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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte salutes a military officer upon his arrival at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on November 26, 2019 after his successful participation in the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan. Story on page 14.
Duterte eyes probe
of SEA Games mess
BY AZER PARROCHA
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte
is eyeing an investigation into allega-
tions of corruption hounding the Phil-
ippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast
Asian Games (SEAG).
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador
Panelo said Duterte, who just arrived
from an official trip, was “displeased” by
what he has been hearing about the re-
gional multi-sport which will run from
CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER
NOVEMBER 29, 2019 www.canadianinquirer.net VOL. 11 NO. 399
ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
16
Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. Marco Mendicino appointed
Foreign and local athletes and jour- new Canadian immigration
nalists have already complained of prob- minister
lems with accommodation, food, facili-
25
ties, transportation among others.
“The President is not pleased by what
he has been hearing about the certain
snafu, certain delays, certain allega-
tions of athletes not being fed properly,
of athletes arriving late or not on time VP Leni urged to bare her
delivered to their places of rest or resi- ‘discoveries’ on drug war
dence. He’s displeased,” Panelo said in a Palace assures SEA Games
❱❱ PAGE 6 athletes of ‘memorable’ stay
❱❱ PAGE 15 Duterte eyes in PH
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2 NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRIDAY

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019
PRRD backs peaceful resolution of Korean
peninsula conflict
BY AZER PARROCHA
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — President Rodrigo
R. Duterte has expressed sup-
port for South Korea in the
peaceful resolution of the Ko-
rean peninsula conflict.
In an interview with report-
ers in Busan, South Korea on
Tuesday, Defense Secretary
Delfin Lorenzana said Duterte
brought this up during his bi-
lateral meeting with South Ko-
rean President Moon Jae-in on
Monday.
“Sinabi niya, supported natin
ang South Korea sa kanilang
mga problema sa Korean pen-
insula (The President said the
Philippines supports South Ko-
rea in resolving their problems
within the Korean peninsula),”
Lorenzana said. “Wala naman
tayong magagawa, di naman
tayo (We can only do so much
because we are not a) nuclear
power but the fact that we sup-
port the denuclearization of the
peninsula is strong action from
our side.”
He said the Philippine gov-
ernment would be willing to
provide South Korea any form
of assistance within its capac-
PRRD wants sanction vs. ‘violators’ of climate
change deal
BY RUTH ABBEY GITA-
CARLOS
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — President Rodrigo
R. Duterte on Friday urged the
United Nations (UN) to impose
sanctions against countries
that ratified the climate change
pact but have failed to live up to
their commitments under the
framework.
“UN should better under-
stand that it has to have a sanc-
tion for violators,” Duterte told
his audience in Maasim, Saran-
gani province where he led the
inauguration and launch of two
major power projects. “With-
out a sanction, I do not think
that it will succeed. It will only
fail and worsen the situation
ity.
“Kung ano ang hihingin ng
Korea, siguro kung nagkaroon
ng mga crisis diyan, saka lang
tayo magre-react (Whatever
Korea would ask from us, say
if there is a crisis there, that’s
when we react),” he added.
Lorenzana, however, said
Duterte did not push for the
resumption of talks between
North Korea and the United
States, a close ally of South Ko-
rea.
He said both the Philippines
and South Korea have yet to
consider holding joint military
exercises as they have yet to
forge a visiting forces agree-
ment.
“Wala pa kasi (None yet be-
cause) to do that, you should
have the visiting forces agree-
ment. So wala naman tayong
iniisip diyan. Di naman sila
nagre-request, di naman tayo
nagre-request so wala tayong
joint exercises (We haven’t
considered it yet. They haven’t
requested one, we haven’t re-
quested one, so we don’t have
joint military exercises),” Lo-
renzana said.
Discussions on the South
China Sea were not brought up
during the bilateral meeting, he
for the coming generation.”
The UN has been organizing
an annual conference for mul-
tilateral discussion on climate
change.
Duterte’s call to the UN came
as he noticed that there seemed
to be little progress in global ef-
forts to mitigate the impact of
climate change.
He said it would be a “waste of
money” to attend a UN climate
change conference because it
was just “all talk.”
“I am for (combatting) cli-
mate change. I really do. I
can understand. I have a little
learning of everything. Not
much but I can understand.
Now the problem is the Cli-
mate Change Commission is
always calling for a meeting,”
the President said. “And always,
added.
North Korea’s desire to de-
velop nuclear capabilities has
raised tensions in the Korean
peninsula, particularly on
South Korea.
On April 27, 2018, Moon and
North Korean leader Kim Jong-
un pledged to formally end
their long-standing conflict.
However, there was a stalemate
after the US asked North Korea
to give up its nuclear weapons
while Pyongyang wanted the
US to be more flexible.
Corvettes deal
Meanwhile, Lorenzana was
hopeful that the Philippines
could conclude negotiations
with South Korea by Decem-
ber on the purchase of two cor-
vettes that cost a total of PHP25
billion.
He said if all works out, South
Korea could start building the
corvettes by January and de-
liver them to the Philippines
within two years or before the
end of Duterte’s term.
“Dalawang (Two) corvettes.
Mas maliit ng konti, mas mabi-
lis. Inaayos pa natin ang financ-
ing kasi nga wala tayong pera
na pangbayad kaagad (Slightly
smaller than frigates, but faster.
it’s always how much carbon
footprints you’ll leave on planet
Earth. And it’s all talking, it’s all
conferences so that this time, I
said it would be a waste of mon-
ey. And I would not really also
agree to something of a ratio
and proportion vis-à-vis with
www.canadianinquirer.net
Philippine News
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in
pose for posterity prior to the start of their bilateral meeting at The Westin
Chosun Busan Hotel on November 25, 2019.
We are still settling the financ-
ing because we are unable to
pay immediately),” Lorenzana
said. “If they can give us gen-
erous financing that we can
pay, maybe in a period of three
to five years. Later on, siguro
gagawin nila yung corvettes na-
tin (perhaps they would build
our corvettes).”
Lorenzana said the two cor-
vettes would be used to patrol
the Celebes and Sulu Seas.
The Philippines, he said, has
ALFRED FRIAS / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
your economy.”
The UN climate change fo-
rum that is conducted every
year serves as the formal meet-
ing of countries that are man-
dated to live up to the goals of
the Paris climate agreement, a
global pact meant to keep tem-
3
ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
already procured two frigates
from South Korea — the BRP
Rizal and BRP Luna.
He said the BRP Rizal has
been undergoing testing and
could be delivered to the
Philippines by April or May
2020 while the BRP Luna
could be delivered by De-
cember 2020.
Duterte wanted to see the de-
velopment of the BRP Rizal but
had to stick to his schedule, he
added. ■
peratures from rising two de-
grees Celsius above pre-indus-
trial levels.
In March 2017, the Philippines
ratified the Paris climate pact.
However, Duterte lamented
that some industrialized coun-
tries that also ratified the cli-
mate change deal have failed to
commit to adopt the agreement.
“But the one thing that is not
present and therefore becomes
a very inutile commission is it
does not have sanctions. You
can commit so many things
there, excess of carbon monox-
ide and all, and yet there is no
sanction,” he said. “You and I
know that if you cannot arrest
climate change now, sigurado
‘yan (it’s sure): Our children
will suffer more severe climate
changes, typhoons and all.” ■
4 Philippine News
Duterte highlights need for
‘build, use’ in infra projects
BY RUTH ABBEY GITA-CARLOS
Philippine News Agency
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte
on Friday sought to hasten the comple-
tion of more than 10,000 infrastructure
projects under his administration’s am-
bitious “Build, Build, Build” program to
the public’s advantage.
In an event in Maasim, Sarangani, the
President said it is not enough to just
build infrastructures.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, hindi ko kailangan
iyang, ‘Build, Build, Build’ (I told them
that I do not need that ‘Build, Build,
Build),” Duterte told his audience.
“I want ‘Build-Use, Build-Use, Build-
Use,’” he added.
Duterte has directed all concerned
state agencies to speed up completion of
infrastructure projects, Senator Chris-
topher Lawrence Go said on Monday.
The President’s order came after sev-
eral government offices, including the
Department of Transportation, earned
criticisms for their supposed failure to
spend their 2019 budget for their major
projects.
Go said the President wanted not only
“Build, Build, Build,” but also “Use, Use,
Use” of the infrastructure projects being
pushed under his watch.
Earlier, Senator Minority Leader
Franklin Drilon claimed that the cur-
rent administration’s infrastructure
program was a “dismal” failure because
only nine out of the initial 75 priority
projects began in Duterte’s three years
in office.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the inauguration of the 105-Megawatt
Coal-Fired Power Plant Phase 2 of Sarangani Energy Corporation and the launch of the
14.5-Megawatt Hydropower Project of Siguil Hydro Power Corporation in Maasim, Sarangani
Province on November 22, 2019.
www.canadianinquirer.net
NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRIDAY
The President, however, disputed
Drilon’s claim, saying the senator is “out
of tune.”
The number of key infrastructure
projects under the “Build, Build, Build”
program went up to 100 from the origi-
nal 75, after Duterte earlier ordered his
economic team to revisit the roster of
proposed big infrastructures.
Around PHP9 trillion will be spent
on the implementation of 100 flagship
infrastructure projects and over 10,000
small infrastructure projects.
Some 38 of the 100 big-ticket infra-
structure projects are targeted to be
completed in 2022, while 22 are “par-
tially operational” and the remaining
40 percent would be finished “beyond
2022,” Bases Conversion and Develop-
ment Authority president and CEO Vi-
vencio Dizon said on November 13.
Dizon noted that 35 flagship infra-
structure projects are underway, 32
will begin construction in the next six
to eight months, 21 are in the advanced
stages of government approval, and 12
in the advanced stages of a feasibility
study.
Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda
on November 13 filed House Bill 5456 to
grant special powers to Duterte in adopt-
ing a “national policy” in fast-tracking
the implementation of the “Build, Build,
Build” program on or before 2022.
Duterte, however, rejected the pro-
posed measure and instead opted to
maximize the use of his available pow-
ers to ensure the full and effective im-
plementation of all the infrastructure
projects. ■
JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019 5

www.canadianinquirer.net
6 Philippine News NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRIDAY

VP Leni urged to bare her ‘discoveries’ on drug war

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD
CALIWAN
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Government agen-
cies taking the lead in the anti-
drug campaign on Tuesday
dared former anti-drug czar,
Vice President Leni Robredo
to divulge what she discovered
during her two-week stint as
co-chair of the Inter-Agency
Committee on Anti-Illegal
Drugs (ICAD).
“I am personally encouraging
VP Leni Robredo to make her
revelations on what she claims
as her ‘discoveries’ on the gov-
ernment’s drug war,” PDEA Di-
rector-General Aaron Aquino
told reporters.
Aquino said he believes that
such a move would help in the
government’s anti-illegal drugs
drive.
“I believe that whatever rev-
elations she have would help
us in improving and furthering
the anti-illegal drug campaign,”
he said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine
National Police (PNP) PNP
spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Ber-
nard Banac said they are open
to Robredo’s discoveries in the
ongoing campaign against ille-
gal drugs, particularly on high-
value targets.
“The PNP is open to what-
ever revelations to be made by
VP Robredo which will help
enhance the campaign against
drug high-value targets and
the promotion of community-
based drug rehabilitation pro-
grams,” Banac said.
Banac said the PNP’s cam-
paign against illegal drugs will
follow the rule of law and with
utmost respect for human
rights and that the police force
is not threatened by whatever
Robredo would say.
Brig. Gen. Debol Sinas, Na-
tional Capital Region Police Of-
fice (NCRPO) director, on the
other hand, said only one drug
suspect was killed in Metro
Manila during the short stint of
VP LENI ROBREDO / FACEBOOK
Robredo in ICAD.
He identified the slain sus-
pect as Edward Navarrete
who was killed when he alleg-
edly traded shots with police-
men in a buy-bust in Baran-
gay 12 in Caloocan City on
November 4.
Seized from him were 10 sa-
chets of shabu and a 9mm pis-
tol which he allegedly used in
engaging anti-narcotics police-
men in a shootout.
Sinas, however, was quick
to clarify that the presence of
Robredo in ICAD had led to al-
most zero deaths in anti-drug
police operations in Metro
Manila.
“I don’t think so. The time
frame is too short to judge,”
said Sinas.
In a speech in Camarines Sur
Monday, Robredo said she will
issue a report to the nation on
what she learned during her
two-week stint as co-chair of
the ICAD
Robredo was appointed by
Duterte as ICAD co-chair on
October 31. ■

Solidarity, mutual aid hallmark of PH-SoKor ties: PRRD

BY GIGIE ARCILLA
AND AZER PARROCHA
Philippine News Agency
BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA –
President Rodrigo R. Duterte
lauded the bond between the
people of the Philippines and
the Republic of Korea (ROK)
that has never been strong in
no other time of both countries’
shared history.
“Solidarity and mutual aid
have been the hallmark of our
ties since 1950. It touches us
that this remains so,” Duterte
said during the bilateral meet-
ing with ROK President Moon
Jae-in at the Westin Chosun
Busan Hotel on Monday.
Duterte did not miss the op-
portunity to thank the South
Korean government for its
USD100,000 donation for the
victims of a series of earth-
quakes that rocked Mindanao
in October.
The past seven years, he said,
have witnessed the rising level
of both countries’ interaction
with cooperation encompass-
ing various spheres — from
trade, investment, and official
development assistance (ODA)
to infrastructure development,
defense, science, technology,
and agriculture.
“Our economies took diverg-
ing paths and fortunes. The Re-
public of Korea rose to become
one of Asia’s economic and
technological powerhouses.
Ours faltered, but with perse-
verance, the Philippines has
since recovered and is now [a]
well-performing, emerging
economy,” he said.
He added that in 2018, ROK
was Philippines’ fourth-larg-
est trading partner, with total
trade amounting to over 13
billion dollars, and was a val-
ued source of foreign direct in-
vestments, ranking 13th in the
same year.
“The Philippines and the Re-
public of Korea share a unique
affinity. We became blood
brothers in the 1950s on the
altar of freedom. In 1980, the
world watched as we waged a
parallel struggle for democ-
racy,” Duterte said during the
first day of the 2019 ASEAN-
ROK Commemorative Summit
here that marks the 30th an-
niversary of the ASEAN-ROK
Dialogue Relations.
As both countries commem-
orate 70 years of meaningful
bilateral relations this year,
Duterte assured that the Philip-
pines will continue to find com-
mon cause and purpose with
the Republic of Korea towards
enhancing our bilateral engage-
ment and promoting peace and
stability in your region.
Meanwhile, South Korean
President said Duterte’s visit
comes at a very meaningful
time as the two countries cel-
ebrate their 70th anniversary
of diplomatic relations.
“The Philippines was the first
among ASEAN countries to
establish diplomatic relations
with Korea and also the first to
dispatch troops to fight on our
side during the Korean War,”
Jae-in said.
The Philippines sent more
than 7,000 soldiers to help de-
fend South Korea from North
Korean invasion from 1950 to
1953.
“I’d like to express my pro-
found gratitude to the people
of the Philippines for their last-
ing friendship over the past 70
years and to you Mr. President
(Duterte) for your great affec-
tion for Korea,” he said.
He added that the time is
right for both countries to think
about elevating its relations to a
strategic partnership that will
pave the way to engage in great-
er cooperation that will lead to
common prosperity.
Many cultural exchange
events held in Korea, includ-
ing concerts, film festivals, and
exhibitions brought the Korean
people closer to the Philippines
after the two countries desig-
nated 2019 as the year of mu-
tual exchanges during Duterte’s
visit in May last year, he added.
“The Korean people love the
Philippines. Koreans are the
number one visitors to the Phil-
ippines,” he said.
Department of Tourism’s
January-September 2019 re-
port showed that Korea re-
mains the biggest source of
visitors for the Philippines,
reaching 1,450,792 arrivals
— 20.97 percent growth com-
pared to the same period last
year. Korean tourists make up
23.55 percent of the total tour-
ist arrivals.
Jae-in added that bilateral
trade volume surpassed the 15
billion US dollar mark for the
first time last year not to men-
tion the numerous Korean
companies are doing business
in the Philippines, including in
the fields of energy, electricity,
electronics, textiles, shipbuild-
ing.
He lauded Duterte’s leader-
ship for making the Philippines
as the future of ASEAN as it
continues to achieve an impres-
sive growth rate of 6 percent
each year.
“I hope to strengthen my
friendship with you and expand
our bilateral cooperation to
contribute further to the devel-
opment of ASEAN,” he said.
Signed agreements
Duterte and Moon also wit-
nessed the signing of three
agreements that include the
Social Security Agreement; Im-
plementation Program of the
Memorandum of Understand-
ing (MOU) on Tourism Coop-
eration; and Joint Statement
by the ROK and Philippines on
the Early Achievement Pack-
age of the Negotiations of the
Philippines-Korea Free Trade
Agreement.
Likewise, the MOU on Coop-
eration in Fisheries and MOU
on Cooperation in the Field of
Education were signed on the
sidelines of the ceremony.
Before their bilateral meet-
ing, Duterte met with officials
from various South Korean
companies. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019
Duterte vows to pursue
policies to protect
women from violence
BY AZER PARROCHA
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — President Rodrigo
Duterte on Monday vowed
to pursue more measures to
protect women and children
from harassment or discrimi-
nation as he joined the nation
in the observance of the Na-
tional Consciousness Day for
the Elimination of Violence
Against Women.
In his official message,
Duterte recognized how the full
implementation of the Anti-
Violence Against Women and
Their Children Act of 2004 and
the Magna Carta of Women has
enabled government to help
maintain more violence-free
homes across the country.
He also expressed hope that
the Philippine Commission on
Women (PCW) would continue
to raise public awareness of is-
sues being faced by women and
children as it spearheads its 18-
Day Campaign to End Violence
Against Women and Children.
“I, therefore, acknowledge
your agency’s advocacies that
strongly uphold the significant
role of our social institutions
in fighting for the greater em-
powerment and protection of
women and children within
their families, communities,
and beyond,” Duterte said.
“Let this important socio-
political campaign further se-
cure our gains as we continue
to work together in building
a more inclusive and progres-
sive nation for generations to
come,” he added.
Earlier, Presidential Spokes-
person Salvador and Chief
Presidential Legal Counsel Sal-
vador Panelo said protecting
the rights of women is among
the President’s top priorities.
Last year, Duterte temporar-
ily banned the deployment of
overseas Filipino workers in
Kuwait to protect female mi-
grant workers from abuse and
exploitation.
On Jan. 9, 2017, Duterte
signed Executive Order 12,
which seeks to attain and sus-
tain “zero unmet need for mod-
ern family planning” through
the implementation of the Re-
sponsible Parenthood and Re-
productive Health Act.
He has also given recognition
to women of distinction by ap-
pointing them to his Cabinet
and in other high offices in the
government.
Republic Act 10398 declares
November 25 of every year
as National Consciousness
Day For The Elimination Of
Violence Against Women And
Children.
Meanwhile, Proclamation
1172 s. 2006 declares Novem-
ber 25 to December 12 as the 18-
Day Campaign to End Violence
Against Women (VAW)
The campaign is observed an-
nually to raise awareness that
VAW is a public issue of nation-
al concern.
It supports the government’s
goal to protect the human
rights of women and its com-
mitment to address all forms of
gender-based violence. ■
ALBERT ALCAIN / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
SWS: Jobless Filipinos
increased in Q3 of 2019
BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA
Philippine Canadian Inquirer
JOBLESS FILIPINOS have
multiplied in September 2019
as shown in the latest survey
of the Social Weather Stations
(SWS) released on Saturday,
November 23.
According to the Third Quar-
ter 2019 Social Weather Survey,
joblessness rate went up to 21.5
percent, which translates to 10
million unemployed adults who
are part of the labor force.
This is 0.8 percent higher
than the 20.7 percent in June
and a 1.8 percent increase from
March’s 19.7 percent.
The SWS said jobless adults
are composed of “(a) those who
voluntarily left their old jobs,
(b) those seeking jobs for the
first time, and (c) those who
lost their jobs due to economic
circumstances beyond their
control, termed by SWS as the
retrenched.”
Palace hits US actress for
calling PRRD detestable leader
BY AZER PARROCHA
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Malacañang on
Sunday chastised actress Bette
Midler for classifying President
Rodrigo Duterte among the
world’s most detestable leaders
along with US President Don-
ald Trump.
Presidential Spokesperson
Salvador Panelo said that while
Midler had the right to criti-
cize Trump in her own country,
she had no right to speak about
leaders of foreign countries in-
cluding Duterte.
“We understand that actress
Bette Midler, based on her nu-
merous tweets, is an outspoken
critic of her government. She
has the right to criticize in her
country as an exercise of her
freedom of expression,” Panelo
said.
“She, however, has no right
as she is incompetent and a
gullible talking head as well,
on matters concerning foreign
www.canadianinquirer.net
Philippine News
Among the 10 million unem-
ployed Filipinos in September,
4.4 million adults voluntarily
left their jobs, 1.6 million were
first-time job seekers, and 3.9
million were retrenched.
Unemployment rate in-
creased in Balance Luzon at 25
percent, Mindanao at 19.9 per-
cent, and Metro Manila at 24.5
percent, but it fell in Visayas at
11.8 percent, the SWS reported.
The survey also showed that
joblessness rate has been “con-
sistently higher” among wom-
en at 31.4 percent, than among
men at 14.6 percent.
It also revealed that adult
joblessness has been “consis-
tently highest” among the 18 to
24 years old, compared to the
other age groups.
The pollster also asked its
1,800 respondents the question:
Sa darating na 12 buwan mula
ngayon, sa palagay ba ninyo ay
DADAMI, HINDI MAGBA-
BAGO, o MABABAWASAN ang
trabaho na maaaring pasukan
leaders she has no personal
knowledge of,” he added.
Panelo said Midler should be
“circumspect” as an influencer
and should refrain from giving
“one-sided” and “judgmental”
comments on another state’s
internal affairs.
He noted that this was par-
ticularly true if Midler’s refer-
ences come from the political
opposition and some biased
media outlets meant to destroy
the Duterte’s reputation.
The Palace official, mean-
while, advised Midler to revisit
the lyrics to her song “From a
Distance” when making com-
ments about a foreign leader.
“We suggest that she revisits
her famous song ‘From a Dis-
tance’ and learn from its lyrics
that she may look at a foreign
leader of a distant country
with a positive outlook,” Pan-
elo said.
“‘From a distance there
is harmony/ and it echoes
through the land/ It’s the voice
of hope/ It’s the voice of peace,’
7
(Twelve months from now, do
you think there will be MORE
JOBS, NO CHANGE in available
jobs, or FEWER JOBS)?”
Responding to this, 53 per-
cent said they are optimistic
that there will be more job op-
portunities for them, while
13 percent were pessimistic.
Twenty-one percent said there
will be “no change” in the num-
ber of jobs available, while 12
percent said they “don’t know.”
Optimism on job availabil-
ity was at “excellent” +40 net
rating, a three-point decrease
from the record-high +43 in
June, according to the SWS.
The latest survey was con-
ducted from September 27 to 30
using face-to-face interviews of
the respondents nationwide.
It has sampling error margins
of plus/minus 2.3 percent for
national percentages, plus/mi-
nus four percent each for Bal-
ance Luzon and Mindanao, and
plus/minus six percent each for
Metro Manila and Visayas. ■
It’s the voice of every man/
From a distance we are instru-
ments/ Marching in common
band/ Playing songs of hope/
Playing songs of peace/ They
are the songs of every man,’”
he added, quoting lyrics from
Midler’s song.
In a Tweet on Saturday,
Midler bared her thoughts
on the ongoing impeachment
hearings on the US President
and why it should be a concern
for Americans.
“For Americans who think
the impeachment hearings
have nothing to do with them,
think again. Want to leave the
door open to a Hitler? A Stalin?
A Castro? A Duterte? A Pol Pot?
A Putin? An Assad? A Chavez?
A Kim Jong Un? A Mussolini? A
Mugabe? An Amin? #Trump’s
the gateway to that,” Midler
said in her Tweet.
In 2017, Midler called Duterte
a “murderous dictator” in reac-
tion to him serenading Trump
at the Asean Summit gala din-
ner in Manila. ■
8 Philippine News NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRIDAY

PH apologizes to foreign athletes

amid SEA Games woes
BY BEA KIRSTEIN T. MANALAYSAY
Correspondent/Hosts Philippine Canadian Inquirer
Bea Kirstein T. Manalaysay
Joanna Belle Deala
Gianna Llanes
Violeta Arevelo AFTER SEVERAL complaints from dif-
Babes Newland ferent foreign teams regarding hotel
Graphic Design
accommodations and airport woes, the
Shanice Garcia country’s organizers for the 2019 South-
Ginno Alcantara east Asia (SEA) Games issued apologies
Arlnie Colleene Talain Singca
early Sunday, November 24.
Account Manager “We sincerely apologize to our athlete
Kristopher Yong guests from Timor-Leste, Myanmar, and
Director/Producer
Cambodia for the inconvenience caused
Boom Dayupay to them by the confusion regarding
their transportation and hotel arrange-
Photographers/Videographers
Ginno Alcantara
ments,” Ramon Suzara, Philippine SEA
Hannah Dela Cruz Games Organizing Committee (PHIS-
GOC) Chief Operating Officer said.
Sales
Zeena Marie L. Briones
“While PHISGOC strives to ensure
Hannah Chloe S. Amparo proper coordination of the arrival de-
tails, airport welcome, transportation
Operations and Admin
Victoria Yong
provisions of all international teams ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Speaker and Philippine South East Asian Games Organizing
Amelia Insigne to their respective assigned hotels, we Committee (PHISGOC) Chair Alan Peter Cayetano personally visited the athletes from participating
acknowledge our shortcomings in this countries in the 30th SEA games including the teams of Timor Leste, Myanmar, Cambodia,
Management
Alan Yong
particular incident and vow to do bet- Singapore and Brunei and apologized for some inconveniences.
Victoria Yong ter,” he continued. 2019 SEA GAMES/FACEBOOK

Timor-Leste’s and Myanmar’s foot-

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Member
ball teams complained of long hours Century Park Hotel Manila, the hotel “We are also coordinating with the or-
in the airport. While some of Timor- where the Cambodian team was accom- ganizers on other concerns raised by the
Leste’s football team members were modated, aired a statement to clarify its Thai team, since part of the agreement
brought to the wrong hotel. PHISGOC, side on the issue. with them is a cycle menu for the SEA
however, explained that they were able “We were told that team members Games delegation as well as two bottles
to escort the team to the right hotel after from Cambodia were coming in early of water per day to be supplied per per-
the mistake. on November 23, 2019 the night before. son based on hotel industry standards,”
In a press conference, Timor-Leste’s As much as we wanted to accommodate it explained.
manager, Fabiano Flora hopes that it the request, it was not possible due to
won’t happen again in the future. full occupancy. Standard check out is ‘All is well’
“I think all the nations deserve respect until 12:00NN. However, as early as In a post, the official Facebook page of
and what happened yesterday was not so 8:25 AM, some members were given an the 2019 SEA Games stated that House
beautiful, but it is okay. We just focus on early check-in due to the availability of Speaker and PHISGOC Chair Alan Peter
the games and that’s all,” he said. rooms,” it said. Cayetano personally visited the athletes
For Myanmar’s participating, includ-
coach, Velizar Popov, ing the teams that
talking about these were inconvenienced
issues in the press to apologize. The
conference is “not a From a rough translation of FA Thailand’s post further said that
good image for the Facebook post, the group said that their meals he “assured them
tournament.” had the same menu, over and over, and their that the Philippine
“Of course, we drinking water is limited. hosting will be great
encountered some and meaningful for
things in our arrival, everyone.”
but I don’t want to Cayetano also told
enter into it, because it’s not the most “As goodwill, we offered our function reporters that apart from apologies,
important,” Popov said. rooms to serve as their temporary hold- while it is not an excuse, these kinds of
“As to the Cambodian football team, ing area after their breakfast. We asked issues arise in such events. When he was
their change in arrival details was re- them if they needed more chairs but still a Foreign Affairs secretary, he expe-
layed late to the PHISGOC Games Ser- they declined, preferring the floors so rienced something similar in traveling
vices Department,” the local organizers they could lie down to rest. Lunch was abroad. However, he stressed that de-
said, after photos in social media circu- also served to them accordingly,” the ho- spite being ‘ready, no one is perfect.’
lated, showing the team sleeping on the tel added. Malacañang also apologized on Sun-
carpeted floor and chairs. Thailand’s athletes also complained, day.
Felix Dalmas of Cambodia, in the this time, about food. From a rough “We can no longer undo what has
same event, said “We had to change translation of FA Thailand’s Facebook been done. The Office of the President
some things, but we prepared. We know post, the group said that their meals had will not offer any excuses. As host coun-
things are not perfect, especially when the same menu, over and over, and their try, we apologize for the unintentional
you’re not [in] the home country.” drinking water is limited. inconvenience suffered by our athlete-
He said that “it wasn’t ideal” but his Century Park Hotel Manila, for its guests,” Presidential Spokesperson Sal-
team “took it with the best spirit.” part, also addressed this issue. vador Panelo said. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019
Akbayan Youth: VP PTFoMS, victims’ kin commemorate
Leni fired for doing Maguindanao massacre
good work on anti-
drug campaign
AKBAYAN YOUTH criticized
the removal of Vice President
Leni Robredo from the Inter-
agency Committee Against
Drugs, barely two weeks after
she accepted the challenge.
“In hot water for his failure on
the War on Drugs, Duterte wasn’t
able to take the heat so he kicked
VP Leni out. Like his PHP 50
million cauldron, Duterte’s anti-
drug campaign was exposed as
all grand display but useless and
hallow within,” Akbayan Youth
chairperson Dr. RJ Naguit.
“VP Leni was fired for show-
ing an effective campaign
against substance abuse in two
weeks. She showed she’s tough
Duterte awards Kampilan
medal to wounded
soldiers in Davao City
BY RUTH ABBEY GITA-
CARLOS
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — President Ro-
drigo Duterte on Sunday con-
ferred the Kampilan medal on
five Army soldiers who were
wounded in military operations
carried out against Islamic in-
surgents in war-torn Mindan-
ao.
Duterte paid a visit on the
wounded soldiers at the Metro
Davao Medical Research Cen-
ter on early Sunday morning
to check their condition after
the bloody encounter with the
rebels.
“He (Duterte) then conferred
the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank
of Kampilan on the injured
members of the security forc-
es,” Malacañang said in a press
statement.
Recipients of the Kampilan
medal are Corporal Alexander
Flauta and Privates First Class
Ruel Sumilhig, Allan James Ca-
bildo, and Sonny Buladaco.
against criminals by demand-
ing for the list of high value tar-
gets in the drug trade which was
denied from her. She showed
she is caring when she declared
a no-kill policy and focused on
rehabilitation,” Dr. Naguit said.
“The youth clearly knows the
reason why Duterte had to re-
move Leni: he’s afraid of losing
credibility to a woman in his
own forte,” Dr. Naguit said.
“Akbayan Youth together
with various civil society or-
ganizations will continue to
fight for a humane, evidence-
informed campaign to address
the issue of substance use in the
country” Dr. Naguit ended. ■
The Order of Lapu-Lapu is
awarded to a government work-
er or a private individual who
has rendered extraordinary
service or made exceptional
contributions to the success of
the President’s campaign or ad-
vocacy.
The Kampilan Medal in the
Order of Lapu-Lapu is granted
to a person who was seriously
wounded or suffered great loss
of property as a direct result of
his participation in such action.
The soldiers sustained inju-
ries in separate clashes against
the members of the Bangsam-
oro Islamic Freedom Fight-
ers and the Dawlah Islamiyah
Turaife Group in rural parts of
Mindanao.
Malacañang said the Presi-
dent praised the wounded sol-
diers for their heroism and
bravery in securing the country.
The Commander-in-Chief
granted cash assistance to the
injured military personnel, and
pledged to provide full support
and protection to them, the Pal-
ace added. ■
BY EDWIN FERNANDEZ
Philippine News Agency
AMPATUAN, MAGUINDANAO
— Maguindanao Rep. Esmael
“Toto” Mangudadatu, Army di-
vision commander, Maj. Gen.
Diosdado Carreon and Presi-
dential Task Force on Media
Security (PTFoMS) Executive
Director Joel Egco led the com-
memoration of the country’s
bloodiest pre-election related
incident in Sitio Masalay, Baran-
gay Salman here Saturday.
It has been 10 years since 58
persons, including journalists,
were brutally murdered by gun-
men allegedly led by Mayor An-
dal “Datu Unsay” Ampatuan Jr.
The families of the victims
who were at the massacre site,
together with Mangudadatu
and Egco were all praying for
the conviction of the culprits
to put an end to the gruesome
murders and give justice to the
slain victims.
Mangudadatu, now repre-
senting Maguindanao’s second
district, lost his wife Genalyn
and two sisters in the carnage.
Prosecution lawyer Nena
Santos also attended the com-
memoration.
Egco said he is optimistic the
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Philippine News 9
Maguindanao massacre site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
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court will decide in favor of the post when gunmen, led alleg-
victims’ kin even as he urged edly by Ampatuan Jr., flagged
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results of the trial. highway on November 23, 2009.
The relatives are hoping and The victims, despite repeated
praying that Judge Jocelyn So- appeals and pleadings, were
lis Reyes of the Quezon City Re- brought to hilly Sitio Masalay
gional Trial Court Branch 221 and murdered in cold blood.
will decide in their favor. Egco told reporters that
“We expect conviction and President Rodrigo Duterte is
we are optimistic that it should closely following the develop-
not be the other way,” Mangu- ment of the prosecution since
dadatu said in the vernacular. he assumed office as the coun-
The victims were on board try’s chief executive.
several vehicles to file the cer- To the victims’ relatives, he
tificates of candidacy of then said that: “justice is near.”
Vice Mayor Mangudadatu who “Wait for the verdict from
was to seek the provincial top December 5 to 12,” Egco said. ■
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10
Teacher shamed in TV show Duterte warns
denied of due process: DepEd against not
BY RAYMOND CARL DELA
CRUZ
honoring House
Philippine News Agency
term-sharing deal
MANILA — The Department
of Education (DepEd) said the
teacher who was humiliated in
a television program for alleg-
edly committing child abuse to-
wards one of her pupils was not
accorded due process.
In a statement Sunday, the
agency said there are laws and
policies in place to protect both
students and teachers involved
in complaints.
“Teachers are entitled to due
process, which was not given to
her during the program,” the
DepEd said.
While stressing that child
abuse cases are not subject to
compromise, it added that the
rights of teacher Melita Limju-
co, 55, were not respected when
the show’s host, Raffy Tulfo,
pressured her to make an on-
the-spot compromise to avoid a
possible criminal case.
Moreover, Limjuco’s early
retirement, the office said, will
“have a serious impact on her
person and family.”
The DepEd clarified that
teachers, as the substitute pa-
rental authority for their stu-
dents at school, are expected to
exercise reasonable supervision,
including exercising discipline,
while maintaining the dignity
and safety of the students.
“Schools are second home
to learners, while teachers are
their second parents. We en-
trust our children to the in-
stitution and teachers,” the
DepEd said.
Furthermore, the DepEd
said its regional and division
offices were handling the case
“through procedures consis-
tent with the applicable laws
and policies.”
The DepEd also said it en-
Philippine News
Department Of Education (DepED) head office at Meralco Ave., Pasig City.
PATRICK ROQUE / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, CC BY-SA 4.0
courages proper dialogue to
continue to help resolve any
disputes between the affected
parties.
“Even prior to the airing of
the television program, there
was already a meeting between
the parents of the learner and
the teacher before the school
head, and it is best for this pro-
cess to continue,” the DepEd
said.
In an episode of Tulfo in Ac-
tion last week, Salve Bañez,
grandmother of a Grade 2 pupil
expressed ire over Limjuco for
humiliating her grandchild for
failure to bring a report card to
school and made unsubstanti-
ated accusations of physical
abuse in the past against the
teacher.
According to Bañez and
shown through CCTV foot-
age, her grandchild’s seat was
taken outside the classroom by
Limjuco while the student was
forced to seat outside for the
duration of the class.
Bañez initially wanted Lim-
juco to resign from her teach-
ing post, be stripped of her
teaching license, and be thrown
in jail for child abuse, but the
child’s parents advocated for
Limjuco to instead resign and
lose her license in exchange for
not pursuing a criminal case
against her.
“Kalimutan niyo na po yung
napag-usapan niyo ng lola. Sabi
po ng both parents, yung tatay,
nanay, nandito. Hindi ka kaka-
suhan ng child abuse. But still,
ikaw na kusa ang mag-resign
sa iyong trabaho at maging sa
PRC (Professional Regulation
Commission) ilalakad namin,
sasang-ayunan mo para mas
mabilis yung proseso na ikaw
ay matanggalan ng lisensya,”
Tulfo told Limjuco in a phone
conversation during the show
aired last week.
Tulfo’s gesture of “pressur-
ing” the teacher to resign and
for unduly exercising his influ-
ence and the grandmother and
mother of the child drew flak
from netizens, who came in de-
fense of Limjuco claiming that
she just implemented a disci-
plinary action in the course of
her duty.
As of this posting, Tulfo has
apologized for his gesture. ■
www.canadianinquirer.net
BY AZER PARROCHA
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — President Rodrigo
warned his two allies Speak-
er Alan Peter Cayetano and
Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan
Velasco against breaking the
term-sharing deal they agreed
upon.
Duterte reminded them that
they shared a “gentlemen’s
agreement” to take turns to
hold the highest position at the
House of Representatives.
“If anyone of them would not
honor it, be it Lord Velasco or
si Peter Cayetano that is — that
would be his decision,” Duterte
said in a media interview in
Davao City on Saturday.
“But iyon, he has to take care
that there is an agreement of
sharing. If you violate it… Usa-
pan ‘yan (that’s an agreement),”
he added.
He, however, said he was sat-
isfied with the performance of
the House under Cayetano’s
leadership.
“Yes, of course. Sabi ko (I
said) he is a shining star,”
Duterte said.
“Whatever you say, the guy
has been elected already,” he
added.
Pressed for a response on the
possibility of the term-sharing
deal being ignored, Duterte
said: “We should answer that
question when we cross the
bridge.”
Duterte, who earlier dis-
tanced himself from the term-
sharing deal, said he might step
in should tension arise between
the two lawmakers and the
House.
NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRIDAY
“It is going to be a problem
so we will solve the problem
when we are there. Wala pa na-
man (But it has yet to happen).
It remains to be hypothetical,”
Duterte said.
On Oct. 28, Cayetano said he
was open to the idea of serving a
full term of House Speakership,
should Velasco agree to it.
This after Cayetano’s allies in
the lower chamber raised the
possibility that he might retain
his post following strong ap-
proval and trust scores.
Under the term-sharing deal
brokered by Duterte on July 22,
Cayetano would hold the high-
est position at the House for 15
months, or until October 2020,
while Velasco would take over
and serve until the 18th Con-
gress ends in 2022.
Cayetano was Duterte’s for-
mer foreign affairs secretary
and running mate in the 2016
elections.
Velasco was the top pick of
the President’s political party,
the Partido Demokratiko Pil-
ipino-Lakas ng Bayan, to lead
the House.
On Nov. 11, Cayetano assured
Velasco that the term-sharing
agreement still stands. Velasco,
for his part, expressed confi-
dence that Cayetano would let
him take over in 2022. ■
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019 Philippine News 11

