JANUARY 16-19, 2021 Volume 31 - No. 4 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages
Trump impeached for second time, charged with ‘incitement of insurrection’ Fil-Ams across the aisle weigh in on historic impeachment by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
AJPress
Hours after being impeached by the House, the White House Twitter account posted a video of President Donald Trump calling for “no violence” in Washington and across the country ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. White House photo
DATELINE
WITH the end of his term approaching, President Donald Trump on Wednesday, January 13 became the first president in U.S. history to be impeached
twice by the House of Representatives. The House voted 232-197 on a single article of impeachment, charging the president with “incitement of insurrection,” exactly a week after a violent mob stormed the Capitol as lawmakers were in session, and left five individuals, including a police officer,
USA
Fil-Am veteran police dispatcher dies from COVID-19 in LA
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Air travelers now required to show proof of negative coronavirus test before entering US New measure applies to all foreign nationals and U.S. citizens
THE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Tuesday, Jan. 12 that anybody flying to the United States will be required to show proof of a recent negative coronavirus test. Travelers arriving from international airports will be required to take a test for the virus within three days before their departing flight to the U.S. The mandate applies to foreign nationals and U.S. citizens. The CDC’s new rule is an extension of a similar requirement announced last week concerning travelers coming from the United Kingdom, where the new strain of SARS-CoV2 had been recorded. CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield signed the order on Tuesday and will be in effect starting Jan. 26, which the agency said should give enough time for travelers to comply and re-arrange plans. u PAGE A3
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‘There’s a lack of national guidance’: Medical professionals lament the ‘slow’ vaccine rollout in the US
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
A FILIPINO American who was a veteran 911 dispatcher in Los Angeles has died of complications related to COVID-19, becoming the LA Police Department’s fourth employee taken by the virus. Police Service Representative III Raymond L. Guerrero, who worked in the communications division, died on Thursday, January 7 at the age of 51, the LAPD announced two days after his death. “It is with an extremely heavy heart that we mourn the loss of PSR Raymond Guerrero, who passed away. Our deepest condolences go out to Mr. Guerrero’s entire family, colleagues, and friends in this most difficult time,” the announcement read. Guerrero, the son of Vicente Mandanas Guerrero and Lourdes Lopez, migrated with his family from the Philippines to the United States at a young age. He went on to attend Loyola High School and LA Community College before joining the
dead. Deviating from the rest of their party, 10 Republicans — including Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the party’s third-ranking House leader — voted in favor alongside Democrats, becoming the most bipartisan
by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
CROWDED. Commuters boarding a passenger jeepney crowd at the entrance of the vehicle in front of the National Housing Authority building on Elliptical Road in Quezon City on Friday, January 15. Authorities are on high alert despite eased quarantine restrictions to prevent a spike in coronavirus cases. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
WHEN the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were confirmed to effectively combat the coronavirus, people across the world were overjoyed. Lawmakers in the United States promised a swift, widespread distribution of the vaccine with a projected 20 million doses administered by the end of 2020. But so far, as of the second week of January, only 4.5 million people have received a single dose of either vaccine, prompting public outcry and confusion over who is allowed to be vaccinated first according to the accepted timeline, how to get an appointment and when it will actually be available to the general public. The search and discovery for a COVID-19 vaccine have been priorities since the entire world went into crisis mode following the massive and quick spread of the disease that has infected and killed millions. Late last u PAGE A2
PH eligible again to participate Duterte: Sara won’t run in US H-2B visa program in 2021 for president in 2022, job ‘not for women’ by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippines can now participate in the United States’ H-2B visa program again after two years of ineligibility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), announced the list of countries on Tuesday, January 12. For 2021, the acting secretary of homeland security and the secretary of state have agreed to add the Philippines to the list of countries eligible to participate in the H-2B
program. However, it is still not eligible to participate in the H-2A program. The H-2A visa program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to fill temporary and seasonal agricultural jobs, while the H-2B visa program lets U.S. employers bring foreign nationals to the U.S. to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs. The Philippines was removed by the DHS from the list in 2019 because the country no longer met “the regulatory standards for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs.” Last year, the ineligibility remained in place. u PAGE A2
Biden unveils new $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has advised his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, against running for the presidency in 2022, claiming that women are not fit for the top government post. In a speech during the inauguration of the Skyway Stage 3 project on Thursday, January 14, he said: “My daughter, inuudyok man nila. Sabi ko, ‘My daughter
is not running.’ I have told Inday not to run kasi naaawa ako sa dadaanan niya na dinaanan ko. Hindi ito pambabae (My daughter, they are urging her [to run for president in 2022]. I said my daughter is not running. I have told Inday not to run because I take pity if she goes through what I went through. It’s not for women).” “Alam mo, the emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different. Maging gago ka dito. That is the sad story (You u PAGE A3
Sweeping stimulus plan includes $1,400 direct payments, generous unemployment benefits by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
AHEAD of his inauguration on Jan 20., President-elect Joe Biden announced on Thursday, Jan. 14 a massive coronavirus economic plan to combat the financial burdens of American families due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes $1,400 direct payments to taxpayers. The sweeping $1.9 trillion package — billed as the American Rescue Plan — plans to directly address pandemic-related costs and relief, augmenting previous measures like Congress’ $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill from March and the $900 billion follow
up passed in December that included $600 stimulus checks to millions of Americans. The latter had been scaled back significantly to gain support from Republicans who fought against $2,000 direct payments. But after Democrats took control over the Senate earlier this month, Biden comes into his first presidential term with the momentum that is likely to help pass more ambitious COVID-19 relief measures. “In this pandemic in America, we cannot let people go hungry,” Biden said on Thursday in Wilmington, Delaware where he unveiled his plan. “We cannot let people get The 75-year-old leader has also discouraged his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterteevicted. We cannot let nurses, educators and Carpio, from joining the presidential derby next year, claiming the top government post is u PAGE A4 not fit for women like her. Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo
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From the Front Page
PH eligible again to participate in US H-2B... PAGE A1 A Federal Register document said the Philippines had a high H-2B overstay rate. In FY 2017, the DHS estimated that nearly 40% of H-2B visa holders from the Philippines overstayed their period of authorized stay. The DHS and DOS, in their list, also announced that they are no longer designating the Independent State of Samoa and Tonga as eligible countries because they no longer meet the regula-
tory standards for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs. Meanwhile, Mongolia has been removed as an eligible country for the H-2A visa program as it no longer meets the regulatory standards for that program. “DHS maintains its authority to add countries to the eligible countries list at any time, and to remove any country at the time it publishes a new list, should DHS and DOS determine that a
country fails to meet the requirements for continued designation,” the DHS said. Examples of factors that could result in the exclusion of a country or the removal of a country from the list include, but are not limited to, fraud, abuse, denial rates, overstay rates, human trafficking concerns, and other forms of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the H-2 visa programs by nationals of that country. n
‘There’s a lack of national guidance’: Medical... PAGE A1 t year, Pfizer and Moderna were the two leading names in pharma working on trials throughout 2020, and late last year, began distributing vaccines. It was a triumphant milestone of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the vaccine rollout in the U.S. has been clumsy, confusing and controversial. “There have been a number of bottlenecks, both at the national and local level,” Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Tennessee, told reporters in a press briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Schaffner detailed a few recorded hiccups of the vaccine being delayed to some areas due to shipping mistakes, but across the country many state and local governments, medical facilities and health care professionals were unprepared to effectively begin rolling out the doses. “I think, quite frankly, that some of the locations thought that this was going to be just another flu vaccine campaign. They didn’t prepare sufficiently. This is more elaborate to administer in a variety of different ways and it’s really gummed up the works,” Schaffner added. But much of the confusion and lack of structure that has so far colored this phase of the pandemic is in large part due to disregard from the country’s top office, which has provided little to no guidance over how states and local jurisdictions should go about distributing the vaccine. From the beginning, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a battle
The United States House of Representatives voted 232 to 197 in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump for a second time on Wednesday, January 13. CSPAN screengrab
Trump impeached for second... PAGE A1 t
LA County Department of Health Services Pharmacist Technician Myca De Los Santos fills vaccination syringes at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at LAC+USC Medical Center, on Dec. 18, 2020. File photo by Michael Owen Baker/Los Angeles County
of American ideologies, an issue that is by its nature apolitical but has become a contentious political talking point. Misinformation and fake news, largely stemming from growing extreme-right groups, have contributed immensely to the lack of progress being made in the U.S. in regard to curbing infection surges. “I guess I’m not surprised that we’re not doing very well. The only thing we’ve gotten right is the discovery of the vaccine, so we’ve got the science part right, but we’ve also got to get the logistics, the politics and the sociological components right, too,” lamented Dr. Robert Wachter — chairman of the Department of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco — who reflected on the clumsy vaccine rollout nationally. Wachter reflected on the previous rollouts of personal protective wear and testing and noted that it isn’t a surprise that the vaccine distribution is experi-
encing similar hurdles. The lack of a robust national plan has left states to figure out for themselves a streamlined process to get the vaccines out as quickly as possible, he added. Without mentioning the Trump administration by name, Wachter touched on one of the most glaring criticisms of President Donald Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that there wasn’t a national plan available until the recent COVID-19 relief plan from Congress allocated $1 billion to vaccine distribution. “I think they didn’t quite appreciate the complexity of the process and they then handed out the majority of the responsibility to local institutions,” Wachter said. “It is one of the things that happens when there’s a lack of national guidance. There’s just too much wiggle room. I don’t think we treated this like the emergency that it is.”
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impeachment to date. “Today, in a bipartisan way, the House demonstrated that no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States and that Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to our country,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after formally signing the article of impeachment. The Senate trial is slated to take place right after Presidentelect Joe Biden is sworn into office next week on January 20, while the legislative branch also juggles confirmation hearings of the new Cabinet appointments. If convicted by the Senate, Trump — who will be a former president by then — will be disqualified from holding office in the future and will lose benefits under the Former Presidents Act, including a $200,000 pension and an annual travel budget. Trump’s first impeachment by the House came in 2019 with his dealings with Ukraine in question, but he was acquitted by the Republican-led Senate last year. Hours later, the White House’s official accounts posted a video of the president in which he condemned the riots, but made no mention of the impeachment vote or his successor. The president — who has since been banned from social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook — said he “unequivocally condemn[ed]” last week’s “trou-
bling events” carried out by supporters, changing course from his previous video from Jan. 6 in which he called them “special.” “As I have said, the incursion of the U.S. Capitol struck at the heart of our very republic. It angered and appalled millions of Americans across the political spectrum,” Trump said. Ahead of Biden’s inauguration, protests would reportedly take place in Washington, D.C. and in all 50 state capitals. “Every American deserves to have their voice heard in a respectful and peaceful way. That is your First Amendment right, but I cannot emphasize that there must be no violence, no law-breaking and no vandalism of any kind,” the president said, adding, “I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week. Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and no place in our movement.” Community reactions Following Wednesday’s impeachment, Filipino Americans from both sides of the aisle weighed in on what the moment means for the country. “Today’s bipartisan vote reaffirms the fundamental truth that the security of our democracy is our first priority. It is my hope that the Senate will convict and remove Donald Trump and we can all move forward from this dark chapter in our nation’s history. I
look forward to working with the incoming Biden Administration to begin healing our country,” Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia’s 3rd District said following his vote to impeach. TJ Cox, a former Democratic congressman from California, took to Twitter to address the Republicans who voted against holding Trump accountable. “The vast majority of Republican House members voted to protect the man who unleashed a mob to terrorize Congress in order to overturn the fair and free election of Joe Biden,” Cox said, adding, “There’s only one way to hold these bootlickers accountable – organize, mobilize and vote them out of office in 2022. That starts today.” Rep. David Valadao, who defeated Cox last November, was the only California Republican lawmaker who voted to impeach, choosing “to go with my gut and vote my conscience.” Gloria Caoile, a Las Vegasbased community leader and senior advisor for Fil-Ams for Biden-Harris, said impeachment was “the best avenue to hold President Trump accountable.” “We need accountability first and foremost. I do not buy into the argument that we should just ignore the events of last week so we can move forward with healing and unity. Holding all those who broke the law accountable
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Trump impeached for second...
