Canadian-Filipinos Vote on October 22
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Municipal Elections October 22 www.filipinosmakingwaves.com OCTOBER 2018 VOL. 7, NO. 10 TORONTO, CANADA Canadian-Filipinos Vote on October 22 Re-electionist Councillor James Pasternak presents a certificate of appreciation Since elected Mayor of Toronto, John Tory’s presence was always felt yearly in support of to Philippine Cultural Community Centre (PCCC) board of directors in August Taste of Manila, the biggest Filipino street festival in Toronto. Upon hearing the news 2018. Taste of Manila is grateful for the support of Councillor Pasternak's office that TOM was being cancelled this year, Tory stepped up and with Councillor James Pas- and Mayor John Tory, together with federal MP's Marco Mendicino (Lawrence- ternak, they were able to help strategize and make it happen for the Filipino community. Eglinton) and Michael Levitt (York Centre). Photo courtesy of Raymund Galsim Photo courtesy of Rene Sevilla. ACCORDING THE LATEST SURVEY, 'THE ULTIMATE OPM EXPERIENCE' Tory on Track to Win An Evening of Pure Nostalgia The 2018 Toronto municipal election is scheduled to be held on Oc- By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ tober 22, 2018, to elect a mayor and city councillors in Toronto. Editor, The Filipino Web Channel Incumbent John Tory has been Mayor of Toronto since being elected “What can ever equal the memory of being young together?” ― Michael Stein, in 2014 and is running for re-election. In the Age of Love According to the latest surveys, John Tory is on track to win the mayoral seat. TORONTO - While filming what Waves newspaper called "the ultimate OPM experience," I choked up for the flood of sweet and sad memories each song A poll surveying 987 eligible voter was conducted by Forum Re- in the Taste of Manila Sound concert conveyed from that remarkable time in search between Oct 3 and Oct 5. The survey found Tory sitting at 56 the seventies and eighties. percent support. Tory’s closest rival, Jennifer Keesmaat, came up well behind with 29 per cent, while 15 per cent of respondents said I should say the 70s was the decade of modern-day revolutions in the Philip- they would vote for another candidate. pines, and the 80s the decade when changes from the 70s took root. The 80s Eligible Canadian-Filipino voters are encouraged to come out, exer- had its unique gift to the world - the bloodless People Power revolution that cise their right and vote to elect their preferred mayor, councillor removed Ferdinand Marcos and installed Cory Aquino to the presidency. and school trustee. ∎ (Continued on page5 ) Page 2 Filipinos Making WAV ES OCTOBER 2018 OCTOBER 2018 Filipinos Making WA V ES Page 3 CANADA ~ PHILIPPINE NEWS WAVES DFA SHORTENS WAIT TIME Philippines delighted FOR PASSPORT RELEASES at election to UNHRC Passport applicants will no waiting time of applicants But human rights watchdog opposes country’s election to longer have to wait almost in securing online appoint- UN Human Rights Council a month before they could ment slots to as early as Gilbert P. Felongco, get hold of their passports two weeks to one month human rights situation in as these would be available compared to as long as two Correspondent the country.” in as early as six working to three months last year. Manila: The palace hailed Earlier, the non- days effective 1 October, the election of the Philip- The Secretary said this was government watchdog the the Department of Foreign pines to the United Nations the result of reforms that Human Rights Watch Affairs (DFA) announced Human Rights Council have been initiated since (HRW) opposed the candi- on Sept 27. (UNHRC), saying that the last year that included ef- dacy of the Philippines to new mandate proves that “We made a promise to the forts to increase the capaci- the UNHRC. the country is heading in President and to our kaba- ty of the DFA to absorb the the proper direction in pro- “UN member countries bayan that we will work surge in passport applica- tecting a basic entitlement. should show their outrage hard to give them fast, effi- tions such as the e-payment at the Philippines and Eri- cient, and secure passport of P1,200.00 can receive and the opening of at least “This means that the gov- trea, by leaving two spots services,” Foreign Affairs theirs after 6 working days 10,000 slots at 12 noon and ernment remains con- on the ballot sheet blank Secretary Alan Peter S. Cay- instead of 7. 