DOH: 8th polio case recorded in Basilan

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA
Philippine Canadian Inquirer
ADDING TO the cases that
have been recorded in the coun-
try, the Department of Health
(DOH) on Monday, November
26, reported that a nine-year-
old girl from Basilan was found
to have polio.
According to the DOH, the
victim did not receive any polio
vaccine.
This is the eighth case re-
corded this year, after samples
sent to the Research Institute
for Tropical Medicine and the
National Institute of Infectious
Diseases – Japan tested posi-
tive for poliovirus.
The Health Department is
now working with the Ministry
of Health of the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (BARMM) to maxi-
mize immunization and inten-
sify polio vaccination efforts in
Basilan.
The DOH urged the public
again to participate in the “Sa-
bayang Patak Kontra Polio,”
held in the National Capital
Region (NCR) and the whole
of Mindanao, which started on
November 25 and will end on
December 7.
According to the department,
health workers and vaccination
teams will go house-to-house to
ensure that all children below
five years old will be vaccinated.
Apart from this, health centers,
government hospitals, fixed
vaccination posts in barangays,
malls, terminals, fast food res-
taurants, among others, will
also provide vaccination.
“We are thankful for the par-
ticipation and continued support
of our local government units and
communities in this campaign,”
Health Secretary Francisco
Duque III said in a statement.
“I am confident that we will
be successful in halting this
outbreak if we continue to work
together and make sure that no
child is left unvaccinated,” he
added.
Just last week, the DOH con-
firmed three more cases of po-
lio all in Mindanao.
The first patient was a two-
year-old female from Maguin-
danao, the second was a one-
year-old male from Cotabato
City, while the third was a four-
year-old female from North Co-
tabato.
The DOH said the first two
patients did not receive any
dose of the polio vaccine, while
the third patient received in-
complete doses. ■

Guevarra turns down Panelo: VP Leni can do as she

SC justice nomination pleases with ‘drug findings’
BY BENJAMIN PULTA exciting, so Justice Victorino BY AZER PARROCHA
Philippine News Agency thank you for nominating me, Philippine News Agency
but I’m still in love with the
DOJ. Marami pong salamat
MANILA — Justice Secretary (Thank you so much),” Gue- MANILA — Vice President
Menardo Guevarra on Monday varra said. Leni Robredo, who was re-
declined his nomination to be- The SC compound and the cently fired as drug czar, is free
come an Associate Justice of DOJ have their main entrances to release the findings on the
the Supreme Court. beside each other along Padre Duterte administration’s anti-
Speaking before the Prosecu- Faura Street across the Philip- narcotics campaign, Malaca-
tors League of the of the Phil- pine General Hospital. ñang said on Monday.
ippines (PLP) In a letter Presidential Spokesperson
NCR forum at to the Judicial Salvador Panelo said Robre-
Diamond Hotel and Bar Coun- do was appointed not only to
in Manila, Gue- cil (JBC) dated help in the illegal drugs crack-
varra said he Nov. 19, retired down, but to see for herself that
had considered I found Sandiganbayan the administration has been
applying for the out it was Associate Justice “transparent.”
position as late good, it was Raoul V. Victori- “She can do as she pleases.
as 2016 but said exciting, no recommend- Anything that she claims she
he has since real- so Justice ed Guevarra for has discovered was accessed to OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON / FACEBOOK