FREE PNEUMONIA JABS. Jennifer Alejos, (left), a nurse from City Health Office I of City of Dasmarinas, Cavite, administers a pneumonia vaccine to a senior citizen at a barangay hall in Brgy. Salitran 3, on Friday, January 15. Elderly citizens were given free pneumonia vaccination to protect them from the disease. PNA photo by Gil Calinga
Duterte: Sara won’t run for president...
PAGE A1 know, the emotional set-up of a woman and a man is totally different. You will become a fool here. That is the sad story),” the chief executive added. In a recent survey, DuterteCarpio topped the list of possible presidential contenders for the 2022 national elections. Responding to her father’s remarks, the Davao City mayor said she told him she had no intentions to run for presidency. “I went to see him (PRRD) last Jan. 8. I told him I do not intend to run for President. He replied, ‘Very good.’ He also said he did not want me to run, but nothing about gender was discussed,” Duterte-Carpio told Rappler. She also said she didn’t take her father’s misogynistic statement to heart. “That is his opinion,” she said. “I do not take offense because he will also respect my opinion if I say otherwise.” In a separate statement to Reuters, Duterte-Carpio maintained she will not be running for president in the 2022 elections. “I am not being coy nor am
I doing a ‘last-minute.’ If the whole country does not want to believe (this) then I can’t do anything about it. Not everyone wants to be president. I am one of them,” she said. She added, “I thank all of them for their trust and confidence in what I can do but my refusal to run for president is not the end of the world.” Regardless of gender Akbayan chair emeritus Etta Rosales slammed Duterte for his remarks, stressing that presidency is not a job based on gender. “The presidency is not a ‘man’s job.’ It is a job. It is a job for all those willing to be held to the highest standards of governance regardless of one’s gender, sexual orientation, identity and expression,” she said. “The presidency is a job for those who can effectively lead with respect for human rights, justice and democracy. It is not a job for mass-murdering tyrants, misogynists, sycophants, and incorrigible, lazy, and incompetent leaders,” added Rosales. Meanwhile, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay
Fil-Am veteran police dispatcher...
PAGE A1 police department. He served the city of LA for 24 years and “dedicated his career to ensuring that every call for service made by the community members we serve was answered,” the LAPD continued. Sharon Dormitorio, who worked with Guerrero at the LAPD, remembered him for his jovial mood and for “always [being] cool, calm and collected amidst the chaos.” “Nothing rattled him — not a pursuit, help call, shooting, foot chase; [he] always [had] that even tone of voice,” Dormitorio wrote in a Facebook post, adding that Guerrero went out of his way to mentor new operators, including fellow Fil-Ams like herself. “He was a Tagalog speaker
and used his multilingual skills to conduct 911 interviews in Tagalog, especially when our titas and titos are losing it on the other end of the line,” she added. Guerrero is survived by his wife, Debra Guerrero, who is also a Police Service Representative III, and two young daughters, Mahal and Malaya. “All he wanted was to see his daughters grow up and then retire to [the Philippines]. Ray represented the Filipinos really well in the police world. The unsung hero, always heard [and] never seen, the first responder that you never see,” Dormitorio said. A GoFundMe page has been set up by Guerrero’s family to help with funeral costs. (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)
Raymond Guerrero, a 24-year veteran with the Los Angeles Police Department’s communications division, died of complications related to COVID-19 on Thursday, January 7. Photo courtesy of LAPD
Guerrero (center) with fellow Fil-Ams at the LAPD (L-R) Ardon Manuel, Sharon Dormitorio, and Buddy Ramiro. Photo courtesy of Sharon Dormitorio
said that women are as capable as men in any job. “What matters most especially when we talk of the presidency and public office is if the interests of the poor majority are upheld,” she added. Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros likewise spoke against Duterte’s misogyny, saying: “Filipino women have endured and overcome more than his presidency, and we will help take it back for a more worthy administration.” n
PAGE A2 t is a necessity. Reconciliation will then come after we fulfill our moral and civic responsibility,” Caoile told the Asian Journal. Cristina Osmeña, a writer and former Republican candidate for California’s congressional district who previously vocalized her criticisms of the Trump administration, said “most legacy Republicans are mortified by the events of the prior week.” “I think, at this point, history will hold Trump accountable as his administration is about to pass into that realm,” Osmeña told the Asian Journal. Though concerned about the actions of Big Tech companies and the Democratic Party’s majority in Congress, what gives her hope is Biden and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s long-standing working relationship. “But if Trump maintains an active presence in the party, it will
be difficult to move forward. It is still too early to tell what will happen. I would guess that last week has left a permanent impression on mainstream Republicans. Any future leaders will have to have a strong message against violence. I hope the left does the same,” she said. For Marc Ang, founder and president of Asian Industry Business-to-Business, however, impeachment was not warranted, and he instead is calling for more investigations into what caused the security breach at the Capitol. As a staunch Republican, he is not deterred by the incoming Biden administration and Democratic-controlled Congress. “The Democrats have the slimmest of House and Senate majorities so there is no big mandate. I encourage people from both sides to understand it’s ok to have been emotional, but moments too shall pass and focus
back on the big picture,” Ang told the Asian Journal, calling on fellow Republicans to push for causes they care about like immigration and election reform. Though the GOP may have lost the White House and Senate seats in Georgia, there are other wins from the 2020 election cycle to “be very proud of” and that the party should continue to represent “the everyday man and working class.” “In addition, we control a huge majority of all state legislatures on the local level, allowing us control over redistricting for the next decade. 2022 and 2024 will be good years for the GOP. But the GOP will also do some muchneeded soul searching on how they handle a larger life character like President Trump who brought so many new people to the party. It will have to assess what they can do when they have the three branches of government,” Ang said. n
Air travelers now required to show proof...
PAGE A1 t Redfield said in a statement, “Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge in countries around the world and there is evidence of increased transmissibility of some of these variants. With the U.S. already in surge status, the testing requirement for passengers will help slow the spread of the virus as we work to vaccinate the American public.” Redfield acknowledged that a negative test doesn’t provide total protection, but noted it’s a
safeguard. Passengers who test positive, don’t provide official documentation of a negative test or recovery, or refuse to take a test, airlines will not allow them to board. “Testing does not eliminate all risk, but when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports and at destinations,” he said.
COVID-19 has swept the U.S. in significant waves that have brought more than 22 million positive cases to date and 375,000 deaths, as of Tuesday. Since the beginning of the pandemic, international travel to the U.S. has suffered a huge economic loss due to pandemic restrictions. In December, foreign travel in and out of the U.S. was down 76% compared to 2019, according to the trade group Airlines for America. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
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Biden unveils new $1.9 trillion coronavirus... PAGE A1 t others lose their jobs when we so badly need them. We must act now and act decisively.” Though Biden did not elaborate on how he plans to move his sweeping plan through Congress, he spoke about the effect the pandemic has had on income gaps and inequality: “There is a real pain overwhelming the real economy — one where people rely on paychecks, not their investments, to pay for their bills and their meals and their children’s needs.” More than $400 billion of the plan is allocated to the COVID-19 pandemic directly, including $160 billion in funding toward a national vaccine program, expansion of testing and contact tracing, more manufacturing for personal protective equipment and creating new public health jobs. Democrats, including Biden and his team, have criticized President Donald Trump for the lack of structure and guidance regarding the slow vaccination process; in his speech, Biden called Trump’s handling of the vaccination rollout “a dismal failure.” According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Con-
er we can save lives and put this pandemic behind us and get back to our lives and our loved ones — and the sooner we can rescue and rebuild the American economy,” Biden said in his speech. The $1,400 stimulus checks — which is marketed as an addition to the $600 that Congress passed last month to equal the anticipated $2,000 checks that many have advocated for — would apply to American workers who have filed taxes in the past or are currently filing. Biden’s proposal also extends unemployment benefits, Joe Biden, now President-elect, speaks to including $400 weekly unemmembers of Las Vegas’ Asian American and ployment insurance supplement Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in February through September. 2020 when he was campaigning to get the In his speech on Thursday, Democratic presidential nomination. Biden said his plan would also AJPress file photo by Robert Macabagdal extend eviction and foreclosure trol and Prevention (CDC), the moratoria to Sept. 30 and reCOVID-19 vaccination campaign quested another $30 billion in RISKY JOB. Two workers on a hanging platform paint the wall of a high-rise building in Barangay Burol Main, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite on has only reached 3% of the entire rental, utility, energy and water Wednesday, January 13. Many workers have been allowed to report for work as several business establishments have resumed operations. PNA photo by Gil Calinga assistance to underserved comU.S. population. This new plan punctuates the munities that continue to bear the president-elect’s plan to distrib- economic brunt of the pandemic. For those who rely on social ute 100 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (which should welfare programs, the plan also cover two doses each for 50 mil- extends the 15% increase in food lion Americans) in his first 100 stamp benefits through September and invests $3 billion to help days in office. “The more people we vacci- women, infants and children with nate, the faster we do it, the soon- food security. n
SBA reopening paycheck protection program to small lenders on Jan 15. and all lenders on Jan. 19
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Lenders with $1 billion or less in assets will be able to submit first and second draw PPP applications on Jan. 15, continuing dedicated access for community-based lenders
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, will reopen the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9 a.m. EST. The portal will fully open on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 to all participating PPP lenders to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA. Earlier in the week, SBA granted dedicated PPP access to Community Financial Institutions (CFIs) which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to reach underserved and minority small businesses. On Friday, SBA will continue its emphasis on reaching smaller lenders and businesses by opening to approximately 5,000 more lenders, including community banks, credit unions, and farm credit institutions. Moreover, the agency also plans to have dedicated service hours for these smaller lenders after the portal fully re-opens next week. “A second round of PPP could not have come at a better time, and the SBA is making every effort to ensure small businesses have the emergency financial support they need to continuing weathering this time of uncertainty,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “SBA has worked expeditiously to ensure our policies and systems are relaunched so that this vital small business aid helps communities hardest hit by the pandemic. I strongly encourage America’s entrepreneurs needing financial assistance to apply for a First or Second Draw PPP loan.” “We are pleased to have opened
PPP loans to CDFIs, MDIs, CDCs, and Microloan Intermediaries. The PPP is already providing America’s small businesses hardest hit by the pandemic with vital economic relief,” said Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin. “As the Program re-opens for all First and Second Draw borrowers next week, the PPP will allow small businesses to keep workers on payroll and connected to their health insurance.” First Draw PPP Loans are for those borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. The first round of the PPP, which ran from March to August 2020, was a historic success helping 5.2 million small businesses keep 51 million American workers employed. Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will use or have used the full amount only for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million. Updated PPP Lender forms, guidance, and resources are available at www.sba.gov/pppand www.treasury.gov/cares. Meanwhile, the SBA has already forgiven more than 1.1 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for over $100 billion, providing an extraordinary amount of critical relief to America’s small businesses just 3 months since the earliest PPP borrowers’ covered periods ended. “Today’s news is a key indicator that the PPP is working for all small businesses across our Nation,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza on Tuesday, January 12. “For any eligible small business continuing to struggle due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Program has re-opened
