Aquino-Binay break looms VP slams DAP, treatment of Arroyo

Transcription

Aquino-Binay break looms
VP slams DAP, treatment of Arroyo
President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay
UNA: ‘Oplan: Nognog’
LP plot against Binay
MANILA -- The United
Nationalist Alliance on Monday
bared an elaborate plot called
Operation Plan Stop Nognog
2016 allegedly hatched by Interior
and Local Government Secretary
Manuel Roxas II and Senators
Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio
Trillanes IV to prevent Vice
President Jejomar Binay from
becoming the next president.
UNA, Binay’s party, said the
demolition plot was funded by
billionaire businessman Salvador
Zamora, who is believed to be
a big financier of Roxas, the
presumptive standard bearer of
the ruling Liberal Party in 2016.
UNA’s interim secretary
general JV Bautista identified
Roxas as the mastermind behind
the conspiracy.
“This is a well-funded,
well-financed, well-organized
conspiracy, the principal aim of
which is to destroy the chances of
Vice President Binay to become
the next President in 2016,”
Bautista said.
or 36 percent of respondents said
that he has failed to carry out
“tuwid na daan.”
The survey also revealed that
three out of 10 Filipinos or 34
percent of survey participants are
ambivalent on the matter.
The survey showed that
pluralities in Metro Manila (36
percent) and Luzon (45 percent)
think that Aquino was unable
to execute his “tuwid na daan”
policy.
Meanwhile, a big plurality
(Please turn to Page 9)
gloves Philippine National Police
Director General Alan Purisima,
who like the Vice President
is alleged to have amassed
unexplained wealth.
It was a combative Vice
President who spoke at the 5th
MCLE (Mandatory Continuing
Legal Education) Accredited
National Convention of Public
Attorneys at the Manila Hotel.
He blasted not only the Senate
blue ribbon subcommittee
investigating the corruption
allegations against him but also
moves by the Department of
Justice (DOJ) to investigate him.
Binay took exception
to Justice Secretary Leila de
Lima’s statement that she was
investigating him upon the request
of the Senate, saying the blue
ribbon subcommittee had not even
completed its inquiry.
“The cat is out of the bag. It is
all part of the script that really, by
all means, this is their operation—
Operation Anybody but Binay,”
the Vice President said during the
...but Aquino
patches up
feud, for now
MANILA – All appears to be
well between President Aquino
and Vice President Jejomar
Binay a few hours after the latter
slammed for the first time on
Tuesday certain decisions of
the President, as Binay faced
an investigation and possible
impeachment charges initiated by
administration officials and allies.
Aquino and Binay talked for
almost three hours on the night of
Oct. 14 at the President’s official
residence in a meeting arranged
by mutual friends, according to a
source privy to the meeting.
On Wednesday night, Binay
confirmed reports that he and
Aquino met and talked on Tuesday
night but tried to downplay the
meeting.
“Secret,” Binay initially told
reporters, when asked about the
meeting. He then confirmed that
they did talk.
Binay spoke to reporters before
he gave a keynote speech at the
2014 NCR Developers’ Forum at
the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria
in Mandaluyong City.
He declined to say what he and
Only 29% of Pinoys see
straight path fulfillment
MANILA —Only three in 10
Filipinos believe that President
Benigno Aquino III has delivered
on his promise of “tuwid na
daan” (straight path) brand of
governance, according to a survey
released Monday by pollster Pulse
Asia.
In a nationwide survey
conducted from September 8-15,
it was revealed that 29 percent
of the 1,200 adult respondents
believe that Aquino was able to
fulfill his promise.
Meanwhile, four in 10 Filipinos
MANILA – Vice President
Jejomar Binay appears to be
moving to cut his ties with
President Aquino as he slams
for the first time the latter’s
controversial decisions, like
allowing the Disbursement
Acceleration Program (DAP) that
the Supreme Court has declared
unconstitutional.
Binay, 71, also took a swing at
the way the Aquino administration
was allegedly mistreating former
President Gloria MacapagalArroyo while handling with kid
The USS Peliliu (above), docked in Subic, is where Pfc Joseph Scott
Pemberton (inset, left) is in custody as suspect in the murder of
transgender Jennifer Laude (inset, right).
PH to seek custody of US
Marine in transgender slay
MANILA - The Philippines
is seeking custody of a US
Marine detained on a US Navy
amphibious assault vessel by his
superiors for the murder a Filipino
transgender he met in a bar during
a furlough in Olongapo City
Saturday night.
The body of Jeffrey Laude,
26, also known as Jennifer, was
found by a staff of Celzone Lodge
less than an hour after the victim
checked into a room with an
unidentified blonde male, who
turned out to be Private First Class
Joseph Scott Pemberton of the
2nd Battalion 9th Marines based
in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Presidential Commission on
the Visiting Forces Agreement
(VFACOM) executive director
Eduardo Oban said the Philippines
would insist on getting custody
of Pemberton because Laude’s
murder was an “extraordinary
case.”
“That’s why we are asserting
Philippine jurisdiction over this
case. We’ll request for custody,”
Abu Sayyaf threatens to kill German hostages
Story on
Page 7
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PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
www.thephilippinetribune.com
October 16-22, 2014
3
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
October 16-22, 2014
4
VIEWS
& COMMENTARY
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
October 16-22, 2014
‘Bosses’ have spoken twice: No more!
GUEST EDITORIAL
New job for the President
WHAT shall we to do with President Benigno Aquino III when
his term expires in June 2016?
His supporters suggest we amend the Constitution to give him a
second term but a critical appreciation of the President’s last four
years dictates that he is simply not worth the trouble.
Notwithstanding this administration’s claims that the economy
is moving forward, most Filipinos continue to struggle to survive
day to day, national poverty statistics show. Even the middle
class must put up with an upsurge in crime and deteriorating
public services. The so-called anti-corruption campaign stops
at the doorstep of the President’s allies, while persecuting his
political rivals. Do we really want or need six more years of this?
Is Mr. Aquino really worth the trouble and expense—not a trivial
consideration—of amending the Constitution to lift term limits
and holding a national plebiscite? We think not.
Another silly notion is that he should slide down to the vice
presidency as a way to ensure that the so-called reform program
that he set in place will not be undone. We can see at least two
glaring problems with this proposal. First, it insults the intelligence
of the voters, who are being asked to believe that only one man
can ensure that these so-called reforms are kept intact. Second, the
nature of these reforms are suspect, when the President himself,
without the benefit of an investigation, continues to shield his closest
allies from charges of corruption.
A role that former presidents often take is that of an elder
statesman, who may be called from time to time to advise the
government in power on matters of national import or in times
of crisis. From what we’ve seen of his demeanor and behavior,
however, Mr. Aquino possesses neither the wisdom nor the stature
to perform this role adequately. And his poor record in addressing
the needs of super typhoon Yolanda survivors almost a year after
it flattened Eastern Visayas suggests it is not to Mr. Aquino that
we should look for advice on how to deal with a national crisis.
Of course, Mr. Aquino could also opt to run for a lower elective
office to protect himself from the legal challenges that are certain to
follow, once the cloak of presidential immunity from suit is lifted.
But this is a tactic that has had mixed results, at best. Mr. Aquino
can ask his predecessor, whom he has detained since 2011.
So what is left for Mr. Aquino?
Perhaps the job that suits him best after the presidency is
apologist for the next administration—assuming the ruling Liberals
are not booted from office as they so richly deserve to be. As a
spokesman for the next president, Mr. Aquino would have the
advantage of being able to lie without skipping a beat, certainly a
requirement of any effective administration spokesman.
He would also be loyal to a fault. We need look no further for
proof of this than his constant and stubborn—and some would
say, ill-considered--defense of his good friend, the national police
chief, who admitted to a Senate panel that he accepted special
discounts worth millions of pesos while he was in public office, in
GOOD NEWS appeared to
have emerged from the Bali
Democratic Forum in Indonesia
where President Aquino was
reported to have abandoned any
possibility of staying beyond his
six-year term that ends in 2016.
“Aquino abandons term
extension bid,” said the banner
story of Manila Bulletin last week.
I read into the news but nowhere
did I find a quote from Aquino
that says he was categorically
abandoning hopes of a second
term. I found a copy of the speech
and still found nothing about term
extension.
O b v i o u s l y, t h e w r i t e r
interpreted the speech wrongly,
because right after his speech,
Aquino told Malacanang reporters
who accompanied him in the
Bali forum that Filipinos may yet
change their mind and agree to
amend the Constitution so he can
run again as president.
The Bulletin banner was a clear
case of quoting something out of
context. In the speech, Aquino was
talking of a leader’s temptation to
consider an authoritarian method
when he said that he had reflected
on the idea, but the lack of consent
from his bosses prompted him to
abandon any such thoughts. He
was not referring to proposals
of amending the Constitution to
allow him to run for a second
term.
“As leaders, all of us here have
our share of frustrations, borne of
the many factors that sometimes
hinder the realization of our
vision. This breeds the temptation
to consider an authoritarian
method, as this might promise
immediate gains,” Aquino said.
“Sitting down and reflecting
the Constitution and getting the
people to approve the changes in
a plebiscite in the remaining 18
years before the 2016 presidential
elections. Why would he bother
calculating the possibilities if he
weren’t?
Hopefully, the latest survey
results released by Pulse Asia
would finally awaken him to
the reality that his “bosses,” the
people,” no longer wanted him
to continue ruling after June 30,
2016 even if the Constitution were
amended.
The survey, released on
Monday, showed that only three
in 10 Filipinos believe that
President Benigno Aquino III
has delivered on his promise
of “daang matuwid” (straight
path) brand of governance. The
nationwide survey, conducted
from September 8-15, revealed
that only 29 percent of the 1,200
adult respondents believe that
Aquino was able to fulfill his
promise.
On the other hand, 36
percent of the respondents said
that he has failed to carry out
“daang matuwid.” The survey
also revealed that 34 percent
of survey participants were
Purisima’s bad karma
WHEN President Benigno
“P-Noy” Aquino forced thenPhilippine National Police
(PNP) Director General Nicanor
Bartolome into retirement prior
to the 2013 mid-term elections,
little did he know that Bartolome’s
replacement would also be
pressured to retire early in 2014. Yes, the current PNP Chief Alan
Purisima is being eased out to
make way for his would-be
successor to take over in time for
the 2016 presidential elections. That was the same reason why
Bartolome was pushed out the
door; that is, to make way for
Deputy Director General Purisima
to take over police matters at the
soonest to prepare for the May
2013 elections, which makes one
wonder: Why was it necessary
to elevate Purisima to the top job
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on this idea, however, we realize
that with the lack of consensus
and consent from the people,
such a mode which offers quick
and short-term gains, may be
detrimental to society in the long
run,” the President said.
Obviously, Aquino was not at
all referring to the second term
plan because right after saying
that, he told a press conference
he was still hoping to get the nod
of the people.
“There is still the 18 percent
undecided, but what if I get
about 13 percent (in favor of
term extension)? That means
an absolute majority. And that’s
not hard to get,” Aquino told the
reporters.
He was referring to the results
of the latest Pulse Asia survey
showing 62 percent of Filipinos
against changing some provisions
in the Constitution to remove term
limits for officials and allow him
to seek the presidency in 2016.
The same poll showed that 38
percent of the respondents were in
favor of political Charter change
and 18 percent were undecided.
Evidently, Aquino is still intent
on a second term despite the
survey results and despite the
near improbability of amending
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management and staff of Philippine Tribune.
when P-Noy could have allowed
Bartolome to stay on the job
until the ban on appointments
during the election season had
passed, which was just a few
weeks after Election Day. Why
the rush? Could it be because
of Purisima’s close personal
relationship with P-Noy while
Bartolome’s relationship with
P-Noy was purely professional? It is interesting to note that
Purisima’s ties with the Aquinos
go back to the time of P-Noy’s late
mother and then-President Cory
Aquino, whom Purisima served
as a member of the Presidential
Security Group (PSG).
Friend and protector
But what sealed the strong
bond between P-Noy and Purisima
was when P-Noy’s vehicle was
ambushed near Malacañang on
August 28, 1987. It was said that
Purisima was part of P-Noy’s
security convoy when it was
ambushed by rightwing rebels
led by then-Colonel (and nowSenator) Gregorio “Gringo”
Honasan. Five bullets hit and
wounded P-Noy, but three of his
bodyguards were killed. And
who would have been the “best”
replacement for Bartolome but
someone whose ties to him were
as tight as the Gordian knot? But “best” didn’t necessarily
mean possessing unmatched
qualifications and unquestioned
integrity. When Purisima started his stint
as PNP Chief, he seemed to be
doing just fine and staying out of
trouble. But barely a year on the
job, allegations of irregularities
and corruption surfaced. And
when pictures of his “vacation
house” in Nueva Ecija made
it to the front page of major
newspapers, all hell broke loose!
Immediately, Purisima’s friend
and protector -- P-Noy -- came
to his rescue and vouched for his
character, saying that Purisima is
“not capricious” despite the socalled “White House” inside the
PNP compound where he resides
and the pompous “vacation house”
in San Leandro, Nueva Ecija and
his fleet of expensive cars that
he purportedly purchased at a
discount. Built on a 4.7-hectare
estate, Purisima’s “vacation
house” includes a separate
pavilion, separate four-car garage
with quarters, a huge swimming
pool, and luxurious features and
5
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
FROM THE MAILBOX
No to school bond measure
Dear Editor,
I am a 20-year resident of our
beautiful city of Cerritos with one
child. And also a State retiree.
As indicated in my speech on
July 8 before ABC School District
Board members, I am opposed to
the $195 million bond measure
moved forward by the majority
of the ABC Board members.
Although I favor upgrading
the facilities of the school district,
funding should be provided by the
State and Federal governments or
by grants from philanthropists.
We should find alternatives.
We are already overburdened
by too much property taxes and
other taxes like income tax,
utility tax, payroll tax, sales tax
and other fees. We are levied
for many public services in
the form of property taxes like
Metro Water District, Community
College, Unified Schools, Trauma
Emergency Services, etc.
I remember vividly that a
half percent increase in sales
and use tax was approved by
statewide voters last November
primarily for California schools
as espoused by Gov. Jerry Brown.
What happened to that?
Also the lottery was instituted
in California with the intent
that schools will benefit. What
happened to that?
Retirees like me will be
financially impacted by this new
bond measure.
We are still paying the 1997
bond measure amounting to $59
million that will be paid off 20
years from now. I am paying $119
a year for this. The money from
this bond measure was also used
to upgrade the facilities of the
schools. What happened to that?
Our economic situation
nowadays will not warrant more
expenditures from us. We are
slowly recovering but still reeling
from too much taxes and business
fees and regulations.
I’m sure the business sector
will also be impacted by the bond
measure in the district.
During the days of yore,
students in some countries hold
their classes under the canopy of
trees and dilapidated buildings but
some students became successful
in their careers and some became
careers professionals, presidents,
prime ministers and ambassadors
of their countries.
My own father, who come from
humble beginning who had to walk
12 kilometers twice a week of back
country roads in the Philippines,
attended public schools with
decrepit facilities but rose to
become a successful trial lawyer,
town councilor, college professor
and government prosecutor of
tax evaders. He also attended
several international conferences
as Philippine representative.
