January 28, 2012

HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE94-356 WAIPAHU DEPOT RD., 2ND FLR.WAIPAHU, HI 96797

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWSPMAH Installs 2012Officers and Boardof Governors

OPINION

MayorCayetano?

H a w a i i ’ s O n l y w e e k l y F i l i p i n O - a m e r i c a n n e w s p a p e r

3 12

Each time a medical mission in the Philippines is conducted, two

questions are asked frequently of delegates—who are the ben-

eficiaries and why do people volunteer to join the mission? As

the name implies, it is to help the sick and needy and the sec-

ond one usually generates a lot of discussion.

Who are the poor of thePhilippines? Dr. BelindaAquino cited in a recentHawaii Filipino Chroniclearticle that in 2010 data, ap-proximately 28 percent ofFilipinos fall within thepoverty index, which isroughly equivalent to 3 mil-lion families.

A family of 5 needs

By Teresita Bernales, Ed. D. │Photos by Althone BOrjA

P4869 (P162/per day) to meetthe monthly basic food needsalone. P162 a day is about$3.73. However, the poorest ofthe poor subsists on $1.25 aday, barely enough for onemeal a day. It is this populationthat the Ohana Medical Mission(OMM), the UST Titan Frater-nity and Ilocos Sur Associationserved in this mission. The pop-

ulation served is the poorest ofthe poor who do not see a doc-tor when sick because they lackmoney to buy medicines.

Regarding the question asto why delegates join such mis-sions of mercy, doing so pro-vides a sense of personalsatisfaction, fulfillment and well-being. According to a medical

(continued on page 4)

FCCH PREPS FOR22ND PHILIPPINETRADE MISSION

Dr. Federico Macaranas of the Asian Institute of Management duringthe investment and business opportunities in the Philippines forumheld recently at the Philippine Consulate

The Filipino Chamber ofCommerce of Hawaii(FCCH) and its newly

formed subsidiary the Hawaii-Philippines Business and Eco-nomic Council (HPBEC) arepreparing for the 22nd Trade

Mission to the Philippineswhich will take place Febru-ary 10-21, 2012.

HPBEC aims to identifyquality programs and re-sources that would

(continued on page 4)

Reflections on 2011 Davao,Payatas anD ilocos suRMeDical Missions

Residents of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur wait patiently to be seen by medical mission physicians and volunteers

Bernie Bernales, a volunteer from Hawaii, quietly watches over thePediatric Pharmacy during the Cabugao Medical Mission.

By Maita Millalos

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Congress of VisayanOrganizations to Mark27th Anniversary

10 LEGAL NOTES

Opting-Out toPrevent Longer Wait for Visa

13

JanUary 28, 20122 News Edition

Advertising/Marketing Director

Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Account Executives

Carlota AderJ. P. Orias

Big Island Distributor

Grace LarsonDitas Udani

Maui Distributor

Cecile Piros

Molokai Distributor

Maria Watanabe

The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle is published weekly by the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. It is mailed directly to subscribers and distributed at various outlets around Oahu and the neighbor islands.Editorial and advertising deadlines are three weeks prior to publication date. Subscriptions are available at $75 per year for Oahu and the neighbor islands, continental U.S. $85, foreign country $95.Copyright 2007-2012. The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle Inc. is located at 94-356 Waipahu Depot, Waipahu, HI 96797. Telephone: (808) 678-8930. Facsimile: (808) 678-1829. E-mail:filipinochronicle@gmail.com. Opinions expressed by the columnists and contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle management. Reproduction of the contents in wholeor in part is prohibited without written permission from the management. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

Charlie Y. SONIDO, M.D.Publisher and Executive Editor

Chona A. MONTESINES-SONIDO

Publisher and Managing Editor

Dennis GALOLOEdwin QUINABO

Associate Editors

Randall SHIROMADesign Consultant

Columnists

Carlota AderCarlo Cadiz, M.D.Sen. Will EsperoGrace F. Fong, Ed.D.Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Ph.D.J. P. OriasPacita SaludesReuben S. Seguritan, Esq.Charlie Sonido, M.D.Emmanuel S. Tipon,Esq.Felino S. TuberaAmado YoroSylvia Yuen, Ph.D.

Contributing Writers

Belinda Aquino, Ph.D., Clement Bautista,Teresita Bernales, Ed.D., Linda Dela Cruz,Fiedes Doctor, Danny de Gracia II, M.A.,Caroline Weygan-Hildebrand, Amelia Jacang,M.D., Caroline Julian, Maita Milallos, PaulMelvin Palalay, M.D., Glenn Wakai

Creative Designer

Junggoi Peralta

Philippine Correspondent

Greg Garcia

Photography

Tim Llena

Administrative Assistant

Shalimar Pagulayan

NEWS EDITION

Photography industry giant Kodak joins a listof other once-mighty companies filing forbankruptcy due to an inability to compete

in today's global digital economy. Kodak was apioneering company that invented the hand-held camera. The company capitalized anddominated the photography industry through itsadvances in technology. Yet ironically, it istoday's even faster digital technology thatpushed Kodak to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Just last year about the same time, BordersGroup Inc., the second largest U.S. bookstorechain, also filed for bankruptcy due to the riseof online book businesses like Amazon.com Inc.and the increased popularity of digital books.Borders rocketed in the books and music retailindustry in the 1970s. It, along with other big boxgiants, drove countless of small books andmusic sellers out of business simply due togreater size of inventory and lower pricing. Yetironically, Borders' recent demise comes at the hands of an even largervenue where the price of books and music is even more affordablethrough the global internet market.

Free market proponents could easily advance this example of smallbusiness being replaced by big business then being replaced yet againby another bigger business as a natural course of economic practice.But if we pause to think of what's really happening, we see a clearer pic-ture of why the world economy is in trouble. What we see is more jobsbeing lost. Borders alone had 19,500 employees as of 2010. Other largebooksellers that closed include Crown Books (one of the four largestbook retailers), Kroch & Brentano, and Lauriat's. All of them employingthousands of workers. The music store chains suffered even greaterlosses. Almost all of the music chain stores left the retail business andonly a few operate online. As far as all the neighborhood books andmusic stores these giant chains have replaced, these small businessesnow have little chance of successfully reopening and competing with theonline sellers.

Loss of jobs due to "consumer preference" as in this example of thebooks and music industry may be a sad commentary but much easier toaccept than the increasing practice of replacement of workers due to tech-nology.technology Replacing WoRkeRs

On a much grander scale, today's "technology-enabled" economy

continues to replace jobs in practically all otherindustries across the board. From the largest tosmallest companies, the practice of businesssurvival increasingly true today revolves aroundhow efficient can product output be achievedwith the least amount of cost. In other words,while the rhetoric nationwide is how can theU.S. improve employment and job growth; inpractice, the preference really for companies isfinding the most optimal ways to maintain busi-ness operations with the savings cost of havingless employees. Utilizing and embracing the lat-est technology are enabling companies toachieve this goal.

So what we see in today's "technology-en-abled" economy is a lose-lose contradiction. Weneed more workers to stimulate our overalleconomy through consumer spending; but atthe same time, companies rely on technologyto cut jobs to operate more efficiently for loweroverhead costs. Where do we draw the line isunknown because the downside of our "tech-

nology-enabled" economy is not being openly and intellectually discussedamong our leaders.

Even the way we measure productivity is a statistical contradictionon this matter. For example, it is estimated that every one percent of an-nual productivity growth in the U.S. will cost the elimination of 1.3 millionjobs. Annual productivity by and large is a positive economic indicator. Thehigher that percentage should mean that a greater percentage of compa-nies are operating more efficiently. But again, at what cost. In this case, 1percent better means an estimated 1.3 million jobs loss at the same prod-uct output. So if our companies produce more in less time with the help ofadvancing technology, the fact that we have less workers employed is ir-relevant in measuring productivity growth.

Difficult choices

The rapid and constant loss of jobs due to technological advance-ments makes it increasingly difficult for students today to decide which ca-reer to pursue. Careers once thought to be desired, today have littleappeal because of shrinking job availability, even in the high tech indus-try. At the moment, aside from healthcare and a few blue-collar, skilledprofessions, pursuing a career in education is considered a safe bet for jobopportunities in the short and long term. But in another example of our"technology-enabled" economy, there is a disturbing movement in the verybirth stages which has students learning lessons by watching education

www.thefilipinochronicle.com www.efilipinochronicle.com

editorial

Support Companies That Keep Workers Employed

(continued on page 3)

JanUary 28, 2012 3News Edition

Mayor Cayetano?

Honolulu. – FormerHawaii Governor Ben-jamin J. Cayetano,whose father Bonifacio

Marcos Cayetano came fromPangasinan, announced onThursday, January 19, that heis running for mayor of Hon-olulu, Hawaii’s beautiful andbustling capital city of 800,000souls. He will oppose incum-bent Peter Carlisle, who isserving the remaining 2 yearsof the term of former MayorMufi Hannemann who resignedto run for governor and lost,and Kirk Caldwell, a former cityadministrator and a Hanne-mann ally, who had lost toCarlisle in the special electionto fill Hannemann’s seat.

Why would a 72 year oldman who has attained the high-est position in the state seek alesser one like Honolulumayor? I once asked the samequestion of my uncle, formerIlocos Norte Governor DamasoSamonte when he was runningfor mayor of Laoag. His an-swer: “To serve the people.The city has many problems forwhich I have some solutions.”Cayetano has the samethoughts.

Cayetano, a lawyer, hasbeen in elective office forsome 28 years until 2002,eight of which was as gover-nor. He has never lost an elec-tion. He has been in eight. Heis an indefatigable campaignerand a proven vote-getter. Heis a Democrat. Carlisle is a for-mer city prosecutor. He is aformer Republican. Caldwell isalso a lawyer and a formerstate legislator. He is a Demo-crat. The election is suppos-

edly nonpartisan.Cayetano and this writer

contributed significantly andcampaigned for Carlisle in thelast election in the belief thathe would have an open mindon the rail system. Once hetook the oath as mayor,Carlisle became even more prorail than Hannemann.

