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1 VOL IX NO EAST DESERT INN ROAD SUITE 304B LAS VEGAS, NV PH: PH seeks new markets amid sea dispute with China MANILA, (Mabuhay) - - The Philippines needs to develop new overseas markets so that a maritime standoff with China, which has thrown relations into PESO - U.S. DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AS OF MAY 17, 2012 P Source: Bangko Central ng Pilipinas IMMIGRATION CORNER EB5 Investment Visa - The Golden Ticket Full Story on Page 23 turmoil, does not take a toll on tourism and fruit exports, a senior official said on Thursday. China has tightened quality controls on Philippine fruit and cut the number of tourist visits to the Philippines, moves which will likely have a limited impact on the economy, Arsenio Balisacan, the new economic planning secretary, told reporters. He is the first member of the economic team to talk about the impact of the BUSINESS More on Page 4 Aquino assures sarisari store owners of continued government assistance Full Story on Page 25 MAY 18-24, 2012 President Aquino III, accompanied by Puregold Chairman Lucio Co, Puregold Vice Chairperson Susan Co, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Dir. Gen. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Chairman Jose Pardo, tours and inspects booths during the 7th Puregold Tindahan Ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention with the theme: Team Puregold! T.E.A.M. Panalo! (Talagang Enjoy Ang Mag-negosyo Kasama and Always Panalo!) at the World Trade Cebter along Gil Puyat Avenue Extension corner Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City. The annual holding of the convention which started in 2006, shows Puregold s track record of helping the sari-sari sector. As a result, the convention has become bigger, and more substantive and colorful, attesting to the determination of Puregold in empowering Tindahan ni Aling Puring members and helping fully develop their entrepreneurial skills. (MNS photo) 01 MAY indd 1 5/17/2012 9:19:51 PM

2 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 MANILA, (Mabuhay) - Kaya Natin! lead convenor Harvey Keh is facing possible contempt charges for submitting documents to the office of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile documents on Chief Justice Renato Corona alleged $2 million dollar accounts. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he felt insulted after Keh submitted the documents, allegedly from an anonymous source, to his office while being covered by a news crew of ABS-CBN. I am ordering you to show cause why you should not be cited for contempt by this impeachment court. You are trying to influence this court by bringing these documents. I did not open it. I did not read it because it is a very I do not know what these documents Witness Keh faces contempt over papers had, he told Keh. Enrile said he found no reason why Keh would bring the documents to his office instead of submitting it to the Ombudsman where he had already filed a complaint against Corona. He said the presence of the TV crew seemed to be an attempt to ensure that the contents of the documents would be publicized. I felt insulted and offended as a presiding officer and I am ordering you to show cause why you should not be cited in contempt, he said. Keh apologized for his actions and said he did not mean to offend the Senate President. I would like to express my sincere apologies if you felt insulted, he said. Asked why he did not British rock singer Morrissey, the former front man of the alternative rock group The Smiths, wears a Philippine Flag around his waist as he belts out a song during his concert in Manila, Philippines. Morrissey recently sent a letter on behalf of Manila-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III urging him to send Vishwamali ( Mali for short), a lone Asian elephant at the Manila Zoo, to a sanctuary. (MNS photo) bring the documents to the Ombudsman, he said: I thought the Senate would be the office would be in a best position to evaluate this document. He also denied bringing a TV crew with him, saying that an ABS-CBN news team was already waiting for him at the Senate. Keh earlier told ABS-CBN News he received anonymous information that Corona owned $2 million in foreign currency accounts in several banks. Who is Mr. Anonymous? Meanwhile, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago scolded Keh for acting on anonymous tips while not bothering to verify them first. You are not even a witness and you are foisting yourself as a complainant before the public. What kind of good governance are you trying to promote? You are acting on anonymous sources. Every time there is something that requires identification of the source, the prosecution says there is no source. It came anonymous. Anonymously. Who is Mr. Anonymous? Because I want to ask the PNP and the AFP to issue an arrest order against him. Why is there a proliferation of Mr. Anonymous in this archipelago? And you are the head of something that promotes good governance? That s your idea of good governance? You act on anonymous complaints. You do not even bother to examine for yourself with your own brains whether these complaints are fair or not? Santiago questioned Keh s assertion that Kaya Natin has over 1,000 members all over the country. You are trying to mislead Continued on page 8 01 MAY indd 2 5/17/2012 9:19:57 PM