My 31-year-old son graduated
from the ABC School system in
2001 and went on to obtain his
masteral and doctorate degrees,
not because of improved facilities
in Cerritos or in the school district
but with his strong motivation
to excel in college and graduate
school.
He learned how to swim at 6
years old at the CPE Swimming
Pool but not in his school.
The analogy that like our own
home, we have to repair our
plumbing system or roof when
there are leaks, maintain our lawn
when something is amiss, etc. But
we cannot repair the homes of our
neighbors because we can only
afford to repair our own home.
We need more public hearings
on this and more information. Not
to rush things. We should be more
transparent.
Furthermore, this is not a race
card issue. This is an issue of
affordability and survival issue of
retirees like me. A case in point:
In November 2012, I had a house
extension of 250 square feet for a
den with a building permit from
the Cerritos City Hall. Before
that, I was only paying $4,099
a year. After the construction, I
paid $4,685 in property tax. If the
bond measure is passed, I might be
paying an additional $350 a year
based on a $700,000 value of my
home if the basis for assessment is
$50 for every $100,000
Don’t ram this bond measure
through our throat.
Sincerely,
Dan E. Nino
[email protected]
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October 16-22, 2014
How to worship God
THE concept of worship is
a dominant theme of the Bible.
In the book of Genesis, you find
God created Adam and Eve for
fellowship and worship. A short
time later, you read and learn of
Cain and Abel bringing offerings
to the Lord as an acts of worship.
At least 13 other times in
the book of Genesis, you find
someone either building an altar
to the Lord or making an offering
to the Lord. Revelation 5:1114 you see in all of history the
culmination or the highest point in
eternal worship of the living God.
From Genesis to Revelation,
worship is presented as the
ultimate priority for Christians
of all time. God is simply to
be worshipped, but He is to be
worshipped in a certain way.
In the Bible, the tabernacle was
designed expressly for worship.
God gives a detailed description
of the place where He was to be
worshipped. He also gave specific
instructions about the way He
wants to be worshipped. The
question is…
1: What is worship? Worship
means you recognize God’s
holiness and His divine status.
It also means to bow down. The
idea of worship is to come before
God with a heart of love, respect,
It’s not to be the result of fear
or coercion, nor because of what
you think He might give us in
return. Worship is a consuming
desire to give to God all your life,
all you have.
Perhaps the best illustration of
worship in the Bible is found in
Isaiah 6:1-9. Here you find at least
four elements that must always be
present for true worship to take
place. These four elements are
describe in Isaiah 6:1-9. What
are they?
The confession of sin; the
cleansing of sin; the commitment
to God’s will and commission to
go and tell about Jesus. Now let’s
look at...
2: How to worship God.
Without question the most
significant passage on the “how
to worship” is in John 4:20-24. It
records the conversation between
ALL FOR
JESUS
the woman of Samaria and our
Lord Jesus Christ.
The subject of worship comes
up when she said in John 4:20
“Our fathers worshipped on this
mountain and you say that in
Jerusalem is the place where one
ought to worship.”
Jesus response is a clear
statement on how we should
worship God. Jesus uses the word
“worship” seven times in John
4:21-24. And so, it is essential
we understand what our Lord is
saying in this passage.
A Samaritan woman tried to
True worshippers
will worship in
spirit and in truth.
debate the Lord Jesus on the best
time, place, and style of worship.
And Jesus replied, these external
issues are irrelevant. The Bible
says, “Let us be grateful and
worship God in a way that will
please Him.”
Jesus told the Samaritan
woman, “True worshippers will
worship the Father in spirit and
in truth. To “worship in truth”
means worship God as He is truly
revealed in the Bible.
3: How to worship in spirit.
The word “spirit” in John 4:24
refer to human spirit, the inner
spiritual being.
Worship is not just a matter of
being in the right place at the right
time with the right music, even
though these may aid in worship.
Worship begins on the inside, in
the spirit.
In Psalm 51:16-17 David
knows God is not interested
in external sacrifices, but in “a
broken spirit and contrite heart:
or repentant heart.
To worship in spirit, we must
come to God humbly with broken
spirit, and with an attitude of
repentance for our sins and
shortcomings. Such a person,
God will never turn away.
And how do you get your heart
and mind in an attitude that allows
you to worship in spirit?
Friend, you must remember,
worship is an overflow of love
that is always triggered by
acknowledging God and His
attributes.
Thinking God can be described
by the familiar word called
meditation. Spiritual worship
is the result of meditation.
Meditation is the key to worship.
It’s being able to concentrate and
to meditate on God.
You should concentrate on a
great specific truth about God, and
then, meditate on that truth, until
it captivates your whole thinking.
And what are some of the
things about God that you can
meditate upon to initiate worship?
Well, you can meditate on
His forgiveness (Psalm 103:24). You can meditate on His
greatness (Psalm 104:1-3). You
can meditate on God’s giving
of His Son on the cross (John
3:16). You can meditate in His
being with us through difficult
times (Isaiah 43:2). And you
can meditate in His care for us.
(1Peter 5:7).
As you meditate upon God’s
love, care, forgiveness, etc. you
can’t help but worship Him
sincerely and enthusiastically in
6
October 16-22, 2014
Aquino-Binay break looms
Santiago asks: What
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
(From Page 1)
open forum.
From hurling corruption
allegations against him in the
Senate inquiry, the next plan
against him, Binay said, was
to impeach him given De
Lima’s statement that he can be
investigated and that he can face
impeachment.
But the Vice President said he
would not allow this to happen.
“I have fought many times.
There were many instances that
the law was broken, and I will not
allow this. The only reason I can
be removed from office, among
others, would be for the violation
of the Constitution during my
term as Vice President. That is
very clear,” he said.
Binay said he could not
understand why the DOJ was
prioritizing him in its investigation
when it was still in the midst
of investigating the pork barrel
controversy and the DAP.
A p p a r e n t l y, i t w a s t h e
alleged impeachment moves by
administration officials and allies
that broke Binay’s silence over
controversial issues that Aquino
was facing.
Replying to a question whether
he would treat his enemies the
same way he was being treated
now should he become President,
Binay said he wanted to be a
“unifying” President who would
subject his political foes to a truth
commission, for instance.
Then he said that he had “no
love lost” for Arroyo, who is
detained in a hospital as she
awaits the outcome of many cases
filed against her by the Aquino
administration. Binay said Arroyo
made his life difficult when she
tried to suspend him from office
many times.
“Is the way they are treating
Arroyo fair?” he said, asking
why the court seemed not to act
on her petition for bail after the
prosecution had presented its case
against her.
“She is no ordinary person
because she became President.
And she is sick. Is that fair?” he
added in Filipino.
Binay then turned his ire on
Aquino’s pet program, the illegal
DAP. He said “there was no such
animal” despite what Malacañang
said of the program, which
pooled savings from agencies
for spending to jumpstart the
economy.
“What is their defense? The
end justifies the means. That
DAP was used for various things.
I think it’s high time our lawyers
come in where there is a violation
of law,” Binay said.
Binay then said that the Aquino
administration was implementing
“selective justice,” noting how the
opposition seems to be its target.
He said that after the
administration detained Senators
Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy
Estrada and Bong Revilla for
their alleged misuse of pork barrel
funds, it stopped there, no longer
pursuing others.
Likewise, Binay said Budget
Secretary Florencio Abad had
refused to submit documents to
legislators on the DAP spending.
B inay then took ai m at
Purisima, saying that until
now, no case had been filed by
the administration against the
PNP chief, who recently was
questioned about his house in
Nueva Ecija province and his
luxury vehicles.
“The allegations against Jojo
Binay come from one person,”
he said in Filipino, referring to
former Makati City Vice Mayor
Ernesto Mercado.
Mercado has accused Binay in
the Senate of rigging the bidding
for infrastructure projects of
Makati City when he was still
mayor and of accepting kickbacks
from favored contractors.
Binay said one of the things
that angered him were people
who didn’t have a strong sense
of gratitude.
“I fed this witness with my
hand. He even cried before me,”
the Vice President said of his
former vice mayor.
Binay did not spare the media,
saying that with the controversies
against him, media should air
both sides.
“If they want to destroy
you, they’ll come out only with
negative things,” he said in
Filipino.
During the open forum, Binay
vowed he would not appear at the
Senate blue ribbon subcommittee
hearings for the way it was
handling the inquiry.
“I won’t dignify that kind of
proceeding by attending it. Ladies
and gentlemen, I am the Vice
President of the Republic of the
Philippines.”
During his speech, Binay said
he was again being “prosecuted
and persecuted by politicians,
who seemed to be fueled more by
personal ambition than a search
for truth.”
is Binay afraid of?
MANILA —Just what is Vice
President Jejomar Binay afraid
of?
In a speech dubbed as “The
Curious case of the taciturn
Vice-President,” during the
Women’s Celebration of Life
and Faith Convention held
at the Philippine Christian
University along Taft Avenue
on Wednesday, Manila, Senator
Miriam Defensor-Santiago hit
Binay anew for his continued
refusal to appear before
the Senate and answer all
the allegations hurled against him.
“Assuming that senators
are already convinced that he
is guilty, still Binay cannot
evade the jurisdiction of the
Senate,” the senator said,
pointing out that no less than
the Constitution provides for
the power of the Senate to
conduct inquiries in aid of
legislation.
“If the VP has truth to tell, what
is he afraid of? His tormentor
cannot use the Senate hearing to
humiliate or otherwise prosecute
him because the Constitution
requires senators to respect
the rights of persons appearing
in or affected by such inquiries.”
“Hence, I do not approve
of this curious tendency to be
so taciturn, in the face of such
damaging charges against his
moral character,” Santiago added.
Sen. Miriam Santiago
She said that it appears that the
Vice President is already content in
defending himself by delivering
speeches accusing his enemies of
lying but the senator said that
was not sufficient, citing previous
cases where the Supreme Court
said that silence is almost always
construed as implied admission of
the truth.
“
W
i
t
h
all these accusations aired on
news media and particularly in the
social media, the silence of Mr.
Binay and his lawyer to present
counter evidence is alarming,”
Santiago said.
Binay has been accused of,
among other things, allegedly
receiving kickbacks when he was
still the mayor of Makati City, and
for allegedly using dummies to his
unexplained wealth.
‘Bosses’ have spoken...
(From Page 4)
undecided, which could probably
be interpreted more towards “no”
rather than “yes.”
One would think this time,
Malacanang would finally listen
to the “bosses.” But no, it rejected
the survey and said the results
were “wrong”!
Presidential spokesman Edwin
Lacierda instead asked why Pulse
Asia conducted such a survey
only now. “That is not correct,”
Lacierda said in a press briefing.
“Perhaps you should ask the
people from Pulse Asia. The
‘tuwid na daan’ has been an
ongoing campaign for the past
four years. Why is it that they
conducted the survey only now?”
Would it matter if the people
believed one or two years ago that
Aquino fulfilled his promise of
curbing corruption and following
the straight path? The point is the
people now believe that Aquino
failed to fulfill his promise. In fact,
his many promises.
How many more surveys
before Aquino and his cohorts
finally come to the realization
that the people had enough of his
administration’s hypocrisy and
lack of vision?
([email protected])
7
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
Sayyaf threatens to kill hostages
Forces German to sit in grave dug for them
ZAMBOANGA CITY—
Viktor Stefan Okonek, a 71-yearold German doctor being held
hostage by Abu Sayyaf terrorists,
on Wednesday said he had been
sitting in a “deep hole” with 10
other men since Tuesday.
“They told me this is my grave.
They pushed me inside this hole
and I am sitting here with 10 men
since [Tuesday night],” Okonek
told Radio Mindanao Network’s
Alarma 900 here.
“I’m here in a hole. It’s a
big hole 3 meters (10 ft) [by]
5 meters,” Okonek said. “ … I
hope I will still get out of here …
but I have not seen anyone from
the government to get into the
situation that tries to get us out.”
The terrorists have been
demanding P250 million ($5.6
million) for the release of Okonek
and a German woman companion,
Henrite Dieter, and for Germany
to withdraw support from the
multination action against the
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
Abu Rami, spokesman of Abu
Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron,
New job...
(From Page 4)
a blatant violation of all notions
of good governance. This was
not some unverified allegation;
this was an admission by the
police chief himself on national
television. That Mr. Aquino
has not only kept the police
chief on, but sings praises to
him points clearly to his future
as a spin doctor for the next
administration—but only if he
manages not to make a complete
wreck of his own credibility in
his remaining two years. We
know this is a tall order, but it
is no stranger than the notion
that we would happily amend
the basic law of the land simply
to keep him in office. – Manila
Standard Today
October 16-22, 2014
This photo provided by the Abu Sayyaf shows German scientist
Viktor Stefan Okonek, 71, with an assault rifle pointed at his head
at the terrorist group’s hideout somewhere in Sulu province.
said his group would execute the
doctor at 3 p.m. on Friday if the
ransom had not been paid by then.
The ultimatum remains on
Friday, Rami said on the phone,
adding that Okonek would be
buried in the grave if negotiations
would go awry.
“We will bury him if the
ransom demand is not met and
Germany does not withdraw its
support for the air strikes in Iraq
and Syria,” he said.
Okonek and Dieter, 42, were
seized by the Abu Sayyaf in April
when their yacht broke down
in Palawan province en route to
Sabah in eastern Malaysia. They
are being held on Jolo Island,
hotbed of the al-Qaida-linked
terrorist group.
Okonek has been separated
from Dieter, Rami said. “We
don’t want her to see the actual
execution,” he added.
“They told me on Friday they
would kill me,” the doctor said
in the radio interview. It was
the second time the German has
spoken to commercial radio since
last Friday’s deadline passed.
Rami said a video of Okonek’s
execution would be posted after
Friday.
Okonek said he was getting
very weak because there was not
enough food and 10 gunmen were
watching over him 24 hours a day.
In a video provided by the
kidnappers, Okonek can be heard
crying while being physically
abused. Some gunmen also
slapped him.
Rami said local contacts
identified with Philippine
National Police Director General
Alan Purisima had been trying
to negotiate for the release of
the captives. But he said the
Abu Sayyaf only wanted to
talk to representatives from the
Department of Foreign Affairs.
An Inquirer source said
Purisima went to Sulu province
on Tuesday and tried to establish
contacts with the Abu Sayyaf
through local politicians.
However, Chief Supt. Noel de
los Reyes, police director of the
Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao, denied the information.
...but Aquino patches...
(From Page 1)
the President talked about.
But he volunteered that he told
the President that he never thought
Aquino was among those who are
part of the alleged demolition job
against him.
“Ganoon ang tiwala ko sa
kaniya (That’s how much I trust
him),” he said.
Asked whether he remained an
ally of the President, Binay said he
was not only an ally “but because
of that meeting, our friendship
only became stronger.”
“No, it was a friendly talk.
You should know the President.
Yun si Presidente especially kung
kaibigan, walang pulitika, walang
problema. Kaibigan, kaibigan,
How are you ba yun?” he said,
when asked whether his meeting
with Aquino cleared up things
between them.
Asked whether he discussed
with the President his complaint
on why the Department of
Justice was investigating him on
corruption allegations, Binay said
it was not a subject of their talk.
“ Wa l a , h i n d i n a m i n
pinagusapan (We did not talk
about it),” he said.
