MANILA: A bruising presidential campaign wasdrawing to a close in the Philippines yesterday,with a last-minute attempt by the president tounify candidates against a front-running mayorperceived as a threat to democracy virtually col-lapsing. After crisscrossing the archipelagonation for three months, five presidential candi-dates led by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will con-verge in the vote-rich capital Manila for theirfinal rallies ahead of Monday’s vote.

On the eve of the final day of campaigning,President Benigno Aquino III made a desperatecall on candidates to agree to an alliance todefeat the brash Duterte, who has been likenedto U.S. Republican front-runner Donald Trumpfor his controversial remarks but has toppedpre-poll surveys.

Duterte’s 30-point lead in surveys can beovercome if his trailing rivals - mainly formerInterior Secretary Mar Roxas and Sen. Grace Poe- join hands, Aquino said, implying that some ofthem should back out and support a singleaspirant. Under the Philippine electoral system,a candidate who gets the most votes is pro-claimed the winner, even if no one gets amajority.

Poe, however, refused an invitation by Roxas,who has been backed by Aquino, to meet anddiscuss an arrangement where she would beforced to back out. Vice President Jejomar Binayalso stated he would not step aside. Sen.Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who has trailed farbehind in surveys, has also vowed never to sur-render. Duterte’s camp said calls for an allianceagainst him “reeks of stench of defeat.”

“It’s an admission that a victory by MayorRodrigo Duterte has virtually becomeinevitable,” said the mayor’s national campaignmanager Leoncio Evasco Jr.

A longtime mayor of southern Davao city,the 71-year-old Duterte courted controversywith his profanity-laden speeches, vulgar jokesand devil-may-care irreverence but has suc-

cessfully tapped into public insecurities with abold promise to wipe out crime and corrup-tion in three to six months if he is elected.

Aquino, business executives and churchleaders felt that he crossed the line when hejoked about wanting to have raped first anAustralian missionary, who was gang rapedand brutally killed by inmates in a 1989 jailriot. When the Australian and U.S. ambassa-dors sniped at his joke, Duterte asked them toshut up and expressed openness at the possi-bility of severing ties with major Western alliesif he wins the presidency. He also has threat-

ened to close Congress if lawmakers try toimpeach him if he wins next week and hassaid he would allow Marxist guerrillas to play apolitical role in his government.

A senator has threatened to immediatelytry to impeach Duterte if he becomes presi-dent. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has filed a cor-ruption complaint alleging the mayor hirednon-existent employees and kept a hugeamount in a joint bank account with hisdaughter that he did not declare publicly in2014, as required by law. Duterte has deniedany wrongdoing. — AP

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02 04New officers of Philippine

Combat Guardians Elite

Brotherhood swears-in

Page 05The Gym Team holds Zumba and EMS orientation-demonstration

Philippine Embassy

marks May Day

MANILA: Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte finalrally ‘miting de avance’ at Quirino Grandstand,Luneta. (Inset) Presidential candidate RodrigoDuterte answers questions from the media inManila, Philippines. — AP

PH campaign ends in panic

as Trump-like mayor leads

MANILA: Philippines - Walang balak uma-tras si Sen. Grace Poe sa karera sa pagka-pangulo sa kabila ng panawagan ni LiberalParty standard bearer Mar Roxas namagkaisa para sa bayan.

Sinabi ni Poe na para naman siya sapagkakaisa ng bayan ngunit hindi siyaaatras kung ito ang nais pag-usapan niRoxas.

“I always maintain decency, unity interms of our goal para ‘yung ating bansamaayos. Ano pa ba ang gusto niyang pag-usapan sa puntong ito?” tanong ni Poe.

Hindi ako aatras: Poe

MANILA: Imelda Marcos expressed elationover her son strong pre-election ratings inthe Philippine vice presidential race, saying“at last, truth and justice will come.”

The widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcoshelped campaign for her son Thursdaynight in a rally in suburban Mandaluyongcity where she handed out fans to closefriends with his picture and political motto:“Unity and progress.”

In the latest pre-election survey byindependent pollster Pulse Asia and com-missioned by ABS-CBN TV network, admin-istration-endorsed candidate Rep. LeniRobredo led with 30 percent while MarcosJr. trailed closely with 28 percent of the4,000 respondents. Marcos has led in previ-ous surveys. The April 26-29 survey has amargin of error of 1.5 percent.

