Quebec’s future is at stake on April 7 Every time there is an election, we have always tried to encourage a higher voter participation. From the recent past electiions, voters have been very indifferent and have been staying away from the polls. But the issues in this election scheduled for April 7, called by the current PQ government may attract more people to be more interested in the issues that will determine the future of this province. Thee are known to be five issues which will be debated by the party leaders, namely, sovereignty, economy and jobs, health, and corruption and ethics. If the PQ government win a majority, it is feared that a referendum to separate from the rest of Canada may happen sooner than later although Pauline Marois has always stated that she will wait for the right conditions before calling for a referendum. But many people now are doubting her and asking whether or not she will keep her word. During the first leaders debate held on Thursday night, March 20, Pauline See Page 4 Quebec elections From left: Françoise David of the Quebec Solidaire party, François Legault of CAQ, Pauline Marois of the PQ, and Philippe Couillard of the Liberal Party. Who among these candidates shall be elected premier of Quebec on April 7, 2014? (Photo: Canadian Press) First Filipino-Canadian Young Leaders Summit promotes a new vision of the future On Saturday, March 8, 2014, at neurship, benevolence, fellowship and St. Michael’s College in Toronto, the civic-minded citizenship. first Filipino-Canadiian Young Leaders Providing the background Summit assembled one of the most about Philippine history and culture, inspiring group of speakers who Dr. Anton Juan spoke about the appeared to be similarly motivated - to qualities of a good leader, values that make a difference in making this world are typicallly Filipino. Following his a better place. It was described as an lecture was an academic who made a initiative supported by the Philippine stunning observation about the Embassy in Ottawa, the Philippine invisibility of Filipino-Canadians in the Consulate General in Toronto and mainstream society, its contributing Eskwela Incorporated. Youth delegates factors and how we should start to came from Toronto, Windsor, Hamilton, make some changes. Professor Edmonton, and Montreal. Ambassador Roland Coloma of the University of Leslie Gatan gave the opening remakrs Toronto suggested ways to break this and welcomed everyone to the cycle in the current and the next conference. generation of Filipino-Canadians. The speeches delivered during Filipinos are known to have Speakers in the afternoon session answered questions from the audience. From left: Vincent this day-long summit were full of started immigrating to Canada for at Villanis, Thomas Ancheta, Veraida Bermejo, Mithi Esguerra, Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog and inspirational stories of passion, Atty. Rafael Fabregas who is planning to run in the forthcoming federal elections. commitment, leadership, entrepre- See P.4 Young Laders Summit www.filipinostar.org 2 The North American Filipino Star March 2014 forces access to fewer military bases,” Secretary Herminio Coloma said over Ambassador Eduardo Malaya, a Radyo ng Bayan that Umali called Philippine News member of the panel negotiating with the Purisima because Umali’s lawyer Atty. Americans, said. Gilberto Repizo — Umali’s province mate Philippines offers U.S. forces access to military bases and friend — requested it. He quoted Manila refused a request for use of Umali as saying that Repizo wanted to Source: Chicago Tribune civilian airfields and ports, like Subic “clarify the basis for the arrest of Mr. Lee MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines Freeport Bay, Laoag and Davao because as far as his camp knew, the has agreed to allow the United States Manila would welcome the return of a international airports, according to the Court of Appeals already has a decision access to its military bases under a U.S. military presence to deter China’s military official. in favor of his client.” the arrest warrant new security deal being negotiated by ambitions in the South China Sea, and remained valid. However, Coloma the two allies, amid mounting concern to help provide humanitarian Batino said the agreement will be legally couldn’t say if P-Noy was convinced of over China’s increasing assertiveness assistance during natural disasters. binding but will not require ratification by Umali’s explanation. in the disputed waters of the South the Philippine Senate, which could delay Housing loan scam China Sea. “It will not stop China from its bullying the actual U.S. deployment. GlobeAsiatique's Xevera Subdivision in tactics, but it will become more Mabalacat, Pampanga. The offer was made during a sixth cautious and might exercise self- (Reporting By Manuel Mogato; Editing round of talks held in Washington last restraint due to the U.S. presence,” by Simon Cameron-Moore) GlobeAsiatique’s Xevera Subdivision in week, Filipino officials said on Friday. Rommel Banlaoi, an analyst at March 17, 