for new and certain existing PPP borrowers, and we encourage you to take advantage of the PPP to keep your workers on payroll, regardless of any local economic restrictions on your operations. SBA is continuing to work around the clock to forgive existing PPP loans and implement the next phase of this vital Program.” The SBA has so far received 1,346,125 forgiveness applications for approximately $170.5 billion. SBA has made payment on nearly 85% of the applications, forgiving over $100 billion. For the smallest borrowers with loans up to $50,000, 88% have been approved for forgiveness. The new data comes as the Paycheck Protection Program has recently re-opened as a result of the Economic Aid to Hard Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020. The Act added operational expenditures, certain property damage costs, supplier costs and worker protection expenditures, such as drive-through areas, ventilation and sneeze guards, as eligible expenses as well. The SBA provides PPP Forgiveness Submission & Payment Metrics, as well as Paycheck Protection Program reports, online at www.sba.gov/ppp. The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. (SBA Release)
‘There’s a lack of national guidance’: Medical... PAGE A1 t Vaccinations for the over 65 population Navigating the kafkaesque process of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is no more frustrating than in California, where the confusion is rife. This week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that individuals aged 65 or older would be eligible to get vaccinated, a change from the previous plan that prioritized those with underlying health issues only. But the state website provides no links or instructions on how to go about receiving the vaccine. The official FAQ answers the question “How can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?” with “Most Californians will be vaccinated at community vaccination sites, doctor’s offices, clinics, or pharmacies.” The statewide plan originally strived for an organized, tiered approach that separated groups like health care workers, grocery store workers, people with preexisting conditions, and others that were in the first tiers of vaccine distribution. But following a tiered system — calling residents who are part of the tiers, monitoring their vaccination status and following up with a second dose — is on a scale for which the state wasn’t prepared. Counties across the state have kickstarted their own plans, like Orange County, which was the first county to allow anybody 65 years old or older (regardless of health) to book an appointment at the vaccination supersite at Disneyland. But scheduling an actual appointment turned out to be a disaster after the website became
A COVID-19 vaccination clinic was held at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center on Dec. 21, 2020. File photo by Michael Owen Baker/Los Angeles County
overwhelmed. LA County, on the other hand, where the virus has surged exponentially for months, is continuing to prioritize only health care workers, regardless of Newsom’s announcement this week. In regard to recent media stories that reported vaccine doses going to waste, Wachter confirmed that there have been “some” instances of that happening but not at the level that some outlets have been reporting. “That’s not the dominant problem. The dominant problem is that doses are still at the manufacturers sitting in refrigerators and freezers, and it’s taking a long time to get those into the people that need them,” Wachter said. He added that his facility at UCSF has distributed about 15,000 of the 18,000 doses they were given, but Wachter worries that the distribution of doses will be a lot harder in rural areas and underserved communities where access to social resources is already limited.
As reported in the Asian Journal, the COVID-19 stimulus plan unveiled by President-elect Joe Biden this week calls for widespread investments into public health, allocating hundreds of billions of dollars for a national vaccination program, which promises to speed the glacial pace of vaccinations. The chaotic and tense atmosphere surrounding vaccine distribution asks more questions than it answers, but both Wachter and Schaffner recommended that people should consult their primary care physician about when and how to receive the vaccine. “We know there is some capacity, potentially, for transmission. So until the full data come in we say, whether you are unvaccinated, first dose, or second dose please, continue to wear the mask, do the social distancing. Once we have the final data in, we can refine what it is that we say: the more we learn, the more we’ll tell you and the changes to the recommendations we make,” Schaffner said. n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
A
PH reports first case of new COVID-19 variant Rappler CEO Maria Ressa faces third cyber libel charge by ritChel
Mendiola AJPress
by ritChel
Mendiola
AJPress
RAPPLER co-founder and chief executive officer Maria Ressa has been charged with cyber libel anew over an article about an alleged thesis-for-sale scheme by a professor of the De La Salle College of St. Benilde. The article, titled “Thesis for sale: Benilde students say they paid P20,000 to pass,” was written by Rappler reporter Rambo Talabong and published on January 23, 2020. On December 7, 2020, Benilde faculty member Ariel Pineda filed the charge against Talabong and Ressa before the Manila Regional Trial Court branch 24, stating that the story contained “false, malicious, derogatory, and highly libelous imputation as well as offensive insinuations” against his good name, character, and reputation. Talabong and Ressa posted P30,000 bail each after Judge Maria Victoria Soriano-Villadolid issued arrest warrants against them on Monday, January 11. Their arraignment is scheduled for February 4. “We are studying the resolution, which we disagree with, and will exhaust all possible legal remedies to have the same dismissed,” Ressa and Talabong’s counsel Theodore Te said in a statement. “It is disturbing because it seems like cyber libel is now the first option in case of disagreement on reporting,” he added. “Perhaps Congress should consider whether it is high time to decriminalize libel and cyber li-
Rappler co-founder and CEO Maria Ressa
bel.” Meanwhile, Talabong stood by his story, calling for the decriminalization of libel. “I stand by our story. I spent weeks reporting, and weeks more doing everything, to ensure that the story is fair,” he said. The reporter stressed, “This case further proves that decriminalizing libel is imperative. No journalist should be intimidated for doing his job.” Rappler likewise expressed the same sentiment, saying that it stands by the story and the “rigorous process” that they went through before publishing it. “While libel suits are part of the risks that come with the profession, we also know that they are a tool that is used to intimidate journalists who expose wrongdoing,” it said. “We reiterate the multi-sectoral call to decriminalize libel and to stop these relentless attacks against journalists who,
Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman
despite obstacles thrown their way, continue to shine the light on the pandemic and other forms of everyday terror,” it added. Talabong also maintained that there was no malice behind his article. “The care and prudence taken in verifying the information and the extent to which the side of Mr. Pineda had been sought show the due diligence on my, and Rappler’s, part before the story was even written and posted. This belies Mr. Pineda’s unfounded claim of malice,” he said in his affidavit submitted to Manila Senior Assistant City Prosecutor John Allen Farinas. This is Talabong’s first cyber libel case. Ressa, on the other hand, was first convicted of cyber libel in June 2020 over an article involving businessman Wilfredo Keng. Days after her conviction, Keng filed a separate cyber libel complaint against her for tweeting about the story. n
OFW remittances drop Jan-Nov 2020 personal remittances — personal transfers in cash or kind and capital transfers between MONEY sent home by over- households — dropped to seas Filipino workers (OFWs) $29.98 billion in January-Nodeclined by 0.9% in the first vember 2020 from $30.25 bil11 months of 2020, according lion during the same period in to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 2019. Governor Benjamin Diokno. Despite the fall, Diokno said In a virtual briefing on Thurs- that the latest data was proof day, Diokno announced that that remittances remained to by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net
be robust because of the altruistic motive of overseas Filipinos to continue sending money to their families back home. “This again is a departure from the projections by many analysts that our overseas Filipino remittances will contract or will go down by at least 1%,” the central bank chief emphasized. n
THE new and more infectious variant of COVID-19 first reported in the United Kingdom has reached the Philippines. The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) on Wednesday, January 13, confirmed the detection of the B.1.1.7. SARS-CoV-2 variant (UK variant) in the country after samples from a Filipino who arrived from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Jan. 7 “yielded positive genome sequencing results.” The patient is a 29-year-old male resident of Quezon City who left for Dubai on Dec. 27, 2020 for business purposes and returned to the Philippines last Jan. 7 via Emirates Flight No. EK 332. He was swabbed and quarantined at a hotel upon arrival, the agencies reported. The positive test result was released the following day and the patient was referred to a quarantine facility in Quezon City while his samples were sent to PGC for whole genome sequencing. The patient also travelled with his female partner, who tested negative but remains under strict quarantine and monitoring. Both Filipinos had no exposure to a confirmed case prior to their departure to Dubai nor had any travel activities outside Quezon City, according to the DOH. “Immediate contact tracing was done in close coordination with the QC government, and the initially identified contacts are asymptomatic and current under strict home quarantine,” the agency added. The DOH assured that it is working closely with the QC government to ensure timely and effective measures are in place to mitigate transmission. It also said that it has secured the flight manifest of the flight in question and contact tracing of other passengers is now underway. Passengers aboard Emirates Flight No. EK 332 were advised to get in touch with their Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs). The DOH vowed to intensify its weekly genomic biosurveillance among incoming passengers, lo-
cal cases, re-infected patients, and those with reported clustering of cases. The agency also coordinated with the country’s Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the expansion of contact tracing to include third-generation close contacts for known B.1.1.7 cases, who will all have
to undergo 14-day facility-based quarantine. PH grants Pfizer EUA A day after the country confirmed its first case of the new COVID-19 variant, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration granted an emergency use authorization (EAU) for Pfizer and
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A6 JANUARY 16-19, 2021 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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O PiniOn It’s here
FeatURes
WITH international travel still allowed for several countries, it was just a matter of time before the new variant of COVID-19 reached the Philippines. The variant, called B-117, was first detected in the United Kingdom and has been reported to be over 50 percent more infectious although no deadlier than the original coronavirus. Only last Jan. 6, Hong Kong authorities announced that a Filipina household helper who arrived there from the Philippines had tested positive for B-117. The Filipina is recovering and those she came in contact with in her home province have tested negative for COVID and its variant, health officials said on Thusrday, January 14. It’s unclear if she contracted the variant in Hong Kong. Last Wednesday, however, the Department of Health reported that a Filipino resident of Kamuning, Quezon City who arrived on Jan. 7 from a trip to Dubai had tested positive for B-117 while undergoing 14-day quarantine in a hotel. His female companion has tested negative, but authorities have yet to complete the contact tracing of about 100 other passengers on the Emirates flight EK 332 from the UAE. While in Dubai, the patient reportedly visited malls, groceries and tourist sites. That city is teeming with Filipinos, and the DOH has proposed including
the United Arab Emirates in the Philippines’ travel ban. Since returning from Dubai, the patient has been in quarantine in a hotel in Manila. Considering the high transmission rate of B-117, however, and with the country still a long way from the start of COVID vaccination, the arrival of the variant should lead to stricter observance of basic health safety protocols. Masks and face shields must be worn, and properly covering the nose and mouth. Regular handwashing is a small price to pay for keeping healthy. And physical distancing cannot be disregarded. The country cannot risk more large gatherings such as the one for the Black Nazarene. There are numerous popular festivals ahead that will have to be scrapped. These are potential super spreader events, and the new variant raises the threat level for transmission. With lives and livelihoods at stake, people cannot afford to let down their guard. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Follow the Constitution: Impeach and convict Trump to save American democracy The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS BE HONEST. Let us all be honest in answering this very important question: What would and should true patriotic law-abiding citizens and supposed truth, fairness and justice-seeking Christians in America do when United States President Donald Trump is now the leader and inciter of an insurrection to overturn election results and assault the democracy of the nation and the people he swore to serve? Nearly four years ago, the businessman-turned-leader of the free world was inaugurated and took the solemn oath as stated in Article II, Section I, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” But, in his time in office, Trump has been the biggest threat to our national security, and has failed in fulfilling his solemn duties and obligations as president. Five people have died because of mob riot, with the U.S. Capitol security breached and offices and hallways of this historic august
Commentary
ENRIQUE
DE LA CRUZ
THE phrase describes an ancient Chinese torture method to kill a person slowly and painfully by ‘a thousand cuts.’ Maria Ressa, founder and CEO of online news site Rappler, alluded to it in reference to the state of Philippine democracy, saying that it is being slowly undermined through violations and curtailments of civil liberties. The phrase is also the title of a Taylor Swift song about heartbreak, and the title of a documentary about Ressa. Last Wednesday, January 6, American democracy came under assault by a mob of several thousand, intent in disrupting congressional affirmation of Electoral College votes that would certify Joe Biden’s election as the 46th president of the United States. While the disruption was temporary, the rioting inside the halls of Congress caused extensive damage and five deaths, including that of a Capitol Police Officer who died from injuries received on duty.
