SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014

ww

w.kuw

aittimes.net

02 03Maricel Sabuero wins ‘FPJPI search’

Page 06Kailan sakto ang porma/hugis ng ating kasaysayan?

Aquino: Supreme Courtmeddling too much

MANILA: In this Friday, July 18, 2014 photo, a contingent of Philippine U.N. Peacekeepers march past the grandstand during a turnover-of-command ceremony for the new Armed Forces chief at Camp Aguinaldo at suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. Philippinesoldiers were in tense standoff with the rebels, according to the two Pacific nations. Philippines remained hopeful the impasse could beresolved without bloodshed. Philippines President Benigno Aquino III said that while the situation remained tense, there was no reason tobelieve his troops faced immediate danger. —AP

MANILA: The New York Times has cautionedPresident Aquino against seeking reelection purport-edly to continue reforms and clip the powers of thejudiciary, saying “he should stop butting heads withthe court and gracefully step down when his term isup.” In an editorial titled “Political Mischief in thePhilippines” published online on Thursday, the NewYork Times said Aquino’s giving a hint at running in2016 and limiting the powers of the judiciary throughCharter change were “threats” that could “jeopardizePhilippine democracy.” The daily reminded thePresident that it was during the administration of hismother, the late Corazon Aquino, that the current1987 Constitution was adopted. The editorial also cit-ed the sacrifices of his father and namesake in theanti-Marcos dictatorship struggle.

NYT slams Noy over 2nd term, clipping SC powers

MANILA: Education Secretary Armin Luistro saidyesterday the Department of Education has notabandoned its development of “God-loving learn-ers” and denied having been pressured by anygroup to alter the department’s vision statementby dropping the adjective “God-loving.”

In a statement, Luistro said that explanationsabout the removal last year of the “God-loving”term from the DepEd’s vision statement had been“mistakenly” attributed to him.

“Recent media reports (not from the Inquirer)have been mistakenly attributed to me claiming,‘the God-loving phrase was removed from thedepartment’s vision to be fair to Filipinos who maysubscribe to other beliefs and principles.’ I had notissued any statement to that effect. This attributionis completely false,” he said.

He also denied having spoken to or communi-cated with any group that “pressured” the depart-ment to change its statement of vision, mission,and core values. He particularly cited a February 5,2013 open letter by the group Filipino Freethinkersto the DepEd which was posted on its Twitteraccount. “I have not had the occasion to interactwith any of these groups on this matter,” Luistrosaid. —Inquirer.net

Luistro says, DepEd still for

‘God-fearing’ learners

MANILA: Philippine UN peacekeepers in the GolanHeights clashed with Syrian rebels yesterday, DefenceMinister Voltaire Gazmin said in Manila.

He said in an SMS statement to reporters that theFilipino troops had been “extricated” from one of theirtwo positions but added that another group of Filipinosoldiers “is now under attack”. He was referring to twopositions on the Golan Heights where more than 70Filipino troops had previously been surrounded by Syrianrebels.

The peacekeepers were besieged by rebels onThursday but defied demands that they give up theirweapons. On Friday Syrian fighters took 43 Fijian soldiershostage on the Golan Heights. Asked if there was a freshfirefight yesterday, Gazmin replied: “Yes”.

He said the clash took place at “6am, Syria time,” butadded that “morale is high” among the troops.

Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel RamonZagala later told AFP that “there is still an ongoing stand-off but there was a firefight earlier today”.

“All our troops are safe,” he said, adding that thedefence minister and head of the military were monitor-ing developments. He declined to elaborate further onthe incident.

Earlier yesterday, a spokeswoman for PresidentBenigno Aquino said he was “keeping a close watch” onthe fate of the troops who were serving as part of thepeacekeeping force on the Golan Heights.

The Philippine military earlier said there were 75besieged troops but the UN later said there were only 72.

The head of Filipino troops on UN missions ColonelRoberto Ancan said in Manila on Friday that “we can usedeadly force in defence of the UN facilities”.

Syrian rebels, including fighters from the Al-Qaedaaffiliate Al-Nusra Front, stormed a Golan Heights cross-ing on Wednesday, sparking an exchange of gunfire withIsraeli troops.

The rebels then captured 44 Fijian members of theUN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on theSyrian side on Thursday, forcing them to surrender theirweapons and taking them hostage.

Ancan said the rebels then used an English-speakingFijian hostage to relay their demand to the Filipinopeacekeepers to give up their weapons, but theyrefused.