The first time I sawCayetano in person was at anObama fund raiser at the Ka-hala Hotel (Honolulu’s 4-starequivalent of 5-star ManilaHotel). He was seated on asofa with his wife and I wasseated on another sofa with mywife. Between us was a coffeetable. He was eyeing me and Iwas eyeing him too. Not a wordwas spoken. My wife whis-pered “Why don’t you greethim.” I whispered back, “Thebig man must always be theone to greet the small man.” Isaw him again at the studio ofKNDI radio station when I in-terviewed him while he wascampaigning for AnnKobayashi for mayor. He wasvery nice and warm and said afew words in Ilocano. I told himof the incident at the Kahalaand that I had thought he wassnobbish especially with hismustache. He laughed.

Cayetano wrote his mem-oir simply called “Ben” whichbecame a best-seller describ-ing his journey as a street kidfrom Honolulu’s Kalihi district(a blend of Manila’s Tondo andSampaloc districts) to governorand Washington Place(Hawaii’s Malacanang Palace).Governor Abercrombie wrotethe “Foreword”. He praises the“core attributes” of Cayetano –

“honest, tough, and smart” andrecalls their 30-year friendship,“both personal and political.”

Will Run haRD

“I don’t need the job, but Iwill run hard,” declaredCayetano to the cheers of anenthusiastic multi-racial crowdof admirers, friends, and thepress who were assembled ata large meeting room adjacentto the roof garden of a HarleyDavidson motorcycle dealer-ship. Whether he will ride amotorcycle on his political sor-ties remains to be seen. “I havenot ridden on one,” he confidedto us.

Cayetano said that he willmake a good mayor becausehe will be concentrating on thejob instead of using the posi-tion as a springboard to thegovernorship like the other for-mer mayors, since he has al-ready been a governor. Heemphasized his long friendshipwith Gov. Neil Abercrombie inthe state legislature and ex-pressed confidence that theywould work well together be-cause he is not aspiring for hisseat. Abercrombie, however,declined to openly endorseCayetano for the nonce, butmany Abercrombie supporterswere at the press conference.Abercrombie openly endorsedCayetano when the latter ranfor Governor in 1994 andCayetano did likewise whenAbercrombie ran for Governorin 2010.

The biggest issue in theHonolulu mayoral race is build-ing a railroad with an esti-mated cost of $ 5.2 billion. Allformer mayors were for a railsystem. Cayetano is firmly op-posed to it because he be-lieves that it will not solve thetraffic problems in Oahu (it isextremely difficult to get peo-

ple divorced from their cars), itis too expensive and will bank-rupt the city, and the city will beforced to raise taxes to financeit because its cost has beenunderstated and it will not beself-supporting. He said thathe will work with others to lookfor a solution to the traffic situ-ation and achieve the same re-sult as rail at less cost,including increasing the num-ber of buses and establishingdedicated express bus lanes.He indicated that such a sys-tem will not cost more than $1billion. Cayetano has spear-headed a lawsuit in federalcourt to stop the constructionof the railroad for noncompli-ance with certain environmen-tal and other requirements. Ifwe have to build a railroad,“we have to do it right,” hesaid. We asked what hethought about a double deckedfreeway similar to one in thePhilippines (from Quirino Av-enue going south to SucatRoad). He answered that hehas not considered it.

“What’s going to happen toall the money spent on therail?” asked a member of thepress corps. He accused thepeople who spent it of being “ir-responsible” because therewere unresolved legal and en-vironmental issues and yetthey went ahead and continuedspending money. He said thatthese people have “no ac-countability”.

not “single issue” can-DiDate

Asked whether he was asingle issue candidate, he shotback that his opponents werethe ones who were single issuecandidates – “they talk nothingbut rail.” He indicated that hewants to fix the century oldsewer system and storm drainswhich have burst on variousoccasions, to repave the roadswhich develop potholes everytime it rains, improve the parksand attend to other publicworks projects, and provide for

greater public safety.

Who Will Win

In the final analysis, railwill be the principal issue.Polls indicate that the peopleare about evenly divided withthe anti-rail voice growinglouder. If voting is based solelyon the rail, Cayetano will winbecause the pro-rail vote willbe split between Carlisle andCaldwell, while he will be theonly anti-rail candidate. PanosPrevedorous, an engineer,who is the original anti-rail guyand ran for mayor twice butlost, announced that he willnot run this time and has en-dorsed Cayetano. In terms ofmoney, Cayetano will be theunderdog as tons of moneyhave been poured or will bepoured on his opponents bycertain banks, railroad con-tractors, unions, and propertyowners along the proposedrailroad line. However, moneyis not the deciding factor in anelection. Witness the latestCalifornia election where twowell-heeled women lost theirheels in the race for Governorand the U.S. Senate.

If voting will be along raciallines, Cayetano has a formida-ble advantage over the twoCaucasians who will divide thewhite vote which is about 50%of the total vote. Cayetano canexpect about 99% of the Fil-ipino vote (oh yes, there will beat least 1% contra partido), ma-jority of the Chinese vote (hislovely and wealthy wife Vicky isof Chinese ancestry althoughshe was born in the Philip-pines), and much of the Japan-ese, Korean, and nativeHawaiian vote.

The primary election willbe on August 11 and the can-didate who wins 50 percentplus one vote wins outright. Ifno one wins outright, the twotop vote getters will advanceto the general election in No-vember. Under that scenario,Cayetano would be one of thetwo.

by atty. emmanuel s. TipOn

opinion

lessons on the computer.Various subjects such as al-gebra are tape recorded forstudents to review duringclass time or on their own.The teacher, who may ormay not be highly creden-tialed, acts as a facilitator oftests and tutor for additionalinstruction. It's already con-ceivable in the distant futurehow even education may notbe immune to the out-of-control practice of job re-placement should such aninstructional system becomewidely adopted.

But ultimately technology

and a desire for efficiencyare not to blame for job loss.Perhaps as a communityand country, we need to en-gage more in discussionsabout limitations to cost-sav-ings measures from a moralperspective, talk about ourpriorities for our companiesand the value of our workersnot just in terms of productoutput. We are fathers,mothers, brothers, and sis-ters first, who happened towork for a living for our fami-lies, loved ones and commu-nity. Seeing each other inthese lenses just may bewhat it will take to save a jobfrom being eliminated, andhopefully be a start to im-

prove our country's jobless-ness in spite of technology'sability to replace workers. Al-though it may cost more, asconsumers perhaps weshould patron companiesthat support workers. At leastonce in a while buy througha travel agent, buy your fa-vorite books and music at astore, send your mail using apostal service, buy yourclothes and other products inperson, touch that newspaperor magazine, avoid automa-tion, demand that companieshave live representatives,and support companies witha solid reputation for takingcare of their employees withgood benefits and pay.

editorial (cont.)(cont. from page 2; SUPPORT... )

JanUary 28, 20124 News Edition

(cont. from page 1; REFLECTIONS... )

mission volunteer who re-quested anonymity, participatingin medical missions helps notonly the sick and the needy butbenefits the Philippines as awhole.

“Civic engagement buildssocial capital and creates socialcohesiveness,” she says. “It canalso motivate and inspire othersto participate and it grows expo-nentially. While we may not ex-perience the fruits of our labor inour lifetime, the outcome will bea world that is enjoying peaceand goodwill”.

Davao MeDical Mission

(DeceMBeR 12-16)

Once the permit from thePhilippine Department of Healthwas approved, volunteerslaunched fundraisers and so-licited medicines and other in-kind donations. Medicines andvitamins were acquired throughdonations from the people ofHawaii. The amount included atleast 240,000 multivitamintablets, 100,000 ibuprofentablets, antibiotics, antihista-mines, analgesics and antipyret-ics, medicines for scabies, lice,parasites, eardrops, and decon-gestants, among others. Bloodsugar (diabetic) testing was alsoincluded, with Dr. Jose DeLeonserving as pharmacy coordinator.

Minor surgeries, a DentalHealth Fair and Vision Carecheck-ups were also included.Financial contributors includemany Hawaii civic organiza-tions, physicians, friends andrelatives of Dabawenyos, andthe community-at-large. Addi-tionally, the medical missioncommittee also prepared giftzbags of foodstuff and personalhygiene items such as tooth-brushes, toothpastes and soapsfor the poor and needy.

The volunteers’ daily sched-ule typically began with an earlywake-up call at 5 am, breakfastat 6 am and then out the door at7 am. At 8:30 am, medicinesand supplies were unloaded atthe site and desks set-up foradult and pedia doctors, minorsurgery, pharmacy, medicalrecords, registration, vitamins,paracetamol, glucose testingand food give-aways.

At a few sites, the missionbegan as early as 6:30 am. Allregistered patients were seenand no one was refused. Themission was usually done by 5pm. By then, the volunteerswere exhausted to the bone.

While traveling to the variousmission sites, volunteers weregiven a police escort. Securitywas also very visible for the du-ration of the mission.

An Aloha Night in Davaoand Ilocos Sur was included inthe schedule as appreciation toall the local Dabawenyos andIlocos Surians who assisted vol-unteers. In Davao, volunteerMarissa Munda-Tay invited thedelegation to a dinner at herhouse and to watch the worldrenowned Bayanihan dancersperform at the dedication of theEvents Center of The PhilippineWomen’s College.

In Ilocos Sur, lunches anddinners were provided at all foursites. In Cabugao, dinner at theMayor Edgardo CobangbangJr. home was a feast to remem-ber. The much-anticipated Ilo-cos Sur Idol was held after theCabugao mission at BonifacioPark. Prizes given were (1)P5000, (5) P1 000 and (10)P500. Several door prizes werehanded throughout the event in-cluding one for P1000.

Mission sites in Davao in-cluded the first ever medicalmission to Panabo City, Mar-ilog, Toril and Babak on SamalIsland which has no hospital forresidents. The total number ofpatients assisted on Davao was4,815.

Dr. Elenita Alvarez, OMMpresident described the Davaomission as “well planned anddone professionally.”

“It could very well serve asa learning model for future med-ical missions since the rules onPhilippine missions have beenimplemented,” she says. “Asidefrom medical care, we had cul-tural, humanitarian gift giving aswell as plans for future missionsin Davao and other areas inPhilippines. We learned a lotfrom the doctors, nurses, lead-ers and people of Davao.”

Dr. Arnold Villafuerte saysthe mission was very tiring yetalso gratifying.