He described the meeting as
“cordial and jovial,” noting that
there was much laughter as they
talked about old age.
Asked whether he initiated the
meeting, he shot back whether that
was important as long as that the
meeting happened.
Binay seemed to backtrack on
his statements questioning the
mistreatment of former President
Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo.
“Salitang abogado ’yun (That’s
lawyer talk),” the Vice President
said, adding he did not talk about
the merits of the case but only
questioned the bail that Arroyo
was seeking.
“There never was a mention
of the merits of the case but it
was only on the question of the
pending motion that I believed
should be acted upon,” he said.
The Inquirer source said the
two officials met from 9 p.m. to
12:30 a.m. which ended with both
men “in high spirits” and laughing
as Binay left Bahay Pangarap.
“The meeting cleared up a lot
of things,” the source told the
Inquirer.
The “gist” of the meeting
had to do with Binay’s outburst
on Tuesday at the PAO forum,
according to the source.
“They had a heart-to-heart talk
of what’s going on. There was
no resolution to it. But there’s an
understanding of where they’re
coming from,” the source said.
The source said Binay spoke of
the context of what he said at the
forum, which he made in reply to
a question by a lawyer.
“He had no intention of hitting
the President,” the source said of
Binay.
The Vice President “remains
an ally of the President … and
more importantly, he continues
to be a real friend of the Aquino
family,” said Cavite Gov. Jonvic
Remulla, Binay’s spokesman.
Remulla issued the statement
in the wake of what he said was
“media speculation of a break
between Vice President Binay and
President Aquino.”
But an ally of the President said
Binay should quit the Cabinet so
he could get more elbow room to
take a swing at the administration.
“Definitely, he (Binay) must
get out of the Cabinet first so he
can say whatever he wants to his
heart’s content,” Caloocan Rep.
Edgar Erice said, echoing his
privilege speech four months ago
egging the Vice President to show
his “true colors” and make up
his mind whether he was for the
administration or the opposition.
“But knowing his (Binay)
lack of delicadeza, I am sure he
will not. He will surely regret
losing out on the freebies given
to a member of the Cabinet,” said
Erice, a member of the ruling
Liberal Party (LP).
8 PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
October 16-22, 2014
UNA: ‘Oplan: Nognog’ LP plot...
(From Page 1)
Quarantine officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
monitor passengers for the possible entry of people infected with
the deadly Ebola virus.
Ebola-ready PH doubted
MANILA -- Fears of an Ebola
crisis in the country heightened
on Tuesday as the medical
community and health workers
d o u b t e d t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s
preparedness for the disease that
the World Health Organization
described as the “most severe
acute health emergency in modern
times.”
Physicians and health
workers expressed their fears
as the government said it will
repatriate Filipinos who want to
leave Ebola-stricken countries in
November, ahead of the annual
influx of thousands of Filipinos
from overseas for the Christmas
holidays.
The influx will start this year
with the arrival of about 150
Filipino peacekeepers, consisting
of 112 soldiers and 28 policemen,
from Ebola-hit Liberia on Nov.
10.
The fears were aired after
WHO warned that the country is
“vulnerable” to the deadly virus
due to its migrant population and
President Benigno Aquino III also
agreed that a local Ebola outbreak
is a “paramount concern” for the
government because there are 10
million Filipino workers overseas.
But physicians are concerned
that even the United States Centers
for Disease Control are now rethinking their safety protocols
after US residents developed
Ebola outside of West Africa
where the latest outbreak started
in December 2013.
“We need clarity of ideas. We
need a protocol and a checklist.
We need to train people because
we have not encountered Ebola in
our lifetime,” physician Anthony
Leachon, president of the
Philippine College of Physicians,
said in a television interview.
Leachon noted that only a
few local centers are equipped
to handle Ebola cases and he
feared that even the local medical
community may not be ready to
handle the disease in addition to
the lack of reliable safety gear for
hazardous materials.
“This is a modern disease. We
don’t have a vaccine for that. Even
the CDC, WHO are grasping for
information that we can actually
convey,” Leachon noted.
He said President Benigno
Aquino III was not part of the
plot, however.
“This conspiracy goes up only
to Mar Roxas,” he said.
Bautista said the allegations
being raised at the Senate subcommittee were part of Oplan
Stop Nognog 2016.
“Nognog is the derisive name
used by LP operatives to refer to
Binay because of his dark skin,”
Bautista noted.
The LP’s Roxas, and Cayetano
and Trillanes of the Nacionalista
Party, are all vying for the highest
post but Binay, a frontrunner in
the opinion polls, stands in their
way.
A high-ranking official of the
NP said Zamora, including his
brothers banker Manuel Zamora
and House Minority Leader
Ronaldo Zamora were funding
the operations of the LP and NP
against Binay.
UNA said the helicopter, which
former Makati City Vice Mayor
Ernesto Mercado said he used to
take aerial photos and videos of
Sunchamp Agri-Tourism Park in
Rosario, Batangas, is owned by
financier of Roxas.
Speaking in a morning
television program, Bautista said
the helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130B-4, is owned by Salvador
Zamora, who has interests in
mining and said to be one of
Roxas’ principal financiers; and
Eric Gutierrez, Zamora’s partner.
Gutierrez is also a mining
business partner of Caloocan
Rep. Edgar Erice, an LP stalwart,
Bautista said.
Erice confirmed that Gutierrez
was his partner in SR Metals, Inc.,
a mining company.
According to an NP source,
Manuel and Ronaldo Zamora were
the NP’s finance managers and
Ronaldo was political strategist in
the 2010 presidential polls.
But Erice denied having
anything to do with the chopper
and said the helicopter that he
and Gutierrez owned was not used
to spy on the 350-hectare farm,
which Trillanes alleged was really
owned by Binay.
Binay has denied the
accusation, saying that Sunchamp
was owned by businessman
Antonio Tiu.
Erice said the other owner
of the Eurocopter was Isabela
Rep. Rodito Albano, but the
congressman denied his
colleague’s assertion.
“I don’t own or co-own a
chopper. Yes, it is owned by
Buddy Zamora,” Albano said.
“Buddy and I are best friends.
I borrow that chopper from him
from time to time. But Buddy was
not aware that that chopper was
used to spy on the farm,” Albano
told the Manila Standard.
Albano explained that since
Gutierrez was a partner of Buddy
Zamora, he could use it if his
own ride, a company chopper
he co-owned with Erice, was not
available.
“Among the chopper owners,
there is this thing called timesharing so they could use each
o t h e r ’s c h o p p e r w h e n e v e r
available. But Buddy Zamora
was not aware at the time that it
was for spying,” said Albano, who
claimed to be a distant relative of
the vice president.
Albano also confirmed that
Buddy Zamora and Roxas knew
each other.
“Yes, they are friends, too.
I was the one who introduced
them,” Albano said.
But Albano said he does not
believe Roxas needed funding.
“The Aranetas and Roxases
are a moneyed family. They don’t
need any Zamora,” he said.
“Zamora is not the financier
of Mar Roxas. The family of Mar
I think is wealthier than Zamora.
Gutierrez is my business partner.
Our company has a chopper but
JV is lying. It was not used by
Mercado’s group,” Erice said.
Purisima’s bad...
(From Page 4)
amenities. Purisima claimed
that his property was valued at
P3.7 million as declared in his
Statement of Assets, Liabilities,
and Net Worth (SALN); however,
his complainants say that the
property’s actual price could
be more than P50 million. The
question is: How did Purisima
amass such wealth when his salary
was only P107,000 a month?
In spite of P-Noy’s defense of
Purisima, some powerful people
want his head chopped. And
these are people who belong
to P-Noy’s Liberal Party (LP). They want him to retire early to
accommodate another member of
the Philippine Military Academy
(PMA) Class of 1981 to which
Purisima belongs, which begs the
question: Why do they want to
get rid of Purisima one and a half
years before the 2016 elections? Could it be that his incompetence
and expensive lifestyle might
hurt the LP during the campaign
that they want him out of the
limelight? Scandals galore
One of the scandals that is
eroding the people’s confidence
in the PNP is the widespread
“hulidap” cases where an
increasing number of police
officers are involved in kidnapping
for ransom activities. Purisima is
perceived to be too lax in stopping
these criminal activities in the
police force.
Another scandal was the
controversial renovation of
the “White House,” which is
Purisima’s residence inside Camp
Crame. What is being questioned
was the source of the P25 million
Purisima used to upgrade the
White House. He claimed that
three donors contributed “building
materials” while some sources
said that Purisima’s fellow
Masons donated the money. But what is not being discussed
today is: Who are the government
officials – from the President
down to the Barangay captains
-- who are receiving jueteng
payolas? One President who
had received jueteng payola was
former President Joseph “Erap”
Estrada who was exposed by his
former “bagman,” ex-governor
Chavit Singson. In the early days of P-Noy’s
presidency, allegations of jueteng
payolas were made against thenDeputy Secretary of Interior and
Local Government Rico Puno. The payolas were supposedly for
P-Noy; however, Malacañang
denied the allegations and that
was the end of the controversy. But one thing that happened in
P-Noy’s administration was that
jueteng thrived. And according
to many anti-jueteng activists, the
PNP can stop jueteng in a day! But the order must come from the
PNP Chief. While previous PNP chiefs
were involved in scandals and
controversies over the years, the
degree to which they’re linked
to criminal activities varies. But
in the case of Purisima, in the
short time that he’s been PNP
Chief, he had waded into the
murky waters of corruption. As of today, he’s facing three
plunder and graft charges over
his luxurious “vacation house”
in Nueva Ecija, the questionable
renovation of the controversial
“White House” inside Camp
Crame, and a scandalous deal with
a courier service. However, like his predecessors,
Purisima would most likely beat
the charges against him, which
begs the question: How do corrupt
PNP officers pay for their betrayal
of the public’s trust? As someone once said,
“Nothing escapes the Law of
Karma. You get from the world
what you give to the world.” And
thus far, Purisima has gotten a lot
from the world but has yet to give
back. That’s bad karma.
([email protected])
9
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
October 16-22, 2014
AFP Medical Center chief
relieved over supply case
MANILA -- Armed Forces
Chief Gregorio Pio Catapang
Jr. said Tuesday he had relieved
Brig. Gen. Normando T. Sta. Ana
Jr., the head of the AFP Medical
Center who is being probed for
allegedly using P80 million to
buy medical supplies without a
public bidding.
“There was a complaint
file before the Office of the
Ombudsman,” Catapang told
reporters in Camp Aguinaldo. “I asked the TJAG [The
Judge Advocate General] and
the office said there is a prima
facie evidence, so I ordered him
relieved from his position as
he might bungle the ongoing
investigation.
Earlier, AFP Public Affairs
Office chief Lt. Col. Harold
Cabunoc confirmed Sta. Ana’s
relief but did not elaborate as he
had yet to get more instructions
from Catapang.
Catapang on Monday ordered
an investigation of Sta. Ana’s
case, basing his order on an
alleged irregular purchase of
medical supplies worth P80
million involving the head of the
AFP Medical Center and three
other officials.
Catapang based his order on a
two-page complaint that certain
Renato Villafuerte submitted to
the Office of the Ombudsman.
AFP spokesman Maj. Gen.
Domingo Tutaan Jr. did not
respond to questions sent to his
mobile phone about the “parallel
probe” ordered by Catapang on
Monday.
Sta. Ana is said to be an adopted
member of the Philippine Military
How to worship...
(From Page 5)
spirit. Not only must we know
how to worship in “spirit” but also
we must know…
4: How to worship in truth.
Worship is not just an emotional
experience; it must be based on
truth. According to John 17:17
it says, the truth is the Word of
God.
If you are to worship God in
truth, (the Word of God is truth)
then you must worship Him, out
of your understanding of the
Bible. If your worship is based
on the truth of God’s Word, it
will have substance and will be
acceptable to God.
According to the following
truths from the Bible, how are you
to worship Him? I must worship
Him in faith (Hebrews 11:6). I
must open my mind and heart
to His divine searchlight (Psalm
139:23-24). I must be sorry of my
sins (Psalm 34:18). I must worship
humbly (James 4:10). And I must
worship Him with thanksgiving
and praise (Psalm 100:4 ).
When the Word of God
permeates our lives, our worship
of Him will be regulated and will
conform to God’s divine standard.
The great teaching chapter on the
subject of worship is in Psalm 95.
Every Christian, every
believer, every disciple of Jesus
Christ should use Psalm 95 as
a resource on how to worship,
but space will not permit us to
examine it now.
Friend, only when you worship
in spirit and in truth that you will
be the kind of person the Lord
Jesus seek. John 4:23 says, it’s
only the true, worshippers that the
Father seeks
If you want to learn more,
you’re cordially invited to join
us in one of our meetings. Be
a support partner of All for
Jesus Ministries as well. In the
meantime pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner.
My sin deserves judgment but
I need mercy. I open my heart
now to you. I turn from my sin.
I take my place at your feet. My
blessed Redeemer, I give you
my heart. Come into me and
be my Lord and Savior. Thank
you for saving me. In Jesus’
name, amen.” Come and visit us
soon. WORSHIP AND BIBLE
STUDY SCHEDULE: Sunday
@ 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday @
7:00 p.m. Email us at all4jesus@
ca.rr.com or call us any time at
562-896-0107 and let us know
you’re coming. Our meeting
place: 10356 Monterey Street,
Bellflower, CA 90706.
Academy Class of 1981 of which
Catapang is a member.
There is talk that Col. Joseph
Acosta, the AFP Medical Corps
chief, is being eyed to replace
Sta. Ana.
Also set to be given marching
orders to get out from the AFPMC
so they would not influence the
ongoing investigation are special
disbursing officer Lt. Colonel
Florencio Ritchie I. Capulong,
Management and Fiscal Office
chief Major Neil D. Bugarin, and
acting ACS for Logistics Colonel
Rogelio S. Del Rio.
It was learned that the “parallel
investigation” by the AFP
headquarters had been going on
for more than two weeks, but
the military continued to keep
secret the composition of the
investigating body.
Only 29%...
(From Page 1)
of Visayans (43 percent) are
ambivalent on the issue while 43
percent of Mindanao residents
believe that the “tuwid na daan”
promise was fulfilled by Aquino.
Pulse Asia said that the duration
of the survey coincided with
reports of the request of Aquino
for emergency powers to address
the impending power shortage in
2015, Aquino’s expression of trust
to embattled PNP Chief Director
General Alan Purisima amid
calls demanding his resignation,
and the transmittal of the draft
Bangsamoro Law to Congress.
The survey has a ± 3% error
margin and pegged at 95%
confidence level.
The Training Squadron of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces
consisting of three vessels docks at Pier 15 for a goodwill visit on Monday.
Japanese warships in PH
MANILA – Rising Sun flags
once again flap in Philippine
sea breeze, this time bringing
camaraderie and unity.
On Monday, three Japanese
ships from the Japanese Maritime
Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)
arrived at the South Harbor of
Manila for a four-day goodwill
visit that would end on Thursday.
Rear Admiral Hideki Yuasa led
the three warships of the Japanese
Training Squadron to promote
camaraderie and strengthen the
ties between the bilateral relations
of the Philippine Navy and the
JMSDF, Lieutenant Commander
Marineth Domingo, Philippine
Navy Public Affairs Chief, said.
