Gamiaw Bulletin: November 2016

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

WORLD | S. Korean opposition parties agree to impeach President Park

People watch a live broadcast of South Korean President Park Geun-hye addressing the nation at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. AP/Ahn Young-joon via Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's three main opposition parties agreed Wednesday to stick to their plans to impeach President Park Geun-hye, dismissing as a stalling tactic her offer to resign if parliament arranges a safe transfer of power.

Park's conditional resignation offer Tuesday came as she faces nosediving approval ratings and massive street rallies calling for her ouster amid a huge political scandal involving her and a longtime shadowy confidante.

"The people of South Korea do not want to enter the new year with Park Geun-hye as president," Choo Mi-ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said at the start of the meeting. "There is only one way under our constitution to halt a term of a president and that's an impeachment motion."

After the meeting, the three parties told a joint news conference that Park must step down immediately without setting any conditions and that their push for her impeachment remains unchanged.

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The opposition parties agreed to put an impeachment motion to a vote as early as this Friday or meet again if this plan doesn't work, according to Yonhap news agency. The Democratic Party, formerly known by its Korean-language name, Minjoo, couldn't immediately confirm the report.

The opposition have previously said they would try to impeach Park either this Friday or on Dec. 9, when a parliamentary plenary session is scheduled.

Support from two-thirds of the 300-member parliament is needed to impeach Park. The three opposition parties and anti-Park independent lawmakers have a total of 172 seats, meaning they need help from dissenters in Park's ruling Saenuri Party.

It was unclear how much Park's overture could divide those who earlier supported her impeachment. But some in the Saenuri Party have already raised the need to review whether to try to impeach her or come up with other ways for her departure.

If impeached, Park's presidential powers are immediately suspended until the Constitutional Court makes a ruling on her fate. The court has 180 days of deliberation.

Park, in her Tuesday speech, continued to deny accusations by prosecutors that she colluded in the criminal activities of her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, who, despite having no official role in government, allegedly had a say in policy decisions and exploited her presidential ties to bully companies into giving large sums of money to businesses and foundations that Choi controlled.

Choo Mi-ae, top center, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, Park Jie-won, interim leader of the People's Party, and Sim Sang-jung, top center right, head of the Justice Party, attend a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. South Korea's three main opposition parties began talks Wednesday to determine when to try to impeach President Park Geun-hye, dismissing as a stalling tactic her offer to resign if parliament arranges a safe transfer of power. AP/Ahn Young-joon

"If the ruling and opposition parties discuss and come up with a plan to reduce the confusion in state affairs and ensure a safe transfer of governments, I will step down from the presidential position under that schedule and by processes stated in law," she said. Park refused to take any question from journalists after her comments.

Prosecutors have indicted Choi, two ex-presidential officials and a music video director known as a Choi associate for extortion, leaking confidential documents and other charges.

Park, who has immunity from prosecution while in office, has refused to meet with prosecutors. Her lawyer says the prosecutors' accusations are groundless.

Park is the daughter of late dictator Park Chung-hee, whose 18-year rule ended after he was gunned down by his own intelligence chief in 1979.
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Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung contributed to this report.

NATION | Anti-Marcos protests mark Bonifacio Day launches Nationwide protest

Students flash the thumbs down sign as they burn an effigy of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos during a rally near the Presidential Palace to condemn last week's burial Marcos at the Heroes' Cemetery Friday, Nov. 25, 2016 in Manila, Philippines. Long-dead Marcos was buried last Friday at the country's Heroes' Cemetery in a secrecy-shrouded ceremony, a move approved by President Rodrigo Duterte that infuriated supporters of the "people power" revolt that ousted Marcos three decades ago. AP/Bullit Marquez

MANILA, Philippines — Various groups on Wednesday are set for protests in sites across the country against the burial of late President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

In a live TV report on Wednesday at 8:45 P.M Crowd estimate at the anti-Marcos protest on EDSA varying: From QCPD estimate of about 3,000 to unofficial estimate of 50,000.

The protests, marking a national holiday honoring Filipino revolutionary Andres Bonifacio, are a continued show of opposition against the November 18 burial of the dictator which caught many by surprise, blaming President Rodrigo Duterte's "historical revisionism" for ordering the burial.

The main demonstration at the People Power Monument in Quezon City is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. and will last until midnight. Attendees were encouraged to wear black.

At the EDSA monument, young groups are expected to perform a flash mob and the "mannequin" challenge and make a noise barrage.

As of 8 a.m., more than 150 people have converged at the Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City.
Aside from the main rally, several other protests will also be held at different parts of the Philippines, as well as different parts of the world.

In Cebu City, around 1,000 anti-Marcos protesters gathered at Plaza Independencia in the morning crying for "justice" for Martial Law victims as their Christmas gift, The Freeman reported.
Ceby Mayor Tomas Osmeña spoke before protesters at the plaza and thanked them for making a stand.

"I will stand (with) you to my last breath," he said.