3 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 3 5/17/2012 9:20:01 PM

4 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 month-long standoff over a shoal in the South China Sea. The dispute has fuelled concern in the region over China s growing assertiveness in waters believed to be rich in oil and gas. China said on Thursday the Philippines had to send a clear signal if it wanted to repair relations. As of now, we are likely to see modest effects (on the economy), but we need to intensify our efforts to diversify our trade with other countries, Balisacan said when asked about the impact of the dispute on trade. So whether or not this event with China occurred, we should have been diversifying our exports. China is the Philippines third-biggest export market after Japan and the United States, accounting for around 14 percent of total shipments in the first quarter of this year. It also ranked fourth in foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines in the March quarter, government data showed. China stopped a shipment of Philippine bananas in March, a month before the sea spat on the Scarborough Shoal erupted, after it found pests. Since then it has imposed stringent quarantine rules on other Philippine fruit. Banana exporters were given until June 1 to comply with the new rules, said Steve Antig, executive director of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association. HEADLINES PH seeks new markets amid sea dispute with China The Philippines has been exporting bananas to China for over a decade but it was only this year it had encountered quarantine issues, Antig said. Clarito Barron, head of the Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry, said he would ask for clarification from quarantine officials, as there were no problems with shipments to Japan and South Korea. Barron said the country was now looking at other markets for its fruit including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Italy, France and Britain. Last week, Philippine civil society and political groups staged a peaceful but noisy anti-chinese protest which prompted the Chinese embassy in Manila to advise its citizens to stay indoors. That also led to Chinese travel agencies suspending tour packages to the country. In the popular resort island of Boracay in the central Philippines, tourism officials said daily arrivals of Chinese tourists had fallen to low double or single digits since Friday s protest from more than 400. It is not something that will cripple our tourism industry at this point, but it does not mean we don t have to pay attention to the issue, Balisacan said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday the Philippine government had to show it wanted to repair relations. We demand that the Philippines send a clear and unified signal about bilateral relations, creating conditions for an earnest and serious dialogue between our two sides, ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily briefing in Beijing. We have noted the Philippines statements about attaching importance to developing bilateral MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- The appointments of two special envoys to the People s Republic of China is a gesture of the government as both countries are embroiled in the Panatag Shoal dispute, a Palace official said. During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that the Philippines is not confined to a single level of relation with China and has been exploring other areas of common interest. We have different levels of exchanges or rather relations with China. We re not only confined to a situation that is very prominent right now, which is the Panatag Shoal standoff, Lacierda said. We have several levels of relationships with them and these are levels that we are emphasizing. As you see, we have the cultural, we have business, and we have tourism, he stressed. China is a vast country and the Philippines needs special envoys in the absence of an ambassador as President Benigno S. Aquino III looks for one. Designating an ambassador would Continued from front page relations, and we hope that the Philippines will take practical steps to create the necessary conditions and a healthy atmosphere for improving relations and protecting cooperation. (MNS) Designation of special envoys to People s Republic of China a gesture to fix relations, Palace says take some time, Lacierda explained and an appointee must undergo confirmation before the Commission on Appointments. The President appointed Cesar Zalamea, who is known to have extensive contacts in China, Lacierda said adding that the President asked him to be the country s special envoy to actively seek out Chinese investors. The Chief Executive also designated Domingo Lee to get the support of the Filipino business community and the Filipino-Chinese community as well as to persuade a greater number of Chinese tourists to come to the Philippines, Lacierda said. According to Lacierda, there are around 800,000 Filipino tourists going to China and 200,000 Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines. We would like to explore all avenues of our relationships not only to focus on the contentious one. And as we ve always stated, we believe that insofar as the Panatag Shoal standoff is concerned, we are actively seeking a peaceful resolution, he said. (MNS) President Aquino receives UN official in Malacanang MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), paid a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacanang on Thursday to convey his support to the government s population management program. Dr. Osotimehin is visiting the country May to meet with stakeholders to mobilize support for the country to achieve its targets for the Millennium Development Goal 5 with three years left to the 2015 deadline. During his meeting with the President, Dr. Osotimehin expressed the continued support of UNFPA to the Continued on next page 01 MAY indd 4 5/17/2012 9:20:03 PM