“I had never been sostressed in my life but it was allworth it,” he says. “We sched-uled the mission close to Christ-mas, so it was more meaningfulespecially to the people. We putsmiles on many faces.”

payatas Mission

(DeceMBeR 17)

The Payatas communitysurrounds the mountainousgarbage dump in Quezon City.The huge Payatas dump con-

tinues to be Manila’s maingarbage dump piled as high asseven stories in some areasand the chief source of liveli-hood for squatters. Many Pay-atas residents make their livingby digging through the trash,scavenging for plastic, card-board, paper, wood, glass,metal and other items that canbe sold to recycling agents. Theearnings made by one personare not enough to buy food foreven for a day. Entire familiesare forced to climb the moun-tain each day, hoping that to-gether they can earn enough tofeed everyone. For a family tosurvive daily, children as youngas three years old must work.They typically pick up anythingthat looks edible and if it passesthe smell test, eat it right thereand then. Malnutrition and in-fections are common amongchildren and chronic diseasesfor the adult population.

Volunteers did not know theconditions they would en-counter in Payatas. All theyknew was that a medical mis-sion here was much-needed. Anear riot in the food distributionwas very telling of the plight ofPayatas residents. SiloamChristian Academy staff and thechurch community provided vol-unteers in the different areasneeded. After the mission, hostsReverend and Mrs. Nam andDr. Bora Nam prepared a verysumptuous luncheon.

“There are so many disad-vantaged who often have noeasy access to medical care,”says Dr. Nam. “In a shantytownlike Payatas, medical missionsare a much-needed and amuch-awaited event. Most pa-tients come in only at advancedstages of their illnesses or whenlocal faith healers concoctionshave been given out to them forfree.”

In addition to free medicalcare, volunteers also gaveaway 300 “care bags” contain-ing rice, canned goods, andnoodles were distributed amongthe poorest of the poor.

The half day mission wassponsored by Titans USA Foun-dation, Bayanihan Clinic WithoutWalls, Ilocos Sur Association andthe UST Alumni Association ofHawaii and Simloan ChristianAcademy, Dr. Charlie Sonido,and Nelson and Aurora Sonido. Atotal of 651 patients were served

in a span of roughly four hours.

ilocos suR

(DeceMBeR 18-22)

Newly retired Hawaii Con-sul General Leoncio CardenasJr. hosted a dinner for the mis-sion delegates before travelingto Ilocos Sur on the evening ofDecember 17.

Volunteers arrived at Santi-ago Cove Resort the followingmorning after a nine hour bustrip from Manila to Ilocos Sur. Abeautiful surprise awaited themin the evening—volunteersCaesar and Bernadette Fajardoinvited the entire delegation toan elegant dinner and renewalof vows for their 40th weddinganniversary.

HeadlineS

(cont. from page 1; FCCH.. )

strengthen business links between the Philippines and Hawaii and toplan the Chamber’s biennial trade mission to the Philippines andother major activities.

According to chair Paul Alimbuyao, the mission is geared to-wards entrepreneurs in Hawaii who are interested in conductingtrade and business relations in the Philippines. Its goals includepromoting investment and tourism destinations between Hawaiiand the Philippines as well as encouraging trade and economic ac-tivities, particularly in the development of renewable and greentechnology.

The trade mission will visit Metro Manila, Cebu, Baguio, andOlongapo/ Subic, including the former Clark Air Base in AngelesCity. Alimbuyao explained during an FCCH meeting at the Philip-pine Consulate General in Honolulu on January 19th that the citieswere chosen for their “tremendous economic activities.”

“This mission also aims to strengthen sister-city relationshipsbetween Honolulu and Manila, Baguio and Cebu with Mayor PeterCarlisle leading the delegation,” Alimbuyao says.

At least 30 delegates from Hawaii are expected to join the mis-sion and 100 more will be coming from the Philippines. A final listof delegates will be released this week.

Manila foR investMent, Business oppoRtunities

Rose Aquino, mission co-chair and coordinator for the Manilatrip on February 13, 14, and 18 says, “Manila is the business centerof the country and we are looking for opportunities to link Hawaii andManila in outsourcing, investments, and business.”

Aquino further added, “Our itinerary includes tapping high net-work clients such as the Makati Business Club, insurance compa-nies, international banking and finance, law firms, architecture andengineering, television stations and export business. There will be aworkshop to explore these markets to be followed by a businessmatching.”

Other activities include an Aloha Night hosted by FCCH/ HPBECthat coincides with a meeting with the Philippine Chamber of Com-merce and Industry. Delegates will visit the Philippine Congresswhich is coordinated by the Office of Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit. Avisit to the GMA Pinoy television studio and the taping of the popu-lar noon time show “Eat Bulaga” are also part of the itinerary.

oppoRtunities in ceBu, Baguio, suBic

The Cebu group will meet with Mayor Michael Rama and theCebu Chamber of Commerce on February 12 to discuss invest-ment opportunities in Cebu. George Carpenter, FCCH committeemember and coordinator for the Cebu trip says, “Among opportu-nities that will be explored range from small businesses such ascottage industries to the technologically advanced to include out-sourcing, local film industry, agri-business, and bio-diesel. Oppor-tunities for the 300-hectare Cebu South Reclamation Project willalso be discussed.”

The Baguio trip on February 14-15 is coordinated by Alim-buyao and includes a dinner reception hosted by the Baguio Cham-ber of Commerce and Industry, and a sister-city and businesspartnership luncheon between Baguio and Honolulu, followed by abusiness matching.

(continued on page 5)

(continued on page 5)

JanUary 28, 2012 5News EditionHeadlineS

Mission sites included San-tiago, Sinait, Cabugao andSanta. A total of 8,842 patientswere seen by mission volun-teers.

By the end of the mission, atotal of 8,842 patients receivedfree medical services, surgeriesas well as medicines. The num-ber of patients is undoubtedlyhigher since some went un-counted.

volunteeRs’ Reflections

Rather than pack his bagsfor a short trip home to the Philip-pines for Christmas with his fam-ily, New York City physician Dr.Robert G. Bernales accepted aninvitation from colleague Dr.Charlie Sonido to participate inthe mission. It turned out to be anadventure unlike anything he had

experienced. One thing that sur-prised him was the sheer volumeof patients.

“We saw anywhere from700 to 1,500 patients each day.The idea of seeing that manypatients was at first daunting,but somehow we made itthrough,” he says.

Volunteer Marissa Tayjumped at the opportunity toparticipate in a medical missionto her hometown of Davao City.

Her skills as a licensed socialworker came in quite handy inone of her assignments as ad-mission/receptionist a.k.a. “traf-fic enforcer” to get thethousands of patients to “pila” toachieve the efficient flow of reg-istration before they see thedoctors awaiting to examine ortreat them.

“The interesting part of thejob was the many roles I juggledto accomplish the task. There

was also the enforcer role,where with the help of the armysoldier guarding the peaceprocess, I got the people to sub-mit to lining up for registrationversus crowding around thestaff which was the usual prac-tice.”

Tay also served as an inter-viewer to find out brief socialhistories of patients and to geta perspective on their liveswhile waiting their turn in theregistration line.

“I also found myself in acounselor role, especially foryoung mothers and some eld-erly who found negotiating theirhealth care needs and availableresources lacking. However, themost frustrating role was that ofan interpreter of a dialect that Iunderstand more than I speakfluently. I slowly rememberedwords I have not uttered inyears. Somehow I managed,though barely, much to theclients’ amusement as I strug-gled making myself understoodin Visayan.”

For Dr. Marvin Louis RoyLu, the large number of patientswas a bit overwhelming at first.

“We expected to serve athousand patients but actually

got much more than we bar-gained for. It was an almost sur-real and overwhelmingexperience to see hordes ofpeople who needed medicalaid,” Dr. Lu says.

He was in disbelief uponhearing a patient say that themission to Davao provided himthe first opportunity see a doctorfor the first time ever. By mis-sion’s end, the fulfillment he en-joyed was beyond description.

“It was like giving back to acommunity who so needed me.It was exhausting but nonethe-less the most gratifying. In mycase, it was a bittersweetfarewell for I know I shall beback—each time craving toserve more,” he says.

Mission president Dr. Al-varez extended a sincere ‘thankyou’ to the many medical andnon-medical volunteers fromHawaii and the Philippines.

“I am so grateful for all yourassistance. To me, it felt like Iwas in a parade with all youdedicated men and women—doing things for a great cause.It’s a great honor to be part ofour Ohana. I look forward tomany more missions in thecoming years,” she says.

(cont. from page 4; REFLECTIONS ... )

Meanwhile, Rose Churma, HPBEC ex-ecutive director and coordinator for the Feb-ruary 16th Subic trip says, “There is a needto identify options for retirement for Filipino-Americans. One particular aspect is forHawaii to bring to Subic its expertise on thehealthcare industry for those belonging tothis age group.”

Churma added that her group will alsolook into prospects for Filipino-Americansholding dual citizenship to invest in Subicand Hawaii. The Subic trip coincides withthe outreach activity of the U.S. embassy.An all-day workshop at the Subic FreeportConvention and Exhibition Center entitled“Global Citizenship, the Filipino AmericanExperience” will be held on February 17.U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines HarryThomas Jr. will grace the event.

foRuM on econoMic pRospects in

2012After the January 19th FCCH meeting,

a forum on investment and business op-portunities in the Philippines was pre-sented by Dr. Federico Macaranas of theAsian Institute of Management. His pres-entation followed up on the “Diaspora toDevelopment” conference held last Octo-ber in Manila.

In his introductory speech, FCCHpresident Harry Alonso noted the timelypresentation in light of the preparations forthe trade mission. Alonso says Dr.Macaranas did an excellent job in promot-ing the positive prospects of investing inthe Philippines.

Macaranas, who holds a PhD in eco-nomics from Purdue University, was ap-pointed Undersecretary of Foreign Affairsfor Science and Technology during thepresidency of Fidel Ramos. He says thatthe Philippines is a good investment desti-nation for Filipino-Americans.

“The Philippines has experienced a re-silient and stable economic growth that isdriven by strong domestic consumer baseand growing investment,” he says. “There iscredible and effective monetary policy, pru-dent fiscal management and a stable bank-ing system resilient to external shocks due inpart to stable domestic funding sources. The

current administration is reform-oriented and the pay-off willbe even more pronounced in the long-term.”

Macaranas referred to a study by the international bankHSBC showing the Philippines to be among the emergingeconomies by 2050 due to its demographics and educationstandards.

Among the areas of investment recommended includereal property, business process outsourcing, tourism,agribusiness and personal equity and retirement accounts.

During the forum, Dr. Belinda Aquino,University of Hawaii-Manoa professoremeritus, described Macaranas’ enthusi-asm and optimism about the current stateof affairs in the Philippines as “quite re-freshing.”

