no longer be subsidized by the government, which should instead focus only on industries relevant to the current environment.

The new tax incentives program should address the viability gap, very targeted, and in favor of performance-based types of tax incentives, Dominguez said.

He added that there must be sunset provisions in granting tax incentives as the government cannot perpetually subsidize investment activities.

“Forty is an important number for us because some of those companies have been here for 40 years,” said Dominguez, noting that the Philippines has been unreasonably generous in providing preferential rate on taxes for enterprises.

“When you’re saying those guys [other countries] are giving tax breaks for 25 years, we’ve been at it for more than 40 years. So, I don’t think we’re really behind in providing such incentives,” Dominguez said.

The DOF is currently drafting a bill seeking to lower corporate income tax rate to 25 percent, but at the same time, proposes the rationalization of fiscal incentives.

At a recent tax forum in Makati City, Dominguez shared a story of one company threatening to leave the Philippines should the government rationalize the incentives offered to businesses.

“One of your companies, they said they would go to Croatia. If I remember… I said ‘fine, you can go to Croatia.’ But I asked ‘how long is the tax incentives they’re

giving you?’ they said ’15 years’. I said ‘we’ve given it to you for more than 40,” Dominguez said.

The finance chief, meanwhile, said that his department is supporting the plan to relax the constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership, except with regards land ownership, in order to attract foreign direct investments.

Dominguez explained that the legacy of nationalist policy on land ownership is also being implemented in advanced economies such as Singapore and China.

“The President has said that he’s calling a constitutional convention to change the ownership rules of everything except land,” Dominguez said.

“Foreigners ask me, ‘Oh, what do you want to buy land in the Philippines?’

I always answer ‘can you buy land in Singapore?’ No. ‘Can you buy land in China?’ No. I mean, we’re not that strange, and land is a very sensitive issue here.

So I think they should also respect the sensitivities we have,” he said.

Trump administration “introduces some risks to growth due to the possibility of protectionist policies, but we believe risks to the Philippines are manageable and more limited than elsewhere.”

Major risk from the incoming US government will be the Philippines’ business process outsourcing (BPO) sector that employs about 1.2 million Filipinos, 70 percent of whom earn from inflows from the US, it said.

The report, however, pointed out that risks remain manageable.

“We think risks are mitigated because there is little direct competition with

American workers, and President Rodrigo Duterte appears to have struck a more conciliatory tone concerning future cooperation with the US,” it said.

The report also forecasts decline of US’ share in terms of investments to the Philippines, from being on top to just second after China by 2017.

“This should more than offset any reduced investment from the US, but is unlikely to stem the deterioration in the current account, which we expect to halve this year to 1.3 percent of GDP due to the widening goods deficit,” the report added.

FORECAST

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PHP GLIDING

said, citing also possible hikes in June and December 2017 as additional plus factors for the US currency.

The trader said Fed futures for a June 2017 rate increase points to a 52 percent probability while it is 43 percent probability for a hike by the end of next year.

Amid this downtrend for the local unit, the trader expects the peso to recover after the December 13-14 meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on expected large remittances flows for the holiday season and if the Fed rate hike expectations are met. ”There could be some relief but markets will re-assess,” the trader said.

The trader said the local currency is expected to weaken to 50-level to a dollar by next week and to trade at around 49-level until next year due to external developments.

If ever the Fed delivers a hike in December, the trader said US monetary officials were expected to remain

monitoring, investigation and prosecution of all crimes involving economic sabotage and other crimes of such magnitude and extent and to investigate all major cases involving violation of the Revised Penal Code (NPC) and to conduct operations

THE US ASIAN POST

cent target this year.

HSBC, in a report, said this turnout “points to the resilience of the Philippine economy in a soft global growth environment”, thus, the revision of its growth forecast for the country this year to 6.8 percent from 6.5 percent earlier.

“Momentum to continue into 2017 on the back of infrastructure spending and resilient remittances,” it said.

It noted that risks to growth “are manageable” despite the election of Republican Party candidate Donald Trump as the next US president.

It said the incoming