When sought for comment on how herson, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has come closeto the seat of power her husband occupiedfor years, she told The Associated Press inan interview that her son grew up as achild in the presidential palace.

“We were there for more than 20 years.Well, it will look familiar,” she said.

Continued on Page 3

Imelda Marcos on

son’s rise: ‘Truth and

justice will come’

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 2

KUWAIT: Philippine Combat Guardians Elite Brotherhood International Inc. Founding Father/ CEO Leoncio”Master Leon” M. Corpuz Jr led his group in the Oath Taking Ceremony heldat the Philippine Embassy last Friday. The ceremony was officiated by no other than Philippine Ambassador Renato Pedro O. Villa. Congrats Combat Guardians!!!

New officers of Philippine Combat

Guardians Elite Brotherhood swears-in

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 3

Continued from Page 1

President Benigno Aquino III and humanrights victims during the Marcos dictatorshiphave campaigned against Marcos Jr., citing hisrefusal to categorically apologize for rightsabuses and economic plunder blamed on thelate leader.

Aquino’s father, a former senator whoopposed the dictatorship, was assassinated atthe Manila airport in 1983 while returningfrom U.S. exile, sparking protests that spreadand culminated in the 1986 “people power”revolt that ousted the strongman.

The dictator lived in exile with his wife andchildren in Hawaii, where he died in 1989. Hisremains were later returned to his northernPhilippine hometown of Batac, where his glasscoffin has become a tourist attraction.

Asked if Mrs. Marcos felt vindicated withher son’s strong poll ratings ahead ofMonday’s elections despite the many allega-tions against the Marcoses, she did notanswer categorically but thanked God and the

Filipino people.“At last truth and justice will come,” she

said. “Sometimes the truth and justice grindsexceedingly slow but it grinds exceedinglywell.”

Marcos is running for re-election for a seatin the House of Representatives representingher husband’s northern provincial bailiwick ofIlocos Norte. A daughter is also seeking re-election as Ilocos governor. Both are runningunopposed.

Mrs. Marcos was seen in a wheelchair in achurch in February and reportedly had beenfeeling sick around that time. She lookedupbeat, however, as close family friends greet-ed and took selfies with her at her son’s cam-paign rally late Thursday.

“I just came from Ilocos and I’m going backagain in a few hours,” she said, suggesting shewas strong enough to travel back and forthfrom Manila to the far northern province.

Mrs. Marcos said she still felt strong“because I’m only 86,” letting out a heartylaugh.— AP

Imelda Marcos on son’s rise...

MANILA: Former First Lady and now Congresswoman Imelda Marcos, center, arrives tolend support to her son Vice-presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” MarcosJr., on his last campaign rally for Monday’s presidential elections. —AP

MANILA: A U.S.-educated investmentbanker and the richest Philippine presiden-tial aspirant, Mar Roxas lacks the dramaticlife stories of his rivals, including a tough-talking mayor with a public vow to dumpcriminals in Manila Bay and a foundlingwho made it big in politics.

The scion of one of the most well-known local political clans, however, isbanking on his clean image in a SoutheastAsian country where two presidents havebeen forced out by “people power” revoltsover corruption allegations. A third remainsin detention on corruption charges.

President Benigno Aquino III, who roseto power on a promise to fight corruptionand poverty in 2010, has endorsed Roxas’scandidacy. The 58-year-old economist haspledged to continue Aquino’s “straightpath” style of governance, a sloganpraised by followers but mocked by politi-cal opponents.

Declaring Monday’s presidential elec-tions as a referendum on his “straight path”legacy, Aquino has appeared as much acandidate as Roxas as they wooed voterson the campaign trail.

“The past six years have been full of itschallenges but it’s clear that this is the far-thest we have gone as a nation,” Roxas saidlast month, adding that other nations haverecognized the upswing. “The corrupt havebeen held to account. The economy hasgrown and millions of our people can nowreach their dreams.

“This is known by countries which in thepast have regarded us as the sick man ofAsia but now call us Asia’s bright star.”

While Roxas has highlighted how thePhilippines has turned around with one ofthe fastest growth rates in Asia and madeother gains under Aquino, whom he servedin two Cabinet posts, rival candidates havedepicted the government as bungling andproducing economic gains mainly for polit-ical elites.

