Manila-US Times

Honest Janitress Gets Cash Reward

Johnny M. Pecayo — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:21:19 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – The honest janitress who returned a plastic pouch full of foreign currency left behind at the Customs area at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport late last month received a cash reward for her good deed from a group of Filipino-Chinese philanthropists.

Jennifer Doroga, 32, contractual janitress of the Manila International Airport Authority received, the R50,000 cash reward from Manny Dy, honorary president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Associations Foundation Inc.

Dy turned over the award to Doroga at the Board Room of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the presence of MIAA Assistant General Manager MGen Vicente Guerzon (ret.) and NAIA Terminal Manager Dante Basanta.

Dy also said that the Board of the Federation decided to reward Doroga as a gesture of the association’s gratitude for the exemplary honesty of the janitress.

Upon receiving the cash, Doroga broke into tears while she profusely thanked Dy and the other members of the Federation.

Doroga said she intend to use the money for her family’s personal needs.

Gen. Guerzon for his part thanked the Federation for rewarding the honest deed of their employee.

To date, the money returned by Doroga is still in the custody of the airport Authority because no one has still come forward to claim it.

Kobe leads Lakers past Thunder in 99-96 thriller

Johnny M. Pecayo — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:19:45 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 18: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot against Nazr Mohammed #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three.

They’re better off slowing down the game – or even better yet, standing still at the free throw line.

That’s what the Lakers did to near perfection in Game 3 on Friday night, and that’s why they’re still standing in a series with an opponent who can run circles around them.

Bryant made 18 free throws without a miss, scored 14 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, and the Lakers rallied late for a 99-96 victory, cutting the Thunder’s second-round series lead to 2-1.

Metta World Peace swiped the ball from Kevin Durant and hit two free throws with 12.9 seconds left for the third-seeded Lakers, who shook off the memory of their late collapse in Game 2 with a steady comeback from a late five-point deficit. Bryant’s effort at the line set a franchise playoff record, and the Lakers needed every free throw.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers’ Matt Barnes, left, during the first half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball playoffs.

”If it’s an up-and-down game, we don’t have a shot,” said Bryant, who surpassed Gail Goodrich’s 1972 team record of 17 free throws without a miss. ”We’ve got to just slow down the game. Play our pace, play our tempo, and we’ll give ourselves a great opportunity.”

When Durant missed a potential tying 3-pointer before Andrew Bynum blocked Serge Ibaka’s shot at the buzzer, the Lakers’ frenzied crowd celebrated only their second victory in the last six playoff games.

Game 4 in the back-to-back set is Saturday night, which won’t help the Lakers’ weary legs in their 11th playoff game in 21 days.

Yet while the Thunder have shown more skill and athleticism than the Lakers can match, Los Angeles has largely controlled the tempo for two straight games.

Who knows what’s possible in the shadow of the Lakers’ 16 championship banners?

”We continued to work, even when they got the lead a couple of times in the fourth quarter,” said Pau Gasol, who had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. ”It’s in us. We want to win this series, we want to beat this team, and we will do whatever it takes. Obviously, we know how hard it is going to be, but we are ready for it.”

Durant scored 31 points before missing his last shot for Oklahoma City, which seemed poised to move to the brink of its second straight trip to the Western Conference finals with a five-point lead inside the final 3 minutes. Instead, the Thunder lost for the first time in the postseason, getting outscored 12-4 down the stretch.

After blowing a seven-point lead in the final 2 minutes of Game 2, Los Angeles finished Game 3 on a 6-2 run in the final 33 seconds, all on free throws. The Lakers went 41 for 42 from the line, including 26 for 27 in the second half.

”You have to knock those freebies down,” Lakers coach Mike Brown said. ”You’re not going to get any better look in a game than a free throw. That’s how good (the Thunder) are.”

The Lakers said the 41-of-42 performance at the line was the second-best in NBA playoff history for teams with more than 30 attempts. Only Dallas’ 49-for-50 effort against San Antonio on May 19, 2003, was better.

Russell Westbrook and James Harden scored 21 points apiece for the Thunder, who couldn’t match the Lakers’ late-game execution after soundly out-executing the Lakers in Game 2.

”We put them on the line,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. ”We can’t do that. Down the stretch, you have to defend them without fouling and rebound the basketball. Unfortunately, we came up short.”