Supporters of Duterte, meanwhile, interrupted the protest, approaching the gathering on motorbikes.
- with a report from via Philstar

BIZ | Trump says he's stepping out of his business empire

Donald Trump tweeted early Wednesday that legal documents are being crafted to "take me completely out of business operations," adding, "the presidency is a far more important task!" AP/John Locher | By Julie Pace and Laurie Kellman via Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he's leaving his business empire to focus on being the nation's 45th president, bowing to pressure to avoid potential conflicts of interest between governing and profiting from the private sector.

"I will be leaving my great business in total in order to fully focus on running the country in order to make America great again," he tweeted in a series of missives sent before dawn. "While I am not mandated to do this under the law, I feel it is visually important, as president, to in no way have a conflict of interest with my various businesses."

He said legal documents are "being crafted which take me completely out of business operations," he added, saying the presidency is "a far more important task!"

Meanwhile, former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin, Trump's former campaign finance director, confirmed that Trump has picked him as treasury secretary and that billionaire investor Wilbur Ross has been chosen for commerce secretary.

Trump is tapping conservatives with deep ties to Washington and Wall Street to fill out key Cabinet roles as he continues to deliberate over his secretary of state.

SPORT | Ateneo escapes FEU, forges 'dream' finals showdown vs La Salle

Ateneo de Manila University's Isaac Go (L) and Tab Baldwin |

By Denison Rey A. Dalupang via Philstar

MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles entered the UAAP season having spent their initial games looking for identity.

But in the second round, armed with rookies, sophomores, third-year cagers and just two seniors, they assumed the role of a villain to a myriad teams -- including the defending champion Far Eastern University and this season's favorite De La Salle.

On Wednesday, the Eagles sustained their surprising run as they dispatched the Tamaraws in overtime, 69-68, to arrange a dream finals match with archrival De La Salle University.

"You needed a sledgehammer and a crowbar to separate these two teams," said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin. "We weathered the fourth quarter storm. Our guards dis a good job against Arong."

"I don't think anybody deserved to lose this game," he added. "My heart goes to coach Nash (Racela)."

Thirdy Ravena provided the lift for the Blue Eagles. He finished the game with 13 points to go with Mike Nieto's 13. Isaac Go, who got left bloodied in the fourth period, finished with 12 markers and 14 rebounds.

Go, who hurt his nose after a play, came back to the game and scored on a crucial putback to give the Eagles the lead with 1:20 left in the extra period.

The Tamaraws, for their part, were not one to go away easily. Raymar Jose corralled every rebound possible, Monbert Arong shot every look to keep it close, and Ron Dennison facilitated plays when the team scrambled for stability.

But the latter wasn't just able to nail it when it mattered the most, as the officials ruled out a bucket that would've sent FEU back to the ultimate showdown.

Arong tallied 15 points in the game, while Jose was in his usual double-double self, registering 12 markers and 12 boards.

The Eagles, who last met the Archers in the Finals in 2008, will lock horns with the heavy favorites this Saturday, December 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

NATION | Duterte: I'm not ready for new military alliances

President Rodrigo Duterte, attends a meeting with business leaders during the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, Summit in Lima, Peru, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. AP/Martin Mejia | By Patricia Lourdes Viray via Philstar

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte just wants to be "friends" with China and Russia to show the international community that the Philippines is not limited to a few countries, particularly the United States.

"I am not ready for military alliances because we have a treaty that was signed in the 50s. But I am ready to cooperate with my new friends – China and Russia – to make this world more peaceful," Duterte said in an interview with Russia's RT Documentary Channel.

The Philippines has an existing Mutual Defense Treaty with the US, which was signed on Aug. 30, 1951.

Duterte revealed that in his previous meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev at the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos, he did not ask for anything from Russia.

"I personally requested to speak with the prime minister of Russia, Medvedev. So I told him my problem, and I said, you know, 'I am not asking for anything. We can survive with nothing. But I just want you to know that they want to be closer to you and China because I do not like what is happening to us,'" the president said.

The chief executive once again criticized the US for threatening to cut its assistance to the Philippines following the spate of extrajudicial killings of drug suspects.

Our Daily Bread: Attending To Our Words

Storyline By David McCasland

Read: Psalm 66:10-20

Certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. —Psalm 66:19

A week after C. S. Lewis died in 1963, colleagues and friends gathered in the chapel of Magdalen College, Oxford, England, to pay tribute to the man whose writings had fanned the flames of faith and imagination in children and scholars alike.

During the memorial service, Lewis’ close friend Austin Farrer noted that Lewis always sent a handwritten personal reply to every letter he received from readers all over the world. “His characteristic attitude to people in general was one of consideration and respect,” Farrer said. “He paid you the compliment of attending to your words.”

In that way, Lewis mirrored God’s remarkable attention to what we say to Him in prayer. During a time of great difficulty, the writer of Psalm 66 cried out to God (vv.10-14). Later, he praised the Lord for His help, saying, “Certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer” (v.19).