About a fourth of the more than 100million Filipinos remain mired in poverty.Foreign debt repayments and budget con-straints hobble infrastructure and publicservices. Under those conditions, the gov-ernment has had to constantly deal with

social restiveness. Rival candidates poundon the Filipino everyman’s daily travails -from crime to malfunctioning commutertrains to slow Internet service to one of thehighest income taxes in Asia.

Opponents accuse the government ofmishandling crises including the massivedeaths and destruction wrought byTyphoon Haiyan in 2013. Roxas, who washoled up in a hotel with the country’sdefense chief as Haiyan flattened entire vil-lages in central Tacloban city, was blamedalong with Aquino for the slow response inthe aftermath of the most ferocioustyphoon on record to hit land.

Town governments and disaster-response forces, Roxas said, were literallyswept away by tsunami-like tidal surges,holding back emergency response in thefirst few days. The government soughtinternational help led by the United Statesto deal with the deaths and devastation.

Among five presidential aspirants, Roxasis officially the richest, disclosing a networth of more than 200 million pesos ($4.2million) in 2014. His family owns a shop-ping mall complex and one of the country’smost famous sports coliseums, site of the“Thrilla in Manila,” the epic 1975 heavy-weight bout between Muhammad Ali andJoe Frazier.

A son of a senator and grandson ofPhilippine President Manuel Acuna Roxas,who served from 1946 to 1948, the bespec-tacled Roxas was thrust into politics unex-pectedly. After graduating from theWharton School of Economics at theUniversity of Pennsylvania in 1979, heworked as an investment banker for someyears in New York but suddenly returnedhome in 1993 to be with an ailing youngerbrother, a congressman who later died ofcancer.

Roxas ran in special elections and wonhis brother’s congressional seat. He easilywon a Senate seat in 2004 and has servedin the Cabinet under three presidents,including Aquino.

As trade secretary, Roxas has been cred-ited with promoting the country in early2000 as a base for international call centerand business outsourcing services; that

industry is expected to employ 1.3 millionFilipinos and produce earnings of $25 bil-lion this year. In the Senate, he worked forlegislation that brought down medicineprices and another that exempted mini-mum-wage workers from income tax.

Widely expected to make a presidentialrun in 2010, Roxas gave way to Aquino,then a senator. There was a clamor forAquino to run after his mother, democracyicon Corazon Aquino, died of cancer in2009. Roxas was criticized by opponentsafter he was photographed awkwardlycarrying sackloads of onion and rice huskand pedaling a poor man’s rickshaw in animpoverished community, in an apparenteffort to endear himself to the lower class-es. In an ice-making plant, he was pho-tographed lying on a huge block of ice inwhat he would later say was a harmlessact that was done in a light moment dur-ing a trip but was exploited by his bashers.

His rivals’ colorful backgrounds havegotten more attention in a country wheremany often focus more on personalitiesthan policy.

They include Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, aHarley-Davidson-riding mayor who hasbeen nicknamed Duterte Harry for histough talk on battling crime in southernDavao city, and Sen. Grace Poe, who wasabandoned in a church as a baby beforeinheriting the celebrity name of her adop-tive movie-star parents. Vice PresidentJejomar Binay, a former human rightslawyer, has stayed formidable despite alle-gations of corruption against him.

The latest pre -poll survey has putDuterte ahead of the pack, followed byRoxas, whose ratings have steadilyimproved in recent weeks as criticism ofhis rivals has grown.

“ They say that I didn’t grow up inpoverty and I don’t have a dramatic story,but the elections isn’t about me. It’s aboutyou and your family,” Roxas said in a TV ad.

“I’ll continue with the ‘straight path.’ Ifthere’s anything lacking, I’ll fill the gaps.If there’s anything more that’s wrong, I’llcorrect it. Most of all, I won’t steal yourmoney.”—AP

Aquino’s pick for Philippine president banks on clean image

MANILA: Congressman Manny Pacquiao, left, who is run-ning for senator in Monday's national elections, poses withSen. Nancy Binay, the daughter of presidential candidateJejomar Binay.— AP

MANILA: Supporters of Presidential candidate Mar Roxasof the Liberal Party attend the presidential campaign rallyin Manila yesterday. — AP

MANILA: Filipinos commute under election campaignposters of local politicians ahead of the presidential and vicepresidential elections in Tondo, Manila yesterday. — AFP

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 4

KUWAIT: A small gathering of leaders of the community and embassy officials was held on May Day (May 1) to celebrate Labor Day at the Philippine Embassy. The traditional flag hoistingceremony was led by Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa along with Consul General Atty Raul Dado and Labor Attache to Kuwait Atty Cesar Chavez. The flag hoisting ceremony was followedby the reading of messages from high-ranking cabinet officials of the Aquino administration. Sumptuous breakfast was shared with the leaders of the community after the event.

