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Dengue cases drop WEEKLY ISSUE 70 CITIES IN 11 STATES ONLINE Vol. IX Issue 465 1028 Mission Street, 2/F, San Francisco, CA 94103 Tel. (415) 593-5955 or (650) 278-0692 March 8 - 14, 2018 Police ordered not to reply to UN human rights investigators;

PH NEWS | A4 Palace to invite reporter to swim in Pasig River if she persists By Corina Oliquino | FilAm Star Correspondent Pacquiao next fight in Malaysia? DAVAO CITY – President Du- terte ordered the country’s security forces, the police not to ‘respond’ to United Nations (UN) rapporteurs who would investigate human rights abuses under his administration’s drug war at the National SWAT Chal- lenge last March 1. “Pagdating ng human rights o sino mang rapporteur diyan, ang or- SPORTS NEWS | A5 der ko sa inyo, do not answer. Do not bother,” Duterte told Rappler. “Why would we be answering? Google grant for San Jose Bakit, sino sila? And who are you to school STEM interfere in the way I would run my country?” Duterte added. In a report by Rappler, Duterte said rapporteurs or experts should consider that the Philippines is “be- ing swallowed by drugs” and said that he would want a different UN rapporteur to investigate allegations of human rights violation in his drug war, and not UN rapporteur Agnes COMMUNITY AWARENESS | B3 Callamard. In a statement, Foreign Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano said that the Philip- Dreamer future uncertain pines won’t accept Callamard because of her “bias and antagonistic stance towards the Philippine government.”’ President Duterte at the opening ceremony of the National SWAT Challenge at the Team Davao Inc. Pistol and Rifle Range in Davao TO PAGE A7 (Photo from Presidential Communications/Government of the Philippines Official Facebook Page) De Lima urges probe into alleged maid auctions in Saudi Arabia Feminists mark International By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent Women’s Day by decrying Sen. Leila de Lima raised Filipino HSWs and test the effec- Duterte’s sexist remarks LEGAL & LAW | B4 alarm over the alleged auction tivity of the 2013 bilateral labor By Daniel Llanto of Filipino household service agreement with Saudi Arabia, FilAm Star Correspondent Jessica Soho first Pinoy workers (HSWs) to families that which reinforces the Standard finalist NYF Best New Anchor bid the most money for maids in Employment Contract providing Saudi Arabia. enough protection for HSWs. De Lima, a known anti- “We may need to review human trafficking advocate, the agreement which we entered said the Department of Foreign with Saudi Arabia five years ago Affairs (DFA) and the Depart- to check whether Filipino HSWs ment of Labor and Employment are properly accorded their right (DOLE) should investigate this and are not subjected to modern- illegal “maid auction” of overseas day auctions, as if they are mere Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmie de Jesus Filipino workers in the Kingdom. commodities.” said the Senator (Photo: www.notey.com) Senator Leila De Lima ENTERTAINMENT | B7 She urged DFA and DOLE detained over drug charges. to verify the reported auction of (Photo: www.johnib.wordpress.com) TO PAGE A7 TO PAGE A7 Non-compliant 173 big businesses, informal settlers in 4 out of 9 PH among best countries to invest in – U.S. News wetlands, move Duterte to declare Boracay in a state of calamity By Coina Oliquino | FilAm Star Correspondent By Lara Climaco | FilAm Star Correspondent The Philippines has been named the best country to invest in by U..S President Rodrigo Duterte is going News and has ranked the country 49th with the Department of Interior and on its over-all Best Countries report. Local Government’s (DILG) plan to In its 2018 Best Countries report, declare a state of calamity in Boracay U.S. News said rankings are based on in order to hasten the rehabilitation “how global perceptions define coun- of the top tourist destination and at tries in terms of a number of qualita- the same time provide financial aid to tive characteristics, impressions that displaced workers. have the potential to drive trade, travel The President revealed his next and investment and directly affect move at the oath-taking ceremony for national economies.” officials of the Philippine Anti-Corrup- The study covers perceptions of 80 tion Commission held last March 6 in DENR Secretary Gen. Roy Cimatu countries and gauged them based Malacañang. (Photo from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s Official (Photo: www.thevolatilian.com) TO PAGE A7 TO PAGE A7 Facebook Page) A2 FilAm Star March 8 - 14, 2018 ph news DENR employee in Cebu convicted of graft Chief justice impeachment trial imminent but SC The Cebu City Regional steep,” the Ombudsman said she was teaching for no ap- Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 Seguerra requested that the parent reason than to demand move to oust her could set precedent vs. prez, VP has convicted a Department payment be made on a stag- money.” of Environment and Natural gered basis. The court ruled that Aten- By Daniel Llanto | FilAm Star Correspondent Resources (DENR) employee For the first tranche, tar had no authority to obtain who demanded P100,000 from Atentar received P8,000 from the P100,000 fee. be subjected to a quo warranto woman for the processing of a Seguerra. “This was never refuted by petition. miscellaneous sale application “After waiting for several accused,” the judge said. “More “The moment the Supreme In a statement issued on months without any update telling is accused’s persistence Court entertains and rules on Wednesday, the Office of the on the application, Seguerra in obtaining the money for pur- this – that it has the power Ombudsman said that the demanded that Atentar return ported occupation fee although to, in effect, dismiss the chief accused, Edwin Atentar, was the money,” the Office of the he has no authority to accept justice – that same rule applies found guilty of violating the Ombudsman disclosed. the same.” to them,” Drilon noted. He Anti-Graft and Corrupt Prac- “In August 2006, Atentar said such ruling would apply tices Act (Republic Act 3019). was able to return only P5,000 Singco sentenced Atentar to heads of such constitutional In March 2006, Atentar, as evidenced by a receipt to imprisonment of six years bodies as the Commission on who was a special land inves- acknowledged and signed by and one month to 10 years and Audit, Commission on Elec- tigator of the DENR Commu- him,” it said. six months and perpetually tions, the vice president and nity Environment and Natural In a court judgment dated disqualified him from holding even the president. Resources Office, demanded Feb. 8, 2018, Cebu RTC Branch public office. “This is a slippery slope P100,000 from the complain- 12 Presiding Judge Estela Alma The court also ordered that can set a precedent. Extra ant, Virgilia Seguerra, for the Singco said that “as shown in Atentar to return the remaining (L-R) Sen. Antonio Triullanes IV and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno care must be exercised by the processing of the MSA for a lot the testimony of prosecution amount of P3,000 to Seguerra. (Photo: www.politics.com.ph) Supreme Court. But as I’ve said, in San Isidro, Talisay City. witness Seguerra, accused went (Julius N. Leonen / inquirer. Indications abound that the is Sereno’s previous filing of the ball is in their court and it Since the price was “too twice to the university where net) impeachment complaint against an incomplete Statement of is up to them to decide,” the Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Asset, Liabilities and Net Worth minority leader said. Sereno will soon be approved (SALN). Pimentel somewhat shared in the House of Representatives Senate President Aquilino this view and said a quo war- Bodies of 2 workers retrieved from Bohol landslide and forwarded to the Senate for Pimentel II, as if assuaging ranto action would also weaken TAGBILARAN CITY— ing “anapog” (limestone) on leader, said the soil may have the formal impeachment trial. the Solicitor General, said the the Senate because it would Rescuers found on Wednesday Monday afternoon. cascaded due to intermittent But the Office of the Solici- Senate was ready and willing provide another way to remove the bodies of the two workers Huge rocks rains brought by Typhoon tor General sought to pre-empt to conduct fair impeachment impeachable officials. buried alive in a landslide at When he took a break and “Basyang” last month. the process with a so-called quo proceedings against Sereno. Sen. Francis Escud- a quarry site at the foot of the left the group, he heard a big Anthony Damalerio, head warranto petition asking the The Senate president made it ero viewed Calida’s move as mountain in Sitio San Isidro in commotion. of the provincial disaster risk Supreme Court itself to oust clear that Calida’s filing of a quo a “novel theory” that should Barangay Candabong in Anda He said Galeya and Ariel, reduction management office their chief. warranto petition questioning not be disregarded right away. town, Bohol province. who were digging at that time, (PDRMMO), said rescuers from Solicitor Gen. Jose Calida Sereno’s qualifications was a Although the theory is on shaky Ariel Abac was first found didn’t notice that big rocks as the neighboring towns of Pilar, asked the Supreme Court to legitimate move. But whether grounds, Escudero said some at 11 a.m. while Valeriano big as a barangay hall had rolled Alicia, Ubay, Candijay, Guin- nullify the appointment of Chief the case would succeed would novel theories have become Galeyo was pulled out an hour down toward them, followed by dulman and Duero went to the Justice Sereno, who goes on depend on the Supreme Court. “part of the law of the land” later. a mass of soil. site to help in the search and leave effective March 5 to sup- On the part of the opposi- by virtue of a ruling by the The recovery of the bod- When the landslide hit, he retrieval operation. posedly prepare for her defense tion, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV Supreme Court. ies shattered the hope of KC, added, smog and dust covered Volunteers from the Philip- at the Senate impeachment claimed “it is becoming clear Calida dismissed insinua- Abac’s wife, of finding him the entire place for half an hour. pine Army and Philippine Na- trial. that they do not want the im- tions that the Office of the So- alive. Ramon, 48, said Ariel and tional Police arrived on Tuesday Sereno sensed that “this peachment to go to actual trial licitor General, whose mandate She remained hopeful that Galeya may have been buried afternoon to help. is it.” because the evidence against is to lawyer for government, Abac, 32, was still alive because in a pile of soil at least 12 feet Rescuers had to use only In the 34-page petition for Sereno is weak.” Trillanes said fears that the Senate will not toe his phone was still ringing when tall. A mini dump truck near the shovels because the upper por- quo warranto, Calida sought the Calida’s move shows that those the government line. He said she called his mobile phone on victims was completely covered. tion of the mountain remained Supreme Court’s declaration who want Sereno ousted are he will not allow Sereno “to un- Tuesday, more than 12 hours But Ramon said that while unstable. voiding Sereno’s appointment resorting to short-cuts instead dergo the indignity that the late after the landslide occurred on he believed the two would not The mountain in Canda- on August 24, 2012 as chief jus- of following the impeachment Chief Justice Renato Corona Monday afternoon. have survived the landslide, he bong was a known quarry site tice and have her ousted by the process. suffered at the hands of politi- “I was still hoping that he wanted to recover the body to for limestone. High Court from the judiciary’s Senate Minority Leader cians who unjustly convicted was alive,” said KC, 25. “His give them a proper burial. Landslide-prone top post. Franklin Drilon said extra him.” three children were waiting for Rescuers Totsie Escobia, provincial Calida said the quo warran- care must be exercised by the Under Rule 66 of the him.” Rescuers had difficulty dig- information officer, said the to petition is the proper petition Supreme Court in treating the Rules of Court, a quo warranto Abac’s brother-in-law ging due to the huge rocks. municipal government had because Sereno is “unlawfully” petition because it could set a proceeding is an action by the Ramon Peñaranda said they Tarsier 117, headed by stopped the quarry because the holding her current position. precedent wherein impeachable government against a person were at the quarry site gather- Mark Sydney Galia, team The only reason cited for that officials, even justices, could TO PAGE A7 TO PAGE A7 March 8 - 14, 2018 FilAm Star A3 ph news Consortium from private sector offers unsolicited Comelec won’t cover for employees bids to de-congest Manila international airport found linked to 2016 poll fraud By William Casis | FilAm Star Correspondent BACOLOD CITY—Com- statistical improbability. missioner Rowena Guanzon of Guanzon said the server Sen. Grace Poe dismissed the Commission on Elections would know if it accepted trans- the claim that diverting flights to (Comelec) on Wednesday assured mission the day before. the Clark International Airport the public that the poll body But such, she added, would in Pampanga from Manila is the would not cover for employees be impossible because the server best solution to decongest the Ni- who may be involved in fraud last was closed. It would be opened noy Aquino International Airport 2016 elections. only when the voting was over. (NAIA). Guanzon was reacting to the “The Comelec commission- Instead, she said, expanding expose of Senate Majority Leader ers will be the happiest people in the country’s main gateway would Vicente Sotto III on the alleged the world if there is evidence that be the main solution to address fraud in the automated ballot- that was done because they are the congestion. ing system during the May 2016 always finding ways to improve Poe, chairperson of the Sen- elections. ate committee on public services, “If the senators are saying said the government should there was fraud, we would like to seriously consider the unsolicited know the details of these reports proposals of the private sector for so we can take our people to the rehabilitation and mainte- task,” she said. nance of NAIA. She added that if people “We need to have the inter- were guilty, they must go to jail. est of the private sector to be able “We want to assure the to help the government. We have public that we do not cover for to admit that sometimes with the our people … it is important that help of the private sector, we can we have fair, honest, credible implement projects faster and elections,” she said. especially if the consortium is Senator Grace Poe In a privilege speech on (Photo: www.pinterest.com) composed of credible investors,” Tuesday, Sotto pointed out that Poe said. Senators Panfilo Lacson, Grace Poe presided over the hear- and Megaworld Corp. somebody with the track record nal fees but they don’t actually Poe and Juan Miguel Zubiri got ing on the airport decongestion The consortium, which was and competence to be able to do take the flight, they are entitled to zero votes in hundreds of polling conducted by her committee formed last December, will bid to this because government is so a refund... Sayang naman, kunin precincts in the May 2016 elec- together with the committee on rehabilitate, operate and main- stretched and we need inves- po ninyo ang pera ninyo,” said tions because of alleged fraud in finance and science and technol- tain the outdated and highly- tors and expertise,” the Senator Poe, who added that there should the automated balloting. COMELEC Commissioner Rowena ogy. congested NAIA. added. be an easier mechanism for pro- In his speech, Sotto also Guanzon NAIA, which only has two “For as long as there’s an Poe’s proposal also comes as cessing of refunds. “If you failed asked the Senate to investi- (Photo: www.youtube.com) runways, was designed to handle agreement that they will not the Manila International Airport to (fly) Cebu Pacific or PAL or any gate two allegations raised by 30 million passengers. But travel- overcharge passengers and Authority (MIAA) plans to ratio- airline,” she added. his source — that votes were the system,” she said. ers who used the four terminals there are certain safeguards and nalize operations at Manila’s four At present, one airline has an transmitted a day before the May On the election servers hav- reached almost 40 million in guidelines, I think that we should airports. Terminals 1 and 3 will be unclaimed terminal fee amount- 9, 2016 balloting and that the ing been accessed by a foreign 2016. NAIA was also consistently welcome as much interest to be exclusive to international flights ing to PHP 25O million. election servers were accessed by party, Guanzon said perhaps tagged as one of the worst air- able to rehabilitate NAIA,” Poe while Terminal 2 and 4 will be for Flag carrier Philippine a foreign party. Sotto was referring to Marlon ports in the world in recent years. said. domestic flights, meaning some Airlines and Cebu Pacific said According to Guanzon, Garcia, the Smartmatic technical A “super” consortium com- Poe likewise touted the soon- domestic operations will have to they are processing requests for the Commission en banc, in its support team head. posed of some of the country’s to-open Cebu international air- be redistributed within NAIA and refund. regular meeting Tuesday, talked The Department of Jus- biggest conglomerates and GMR- port terminal when she recently Clark airport, which is some 100 Philippine Airlines (PAL) about Sotto’s pronouncements tice (DOJ) had accused him for Megawide have submitted to the visited the province, saying the kilometers north of Manila. Senior Vice-president Fred Mison and welcomed an investigation to changing the script in the servers government their unsolicited modern design of infrastructure The Senator said distribut- said they also have around the know the truth. in the middle of the 2016 polls’ proposals separately worth PHP projects that provide passenger ing domestic operations is only a same amount of unclaimed termi- She said she would like to results transmission. 