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JANUARY 19-25, 2024

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Biden to send first trade mission to the Philippines by CATHERINE VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

FEAST OF STO. NIÑO. Devotees bring their Sto. Niño images for blessing at the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague in Matina, Davao City on Monday, Jan. 15. The Sto. Niño feast is celebrated every third Sunday of January to mark the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

USA

DATELINE LA residents can now report ‘hate incidents’ to police online FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

THE Los Angeles Police Department is expanding its Community Online Reporting Service system on Friday, January 12 to include the category of “hate incidents” in an effort to combat the “under-reporting of biasmotivated incidents” that fall short of being considered crimes. LAPD Chief Michel Moore announced the expansion to the CORS program at a news conference at police headquarters on Thursday, January 11. The CORS system was launched in 2016, and allowed community members to file reports on incidents such as traffic collisions and a limited category of crime reports online, Moore said. During the year of its launch, 1,300 reports were submitted through CORS, Moore said.  PAGE 4

UNITED States President Joe Biden is set to send his first trade and investment mission to the Philippines, the White House announced on Friday, January 12, as part of the two countries’ commitment to advance economic ties. In a statement, White House National Security Council spokesman Adrienne Watson said the delegation would be led by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and will be in Manila until March 11 and 12, 2024, to engage with Filipino stakeholders. “President Joseph R. Biden Jr.

by GAEA KATREENA CABICO Philstar.com

MANILA — Eight in 10 Filipinos want the Philippines to work with the United States as tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea continue to escalate, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey. The December 3 to 7 poll, commissioned by think tank Stratbase Institute, showed that 79% of Filipino adults believe the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should cooperate with the United States

amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea. Only 10% of Filipinos favored working with China. Tensions between Manila and Beijing have flared up in recent months, with the Southeast Asian nation accusing the China Coast Guard of aggressive maneuvers toward Filipino boats during resupply missions. Marcos has veered away from the pivot of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte to China and has strengthened the country’s alliance President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and U.S. President Joe Biden Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales  PAGE 4

Philippines to upgrade outposts in disputed South China Sea

If ICC investigators are indeed in the country, as earlier reported, and they are not coordinating with the government, “how can we be sure that their investigation will be fair,” DOJ spokesman Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said at a public briefing. ManilaTimes.net file photo

 PAGE 3

U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez told the Philippine News Agency that a representative of the U.S. International Development Financial Corp. (DFC) would also be part of the mission. The envoy had previously disclosed that the U.S. had offered assistance for the stalled Mindanao Railway Project, with financing expected to come from the DFC. ‘First-of-its-kind’ This Biden-curated trade mission also comes on the heels of the 123 Agreement signing, which will pave the way for nuclear power projects between the Philippines and American providers. The 123 Agreement, signed  PAGE 3

79% of Filipinos favor US partnership amid heightened tensions in WPS — Pulse Asia

As voters head to polls worldwide, what role for diaspora communities? ICC yet to confirm presence in PH

WITH 2024 being the biggest election year in history — as over 70 countries with over four billion people send citizens to the polls — the role of diaspora communities is more crucial than ever. At a Friday, January 12 Ethnic Media Services briefing, speakers discussed how AI and social media spread disinformation among diaspora groups, and shared how diaspora communities will engage with elections in their home lands of Mexico, India and Taiwan. Diaspora communities and voting “The right to vote is one of the main demands of diaspora populations” and their home countries have responded, said Kathleen Newland, Senior Fellow and Co-Founder of the Migration Policy Institute. In 1980, only 21 countries enfranchised citizens abroad, whereas by 2020, 141 coun-

today announced he will send a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila, Philippines, March 11-12, 2024, to enhance U.S. companies’ contributions to the Philippines’ innovation economy, connective infrastructure, clean energy transition, critical minerals sector, and the food security of its people,” she said. The visit, she added, would reinforce the Philippines as a “key hub for regional supply chains and high-quality investment.” Watson said this trade mission follows on Biden’s commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to advance U.S.-Philippines economic ties and internationally recognized labor rights. Philippine Ambassador to the