Bynum had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who got 12 points apiece from Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake. The Lakers didn’t appear worried while flirting with an 0-3 deficit, which has never been overcome in NBA history.

Oklahoma City’s bench celebrated a 92-87 lead on Westbrook’s breakaway dunk with 2:55 to play, but the Lakers trimmed away with Gasol’s free throws, Bryant’s layup and several possessions of tenacious defense. Bryant’s free throws put the Lakers ahead with 1:09 to play.

Durant immediately hit a go-ahead jumper with a hand squarely in his face, but Bryant added two more free throws – his 15th and 16th – to put Los Angeles ahead 95-94. The Thunder finished 26 of 28 from the line, but the Lakers went 17 for 18 in the fourth quarter alone.

”We knew they were going to approach the game with a lot of intensity down 0-2,” Durant said. ”We did a great job of fighting back and taking a lead. … We can play any type of basketball. That’s what’s good about our team. We can play fast. We can play slow. That’s what tonight was, and so was Game 2. But both games, we did a good job of fighting. Tonight, we just didn’t come out on top.”

The game was the first of four second-round NBA playoff games in just over 48 hours at Staples Center, also the site of the NHL’s Western Conference finals between and Kings and Phoenix on Thursday and Sunday. The top-seeded San Antonio Spurs will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday in an afternoon game before the Thunder and Lakers play Game 4.

Thanks to the NBA’s shortened schedule, the Lakers are playing their first back-to-back playoff games since May 22-23, 1999, in the second round against San Antonio during another season shortened by labor strife.

Staples Center was bubbling with energy even before tipoff, with thousands of Lakers fans actually deigning to wear the gold giveaway T-shirts that are usually tucked under chairs or slung over shoulders.

Tempers flared in the second quarter when Westbrook furiously attempted to prevent World Peace from tying him up for a jump ball. World Peace’s knee came down on Westbrook’s leg during a brief skirmish including Jordan Hill, and both Westbrook and World Peace received technical fouls.

Aquino-appointed associate justice sponsors mass for Corona

Johnny M. Pecayo — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:16:02 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – An appointee of President Benigno Aquino III has sponsored Wednesday’s Octave Novena mass at the Supreme Court.

Associate Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe organized Wednesday’s Octave mass. The Octave Novena, which is believed to be the most powerful novena, has been organized by Marian devotees and employees of the Supreme Court.

The intentions for the Octave Novena are: for the Rule of Law to prevail, for truth and justice to prevail in the ongoing impeachment trial of the Chief Justice, for protection of the Chief Justice and his family and for the Chief Justice’s vindication.

The Octave mass will be for 8 days.

Aquino has appointed three associate justices at the Supreme Court—Bernabe, Maria Lourdes Sereno and Bienvenido Reyes. Reyes has also sponsored one of the 15 masses held for the Chief Justice in March this year.

Corona is set to testify before the Senate Impeachment Court on May 22.

Thanksgiving mass

Supreme Court employees will hold a Thanksgiving mass for the 2^nd anniversary of Chief Justice Corona on Thursday.

Corona was appointed Chief Justice on May 17, 2010 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is now detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center facing several charges.

His appointment has been highly contested due to a constitutional prohibition against the President from making appointments two months before the election up to the end of her term.

However, on March 17, 2010, the high court upheld Arroyo’s right as incumbent president to appoint the Chief Justice. The high court decision underscored Section 4(1) of Article VIII of the Constitution as the more relevant provision, and that the 90-day period for the President to fill the vacancy in the Supreme Court is a special provision to establish a definite mandate for the President as the appointing power.

By Tetch Torres, INQUIRER.net

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Manny Pacquiao Banned From Hollywood Mall

Johnny M. Pecayo — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:25:13 +0000

Written by: Ben Maller

Manny Pacquiao won’t be shopping with the stars ever again, as the homophobic boxing superstar has been banned from Hollywood’s ultimate entertainment destination.

Training in Los Angeles for his upcoming fight against Timothy Bradley, Pacquiao was scheduled to sit down for an interview Wednesday with “Extra” host Mario Lopez at the Grove, LA’s legendary shopping mall where celebrities and tourists mingle in overpriced shops, restaurants and movie theaters. But that interview won’t take place now, at least not at the outdoor mall.