350 billion and PHP 150 billion efficiency can be achieved if the band-aid solution. nal fee refund from those did not see the data of the senator so ac- Guanzon pointed out that to upgrade the highly congested government works closely with Meanwhile, Poe said pas- take their flights. tion could be taken. the DOJ ordered the filing of NAIA. reputable private firms. sengers should demand airline He assured that PAL is ready “The vote counting machine criminal charges against Smart- The consortium is composed “I visited the Cebu airport companies for a refund after it to give the refunds anytime. How- is very efficient. It will just count matic for that. of seven of the country’s biggest and they are going to inaugurate was reported that at least PHP ever, he said it is just difficult to the ballot that is fed to it and “We should tell Smartmatic conglomerates: Ayala Corp., LT the new terminal and I see the 250 million in unused terminal refund because they do not know then it will tally and transmit the to produce Garcia at the DOJ Group, Filinvest, JG Summit promise of that. Hopefully more fee remains unclaimed from Cebu the recipients. He said passen- results,” she said. because I think he is not in the Holdings, Aboitiz Equity Ven- (airports will be modernized) but Pacific. gers can reach them at wecare@ But she said she would worry country” she said. (Carla P. tures, Metro Pacific Investments, definitely (the bidder) has to be “A lot are paying the termi- philippineairlines.com about zero votes if there was a Gomez / inquirer.net) Pacquaio mulling to become ‘active’ military officer In an interview, following his Like Pacquiao, Alvarez said promotion from Lieutenant Colo- he was also ready to be deployed nel (LC) to full Colonel, Pacquiao anytime. expressed readiness to fight for “Kahit ngayon pwede na the people and country. tayong sumalang,” the Speaker “Anytime, at iniisip ko nga said in a separate interview. na magpa-active,” the neophyte In endorsing Legarda’s pro- senator told reporters. motion also to the rank of Colonel Asked where he prefers to be of the Philippine Air Force’s assigned, Pacquiao said: “Kahit reserve unit, Senator Panfilo Lac- saan, kahit dito lang sa Maynila, son described her as a “woman of ok lang.” action – a doer and a mover.” He also answered yes when Lacson also endorsed the pressed if he was decided to be an promotion of Cavite Rep. Roy active military officer. Loyola to the rank of Colonel, On Wednesday, the Commis- Philippine Army (Reserve). The Senator Manny Pacquiao sion on Appointments confirmed senator described Loyola as the (Photo: www.chillnchillax.wordpress. the promotion of seven lawmak- “most amazing lady killer” he had com) er-reservists, including Pacquiao seen in his entire life. Senator Manny Pacquiao and Senator Loren Legarda as “They say it takes a long time said he is contemplating about well as Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to grow an old friend. I dare say becoming an “active” officer in and other leaders and members that our nominee, Congressman the military. of the House of Representatives. TO PAGE A7 A4 FilAm Star March 8 - 14, 2018 ph news Provision against political dynasties Report reveals dengue cases drop to almost less than half of 2017’s, to be part of proposed new charter The Consultative Commit- cal dynasties, but it leaves it up mostly 10-14 yr. olds affected, majority in vaccination program areas tee to review the 1987 Con- to Congress to pass an enabling stitution will include a strict law. By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent anti-political dynasty provision A generation after the Con- in its proposed new charter. stitution’s ratification, Congress He noted that dengue During its meeting on has yet to pass a law regulating prevention kits would also Wednesday, the members of dynasties. be distributed to all students the Subcommittee on Political Teehankeee stressed the and other vaccinated chil- Reforms agreed to include the need to break political monopo- provision, which would ban im- lies and the perpetuation in dren to enable them to adopt mediate relatives of incumbent power of political dynasties in self-protection measures and officials – of up to the second many parts of the country. prevent them from contract- degree of consanguinity or af- “If we are going to restruc- ing the disease. finity – from replacing them. ture and reboot the political He said the DoH The proposal will also system, there is a need for all hotlines were open 24/7 in disallow members of one family the players to start from the both the Central Office and Regional Offices to promptly respond to immediate concerns and needs of the parents. Furthermore, he called on teachers and parents to continue to work with the department with the goal of safeguarding the health of children and to prevent them from contracting dengue or other illnesses. “Together, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III let us continue to monitor (Photo: www.unitednews.net.ph) them,” said Duque. He added: “To the par- Despite the scare over listed, 2,503 dengue cases. test results indicated that ents, we hope you consider the government’s immuni- It was followed by Cen- Dengvaxia should only be the DoH as your partner zation program following tral Luzon with 1,964 cases administered to those who in looking after the welfare the anti-dengue vaccine and the National Capital had already been afflicted of your children. There is Dengvaxia controversy, den- Region with 1,820 cases. with dengue. And that those no full protection against gue cases in the Philippines Except for the Ilocos who never had dengue dengue, that is why we en- Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno dropped to 41.38 percent Region, Cordillera Admin- could fall ill and even die if courage everyone to imple- (Photo: en.wikipedia.org) during the first six weeks of istrative Region, and Cala- they were vaccinated with ment the 4S Kontra Dengue this year. barzon, all other regions in Dengvaxia. strategy,” said Duque. to hold multiple positions or same starting line. So if ever The Department of the country were found to Duque assured they “To the medical and run simultaneously for different one would argue that his or Health (DoH) Dengue have a decreasing number of would continue to strengthen scientific community and seats. her political family is really Disease Surveillance Report dengue cases. their Dengue Prevention and other concerned citizens, we The subcommittee, how- accepted by the people, then showed a total of 10,980 new The Ilocos Region re- Control Program and col- ask for your help in clarifying ever, has yet to finalize the let’s all start at a level playing dengue cases, which includ- ported a 121 percent increase laborate with other agencies misconceptions and provid- particulars of every prohibition field. And let the people decide ed 51 deaths. in the number of dengue of government such as the ing only evidence-based for every position at all levels eventually under the new rules It indicated that the cases. There was a 55 percent Department of Education, information on dengue,” he – local, regional or state, and of the game,” Teehankee said. number of dengue cases was increase and 25 percent and Local Government Units added. national. According to a study 41.38 percent lower than the increase in the CAR and to safeguard the welfare of Every year, there are “The unintended conse- submitted to the committee, at quence of term limits hastened least 295 political families have 18,731 cases reported within Calabarzon, respectively. the vaccinated children. about 200,00 dengue cases the development of political power in various regions, with the same period last year. It As this developed, He said they also part- registered with the Depart- dynasties,” said La Salle Dean Metro Manila having the most also showed that 23 percent Health Sec. Francisco Duque nered with the Philippine ment of Health. Julio Teehankee, chairman number with 31 families. of those afflicted with dengue has been going around Red Cross to provide imme- Although the case fatal- of the subcommitee. “Nauwi It is followed by Central were 10-14 years old. government hospitals as part diate transport and referral ity rate remains below one sa pagpapamana ng posisyon Luzon with 21, Calabarzon with Furthermore, the report of the DoH’s monitoring of of dengue patients to health percent, “we acknowledge (Positions ended up as inheri- 20, Bicol Region with 15, West- showed majority of the den- the health of over 800,000 facilities and ensure the ad- the fear brought by this tance.) It hastened the genera- ern Visayas with 12, Mimaropa gue cases were recorded in children who received the equacy of blood supply. disease. Let us work together tional shift among the political with 11, and Central Visayas areas where the mass dengue controversial anti-dengue “We reiterate that the as one nation to ensure the clans.” with 10. vaccination program was vaccine. cost of hospitalization will health and safety of our The move is expected to The study was led by face strong opposition in Con- former Chief Justice Reynato implemented. Duque suspended the be shouldered by PhilHealth children against dengue and gress, whose members hail from Puno, who chairs the Consulta- The Calabarzon area implementation of the mass through its existing case other illnesses, whether vac- powerful political clans in the tive Committee, and former covering the provinces of vaccination after giant rates, and DoH through its cinated with Dengvaxia or regions. Budget Secretary Salvador En- Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, French drug firm Sanofi Medical Assistance Pro- not,” said Duque. The 1987 Constitution car- riquez Jr. (Jhoanna Ballaran / Rizal and Quezon provinces Pasteur divulged that their gram,” he said. ries a provision banning politi- inquirer.net) FilAm Star Classifieds (650)278-0692 . (415)593-5955 March 8 - 14, 2018 FilAm Star A5 sports Pacquiao eyes next fight in Malaysia in May or June Manny Pacquiao made it Time to face the monster clear once more that his fighting news After disposing of a Rain nal series Wednesday night at Shine, which forced them into career isn’t over. or Shine team that dragged his Smart Araneta Coliseum. a triple overtime battle last In a TV interview with team into three tough battles “San Miguel has won the Friday and put up a brave stand ABS-CBN, boxing’s only eight- in five days, Barangay Ginebra last three championships of this in the quarterfinals, particularly division World champion said coach Tim Cone is now bracing conference for a reason. They’re in Game 2 when they came he would fight once more in for what he calls the “monsters” playing great basketball and within 92-89 on Beau Belga’s Malaysia either in May or June of the Philippine Basketball As- they have June Mar (Fajardo). layup with under two minutes after he rejected an undercard sociation. TNT was playing well and they remaining. offer to face Mike Alvarado this The league’s winningest still couldn’t beat San Miguel.” Joe Devance and Japeth April in Las Vegas. coach was referring to three- The Beermen did not need Aguilar made back-to-back “Definitely, Malaysia is time Philippine Cup defending their twice-to-beat advantage baskets to push the lead back where we will fight,” said Pac- champion San Miguel Beermen to advance to the semifinals as to seven before LA Tenorio hit quiao in the report (H/T Box- and their prized big man June they bundled out the Texters, three free throws to seal the vic- ingScene.com). “If not May, this Mar Fajardo, the four-time 106-93, with Fajardo banging in tory for the Gin Kings, who lost coming June, maybe third week Manny Pacquiao Most Valuable Player. 35 points. to the Beermen in the finals of of June, so the preparation will (Photo: www.couriermail.com.au) Either way, Cone knows The other semifinal series last year’s All Filipino tourna- not conflict with my work.” BoxingScene.com that a group in 2016 when he beat Timothy there will be little room for er- will feature Magnolia vs NLEX ment. Pacquiao is also a senator of investors approached the Bradley for the WBO World ror against a team that packs so after the Road Warriors also “It’s a huge relief to get in the Philippines’ upper house Filipino boxing icon to stage a welterweight title but that much depth and firepower. swept Alaska after an 87-83 vic- through (Rain or Shine) and and is part of the legislative’s fight in Malaysia. retirement lasted just seven “We’re hoping for one heck tory in the other game. now we face the monsters that’s majority party PDP-Laban. Pacquiao said those in months when he fought Jessie of a series,” said Cone, after This marks NLEX’s first San Miguel and June Mar,” The 39-year-old boxer last Malaysia “appealed to have a Vargas, for the same strap, in the Gin Kings hammered out semifinal stint in franchise his- he said. (Cedelf P. Tupas / week rejected to fight in the fight there.” November of that year. a 99-91 victory over the Elasto tory. inquirer.net) undercard of Jeff Horn-Terence At 39-years-old, Pacquiao Despite the brief rest, Pac- Painters to complete a sweep Nonetheless, Cone was Crawford bout, which was for (59-7-2) is considerably in the quiao has yet to knock an op- of their best-of-three quarterfi- relieved to overcome Rain or the WBO World welterweight twilight of his career and his ponent out in eight years with title—the last belt Pacquiao last fight ended in a controver- his last stoppage coming in his owned. sial loss to Horn wherein he lost 2009 conquest of Miguel Cotto. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, the WBO belt. (Bong Lozada / inquirer.net) Dasmariñas still not used to fanfare who promotes Pacquiao, told Pacquiao briefly retired ahead of second crack at IBO title All the media attention record like me,” he said. speed but he doesn’t hit that UAAP Volleyball: Ateneo recovers, stops FEU’s winning run Michael Dasmariñas got on Dasmariñas, the Camarines hard,” said Dasmariñas, who Wednesday reminded him of Sur native, thinks the fight is started boxing when he was Ateneo started its second confidence.” the last time he fought for a a tossup, although he believes nine years old in Bicol and round campaign on a high It also helped that head boxing crown. decided to continue his boxing note as it stopped Far Eastern coach Tai Bundit was back with “It was nothing like this,” career in Manila at 18 after he University in its tracks, 25- the team after he went to Thai- a smiling Dasmariñas told graduated high school. 19, 25-21, 25-17, in the UAAP land the previous week and that INQUIRER.net in Filipino dur- His trainer and former Season 80 women’s volleyball Ponggay Gaston was inserted as ing a press conference at Kerry Filipino world champion Tacy tournament Wednesday at Filoil one of the team’s libero beside Sports in Shangri La at the Fort Macalos also sees Dasmariñas’ Flying V Centre. (Photo: www.youtube.com) Ria Lo. in Taguig. power and footwork as his edge. The Lady Eagles recovered “Ponggay as a libero was a Dasmariñas, who is tipped Macalos said Dasmari- from their four-set loss to De off FEU with two straight kills. big factor because she has those to become the next Filipino ñas also has to embrace the La Salle at the end of the first Captain Maddie Mad- strong arms and she can receive world champion, should get underdog label and use it to his round and have won five of ayag said their win over FEU well,” said Madayag. “And used to the fanfare especially if advantage. their last six games to hike their was a big morale-booster for coach Tai lifts your spirits up he beats Karim Guerfi of France “It will serve as a challenge record to 5-3, the same record them after they saw their then because you can see him cheer- for the vacant International and motivation for him to work as the Lady Tamaraws. four-game winning streak get ing you on.” Boxing Organization world much harder and win the title,” Ateneo was firmly in snapped at the hands of the Maraguinot paced Ateneo’s bantamweight title on April 20 Macalos said in Filipino. control of the Lady Tamaraws Lady Spikers. offense with 15 points while Kat in Singapore. Dasmariñas, who is in the in the third set holding fort “This is really a big plus to Tolentino added 11. The 25-year-old Das- second of his four-fight contract throughout the majority of the our confidence and our train- Toni Rose Basas led FEU’s mariñas (27-2, 18 KOs) knows Michael Dasmarinas with Ringstar Boxing, dropped match. ing really paid off because we charge with 10 points as Berna- Guerfi, who is the No. 4 fighter (Photo: www.boxrec.com) a close decision to Lwandile After an 18-14 lead, the showed how we really play,” deth Pons, the fourth-leading in the WBC ranking, is a quality Sityatha of South Africa for the Lady Eagles allowed just three said Madayag in Filipino. “”We scorer of the tournament with opponent. he has the advantage when it same belt in the super flyweight. more points on the side of the just wanted to do what we 16 points a game, got limited to “He’s not a nobody. He’s comes to punching power. (Mark Giongco / inquirer.net) Lady Tamaraws with Jhoanna normally do in training and a season-low five points. (Bong ahead of me in the WBC rank- “We’re both volume punch- Maraguinot eventually finishing this game really boosted our Lozada / inquirer.net) ing and he also has a good ers and we’re almost equal in A6 FilAm Star March 8 - 14, 2018 opinion As I See It PerryScope “It was one of the largest loans Kushner Companies received last year. An even larger loan Will stiffer gun control solve school violence? came from Citigroup, which lent the firm and The Jivanka Jinx one of its partners $325 million to help finance a group of office buildings in Brooklyn. That loan ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO order to insure safety of students, parents, staff, Almost everybody and school administrators. PERRY DIAZ was made in the spring of 2017, shortly after Mr. Kushner met in the White House with Citigroup’s is now concerned about With 15 school shooting happening in the When Donald chief executive, Michael L. Corbat, according school safety after the last two years, the proposed school security plan Trump took over the to people briefed on the meeting,” the report Florida school massacre outlined earlier will address the root cause of presidency, he didn’t concluded. where the suspected such violence! waste any time in placing Influence peddling killer claimed 17 in- The Florida massacre found out some loop- his daughter Ivanka and What happened between Jared and Harris nocent lives! As a result, holes in implementing the security measures with her husband Jared Kush- and between Jared and Corbat have the appear- Congress is now being security people not responding immediately to ner in key positions of his ance of “influence peddling,” the most common pressured by all sectors the scene of the shooting, FBI not looking into administration. He made form of corruption in government. While it is of society to come up the alleged social media postings of the suspected both of them senior advi- hard to prove that corruption had indeed oc- with stiffer laws in order to address the issue and gunman, and school administrators not in the sors. But what surprised a curred, the appearance of conflicts of interest is avert another shooting in the future. alert. lot of political observers was the load of respon- far too great. It is for this reason that senior gov- It has been observed that there’s too much And… the massacre at Sandy Hook Elemen- sibilities he placed on Jared. He made Jared his ernment officials are not supposed to maintain proliferation of guns all over the country and any- tary in Newtown Connecticut, Virginia Teach point or lead person in just about everything on any active outside business interests. body can just own and/or possess guns, including shootings, Columbine, and at an Oregon High trade and foreign affairs. The countries in his Another instance of the appearance of con- automatic rifles. Most of the killings that occurred School have parents looking into bullet-proof domain included Russia, China, Mexico, and flict of interest was when Jared’s father met with in schools were due to the use of guns. This is the book bags. Arkansas gave 13 school districts per- all the Middle Eastern countries. His “empire” Qatar’s Minister of Finance last April, to solicit reason why the most dominant measure being mission to train teachers as armed guards, while covered more than half the area of the world. It’s an investment in the distressed 666 Fifth Avenue floated today to curb violence in schools is stricter Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Ohio already like the British Empire on which the sun never property. The Qataris turned him down. gun control! But, will this solve the problem? have armed guards on duty. sets, which makes one wonder: How can he rule Consequently, when Saudi Arabia and the According to Earnestine Bennett-Johnson, in While some experts charge the media as his empire when he is spread out too thinly? United Arab Emirates organized a blockade of his article in the college Student Journal, “Ameri- the culprit, I don’t think they are. I don’t agree An ambitious 36-year-old young man, Jared Qatar, Jared, in his capacity as Trump’s senior can crime and violence have overflowed onto the with a forensic expert saying “… excessive media attained his place in the business world through adviser on Middle East affairs, endorsed the college/university campus, and are now affecting coverage glorifying the shooters with front page his association with the Kushner family’s real Trump administration’s support of the blockade; senior high, junior high and elementary schools”. spreads and around the clock television coverage estate development company. He also benefited the only one among the Trump’s senior staff who He cited a research that suggested causes of should rethink their ratings if they want to avoid from his partnership with Trump in a number of did so. Unless Jared is stupid, he should have school crime and also possible solutions. mass killings”. This is unfair because all we are successful joint ventures. It is through his busi- known that Qatar hosts America’s largest and He mentioned that, “When developing a plan doing is bringing the news to the people and let- ness association with Trump that he met Trump’s most strategic air base in the Middle East. But of action or a plan of prevention, each school ting them know what’s going on! daughter, Ivanka Trump, whom he married. some top Qatari government officials believe that should involve community services, staff, parents, After the shooting at Sandy Hook many Ivanka, an equally ambitious person – she was Trump’s position on the blockade “may have been teachers, and students. Evaluation procedures believed the lack of access to mental health care once rumored to be preparing herself to run for a form of retaliation driven by Kushner who was and routes should be identified and posted in var- was the factor in many shootings and that mental president after her father’s term – has penetrated sour about the failed deal, according to multiple ious locations. This should be done after evaluat- health workers could have predicted the carnage. the Chinese market for her brand name products. people familiar with the matter.” ing the school building plans to find vulnerable But…there is little data to support the theory that Jared’s life was fraught with risky situa- Jared’s diplomatic faux pas in the Qatari areas. These vulnerable areas may include doors increasing mental health support would reduce tions. He took some bold actions, which caused blockade and other controversial foreign policy which don’t open, areas which are more easily gun violence without taking away civil liberties, him a great deal of losses. Take for instance the decisions that Jared was involved in had put a accessible to the “criminal element,” etc. After according to Dr. John Grohol, the founder and infamous 666 Fifth Avenue office building in question mark on Jared’s agenda. What exactly assessing the school building plans, discussing an CEO of Psych Central. New York. Jared’s company, Kushner Proper- drove him to pursue an agenda that seem to be evaluation plan(s), getting to safe areas should be I agree there’s a multitude of factors for the ties, bought it in 2007 for $1.8 billion (about 42.1 at odds with traditional U.S. foreign policy but practiced by the school community-at-large. reason one becomes a killer, and a person’s men- billion in 2016). At that time, the sale was the consistent with his personal business dealings? One notices that there’s no mention of gun tal balance, spiritual health, family background, highest price ever paid for an individual