Filipino UN peacekeepers in Golan clash with Syrian rebels: Govt

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014 2

KUWAIT: Th e O F W M ove m e nt fo r Pe a ce, J u s t i ce &Progress Inc (FPJPI) Kuwait Chapter celebrated their sec-ond founding anniversary with the ‘Search for Miss OFWMovement FPJPI, Kuwait Chapter 2014’. The event, whichwas recently held at the Asia Asia Royal Grand Ballroom,Kuwait City, was attended by Philippine Labor Attache to

Kuwait ( POLO/ OWWA-head) Atty Ceasar Chavez withwife Gwen.

Chavez and Philippine Embassy Vice Consul Atty SheinaTesorero delivered inspirational messages and encouragedOFWs to set their goals and work for it. At the end of the event,Maricel Sabuero was crowned Miss OFW Movement (FPJPI )

Kuwait Chapter 2014. Rosecel Supatan bagged first runner upfollowed by Joyce B. Claridad, second, Sharon Dionisio whocame third and Nancy D. Malunes fourth runner up. Vanessa S.Galila, President of OFW Movement for Peace (FPJPI) KuwaitChapter, would like to thank all participants/well-wishers, spon-sors and visitors who graced their two-half-hour event.

Maricel Sabuero wins ‘FPJPI search’

Maricel Sabuero Rosecel Supatan Joyce B. Claridad Sharon Dionisio Nancy D. Malunes

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014 3

MANILA: Philippine President Benigno AquinoIII said Thursday that the Supreme Court med-dles too much in political issues, reiterating hewas open to amend the constitution to clip thejudiciary’s power.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria LourdesSereno, an appointee of Aquino, said she hadenormous respect for him and the court wouldonly respond to political and constitutionalquestions through its rulings. The president pre-viously criticized the court’s June 30 rulingdeclaring his government’s enforcement of amajor economic stimulus program partly uncon-stitutional. In an interview with Manila’s BomboRadyo, Aquino complained that the SupremeCourt “is meddling in everything and their med-dling is making it more difficult to run the gov-ernment.” “Perhaps judicial reach needs to bereviewed and limited,” he added.

The 1987 constitution - drafted whileAquino’s mother, the late democracy iconCorazon Aquino, was president after the countryemerged from dictatorship - says judicial powerincludes the duty “to determine whether or not

there has been a grave abuse of discretionamounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction onthe part of any branch or instrumentality of theGovernment.”

Aquino said such judicial review powershould be used sparingly and with restraint“but what seems to be is happening now is it

is used often.”In an annual forum with journalists, Sereno

said the pressure on her office is enormous on adaily basis.

“That’s why it is important for me to upholdthe independence of my office on a daily basis,”she said. “It is important that the people see thechief justice has the constitution first and fore-most on her mind.”

She also expressed hopes that the peoplewill see that “it is in their interest to promote astrong and independent judiciary” and that thecitizens will have no redress if the judiciary isweak.

Sereno also appealed for more funding forjudicial reforms, complaining that the courtreceives a meager budget.

The Supreme Court is trying to speed up thedisposition of cases in the country, which has ahistory of long litigation. Sereno said electronicfiling of cases, creation of courts that do continu-ous trials and finishing quickly small claims casesthrough specialized courts are among thereforms being made.—AP

Aquino: Supreme Court meddling too much

MANILA: Philippine Supreme CourtChief Justice Maria Lourdes Serenoanswers a reporter’s questions inManila, Philippines on Thursday.—AP

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014 4

By Albert Dimaculangan

KUWAIT: Organized by Pinoy Talent Kuwait(PTQ8) the Little Mr. & Ms. Philippines-Kuwait2014 (Season 2) ‘The Superheroes’ concludedlast Friday at the Discovery Mall Live Theaterwith the following winners:Little Mr. Philippines-Kuwait 2014Mr. Nathaniel Y. AvilaLittle Mr.Philippines-Kuwait 20141st Runner UpMr.Abdel Aziz Mohamed Khattab

Little Mr. Philippines-Kuwait 20142nd Runner UpMr. Mark Laurence BolambotLittle Mr. Philippines-Kuwait 20143rd Runner UpMr. Christian Kyle FortunadoLittle Mr.Philippines-Kuwait 20144th Runner UpMr. Lord Jianne P. Dela Rosa