ized that he pre- Victorino inclusion into her,” Panelo said in a statement.
fers to be Justice thank the nominees for “She was precisely appointed, October 31 after calling the He said if Robredo wanted to
Secretary, a posi- you for Associate Justice apart from giving her the op- drug war a failure. clarify her official functions as
tion which he de- nominating of the Supreme portunity to assist in the cam- Since then, Robredo has de- ICAD co-chair, she should have
scribed as “good” me, but I’m Court. paign against illegal drugs, to let cided to focus on the rehabili- reached out to the President
and “exciting” still in love Victorino her know that everything in the tation of drug users, met with to seek clarification instead of
“Do you know with the pointed out drug war was and is transpar- officials from the United States “grandstanding.”
the feeling of DOJ. Guevarra’s cre- ent,” he added. and United Nations to discuss Moreover, he said Robredo
someone who dentials (Ateneo In a speech in Camarines Sur, efforts to eliminate the illegal herself “taunted” and “dared”
has always de- Law, 2nd in the Robredo said she will issue a re- drug trade. the President to remove her
sired a wonder- 1985 bar exami- port to the nation on what she She also asked authorities for from her post if he failed to
ful person to be nations) and the learned during her two-week classified information on the trust her completely.
his or her spouse in the future? latter’s previous postings in the stint as co-chair of the Inter- anti-narcotics campaign par- “The Vice President had it
But somewhere along the way, Cabinet, including as a member Agency Committee on Anti- ticularly the list of high-value coming. She has been making
he bumps into someone else of the Philippine legal team in Illegal Drugs (ICAD) targets. However, this did not missteps. Apart from that, the
whom he likes and desires? So the arbitration case concerning Panelo, meanwhile, insisted sit well with the President. president of the Liberal Party
in 2016, I really considered ap- the West Philippine Sea at the that Robredo was fired for her Panelo said Robredo wasted was daring the President to fire
plying to the Supreme Court Permanent Court of Arbitra- “incompetence” apart from her the “opportunity” to work with her, and VP Leni herself was
as one of my legal options it’s tion at The Hague. failure to introduce new pro- the Duterte administration in taunting and daring the Presi-
one of my career options, but There are presently three va- grams that would help fight the improving the crackdown on il- dent to fire her; and she had
circumstances have thrown cancies in the SC following the drug menace. legal drugs. this coming,” Panelo said in an
me in Padre Faura (Street), but retirement of Associate Justice “Tinimbang siya ngunit ku- Despite being drug czar for interview ANC.
not that part of Padre Faura, Francis Jardeleza in September lang (She was weighed, but she over two weeks, Panelo said Ro- “It’s not surprising. She was
not near Taft Avenue but Pa- and Chief Justice Lucas Bersa- was lacking),” Panelo said. bredo has yet to present any new given the opportunity to assist
dre Faura near Robinsons, and min and Associate Justice An- Robredo was appointed by program or project to improve in the program but she blew it,”
I found out it was good, it was tonio Carpio in October. ■ Duterte as ICAD co-chair on the anti-illegal drug campaign. he added. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net
12
PH to protect rights advocates Prosecutors ask
vs. intimidation, reprisals QC court to return
BY JOYCE ANN L.
ROCAMORA
Ampatuan to jail
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Philippine
government on Tuesday under-
scored its commitment to pro-
tecting human rights advocates
against reprisals during a dia-
logue focused on strategies to
address attacks against HR de-
fenders at the United Nations
in Geneva.
“We wish to reaffirm our
commitment to combat impu-
nity and ensure accountability
for all acts of intimidation or
reprisals against human rights
defenders, including those per-
petrated by non-state actors,”
said National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples Commis-
sioner Gaspar Cayat, who de-
livered the country’s position at
the United Nations Forum on
Business and Human Rights.
Cayat said mechanisms are in
place in the country to ensure
that policy gaps are addressed,
with which “perceived conflicts
between business and human
rights concerns” are also cov-
ered.
He added that a task force has
been formed to coordinate a
whole-of-nation effort to bring
government services to vulner-
able or geographically isolated
and difficult areas, together
with communities and human
rights defenders.
EU earmarks 500K euros
for Mindanao quake victims
BY JOYCE ANN L.
ROCAMORA
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The European
Union on Monday announced
the €500,000 or nearly PHP28
million in funding to provide
emergency humanitarian assis-
tance to the families affected by
a series of strong earthquakes
that rocked parts of Mindanao
in October.
“The earthquakes have af-
fected people in communities
that were already poor and vul-
Philippine News
NCIP Commissioner Gaspar Cayat. RMC PIA-CAR
“Government services, in-
cluding redress mechanisms,
become available such that rea-
sons to resort to illegal or less-
than-ideal means become irrel-
evant,” he added.
He said the government is one
with human rights defenders in
protecting the lands or the an-
cestral domains of the indige-
nous peoples in the Philippines.
“As an example, the Philip-
pine government in the last two
weeks has canceled five certifi-
cations issued for forest man-
nerable. Our focus is to bring
urgently needed assistance to
those most heavily impacted
by the disasters,” said Christos
Stylianides, the EU Commis-
sioner for Humanitarian Aid
and Crisis Management in a
statement.
The EU Delegation in Manila
said the fund would support the
global humanitarian aid orga-
nization Action Against Hun-
ger (ACF) in delivering emer-
gency shelter, food, clean water,
psychosocial support and other
vital aid to the most vulnerable
and marginalized groups, in-
agement agreements covering
tens of thousands of hectares
for failure to secure the consent
of affected indigenous commu-
nities,” he said.
He cited a case wherein a
cease and desist order was also
issued against private business-
es for violation of human rights.
“The Philippines is open to
engaging with all stakeholders
to address their concerns and
issues, through various estab-
lished domestic mechanisms
that are well in place,” he said. ■
cluding female-headed house-
holds, people with disabilities
and indigenous people.
An EU humanitarian ex-
pert has been deployed to the
earthquake zone to assess the
situation and the needs on the
ground.
More than 330,000 peo-
ple have been affected, over
100,000 of whom have been
displaced, by four powerful
and shallow earthquakes of
above 6 magnitude in Mind-
anao’s regions of Davao del Sur
and North Cotabato in Octo-
ber. ■
www.canadianinquirer.net
NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRIDAY
BY BENJAMIN PULTA Jail said Ampatuan remains at
Philippine News Agency a hospital in Makati City less
than a month before the dead-
line of the promulgation of the
MANILA — Government law- case
yers have formally asked the “In the alternative, should
court trying the Maguindanao accused Zaldy’s retention at the
massacre case to order princi- Makati Med be necessary, that
pal accused Zaldy Ampatuan’s security personnel guarding
return to jail from the Makati him be augmented to ensure
hospital where he is presently that he can never take flight,”
seeking treatment. the motion read.
In a manifestation dated No- Montero said Ampatuan had
vember 22 to Quezon City Re- been in the Intensive Care Unit
gional Trial Court Branch 221 for one week from October 22
Judge Jocelyn A. Solis-Reyes, to October 29 before he was
prosecutors led by Senior Assis- transferred to a regular room
tant State Prosecutors Olivia L. on the afternoon of October 29.
Torrevillas and Tofel G. Austria The letter noted that Ampatuan
said the court “should now stop is “still confined with continu-
extending so much grace, sym- ous physical therapy and occu-
pathy or concern pational therapy
to accused Zaldy for plegic left
Ampatuan but arm.”
has to act firmly Earlier this
and with an iron month, the Su-
hand to prevent The Quezon preme Court
any untoward City court (SC) granted the
contingency now has request of Solis-
while its decision until Reyes for more
is still underway. December time to come up
The prosecu- 20 to decide with a decision.
tors noted that the case. Chief Justice
Ampatuan is still Diosdado Peralta
being confined said the court
at the Makati considered the
Medical Center huge volume of
“without any evidence and
certainty and/or definite date parties in the case in giving
on when he will be finally dis- a 30-day extension to Solis-
charged therefrom.” Reyes. Under court rules, all
They requested the “imme- trial courts should promulgate
diate return of PDL Zaldy Am- their decision within the 90-
patuan to the Quezon City Jail day period after the case has
Annex, Camp Bagong Diwa, been submitted for decision.
Bicutan, or in the alternative The case has been submit-
to augment and/or tighten the ted for decision on August 22
security measures against the which means the deadline for
accused to preclude any possi- its promulgation should have
bility of his escape.” been on November 20, three
“To the mind of the prosecu- days before the massacre’s 10th
tion panel, there is no longer anniversary on November 23.
any need for accused Zaldy to The Quezon City court now
be continuously confined at the has until December 20 to de-
Makati Medical Center since he cide the case.
is only now undergoing physi- The attack resulted in the
cal and occupational therapy, death of 58 people, including
which procedure can be un- 32 journalists and media work-
dertaken or done at his deten- ers, the single worst peace-time
tion facility in Taguig City,” the incident involving the killing of
prosecutors added. newsmen.
In a letter dated November 19 Other victims were family
to Solis-Reyes, Makati City Jail members and supporters of the
Superintendent Warden Jhon Ampatuan clan’s political foe,
D. Montero of the Quezon City Esmael Mangudadatu. ■
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019
Duterte not satisfied with Robredo’s performance
as drug czar
BY RUTH ABBEY GITA-
CARLOS
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — President Rodrigo
Duterte on Saturday admitted
that he is not satisfied with Vice
President Maria Leonor “Leni”
Robredo’s performance as co-
chairperson of Inter-Agency
Committee on Anti-Illegal
Drugs (ICAD).
“Insofar as what she (Robre-
do) is doing now, that is not very
clear to me. Nakukulangan ako
sa ability niya (I am not satis-
fied with her ability),” the Pres-
ident said in a media interview
in Davao City.
“Ako, hindi pa siya nagtatra-
baho talaga nang husto (For
me, she has yet to give her best
as she is really not doing her job
well). I have yet to see the Vice
President working as an ICAD
co-chair,” he added.
On October 31, Robredo was
appointed to lead the ICAD,
along with Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency Director
General Aaron Aquino, until
June 30, 2022, after earning
the President’s ire when she
Sotto points to 17th Congress for 2019 budget delay
BY JOSE CIELITO REGANIT
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Senate President
Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday it
was the House of Representa-
tives in the Third Regular Ses-
sion of the 17th Congress that
caused the delay in the passage
of the 2019 budget, refuting
statements from the current
House leadership that the Sen-
ate was to blame for the delays.
In an interview, Sotto partic-
ularly pinned the blame to the
sudden leadership change that
ousted then-Speaker Pantale-
on Alvarez and installed former
president turned Pampanga
Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
to the Speakership.
“Una, nagpalit sila ng leader-
ship. Baka nakakalimutan nila
na nagpalit din sila ng chairman-
ship. Baka nakakalimutan nila
na imbis na i-submit sa amin by
October 1 yung budget, sinubmit
claimed that the drug war is
“absolutely not working.”
Duterte stressed Robredo
should know the “description
of her work” as ICAD co-chair.
He added that Robredo needs
to discuss with Aquino the
“sharing” of their powers as
heads of the anti-drug body.
No order for her to resign
On Wednesday, Robredo said
she would be willing to give up as
anti-drug czar should the Presi-
dent ask her to vacate the post.
The President, however, clar-
ified that he is not ordering Ro-
bredo to quit as ICAD co-chair.
“Hindi ako — ayaw ko sa
kanya. Sabi ko lang na I cannot
trust her kasi hindi kami mag-
ka-[alyado]. Kung sabihin mo
sa trabaho lang, trabaho ka lang
diyan (It’s not that I don’t like
her. I just said I don’t trust her.
If you said it’s just work, then
just do your work),” he said.
The President maintained
that he could not appoint Ro-
bredo as a member of his Cabi-
net, as he opted to discuss con-
fidential drug war records with
people who have the “same per-
suasion.”
nila nung November 24 (First
they changed leadership. They
must have forgotten that they
also changed chairmanships.
They must have also forgotten
that instead of submitting the
budget to the Senate by October
1, they submitted it on Novem-
ber 24),” Sotto said.
The Senate leader pointed
out that it was the late submis-
sion that was the root of the
delay as the Senate cannot go
through all its provisions be-
fore the Christmas break.
He said the last-minute in-
sertions made by the House
after the budget was ratified by
both Chambers led to the im-
passe, which further delayed
the budget approval.
“So paanong hindi sila ang
may kasalanan ng delay? Baka
nakalimutan na nila, o baka
wala sila noon doon, kaya sina-
sabi nila yan (So how could they
not be the cause of the delay?
They are saying that because
Duterte apologetic for previ-
ous rants vs. Robredo
Duterte’s refusal to let Ro-
bredo hold a Cabinet rank
stemmed from the Vice Presi-
dent’s earlier announcement
that she would be meeting of-
ficials of the United States (US)
and the United Nations (UN)
to discuss the Philippines’ han-
dling of drug problem.
Robredo clarified earlier that
she had only met with the offi-
cers of the US Embassy in Ma-
nila and the UN Office on Drugs
and Crime based in the Philip-
pines.
The President apologized for
believing in “false news” about
Robredo’s meeting with UN
officials who are critical of his
drug war.
“So if she says that’s false
news, I believe her. And I am
sorry because I said you only
realize that it is false news
when the news comes out. And
you hear it and you talk about it,
you react to it, that is the prob-
lem,” he said.
‘Not good’ for Robredo
Despite the apology, the Pres-
ident said it would be better if
Senate President Vicente Sotto III. SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES / FACEBOOK
either they may have forgotten,
or they were not there). But I
am talking about the House of
Representatives in the Third
Regular Session of the 17th
Congress. Yung HOR na yun
(That House),” Sotto said.
Sotto also defended Sen-
ate Minority Leader Franklin
Drilon for the cuts he proposed
www.canadianinquirer.net
Philippine News
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte with Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo on
May 26, 2019.
Robredo has limited access to
all information related to the
government’s campaign against
illegal drugs despite her role as
ICAD co-chair.
Duterte made the remark, as
he maintained his stance not
to share with Robredo the con-
fidential records about his ad-
ministration’s anti-narcotics.
“Pero kung sabihin mo na
(But if you’d say that) she will
ask [for] the paper and examine
all of these things, so there is
what you would call the need to
in the budget of the Southeast
Asian (SEA) Games, saying the
cuts were not part of the delay.
“A cut is completely different
from the so-called delay. Nung
ipinasa yun, pumayag naman
ang House. Pumayag sila doon.
Eh di sana sa bicam, sinabi nila
na kulang (The House even ap-
proved it when it was passed.
13
KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
know,” the President said.
“Is there a need for you, Leni,
to know everything? I don’t
think it’s good,” he added.
The President said he can
“never” trust Robredo, despite
the latter’s acceptance of the
position as ICAD co-chair.
“There can never be a trust
that can be nurtured between
the two of us for the simple rea-
son that Leni Robredo is with
the opposition, ako nandito ako
sa kabila (while I belong to the
ruling party),” Duterte said. ■
They agreed to it. They should
have said it was not enough
during the bicam),” Sotto said.
House Speaker Alan Peter
Cayetano earlier agreed with
another lawmaker that the mis-
haps being experienced in the
country’s hosting of the 30th
SEA Games were a result of the
delay in the approval of its 2019
budget.
The Speaker echoed House
Deputy Speaker Mikee Rome-
ro’s statement that the Sen-
ate, including Senate Minor-
ity Leader Franklin Drilon, is
“partly to blame” for the de-
layed budget approval.
Cayetano noted that it was
Drilon who moved to cut the
budget for the SEA Games by 33
percent and have it transferred
to the Philippine Sports Com-
mission (PSC).
“Pero siya (Drilon) ‘yung
nagle-lead ng criticism (But
it’s him now leading the criti-
cisms),” Cayetano said. ■
14
Duterte invites SoKor President to visit PH
BY AZER PARROCHA
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — President Rodrigo
Duterte has invited South Ko-
rean President Moon Jae-In
to visit the Philippines “at the
soonest mutually convenient
opportunity,” Malacañang said
on Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson
Salvador Panelo said Duterte
extended the invitation dur-
ing his bilateral meeting with
Moon on the sidelines of 2019
Association of Southeast Asian
Nations-Republic of Korea
(Asean-ROK) Commemorative
Summit on Monday.
During their meeting,
Duterte and Moon also agreed
to elevate Philippines-ROK bi-
lateral relations to a strategic
partnership.
The two leaders also wit-
Chicken sausage served to SEA Games athletes,
not kikiam
BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA
Philippine Canadian Inquirer
IT IS not true that the Philip-
pine women’s football team
participating in the 30th South-
east Asian (SEA) Games were
served with “kikiam,” a Filipino
street food.
In a letter addressed to Team
Philippines chef de mission
and Philippine Sports Com-
mission (PSC) chairman Wil-
liam Ramirez, the president
and chairman of Whitewoods
Convention & Leisure Hotel,
Edgardo M. Capulong, clarified
that it was actually chicken sau-
sage that was served to the ath-
letes for breakfast in its hotel in
Cavite.
Capulong said they have
Philippine News
nessed the signing and ex-
change of key agreements —
Social Security Agreement, an
Implementing Program for
Tourism Cooperation, and a
Joint Statement on progress in
the ongoing Philippine-ROK
Free Trade Agreement negotia-
tions.
Agreements on education
and fisheries cooperation were
also signed in separate ceremo-
nies in Busan.
Collective action
As for the summit, Duterte
and his fellow Asean lead-
ers welcomed Moon’s “New
Southern Policy,” which aims
to elevate Asean-ROK dialogue
partnership and stronger ROK
involvement in Asean-led re-
gional mechanisms.
Duterte also supported ini-
tiatives on increasing trade
and investments, connectivity,
proofs of their claim and the
Philippine Southeast Asian
Games Organizing Committee
(PHISGOC) Food Audit Team
in their hotel can attest to it.
“The other Pinoy athletes
also know that they ate chicken
sausage,” the executive said.
“We never serve kikiam be-
cause we do not have it and it is
not in our menu. Our serving is
generous because we decided
a free and open buffet service
complete with egg omelet sta-
tion that is not part of our con-
tract,” he added.
This clarification came after
the issue trended online and
drew flak from the public.
Capulong lamented the ac-
tion of a member of the Philip-
pine team who chose to post
her concern on her Facebook
capacity-building for MSMEs
(micro, small and medium en-
terprises), technical vocational
education training, smart city
development, and startup pro-
grams.
He also called for more stra-
tegic and preventive collective
action to address threats to re-
gional peace and security, in-
cluding terrorism and violent
extremism, drug trafficking,
piracy, and other maritime se-
curity issues, marine conserva-
tion, and climate change-relat-
ed issues.
Solution to conflict
During a special retreat ses-
sion on the Korean Peninsula
issue, Panelo said Duterte
stressed that the solution to
fraternal conflict is not military
solution, but dialogue.
“Only dialogue, based on mu-
tual trust and respect, can lead
account instead of directing it
to the management of the hotel.
He also expressed disap-
pointment at how the Team
Philippines brought Baliwag
Lechon for dinner without co-
ordinating the food audit com-
mittee. He said such action is
a “clear violation of our agree-
ment that no oil, pork be served
due to the sensitivity issue with
our Muslim brothers/athletes.”
“We are so sad because our
very own Pinoy athletes are the
very first ones to destroy our
dignity as Filipinos. Where is
our sense of nationalism?” he
said.
“All out efforts and undertak-
ing will be in vain because of a
few careless, insensitive ath-
letes of ours [who] are spread-
ing info,” he added.
www.canadianinquirer.net
to ‘a Korea at peace with itself
and without nuclear weapons’,”
Panelo said, citing the Presi-
dent.
The Asean and ROK lead-
ers adopted the co-chairs
statement which called for
the peaceful resolution of the
South China Sea disputes, in
accordance with international
law including United Nations
Convention for the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS).
Meanwhile, the importance
of non-militarization and self-
restraint by claimants and all
other states was also brought
up during their discussions.
Earlier, Defense Secretary
Delfin Lorenzana said Duterte
expressed support for South
Korea in the peaceful resolu-
tion of the Korean peninsula
conflict.
The leaders also adopted
the Joint Vision Statement for
Kikiam, a Filipino street food. PHILIPPINE CANADIAN INQUIRER
Despite this, the manage-
ment, Capulong assured, will
continue to provide “best ac-
commodation and food servic-
es” to its guests.
NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRIDAY
Peace, Prosperity, and Partner-
ship, which will serve as blue-
print for the next 30 years of
dialogue relations.
Side events
The Philippines also partici-
pated in ministerial-level side
events Asean-ROK CEO Sum-
mit, Asean-ROK Culture In-
novation Summit, 2019 Asean
–ROK Smart City Fair, and Ase-
an-ROK Exhibition on Public
Service Innovation.
In the 2019 Development Co-
operation Day, Socio-economic
Planning Secretary Ernesto
Pernia represented the Philip-
pines in signing a memoran-
dum of understanding (MOU)
on Development Cooperation
with ROK together with four
other Asean countries.
The 2019 Asean-ROK Min-
❱❱ PAGE 23 Duterte invites
It also thanked the PSC for
giving them an additional bud-
get to address the complaints
regarding food quantity and
quality. ■
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019
Marikina feted as champion
of ‘Disiplina Muna’ campaign
BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD
CALIWAN
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The city govern-
ment of Marikina has received
the Seal of Excellence in Gover-
nance from the Department of
the Interior and Local Govern-
ment (DILG) for sustaining the
obstruction-free status of roads
and sidewalks.
Interior Secretary Edu-
ardo Año personally handed
the award to Marikina Mayor
Marcelino Teodoro during the
grand launching of the “Disip-
lina Muna” campaign and the
Safe Philippines Project at the
Marikina Hotel and Conven-
tion Center last Friday.
In his speech, Año lauded
the city as he recalled how it
evolved into becoming an or-
derly and model city.
“I witnessed the evolution of
Marikina during 1960s, 1970s
until now. As you can see the
city of Marikina we call it mod-
el city in our country. Sa katu-
nayan dito mismo sa Marikina,
masaya akong ibahagi na nan-
gunguna kayo sa pagtataguyod
ng maayos at maluwag na lan-
sangan (In fact in Marikina, I
am happy to share that you are
leading the way of obstruction-
free status of roads and side-
walks),” Año said.
He added that the city serves
as a model to other cities and
municipalities for its numerous
road-clearing initiatives and
consistent enforcement of or-
dinances, as well as for instill-
ing the culture of discipline to
its residents.
“Gusto kong bigyan ng com-
mendation ang Marikina,
sapagkat bago pa man mag-
simula ang ating road clearing
operations nangunguna na ang
Marikina sapagkat nagsimula
na sila noon pa man ( I would
like to give to give commenda-
tion the Marikina, because even
before start of road clearing
operations, the city has been
started clearing their roads,),”
Año said.
Among the measures imple-
mented by the city to sustain its
obstruction-free throughfares
was the “No garage, No Build-
ing Permit Ordinance of 2019”
which requires business own-
ers to provide proof-of-parking
DILG Sec. Eduardo Año and Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro.
space before they could obtain
a permit from the local govern-
ment.
The city also mandated the
removal of gates of subdivi-
sions to give motorists alter-
nate routes.
“Consistent and fair imple-
mentation of these ordinances is
key,” Teodoro said in his speech.
Teodoro said President
Duterte’s order to reclaim
roads and sidewalks being used
for personal gain of some peo-
ple was a right move because
roads and sidewalks are public
domain.
“This is our contribution
to national development that
we can boldly and proudly say
that Marikina’s main roads
and thoroughfares are hassle-
and hazard-free. The most
challenging part, however, is
sustaining the sidewalks and
roads, making sure that they
are always clean and walkable,”
Teodoro said.
Because of the city’s com-
mendable efforts, Teodoro
was included in the line-up of
ambassadors of the “Disiplina
Muna” campaign.
The “Disiplina Muna” cam-
paign of the DILG, the offshoot
of the successful implementa-
tion of the road clearing opera-
tions in the country, seeks to
revive and promote the culture
of discipline as a bridge toward
real change.
MARIKINA PIO / FACEBOOK
It aims to revive and uplift
the culture of discipline and
to put into practice the real
concept of governance where
citizens are encouraged to help
achieve national growth.
DILG Undersecretary and
spokesperson Jonathan Ma-
laya said the national campaign
wanted to achieve what Mariki-
na has attained, which is con-
sidered as the “gold standard.”
“Tuwing ini-interview kami ni
Secretary Año lagi naming sina-
sabi na ang Marikina ang gold
standard sa Disiplina Muna
campaign ng pamahalaan (In
every interview along with the
Secretary, we always say that
Marikina is the Gold Standard
of the Discipline First cam-
paign of the government). What
Marikina City aspired to be is
what Disiplina Muna program
wants to achieve,” he said.
Teodoro said they had been
instilling in the minds of resi-
dents that cleanliness and or-
der must always be observed for
everyone’s benefit.
Marikina was the first city in
Metro Manila to comply with
the DILG’s directive to clear
all public roads of obstructions
ahead of its 60–day deadline.
The city government re-
ceived the highest score of
“high-compliance” for its road
clearing operations, and for
maintaining that all city roads
are obstruction-free. ■
www.canadianinquirer.net
Philippine News
Duterte eyes...
❰❰ 1 televised interview.
“Ayaw niya ‘yun (He
doesn’t want that).
And there were allegations of
fraud na lumalabas sa diyaryo.
Ayaw niya rin ‘yun (coming out
on the newspapers. He doesn’t
want that either). He wants to
investigate that. Hindi uubra sa
kanya ang corruption (He won’t
tolerate corruption),”
Panelo said the investiga-
tion would include Philippine
Southeast Asian Games Orga-
nizing Committee (Phisgoc)
Foundation Inc.chairman,
House Speaker Alan Peter Cay-
etano, and the controversial
PHP50-million cauldron proj-
ect.
He also welcomed investiga-
tions to be conducted by both
the Senate and the House of
Representatives.
Meanwhile, Panelo said that
Phisgoc should also reconsider
accepting help offered by gov-
ernment agencies for being
unable to carry out its assigned
tasks.
Memorandum Circular No.
56, signed by Executive Sec-
retary Salvador Medialdea by
authority of the President last
January 25, urges all govern-
ment agencies and instru-
mentalities, including govern-
ment-owned or -controlled
corporations and local gov-
ernment units to extend their
support to the Phisgoc in the
preparation, organization, and
holding of the biennial meet.
It also asked the Philippine
Sports Commission, the Phil-
ippine Olympic Committee
and all the concerned national
sports associations (NSAs) to
coordinate with and support
each other for the effective
preparation and successful
participation of the Philippine
delegates in the biennial sports
meet and all preparatory and
relevant competitions.
Duterte’s former aide, Sena-
tor Christopher “Bong” Go
earlier said Duterte was “very
concerned” about the welfare
of athletes participating in the
event.
On Sunday, Panelo as-
sured the athletes would have
a “pleasant, productive, and
memorable” stay in the Philip-
pines.
“We are not promising that
the Games will run without
a hitch, given the countless
athletes who will participate
and represent their respective
countries. But we will exercise
15
due diligence in making sure
everyone will have a pleasant,
productive, and memorable
stay in the Philippines,” Panelo
said.
Heads will roll
Panelo earlier said no official
from Phisgoc will be dismissed
but changed tune following re-
ports of complaints and prob-
lems encountered by foreign
delegates particularly football
team members.
In an interview with Radyo
Pilipinas on Wednesday, Panelo
said heads will roll among the
local organizers of the biennial
meet.
“Oo, siyempre accountable
’yung mga tao diyan kung meron
nga kaya kailangang paimbesti-
gahan (Yes, of course the people
at fault with be held account-
able that’s why we want them
investigated),” Panelo said.
“Sabi niya, kailangan ayusin
nila yung ginagawa nila para
hindi tayo mapapahiya sa ibang
bansa. Sabi niya, mananagot
‘yung mga may kasalanan kung
meron man (The President said
they need to fix their mess so
that we don’t embarrass our-
selves to other countries),”
Panelo said.
He, however, acknowledged
that some news reports on al-
leged SEA Games-related blun-
ders were fake such as some
athletes being fed kikiam for
their breakfast buffet when
they were actually served
chicken sausage.
The Palace official also said
the government agencies are
ready to provide assistance
should the Phisgoc needs it.
“Kung ano pa man ang kaku-
langan, tulungan na lang natin
(Whatever they lack in, we’ll
help them),” he said.
Panelo said it was not yet
clear whether the Presidential
Anti-Corruption Commission
(PACC) or Department of Jus-
tice (DOJ) would conduct the
investigation.
On Tuesday, PACC chair
Dante Jimenez said there
would be an immediate investi-
gation into the supposed blun-
ders hounding the SEA Games
once a complaint is lodged be-
fore his office.
While a complaint has yet to
be filed, Jimenez said the PACC
may launch a “motu proprio”
(on its own) investigation into
the supposed mistakes com-
mitted by SEA Games organiz-
ers. ■
16
Canada News
Marco Mendicino appointed new Canadian
immigration minister
BY BELLA SIDDIQ, ALEXANDRA
MIEKUS, AND SHELBY THEVENOT
CIC News
PRIME MINISTER Justin Trudeau has
named Marco Mendicino as Canada’s
next Minister of Immigration, Refugees
and Citizenship.
A descendant of Italian immigrants to
Canada, Mendicino represents the riding
of Eglinton-Lawrence in Toronto, Ontario.
The 46 year old has an extensive back-
ground in law and worked for nearly 10
years as a federal prosecutor. During
this time, he helped put members of the
“Toronto 18” terror group behind bars.
Mendicino will now be responsible for
making the case for immigration poli-
cies promised by the Trudeau-led Lib-
eral Party of Canada during the recent
Global Talent Loans Program
federal election.
The Liberals won a minority govern-
ment, meaning they will have to rely
on opposition votes to implement their
pledges to raise immigration levels, cre-
ate a Municipal Nominee Program, waive
citizenship fees and make the Atlantic
Immigration Pilot a permanent program.
350,000 immigrants by 2021
During their four years in a major-
ity government, the Liberals increased
immigration levels from about 260,000
annually to a target of 330,800 in 2019.
Those targets are set to increase by an-
other 20,000 to 350,000 in 2021. All to-
gether this could mean over a million
newcomers in the next three years.
The Liberals also put greater emphasis
on refugees during their last term. They
increased refugee class intake to 15 per
Are you an
Internationally
Trained Professional
in need of financial
support for your
Foreign Credential
Recognition?
For more information contact:
778-372-6609
globaltalentloans@issbc.org
issbc.org/globaltalentloans
Global Talent Loans program
is delivered in partnership with
Funded in part by the Government
of Canada’s Foreign Credential
Recognition Program
www.canadianinquirer.net
cent, and reduced the economic class
intake to about 58 per cent. Family class
immigration levels remained untouched.
The Liberals have promised to make
“modest and responsible” increases to
immigration levels in the years to come.
Free Canadian citizenship applications
Currently, permanent residents must
pay $530 to obtain citizenship, plus a
$100 “right of citizenship fee.”
The promise to waive the fees alto-
gether is a part of a renewed effort to
reform the Citizenship Act to make ac-
quiring citizenship more accessible re-
gardless of socioeconomic factors such
as age and income.
Municipal Nominee program
In an effort to promote immigration
to communities of “all sizes” around
Canada, the Liberals promised to imple-
ment a Municipal Nominee Program.
The program would open up a mini-
mum of 5,000 new spaces for prospec-
tive immigrants and “allow local com-
munities, chambers of commerce, and
local labour councils to directly sponsor
permanent immigrants.”
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Pro-
gram (AIPP) was created to curb the
population decline in Canada’s four
Maritime provinces.
The AIPP allows employers in New-
foundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia,
New Brunswick and Prince Edward Is-
land to hire foreign nationals for a job
they cannot fill locally.
The pilot was extended an additional
two years in May and is now slated to be-
come a permanent instalment.
Two-term MP
Since entering Parliament in 2015,
MARCO MENDICINO / FACEBOOK
Mendicino has served as the parliamen-
tary secretary to the Minister of Infra-
structure and Communities and was in-
volved in advancing government green
infrastructure and social infrastructure
in Toronto and across Canada.
He was re-elected as the Member of
Parliament for Eglinton-Lawrence on
October 21, 2019 with 53 per cent of vot-
er support.
In 2017 he served as the Parliamen-
tary Secretary to the Minister of Justice
and Attorney General of Canada, where
he helped to advance federal priorities
such as Criminal Justice Reform, Rec-
onciliation with Indigenous peoples and
Restorative Justice.
Mendicino worked at the Law Society
of Upper Canada and was the President
of the Association of Justice Counsel,
where he served for two terms.
He has advocated for better laws on
organized crime and access to justice
before the House of Commons and the
Senate.
The new Minister of Immigration
also sat on a number of boards and has
been involved with the John Wanless
Childcare Centre, John Wanless Pub-
lic School, North Toronto Soccer Club,
COSTI Immigration Services, the To-
ronto Symphony Volunteer Committee
and Heart & Stroke Canada.
“My career has always bent toward
public service. I’ve served federally; I’ve
volunteered locally. And as the descen-
dant of Italian immigrants who came
here with very little, I want to contrib-
ute in the greatest way I can,” Mendicino
told Toronto Life.
Mendicino will be replacing Ahmed
Hussen who lead Immigration, Refu-
gees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
since 2017. Hussen will be taking over
the role of Minister of Families Children
and Social Development. ■
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019 Canada News 17