building Security clearance control in the initial research. It talks about com- and the media to a certain extent, all contribute. in Manhattan. As a result of Jared’s questionable forays into prehensive measures to approach the issue. It’s a The CCG Team, combining nearly four de- “Troubled” Middle East foreign policy and politics, his se- community approach! cades of experience ranging from mental health, In September 2017, the Washington Post curity clearance has come under heavy scrutiny. Further it mentions that a system of com- law enforcement, corrections, juvenile probation wrote: “With one-fourth of its offices empty, lease As it turned out, he has failed to disclose more munication should also be in place should com- and parole, military and security services wrote, revenue does not cover monthly interest pay- than 100 foreign contacts on his initial clearance munications fail. “Once a general plan has been “ Information, perspectives, and ideas presented ments, according to lending documents. A $1.4 application. developed, principals, teachers, staff and students are not the “only” way, but they are “a” way”. billion in mortgage debt is due in 2019. A ratings Consequently, he became a target of the should ensure that everyone is familiar with the Articles exist all over the internet expound- agency has classified a $115 million portion of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Wash- plan and there are practices to ensure that all exit ing on how to “end” violence in schools, but they the loan as ‘troubled,’ and company officials ington (CREW), a nonprofit legal watchdog group an adverse situation (i.e., bomb threats, etc.). have a tendency to be broad, generic, and focused decline to say whether it will be fully repaid.” focused on public accountability. CREW filed a Meeting areas for classes/building areas should on the symptoms of youth violence instead of the It’s no wonder then that Kushner is under such complaint with Trump’s chief of staff, Gen. John be developed, as contacting needed agencies. causes. They blame drugs, alcohol, and sex as tremendous pressure to raise funds to cover the Kelly, asking him to revoke Jared Kushner’s secu- Local numbers for emergency workers should be reasons behind violent students instead of issues mortgage. rity clearance until he passes a “full background posted in various locations”. school administration and security should be Rumor has it that Jared and Ivanka – known check.” The research proposed drills should be spending the bulk of their time addressing. as “Jivanka” in Washington circles -- are us- CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder conducted for various types of adverse situations, It all leads to four general roots causes ing their “senior advisor” positions in the White explained: “It’s a fact that he’s been operating with teachers, staff, and students completely of school violence. Lack of realistic, effective House to promote their own personal and on a temporary security clearance for more than rehearsed so panic does not enter the situation disciplinary systems is definitely the first rea- business interests. In a New York Times article a year, despite the extreme sensitivity of his job (making it worse). Teachers must report to the son. Often, too much focus is placed on stopping published last February 28, it said that Joshua — and that raises a number of questions given principal or administration any threats, and violence in schools once it is already happening… Harris, a founder of Apollo Global Management, the level of information to which he has regular signs of discussions about weapons, violence, etc. instead of taking steps to stop altercations from was advising Trump administration officials on access. And his clearance is obviously a priority, Teachers must also be aware of possible “gang” beginning in the first place. infrastructure policy. It was during that time that so if they’re still looking into him 13 months later, activity within the school. They must also learn Another cause is the lack of community be- Harris met with Kushner on several occasions. it’s reasonable to assume there’s a problem.” and teach conflict resolution and anger manage- tween parents, guidance counselors, and teachers The two men also discussed a possible White “There were three issues that we saw,” ment techniques to their students. which provides a strong support system for the House job for Harris. Bookbinder said. “One is that he omitted a lot of It is further suggested that every school have students. School administration must focus on “The job never materialized,” the report said, significant information from his application for a “crisis response team” which are people de- creating easy, mandatory, and continuous com- “but in November, Apollo lent $184 million to a security clearance, and he ended up having to signed for specific responsibilities which include munication between these groups, so that it is not Mr. Kushner’s family real estate firm, Kushner amend it multiple times to add in foreign contacts a staff person with (some) medical knowledge/ just “parent/teacher conferences” after a student Companies. The loan was to refinance the mort- that he hadn’t initially reported. We don’t know training; an on-site school counselor or a staff/ is displaying violence and aggressive behavior. gage on a Chicago skyscraper. whether those omissions were intentional or teacher person who has had (some) counseling Many considers disconnect between students “Even by the standards of Apollo, one of the just slip-ups, but it raises questions either about techniques training; a person to whom accidents/ because students are typically the ones causing world’s largest private equity firms, the previ- Kushner’s candor or about how much of a grasp incidents are reported; persons responsible for violence in schools, and so they are the true key ously unreported transaction with the Kushners he has on all of the conflicting interests and is- notifying emergency officials and parents; and, in minimizing events of aggression and violence. was a big deal: It was triple the size of the average sues he has out there.” someone who maintains walkie-talkies in case of Faculty and staff can go through trainings such property loan made by Apollo’s real estate lend- Last week, Kushner’s security clearance was communication disruption, etc. as crisis prevention and active shooter response ing arm, securities filings show. downgraded from a top-secret level to a secret Most importantly, the principal/teachers/ training, but the students are just as important to level. It means that he lost access to classified staff/students should be aware of various types of engage in school violence prevention. Maybe we materials and can no longer view the president’s alarms and whistles (disasters, intruders, bomb need to involve the Student Government Associa- daily intelligence briefing. And without it, how threats, suspicious mail, etc.). Various companies tion (SGA) in the planning process. can he execute a job that requires access to clas- and bookstores supply information concerning And… the fourth cause is disconnect between sified materials? And yet, Kushner insists that he lesson plans, curricula, and activities focusing on students and teachers needing student-teacher The Opinions expressed by our writers and can do his job without it. crime and violence in schools. Some of the infor- interaction which is paramount for preventing contributors do not in any way reflect the Federal investigation mation includes subjects such as bullying, anger- violence in schools… considering that that stu- opinion of the management of Fortune News Lately, Special Counsel Robert Mueller set management skills, conflict resolution, character dents are also the solution. Teachers and admin- Media Inc. his crosshairs on Jared. Mueller’s federal inves- education healthy choices, harassment, violence istration must utilize the support and help from Fortune News Media Inc. tigators are now scrutinizing Jared’s discussions prevention, drug abuse prevention. those students who stand out as role models and Publisher with foreigners during the presidential transition Apparently, what the research is saying and leaders in their classes and school clubs to help is trying to insinuate is that a very comprehensive curb violence. Harvey Barkin to see if it shaped White House policies “in ways Editor-in-Chief designed to either benefit or retaliate against security plan for schools is the answer and not So, while stricter gun control law is badly those he spoke with.” stricter gun control. In fact, there was no direct needed to be passed to curb school violence, it is Edwina Aniag mention of gun control in the research but… it not the sole factor in solving violence in schools. Vice President for Marketing and Operations But Kushner’s loss of his access to classified materials was just the beginning of what could will surely be the basis for a well-structured and a There should be a community approach in com- Gary De Guzman be Kushner’s final fall from power. He was once very comprehensive school security plan to make ing out with a very comprehensive security plan Vice President for Community Relations on top of the world. Now his world has turned the schools safe. with stricter gun control law as the base! Anchet Manosca upside down. He was once Trump’s “golden boy” I go for that! I think it is the wisest thing (For feedbacks, comments… please email the Creative and Production Manager in foreign policy and trade matters. He has now for Congress to do and for schools to navigate in author at [email protected]). Atty. Crispin Lozano become an international pariah. Dr. Philip Chua / Rodel Rodis A New York Times column by Maggie Ben Lou / Perry Diaz Haberman and Mark Landler claims Trump has Statement of Senator Ricardo Lara on Federal Lawsuit Federico Espiritu / Elpidio Estioko asked chief of staff John Kelly for help in oust- Columnists Over California’s Immigrant Detention Ban ing Jared and Ivanka from their advisory roles in Macon Ramos-Araneta the White House, which begs the question: Did SACRAMENTO — The fol- to block for-profit immigration “Trump and Sessions are ly- Corina Oliquino / Lara Climaco Trump finally realize that Jared and Ivanka are lowing statement is in response detention for a reason. Stopping ing to the American people. This Daniel Llanto to reports that U.S. Attorney the growth of immigrant jails is isn’t about stopping crime. We Correspondents the Jivanka Jinx? ([email protected]) General Jeff Sessions will sue the about human rights, plain and have prisons and jails for people Ann Gauna state of California over laws that simple. convicted of crimes. Marketing Associate block the Trump Administra- “Immigrants in these facili- “These are immigrant jails Jho Bule tion from expanding immigrant ties lack basic rights like access and we don’t want them to ex- Photographer detention. Senator Ricardo to healthcare and access to an pand in California. Lara (D-Bell Gardens) authored attorney. “Trump and Sessions are Glenda Bule Senate Bill 29, which prevents “These are jails for immi- suing California, but they are Event Coordinator California cities from expanding grants like Marcelina – a mother about to get served with Califor- FilAm Star is published weekly contracts with for-profit prison of five who was arrested for sell- nia justice. by Fortune News Media Inc. companies to detain immigrants ing corn. “My parents are immigrants www.filamstar.com and requires public input on any “For a woman I met from who brought their dreams with Headquarters: expansion of ICE-operated facili- Uganda who was jailed for them instead of documents. 1028 Mission St., 2/F, ties. SB 29 is a counterpart to AB months – even though she was “Californians have always San Francisco, CA 94103; 103, which blocked the expan- tortured and raped for being gay. fought for families like mine, and Tel. (650) 278-0692 or (415) 593-5955 sion of immigrant detention in “Children after they win we will never stop fighting for public jails: their asylum cases are still being them.” Email: [email protected] “California is the first state held in these immigrant jails. March 8 - 14, 2018 FilAm Star A7 POLICE ORDERED NOT not to open an investigation. However, this would DE LIMA URGES vate recruitment agency and their foreign coun- ... FROM PAGE A1 only be the case if the prosecutor has solid evi- ... FROM PAGE A1 terparts in the Kingdom to check on the condition dence and is absolutely satisfied by genuine and and location of the household workers they have Back in July 2017, Duterte told the Commis- comprehensive investigations and prosecutions at She noted that Filipino workers abroad, deployed abroad. sion on Human Rights (CHR) and the Office of the national level,” Cabalde added. notably the most vulnerable household service “The private recruitment agencies should the Ombudsman that the police and military need If Callamard visits to investigate, Palace will workers, should be given guaranteed protection check on the condition of the Filipino workers not participate in any of their investigations. invite her to swim in Pasig River — especially from degrading practice and abusive they have sent abroad, especially in Saudi Arabia, Duterte’s order makes police complicit In a report by GMA News last March 3, dur- employers — while they work hard to support to ensure that they are safe and do not fall victims In a report by The Philippine Star, Karapa- ing a briefing in Zamboanga del Norte, Presiden- their families at home. to human trafficking or slavery,” she said. tan’s Secretary-general Cristina Palabay said that tial Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace OFWs based in Riyadh, Dammam and Jed- In August 2016, De Lima filed Senate Bill No. the President’s order to the country’s security will only invite United Nations Special Rappor- dah expressed alarm over the practice of some 961, redefining the crime of illegal recruitment forces to ignore UN experts who would investi- teur Agnes Callamard to swim in Pasig River if employers in Saudi Arabia who, according to committed by a syndicate as a group of three or gate drug war killings would urge the cops and she will visit the Philippines to investigate alleged them, have been trading their Filipino HSWs to more persons formed to carry out illegal deploy- soldiers to cover up abuses and violations. human rights violations. highest-bidding foreign employers for several ment of Filipino workers abroad. “Duterte’s orders to police and military not “Welcome po siya dahil after all we welcome years now. “Illegal recruitment is a menace to the to cooperate with the UN vis a vis investigations all tourists. Kaya lang ang masama doon huwag A Riyadh-based OFW was quoted in the society. It is one of the most detestable crimes a on extra-judicial killings are crystal clear orders niyang palalabasin na nag-imbestiga siya kasi news that she escaped from her Saudi employer Filipino can commit to another Filipino, a crime to be complicit in covering up human rights ang pagpasok sa Pilipinas hindi naman po iyan after learning that she had been sold to another that has brought about sufferings to thousands violations,” Palabay told The Philippine Star last katumbas ng pag-iimbestiga,” Roque said. employer in Damman for 24,000 riyals (about of poor and innocent victims and their families,” March 2. “So, kung siya po ay papasok sabihin niya, U.S. $6,400). She said there are many other she said. Palabay noted that the attempt to prevent nagkaroon siya ng obserbasyon bilang turista. victims of such practice. “Their victims dreamed of landing high pay- other people from looking into the country’s situ- So kapag pumasok siya ay aanyayahan po namin The agreement entailed, among others, that ing jobs abroad, instead find themselves finan- ation would “foster a worse climate of impunity.” siyang lumangoy sa malamig na tubig ng Pasig Saudi Arabia should be responsible for the au- cially and emotionally distressed. Worse, many of Palabay also insisted that UN special rap- River,” Roque added. thenticity of the employment contract of HRWs them fell into the hand of traffickers or landed in porteur on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary and the settlement of labor contract violation jail as a consequence,” she added. executions Agnes Callamard and special rappor- In the same briefing, Roque said that the cases. teur on the situation of human rights defenders Philippine government will only allow a UN It also recognized the right of workers to It was through the efforts of the Inter-Agency Michel Forst be allowed to conduct independent probe into human rights situation in the coun- paid vacation, non-withholding of passports and Council Against Trafficking which De Lima then probes in the country. try if it will send a special rapporteur that is not work permits, free communication, and humane chaired as justice secretary when the Philippines Moreover, Amnesty International Philippines biased. treatment. was upgraded to Tier 1 status, in recognition of its has called on the government to “cooperate fully” “Makikipagtulungan lang tayo sa mga tao na The opposition senator also called on the pri- compliance with global standards. with the preliminary examination of the Inter- wala pang conclusion at may katapatan na tala- national Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor gang mag-iimbestiga sila,” Roque said. FEMINISTS MARK Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who (OTP)into the reported human rights abuses in Roque’s statement comes after Duterte ... FROM PAGE A1 as party-list congressman previously joined in the country. ordered soldiers and policemen not to respond asking about intimate details of De Lima’s rela- “This would ensure that the OTP’s factual and to UN special rapporteurs’ questions about the Women’s groups observed International tionship with her former driver during a House legal assessment of the different phases of the country’s human rights situation. Women’s Day last, March 8 by lambasting Presi- hearing in 2016, has denied that Duterte encour- preliminary examination can take place effective- dent Duterte for sexist remarks and his penchant ages attacks against women. He has also said ly and efficiently,” AI Philippines Vice- chairper- Duterte has made the remark after Iceland, for downgrading women in general. The tone was feminists sometimes overreact to the President’s son Romeo Cabarde Jr. told The Philippine Star. during the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights set by Sen. Risa Hontiveros who cried that Fili- statements and “should just laugh.” “If the Philippines does investigate and pros- Council, urged the Philippines to accept a visit pino women are facing a “new and unparalleled” Hontiveros said the President’s “spin doc- ecute suspected perpetrators and works closely from a UN special rapporteur without pre-condi- spate of sexism under the Duterte administration. tors” would like the public to believe that his with the ICC when doing so, the OTP may decide tions or limitations. “We are witnessing an outbreak of sexism statements are harmless banter by a leader who and misogyny under this two-year-old adminis- simply loves to joke. “They said that we should NON-COMPLIANT 173 the famous D’Mall. Among the resorts named by tration. In all three branches of the government, judge his actions and not his words. But language ... FROM PAGE A1 the DENR’s provincial officer during the hearing we are seeing an epidemic of sexism that is state- is a powerful medium where sexism, gender dis- were Alta Vista de Boracay Hotel, which boasts sponsored, brazen and relentless,” Hontiveros crimination and even violence against women are “I know it works hardships and that is why I “the best view from one of Boracay’s highest said in a statement. committed and replicated,” the lady senator said. would be declaring a state of calamity. Ang state peaks” because it is situated in a forestland zone; “Duterte’s latest nasty remark openly encour- She added: “This sexism outbreak must be of calamity, may component ‘yan na pambigay ta- Kingfisher Farm, a theme park featuring fish- ages violence against women, contributes to the contained and stopped. All women need to say laga for those who are displaced financially. Para ponds, a recreation center and a seafood restau- impunity on such, and further presented himself ‘no’ and push back.” na rin kung ano, may bagyong dumaan, magbigay rant in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, and Seven Seas as the epitome of misogyny and fascism terribly Human Rights Watch (HRW) earlier de- ka ng pera,” Duterte said. Hotel And Residences Boracay, a 2.2-hectare rolled in one,” Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmi de nounced President Rodrigo Duterte’s “joke” order “In the meantime, if I were from Boracay or luxury project in Barangay Yapak that is under Jesus said. for soldiers to shoot female New People’s Army you guys there, the best thing for you to do is to construction. Aklan Rep. Carlito Marquez also Hontiveros noted that Duterte — whom she rebels in the vagina. HRW said Duterte’s remark cooperate with the government and hasten the named Crown Regency Boracay as a catch basin said seems to deliver an average of one sexist was the latest “in a series of misogynist, deroga- clean-up. For as long as there are s**t coming settler, which however won on a legal technicality comment a month — has a “profound disdain” for tory and demeaning statements he has made out of those pipes draining