chambers vandalized and destroyed by Trump’s blind followers — carrying out his marching order to FIGHT based on lies of his votes and victory stolen, dismissed to be without merit by no less than the Supreme Court and other officials and watchdogs of the election. And what should we do as citizens of the United States when the other public servants — the vice president, representatives, senators, judges, political appointees, and federal employees — the people who work for us, the people of the United States, fail to fulfill the oath they took before they assume the public post entrusted to them as federal employees? Yes, they too took an oath of office, pursuant to Article VI of the Constitution which states that other officials, including members of Congress, “shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this constitution.” Our Founding Fathers had the foresight that someday, there would be an elected leader who would abuse the power and public trust accorded to the Office of the President and other powerful posts in government that is why the Constitution had been written to demand accountability from each and every public servant. One important point that writer Jeff Neal wrote for the Federal News Network on the oath of office and what it means is very much a reminder not only for our
federal employees. This is also a wake-up call for us citizens on what to expect and demand from our public servants: “One thing that federal workers often hear is a career supervisor or political appointee talking about loyalty to the agency or the boss. One purpose of the Oath of Office is to remind federal workers that they do not swear allegiance to a supervisor, an agency, a political appointee, or even to the President. The oath is to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and faithfully execute your duties. The intent is to protect the public from a government that might fall victim to political whims and to provide a North Star – the Constitution – as a source of direction.” This is where we are now — facing a crossroads, about to embrace a defining moment that will determine the fate of our democracy in a government intended by the Constitution to be of the people, for the people, by the people. The power is ours to use to demand accountability from our public officials, lest we become complicit to enabling, condoning and nurturing a dictator who abuses the power and public trust for his/her own personal and political agenda. The power is ours to choose whom to give our loyalty: to the Constitution or to Donald J. Trump. The power is ours to demand the same from the public officials
The death of democracy by a thousand cuts The event has shaken representatives and senators, along with past and present political leaders nationwide. They placed responsibility on Trump who at a rally just before the mob assault on the capitol egged his followers to march on the Capitol and “fight like hell” to “stop the steal.” Giuliani, his personal lawyer, stoked the crowd even more by exhorting, “lets have a trial by combat.” As I write this, the U.S. House of Representatives, has impeached Trump for a second time. The story of this assault, egged on by a sitting president, against a co-equal branch of government, has yet to fully play out. Yet historians, scholars, and journalists, with few exceptions, appear to be of one mind: The horrific events of 1/6, is the result of years of complacency over a president’s divisiveness, half truths, falsehoods and lies, to bend reality into a fantasy world where he wins re-election, but is deprived of it by widespread fraud. Efforts by Trump’s lawyers to contest election results in over
60 court filings have been summarily dismissed by judges who considered their complaints frivolous or without merit. Despite all these Trump has continued his fantasy claims of re-election by a landslide of votes, setting the stage for the rally near the White House on 1/6, and the subsequent mob assault on the U.S. Capitol. The assault on the Capitol, may be the most horrific of the thousand cuts, but there are other equally serious cuts that Trump inflicted on American democracy: obstruction of justice, violation of prohibitions against foreign and domestic emoluments, soliciting foreign interference in elections (for which he was impeached), violating immigrant rights to due process, separating children from their parents at the border, violating campaign finance laws, and attacks on a free press, to name just the most egregious ones. The authoritarian strain that Trump awakened, come from a cross section of American soci-
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in the executive, legislative and judiciary co-equal branches of government -- obligated to fulfill its oversight function and checks and balances responsibilities so that no person, no office, no branch of government will abuse the power and destroy our democratic institutions and processes. On Wednesday, January 13, barely a week before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris — who both won decisively in the November elections, certified by our electors pursuant to the rule of law and the Constitution — we, the people, would have to be fully engaged in the impeachment process initiated by the House of Representatives. “The sole article of impeachment that the House is expected to pass Wednesday charging Trump with high crimes and misdemeanors is damning. Its simple clarity explains why this impeachment is no mere futile partisan ritual in the waning days of the most aberrant presidency in history,” CNN reports. “Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law,” the article reads. Congress passed a resolution on Tuesday, January 12, urging Vice President Mike Pence to in-
Commentary
LISA NOETH FREEDOM of speech is the cornerstone of our Republic. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution enacted in 1789 by our Founding Fathers explicitly states to protect freedom of speech: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” Our Republic emphasizes freedom of speech by being able to express our opinions regardless of your political affiliation without the intervention of the government, the mainstream media, or big tech. We are facing very dangerous 1984 Orwellian territory in 2021 during unprecedented times by allowing private companies, such as big tech, to control free speech in the wake of the Capitol riots on Jan. 6. On January 13, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey released a statement describing why he suspended
voke the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. As the New York Times reported: “Lawmakers, escorted by armed guards into a heavily fortified Capitol, adopted the nonbinding measure just before midnight largely along party lines. The final vote was 223 to 205 to implore Mr. Pence to declare Mr. Trump “incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as acting president.” Pence, however, wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying he would not invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, saying “I will not now yield to efforts in the House of Representatives to play political games at a time so serious in the life of our nation.” Pence also wrote to urge members of Congress to “avoid actions that would further divide and inflame passions of the moment.” Let the truth be told — Vice President Pence has been complicit in Trump’s efforts to divide and conquer the nation in the past four years. He did nothing, said nothing, and even defended and emboldened Trump. Now, Pence chooses inaction despite what happened on January 6 when he, himself, could have been killed by the insurrectionists who set up a noose on a makeshift gallow, chanting “Hang Mike Pence!” After he defied Trump’s order to overturn the election results, as reported by radio.com.
Pence chooses inaction despite Trump not showing any remorse for what he did and continues on with his toxic and dangerous lies and rhetoric that inflames anger among his fascist base and blind followers. Pence chooses inaction despite the “FBI warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to Presidentelect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol,” according to the Associated Press. This is the second time that Trump will be impeached, the first time this is happening in the history of presidents in the United States — a testament to the corruption of this man and unfitness to be President. This time, however, we hear more Republicans in Congress coming out to express support for the impeachment of Trump following the January 6 siege of the capitol where their own lives had been threatened. “Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, the party’s third-ranking House leader, announced on Tuesday that she will vote to impeach President Donald Trump, becoming the highest-ranking official from her party to support charging and removing him from office following the Trump-incited riot at the Capitol last week, ”CNN reported. “The President of the United
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Fighting for free speech President Trump’s account. He tweeted: “After a clear warning we’d take this action, we made a decision with the best information we had based on threats to physical safety both on and off Twitter.” World leaders expressed their discontent towards censoring the sitting President of the United States. For example, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador disagrees with Twitter’s actions of banning President Trump. He explains, “I don’t like anybody being censored or taking away from the right to post a message on Twitter or Face(book). I don’t agree with that, I don’t accept that.” The outrage from conservatives about Twitter’s ban isn’t about President Trump, you can be next. The underlying issue reckons from suppressing and canceling unpopular opinions. Allowing censorship gives big tech the full disclosure to not only cancel the current President of the United States but also your voice as an average American. We can’t allow the cancel culture from big tech to pick and
choose specific individual voices. Social media platforms reach out to millions of people as an opportunity towards listening to the different opinions of others. There’s always going to be mild and offensive opinions even if those opinions expressed are unpopular. Expressing our opinions and ideas remains one of the pathways for our Republic to thrive as a society, not censorship. We need to have meaningful discussions and cross-party lines to find the common ground to forgive each other from the wounds of political polarization that our country currently faces. Censorship of free speech is not the answer. I urge Fil-Am conservatives to continue to express your opinions by protecting your right to free speech as Americans. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Lisa Noeth is a Fil-Am conservative commentator and Nevada Young Republicans co-director.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
PH expands travel ban to include UAE, Hungary by AJPress THE Philippines has banned the entry of foreign travelers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hungary to prevent the spread of the new, more contagious COVID-19 variant. The two countries joined the list of 32 countries with travel restrictions including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, among others. Malacañang on Friday, January 15, also extended the temporary travel ban to last until January 31. “Foreign passengers coming from or who have been to the UAE and Hungary within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines shall be prohibited from entering the country effective Jan. 17, 2021, 12:01 a.m., Manila time until Jan. 31, 2021,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
Foreign travelers arriving before Jan. 17 are permitted to enter the country, they undergo a 14-day quarantine regardless of a negative RT-PCR test result. Filipino nationals are likewise subjected to the same safety measures. “Filipino and foreign passengers merely transiting through these two countries shall be covered by the rules, as provided in the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated Dec. 31, 2020,” added Roque. Transiting foreign passengers who left the airport or were cleared for entry into the country covered by Manila’s travel restrictions are likewise prohibited from entering the Philippines. Meanwhile, transiting Filipino citizens who left the airport or were cleared for entry into the country covered by the travel restrictions are allowed to enter the Philippines provided they undergo an absolute facility-based 14-day quarantine period, even
if they obtain a negative RT-PCR test result. The updated travel ban list comes after the announcement of the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) that the new COVID-19 variant has reached the country. On Wednesday, the DOH and PGC confirmed the detection of the B.1.1.7. SARS-CoV-2 variant (UK variant) in the Philippines after samples from a Filipino who arrived from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Jan. 7 “yielded positive genome sequencing results.” The patient is a 29-year-old male resident of Quezon City who left for Dubai on Dec. 27, 2020 for business purposes and returned to the Philippines last Jan. 7 via Emirates Flight No. EK 332. Intensified contact tracing efforts For its part, the country’s In-
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Follow the Constitution: Impeach and convict... PAGE A6 t States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have happened without the President,” said Cheney. “The President could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence. He did not.” “There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution,” she added. “I will vote to impeach the President.” Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell “is moving abruptly away from President Donald Trump, telling people that he thinks Trump perpetrated impeachable offenses,” the Associated Press reported. “The Kentucky Republican also sees House Democrats’ drive to impeach Trump as an opportune moment to distance the GOP from the tumultuous, divisive outgoing president.” BREAKING: The House on Wednesday, January 13 impeached President Donald Trump, adopting a single article of impeachment, voting 232 to 197 to charge him with “inciting violence against the government of the United States” and requesting his immediate removal from
office and disqualification from ever holding one again, the New York Times reported. Ten members of the president’s party joined Democrats to charge him with high crimes and misdemeanors for an unprecedented second time. More Republicans should do the right thing and protect and defend the Constitution instead of protecting Trump and their political ambitions. After all, during the 2016 Presidential Election campaign season, the high-ranking Republican leadership had been warning us about Trump. Why do some Republicans still choose to defend him? One is because of their political survival, and the other reason is because Trump continues to harass Republicans in Congress, threatening them, their safety and the safety of their families. All the more they should vote to remove Trump from office! The Times reported that vote set the stage for the second Senate trial of Trump in a year, though senators were not expected to convene to sit in judgment before Jan. 20, when Biden will take the oath of office. But who knows what McConnell might do to surprise us before then to fulfill their obligation to follow the Constitution. Words have consequences. Ac-
tions have consequences. If we just let Trump go after his term is over, then we failed to hold him accountable. Then he would run for office again and continue destroying our democracy. Then another candidate who may be worse than Trump could be emboldened to run for office. There can only be true unity when there is healing. There can only be true healing when justice and accountability are present. It is about time justice is served for all the transgressions Trump has committed against the Constitution and the American people. The House has impeached Trump. The Senate has to convict Trump. NOW. Let us ALL save the democracy of the United States of America. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos.