Government of Deaths over past two

Canada committed weeks of former foster kids
to Saskatchewan receiving supports reinforces
agriculture need to reverse cuts: NDP
IN HER first trip in her renewed management programs. The EDMONTON — The NDP Offi-
role as Minister of Agriculture Government of Canada has an cial Opposition is calling for the
and Agri-Food, the Honourable ambitious agenda to help pro- UCP Government to reverse
Marie-Claude Bibeau travelled ducers to grow the Canadian its cruel and heartless cuts to
to Saskatchewan to take part in agriculture sector, including supports for former foster chil-
the Canadian Western Agribi- reaching $75B in agri-food ex- dren after learning at least two
tion (CWA)—the largest live- ports by 2025. young people have died in the
stock show in Canada—and to Minister Bibeau participat- past 11 days.
meet with industry stakehold- ed at the CWA kickoff event Sources have indicated a
ers, as well as her and toured the third young person has died as
provincial coun- grounds with her well and all three deaths came
terpart, David provincial coun- as a result of suicide.
Marit to discuss terpart. Minister Two of the deaths have been
ongoing agricul- Bibeau also had reported on the Government of
tural issues and In this year a chance to meet Alberta’s website, as required
priorities. which is mentors and by law, and they occurred Nov.
During her ending with mentees from 17 and Nov. 20.
trip, Minister Bi- an extremely the CWA’s Next The Support and Financial
beau heard from difficult harvest Gen Agriculture Assistance Agreements (SFAA)
beef producers season, I am program, a pro- program, which supports
at an industry pleased to gram which aims young people who grew up in Premier Jason Kenney. JASON KENNEY / FACEBOOK

roundtable and come to meet to provide young government care to transition

also met with them here in people with in- to independence is being cut by these young people can apply transitioning out of care. It also
representatives Saskatchewan dustry skills for Premier Jason Kenney and the for other government programs states that young people should
from the grains for my first trip the future. UCP Government and the eli- is false,” Pancholi said. “There be linked with adult services
and oilseeds sec- after returning gible age for SFAA supports will is no equivalent support. before their SFAAs terminate.
tor. Minister Bi- as the Minister Quick facts be reduced from age 24 to 22. “All we have gotten from the “These recommendations
beau highlighted of Agriculture The CWA is NDP Children’s Services Premier and the Minister are are based on the current sys-
that the Govern- and Agri- an international Critic Rakhi Pancholi said the excuses. They are willingly tem of providing supports from
ment of Canada Food. I am hub of agricul- tragedies reinforce the vulner- turning a blind eye to the des- age 18-24 — it suggests putting
recognizes the determined to ture excellence, ability of young people who perate situation of these young forward more funding to assist
challenges that work tirelessly hosting over grew up in care. people in the interest of ‘effi- these young people, not less.,”
farmers and food with Minister 1,250 interna- “We call on the Minister to ciencies’, while giving $4.7-bil- Pancholi said. “There will be so
processors are Marit and tional guests confirm these three deaths and lion in handouts to big corpora- much more pain and suffering
facing, particu- our other from over 86 the circumstances surround- tions. should those supports be cut.”
larly related to provincial countries. ing them,” Pancholi said. “They “The budget hasn’t passed, Wallis Kendal, a longtime
the bad weather partners to The agricul- reinforce the vulnerability of Premier Jason Kenney and his outreach worker, co-founder
at harvest and help them ture and agri- young people who grew up in Cabinet still have time to do the of the iHuman Youth Society
the CN strike. succeed. food system care and that programs and right thing and reverse these and founder of the Moving
The Minister contributed over support for these young people terrible, cruel cuts.” the Mountains project to help
reaffirmed that $143 billion to should not be cut. In fact, they Also, on Tuesday, the Child at-risk Indigenous women,
she is eager to Canada’s GDP should receive increased sup- and Youth Advocate released joined the Official Opposition
listen to and and employed port.” a special report on the deaths at the Legislature for a second
work closely with producers to 2.3 million people in Canada in All told, effective April 1, of six young people who had time Tuesday to call for cuts to
ensure they are positioned for 2018. 2020, about 500 former foster SFAAs. The report recom- SFAAs to be reversed.
success and to overcome chal- Canada’s agriculture and kids will lose transition sup- mends improving policy and “This Government is playing
lenges, with reliable access to agri-food system (agricultural ports they had previously been practice guidelines, providing Russian roulette with the youth
a diverse range of internation- sector and related activities) counting on. more training and safe hous- they are charged to provide the
al markets and business risk accounts for one in eight jobs. ■ “The Minister’s claim that ing options for young people care of a parent to,” Kendal said.■

www.canadianinquirer.net
18 NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRIDAY

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019 World News 19

Asean, SoKor agree to resist all forms

of protectionism
PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY as trade protectionism, transnational
crimes and the Fourth Industrial Revo-
lution,” South Korean President Moon
BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA — The As- Jae-in said during a formal session of
sociation of Southeast Asian Nations the group summit.
(Asean)’s 10 member countries and Moon offered to overcome the chal-
South Korea on Tuesday agreed to resist lenges through “cooperation and soli-
all forms of protectionism and enhance darity” between the two sides, and to
trade for regional prosperity. build a fair, free “trade community” to
The agreement prevent the spread of
was reached after the trade protectionism
two-day Asean-ROK from shrinking trade
Commemorative and investment in
Summit was held in the region.
Busan, the southern The special sum-
port city of South We are facing mit was co-chaired
Korea, to celebrate new challenges by Moon and Thai
the 30th anniversary such as trade Prime Minister Pra- ASEAN-ROK COMMEMORATIVE SUMMIT. Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
of dialogue partner- protectionism, yut Chan-o-cha. In (Asean) and South Korea President Moon Jae-in pose for posterity prior to the start of the Asean-
ship between the two transnational the co-chairs’ state- Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center on
sides. ROK stands for crimes and the ment, they welcomed November 26, 2019.
the Republic of Ko- Fourth Industrial the conclusion of ARMAN BAYLON/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

rea, South Korea’s of- Revolution. text-based nego-

ficial name. tiations on Regional gotiations and all market access issues region, including China, South Korea,
In a joint vision Comprehensive Eco- earlier this month in Bangkok, Thailand Japan, India, Australia and New Zea-
statement released nomic Partnership with an aim to sign the mega free-trade land.
after the summit, (RCEP). pact next year. Asean members are Brunei, Cambo-
the Asean and South They agreed to Initiated in 2012, the RCEP brought dia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myan-
Korea agreed to their “commitment to work together on outstanding issues together 10 member-countries of the mar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thai-
support for the enhancement of trade with a view to signing the agreement in Asean and their six trade partners in the land, and Vietnam. ■
and investment and the resistance to all 2020, saying it would create a “modern,
forms of protectionism in order to im- comprehensive, high quality and mutu-
prove regional development and pros- ally beneficial” RCEP agreement.

PSYCHIC
perity.” Fifteen out of the 16 RCEP participat-
“We are facing new challenges such ing countries concluded text-based ne-

US House passes Hong

Kong human rights bills
PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House
of Representatives passed two bills
Wednesday aimed at supporting pro-
testers in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and
Democracy Act, which would impose
sanctions on those responsible for hu-
man rights violations, passed by a vote
of 417-1.
Under the Act, U.S. Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo would have to certify an-
nually that Hong Kong retains enough
autonomy to qualify for special Ameri-
can trading consideration that bolsters
its status as a world financial center.
The House also voted on a measure to
FAITH
which now head to President Donald
Trump’s desk for approval.
Reader, Healer and Adviser
China condemned the passage of the
“Hong Kong Human Rights and Democ- TELL PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
racy Act,” the state-run Xinhua news
agency reported earlier in the day.
The move “grossly interfered in Chi- specializes on removing all types negative
na’s internal affairs,” said Xinhua, cit- energy, bad luck and evil influences
ing a statement from the Foreign Affairs
Committee of the National People’s
Congress (NPC). helps in all life problems such
The bills came as Hong Kong, an au- as love life, business matters,
tonomous region under China since
1997, is witnessing protests that began immigration and family issues
in early June against the Carrie Lam ad-
ministration’s move to legalize extradi- A l l i n P r i v a t e a n d C o n fi d e n t i a l
tion to mainland China.
The government has already dumped Call today for a better tomorrow
the bill, but protests continue with de-

778-379-4070
prohibit the commercial export of cov- mands to prosecute police for violence. 99% OVER
ered munitions items to the Hong Kong Citing a person familiar with the mat-
Police Force. It passed by 417-0. ter, Bloomberg reported that Trump ACCURATE 30 YRS EXP
The Senate unanimously approved is expected to sign the Hong Kong bills
both pieces of legislation Tuesday, into law. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net
20

Entertainment
Korean star Goo Hara found dead Bretman Rock asks
BY ARLNIE COLLEENE
TALAIN SINGCA
PH fans for privacy
Philippine Canadian Inquirer
as he mourns
THE KPOP community has
once again lost another angel.
Former member of the dis-
father’s passing
banded group Kara and actress
Goo Hara has passed away last BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA he was okay because he had not
November 24. Philippine Canadian Inquirer posted anything on his Insta-
According to the police, an gram account.
acquaintance found her body The next day, the YouTube
unconscious at around 6 p.m. at BRETMAN ROCK seems he’s sensation tweeted a heart and
her house in Seoul. had enough of his Filipino fans a dove, which seemed to signify
It was revealed that it was Ha- who crashed at his father’s fu- his father’s passing.
ra’s housekeeper who found her neral just to take photos, which Despite this, Bretman tried to
with the police adding, “Based prompted the 21-year-old inter- lessen the pain of losing some-
on on-site inspection and testi- net star to appeal to them to give one by posting photos of him
mony from her family, there are him some privacy as he mourns. crying, with the second picture
no suspicions of a crime.” In a tweet on Thursday, No- showing a line of snot hanging
With the recent updates vember 21, Bretman said he flew out his nose.
regarding the investigation, to the Philippines to pay his last “I just wanted to document
Commissioner Lee Yong Pyo of respects to his dad. But much to these pics of me crying… to re-
the Seoul Metropolitan Police his dismay, his fans went both to mind y’all that it’s okay to cry..
agency stated that “There was his house and during the funeral bad b*tches can cry too,” he
a hand-written note found on a @KOOHARA / INSTAGRAM to ask him for photos. wrote in the caption.
table in her living room.” “Can people just let me be Bretman was recently named
Another police, however, Grieving industry IU chose to sing “Dear Name” sad for once…. So many people the beauty influencer of the
added, “There is nothing we can The Kpop industry was shak- for her encore, that wasn’t orig- showed up to my dads funeral year by the E! People’s Choice
reveal about the contents of the en after the news broke out and inally included on the concert’s uninvited and started taking Awards, besting other nomi-
note.” celebrities immediately ex- set list. pics of my dad and my family.. nees such as Jeffree Star, James
Based on the analysis of a pressed their feelings towards It can be remembered that Like why? It’s common sense,” Charles, Nikita Dragun, Desi
CCTV footage, the commis- the passing of the idol. Hara was one of the celebrities the beauty vlogger wrote. Perkins, among others.
sioner also revealed that Hara Hara’s fellow member from who expressed extreme grief “I just don’t understand why The make-up guru dedicated
came home at 12:35 a.m. on Kara, Seungyeon, was report- during the death of her best people think it’s okay to ask me his award to his dad whom he
Sunday morning, and never left ed to have allegedly rushed to friend, Sulli, last October 14. for pictures when my eyes are said has “always supported and
the house since then. “So it is the idol’s house as soon as she Hara even went live on Insta- literally swollen from crying… loved me unconditionally.”
presumed that she passed away heard the news about her close gram and was seen crying her how you gonna say ‘condolenc- “I love you so much and I will
after that time,” he added, friend. eyes out while sharing how she es, can we take a picture?’“ he always be grateful for allow-
In May, Hara felt at the pass- went on. ing me to express myself and
made headlines ing of her dearest Earlier this month, Bretman defended me whenever haters
when she was friend. said he found out that his dad, said anything. This one is for
hospitalized af- Hara debuted Edmund Laforga, fell into a you Papa. I hope I make you the
ter being found In terms of health, I am as a member of coma. He was responding to a proudest,” he said in an Insta-
unconscious at recovering… I had been in agony the girl group concerned fan who asked him if gram post last November 11. ■
her home, fol- over a number of overlapping Kara in 2007, un-
lowing an al- issues. But from now on, I will der the entertain-
leged suicide at- steel my heart and try to show up ment company
tempt. Later that healthy. DSP Media. The
month, she is- group rose in
sued a statement popularity both
apologizing to in South Korea,
her fans and telling everyone Meanwhile, one of Hara’s Japan, and other Asian countries
she’s recovering. closest friends in the industry, as well. After almost a decade of
“I am sorry for causing con- Kim Heechul of Super Junior, promoting, the group disbanded
cerns and a commotion. In turned his Instagram account after three of its members did
terms of health, I am recover- to private and unfollowed ev- not renew their contract with the
ing… I had been in agony over a eryone shortly after learning company anymore.
number of overlapping issues. about her death. Hara recently continued her
But from now on, I will steel It was also the last leg of IU’s music career after releasing her
my heart and try to show up Love Poem tour in South Korea latest Japanese single, “Mid-
healthy,” Hara wrote, according when the news reached the solo night Queen,” and even held a
to Yonhap News Agency. artist. According to fans online, Japanese tour this month. ■ @BRETMANROCK / INSTAGRAM

www.canadianinquirer.net
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019 Entertainment 21

G-DRAGON gifts Dara ‘special’ sneakers

BY ARLNIE COLLEENE
TALAIN SINGCA
Philippine Canadian Inquirer
ATTENTION, DARAGONS:
The ship is sailing! BIGBANG’S
G-DRAGON just gave Dara
three pairs of sneakers, “Para-
noise,” from his fashion brand
PEACEMINUSONE in collabo-
ration with Nike Air Force 1.
DARAGON fans couldn’t
contain their happiness upon
seeing the latest update from
the two idols after the former
2NE1 member, Dara, posted
on her Instagram account the
sneakers that G-DRAGON gave
her. The interaction was widely
celebrated as the idols’ ship
name “Daragon” even trended
on Twitter on Saturday night.
As seen from Dara’s post on
her Instagram account, she
received three pairs of Para-
noise sneakers: one with the
white Nike logo, and another
with the red. While the third
one was, as fans would say, “es-
pecially customized” because
of Dara’s name written at the
backside of the shoes, and the
words ‘I don’t cAIR’ (which was
the title of one of 2NE1’s hits)
written on the side sole. Fans
also noticed that the personal-
ized shoes were originally the
standard white version because
of the white logo inside, but G-
DRAGON painted the logos on
the outer sides with yellow.
It only took a night to wake
up the inner DARAGON in the
hearts of the patiently wait-
ing fans. Because on the same
#paranoise @peaceminusonedotcom x @nikesportswear 추카추카!!! 👏👏👏.
night, Dara also posted a photo
of her with the man of the hour
@DARAXXI / INSTAGRAM
from the private fashion event
held in Seoul, which G-DRAG-
ON participated in.
For the DARAGON fans, this
just gives them another rea-
son to believe that the two Ko-
rean artists are more than just
friends.
Dara and G-DRAGON have
been rumored to be dating, but
until this day, the two have de-
nied the fans’ assumptions and
remained only friends for a
long time.
G-DRAGON was just dis-
charged from his military ser-
vice last October 26, and the
event was his first-ever public
appearance since then.
VIPs, or what the fans of BIG-
BANG are called, are now wait-
ing for the future activities of
the group as all of the members
have also been discharged from
the military. ■