“Goodwill visits like these aim
to strengthen the bilateral relation
with our foreign counterpart,
specifically the Japanese Navy,”
Domingo said.
“This will be a good venue
in collaborating the JMSDF in
promoting peace and stability
within the maritime region.”
Captain Tetsuya Morita was
the skipper of JS Kashima while
Commander Ryoko Kazuma and
Commander Kenji Kawauchi
were the skippers of JS Setoyuki
and JS Asagiri respectively.
Commodore Primitivo Gopo,
Naval Reserve Command
Commander, led the welcome
ceremonies for the Japanese
visitors.
Domingo said the visit would
include a wreath-laying ceremony
at the Rizal Park, courtesy calls,
a Japanese-hosted reception at the
Kashima, sports events, expertise
discussion and a Philippinehosted reception.
10 PHILIPPINE
TRIBUNE
Sabotage raps pushed against
gov’t execs over MRT troubles
MANILA - Quezon City Rep.
Winston Castelo recommended
yesterday the filing of economic
sabotage and other charges
against concerned government
officials for the spate of accidents
at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3
(MRT-3).
Castelo, chairman of the
House committee on Metro
Manila development, strongly
opposed the proposal of the
Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC) to shut
down the MRT for maintenance
work.
He said the series of accidents
and breakdowns at the MRT-3
was caused by negligence and
disregard for public interest by
the concerned officials from the
government and the private sector.
“Heads should roll. Nobody
should be exempt from liability
because of omission. Negligence
and incompetence at the expense
of the public should have its
price. The public, first and
foremost, should be protected
and recompensed,” Castelo said.
He said the APT-Global, the
maintenance provider contracted
by the DOTC, “mishandled
ADVERTISE
WITH THE
PHILIPPINE
TRIBUNE.
(562) 865-5620
October 16-22, 2014
President Aquino points to a Philippine STAR story on the problems of the MRT-3 during a meeting with the Cabinet yesterday.
The President has expressed concern over the daily negative reports
about the MRT-3. Looking on is Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. the maintenance of the MRT-3
and deserves to face economic
sabotage charges.”
The lawmaker said his panel
is set to undertake an inquiry into
the state of MRT-3 as well as the
possible liability of APT-Global.
Castelo declined to name
the DOTC, MRT-3 and APTGlobal officials who may be held
accountable.
“The maintenance was only
sourced out to one company and
we are now moving in Congress
to have APT-Global blacklisted
because time and again it failed to
perform adequately the operation
of the MRT,” he said.
Lawmakers had earlier warned
of more accidents and breakdowns
at the MRT-3 as APT-Global has
admitted that it has depleted its
store of stock rails, which were
handed over by Sumitomo, the
previous maintenance provider.
Castelo warned against
shutting down the MRT-3, saying
”it could bring untold miseries
for workers who depend on the
cheap mode of transport, and
unfathomable economic losses
for business firms.”
“However, if technical experts
see the necessity of a shutdown in
consideration of the maintenance
work, then we should strike a
balance between what we can
afford to do and what we cannot
under the circumstances.”
“Foremost is the safety of the
riding public. Hence, there should
be an in-depth study before they
close operation. They should
offer alternative solutions. Total
shutdown without alternative is
unacceptable,” he added.
PH to seek custody...
(From Page 1)
Oban said.
The US embassy, meanwhile,
expressed its “deepest
condolences” to the family and
friends of Laude.
US Ambassador Philip
Goldberg, in a statement posted
o n h i s Tw i t t e r a c c o u n t @
AMBGoldberg, said: “We will
continue to coordinate closely
with Philippine law enforcement
in the ongoing investigation.” The
US embassy in Manila echoed the
statement on its Twitter account.
While the VFA allows the
US to take custody of its erring
personnel, it gives the local courts
jurisdiction over cases involving
US servicemen.
“Assuming that the particular
serviceman is with US now, it’s
with them but it doesn’t prevent us
from submitting the government
position regarding custody. And
the US government in accordance
with VFA provisions should take
that into full account,” Oban
pointed out.
The Department of Foreign
Affairs also vowed to work on
getting custody of Pemberton,
but DFA spokesman Charles Jose
said there is no guarantee the US
would grant their request.
“They have primary custody
and we’ll request them to give
him over to us, to waive custody,
meaning we’ll take custody.
So we’ll request and it’s not a
guarantee they’ll grant it, so they
may continue to have custody
over the suspect,” Jose said in a
press briefing.
“The case with its various
implications is very important
to us, so we would like to retain
jurisdiction over this case,” he
said.
Pemberton was part of the
3,500-member US contingent in
the Philippines engaged in joint
military exercises, which ended
last week.
At Malacañang, President
Aquino ordered authorities to do
everything they could to serve
justice to Laude, but conceded
the US could choose to keep the
suspect under its custody under
the VFA.
“Of course as Chief Executive
of the country, (the President)
takes this matter seriously and he
wants the government to do what
is necessary – this is what the
VFA Commission is working on,”
Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary
Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a
press briefing.
He said Aquino had spoken
with Foreign Affairs Secretary
Albert del Rosario regarding the
matter.
Coloma said Oban gave
assurance “the Philippine and
US governments have agreed
on the importance of a thorough
investigation so that the ends of
justice will be served.”
Coloma also said it would
be up to the Philippine National
Police to discuss the details of
the incident. He said the PNP
is coordinating with the Naval
Criminal Investigation Service
(NCIS) in its inquiry into the
matter.
“The VFA contains specific
provisions on the legal processes
to ensure that justice will prevail.
The Philippine government is
firmly committed to attain this
objective,” he added.
11
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
HOMELAND NEWS BRIEFS
Comelec chief faces disbarment
MANILA -- A complaint for disbarment has been filed before the
Supreme Court against Commission on Elections chairman Sixto
Brillantes Jr. for allegedly favoring a former client in an election case.
In a six-page complaint filed last week, Reynaldo Ordanes asked
the SC to disbar Brillantes for issuing orders last July and September
stopping a trial court decision ousting Mayor Elizabeth Vargas of
Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.
Ordanes, rival of Vargas who was declared real winner in the
2013 polls by Cabanatuan regional trial court Branch 30, stressed that
Brillantes used to be the election lawyer of the ousted mayor.
He accused Brillantes of gross ignorance of the law and violating
section 1, Rule 137 of Rules of Court, which prohibits a judge or
judicial officer from handling a case where a party was a former client
in the legal practice.
“If he arrogates unto himself the authority allocated to other officials,
there can be no consequence but confusion in the administration of
justice and, in many instances, oppressive disregard of the basic
requirements of due process,” the complaint stated.
Records showed that Ordanes was proclaimed by Cabanatuan RTC
as the winner in the May 2013 mayoral elections after garnering a
total of 11,416 votes, or just a margin of 11 over garnered by Vargas.
Vargas then sought relief with the Comelec on June 19 to stop the
implementation of the local court’s order.
Her petition for writ of preliminary injunction was raffled off to the
Comelec’s Second Division whose chair, Commissioner Elias Yusoph,
went on official leave.
Duterte for president pushed
MANILA - A former ranking government official on Monday said
that the outspoken Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is destined to
lead the country come the presidential derby in 2016.
Eduardo del Rosario, former National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council executive director, said that while Duterte has
initially turned down offers for him to run for the highest post in the
land, there is still a chance for him to change his mind.
«Ito kasi parang advocacy na ito. There is what we call destiny.
Kung talagang destiny ng isang na sya ang mamuno sa ating bayan
kahit ayaw n›ya baka sa bandang dulo , ma-encourage siya na tumakbo
din,» del Rosario told reporters at the sidelines of the Duterte for 2016
President Movement in Greenhills, San Juan City.
Being the mayor›s friend, Del Rosario, who had worked with
Duterte for over six years, said the Davao City local chief executive is
capable of running the country.
«As a friend of Mayor Duterte, I worked with him for more than
six years as battalion commander from 2000 to 2003 , as Task Force
Davao commander from 2004 to 2006 and as Brigade commander in
2009, I know that Mayor Duterte is capable to become president of
our country...Malaki ang kanyang kakayahan at maganda ang kanyang
ginagawa. Yan ang kailangan ng ating bayan,» he added.
He also noted what Duterte has done in Davao like being able
to lower the crime rate in the city and instill discipline among his
constituents.
Gov’t to enforce Ebola evacuation
MANILA- The government will impose voluntary evacuation next
month for Filipinos living in Ebola-affected countries, the Department
of Foreign Affairs said today.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the government “is
undertaking all necessary measures to protect the health and preserve
the well-being of our nationals in keeping with the established protocols
on managing the Ebola Virus Disease. “
“This includes preparations for raising to 3 the crisis alert level for
the Ebola affected countries in West Africa effective mid-November
2014,” Del Rosario said in a statement.
The Philippines currently maintains alert level 2 or restriction phase
for Filipinos working in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea despite the
continuing spike in Ebola cases.
A partial deployment ban for Filipinos in the affected countries under
alert level 2 is also in place, the Department of Foreign Affairs said,
adding that only those Filipinos with existing contracts are allowed to
return there.
PH resorts, hotels bag awards
MANILA - The El Nido Resorts in Palawan, a beach resort in
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and seven hotels and serviced apartments in
the Philippines won international tourism awards.
El Nido Resorts bagged the Asia’s Responsible Tourism Award in
the 2014 World Travel Awards held last Oct. 10 at The Oberoi in New
Delhi, India.
El Nido Resorts bested seven other top tourist destinations in Asia
in the category. These are the Alila Manggis in Indonesia, Andaman
Discoveries, Orange County Resorts, Rainforest World Music Festival
and Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand; Song Saa Private Island in
Cambodia; and Spice Village in Thekkady, India.
El Nido Resorts was recognized for giving great importance to
sustainability.
\Seven hotels and serviced apartments in the Philippines also won
in the World Travel Awards.
These are Intercontinental Manila (Philippines’ leading business
hotel), Fairmore Makati (Philippines’ leading hotel), Seda Hotels
(Philippines’ leading hotel group), The Peninsula Suite at The Peninsula
Manila (Philippines’ leading hotel suite), Amanpulo (Philippines’
leading resort), Ascott, The Residence (Philippines’ leading serviced
apartment brand) and Ascott Makati (Philippines’ leading serviced
apartment).
October 16-22, 2014
US bars warships from leaving PH
MANILA - US Pacific
Command chief Adm. Samuel
Locklear has ordered the
grounding of US military vessels
to keep them from leaving the
Philippines until the investigation
on the killing of a Filipino
transgender allegedly by a US
Marine is completed.
Eduardo Oban, executive
director of the Commission on
the Visiting Forces Agreement
(VFACom), told reporters at the
Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA) yesterday that Philippine
authorities are looking at all
possible angles in the killing of
26-year-old Jeffrey Laude.
“ T h e r e ’s n o d e f i n i t i v e
statement yet as to the identity of
the suspect,” Oban said.
Thousands of US troops are
in the Philippines for PHIBLEX
15, a multinational exercise. The
USS Peleliu is on port call in
Subic Bay.
The DFA and the VFACom, he
said, are awaiting the results of the
police investigation.
“Once the results are out, then
we’ll communicate the contents to
the proper US authorities and we’ll
follow the usual investigative and
judicial proceedings as contained
in the VFA. We assure everyone
that justice will be served,” Oban
said.
The Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine
National Police (PNP) is
investigating the killing of the
Filipino transgender in Olongapo
but did not categorically say that
the suspect is a US serviceman.
“I think they’re working
along that line,” Foreign Affairs
Secretary Albert del Rosario told
reporters.
A Marine Corps Times report
said a US Marine is in custody
Sunday following the apparent
killing of a transgender in the
Philippines.
The Marine, whose identity
has not been released, is being
held on board the amphibious
assault ship Peleliu while
agents of the Naval Criminal
Investigative Service piece
together what happened Saturday
night at the Celzone Lodge in
Olongapo City, according to an
internal Navy memo obtained by
Marine Corps Times.
The Marine is assigned to
2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, out
of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
A lawmaker from the Gabriela
party-list group yesterday asked
the government to ensure justice
for the murder victim.
Rep. Emmerenciana de Jesus
asked the Aquino government
to “immediately intervene and
swiftly mobilize” the authorities
to make sure there will be a proper
and thorough investigation into
the case.
“Gabriela maintains that US
military basing in communities
abetted by EDCA (Enhanced
Defense Cooperation Agreement)
worsens prostitution, trafficking,
drugs and spread of diseases, and
Aquino needs to listen to demands
to scrap the agreement,” she said.
She cited the legal injustices
that keep cropping up from the
EDCA and the VFA, the two
agreements that she said the US
and the Philippines “railroaded
despite their unconstitutionality.”
Meanwhile, the killing incident
casts a shadow on the start of
annual talks between Filipino and
American security officials.
The Mutual Defense BoardSecurity Engagement Board
(MDB-SEB) will begin formal
talks today.
12
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
TRAVEL
October 16-22, 2014
Jane Stark with childhood friends Helen Xi and Min Zhang of
Shanghai, China in Bohol.
Destination: Bohol
By Jane Stark
PRISTINE beaches, amazing
dive sites, and unique landscapes
are just few of the reasons why
the Philippines has become one
of the prime tourist destinations
in the world.
While El Nido and Boracayto
draw both local and foreign
t o u r i s t s r, t h e r e a r e o t h e r
destinations scattered all over
the country that are attracting
their fair share of travelers and
adventurers. Bohol is one of these
destinations.
Bohol is a tropical island haven
in the Visayas, with a coastline
skimmed by gentle coves and
white beaches. Although not
as internationally famous as
Boracay, Bohol is well-known
paradise for divers and snorkelers.
Dolphin watching and whale
watching tours are also popular
not only with locals but with
foreign tourists as well. Bohol
is of course most famous for its
Chocolate Hills and the Tarsier,
the world’s smallest primate.
I’ve been to Bohol many times
before, during which I’ve viewed
the Chocolate Hills at different
times of the day and each time
could not helped but be amazed
at this unexplained geological
phenomenon.
In the past years I have taken
many group tour participants in
this place and each time everybody
had a good time. A visit to Bohol
a year after the devastating
magnitude 7.2 earthquake in
2013 is kind of nostalgic, to say
the least. Despite missing the top
viewing deck in the area, the view
of the Chocolate Hills in the town
of Carmen remains magnificent
and awe-inspiring. To this day, no
one has conclusively accounted
for the existence of these 1,200
perfectly conical hills.
Bohol’s other biggest draw
are the Tarsiers, those rodent-like
tiny animals with enormous beady
eyes. Endemic to Bohol, and some
parts of the Visayas and Mindanao,
Tarsiers are very shy animals and
currently classified as endangered.
13
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
ENTERTAINMENT
October 16-22, 2014
‘My Husband’s Lover’ nominated
for International Emmy award
”MY Husband’s Lover” was
nominated for an International
E m m y Aw a r d s u n d e r t h e
Te l e n o v e l a c a t e g o r y, t h e
International Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences said
in a post on its website.
The three other nominees in the
telenovela were:
– “30 Lives: Maxim Bouchard”
from Canada, – “Belmonte” from
Portugal, and – “Precious Pearl”
from Brazil.
The International Emmy
Aw a r d s a r e g i v e n b y t h e
International Academy of
Television Arts & Sciences to
recognize excellence in television
produced outside of the United
States. This year’s awards will
be presented to the winners on
November 24 at the New York
Hilton Hotel.