“You don’t see that kind of optimismabout the Philippines, which is alwaysbashed by the international media. Thereare indeed areas in various sectors of theeconomy that have made tremendousgains in recent years, which can competeinternationally,” Aquino says.

Aquino, however, noted that thereare still major fundamental roadblocks tofull national development in the Philip-pines, such as the ongoing corruption trialof Supreme Court Chief Justice Coronaand various unresolved cases of officialcorruption dating back to the Marcos era.

There are also continuing concernsabout widespread poverty, which hindersthe country from moving forward. Aquinoadded that the country could improve itsrecord in punishing corrupt activities bystrengthening the judicial system and in-stitutional mechanisms for justice.

‘Something has to be done about this‘culture of impunity’ in the Philippines,” shesays. “Unfortunately, it’s now the judiciary,which is supposed to be the final arbiter ofjustice in the country with the ongoingpost-impeachment proceedings againstCorona, the Supreme Court Chief Justiceof the Supreme Court no less, in the Philip-pine Senate.”

Aquino is joining the Trade Mission tothe Philippines in February.

The forum was also attended by Con-sul General Julius Torres, Consulate offi-cers and staff, Dr. Amy Agbayani and Dr.Teresita Ramos from UH-Manoa, MariaEtrata and FCCH members.

(cont. from page 4; FCCH... )

JanUary 28, 20126 News Edition CHRONICLE PULSE

dr. roBErt g. BErnalEs: I looked forward to this mis-

sion as an opportunity to en-hance my medical training andto learn more about the countryof my heritage. We treatedhundreds of patients at eachmakeshift clinic we set up. See-ing all those faces—each withtheir own hopes, dreams andconcerns for a chance at betterhealth—was a sobering look atthe widespread poverty of thePhilippines. It was also a tangi-ble lesson that the need forhealth care in underservedpopulations is one of the mostpressing problems facing theworld today.

For many patients, our visitwas all the medical care theywould receive for months,years or maybe ever. So it wasno surprise that all were grate-ful for anything we offeredthem, even if in some cases itwas just a month’s supply ofTylenol and multivitamins.

I found it most rewardingto be able to treat patients inan atmosphere in which noth-ing stood in the way of the de-livery of medical care.Although we could not helpeveryone, we performed animportant service. Whether di-agnosing diabetes, giving anewly pregnant mother a sup-ply of prenatal vitamins, orsimply performing a physical—in the larger scheme of things,we were promoting a healthylifestyle. We may or may nothave changed the lives of the

people we treated, but I do be-lieve that by volunteering ourtime, talents and resources,we at least raised awarenessto the fact that good health issomething we should all beable to pursue.

I will never forget this ex-perience and try each day toput what I have learned intopractice. I anxiously look for-ward to the years ahead andhope that my training will be ofuse on future medical mis-sions.

dr. Bo ra naMTwenty-one years ago, my

parents made a decision to beBaptist missionaries in thePhilippines where they organ-ized medical missions. Overthe years, they branched outand built a church and a schoolthat offered classes from nurs-ery through high school. I sawmy father set up medical mis-sions for the poor, the first ofmany that were to come. Hehired a team of doctors and setoff for Payatas—the country’sinfamous dumpsite.

I will never forget the firsttime I saw the 150-foot man-made environmental disastereuphemistically referred to asMagic Mountain right in themiddle of town. Everyday,garbage trucks from surround-ing cities would make their wayto the dumping area and emptytheir loads. In a span of 30years, the site became a gi-gantic mountain of trash.

We were honored to serve

as a host for the Payatas Med-ical Mission. It was a successwith 70 doctors, nurses andvolunteers serving around 611patients and providing 40minor surgeries in just half aday.

dr. Marvin louis roylu

I responded to an invita-tion from Dr. Charlie Sonido tojoin the medical mission to myhometown. It did not take longfor me to agree and join anoble cause. I had been inabout 100 medical missionsmostly organized by my Titanfraternity, but as we werepreparing for our first locationin Panabo City, I knew that thiswould be different. And it wasindeed different in so manyways. The fulfillment I felt wasbeyond what words can de-scribe.

We had volunteers fromthe local health office andmedical students from theDavao Medical School Foun-dation, some of whom I knewway back when I was still tak-ing pre-medicine courses inDavao. Communication was achallenge for most of my fel-low doctors who did not knowhow to speak the local vernac-ular, which was bisaya. Mostof them needed an interpreter,while I was on my own. Pa-tients seemed more at easewith me, probably becausethere was no interpreter stand-ing in-between.

They were able to relaytheir concerns to me and con-sidered me as one of theirown, just by my familiarity withbisaya. In medical school, wewere taught to secure patients’privacy. In a way, having an in-terpreter diminishes the levelof privacy between doctor andpatient. I’m just glad I did nothave to deal with that, even ifit came to discussing non-medical issues with patients.

FEly riCardoI was first introduced to

this medical mission by mysister Maria two years ago. Itwas an opportunity to returnhome, visit family and partici-pate in a medical mission tohelp others. I can say withouthesitation that it was one ofthe most gratifying experi-ences I have ever had. Myhusband Rick and I were over-whelmed emotionally by the

appreciation of ourkababayans who are less for-tunate and in need of human-itarian services.

We are blessed andthankful to God for allowing usto be a part of the Ohana andIlocos Surian AssociationMedical Missions. We aremost grateful that the Lordhas given this organizationwonderful leaders. It is a testi-mony to the work of God andthe success of each missionbecause His hand is upon thelives of all involved.

We served alongside ourfellow brothers and sisters ina place where we all camefrom and reminds us of wherewe all once were. We are eter-nally grateful to the Lord whocontinues to love and bless usfinancially, physically, emo-tionally and spiritually.

We are already lookingforward to being a part of thenext medical mission!

JosE C dE lEon, M.d.The Davao Medical Mis-

sion gave me a feeling that Ihave helped my fellow man. Ibelieve that the world wouldbe a better place if more peo-ple would choose to do goodthings without expecting any-thing in return.

I have heard some com-ments that medical mission vol-unteers are only providing“band aid” service for patients.Others question how we canpossibly treat so many patientsin such short a time. Still otherssay that we take away patientsfrom local practitioners.

To these critics, I replywith a story of a boy who wasthrowing stones back to theocean. I asked him why hewas doing that, since therewere so many stones layingaround. I told him that it was awaste of his time and effort.He responded, ‘At least Ithrew a stone back to where itbelongs.’ We saw over 1,500patients in four days. Boy, thatwas a lot of stones we threwback to the ocean!

The mission required per-sonal sacrifice from all whoparticipated but no one madeany negative comments andwon’t hesitate to join futuremissions. Personally, I havegained many new friends. Ifgiven a chance, I will againjoin a medical mission to thePhilippines.

Erlinda CaChola, M.d.When we participate in

medical missions, more thancuring patients, we give hope tothe needy. We show them thatwe care.

After our medical mis-sions to Davao and Ilocos Surlast December, TyphoonSendong struck Mindanao. Ifelt helpless and frustratedthat our schedule did notallow us to help out there.However, we saw how othersstepped up to the plate andgave aid to typhoon victims.This shows how enormouscalamities can happen any-time, anywhere. But if we allhelp, it will make a differencein the lives of people whohave been affected.

Let’s give thanks to God forour blessings by unselfishly giv-ing back to the needy and thesuffering in our community andthe world at large.

Kathy adaoagI join medical missions

every two years. I would domore if my resources wouldallow it. My heart breakswhenever I see people in direneed of help. Joining missionsis my humble way of beingable to help. One feels therush of adrenaline when youget to the mission site earlyand see hundreds of peoplealready waiting to be attendedto.

I found out that the DavaoMedical Mission needed volun-teers so I decided to join themand see Davao again. It hasbeen several years since mylast visit there.

russEll taCata, M.d.This is the first time that I

joined a medical mission. Itwas so exciting to be able tohelp people who would other-wise not have any access tofree medical treatment. Someof them walked miles to cometo the mission site with theirchildren. They understood thevalue of good health but didnot have access to propermedical care.

I want to go back to placeswhich really need the kind ofmedical missions that we doand give out vitamins and med-icines for those who are ailing.We should consider going tothe victims of TyphoonSendong in Cagayan de Oroand Iligan.

What Are Your Personal Perspectives on theRecent Medical Missions You Participated In?by HFc staff

JanUary 28, 2012 7News EditioniMMigration guide

by atty. emmanuel samonte TipOn

“Ihave a dream that one

day this nation will rise

up and live out the true

meaning of its creed: ‘We hold

these truths to be self-evident:

that all men are created equal.’

. . . I have a dream that my four

little children will one day live in

a nation where they will not be

judged by the color of their skin

but by the content of their char-

acter.” - Martin Luther King

Tell that to the Filipinos, Mr.King. Google “Filipino racist”and 22,500,000 results showup. Yes 22 million.

Those in America need notlook any farther. Most Filipinos,whether in Hawaii or in themainland (continental U.S.A.)whenever they have immigra-tion problems, rush to a whitelawyer. When I attended a din-

ner of young Filipino lawyers inHonolulu and I went from tableto table asking them what areaof the law they were practicingin, none answered “immigrationlaw”. They are aware of this“racist” tendency among theirkababayans.

I asked a well-known whiteimmigration lawyer in Hawaiiwhose clientele is mostly Fil-ipinos why Filipinos preferred togo to white lawyers, and he an-swered that Filipinos believethat when a white lawyer han-dles their case, their case willbe resolved in their favor. Yet ifyou look at the more than 2,000cases that I read while writingmy book on “Ineffective assis-tance of counsel in removal pro-ceedings,” about 99% of thosecharged as being ineffectivewere white. No Filipino was ac-cused of being ineffective.

Root of filipino RacisM

‘Filipino racism of course isrooted in an inferiority complexwe inherited from being treatedlike inferiors by pale Spaniardsfor four centuries. Yet onewould expect educated Filipinosto overcome this weakness andnot act like the least educated

white Americans,” writes HowieSeverino in his blog Sidetrip.

“The truth hurts, and it hurtsas much as anyone else to seeFilipino racism both in thePhilippines and abroad, and tohave to admit that many, but notall, Filipinos are racists,” wrotea commentator.