LA Weekly’s Simone Wilson reports Pacquiao has been outlawed by the commercial center for his over-the-top anti-gay statements this week. While quoting Bible verses, the boxing star didn’t just say he was against the homosexual lifestyle, Pacquiao stunningly divulged gay men should be “put to death” for their sexual crimes.

Management at the Grove quickly issued a statement explaining why the boxer has been officially forbidden from entering the star-studded shopping mecca.

“Based on news reports of statements made by Mr. Pacquiao we have made it be known that he is not welcome at The Grove and will not be interviewed here now or in the future. The Grove is a gathering place for all Angelenos and not a place for intolerance.”

Since then, it has come out that the original article attributed a quote to Pacquiao that he never said.

From the Village Voice:

Granville Ampong, the “conservative examiner” over at Examiner.com (a news website that lets just about anyone submit articles) now says Pacquiao never referenced the offensive passage taken from Leviticus 20:13, which states that “if a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”

Still, the prejudiced pugilist attempted to defend his position with media in the Philippines.

“I only gave out my opinion that same sex marriage is against the law of God,” he told ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo. “I’m not against gay people … I have a relative who is also gay. We can’t help it if they were born that way. What I’m critical of are actions that violate the word of God.”

Pacquiao, long a darling of Madison Avenue, figures to lose a number of endorsements and fans over his intolerant, bullheaded position.

Could China’s sanctions choke us?

Johnny M. Pecayo — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:22:09 +0000

By: Cielito F. Habito, Philippine Daily Inquirer

One hundred fifty container loads of Philippine bananas are being left to rot in the Chinese ports of Dalian, Shanghai and Xingang, according to reports that came over the weekend. Our own government officials have been quick to play down any link between the holding of the banana shipments and the ongoing tension at the Panatag Shoal. But even if there wasn’t such a link before, who would believe there wouldn’t be one now?

Earlier, reports said that travel agencies in China have suspended tours to the Philippines. This may of course be seen in two ways. One may look at it as a defensive precautionary measure—whether or not instructed by the Chinese government—to avoid perceived threats to their safety in the midst of rallies being held here against China. Or one may see it as an aggressive government-directed sanction meant to hurt our tourism industry. Either way, the effect on us would be punitive, with China being our fourth largest source of foreign tourists behind Korea, the United States and Japan. So is the threat of more serious economic sanctions now being dangled before us by the Chinese government to force us into submission on the Panatag Shoal dispute. How bad can it get for us if it decides to unleash its full economic arsenal on us, and hit us on every front of our economic relationship?

Let’s take stock of these various fronts. The most obvious one is trade. Last year we recorded $6,094 million worth of merchandise exports to China, representing 12.7 percent of our total exports and placing third behind Japan and the United States. Our imports from China were slightly less, at $6,060 million, giving us a trade surplus of $34 million (yes, we are among the few countries in the neighborhood selling more to China than buying from them).

Incidentally, our own official numbers above, as recorded by the Bureau of Customs, place total trade with China (exports plus imports) at $12.15 billion. But guess what, Chinese data from its General Administration of Customs place total trade at $32.25 billion! This nearly 3-to-1 discrepancy in our trade data graphically shows the extent of smuggling in our trade with China, both ways. Clearly, we must take our own trade data with China with a grain of salt: The real extent of our bilateral trade is far more than what our own official trade statistics would tell us.

What if China halts entry of all Philippine goods into its market? Based on 2011 figures, we stand to forego $6.1 billion of export earnings from China—or more than twice that, if based on the higher Chinese figures that count the smuggled goods as well. We would need to find a way to sell all of that elsewhere to make up for the loss. If that lost income is split evenly among all Filipinos, it would be as if P5,000 was taken out of every Filipino’s pocket. If China likewise stops the export of its goods to the Philippines, then we would also be deprived of $6.1 billion worth of imported Chinese goods—or again more likely, over twice that amount—which we would then have to source from other countries instead.

It’s not a one-way loss, though. If China completely stops importing our electronic semiconductors and circuit boards; our nickel and copper ore; our bananas, pineapples and mangoes; our furniture and other products—then it would have the problem of sourcing these from somewhere else, and many of these cannot be readily bought from our neighbors or elsewhere. As many of these are vital raw materials, its industries would have to slow down somewhat. And what if it completely stops selling us what we have normally been importing from it? With its exports to us being a tiny 0.9 percent of its overall exports (based on its data), it would seem that the loss of the Philippine market would hardly make a dent on its economy. Admittedly, what would be a dog bite to us would be a mere ant sting to the Chinese. But then our domestic producers and their workers would be happy to keep those competing cheap Chinese products out.