“My Husband’s Lover” was
the top-rating primetime soap
opera in 2013 produced and aired
on GMA 7.
More than a story about
homosexuality, it is a modern day
love triangle among a married gay
man, his wife and his gay lover.
The soap was so popular
its lead actors-onscreen lovers
Dennis Trillo and Tom Rodriguez,
spawned the love team “TomDen”.
Piolo Pascual and son Inigo
Piolo Pascual’s son
makes bid for stardom
LAST September 21 on
“ASAP,” the big deal was the
first public appearance and
performance of “Papa” Piolo
Pascual with his 17-year-old
scion and heir, Iñigo. They did
a duet together, and the good
news is that young Iñigo was
able to adequately keep up with
his dad in terms of singing and
“projection”—not an easy thing
to do for a total newcomer!
Of course, Iñigo’s genes and
psychic connection with his father
had a lot to do with his good
showing—and also bode well for
his incipient show biz entry, which
will be more formally highlighted
and affirmed by his introductory
role in the new teen flick “Relaks,
It’s Just Pag-ibig.”
Candidly, Papa Piolo has
shared that he really didn’t want
his niño bonito to “go show biz”
because he’s all too aware—and
thus worries—of the pitfalls and
“monsters” that are just lying in
wait, raring to swallow up and
assault clueless newcomers on
the yellow brick road to stardom!
But, as Iñigo went from 16 to
17, it became clearer that he had
a real yen and potential for stellar
performance and success. So,
“Papa” has finally taken a deep,
paternal breath and given his allimportant consent for his scion to
pursue and attain his own show
biz dream.
On Iñigo’s part, being Piolo’s
son and obvious successor is both a
blessing and a “curse.” On the plus
side, it’s opening many doors and
other newcomers must be green
and even absolutely technicolorlivid with envy! Imagine, he’s still
a relatively untested talent and yet
he’s being given his first movie on
a silver platter?
More expectations
On the other hand, being
Piolo’s heir, a lot is expected of
Iñigo, far more than other raw
starlets; and if he doesn’t score a
bull’s-eye with his first, few show
biz appearances, many of the biz’s
resident haters and debunkers will
loudly bleat, “We told you so—all
he has going for him is his socalled show biz lineage and that’s
not good enough for a real, welldeserved, stellar career!”
That’s why it was a good thing
that Iñigo passed muster as a
tyro performer last Sept. 21 on
“ASAP.” Aside from singing fairly
well, he was able to communicate
an appealing combination of
“frisky and yet shy” traits and
attributes that were just right for a
17-year-old like him.
In other words, he was a
natural, secure enough to just be
himself, no need for the usual
starlet’s porma, siga and pushy
determination to make a great first
impression that are such a turnoff—on the big and small screens.
Of course, nobody’s perfect, so
some negative traits are likely to
reveal themselves in the coming
weeks and months. But, the key
point is, Iñigo lost no points and
in fact gained some in his TV
baptism of fire.
October 16-22, 2014
Bea Alonzo’s
answered prayers
“I’M on the right track,”
actress Bea Alonzo said of her
flourishing show biz career and
smooth love life.
Alonzo got good reviews for
her performance in the ABSCBN drama series “Sana Bukas
Pa ang Kahapon,” which ended
last Friday. Her relationship with
Kapamilya actor Zanjoe Marudo
is the envy of many women her
age.
“I’ve prayed hard for all of
these. I’m happy that I’m finally
experiencing them now,” she told
the Inquirer. “I prayed for a person
who would love me and truly care
for me. It’s been a happy three
years with Z so far.”
The actress said jealousy was
never an issue between her and
Marudo. “He’s not the jealous
type. He’s also very professional
when it comes to to work,” she
said. “Love scenes may look
sensual when you watch them
onscreen, but they are really
difficult to do. You’re surrounded
by a lot of people and you have
a technical team close to you,
whispering to you what you’re
supposed to do. It’s always a
weird experience.”
Alonzo said she was aware
of viewers’ positive reaction
to her decision to go daring in
“Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon,”
particularly with regard to her
sexy scenes with costar Paulo
Avelino.
“I’m glad they were accepting.
When the show was just starting,
I felt the pressure. I felt that
the success of the project was
dependent on how well I would be
able to perform the roles assigned
to me,” she said. “But I said to
myself, if this wouldn’t work out,
I’ll keep trying. Life doesn’t end
when a project fails.”
The story of “Sana Bukas Pa”
revolved around two different
women both played by Alonzo—
the feisty lawyer Emmanuelle
and the kind-hearted heiress of
a chocolate company, Rose, who
is accused of murdering her own
father.
Alonzo said she agreed to
work on the show because
she thought the concept was
“truthful and realistic.” “Each
character struggled with his or
her own issues. My character
(Emmanuelle) may be kind but
she was doing something bad.
Maricar Reyes’ Sasha went
through something difficult that
forces her to do bad things. They
are all gray characters, much
Bea Alonzo
like people in real life. We’re
no saints. I admit to doing bad
things sometimes, like getting
angry—something which none of
you would want to see.”
Fighter
Alonzo added, “Emmanuelle
is more interesting [than Rose]
because she fights back when she
gets hurt. I enjoyed my scenes as
Emmanuelle. It was my first time
to portray someone like her. My
characters in past projects were
all very pure and had no major
changes in their personalities.”
The actress said she learned
a lot on the set, as well: “I see
parts of myself in the characters I
portray. I think that’s important …
that’s the only way for a character
to be truthful.”
To make her romantic scenes
with Avelino convincing, Alonzo
said they had to undergo a
“sensuality workshop” under
actor-director Laurice Guillen.
“The stimuli always had
to come from Paulo, since his
character was trying to seduce
me. I just reacted to them the
way a normal person would,”
Alonzo explained. “We both felt
uncomfortable in the beginning.
With the help of Direk Jerome
(Pobocan), we were able to pull
it off.”
Asked what kind of chocolate
she thought would best describe
Avelino, who played a chocolatier
in the series, Alonzo replied:
“He’s a dark chocolate. He can be
sweet and bitter at the same time.
This makes him more interesting
compared to the plain, sweet type.
Those guys can be very boring.”
KC hospitalized for dengue
ACTRESS KC Concepcion
has been diagnosed with dengue.
The actress on Sunday night
posted a picture of her and “Ikaw
Lamang” co-stars Amy AustriaVentura and Alora Sasam on her
Instagram account.
The picture was taken in her
hospital room, with Sasam and
Ventura visiting the sick actress.
Concepcion wrote that she has
been diagnosed with dengue on
Saturday.
“Hi guys, nag positive ako
for Dengue kahapon. Kaya pala
ako nagkaka-high fever na on/off
these past 2 days. I’m confined sa
hospital Pero I know I’ll be ok!!!”
the actress wrote in the caption.
Concepcion also thanked her
visitors, as well as her fans for
their prayers.
KC Concepcion
October 16-22, 2014
15 PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE www.thephilippinetribune.com
ENTERTAINMENT
Hayden Kho opens up Derek says Angelica accepted his apology
DEREK Ramsay said his
While he said he cannot do right for me to apologize. I can’t
about sex, suicide try former
girlfriend, Angelica anything about Jolly’s decision stop somebody from filing any
HAYDEN Kho, who gained
notoriety during a sex video
scandal in 2009, admitted that he
has stopped having sex.
In the Saturday episode of
“The Bottomline,” host Boy
Abunda asked Kho whether he
still enjoys sex and the doctorturned-actor said he has been
abstaining from sexual activities
for months.
However, he believes sex
should be pleasurable if it is done
“naturally.”
“If that happens, when I do that
again, I’m sure it’s going to be
pleasurable because sex is made
to be pleasurable. It’s only when
you distort your idea of sex, add
things that are not supposed to be
there, mga unnatural, it doesn’t
become pleasurable anymore,”
Kho explained.
He also admitted that it was his
choice to abstain from sex since he
is not yet married.
“The design, I think, is sex is
for those who are bonded into
marriage, and I’m not yet married
so I can’t,” he said.
Kho also admitted that he tried
to kill himself twice in the past
after he found it meaningless to
live anymore.
The first attempt was in 2008,
when he found out that someone
got hold of the hard drives
containing his sex videos.
“At that time, I was very
proud of myself. Maybe, full of
pride of myself. I was mayabang
because I was only 26, and I was
a doctor, I was a model, and I was
making lots of money. And I was,
sumisikat na ako, tapos, and I have
lots of girls, parang, ‘Wow, this is
Panganiban, has accepted his
apology after she was dragged
into the legal feud involving him
and his estranged wife, Mary
Christine Jolly.
In an interview with ABSCBNnews.com on Thursday
night, Ramsay confirmed that
he talked to Panganiban and her
mother to apologize in relation to
the concubinage complaint filed
against him and the actress.
Hayden Kho
the life.’ And then all of a sudden,
everything was gonna be taken
away from me,” Kho said.
“When I found out that they
got all the hard drives and the
videos and all that, I was afraid
of what was going to happen, and
I didn’t wanna see that, because
that would mean I will lose who I
am,” he added.
He said he was in a coma for
three days after his first suicide
attempt. He also revealed that
he was placed with psychiatric
patients in a hospital.
The idea that someone has
a copy of the videos made him
paranoid, he told Abunda.
He also recalled trying to talk
to the man who had the video,
asking him not to release them for
the safety of the women involved.
“I remembered before that
happened I was making pakiusap
to that guy, whose name I wouldn’t
mention anymore, ‘Why do you
have to do this? Hindi naman
ikaw ang kaaway ko, wala naman
akong kasalanan sa ’yo. Tsaka
paano ‘yung ibang babae? Why?’
Sabi niya, ‘Hindi, this is justice.
Ginawa niyo ‘yan, pagbabayaran
niyo yan.’”
to file a complaint, Ramsay said
he felt the need to reach out to
Panganiban regarding the issue.
“I just want to reach out...
I spoke to her and the mom.
[Nangyari] Noong isang araw
lang po (Tuesday),” he said.
“Ayaw ko nang pag-usapan
‘yung sa amin ni Angel. I just want
to reach out to her and her family.
That’s the right thing to do... Her
name is being dragged and it’s just
case, they can go ahead and do
that. Hindi ko siya mapipigilan,”
he added.
When asked if Panganiban
accepted his apology, he said:
“Yeah, yeah.”
Ramsay went on to say that he
is happy for Panganiban, who is
now dating actor John Lloyd Cruz.
“I don’t want to get involved
in their relationship. I am happy
that they are both happy together.”
TRIBUNE
16 PHILIPPINE
COMMUNITY
October 16-22, 2014
Reeza Gervacio beside the poster proclaiming her “Champion of
Home” awardee
Fil-Am one of 2 CA realtors
named ‘Champion of Home’
LOS ANGELES – A multiawarded Filipino-American
realtor added another feather on
her cap when she was chosen
by the California Association of
Realtors (CAR) as one of only
two realtors for the “Champions
of Home” Award for “changing
their clients’ lives for the better,
raising the standards for others,
and led by example.”
The award was presented to
Fil-Am realtor Reeza Gervacio
of Cerritos-based Century 21
Astro during the California
Realtor Expo 2014 on Oct. 8 at
the Anaheim Convention Center.
The other awardee was Lois
Gerace of Woodland Hills-based
RE/MAX Olson and Associates.
California has over 170,000
realtors and only two were chosen
this year to receive the prestigious
award, which is now on its second
year.
“These two REALTORS®
repeatedly have gone above
and beyond in service to their
clients and have shown care and
compassion in making sure their
clients’ dreams of owning a home
became a reality,” CAR said in a
press statement.
“Reeza Gervacio and
Lois Gerace are exemplary
R E A LT O R S ® w h o p u s h
themselves and consistently set
higher standards by showing
extreme diligence and persistence
in serving their clients,” said
CAR President Kevin Brown. “They rise above the rest and set
an example to others for their
dedication and passion, and I’m
proud to recognize them as our
2014 Champions of Home.”
CAR said: “A 16-year realtor,
Gervacio also cares about her
profession and the community in
which she works. She donates her
time to local school career days to
talk with young children about the
profession she loves. In addition
to her sales duties, Reeza also
helps train agents in her office in
farming, client communications,
sphere of influence, and how to
expand visibility.”
CAR also said giving back
to those less fortunate also is
important to Gervacio. Every
year, Gervacio visits the Holy
Trinity Home for Children, an
orphanage in Quezon City, and
spends time with them, hosting
lunch and giving gifts and food
items to the children.
Carol Rayburn, Gervacio’s
broker at Century 21 Astro said:
17
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
Fil-Am...
(From Page 16)
“We need shining lights like
Reeza for whom it’s not just about
the money, but about the people
she serves.”
In their nomination letter to
the Awards Committee, Rayburn
and Lou Rosenkranz, co-owner
and broker of Century 21 Astro,
cited Gervacio’s numerous
accomplishments.
“As owners and brokers
of Century 21 Astro, we have
seen how Reeza evolved from a
neophyte real estate agent into one
of the top agents of the Century
21 system. In her third year as a
Realtor in the year 2000, Reeza
earned her first of seven Centurion
Awards. In her sixth year in
2003, she amazingly garnered
the Grand Centurion Award, the
highest possible award attainable
in the Century 21 system. And
she repeated it two years later in
2005! Reeza also won the Double
Centurion Award four times,
two of which were during the
recession,” they said.
Rayburn and Rosenkranz
added: ‘What was even more
incredible was that she won one
of those Double Centurion Awards
in 2010, the year she learned she
was afflicted with breast cancer.
People of less character would
have given up their career in the
face of that kind of adversity.
But Reeza did not sulk, and
instead worked as hard as she had
ever done -- in between medical
procedures and frequent visits to
the doctor and the hospital. It was
probably the best challenge she
had ever had to face in her life
and in her career, and she emerged
from it with flying colors!”
Settlement
with AT&T
reached
SAN FRANCISCO – Attorney
General Kamala D. Harris, along
with the Attorneys General of the
other 49 States and the District
of Columbia, the Federal Trade
Commission, and the Federal
Communications Commission,
today announced a settlement
with AT&T Mobility LLC to
resolve allegations that AT&T
Mobility placed charges for thirdparty services on consumers’
mobile telephone bills that had not
been authorized by the consumer,
a practice known as “mobile
cramming.” The settlement covers
“mobile cramming” charges made
from January 1, 2009 through the
date the FTC federal court order
is entered. Under the settlement, AT&T
will pay $927,536 to California.
In addition, AT&T Mobility is
required to provide $80 million
in funds to be used to pay refunds
to consumers who were victims
of cramming. The fund will be
administered by the Federal Trade
Commission. “Consumers deserve
transparency in their billing and
a clear description of the services
being provided,” Attorney General
Harris said. “This settlement
holds AT&T accountable for its
misleading practices and refunds
consumers for unfair billing.”
Beginning today and continuing
until May 1, 2015, consumers
can submit claims under the
AT&T Mobility cramming refund
program by visiting www.ftc.gov/
att. On the website, consumers
can find information about how
to obtain a refund. COMMUNITY
October 16-22, 2014
Gourmet 99 opens doors to street food lovers
ARTESIA - Filipinos in
Southern California can now
experience the savory taste of
Philippine street foods right here
in Artesia with the opening of
Gourmet 99, a Filipino restaurant
specializing in street foods, on
Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 18929
Norwalk Blvd., Artesia, CA
90701.