When the English sailorCaptain Cooke came to theHawaiian Islands, the nativesthought that he was God be-cause of his white complexion.That is the same attitude thatmany Filipinos have, especiallyamong the least educated. Butwhen Captain Cooke did some-thing ungod like, the nativeskilled him. What did he do? Ac-cording to some anecdotes hewas “flirting” with the beautifulnative ladies. God is not sup-posed to be “flirting”. Look atJesus Christ, the son of God.When Mary Magdalene baredher throbbing breasts in theirtent, Jesus turned his faceaway, resulting in an unprece-dented temper tantrum by Mary.

otheR causes of RacisM

Not all racism is rooted ininferiority. There is another formof racism based on superiority.

The Filipinos mock fellowAsians, especially the Chinese.They call them ridiculousnames. Fearing the Chinesetraders, the Philippine Con-gress enacted the retail tradenationalization law which limitedretailing to Filipinos. So theChinese engaged in wholesal-ing, leaving the “pitsy pitsy” re-tailing business to Filipinos. TheChinese taipans now controlthe Philippine economy. Whohas the last laugh? It is said thatthere is no racism in China.That’s because they all lookalike. Or all sound alike?

DiscRiMination aMong

filipinos in the

philippines

The worst kind of racism isthat practiced among Filipinos inthe Philippines. Maybe becauseFilipinos don’t all look alike ordon’t all sound alike. Tagalogslook down on Visayans, espe-cially because of their accent.(They pronounce San Jose asSan Hosee). Tagalogs also lookdown on Ilocanos calling them“kuripot” (stingy). In Hawaii, Ilo-canos comprise about 90% ofthe more than 250,000 Filipinosin the islands. One dare not call

them “kuripot”. They are partyingevery weekend – not only in theirhomes but in the hotels inWaikiki. They fly to the Philip-pines every year bringing boxesof “pasalubong”. Which can getthem into trouble at the airportwhen they return and immigra-tion checks their data base anddiscover a long forgotten criminalconviction or immigration viola-tion that leads to deportation pro-ceedings. And what do they do?They go to the white immigrationlawyers. Why? Because of thecolor of their skin, not because ofthe content of their character northe content of their brains.

(atty. tipon has a Master of

Laws degree from Yale Law School

and a Bachelor of Laws degree

from the University of the Philip-

pines. Office: 800 Bethel St., Suite

402, Honolulu, HI 96813. Tel.

(808) 225-2645. E-Mail: filam-

law@yahoo .com. Webs i t es :

www.MilitaryandCriminalLaw.co

m, and www.ImmigrationService-

sUSA.com. Listen to the most witty,

interesting, and informative radio

program in Hawaii on KNDI at

1270, AM dial every Thursday at

7:30 a.m., rebroadcast at

www.iluko.com.)

Martin Luther King and Filipino Racists

Mainland neWS

Fil-Am Lincecum, Giants Agreeto $40.5M, 2-Year DealSAN FRANCISCO (AP) —Two-time NL Cy YoungAward winner Tim Lince-cum and the San FranciscoGiants reached a verbal agree-ment Tuesday on a two-yearcontract worth $40.5 million.

The deal includes a$500,000 signing bonus andsalaries of $18 million this yearand $22 million in 2013, a per-son familiar with the agreementsaid Tuesday, speaking oncondition of anonymity be-cause the terms were not an-nounced. Lincecum still musttake a physical, which the Gi-ants hope will happen earlynext week to complete thedeal.

Lincecum, a Filipino-Amer-ican, had asked for a near-record $21.5 million in salaryarbitration and had been of-fered $17 million by the club.He remains eligible for freeagency following the 2013 sea-son.

The 27-year-old right-han-der, the winning pitcher in the

Game 5 World Series clincherat Texas in 2010, earned $13.1million last season when he fin-ished a two-year deal worth$23.2 million.

When the sides exchangednumbers last Tuesday, Lince-cum’s request neared therecord amount sought in arbi-tration. Houston pitcher RogerClemens asked for $22 millionin 2005.

San Francisco’s offer wasthe highest in arbitration his-tory, topping the $14.25 millionthe New York Yankees pro-posed for shortstop DerekJeter in 2001.

As Giants vice presidentBobby Evans expected, theyfound common ground aroundthe midpoint of the figures —and did so in only a week.

San Francisco’s front officehad hoped to lock up Lincecumand fellow starter Matt Cainwith long-term deals, thoughLincecum seemed set on keep-ing his options open in the nearfuture on a shorter contract. Acall to the pitcher was not im-mediately returned and hisagent declined to comment.

With Lincecum earning ahefty contract, Evans joked lastweek, “I usually leave off thefinal three zeroes because it’seasier to calculate.”

In February 2010, Lince-cum agreed to a $23 million,two-year contract ahead of thescheduled hearing. He hadbeen set at that time to ask for$13 million.

That last contract wasquite a raise for the under-sized, hard-throwing pitcher histeammates call “Franchise”

and “Freak” after he earned$650,000 in 2009.

Lincecum — the 10th over-all draft pick out of Washingtonin 2006 — has been an All-Starin each of the past four sea-sons. He went 13-14 with a2.74 ERA last year for his firstlosing record. The Giants

scored no runs while he was inthe game in seven of 33 starts,had one run six times and tworuns five times, according toSTATS LLC.

San Francisco, which soldout every game in 2011 butmissed the playoffs, will have apayroll of around $130 million.

JanUary 28, 20128 News Edition pHoto gallerY

Photos by Bernie Bernales

JanUary 28, 2012 9News EditionpHoto gallerY

Photos byBernie Bernales

Photos by Bernie Bernales

Photos by Althone Borja

JanUary 28, 201210 News Edition HaWaii-Filipino neWS

City Suspends Spay, NeuterProgram

DISCOUNT CERTIFICATES FORTHE CITY’S SPAY/NEUTER PRO-GRAM are no longer available becausethe $330,000 appropriated for the pro-gram has been exhausted. Those inter-ested in participating in the program willbe forced to wait until the City’s next fiscalyear beginning July 1, 2012.

The certificates are sold to the publicand redeemed with participatingSpay/Neuter Program veterinarians, who

then redeem the certificates with theHawaiian Humane Society. Certificatesthat have already been purchased maystill be redeemed but no new certificateswill be sold.

The Spay/Neuter program includes16 clinics throughout the island. The vet-erinarians involved in the program vol-untarily perform the surgeries atsignificantly reduced rates, resulting intremendous cost savings to pet ownerswhile addressing pet overpopulation onOahu.

THE CONGRESS OF VISAYANORGANIzATIONS (COVO) willmark its 27th Anniversary with a lectureand panel discussion on Florentino Das’solo trans-Pacific voyage from Hawaii tothe Philippines.

The lecture will be delivered by CeciliaNoble, a PhD candidate in sociology. Pan-elists will include Sylvia Day, Dr. Jun Col-menares and Dr. Patricia Halagao. Theevent is co-sponsored by the University ofHawaii Center for Philippine Studies andbegins at 4:15 pm at the Philippine Con-sulate General of Hawaii.

On May 14, 1955, Das left KewaloBasin aboard his homemade 24-footwooden boat Lady Timarau, powered onlyby two 25-hp outboard motors and a can-vas sail and with no modern communica-tion or navigational instruments except asimple compass and the stars. His goalwas to cross the Pacific Ocean and reach

his native Philippines. Das encountered several storms

along the way and was forced to land inPonapei, Micronesia for several months torepair his boat. Urged by his sponsors toabort the journey, Das refused because hefelt that Filipino national pride was on theline. He finally reached Siargao, Mindanaoon April 25, 1956.

For his formidable feat and patrioticzeal, he was received and honored byPhilippine President Ramon Magsaysaywho bestowed on him the Legion of Honorand the honorary title of Commodore of thePhilippine Navy. After his newfound fame,Das unfortunately slipped into obscurity.Unable to return to Hawaii, he become illand died a poor man on October 7, 1964 inManila. He was 46 years old.

COVO will host an awards ceremony,dinner and entertainment following the lec-ture and panel discussion. For RSVP andinquiries, please call Jun Colmenares at510-734-4491.

COVO to Celebrate 27thAnniversary

Applicants Wanted for StateBoards and CommissionsWITH THE START OF THE 2012 LEG-ISLATIVE SESSION, the Office of theGovernor is urging interested individuals toconsider serving the public as a memberof a state board or commission.

The Office of the Governor is accept-ing applications for service on the HawaiiTourism Authority, Emergency MedicalServices Advisory Committee, the IslandBurial Councils and numerous otherboards and commissions.

“Each of these seats fulfills a uniqueneed in the oversight and leadership ofsome of the State’s most important inter-ests and industries,” says Gov. Neil Aber-crombie. “We are seeking leaders ofdiverse backgrounds who have the fore-sight and will to continue the forward mo-mentum that Hawai'i has achieved over thepast year toward a revitalized economyand unified, statewide community.”

The Office of the Governor overseesmore than 160 boards and commissionsestablished by the state constitution,statutes or executive orders.

Vacancies include seats on boardsand commissions focusing on a cross-section of interests and industries, includ-ing aerospace, alternative medicine,environment, cosmetology, civil defense,economic development, corrections, cul-ture and the arts, education, festivals,health and human services, medical edu-cation, pest control, physical therapy, pri-vate detectives, public housing, smallbusiness, state parks, taxation, technol-ogy, tourism, voter registration, and waste-water treatment.

A complete list of vacancies, applicationinstructions and other information are postedonline at http://hawaii.gov/gov/about/boards-commissions.html.

JanUary 28, 2012 11News EditionlegiSlatiVe connection

President Barack Obamadeserves much credit forending the Iraqi War. His

leadership was instrumental inreturning the majority of soldiersdeployed in Iraq by Christmas2011. What a wonderful gift forthe families of our troops.

In the decade following theSeptember 11, 2001 attack onthe World Trade Center, theracial profiling, increase in hatecrimes targeted toward specificethnic and religious groups, anddetention without trial, all re-sound of past eras of injustice.

Before 9/11, Pearl Harborwas the last time American soilwas attacked by foreign ene-mies. More from prejudice thanactual evidence or military ne-cessity, and without judicialprocess, 110,000-120,000Japanese, 67% of them Ameri-can citizens, were removed theirhomes and sent to internmentcamps. The Census Bureau se-cretly provided confidential infor-

mation in the relocation effort.Many Japanese-Americanswere held for the duration of thewar without charge, hearing, ortrial. The only basis for the un-constitutional deprivation wasJapanese ancestry. In Hawaii,Japanese were largely sparedthe drastic measures partly be-cause removing 35% (150,000)of our island population wouldhave crippled the economy.Nevertheless, 1,200 to 1,800were interned.