What about overseas Filipino workers in China? The bulk of them would be in Hong Kong, comprising some 120,000 workers, and if they all had to suddenly go home as a result of an escalated conflict, then we would have a major short-term problem. But our legendary resilience as a people should get us through that one in time, and given the consistent strong demand for Filipino workers abroad, we should be able to find alternative employment for them eventually.

And then there are private Chinese investments and government loans, including those already in the pipeline. Some projects may end up being aborted altogether, including the railway project to Clark, enhancements to the Casecnan multipurpose hydro facility, and several others. Other donors and investors are bound to pick these up, so it would not be a loss altogether, but just a problematic delay in implementation. Still, we could expect some not-too-minor disruptions.

What if Chinese tourists were completely kept away from the Philippines? Based on last year’s figures, we would be losing around 250,000 visitors, making up just a little over 6 percent of the total number of our visitors last year. The Department of Tourism is confident that we should be able to easily recover that tourist traffic from elsewhere—and it would be the Chinese tourists’ loss to miss out on all the fun that we have more of, here in the Philippines. What if China decides to also keep our own tourists out? Well, that would be all right too as there are a lot more fun things to do than climb the Great Wall, right here at home—plus we’d get to keep the foreign exchange in the process.

Could economic sanctions from China choke us? Not really. A dog bite need not be fatal.

Roger Federer was awarded a ‘Men in Black’ suit by Will Smith after winning Madrid

Johnny M. Pecayo — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:20:18 +0000

Smith is in Europe doing press for his new film, “Men in Black 3,” and watched Sunday’s final with his wife, Jada. After the match, Smith spoke to the crowd in surprisingly good Spanish, then brought out a framed costume from the movie as a gift to Federer.

Sure, Roger Federer won his 20th Masters 1000 title with his 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory over Tomas Berdych at the Madrid Open. And, yes, it was his 45th win in his last 48 matches, gave him seven titles in his last 10 events, made him the first player to ever win at least 10 championships on each major surface and earned him that bizarre Ion Tiriac trophy. This doesn’t even mention that he moved past Rafael Nadal to regain the No. 2 spot in the ATP rankings, made a huge dent in Novak Djokovic’s lead for the No. 1 ranking and came out on top in a week that was defined by childish whining and threats from the former top two. But all of that pales in comparison to receiving a framed “Men in Black” suit from Will Smith.

Serena Williams dominated the women’s final earlier Sunday, defeating world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, 6-1, 6-3. The American hasn’t lost on clay all year, but that will bring little consolation since Will Smith didn’t bring her anything from “Bad Boys 2.”

Rotary Club launches ‘Adopt a Coral’ in Nasugbu

Johnny M. Pecayo — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:11:06 +0000

Ruby Banares delivers a message at Metro Club during a joint meeting with RCM Nielsen and other clubs

The Rotary Club of Makati Urdaneta has recently launched an ambitious artificial reefs project to restore corals and the marine environments in the Nasugbu, Batangas area.

Mayor Tony Barcelon assisting DGE Sue Sta. Maria and PE Joyce Hufton present coral reef block ‘donation’ to the local PNP divers for submersion in the Lake Nasugbu.

Billed as “Adopt a Coral,” the club has enlisted the support of other Rotary clubs in District 3830 and government agencies to co-sponsor the project to build a Rotary Coral Reef Garden which aims to protect and enhance marine life in the lake. A secondary objective of the undertaking was to help enhance the public image of Rotary through the placement of multiple ‘Rotary reefs’ under the seabed which will eventually, over a period of one year, form a giant coral reef made up of rotary coral blocks made from cement.

DG Sue delivers a speech

It is hoped that giant reef will become a tourist attraction not only for seasoned divers but also snorkelers and regular swimmers in the area. Organizers and sponsors are looking forward to registering the Rotary Coral Reef Garden in the Guinness Book of World of Record as the biggest artificial reef in the world.