Philippine Embassy marks May Day

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 5

The Gym Team holds Zumba and EMS orientation-demonstration

KUWAIT: Mentors and instructors of The Gym Team were visitedFriday morning by representatives from Fit in Time promoting thelatest breakthrough in weight loss and rehabilitations. The halfhour demonstration was held as part of the Zumba class heldevery Friday at Chai Al Dhaha of Radisson Blu Hotel. The Gym Team

also announced its forthcoming masterclass scheduled on the27th of May at the Failaka Hall of Radisson Blu with top Zumbatrainers, Blanche Bravo, Janice Capili, Helen Rahi and Stella Munch.The highlight of the event is a half hour Zumba workout providedby a Colombian Trainer Alexander Romero. Certificates of partici-

pation will be given to all attendees and will include refreshments.Proceeds of the event will go to charity, which will be announcedprior to the event. The Gym Team is a non-profit group mentoredby different volunteer trainers from different gyms and proceedsof its classes are channeled to shelters and charitable causes.

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 6

KUWAIT: An intense maneuvers were seen among all the par-ticipants during the FBC’s 69th tourney quarter/semi/finalsheld last Friday. All teams played with an attacking interestand overpowering energy from the start off as they rallied tothe finals. Coupled with the exhilarating games is a farewelltribute to an outgoing and medic team member, Ms. CherryMendoza whereby a plaque of appreciation was awarded andshort video presentation for his unconditional and voluntarysupport with various activities of the group.

FBC’s 69th tourney concludes

Congratulations to the below winners:Event Champion 1st Runner Up 2nd Runner upM GAMESLevel A & B Doubles Raymond Dela Cruz Jonathan Del Fina -

Jelsey Carandang Joemar Pelimiano -Level C Louie Ladaga John Lee Annie Zaballero

Miller Cachapero Jullie Ann Armamento Vanissa HareLevel D Roger Gonzales Bing Cielo Adelbert Mendiola

Alma Ibno Eunichy Santos Belle Ampang

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 7

KUWAIT: Kuwait Filipino Badminton (KFB) One DayTournament commenced last Friday 6th May 2016 as friendscome together and spent the day with a great badmintongames. After the grueling first elimination to the quarters tothe semi finals and reaching finals of different categories thestrongest, experience players took charged and bag thechampionship proving to be the best with the use of theirskills, stamina and creativity for the glory of becoming thechampion.

The victorious:Mixed Advance and IntermediateChampion MOHD.NURROHIM & NIKKA RODA1st Runner up ANKIT & NOEL SARABILLO

Novice 2Champion CHEYENNE LAMPIAN & SULTAN ALSULTAN1st Runner up MAMOUN ASKAR & RICHARD LEONOR

Novice 3Champion TAYYAB SHAFI & JANSEEN IDANO1st Runner up NOEL CASTRO & MARISSA CASTRO

Congratulations to all of the winners and for anotherExperience of Innovation at KFB.

To join our next Regular Tournament please contacts KuwaitFilipino Badminton with the Facebook page kuwaitfilipinobad-minton, KFB’s Membership Committee at 67733279 69615976/977332856 or messages through whatsapp and viber.

KFB 6th One Day Tournament a Gathering of Friends

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016

Page 7

KFB 6th One Day

Tournament a

Gathering of

Friends

Ricardo DL Dalisay

KUWAIT: After Friday’s Elimination finals of the on-goingPhilippine Bowling Association in Kuwait (PBAK) 1st SeasonTeam Tournament the post affected by the changes were num-bers 4 to 8. Number 9 holder, Swooping Eagles was not able tograb the eight position and the last four unfortunate teamsCOZMO, Mangaf Strikers, Bowlersmate and LEAF met the samefate. The last four positions in the “Magic 8” were occupied byASC Warriors, Fiery Dragons, Original Pin Killers, Lady Keglersand the Oman Exchange respectively. Teams that registeredwins were Scavengers, Asian Air Safari, NUSANTARA, OriginalPin Killers, ASC Warriors and Mangaf Strikers while COZMOplayed bye.