by FRANCO JOSE BAROÑA ManilaTimes.net

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Monday, January 15 that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has yet to confirm if indeed its investigators are already in the country to probe the previous administration’s “drug war.” DOJ spokesman Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said they expect the ICC would “reach out and not avoid detection.” “Here in the Philippines, we conduct a very transparent preliminary investigation. The prosecution asks for evidence from both the complainant

and the respondent. It will not rely solely on what one side is saying,” Clavano said. If ICC investigators are indeed in the country, as earlier reported, and they are not coordinating with the government, “how can we be sure that their investigation will be fair,” the DOJ spokesman said at a public briefing on Monday. “How can we be sure that they will only rely on the statements of activists or civil society groups that are left-leaning? We have to make sure that the process is fair and transparent as it would have been if done by the Philippine government itself. So we do hope that if ever they are  PAGE 4

MANILA — The Philippines will upgrade outposts in waters off its coast and acquire more ships, its military chief said on Monday, January 15 as the country seeks to push back against China’s growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea. Manila and Beijing have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the waterway, but relations sharply deteriorated recently over a series of incidents involving vessels from both countries. Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner said the country would develop “the islands and other features” it held. The Philippines has outposts on nine reefs and islands in the Spratly Islands, located in

the South China Sea. Brawner said Thitu and Nanshan islands were among those where facilities would be improved with the installation of desalination machines and communications equipment. “We are just trying to make it more liveable, more habitable for our soldiers because they really have poor living conditions,” he told reporters. The plan, however, did not include “fortifying the Sierra Madre”, Brawner said, referring to the crumbling World War IIvintage ship grounded on Second Thomas Shoal by the Philippine Navy in 1999 to assert the country’s territorial claims.  PAGE 3

PH reaffirms ‘One China’ policy by BERNADETTE TAMAYO ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — The Philippines on Tuesday, January 16 reaffirmed its “One China Policy” amid President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s gesture congratulating Taiwan’s newly elected leader Lai Ching-te. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued the statement as the president on Monday, January 15, posted on X (formerly Twitter) his message to Lai. “On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan’s next president. We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, ensuring prosperity for our people,”

Marcos wrote on X. Lai turned to X to thank Marcos. “I deeply value the enduring friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines. I look forward to enhancing our economic and people-to-people ties while championing democracy, peace and prosperity in the region.” The DFA said the Philippines and Taiwan “share mutual interests which include the welfare of nearly 200,000 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in Taiwan.” “The message of President Marcos congratulating the new president was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs and holding a successful democratic process,” the DFA said. “Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms  PAGE 3

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JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Biden to send first trade mission... PAGE 1 in November 2023, allows the transfer of information, nuclear material, equipment, and components directly between the two states. Biden had described the endeavor as a “first-of-its-kind” mission when he met Marcos in Washington, D.C., in May 2023. “And this is, in fact, a new feature as there has never been a presidential high-level delegation to any country before, and that is again because of our continuing strong partnership with the United States,” Marcos said, following his six-day visit to the U.S. in November last year. The president said the group’s visit to the Philippines was upon the request of his administration for U.S. businesses to explore opportunities for investments, particularly in key sectors identified during their meetings in the U.S. The visit of the U.S. Presidential Trade and Investment Mission in Manila coincides with the Philippines’ hosting of the IndoPacific Business Forum (IPBF), described as the U.S.’s “marquee commercial event in the region.” The IPBF is the U.S. government’s annual commercial event in the region, gathering top leaders from the public and private sectors to review policy developments, disclose new investments, and explore partnerships. The U.S. co-hosted with Japan the 5th Indo-Pacific Business

Forum last Jan. 12, 2023, welcoming senior government officials, industry executives and other stakeholders. Malacañang said Marcos’ business engagements in the U.S. and Japan, among others, have obtained P4.019 trillion ($72.178 billion) worth of investments as of December 21. The total investment value consists of 148 projects based on the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) latest monitoring of consolidated and processed investments. The DTI had described the investments as business investment promotion agency (IPA) registered with operations worth P11.4 billion, business/ IPA registered (P54.75 billion), and IPA registration in progress operations (P282.8 billion). Meanwhile, investments that already have a signed agreement were valued at P544.152 billion, while those with a signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) or Letter of Intent (LoI) were valued at P1.588 trillion. Finally, those confirmed but not covered by MoUs/LoIs and still in the planning stage are pegged at P1.522 trillion. “These investments — realized and in the pipeline — are mostly in the sectors of manufacturing, IT-BPM, renewable energy, data centers, and telecommunications,” the DTI has said. In its December 14 update, the DTI said Marcos’ visit to the U.S. for the Asia-Pacific Economic

Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in November was added to its monitoring, adding P37.2 billion to the total value and six to the total project. These include a P2.2billion investment in telecommunications, P110 million in artificial intelligence, P13 billion in manufacturing, P1.1 billion in health sciences/pharma manufacturing/health services, P16 million in energy, and an undisclosed amount for another investment in health sciences/ pharma manufacturing/health services. These projects comprise signed agreements with clear financial values and MoUs/LoIs. There had been criticisms of the president’s frequent foreign travels since the start of his administration, but Marcos defended his trips, saying that his participation and attendance in these events abroad would help other countries to “think” about the Philippines. The president also said the public should look at the return on investments (ROIs) of his previous trips. “In terms of the cost, the way I see it, you have to look at it as ROI: do we bring something back or do we not? If you say, as I say, I don’t, the exact figures of the cost and everything... But for example, we came from China with pledges of $22 billion, let’s say we get actual out of that $1 billion, we’ve more than made up for the eight trips,” the president said in English and Filipino. (With reports from PNA)

Philippines to upgrade outposts in disputed...

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The Philippines would also acquire “more ships, more aircraft, radars”, Brawner said, as part of a modest modernisation programme that began more than a decade ago. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea and has ignored

an international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis. This month, China held military drills in the South China Sea as the United States and the Philippines conducted their own joint exercises in the same waters.

The drills followed a month of tense standoffs between China and the Philippines in disputed reefs in the area that saw a collision between vessels from the two countries and Chinese ships blasting water cannons at Philippine boats. (Philstar.com with reports from AFP)

PH reaffirms ‘One China’...

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its One China Policy,” the Foreign Affairs department said. The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFa) also expressed its gratitude to Marcos for congratulating Lai. “We, too, eagerly anticipate fostering an increasingly robust partnership to promote our na-

tion’s shared interests as well as Indo Pacific peace and prosperity,” the MoFa said. The DFA said the Philippines reaffirms “the principles contained in the Joint Communique of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People’s Republic of China signed by Pres-

ident Ferdinand E. Marcos and Premier Zhou Enlai on June 9, 1975.” “The Philippines is committed to its One-China Policy. The Joint Communique states that ‘the two Governments agree to settle all disputes by peaceful means without resorting to the use or threat of force,’” the DFA said. g

CONVENIENT RIDE. Passengers board modern jeepney units at the Farmers Garden Parking terminal in Cubao, Quezon City on Monday, Jan. 15. A survey conducted by research and analytics firm Capstone-Intel Corp. among 1,503 adult respondents on Nov. 22 to 29, 2023 showed 70 percent support the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program. PNA photo by Ben Briones

As voters head to polls worldwide, what role... PAGE 1

tries did — nearly three quarters of the countries in the world. Diaspora voting varies dramatically. In some countries, like India and Taiwan, voters are required to physically return. In others, like the U.S., overseas voting is “hands-off” without outreach to diaspora, so that “people have to find out for themselves how to register,” explained Newland. The electoral influence of diaspora communities depends not only upon the percentage of a country’s population living abroad and whether they can vote, but also upon whether these overseas voters actually exercise their right to vote, Newland added. Misinformation through social media, AI Misinformation from abroad could be as impactful for some elections as votes from abroad, said Dr. Rohit Chopra, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Santa Clara University. In the context of elections, misinformation not only inserts a fake claim into public discourse, but also “muddies the difference between what is fake and what is true … with themes, say, like the ‘deep state’ or COVID conspiracies,” he explained, “or of strong pro-Modi sentiment combined with criticism of dissenters in the case of the Indian diaspora