Rotarians Gil Turgo of RC Paranaque Lakan-bini and RCM Urdaneta Joyce Hufton, with Governor-Elect Sue Sta. Maria, assisting PNP divers in the lowering of the Coral Reef. Both PE Gil and PE Joyce are dive instructors.

Joining the Rotarians at the launch were Nasugbu town Mayor Tony Barcelon, Battalion PNP Commander Col. Omega Jireh Fidel, PNP Chief of Police Lt. Col. R. Mercado, PNP Divers, coastal barangay captains, Chief of MENRO Mildred Sanchez, Chief of Agri and Fisheries Dori Agapay, and Bantay Dagat Group of 20.

CMP Ruby Banares in a candid shot with full expression

The Rotary Team was led by Governor Elect Sue Sta Maria, Charter President of host club RCMakati Urdaneta, RCMU Pres. Ruby Banares and Joyce Hufton, (the author of the Project). Others included RCMU’s Past President Met Saludo, Directors Neth Cambiador and Racquel Villarante, President Elect Gil Turgo of RC Paranaque Lakan-bini and other friends .

JOHNNY M. PECAYO, President, Rotary Club of Makati Nielsen, with RI guest Frank Pezzimenti, seated with CMP Ruby Banares of RCM Urdaneta. — MUST PHOTO

“Adopt a Coral” is considered a significant environmental preservation activity because in the Philippines, marine resources are more than just the means of livelihood for many Filipino coastal families. It is a way of life. The per capita dependence on food supply on fish and fishery products in the Philippines is twice that of the world average.

When fully completed, the Rotary Coral Reel Garden will have 200 blocks.

Lakers outlast Nuggets 96-87 in thrilling Game 7

Johnny M. Pecayo — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:35:34 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 12: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in front of Ty Lawson #3 of the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter.

A few minutes later, the truth was as undeniable as that 7-foot Spaniard. Although the Nuggets drove them to the brink of playoff collapse, the Los Angeles Lakers still have the tenacity to win on the biggest nights of the postseason.

Even when Kobe Bryant doesn’t lead them.

Gasol had 23 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots, Metta World Peace scored 15 points in his return from a seven-game suspension, and the Lakers outlasted Denver for a thrilling 96-87 victory Saturday night to win their first-round series.

Steve Blake scored a playoff career-high 19 points and Bryant had a quiet 17 points and eight assists against regular double-teams for the Lakers, who blew a 16-point lead in the second half before surviving a finale with wild momentum swings and furious physical play.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace (15) goes up for a dunk as Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, left, watches during the first half of Game 7.

With Gasol leading the Lakers’ emotional effort – exemplified by those five offensive rebounds on a single, unbelievable tip play with 7:10 left – the Lakers narrowly avoided becoming the ninth team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 series lead.

”We were aggressive,” Gasol said. ”We attacked the paint better. We pounded the boards as hard as we could, every single time. … Our backs against the wall also had something to do with it.”

Andrew Bynum had 16 points, a career playoff-high 18 rebounds and six blocked shots for Los Angeles, which must open the second round Monday night in Oklahoma City against the second-seeded Thunder.

Ty Lawson and Al Harrington scored 24 points apiece for the sixth-seeded Nuggets, who committed 19 turnovers and managed just 7-of-27 shooting in the fourth quarter. Arron Afflalo scored 15 points in just the third Game 7 in franchise history for the Nuggets, who have lost in the first round in eight of the last nine postseasons – but never with this much excitement.

”Tomorrow or the next day, when the funk gets out of your body, you’re going to be proud of them,” Denver coach George Karl said. ”I’ve never been in a locker room at the end of a season where every guy in front of me, I’m happy with and I’m content with. … The game was so physical. I think their size won over our speed. We gave a great effort. We made them miss enough shots to win, but we just didn’t rebound the ball.”

The Lakers appeared to be in control of the series after a narrow victory in Game 4 last weekend, but the Nuggets rallied for two straight dominant victories. Game 7 was a barn-burner, with both teams blowing significant leads in the final minutes as this stark clash of styles between the physical Lakers and the speedy Nuggets was resolved in the very last minutes.

”It’s tough,” Lawson said. ”We played together, and played as a team. Just the way it went down is kind of tough for us. We fought hard and showed a lot of energy. Next year, we’re going to be even better.”