Benjamin Alves on pursuit of passion Max Eigenmann named

SOUGHT-AFTER LEADING
man Benjamin Alves renewed
his contract with GMA Net-
work last November 12.
Present in the contract-
signing were GMA Senior Vice
President for Entertainment
Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable,
GMA Senior Assistant Vice
President for Alternative Pro-
ductions Gigi Santiago-Lara,
GMA Artist Center Assistant
Vice President and Head for
Talent Imaging and Marketing
Unit Simoun Ferrer, GMA Art-
ist Center Senior Talent Man-
ager Daryl Zamora, and Benja-
min’s co-manager and Empire
PH President Jonas Gaffud.
Benjamin, who started his
career as a Kapuso in 2012, ex-
pressed his gratitude for all the
support he received from GMA
all these years.
He said, “This has always
been my home, I always felt
at home here from the time
that I started, never po akong
nag-isip or nag-doubt na that
I really feel like I belong here.
From the start, when I signed
my first contract, they never
made me feel like I wasn’t wel-
comed or part of the family and
that means a lot. I think I want
to show that appreciation by
doing well with the shows that
they’re giving me and to stay
loyal to the Network.”
Aside from exhibiting his act-
ing caliber in various Kapuso
programs, Benjamin is also an
Best Actress at 2019 Asia
Pacific Screen Awards
inspiration to the young gen-
eration.
Being the GMA Network Ex-
cellence Awards (GNEA) am-
bassador for four years now,
he sees this platform to advo-
cate his passion for learning
and through this, he continues
to discover more of the Fili-
pino youth’s exemplary perfor-
mance in academics and lead-
ership, and to inspire them on
social responsibility.
SUPPLIED
Rasonable shared that she
is proud of Ben’s growth as a
well-rounded artist and sees
that he constantly finds ways to
further hone his skills, “Nakita
mo ‘yung ang layo na ng narat-
ing niya sa kaniyang craft, itong
huling ginawa niya na Dahil
Sa Pag-ibig, we saw a different
Ben, he did it very well so it’s
very gratifying to see someone
like him na mag-grow as an ac-
tor here in GMA.” ■
BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA
Philippine Canadian Inquirer
MAX EIGENMANN took home
the Best Actress award at the
2019 Asia Pacific Screen Awards
for playing the role of an abused
wife in the film “Verdict.”
In her acceptance speech, as
she received her trophy at the
awards ceremony in Brisbane,
Australia on Thursday, Novem-
ber 21, Max said bagging the
title was “beyond anything that
I expected or imagined.”
“Being here tonight has truly
been one of the most momen-
tous and exciting experiences
of my life,” she said.
The actress expressed her
gratitude to her manager Ricky
Gallardo, whom she said has
“taken really great care” of her
throughout her career, “Ver-
dict’s” director Raymund Ribay
Gutierrez, and producer Bril-
lante Mendoza for trusting and
guiding her.
“I’d like to share this honor
with my cast and crew, most es-
pecially my co-star, Kristoffer
King, who played my husband
in the movie and he passed
away two months after we
wrapped up the film, so I really
like to share this with him,” she
said.
Max turned emotional as she
mentioned her partner, who
has been patient and support-
ive of her, and her children for
being her inspiration and mo-
tivation in everything she does.
“I’d like to thank my parents.
My mom, who always pushes
me to be the best that I can be,
and most especially my dad,
who I know is looking down on
me from heaven right now, ex-
tremely proud,” she said.
“This is for you, Philippines!
Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pili-
pino (Long live, Philippine cin-
ema)!” she ended.
“Verdict,” a crime drama
film, tells the story of Joy who
files a case against her abu-
sive husband, Dante, when her
daughter, Angel, also becomes
involved in such a violent strug-
gle.
It was earlier announced that
the movie was chosen as the
country’s entry for the Foreign
Language Film category of the
Academy Award or The Oscars
in 2020.
Last September, the “Ver-
dict” won the Special Jury Prize
at the 76th Venice Film Festi-
val. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net
22

‘Korean Life Aesthetics’:
A mix of past, present styles
BY MA. CRISTINA
ARAYATA
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — With “hallyu” (Ko-
rean wave) taking the Philip-
pines and many other coun-
tries by storm, the door opened
for many fans to explore the
uniqueness and beauty of Ko-
rean culture and way of life.
For those who want to take
a trip both down memory lane
into the Joseon dynasty and the
modern times, an exhibit — the
“Korean Life Aesthetics,” is a
Lifestyle
News Agency (PNA).
He added that this is the first
time such craft exhibit was held
in the Philippines, because
2019 marks the 70th year of
bilateral relations between the
Philippines and South Korea.
The Korea Craft and Design
Foundation chose 33 artists to
showcase their designs — furni-
ture, dining set, hanbok, among
others — that one can find in
the “hanok,” the traditional Ko-
rean house.
“The crafts (here) are link-
ing the past and the present
(times). They introduce both
as well as the notable Korean
drama, “Jewel in the Palace”
through the exhibit’s Table Set
of Accommodation section. Ta-
ble settings depend on Korea’s
four seasons, said Jin.
Here, one could find a five-
dish brassware set. These are
used for rice, and side dishes.
Since the bowls were made of
bronze and copper, it appar-
ently makes the food’s shelf life
longer.
Kim Wan-Kyu, a known cab-
inet-maker in Korea, said they
still make that kind of table Bigger moon jars displayed in the Naturalistic Rest section..
set now. They used a pine tree, CRISTINA ARAYATA / PNA

must-see. the past and present aesthet- burned it to give it a beautiful

Officially opened at the Met-
ropolitan Museum of Manila on
November 14, this craft exhibit
lets the public see minimalist
designs that were based on Ko-
rea’s history and culture, but
were also given a modern twist.
“This is the 21st century, the
age of internet. We wanted peo-
ple to see our life, culture, and
what matters to us. So we share
these through artworks,” Kore-
an Cultural Center director Lee
Jincheol told the Philippine
ics of Korean life,” said exhibit
director, Jin Hyo-Seung, add-
ing that crafts are important
cultural tools to show their life-
style and artistic inclination.
At the entrance of the ex-
hibit, one would find 28 pieces
of moon jars, representing one
rotation of the moon or 28 days,
according to Jin.
A moon jar, apparently, is ex-
pensive, as this is meticulously
made.
Feel the vibe of the old Korea,
color and texture. After burn-
ing, he said they scraped then
varnished it.
In the Simple Study section,
visitors would see that in the
past, Koreans just sit on the
floor. The tables were assem-
bled without using nails, and
the designs are very minimalist.
Kim noted that minimalism
is the key in study rooms in Ko-
rea.
“In the past, people study
hard to be a member of the gov-
ernment. It is important for
them to read everyday,” he re-
marked.
He added that it was the rea-
son why the room’s design was
narrow and small, so they could
only put books.
Elegant Boudoir section
showcases separate rooms for
female and male Koreans. It’s
like seeing what a typical room
in the old Korea looks like.
The Naturalistic Rest, on the
other hand, does not only show-
case some fine tea sets, but de-
picts how Koreans normally de-
sign their homes. A “window”
was adorned with a curtain
made from very thin bamboo,
so Koreans could see the view
outside. The “outside view”
also has moon jars displayed.
“Korean Life Aesthetics”
caps off the year-long celebra-
tion of the Philippines-South
Korea 70th year of diplomatic
relations. It will run until Jan.
31, 2020. ■

UP alumna finds passion for service thru ROTC

BY CHRISTINE CUDIS
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — When she was
younger, 29-year-old 1Lt. Mar-
jorie Siwa already planned that
she would pursue law — earn
well, be a private individual,
and have a good life.
But in college, she decided
to give herself some challenge
through joining the Reserve Of-
ficers Training Corps (ROTC).
“In my stint in UP, first year,
may choice kami kung ano yung
kukunin namin (we are given
the choice on what we want to
take up) [I wanted to] be chal-
lenged, [I wanted to] strength-
en my leadership skills,” she
shared in an interview with the
Philippine News Agency.
Siwa said that she used to she said. amazed with the scope of work col Region.
have wrong impressions about She graduated from ROTC’s done by the) AFP. (I was also The Army hopes to see more
the military before she did her Military Science 1 in 2008 while amazed with the) dedication Siwa in the force as the country
training. she was taking up Political Sci- (of ) men and women in uni- is falling far behind its neigh-
“Before, my perception of ence at the University of the form, nakikita ko yung mga boring regions with regards to
the military is purely one-sid- Philippines in Diliman. sundalo kahit na (I see the sol- citizens who acquired military
ed, one dimen- diers) day and training.
sional, fight lang night, Pasko, ano It paved the way for Presi-
(it’s purely about ba nakukuha nila dent Rodrigo Duterte to order a
fighting). [I re- (What do they comeback for mandatory ROTC
ally thought], That’s when it hit me, I want to take get for Christ- among Filipino students.
napaka stoic na- it a step further. I joined the force. mas?),” she said.
man, hindi (They “Iba pala yung Lobbying the Mandatory ROTC
are so stoic satisfaction (The Bill
and not so) ap- satisfaction is There are only 59,637 gradu-
proachable. Pero different). That’s ates from both basic and ad-
nung sumali na ako (But when When she got her degree, she when it hit me, I want to take vanced training of the ROTC
I joined), I realized it is differ- worked for the Armed Forces of it a step further. I joined the in 2015-2016. In 2017-2018, it
ent. Para ka maka-survive sa the Philippines (AFP) as a civil- force,” she added. reached a low of 46,936, accord-
military kailangan mo ng (To ian employee. At present, she supervises ing to AFP spokesperson Ma-
survive in the military, you “When I was a civilian em- civil-military engagements as rine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo.
need) intense discipline, com- ployee, na-amaze ako sa lawak an administrative officer of the
mitment to serve, hard work,” ng work na ginagawa ng (I was 9th Infantry Division in the Bi- ❱❱ PAGE 31 UP alumna

www.canadianinquirer.net
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019 Lifestyle 23

SMC debuts PH’s Bringing Israel closer to Filipinos

first recycled BY CHRISTINE CUDIS
Philippine News Agency

plastics road MANILA — A simple photo of

PHILIPPINE NEWS
AGENCY
MANILA — Conglomerate San
Miguel Corporation (SMC) has
taken another major step in the
area of sustainability, by laying
the first recycled plastics road
in the Philippines.
Asphalt using plastics were
laid on a 1,500-square meter
pilot test site at a new logistics
center in General Trias, Cavite.
The test site was chosen as
it will be used primarily as a
marshaling area for trucks with
heavy loads, including 18-wheel-
ers, and heavy equipment.
process can help make roads
longer lasting and more dura-
ble compared to conventional
asphalt.
Independent lab testing done
on San Miguel’s recycled plas-
tics road asphalt shows that it
exceeds the standards of the
Department of Public Works
and Highways.
The company said pending
further testing, it can build re-
cycled plastics roads in its fa-
cilities, as well as major infra-
structure projects.
Last week, San Miguel also an-
nounced that it is adopting the
use of biodegradable plastics for
food and non-food products.
a kindergarten pupil dressed
up like Miss Asia-Pacific Israel
2019 during a United Nations
event in their school has piqued
the interest of Israeli Ambas-
sador to the Philippines Rafael
Harpaz.
On Wednesday, Harpaz,
along with the Israeli com-
munity in the Philippines and
the kindergarten of the Jew-
ish Synagogue here, arranged
an outreach event in Sta. Ana
Elementary School in Manila BRING ISRAEL TO PINOYS. The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines organized an
where five-year-old Angela Al- outreach event in Sta. Ana Elementary School in Manila on Wednesday (Nov.
forque is studying. 27) after knowing the story of a kindergarten pupil dressed up as Miss Asia-
“I saw this article about the Pacific Israel during the school's United Nation's event. Israeli Ambassador to
amazing Angela and her dreams the Philippines Rafael Harpaz said he knows many Filipinos dream of going to
about Israel,” Harpaz said in an the Holy Land, "for the holidays, we are bringing the spirit of Israel here."
interview. CHRISTINE CUDIS / PNA

SMC president Ramon S. Ang
said: “What we want to achieve
is to help address an important
environmental issue, and that is
plastic wastes. We want to create a
sustainable use for waste plastics
so that they don’t end up in land-
fills and our rivers and oceans.”
Some 900 kilos of plas-
tic waste, equivalent to some
180,000 sachets and plastic
bags, were used for the test site.
SMC’s technology partner,
global materials science com-
pany Dow, said recycled plastic
waste acts as a binder together
with bitumen, in the produc-
tion of asphalt.
The company said using recy-
cled plastics in the production
For this, the company is uti-
lizing the biodegradable plas-
tics developed by Philippine
Bioresins Corporation that can
be 64.65 percent degraded in
24 months as compared to non-
biodegradable plastics (4.5 per-
cent in 24 months).
The Department of Science
and Technology (DOST) Indus-
trial Technology Development
Institute gave this innovation
an Environmental Technology
Verification certificate.
San Miguel has also discon-
tinued its bottled water busi-
ness a few years ago and em-
barked on the move to reduce
group-wide non-product water
use by 50% by 2025. ■
An Israeli news site has
picked up the story of Angela
after her mother Elfe tagged
the embassy on their Facebook
post.
In an interview with the
mother, she said she and their
family have been fascinated
with Israel for a long time.
“It is his grandfather who
really loves Israel. And we as a
Catholic family also longed to
go where Jesus Christ was as
written in the Bible. Her Tito
also likes to go there, basically,
everyone wants to be there,”
Elfe said.
Embassy officials have do-
nated books and other learning
materials to the kids. They also
shared a good time with the kin-
dergarten pupils during their
stay, sharing the story behind
the eight candles of Hanukkah.
“I know that every Filipino,
being a Catholic country, has
this bucket list to visit Israel,
the Holy Land, so I had an idea
why not bring Israel to here.
I told them, one day all of you
will go to the Holy Land to visit.
Walang visa so I hope she (An-
gela) will fulfill her dreams,”
Harpaz said.
In 2019 alone, the Embassy
of Israel has shared much good
news to the Philippines--aside
from the “No Visa” privilege for
the Filipinos--a program that
aims to bring a thousand Fili-
pinos to their country to work
for the tourism industry is cur-
rently in the works.
Harpaz said the Philippines
is the first country in the world
that Israel has signed a gov-
ernment to government hiring
process so private recruitment
agencies are not necessary.
In September 2018, Presi-
dent Rodrigo Duterte visited
Israel and signed the bilateral
labor agreement, improving
and regulating the recruitment
process and the rights of over-
seas Filipino workers, and dras-
tically reducing placement fees.
In an earlier report, Philip-
pine Ambassador to Israel Na-
thaniel Imperial said the labor
cooperation agreement will
“hopefully ensure that the ex-
ploitative placement fees that
are being charged to our work-
ers would be substantially re-
duced, if not eliminated.”
“We have long-standing co-
operation and development as-
sistance with the Philippines.
There are 600 Filipinos trav-
eling to Israel as part of their
Agriculture studies,” Harpaz
added.
To date, there are also around
40,000 Filipinos living and
working as caregivers in Israel.
“When Filipinos move there
or visit there, they will feel at
home. In Tel Aviv, you can eat
halo-halo and even balut,” he
said, adding that there are still
Israelis who are fluent in speak-
ing Tagalog.
Harpaz has shared before
that their gratitude for the
country’s former president
Manuel Quezon and the rest of
the Filipinos for providing shel-
ter for the fleeing Jews in the
1930s will “forever be etched on
their hearts.” ■

Duterte invites...

❰❰ 14 isterial Roundtable
on Public Service In-
novation was partici-
pated in by Interior and Local
Government Secretary Edu-
We've built the first recycled plastics road in the Philippines! Close to 900 kilos ardo Año who presented the
of plastic waste, equivalent to 180,000 sachets and plastic bags, were used to country’s best practices on “In-
produce asphalt for a 1,500 square-meter test site at our new logistics center in novations in Local Governance
Cavite. Capacity Development for the
SAN MIGUEL CORPORATION/FACEBOOK 21st Century.”
Meanwhile, the Department
of Trade and Industry led Phil-
ippine private sector partici-
pants at the CEO Summit and
Asean-ROK Business Expo
2019.
The President also met top
officials of Korean private com-
panies to further promote the
Philippines as a competitive
and profitable trade and invest-
ment market.
Duterte returned to Manila
on Tuesday, past 6 p.m. after a
“productive participation” in
the summit, Panelo said.
His attendance in the Asean-
ROK Summit is Duterte’s sec-
ond visit to South Korea. His
first visit was in June 2018. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net
24

Sports
PH football Ex-athletes urge public
community chips to unite, support Team PH
in to address SEA PHILIPPINE NEWS
AGENCY

Games concerns MANILA – Former athletes

rallied behind the Team Philip-
PHILIPPINE NEWS is in charge with the organiza- pines, urging the public to unite
AGENCY tion of the games, ranging from and support the Filipino ath-
the accommodations to the letes who will compete in the
transportation. 30th Southeast Asian Games
MANILA — The Philippine “There are well-meaning in- from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
football community is chipping dividuals and companies that Former Philippine Azkals
in to address some of the con- are willing to help us to make U22 member Alejandro Baldo
cerns hounding the competi- this SEA Games successful,” Jr., former Gilas Pilipinas team
tion in the ongoing Southeast Araneta added. “We’re there captain Chris Tiu and Philip-
Asian Games. not to criticize, but to help.” pine badminton team mem-
Philippine Football Federa- Philippine football team ber Anton Cayanan shared the
tion (PFF) president Nonong manager Dan Palami said the “common problems” they ex-
Araneta said well-meaning in- Young Azkals have been quite perienced in the past interna-
dividuals and private compa- fortunate that the PFF has been tional sports events in their re-
nies have stepped in to help the alert in addressing their needs. spective social media accounts.
country’s hosting of the Games’ “Of course, we empathize Baldo said the public should
most popular event that has with the other teams,” said Pal- pour their energies in support
been buffeted by issues, rang- ami, who was also at the forum of the athletes rather than find
ing from trans- backed by San faults on others.
portation to food Miguel Corp., The former midfielder for
to accommoda- Braska Restau- the Philippine Azkals U22 team
tions. rant, Amelie Ho- shared a video on social media
Speaking at tel, Philippine of their past experience where
the Philippine Right now, Amusement and they had to push their double- 2019 SEA GAMES / FACEBOOK