to the sea, I will never against the DENR. women in government who stand up against his about women.” give you the time of the day na bumalik diyan,” he Meanwhile, Boracay West Cove on Diniwid rule. The human rights watchdog said the com- added. Beach had its forest land agreement for tour- Hontiveros cited the instances where the ment “encourages state forces to commit sexual The President said he would invoke public ism, a sort of concession granted by the DENR, chief executive threatened to show Sen. Leila de violence during armed conflict, which is a viola- interest, health and safety in declaring the state of cancelled in 2015 because it developed more than Lima’s alleged sex video (a video that the Presi- tion of international humanitarian law.” calamity and cautioned the courts against inter- 3,000 square meters when its concession covered dent, the Justice Secretary, and House leaders According to a Presidential Communications fering with the process. He would publicly shame only 998 sq.m., according to testimony of DENR’s claim to have watched), remarked on Vice- Operations Office transcription and translation of those who would, since “it’s a racket actually,” director for Region 6. West Cove, which erected president Leni Robredo’s legs and “sarcastically” Duterte’s comments in Bisaya, the President said: Duterte said. the viewing deck that was recently demolished in ordered soldiers to shoot female New People’s “Tell the soldiers. ‘There’s a new order coming As many as 173 big establishments are oper- the ongoing island sweep, remains operational Army rebels in the vagina. from mayor. We won’t kill you. We will just shoot ating without an environmental compliance cer- despite having no current business or construc- The chair of the Senate committee on women your vagina so that... If there are no vagina it tificate (ECC) on Boracay Island, it was learned tion permit, because it appealed its case before said Duterte’s remarks have incited attacks would be useless.” during the first hearing held on-site March 2 by the Office of the President. against women, particularly on those perceived to Speaking to more than 200 former rebels in the Senate committee on environment and natu- “These (encroached) wetlands are one of the be critics of the administration. Malacañang on February 7, Duterte asked why ral resources. More than 30 percent of business culprits in this (ongoing) pollution… I have to “The Vice-president became the victim of women join the NPA movement “even if you have establishments on the island have already been restore the wetlands,” Cimatu said, explaining a nasty pregnancy rumor, Sen. De Lima was your family.” found to be non-compliant with various environ- that wetlands are catchment areas that prevent slut-shamed in Congress and unjustly incarcer- The President, who has been criticized for mental laws. flooding and help raise water quality, which have ated, the Supreme Court chief justice and (the) casually talking about rape, then ordered govern- The root issue seems to be the failure of the both deteriorated in Boracay. ombudsman are both threatened with impeach- ment troops to shoot their vagina, saying it would local government unit (LGU) to require an ECC While it is still safe to swim around the ment, students from St. Scholastica’s College who be useless. before issuing permits. During the Senate hear- White Beach area, the same cannot be said on the joined rallies were harassed on-line, and I, my- Individuals and groups both at home and ing, the mayor of Malay, Aklan reasoned that Bolabog Beach side. Fecal coliform tests done on self, am being legally harassed by the Secretary of abroad have previously blasted Duterte for his since the ECC is from the national government, it February 13 and 19 indicated 350 most prob- Justice,” Hontiveros said. remarks which they said “normalized” and “en- is “hiwalay sa LGU.” able number (MPN) per 100 ml in the waters of Duterte’s officials and supporters usually couraged” objectification, rape and other forms of However, DILG OIC-Sec. Eduardo Año Bolabog Beach, according to Cimatu. This shows dismiss such comments as instances of “sarcasm” violence toward women. acknowledged during the hearing that the ECC is an improvement from January’s 592 MPN/100 or part of the President’s supposed Bisaya humor. indeed a requirement nationwide. Environment ml, but exceeds the 200 MPN/100 ml standard Sec. Roy Cimatu also emphasized that Boracay Is- for fecal coliform. PH AMONG BEST which shows that the country has continued to land was declared a protected forestland in 2006, “We cannot compromise and sacrifice our ... FROM PAGE A1 perform well despite declining inflows of foreign meaning that requirements for ECC clearance are natural treasures solely for the sake of mon- direct investment or FDI to Southeast Asia. more stringent there. etary profit,” said Tourism Sec. Wanda Teo, who on 65 attributes and included 21,000 respondents “In South and Southeast Asia, several coun- As Cimatu and other officers of the Depart- also revealed that alternative destinations near worldwide. tries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philip- ment of Environment and Natural Resources Boracay, such as Cebu and Guimaras, would be “U.S. News and World Report said it used cri- pines, are expected to receive more FDI in years (DENR) reported their findings, the extent of promoted in order to absorb displaced workers teria developed by The Wharton School of the Uni- to come, especially from within the region, in line transgressions over the past 10 years came to and tourists. versity of Pennsylvania and Y&R’s BAV Group.” with a division of labor between more developed light. A 140-strong team from the DENR, es- A massive demolition is in store for Boracay, According to a report by ABS-CBN News, the countries (increasingly focusing on goods with corted by military and police forces, has been DILG’s Año — formerly a military chief of staff — report’s attributes were grouped into nine sub- higher value added) and less developed countries serving notices of violation across the island since noted during the Senate hearing. Last Tuesday, rankings of adventure, cultural influence, entre- (increasingly focusing on labor-intensive activi- February 23. presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. told preneurship, heritage, movers, open for business, ties),” the UN Conference on Trade (UNCTAD) Cimatu himself has been making the rounds, Malacañang reporters that no specific courses of power and quality of life. and Development’s World Investment Report interacting with owners of business establish- action were discussed during the Cabinet meeting Joining the Philippine in the top 10 are In- 2017 said. ments and island residents, based on a video he of March 5. donesia, Poland, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, “This may continue to strengthen these coun- presented during the hearing. He also revealed it “The President said that while we are in the Spain, Thailand, India and Oman. tries’ positions in regional production networks. wasn’t his first mission in Aklan, because he was process of legal and factual fact-finding, that the Remittances and tourism industry For instance, five Chinese companies plan to the battalion commander in 1989 of the military initiatives as far as local government officials that “Recent government actions have boosted so- invest $10 billion in the aviation, downstream oil, team that cleared insurgency hotspots on north- allowed the many violations in Boracay shall be cial spending in an effort to battle high unemploy- renewable energy, iron and steel, and shipbuilding ern Panay Island so that the general public could led by the DILG; whereas, the compliance with ment and manage a rapidly growing population, a industries in the Philippines,” UNCTAD said. find their way to the then-pristine island of Bora- environmental laws will be led by the DENR,” quarter of which lives below the poverty line,” U.S. According to U.S. News, the Philippines “is ex- cay. Cimatu is a retired military general. Roque said. News said. pected to receive more FDI from within the region The big picture is that four out of nine Based on Duterte’s own pronouncements, he In a report by GMA News, U.S. News also cit- from powerhouses like China that are looking to wetlands on the island have been taken over by expects Año to show results within four months. ed that “threats to national order also come from utilize available labor in developing nations.” illegal settlers that include big-time resorts and separatist groups primarily based in the southern In the same report by The Philippine Daily part of the country.” Inquirer, in a text message to reporters last March CHIEF JUSTICE to answer the allegations against her at the Su- “Each year, the Philippine economy is flooded 5, Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez III has attrib- uted the Philippines’ top ranking to its “young ... FROM PAGE A2 preme Court. Sereno is facing an impeachment with billions of dollars sent home by the large trial for alleged culpable violation of the Constitu- number of Filipinos living abroad. These remit- and hardworking workforce, an excellent inclusive tion, corruption, other high crimes and betrayal tances, along with a flourishing tourism industry, growth momentum, an expanding middle class, who unlawfully holds a public office or holds politically stable environment, strong and popu- a position where he or she is not qualified. of public trust. have helped maintain a budget surplus,” the report said. lar leadership, fiscal discipline, stable monetary Calida insisted that a quo warranto proceeding “They can proceed with their impeachment. “But the implicit dependence on global trends policy, membership in ASEAN, an achievable is a “proper remedy to question the validity of Insofar as we are concerned, the proper remedy is has proved risky, and opportunities in electronics, infrastructure program, a strong anti-corruption Sereno’s appointment.” quo warranto,” Calida told reporters. petroleum and other goods are being explored,” drive, and improved revenue collection.” Calido said Sereno will also be given a chance the report added. The report said foreign investment in the PACQUIAO MULLING in banana leaves.” Philippines was low, “but frequent devastating BODIES OF 2 WORKERS ... FROM PAGE A3 Turning serious, Lacson said Loyola, a lawyer tsunamis and other national disasters often draw ... FROM PAGE A2 by profession and a member of the Integrated Bar of large amounts of humanitarian aid.” Roy M. Loyola, is one of mine. I have known him the Philippines, has “modestly achieved his calling “International rights groups have criticized area is one of those identified as landslide-prone. from a long way back, perhaps too long, that I have as a public servant.” (Maila Ager / inquirer.net) the president for his controversial drug war, which But he added that some residents continued already heard of all his oft-repeated jokes and ban- has resulted in thousands of deaths,” U.S. News to defy the order and continued to quarry for ters,” Lacson said. said. limestone for livelihood. “Between you and me, Mr. Chairman, Con- “The Philippines is a member of major inter- Escobia said the provincial government gressman Roy has two ways to win the hearts of his national organizations, including the United Na- was looking into the situation, urging the local friends, relatives and constituents – I am tempted CALL US TO ADVERTISE tions, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the World government units for strict compliance on quarry to go further and say ladies. Yes, our nominee is 415-278-0692 Trade Organization, among others,” U.S. News laws. the most amazing lady killer I’ve seen in my whole added. He also said Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto in- life, either through his good sense of humor or his In another report by The Philippine Daily In- structed LGUs to monitor and check the permits mouth-watering binalot or rice and adobo wrapped quirer, U.S. News has cited a United Nations data issued to operators. (Leo Udtuhan / inquirer.net) A8 FilAm Star March 8 - 14, 2018 business & NTC orders Globe, mobile content tech news provider to explain ‘nakaw load’ The National Telecommu- “Upon receipt of this ance of prepaid mobile loads or nications Commission (NTC) Order, Globe Telecom, Inc. “nakaw load.” Itama po natin! has ordered Globe Telecom and is likewise hereby directed Aquino, chairman of the mobile content provider Got to immediately suspend the Senate committee on science BEN LOU selves with providing only Federal Trade Deals Mobile Inc. to answer the implementation of its Content and technology, also urged tele- Commission compliant programs. Our complaint filed by a netizen on Provider Agreement with Got communication firms to provide Q: If I remove programs are here to help you get out of alleged theft of prepaid load. Deals Mobile, Inc. pending a notification system on load my husband as an debt sooner than later and we do not send The NTC issued a two-page investigation of this complaint,” deductions. authorized user, will your information outside of the country. summons dated February 28 it said. The senator said this would my bad credit be If you need help in getting out of ordering Globe Telecom and The summons was issued prevent instances of “nakaw removed from his? payday loans, or any other unsecured Got Deals Mobile Inc. to ap- after netizen Feanne Mauricio load” or the disappearance of A: Some of the debts, call Debt Aid Consulting. We have pear before the commission on filed a letter-complaint with the load from many subscribers. things we do are free Credit Repair while and after your March 8, Thursday. NTC accusing the telecommu- “By the next hearing which The commission also nications firm of perpetrating a will be by the end of March, we irreversible. This is program. We do not use call centers which ordered Globe Telecom to “hidden charges scam.” hope that our telcos will be able one of them. When we add an authorized keeps your information safe. We have a suspend its contract with the Mauricio, in a viral Face- to mention na sumusunod na user to our account, that account will also new program that reconstruct debts for mobile content provider pend- book post, said that she “was sila sa solusyon na ito; at iyon appear in their credit report as an autho- half of what you would pay our competi- ing the investigation. being charged P5 multiple times ay ‘yung bawat load na ibaba- rized user only account. tors. We also provide legal assistance that “You are hereby sum- every day for months, all for was po sa atin, kailangan po What does this mean? It allows keeps collectors away. We take Federal moned and required to file nothing.” As of writing, her post mayroon tayong notification at anyone reading the credit report to know Credit Unions, Military Debts, Payday and serve your answer to the has gained more than 12,000 kung nakita natin na hindi tama that he does not own that account. It is loans and high interest personal loans in letter complaint of Ms. Feanne likes and reactions as well as ito, mayroon tayong oras para i- not the same as a co-maker or co-applicant our program too. This is exclusively avail- H. Mauricio, a copy of which more than 11,000 shares. complain ito at ibalik yung pera to the account. It only means that they able for Debt Aid Consulting clients. None is herewith served upon you, Senator Bam Aquino on po sa atin,” Aquino said in an have been given permission by the account of our competitors provide this program. within five working days after Monday, launched a Senate interview on Monday. (Julius N. owner to use that credit for any reason or You are well protected. service hereof exclusive of the probe to address the numerous Leonen / inquirer.net) purchase they want. The account owner We only provide Federal Trade Com- date of service,” it stated. complaints on the disappear- can also set restrictions for the authorized mission compliant programs. Debt relief user such as taking cash out of the ac- companies who charge non refundable count. It does not make the authorized upfront fees are in violation of the ban. Go WeChat accounts cross one billion mark: CEO user a responsible party to the debt. How- with Debt Aid Consulting! crossed the one billion thresh- ever, if the owner of the account were to Do not fall for marketing gimmicks olds, a company spokesman default on payments, they can contact this saying that they have the right program told AFP he was referring to its person and ask them some information in for you. Most marketing companies only total number of accounts. Still, the one billion figure order to get a hold of the account holder. have one program and will enroll you in indicates the huge user base Also, if the account is delinquent, this will that program whether it fits you or not. So which Tencent has built up both show up on the authorized user’s credit beware! inside and outside China for its report which also makes them look bad. Ben Lou at your service! I have over all-in-one app. Does it affect their credit score? In 30 years of real financial experience. If It compares with 2.1 bil- most cases, since they are not the respon- you would like sound financial advice, call lion monthly active users on sible party, it does not unless they have us at Debt Aid Consulting. We do not use Facebook and 1.5 billion on its their own debts that are also delinquent. call centers like Financial Rescue. No one messaging app WhatsApp. Can you take out the authorized user has the right to put your information at The popularity of WeChat off the account? Yes, you can but it does risk. Say no to LLC corporations in Can- (Photo: www.peripherydigital.com) — and profits from its addictive not mean that the delinquent account will ada! Debt Aid Consulting is the first and mobile games — have pushed disappear from their credit report auto- only Filipino debt restructuring company WeChat’s worldwide ac- Monday on the sidelines of Tencent’s earnings and share matically. The authorized user can request incorporated in the US and Canada. counts have crossed the one China’s parliamentary session price sharply upwards. the credit reporting agencies to remove Now serving the Caribbean Islands! billion mark, according to the underway in Beijing. The company surpassed Facebook in market value last them since they are no longer a user of the Tawag na po sa 1-888-341-5234 at chief executive of its parent “In the future, we hope to company Tencent. use technological innovation to year and the 47-year-old Ma account and they are not responsible. tutulungan po namin kayo. has rocketed to near the apex of Ang ating lesson, Sa problemang ant- The all-in-one app is a daily push forward the next devel- Itama po natin ang mali! necessity for most Chinese, opmental step of reform and China’s rich list. ing gagawin ay isipin at ang ating idada- bringing together messaging, opening,” Ma said. He is the wealthiest may ay di sisingilin. social media, mobile payment, He was referring to China’s delegate to the parliamentary At Debt Aid Consulting, we pride our- games, news and other services. economic liberalization policy session, according to Shanghai- “WeChat’s worldwide that has fuelled four decades of based luxury magazine pub- monthly active users have breakneck economic growth. lisher Hurun Report, which surpassed the critical one bil- Although Ma said WeChat’s estimated his fortune at $47 lion mark,” CEO Pony Ma said monthly active users had billion. (inquirer.net) February inflation surges to 4.5% Consumer prices further of housing, water, electric- poor. He said there was a need rose at a faster pace in February ity, gas and other fuels at 2.6 to expand the Pantawid Pamily- as prices of food and beverage percent; communication, 0.2 ang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and as well as “sin” products contin- percent, and recreation and cul- to fast track the distribution ued to increase partly as a result ture, 1.4 percent,” the PSA said. of unconditional cash transfer of the first tax reform package “A faster annual mark- (UCT) from the TRAIN. He also that took effect last Jan. 1. up of 4.8 percent in February reiterated the call to replace the In a report Tuesday, Philip- was, likewise, observed in the quantitative restrictions on rice pine Statistics Authority data food-alone index at the national with tariffs. This is expected to showed that using 2012 as the new base year, the headline in- flation rate jumped 3.9 percent last month, the fastest rate of increase in prices of basic goods since August 2014’s 4.2 percent. Using the old consumer price index (CPI) series based on 2006 prices, inflation hit 4.5 percent, also the highest in more than three years. “The uptrend resulted from the faster annual gain recorded in the heavily weighted food and nonalcoholic beverages index at 4.8 percent and the double-digit annual increment in alcoholic beverages and tobacco index at 16.9 percent,” the PSA explained. Under Republic Act No. (Photo: www.financialtribune.com) 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Act, the unitary excise level. It was pegged at 4.6 per- lower the price of rice and raise tax slapped on cigarettes rose to cent in the previous month and revenues for agricultural pro- P32.50 per pack effective Jan. 3.2 percent in February 2017,” grams such as crop diversifica- 1 from P30 a pack last year. the PSA added. tion and investment in disaster The TRAIN Law starting Jan. Measures to curb inflation risk resiliency. 