When we pray, the Lord hears our words and knows our hearts. Truly we can say with the psalmist, “Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!” (v.20). Our prayers become the avenue to a deeper relationship with Him. At all times, even in our hours of deepest need, He attends to our words.

My Savior hears me when I pray,
Upon His Word I calmly rest;
In His own time, in His own way,
I know He’ll give me what is best. — Hewitt

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We always have God’s attention.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

WORLD | Plane with Brazilian soccer team crashes in Colombia

A chartered aircraft with 72 people on board, including players from a Brazilian soccer team heading to Colombia for a regional tournament final, has crashed on its way to Medellin's international airport. Colombia map | By Joshua Goodman via Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia — A chartered aircraft with 72 people on board, including players from a Brazilian soccer team heading to Colombia for a regional tournament final, has crashed on its way to Medellin's international airport.

Medellin's Mayor Federico Gutierrez said Tuesday that it is possible there are survivors.

"It's a tragedy of huge proportions," Gutierrez told Blu Radio on his way to the site in a mountainous area outside the city where the chartered aircraft is believed to have crashed shortly before midnight on Monday local time.

He said ambulances and rescuers were on their way. It is not clear what caused the crash of the aircraft, a British Aerospace 146 short-haul plane, but Colombia had been hit by heavy rains and thunderstorms in recent hours.

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Medellin's airport confirmed that the aircraft, which made a stop in Bolivia, was transporting the first division Chapecoense soccer team from southern Brazil. The team was scheduled to play Wednesday in the first of a two-game Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional of Medellin.

A video published on the team's Facebook page showed the team readying for the flight earlier Monday in Sao Paulo's Guarulhos international airport.

The team, from the small city of Chapeco, joined Brazil's first division in 2014 for the first time since the 1970s and made it to the Copa Sudamericana finals last week by defeating Argentina's legendary San Lorenzo squad.

NATION | OFWs exempted from airport terminal fee starting March

Starting March 2017, overseas Filipino workers no longer have to pay the P550

airport terminal fee. Philstar/File photo |By Rudy Santos

MANILA, Philippines - Starting March 2017, overseas Filipino workers no longer have to pay the P550 airport terminal fee.

Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal announced this yesterday in a news forum at the Manila Hotel.

Monreal said his office is working on technical details and coordinating with international airlines to eliminate the airport terminal fee imposed by the previous management of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on OFWs in February 2015.

OFWs are required to pay the P550 airport terminal fee when they buy tickets online or in airline ticket offices. They can claim their refund upon departure at the airport terminals.

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But since OFWs are busy individuals, many failed to claim their refund.

Total collections of the airport terminal fee has reached more than a billion pesos and half of this amount remains unclaimed by OFWs. The unclaimed amount remains in the general fund of the NAIA.

Monreal said his office is ready to refund the fees to OFWs as long as they possess the E-ticket, boarding pass and passport they used even several years ago.

Air traffic to improve

Air congestion at NAIA is also expected to be greatly reduced in the first quarter of 2017 as aviation agencies prepare projects for more efficient management of air traffic.

Antonio Manuel Tamayo, deputy director general of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the much-delayed Communication and Navigation System (CNS) and Air Traffic Management (ATM) would be operational soon as these have been installed near the NAIA runway.

The CNS/ATM system is comprised of a computer-based flight data processing system that will enable aircraft operators to meet their scheduled departure and arrival and stick to their preferred flight plans with minimum constraints and without compromising agreed levels of safety.

It will also extend surveillance of aircraft and improve navigational accuracy.

“The government had constructed 12 radar stations across the Philippines as adjunct to the CNS/ATM to monitor each arriving and departing flight, and these would greatly speed up the landing and takeoff, contributing to the efficiency of the NAIA,” Tamayo said.

Air traffic controllers and other technical experts are being trained as part of the CNS/ATM system.
“Right now, they are doing shadow training, comparing the airplanes they see on the current radar system with this next generation system that is also linked to satellite in space,” Tamayo said.

NATION | Palace respects Diokno resignation

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Office of the Executive Secretary received the resignation letter of National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Maria Serena Diokno. Philstar/File photo | By Alexis Romero

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said it respects the decision of National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Maria Serena Diokno to quit from her post and thanked her for her service.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Office of the Executive Secretary has received the resignation letter of Diokno.

"We respect Chair Diokno’s decision and we thank her for the services she rendered to the nation as she headed the commission responsible for the conservation and preservation of the country’s historical legacies,” Abella said in a statement.

Abella, however, maintained that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to bury former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“The president has said that the Supreme Court has ruled and that he respects and abides by the decision of the High Court,” Abella said.

Diokno resigned from her post because she disagreed with Duterte’s decision to allow the interment of the late dictator at the hero’s cemetery.