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The death of democracy by a thousand...
PAGE A6 t ety: politicians willing to pander to his lies and falsehoods, members of the police and the military, whites and minorities, and many folks who felt threatened by the erosion of white privilege from the increasing diversity in their communities. Although the 1/6 mob appears to be white, Trump increased his voter base among Asian and Latinx Americans based on exit polls and analysis of voting patterns. The mob may not reflect pro-Trump voter sentiments among Filipinos that guided their choice in the last elections, but it is important to ask, were they attracted to him because of his authoritarian tendencies? E.g., his disdain for the critical press, his brash unapologetic personality and populist pronouncements, his disrespect of the judiciary and the legislative co-equal branches of government if they were not in his service? His disdain for critical media has a cascading effect on one’s ability to think critically. Who is one to believe if the press cannot be trusted to be objective: the giant echo chamber of those who pander to Trump? Those who trusted Trump and what they heard within his giant echo chamber believed him when he egged them to march to the Capitol to fight hard to “stop the steal”; they believed him when he assured them that he will be there with them — a boldfaced lie, for he soon retreated to the fortress of the White House. This may well be the reason why some protesters did not hesitate to carry and wave the confederate flag (the flag of treason) into the Capitol. American democracy will survive these cuts, but it has been shocked and considerably weakened. There will be no shortage of advise on how the wounds and divisions that 1/6 has laid bare might be healed or bridged. I will just reiterate what I wrote when I warned about the dangers of Trump’s authoritarian tendencies in early December (Asian Journal Southern California Midweek Edition, December 2, 2020). Americans must confront and make peace with the historic legacies of its slave-owning past: exorcise white supremacy, and the culture of white privilege. Which leads me to the question of Filipino Americans and their role in getting beyond 1/6. A majority of us are foreign born —immigrant — although more and more have become naturalized,
and voted in the last elections. Our native born children clearly have a stake in the political future of this country. So do we, foreign born Filipino Americans since we have thrived under the umbrella of opportunities and liberties in American society. But the strong ties we have with Filipinas, our country of birth, requires that we cannot have one standard for Trump, condemning his transgressions against truth, civil liberties, and democracy, while we turn a blind eye to similar transgressions in the political affairs of the Philippines. President Duterte’s war on drugs, is estimated to have resulted in over 30,000 extrajudicial killings. He has attacked the press, actually moving to curtail the activities of those critical of him through license cancellations, and lawsuits. The most egregious so far is prosecution of Rappler’s founder and executive editor, Maria Ressa, on alleged violations of a libel law that was retroactively applied — the law did not exist when the alleged acts were committed. As extrajudicial executions were mounting under the war on drugs, Duterte warned the critical media, “just because you are a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination.” The United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights has warned that there appears to be “a pattern of intimidation” of media in the Philippines. Ressa and fellow journalist, Reynaldo Santos Jr. were found guilty of a law retroactively applied to them. At a press conference afterwards Ressa has vowed to continue fighting, to hold power to account: “Are we going to lose freedom of the press? Will it be death by a thousand cuts, or are we going to hold the line so that we protect the rights that are enshrined in our constitution?” We also know now that ABSCBN, a major radio and TV broadcast organization has had to stop its broadcast activities in the Philippines pending a renewal of its broadcast license, these despite assurances by members of the Philippine congress that it can continue its operations pending congressional review of its renewal application. These attacks on the freedom of the press are but one area of concern regarding civil liberties in the Philippines. Since 2019, international human rights advocate organizations have began
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US-made rockets recovered off Cagayan
to focus attention on the Philipby Raymund Catindig pines. In June, 2019, the UN Human Rights Council, adopted EmmanuEl tupas Philstar.com a resolution, requesting the Office of the High Commissioner AROUND 90 rocket canisters for Human Rights to report on the human rights situation in the were recovered in the waters Philippines. The adoption of this off Barangay Taggat Norte in resolution is unprecedented; it Claveria, Cagayan on Wednesmarks the first time that the Phil- day. Fishermen found 24 wooden ippines is the subject of scrutiny crates containing the warheads, by the Human Rights Council. Meanwhile, the International Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Court (ICC), launched chief Gen. Debold Sinas said on an inquiry on the Philippines war Thursday, January 14. on drugs. In reaction, President Duterte withdrew Philippine membership with the ICC on March 2020. The ICC prosecutor PAGE A7 t however continues its inquiry, contending that the ICC has ju- ter-Agency Task Force for the risdiction over crimes committed Management of Emerging Infecduring a period while the Philip- tious Diseases (IATF-EID) has pines was still an ICC member, expanded the contact tracing efforts by including the third-geni.e., July 2016 to March 2020. These are disturbing signs eration contacts of people with about the curtailment of liber- the new variant. “All identified close contacts ties and rights in the Philippines. Yet, judging by Duterte’s contin- are required to undergo a strict ued popularity, Filipinos appear facility-based 14-day quarantine to be more sympathetic towards while remaining contacts from leaders with strong authoritar- the flight manifest shall be adian tendencies. Government actions against Ressa, Rappler, and ABS-CBN hardly created a ripple of protest among Filipinos even PAGE A5 t as those who dared to voice criticism have been threatened or BioNTech’s vaccine. prosecuted on trumped-up (pun “After a thorough review of the intended) charges. Outrage was currently available data by medical more pronounced internation- and regulatory experts, the FDA ally. today is granting an emergency This is a dangerous bargain use authorization to Pfizer-BioNthat we are making with the Tech COVID-19 vaccine,” FDA didevil, so to speak. Democracy rector-general Eric Domingo said and civil liberties in the Philip- Thursday. pines lack the robust rails that “It is decided that all conditions they have in the United States. for an EUA are present and that Corruption and political patron- the benefit of using the vaccine age have made us more willing outweighs the known and potento ignore transgressions. And tial risks,” he added. when the bargain comes due, it The decision came 22 days afmight well be death by a thou- ter the American pharmaceutical sand cuts. firm submitted its application in At the very least, I urge the country. my kababayans to start engaging According to Domingo, Pfizer’s on the issues of press freedom application satisfied the requireand civil liberties in the Philip- ments for acquiring an EUA in the pines. Let us educate ourselves Philippines. on the issues. A good place to “Based on the totality of evistart are the reports of interna- dence available to date, includtional human rights advocacy ing data from adequate and groups. well-known controlled trials, it *** is reasonable to believe that the The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vacexpressed by the author do not necessarily cine may be effective to prevent, reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of diagnose, or treat COVID-19,” he the Asian Journal, its management, editorial said. board and staff. Pfizer’s vaccine requires a stor*** age with a temperature of -80 to Enrique de la Cruz, Ph.D. is professor -60 degree Celsius prior to diluEmeritus of Asian American Studies at tion. California State University, Northridge. The EUA stated that Pfizer Inc.
The canisters has U.S. warhead markings and could have been brought to the country for the annual Balikatan exercises. An inspection by personnel of the Explosives Ordnance Division/K9 Group showed that the canisters were negative for any explosive or hazardous materials. Sinas said unknown foreign vessels could have dropped the crates.
