Martial Law in Mindanao Rosaries on dashboard banned OJ released in July CONGRATULATIONS ! Ms. Edwina Aniag and Mr. Gary De Guzman of FilAm Star Newspaper for receiving the Commendation Award from Supervisor David Canepa for their outstanding community work and contribution. PH NEWS | A3 PH NEWS | A4 LEGAL & LAW | B4 WEEKLY ISSUE 70 CITIES IN 11 STATES ONLINE Vol. IX Issue 424 1028 Mission Street, 2/F, San Francisco, CA 94103 Tel. (415) 593-5955 or (650) 278-0692 [email protected] May 25 - 31, 2017 Despite China’s threat of war, Malacanang says there was ‘no bullying’ By Daniel llanto | FilAm Star Correspondent In an apparent bid to calm the there would be war between the Phil- nationalistic outrage triggered by ippines and China if the former tried a supposed war threat from China to explore for oil in a stretch of the that President Duterte took in stride, South China Sea that both countries newly-designated Foreign Affairs Sec. claim. Alan Peter Cayetano and Philippine Not a few observers were Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Ro- enraged by the supposed Chinese mana suggested that President Rodri- leader’s threat, which came when go Duterte may have erred or spoke the Philippines is supposed to push out of context when he recounted the Beijing to comply with the Permanent warning uttered in a meeting with the Court of Arbitration’s decision award- Chinese leader. ing the disputed territories to the Cayetano said there were no Philippines last year. such threats or bullying in talks last In his speech at the 33rd national week between leaders of China and convention of the Philippine Coast the Philippines which were only frank Guard Auxiliary in Davao City, Du- and friendly. In a speech on May terte recalled his meeting with Xi: “I (L-R) DFA Sec. Alan Cayetano, Justice Antonio Carpio, and Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana 22, Duterte said that Xi warned him TO PAGE A7 (Photos: www.beyonddeadlines.com / www.sc.judiciary.gov.ph / www. dwiz882am.com) Duterte to undertake first official visit to Russia Senators react to government’s rejection MANILA, May 21 -- Presi- indication of our strong com- of EU development aid dent Rodrigo Duterte is slated to mon desire to enhance and By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent conduct an official visit to Russia strengthen bilateral relations,” from May 23 to 26 upon the Natividad said, noting that the The Philippine government should invitation of Russian President bilateral ties between the two ensure that poor communities will not Vladimir Putin. countries is still at a “nascent suffer after it decided to reject devel- In a pre-departure brief- stage” despite celebrating 40 opment aid from the European Union ing in Malacañang on May 19, years of bilateral ties last year. (EU), said senators on Thursday. Department of Foreign Affairs “The relations can be best While it is the prerogative of any (DFA) Assistant Sec. Maria described as cordial, albeit, state to refuse to accept help from its Cleofe Natividad said Duterte’s modest in scope and depth. friends abroad and the international upcoming visit to Russia is ex- Thus, we consider this visit as a community, Senator Francis “Kiko” pected to mark a new chapter in landmark that will send a strong Pangilinan said the government should the bilateral relations between message of the Philippines’ com- guarantee that all existing and ongoing the Philippines and Russia. mitment to seek new partner European Union aid programs benefit (L-R) Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and Pres. Vladimir Putin “We also see this visit as an TO PAGE A7 TO PAGE A7 EU Ambassador Franz Jessen (Photo: www.takeoharada.com) (Photo: www.vovworld.vn) Dutertenomics powers PH ahead of Vietnam, Indonesia Richest & poorest in PH senate according to SALN By William Casis | FilAm Star Correspondent By Lara Climaco | FilAm Star Correspondent Despite its slowdown, the Phil- nounced its Q1 data. Ernesto Pernia said in a statement. ippine economy outperformed both Philippine GDP grew by 6.8 per- “Also, the changing of the guards Vietnam and Indonesia, and emerged cent and 6.6 percent during the first of the administration and reorientation second only to China with the 6.4 per- and fourth quarters of 2016, respec- of programs typically take some time cent growth in gross domestic product tively. to settle, and this slowed government (GDP) during the first quarter of this “Our first quarter performance spending for the quarter. Note, how- year, the National Economic and De- bodes well for the economy as it is ever that this was better than during velopment Authority (NEDA) reported broadly in line with this year’s gov- the previous administration where last week. ernment target of 6.5-7.5 percent. government consumption spending The Chinese economy grew by 