1 this year also jacked up or and cushion its impact on the Pernia also noted that the slapped new excise taxes on oil, poor are urgently needed, the government, through the ac- cigarettes, sugary drinks and National Economic and Devel- tive lead of the Department of vehicles, among other goods, to opment Authority said. Trade and Industry, needed to compensate for the restructured Socioeconomic Planning strengthen the surveillance of personal income tax regime that Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia businesses’ compliance with the raised the tax-exempt cap to an said that the government country’s laws and regulations annual salary of P250,000. should remain vigilant and pre- on fair consumer goods pricing The PSA said that prices in pared to implement measures to prevent the occurrence of four other commodity groups that will mitigate the upside profiteering. (Ben O. De Vera / also increased in February: risks to inflation. inquirer.net) Clothing and footwear, up 2 “The transitory impact percent year-on-year; furnish- of the TRAIN Law and the ing, household equipment and continued depreciation of the routine maintenance of the peso will mainly influence house, up 2.5 percent; trans- price movements in the coming port, up 5.8 percent, as well as months, and we must ensure restaurant and miscellaneous that mitigating measures goods and services, up 2.5 should be in place,” the Neda percent. official said. “Lower annual hikes were, Pernia said government however, noticed in the indices must pay closer attention to the March 8 - 14, 2018 FilAm Star A9 world news Trump vows to keep steel tariffs on Mexico, Argentine ex-president Kirchner to be tried in Iranian cover-up case Canada without ‘fair’ NAFTA deal Argentina’s former presi- 2015 administration are accused nounced the charges against dent Cristina Kirchner and of abuse of power and obstruc- her as a political persecution, US President Donald with Mexico. Very bad deal with the steel and aluminum tariffs, other senior members of her tion for signing a memorandum nonetheless has said she wel- Trump vowed Monday he will Canada,” Trump said. “Our fac- and an even broader threat to government have been referred of understanding with Iran in comes an open trial to prove her not back down on imposing tories have left our country, our impose reciprocal tariffs on all for public trial over an alleged 2012 that would have estab- innocence. (AFP) steep tariffs on steel and alu- jobs have left our country. For imports from countries that cover-up of Iranian involvement lished a “truth commission” to minum on Canada and Mexico many years, NAFTA has been a impose duties on US exports. in a 1994 bombing of a Jewish investigate the bombing. unless he gets a “fair” deal to disaster.” “People have to understand, charity in Buenos Aires, the ju- The case against them was revamp the North American And without a deal “that’s our country on trade has been diciary announced on Monday. opened in January 2015, on the Free Trade Agreement. fair to the workers and the ripped off by virtually every Judge Claudio Bonadio has basis of charges brought by Al- He also criticized the American people,” he will termi- country in the world,” even by closed the investigative phase of berto Nisman, a prosecutor who European Union for the trade nate NAFTA, he said. “people that we think are won- the case, referring it to a higher was found dead in mysterious barriers on US companies and derful,” Trump said Monday. level court for a public trial, the circumstances four days later. repeated his threat to slap tariffs Repeating his concern judiciary said. A start date has Nisman had claimed that on European car imports if about the US trade deficit of yet to be set. the memorandum of under- Brussels retaliates against the $800 billion last year, he said The bombing of the standing was a maneuver to steel tariffs. “the biggest problem is China.” Argentine-Israelite Mutual Aid cover up for the involvement Speaking as US, Mexican While Trump said he did organization killed 85 people, of Iran and Hezbollah in the and Canadian trade officials not think there would be a trade the deadliest attack of its kind attack. were gathered in Mexico City war, US trading partners already on Argentine soil. The case languished after for the final day of the seventh are preparing to retaliate, and Kirchner and her former his death, but Bonadio reacti- round of talks aimed at modern- have pledged to file a dispute in foreign minister Hector Tim- vated it in August 2016. Cristina Kirchner (www.thesun.co.uk) izing and modifying NAFTA, (Photo: www.agweb.com) the World Trade Organization. erman and others in her 2007- Kirchner, who has de- Trump doubled down on the French President Em- threat he made on Twitter early “Tariffs on Steel and manuel Macron said Monday Monday. Aluminum will only come off if the European Union must “react “No, we’re not backing new & fair NAFTA agreement is quickly” to US plans that clearly N.Korea’s Kim, Seoul envoys discuss down,” Trump told reporters signed,” Trump said in one of a breached WTO rules. following his Oval Office meet- series of morning tweets. Germany warned against easing tensions: KCNA ing with embattled Israeli leader Canada, which has the protectionist measures, which it North Korean leader Kim The delegation is pushing has heightened fears for global Benjamin Netanyahu. “There most to lose as the top source of said “would inflict pain” on both Jong Un discussed ways to ease for talks between the nuclear- security. will be tariffs on steel for Canada US steel to the US market, has sides of the Atlantic. tensions on the peninsula with armed regime and the United Before leaving for Pyong- and for Mexico.” called the tariffs “unacceptable.” British Prime Minister visiting South Korean envoys, States, after Kim sent his sister yang, the South’s national But the US leader who Mexico’s Economy Minister Theresa May raised her “deep the state KCNA news agency Kim Yo Jong to the Winter security advisor Chung Eui-yong prides himself on his ability to Ildefonso Guajardo in a tweet concern” about the tariffs in a reported Tuesday. Games in the South. said: “We plan to hold in-depth negotiate business deals, and said the threat is “the wrong way phone call with Trump on Sun- Kim “warmly welcomed” Kim has invited Moon to a discussions for ways to continue last week said trade wars were to incentivize the creation of a day, her office said. the South Korean officials, who summit in Pyongyang. not only inter-Korean talks but “good, and easy to win,” said new & modern NAFTA.” The European Union has handed over a letter from Presi- Kim Yo Jong’s trip was the dialogue between North Korea the tariffs could depend on the Despite Trump’s tweet said it is drawing up measures dent Moon Jae-in. first visit to the South by a mem- and the international communi- outcome of the NAFTA talks. claiming there is a large trade against leading US brands like “Hearing the intention of ber of the North’s ruling dynasty ty including the United States.” Those negotiations that already deficit with Canada, in fact the Harley-Davidson and Levi’s President Moon Jae In for a since the end of the 1950-53 It is a challenging task had hit serious roadblocks over United States maintains a trade jeans. summit from the special envoy Korean War. -- in defiance of UN sanctions, US demands. surplus with its northern neigh- Trump said the EU has of the south side, he exchanged Her appearance at the the isolated and impoverished Trump’s surprise an- bor of nearly $8 billion in 2016, “trade barriers far worse than views and made a satisfactory Games’ opening ceremony -- North last year staged its most nouncement last week that he and nearly $3 billion in the first tariffs,” and again threatened agreement,” the Korean Central where athletes from the two Ko- powerful nuclear test and test- plans to impose tariffs of 25 nine months of 2017. to “tax their cars” if they go News Agency said. reas marched together -- made fired several missiles, some of percent on steel imports and 10 The US has a deficit with through with their response. “He also made an exchange global headlines. them capable of reaching the US percent on aluminum, sparked a Mexico that was $63 billion in That is just the kind of tit- of in-depth views on the issues The Winter Olympics mainland. fierce global response, including 2016, and $52 billion in the first for-tat reaction that economist for easing the acute military provided “a good atmosphere US President Donald from NAFTA partners Canada three quarters of last year. warn could spark a trade war at tensions on the Korean Penin- of reconciliation, unity and dia- Trump dubbed Kim “Little and Mexico. Trump administration a time when the US and global sula and activating the versatile logue between the north and the Rocket Man” and boasted about Trade experts and of- officials frequently refer to the economies have only recently dialogue, contact, cooperation south”, KCNA quoted Kim Jong the size of his own nuclear but- ficials in Ottawa and Mexico deficit in goods alone, excluding returned to firmer footing. and exchange,” it reported. Un as telling the South Korean ton, while the North Korean City raised the possibility the the offset from dominant US The steel and aluminum Kim’s meeting with the envoys. leader called Trump a “mentally neighboring nations could be services exports of things like tariffs were recommended by most senior South Koreans to Moon has sought to use the deranged US dotard”. exempt from new measures, banking and insurance. Commerce Secretary Wilbur travel to the North in more than Pyeongchang Games to open They traded threats of war but the president rejected that Retaliation Ross after a report from his a decade is the latest step in an dialogue between Washington and sent tensions soaring before possibility and raised the stakes Trump ignited fears of a agency concluded that the glut Olympics-driven rapprochement and Pyongyang in hopes of a thaw in the run-up to the Win- by holding the NAFTA talks trade war and an outcry from of the metals on global markets on the divided peninsula. easing a nuclear standoff that ter Olympics. (AFP) hostage to the tariffs. major trading partners with his was a threat to US national secu- “We have had a bad deal surprise announcement about rity. (AFP) U.S. calls on Taliban to consider Ghani peace talk offer The United States on ban, but a dignified process for the Taliban to take this offer Monday called on the Taliban to reaching a political framework,” seriously. It does put the onus consider an offer for peace talks she added, noting that the Kabul on the Taliban to respond,” she extended by Afghan President conference was “really a historic added. Ashraf Ghani. benchmark event.” Last week, the Taliban Ghani at an international Wells said the Afghan said it was prepared to enter conference in Kabul last week government had “listened care- direct talks with the US to find a unveiled a plan to open talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognizing them as a political party. In return, Ghani said the militants should officially rec- ognize the Afghan government and constitution, a perennial sticking point in past attempts to open talks. Taliban spokesman Zabiul- lah Mujahid has maligned the Kabul Process, tweeting that the conference sought the Taliban’s Afghan President Ashraf Ghani “surrender.” (www.voanews.com) Alice Wells, the principal deputy assistant secretary for fully” to the Taliban and was “peaceful solution” to more than the State Department’s Bureau responsive to a number of their 16 years of war. of South and Central Asian requests. That statement however Affairs, told reporters she had Ghani’s offer was “quite for- made no mention of negotiating been struck by Ghani’s proposal. ward-leaning and frankly I think with the Afghan government “I heard him offering a probably caught the Taliban by -- a condition which the US has dignified process,” she said. surprise,” Wells said. “This was long stated is vital to any peace “This is not a surrender quite a courageous offer.” process. (AFP) that’s being offered to the Tali- “We certainly encourage A10 FilAm Star March 8 - 14, 2018 March 8 - 14, 2018 FilAm Star B1 starliners 12U baseball team from the SF Peninsula is Cooperstown-bound July 2018 Northern California. There they Bruno) and Sebastian Conclara would stay late into the night as (San Bruno). the boys play 2-3 games a day Fundraisers and return the next day for the Meanwhile, the team and playoffs. their families are raising funds All their victories were to cover their participation fee because they choose to play as a in Cooperstown and the boys’ team. When one player is down, travel expenses. the next kid picks him up. They have organized sev- They have shown grit, per- eral a few fundraisers in recent severance and hard work. months as well as started a Championships GoFund Me page. If you wish After thirteen tournaments, to support this team of boys, they have earned four champion- please donate through this link: ships together. The latest victory https://www.gofundme.com/ was earned last March 3-4 at goldengaters2018 the March Madness Baseball The team can be reached Tournament organized by the through their team manager, Northern California Tournament Eric Ginebra, through email ad- Millbrae Invitational Tournament championship win (January 27-28) Baseball in Sunnyvale, Calif. dress: cagoldengaters18@gmail. The team’s three other com. championships were earned at the following tournaments: Halloween Havoc in Antioch (October 28-29); Toys for Tots Baseball Tournament in Fre- Halloween Havoc championship win (October 2017) in Antioch, Califor- mont (December 2-3); and at the nia. (1st row) Javi Manila, Coach Angelo Manila; (2nd row) Tyler Chan, Millbrae Invitational Baseball Ricardo Uribe, Jr., Jake Brewer, Sebastian Conclara, Aidan Adeva, Aaron Tournament (January 27-28). Academia; (3rd row) Oliver Ginebra, Parker Mendoza, Jeric Buncio, Jr., Cooperstown, New York Edgar Magaña; (last row) Coach Eric Ginebra, Ryan Bower, and Coach All the boys’ hard work are Dale Brewer meant for their ultimate objec- San Bruno, CA – Thirteen initial moments of getting to tive of winning against teams tournaments, ten championship know each other. from other states in Cooper- games, four championships. They even had mismatched stown, New York. The Golden This group of scrappy kids have hats during the first few tourna- Gaters are scheduled to play at come a long way since their team ments. But they all have one the Dreams Park in Cooperstown was formed in the summer of thing in common. They all on the week of July 20-26, 2018. 2017. share a deep love for the game They will be pitted against other But, it was not always this of baseball. Their three coaches 12u teams from across the coun- easy. (Dale Brewer from San Bruno, try for a higher caliber and level It took a while to form this Eric Ginebra from Millbrae and of competition. team of 12-year old boys. They Angelo Manila from Daly City) The boys of the California faced challenges in the begin- are equally passionate. Golden Gaters (Cooperstown ning. They encountered hin- Within a month or two, 2018) are: Javi Manila (Daly drances. they started to win games, fin- City), Jeric Buncio, Jr. (Daly Most of them started as ish second and eventually win City), Parker Mendoza (Daly strangers – two kids from San championships. City), Ricardo Uribe, Jr. (Daly Bruno, one from South San Tournaments City), Aaron Academia (Mill- Francisco, six from Millbrae, and Every weekend tourna- brae), Aiden Adeva (Millbrae), four from Daly City. They all ment they joined would take Tyler Chan (Millbrae), Edgar played in their city’s respective them miles away from the Magaña (Millbrae), Matteo baseball leagues since they were Peninsula. Their families would Fabbi (Millbrae), Oliver Gine- four- and five-year olds. wake up and drive out early to bra (Millbrae), Jordan Zahar But there was never a hint Santa Cruz, Antioch, Fremont, (Millbrae), Jake Brewer (San of awkwardness, even from those Sunnyvale and other cities in Bruno), Ryan Bower (SSF/San B2 FilAm Star March 8 - 14, 2018 Special needs require special care Care Indeed was one of the exhibitors at the Special Needs Planning Symposium which was held at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country Hotel last February 15-17. The event aimed to provide the best edu- cation and training when plan- ning for people with disabilities. Photo shows Vanessa Valerio, RN, CMC, Care Indeed’s COO and VP for Patient Care. An evening to remember with good food, drink and dance The Rotary Club of Daly City and Colma is hosting the Black and White Ball to raise funds for various projects both local and international. The gala event will begin at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Buri-Buri Ballroom located at 33 Arroyo Drive, South San Francisco. The event will raise funds for outdoor exercise equipment for the Daly City Library and Recreational Services adjacent to the Doelger Senior Center in Lake Merced, the creation of a community center in the Philippines in partnership with the urban design firm INCLUDED, research on preventing Type II Diabetes and Obesity within the Filipino community, and raising awareness of the important contributions of Filipinos in society through the development of a Filipino Cultural Center in San Francisco. The Rotary Club of Daly City and Colma has partnered with INCLUDED, is a non- profit urban design firm that designs and builds relatively inexpensive modular structures that provide dignified environments for children and their families living in urban slums. Local government officials, dignitaries and prominent professionals are expected to attend. The event will be an opportunity to enjoy an appetizing dinner followed by an enjoyable evening of dance and music. The Rotary Club of Daly City are a welcoming group of men and women from different backgrounds, age groups, cultures and occupations that meet twice a month to exchange ideas on how to address and solve problems in our communities. For more information about this event please contact James Calacal, Rotary Club President at [email protected] or Donnamarie Howe at [email protected].

PAL Seniors Interclub Canlubang’s 10th Seniors trophy

Daly City, CA – April 7, 2018 – “Fashion with a Mission” is the theme for the annual fundraising event of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC). A special performance by comedian Rex Navarrete and a fashion show by humanitarian designer Gia Galicia will Agnes Domingo Singh (left) and Pie Ocampo Panganiban (right) headline the event. Designers Amy Lai, Rolando Carlin, Adrine Karapetyan, celebrated their birthdays with friends and family on February18, 2018 Eva Mejl, Coco Melody and Puey Quinones will also be featured. Proceeds will benefit next year’s medical mission in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. PMSNC has been conducting annual medical missions since 1986. PMSNC is also committed to conducting community outreach pro- grams in Northern California. The last outreach program was held in San Jose, California on October 15, 2017 and led by Dr. Rosemarie Padua. Vol- unteers helped 234 visitors receive free flu vaccines and other screenings. The PAL Seniors Interclub champions trophy (Championship The PMSNC provides scholarships to deserving Filipino-American medical Division) returns to Canlubang at the close of the 32nd Seniors students each year and relies mostly on volunteer hours and donations from Interclub at Bacolod. Shown holding the trophy is Canlubang team individuals and sponsors to help fund its programs. captain Luigi Yulo (5th from right) together with other Canlubang golfers, flanked by PAL executives. They are, from left, Dina May Flores, Interclub executive committee; Damasus Wong, Rolly Viray, Be a Star ! Send us pictures of your Dave Hernandez, Abe Avena, Luigi Yulo, Boyet Saragoza, Jose Mari Congratulations to Olivia and Mario (4th and 5th from left) on their 25th Hechanova, Zaldy Villa and Bong Velasquez, Interclub chairman. wedding anniversary. The couple renewed their vows last Mar. 3 attended events so the world may know. by friends and family at South Lake Tahoe. March 8 - 14, 2018 FilAm Star B3 community Harvard study reveals consequences of eliminating individual mandate on enrollment, premiums awareness SACRAMENTO — Covered instant, and an illness or injury changes, unsubsidized consumers Google grant to help San Jose elementary school STEM program California Executive Director can be a moment away for all of would have no such protections. Peter Lee issued the following us. These are middle class Americans By Harvey I. Barkin statement in connection with the “While we all think we won’t with a median income of $75,000 Harvard Medical School Study, be the ones to get sick or injured, — approximately 800,000 in SAN JOSE – Catholic percent are socio-economically charities to date. And with the “Eliminating the Individual the reality is that if 378,000 California and 6 million across Charities of Santa Clara County disadvantaged and 52.6 percent tools from Google’s support, Mandate Penalty in California: Californians decide to go without the country — who would be (CCSCC) announced last March are English learners. Gomez initiate a new STEM curriculum Harmful but Non-Fatal Changes insurance, about 60,000 of them forced to pay the entire increase 2 receipt of a $325,000 grant explained that there are five that will eventually be adapted in Enrollment and Premiums,” (one out of six) are likely to need or would