Volume XXVIIi, No. 4 April 2010 www.filipinostar.org Philippines to elect next president Noynoy, Mar ratings Only nine percent said they have “small/no trust” in Aquino, a surge in latest poll significant drop of five points from 14 MANILA, Philippines - The trust percent last February. ratings of Liberal Party (LP) standard- Meanwhile, 74 percent said bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino they had “big trust” in Roxas, or a four- III and running mate Sen. Manuel point increase from 70 percent. “Mar” Roxas II have surged in the This makes Roxas still the homestretch of the campaign for the most trusted public official and May 10 polls, according to a recent candidate in the upcoming elections, survey by independent pollster Pulse Pulse Asia said. Asia Inc. The Aquino-Roxas tandem has Results of the survey consistently led surveys on voter conducted from March 21 to 28 among preference for the May 10 polls as early 3,000 respondents showed Aquino as September last year. In comparison, leading the pack of presidential their rivals in the May 10 national candidates in terms of trust rating by elections had lower trust rating from voters, with 69 percent saying they Filipino voters. have “big trust” in the LP presidential Only 61 percent of voters have bet. “big trust” in Nacionalista Party Aquino’s rating was up five points from 64 percent in the February See Page 4 Philippine Elections survey. Balanced reforms planned for Canada’s asylum system Ottawa, March 30, 2010 - Legislation to improve Canada’s asylum system deliver quicker decisions on asylum claims and provide faster protection to those in need was introduced today by Contents Citizenship, Immigration and Editorial . p. 2 Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “This balanced reform would Cooperative News . p. 3 both increase support forrefugees in need of protection and discourage Environment. ..p. 6-7 many of the unfounded asylum claims that burden our system,” said Minister Health Matters . p 23 Kenney. “These changes would result in faster protection for those who need our help and quicker removals of those Ask The Video Guy . p.10 who do not.” As the Auditor General of which results in many claims taking broken,” said Minister Kenney. “We Health News . .. .p. 16 Canada has said, delays in rendering years to resolve with finality. These must act to avoid a two-tier immigration final decisions on asylum claims leave delays encourage people not in need system: one for immigrants who wait in Philippine Cuisine . .p. 15 the system open to abuse. Canada’s of protection to make claims knowing line - often for years - to come to existing system is crippled by long they will be able to live and work in Canada and another for those who use Showbiz Gossip . , .p. 18 Canada for many years. delays and a cumbersome process See Page 4 Immigration reforms “Canada’s asylum system is Classified Ads . p. 21 Inyo ng mabibili ang pangarap ninyong bahay sa madaling panahon sa pamamagitan ng tamang mortgage. www.filipinostar.org 2 The North American Filipino Star April 2010 Minister Finley pleased labour and employment ministers was with discussions at G20 to develop a set of recommendations EDITORIAL Labour and Employment for G20 leaders under three themes: Ministers Meeting 1. job creation and preservation Washington, D.C. , U.S.A., initiatives; Will the Filipino people choose the best April 21, 2010 —The Honourable Diane leader to be their 15th president? Finley, Minister of Human Resources 2. quality of work and social and Skills Development, today led In a few weeks, the 2010 dropping off in favor of other protection; and discussions at a meeting during which Philippine elections will determine the candidates. But what seems to be G20 ministers shared information type of government that will exist for crucial in this election is the ability of 3. preparing the workforce for the about preparing their workforces for the next 6 years. Will it be truly the candidates to explain their post-crisis economy. the post-crisis economy. democratic and committed to improve platforms and the interest of the voters “As a result of the quick action the people’s welfare? Will it begin a to find out more about their Results from the discussions will be undertaken by our Government new era of enligtened leadership? candidates. It will be interesting to see forwarded for G20 leaders’ through our Economic Action Plan, After all the constant accusations and how much the people can appreciate consideration. Canada is leading the G20 as we denials of political crimes, it is difficult the informatrion which they can easily emerge from this recession," said to see how the country can ever get access by means of the internet, Michelle Bakos Diane Finley. "Our Government’s top out of its numerous problems. There mobile phone, newspapers, television Press Secretary priority is to continue creating jobs and are many presidential candidates, but and radio talk shows. In order to be Office of Minister Finley a skilled workforce to lead our everyone of them seems to have some well informed about issues, it just takes 819-994-2482 recovery.” weaknesses that make us doubt a little effort to keep one’s eyes and Media Relations Office Minister Finley noted that G20 whether there is really one leader who ears open to receive valuable countries are all at different stages of can withstand a closer scrutiny of his or information which can be used to Human Resources and Skills development and have different her character. determine which of the candidates can Development Canada experiences. However, despite their As we review the reports from really make the changes that are differences, all countries would like to various sources, there are many more urgently needed to make the 819-994-5559 prepare their citizens for the questions than answers in our mind. Philippines become healthy once more opportunities and challenges of the We wonder how we can help voters to and be considered seriously as a future by helping them acquire the choose the best person for the job. Will developing country in Asia. Advertise in the skills they will need to compete in the voters be smarter or wiser not to vote International observers are North American labour market. The meeting delegates for money but for principles? Will they preparing to leave for the Philippines agreed that their countries’ future Filipino Star be patriotic enough to do their share in soon. It is hoped that the interest of prosperity will depend on employment nation building? Will the person who volunteers and concerned citizens will Call 514-485-7861 and enhanced productivity. gets elected make a genuine effort to help prevent electioneerng and fraud. In Canada, the federal change the direction of the country or We are not so interested in who is government’s Economic Action Plan will he just do the same thing like most actually elected but in seeing that the focuses on building the jobs and of his predecessors? How do we elections are carried out openly and Tulips Festival tour industries of the future. It provides know which of these candidates have cleanly. Perhaps, with the presence of organized by enhanced support for skills moral principles and vision? international observers, the Comelec development, apprenticeships and Gilmore College According to the latest would be obliged to do their job training for Canadian workers. statistics, there are about 50 million diligently. We are hopeful that the Currently, the Government of Canada registered voters. How will these electorate will take their duties more Sunday, May 23, 2010 invests over $4 billion annually for voters select their representatives and seriously and use their knowledge to Time: 7:00 A.M. labour market training and since the future president? How much do vote for the right candidate. Moreover, Assembly place: August 2009, the federal government they know about the issues? Do they it will be gratifying to see the winner of has provided $2.3 billion in loans and Plamondon Metro have any interest in understanding the this election to be a person with an grants to nearly 400,000 students. (Van Horne Exit) issues and vote for someone who unquestionable integrity, moral “We are confident that this will shares their values and beliefs? Or will principles and vision, one who can Return to Montreal: 7 p.m. best help us to meet our goal of they let a rich candidate buy their votes establish a government that will serve creating the best educated, most again? How much knowledge about the people’s needs, a government that Call 514-485-7861 skilled, and most flexible workforce,” their candidates do they have now that is open, transparent, and responsible. said Minister Finley. for ticket reservations will allow them to vote wisely? We must all do our part in making sure In September 2009, G20 There are many issues which that we participate in the public forum leaders directed labour and are cited often in the media such as. and discussion of issues. Even though employment ministers to assess the population control, corruption, we are away from the scene of the evolving employment situation and the constitutional change, foreign elections, we can still play a role in impact of policies their countries have investments, poverty problem, but some other ways like getting others already adopted, and the need for they seem to have not been debated interested in discussing the issues that additional measures to create good enough to make the voters see clearly affect people’s lives. By continuing to jobs for citizens, now and in the future. which candidate has the best be interested in what happens in the The objective of the meeting of approach or solution to the various Philippine elections, we may raise the problems.