Next Little Ms. Philippines-Kuwait 2014Ms. Vanessa Jane Ginete

Little Ms.Philippines-Kuwait 20141st Runner UpMs. Brooke Marie Gelig BergerLittle Ms.Philippines-Kuwait 20142nd Runner UpMs. Khairiya Abdullah AlkandariLittle Ms.Philippines-Kuwait 20143rd Runner UpMs. Sahra Barangan PlanaLittle Ms.Philippines-Kuwait 20144th Runner UpMs. Kate Joelle Barcenas

Avila & Ginete win ‘Little Mr. & Ms. Philippines-Kuwait 2014’Photos by Albert Dimaculangan

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014 5

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014 6Balitang Showbiz Plus

Chika- chika lang Ito... Tong-tong pakitong kitong ang tamaan huwag magalit ang pumiyok ay Concernnnnnnn!...

Mga Kababayan OFW’s...sa mga balita-balita ngayon na paulit-ulit nalang...mga balitang binabaliwala ang iba kasi sa atin pagkasamamga girlalo vice versa feeling Kapamilya na at totoong lalakwi at

babavoon... Napapasin ko feeling iba dyan wala sa totong pagiisip, ang ibakagandahan modelong kamatis.. Hellooo! Kabayan abroad.. dapat maman-sid at magtanong kung tama ang pinaggagawa, akala aabot na saBikol..kawawa ang punla! Saka sisigaw..tulong govt.. kung bubuhusan kokayong kumukulong sabaw..haaynaku!

lll

Napilitan si Miguel Tanfelix nasumakay sa MRT noong Huwebespara hindi siya mahuli sa farewellpresscon ng Nino, ang primetimedrama series ng GMA 7 na mag-wawakas sa susunod na buwan.Nagsosolo na sumakay sa MRT siMiguel mula sa Magallanes stationhanggang sa GMA 7 station dahilang tiyo niya ang nagmaneho ngkanilang sasakyan na naghatid sakanya sa MRT station at sumunodna lang sa Kapuso TV station.Ikinuwento ni Miguel na nakilalaito ng mga pasahero ng MRT nanagpakuha ng litrato na kasamasiya at tumatawag sa kanya ng Nino, ang pangalan niya sa top rating prime-time program ng GMA 7. Malaki ang pasasalamat ni Miguel sa malakingoportunidad na maging bida ng Nino na ipinagkatiwala ng home studioniya.

lll

Aba, kakasulat ko pa lang tungkol sa pang-iisnab daw ni Tom Rodriguezsa mga fan na dumayo sa Sunday All Stars, heto at nakarating na naman sa

akin sa pang-iisnab daw ulit ni Tom samga fan naman na mula sa Davao,kung saan nanggaling si Tomkamakailan lang.

Sabi, hindi rin daw pinansin ni Tomang ilang fans doon na gustong mag-pa-picture sa kanya. Sa nakuha nam-ing impormasyon ay ang handler nanaman daw ni Tom ang culprit. Kungtotoo man ito, ay dapat pangaralan ngmanager ni Tom ang mga handler nanakakasira sa image ng mga talentnila na walang kamalay-malay nanasisira dahil lang sa mga pagtataraynila.

Lalo na ngayon na maganda angfeedback ng programa ni Tom na ckung saan kasama niya ang rumoredgirlfriend na si Carla Abellana.

Tapos may bagong game showpang iho-host si Tom na hindi pa manumeere ay baka makasira sa kanyaang mga negang balita.—Abante

Tom, anu na? Lumaki na ba ang ulo?

Ni Bong Pagutayaopanorama@kuwaittimes.net

BengarciaFILES

Ni Ben Garciabengarcia@kuwaittimes.net

Noong Miyerkules nabuo angNational TransformationCouncil (NTC) sa Lipa City sa

Batanggas. Doon pinirmahan angisang declaration na kilala sa tawagna Lipa Declaration. Sa ulat ngManila Times ito ang nakasaad saLipa Declaration, “[We] have lost alltrust and confidence in PresidentBenigno Simeon Aquino 3rd, and wecall upon him to immediately relin-quish his position.”

“Far from preserving and defend-ing the Constitution, as he swore todo when he assumed office, theincumbent President BenignoSimeon Aquino has subverted andviolated it by corrupting Congress,intimidating the judiciary, takingover the treasury, manipulating theautomated voting system, and per-verting the constitutional impeach-ment process,” they said in a state-ment.