6.9 It is, however, lower than desiredly and public construction contracted percent during the first quarter, while expected, and this may be explained by about 15 percent and 37 percent, Vietnam reported GDP growth at 5.1 by the base effects. That is, growth last respectively,” he added. percent and Thailand, at 3.3 percent, year was high due to election spending, The services sector continues to according to the government planning the impact of which has already dis- drive the Philippine economy as it (L-R) Sen. Cynthia Villar, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV (Photo: www.abante.com.ph) agency. It noted India had not yet an- sipated,” Socio-economic Planning Sec. TO PAGE A7 TO PAGE A7 A2 FilAm Star May 25 - 31, 2017 ph news Journalist group slams state media for ‘fake news’ Congress warns PAL, Cebu Pacific By Daniel Llanto | FilAm Star Correspondent Members of the working “Our concern over the use of “fake.” vs. costly fares, delayed flights press are up in arms against the PNA to legitimize fake news also “Worse, these were reported By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent government-run Philippine News stems from the possible implica- not once but twice, with slight Agency (PNA) for purveying fake tions this poses on the profession- rewriting in the second version, stories” that they personally ex- news to make it appear that no al reputations and yes, the safety as witness below, in an apparent perienced, such as costly airfares, extra-judicial killings ever takes of our many upright colleagues (to our mind) attempt at slightly especially for same day purchase place in the Philippines as an who work for the venerable news shifting the focus from that of the and flight bookings, and flights offshoot of President Rodrigo agency and continue, despite the first article, which was so obvi- delayed from two hours to as Duterte’s war on illegal drugs. challenges they face, to keep it ously – we are sorry but there is long as five to six hours, without The National Union of reputable and worthy of people’s no other term applicable – fake passengers being compensated Journalists of the Philippines trust,” the NUJP said in the letter from the get-go,” they said. with even snacks or water for the (NUJP) wondered sarcastically of protest to PCOO’s Andanar NUJP then cited the data- inconvenience they bore. if it has become a mandate of the who had a tiff with reporters a base of UPR recommendations “Riding an airplane is meant Presidential Communications number of times. prepared by the non-governmen- to be convenient and time ef- Operations Office (PCOO), which ficient. Recent developments, supervises the PNA, to dispense however, show that air travel is fake news and spread falsehood not how it was envisioned to be. to make the Duterte administra- Today, it has become a reality tion look good. (L-R) Rep. Vicente Veloso and House Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas for everyone, everyone who can NUJP told PCOO Sec. Martin (Photos: www.newsflash.org / www.congress.gov.ph) handle the possibility of inconve- Andanar: “We do understand the House Majority Leader Ro- trict, Leyte) and Victoria Isabel nience; everyone who can face the need for PNA and other state- dolfo Fariñas (1st District, Ilocos Noel (Party-list, AN WARAY). risk of long delays; and everyone affiliated media outfits to project Norte) warned on May 22 Philip- The committee called for an who can afford the high price of as strongly as possible the gov- pines Airlines (PAL) and Cebu inquiry, in aid of legislation, on tickets,” Sarmiento said. ernment’s side on current issues Pacific Airlines that Congress will what they call as “excessive and Sarmiento reminded anew and controversies. But does this review their franchises if they do opportunistic” airfares collected the airline companies that before include peddling falsehoods?” not address complaints of costly by major airlines, particularly the anything else, a public transport The media organization was airfare and delayed flight. PAL and Cebu Pacific. is first and foremost a public pertaining to two articles that the “Tell your corporate bosses The costly airline fares issue service, and a business venture PNA uploaded on its website. The that I will review your franchise. was compounded by numerous second. first one was titled “95 na- We can amend your franchise complaints from lawmakers and He urged the Civil Avia- tions in 3rd UPR convinced no anytime. You make a killing, and their constituents about long tion Authority of the Philippines EJKs in PHL,” published on May we are at your mercy. You are delayed flights. (CAAP), Manila International Air- 15. The second, published on taking advantage of the riding Veloso said the Civil port Authority (MIAA), Mactan- May 20, was titled “PHL’s human public,” said Fariñas.