2014 | Opinion, PerryScope Mabalacat, Pampanga. The two sides hope to finalize terms Philippine Institute of Peace, Violence PerryScope Lee was charged with syndicated estafa, before U.S. President Barack Obama and Terrorism Research, said. By Perry Diaz a nonbailable offense, in connection with embarks on a visit to Asia, including two housing projects in Pampanga the Philippines, next month. “The Philippines will also benefit from province. He was accused of using more exercises and more assistance Task Force Tugis fictitious members of the Home “Consensus was arrived at on many from the U.S. and it will elevate the Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig provisions of the draft agreement,” Pio Philippines to a major non-NATO ally in leader Sr. Fund), a government program, to obtain Lorenzo Batino, defense the Pacific.” Superintendent housing loans – totaling P6.6 billion – that undersecretary told a news he used in GlobeAsiatique’s Xevera conference, adding the deal is 80 Friction between China and the Conrad Capa subdivisions in Bacolor and Mabalacat percent done. Philippines and other states in the towns of Pampanga between 2008 and region, over disputed territories in the 2011. It all began last March 6, 2014 when the “The proposed agreement will allow South China Sea has increased since Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested the sharing of defined areas within last year despite diplomatic efforts to Lee pulled the scam by using non- fugitive real estate developer Delfin Lee certain AFP (Armed Forces of the forge an agreement on maritime existent or fake homebuyers and paying at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Casino them to apply for Pag-Ibig home loans. Philippines)facilities with elements of conduct. in Ermita, Manila. With a P2-million price After the homes were built, the U.S. military.” on his head since 2012, his capture GlobeAsiatique would then sell them to The dispute revolves round competing ended a nationwide manhunt by PNP’s other homebuyers who would discover The United States plans to “rebalance” claims over the Spratlys, a group of its forces in Asia-Pacific region, and 250 uninhabitable islets spread over has similar arrangements with Australia 165,000 square miles. and Singapore, as part of its strategy to counter China. On Sunday, three Chinese coast guard ships stopped two Filipino civilian Gov. Alfonso Umali (center) with Pres. Aquino and unidentified official. elite Task Force Tugis. later that the homes they bought were in the names of bogus or ghost But no sooner had Lee been in police homeowners. custody than a series of unusual events started to happen. First, Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali reportedly Landing support specialists back away after connecting a Humvee to a Marine Corps MV-22B phoned PNP Director General Alan Osprey during external lift training at Subic Bay, Philippines, during exercise Freedom Banner Purisima in connection with Lee’s arrest. 2013. (Pfc. Kasey Peacock/Marine Corps) The following day, President Benigno “P- Noy” Aquino III sent a text message to The new agreement on enhanced vessels from delivering food, water and Umali, a ranking political ally and defense cooperation will allow the construction materials to troops based Treasurer of the Liberal Party, asking him United States increased deployment of on a ship that was deliberately run to explain why he phoned Purisima? troops, ships, aircraft and humanitarian aground on reef in the Spratlys in 1999 Gov. Alfonso Umali (center) with Pres. equipment. to reinforce the Philippines’ claim. Aquino and unidentified official. Manhunt U.S. military access in the Philippines Manila called the Chinese actions “a Gov. Alfonso Umali (center) with Pres. Delfin Lee is currently limited to during annual clear and urgent threat to the rights Aquino and unidentified official. joint-exercises and port visits. The and interests of the Philippines”. Philippines kicked the United States In a press briefing, presidential On May 22, 2012, a Regional Trial Court out two large military bases, including Under the draft accord, the Philippines spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that in Pampanga issued a warrant for the Subic Bay, in 1991. will allow U.S. forces joint use of Umali called P-Noy and explained why he arrest of Lee, his son Dexter, and three called Purisima. Lacierda said that P-Noy facilities in several military bases like officers of GlobeAsiatique. The manhunt was “satisfied” with Umali’s explanation; was on. It involved the PNP and the While that ended a special relationship Manila, Clark, Palawan, Cebu, Nueva however, he did not elaborate what was going back 40 years between the Ecija, and La Union, a military official National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Umali’s explanation. Last December, after 20 months of hard United States and its former colony with knowledge of the negotiations. won its independence in 1946, an In an attempt to put a positive note to See Page 5 Philippine News alliance has endured.