World Peace hit four 3-pointers and energized Los Angeles with tough defense in his return. The former Ron Artest missed Los Angeles’ regular-season finale and the first six games against Denver for viciously elbowing Oklahoma City’s James Harden, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year and one of his probable defensive assignments in the next round.

World Peace doesn’t plan to seek out Harden to make peace before the opener, saying he rarely talks to even his friends on opposing teams before games.

”I don’t shake substitutions’ hands,” World Peace said.

Although he also launched 11 3-pointers, hitting four, World Peace used that attitude to help shut down Danilo Gallinari and Andre Miller, holding them to a combined 2-for-19 shooting.

”He made plays tonight that won’t show up in the stat sheet that were absolutely amazing for us defensively,” said Mike Brown, who shrugged off Magic Johnson’s pregame pronouncement that the first-year coach’s job would be in jeopardy with a loss. ”Just his presence alone helped us out, and that’s what we missed the first six games. … He was monstrous for us tonight.”

With Gasol and World Peace taking the lead, Bryant didn’t dominate with scoring, but his playmaking out of double-teams helped Blake hit five 3-pointers in a row before missing his sixth attempt. The journeyman guard is backing up Ramon Sessions, who managed just four points in the finale of his first career playoff series.

One possession after his five-rebound masterpiece, Gasol put the Lakers ahead for good with a tiebreaking tip-in with 6:30 to play, kicking off an 11-2 Lakers run. Afflalo’s 3-pointer cut the lead to 89-84 with 1:09 to play, but Bryant hit a dramatic 3-pointer before Gasol hit two free throws with 31 seconds left, punctuating them with a sweeping punch of his fist.

The Lakers improved to 15-1 in a Game 7 at home, winning 11 straight since the 1969 NBA finals. They’ve won three straight Game 7s since losing a first-rounder at Phoenix in 2006, also the last time an NBA team blew a 3-1 series lead.

The Lakers narrowly avoided becoming the ninth team to waste a 3-1 lead after losing two closeout games in the previous four days. Los Angeles had been 12-1 in closeout games since acquiring Gasol in 2008 before stumbling twice against the Nuggets, who led for almost every possession of the past two contests.

Gasol’s focus was obvious from the opening tip. The four-time All-Star had just three points and three rebounds in Game 6, but he played the finale with emotion and aggression, hustling for loose balls and rebounds while demonstratively celebrating baskets and playing to the crowd.

The Nuggets fell behind 62-46 midway through the third quarter, but erased the entire Lakers lead in a furious 6 1/2-minute stretch led by Lawson, who scored 13 points in the period. Denver took a lead on the first shot of the fourth, but the Lakers never trailed after Blake’s 3-pointer with 9:03 left.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto Bill Would Require Disclosure and Transparency from Those Who Lobby County Assessors

Johnny M. Pecayo — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:14:49 +0000

SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) has amended Assembly Bill 404 to require those who lobby County Assessors to adhere to the same lobbying rules as those who lobby County Boards of Supervisors. This simple requirement would result in disclosure, to the media and public, of who is paying so-called “tax agents” to obtain what are, in some cases, multi-million-dollar windfalls for their clients through favorable treatment by Assessors. It would also, in many cases, prevent tax agents from making campaign contributions to Assessors, who then hear the tax agents’ clients’ cases.

“It is unwise policy to allow these so-called ‘tax-agents’ to lobby assessors in the backrooms of government with no disclosure,” said Gatto. “We should treat those who lobby County Assessors the same as those who lobby County Supervisors, requiring a modicum of disclosure and setting certain ground rules on what is and is not acceptable conduct.”

AB 404 would not affect property owners who advocate on their own behalf, nor would it take away local control for counties to amend the fine points of their lobbying ordinances.

Gatto has been working with the California Association of Professional Employees, which represents more than 3000 of Los Angeles County’s professional employees (including those who work hard to assess properties, only to see their work undone at times by the well-connected) to provide increased transparency in the process.

“This common-sense solution will allow the public to know who is paying whom to lobby their elected Assessors. It makes sense that these individuals, who often obtain multi-million-dollar benefits for their clients, have to live by the same rules as other lobbyists.”

Mike Gatto is the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the California State Assembly. He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, and Van Nuys.