… It’s like the Wikipedia problem, where 80% may be very accurate, but we don’t know what 20% of it is false.” As AI is increasingly weaponized to spread fake news, the companies and policies behind it are overwhelmingly U.S.based — and so impact diaspora countries “like a trigger effect,” Chopra said, contributing to the rise of fake news globally. This rise has coincided with a global increase in authoritarianism and a crisis of legitimacy for the media. Thus, even initiatives to criminalize fake news will involve serious concerns about the concentration of power. “The political power of the diaspora is not limited to their voting power … we have to rethink the relationship between the state, technology, and the public globally,” Chopra added. India The Indian election is the largest by far this year, with about 900 million individuals registered to elect 543 members of Parliament across over 50 state parties through a million election booths between April and May, said Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Professor of Indian Political Economy at Columbia University. Nevertheless, this parliamentary election is very much a presidential one, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the Hindu

nationalist BJP party with a 76% approval rating in recent polls. This popularity owes much to the fact that India has grown from the 10th to the fifth-largest — and fastest growing — world economy, with low levels of inflation and unemployment, and a drastically more efficient social benefits system since Modi’s rise nine years ago. Given that during this time, Modi has developed a tech corridor in India and promoted intensive collaboration with tech overseas, an issue at the forefront of U.S. Indian diaspora interests is tech development, Panagariya explained. Because Modi’s opposition — led by Mallikarjun Kharge of the center-left INC — is more fragmented than 2019, “it’s as though you’re voting for Modi or voting against Modi now,” Panagariya said, and “there’s a consensus” that he’ll win. Mexico Much is at stake in 2024, when Mexican voters will elect a new six-year president, all 500 Chamber of Deputies members and all 128 Senate members. “We decide whether we want a continuation of the policies that we have had” under President Obrador, who won as an opposition party by a large margin and “transformed political life in Mexu PAGE 4

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LA residents can now report ‘hate incidents...

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SYMBOL OF FREEDOM. Law students from various universities in Metro Manila witness the turnover of the 1971–1972 Constitutional Convention mace to the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila during the conference on the Philippine Constitutions and Social Order on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is organizing activities for the 125th anniversary this year of the ratification of the 1899 Malolos Constitution, the constitution of the First Philippine Republic. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

79% of Filipinos favor US partnership amid... PAGE 1

with the United States. The Pulse Asia survey also found that 43% and 42% of Filipinos want the Marcos administration to work closely with Australia and Japan, respectively. Thirty-four percent chose Canada, 22% the United Kingdom, 17% the European Union, 16% Russia, 15% South Korea and 4% India. The 1,200 respondents of the survey were allowed to select up to three options. Stratbase president Dindo Manhit said that the results of the poll highlighted the need for the Marcos administration to bolster its partnerships with like-minded countries. “These countries have contin-

ued to voice their support for the Philippine position and have condemned Chinese actions against Filipino vessels,” Manhit said. Protecting WPS The results from the same survey also showed that the majority, or 55% of Filipinos, believe the Marcos administration can fulfill its promise of protecting the West Philippine Sea from illegal and aggressive actions of other states. Only 10% answered they do not believe the government’s commitment, while 35% were unsure. For 31% of Filipinos, upholding the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling and promoting a rule-based international order are the most important reasons for defending the West Philippine Sea.

Other key reasons include maintaining the Philippines’ sovereign and territorial integrity (27%), and protecting marine resources (23%). To assert the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea, 67% of Filipinos said the government should strengthen the capabilities of the Philippine Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. Reinforcing the country’s alliances with like-minded nations through joint patrols and military exercises (56%), establishing a stronger military presence in the West Philippine Sea by repairing the grounded BRP Sierra Madre (52%), and improving the cooperation of agencies involved in maritime security (52%) are also seen as crucial steps. g

Since then, CORS has expanded to include nearly two dozen types of reports that community members can file online. In 2023, community members submitted more than 131,000 such reports online, Moore said. On Jan. 1, an addition to the CORS system took effect, and now, community members have the option of filing reports of “hate incidents” online, Moore said. Moore noted that the type of incident would be an action “not amounting to a crime” in which a person in the community is targeted in a way that could include an epithet or a gesture related to a victim’s sexual orientation, race, religion or ethnicity. The Los Angeles Police Department is expanding its Community Online Reporting Service system Friday to include the category of “hate incidents” in an effort to combat the “underreporting of bias-motivated incidents” that fall short of being considered crimes. LAPD Chief Michel Moore announced the expansion to the CORS program at a news conference at police headquarters on Thursday morning. The CORS system was launched in 2016, and allowed community members to file reports on incidents such as traffic collisions and a limited category of crime reports online, Moore said. During the year of its launch, 1,300 reports were submitted through CORS, Moore said. Since then, CORS has expanded to include nearly two dozen types of reports that community members can file online.