5 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA UN...cont d fr. prev. pg. Philippine government s goal of improving the lives of Filipinos through a population management strategy that includes responsible parenthood and informed choices. The UNFPA head is also scheduled to meet with ambassadors from the UN donor countries and international development agencies to secure their commitment for the attainment of MDG 5, which is least likely to be achieved by the Philippines by He will also meet key members of the Cabinet, civil society organizations, youth leaders and legislators, and visit the survivors of Sendong who remain in tent cities in Cagayan de Oro. Dr. Osotimehin s visit coincides with UNFPA s celebration of its 40-year presence in the country, supporting the government in its efforts to enable Filipinos to exercise their right to reproductive health. UNFPA has been in the Philippines since 1969 with the first UNFPA Country Programme of Assistance starting in From 1972 to 2011, UNFPA has invested some P6.2 billion to support government s poverty reduction programs that include family planning, safe motherhood, gender equality, and population and development. For the current 7th Country Programme which started this year and ending in 2016, around P1.2 billion has been raised, with the possibility of more funds to be mobilized. Aside from the Philippines, Dr. Osotimehin is also visiting South Korea, Thailand and China as part of his Asian tour. With Dr. Osotimehin were UNFPA Representative to the Philippines Ugochi Florence Daniels, and UNFPA chief of staff Delia Barcelona. Cabinet officials who joined the President include Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Presidential Assistant for Muslim Concerns Undersecretary Busran-Lao. (MNS) BFAR starts monitoring fishing ban in West Philippine Sea MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- Philippine fishery authorities started monitoring Wednesday a fishing ban in parts of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources dispatched a ship to the area Yasmin to monitor the compliance of local fishermen with the ban. BFAR head Asis Perez said the ship will also keep watch over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal area, the site of a month-old standoff with China. Perez said he has issued a directive to BFAR regional directors to remind fishermen in their areas of responsibilities not to fish in the area. China also started implementing Wednesday a similar fishing ban as part of its annual ban that lasts until August 1. The Philippines refused to recognize the Chinese ban. We do not recognize China s fishing ban in as much as portions of the ban encompass our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)... However, (President Benigno Aquino III) has decided that in view of the accelerated depletion of our marine resources, it would be advisable for us to issue our own fishing ban for a period of time to replenish our fish stock, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario had said. Taiwan scholar claims fishing ban can calm PHL- China row Meanwhile, a Taiwanese scholar claimed a fishing ban in areas of the West Philippine Sea might calm the month-old row between the Philippines and China over the Panatag Shoal. Song Yann-huei, convener of the South China Sea research group based at the Academia Sinica, said the calling of the ban may be Beijing s strategy for calming the dispute, Taiwan s Central News Agency reported. CNA quoted him as saying that while the disputes had triggered protests by both sides, both Beijing and Manila know such a conflict sparked by nationalism will not serve any of them well. He also said he believes there will not likely be military conflict between China and 5 the Philippines during the moratorium period. China earlier announced a two-and-a-half month fishing moratorium in the South China Sea, starting May 16 and ending August 1. The Philippines announced its own fishing ban Monday. The standoff between the Philippines and China started in early April when Philippine Continued on next page 01 MAY indd 5 5/17/2012 9:20:05 PM

6 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 MANILA, (Mabuhay) -President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed new judges to the lower courts in various cities and municipalities in the country, a Palace official announces. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda made the announcement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday. The Chief Executive signed on May 11 the appointment letter of Judge Juvencio S. Gascon as the presiding judge of the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 68. He earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the East in 1984 and passed the Bar Examinations in He served as San Fernando City (La Union) Regional Trial Court Judge since 2009 until his appointment. Judge Gregorio L. Vega. Jr. was appointed by President Aquino to the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch military forces spotted Chinese fishermen gathering marine species from the area. But before the crew of a Philippine Navy vessel could make arrests, Chinese vessels blocked its path. China refers to the shoal as Huangyan Island. The CNA also quoted Song as saying the Philippines and China may be expected to reduce their direct conflict over the disputed shoal as they Aquino appoints new judges to lower courts BFAR...cont d fr. prev He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines in 1971 and was admitted to the Bar in Prior to his appointment, he served as Sinoloan (Laguna) Regional Trial Court Judge since President Aquino also appointed Judge Jennifer Albano Pilar to the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 164. She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the San Sebastian College in She graduated salutatorian and was admitted to the Bar in She served as Agoo (La Union) Regional Trial Court Judge since 2007 until her appointment. Other presidential appointees are the following: - Judge Joseph A. Elmaco as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 36 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Siliman University try to resolve the problem through diplomatic negotiations. Some 820,000 square km of sea area in the region are covered by the Chinese fishing ban. On the other hand, Song said the sovereignty dispute may not end soon with the Philippines likely to raise the issue to the security dialogue platform of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (MNS) in 1982 and was admitted to the Bar in He served as 2nd Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Bindoyoayungon- Manjuyod in Negros Oriental since 2006 until his appointment. - Judge Cenon Voltaire B. Repollo as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 38 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the Xavier University, Ateneo De Cagayan in 1997 and was admitted to the Bar in He served as Presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental since 2006 until his appointment. - Judge Sisinio C. Virtudazo as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 4 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Bohol in 1982 and was admitted to the Bar the following year. He served as Executive Judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 1 in Tagbilaran City. - Judge Alexader Nicandro V. Acosta as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 9 in Cebu City, Cebu. He graduated Bachelor of Laws from the University of the East in 1996 and was admitted to the Bar in He worked in the Department of Justice -National Prosecution Service in Cebu City as Prosecutor. - Judge Ma. Lynna Pacamalan Adviento as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 58 in Cebu City, Cebu. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws from the University of San Carlos in 1991 and was admitted to the Bar the following year. She worked as Attorney in the Securities and Exchange Commission, Legislative Consultant from the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cebu City and Partner in Tanco & Partners Law Offices. - Judge Constantino F. Esber as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 37 in Caibiran, Biliran. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the Leyte Collges in 1986 and was admitted to the Bar in He served as Clerk in the Commission on Elections in Leyte, Trial Attorney in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Leyte and Public Attorney in the Public Attorney s Office and Prosecutor in the Office of Public Prosecutions both in Leyte. - Judge Mory A. Nueva. as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 38 in Gamay, Northern Samar. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Divine Word University in 1994 and was admitted to the Bar in He served as Legal and Collection Officer, Legal and Administrative Officer in Herway, Inc., Legal Officer of the AMA Computer College and lawyer in the Capoquian and Nueva Law Offices. - Judge Tarcelo A. Sabarre Jr. as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Basey, Samar. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Divine Word University in 1984 and was admitted to the Bar in He Continued on page 8 01 MAY indd 6 5/17/2012 9:20:07 PM

