Women's Group Buck Philippine Hosting of Miss Universe

By Mary Grace Padin (The Philippine Star)

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Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach waves Philippine flag during her homecoming parade in January.Philstar.com / Efigenio Toledo IV, file

MANILA, Philippines – Former women government officials and leaders of women’s advocacy groups and civil society have signed a petition addressed to the Miss Universe Organization to reconsider its decision to hold the pageant in the Philippines next year, in light of what they consider as President Duterte and his allies’ chauvinist demeanor.

Among the prominent names in the petition that has so far gathered 58 signatories, based on a Facebook post by a certain Annie Serrano, were human rights activist Etta Rosales, former chairman of the Commission on Human Rights; Corazon Soliman, former secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; former beauty queen Aurora Pijuan, convenor of the national barangay assembly in 2010; Karina Constantino-David, former chairman of the Civil Service Commission under the Arroyo administration; singer Leah Navarro, co-convener of the Black and White Movement that opposed former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Imelda Nicolas, former chairman of the Commission of Filipinos Overseas; and Vicky Garchitorena, former president of Ayala Foundation.

The letter, addressed to Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart, cited recent actions and comments of the President and other government officials toward women as a “fundamental” reason not to hold the pageant in the country.

“This reason is the objectionable, scandalous and demeaning sexist attitude demonstrated by the newly elected leaders of our country, by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte and his cohorts towards womankind,” the letter read.

“In recent months, chauvinism, brutal shaming, rape jokes and a sweeping disregard for women as persons deserving not merely of a token but true respect has been exhibited by the President of the Philippines with his salacious and sexist comments and treatment of female reporters and opposition figures, which has carried over to his allies in the Philippine Congress,” it added.

The petitioners claimed that hosting the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines would only reinforce such attitude toward women.

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“To hold the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines at this time would serve as a reward of this intolerable behavior and excuse such behavior,” the letter went on. “It would reinforce a troubling trend in our society. It would make your organization a partner to these backward and dangerous steps, which are serious violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).”

Among the 58 individuals who have signed the petition are former government officials, businesswomen, human rights advocates, members of non-government organizations, professors and concerned citizens.

The petition, which was also posted on Facebook, gained both support and criticism from netizens.

In a statement, the Department of Tourism (DOT) asserted that hosting the Miss Universe pageant would be a “great honor” for the Philippines.

The agency also maintained that the international exposure that the Philippines would get from hosting the pageant would benefit the local tourism sector.

“While the DOT gives due respect to such opinion as signified by a group of women leaders and concerned citizens, we assure everyone that we deem it a great honor to host the distinguished event that portrays the most beautiful and talented women with highest regard,” the DOT said.

“In this light, the DOT expresses its utmost gratitude to the Miss Universe Organization for giving us the great opportunity to treat the world to genuine Filipino hospitality,” it added.

Israel willing to assist Philippines versus war on illegal drugs

• Features
• Envoys & Expats

by Rodel Alzona - October 8, 2016, Business Mirror

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In Photo: Israel Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau.

ISRAEL is willing to work with the Philippine government in its campaign to rid the country of what it has termed as a widespread drug menace that is affecting millions of Filipinos.

Israel Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau said no country is spared of the illegal-drugs problem and that they are willing to cooperate and share their know-how in handling the issue with the administration of President Duterte.

“The illegal-drugs trade is global.  It is an industry that is present and being distributed worldwide. It is a constant struggle against its supply and infrastructure.  We are willing to share information and best practices. We can all learn from one another,” Matityau said.

He added: “Socially and economically, illegal drugs combine to make a disaster.  It is a major destabilizer of society.  It can destroy families.”

Matityau even said in the Middle East, the spread of illegal drugs can even be directly related to terrorist groups.

However, Matityau said the problem of illegal drugs differs from one country to another and that there is no singular solution to the menace.

“The nature of illegal drugs varies in every country.  You cannot copy what is being done in another country but you can learn elements, methodology and techniques from them,” he said.

Matityau said the best solution toward controlling the illegal-drugs problem is through education, as he believes it can act as a preventive measure in its use spread.

He also said to reduce the number of drug users, there has to be a deep level of cooperation between the government and non-governmental organizations.