ENTERTAINMENT | ‘Bubog’ director to filmmakers: You don’t need Baron Geisler

"Bubog" film director Arlyn Dela Cruz weighed in on the "pee" incident between Baron Geisler and Ping Medina. The STAR/Regine David | By Rosette Adel via The STAR

MANILA, Philippines – After actor Baron Geisler peed on co-star Ping Medina in the set of the film she directs, “Bubog” director Arlyn Dela Cruz advises filmmakers to rethink about getting Baron in their movies.

“To my fellow filmmakers, you may think you need Baron in your movies...but you don't...you really don't,” Arlyn said on her Facebook page.

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Arlyn, who was saddened and enraged over Baron’s behavior in the film set, said she gave the former a chance to be casted on her film as he was one of the characters she has in mind. She said Baron also admitted he needed money as his mother was hospitalized and he promised to be sober during the shoot but broke it.

The director then lamented Baron’s uncalled for move, saying Ping does not deserve that.

“What you did on the set, for the film BUBOG is unacceptable and cannot be justified by any claim of being in character because I repeatedly explained to you and was clearly written on the script where your character is coming from and how I wanted it to be tackled, stressing that the idea is, power is felt, not expressed. To show true might, in subdued silence and suppressed emotions,” she wrote on her Facebook status.

“Ping Medina does not deserve what you did. No actor deserves that. No person deserves that," said Arlyn.

"You claim, you respect him and me? ....Define to me respect after what you did,” she added.

In a separate post, Arlyn said the film "Bubog" was supposed to be Baron’s break but he blew it. She asked for Baron’s healing.

Arlyn also responded to critics who said that she has the power to cut the scene. The director said she was only monitoring the shooting scene at a distance because of the limited space and added that she demonstrated to Baron what his character was.

“We cannot see what was happening inside, nag-rehearse kami. Makikita cable and shadows so play back ng scene ang desisyon because of limited space. We positioned ourselves sa gillid, left side,” the director explained.

Baron has apologized for the incident, saying it was a misunderstanding. However, he still defended himself, explaining Arlyn could have done something to prevent the incident.

Arlyn then reacted to Baron’s post, saying when you apologize, you do not make other excuses. She said Baron needs to be treated for alcoholism.

“Ownership is a virtue and you knew, I believe, it was even in your calculation that we all end up in this controversy. You wanted this....again-the attention, the headlines,” she said.

“There are people who respect you and gave you all the openness to be what you said you really are...there are shades of that person... especially when you are not drunk. You need to be treated for alcoholism and aren't you taking too much of those anti-depressant pills?” she added.

Meanwhile, Film Development Council of the Philippines chief Liza Diño also vouched for Ping, saying no actor deserves that. She said her council will look into the incident to make sure it won’t happen to any actor in the future.

REGION | Duterte says he will befriend Maute militants

In this Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte poses with a fist bump during the anniversary of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing at the Philippine Air Force headquarters in Pasay City, southeast of Manila, Philippines. The president on Tuesday, November 29, said he would befriend Maute militants so there would be no more trouble. AP/Bullit Marquez, File | with a report from Alexis Romero

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — Was it a policy pronouncement or a joke?

President Rodrigo Duterte said he would befriend the Maute armed rebels, who recently occupied parts of Butig, Lanao del Sur to establish an Islamic caliphate.

“Kakaibiganin ko sila para walang gulo (I will befriend them so there will be no trouble),” Duterte told reporters in a chance interview here Tuesday.

It remains unclear whether the president was serious or was just joking when he made the statement, which was a reply to a reporter’s question.

The president said on Monday that the Maute group is connected to the international terror network Islamic State (ISIS). He declared in previous speeches that he would not negotiate with terrorist groups like the Abu Sayyaf.

However, Duterte cited the importance of talking to armed groups in a speech delivered during the inauguration of a drug rehabilitation center here.

He also renewed his call to change the type of government from unitary to federal, believing this would solve the Moro rebellion.

“Except for the rebellion, which is a pestering problem, I really would say that were it not for this, we would have been okay but we can never move,” the president said.

“Now, let me remind you again. Per my observation: we cannot have a peaceful country as you know, if you do not agree to a federal setup.”

Duterte admitted though that talking peace requires compromise, noting that Moros are fighting for the land that they believe was stolen by Christians.

“If you do not compromise here, we won’t attain something. That’s the barest minimum that we are asking. The problem is in Mindanao, the Moro people will go for it at all costs,” the president said.

“If I were you, I’d listen to the speaker here. Ponder on it, sleep on it, and maybe decide one day that they too must have a better deal in the government,” he added, referring to himself.

Duterte admitted though that the government cannot accommodate all the demands of Moros. He cited the proposal of Moros to establish a regional armed forces and police.

“That’s something which I cannot give. Those are the things that cannot be negotiated,” the president said.

“They want a federal type presidency, fine. But the commander-in-chief and the control of the police and the military shall always be in the hands of the president.”

Duterte stressed that he could not just order attacks in areas like Basilan and Sulu without considering the plight of civilians.

“There’s no doubt about it, I can fight the whole year round. The government has money because of taxes. But for how long? And at what cost?” the president said.