Sportswriters As- we just have Gaming Corpo- decker bus in the middle of
sociation (PSA) to help each ration (Pagcor). the road while they were being they competed in the AFC U22 a nation. Let us not use it to di-
Forum at Amelie other and “The PFF has transported back to their hotel Championship qualifiers to vide us” Tiu wrote on his Insta-
Hotel on Tues- also support been there to in Bangkok. show that they were not both- gram post.
day, the coun- our athletes. backstop us ev- “Dahil wais tayong mga Pinoy ered by these problems back As national athletes who
try’s top football ery time we have imbis na magalit at magrekla- then. were committed to make their
official revealed concerns so we mo ginawa na lang natin to sa Cayanan, meanwhile, also country proud, they did not al-
that Southridge have not encoun- pinakamasayang experience shared his own experience in low these problems affect their
School in Ala- tered problems,” (Because we Filipinos are wise, the 2017 SEA games in Malaysia game performance.
bang has offered Palami said. instead of getting angry and where their service transporta- Instead, they remained fo-
its pitch as one of the practice The Young Azkals opened complaining, we expressed it tion was delayed and their team cus on their games and kept a
venues while Vallacar Transit, their campaign with a 1-1 draw in positive experience),” Baldo was brought to the wrong hotel. positive outlook all throughout
which owns the Ceres Bus line, with Cambodia last Monday said. He also recalled that they had their participation in the inter-
has provided 18 of its newest night at Rizal Memorial Sta- Baldo said glitches in trans- “inadequate food supply” in national sports event.
buses that will transport teams dium. portation and food are “natural their hotels but eventually the They all hope that Filipinos
to their matches. Araneta said the federation and inevitable,” stressing what service improved. can express more support to
Vallacar is headed by Leo Rey has also released funds to the important to them is how they “For sure di lang kami ang the national athletes to boost
Yanson, who is also the owner women’s team, which had com- play in the games. sports na nakaranas ng mga their morale and confidence so
of the country’s top football plained about the quantity and “Problema sa pagkain kasi pagkukulang noong 2017 SEAG they perform better.
club, Ceres-Negros. the quality of food in their ho- paulit-ulit, problema sa transpo (For sure we’re not the only The Philippine hosting of this
“We have been augmenting tel. at kung ano-ano pa. Lahat po sports that experienced short- year’s SEA games is an oppor-
what is necessary,” Araneta said “Even the parents of some of yan ay napagdaanan ng mga comings in 2017 SEAG),” Cay- tunity for the country to show-
in reaction to the complaints the players are helping out in atletang Pinoy ‘pag tayo po anan said. case the world-class talents and
from participating teams. making sure that we get enough ang dumadayo sa ibang bansa Tiu, a former PBA player, also skills of the Filipino athletes.
Araneta clarified that the food for the women’s team,” he (These problems are common. cited the inevitable hitches and Many athletes lament that
PFF’s role is limited to the tech- said. The Filipino athletes have ex- inconveniences he personally instead of cheering and sup-
nical side of the tournament, “We want to move on and fo- perienced these every time we experienced as a sports dele- porting the athletes a few days
which includes the conduct of cus on the competition,” said compete abroad),” Baldo said. gate before. before the official start of the
the actual competition, while Araneta. “Right now, we just He shared his past experi- “Sports is certainly a great SEA games on Nov. 30, the so-
the Philippine SEA Games Or- have to help each other and also ence during their tune-up platform to inspire the youth, cial media is flooded with nega-
ganizing Committee (Phisgoc) support our athletes.” ■ game in Thailand in 2012 when promote good values and unite tivities and criticisms. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019
Palace assures SEA Games athletes of ‘memorable’
stay in PH
BY RUTH ABBEY GITA-
CARLOS
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Malacañang on
Sunday assured the athletes of
the 30th Southeast Asian Games
that they will have a “pleasant,
productive, and memorable”
stay in the Philippines, this
year’s host of the biennial re-
gional multi-sport event.
“We are not promising that
the Games will run without
a hitch, given the countless
athletes who will participate
and represent their respec-
tive countries,” Presidential
Spokesperson Salvador Panelo
said in a statement.
“But we will exercise due dili-
gence in making sure everyone
will have a pleasant, produc-
tive, and memorable stay in the
Philippines,” he added.
Panelo made the assurance
following several complaints
from foreign football teams
about the Philippines’ sup-
posed ill-preparedness for this
year’s SEA Games.
Football teams of Myanmar,
Timor-Leste, Cambodia, and
Thailand vented frustrations
over issues concerning trans-
portation, lodging, and train-
POC chief calls for unity as PH goes full blast as
SEA Games host
PHILIPPINE NEWS
AGENCY
MANILA — Philippine Olympic
Committee (POC) president
Abraham Tolentino on Tues-
day appealed to all Filipinos to
“stand as one” as the country’s
hosting of the 30th SEA Games
is ready to go full blast.
The POC chief reminded ev-
eryone that it’s only the fourth
time the Philippines is hosting
the SEA Games after 1981, 1991
and 2005, and the next host-
ing will not come until 10 or 12
years from now.
“Remember, the next time we
will host this could be in 2030.
So, let’s not pull each other
down. This is for the country,”
ing upon their arrival in Manila
ahead of the competition.
In a statement, the Philip-
pine Southeast Asian Games
Organizing Committee (Phis-
goc) acknowledged the mis-
takes and apologized for the
inconvenience the athletes had
experienced.
Phisgoc, led by House Speak-
er Alan Peter Cayetano, vowed
to “do better” by ensuring
“proper coordination of the ar-
rival details, airport welcome
and transportation provisions
of all international teams to
their respective assigned ho-
tels.”
Phisgoc explained that it was
able to send Timor-Leste foot-
ball team to Hotel Jen, after
they were mistakenly brought
to Century Hotel, which is a
few minutes away from the ath-
letes’ accommodation.
With regard to the Cambo-
dian football team, Phisgoc said
transportation was “immedi-
ately provided,” despite the
change in their arrival details
that were relayed late to the
Phisgoc Games Services De-
partment.
However, Phisgoc stressed
that it requested the Cambodi-
an team to wait in an air-condi-
tioned private hotel conference
he said during the Philippine
Sportswriters Association
(PSA) Forum at the Amelie Ho-
tel in Manila.
The past couple of days were
marred by the failure of the lo-
cal organizers meeting the de-
mands of a multi-nation event,
including accommodation,
transportation and other basic
needs of foreign delegates.
“We all make mistakes that’s
why we should work together.
Those in the social media, the
netizens, let’s move on first
with our hosting,” said the con-
gressman and chief of Philip-
pine cycling.
“It’s normal,” he said of what
he described as minor glitches,
leading to complaints regard-
ing the food being provided to
room to let them “rest and feel
comfortable” while waiting for
their rooms since they arrived
ahead of the standard 2 p.m.
check-in time.
“We sincerely apologize to
our athlete guests from Timor-
Leste, Myanmar, and Cambodia
for the inconvenience caused to
them by the confusion regard-
ing their transportation and
hotel arrangements,” it said in a
press statement.
Phisgoc said the incidents in-
volving the four foreign football
teams would serve as a “con-
stant reminder for us as orga-
nizers to be more diligent.”
“The incident with the two
the athletes, and accreditations
with mistaken identities.
“I’ve experienced that my-
self,” Tolentino said during the
forum presented by San Miguel
Corp., Braska Restaurant, Ame-
lie Hotel and Philippine Amuse-
ment and Gaming Corporation.
What’s important, the POC
chief added, is for Filipinos to
rally being the athletes and the
hosting in general.
“Let’s just focus on our ath-
letes. With this, my statement
will be not only for us to ‘we win
as one’ but ‘we stand as one’ in
hosting this SEA Games,’” he
added.
“All these problems have so-
lutions and they are being ad-
dressed and being solved,” To-
lentino said. ■
www.canadianinquirer.net
Sports
NEW CLARK CITY STADIUM / WEBSITE
teams remains a constant re-
minder for us as organizers to
be more diligent. We owe it to
our guests and our country-
men,” it added.
For Panelo, incidents of de-
lays in transport and accommo-
dation happen in international
sports and games “by reason of
the number of countries and
athletes involved.”
The Palace official, never-
theless, said the government
would not make any excuses,
and would instead strive harder
to avoid a repeat of such inci-
dents.
“We understand that the
Philippine Southeast Asian
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino.
25
Games Organizing Committee
has already apologized to our
athlete-guests from Timor-
Leste, Myanmar, and Cambo-
dia for the inconvenience they
experienced when they arrived
in the country,” he said.
“We can no longer undo what
has been done. The Office of
the President will not offer any
excuses. As host country, we
apologize for the unintentional
inconvenience suffered by our
athlete-guests,” Panelo added.
Panelo also looked forward to
Phisgoc’s commitment to im-
prove its preparations for the
upcoming SEA Games.
“We wish all the participat-
ing athletes good luck and look
forward to their excellent and
hopefully world record-break-
ing performances,” he said.
Panelo was thankful that
there is no report of any inci-
dent jeopardizing the athletes’
safety and health.
Around 8,750 athletes from
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Thailand, Timor
Leste, Singapore, and Vietnam
are expected to compete in 530
events in 56 sports. ■
With reports from Ivan Steward
Saldajeno
JESS M. ESCAROS JR. / PNA
26
Assertive industrial sector
in PH pushed
BY JOYCE ANN L.
ROCAMORA
Philippine News Agency
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY —
The first Philippine Industrial
Summit in Mindanao was for-
mally opened on Monday mak-
ing louder call for stakeholders
to build an “assertive” indus-
trial sector in the country.
The four-day summit, which
will run until November 28,
seeks to stir discussions on
ways to push the full industri-
alization beginning in the re-
gion.
Franklin Quijano, president
of the government-owned and
controlled PHIVIDEC Indus-
trial Authority (Phividec), said
it is high time the Philippines
stop relying solely on the tradi-
tional goods it receives abroad
via trade.
“We want to raise conscious-
ness. The Filipinos are aware
that they can do more,” he said
in an interview on the sidelines
of the Philippine Industrial
Summit in Mindanao exhibit at
the Limketkai Center here.
“Number one, we have to
put our acts together. Instead
of complaining, for instance,
about the price of copra, can’t
we be innovative and produce
more products from coconut
rather than just relying on co-
conut oil?” he asked.
For Filipinos, innovation
could generate more value in a
product such as the coconut.
“We have our captive minds
and we’re complaining that co-
pra price is only PHP14 there-
fore the government must do
Business
Philippine Industrial Summit in Mindanao. PTV DAVAO / FACEBOOK
something but then again this
is not just an issue of the copra
farmer, this is an issue for our
country to think. If our univer-
sities, our captains of industries
work together, we could pro-
duce more value to coconut,” he
said.
The country could also put a
value on its human capital who
often opt to work in foreign
countries.
“If we really want to put al-
ternatives to our OFWs who
want work, this is it, we must
industrialize,” he said.
The summit aims to solicit
views and recommendations
from the industry’s movers on
how the government should
move forward towards full in-
dustrialization and its econom-
ic boom.
Hundreds of participants are
expected to arrive Tuesday for
the panel discussion compo-
nent of the summit.
On Monday, the media cov-
ering the four-day affair were
toured at the vast PHIVIDEC
Industrial Estate in Tagoloan,
Misamis Oriental and were al-
lowed to take a closer look at
the operations of some of its
tenants such as popular bread
maker Gardenia and coal-fired
power plant STEAG State Pow-
er Inc. which supplies Mind-
anao Grid and FDC Misamis
Power. ■
www.canadianinquirer.net
Benefits, career
progress top
concerns among
PH professionals
BY ADRIAN CARLO
HERICO
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Employment ben-
efits and career progression,
rather than salary, are cur-
rently the most important con-
siderations for Filipino profes-
sionals who consider moving to
another job, recruitment con-
sultancy firm Robert Walters
said on Tuesday.
At a media briefing in Makati,
Robert Walters announced the
release of the 2020 Salary Sur-
vey for the Philippines, detailing
the sentiments among 400 mid
to senior professionals in the
country regarding their motiva-
tion to move jobs and expecta-
tions for staying in their roles.
“Salary is not the sole motiva-
tor anymore. It’s now about be-
ing open about career progres-
sion and how creative companies
can be about benefits,” Monty
Sujanani, Director for Robert
Walters Philippines, said.
For professionals working
in the accounting and finance,
banking and financial services,
human resources, sales and
marketing, supply chain, pro-
curement and logistics, and the
technology and transforma-
tion sectors, the survey found
that career progression, along
with better compensation and
benefits, ranked consistently
among the top considerations
in changing jobs.
“It’s really not just about the
salary (but) flexible working ar-
rangements, creative leave bal-
ances, so it’s really about how to
be creative with benefits. And
the second motivator about
candidates changing jobs is ca-
reer progression. So almost 30
percent of professionals said
that career progression is their
primary motivation of chang-
ing jobs,” he added.
The survey also predicts that
job movers expect an average of
20 to 40-percent salary increase
for 2020, which employers should
consider in their recruitment
policy given the highly competi-
tive job market today that values
talent and workplace skills.
Meanwhile, more than 50
percent of professionals expect
bonuses of above 15 percent to
their yearly salaries for them to
stay in their jobs.
Apart from professional con-
cerns, the survey reported the
robust demand for local tal-
ent this year by sectors due to
the continued digitalization
of businesses and the “Build,
Build, Build” infrastructure
program of the government.
For the coming year, updated
government regulations, the
growth in financial technology,
and the large potential of the
Philippine market are expected
to drive demand for recruiting
more professionals, as busi-
nesses tap into opportunities. ■
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019 Business 27

Growers want PH-SoKor banana tariff

stalemate resolved
BY LILYBETH ISON
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The country’s top
banana growers and exporters
are calling on both the South
Korean and Philippine govern-
ments to immediately resolve
stalemate on the proposed re-
duction of tariff rates on ba-
nana shipments.
The Pilipino Banana Grow-
ers and Exporters Association
Inc. (PBGEA) urged Manila and
Seoul to work on the speedy
end to the issue of very high im-
port tariffs imposed on Philip-
pine bananas.
The negotiations between
the Philippines and Korea have
been on a stalemate as Korea
insists on greater market ac-
cess for its automotive exports
to the Philippines in exchange
for a lower if not zero tariffs for
Philippine bananas.
“The negotiations have only
started in the second quarter
while the tariff rates for our
competitors have been getting
more and more favorable to our
disadvantage,” Stephen Antig,
executive director of PBGEA, in
a statement on Sunday.
President Rodrigo Duterte
is scheduled to attend the As-
sociation of Southeast Asian
Nations – Republic of Korea
(ROK) Commemorative Sum-
mit and other side events in
Busan, South Korea on Novem-
ber 25-26.
South Korean Ambassador
to the Philippines Han Dong-
man earlier said at least four
cooperation agreements in the
fields of social security, educa-
tion, fisheries, and tourism will
be signed after the two leader’s
bilateral meeting.
Department of Foreign Af-
fairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary
for Asean Office Affairs Junev-
er Mahilum-West, however,
said the signing of agreements
between Manila and Seoul is
still under negotiation.
PBGEA said they hope
Duterte will raise anew the is-
sue on banana import tariffs
with South Korea President
Moon Jae-in during the bi-
lateral talks, along with other
concerns on the proposed free
trade agreement (FTA) be-
tween the two countries.
Duterte first brought up the
banana imports issue during
his first state visit to Seoul in
June 2018.
The initial round of talks on
the bilateral FTA was held in
June this year with the aim of
improving trade and invest-
ment activities between the
two economies.
The Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) tabled its
demand to lower tariffs on agri-
culture exports.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez
said South Korean trade offi-
cials were amenable to tariffs
cut as long as the Philippines
lowers import duties on indus-
trial products, especially auto-
motive parts.
The Philippines hopes the
FTA will translate to improved
market access for its agricul-
tural products such as banana,
pineapple, okra, avocado, poul-
try products, and mango — in
exchange for Korea’s industrial
goods.
Negotiators are looking at
different tariff rate proposals
aimed at erasing or at least nar-
row the trade deficit between
the Philippines and South Ko-
rea.
They initially looked at a pos-
sible conclusion of the talks this
month. This may not proceed
as planned because of so-called million) in 2017. The formal agreement was
“gaps” in the mutual conces- However, banana growers are inked in February 2018.
sions between the parties. worried that share in the South Victor Mercado Jr., PBGEA
Banana shipments to South Korean market may be reduced president, said the Central
Korean markets are taxed 30 as Central American economies American bananas have been
percent. The country’s nego- secured trade deals with Seoul slowly eroding the market
tiators want this reduced to at that reduced, if not eliminated, share of the Philippines.
least five percent, if not zero. tariff on their banana. “If this continues any further,
South Korea is the country’s South Korea’s trade deal with the Philippines will not be able
third most important banana the five Central American na- to compete,” he added.
market, next to China and Ja- tions took effect in October. For his part, Alberto Bacani,
pan. Talks for an FTA with Costa PBGEA chairman, said South
Despite the high import tariff, Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Korea should also consider the
banana shipments to this East Nicaragua, and Panama began special relationship with the
Asian country reached 420,344 in June 2015 to ease duties on Philippines “because of histori-
metric tons (MT) valued at more than 95 percent of goods cal circumstances, particularly
USD203.69 million last year, and open up the services and during the Korean War in the
from 379,144 MT (USD176.55 investment markets. 1950s.” ■

Bizmen cite ease PH shrimp industry banks on

of doing business
in their decisions
BY JOANN VILLANUEVA
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Transparency in
government processes would
make a big difference in attract-
ing more foreign investments
to the Philippines, officials of
some business entities said
during the Business 2020 Be-
yond the Metro forum in Taguig
City on Friday.
Investors are closely looking
at the ease of doing business rat-
ings of every country to gauge
opportunities and possible suc-
cesses, said Amanda Carpo, le-
gal counsel and co-founder of
private office and co-working
space provider KMC Solutions,
which hosted the forum.
Carpo said the improvement
of the Philippines’ ranking in
the World Bank’s Ease of Do-
ing Business Report to 95 out of
190 countries is good news.
She said investors look for
❱❱ PAGE 30 Bizmen cite
gov’t support to sustain growth
BY NANETTE
GUADALQUIVER
Philippine News Agency
BACOLOD CITY — Filipino
shrimp producers are banking
on government support to sus-
tain the industry’s growth in
recent years brought about by
good domestic demand for the
commodity.
Industry players have gath-
ered for the three-day 12th
Philippine National Shrimp
Congress at the SMX Conven-
tion Center Bacolod in a bid to
strengthen cooperation to en-
able the local producers to be
globally competitive.
Constantine Tanchan, con-
gress chair, said the Philippine
shrimp industry has been “ex-
periencing a very tremendous
growth” in the past two years,
particularly in southern Min-
danao, and also in areas of the
Visayas and Luzon.
“(We are) very optimistic, in
partnership with the Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resourc-
es (BFAR), that the industry
will be able to achieve its goals,”
Tanchan said in a press confer-
ence during the event’s opening
on Wednesday.
He said during those two
years, shrimp farms have been
expanding and a lot of new
players have come in.
“Most of them are small and
medium players. We expect
next year to be very productive
for the Philippines. We hope
that with government support,
we can really be part of the top
10 shrimp producers in the
world,” he added.
BFAR national director Edu-
ardo Gongona noted that in
2018, shrimp was one of the
major fishery exports, with the
❱❱ PAGE 31 PH shrimp