Still, Matityau said they are able to control the drug menace from spreading in their country through good police work.

“We are a small society of just 8 million people. It is not a major epidemic. Still, law-enforcement operation is vital and gathering of intelligence is a serious issue,” he said, while adding that in principle they do not have a death penalty in their country even for terrorists.

According to Matityau, the youth in Israel are the most vulnerable to the drug menace.

“They young are very impressionable young people.  It is not a major percentage but it can get serious from time-to-time,” he said.

After drawing the anger of the international Jewish community, President Duterte has apologized for drawing a parallel to how Adolf Hitler massacred 6 million Jews during World War II and his plans to kill 3 million Filipinos who use or are involved in illegal drugs.

Just drop me a line!

TUE, OCTOBER 4, 2016 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

“Drop me a line while you’re away” has been one of the most listened to phrases in my life. Yes, I confess, I’ve been always a restless contemporary, who needed to go “somewhere out there” after a couple of days spending with a computer. And, NO LAPTOP, if I am taking my time out. Amazing for many, but it’s really true! Living hidden away – but just to finish some more write ups – has been always okay. But then, I need to go out again and meet people.

When the MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR is hitting the roads, I’ll be staying in Manila for almost a week. I am looking forward to several events and meetings. Celebrating the German National Day of Unity (October 3) in Manila with several diplomatic people is an old annual tradition and a chance to talk with important people about everything under the sun.

Talking about the sun: my problem before –  if somewhere has been very beautiful, my impulse to live there permanently let me quite a to-do about it.

Once upon a time: vacation in Italy. I even enjoyed the nasty weather and decided to stay here for good. I loved (and still love) the Italian language, the Italian pasta, the landscaping, which is really beautiful. One can enjoy real blooming lemon trees.

Vacation in Scandinavia. At that time, I was pretty sure, that this should be my future place, clean air, no pollution, and heaven’s width, mountains and dream lakes.

Vacation in France, and, I knew I couldn’t survive any more without blooming lavender fields, secluded  valleys  and castles nearly falling into ruins. Here, I’ll keep animals for breeding and enjoy my red wine while writing the long awaited book entitled “My Way”. Mmmh, no way…. I am not yet finished.

New York, and, I really enjoyed everything without respite: life, different languages, different people, great variety, explicit restaurants, malls, and a breathtaking view of life and always-new ideas of incredible lifestyle. Let’s rent an apartment in Manhattan and let’s all forget the pendants, sticklers and small-time fellows. Sure, it’s not cheap, but many a mickle makes a muckle….

Yes, I am really blessed having been in many countries around the globe. But guys, I also found out that life isn’t content with dreams only. Reality meant moving up to almost 20-times, the last with  several containers via Singapore to Davao City.

Now I stay here for good and you can tell me anything. I am happy. Just from time to time I still need a lonely island beach and the ocean.

Drop me a line, while you’re away. Yes, sure! Many times I have forgotten to do so. Before  as a globe trotter, and even  now,  as an expatriate living in the Philippines for good…..

+++

Email: doringklaus @gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit one of my web sites www.germanex patinthephilippines.blog spot.com or www.klaus doringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.

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QC Police Department has Krista Miller's Drug Clients' List

QCPD has Krista Miller’s drug clients’ list, checks her link to Bilibid drugs

By: Maricar Brizuela / @mbrizuelaINQ

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 12:44 AM October 04, 2016

Krista Miller poses for her mugshot (Photo from the Quezon City Police District)

MANILA — The Quezon City Police District is now investigating just how big the drug network actress Krista Miller has worked for and in, according to the QCPD chief, Senior Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar.

The actress known for her roles in the sex-themed films “Hukluban” and “Kabaro” was embroiled in a controversy in 2014 when she was caught on camera visiting convicted drug lord Ricardo Camata in a hospital. She denied doing sexual favors nor delivering drugs to Camata saying she was just offering him a condominium she was selling.

Asked if Camata was indeed the source of the drugs that Miller was selling, Eleazar said police have been looking into that information.

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“We are looking into how broad her network is,” the QCPD director added. He also mentioned that Miller has given him a list of clients, including celebrities.

Miller’s arrest was a low point in her scandal-tainted life of late, which included getting dragged as a third party in the separation of celebrity couple Sunshine Cruz and Cesar Montano in 2013.