7 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 7 5/17/2012 9:20:09 PM

8 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 the Filipino public with your prestige and your influence only on the basis of numericality, only on the basis of numbers. What is your proof that you have these many members? I will have my staff check if you have 1,000 members because a person governed by ethics would not do the things that you have done, giving those alleged documentary evidence to the Senate President when you should know as a layman that no person is allowed Keh...cont d. fr. page 2 to influence a judge in the course of the proceedings, she said. Small lady recalled Sen. Bongbong Marcos noted that there are now several ways in which seemingly anonymous documents end up in the hands of the prosecution. He recalled the small lady who allegedly gave documents to Oriental Mindoro 2nd Rep. Reynaldo Umali and the unknown source who gave the same documents to Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Jorge Bolet Banal. Keh said the documents were left in the mail slot in the Kaya Natin! Office in Barangay Loyola Heights in Quezon City last May 3. He said the documents were placed in a brown envelope and was addressed to him. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, asserted that Keh was lying when he said that he was not seeking publicity when he got the papers on Corona s alleged bank accounts. Sinungaling ka, he said. Keh had admitted that he texted a tabloid reporter and told a broadsheet reporter about the documents. He denied, however, fabricating the document to discredit Corona. Hontiveros: I didn t know about $10M Another hostile witness, former Akbayan congresswoman Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, also testified on Day 39 of the impeachment trial. In her testimony, the former Judges...cont d from page 6 served as Special Prosecutor in the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Region 8 in Tacloban City and taught law in the universities. - Judge Romeo D. Tagra as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 273 in Marikina City. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of San Carlos in 1992 and was admitted to the Bar the following year. He served as Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Calbayog City in Samar since 2010 until his appointment. - Judge Giovanni E. Palma as Judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Manaoag, Pangasinan. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the San Sebastian College -Recoletos in 2000 and was admitted to the Bar in He worked as Court Attorney IV at the Court of Appeals and governnment corporate attorney at the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel. (MNS) congresswoman said she and several others signed a complaint asking the Ombudsman to investigate 18 bank accounts allegedly owned by Corona, including one account which allegedly contained $700,00. Our purpose in writing her is to ask the Ombudsman to investigate the dollar accounts, she said. She said she filed the complaint after the Supreme Court temporarily stopped Philippine Savings Bank from revealing the contents of Corona s dollar accounts in the impeachment trial. She denied that the complaint alleged that Corona owns $10 million in dollar deposits. She also said no one ordered her group to file a complaint against the Chief Justice before the Ombudsman. Sen. Santiago did not pose any question to the former congresswoman. Instead, she praised Baraquel for being one of the staunchest allies of Sen. Pia Cayetano and myself in our epic struggle to pass the Reproductive Health Bill. She also noted Baraquel very nearly became senator in the 2010 elections, and there is still a very strong possibility that she may soon join the Senate in the very near future. Baraquel came in 13th place, losing the last Senate slot to his coalition ally, Teofisto TG Guingona III. (MNS) 01 MAY indd 8 5/17/2012 9:20:12 PM

9 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA PNoy: CHED still monitoring nursing schools MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- President Benigno Aquino on Thursday said the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will continue to monitor the performance of nursing schools and the quality of their programs. In a speech during the 18th founding anniversary of CHED, the President noted that more than 80 nursing schools had a low passing rate of 30% or below in licensure examinations from 2000 to CHED has since closed down a number of nursing schools for offering substandard programs. Nasa Kongreso pa lang po tayo, kapansin-pansin na ang pagsulpot ng mga nursing schools pero tila wala naman ditong napupulot na dunong ang mga estudyante. Namimirata sila ng mga guro mula sa mas kilalang paaralan, pero dahil nga puro tsamba naman ang kanilang sistema, hindi naman makapasa sa licensure exams ang kanilang graduates. Para bang ginagatasan lamang nila ng matrikula ang mga magulang na nagkakandahirap magtrabaho. Mantakin po ninyo, mahigit walumpung paaralan ang may 30% o mas mababa pang passing rate sa nursing licensure exam mula noong 2000 hanggang 2010, Aquino said. Para proteksyunan ang mga estudyante at mga magulang sa ganitong kalakaran, inatasan natin ang CHED na tutukan at bantayan ang mga paaralang may mababang passing rate sa nursing licensure exam at may mapupurol na programa. The President witnessed the signing of the Covenant on Philippine Public Higher Education wherein the presidents of 110 state universities and colleges of the Philippines promised, among others, to improve the quality and standards of education and maximize the generation of their resources. Also witnessing the signing were CHED chair Patricia Licuanan, Senate committee chair on education Edgardo Angara, and House committee chair on higher and technical education Sonny Angara. Aquino said that the government is also addressing job mismatch to ensure that graduates can easily find jobs. Nagtutulungan na rin po ang DOLE, TESDA, CHED at DepEd, upang siguruhing ang mga bakanteng trabaho ay pupunan ng mga graduate na may sapat na pagsasanay. Bago pa pumasok sa kolehiyo, tinutukoy na ang mga industriyang mangangailangan ng manggagawa, upang umangkop ang kaalaman ng mga graduate na papasok sa ating labor force, he said. Saying that having a good education is key to a successful future, President Aquino stressed his administration has increased the budget for basic education and state colleges and universities. He said for basic education the budget rose to P238.8 billion in 2012 from billion in State-owned universities and colleges, meanwhile, are getting an additional P4.2 billion in The government is also set to implement the K to 12 program this school year. (MNS) MAY indd 9 5/17/2012 9:20:13 PM