The restaurant offers many
kinds of street foods and “kakanin”
to homesick Filipinos raring to
enjoy once more the foods that
they delighted in while growing
up in the Philippines.
Some of the street foods
that Gourmet 99 will offer are
marinated barbecue chicken
and pork, isaw or IUD (pork
intestines), tenga ng baboy (pig
ears), leeg ng manok (chicken
neck), grilled balun-balunan
(chicken gizzards), sisig (roasted
pig’s head, chicken liver, onions,
and chili), fish balls, squid balls,
chicken balls, and a few others.
For those who’d rather not try
these unique street foods, other
Filipino dishes such as adobo,
kare-kare, sinigang, menudo and
other popular will be available for
sit-down customers.
The owners and guests of Gourmet 99 during the blessing of the restaurant in Artesia on Oct. 8.
From left (seated): Paz Navalta, Fr. Tom Asia, Aileen Galon, and Atty. Michael Plotkin; (standing):
Roxanne Sulio Spencer, Daisy Ortiz, Roderick de la Pena and Diane Tan.
18
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
U.S.
& WORLD NEWS
October 16-22, 2014
Dallas nurse confirmed as first to contract Ebola in US
DALLAS -- The identity of
the Dallas health care worker who
contracted Ebola after treating a
patient who later died of the virus
has been confirmed.
The family of 26-year-old Nina
Pham, a nurse at Dallas’ Texas
Health Presbyterian Hospital,
confirmed the news to WFAA.
The family also confirmed the
news to USA Today. Pham is the
first known person to contract the
virus in the United States.
Pham had been helping to treat
Thomas Eric Duncan, the Liberian
man who was diagnosed with
Ebola last month. Duncan was
the first person to be diagnosed
with Ebola in the United States.
He died last week.
Last week, Texas health
officials announced that a hospital
worker who treated Duncan had
showed symptoms of the virus.
They confirmed the diagnosis on
Sunday.
According to CNN, Pham was
wearing protective gear whenever
she had contact with Duncan.
CDC Director Tom Frieden
blamed the Dallas Ebola spread
on a breach of protocol. \ He
said on Monday that he wouldn’t
be surprised if another hospital
worker became ill.
“Unfortunately, it is possible
in the coming days we will
see additional cases of Ebola,”
Frieden said in a press conference
on Sunday. “This is because the
health care workers who cared
for this individual may have had a
breach of the same nature.”
Pham is not one of the 48
people who the CDC had already
been monitoring for either direct
or indirect contact with Duncan
before he was brought to the
hospital on Sept. 28. She had
been self-monitoring, and upon
developing symptoms, came in to
the hospital, Frieden said Sunday.
According to the Dallas
Morning News, Pham is a 2012
graduate of Texas Christian
University. Friends and family
describe her as a “big-hearted,
compassionate” person dedicated
to her nursing career.
Nina Pham
Medicare sets annual open
enrolment: Oct. 15 - Dec. 7
FINALLY, here we are!
Welcome to the Annual Enrollment
Period (AEP) for most medicare
recipients. This is the one time
opportunity to make changes
on your Medicare Advantage
or Part D (prescription) plan
enrollment from October 15 to
ends December 7.
During the span of about 54
days, you are encouraged to
review, compare, assess, and
choose a plan that you honestly
believe will be the right one for
your health care needs. This is a
very important period for people
65 and above. We strongly advise
you to set up an appointment with
your trusted advisors. That would
be us. Yes you read that right.
If you wait till near the very
end you might lose your chances
to change for a much better plan
and you will most likely be locked
in for one whole year. You don’t
want that to happen, do you? One
thing that we always recommend
is to visit the plan websites. Find
out what they are offering in
your area. Check out their 2015
summary of benefits. Make sure
that your doctors and hospitals
are still in their current network.
It is also very important to search
your prescription drugs to ensure
that the plan formulary includes
all your drug needs and co-pays
are still within reach.
Below are a quick glance of
the common 2015 Medicare costs.
Part A – In-patient hospital care
deductible $1,260.00 for day 1 to
day 60. Skilled Nursing Facility
coinsurance for day 21 to 100 will
be $157.50
Part B – Monthly premium
remains at $104.90 for most
people and a $147.00 deductible
the same as 2014 premium.
Part C – Average monthly
premium for Medicare Advantage
Plan is up by about 9.5% per
month plus Part B premium.
Part D – The average premium
have raised $1.00 to $32.00 per
month for this year. This is offered
by private insurance companies.
No worries; the above
information is for your reference
only. This is a reminder that
Medicare health coverage is not
100%. It only pays a portion
of your health care expenses.
There are two ways to get full
coverage eliminating higher
costs. First is to enroll with a
Medicare Supplement also known
as MediGap. This is a private
insurance plan designed to cover
the “gaps” of Medicare Parts A
and B. You pay monthly premium
plus your Part B.
Second is to enroll with
Medicare Advantage with Part
D Plan (MAPD). You must have
both Parts A and B to be eligible.
You can join even if you have
pre-existing condition except for
ESRD. In LA, OC, Riverside,
San Bernardino and San Diego
many of these plans are $0.00
premium. It does, however, have
a maximum out of pocket cost and
some co-pays that varies by plan.
Prices on drug tiers have changed
on some and charging more if
you don’t order in their preferred
pharmacy.
Just a quick note, about more
than a week ago some of you
might have called Marylou
Casasola, unfortunately she has
lost her mobile phone. The phone
company has not been successful
in recovering her personal files
and most importantly, the phone
numbers of people whom she
have made future appointments
with. If you believe you are one
of them, we are requesting you to
please call Marylou at 323-8933536. We greatly appreciate your
understanding and we are very
sorry for not being able to get in
touch with you in the soonest time
possible.
Leo Palang (Lic.#0H77362)
and Marylou Casasola
(Lic.#0G30833) are trusted
advisors on Medicare Advantage
Plan. We are appointed and
certified to represent Medicare
health plans in California. Please
send email at boomerstown@
gmail.com or call us directly at
323-470-7345 or 323-893-3536.
ADVERTISE (562) 865-5620
19
PHILIPPINE TRIBUNE
US
& WORLD NEWS
BUSINESS
SOLUTIONS
Claro R. Perez
3 FHA loan programs for first
time homebuyers and those
with one-year-old foreclosure,
shortsale or bankruptcy
BELOW are loan programs
for first time buyer with yearly
incomes not to exceed $78,500.00
per year.
1/2% down is designed to
help low to moderate income
for California borrowers only
to achieve the dream of home
ownership.
A. FHA 99.5% Loan Program:
This is a purchase loan program
insured by FHA for borrower
with income limit of $ 78,500.00
per year. Non-occupying and
co- signer are not allowed. Home
buyer education is required.
Property eligibility are single
family residence, PUDs, and
FHA-approved condos must
meet FHA requirement and FMC
overlay, two unit properties and
manufactured homes. It must
be owner occupied and no first
time home buyer requirement.
May own other property within
FHA requirements. No minimum
home buyer contribution required.
Credit scores 580 minimum credit
score requirement. Those with
no credit score may also qualify
with alternative credit. Two units
property requires a minimum of
640 credit score.
Manufactured home require
660 minimum credit score. Make
home ownership a reality sooner
rather than later.
B. FHA Back to Work Program:
This is a purchase loan program
insured by FHA for borrowers who
lost their homes as the result of an
economic even. This can reduced
bankruptcy, foreclosure, short
sale, deed in lieu of foreclosure
seasoning requirement to as little
as one year. Program basis home
buyers must have experienced
economic even defined as loss of
employment and drop of income
by 20% or more lasting 6 months
or longer before the economic
event happened. This is for home
purchase loan only. Borrower
must demonstrate full recovery
from the event including reestablished credit for the most 12
months. It requires completion
of housing counseling through
a HUD approved counseling
agency. Credit score must be 620
and up. No income limits, 3.5%
down payment required, must be
employed for 2 years and up.
Other Programs Offered:
This program below requires a
financial evaluation to pre-qualify
home owners if they are eligible.
Credit Repair and
enhancement: Will investigate
and delete derogatory credit report
from the three credit bureau
like bankruptcy, collections, late
dates, and other negative report
its a CRP in house program no
third party. Credit repair fee are
money back guarantee if CRP can
not repair or correct the negative
credit report.
Second Mortgage Lien
Settlement and Modification
Program: Can settle a second lien
by 10-20% of the total principal
balance provided the Ist lien
principal balance is greater then
the home value making second
lien become unsecured lien.
Second lien can be modified using
the MP2 program to lower interest
rates by 2%.
Loan Modification: If home
owner are experiencing hardship
loan modification is available
lowering the interest rate by 2%.
For Detailed Information
please call:
Claro R. Perez 626-922-4916
cell and 626-331-8889 business:
Financial advocate, President &
CEO CRP
Business Mortgage solutions
Inc. For Credit Repair, Loan
Modification, and Settlement.
Carlo A. Perez 626-922-4013
Licensed DRE Broker NMLS ID
900304 Division Capital, Inc.for
October 16-22, 2014
Global Ebola pandemic feared
WASHINGTON -- As the
Ebola virus spreads in and beyond
Africa, it’s raising the possibility
of a global pandemic that U.S.
intelligence agencies have warned
is among the greatest potential
threats to global security.
As health workers, diplomats
and U.S. troops fight to contain
and defeat the virus in West
Africa, there now are cases in six
other countries; a second U.S.
case has emerged; and the World
Health Organization puts the
death toll at more than 4,000 and
rising. President Barack Obama
has led urgent U.S. calls for the
world to do more, saying that
current efforts aren’t enough to
stop a disease that in the jet age is
unconstrained by national or even
continental borders.
“We live in an extraordinarily
interconnected world, and that
is why it is so essential that we
put full energy into stopping
this virus in West Africa,” said
Nancy Lindborg, an assistant
administrator at the U.S. Agency
for International Development
who’s leading the aid agency’s
Ebola response. “It is essential for
the entire world to step forward
with the kind of help that can
stop this epidemic from spreading
further.”
In a 2013 analysis of future
threats, U.S. intelligence agencies
concluded that a pandemic that
incapacitated 1 percent of the
world’s population—about 70
million people today—would be
“one of the most disruptive events
possible.”
“I have never seen a health
event threaten the very survival
of societies and governments in
already very poor countries,”
Margaret Chan, director general
of the Geneva-based World Health
Putin orders troops away
from Ukrainian border
MOSCOW - Russian
President Vladimir Putin has
ordered thousands of Russian
troops near the Ukrainian border
to return to their usual bases,
according to his spokesman.
Dmitry Peskov told Russian
news outlets late Saturday in
Sochi that Putin had ordered
approximately 17,600 troops
to return home from Rostov,
a southern region that borders
east Ukraine, where pro-Russian
insurgents have been battling
government troops since April.
The Kremlin has said that
troops stationed in Rostov were
participating in drills, but Ukraine
and the West have repeatedly
accused Russia of fueling the
insurgency with arms, expertise,
and fighters, and have slapped
Moscow with sanctions in
response to its moves in the
region.
Previous Russian claims of
troop withdrawals have been
countered by NATO. In March,
Vladimir Putin
Russia announced a troop
withdrawal of only one battalion
- a unit of about 500 - while NATO
insisted that tens of thousands
remained near the border.
In the spring, the U.S. and
NATO said that Russia had
deployed about 40,000 troops
near the border, though Putin
ordered the troops back to their
home bases in late May.
Organization, said in a statement
yesterday that called Ebola’s
spread “a crisis for international
peace and security.”
Obama and other officials cite
Ebola as one more sign that an
increasingly interdependent world
is giving rise to new security
threats. A pandemic, whether
naturally occurring like Ebola or
a synthetically created biological
weapon, can paralyze economies,
fray societies and destabilize
countries.
The U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in Atlanta
estimated in September that in a
worst-case scenario, as many as
1.4 million West Africans could
be infected by mid-January. A
September study by scientists at
the WHO and Imperial College
London found that cases in Guinea
are doubling every two weeks; in
Liberia every three weeks; and in
Sierra Leone every month.
Kurds thwart
ISIS advance
to Kobane
BEIRUT—Kurdish fighters
thwarted a bid by Islamic State
group jihadists to advance into the
centre of the battleground Syrian
town of Kobane early on Saturday,
a monitoring group said.
The attack came after the
IS militants overran Kurdish
headquarters in the border town
on Friday, sparking fears they
would cut off the last escape
route to neighbouring Turkey
for hundreds of mainly elderly
civilians still in the town centre.
The IS assault sparked 90
minutes of heavy fighting with
the town’s Kurdish defenders
before the jihadists fell back, the
Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights said.
US-led coalition warplanes
also carried out two air strikes on
IS targets south and east of the
town early Saturday, according
to the Britain-based monitoring
group, which has a wide network
of sources inside Syria.
Destination: Bohol
(From Page 12)
But visitors are able to get up
close and personal with these
cute furry animals in the Tarsier
Sanctuary where researchers
have successfully reintroduced
breeding populations with
government funding to expand
the protected area.
But there is more to Bohol
than the Chocolate Hills and the
Tarsiers. A Bohol countryside
tour will take you on a memorable
and fun-filled trip to the island
province’s historical and cultural
landmarks, a relaxing time on
a river cruise, shopping and
dining in any of the more popular
restaurants in Tagbilaran City.
When in Tagbilaran City,
take time to visit the Sandugo
Blood Compact Site. Sandugo
or a blood compact is part of a
tribal tradition in Bohol to seal
friendship. On March 16, 1565,
the Spanish explorer Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi and Datu
Sikatuna, chieftain of Bohol,
entered into a blood compact or
Sandugo. This was considered the
first treaty of friendship between
the Spaniards and the Filipinos.
After a jaunt in Tagbilaran, go
southward to cross the bridge to
Panglao Island, home to some of
the best known beaches in Bohol
including Doljo beach, Dumaluan
Beach and Alona beach. Around
Panglao and the nearby islet of
Balicasag are some of the best
diving spots in the Philippines.
Diving, snorkeling, dolphin
watching and island hopping are
among the most popular activities
in Panglao. These can be easily
arranged in any of the resorts in
the area.
Dauis is another municipality
in Panglao island. Here you’ll
find the Hinagdanan Cave, a small
underground lake surrounded by
stalactites.
Bohol also takes pride of its
many magnificent centuries old
churches, among them the Dauis
Church, the monumental Church
of Our Lady of the Immaculate
Conception in Baclayon, and the
Saint Peter the Apostle Church
in Loboc. Unfortunately, both
the Church of Our Lady of
the Immaculate Conception in
Baclayon, the Maribojoc Church
COMMUNITY
October 16-22, 2014
with its triangular Spanish watch
tower, and the Saint Peter the
Apostle Church in Loboc were
badly damaged by last year’s
earthquakes. They are currently
undergoing construction.
Loboc is also home of the
famous Loboc Children Choir,
whose angelic voice have brought
them to many countries in Asia,
Europe and the USA.
Make your visit to Loboc more
memorable by dining in one of the
floating restaurants while taking a
cruise on the Loboc river. Eat as
much Filipino food as your heart
desires and enjoy the live bands or
watch the local dancers perform
Filipino folk dances.