It appears the crates had been at sea for a long time. The locks and hinges were rusty and the wood is in a state of decay. ”We assure local leaders and the people of Claveria, Cagayan that there is no cause for alarm over the discovery of these items,” Sinas said. The PNP said it would coordinate with the U.S. government to determine whether military exercises were conducted in Claveria. n
PH expands travel ban to include UAE... vised of the appropriate quarantine protocols,” said Roque. The IATF also directed the Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to issue advisories to local government units (LGUs) to prepare and strengthen the maintenance of their quarantine facilities. The DILG was also ordered to ensure the LGUs’ proper enforcement of StaySafe.ph,
a contact tracing application launched by the national government. “Those who are found to be positive, apart from the prescribed testing and quarantine protocols, shall undergo whole genome sequencing to be conducted by the DOH, University of the Philippines Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the UP National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH),” Roque said. n
PH reports first case of new COVID-19... Philippines would provide the appropriate cold chain requirements for storage, transport, and handling until the vaccines are delivered to inoculation sites, unless it has an agreement with the DOH or the National Task Force against COVID-19 providing otherwise. Earlier, Philippine vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine rollout may start as early as February through the COVAX facility, a global platform that aims to ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries. The Philippines is the latest country to issue an EUA for Pfizer’s vaccine, following the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Germany, Australia, and Israel, among others. Sinovac submits EUA application Meanwhile, China’s Sinovac has sent in its application for an EUA of its COVID-19 vaccine. “Yesterday afternoon, nag submit ng application ang Sinovac. Ang EUA nito is from China and they are undergoing pre-assessment now (Yesterday afternoon, Sinovac submitted its application. The EUA it currently has is from China and they are undergoing
pre-assessment now),” Domingo said Thursday. However, he noted that the documents submitted by the company were incomplete. “At quick glance, the clinical trial data that they sent is still lacking. We will have to ask them for the clinical trial phase 3 report, which I believe they are collating now,” he said. On Monday, the Philippines secured 25 million doses of Sinovac vaccines, of which the first 50,000 doses are set to arrive in the country next month. Amid concerns and fears over Sinovac’s low efficacy rate, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte assured that the vaccine is “as good as” those produced in the U.S. and Europe. “The bakuna (vaccine) that Secretary Galvez is buying is as good as any other bakuna na naimbento ng mga Amerikano o yung mga Europeans (vaccine invented by Americans and Europeans),” he said Wednesday night. “Hindi nagkulang ang Chinese. Hindi sila nagkulang sa utak. Bright itong mga Instik. (They don’t lack intellect. They’re bright) and they would not venture kung hindi sapat (if it is not enough), it is not safe, sure, and secure,” Duterte added. n
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Trump extends immigration ban to March 31, 2021 Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ ON December 31, 2020, Pres. Trump extended his “immigration ban” through March 31, 2021, just hours before it was set to expire. By way of background, and as I detailed in previous articles, in April 2020, Trump issued a proclamation (which he renewed and expanded in June 2020), banning the issuance of immigrant visas for people outside the U.S. who were under petition by family members or employers. The ban also applied to temporary nonimmigrant working visas, such as H-1B. His justification for the ban were the effects of COVID-19 on the U.S. labor market, and the health of American communities as a matter of “ongoing national concern,” which have not been eliminated. His concern was the high unemployment rate in the U.S., and it’s not fair to let people immigrate who will take away jobs from U.S. workers. Is there anything that can be done in the meantime? Here are some possibilities and the chances of success: 1. Biden could rescind or cancel this proclamation? But we have seen from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) the difficulty of a president trying to undo Executive
Actions or proclamations of previous presidents. Obama instituted DACA by Executive Action, and Trump tried to rescind it by Executive Action, but there was lengthy litigation, going all the way up to the Supreme Court, which held Trump did not properly rescind DACA. 2. Legal action? By the time the case gets through the courts, it will probably be past April 2021, so it seems litigation would be a waste of time. Also, courts have held a president may, by proclamation, “suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens” whenever he finds that the entry of such aliens or class of aliens would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.” Trump believes letting in immigrants who will take away jobs would be “detrimental.” So, it could be Trump’s proclamation would be found to be lawful. 3. Department of State (DOS), National Visa Center (NVC), and the U.S. embassies would still likely take months before they reopen and can start scheduling interviews, even if there were no proclamations. While DOS says it will start reopening posts on a case-by-case basis, there are still Covid concerns, travel restrictions, etc. Also, people would need to update medicals, and likely the U.S. will require Covid testing and vaccination. We still don’t know when vaccines will be distributed worldwide. The bottom line is that it is extremely disappointing Trump extended the immigration ban when he will already be out of
office. But most likely, by the time anyone tries to challenge the proclamation, it will be April 2021 already. But keep reading my articles, subscribe to my YouTube channel (US Immigration TV), check my Law Office’s Facebook page (GurfinkelLaw), and continue watching Citizen Pinoy, to be kept updated, as many new procedures and policies will take place. And Biden promises change and reversal of Trump’s harsh policies. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
CITIZEN PINOY: MORE ANSWERS TO IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS FROM KAPAMILYA, VIA ZOOM, THIS SUNDAY. Luchie of Azusa, CA (center) asks if it is OK for a green card holder to apply for naturalization if she already has a pending petition for her husband. From Redlands, CA, Ricky (right) would like to know if his two single daughters (whom he petitioned in 2011 in the F-2B category) can immigrate sooner now that he has naturalized. These are just a few of the immigration questions that will be answered on an encore episode of “CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot” this Sunday, January 17 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Fil-Am Disney star Olivia Rodrigo tops charts with debut single By Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
FILIPINA American Disney star and singer Olivia Rodrigo’s official debut single “Drivers License” is shaping up to be a chart-topping hit. After its release on January 8, the song has been dominating the charts of major streaming platforms. It climbed to no. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Top 100 chart, Apple Music’s Top 100: Global chart, and Spotify’s Global Top 100. On Monday, the track — surpassing Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” — set Spotify’s record for PAGE B2
Olivia Rodrigo’s official debut single “Drivers License” has been dominating the charts of major streaming platforms. Photo from Instagram/@olivia.rodrigo
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Geneva on dressing up, In loving memory of posting photos of herself: ‘I Maria Achacoso Gadioma 1926 – 2021 dress up for me and me alone’
Geneva Cruz Photo from Instagram/@genevacruzofficial
AT 44 years old, Geneva Cruz clarified to followers that she dresses up the way she wants and shares photos of herself online not for others’ satisfaction but for herself, noting that she will do it as long as she wants and can. “I dress up for me and me alone. I appreciate the good comments, but that’s not why I post,” Cruz said on Instagram earlier today, Jan. 15. “People forget that I am already 44 because they still see me as this 12-year-old girl whom they watched grow up before their eyes.” “Simple lang ang sagot ko (My answer is simple)…. One day my breasts will hit my knees, so until then, I will wear whatever it is I want to wear (as long as I look good) for my freedom of expression,” the singer-actress stressed. Although Cruz did not refer to anyone specifically, she reminded others that they should respect what other people do and do not “ruin their vibe” with negativity. “Next time, when a person is feeling good about himself/herself…. Be happy for the person; wag kang panira ng vibe kasi ang gulo na nga ng mundo (do not ruin others’ vibe because the world is already messed up),” Cruz stressed. “You do you, and I’ll do me. I, thank you,” she added. Prior to the said post, Cruz showed off her alluring figure in a revealing dress, noting that there is no need for a special occasion for people “to try and look good or feel good.” “[Because] every day is an opportunity for us to take care of ourselves. I like to think about self-care as coming back home to ourselves,” Cruz explained. “It is easy to forget ourselves and our needs when life happens. It is fundamental for our well-being, just like oxygen and water are fundamental for our body to remain alive and function effectively. Serve yourself first so you can serve others too,” she added. “Did my hair and makeup and got dressed, because why not?” she said in a previous post from the said photoshoot at home. Cruz comes from a clan of respected showbiz personalities, with the likes of Tirso Cruz III and Sunshine, Donna and Sheryl Cruz as relatives. She is also a single mother to Heaven and London. (Ian Biong/Inquirer.net)
MARIA Achacoso Gadioma, age 94, of Riverdale, Bronx has peacefully joined our Creator and her beloved husband, Demosthenes B. Gadioma on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. She was a loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt. Maria was an inspiration and loving example to so many whose lives she touched. Her love of family was her greatest legacy. She believed in the power of prayers. She reminded everyone to
Isabel Sandoval on transitioning By Rito
P. Asilo Inquirer.net
ONE of the best interviews we’ve conducted last year was the one with multihyphenate Isabel Sandoval, the writer, director and lead actress of the award-winning film “Lingua Franca,” about an undocumented Filipino transwoman (played by Isabel) working as a caregiver in New York. But don’t be fooled by her softspoken, almost shy, countenance. While Isabel appeared cerebral and personable as all get-out, we found her answers to be just as fun and illuminating as the characters she brings to palpable life onscreen. Before we wrapped up our 30minute chat on Zoom, we asked Isabel if transitioning was something she would encourage other people thinking of going through it to pursue. “Of course it’s a matter of personal choice,” Isabel said. “I grated here from the Philippines can never claim to speak about when he was just a teenager. what other people should do. But He’s my grandma’s dad, and my for me, it was a long and arduous grandpa is also Filipino as well,” process, because transitioning is a serious, personal journey. she said. “And, you know, transitioning “My dad grew up in a house where they were always making can take many forms. There are Filipino food, his grandpa always spoke Tagalog. All of those traditions have trickled down to our generation. Every Thanksgiving we have lumpia, and things like that,” she added. Rodrigo also revealed that she wants to go to the Philippines one day. “I have never been to the Phil- Pastor’s ippines, but I really, really want to. We still have extended family Notes there, but I’ve never met them. That’s on my bucket list, definitely,” she said. ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas
Fil-Am Disney star Olivia Rodrigo... PAGE B1 most streams in a day for a nonholiday song with over 15.17 million global streams; the day after, it hit 17.01 million streams. As of Friday, January 15, it earned the biggest weekly streaming debut for any song in U.S. Spotify chart history with 30.433 million streams. The 17-year-old star of “Bizaardvark” and “The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” on Tuesday took to Instagram to express her excitement over the success of her single. “Uhhhhhh so drivers license is the number one song in the world rn. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this. Thank u guys so much for listening. I can’t believe this is real life,” wrote Rodrigo. In an earlier post, Rodrigo
shared a screenshot of the U.S. iTunes chart showing her single behind the songs of Grammy-winner Taylor Swift, one of the teen singer’s biggest inspirations. “Next to Taylor on the U.S. iTunes chart I’m in a puddle of tears,” she wrote. Days later, Swift replied to the post, saying: “I say that’s my baby and I’m really proud.” “Drivers License” has amassed over 24 million views on YouTube since its release. Rodrigo was born to an American mother of Irish and German descent, and a Fil-Am father. In an interview with Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), she talked about the Fil-Am side of her family. “My great-grandfather immi-
turn to their faith at all times. She was a true role model. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the family will hold a private viewing on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 2:00 – 6:00 PM. Prayers are requested in lieu of flowers. Funeral Mass will be live-streamed from the Church of the Madonna on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 11:00 AM. For directions, please call Frank Patti Funeral Homes at (201) 944-0100, or go to www.frankpatti.com.
Isabel Sandoval
people who just want to claim their gender identity, while others, like myself, prefer to take hormones in order to change physically. Some people even go all the way and have gender reassignment surgery, which was what I did.
Photo from Instagram/@isabelsandoval
“Yeah, people have their own individual journeys. As long as you put in the effort to understand yourself and get to know who you really are, and if that leads to decide that you want to transition, then by all means you should do that.”