10 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 Aquino assures education remains top priority of his administration MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- President Benigno S. Aquino said that education and the institutionalization of educational reforms remains his administration s top priority in order to ensure that Philippine education becomes at par with world standards and so that Filipino students will have a fighting chance to land a job of their choice after graduation. In his speech keynoting the 18th Founding Anniversary of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) at its main office in Quezon City Thursday, the President assured that the government would continue to pour the much needed funds so that these reforms, such as the improvement of a school s infrastructure, equipment, facilities and wages may be implemented. He noted that among the moves that the government was making to improve education was the yearly increases his government was putting intto the budget on education since he assumed office: P175-billion in 2010, billion in 2011 and for 2012, a hefty 36.5 percent increase to P238.8-billion. He added that this year marked the implementation of the Department of Education s K to 12 basic education program that required all students to undergo a year of kindergarten and two additional years of secondary education in order to better prepare them for the world. Ang gusto natin, makapalag ang ating mga graduate sa pandaigdig na merkado at hindi ito mangyayari kung pipiliting isiksik ang mga kaalaman sa loob ng sampung taon ng basic education, the President said. The President also announced that a supplemental budget of P4.2-billion has been allocated for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) for their use to improve their delivery of education to students. At heto na nga po ang good news para sa inyong sektor: karagdagang P4.2 billion po ang inilaan natin para sa ating mga SUCs. Sa tulong ng mga katuwang na ahensya, gagamitin ang pondong ito sa pagpapaunlad ng mga pasilidad at imprastraktura, sa pagtataguyod ng mataas na kalidad ng pagtuturo, at pagkakaloob ng mga scholarships, the President said. Ang gusto natin: mapakarpintero man, mananahi, mekaniko, doktor, guro, inhinyero, o abugado anumang pangarap ng ating kabataan nabibigyan sila ng kakayahan upang panghawakan ang sariling tadhana, he added. The President then implored the help of CHED and its employees to join government efforts to improve further the educational system in the country so that the benefits of these reforms will AMLC must explain CJ bank data: UP prof MANILA, (Mabuhay) - The Anti- Money Laundering Council (AMLC) must explain how it generated and vetted data on Chief Justice Renato Corona s 82 dollar accounts, which allegedly contained $12 million in fresh deposits, University of the Philippines professor Prospero de Vera III said on Wednesday. De Vera said the AMLC must be able to back up its report on Corona s accounts, which was presented by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in the impeachment trial. AMLC can clarify a lot of the issues which the Ombudsman is in no position to explain because she is not from AMLC. How the information is generated and vetted - only the AMLC knows how it is done, he said. De Vera said the AMLC does not have a good track record, citing its failure to run after erring government officials during the Arroyo administration. Remember the AMLC does not have a good track record in the past. Many accusations have been raised during the Arroyo administration where the AMLC was silent, or did not do anything, did not go out and investigate and you have an Ombudsman who never used those powers to investigate either, he said on ANC. We cannot even attach a face redound to all. Napipitas na nga po natin ang mga bunga ng pagtahak sa tuwid na landas. Nakita naman po ninyo kung paano nagbubuhos ng suporta ang inyong pamahalaan sa sektor ng edukasyon; ang tangi po nating hinihiling ay ang inyong pakikiisa sa tuwid na landas, at pagsiguro na ginagampanan ninyo nang husto ang inyong mga tungkulin, the President said. Gumigising at bumabangon na ang Pilipino. Kasama po natin sila: Itinitindig natin ang isang makatarungan at maunlad na Pilipinas. Ito ang ating ipapamana sa mga susunod na salinlahi: Isang lipunan kung saan ang mga pangarap ay abot-kamay, isang sistema kung saan walang naiiwan, at isang bayan kung saan panlahat ang kasaganahan, he added. (MNS) READ MORE NEWS ONLINE Read about the latest news from the Philippines and around the globe. Log on the internet and visit our new website : com to this AMLC. It is surprising for an office that is so powerful and where public interest is so important at this point of our political history, we have faceless institutions who don t speak. So it is logical therefore that people become suspicious and the only way to clarify this is for AMLC to show up and explain, he added. Breath of fresh air The UP professor, meanwhile, described as a breath of fresh air Ombudsman Morales investigation into Corona s alleged dollar accounts. He said Morales actions are vastly different from her predecessor s, Merceditas Gutierrez, who never even lifted a finger to investigate erring public officials. De Vera said the Corona trial is actually being sidetracked by highly politicized issues such as the extent of the powers of the Ombudsman. He said that under the law, the Ombudsman is supposed to have extensive powers to investigate all public officials, being the watchdog agency of government. On the other hand, he admitted that the timing of the Ombudsman s investigation might be questioned by some quarters. Whether the timing was proper is a gray area. Whether the actions are supposed to be used for another impeachment complaint is another one, he said. (MNS) 01 MAY indd 10 5/17/2012 9:20:16 PM