risk being priced out of from Google, Inc. to help CORAL After-school instructors at the other CORAL sites. published in Health Affairs. medical care that will cost them coverage. The Harvard study, con- more than $10,000. “It is important to note that improve Catholic Charities’ who stay with those enrolled Google’s Adrian Schurr ducted by a team lead by Dr. John “The real penalty is not what in addition to the removal of the Communities Organizing Re- until 6 pm. said with the grant, the school Hsu, is the first national effort to the IRS will collect through the individual mandate penalty, a sources to Advance Learning’s Of the 119 students can open new computer labs measure the potential impacts of coming year for being uninsured variety of other factors are caus- (CORAL’s) Science, Technology, enrolled in CORAL at Anne and get the kids up to speed removing the individual mandate but rather showing up at the ing instability in the individual Engineering, Math (STEM) pro- Darling, 45 percent are female; coding. He also said they may penalty based on surveying actual hospital with no insurance and markets across the country, in- gram at Anne Darling Elemen- 55 percent, male and 92 percent soon be making and playing California consumers about their leaving with a massive debt. cluding the cuts in marketing and tary School. are Latino. with robots soon. He invited the likely actions in the face of there “In addition, with a less- outreach in many states, and the Catholic kids to a future being no penalty. healthy consumer pool, Califor- prospect of short-term or limited- Charities initi- tour of Google’s “The removal of the indi- nia’s individual market could be duration plans that fail to protect ated CORAL grounds. He vidual mandate penalty could facing premium increases for consumers or provide meaningful in 2003 as a added that 60 result in 378,000 fewer Califor- 2019 of 12 to 16 percent — with coverage. K-8 expanded percent of all nians with health insurance in the biggest driver being the re- “There is still time for policy program that economic growth the individual market, including moval of the individual mandate. makers to address these issues focuses on is due to scientific approximately 250,000 who are “Increases at this level are before they become a crisis for improving progress and it currently insured through Cov- bad news for consumers but Cali- millions of Americans in 2019. academic per- starts with STEM. ered California. fornians would be in better shape However, just as there is not a formance with Anne Dar- “The drop in those with than most of the nation would single reason for the uncertainty Some of the CORAL students at Google’s Adrian Schurr insurance would be even greater be. This study finds that four out we face, there is not a single solu- literacy and Anne Darling Elementary ling Principal because there would also be drops of five Californians would opt to tion. There is a range of things homework Ron Hammond in Medi-Cal, California’s Med- keep their coverage even with the policy makers should consider support. chimed in that icaid program, since consumers penalty going away, and here we doing now to protect consumers CCSCC diversity provides often find out they are eligible for will once again be leaning in with and provide certainty for health CEO Gregory better products Medi-Cal while shopping for cov- a major marketing campaign to insurance companies, including a Kepferle said and innovations. erage through Covered California. promote enrollment. federally supported reinsurance in his welcome District 3 “While California would con- “The impact in many other program, increased investments address that City Council tinue to have a stable individual states, however, is likely to be far in marketing and other state- Anne Darling member Raul market, and we have the reserves worse. The removal of the penalty based solutions. is but one of Peralez told the and flexibility to adjust for this in those states will be compound- “Lawmakers should seri- 22 sites in students that he impact, the impacts would be real ed by the absence of effective ously consider these steps before San Jose that had a degree in and significant for California’s marketing and the prospect of we turn back the clock to a time helps 2,500 San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo Anne Darling Principal Ron Math and was a consumers. Californians would new skimpy insurance products, when consumers had Swiss- students every Hammond police officer. But be paying increased premiums, which would cause healthier cheese coverage, meaning they day. And that before that, he and some of those who go without people to leave the individual thought they had coverage until about 119 stu- Kepferle also studied in the STEM program. insurance could face big medi- market. Premiums in many states they sought to use it, or were dents every day at Anne Darling said that because of CORAL, He told the kids that they can cal bills when unforeseen health could spike 30 percent in 2019 turned away for having a pre- events occur. alone, with large increases in fu- existing condition.” are involved in after-school their reading level is now up go to the moon with STEM and “The consumers who leave ture years absent effective federal View the study at programs like the Tech Chal- to 42 percent, English learners that there was more computing the market would be rolling the or state policies. https://www.healthaf- lenge at the Tech Museum. The have improved by 28 percent power in their cell phones than dice, hoping they would remain “While consumers who fairs.org/do/10.1377/ CORAL program also helps stu- and absenteeism has been re- there was in the first computer healthy but the fact is that many receive financial help — in Cali- hblog20180223.551552/full/ dents at other San Jose Unified duced from 30 to 35 percent. that was as big as a room. of them will lose that bet. We fornia and across the nation — schools and Franklin-McKinley He also said that they’ve Mayor Sam Liccardo told know that life can change in an would be shielded from those rate School District. seen 65 percent increase in the kids they were the future CCSCC Program Direc- interest on STEM topics, 60 and that somebody else had to tor America Gomez explained percent increase in STEM abili- lead the city when he’s out. that some of these students are ties and 55 percent increase in 7 Lakes of Northern California, Inc. inducts new officers located at the most disadvan- interest on STEM careers. The 7 Lakes of Northern With a theme of,” A Night in ing immediately , all the Past taged areas of San Jose. The Kepferle added that VISIT California held the Induction of Hollywood” the officers , board Presidents were acknowledged school’s demographics list 80.3 Google’s was the largest single WWW.FILAMSTAR.COM Officers last February 24,2018 members, members and guests for all their tireless support and percent of them are Latino, 86.2 corporate grant for Catholic who will be serving the admin- came in their glamorous attires- services. istration from 2018-2019. The women in their elegant evening 7 Lakes has achieved vari- memorable event was held in gowns, and gentlemen in their ous commendable projects and Embassy Suites in Milpitas with beautiful Tux and Black Tie, programs benefitting those who the Synthesis Band as the official walking in style like “OSCAR”s hailed from San Pablo and beyond. Among their projects and programs, to mention a few are: Nazareth-Bahay Pag-ibig, Home for the Aged and Home- less, Bayanihan Cultural Center, San Pablo Puerecultural Center, Academic Scholarships Program for high school students, San Martin de Poress Orphanage and many, many more. “It was another “Affair to Remember”, and as the over-all chairperson, I do not mind to walk a mile for the success of this memorable event,” ex- pressed Maricris Benitez, also one of the past presidents. Following were the officers (L-R) Board of Directors Freddie Ticzon, Lorna Llamas, Secretary Lillian and board members who took Rosales, Auditor Minerva De Guzman, Treasurer Angie Cosico, President their oath of office, led by the Charito Ticzon, Inducting Officer Raquel Solano, Vice President-San Jose/ special guest and speaker , Silicon Valley Edna Teruel, Vice President-San Francisco/Matin Athena the Honorable Deputy Consul Bumagat, Vice President-East Bay Emile Noble and Assistant Secretary General , Raquel Solano, who I Ric Sitjar had the privilege of introducing prior to her Inspirational Speech and induction ceremony. Charito Briones Ticzon- President; VP’s : Dhing Ticzon Machate, Daly City, Peninsula; Edna Turuel San Jose; Athena B. Bumagat, Marin/San Francisco; Mely Noble, Alameda/East Bay; Lillian Alinea-Rosales, Seretary; Rick Sitjar, Asst. Secretary; Angie Vitug-Cosico, Treasurer; Tessie Nobel, Asst. Treasurer; Minerva de Guzman, Auditor; Romie Borja, P.R.O. Board of Direc- tors: Ellen Cayetano, Rey Cayetanom,Sophie Borja, Fred- die Ticzon, Lorna Llamas, Greg de Claro and Anisia Bartolome, Adviser: Raul Ticzon It was an evening well This is a lovely photo of us with Past President Jessie Ticzon, his wife the spent, meeting and greeting newly inducted President Charito Ticzon and the Guest Speaker & Induct- most of kababayans from San ing Officer Deputy Consul General Raquel Solano from the Philippine Pablo, and I am honored to Embassy in San Francisco. And of course my beautiful Tita Charito Beni- have been a special guests in the payo, her debonair husband Romy Benipayo and Past President MariCris media. Benitez and Event Chairperson. For those who are inter- ested in becoming members music that played on hand. The ” actors/actresses threading the and support the many pro- event also coincided with the Red Carpet grams and projects of 7 Lakes 36th Anniversary Celebration. The program began of Northern California, Inc. Notably, 36 years ago, the late promptly after dinner, jubilant- may contact, Charito Ticzon at Dr. Mario Borja founded this ly carried through by Rachel (650)438-1815;Maricris Benitez, organization which is non profit- Ticzon Balugo, the Mistress (408)420-585 501©(3) tax exempt organiza- of Ceremonies. The Invocation tion, with a thought of serving was rendered by one of its past all those who hailed from San presidents, Mandy Rosales, fol- Pablo, Laguna , Philippines and lowed by the Welcome Address CALL US TO ADVERTISE now residing here in the Bay by Tina De Gorostizas Sitjar, 415-278-0692 Area. Outgoing President, and follow- B4 FilAm Star March 8 - 14, 2018 legal & law Uncertain future for ‘Dreamer’ immigrants Visa denial based on your admission to a crime involving as deadline passes moral turpitude and controlled substance violation US President Donald Trump claimed Monday Some 87 arrests were made, US Capitol Po- he was “ready to make a deal” protecting hun- lice reported. ATTY. CRISPIN CADAY LOZANO dreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the Immigration-related demonstrations took country illegally as children, as lawmakers missed place in several other cities, including New York. Before going to best situation is to tell the consul that you have an initial deadline for resolving their fate. “Stop playing with our lives!” said Lizbeth your visa interview already been doing drug rehabilitation. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Huitzil, a young Mexican woman protesting in with the Consul at the Note: This is not a legal advice. (DACA) program that shields nearly 700,000 front of Trump Tower. U.S. Embassy, you SUCCESS STORIES of the so-called Dreamers from deportation was Lawmakers had every opportunity to legislate should be aware that 1. For the week ending March 2, 2018, we supposed to expire on March 5, six months after a fix, but the fate of the Dreamers has proved too mere admission of received three Adjustment of Status, one Appli- Trump announced he was ending it. divisive for Congress to resolve. committing a crime cation to Remove Condition on Residence and But a US District Court judge issued a nation- Last month, Democrats forced a brief govern- involving Moral Tur- one Renewal of Green Card approvals. wide injunction that requires the government to ment shutdown over the issue, demanding that pitude and admitting 2. For the week ending February 9, 2018, allow recipients to renew their permits to live and the Senate’s Republican leaders set aside time to Controlled Substance we received approvals of one I-485, one N-400, work in the country, and the US Supreme Court debate immigration. violation may lead to visa denial. This is one I-90 and one I-751. declined to accept the administration’s request to They agreed, but despite a week of floor because there is a questionnaire in the Form 3. On January 12, 2018, we received an ap- intervene. debate last month, the Senate failed to pass any DS 260 Application for Immigrant Visa asking proval of immigrant visa at the U.S. Consulate Both those developments have taken the of a series of proposals addressing the situation of “Have you ever committed a crime? and “Have Manila for an alien who applied for I-601-A as pressure off lawmakers. the Dreamers, and House Speaker Paul Ryan has you ever been a drug abuser or addict? one who entered as a seaman. With Dreamers and advocates stressing that not brought a legislative solution to the floor for Under INA 212(a)(2)(A)(i) a foreign 4. On January 10, 2018, we received an ap- the immigrants remain in legal limbo -- weeks a vote. national is inadmissible to the U.S. if he or she proval form USCIS of a self petition for abused has been convicted of, or admitted to, com- spouse based on same sex marriage. mitting a crime involving moral turpitude, or 5. On January 3, 2018, we received an ap- a controlled substance violation. In this regard proval from the Immigration Court for a waiver it is important to understand what actions of misrepresentation for a client who was constitute an “admission” to identify a client’s charged with misrepresentation in marriage; possible inadmissibility. 6. On December 15, 2017, we received an The procedure is governed by Foreign approval from USCIS for an adjustment of sta- Affairs Manual 9 FAM 302.3-2(B)(4) which tus for same sex marriage for an applicant who discusses admissions to crimes involving moral entered without inspection but has Sec. 245 (i). turpitude, specifying rules of procedure for 7. On November 16, 2017, we received an eliciting admissions for crimes involving moral approval from Immigration Court for a waiver turpitude from visa applicants which have been of misrepresentation for entering as single imposed by the court and Board of Immigra- daughter of U.S. citizen but actually married. tion Appeals decisions. Specifically, consular 8. On October 25, 2017, we received an officers must abide by the following provisions approval of I-485 adjustment of status for our regarding admissions: client who has a DUI but has proof that he has - The crime committed by the applicant cleared his record. must appear to constitute moral turpitude 9. On October 20, 2017, we received an based on the statute. It is not necessary for approval of naturalization for a client who the applicant to admit that the crime involves was granted a waiver of misrepresentation in moral turpitude; Immigration Court. - Before the actual questioning, the con- 10. On October 16, 2017, we received from sular officer must give the applicant an ad- USCIS an approval for an adjustment of equate definition of the crime, including all status for same sex marriage, after two sched- (Left photos) Dreamers and DACA protestors (Right photo) President Donald Trump of the essential elements. The consular officer uled interviews. (Photo: www.express.co.uk) must explain the definition to the applicant in 11. On October 9, 2017, we received an ap- terms he or she understands; making certain proval from USCIS for adjustment of after the White House and Congress failed spec- ‘Cruel and reckless’ the explanation conforms carefully to the law status for a client who entered as a seaman but tacularly to address their fate -- Trump insisted Among the Senate bills that failed to advance of the jurisdiction where the offense is alleged has Sec. 245 (i) eligibility. he was ready to negotiate a solution. was a Trump-backed plan that would provide a to have been committed; 12. On October 2, 2017, we received an “It’s March 5th and the Democrats are pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million Dreamers - The consular officer must give the ap- approval of adjustment of status from USCIS nowhere to be found on DACA. Gave them 6 -- the nearly 700,000 DACA registrants, plus 1.1 plicant a full explanation of the purpose of for a client who entered without inspection but months, they just don’t care,” Trump said on million who were eligible but did not register -- in the questioning. The applicant must then be has Sec. 245(i). Twitter. exchange for extra border security funding and placed under oath and the proceedings must be 13. For the week ending September 15, “Where are they? We are ready to make a dramatic curtailment of legal immigration. recorded verbatim; 2017, we received three Immigrant Visa deal!” Several congressional Democrats and im- - The applicant must admit all of the fac- Approvals in U.S. Embassy Manila for three With courts unlikely to rule definitively migration advocates have warned that despite tual elements which constituted the crime; and applicants who entered as seaman on immigration before summer, and the case the court injunction, DACA recipients remain in - The applicant’s admission of the crime under the Provisional Waiver Program. expected to head to the Supreme Court after that, legal uncertainty thanks to a crisis they say is of must be explicit, unequivocal and unqualified. If you have immigration problems the Law Congress is not expected to act before the mid- Trump’s making. In addition, 9 FAM 302.4-2(B) (4) dis- Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a term elections in November. “Without a permanent solution, Trump’s cusses admissions to controlled substance solution before your problem gets worse which Immigration advocates have used the unmet cruel and reckless decision will tear more families violations, stating that a foreign national may could lead to deportation and family separa- deadline as an inflection point to pressure Con- apart, shatter communities, drive immigrants be found inadmissible if he or she admits to tion. gress and the White House. into the shadows, and make us all less safe as a the essential elements of a drug violation. Crispin Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active “March 5 is the deadline Trump gave the result,” Democratic National Committee chair- Thus, informal statements of prior conduct member of the State Bar of California, the Congress to act and they haven’t done any- man Tom Perez said in a statement. to a consular officer at a visa interview do American Immigration Lawyers Association thing,” Bruna Bouhid, a 26-year-old student and Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairwoman not constitute admissions for determining a and San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. Dreamer from Tampa, told AFP as she and others Michelle Lujan Grisham urged “all our colleagues foreign national’s admissibility. Please note He specializes in immigration law and personal marched from the Washington Mall to the US to support the fair, permanent, and narrow bipar- that the Consulate may have proof of your past injury. For free consultation email or call Capitol. tisan bills that protect Dreamers and which have history of drug use by checking on your physi- ([email protected] / 1-877-456-9266) “We are here to make sure they don’t forget the votes to pass the House and Senate.” cal examination result. If this happen your about us.” Congress was already moving on. The Senate Hundreds of activists and Dreamers descend- considers several judicial nominees this week, ed on Washington to press lawmakers into action. negotiations over federal spending are ongoing, BlackBerry sues Facebook over messaging apps Many in a crowd of chanting protesters blocked and lawmakers are mulling whether to reform traffic near the Capitol, while others demonstrat- gun laws following a deadly school shooting in ed inside congressional office buildings. Florida. (AFP) USCIS completes random selection process for H-2B visa cap for second half of FY 2018 WASHINGTON— On Feb. 21 U.S. Citizen- H-2B petitioners may continue to request ship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began premium processing together with their H-2B receiving H-2B cap-subject petitions for the petition. However, please note that because second half of fiscal year 2018. the final receipt date was one of the first five (Photo: www.techbeepress.com) (Photo: www.telegraph.co.uk) During the first five business days USCIS business days of the filing season, petitions received approximately 2,700 H-2B cap- accepted in the lottery will be given a receipt Canadian telecommunications firm BlackBerry,” BlackBerry spokeswoman Sarah subject petitions requesting approximately date of March 1, 2018. Premium process- BlackBerry sued Facebook on Tuesday, ac- McKinney said in a statement. 