“President Benigno SimeonAquino 3rd has also damaged themoral fabric of Philippine Society bybribing members of Congress notonly to impeach and remove a sit-ting Supreme Court Chief Justice butalso to enact a law which disrespectsthe right to life of human being atthe earliest and most vulnerablestages of their lives, in defiance notonly of the constitution but above allof the moral law, the customs, cul-ture, and consciences of Filipinos,”ang sabi nila sa pulong na iyon.Kung pag-aaralan ninyo ang LipaDeclaration, tila nga mayroong lalimang grupong ito. Pero saan kayadadalhin nito ang Pilipinas? Tamalang naman na mayroong mga gani-tong grupo na hindi nagsasawangtingnan ang mga ills ng bansa. Hindiito naiba sa grupong nanguna sapagpapabagsak ng Marcos Regimeat ng Estrada administration. At angpanawagan nila sa pagbibitiw ni dat-ing Pangulong Arroyo noon. Sangayon, with only few remainingmonths of Aquino administration,lumutang ang grupong ito at angpanawagan nila ay pagbaba satungkulin ni Aquino.

Iba ang panahon ngayon. Kontingtao ang lumalabas sa kalsada upangmanawagan sa pagbaba sa puwesto

ni Aquino. Base sa mga surveysmajority pa rin ng taumbayanumano ang todo suporta kayAquino. Hindi gaanong maingay angmedia agaist this administration,kaya walang gaanong ingay anggrupong ito nang mabuo ang LipaDeclaration.

Ayon sa lumabas na balita, angprograma ay hudyat sa magigingpapel umano ng transformationcouncil sa bansa. Biruin mo siRicardo Cardinal Vidal ang nangunasa hanay ng simbahan, habang si Dr.Kamil Unda ang nanguna sa gruponaman ng mga kapatiran natin saMuslim. Si Rev. Arthur Corpuz angrepresentante ng Protestant church.Naroroon din umano sa pulong naiyon si Archbishop Fernando Capalla,ang dating chairman ng CatholicBishops’ Conference of thePhilippines. Si Capalla ang nag-pre-senta ng umano’y naging papel ngCatholic Church, particularly sa EDSA2 kung saan bumagsak ang Estradaregime. Si Lipa Archbishop RamonArguelles, ang nanawagan sa mgaPilipino na kumilos na ngayon at hin-di dapat umano mag-hintay kunghuli na ang lahat!

Ang kagandahan sa rally na iyon,ay ang pagtalakay nila sa umano’y sis-temang patuloy na nagpapahirapngayon sa bansa, ang sistemang pres-idential; ang sabi nila, dapat dawpalakasin ang sistemang presidentialo mag-shift na lamang umano angbansa sa parliamentary form of gov-ernment. Ano na naman kayang extrajudicial, extra constitutional ‘happen-ings’ ang naghihintay sa bansa?Habang patuloy kasi tayo sa pagtahaksa liku-likong daan, at habang patuloyna binabale-wala ng mga nasakapangyarihan/katungkulan ang pan-gangailangan natin bilang lahingPinoy. Hindi matatapos ang mga pag-aalsa para muling iguhit at bigyan ngtamang porma/hugis ang atingkasaysayan. Hindi ibig sabihin ng mgapag-aaklas at pagpapahayag ng dis-contentment laban sa gobyerno aytuwirang pag-yurak sa atingdemokrasya. Ito ay pagpapakita ngating kamalayan/pagpapahalaga sakalagayan/kalayaan at pagmamahalsa Inang Bansa!

Kailan sakto ang porma/hugis ng ating kasaysayan?

Miguel

Tom

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014 7

The five FBC badminton courts are fully packed with boththe Morning and Afternoon participants enjoying the cleanand organized badminton courts.

Meanwhile, FBC President Regine Panesal announces theschedule of the awarding ceremonies for the 45th & 48th bad-minton tournament that will be held on Sept.5 at KuwaitDisabled Sports Club gym at 11:30 in the morning.

Also , FBC Chairman Dr. Chie Umandap formally announcedthe launching of its FBC Membership I.D. registration.

Members who registered and avail of their Member’s ID will begiven a 25% discount on their tournament registration, up to25% discounts or freebies from participating establishments inKuwait and in the Philippines and 25,000 pesos cash burialassistance insurance.

FBC would like to express its sincere gratiude to their sponsorsnamely Alghanim National, Al Muzaini Exchange, Bhasin Co., AliCafe, ADM International, Al Alamia International Manpower andRawan Salon.