11 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA The Wisdom of God s Creation Man and woman have a unique flaw, yet that flaw is a gift from the creator. What is that flaw in creation you may ask? That flaw, although a gift from God Himself, is the gift of free will. Each of us, regardless of age, gender, race or religion, have the gift to choose our own actions, the paths in life s journey we choose to travel. Virtually everything we choose to do in life will determine our successes and our failures be it in our personal health, education, or the fact we experience prosperity in abundance, or sheer poverty. Based on our personal choices, we determine our own destinies. A very beautiful and meaningful quote, from an anonymous source, sheds much light on this message. Always remember, your true beauty is from within. No matter what methods you use to beautify your physical body on the outside, if beauty is lacking on the inside, your physical beauty enhancements are only visible to you. If your heart is filled with envy, hate, jealousy and ugly unhappy thoughts, it will discolor your aura for all to see. What you thought yesterday, will live today. What you think today, will live tomorrow. If you truly want to live a life filled with good health, physical beauty, joy and happiness, and the pleasures of material wealth, then you must think only of that which is beautiful, and beautiful you will be. It is not uncommon for me to see patients that have undergone breast enhancement surgeries, banding of the stomach, cosmetic surgeries, and frequent complete make-overs in an effort to be beautiful on the outside. A huge segment of the population, men as well as women, are sold a bill of goods that they must look like Barbie or Ken and it is all about sex appeal. Charles Dickens wrote; Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers and famous preservers of youthful good looks. Obviously the surgical make-overs can do nothing to fulfill inner happiness and contentment if these were lacking in the first place. The patients I see that are so consumed with looking good on the outside, frequently pay a very huge price beyond the dollars for the loss of physical and mental health, in their misguided pursuit of being sexy and glamorous. Our thoughts, good or bad, do indeed become real. And if a person lacks inner happiness, then those thoughts that become words, that become stuff, are not going to be provoking joy and happiness. It is evidenced today, more so than ever in history that people are motivated by fear, greed, ego, and as a consequence, are unhappy and too frequently on some form of psychotic drug, illegal drug, alcohol abuse, sugar addictions and prone to follow the advice of a beauty-consultant to do make- overs to lift their self esteem Only to discover that now they have big boobs and are still miserable! The bottom line, seeking solutions, they turn to the wrong advisors and buy into someone else s solutions to issues that do not provide the cure, or solutions to the problems they desperately want resolved. I frequently have to remind my patients, I do not have all the answers, no human has all the solutions, therefore in all things, seek the mind of God in His Written Word before buying into any protocol. Dr. Tilden put it most clear and precise when he wrote the following. From the very beginning of time man has looked for a savior; and when not looking for a savior, he is looking for a cure. He believes in paternalism. He is looking to get something for nothing, not knowing that the highest price we ever pay for anything is to have it given to us for free. Instead of accepting salvation, it is better to deserve it. Instead of buying, begging or stealing a cure, it is better from the beginning to stop building disease. All disease is of man s own building, and one worse thing than the stupidity of buying a cure is to remain so ignorant as to believe in cures without looking to the cause. The false theories of salvation and cures has built man into a mental mendicant, being a slave to a profession that has neither worked out its own salvation from disease nor discovered a single cure in all the HEALTHY HABITS Sir Dr. Thomas E. Stone, HD, CNHP Author, Lecturer age long period of man s existence on earth. I can sum up Dr. Tilden s thoughts by merely saying; there are only two things one must do in life, (paying taxes is not one of them). You have to die eventually, and until you do die, you have to live first. You make up all the rest, you and you alone, get to fill in the space of events leading up to that last breath of life. This brings us back to the free choice thing that in God s wisdom He gave us as a gift that allows us to, in Frank Sinatra s words, I did it my way. Salvation is indeed a free gift, Christ makes it available to everyone. The cure? It is not to be found in a pill, nor in any form of medicine or therapy that is not found in the Book of Life. Therefore, if you are on a quest to find the fountain of youth, and regain your health and youthful vitality, you need Continued on page MAY indd 11 5/17/2012 9:20:17 PM