Miller was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Friday night after she was identified by two arrested female models for a men’s magazine as their source of shabu.

In a press conference at Camp Karingal on Monday, the QCPD chief, Senior Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, said the 26-year-old actress, whose real name is Krystalyn Engle, was nabbed during a follow-up operation in Valenzuela City on Friday night.

Operatives of the District Anti-Illegal Drugs (DAID) unit scheduled a purchase with Miller and her cohort Aaron Medina at around9:10 p.m. at the Shell Station along General Tiburcio de Leon Street near Santolan Road.

The undercover policemen were able to buy a sachet of shabu costing P3,000 from Miller and Medina. They were immediately arrested after the trade was completed.

Eleazar said the operation on Miller was carried out after the two female men’s magazine models pinpointed her as their seller of shabu.

Liaa Alelin Bolla, 24, and Jeramie Padolina, 30, were arrested in drug bust early Friday in a house located at 21 A. Luna Street, Bagumbahay in Project 4. Residents in the area reported to the police that the residence was being used as a place to sell drugs and where customers flock daily.

Policemen from the QCPD Station 8 conducted a buy-bust operation and nabbed the owner of the house John Inri Barros and two other sellers Justine Del Rosario and Renato Hernandez Jr. The two models were also discovered inside the residence and the police found illegal drugs and other parahernalia from their possession.

Seized from the five suspects were seven sachets of shabu, a sachet of marijuana, aluminum foil strips and an improvised glass tube pipe.

Aside from these evidence, the police also gathered vital information from the suspects about their suppliers of shabu. Bolla and Padolina pointed at Miller while the three male suspects identified couple Ambay and Muhiddin Sandigan as their source of illegal drugs.

The husband and wife were arrested in a follow-up operation on Saturday in Brgy. Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City. They are said to be known suppliers to other sellers in Quezon City.

Miller, who was asked for a reaction on her arrest, told members of the media on Monday that she did not want to comment on her arrest.

Bolla, however, confirmed that she personally knew Miller and bought shabu from her.

Miller and the five male suspects arrested have been charged with peddling illegal drugs while the two models, Bolla and Padolina, were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. The authorities also said Miller tested positive for drugs.  SFM

Cayetano Pushes for Longer Philippine Passport Validity

Office of the Senator

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 602 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

04 October 2016

Cayetano pushes for longer PH passport validity

Calls for a hassle-free passport application process

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is pushing for the establishment of a seamless and hassle-free processing of passports for Filipinos here and abroad.

The senator on Tuesday (October 4) expressed his support to lengthen the validity of Philippine passports from five to ten (10) years. Cayetano chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which conducted its first public hearing on the proposed measures to extend the validity of passports.

This proposal is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier directive to amend Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise known as the Philippine Passport Act of 1996, which sets the validity of passports to five years.

The President, in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), lamented how Filipino passport applicants have to endure long lines or even stay overnight as the government can only cater to a limited number of applicants per day.

The senator stressed the need to simplify the application system in order to ease the people’s burden of having to renew their passports every five years, and to prevent backlogs and delays in the issuance of passports.

“We’re here to have the first low-lying fruit output from the legislative and the executive, which is the issuance of passports – how to make it easier,” Cayetano said.

The senator also stressed the need to make the passport application process easier for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and other marginalized groups, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.

“OFWs, PWDs, and senior citizens should be given priority, not because they want special treatment, but because they have special needs,” Cayetano explained.

Cayetano said OFWs in particular should be given priority because any delay in the processing of their travel documents could cost them their jobs abroad.

He said he plans to visit the one-stop center for OFWs located in Clark, Pampanga in November to see how the systems and services can still be improved to address migrant workers’ concerns.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay also backed the proposal to extend the validity of Philippine passports. “Let me just say that the Department of Foreign Affairs has no objection to the proposal to increase the validity of passport from five years to 10 years,” he said during Tuesday's hearing. #

CAPTION:

Tuesday (October 4) - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano leads the first public hearing on proposals to extend the validity of Philippine passports from five to ten years. The senator is pushing for the establishment of a hassle-free application process to prevent delays and ease the burden of Filipino passport applicants.#