Our Daily Bread: First Impressions

Storyline By Dennis Fisher

Read: 1 Samuel 16:1-7

For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. —1 Samuel 16:7

As I shopped for groceries one day, I was perceived as a thief by one person and a hero by another.
As I exited the supermarket, an employee said, “Excuse me, Sir. There are too many unbagged items in your cart.” This is evidently a strategy used by shoplifters. When he saw that they were products too big to be bagged, he apologized and sent me on my way.

In the parking lot, a woman glanced at my gold embroidered sportsman’s cap. Mistaking it for a military hat, she said, “Thank you for defending our country!” Then she walked away.

The supermarket employee and the woman in the parking lot had each formed hasty conclusions about me. It’s easy to form opinions of others based on first impressions.

When Samuel was to select the next king of Israel from the sons of Jesse, he too made a judgment based on first impressions. However, God’s chosen was not any of the older sons. The Spirit told Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature” (1 Sam. 16:7). God chose David, the youngest, who looked least like a king.

God can help us view people through His eyes, for “the Lord does not see as man sees; . . . the Lord looks at the heart” (v.7).

If we could view through eyes of faith
The people we meet each day
We’d quickly see God’s gracious hand
In all who come our way. — D. DeHaan

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First impressions can often lead to wrong conclusions.

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Monday, November 28, 2016

BIZ | Philippines good at frustrating foreign investors – MAP

The Philippines is still much “talk” and less “walk” when it comes to addressing the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination. File photo/Paulo Alcazaren | By Richmond Mercurio via Philstar

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is still much “talk” and less “walk” when it comes to addressing the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination.

It is for this reason that the Philippines continues to trail other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in foreign direct investment, Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) president Perry Pe said.

“We are so good at enticing foreign investors. We are so good at inviting them into our country and say please come to the Philippines because it is fun in the Philippines, it is so good in the Philippines. But the moment the foreign investor comes here, we’re so good at frustrating them,” Pe said.

“We’re so good at making them feel as if they are not welcome. We put up so many restrictions along the way, so many red tape that ease of doing business becomes zero. Whether it be from a Bureau of Internal Revenue perspective, from a Customs perspective and even from the Securities and Exchange Commission perspective,” he added.

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Even though the country beams with a lot of opportunities for foreign businesses to thrive, Pe said existing restrictions and persistent corruption kept many of these investors from coming in.

The MAP official, however, lauded the current administration’s effort to relax constitutional restriction on foreign investments.

The business group likewise praised the National Competitiveness Council’s initiative called Project Repeal seeking to facilitate an efficient government regulatory environment by removing outdated, redundant and burdensome rules and regulations negatively affecting businesses in the country.

“In MAP, we’re supporting other business groups in trying to call for this current administration to repeal and take out all those economic provisions, whether it be on the federal system of government or whether it be just in pure constitutional amendment,” Pe said.

WORLD | Egypt denies military presence in Syria

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry presides over the Council session. Presided over by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, the United Nations Security Council held a special thematic debate on cyber-security, cyber-terrorism. File Photo\Glenn Guzman_Gamiaw WorldNews | Outsourced thru Associated Press

CAIRO — Egypt's Foreign Ministry has denied what it said were Arab media reports about an Egyptian military presence in Syria.

Egypt is committed to not intervening in other countries' internal affairs, the ministry's yesterday statement said, adding that deploying any military personnel or equipment would have required public legal measures.

The ministry's statement didn't specify outlets, but most regional media carrying the story referred to a report by Lebanese daily As-Safir, which said that an Egyptian military unit comprising 18 pilots had joined an air base in Hama earlier this month.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has expressed support for Syrian President Bashar Assad's military, saying this month in an interview with Portuguese TV network RTP that its forces were "best positioned" to combat terrorism and restore stability in the war-torn nation.

REGION | Westmincom retakes Butig town from Maute militants

A school building in Butig, Lanao del Sur that Moro jihadists occupied earlier this year as they fought soldiers advancing from different directions. John Unson, file | By Roel Pareño via Philstar

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Government forces have recaptured the town hall and other areas occupied by the Islamic State-inspired Maute group in Butig town, Lanao del Sur, military officials said.

This, as the death toll from the Maute group increased to 35, according to Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of Western Mindanao Command. He said the militant group also had five of its members wounded in the fighting.

Tan said 13 soldiers were wounded in the offensive to retake the area, which the Palace said Sunday had been abandoned by many of the town's residents after a similar attack by the Maute group in May.

The troops recaptured the area after intense fighting on the ground supported by artillery and air bombardment.

About 200 to 300 militants occupied the area on Saturday and forced 16,000 residents to flee.

Government troops penetrated the abandoned town hall Monday morning and pulled down the black flag, which the Maute group raised over the strife-torn town.

They then raised the Philippine flag and declared the town liberated.

Tan said that there was an ongoing clearing operation by the 103rd Infantry Brigade as of noon. He said Philippine Air Force planes have been dropping bombs in target areas.