12 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 FOOD AND LIFESTYLE The Thrill of the Grill (Family Features) Grilling season is here, and that means it s time to get fired up for the smoky flavor of your favorite foods cooked in the great outdoors over charcoal. These grilling recipes were created by chefs from all over the country who participated in the Choice Steak Challenge to find out who has the best steak-grilling chops. Their recipes feature Walmart Choice Premium Beef, as well as delicious sides to try with each dish. Only one in five steaks is good enough to earn that label of distinction, and shoppers who aren t satisfied with their purchase only need to bring back the receipt for a full refund. The Key to Great Grilling Build the Right Fire - Use different briquet arrangements depending on what s going on the grill. * Thinner pieces of meat respond best to high temperature, direct-heat grilling, which requires spreading the coals out evenly across the grate. * Thicker pieces of meat cook beautifully all the way through, without burning on the outside, with a two-zone fire. * Stack briquets to one side of the grate for high and low temperature zones. Begin cooking directly over the coals until the outside of the meat has reached the desired doneness; then move the meat to the other side of the grate (the low temperature zone) to finish cooking. Find more recipes, tips and information at Grilled T-bone with Everglades Rub Makes: 4 servings Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes 4 Walmart Choice Premium T-bone Steaks Dry Rub 1 head roasted garlic (roast garlic in oven until golden brown and soft to mash) 4 tablespoons Everglades seasoning (available at Walmart) 1 teaspoon coffee, ground 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon dry thyme 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Combine all dry rub ingredients. Set aside. Rub each steak with an equal Continued on page MAY indd 12 5/17/2012 9:20:21 PM

13 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 13 5/17/2012 9:20:23 PM

14 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 Grill Recipe...cont d. fr. page 12 portion of roasted garlic paste on front and back. To prevent burning, do not get garlic paste on bone. Divide dry rub seasoning for four steaks and thoroughly rub each steak. Place in food storage container in refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours. This can be done up to one day in advance. Preheat grill using Kingsford charcoal, until briquets are consistently ashed over. Remove steaks from refrigerator and let come to room temperature. Put steaks on grill; leave in one position on direct heat for 4 to 5 minutes, rotating to get nice grill marks and even flavor profile. Follow this timeline for medium rare. Recipe created by Chef Eric Lackey of Flamestone American Grill in Oldsmar, Fla. on behalf of the Walmart Choice Steak Challenge presented by Kingsford charcoal and Coca-Cola. READ MORE NEWS ONLINE Read about the latest news from the Philippines and around the globe. Log on the internet and visit our new website : look no further than your inner person. The cure is always found in evaluating the choices you made that led up to the cause of the problem. Healthy Habits is more about providing solutions, and we do so not in placing the priorities in selling you stuff. All of the products of Healthy Habits are unique, and our philosophy as well as our business model is to create within every person that WOW factor that brings about your happy factor! All of the unique product offerings of Healthy Habits come with an unconditional 90 day complete happy guarantee, or unconditional money back guarantee. And along with our unique Quantum compensation plan, can assure you a avenue to financial freedom. If what I have shared with you in Healthy Habits...cont d fr. page 11 this week s advertisement information format resonates with you, and you want to know more, please do not procrastinate, contact us immediately for a private or public presentation. In truth, God never made a mistake, and the wisdom of His creation is that everything He made was perfect. If by choice you blemish that which is perfect in His eyes, you cannot argue with His wisdom to give you that option. In closing, these Words from 3 John 2; Minamahal, aking idinadalangin na sa lahat ng mga bagay ay guminhawa ka at bumuti ang iyong katawan, na gaya ng pagginhawa ng iyong kaluluwa. Healthy Habits could very well be your opportunity for complete health, and personal prosperity! 01 MAY indd 14 5/17/2012 9:20:25 PM