FBC’s 49TH tourney officer’s cup enters 3rd weekAl-Ghanim National & Al Muzaini sponsors 50th tourney

KUWAIT: The FBC’s 49th Badminton Tournament enters its 3 week of elimination at Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, Bin KhaldounStreet in Hawally.

Filipino ZumbaAssociation continues KUWAIT: The Filipino Zumba Association in Kuwait (FZA-K)continues Zumba session at the Disabled Sports Club inHawally. The Zumba class under FZA-K Chairperson DoloresElenany is held every Friday from 10am to 11am and is open toall Zumba enthusiasts. Those who want to join may call FZA-Kfinance director Marisol Al-Failakawi on 51155266 for the regis-tration details.

MANILA: The Philippine governmentremains confident that despite beingranked as among the lightweights in theFiba Basketball World Cup, Gilas Pilipinaswill prove those who underestimate itwrong.

Earlier this week, Gilas Pilipinas wasranked 23rd out of the 24 nations compet-ing in the World Cup by theEntertainment and Sports ProgrammingNetwork (ESPN).

“Naipakita naman ho ng ating koponan‘yung kanilang gilas, at ‘yung puso po nilaimportantly. And I know that they willprove that ranking wrong,” deputy presi-dential spokesperson Abigail Valte said onradio.

(Our team has shown their gallantryand heart, more importantly. And I knowthat they will prove that ranking wrong.)

Valte assured the Gilas Pilipinas that“the basketball-loving Filipinos” would beon their side despite being an underdog.

“Goodluck to our Gilas players. Even ifyou are already in Madrid, know that allthe basketball-loving Filipinos are in yourcorner and are cheering for you with allour hearts,” she said.

Gilas Pilipinas will have their first gameagainst Croatia Saturday evening (Manilatime).

The team will take on Greece onSeptember 1, Argentina also on September 1,Puerto Rico on September 3, and Senegal onSeptember 4 for the preliminary round of thetournament. —Inquirer.net

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014

Al-Ghanim National &Al Muzaini sponsors

50th tourney

Page 7

MANILA: Manny Pacquiao has expressedinterest in recruiting former NBA All StarMetta World Peace to the Filipino boxingchampion’s newest venture - professional bas-ketball.

Pacquiao has become playing coach of thenewly-formed KIA Sorentos in the PhilippineBasketball Association, adding to his othercareers as a world champion boxer and localcongressman.

Local media this week quoted Pacquiaosaying he intended to speak to the 34-year-old forward about joining the expansionteam.

“He’s okay. He’s my friend,” The PhilippineStar quoted Pacquiao as saying of WorldPeace, whom he first met in Los Angeles in2009 ahead of his fight against Miguel Cotto.

“We need a good import,” he said. “If weget him that would be nice.”

World Peace, who changed his name fromRon Artest, is currently playing for the SichuanBlue Whales in the Chinese BasketballAssociation after a long NBA career which

included stints with the Chicago Bulls, LosAngeles Lakers and New York Knicks.

Early in his NBA career, he was known asmuch for a series of controversies - mostnotably the fist-fight with fans at an IndianaPacers-Detroit Pistons game - as he was for hison-field talent.

Pacquiao is currently in the United Stateson a promotional tour for his WBO welter-weight title defense against American ChrisAlgieri on Nov. 22 in Macau.

At 5 feet 6 inches (169 centimers) tall,Pacquiao does not have the typical dimen-sions of a basketball player, but is a big fan ofthe sport and has funded the construction ofcourts in rural communities in his southernhome province of Sarangani where he some-times plays with the locals.

Also this week, Pacquiao said that he haspartnered with a Chinese company and theChinese government to set up the MannyPacquiao Boxing Education Institute in Chinato impart the experience that has given himeight world titles.

Pacquiao eyeing World Peace for his hoop team

MACAU: WBO Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, left, of the Philippines, andWBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri of United States, right, pose forphotographers during a news conference in Macau, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. The box-ers are scheduled to battle in WBO welterweight title match at The Venetian Macaoon Nov. 23 in Macau.—AP

Underdog Gilas will prove doubters wrong: Palace

NEW YORK: In this file photo, Brooklyn Nets’ Andray Blatche, left, tries to move past New York Knicks’ Tyson Chandler during an NBAbasketball game in New York. The veteran center is an NBA free agent at the moment but currently has a job as the man in the middlefor the Philippines, at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. (Inset) Gilas Pilipinas Team at their recent FIBA Basketball World Cup game. —AP