If you are feeling adventurous,
you may try a zip-line or take the
cable car for an impressive flight
across Loboc River.
Not to be missed is a visit to the
famous Bamboo Hanging Bridge
that crosses the Sipatan River
in the municipality of Sevilla.
Crossing the hanging bridge has
become both a tourist attraction
and a challenge.
Some 40 kilometers northeast
of Tagbilaran is another town,
which can be reached via a
road with numerous hair-pin
bends. The trip is quite scary but
challenging and exhilarating. The
town of Bilar is best known for
its Mahogany man-made forest, a
dark area of thickly reforested land
on the way to the Chocolate Hills.
Bilar is also being developed as an
eco-tourism destination. Found
within the area is the Raja Sikatuna
National Park, a 9,000-hectare
nature reserve that offers great
tours for trekking, with curious and
interesting lime-rock formations,
caves, and great opportunities
for observing animals and bird
watching. And when in Bilar,
don’t forget to visit the Simply
Butterflies Conservation Center,
where you can see many types of
native butterflies, hand grown in
the center.
Bohol as a tourist destination
has lots to offer that at times
tourists have a difficult time
deciding which places to see in
their limited time. The service
of an experienced travel agent
can help you in your decision.
Call us at Travel International
Group and we will provide you
with information. We also have
excellent group tour packages that
may be very helpful to you. Our
number is (310) 327-5143.
LA team against
methamphetamine
to be formed
SACRAMENTO – Attorney
General Kamala D. Harris today
announced that the California
Department of Justice will create a
new anti-methamphetamine team
of Special Agents based in Los
Angeles funded by a $1 million
federal grant. Transnational
criminal organizations have made
California the single biggest point
of entry for methamphetamine
into the United States, with 70%
entering through the San Diego
Port of Entry. “ Tr a n s n a t i o n a l c r i m i n a l
organizations have made
California the largest point of
entry for methamphetamine into
the United States,” Attorney
General Harris said. “This funding
supports the California Department
of Justice’s crackdown on this
devastating drug by strengthening
our enforcement capabilities.”
The California Department of
Justice team will be comprised
of six Special Agents assigned
to investigate illicit activities
related to the manufacture and
distribution of methamphetamine
in California. The team will work
in a coordinated effort with other
existing California Department
of Justice task forces including
The Los Angeles Interagency
Metropolitan Police Apprehension
Crime Task Force (LA IMPACT).
“The production and use of
meth is a serious threat to the health
and safety of our communities,”
Ronald L. Davis, COPS Office
Director said. “I am pleased to
make $6 million available to help
state law enforcement agencies
fight the abuse of this highly
addictive drug.”
The California Department
of Justice currently leads 18
task forces across the state,
including LA IMPACT, which is a
compilation of numerous federal,
state and local law enforcement
agencies in Los Angeles County.
The primary focus of LA IMPACT
is to investigate major crimes,
with an emphasis on dismantling
mid to major level drug trafficking
organizations
Dr. Shin Liu with State Senate candidate Tony Mendoza and other
supporters at the International Street Fair in Artesia.
Shin Liu joins Int’l
Street Fair in Artesia
SHIN LIU and her supporters
braved the heat wave on October
4th to campaign for reelection to
Cerritos College Board of Trustees
at the Artesia International Street
Fair and Diversity Festival.
From the moment the inaugural
event kicked off at 11am, her
campaign committee took to
fervent campaigning, anchoring
themselves next to the Cerritos
College Booth by 187th St until
10pm.
The normally bustling Indian
district was transformed into
a vibrant street fair featuring a
variety of entertainment that could
rival a small county fair. Bungee
jumping, a petting zoo, rock
climbing, and a music stage were
the main attractions for the diverse
spectators. Attendees came from
far and wide, but a majority were
local residents, including Cerritos’
and Artesia’s community leaders.
Many of these community
leaders came by throughout the
day to express their support and
pose for photos with Liu.
To n y M e n d o z a , f o r m e r
Assemblyman and current
candidate for State Senate
District 32 and LA County
Sheriff candidate Jim McDonnell
discussed their campaign
platforms and exchanged the
best of luck. Artesia City Council
Member Ali Taj and ABC School
District Board Members Sophia
Tse and Maynard Law stopped by
amid their evening out with their
families to offer their enthusiasm
and support for Shin Liu.
Amongst a bevy of traditional
campaign flyers and posters, Shin
Liu handed out business cards
that also doubled as handheld
3-D glasses, allowing people to
view 2-D images on display. The
technology attracted many of the
children attending the fair, who
had to be given a little tutelage
on how to use the glasses (closing
one eye seems to be instinctive
for many).
Parents and other members of
voting age were informed of Liu’s
platform of technology in the
classroom and of their options to
vote by mail or at a polling place
on Tuesday, November 4th.
Jasvina Gill (center) with previous honorees
p11’s Jasvina Gill receives
recognition at SoCal awards
ANAHEIM -- Recognized
for her prolific contributions as
a marketing professional in the
building industry, Jasvina Gill,
Vice President of p11creative,
was presented the prestigious B.J.
Stewart Women’s Achievement
Award at the SoCal Awards on
September 27, 2014. Held at The
Grove of Anaheim, the annual
awards event is sponsored by
the Greater Sales and Marketing
Council of the BIA of Southern
California.
“To be recognized by such a
talented and passionate group
of women is truly humbling. As
I started my career, B.J. Stewart
was an icon I looked up to, she
was an inspiration.” - Jasvina
Gill started her career working
in sales for her father, retired
homebuilder, Surinder Kahlon.
Rising through the ranks, Gill
has since proven her love of all
things home while giving back in
the most generous ways.
TO ADVERTISE , PLEASE
CALL (562) 865-5620
October proclaimed
Fil-Am Heritage/History
Month in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES – The Los
Angeles City Council, led by
Councilmembers Mitch O’Farrell
and Jose Huizar, honored the
Filipino American community
in Los Angeles by presenting
a Resolution proclaiming
October 2014 as FilipinoAmerican History/Heritage
Month on October 10 at the
John Ferraro Council Chamber
of the City Hall of Los Angeles.
Members of the City Council
praised the Filipino-American
community for its achievements,
contributions signifying the 427
years of historical presence in
the United States when in 1587,
the Manila-built galleon ship
Nuestra Seňora de Esperanza
landed at Morro Bay California
transporting the first Filipinos
to visit the United States.
Herrera-Lim in his address
to the City Council said that the
History Month is a celebration
of the shared values between
Americans and Filipinos.
COMMUNITY
The recognition of Fil-Am
History Month serves to honor
the unique relationship that the
Philippines has with the US.
The celebration of Fil-Am
History month is important because
it also recognizes the efforts of the
thousands of Filipinos working
in the Greater Los Angeles
Area, in particular the City Hall.
O’Farrell, during the
presentation of the resolution
spoke highly of Filipino labor
leaders Larry Itliong, Philip
Vera Cruz, and a large group of
Filipino farm workers and the
pivotal role they played in the
Delano Grape Strike of 1965,
which led to the formation of the
United Farm Workers Movement.
Herrera-Lim and Linda
Granados, President of the Los
Angeles Filipino Association
of City Employees (LAFACE),
accepted the resolution in
behalf of the Filipino-American
community in Los Angeles.
October 16-22, 2014
Ballet Philippines dancers i n one of the numbers performed at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
Ballet PH performs to standing ovation
LOS ANGELES –Ballet
Philippines performed to a
standing ovation on Saturday,
Oct. 4, at the Pasadena Civic
Auditorium on in Los Angeles.
Ballet Philippines is headed by
its president, former Miss Universe
Margie Moran-Floirendo.
Godinus Executive Producer
Becca Godinez and PAE Live
Producer Ted Benito produced
Ballet Philippines’ performance
in the California area. BP is in
its 45th season this year and is
touring in the United States and
Canada to exhibit the world-class
talent of the oldest surviving ballet
company in Southeast Asia. BP
founder, Alice Reyes, was named
a National Artist this year.
It was Ballet Philippines first
performance in the US in 15 years.
The BP inaugural performance,
which lasted 90 minutes
showcasing its best works, was
attended by the luminaries of the
Filipino-American community,
with the likes of Apl.de.ap, Lou
Diamond Phillips, Sony Pictures
Entertainment Senior Vice
President of Worldwide Publicity
Fritz Friedman, Nia Peeples,
Susan Ruttan, and Janine Tugonon
(winner of Miss UniversePhilippines and 1st Runner-Up in
Miss Universe 2012).
The youngest members of the
traveling group, Jemima Reyes,
19, and Monica Gana, 20, have
added their own achievements
to the international accolades
that BP has received this past
summer. Reyes received an
award at the USA International
Ballet Competition in Jackson,
Miss., while Gana represented
the Philippines in the 26th
International Ballet Competition
in Varna, Bulgaria.
Carissa Adea, one of the
principal dancers, was awarded a
six-month fellowship in New York
by the Asian Cultural Council and
will be participating in workshops
organized by dance companies in
the United States.
Benito remarked that Ballet
Philippines is his first dance
production and his first time to
witness an entirely Filipino ballet
performance. The auditorium
reverberated with enthusiastic
cheers and applause from the
appreciative audience. Many left
the auditorium feeling proud of a
ballet company that is all-Filipino.
The BP performance coincides
with the celebration of the
Philippine-American Heritage
Month.
MILF seeks Pope’s backing
of Mindanao peace plan
Consul General Herrera-Lim with Councilmember Jose Huizar
(Council District 14), Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell (Council
District 13), and LAFACE President Linda Granados.
30 nabbed in Ferguson protest
FERGUSON, Mo. -Pounding rain and tornado
watches didn’t deter hundreds
of protesters who stayed outside
Ferguson police headquarters for
more than four hours Monday,
the same amount of time that the
18-year-old Michael Brown’s
body was left in the street after he
was fatally shot by police.
Nearly 20 people were arrested
during the rally, with some
protesters using a bullhorn to
read the names of people killed by
police nationwide. The rally was
led by clergy members during a
third straight day of rallies in the
St. Louis suburb where Brown
was unarmed when he was fatally
shot on Aug. 9.
Protests have been common
since Brown, who was black, was
killed by a white police officer.
But tensions escalated last week
when a white police officer in
nearby St. Louis shot and killed
18-year-old Vonderrit Myers Jr.,
who police say shot at officers
before he was killed.
DAVAO CITY – The Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
has said it plans to write a letter
to Pope Francis asking him to say
something in support of the peace
process in Mindanao in the course
of his visit to the country on Jan.
17, 2015.
“ We a r e t h i n k i n g a b o u t
writing the Pope to ask him to
say something about the need
for peace,” said Mohagher Iqbal,
chair of the MILF peace panel
that signed a comprehensive
peace deal with the Philippine
government on March 27, 2014.
Iqbal said a statement of
support for the peace agreement
signed between the Philippine
government and the MILF would
be a morale booster for efforts to
hopefully end over four decades
of Moro conflict in Mindanao.
“I think that the letter will be
addressed and will be delivered
very soon to the Pope,” Iqbal said
in an interview with reporters over
the weekend.
Civil society groups and
international donor agencies have
greeted the signing of the peace
agreement with great enthusiasm,
as it could end the conflict that has
claimed thousands of lives and
displaced communities in Central
Mindanao.
After the signing of the
comprehensive peace agreement,
the Bangsamoro Transition
Commission, composed of
the MILF and government
representatives, came up with
the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law,
or the law that governs how
the Bangsamoro political entity
should be run, which has already
been submitted to Congress for
deliberation. Once Congress
ratifies the document, the BBL
will be submitted to a plebiscite
to allow the people to decide
whether to accept the proposed
law or not.
Pope Francis will be in Leyte
on Jan. 17, 2014, to visit survivors
of the Super Typhoon “Yolanda,”
a natural calamity, which ravaged
huge parts of Central Visayas
and claimed over 6,000 lives in
November 2013.
BUSINESS
& FINANCE
Global wealth soars to $263
trillion, as inequality swells
Remittances
total $2.05B
in August
MANILA — Cash sent home
by migrant workers continued to
rise at a better-than-expected rate
in August as demand for Filipino
labor remained strong overseas.
Data from the Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed
overseas Filipino workers
(OFW) sent home $2.05 billion
in remittances in August, up
6 p e r c e n t y e a r - o n - y e a r.
For January to August,
remittances were up 5.8
percent to $15.5 billion.
“The increase in remittances
was driven largely by the steady
increase in transfers from
land-based workers with work
contracts of one year or more,”
the BSP said on Wednesday.
ADVERTISE
WITH THE
PHILIPPINE
TRIBUNE.
IT WORKS!
PLEASE CALL
(562) 865-5620
GENEVA–Global wealth
skyrocketed 8.3 percent over the
past year to a record $263 trillion,
but the distribution of the riches
has also become increasingly
unequal, a Credit Suisse report
said Tuesday.
With the increase from mid2013 to mid-2014, global wealth
now stands 20 percent above the
peak before the global financial
crisis and a full 39 percent above
the low seen at the height of the
crisis in 2008, according to the
Swiss banking giant’s “Global
Wealth Report.”
“The overall global economy
may remain sluggish, but this has
not prevented personal wealth
from surging ahead during the
past year,” the report said.
The study, which comprises
the wealth holdings of 4.7 billion
adults across more than 200
countries, showed that aggregate
household wealth has more than
doubled since the beginning of
the millennium, when it stood at
just $117 trillion.
And over the next five years,
global wealth is expected to
balloon by another 40 percent to
$369 trillion, it said.
Today, each adult globally has
an average of $56,000–an alltime high for average net worth,
according to the report.
But while average net worth
has surpassed its pre-crisis high
by 7.0 percent, the median wealth
has plunged 14 percent since 2007
to $3,641 per adult.
The decline in the median–the
level at which half of the sample
is lower and half higher–indicates
that inequality, which remained
flat or declined from 2000 to
2007, is once again on the rise,
the study said.
“The findings show that
inequality has tended to rise since
2008, particularly in developing
economies,” Markus Stierli of the
Credit Suisse Research Institute
said.
The study said most of the rise
in wealth over the past year can be
credited to North America, which
accounts for 34.7 percent of global
household wealth, and Europe,
which accounts for 32.4 percent.
Both regions showed hikes of
about 11 percent.
In contrast, Latin America
saw little change, while China
recorded only a small rise of
around 3.5 percent, and India saw
its wealth fall one percent, the
study said.
On a country level, Britain,
South Korea and Denmark
recorded the largest percentage
gains, while Ukraine, Argentina
and Indonesia saw the largest
losses, it said.
Switzerland meanwhile
maintained the highest average
wealth per adult, at $581,000,
followed by Australia, Norway,
the United States and Sweden.
As a sign of wealth
concentration, the number of
dollar millionaires globally has
shot up 164 percent since 2000 to
34.8 million individuals today —
a full 41 percent of them living
in the United States, the study
showed.
Some 128,000 of the world’s
millionaires have assets of at least
$50 million, with nearly half of
them living in the United States
and nearly a quarter in Europe.
Cagayan to have international airport
B AY O M B O N G , N u e v a
Vizcaya – Commercial flights
are being readied at the newly
constructed international
airport in Cagayan province,
whose operation is expected to
accelerate economic and tourism
development in northeast Luzon.
