FeBruarY 18, 2012 haWaII FIlIpIno ChronICle 1 ♦ FEBRUARY 18,19, 20122011 ♦ OPINION HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS LEGAL NOTES The Good ThaT Can VIllaruz eleCTed reporTInG ImmI- Come From Corona’s Isah presIdenT GraTIon-relaTed ImpeaChmenT TrIal For 2012 dIsCrImInaTIon HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE PRESORTED STANDARD 94-356 WAIPAHU DEPOT RD., 2ND FLR. U.S. POSTAGE WAIPAHU, HI 96797 PAID HONOLULU, HI PERMIT NO. 9661 2 haWaII FIlIpIno ChronICle FeBruarY 18, 2012 EDITORIAL FROM THE PUBLISHER Publisher & Executive Editor elcome to our latest edition of Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D. Ending Corruption the Hawaii Filipino Chroni- cle! This past week was a Publisher & Managing Editor Chona A. Montesines-Sonido Once and For All? downer for millions of fans orruption has plagued the Philippines for so long that W of pop superstar Whitney Associate Editors many Filipinos have resigned themselves to the no- Houston whose death came Dennis Galolo tion that it will always be a part of everyday life. The as a complete shock. She was idolized by Edwin Quinabo seeds of corruption were planted as far back as the many Filipinos for her beautiful voice and Creative Designer Spanish colonial times, when galleon ships smuggled singing abilities. Her untimely passing should be a reminder to Junggoi Peralta C goods into Manila from India, Southeast Asia and those who are struggling with substance abuse or involved in Design Consultant China. Officials were bribed to forego examination an abuse relationship to seek help. We mourn her loss and pray Randall Shiroma of goods to determine the amount of tax to be paid. The result was for her family. nothing less than widespread official corruption. Photography In our last issue, we reported on the trial for the Philip- Tim Llena From then to modern times, corruption has scourged the na- tion. It has undermined development, hurt the poor, diminished the pines’ Chief Justice Renato Corona, the country’s top lawyer, Administrative Assistant Shalimar Pagulayan quality of public services and raised the price of goods and serv- who is facing impeachment on charges of corruption before a ices. Past presidents have attempted to weed out graft and corrup- court composed of Philippine senators. We have provided an Columnists tion but were largely unsuccessful. Most recent efforts have been update and interesting viewpoint of this landmark trial in a Carlota Ader Carlo Cadiz, M.D. undertaken by President Benigno S. Aquino III. Much like his column on page 3 entitled “The Good That Can Come From Sen. Will Espero mother, Cory Aquino, who pursued graft and corruption against Corona’s Impeachment Trial.” In conjunction, our cover story Grace F. Fong, Ed.D the Marcos regime, PNoy is leading the investigation into the al- for this issue is written by Dr. Belinda Aquino, who discusses Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D. leged wheeling-and-dealings of his predecessor Gloria Macapa- J.P. Orias graft and corruption in the Philippines, its history and stran- Pacita Saludes gal-Arroyo, her husband and other officials of her inner circle. glehold on the country and what can be done to address this Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. While much attention is focused on high level corruption in- problem. We hope you will enjoy reading her story, which be- Charlie Sonido, M.D. Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq. volving generals, politicians and businessmen, the problem is just gins on page 4. as pervasive on the street where every day men and women bribe Felino S. Tubera Speaking of the Philippines, members of the Filipino Sylvia Yuen, Ph.D. officers to overlook traffic violations. Such petty corruption must Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii are currently in the Philip- stop. Doing so is one way to start slowly turning things around. pines for their 22nd Annual Trade Mission. The goal of the Contributing Writers The difference between corruption in the Philippines com- trade mission is to promote Honolulu and encourage invest- Belinda Aquino, Ph.D. pared to the U.S. is that the risks are greater here in America. Could Clement Bautista that be the answer for the Philippines—to create a system that ment, tourism and cultural exchanges. Accompanying the Teresita Bernales, Ed.D makes corruption so high-risk that it will deter most people? The FCCH is Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, who is meeting with Linda Dela Cruz system should make it easy for its citizens to pay taxes, dues and officials and business leaders in Honolulu’s five Philippine sis- Fiedes Doctor Danny De Gracia, II, MA fines with much less hassle…a system that makes corruption high ter cities—Baguio, Cebu, Laoag, Manila and Vigan. Best Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand risk, yet makes things less bureaucratic and easier for its citizens. wishes to the FCCH for a successful mission and safe return Amelia Jacang, M.D. That should be