The immediacy and urgency of Jesus’ law and genuine faith in Him
IT takes a full length of the Gospel in Mark, Matthew, and Luke to gradually reveal that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. On the other hand, John’s Gospel immediately jumps into this revelation at the beginning of his gospel. “Look, there is the Lamb of God,” John the Baptist said to his two disciples, pointing to Jesus. The two disciples immediately followed Jesus. “What are you looking for,” Jesus asked them. “Rabbi (which translated means “Teacher”) where are you staying. He said to them, “Come and See.” Then they came and saw where he was staying. One of them, Andrew, went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah.” He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated, Peter). The next day, Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and there he found Philip and asked him to follow him too. Having known Andrew and Simon, who were from the same city he lived, Philip must have received assurance from
them about Jesus’ identity. So he came to find Nathaniel to tell him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth. Nathaniel said to Philip, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip responded, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward him, he said, “Here is the truly an Israelite with no deceit!” Impressed by Jesus’ attention to him, Nathaniel responded, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel.” Jesus replied, “You will see greater things than these. Amen, amen I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Interestingly, we see the same pattern and gradual revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, in the Samaritan Woman’s story in John’s Gospel. Indeed, writing a theological Gospel, John testifies and confesses at the beginning of his writing that Jesus is the Son of God, the Anointed One! We can draw a strong message from this literal analysis of this gospel. Jesus, our Savior, needs to be proclaimed immediately and urgently in our world and nation today. There is no sole form of government, no political party, and no charismatic figure that can entirely change our nation and resolve its crises, except the person of Jesus. He is the one
that could save us from despair, conflicts, violence, and deep divisions. Our faith in him and the Law of Love he embodies are what would bring peace and healing to our land! Unfortunately, people profess and confess faith in Jesus, but their actions do not reveal His true Spirit. We can attest to this assertion after witnessing and discerning the fruits of their efforts. They do not show and bring genuine love, mercy, peace, and justice. Patriotism full of hatred and bigotry is not from the Gospel of Jesus. Violent protests, riots, and terrorism are not fruits of the Holy Spirit. Only a “Servant’s Heart” can bring hope and restoration to our nation, as the former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzennegger, shared in a video message last week. We all have to pray for our nation and the world. The pandemic is horrific enough to bring us to our knees to ask for God’s intervention. We’ll have to multiply our efforts to pray to God to save our nation and government from destruction. Jesus, our Savior, heal our land! *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
Do I have a community property interest in a house which my spouse acquired before our marriage? Barrister’s Corner atty. Kenneth URsUa Reyes GENERALLY, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under family code section 760. How do you characterize real property purchased prior to marriage but with the mortgage principal paid down using community income or funds during the marriage? The community in this situation acquires a pro tanto interest in the ratio that the payments on the purchase price made with
community funds bear to the total payments on the purchase price and any appreciation should be apportioned accordingly. Marriage of Moore (1980) 28 C3d 366, 371, 373, 168 CR 662, 664, 665. Other expenses associated with the property are not considered in the calculation such as mortgage interest, taxes, and insurance. In essence, the real property would accumulate both a separate property and a community property component by the date of separation. The appropriate remedy in this situation where separate property is subsequently paid with community funds is “apportionment.” The process of apportioning between the separate and community property component is laid out in the Marriage of Marsden. In that case, the court determined the ratio or percentage in which the mortgage loan principal was reduced during
the marriage and applied that percentage to the appreciation of the real property during the marriage. The community property component would then consist of the reduction in the mortgage loan principal during the marriage plus the portion of appreciation during the marriage applying the ratio discussed above. In the Marriage of Marsden, the real property was purchased by the husband for $38,300 prior to the marriage. The original mortgage was $30,000. By the time the husband got married, the house was now worth $65,000 while the mortgage has gone down by $7,000. Both the appreciation of $26,700 and the mortgage reduction of $7,000 would be separate property since it occurred prior to marriage. Marriage of Madsen (1982) 130 CA3d 426, 181 CR 910. PAGE B6
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ANNOUNCEMENT Northpointe Apartments Waitlist Opening – 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Apartments EŽƌƚŚƉŽŝŶƚĞ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ ŝŶ >ŽŶŐ ĞĂĐŚ͕ ͕ ǁŝůů ďĞŐŝŶ ĂĐĐĞƉƟ ŶŐ ƉƌĞůŝŵŝŶĂƌLJ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ϭ͕ Ϯ ĂŶĚ ϯ ďĞĚƌŽŽŵ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ͘ ZĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ ƌĞŶƚƐ ĂƌĞ ƐƵďƐŝĚŝnjĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ h͘^ ĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ,h ͘ ^ŽŵĞ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ ŵĂLJ ĨĂĐŝůŝƚĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ƉŚLJƐŝĐĂůůLJ ŝŵƉĂŝƌĞĚ͘ dŽ ŚĂǀĞ LJŽƵƌ ŶĂŵĞ ƉůĂĐĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ϭ͕ Ϯ Žƌ ϯ ďĞĚƌŽŽŵ ƉƌĞͲĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ǁĂŝƟ ŶŐ ůŝƐƚ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ƚŚĞ ĐŽƵƉŽŶ ďĞůŽǁ ĂŶĚ ŵĂŝů ĚŝƌĞĐƚůLJ ƚŽ͗ Northpointe Apartments 5441 N. Paramount Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90805 ͻ dŚĞ ĐŽƵƉŽŶ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ƐĞŶƚ ǀŝĂ ƌĞŐƵůĂƌ ŵĂŝů ŽŶůLJ͘ ͻ EŽ ĐŽƵƉŽŶ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂĐĐĞƉƚĞĚ ďLJ ƚĞůĞƉŚŽŶĞ͕ ĨĂdž͕ ŚĂŶĚ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌLJ͕ ĐĞƌƟ Į ĞĚͬƌĞŐŝƐƚĞƌĞĚ ŵĂŝů͕ &ĞĚĞƌĂů džƉƌĞƐƐ͕ hW^ Žƌ ŽƚŚĞƌ džƉƌĞƐƐ DĂŝů ŽƉƟ ŽŶ͘ ͻ dŚĞ ǁĂŝƟ ŶŐ ůŝƐƚ ǁŝůů ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŽƉĞŶ ƵŶƟ ů ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ŶŽƟ ĐĞ͘ ͻ EŽƌƚŚƉŽŝŶƚĞ ƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ ŝƐ ŶŽƚ ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďůĞ ĨŽƌ ĐŽƵƉŽŶƐ ůŽƐƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂŝů͘ ,ŽƵƐŝŶŐ ŝƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ƚŽ Ăůů ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ƌĞŐĂƌĚ ƚŽ ƌĂĐĞ͕ ĐŽůŽƌ͕ ƌĞůŝŐŝŽŶ͕ ƐĞdž͕ Žƌ ŶĂƟ ŽŶĂů ŽƌŝŐŝŶ͘ Please clip the a�ached coupon and mail to the address indicated above. APPLICANT NAME:
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The wonderful world of ARK ETFs by Cathie Woods
500 Index and more than twice of Nasdaq. If you trade stocks, consider the following ARK actively managed innovation funds: • ARKF Fintech Innovation. • ARKG Genomic RevoluVictor Sy, tion. cPA, mBA • ARKK ARK Innovation. • ARKQ Autonomous TechCATHIE Woods continues to nology & Robotics. amaze with her stellar perform• ARKW Next Generation ance in the stock market. Her Internet. actively managed ARK funds ARK strategies & results: are among the best performers • Cathie Woods championed among 500 funds with at least Tesla early on, amidst doubt$1 billion of assets in the global ers. equity market. She has been one • She invested in technology of Wall Street’s darlings and was companies with potential for honored among Bloomberg’s radical disruption. 50 People Who Defined Global • ARK’s funds have been foBusiness. cused on companies that push Her focus is innovation cen- boundaries. tered around artificial intel• Her cornerstones are investligence, robotics, genome se- ments that present best risk-requencing, energy storage and ward opportunities. blockchain technology. In the • Ingredients of her active process, the Ark ETFs rewarded management: high conviction, its shareholders with more than concentrated bets, and discithree times the return of the S&P pline.
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• ARKs are optimal for longterm investors who can afford to take risk. Bottom line: I am long on all five ARK funds. For you readers of Asian Journal, consider investing in ARK and fly high with Tesla and other innovative disruptors who think outside the box. Her funds are actively managed (most ETFs are passively managed). . *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.
Job changes after approved I-140 immigrant petition Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAmSon UPANG makakuha ng employment-based green card, karaniwan ay may tatlong yugto para dito. Ang unang yugto ay ang PERM Labor Certification, kung saan ang U.S. employer ay magpapakita sa U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) na walang kwalipikadong U.S. worker para sa posisyon/trabaho na inaalok sa dayuhang empleyado. Pagkatapos maaprubahan ang the PERM Labor Certification, ang pangalawang yugto ay ang filing ng I-140 Immigrant Petition, kung saan ang U.S. employer ay magpapakita sa USCIS na ito may may kakayahang magbayad ng offered wage sa dayuhang empleyado. Dito, kailangan ding ipakita ng dayuhang empleyado na siya ay
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nagtataglay ng edukasyon, karanasan at pagsasanay para sa inaalok na posisyon/trabaho sa kanya. Ang pangatlo at huling yugto ay ang pag-file ng I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Ito ang tinatawag na Green Card Application. Ang pagpalit o paglipat sa ibang employer pagkatapos maaprubahan ang I-140 Immigrant Petition ngunit bago makuha ang green card ay karaniwang nangangailangan ng bagong I-140 Petition mula sa bagong U.S. employer. Subalit ang bagong I140 Immigrant Petition ay hindi kailangan kung ang I-485 alienbeneficiary ay nakatugon sa job portability requirements ayon sa American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC 21). Sa ilalim ng AC 21, ang I-485 alien-beneficiary ay maaaring lumipat o mag-”port” sa ibang US employer para sa posiyon/trabaho na may “same or similar occupational classification” sa posisyon/trabaho na nasa PERM Labor Certification. Kailangan
ding ang I-485 Application ay nakasalang na ng mahigit na 180 araw sa USCIS ayon sa AC21. Upang magkaroon ng determinasyon kung ang dalawang posisyon/trahabo ay nasa “same or similar occupational qualification”, sisiyasatin ng USCIS ang mga sumusunod: (1) ang DOL Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, na nagbibigay ng mga grupo at klasipiskasyon sa mga trabaho bilang distinct occupational categories; (2) ang mga tungkulin ng 2 posisyon/trabaho; (3) ang karanasan, edukasyon, pagsasanay, at lisensya na kailangan para sa bawat posisyon/trabaho; (4) ang sahod para sa dalawang posisyon/trabaho; at (5) iba pang may katuturang ebidensya na ibibigay ng I-485 alien- beneficiary. Ang alien-beneficiary ay kailangan ding magpasa ng Form I-485J Supplement, Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability under INA Section 204(j), kasama ang mga dokumentong magpapatunay na PAGE B6
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 16-19, 2021
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng ONCE in a lifetime events have happened in the last few days: A mob stormed the Capitol building in D.C. in an attempt to stop the certification of the votes cast by the electoral college for Mr. Biden as president of the United States, a coup in real time, resulting in the death of five people and the ransacking of the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Mr. Trump got impeached a second time with 10 Republicans concurring. A physical attack on our democracy that has never happened in any of our lifetimes resulted in the second impeachment of the current president. The last time I saw a coup was in Manila in 1972. After the bombing of Plaza Miranda, which President Marcos blamed on the communists, maiming opposition leaders, he shut down Congress and declared martial law, in defense of the Republic against lawless elements. Then he stayed in power as a dictator with absolute power for 14 years. Mr. Aquino was assassinated as he descended from the plane that brought him back to Manila from Los Angeles, by a military man loyal to Marcos who was then in a coma because of lupus. Of course in the Trump coup of January 6, he was not able to stop the Electoral College certification of Biden as the new president elect of the United States of America. The coup failed because hours after the coup, the House of Representatives continued on with their business of electoral votes, and Pence, to his credit, certified that Biden had won the November presidential elections by a large margin. The counting went on until midnight and Biden was certified as the winner of the presidential elections held two months ago, a fact that anyone who could read would have known two months ago. We thank God Almighty, creator of the universe and everything in it, through Jesus Christ, His beloved Son, that our democratic institutions survived the assault on our Capitol and Congress continued the business of the people, in the house of
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Is it OK to use credit cards to survive the pandemic?