SPORT | Ravena playing without pay in US as he pursues NBA dream

Kiefer Ravena in action in the US-based Drew League in this file photo.

By Nelson Beltran via Philstar

MANILA, Philippines – For Kiefer Ravena, a PBA stint can wait as he pursues a dream to play in the NBA.

He’s toiling as a developmental player with the Texas Legends in the NBA D-League – without compensation or any remuneration – while all his Gilas cadet teammates have all made their PBA debuts.

“He’s giving it a try for one to two years. He doesn’t want to regret later on that he never tried,” said TNT KaTropa assistant coach Bong Ravena, father of the former Ateneo hotshot and UAAP MVP winner.

“Magastos lalo na dollar ang ginagastos doon samantalang pesos ang kinikita natin dito (It’s costly especially as you spend dollars when you earn pesos here). But it’s okay for the family,” Ravena also said.

As a developmental player joining the Texas Legends in training, the young Ravena is provided an apartment, but he has to spend for his meals.

The Texas Legends team is an affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks. Ravena is hoping that he’ll make the Mavericks team in the NBA Summer League.

An inspiration by the Ravenas is the LA Lakers’ Fil-Am star Jordan Clarkson.

“Jordan Clarkson spent some time in the NBA D-League before making the NBA,” said the older Ravena.
Clarkson played for the Los Angeles D
-Fenders before being selected 46th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.

“Not everybody can be an NBA D-League developmental player. It’s by invitation. Kiefer got an invite and, again, he’s giving it a try for one to two years,” said Ravena.

The Ravenas know, though, that the NBA is a long, tough road. As a developmental player, Kiefer is not part of the regular Texas Legends roster.

First, he needs to go through the draft then hope to be drafted.

Fil-Am Bobby Ray Parks, another former UAAP star, had his NBA D-League stint also with the Texas Legends but has been cut.

He was drafted by the Westchester Knicks in the last NBA D-League draft but failed to make the roster.

NATION | Kerwin revises allegations vs Albuera top cop

Wearing a bullet-proof vest, alleged Filipino drug lord Rolando "Kerwin" Espinosa Jr., right, confers with Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, as he testifies during the resumption of the Senate probe into alleged extra-judicial killings in President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016 in Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. AP/Bullit Marquez. with reports from AJ Bolando

MANILA, Philippines — Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa modified his allegations that Albuera Police Chief Jovie Espenido received drug money from him.

Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said on Monday that Espinosa cleared Espenido from his accusations in Senate inquiry.

“Dahan-dahang binabawi ni Kerwin ‘yung sinasabi niya. Sabi ni Kerwin the other night, kinausap ko, sabi niya ‘Sa totoo lang sir matino na pulis 'yang si Espenido,'" Dela Rosa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

"Nasabi ko lang na one time o two times na tumanggap siya (Espenido) ng pera para daw sa panggastos sa simbahan nila,’” the PNP chief added quoting Espinosa.

Aside from receiving drug money, Espinosa also claimed that Espenido implicated his father, the late Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, in illegal drugs because the munical police chief had a grudge against him.

“So kinonfirm ko sa kanya (Espinosa) hanggang sabi niya nadadawit lang ‘yung pangalan pero malinis daw si Espenido,” Dela Rosa said recalling what the drug lord told him when they met last Saturday.

Dela Rosa said he is still confident with Espenido as they have talked over the phone yesterday after Kerwin backtracked his statements.

“Binawi ni Kerwin 'yung pagkasabi niya na ganun ayaw magpa-corrupt na opisyal kaya the more na naniniwala ako sa kanya (Espenido),” Dela Rosa said.

The younger Espinosa is still detained under the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group of the PNP following his arrest in Abu Dhabi. He left the country since President Rodrigo Duterte launched the campaign against illegal drugs.

Espinosa faced the Senate investigation on the death of his father, where he revealed his drug protectors, including then Justice Secretary and now Sen. Leila de Lima.

Our Daily Bread: How To Enjoy Things

Storyline By Dennis J. De Haan

Read: Ecclesiastes 5:13-20

As for every man . . . to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. —Ecclesiastes 5:19

In his book Daring To Draw Near, Dr. John White writes that several years earlier God had made it possible for him to acquire a lovely home with many luxuries. His feelings about the house fluctuated dramatically.

When he reminded himself that it was a gracious gift from God, he felt joy and thanksgiving. But when he would begin to compare it with those of his friends, he would feel proud because he had such a fine house and his joy would evaporate. His home would actually become a burden. All he could see were the many hedges and trees to care for and the endless odd jobs to do. White said, “While vanity clouds my eyes and burdens my heart, gratitude clears my vision and lightens my load.”

The writer of Ecclesiastes saw God at every turn in the enjoyment of material things. The power to eat the fruits of our labors and even the strength to receive and rejoice in them is from Him (5:18-19).
From beginning to end, all of life is a continuous gift-giving by God. We deserve nothing. He owes us nothing. Yet He gives us everything. If we remember this, we need not feel selfish or guilty. Whatever material blessings we have are a gift from our gracious God.