the collective long-term dream for the Philippines. trip! Caroline Julian Maita Milallos For the short term, we can only hope and pray that the Filipino Before ending, I’d like to once again thank our readers Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. people will continue to support PNoy and his administration. Their once again for their support. As always, we encourage you to Glenn Wakai efforts are the best and most sustained attempt to date at rooting out provide feedback, story ideas, tips or concerns via an email at: Amado Yoro corruption. The truth is, there is no easy solution on ending cor- [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you! Philippine Correspondent ruption. It will certainly require more than the efforts of one man— Greg Garcia Until next time… aloha and mabuhay! it will take the collective will of the Filipino people. Big Island Distributor Grace Larson Ditas Udani Maui Distributor $25 Billion Settlement Who Benefits and How? Cecile Piros An estimated 4 million American families have already lost their Molokai Distributor Is Too Small; Big Banks homes to foreclosure since 2007. According to RealtyTrac, another Maria Watanabe Can Afford To Do More 2 million homes will be lost to foreclosure this year. Teetering on Advertising/Marketing Director the high-wire, roughly 12.6 million homeowners have outstanding Chona A. Montesines-Sonido n the 1990s, the U.S. government reached a $250 bil- residential mortgages that are deemed “underwater,” meaning home- lion settlement with the tobacco industry to help pay Account Executives owners owe more to the bank than what the house is worth. Many Carlota Ader for Medicaid losses due to tobacco-related illnesses of these homeowners with poor financing just might end up in fore- J.P. Orias and to fund anti-smoking campaigns. closure in the future. Just this month in a similar government-led law- (continued on page 3) The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle is published I suit brought against the banking industry for abuses in weekly by The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. It is mailed directly to subscribers and dis- foreclosure proceedings, the case was settled for a LETTERS tributed at various outlets around Oahu and measly $25 billion. Considering how much richer the banking in- the neighbor islands. Editorial and advertis- KUDOS ON MEDICAL MISSION ARTICLE ing deadlines are three weeks prior to pub- dustry is to the tobacco industry, and when taking into account the Thank you for the informative article “Reflections on 2011 Davao, lication date. Subscriptions are available at damage banks have caused through predatory, subprime lending in $75 per year for Oahu and the neighbor is- Payats and Ilocos Sur Medical Mission” by Teresita Bernales, Ed.D. At a lands, continental U.S. $80, foreign country the past decade, the $25 billion had better be just a starting point. time when the media all too often prints negative news, you treated read- $90. Copyright 2006-2012. The Hawaii Fil- A one-time payment of $25 billion to make good on wild west ers to a positive piece on the Ohana Medical Mission. ipino Chronicle Inc. is located at 94-356 The article was quite descriptive and very detailed which gave HFC Waipahu Depot, Waipahu, HI 96797. Tele- financing that ruined the lives of millions cannot be a sudden free phone (808) 678-8930 Facsimile (808) 678- pass to upright standing. Taking numbers into perspective, the banks readers quality information that addressed the mission and purpose of the 1829. E-mail [email protected]. OMM. Reading about the many volunteers sharing their time, talents and Website: www.thefilipinochronicle.com. together took in $317 billion in revenues last year alone. Imagine resources to treat those in need was inspiring. Maraming salamat to OMM Opinions expressed by the columnists and how much more these banks have already profited from placing for spreading God’s aloha by serving the needy in the Philippines, as well contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle manage- mortgages into toxic derivatives that led to the global financial mire as to HFC and Teresita Bernales, Ed.D. for sharing some ment. Reproduction of the contents in whole in the first place. Investors know that this settlement is a slap on the good news! or in part is prohibited without written per- mission from the management. All rights re- wrist. Wall Street’s reaction to the settlement caused barely a ripple served. Printed in the U.S.A. with the stocks of those banks involved closing steadily or up by a noemi pendleton Kailua www.thefilipinochronicle.com percent or two. www.efilipinochronicle.com FeBruarY 18, 2012 haWaII FIlIpIno ChronICle 3 OPINION The Good That Can Come From Corona’s ators Joker Arroyo or Franklin technical knowledge of the tences or getting them to admit Impeachment Trial Drilon may appear at times to be rules on evidence — may in fact to half-truths with yes or no an- leaning on the side of the de- be his greatest weakness in this swers.