TFC reaches out to Filipino community through “Balitang Canada”

Johnny M. Pecayo — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:13:32 +0000

Local leaders hail newly launched news program dedicated to Filipinos in Canada

TFC’s Balitang Canada’s East and West Coasts’ launches. (LEFT) Members of the press and community leaders in Toronto watch the teaser of Balitang Canada; (RIGHT) TFC Canada Team poses with British Columbia Correspondents, from left, Rizza Flores, Marco Amoranto, Rosary Escano, Marieton Pacheco, Rowena Papasin, Elizabeth Reymundo, Israel Cando, Mario Marasigan, Cecile and Hector Docto. (ABS-CBN Canada)

Toronto, Canada, May 9, 2012- In separate press conferences held recently in Toronto and Vancouver, TFC Canada formally launched,Balitang Canada, making it the fourth news program produced by TFC in-region. It follows in the footsteps of TFC’s international news family that includes Balitang America (on which Balitang Canada started as a weekly segment before spinning off as a standalone weekly news program), Balitang Middle East and Balitang Europe.

“Balitang Canada is part of TFC’s continuing service to the fast-growing Filipino community all over Canada,” said TFC Canada Managing Director Marco Amoranto. “It aims to provide them with timely and relevant news and features. This new program will also help Filipinos connect with fellow kababayans in other provinces and with family and friends back in the Philippines. Our news program aligns with TFC’s commitment to serve the Filipinos wherever they may be. Providing news that is meaningful to them is a strong component of that commitment.”

Balitang Canada host Marieton Pacheco joined the community launch and presented the program’s new segments that includeImmigration 101, Pasyalan sa Canada, and Kamustahan, among others.

“No one knows the Filipinos more than Filipinos themselves,” said ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez. “The global Filipino community will continue to reach for information and outlets that address their unique interests. As they do so, TFC being in the service of the Filipino worldwide, will provide as many overseas Filipinos as possible not only relevant content through news and entertainment, but also access to these on various platforms. The launch of Balitang Canada is a concrete manifestation of this mission.”

COMMUNITY REACTION
Meanwhile, local leaders from the Filipino community in Canada expressed their support for Balitang Canada.

From Eastern Canada, Francis Rementilla of Gawad Kalinga Canada finds a commonality between the news program and his organization. ”Balitang Canada aims to unite the Filipino communities in Canada with news and information within Canada and the Philippines. Gawad Kalinga Canada shares the same vision of a united citizenry with love for country and for the poor in an unwavering goal to leave no one behind (walang iwanan).”

Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre President Mama Ching Quejas feels like the distance between Canada and the homeland is narrowed with the help of programs such as Balitang Canada. ”Congratulations and thanks to ABS-CBN because with Balitang Canada, Filipino-Canadians will feel closer to each other and enjoy watching news like we’re in the Philippines.”

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and Council of Leaders of PIDC and the Mabuhay Festival and Trade Show, I congratulate ABS-CBN TFC for the successful launch of Balitang Canada. I applaud your venture for reaching out to our rapidly growing population of Canadian-Filipinos. Thank you for setting the pace in creating and delivering quality news to us. Mabuhay ang Balitang Canada,” said Norma Carpio, President, Philippine Independence Day
Council (PIDC).

There was jubilation also from the Filipino community in Western Canada. Pinoy Pride Vancouver Co-Chairs Santi Pelaez and Stella Reyes said: “We at Pinoy Pride Vancouver congratulate TFC and the Balitang Canada team for the successful launch of a 30-minute weekly news program. The show cements TFC’s commitment to bridge the gap and be of service to Filipinos worldwide. We will continue to work closely with your team to strengthen our relationship further and we look forward to the newsworthy and exciting segments from your talented correspondents.”

Media personalities like Irene Yatco, editor-in-chief and publisher of Philippine Journal, is happy with the launch of the first on-air news program dedicated to Filipinos in Canada. “Balitang Canada will be the link of Filipino Canadians to Pinoys all over the world, through TFC. With the dynamic team led by Marieton Pacheco, the show is expected to reach new heights in bringing news in Canada to the rest of the world. Thanks also to ABS-CBN for its vision of making Balitang Canada the voice of Filipino Canadians, that can be heard globally.”

Balitang Canada airs in Canada and the U.S. every Sunday at 5:15pm after TV Patrol on cable, satellite, TFC IPTV and online about 2 hours after it airs on TV.

For interested parties, please contact your nearest dealer or visit www.abs-cbnglobal.com