15 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA BUSINESS Sharon denies KC real mom ENTERTAINMENT of Miel, Miguel MANILA, (Mabuhay) --- Actress Sharon Cuneta denied that KC Concepcion is the real mother of Cuneta s youngest daughter Miel and adopted son Miguel. Ang daming tsismis! I m sure narinig ni yo na si Miel ay hindi ko daw anak, kung hindi anak ni KC na pinagtatakpan ko. So naglagay ako ng unan noon at nagpanggap ako na ako ay buntis. Yun pala si KC, nasa Paris siya noon, ay nagdadalantao at tapos pag-uwi ng bata kunwari inako ko ako ang ina, Cuneta said. Mayroon naman ngayon si Miguel daw ay anak naman ni KC, ang aking inampon na 2 years old. Nagtataka naman ako? Kailan ba lumaki ang anak ng tiyan ko, she added. Cuneta talked about the issue as she recalled the pain brought by her bashers on microblogging site Twitter. Over 34 years you can not break me, haters. You can not break my spirit. You can not take away my happiness. And if you think that by bashing me on Twitter or in any other venue ay mawawalan na ako ng gana ay iniyak ko na yan. Dahil ang importante sa akin ay ang nagbibigay sa akin ng importansiya at pagmamahal. Do not stop me from inspiring my followers, Cuneta said. The singer-actress said she joined MANILA,(Mabuhay) -- Three months after giving birth, actress Kristine Hermosa finally shared how much she enjoys her new life as mom to firstborn Ondrea Bliss. Hermosa and husband Oyo Boy Sotto shared how their little baby girl changed their lives. The couple said Ondrea Bliss Orille-Sotto, who was born on December 26 of last year, is an answered prayer from God. Nakaplano na yun. Gusto na rin talaga namin. Hindi naman talaga natin Twitter believing that it would help her since she d been through a lot of changes from her personal life to her career. I thought it would be a nice thing to do also kasama ng bagong panimula. While it has been a very meaningful and fulfilling relationship so far with my tweeties, inaamin ko na mayroon talagang hindi ko kayang palampasin, Cuneta said. Gusto ko lang i-share sa inyo yung ibang hindi ko kayang palampasin na sa totoo lang po lumaki ako na yung ibang salitang ginamit na Tagalog ay hindi ko narinig. Sa 46 years ng buhay ko ay hindi ko naririnig. Ang iba ay naririnig ko pero hindi sa circle ko tulad ng I hope you will hit by a bus over and over again tapos may mura pa. She said what hurt her most as a mother was the allegation that her eldest daughter is an abortionist. Kasi ang pinalalabas si KC daw ay yun (abortionist) na parang tinolerate ko daw, she said. (MNS) Kristine Hermosa shares joys of motherhood alam kung kailan tayo magpi-preggy. Kahit pa iplano niyo pa, at i-try niyo ng i-try gumawa, kung hindi pa rin talaga time ni God na bigyan kayo ng anak, it won t happen din naman. Nang dumating si Ondrea, it was time na rin at ibinigay talaga ni God, Hermosa said. Tin said raising her own child is so much different from taking care of her younger siblings. Siyempre iba kapag mom ka kasi you have to know yung tamang medicines, tamang vitamins. Kailangan mo silang dalhin sa pedia every month. Yung mga kapatid ko naman, nandoon naman yung nanay ko (mommy Alma). Sa mga kapatid ko piling pili ang contributions ko sa pag-aalaga sa kanila. Sa kanilang dalawa (Kiel and Ondrea), talagang all-out ako (sa pagiging ina). Hermosa said that she s also lucky to have a sister-in-law like Danica who s always there to guide her. (MNS) 01 MAY indd 15 5/17/2012 9:20:33 PM

16 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 Sam denies rumored romance with Derek MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- SAM Pinto admitted that she was irked by reports linking her to Derek Ramsay s breakup with actress Angelica Panganiban. Sam said she was surprised with the reports, adding she only worked with Ramsay once for an October fest commercial of San Miguel, which they both endorse. Sam believes the issue started when she said she planned to spend her Holy Week in Australia. I was interviewed. Where will I go for the Holy Week? Then I said I might go to Australia, which I never did, she said. Derek spent his Holy Week with friends in Australia, where he met Hollywood actor Zac Efron, whom he played golf with. I didn t meet Derek there because I was in the Philippines That was the story, period. I never hang out with him, said Sam. Sam also said she received a lot of tweets accusing her as the third party. Ang daming nag-bash sa akin because they were all assuming it was me. Everyone was like ikaw pala yung dahilan kaya nag-break sila ni Angelica, she said. They (Derek and Angelica) never talked to me because in the first place, there s really nothing to talk about because nothing really happened, Sam added. She also dismissed reports that she had a romantic relationship with Pinoy Big Brother co-housemate Paul Jake Castillo. She added that she s not dating actor Aljur Abrenica as well. I m very single and very happy. Aljur is like a brother. He s fun to be with. Sam was in Boracay for the summer weekend activity of GMA-7. (MNS) Derek Ramsey Derek confirms breakup with Angelica MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- Actor Derek Ramsay finally admitted that he and long-time girlfriend Angelica Panganiban already called it quits. Guys we truly appreciate all your concerns. Even though Angel and I are no longer together we still have the utmost respect for one another, Ramsay said in his official Twitter account on Monday. There was no wasted time. I loved every minute we had together, he added. Ramsay s previous remarks only referred to a cool off in his five-year relationship with Panganiban. Ramsay also denied that third party caused the breakup. He stressed that the issue linking him to actress Sam Pinto is not true. He also belied report linking Panganiban to her newest leading man John Lloyd Cruz. No truth to the rumors about Sam Pinto and I. We did a commercial last year but that s it. Let s respect Sam and stop all these rumors, he said. Guys please don t believe any of the rumors about Angel and John Lloyd. They did scenes for a movie and that s it. That s the truth, Ramsay said. (MNS) Rhian not afraid to visit Mo Twister s turf RHIAN Ramos will still visit New York City this June even though controversial ex-boyfriend Mo Twister is already based there. The actress is set to take part in a GMA Pinoy TV event with other Kapuso artists. According to Rhian, there s no chance of any encounter between her and Mo and she will definitely avoid the radio personality if such meeting will take place. I m thinking na malaki yung Continued on page MAY indd 16 5/17/2012 9:20:43 PM

17 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 17 5/17/2012 9:20:46 PM

18 FOOD AND LIFESTYLE PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, MAY indd 18 5/17/2012 9:20:58 PM

19 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 19 5/17/2012 9:21:01 PM

20 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, MAY indd 20 5/17/2012 9:21:09 PM