the people, the next day. In the background of this horrendous physical assault on our democracy, the pandemic continued uncontrolled, killing another 3,000 Americans daily with a total of almost 400,000 dead and 22 million infected by the virus. More Americans have died from this virus than Americans killed in WWII and the Vietnam War combined. When King Saul disobeyed our God, Saul could no longer be King of Israel. God’s Spirit left King Saul and so he lost God’s anointing. God told Saul to kill and destroy everyone and everything of the Amalekites. But Saul decided to spare King Agag of the Amalekites and his family and their possessions, a direct disobedience of what God had asked him to do. See 1 Samuel 15. When King Saul was convinced that God no longer favored him to be King of Israel, he killed himself in battle by throwing himself onto his own sword in the battle against the Philistines where three of his sons also died. He gave up his life because he knew God was no longer with him and he was no longer favored by God to be king of Israel. Amalekites were supposed to be sorcerers who could transform themselves into the form of animals. An abomination to our Lord. They attacked the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land of Canaan but were defeated by Joshua who was anointed by God to lead the Israelites after Moses died. God did not allow Moses to set foot on the Promised Land but he was allowed to see it. Moses had disobeyed God when he struck the stone twice to get water from it when God’s instruction to him was to strike it once. Even King David who lusted after Bathsheba when he saw her taking a bath naked from his balcony. David already had a harem of wives. But he decided to have the husband of Bathsheba, Uriah, a military officer fighting for Israel, to be sent to the frontlines of the combat zone to increase the chances that Uriah would be killed in battle. And indeed, Uriah was killed in battle and King David satisfied his lust by getting Uriah’s wife Bathsheba as his wife number I
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don’t know which, probably his 10th wife. Uriah only had one wife, which King David now had as his own to add to his stable of wives. God punished King David by having his first born with Bathsheba die within 24 hours of birth. And King David’s son Absalom revolted against him, and so Absalom was executed. So even Kings of Israel can lose God’s anointing and favor when they become unrighteous. God does not condone unrighteousness in our leaders. Our leaders must speak the truth. If they do not, they become unrighteous and they will suffer the loss of God’s favor and anointing. This is how it works. So now, Biden has announced that each of us will be getting $2,000 as additional pandemic relief. Although that’s hardly enough to survive for the next six month, it’s a step in the right direction since it’s $1,400 more than the original approved $600. But it’s the thought that counts, right? In addition, the new proposal by Biden will continue delaying evictions and foreclosures. That helps too. $2,000 surely helps with rent and mortgage but food is a more pressing need for many of us. Many of us have lost our jobs and unemployment benefits and pandemic benefits are expiring. Biden has asked to extend these benefits for another four months. And he will provide enough money to pay for the resources to distribute the vaccine faster. If money is short because of this pandemic, don’t be afraid the use your credit cards to survive another six months. Just go ahead and use them. Better to have a roof over your head than live in a tent beside the freeway. It’s really so sad that there are many homeless people in LA who are relegated to living in tents beside the freeways. This is something we have not seen before. Why do some people live in million dollar houses but some live in tents by the freeway? I pray that none of us end up living in tents by the freeway. That is just so sad. God’s plan is always to prosper us and not to hurt us. But he also gave us free will. What we decide to do have PAGE B6
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Should I tell my employer about my medical diagnosis? Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. Q: I WAS diagnosed with a spinal compression fracture and severe depression. I want to request leave but want to keep my privacy at work. Do I need to tell my employer about my medical or psychological condition? A: No. The employee is not required to disclose the nature of the employee’s medical condition or disability (i.e., their diagnosis). The employee is required only to provide reasonable medical documentation which describes the employee’s physical or mental limitations, which may prevent them from doing their work. For example, the medical documentation may simply state that the employee is restricted from lifting more than 25 lbs. The employer cannot inquire into the “nature or severity” of the employee’s disability. The employer cannot ask for the employee’s complete medical records as those records may be unrelated to the need for accommodation. The employer also cannot ask the employee about the underlying medical cause of the disability (unless such a medical examination is “jobrelated” and “consistent with business necessity”). How much of an employee’s medical condition should be disclosed to the employer? If an employee’s dis-
ability or medical condition is not obvious, the employer may request the employee to provide reasonable medical documentation confirming the existence of the disability and the need for reasonable accommodation. That medical documentation may contain the following: a. The name and credentials of the health care provider b. Certification from the medical provider that the employee has a physical or mental condition that limits a major life activity or a medical condition, and a description
accommodation if he or she needs to be absent from work for medical treatments or doctor appointments. For the employer to provide reasonable accommodation to the employee, the employer must know that the employee needs such accommodation. The employer knows an employee has a disability when the employee tells the employer about the condition, or when the employer becomes aware of the condition, such as through a third party or by observation. Thus, if the employee’s disability becomes known or obvious, the employer must engage the employee in a timely, good faith interactive process to determine if reasonable accommodation can be made for the employee. The employer must start the interactive process. Lastly, California law prohibits discrimination based on disability or medical condition. An employer may not terminate or demote an employee based on the employee’s disability or medical condition. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.] (Advertising Supplement)
“Even if the medical condition does not limit any major life activities (i.e., there is no disability), the employee is still entitled to reasonable accommodation if he or she needs to be absent from work for medical treatments or doctor appointments.” of why the employee needs a reasonable accommodation. There is a need for ‘reasonable accommodation’ if the employee’s medical condition limits a major life activity, such as doing the necessary tasks that the work requires. To have a limitation in the performance of a major life activity is to have a disability. Reasonable accommodation may include granting or extending leave from work to allow medical treatments, offering part-time or modified work schedules, or making facilities accessible to disabled individuals. Even if the medical condition does not limit any major life activities (i.e., there is no disability), the employee is still entitled to reasonable
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Reinstatement for surviving beneficiaries of an I-130 petition filed by a deceased relative
DEAR Attorney Tan, My U.S. Citizen mother filed an I-130 immigrant petition on my behalf, which has a priority date in February 2000 and which has been approved. She filed the I-130 petition after I came to the U.S. in 1999 as a tourist from the Philippines. Since my arrival, I have lived in the U.S. and have been out of status. Since I was petitioned as an unmarried adult daughter, I was advised that I had to wait several years to get a green card. Recently, my mother passed away. Can I still get a green card through my mother’s petition? -H.P. Dear H.P., When your mother passed away, the I-130 that was approved on your behalf was revoked by operation of law pursuant to 8 CFR Section 205.1. However, depending on the facts of a particular case, all is not lost. You may be eligible to get a green card pursuant to INA Section 204(L). Under INA Section 204(L), relief from an automatic revocation of an I-130 petition is available to certain surviving relatives. Surviving relatives who are eligible to seek 204(L) relief include a 1) principal or derivative beneficiary of an I130 petition that was filed by a deceased permanent resident or U.S. Citizen, and 2) derivative beneficiary of an I-130 petition that was filed by a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen where the principal beneficiary has died. Section 204(L) relief is also available to derivative
Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn beneficiaries in I-140 employment-based petitions where the principal beneficiary has died. Another requirement for Section 204(L) relief is that the person seeking relief must have “residence” in the US. What is meant by “residence?” It is your primary home or principal actual dwelling place. At least one beneficiary must have resided in the U.S. when the petitioning relative died, and must continue to reside in the U.S. when seeking Section 204(L) relief. It is worth noting that all beneficiaries of a petition can benefit from Section 204(L) relief as long as at least one of the beneficiaries meets the residence requirement. Further, although “residence” is required, Section 204(L) does not require actual physical presence in the U.S. when the relative died. In your case, it appears that you are eligible to obtain a green card. You are a principal beneficiary of an I-130 petition filed by your US Citizen mother. Further, you appear to meet the residence requirement in that you have been in the US since your arrival in 1999—you resided in the US when your mother passed away, and currently reside in the US. A check of the
USCIS visa bulletin indicates the priority date for the I-130 petition filed by your mother on your behalf is current, so you can file an I-485 adjustment of status application, requesting reinstatement of the I-130 petition filed by your mother pursuant to Section 204(L). As a sidenote, Section 204(L) relief is also available if one’s relative died while the I-130 was pending, not only after the I-130 petition was approved. Section 204(L) relief therefore is broader than Humanitarian Reinstatement of a petition under 8 CFR Section 205.1, which can only be requested by the principal beneficiary when the petitioner him/herself has died, and after approval of an I-130. Relief under Section 204(L) is discretionary, and can be denied if factors in support of relief are not presented properly. It is accordingly recommended that you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) and American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). He is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Job changes after approved... PAGE B5 ang bagong posisyon/trabaho ay nakakatugon sa portability requirements ng AC 21. *** There are usually 3 stages in order to obtain an employmentbased green card. The 1st stage is the PERM Labor Certification where the U.S. employer must establish with the US Department of Labor (DOL) that no U.S. worker is qualified for the position being offered to the alien employee. After the PERM Labor Certification approval, the 2nd stage is the filing of the I140 Immigrant Petition with the USCIS, where the U.S. employer has to show that it has the ability to pay the offered wage to the alien employee. Here, the alien employee has to show that he meets all the education and work experience requirements for the position offered. The 3rd and final stage is the filing of the I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This is also called the Green Card Application. Changing employers after an approved I-140 Immigrant Petition but before receiving the
green card usually requires the alien to obtain a new I-140 Petition based on the new employer. However, a new I-140 Immigrant Petition is not required if the I485 alien-beneficiary meets the job portability requirements pursuant to the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC 21). AC 21 allows an I-485 alien- beneficiary to transfer or port to another employer for a position that is in the “same or similar occupational classification” as the one in the underlying PERM Labor Certification if the I-485 Application has been pending for more than 180 days. AC 21 permits lateral moves, career progression, and self-employment. USCIS considers several factors when deciding whether the two jobs are “in the same or similar occupational qualification” such as: (1) the DOL Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, which groups and classifies jobs and occupations into distinct occupational categories; (2) the job duties of both positions; (3) the skills, experience, education, training, licenses or certifications specifically
Do I have a community...
PAGE B2 During the marriage until the time of trial, the property has appreciated another $117,500 (property now valued at $182,500) while the mortgage has further declined by $9,200 up to the date of separation. The ratio at which community funds paid down the mortgage ($9,200) during the marriage to the original purchase price ($38,300) amounts to 24.02%. This percentage of the property appreciation during the marriage of $117,500 ($28,223.50) plus the reduction in mortgage balance during the marriage ($9,200) would constitute the community component of the real property. The rest was the husband’s separate property. The husband in that case was awarded his separate property component of the real property plus one half of the community property component. The Marsden apportionment method is also applicable to situations where a community real property is later transmuted into one spouse’s separate property
through execution of a quit claim by the other spouse but is subsequently paid using community funds. Marriage of Broderick (1989) 209 CA3d 489, 257 CR 397. In litigation, the community interest in the situations mentioned about is proven through expert witness testimony typically by a forensic CPA. Since California case law allows the creation of a community interest in real property acquired prior to marriage, one has to consider vehicles to protect themselves if you own property and you are contemplating of getting married. There are several ways of avoiding the creation of a community interest on your separate real property. One, you can sign a prenuptial agreement. Two, the parties can execute a postnuptial agreement if the parties are already married. Three, the parties can execute a transmutation agreement with a waiver of any family code section 2640 reimbursement claim. If your divorce case involves complex issues of asset distribution, it is best to retain
required to perform each job; (4) the wages associated with each position; and (5) other relevant and credible evidence submitted by the alien-beneficiary. The alien-beneficiary must submit Form I-485J Supplement, Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability under INA Section 204(j) along with supporting evidence to prove that the new job meets the portability requirements under AC21. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005). SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 381-5710; Email: info@ samsonlawfirmpc.com. (Advertising Supplement)
the representation of competent counsel. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the Family law section, Estates and Trust, and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com. Web: kenreyeslaw. com (Advertising Supplement)
Is it OK to use credit cards to survive...
PAGE B5 consequences and one of those consequences can be us living in a tent by the freeway. God does not force us to do things. He gave each one of us a free will to choose what we want to do with ourselves. Now more than ever, we need divine protection. I refer you to Psalm 91 written by Moses. Please pray it for your own and your family’s divine protection. A battalion prayed it each morn-
ing. The battalion survived with no casualties during the entire duration of the war. Just a two minute prayer to our God, who is, who was and who is coming, in whom we trust. When you pray it, pray it through Jesus Christ. If you have too much debt and need relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE FOREGOING
IS CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE. EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South, Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
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