The “Cost of War” report isastounding. Over 6,000 Ameri-cans in uniform died in the Iraqand Afghanistan wars. In Iraqalone, over 100,000 were sentthrough American detention cen-ters. Held for years without atrial, many were subjected to tor-ture and abuse, even though 2/3were innocent of wrongdoing.The Veterans Administration re-ports over 170,000 Iraq andAfghanistan veterans have beendiagnosed with PTSD. Conser-vative estimates put the totalnumber of injured U.S. and alliedforces at 218,000. Over2,000,000 million service mem-bers have been deployed.When soldiers come home, thewars return with them. Many ofthose who come home alivebear the emotional and physicalscars of war. Families cope with

their loved ones’ absence andworry about their safety, strugglewith the instability and economicimpact of their deployment, thendeal with the changed personwho comes home from the bat-tlefield. Child abuse is threetimes higher and spouse/partnerabuse is up 177% in homes witha deployed parent.

The war touched families onboth sides of the world. EvanderAndrews, just 36, was the firstUS soldier to die in the militaryresponse to 9/11, far from theirfamily farm in Maine. His 9-year-old son Ethan stood nearhis father’s wooden casket atEvander’s funeral in ArlingtonNational Cemetery. Evander’sdaughtes, Leah, Courtney, andMackenzie, were only 6, 4, and2 when he died. On the otherside of the world, in Afghanistan,five families grieved when a USbomb that failed to explode onimpact was instead detonatedby accident by five boys on theirway to a picnic. Ramin, 15, diedinstantly. Both legs were blownoff 12-year-old Soraj. Ismaeel,16 and Farhad, 18, were injured,and 5 year old Waheed waswounded in the chest and head.

The war even intruded intoordinary Americans’ daily lives.Under “Patriot Act” informationgathering, for example, airline

records of ordinary travelerswere turned over to the FBI notjust for particular suspects, butfor masses of customers to“identify suspicious travel pat-terns.” Businesses turned overprivate information to the FBIand were banned from notifyingtheir customers.

The Rand Report, dis-cussed in the section on “Alter-natives to Military Response,”compared approaches from1968-2006 to 268 groups thatused terror tactics. Military re-sponse was the least effectivemethod, resolving only 7% ofthe episodes of violence.Peaceful political accommoda-tion (43%) and intelligence andpolicing methods (40%) weremore effective and far lesscostly in terms of human lifeand treasury in eliminating ter-rorist groups. Ten percentstopped their violence becausethe acts itself achieved thegroups’ objective.

There is wisdom in theadage that those who fail tolearn the lessons of history arebound to repeat its mistakes. Iam introducing legislation insupport of an education centeron the site of the HonouliuliWWII internment camp to pre-serve its lessons for future gen-erations. The JapaneseCultural Center of Hawaii hastaken the lead in preserving

this site, and their efforts havereceived Congressional sup-port as well. Decades afterbeing released from the intern-ment camp, “Farewell to Man-zanar” author JeanneWakatsuki Houston, visitedManzanar to prove to herselfthat she had not imagined thatperiod in her young life. Asthose who underwent the ex-periences pass away, the painfrom actions taken out of fearand racism die with them. Thelessons are too important toforget. Yes, we must defendand protect ourselves, but it isimperative that we act on evi-dence and reason and respectcivil rights, as befits a nationknown around the globe as thegreat defender of those rights.

“CostsofWar.org” containsan in-depth, comprehensive re-port by an international team ofwell-respected scholars, on theimpact of the war on Iraq andAfghanistan. The in-depth, com-prehensive study on how ourAmerican way of life haschanged because of our militaryresponse to 9/11, was done byscholars from well respected in-stitutes such as the Universitiesof Toronto, London, Warwick,Manchester, Massachusetts; theHarvard Kennedy School; Cen-ter for Defense Information; andNew America Foundation.

The Cost of War

by senator will esperO

HaWaii-Filipino neWS

THE HONOLULUAUTHORITY FORRAPID TRANSIT(HART) says collec-tions for the generalexcise and use tax(GET) surcharge forthe fourth quarter of2011 has surpassedprojections.

From October 1, 2011 toDecember 31, 2011, the Statecollected $49.02 million, ormore than $12.08 million thanestimated. The amount markedthe third consecutive quarterthat revenue has surpassedprojections.

Collection of the GET forHonolulu’s rail project began inJanuary 2007. To date, a total of$810.4 million has been col-lected. HART’s interim execu-tive director and CEO ToruHamayasu says the additionalrevenue is “good news” for therail project, which has facedmounting public opposition dueto concerns of rising costs.

“This strong revenue pat-

tern positions us well to bringthe project in on time and onbudget, and shows we will beable to pay for the project withthe GET surcharge and federalfunds,” Hamayasu says.

HART’s finance committeechair Don Horner says that theCity remains ahead of projectedrevenues. To date, HART hascontracted 50 of total construc-tion costs and is $300 millionbelow planned expenses.

“HART has already col-lected about 25 percent of theGET revenues that is estimatedwithout our financial plan,”Horner says. “HART remains ontrack in terms of both revenuesand costs.”

HART Reports GETCollections Up

JanUary 28, 201212 News Edition HaWaii-Filipino neWS

PMAH Installs 34th Anniversary Officers and Board

Hilton Hawaiian VillageCoral Ballrooms I & II elicited“Ohs and Ahs” from the guestsas they started entering thewide, white-accented venue ofthe Philippine Medical Associa-tion of Hawaii 34th Anniversaryand General membership meet-ing.

Out-going president JosephZobian set the mood with thegavel sounding off the call-to-order. This was followed by offi-cial business reports of PMAHaffiliates and invitational remarksfrom Dr. Christopher Flanders ofHawaii Medical Association.

Dinner entertainment fea-tured love songs interpreted byDr. Cielo Guillermo, Jay Flores,PT, and Dr. Cheryl Udani withMiss Monnette Forte adding aflair of Filipiniana with Mutya ngPasig, a classic kundiman.Plaques of appreciation weregiven to Dr. May Ablan for heroutstanding six-year service toPMAH from 2007 to 2011.

Plaques of Recognition weregiven to Drs. Sorbella Guillermo,Elizabeth Abinsay, Millette Oliv-eros and Antonio Cordero fortheir services to PMAH. TheState House of Representativesvia Reps. John Aquino, Rida Ca-banilla and Joey Manahan pre-sented Drs. Zobian andVillafuerte certificates of appre-ciation. The City and County ofHonolulu through Councilmem-ber Romy Cachola did likewise.

New Philippine Consul Gen-eral Julius D. Torres installed thePMAH Officers and Board ofGovernors for 2012 headed byPresident Arnold Villafuerte, MD;Immediate Past PresidentJoseph Zobian, MD; President-Elect Jose De Leon, MD; Secre-tary Russell Kely, MD; andTreasurer Jerald Garcia, MD.Members of the Board of Gover-nors include Edward Alquero,MD; Melvin Paul Palalay, MD;Reuben Guerrerro, MD; Car-olina Davide, MD; and RayRomero, MD. Representativesof Affiliates were Bayanihan

Clinic Without Walls’ NicanorJoaquin, MD; PAMH Founda-tion’s Mary May Z. Ablan, MD;and Ohana Medical MissionsInc.’s Elenita Alvarez, MD.

This was followed by theceremonial passing of the gaveland acceptance speech of thenew president who talked aboutthe theme for his term: “Partner-ing to Improve Care—a re-minder that we can and shouldwork together and start commu-nicating and sharing our re-sources, especially during thistime of economic challenges.”

Dr. Villafuerte also unveiledhis plans for 2012, which in-cludes the presentation of theEtty Bautista, MD Award. Dr.Bautista, who has since retiredin the Philippines, is the found-ing father and first president ofPMAH which was establishedon August 30, 1978.

The dance floor was for-mally opened with Filipino tradi-tional dances with performersfrom the PMAH membership,nurses and friends from thecommunity.

“The line-up was all about

partnering” quipped impresarioLeo Rojas Gozar.

First to enter from centerstage were the Los Bailes deAnte Año dancers Dr. CarolinaDavide and Jimmy Adaoag, Drs.Glorifin Belmonte and JosephZobian, Dr. Sorbella Guillermoand Mr. Diony Guillermo, Dr. &Mrs. Nick (Imelda) Joaquin, Dr.and Mrs. Fortunato (Nieva)Elizaga, Dr. Jose De Leon & Ms.Ceres Yanong, Dr. Iris Meily andAtty. Kevin Chee and Dr. & Mrs.Arnold (Dory) Villafuerte. Theywere then joined for the GranRigodon de Honor by Mr. & Mrs.Gerhart (Nancy) Walch, Mr. &Mrs. Edgar (Elsa) Talavera, Drs.Russell & Cynthia Kelly, Drs.Vernon and Jojie Waite Ansdell,Mr. & Mrs. Alfred (Emie) Alcain,Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy (Kathy)Adaoag and Leo Gozar partner-ing with Dr. Davide.

Expect more partnering toimprove care during the term ofthe new PMAH president Dr.Arnold Villafuerte.

Abercrombie Proposes Initiatives for Economic Recovery GOV. NEIL ABERCROM-BIE DELIVERED HISSECOND STATE OF THESTATE address before thestate Legislature, laying out in-vestment goals that build uponthe economic progress madeduring the last year.

“There was no way for us tohave balanced our budget andachieved today’s fiscally favor-able outlook without the commit-ment of everyone,” saysAbercrombie, who thanked stateemployees and recognized theLegislature for their support.

Abercrombie’s administra-tion will continue to press for aresolution to the state teachers’contract stalemate. He called on

the Hawaii StateTeachers Associa-tion to provide a pro-posal as soon aspossible.

“We must con-tinue our focus onour children and stu-dents’ performance.We wanted to crossthe Race to the Top finish lineside-by-side with the HSTA.Make no mistake we will crossthat finish line,” he says.

The governor also proposeda number of initiatives that hewill introduce this session tostrengthen the economic recov-ery that began in 2011.

These proposals include:

• Working withthe Legislature toidentify and approveCapital ImprovementProjects (CIP),which will result inconstruction jobsand address criticalinfrastructure needs. • Investing $5

million towards the preser-vation and protection of thestate’s watersheds.

• Making the TV and Film TaxCredit permanent.

• Investing $1 million towardsearly childhood educationand health initiatives.