Although Lady Keglers lost it game against its counterpartthe Scavengers 2751-2842 still they grabbed the number sevenposition while Scavengers remain unscathed in its number twopost. Nasha King who scored 198, 201, 212 (611) showed theinternational bound lady bowlers the needed consistency toensure competitive output. Other Scavengers that assistedNasha were Waleed Gharib (543), Ali Ashkanani (505), AnthonyKing, li Arquob and Aji Varghese while Lady Keglers were BlancSambajon (555), Marjorie Mercado (535), Sonia Mathews (521),Aris de Guzman (474) 2768-2742 still they climbed from sev-enth to fifth position. No faze of fear from the team captain inthis crucial moment and still fielded the wobbly players in spiteof good output from trusted members. Fortunate teamNUSANTARA who was considered the “David” of the ‘Magic 8’prolific scorer Saleh Faraj scored 547 followed by BenyaminHasan (476), Abel Nitikusumo (466), Bima Nitikusumo (451) andAbdul Rahman (431) for the win.

In this critical time and still unforeseen circumstances, theOman Exchange face a nervy moment due to depleted lineupand against the frontrunner Asian Air Safari as they are stillvying for a place in the elite group. Despite the problemsencountered like a true warrior, the Oman Exchange won thesecond game but lost the series 2557-2649. The courageous 4-man team of the Exchange were Rani Skeik (553), AbdulAziz AlAslawi (538), Rudy de Lima (527) and Myra Manalo (458). Thewinners top scorers were Fadel Al Qassem (569), MousaAbdullah (549) and Lito Michael (513) supported by RubenCervantes, Gani dela Cruz and Hermie Saliba. With the defeatOman Exchange slide to eight from six place while Asian Airremain as the top rank. Swooping Eagles as it showed beforethe start of the game did not reveal any contention to join thefinalist due to absence of its key players. One of the puny teambut once considered a ‘giant killer’ the Mangaf Strikers demol-ished the Eagles 2684-2558. ASC Warriors stoppedBowlersmate 2781-2455; Original Pin Killers outsmarted LEAF,2616-2536 and COZMO who played bye scored 2634.

Meanwhile, PBAK Executive Committee headed by its presi-dent, Lito Mercado handed Plaque of Recognition to the familyof rated bowlers Kiko Andaya his wife Mina, children Kevin andKrestylle for their undying support to the organization. It wasonly ended when Kiko retired from his work at Kuwait NationalPetroleum Company.

No changes in ‘Magic 8’ after

elimination round vie for Team Finals

For individual high scores:Category Name High Game Name High AverageMen’s A Ronnel Valencia 268 Greg Melancon 98.07Men’s B Nasser Hajras 267 Nasser Hajras 81.62 Men’s C Renato Pante 222 Lito Mercado 166.15Ladies A Sonia Mathews 255 Mina Andaya 176.58Ladies B Alma Turley 245 Neng Cervantes 163.62 Team High Game (Scratch) : - Original Pin Killers (1002)Team High Series (Scratch + Handicap) : - Swooping Eagles (2939)

Team Weekly High Series :Week 1 - Lady Keglers (2710) Week 2 - Asian Air Safari(2782) Week 3 - Scavengers ( 2766) Week 4 - Asian Air Safari (2912) Week 5 - Original Pin Killers(2833) Week 6 - Fiery Dragons (2671)Week 7 - Swooping Eagles - (2939) Week 8 - Scavengers(2760) Week 9 - Oman Exchange (2755)Week 10 - Lady Keglers - (2770) Week 11 - NUSANTARA -(2712) Week 12 - Asian Air Safari (2910)

Week 13 - Scavengers - (2767)Team Standing after Thirteenth Round: 1. Asian Air Safari(35924); 2. Scavengers (35447); 3. NUSANTARA (35035); 4.ASC Warriors (34685); 5. Fiery Dragons (34602); 6. OriginalPin Killers (34597); 7. Lady Keglers (34503); 8. OmanExchange (34449); 9. Swooping Eagles (34176); 10. COZMO(33706); 11. Mangaf Strikers (33633); 12. Bowlersmate(32965) and 13. LEAF (32156).