April 1 - 15, 2019
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY
Life etc.
by Jun Cordero
The quiet little rich kingdom of
Brunei suddenly became the focus of
wrath of the world’s zealous human-
rights advocates when it announced
the new imposition of stricter “Sharia
law” - that is the Islamic religious law.
Many of us are already familiar with
some of it, like the cutting of hands
when caught stealing.
This Islamic law is as old as the
religion itself and the civilized world is
well aware of it, and had accepted it
as it is, so what’s the big fuss now?
Really it’s the gay community that’s
behind all this new commotion when
the country proclaimed that homo-
sexuality is punishable by stoning to
death.
Celebrities like George Clooney,
Elton John and Ellen Degeneres are
further stirring the pot by calling a
boycott to all the worldwide hotels
owned by the Sultan of Brunei. Years
ago, author Salman Rushdie angered
LOCAL NEWS
Hypocrita eice - oops, pardon my Latin
the Muslim world who accused him
of dishonoring the prophet Muham-
mad in his book. During that time
the Ayatollah of Iran issued a “fatwa”
- which is like a court order - ordering
his execution by any Muslim, wher-
ever he is. I don’t remember any of
these celebrities making any sound.
Now that it’s about the gay commu-
nity these people have become auda-
cious for something that really does
not directly concern them.
An Islamic country like Brunei is
expected to follow whatever laws their
religion dictates so why is the world
condemning it. The problem with the
so-called “Christian” world is that they
do and justify whatever they want to do
even in blatant disregard and mock-
ery of our own Christian doctrine, and
nobody condemns them.
As what Jesus said to the crowd
who wanted to stone the harlot to
death, “you who have no sin cast the
first stone.” In the pretext of so-called
humanitarian reasons these human-
rights activists - and celebrities - are
so bent in their heroic condemnation
of a small country’s affair that they
forgot they have the worse sins them-
selves. What a bunch of hypocrites -
hypocrita eice.
In another development in the
same region, this one in Kuala Lum-
pur, Malaysia. Mr. Najib Razak, the
former prime minister is on trial for
pocketing more than US$600 mil-
lion from the country’s development
funds. His wife, Rosmah Mansor, has
been arrested and being tried as well.
So Long, Santa
COMING TOGETHER. A reunion of classmates in Bella Vista , from left,
seated, Sister Marilou Noel, the author, Liler CalderonClemente, Alice
Canlas Avancena. Standing: Aida Sevilla, Linda Los Banos Cajucom,
Dian Cruz Regudo, Beth Javier Africa, and Dr. Chona Abella Relloza.
sion of operations and/or cancellation
of license or accreditation.
4. Since 2016, POGO operations
have been contributing significantly to
PAGCOR’s overall revenues— which
eventually go to the government’s
coffers and various mandated ben-
eficiaries. In 2016, POGO operations
generated P657 million followed by
P3.924 billion in 2017 and P7.365 bil-
lion in 2018.
POGO Licensees are required
to uphold responsible gaming in the
conduct of their operations and pro-
duction of games.
In summary, we think that the
developing offshore gaming industry
should be regulated but not without
the aid of appropriate government
agencies. Technical working group
discussions and inter-agency commu-
nications are being observed among
government agencies such as the Bu-
reau of Internal Revenue, Department
of Labor and Employment, Bureau of
Immigration and other law enforce-
ment agencies such as the Philippine
National Police and the National Bu-
reau of Investigation.
PAGCOR stresses that it takes
part in this inter-agency coordination
by providing requested information
necessary for the fulfillment of man-
date of the concerned government
agency.
5. PAGCOR also expressed its
commitment to uphold the integrity
of gaming in the country. By partak-
ing in inter-agency efforts in regu-
lating offshore gaming operations,
PAGCOR has always supported the
government’s policy of equitable and
progressive taxation, lawful employ-
ment, and promotion of public wel-
fare. (Reprinted from manila Bulletin)
WWW.PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY.COM
A raid in the couple’s home turned
up millions of assets, including more
than US$15 million in luxury goods,
all from country’s funds.
Why is this scene so familiar?
The parallel with our own Marcos dy-
nasty only ends up to the similarity of
the scandal. The difference is that the
current Malaysian government is bent
on pursuing to recoup all the money,
and with the help of the US govern-
ment too. Funny, in the Philippines
the people even elected and put back
the culprits in high seats of govern-
ment. Are we civilized or nuts?