• Investing $1.4 million to es-tablish Aging and Disabilities

Resource Centers to assistkupuna who face the chal-lenges of aging and re-stricted mobility.

• An emergency appropriationfor a grant of $1.8 million tosupport the National KidneyFoundation of Hawaii in lightof the closure of two HawaiiMedical Center hospitals.

• Improvements to the crimi-nal justice system as pro-posed by the JusticeReinvestment Initiative.

• Support for an underseacable connecting the is-lands’ grids to provide sta-ble, reliable electricitybetween islands.“I know for many it is hard to

see beyond today’s needs whentoday’s needs loom so large andimmediate,” says Abercrombie.“But unless dealt with now,today’s challenges can only mul-tiply in difficulty. We have an ob-ligation to make a better futurefor our children. We live in para-dise and taking care of eachother is a value that is funda-mental to the aloha spirit.”

Abercrombie will submitmeasures that were mentionedin his speech as well as otherproposals such as a bill to makeappropriations for fiscal years2011-2012 and 2012-2013 to re-capitalize the Emergency andBudget Reserve Fund and theHawaii Hurricane Relief Fund.

Gov. Abercrombie

by Jp Orias

PMAH's 2012 Officers and Board of Governors after oath taking (from left):Consul General Julius Torres; Carol Davide, MD; Ray Romero, MD; LeniAlvarez, MD; Jerry Garcia, MD (Treasurer); Nicanor Joaquin, MD; RussellKelly, MD (Secretary); Joseph Zobian, MD (IPP) and Arnold Villafuerte, MD(President)

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PNoy Orders Strengtheningof Security Following Makati Explosion

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Xin-hua) -- PRESIDENT BE-NIGNO AQUINO III SAID onWednesday that he ordered thestrengthening of security of pos-sible targets of terrorists follow-ing the explosion that rockedMakati City on Monday.

Aquino also called on thepublic to be vigilant to ensureeverybody's safety.

"I have ordered our securityforces to increase what we callas hardening aspects in urban,potential areas, which could be

targets of those who want tosow terror," he told reportersduring his visit in Iligan City.

The President said that thepolice, along with the villageguards, will conduct more visi-bility foot patrols.

He said that the police werestill determining who were re-

sponsible in the recent explo-sion in a vacant lot in MakatiCity.

Aquino refused to saywhether the recent incident waspart of the plot that was earlieruncovered for the Feast of theBlack Nazarene earlier thismonth. (www.philstar.com)

JanUary 28, 2012 13News Edition

by reuben s.segUriTan

Because of the visa back-log, it is common for alawful permanent resident

(LPR) parent, usually after livingin the U.S. for five years, to be-come a naturalized citizen whilea child waits for a visa on thebasis of an approved secondpreference petition.

Under the Child Status Pro-tection Act (CSPA), when a per-manent resident parentnaturalizes the beneficiary in anF2B petition (unmarried sonsand daughters of LPRs) auto-matically converts to the F1 (un-married sons and daughters ofU.S. citizens) category upon the

naturalization of the parent. The automatic conversion

is good if you’re a national ofany country – except for thePhilippines. Based on the latestvisa bulletin, for other countriesa conversion from F2B to F1 isadvantageous because thewaiting time would be cut shortby over one year (about 4months for Mexico).

But for the Philippines, thecut-off date for F2B beneficiar-ies is September 1, 2001, whilefor F1 it is April 15, 1997. Inother words, for Philippine na-tionals the conversion actuallyadds more than 4 years to thewait since the F1 category ismore backlogged than F2B.

Section 6 of the CSPAremedies this inequity by allow-ing the F2B beneficiary to “opt-out” of the conversion byelecting to remain an F2B ben-eficiary. This is done through a

written request to the officer incharge of the appropriate U.S.embassy, who then issues a de-cision and sends it to the bene-ficiary and the Department ofState’s visa issuance unit.

If the opt-out request is ap-proved, the beneficiary’s eligi-bility will be determined as if theparent had never naturalizedand the beneficiary will remainin F2B.

To illustrate, let’s say X is the33-year old son of a Filipinomother who recently became anaturalized U.S. citizen. On Au-gust 30, 2001, the mother filedan I-130 petition on X’s behalfwhen X was only 23 years old.The F2B priority date is alreadycurrent, but since his mother re-cently naturalized, X automati-cally moved to the F1 categorywhere the waiting time is longerby over 4 years compared toF2B. X can avoid the backlog inF1 by opting out of the conver-sion by sending a formal requestto the USCIS in Manila.

This provision of the CSPAapplies retroactively, that is,even to those F2B preferencepetitions filed before the law waspassed on August 6, 2002, andregardless of the age of the ben-eficiary. Note that the opting-outcan be done even after the con-version takes place because thelaw specifically allows a conver-sion to be revoked.

It used to be that only ben-eficiaries of petitions initiallyfiled in F2B could benefit fromopting out, and not those whostarted out in F2A and latermoved to F2B when they turned21 years old. This interpretationresulted in older brothers andsisters being able to immigrateunder F2B much earlier thantheir younger siblings who hadto wait longer under F1.

To illustrate, say X in the ex-ample above was under 21when his mother filed the I-130.Since he started out in the F2Acategory and converted to theF1 category when his mother

naturalized, under the old inter-pretation of Section 6 he couldnot opt out of the conversion. Hewould have to remain under F1and wait until a visa becomesavailable.

Because of the unfairnessthat resulted, in 2006 theUSCIS reevaluated its readingof Section 6 and later allowed itto be applied to all beneficiaries21 years and over in the F2Bcategory, regardless of whetherthey started out as F2A or F2B.

In the example above, thismeans that it does not matter ifX was under 21 or over 21 atthe time the I-130 was filed byhis mother. If he turns 21 beforehis mother naturalizes, his peti-tion would be automaticallytransferred to F1 category, buthe can then opt-out if it is morebeneficial to remain in F2B.

REUBEN S. SEGURITAN has been prac-

ticing law for over 30 years. For further in-

formation, you may call him at (212) 695

5281 or log on to his website at www.seguri-

tan.com

Opting-Out to Prevent Longer Waitfor Visa

legal noteS

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Palace Hails Pinoy Crewmen Who Helped Save Passengersof Italian Cruise Ship

MANILA, Philippines - MALA-C A ñ A N G  Y E S T E R D AYHAILED THE FILIPINOCREWMEMBERS of the Italiancruise ship Costa Concordia forthe heroism displayed in savingthe passengers of the ill-fatedluxury liner.

Deputy presidentialspokesperson Abigail Valte as-sured the crew that the govern-ment would provide them withbenefits and other assistancethrough the Department ofLabor and Employment (DOLE)and the Overseas Workers Wel-fare Administration (OWWA).

“We want to join (in ex-pressing) admiration for theseafarers,” Valte said.

The Department of ForeignAffairs (DFA) also hailed the Fil-ipino crew for their heroism anddedication to their work.

Foreign Affairs SecretaryAlbert del Rosario assured thecrew of the government’s con-tinued support and assistance.

“You are men and womenof courage, heroism and dedi-cation. We commend you forshowing to the world the besttraits of the Filipino seafarers. Inthe words of President Aquino,you are our ‘sailing ambassa-dors’,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario said the Philip-

pine embassy in Rome had re-ceived positive feedback fromother crewmembers and pas-sengers about the Filipinocrew’s brave acts manifestingcompetence, professionalismand humanity, even under ex-treme pressure.

Del Rosario said the DFArecognizes and appreciates allthe assistance provided by theembassy in Rome, the Filipinocommunity in Italy, the local res-idents of Giglio Island, and theItalian authorities.

Costa Crociere S.p.A, thecompany that owns the cruiseship, has given assurance thatit will give full compensation tothe Filipino crewmembers wholost their belongings during thetragedy.

Costa Crociere said theywould issue a formal letter ofundertaking detailing the com-pany’s firm commitment to theFilipino crew.

On Thursday, the first batchof 108 Filipino crewmembers ofthe shipwrecked Costa Concor-dia arrived in Manila on boardCathay Pacific and Thai Air-ways flights from Rome.

Philippine Ambassador toItaly Virgilio Reyes Jr. person-ally assisted the Filipinocrewmembers when theyboarded their flight home.

Out of the 296 Filipino

crewmembers of the Concordia,182 came home, while threeothers are scheduled to leaveItaly yesterday.

Before their flight home,the Filipino crew was offered aThanksgiving Mass organizedby Filipino priests at a localchurch in Rome near theHilton Hotel where they werestaying.

In his message after themass, Reyes commended theFilipino crew for their courage,perseverance and profession-alism.

He also thanked the mem-bers of the Filipino community forhelping the embassy in providingbasic necessities to the crew.

Embassy officials and con-cerned members of the Filipinocommunity joined the Filipinoseafarers in a simple dinner,during which they were givenwinter clothes, shoes, bags andother necessities.

The Filipino seafarers werecommended for staying on tohelp evacuate other passen-gers from the cruise ship afterits captain allegedly abandonedship and fled to safety.

The 17-deck liner crashedinto rocks off Giglio on the nightof Jan. 13 with 4,229 passen-gers and crew from 60 countrieson board and began to keel justas passengers were sitting downto supper at the start of theircruise. (www.philstar.com)

by aurea calicaSunday, January 22, 2012

Filipino crewmembers of the stricken ship MV Costa Concordia arrived home toheroes' welcome a week after their ordeal off the coast of Grosetto, Tuscany, Italy.

JanUary 28, 201214 News Edition

MANILA, Philippines - APASAY CITY REGIONALTRIAL COURT (RTC)JUDGE JUNkED yesterdaythe motion of former Presidentand Pampanga Rep. GloriaMacapagal-Arroyo to recall thearrest warrant issued againsther.

RTC branch 112 JudgeJesus Mupas, in a three-pageorder, said there was no com-pelling reason for the court to re-call the arrest warrant issued lastNov. 12, clearing the way for thearraignment of Arroyo and herco-accused, former Maguin-danao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.and former Maguindanao elec-tion officer Lintang Bedol onFeb. 13.

An electoral sabotage casehad been filed against Arroyo bythe Commission on Elections(Comelec) in relation to allegedcheating in Maguindanao duringthe 2007 midterm election.

“Considering the absence ofcounter-affidavit of Arroyo in theinformation filed by Comelec de-spite notice, the court believesthat there were reasonablegrounds to issue the arrest war-rant,” the order reads.