Ten thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart,
That tastes those gifts with joy. —Addison

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God, who has given so much to us, gives one more thing—a grateful heart. —Herbert

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Saturday, November 26, 2016

Our Daily Bread: Spiritual Plagiarism

Storyline By Julie Ackerman Link

Read: John 1:1-18

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. —John 1:14

When I teach English composition, I require students to write in class. I know that in-class writing is their own work, so in this way I become familiar with each student’s writing voice and am able to detect if they “borrow” a bit too heavily from another writer. Students are surprised to learn that their writing voice—which includes what they say as well as how they say it—is as distinctive as their speaking voice. Just as the words we speak come from our hearts, so do the words we write. They reveal who we are.

We become familiar with God’s voice in much the same way. By reading what He has written, we learn who He is and how He expresses Himself. Satan, however, tries to make himself sound like God (2 Cor. 11:14). By using God’s words in a slightly altered fashion, he comes up with convincing arguments for things that are untrue. For example, by convincing people to do things that simulate godliness, such as trusting in an outward regimen of self-discipline rather than Christ’s death for salvation (Col. 2:23), Satan has led many astray.

God went to extremes to make sure we’d recognize His voice. He not only gave us His Word, He gave us the Word made flesh—Jesus (John 1:14)—so that we will not be easily deceived or misled.

Instill within my heart, dear Lord,
A deep desire to know Your Word,
I want to learn to hear Your voice
That I may make Your will my choice. —D. DeHaan

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Your Word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it. —Psalm 119:140

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Friday, November 25, 2016

PINOY ENTERTAINMENT | Gabby ‘di na nakapagpigil kay Sharon!

Philippine Actor Gabby Concepcion

By Nora Calderon via PM

MANILA - Sa wakas, nayakap na rin nang personal ni Gabby Concepcion ang pangatlo niyang dalaga, si Cloie Skarne, na dumating ng Pilipinas nang maging representative ito as Miss Sweden sa Miss Earth beauty pageant. Nakausap na rin niya si Cloie na umiyak daw nang yakapin niya dahil ang tanong nito, kung ang nararamdaman daw niyang pagmamahal sa tunay na ama ay tulad din ng nararamdaman niya sa kinilala niyang ama.

Inamin ni Gabby na hindi naman nawawala sa isip niya si Cloie at alam niyang one day, siya na mismo ang lalapit sa kanya.

“Kaya ang pasasalamat ko kay KC (Concepcion), ang anak kong iyan, ang naglalapit, hindi siya naglalayo sa akin at sa mga kapatid niya,” sabi ni Gabby.

“Pero sabi ko nga kay Cloie, hindi man siya nagwagi ng title, panalo na rin siya dahil umabot siya sa Top 10. Mahiyain kasi si Cloie. Hindi masyadong nagtagal si Cloie dahil kailangan na niyang bumalik sa Sweden, pero nag-bonding din silang magkakapatid, kasama si Garrie Concepcion.”

Sayang daw lamang na hindi pa niya napagsama-sama ang lima niyang anak sa isang picture, ang tatlo niyang dalaga at ang dalawa niyang anak ngayon, sina Sam (8) at Vana (4).

Natanong din namin si Gabby tungkol sa boyfriend ngayon ni KC na si Aly Borromeo. Kilala raw niya at ng family nila ang family ni Aly dahil taga-San Juan City din ito. Natuwa siya nang si Aly mismo ang nag-imbita sa kanya na mag-dinner kasama nila si KC.

Kumusta naman sila ngayon ni Sharon Cuneta?

“Nagkita kami sa isang event at ako na ang lumapit sa kanya at niyakap ko siya. Sabi ko sayang ang mga happy moments namin noon kung hindi namin magagamit sa project na pwede naming pagsamahan dahil marami pa rin kaming fans na gusto kaming makitang magkatambal.”

Nakausap namin si Gabby sa pictorial ng bago niyang afternoon prime sa GMA-7, ang Ika-6 na Utos na magtatampok sa kanila ni Sunshine Dizon at Ryza Cenon, sa direksyon ni Laurice Guillen.

“Iyon ang gusto ko sa mga ginagawa ko ngayon sa GMA-7, iyong una kong project dito, Because of You, nagustuhan ko kasi first romantic-comedy series ko iyon. Ngayon, sa una kong project after akong mag-sign ng exclusive contract sa GMA, first time ko namang gagawa ng drama series sa afternoon prime. Then, dream come true sa akin ang role ko rito na isang pilot. Frustrated pilot kasi ako, kaya nahilig akong mag-travel dahil hilig ko talagang lumipad. Tuwing magti-taping ako sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport, feeling ko nagpapalipad na ako talaga ng airplane. ”
Mapapanood na simula sa December 5 ang Ika-6 na Utos pagkatapos ng Eat Bulaga.