47,000 workers, which is more than the ing service for these petitions began on that cusing the American social media company of She said BlackBerry would like to partner number of H-2B visas available. As a result, receipt date. infringing on its patents for messaging apps. with Facebook “in our drive toward a securely USCIS, in accordance with applicable regu- U.S. businesses use the H-2B program to BlackBerry is claiming infringement on connected future, and we continue to hold lations, conducted a lottery on Feb. 28 to employ foreign workers for temporary nonag- patents it holds for message encryption and this door open to them.” randomly select enough petitions to meet the ricultural jobs. Congress has set the H-2B notifications, and is seeking an injunction as “However, we have a strong claim that cap. cap at 66,000 per fiscal year, with 33,000 for well as damages for lost profits, although no Facebook has infringed on our intellectual USCIS will reject and return the petitions workers who begin employment in the first figure was given. property, and after several years of dialogue, and associated filing fees to petitioners that half of the fiscal year (Oct. 1 - March 31) and Facebook and its wholly-owned services we also have an obligation to our sharehold- were not selected, as well as any cap-subject 33,000 for workers who begin employment Instagram and WhatsApp are named as de- ers to pursue appropriate legal remedies,” petitions received after Feb. 27. in the second half of the fiscal year (April 1 – fendants in the lawsuit. The company said it McKinney added. In January, the Department of Labor Sept. 30). Additional information is available intends to fight the lawsuit. Facebook shot back by disparaging Black- announced a change to its process of issuing on the Cap Count for H-2B Nonimmigrants “We have a lot of respect for Facebook Berry, saying the lawsuit “sadly reflects the labor certifications. As a result, on Feb. 7 US- page. and the value they’ve placed on messaging current state of its messaging business.” CIS advised of the likely need to conduct an For more information on USCIS and its capabilities, some of which were invented by “Having abandoned its efforts to innovate, H-2B visa lottery for the second half of FY18. programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us Blackberry is now looking to tax the innova- As was noted in that Feb. 7 statement, USCIS on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and tion of others. We intend to fight,” Facebook would be maintaining a flexible approach to Facebook (/uscis). deputy general counsel Paul Grewal said. this issue by ensuring H-2B visas were allo- BlackBerry, after abandoning the manu- cated fairly and would not exceed the cap. facture of its once-popular smartphones, USCIS continues to accept H-2B petitions which it also pioneered, has refocused its that are exempt from, or not counted towards, core business on cybersecurity software and the congressionally mandated cap. This in- services. cludes petitions for the following workers: Current H-2B workers in the United States seeking to extend their stay and, if visit our website applicable, change the terms of their employ- ment or change their employers; www.filamstar.com Fish roe processors, fish roe technicians, and/or supervisors of fish roe processing; and CALL TO ADVERTISE Workers performing labor or services in 1-415-593-5955 X141 the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Answers from LAST WEEK’S Krosword Islands and/or Guam, until Dec. 31, 2019. March 8 - 14, 2018 FilAm Star B5 health & What’s wrong with having a mirror facing your bed? My daughter, who lives in California, asked University School of Medicine in St. Louis, our lifestyle me to explain why it’s bad to have a mirror facing eyes detect movement through a neural circuit in you when you sleep. the retina at the back of our eyes. She said she just bought a dresser with a “Our attention is naturally attracted to what- mirror which faces the bed. She said she didn’t ever moves, whether they are in front of your eyes want the mirror installed because she would have or in the corner of your eyes… So if you have a Health@Heart nightmares, but her American husband wanted mirror next to you when you sleep, you will notice it included. So she just covered it at night. Her any movement from the mirror’s reflection.” This Vatican to endorse porn? husband thinks it’s mere superstition to believe may be true only if there’s light in the room, and mirrors in the bedroom are bad. if your eyes are slightly open when asleep. PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS I only know one reason why it’s considered 4. You may scare yourself. For some people ask any child in the kindergarten. bad to have a mirror facing the bed. It is connect- “When we suddenly wake up from sleep, to even think that the Electronic cigarettes and other vaping ed with the projection of our astral body when we might scare ourselves when we see our own church could be per- products would outsell tobacco in five years. asleep, but I found a more detailed discussion of reflection in the mirror.” This is possible. suaded to endorse porn Young people are especially attracted to this the subject online by a feng shui specialist named 5. Something green in color might be seen. or abortion is ridicu- new mode of self-destruction and suicide. Victor Cheung in July 2017. Here’s a summary of “Because most mirrors are not ‘perfect mir- lously absurd! The title While the old generation of the 1600s his detailed presentation: rors,’ you may sometimes see a bit of green in the is a satirical statement (when tobacco was first introduced in Brazil 1. It depletes personal energy and creates reflection. And this may startle you. Mirrors do and England) and up to early1900s did not have sleeplessness. not reflect the full spectrum of light.” to highlight the stupid- the scientific information that tobacco was a This is because “the mirror doubles and 6. You may hear strange sounds. ity of the suggestion bounces all sorts of energy. It disrupts the tran- “Mirrors aren’t just for reflecting lights and that the Department factory of diseases and a killer of man, today’s quillity needed in a bedroom for better sleep.” I’m images, it is also for reflecting sounds… The of Health, the very guardian and sentinel of youth, in this informational age, era of comput- not sure if this is true, but no harm in complying. sound is considered a type of ‘Qi’ in feng shui, health of our country, should endorse vaping! ers, and world wide web, have tons of evidence- Nightmares and mirrors bounce the sound back into the room The health experts call it ludicrous. I say it is based data that vaping is no less health destruc- 2. It brings nightmares. as opposed to just absorbing it.” And this may idiotic. tive and is equally deadly than smoking. “When we sleep, our soul (i.e. astral body) affect the quality of your sleep. Vaping is the inhalation and exhalation Let’s review what smoking has done to leaves the (physical) body. When the soul sees How to remedy these problems: of the vapor produced by an electronic ciga- people, which e-cigarettes and vaping would do, its own reflection, it gets startled, hence the “Just cover the mirror facing your bed with a rette or similar device, which is loaded with with equal impunity. bad dreams and nightmares… When the soul cloth, so it doesn’t reflect you and your bed.” toxic chemicals. Since the use of cigarettes has Smoking kills. It is that plain and simple. returns to the body, it may mistake the image in As a last word of advice: Not all react the declined in many countries, vaping, which is no There is no more doubt today that tobacco the mirror from the real body, hence the saying same way to having mirrors in their bedroom. less harmful, is being marketed as a substitute (cigarette smoking) is the predominant cause ‘soul-stealing.’” There is some evidence for the If you are not bothered at all by a mirror facing for smoking. of lung cancer, besides other malignancies and existence of the astral body, and that it travels out your bed, you don’t have to do anything about it. Here are important statements I am cardiovascular diseases that maim, kill men of the physical body during sleep. As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” reprinting from the email this column received and women and hurt our society, especially our 3. You will be alarmed by movements. (Jaime Licauco / inquirer.net) from the disease prevention advocacy agency, children. In the United States alone, almost half “According to the researchers at Washington HealthJustice: a million die each year from smoking-related “It would be the height of absurdity for the illnesses. These are preventable deaths! Demo- Department of Health to endorse vaping. As graphic studies have shown that smokers are No link between the pill and depression, says new study far as the national and international scientific about 10 times more prone to die premature and medical community is concerned, vaping deaths than non-smokers. This unnecessary New research has found that despite some ers sometimes have a higher risk of depression, or the use of electronic cigarettes is not safe loss of lives is at an immense direct cost for women’s concerns, there is no link between hor- however he added that this risk is already there and because these still emit toxic chemicals. And non-smokers in terms of increased health monal birth control and depression. is not linked to their contraception. risks from passive smoking, in higher health Carried out by researchers at The Ohio State “For those patients, it’s important that they it is crucial that the public be informed about University Wexner Medical Center in the United have a good relationship with their healthcare it,” said Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, Board Member insurance premiums and taxes, not to mention States, the team reviewed thousands of studies provider so they can get the appropriate screening of HealthJustice and former Secretary of the personal and family tragedies in all shapes and on the mental health effects of contraceptives, which done, regardless of the medications they’re on,” DoH.” forms. included data on various birth control methods advises Worly. “According to Dr. Domilyn Villarreiz, As we have alluded to in a previous column, including injections, implants and pills. Worly stressed that if other patients are also Smoke-free Program Manager of the South- secondhand smoke is even more dangerous, They also looked at studies which specifically worried about the potential side effects of the pill east Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), equally fatal. looked at the effects of hormonal birth control on these concerns are also valid, and he encourages “studies show that vaping involves the inha- Tobacco use leads to four times as many postpartum women, adolescents and women with a all women to have open conversations with their lation of nicotine at the same levels as ciga- excess deaths annually compared to all other history of depression. doctor to find the contraceptive option that is right rettes and can maintain nicotine addiction. It drugs and alcohol abuse combined, ten times However, in all cases the researchers came to for them. also increases one’s likelihood of developing more than all automobile fatalities per year, the same conclusion: there is insufficient evidence “We live in a media-savvy age where if one or a cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Fetal twelve times more than deaths from AIDS, and to prove a link between birth control and depres- few people have severe side effects, all of a sudden, and adolescent exposure to it has particularly much more than all the American military casu- sion. that gets amplified to every single person,” he said. adverse effects on brain development. These alties (in all wars) in this century put together. “Depression is a concern for a lot of women “The biggest misconception is that birth control are just a few reasons why vaping must also be That’s how dangerous and damaging tobacco is when they’re starting hormonal contraception, par- leads to depression. For most patients that’s just not banned in all public places where smoking is to the human body and to society as a whole. ticularly when they’re using specific types that have the case.” progesterone,” said Dr. Brett Worly, lead author of Nearly 37 million women in the U.S. are also banned.” Today, lung cancer has become the main the study and OB-GYN at Ohio State Wexner Medi- currently using birth control. Sixty-seven percent Aren’t we getting enough polluted, toxic, killer among men and women. Since women cal Center. “Based on our findings, this side effect of current users have chosen a non-permanent air from our environment and illnesses and started “really” smoking in the 1950s, “be- shouldn’t be a concern for most women, and they hormonal method such as an oral pill, however 30 deaths from smoking tobacco that we have to cause it was glamorized in ads by actresses should feel comfortable knowing they’re making a percent have discontinued their use due to dissatis- acquire another habit to inhale more toxins and models as a sophisticated and fashionable safe choice.” faction with potential side effects. (inquirer.net) and harm our body even greater? When do we habit,” lung cancer in females has increased Worly noted that teens and pregnant moth- stop being masochistic and self-destructive? at least six-fold, an alarming rate, with death As for the “pushers” of vaping, I would sus- rate comparable to that in males. Women also pect that they are the same mindless and un- have added risks: osteoporosis, thrombophle- conscionable sectors of our society, the greedy bitis (vein inflammation and blood clot forma- HOROSCOPE entrepreneurs and money-hungry politicians tion), arthritis, infertility, cervical cancer, and http://www.starlightastrology.com who supported and promoted the use of to- menstrual irregularities. Pregnant smokers bacco, who would again financially profit from face miscarriages, stillbirths, low-birth weight Aries Libra the misery their fellowmen will experience and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) (Mar. 21- April 20) (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) with vaping. Much like those who, historically, babies. Almost 30,000 female lives are snuffed Help others solve their dilemmas. Don’t be Don’t be too quick to react. Make your had pushed for tobacco use and also those now out every year as a result of smoking. Of the too shy to promote your own interests. You can intentions perfectly clear and find out exactly pushing to legalize recreational marijuana. 4 billion cigarette-related deaths in the world make adjustments in your domestic scene this what is expected of you. You’ll be an emotional Vaping a safer alterntive? Going from ciga- each year, about half a billion are women. It is week. Changes regarding your career direction basket case this week. Don’t take any comments rette smoking to vaping is just like jumping out now the top killer among women. Today, one will payoff handsomely. too seriously. Unrealistic promises will only get Your lucky day this week will be Sunday. you in trouble. of a frying pan on to the fire. It does not make woman dies from cigarette-related illness every Your lucky day this week will be Thursday. sense. The only rational way to quit breathing three minutes! Taurus in more toxic air from our present poison- Shall we look the other way and allow e- (Apr. 21- may 21) Scorpio contaminated atmosphere is to stop inhaling cigarette and vaping to replicate the pandemic You need to enjoy the company of those who (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) from another source of toxic chemicals, like in of misery and deaths with tobacco? enjoy the same pastimes. Take care of matters You need to concentrate on solving existing vaping. Visit philipSchua.com Email: scalpel- involving institutions or government agencies. problems. You may not be happy if members This is just plain common sense. No doc- [email protected] of your family are not pulling their weight. You may find yourself changing crowds. Time to torate degree needed to understand this. Just deal with institutional environments, government The knowledge you have will enhance your agencies, and matters of a private nature this reputation. Use your charm to get your own way. week. Your lucky day this week will be Monday. Your lucky day this week will be Tuesday. Sagittarius KrosWord Gemini (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) (Source: Classic Pilipino Krosword, as edited by Ramon S. Lorenzo) (May 22-June 21) Try not to hurt your partner’s feelings. Try PAHALANG You won’t get the reaction you want from your to make amends by planning a nice dinner for mate this week. Don’t let the erratic behavior two. Travel could turn out to be more exciting 1 Kagyat of someone you live with interfere with your than you imagined. Tone down and put some 6 United Kingdom professional performance. Be cautious and use of that hard earned cash into a safe, long-term 9 Reaksyon ng pag-ayaw your head wisely in situations that deal with investment. 10 Birhen the use of machinery or vehicles. If they’re too Your lucky day this week will be Sunday. 12 Tipo ng dugo demanding, reconsider this union. 13 Anumang bagay na Your lucky day this week will be Sunday. Capricorn nadadampot (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) 15 North America Cancer Try not to lend or borrow money or belongings (June 22-July 22) this week. You will find that unfinished projects 16 Uri ng isda You can prosper if you in vest in property or at home will be most satisfying. Your boss won’t 18 Sinta mutual funds. You could expand your circle of be too thrilled if you leave things unfinished. 20 Dampa friends if you get involved in unusual activities. Your sensitivity toward those you love will 21 Pangalang pambabae This could be a serious relation ship. Do not give capture their hearts. 23 Anyaya your heart to someone who may not live up to Your lucky day this week will be Sunday. 25 Sagot your standards. 26 Panawag-pansin Your lucky day this week will be Thursday. Aquarius 27 Uri ng prutas (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) 29 Ikaw Leo Don’t blame others for your own (July 23-Aug 22) stubbornness. Travel will result in new romantic 30 Hindi makatingin sa Your energetic nature and ability to initiate attractions. Your ideas may be a little ahead of malakas na liwanag projects will add to your popularity. Avoid being their time; don’t push them, instead just continue 31 Tila yata intimately involved with clients or colleagues. working on development. Some time spent with 33 Simbolo ng Arsenic Not the best day for business trips. Don’t beat that special someone should be your intent. 34 Kawad around the bush; state your case in plain and Your lucky day this week will be Tuesday. simple terms. Your lucky day this week will be Thursday. Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) PABABA Virgo Do not yield to children or relatives when they (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) really don’t deserve it. Think twice before you 2 Matang nasuntok upang makabuo ng isang 24 Kaisang-dibdib You should channel your efforts into getting agree to take on any new projects. Relationships 3 Inuming nakalalango yunit 25 Talas rid of bad habits. You have been going through will form if you get out and do things that you 4 Ukit 12 Sombra 26 Uri ng gulay a period of change that has caused problems enjoy. You can’t always have your own way. 5 Hulapi 14 Pritong saging na may arina 28 Pikon for you with your loved ones. Your partner may Your lucky day this week will be Monday. 7 Baluktot ang likod 17 Isang barangay sa Tanza, 32 Pandiin salita be erratic this week if you haven’t paid enough 8 Isla sa Southern Cavite attention to him or her. You will be able to Caribbean sea 19 Tili communicate well this week. 10 Madasalin 22 Pagpukaw sa natutulog Answers to this week’s Krosword Your lucky day this week will be Friday. 