Comelec Chairman SixtoBrillantes welcomed the decisionof the court, saying it was a pos-

itive development in the pollbody’s effort to prosecute theformer leader for manipulatingthe results of the 2007 senatorialelections.

Brillantes said the Comelecwas very confident that the courtwould dismiss the petition to re-call the arrest warrant becausethey had filed the appropriatecharges.

Defense lawyer BenjaminSantos earlier filed the motion toquash the arrest warrant on theground that there was no evi-dence pointing to Arroyo as hav-ing committed the tampering ofelection returns or any evidencethat she conspired with the per-son tampering the evidence.

“There was no probablecause substantiating the is-suance of warrant of arrest andthe issuance of the same is ablatant deprivation of the ac-cused’s constitutional right,” themotion said.

The Comelec, however,filed an opposition arguing thatthe judge merely determines theprobability and not the certaintyof guilt of the accused, and indoing so, he need not conduct ahearing because the informationfiled alleged adequate facts tosupport the indictment of the for-mer head of state of the electoralsabotage offense.

Opposition to the motionalso included the testimony offormer provincial administrator

Norie Unas, who directly linkedArroyo to the electoral fraud.

Felda Domingo, Branch 112spokesperson, said the arraign-ment of Arroyo and her co-ac-cused was set on Feb. 13, afterwhich the court will tackle otherpending motions filed by thelawyers of Arroyo.

Ampatuan has filed a mo-tion to dismiss the case whileBedol has filed a motion for thedetermination of probablecause.

“All these motions will be re-solved by the court after the ar-raignment,” Domingo said.

Because of the tight sched-ule of the court, which ispresently deliberating at least400 cases, she said it is likelythat the trial would be scheduledonce a month.

Ferdinand Topacio, Arroyo’slegal spokesman, said the for-mer president may file a motionfor reconsideration before Judge

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Mupas.“If that (motion for reconsid-

eration) will be rejected, then thelawyers can elevate the matterto the Court of Appeals for cer-tiorari,” Topacio said in a tele-phone interview.

couRt Will tackle

gMa’s tRansfeR

The court has also set ahearing on Feb. 3 to tackle themotion of the Comelec for thetransfer of Arroyo from the Vet-erans Memorial Medical Center(VMMC) to a regular jail facility.

Domingo said Arroyo’s at-tending physician was directedto submit a medical report andmake a recommendation if thepatient is already fit to be dis-charged from the hospital.

She said there is no needfor the doctor to testify on themedical certificate and recom-mendation will be accepted.

However, Domingo said thedefense will be given time to an-swer the motion of the Comelecfor the transfer to a jail facility be-fore it will be submitted for reso-lution.

Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn,spokesperson for the formerleader, said Arroyo would abideby the decision of the court asregards the motion of the Com-elec to have her transferred to aregular jail.

Arroyo is currently under de-tention at the VMMC in QuezonCity.

“We always abide by the rul-ing of the courts. We have al-ways done that. So whateverdecision the court will make oncalls to have her transferredelsewhere, we will abide bythat,” Horn said. “But of course,she will avail of all available legalrecourse on that issue.”

MoRe cases against

aBalos

The poll body also filed yes-terday 11 additional counts ofelectoral sabotage against for-mer Comelec chairman Ben-jamin Abalos and the formerchair of South Cotabato’sProvincial Board of CanvasserLilian Suan-Radam before thePasay City RTC branch 117.

Comelec legal departmenthead Esmeralda Ladra filed theinformation, which was raffledyesterday morning and ended

up in the sala of Judge Eugeniode la Cruz.

Ladra told The STAR thatthe case was originally filed withthe RTC 114, which issued awarrant of arrest againstRadam.

Radam surfaced last Octo-ber at the Department of Justice(DOJ) and implicated Abalos inthe alleged election cheating.

“We withdrew the caseagainst Radam and re-filed it,this time including chairmanAbalos,” Ladra said.

Luithe Cabangunay, RTC117 clerk of court, said the judgewill study the case before settingthe date for arraignment.

Brigido Dulay, counsel forAbalos, said they are ready toface the charges in court.

The complaint alleged thatRadam and Abalos tampered,falsified and increased the votesof administration senatorial can-didates in the Provincial Certifi-cate of Canvass during the May24, 2007 national canvassing.

The alleged tampered re-sults came from the city of Gen-eral Santos and the towns ofPolomolok, Tampakan, Tupi,Banga, Koronadal, Norala, Sto.Niño, Surrallah and Tantangan.

The alleged tampered elec-tion results were submitted tothe National Board of Can-vassers, which was then can-vassing the senatorial electionresults at the Philippine Interna-tional Convention Center (PICC)in Pasay City.

Comelec spokesmanJames Jimenez said that basedon the additional complaint theyfiled, Abalos personally in-structed Radam to come up witha 12-0 result in favor of adminis-tration candidates.

The votes were supposedlytampered for Senators Joker Ar-royo, Edgardo Angara, RalphRecto, Mike Defensor, ProsperoPichay Jr., Tito Sotto, VicenteMagsaysay, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Juan Miguel Zubiri andLuis Singson.

Votes obtained by GenuineOpposition senatorial candidateLoren Legarda were also al-legedly tampered.

Jimenez said the Comelecfiled additional charges becauseAbalos was not included in theprevious complaint filed againstRadam. (www.philstar.com)

Pasay Court Rejects GMA Petition to Withdraw ArrestWarrant by perseus ecHiminaDaThursday, January 26, 2012

ADVERTISE NOW AND SEE HOW THE FACE OF BUSINESS IS CHANGING!

No matter how small your ad, it gets our readers attention!

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Judge Jesus Mupas

JanUary 28, 2012 15News Edition

BUSINESSDIRECTORy

MANILA, Philippines - THE NUM-BER OF FOREIGN DOMESTICHELPERS applying for right of abodein Hong Kong increased from an av-erage of just one a month before thelandmark permanent residency rulinglast September to more than 200 thefollowing month, The South ChinaMorning Post (SCMP) reported.

In September last year, the HongKong High Court ruled that the exclu-sion of foreign domestic workers froma rule that allows foreigners to applyfor the right to settle in the city afterseven years of uninterrupted resi-dency was unconstitutional.

The court ruled in favor of Evan-geline Banao Vallejos, a Filipino do-mestic helper who has lived in HongKong for 25 years.

While the number is just a tinyfraction of the reported 125,000helpers who have lived in Hong Kongfor at least seven years, it is a signif-icant rise that has caused somealarm among the local populace.

In November, a total of 334 appli-cations were filed. Starry Lee Wai-king, vice-chair of the Democratic

Alliance for the Betterment andProgress of Hong Kong, said she wasalarmed by the “astonishing” increasein applications.

But some quarters described as“just a scare tactic” the alarmist esti-mates that as many as 500,000 im-migrants could flood into Hong Kong– computing that each domestichelper brought in a spouse and twochildren.

The government has suspendedthe processing of right of abode ap-plications pending a final decision onits appeal against the ruling in favorof Vallejos. The appeal on the Valle-jos case will be heard on Feb. 21.

The number of applications forverification of eligibility for a perma-nent identity card for the months ofOctober, November and Decemberare 148, 334 and 149, respectively.

In August and September, beforethe residency ruling, the number was16 applications a month.

Mark Daly, a human rights lawyerwho represented the domestichelpers, said the number of applica-tions filed in the past three months

supported claims that the govern-ment’s estimate was “wildly exagger-ated.”

Daly pointed out that the foreigndomestic helpers are just seeking theright to apply for right of abode, not anautomatic right to permanent resi-dency.

He said the Immigration Depart-ment would determine who would begiven permanent residence.

Eni Lestati of the Asian Migrants’Coordinating Body said “it is proventhat not many of us are so excited tobe Hong Kong permanent residents.”

However, New People’s Partychair Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said “thereal threat will only come after the finalcourt decision.” (www.philstar.com)

5 Pinay Victims of Illegal RecruiterRescued in China

COMMUNITy CALENDAR

MANILA, Philippines - FIVE FILIPINOWOMEN WERE RESCUED fromtheir employers in Shenzhen, China,the Department of Foreign Affairs(DFA) said yesterday.

Quoting a report from the Philip-pine Consulate General inGuangzhou, the DFA said the rescuewas made with the assistance of theShenzhen Public Security Bureau andthe local police.

One Filipina was assisted on Dec.29, 2011, another was rescued whenpolice conducted a raid on Jan. 8, andthree were assisted on Jan. 10.

The five women, between 22 to41 years old, were recruited by a Fil-

ipina based in Macau to work as Eng-lish tutors to wealthy families in China.

They were promised a salary ofRMB4,800 (around $800) a month anda valid visa for six months.

However, they were actually em-ployed as household workers with asalary of only RMB3,800 a month(about $500). The victims were in-formed by the agency upon arrival thatthey have to work for at least twomonths without any salary becausethey need to pay their visa fee amount-ing to RMB8,000 ($1,300) each.

Three of the victims previouslyworked legally as household serviceworkers in Hong Kong. One of the Fil-

ipinas, aged 28, had permanent em-ployment in the province. Theyoungest graduated from college onlylast year.

The consulate assisted the Fil-ipinos in filing their complaints beforethe proper authorities in Shenzhen.Two of the women were repatriatedMonday, while the three other victimsare being provided temporary accom-modation by the consulate pending aninvestigation by Chinese authorities.

The DFA warned would-be over-seas workers that foreign householdservice workers are not allowed inChina. The penalty for overstaying inChina is a minimum detention of onemonth and a fine of RMB5,000 ($750).(www.philstar.com)

gloBal neWS

More Foreign Domestic Workers Apply forRight of Abode in HK

4th Coronation oF Mrs. anaK tiBadoC iti hawaii and valEntinE'sdinnEr / saturday

February 4, 2012, 6pm ● PacificBeach Hotel ● For more info, contactMarilyn @ 678-1482

10th annivErsary oF surong vallEyassoCiation intErnational, ala MoanahotEl / saturday

February 11, 2012, 6pm ● Ala Moana Hotel● For more details, contact FelixAgraan @748-5742

58th annivErsary oF hawaii FilipinowoMEn's CluB & 38th annual tErnoBall / saturday

March 3, 2012, 6pm ● Ala Moana Hotel ●Contact: Carmen Cabreros @ 358-3845 or Jenny Quezon @ 840-0987

Sunday break for Foreign Domestic Workersin Hong Kong

JanUary 28, 201216 News Edition