This came after the Civil
Av i a t i o n A u t h o r i t y o f t h e
Philippines (CAAP) approved
the application of Cagayan North
International Airport for P1.67
billion to finance its commercial
operation following a series of
test runs and inspections of its
facilities.
One of the airport’s major
proponents, Julian Gonzales,
officer-in-charge of the Cagayan
Economic Zone Authority
(CEZA), said they received the
clearance to operate from CAAP
last Oct. 9.
CAAP is the only government
agency mandated to issue permit
or clearance for commercial and
private operations of airports and
implementing policies on civil
aviation to ensure safe, economic
and efficient air travel.
The airport will be located in
Cagayan’s northern Lallo town.
October 16-22, 2014
Metro land
values still
rising in Q2
MANILA - Land values
in Metro Manila continued to
increase in the second quarter,
while office vacancy rates drop
amid sustained strong demand,
the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
reported on Monday.
The central bank, citing data
from the Colliers International,
said implied land values in the
Makati central business district
rose 20.4 percent to P366,425 per
square meter (sqm.) in the second
quarter from the same period a
year ago. The latest figure was
also 3.6 percent higher than the
first quarter rate.
At the same time, implied
land values in Ortigas Center
amounted to P149,365 per sqm.
in the second quarter, up 7.9
percent from year-ago levels and
higher by two percent from the
first quarter.
“Land values in the Makati
CBD are presently at about 86.2
percent of their 1997 levels in
nominal terms, but only about
38.4 percent of their 1997 levels
in real terms,” the BSP said.
“Likewise, land values in the
Ortigas Center were lower than
their comparable levels in 1997
in both nominal and real terms
by about 76.6 percent and 34.2
percent, respectively,” it said.
Nominal figures refer to the
actual price in 1997, while real
terms are nominal values adjusted
for inflation.
Meanwhile, the office vacancy
rate in the Makati CBD fell to 2.1
percent in the second quarter from
the 3.5 percent recorded a year
ago and the 4.2 percent seen in
the first quarter.
October 16-22, 2014
Manila port congestion lingers
Get FHA 30 years fixed rate as
low as 3.5% with no points
MAJORITY of the buyers
now are going with FHA Loans,
so I thought of answering and
informing you of some questions
that you might ask so you would
fully understand how to go with
this minimum down payment
loan.
Q: 580 + Fico, OK
A:With automated
underwriting approval and no
30 day later payments on any
accounts in the past 12 months
and 3 compensating factors, strict
31/43 Debt to Income ratio.
Q: Chapter 7 BK, what’s the
timeframe needed before they are
eligible for FHA Mortgage?
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
There must be 12 consecutive
months of on time payments on
all accounts (including utilities,
cell phones etc) from the filing of
the chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy There
must be 24 months of perfect
credit from the disposition of a
Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Foreclosure There must be 3
years of perfect credit from the
foreclosure.
Q: Can you do a cash out
refinance to pay off the remaining
balance of BK 13?
A: Yes, you can cash out up
to 85% of the appraised value.
Assuming there has been no lates
on the BK or the mortgage.
Q: If you have an open tax lien
and are currently in a payment
plan with the IRS, do you have to
pay it off at or prior to closing an
FHA loan?
A: No, the IRS can subordinate
their lien to the new mortgage and
they do routinely do so. ( Mostly
on purchase loans)
Q: What’s the maximum
number of months left on an
installment loan that allow the
lender to not include this to your
debt to income calculation?
A: 10 months. Installment
loans are car loans or student
loans. However, this does not
apply to leased vehicles.
Q: Do you have to pay off
collections and charged off
accounts prior to closing?
A: No, FHA does not require
it. However, if it’s a Judgement
it most probably will need to be
paid prior to closing.
Q: When do you need to build
alternative credit?
A: When the borrowers do not
have 3 open active trades for 12
months in the report.
Q: How is alternative credit
built and evaluated?
A: Document 12 months of
good payment history on rents,
utility bills, cell phone, furniture
rental, car or insurances, etc.
Q: How long does a student
loan need to be deferred for you to
leave it out of the debt to income
ratio calculation?
A: 12 months from the
expected closing date.
Q: Can you use Child Support
income?
A: Yes, As long as the borrower
will be receiving this child support
for the next three years verified by
court papers.
Q: What income documentation
are required for a self-employed
borrower?
A: 2 years of 1040’s and a
current YTD Profit and Loss
statement. The P&L does not
need to be audited unless required
by the underwriter. If there is
a declining income factor, the
underwriter will only average out
the recent 12 months of income.
Q: If someone has recently
returned to the work force after
an extended absence ( possibly
even for a year… for example:
a woman returning to work after
have a child and have decided to
stay home for a year) do they need
to wait for 2 years to re-establish
an employment history?
A: No, if they are back to work
for a minimum of 6 months and
can document, prior to leaving
the work force, that they had a
complete 2 year full time history,
the income will be used.
Q: Does FHA allow Stated
Income Documentation?
A: No, there are only local
Banks that will allow self
employed borrowers to apply
for a stated income program,
minimum down payment should
be around 40%.
Q: Who will you be calling for
your next FHA or Conventional
loan scenario….
A: Ken Go at 562-508-7048 or
write to [email protected]
I strongly believe that
everything is so far going as
MANILA -- Foreign
businessmen have warned of
dire consequences in the inflow
of foreign direct investments,
even higher prices of goods and
aggravated condition at the ports
in the next few weeks if the port
congestion issue will not be
resolved soon.
In a joint press conference,
the foreign chambers of Europe,
Japan, US, and Canada and the
Semiconductor and Electronics
Industries in the Philippines Inc.
and the Truckers Association
noted that the current remedial
measures have not been effective
at helping decongest the Manila
ports and warned that congestion
may even further aggravate into
the pre-Christmas season.
“We are of the opinion that
today’s serious problems in the
supply chains of the Philippines
will persist and may even
further aggravate within the preChristmas season if the root
causes for the port congestions
and resulting significant cost
increases and delays in moving
supplies to the Philippines are
not recognized and addressed
in a coordinated way,” a joint
statement said.
Michael Raeuber, president of
the European Chamber, even said
the full impact of prices of goods
will be felt in eight weeks while
the cargo volume is expected
to get worse in three weeks in
light of the preparation for the
historical high demand Christmas
season.
While the Manila port seemed
to be back to normalcy following
the lifting of the daytime truck ban
of the Manila City government,
Raeuber described it as a “lull
before the storm.”
“We are going to feel the
full impact in eight weeks, not
in December,” warned Raeuber
adding that cargo volume will
start pouring into the ports in
the next three weeks in time for
Christmas.
A c c o r d i n g t o R a e u b e r,
some shipping lines have even
suspended calling on Manila ports
because of difficulty to load and
unload cargoes and also refused
to go to Subic following the
freeport’s decision to raise rates.
Meanwhile, the Batangas port is
being congested as well. Both
Batangas and Subic have been
declared by the government as
alternative ports to Manila.
“Look at the ships lining
up in Batangas port where the
operational level is already at
90 percent of capacity,” Raeuber
said. Anything above 70 percent
utilization will make any port
movement difficult, making it
inefficient.
The port congestion will surely
impact on the country’s ability
to attract more foreign direct
investments, the group said.
Henry Schumacher, ECCP
vice-president, said the Philippines
should have reached by now the
$9-billion FDI level against over
$4-billion level now.
Nobuo Fujisan of the Japanese
Chamber said the government
has been involved in “too much
publicity” to the dismay of
Japanese businessmen who felt
“betrayed” over the non-delivery
of promises.
Raeuber cited the port
congestion issue in Manila has
made international headlines
and investors are aware of the
situation.
The impact on FDI inflow will
largely depend on how fast the
Philippine government can get a
grip on the situation.
“If the remedial measures are
not that effective then the impact
on FDI inflows may be huge,”
he said.
To r e s o l v e t h e p o r t
congestion problem, the group
has suggested six remedies for
immediate implementation by the
government.
First, they asked to “ban all
bans” noting that while Metro
Manila lifted the daytime
truck ban, the Metro Manila
Development Authority still
maintains its own truck ban.
The group also asked
government to exempt trucks
for hire from the franchise
requirement of the Land
Transportation, Franchising and
Regulatory Board. The group said
that 80 to 90 percent cannot meet
the planned phase out of trucks of
over 15 years of age.
Third, the group has moved
to abolish the expiration of
gate passes/delivery orders for
container vans in the port once
Customs clearance is done.
Fourth, the government is
asked to review and regulate
through the reactivation of a
Shipper’s Council the allowable
demurrage and detention charges
for containers.
The group also requested
government to restrain the
shuffling of containers from the
ports of Manila to the ports of
Subic and Batangas.
3 FHA loan...
(From Page 19)
home purchase and home loans.
Fe A. Perez 626-905-2531 cell:
Licensed DRE Broker Providence
Realty and Mortgage, Inc. for
commercial, business loans, and
home loan refinance.
Office Hours: 8:00am to
5:00pm Monday thru FridaySaturday and Sunday by
appointment only
Business Address: 279 W.
Badillo Street, Covina, Ca. 91723
SPORTS
October 16-22, 2014
NU Bulldogs beat FEU for UAAP crown
MANILA – The National
University Bulldogs clobbered
Far Eastern University 75-59
Wednesday night to win the UAAP
77 men’s basketball championship
at the Araneta Center.
The victory ended NU’s 60year championship drought.
The UAAP Finals’ Most
Valuable Player, Alfred Aroga,
topscored for the Bulldogs with
24 points to go with 18 rebounds.
Gelo Alolino finished with 12.
The Bulldogs, which won its
only championship in 1954, is
also the first fourth-seeded team
to win the crown.
NU’s Cameroonian center
Alfred Aroga was named Finals
MVP while coach Eric Altamirano
was named “Cooach of the
Season.”
Aroga averaged 16 points and
13 rebounds in the championship
series and had game-highs of
24 points and 18 rebounds in
the deciding Game 3 where the
Bulldogs beat the Far Eastern
University Tamaraws, 75-59,
before a record crowd of over
25,000 at the Smart Araneta
Coliseum.
The 6-foot-7 Aroga, playing
in his first season, anchored NU’s
league-best defense, which also
carried the Bulldogs to their first
title in 60 years.
“I was overwhelmed by the
The National University Bulldogs celebrate after title victory.
Center Alfred Aroga
Coach Eric Altamirano
victory,” said Altamirano in an
interview after the game that
saw the Bulldogs carve out a
masterful victory against the
Tamaraws, 75-59, at the Smart
Araneta Coliseum.
“I thank God for the opportunity
. . . of just being able to finish the
game the right way,” he said.
Altamirano said despite the
fact that the Bulldogs lost a lot of
veteran players at the start of the
season, the team “found a way
to win”. “We found our identity,
teamwork in our defense.”
“There’s something special
about this team. They don’t give
up, they refuse to lose, they really
love playing for each other,” he
said.
On Aroga, Altamirano said
they were thankful that they were
able to get him.
“This guy went through a lot of
heartaches – from not being able
to play last year,” said Altamirano.
He said Aroga gave
“leadership” to the team and
praised the way the Cameroonian
handled himself “on and off the
court”.
A seasoned coach, Altamirano
has two PBA championships under
his belt: In 1997 for Purefoods
Corned Beef Cowboys and in
1998 for the Mobiline Phone Pals.
Altamirano started his basketball
career in San Beda as a member
of the Red Cubs. He later played
in the UAAP as a player for the
UP Fighting Maroons and became
the league’s Most Valuable Player
in 1986 when UP won its first and
only UAAP championship.
He played in the professional
basketball league for Alaska,
Pepsi, and Shell.
So defeats
US chess
sensation
LAS VEGAS, Nevada —
Grandmaster Wesley So took
the measure of Jeffrey Xiong
of the United States, beating
the 13-year-old American chess
phenomenon in the fourth round
of the Millionaire’s Chess Open
at Planet Hollywood Resort &
Casino Friday, October 10.
Yangyi Yu of China is showing
the way with four points, and So
is tied for second to sixth places,
half a point behind, in the hectic
four-day tournament that offers
$100,000 to the champion.
Exploiting Xiong’s relative
inexperience, the 21-year-old
So steered the Indian Game into
unfamiliar lines to win after 44
moves.
Sharing second to sixth places
with So is Webster teammate Roby
Robson, American Alexander
Lenderman, Daniel Naroditsky,
also of the US, and Ecuadoran
Carlos Matamoros, who is now
based in the US.
With the black pieces, So faces
Lenderman in the pivotal fifth
round Saturday.
Get FHA...
(From Page 23)
planned, this is a buyers market
and sellers should not be afraid
to start to consider moving up by
next year. As long as you have
your jobs now and are able to pay
your mortgages, hang in there.
Keep your fingers crossed, if there
were no more major bad news to
come by year end. We should see
a strong beginning for 2015.
Call me for your next Real
Estate Mortgage needs, Ken at
1st Innovative Finance at 562697-7028 or write to: kennethgo@
vrizon.net. Like us at facebook: go
to 1st Innovative Finance.
Kobe Paras
High-flying
Kobe Paras
commits
to UCLA
MANILA — It looks like a
Filipino youngster would wear
the blue and gold of the Bruins.
Kobe Paras, the high-flying
son of Filipino basketball legend
Benjie Paras, has committed to
join the University of California
Los Angeles Bruins for his
collegiate playing career.
“I’m really happy to say that I
have committed to UCLA!” Paras
posted on his Twitter account
Saturday late evening.
UCLA coach Steve Alford
extended the offer to the younger
Paras who now plays for LA
Cathedral in the United States.
“I am thankful that coach Steve
Alford is willing to take a chance
on me,” the 6-foot-6 forward said
in a statement that the LA Times
published.
“I am very appreciative to all
the coaches that made offers to me
for their interest.”
Paras, who has to make a name
for himself in the Philippines as
the son of the only Rookie-Most
Valuable Player of the Philippine
Basketball Association, now has
to walk the same campus that
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s
all-time leading scorer, strutted in.
Manny gets go
to play pro ball
GENERAL SANTOS CITY-Impressed by the gains achieved
by World Boxing Organization
welterweight champion Manny
Pacquiao in his initial preparations
since pitching camp here for his
fight with American Chris Algieri,
trainer Freddie Roach has given
his prized pupil permission to
play for his Team Kia on opening
day of the Philippine Basketball
Association’s 40th season on
Oct.19 at the Philippine Arena in
Bulacan.
“Yeah, he asked my permission
to play on opening day for the
fans, so I told him I’ll allow
him to see action for only one
minute,” Roach said with a laugh
following a rigorous 12-round
session Friday at the Pacman
Gym here.
“What if he exceeds a minute?”
one reporter asked Roach.
“I myself will take him out. I’m
coming with him to Manila, sit on
the team bench and act as the head
coach with him as my assistant, “
Roach said. “Nah, of course he
can play as long as he wishes, if
that’s what it will take to make the
fans happy. I just told him to take
care not to get injured.”
Roach added: “Any kind
of injury that can postpone or
completely cancel his fight can
mean the end of his boxing career
and all the years he’s been in this
profession of choice.”
October 16-22, 2014
October 16-22, 2014
October 16-22, 2014
October 16-22, 2014

Aquino-Binay break looms VP slams DAP, treatment of Arroyo

Transcription

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