9 pm, Monday to Saturday, sistent with the views of and keeping them off the etano said in a statement except holiday. the United Nations with council,” said Louis Char- from New York where he is Secretary Cayetano said regards to human rights,” “From the 9,500 passports boneau, HRW Director. attending the 73rd Session applicants in DFA Consular Presidential Spokesman of the United Nations Gen- Offices outside Metro Ma- that were being processed Salvador Panelo said on “The Philippines is under- daily in May last year, we eral Assembly. nila can receive their pass- Saturday. going a human rights crisis ports after 12 working days have increased our capacity that may amount to crimes “Shortening the length of instead of 20 for regular to almost 20,000 passports On October 12, 2018, the against humanity. Since time our kababayan would processing and after 7 a day. We endeavor to in- Philippines was among the (President Rodrigo) Duter- have to wait before they working days instead of 10 crease this number to countries voted to the UN- te took office in July 2016, could receive their pass- for expedited processing. 30,000 by the end of the HRC during elections held more than 12,000 suspect- ports is part of that prom- year,” the Secretary said. in New York, according to ed drug dealers and users ise,” Secretary Cayetano Secretary Cayetano said the the Department of Foreign have been gunned down in “Providing better passport said in announcing the new DFA is also currently work- Affairs (DFA). what they call ‘legitimate services is at the heart of passport releasing sched- ing on reducing the waiting police operations,’ Char- our work at the DFA,” Sec- ules. time for passport applica- There are a total 47 coun- boneau said in a statement. tions filed at Philippine Em- retary Cayetano said in as- tries making decisions in The Secretary said that be- bassies and Consulates suring the public that the the UNHRC. With its elec- Reacting to HRW’s criti- ginning Monday, applicants General around the world agency will continue to tion to the UN rights panel, cism, Cayetano said some at DFA Consular Offices in that currently takes as long work hard to further im- the Philippines will get to so-called groups champion- Metro Manila who pay the as two months. prove the delivery of pass- serve another three-year ing the cause of human regular processing fee of port services to them so term in the Geneva-based rights were leveraging on P950.00 can receive their Aside from reducing the they can study, work and council, from 2019 to 2021. the negative perception on passports after 12 working processing time for pass- travel abroad as they may the country’s human rights days instead of 15 working port applications, the Sec- desire. DFA Ambassador Teodoro Loc- record “in order to solicit days. Those who opt to pay retary said the DFA has al- sin Jr., the Philippine Per- funds from donors.” the express processing fee so been able to shorten the manent Representative to the UN and incoming For- “It’s budget season in Eu- eign Secretary, said the rope. That’s why they’re Philippines was given 165 noisy, because they want to votes by the 192 member- get additional funds,” said Majority of Pinoys states of the world body. Cayetano. Incumbent Foreign Affairs For his part, Philippine Na- Secretary Alan Peter Cay- tional Police (PNP) Director favor death penalty etano, said the Philippines’ General Oscar Albayalde on election to the UN rights Friday said the government panel, shows “that many in By Catherine S. Valente law. 22 to 33 percent. believes that there are no the international communi- extrajudicial killings (EJKs) Nearly six in every 10 Fili- The survey, however, em- On the other hand, SWS ty remain convinced the taking place under the pinos favor the revival of phasized that only 33 per- said the demand for impris- Philippines respects and Duterte administration. capital punishment for hei- cent of Filipinos wanted onment, instead of death, protects human rights and nous crimes, a campaign death penalty if there were was over 70 percent for have seen through the ef- “Not even the CHR promise of President Rodri- other punishment options those found guilty of work- forts of some to politicise (Philippine Commission on go Duterte, according to a for those who committed ing in drug dens (78 per- and weaponise the issue.” Human Rights) had said Social Weather Stations serious crimes related to cent), sale of illegal drugs that there is solid proof that (SWS) survey released on illegal drugs. (76 percent), and mainte- According to Cayetano, the EJKs are taking place in the Wednesday. nance of drug dens (73 per- Philippines was elected to country,” he said. “The only exception is the cent). the rights council despite a The poll, conducted from crime of rape under the “well-orchestrated effort by The CHR is an independent March 22 to 27 among influence of drugs, for This was followed by mur- non-government groups to state arm charged with pro- 2,000 Filipino adults na- which a minority 47 per- der under the influence of paint a wrong picture of the tecting human rights.