11 Pagpatong ng isang bagay na damdamin on NEXT WEEK’S issue B6 FilAm Star March 8 - 14, 2018 entertainment It’s the first time the Oscars Oscar ratings plunge to record low have drawn fewer than 30 million Baron Geisler detained in Angeles City for threatening in-law people in Nielsen records that go back to 1974. The Academy ANGELES CITY – Actor police custody at 3:30 p.m. after him to come out. They live in Awards are often the most- Baron Geisler had been arrested a resident in Barangay Pulung neighboring apartments at Cruz watched television program of the and charged on Monday after- Maragul called authorities to Avenue. year after the Super Bowl, but this noon for threatening to kill his pacify the actor. Geisler posted a photo of year’s Winter Olympics opening his bruised face on Instagram ceremony from Pyeongchang on Saturday (Mar. 3), saying reached 27.8 million. he was beaten up by a family The previous low-water mark member. for the Oscars came in 2008, Morales said the actor when “No Country For Old Men” was “totally drunk” when he won best picture. barged into the room of Mo- Only four years ago the Oscar rales’ wife and daughter as they reached nearly 44 million view- were dressing up for a party ers. The biggest Academy Awards on Friday (Mar. 2). Aside from audience on record came in 1998, (Photo: www.playtech.co) when the blockbuster “Titanic” hurting the feelings of Morales’ was named best picture. daughter, Geisler allegedly van- NEW YORK, — Television 33 million who watched the 2017 The Academy Awards can dalized their fence prompting viewers could barely stifle a yawn show, which was also hosted by keep bragging rights over other him to confront the actor. for Hollywood’s biggest night, Jimmy Kimmel. Oscar viewer- awards shows. The Golden Globes Geisler was charged for with the Academy Awards plung- ship is often tied to the box office reached 19 million viewers in Baron Geisler grave threats, alarm and ing to a record-low viewership of muscle of the big nominees, and January and the Grammys had an (Photo: www.cosmo.ph scandal and illegal possession 26.5 million people. best picture winner “The Shape of audience of 19.8 million, Nielsen of a bladed weapon before the The Nielsen company said Water” only grossed $57.4 million said. (inquirer.net) brother-in-law with a kitchen According to the police, Angeles City prosecutor. Geisler that’s a 20 percent drop from the in the United States. knife, the police reported on the actor kicked the gate of has been detained at the police’s Tuesday. Michael Robin Stone Morales, Station 3. (Tonette Orejas / Geisler, 35, was taken into his sister’s husband, daring inquirer.net) U.S. rapper discovers ‘deep, rich’ Asian cultures while making docu-series American rapper Lupe Fiasco your docuseries’ development? It me (laughs). is learning about Asia through was borne out of me going back What interesting things are his production company in Hong and forth in Asia, thinking what you learning about Asian cul- What Liza Soberano wants to prove aside from being ‘just a beautiful face’ Kong, Studio SV, and a new do- I can teach you and also learn tures? One thing I’ve learned is Even as she took the top Soberano told Abunda. “Be- cuseries, “Beat N Path.” Choosing from Asian culture. And one of how deep, rich and overlapping spot in the “100 Most Beautiful cause eventually, the beauty will China for the location of his new the things I did as a child and up they are. When you feel you’ve got Faces 0f 2017” list, Liza Sober- go away. I will age and I won’t project was an easy choice, ac- to my teenage years was martial one thing figured out, you learn ano wants to be recognized for look the same as I do now and cording to the hip-hop artist. arts. My father was a martial arts that it’s really just the entry point something more. what legacy can I leave behind “In my adult life, it was like, master [who] trained hundreds to 15 other kinds of cultures. The Filipino-American to everybody to make them ‘I want to go to China—I want of students all over Chicago. He In China, traveling through actress and one-half of the remember me.” to visit the people.’ So that’s the always told us that if he had the those places, you see the vast- reason, personally,” he told the opportunity, he would go back ness, the richness of it. I don’t LizQuen love team admitted Liza’s advice to Janella Inquirer in a phone interview. and learn at the source (Asia). So think anybody can figure out that she’s not satisfied to be Salvador, Joshua Garcia “Studio SV … is me and my that became our focus. [Bon- Asia. I think it’s … meant to be an seen only as a pretty face. Soberano, who has long business partner and producer nie and I] talked about the idea everlasting kind of discovery, not “People always say that I’m been friends with fellow Bonnie Chan Woo,” elaborated Fi- of putting something together only of the people and the culture, just a beautiful face. So imme- Kapamilya stars Janella Sal- asco, whose real name is Wasalu … like, “What we can do here is but also about yourself and how it diately, I knew what I wanted. vador and Julia Barretto, also Muhammad Jaco. “It’s a company experience different things and affects you. I wanted to be recognized to expressed her care for them [for] digital content, TV and film try to go to different masters and How would you describe be more than that,” she said in through some love advice. production. ‘Beat N Path’ is our learn the different arts”—and we the show biz industry when you her interview with talk show For Salvador, Soberano said first production.” (It will air lo- did it and put it all on camera. started, and now? I started right host Boy Abunda in “Tonight it is important to “love herself” Liza Soberano cally on Kix, starting March 8, 9 What made doing the show before the internet. I got my first (Photo: www.thefamouspeople. p.m.) in China easy for your team? It record out, I think in 2000, and With Boy Abunda”, which aired first. She explained, “Dapat com) Monday. kumpletuhin muna niya yung The 2008 Grammy win- was very easy to shoot there. The there was no social media what- She admitted that what she sarili niya (She should com- ner for best urban/alternative people, the masters and the dif- soever. wanted in life is to make a name plete herself first). She should is actually for Barretto’s love performance for the song “Day- ferent schools were very willing to Now, people may be inter- for herself. But to achieve this make herself whole before she team partner Joshua Garcia. dreamin’,” Fiasco said that he kinda teach and show us foreign- ested in the music content but she said she knows she has to loves somebody.” However, “‘Wag masyadong strikto (Don’t hopes that his company becomes ers their art. they also want to know what your work hard in her TV projects when asked about the real score be too strict),” Soberano said a top content provider in Asia: What didn’t make it in the personal life is [like] … what you “A lot of content is shifting from final edit? The first season is just are doing, what you are eating. and films. between Salvador and Elmo with a smile. On the question traditional television so we are three episodes but there’s a a lot As an artist, you should be very “I have to work hard to Magalona, who are rumored to of whether she approves of the focusing on social media, film and of information, entertainment honest with yourself, about how actor for her friend Barretto, show people that I’m more than be a couple, Soberano said she just any avenue that we can put and emotions … We shot a lot of you want to be positioned in this what they see physically; that does not know. she said, “Whoever she’s happy ourselves in.” stuff, and there were many things new era. (Oliver Pulumbarito / I’m talented, and that I care As for Barretto, Soberano with, I’m happy with as well.” Excerpts from the chat: that [weren’t included in] the inquirer.net) and have empathy for people,” told Abunda that her advice (inquirer.net) How would you describe show, which was very painful for March 8 - 14, 2018 FilAm Star B7 entertainment GMA News pillar Jessica Soho is first-ever Filipino Myx TV’s “My Motto: Veterans Edition” named to be named as NYF Best News Anchor finalist 2018 NAMIC Vision Awards finalist GMA News Pillar Jessica Soho marks another newscast took home the Certificate for Creative milestone in Philippine broadcast history, this Excellence from the same award-giving body for time around becoming the very first Filipino news its episode on the outcome of Typhoon Sendong. anchor to become a finalist at the prestigious New In 2013, GMA Network’s coverage of Super York Festivals Television & Film Awards. Typhoon Yolanda—including that of SONA—won Soho is shortlisted in the Best News Anchor the prestigious George Foster Peabody Awards. category for GMA News TV’s flagship newscast The said award is considered as the Oscars of State of the Nation broadcast and with Jessica Soho electronic journal- (SONA). ism. Soho holds Soho also the distinction of hosts the top- being the coun- rating magazine try’s most awarded show Kapuso Mo, Clockwise from top left: Myx TV General Manager Miguel Santos executive produced “My Motto: Veterans Edi- tion”; the show has been nominated in 2018 by Cynopsis Short Form Video Awards and NAMIC Vision Awards; broadcast journal- Jessica Soho and Myx TV’s “My Motto: Veterans Edition” Digital Producer Diana Vergara, second from left, is shown with Team ist with nearly 300 is the chief corre- Rubicon COO Art dela Cruz, comedian Thom Tran and National Veterans Foundation Women Veteran Outreach local awards and spondent/ host of Coordinator Leaphy Kim whose stories were showcased in the NAMIC-nominated special. (Photos by Justin more than 30 in- the investigative Baker) ternational awards news magazine to date. program Brigada. LOS ANGELES, CA, March 5, 2018 – After It collaborates with industry partners to grow and She is also Kapuso Mo, nabbing finalist nods for its shows, “Discovering nurture a workforce that reflects the cultural rich- the first Filipina Jessica Soho re- Routes” and “My Motto: Veterans Edition” at the ness of the populations served. recipient of the mains as the most- 2018 Cynopsis Short Form Video Festival & Confer- “For 25 years, NAMIC has been proudly highly acclaimed watched show on ence, Myx TV, the leading English-language Asian recognizing achievements in multicultural pro- George Foster its time block, and American entertainment network, through “My gramming,” Eglon E. Simons, president and CEO, Peabody Award at the same time is Motto: Veterans Edition” was announced also as NAMIC, was quoted in the NAMIC release. “We for her documen- always one of the finalist in the Digital Media-Short Form category at celebrate this year’s nominees and encourage their taries on the illegal trending topics the 2018 National Association for Multi-Ethnicity work advancing diversity on screen and behind-the- trade of kidneys in the Philippines in Communications (NAMIC) Vision Awards, scenes.” and the harrowing every Sunday presented in partnership with NAMIC Southern With an outstanding 16 nominations, HBO plight of Filipino night. Recent data California. leads the contenders participating in this year’s boxers. She is a gathered by the “My Motto: Veterans Edition” is a television NAMIC Vision Awards, according to the same 7-time recipient of industry’s most- special created in partnership with the national vet- NAMIC release. ABC and Starz earned seven the “Most Trusted trusted ratings erans campaign, Got Your 6, to honor Asian Pacific nominations each, followed by ESPN garnering News Presenter” service provider American veterans. The special was produced by six. Overall, 31 networks/distributors generated 81 Myx TV Digital Producer Diana Vergara and execu- nominations for NAMIC Vision Awards presented award of Reader’s Nielsen TV Audi- tive produced by Myx TV General Manager Miguel in 17 categories: Animation, Best Performance – Digest Asia. ence Measure- Santos who was recently accepted as a voting Comedy, Best Performance – Drama, Children’s, Known for ment showed member of the prestigious Academy of Television Comedy, Digital Media – Long Form, Digital Media giving depth and that KMJS was Arts & Sciences (ATAS or The Television Academy), – Short Form, Documentary, Drama, Foreign context to news Jessica Soho the most watched the organization that presents the Primetime Emmy Language, Lifestyle, News/Informational, Original headlines, State (Photo courtesy of GMA Pinoy TV) GMA program Awards, an annual ceremony honoring achievement Movie or Special, Reality, Reality – Social Issues, of the Nation nationwide for the in U.S. primetime television. Sports, and Variety/Talk Show. Original programs with Jessica Soho whole month of “My Motto: Veterans Edition” is going up having aired from November 1, 2016 to November remains one of the most trusted news programs February. against: 30, 2017 were eligible for consideration. on Philippine television today. In documentary program Brigada, on the Digital Media Winners will be recognized in New York City Over the years, SONA’s credibility in han- other hand, Soho leads the next generation of - Short Form 30 for 30 Shorts: 24 Strong – on April 3, 2018 as part of The Multicultural TV dling interviews has already caught the attention “Brigada” reporters as they discuss relevant sto- ESPN Summit, an event exploring the business of target- of foreign and local newsmakers. In 2013, Soho ries and issues. - Christine’s Story: Raising Awareness About ing segments for TV and video. For more informa- was the only media professional invited by the A member of the GMA family throughout her Domestic Violence - NBC Asian American tion on the Multicultural Summit visit www.multi- United Nations (UN) for a one-on-one interview career, Soho started as a news reporter cover- - Local, USA: K-Town ’92: Reporters - World culturaltvsummit.com . For a complete list of the with then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon ing the military and defense beats. In 1991, her Channel 25th Annual NAMIC Vision Awards nominees, visit during his visit to the Philippines in the aftermath report on the hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley in - My Motto: Veterans Edition - Myx TV http://namic.com/visionawards/2018nominees/ . of Super Typhoon Yolanda. northern Philippines earned a Bronze Award in - The NBC Latino 20 - NBC Latino Myx TV is a network owned and operated by SONA won a Silver Screen Award at the the New York Film and Television Festival. She NAMIC is the premier organization focusing ABS-CBN International, a subsidiary of ABS-CBN 2013 U.S. International Film and Video Festival served as First Vice President for News Programs on cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Corporation which is the largest Filipino media and (USIFVF) for its special coverage of the 2012 of GMA Network until 2014. communications industry. Its mission is to develop entertainment network in the world. For more on monsoon rains. A year before that, the evening a pipeline of diverse talent from which the next Myx TV, visit https://myxtv.com/ . generation of industry leadership will be selected. B8 FilAm Star March 8 - 14, 2018 entertainment ‘Pilipinas Got Talent’ sexy girl group hits back at Angel Sharon Cuneta receives pick-me-up gift from ‘baby Locsin; actress responds to slut-shaming accusation girl’ Kris Aquino after heart-to-heart talk An all-girl group appears to the show: “Kaya nga carwash her opinion as slut-shaming. be lashing out at Angel Locsin ang concept e alangan mag-pyja- A netizen, @dmraesguerra, There is nothing a good you feel like she really wants to owning a pair. after she rejected their audition ma at jacket kami. Hindi ka ata via Twitter said, “if @143redan- friend can’t help fix, and this is know, not just to make conver- “Right now, aside from my in a talent show. nabrief ng ‘PGT’ na sila nagcon- gel were really there to empower exactly the case between Mega sations,” wrote Cuneta. “Last fans, family, and other friends The group called Playgirls tact samin at sila din nagbigay women such as Playgirls, she Star Sharon Cuneta and Queen night and today, I just poured who love me, Kris has made me danced in a carwash set up ng concept. Tanong-tanong could’ve refrained herself from of All Media Kris Aquino. my heart out to her. Because I feel special. Much more than where they performed sexually muna ateng bago magsalita.” slut shaming. It’s their body Cuneta seemed to be in low didn’t do anything wrong at all just ‘enough.’” suggestive moves. (That’s why the concept was after all; and they loved and are spirits after her Rated The Playgirls during their carwash, as if we’d wear pyja- proud of what they did.” K interview with Korina audition on “Pilipinas Got mas or a jacket. “PGT” doesn’t Locsin responded, “There is Sanchez, which aired on Talent”. Image: Facebook/@ seem to have briefed you; they no such thing as a ‘slut’ or ‘non- Sunday, was misinter- pilipinasgottalent.pg were the ones who contacted us slut.’ There are WOMEN.” preted by some people, Locsin gave them a no on and gave the concept. Ask first GABRIELA lauds Locsin Cuneta said. The inter- the grounds that she did not before speaking.) Women’s rights group view tackled her past want them to be objectified. Yuna Love Lee wrote in a Gabriela applauded the ac- flame Gabby Concep- “Kung may talent kayo, ’yun ang now-deleted post, “Makapag- tress’ move to speak up for the cion and, according to ipakita niyo sa ’min dahil talent salita akala mo naman di siya women. Cuneta’s post a day ago, ang hinahanap namin dito, nagsuot ng sexy… Nung nag- They said in a statement, she thought what she hindi katawan. Kaya ko kayo Darna nga siya naka bra’t panty “GABRIELA commends movie/ said during the inter- binuzz, ayaw kong ma-objectify lang din siya. Buti nga may suot television star Angel Locsin view were all with good kayo.” pa kaming damit eh. Hahaha for her firm stance against the intentions. Cuneta did (If you have talent, show it yoko na! Sana pala nagbestida objectification of women as not name the person(s) to us because that’s what we’re nalang kame.” (She talks as if exemplified by her recent state- who apparently misin- looking for, not bodies. I buzzed she’s never worn something ment in a local talent show on terpreted her interview. you because I don’t want you to sexy… When she was Darna she national TV.” “Akala ko ang ganda be objectified.) was only in a bra and panty. At “Women’s objectification ganda ng ma sinabi ko While the Playgirls mem- least we were wearing clothes. is widespread because it brings sa interview ni Korina sa bers barely spoke in front of the Whatever! We should’ve worn in huge corporate and private akin. Aba may baligtad judges — apart from Locsin, dresses instead.) profit. It is also a profitable ang pagkaka-interpret. they include Robin Padilla, Vice Darlene Domingo said in a endeavor for unscrupulous poli- Nakakalungkot. Akala Ganda and Freddie M. Garcia — post that has been taken down, ticians who use women’s bodies ko makakabuti. Hindi (L-R) Kris Aquino and Sharon Cuneta they had much to say on social “Iniyak mo e! Easy lang mga to gain favor from powerful (Photo: www. chisms.net) pala,” wrote Cuneta in media, as reflected on Facebook bashers. Hindi naman kami figures or entities or to trivialize dismay. “Ang dami pang accounts appearing to be theirs. naghubad sa PGT.” (You cried pressing social issues by using nangialam sa kabila. Nakakalo- and in fact expected a totally This sweet gesture remind- Camsi Sierra, the most vocal about it! Take it easy, bashers. sex as entertainment.” of the four during the audi- We didn’t strip down on PGT.) Incidentally, the dance ka. Akala ko pa naman matot- different reaction from certain ed Cuneta yet again “to focus on tion said in her Facebook post, However, Domingo has group is the same one, albeit ouch siya. Aba mali ang akala people who watched the Rated those who love me, who think “Walanjo bakit umiyak yun? since apologized on behalf of the with different members, that ko. Nakakapanghinayang!” K interview.” not only well but highly of me Pasalamat ka nga nagbra at women on her Facebook page. performed in a Liberal Party (I thought what I said in Cuneta then shared that as a human being. Because in panty pa kami. Ikaw nga diyan She stated, “Kung anuman mga event last 2015. It was thrown by my interview with Korina was she woke up to a message from the end, they ARE the ones who nag-Darna, may nude picture sinabi ng kagrupo ko pag pasen- then Metropolitan Manila De- beautiful. Turns out it was in- Aquino saying she sent some- matter the most.” ka pa na halos hubad na. Buti sa syahan n’yo na lang po. Bilang velopment Authority (MMDA) terpreted in the opposite. How thing to her and hoped it would Meanwhile, it can be balat namin concern ka sa sarili kagrupo nila, ako na po ang chair Francis Tolentino. The saddening. I thought it was for make her feel better. The pack- remembered that Cuneta also mong balat wala.” humihingi ng dispensa ..sorry po controversial performance, al- the better. Apparently not. A lot age turned out to be fur Gucci sent Aquino a designer gift her (Why did she cry? You lahat ng bashers namin.” legedly a “birthday gift,” led him of people from the other side loafers and a Gucci “Marmont’ way a few days ago in the form should be thankful that we wore (Whatever my group mem- to resign from the political party were nosy, too. Crazy. I thought velvet bag. of an Oscar dela Renta sweater. a bra and panty. You played bers said, I apologize for them. and as MMDA chairperson. he would be touched. I was “When the packages arrived Aquino was then found gushing the role of Darna, you have a As their group member, I ask “We call on more public wrong. What a waste!) kasi not just one thing pala over Cuneta’s gift, which she nude photo where you’re nearly for forgiveness. Sorry to all our personalities like Ms Locsin Aquino, it seems, knew – my smile could’ve torn my called “simply BEYOND.” naked. Good thing you’re con- bashers.) to use their power to influ- exactly how to cheer Cuneta up. cheeks up!” “Thank you, my dearest cerned about our skin when you Locsin accused of slut- ence public opinion to promote Cuneta shared last night on In- It turns out, Cuneta had Kris,” expressed Cuneta in aren’t about yours.) shaming women’s rights,” Gabriela stagram that whenever she and planned to buy the Gucci bag gratitude. “Especially for the Locsin played Darna in the Locsin’s concern seemed appealed. “[S]omething that is Aquino text or chat, she always before but it was unfortunately prayers you say for me more 2005 GMA Network TV series; not only to be on their wardrobe badly needed particularly today lets her known how she is feel- out of stock. She also shared than once a day. Tons and tons the superhero is known for her choice but that they could be amidst the misogyny wantonly ing because Aquino always asks that back in the 1990s, the of love always and big big hugs body-baring costume. perceived as sexual objects. being displayed by the highest her how she is. Gucci loafers were her “uniform from your Ate S.” (Cody Cepeda Camsi also claimed that the While some netizens agreed officials of the land.” (Nina V. “And in a way that makes of sorts,” with daughter KC also / inquirer.net) concept came from those behind with her point, some interpreted Guno / inquirer.net)