Page 9 - LM Confidential Issue April 2015

Canada
Senator Enverga welcomes continued discussions between Canada and the Philippines
Mel Tiangco:
At home in Kapuso Network
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, March 20, 2015 – The Hon- ourable Tobias C. Enverga Jr., Senator
from Ontario, welcomes the continued discussions be- tween Canada and the Philip- pines on how to deepen and modernize relationships
between the two countries.
Today, Minister of International Trade
Ed Fast met with his counterpart in
the Philippines, Gregory L. Domingo, Secretary of Trade and Industry met to discuss the potential for enhanced bilat- eral trade and investment relations, and ways to build on our current commercial relationship, which is already supported by existing agreements, such as a double taxation agreement, an investment pro- motion and protection agreement, and
a recently expanded air transportation agreement.
“It is important to identify and foster growth in areas of common interest, such
as agri-food, transport, energy, infrastruc- ture, education, defence and security, and for the two governments to make com- mitments to resolve a number of market access issues in a timely fashion, “ said Senator Enverga in a statement.
Minister Fast will lead a trade mission to the Philippines in May with a Cana- dian business delegation and Secretary Domingo, accompanied by a number of Philippine company representatives, may visit Canada at a later stage this year.
The Philippines holds the Chair of
the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) for 2015 and shares Canada’s commitment to fostering the participa- tion of small and medium-sized enter- prises (SMEs) in the global economy. Also, the Philippines is designated as
a priority emerging market under the Global Markets Action Plan (GMAP) of Canada, which is a positive step towards a progressive bilateral relationship.
For more information please contact: Eric Parungao
Senator Tobias C. Enverga’s office (416) 616-1823 eric.parungao@sen.parl.gc.ca
(L-R) GMA Network SVP for News and Public Affairs Marissa L. Flores, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., GMA News pillar and multi-awarded news anchor Mel C. Tiangco, Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, and EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong
MANILA - GMA News pillar and multi-awarded news anchor Mel C. Tiangco renewed ties with GMA Net- work at a contract signing held on March 9. Present during the contract signing were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, and SVP for News and Public Affairs Marissa L. Flores.
Tiangco, who has been with the Net- work since 1996, expressed her continued loyalty to GMA Network. “The day I entered GMA, I knew it was going to
be my home forever,” says the veteran broadcaster.
Apart from co-anchoring GMA’s flagship newscast 24 Oras with Mike Enriquez and Vicky Morales, and host- ing the award-winning drama anthology Magpakailanman, Tiangco is also the EVP and COO of GMA’s socio-civic arm, GMA Kapuso Foundation.
In these various roles, she is highly regarded by GMA’s top management with Gozon saying, “Napakaganda ng am-
ing experience, not only with each other but also with the Network, so that it has come to the point na mahirap nang isipin na may GMA without Tita Mel.” [Our
experience has been a good one, not just personally but also with the Network, so that it has come to the point that it’s diffi- cult to think of GMA without Tita Mel.]
Moreover,Duavit extolsTiangco’s credibility and commitment to service
as seen in her work with the Kapuso Foundation and GMA News and Public Affairs. “Madalang makatagpo ng isang tao na lahat halos nasa kanya na,” he
says. “Sa madaling salita, isang tao kung saan napapaloob ang lahat ng ibig nating sabihin sa serbisyong totoo. Mapalad tayo na si Mel ay bahagi ng Kapuso and we are proud to be Kapuso dahil sa mga katulad ni Mel,” he shares. [Seldom would you find a person who has almost every good quality,” he says. “Suffice it to say, a person who truly espouses true service. We are fortunate that Mel is part of the Kapuso Network and we are proud to be Kapuso because of people like her,” he shares]
Of her contributions to the Network, Flores shares, “Tita Mel has been instru- mental in cementing GMA News and Public Affairs’ reputation as the most credible news organization in the country. We look forward to more years of work- ing with her.”
Indeed, Mel Tiangco has consistently shown the heart of a Kapuso throughout her years of service. “To say that I love this company is an understatement. I have served it with all my heart and with all my soul and I will continue to do so,” she expresses.
Convicted trafficker retrial outrages groups
ATTENTION: Date on MAY 16
Camilineos
Association of
Canada
ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Dinner and Dance Holy Eucharist Church Hall 515 Broadview Ave, Toronto 6:00 pm to 1:00 am Saturday May 16, 2015 ATTIRE: Semi-Formal
For Tickets please call
Tessie Primero (President)
at (416) 751-2335 or
Harold Guarin at (V.P) (416) 578-7351
VANCOUVER, Canada - A landmark human trafficking case involving a Filipina caregiver is getting the attention of the community, especially after her employer’s conviction was overturned by the court.
Two years ago, a Filipina caregiver stood in the middle of a landmark court case that handed down a guilty verdict to Franco Orr on charges of human trafficking under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Act. “Nagpapasalamat ako na sa pagkakataon na nakalabas ako sa pamilyang Orr. Di ko inaasahang may mga tao palang makakatulong sa akin,” the victim had said before.
But in a surprise reversal, the Court of Appeals overturns Orr’s court conviction and ordered a retrial.
Caregiver groups were shocked and disappointed with the decision. “This is really shocking kasi alam mo it’s not fair for the caregivers na nagpunta sila dito, na- abuse na sila, napatunayang na-abuse sila, and then there’s another retrial? It’s not really fair,” said Annette Beech, Victoria Caregivers Association President.
Julia Diesta, a caregivers’ right advocate, said, “Nakikita talaga kung sino ang may pera siya ang laging nabibigyan ng pagkakataon, wherein, itong domestic worker palibhasa domestic worker
APRIL 2015
nagtatrabaho, walang pera, ay wala talaga siyang magawa”.
Public prosecutors are now reviewing the Court of Appeals decision.
The West Coast Domestic Workers Association vows continued support for the Filipina caregiver, but they fear that the court decision will negatively affect similar cases of abuse and exploitation.
“We are a little concerned about the impact of the case on the ability of some of our most vulnerable workers in Canada, the live-in caregivers and migrant workers, to come forward and make complaints about labor trafficking,” said Natalie Drolet.
But the Committee on Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights warn incidents of abuse will not stop unless government addresses the defects on the caregiver and temporary foreign worker program.
“Kailangan talaga itong ipaglaban para hindi na maulit, mabawasan dahil nga temporary workers ay pwede lang isangtabi at base nga sa ngayon ay parang disposable,” said Diesta.
As Holy Week draws near, a group of migrant workers offered Stations of the Cross to pray for the welfare of the witness and all other domestic workers in Canada.
L. M. Confidential
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