www.canadianinquirer.net
 NOVEMBER 29, 2019 28

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Carabao Island: PH’s next Boracay?
BY JOYCE ANN L.
ROCAMORA
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — While its arriv-
als cannot rival Boracay’s yet,
Carabao Island is striving to
build its character as an up-
and-coming tourist destination
that can live up to the beauty of
the world-famous resort island,
offering a variety of exciting ac-
tivities minus the crowd.
The entire island, locally
known as Hambil under the
administration of San Jose,
Romblon spans about 2,205
hectares featuring packets of
secluded white-sand beaches
and limestone formation that
doubles as an entryway to its
otherworldly caves.
“Our vision here in Isla de
Carabao, while we cannot com-
pete with Boracay, we strive
hard to improve the island and
if possible best Boracay on de-
velopment and preparation
of the island (for the influx of
tourists),” San Jose Mayor Ron-
nie Samson told the Philippine
News Agency during the Ca-
rabao Island leg of the Depart-
ment of Tourism (DOT) media
familiarization tour in Rom-
blon last week.
The fate of Boracay appar-
ently served as a lesson for the
coastal town they increased
their push to develop a tourism
industry that is sustainable.
Among the municipality’s ef-
forts include strong implemen-
tation of environmental laws
and the management of sewer-
age in the island.
PH, Korea ink tourism cooperation deal
PHILIPPINE NEWS
AGENCY
BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA — The
Philippines continues to se-
cure strong tourism ties with
the Republic of Korea, with the
signing of the Implementation
Program on Tourism Coopera-
tion between the two countries
Travel
“Kung ano man ang nang-
yari sa Boracay, iyon ang nag-
ing rason kung bakit kami
nagtulong-tulong. Hindi namin
hahayaan na mangyari iyon sa
amin (What happened in Bora-
cay was the reason we worked
hand-in-hand. We won’t let
what happened to them hap-
pen here),” said Lealyn Pablo,
San Jose tourism officer, refer-
ring to the six-month closure of
the world-famous Boracay last
year.
In the first quarter of 2019
alone, tourist arrivals to the
island municipality already
reached 30,000 visitors breach-
ing the 17,000 tourists recorded
in 2018.
‘Potentials seen’
While it has not established
itself as a buzzword in global
travel yet, Carabao Island is
ready to provide high-quality
accommodations to both do-
mestic and foreign tourists,
keeping up with other destina-
tions that offer both tranquility
and luxury.
Just this year, a new cliff re-
sort was launched in the town
aptly named as Oceans Edge.
The new luxury boutique
resort, a destination by itself,
draws inspiration from the
rawness of the island with its
cogon-roofed villas blending
fittingly with its natural sur-
roundings. The breathtaking
site accentuates a 180-degree
panoramic view of the ocean
with the stunning sunset as the
backdrop.
Originally, the resort owners
were looking for a property in
held on Monday at the Westin
Chosun Hotel here.
“For nine years now, Korea
is undisputed in its position as
the top source market of the
Philippines. With this renewed
pledge on tourism coopera-
tion between the Philippines
and Korea, we are hopeful we
can sustain and intensify the
already-strong ties with Korea
Boracay, but with the price for
real estate skyrocketing on the
island, they opted for an alter-
native, hence the Oceans Edge.
“Lahat ng gustong magtayo
ng resorts sa Boracay (Every-
one wants to put up a resort in
Boracay) but then the prices
there are skyrocketing, which
I think for us was a blessing
in disguise because if we went
there and were affected by its
closure while on our construc-
tion stage, it would’ve had a
big an impact on our business,”
said Claribelle Alfeche, Oceans
11 Property Development Inc.
chief executive officer (CEO)
and owner.
“We’re thinking of alterna-
tive that if not Boracay, where
that we enjoy,” said Depart-
ment of Tourism (DOT) Secre-
tary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat,
who signed the document on
behalf of the Philippines
On the other hand, South
Korea was represented by
Minister Park Yang Woo of the
Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism.
The tourism cooperation,
www.canadianinquirer.net
PNA
is the best next location? So
someone suggested Carabao
Island,” she added. The resort
was opened to the public early
2019, proving that investors are
starting to see the island’s po-
tential as a future top tourist-
drawing destination.
‘Caves and beaches’
It is much of a surprise that
Romblon has more aside from
the bucolic life, hectares of rice
paddy fields, and black pebbled
beaches it has. A visit to Cara-
bao Island would easily break
this notion.
The island is blessed with a
multitude of organic activities
that allow visitors to appreci-
ate its pristine beauty, experi-
valid from 2019 to 2024, aims to
introduce joint programs and
activities that will bolster two-
way tourism promotion and
align tourism efforts between
the Philippines and Korea.
It will also facilitate deeper
and meaningful interactions
between Filipinos and Koreans,
and strengthen the overall co-
operation of the two countries
29
encing nature as it is, such as
spelunking and cliff diving to
the clear cerulean sea. There is
the Tan-agan Picnic Grove, the
Poblacion White Beach, and the
Cathedral Cave and Cliff.
But for thrill-seekers, Cathe-
dral Cave may just be the per-
fect spot to tour on the island.
This alone draws a fair share of
visitors from the nearby Bora-
cay with only PHP100 as a gen-
eral entrance fee, which covers
a guided tour inside the actual
cave where you can access and
dip in the lagoon’s cold glassy
turquoise water.
The entrance fee also includes
an unlimited assisted cliff jump-
ing even a non-swimmer or a
beginner can try. The plunge,
which will feel like a jump from a
building’s second or third floor,
is both frightening and at the
same time refreshing when you
hit the water.
‘How to get there’
The island is accessible via a
pump boat from either Tablas
or Caticlan where the nearest
airports are located. In early
2017, Cebu Pacific launched its
Tablas flight, the only airline
flying directly from Manila to
the area.
Carabao Island is also a per-
fect side trip for those already
in Boracay since the town is a
mere 30-minute boat ride from
the world-famous island.
From Poblacion, San Jose,
visitors can take a habal-habal
for a trip around the lush island
or rent a boat to visit its sprawl-
ing beach coves and cliff diving
points. ■
on matters concerning tourist
safety, security and quality as-
surance.
In 2018, the DOT recorded
1,624,251 tourist arrivals from
Korea or a 22.78 percent share
of the 7,127,678 foreign tourists
who visited the country that
year.
❱❱ PAGE 30 PH, Korea
30 Travel NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRIDAY

PH, Korea...
DOT to push for more
int’l chef tours to ❰❰ 29 “Needless to say,
South Korea is undis-
puted in its position

boost food tourism as the top source market of the

Philippines for nine consecu-
tive years,” Puyat said.
To sustain the momentum,
BY JOYCE ANN L. “More and more people are she said the DOT will embark
ROCAMORA turning to food as their key on a more aggressive marketing
Philippine News Agency motivation to travel to a desti- campaign to continue to cap-
nation. Somewhere around the ture a bigger chunk of the Ko-
world, there’s someone scroll- rean market.
MANILA — Seeing the po- ing on their phone, on the look- “The DOT Korea will be
tential of Filipino cuisines out for the next destination undertaking activities that
boosting the country’s tour- they could visit that has the best will support the marketing
ism industry, the Department food they should try, or perhaps efforts and collaborate with
of Tourism (DOT) on Thurs- a festival, farmers’ market, or the travel trade on developing
day vowed to continue its food culinary tour they can attend, new thematic tour products
tourism efforts, particularly and that will rouse their inner for specific market segments,”
the pilot project Chefs’ Food travel bug,” she said. she said.
Trip to the Philippines, where Through DOT’s Chefs’ Food “Also in the pipeline are
prominent international chefs Trip project, Romulo-Puyat product training programs for
will be invited to promote local hopes to create an army of sub-agents in Busan and Daegu.
food abroad. “food tourism ambassadors” On top of this, we will encour-
“The DOT believes greatly in and inspire more chefs like Cu- age more airlines to fly direct
the potential of Filipino food nanan, Tabura, and Olalia to to international gateways other
that we have bear the Philip- than Manila from key cities in
identified culi- pine flag through Korea,” she added. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-
nary tourism, their creations Meanwhile, the DOT’s Jan- Puyat.
under the cultur- abroad. uary-September 2019 report ROBINSON NIÑAL JR._PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

al tourism um- “As a coun- showed that Korea remains the

brella, as a key I am try brimming biggest source of visitors for the markets, noting the creation and to show more Koreans to
tourism product optimistic with heirloom Philippines, reaching 1,450,792 of 14 additional flights to the come visit us and find out why
in the National that at the recipes, food- arrivals, a 20.97 percent growth Philippines from Korea. These It’s More Fun in the Philip-
Tourism Devel- end of this centric festivals, versus the same period last flights include new routes pines!” Puyat said.
opment Plan activity, and culture, and year. Korean tourists make up such as Daegu-Kalibu-Daegu, Puyat said aside from Sun
(NTDP) 2016- we can olden cooking 23.55 percent of the current ar- Incheon-Bohol-Incheon, and and Beach tourism, Koreans
2022,” said DOT gain a new practices, let rival total. Muan-Clark-Muan. come to the Philippines mostly
Secretary Ber- Philippine me tell you that Puyat attributed the encour- “The positive growth only in- for education tourism portfolio
nadette Romulo- food tourism the Philippines aging figures to the improved air spires us to constantly improve or English as a second language
Puyat during the advocate in is not behind in connectivity between the two our work at the Department (ESL). ■
DOT x WOFEX each of you, this feat,” she
University Fun celebrating said.
Food Talks in with us why The WOFEX Bizmen cite...
Taguig City. ‘Eats More University Fun
The event Fun in the Food Talks in
is a partner- Philippines.’ Taguig City is a ❰❰ 26 ease in getting per- secondary- and tertiary-ranked Gallmore said for those in-
ship between component of mits and in registra- areas is exponential because volved in business process
the DOT and the said project tion so they would be once a company starts a busi- outsourcing (BPO), they need
the World Food where the chefs able to start operations in the ness, it will have a ripple effect to determine that when they
Expo Philip- shared their sto- country. on the economy, she said, en- signed up for areas like Clark,
pines (WOFEX) ries, skills, and “The Ease of Doing Business couraging more businesses to “it is what it says in the label; it
which featured acquired learn- will tell you, in a way, how eco- consider operations in these is what people are saying.”
Filipino-American Chefs Tom ings from the tour. nomically successful a country areas. “Businesses should look Paul Harris, chief execu-
Cunanan, owner of Bad Saint “I am optimistic that at the is,” Carpo said. outside Metro Manila. The op- tive and technology officer at
restaurant in Washington, D.C., end of this activity, we can gain She also noted that investors portunity is there,” Carpo add- the Cebu City-headquartered
Lanai Tabura who won the a new Philippine food tourism want to predict the success of ed. ClinkIT Solutions, said doing
Great Food Truck Race, and advocate in each of you, cele- their operations in a certain Derek Gallmore, founder business in the provinces is
Charles Olalia of Ricebar in Los brating with us why ‘Eats More area, and they can only do that of outsourcing company Out- advantageous in terms of hav-
Angeles. Fun in the Philippines,’” Romu- “in an environment that is source Accelerator, meanwhile ing skilled individuals who are
According to Romulo-Puyat, lo-Puyat said. transparent” or where they can said businessmen study where more contented since they do
food has been impacting tour- Since November 10, the chefs easily get information on the infrastructures are built and not have to go to Manila to look
ism industries all over the world have been touring around Ma- requirements to set up a busi- how this could help them in for high-paying jobs.
as culinary or gastronomic nila, Pampanga, Iloilo, Bacolod, ness, the time table for getting their operations. He said the attrition rate in
tourism is emerging globally at and Davao and immersing the permits, and the setbacks Gallmore said aside from their company is lower than
a fast pace. themselves with the country’s they might face. physical infrastructure, inves- those that are located in Metro
The United Nations World rich culinary scene. Carpo also said that investors tors also look at government Manila because people need
Tourism Organization (UN- At each leg of the tour, the are not just looking at opening processes in gauging opportu- not go to Manila and be away
WTO) reported that food is “a chefs also met seasoned Fili- businesses in major cities but nities in a certain location. “It’s from their families just to work.
central part of the tourism ex- pino chefs and learned new other areas that are starting to about the transparency, the “We even have some people
perience” and makes up one- dishes and cooking traditions rise. knowledge of outsiders to trust go back to Cebu to live with
third of a tourist’s expenses. practiced in the Philippines. ■ The growth of businesses in this,” he said. their families,” he added. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019
Celebrity reservists drum up
support for 1st presidential drill
BY CHRISTINE CUDIS
Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Excited for the
first-ever presidential silent
drill competition in the coun-
try, some celebrity reservists
expressed their support and
urged the public to witness the
event on Dec. 5, 2019.
Reservists 2nd Lt. Matteo
Guidecelli (Army) and Petty
Officer 3rd Class Rocco Nacino
(Navy), through a video, invited
people to watch the seven best-
performing service academies
in the country.
The activity will start at 9
a.m. at the Quirino Grandstand
in Manila.
It will feature the silent drill
competition from among the
best in the Philippine Military
Academy (PMA), Philippine Na-
tional Police Academy (PNPA),
Philippine Merchant Marine
Academy (PMMA), Maritime
Academy of Asia and the Pacific
(MAAP), Philippine Army Offi-
cer Candidate School (PAOCS),
Philippine Navy Officer Candi-
date School (PNOCS), and Phil-
ippine Air Force Officer Candi-
date School (PAFOCS).
“Be amazed as you watch the
inter-academy silent drill com-
petition. I hope you all can sup-
port our Mandatory ROTC Pro-
gram dahil mag-eenjoy talaga
kayo jan (you will surely have
fun),” Nacino said in the video.
Nacino took an oath on No-
vember 24 at the BTC Hall
of Bonifacio Naval Station as
shared on his social media ac-
count.
“PO3 Enrico Raphael Q.
PH shrimp...
❰❰ 26 Philippines exporting
more than 7,000 met-
ric tons (MT), valued
at PHP2.43 billion.
The country’s annual average
shrimp and prawn production
is pegged at 60,000 MT, which
accounts for 2.65 percent of the
total aquaculture production.
Negrense Roberto Gatuslao,
president of Philippine Shrimp
Industry, Inc. (PhilShrimp),
said such yield can be consid-
ered “good production.”
“Before, only Negros produc-
Nacino, PN(Res), reporting for
duty! Para sa inyo ito (This is for
you), Col. Eleuterio R. Quiogue
and Nanay in heaven, and to
my loving parents who cleared
their schedules to pin my rank
on me,” he said on his social me-
dia post.
Army Reservist Capt. Robin
Padilla, on the other hand, said
the youth may get discipline
from the Reserve Officers
Training Corps (ROTC).
“Tandaan ninyo mga mahal
kong kabataan, disiplina ang
kailangan ng inang bayang Pili-
pinas. Sa ngayon ang bayan ay
nangangailangan ng kabataang
alam kung ano ang gagawin sa
oras ng hindi lamang ng giyera
ngunit sa panahon ng kalami-
dad (To the youth, remember
that Philippines is in need of
young people with discipline.
The nation needs young people
who knows what to do in times
of disaster and war),” he said.
es shrimp. Now it’s nationwide,
from Mindanao to Luzon, every
part of the country,” he added.
Moreover, Tanchan said
there is a good demand for
shrimps in the Philippine mar-
ket alone.
“The projected production
is 60,000 MT, but the export is
only 7,000 MT because 90 per-
cent is already consumed by
Filipinos,” he said.
Tanchan said government
policies supportive of the
shrimp industry are crucial in
@MATTEOG / INSTAGRAM
The first presidential silent
drill competition is the high-
light of the ROTC Summit that
will be attended by around
2,500 men and women in uni-
form including ROTC cadets
from various universities and
colleges.
Following the directive of
President Rodrigo Duterte, the
Office of the President through
the Presidential Management
Staff (PMS) and Presidential
Security Group, in coordina-
tion with the Department of
National Defense and the AFP
through the Office of the Re-
servist and Retiree Affairs
(OJ9) organize the event.
The units are vying for the
top prize of PHP300,000; the
second placer will receive
PHP200,000, and the third will
get PHP100,000.
A PHP50,000 consolation
prize will be given for each of
the four other units. ■
its development.
“We can bring the industry to
the top 10 (in the world), with
total production of 150,000 to
200,000 MT a year,” he added.
In her keynote message,
Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of
the Senate committee on agri-
culture, hopes the Philshrimp
Congress would be a venue for
discussions, collaborations,
exchange of ideas, as well as a
showcase of the latest technol-
ogy and best practices.
“Your inputs are very impor-
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UP alumna...
❰❰ 22 Reservist General
Rolando Rodil was
the one who drafted
the proposed bill making ROTC
mandatory among senior high
school students. He explained
in an earlier interview that,
much as what he had experi-
enced, the ROTC will instill
discipline and love for country
among the Filipino youth.
“I credit my current state
to the things I learned from
ROTC. Magandang program
para ma infuse ang mga values
ng love of country, patriotism sa
ating mga kabataan (It is a good
program to infuse values of pa-
triotism among our youth),” he
said.
Rodil said the need to make
the ROTC mandatory among
senior high school students is
prioritized because the mili-
tary is targeting a bigger pool of
resources latest data from the
Commission on Higher Educa-
tion (CHED) and Department
of Education (DepEd) show
only 20 percent of high school
graduates reach college.
Rodil said the curriculum
if the mandatory ROTC bill
passes as law, would require
students to take the training
to qualify for graduation. The
AFP will conduct meticulous
screenings for future instruc-
tors and will only allow officers
in the best practice to teach stu-
dents.
The role of reservists, the
general added, are (1) based on
the expansion of regular force
in case of war, rebellion; (2) to
assist in disasters, socio-eco-
nomic development, (3) secure
vital government utilities: wa-
ter and power, the AFP reserve
units will help with defense
preparedness; (4) and warfight-
ers.
tant because you are the ones
out there who are directly en-
gaged and involved. Help us
make things better, implement
timely policies, responsive leg-
islations, and realistic plans.
Let us strengthen our collabo-
ration,” Villar added.
Other officials who attended
the opening rites were Negros
Occidental 2nd District Rep.
Leo Rafael Cueva, chair of the
House committee on aquacul-
ture and fisheries resources;
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson;
31
“They will be the first re-
sponders, nation builders, and
guardians of private and public
utilities,” he added.
ROTC Summit
On December 5, around
2,500 ROTC cadets from se-
lected colleges and universities
and uniformed personnel in
the country will attend a sum-
mit in Quirino Grandstand to
celebrate and drum up support
for the ROTC.
The event is being organized
by the Office of the President
through the Presidential Man-
agement Staff (PMS) and Presi-
dential Security Group, in coor-
dination with the Department
of National Defense and the
AFP through the Office of the
Reservist and Retiree Affairs
(OJ9).
The activity will feature the
silent drill.competition from
among the best in the Philip-
pine Military Academy (PMA),
Philippine National Police
Academy (PNPA), Philippine
Merchant Marine Academy
(PMMA), Maritime Academy
of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP),
Philippine Army Officer Can-
didate School (PAOCS), Phil-
ippine Navy Officer Candidate
School (PNOCS), and Philip-
pine Air Force Officer Candi-
date School (PAFOCS).
The units are vying for the
top prize of P300,000; the
second placer will receive
PHP200,000, and the third will
get PHP100,000.
A PHP50,000 consolation
prize will be given for each of
the four other units. ■
BFAR 6 (Western Visayas) Di-
rector Remia Aparri; Southeast
Asian Fisheries Development
Center Aquaculture Depart-
ment chief Dan Baliao; and
Department of Science and
Technology 6 Director Rowen
Gelonga.
This year’s congress carries
the theme, “Strengthening
Synergies Towards a Progres-
sive Shrimp Industry for Global
Competitive Advantage.” ■
32 NOVEMBER 29, 2019 FRIDAY

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