WORLD | Israel evacuates thousands as fire spreads in northern city

A wildfire rages in Haifa, Israel, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. The blaze ripped through parts of Israel's third-largest city, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes and prompting a rare call-up of hundreds of military reservists to join overstretched police and firefighters. Spreading quickly due to dry, windy weather, the fire quickly spread through Haifa's northern neighborhoods. While there were no serious injuries, several dozen people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) | By Ariel Schalit via Associated Press

HAIFA — A wildfire roared through parts of Israel's third-largest city on yesterday, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes and prompting a rare call-up of hundreds of military reservists to join overstretched police and firefighters.

Authorities speculated the blaze may have been set by politically-motivated arsonists.

Spreading quickly due to dry, windy weather, the fire raced through Haifa's northern neighborhoods. While there were no serious injuries, several dozen people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Police and firefighters were deployed throughout the city, as people loaded up supermarket carts with belongings and fled their homes. Some people connected hoses together from apartment buildings to help battle the fires, while residents held cloth over their faces.

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Israeli's police chief Roni Alsheich told reporters that arsonists were suspected of setting some of the fires and that arrests had been made, without elaborating.

"It's safe to assume that whoever is setting the fires isn't doing it only out of pyromania," he said. "It's safe to assume that if it is arson it is politically-motivated."

The blaze was the largest of several fires to erupt across the country in recent days. The rash of fires is the worst since 2010, when Israel suffered the single deadliest wildfire in its history. That blaze burned out of control for four days, killed 42 people and was extinguished only after firefighting aircraft arrived from as far away as the United States.

Israel has strengthened its firefighting capabilities since then, buying special planes that can drop large quantities of water on affected areas. Several countries, including Russia, Cyprus, Turkey, Croatia and Greece — were also sending assistance to battle this week's blazes.

Guy Catlan, who runs a gas station in Haifa, told Channel 10 TV that workers turned the power off and were helping firefighters to prevent the flames from reaching it. "There is a very large quantity of fuel here, it is very dangerous to the entire area, it could be a big catastrophe," he said.

Residents of eight neighborhoods in the northern city of Haifa were told to evacuate their homes on yesterday afternoon, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. Or Doron, a spokeswoman for the city of Haifa, said some 50,000 people had been evacuated.

Michal Schanin, a professor at the University of Haifa, was in the middle of a lecture when she received word that she and her 70 students would need to evacuate. She said that while the evacuation was orderly, the flood of cars fleeing the area caused a traffic jam.

"We couldn't move. If, God forbid, there would have been fire there it would have been one huge trap," she said.

The military said it deployed two search and rescue battalions in order to assist civilian efforts. It also called up about 500 reserve soldiers to back up the police and fire departments.

Several roads and schools were closed in some areas of Haifa. Mayor Yonah Yahav told Channel 2 TV there were several fires in his city.

Yahav also said there were indications one of the fires was caused when "someone tossed a cigarette in an area full of oil and flammable fluids" in an industrial zone.

A spokesman for Israel's fire and rescue service, Yoram Levy, told the station that firefighters were working around the clock. He said the fires in Haifa "are probably arson," and that there was an attempt to torch a fire station.

Police said the blazes started early Tuesday morning at Neve Shalom, a community outside Jerusalem where Jews and Arabs live together. Fires later erupted elsewhere near Jerusalem and in the northern Israeli area of Zichron Yaakov.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, thanking him for his help in dealing with the fires. The premier's office said yesterday that Russia is sending two large firefighting aircraft to Israel.

NATION | Kerwin denies having 'blue book' of drug protectors

Alleged bigtime drug lord Kerwin Espinosa was arrested in Abu Dhabi and brought back to the

Philippines last week. | By AJ Bolando via Philstar

MANILA, Philippines – Facing a Senate panel for the first time, suspected drug lord Rolan "Kerwin" Espinosa denied that he has a ledger that supposedly contains the names of his drug protectors.

“Wala akong blue book,” Espinosa maintained on Wednesday at the inquiry of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.

Albuera police chief Jovie Espinido earlier claimed that the late Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa based his allegations in his affidavit on Kerwin's supposed blue book. Espenido said that aside from the blue book, Mayor Espinosa also had a separate “pink book.”

Mayor Espinosa was killed by police at the Baybay Sub-provincial Jail earlier this month. They said the mayor, who surrendered to the police twice, had fired at them before they could serve a search warrant.

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The blue book allegedly has 226 names of politicians, judges and police officers who received drug money from the illegal drug trade of the younger Espinosa.

Supposedly included in the list is former Justice secretary and now Sen. Leila de Lima, who reportedly received a total of P8 million.
“Hindi ko kailangan ng blue book kasi iilan lang sa Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) ang protector ng droga,” Kerwin continued.

The Albuera police have already filed a case against De Lima at the Ombudsman in Tacloban City.
De Lima has already denied the allegations and said that she doesn't know Kerwin.