In 2023, community members submitted more than 131,000 such reports online, Moore said. On Jan. 1, an addition to the CORS system took effect, and now, community members have the option of filing reports of “hate incidents” online, Moore said. Moore noted that the type of incident would be an action “not amounting to a crime” in which a person in the community is targeted in a way that could include an epithet or a gesture related to a victim’s sexual orientation, race, religion or ethnicity. “It is a matter that we want to know about,” Moore said. “The challenge is, that with the lengthening response time, that people attempting to report a non-crime — but a significant matter that concerns them, creates fear and apprehension in those communities — (it) was taking, at times, hours for us to reach (them) because of the limited resources, because of more pressing matters, meaning crimes of violence that were in progress, or various crimes that had just occurred.” To file a report or to see a list of the types of reports that can be filed through CORS, go to www.lapdonline.org/file-a-policereport/. Authorities stressed that if a crime is in progress, people should call 911. According to the LAPD, the type of “hate incident” that would be appropriate to report under the expanded online program would be defined as follows: “Hate Incident: A hate incident is any non-criminal act, including words, directed against a person(s) based on that person’s actual or perceived protected characteristics. Hate incidents do not violate criminal law statutes. Hate incidents are generally protected free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.” The following types of police reports had been previously included in the online reporting program: Harassing phone calls: Any person who repeatedly, with the intent to annoy, telephones or makes contact by means of an electronic communication. For example, immediate hang-ups, obscene language, emails, text messages with no known suspects. Lost property: Personal property that was unintentionally left by its true owner. For example, property left behind at an unknown location or left behind with no attempt to retrieve it. Vandalism: Any person who maliciously damages, destroys or defaces the property of another person. For example, knocking over a mailbox, spray- painting a

wall, or throwing a rock through a window. Theft: Personal property taken from a publicly accessible location. For example, a package is taken from your porch; or, you left your wallet behind in a restaurant, but when you attempted to go back to retrieve it, the wallet was no longer there. Theft from vehicle: Theft from an unlocked or locked vehicle. Minor traffic collisions: Minor injuries and you have exchanged information. Hit and run: Damage caused by another vehicle in which the driver should have left information or fled the scene without stopping to provide information. Vice tips: Tips may be reported, and filer may remain anonymous. Narcotics tips: Tips may be reported, and the filer may remain anonymous. Identity theft The incidents must meet the following criteria in order to report them online: • The incident is not an emergency. • The incident occurred within the City of Los Angeles. • The person filing must be at least 18 years old. • No one was injured as a result of this incident. • There are no known suspects. • The incident did not occur on the state highway. • No firearms were involved in the incident. • The person filing must have internet access and an email address. Once a report has been submitted report, the filer will immediately receive a temporary report number and be able to print a copy of the report just made. All incidents reported using the Community Online Reporting Service will be reviewed, on average once every 24 hours — possibly longer on weekends and holidays — and upon approval will become an official police report. If further investigation of the reported incident is needed, the filer will be contacted by email or telephone. Once the report has been approved, an LAPD report number will be issued and a copy of the final report will be emailed back to the filer. The LAPD cautioned people that providing a false police report is a crime. “Anyone filing a false police report may be prosecuted under California Penal Code section 148.5 PC. Filing a false police report is punishable by imprisonment in county jail not exceeding 6 months, or by fine not exceeding $1,000, or by both,” police said in a statement. (Inquirer.net)

ICC yet to confirm presence... PAGE 1

here that they can reach out to us so we can have a constructive dialogue,” Clavano added. “We still do not want our justice system to be taken over. We have a working justice system, we have courts, we have prosecutors, we have our law enforcement agencies,” he said. In September 2021, the ICC approved the conduct of a formal investigation into possible crimes against humanity allegedly committed under the leadership of former President Rodrigo Duterte during the campaign against illegal drugs. It suspended its probe

in November 2021 upon the capital Manila’s request, saying that it was carrying out its own investigations. But in January 2023, the ICC said it was “not satisfied that the Philippines is undertaking relevant investigations,” and its prosecutors resumed their inquiry. However, the Philippine government has maintained its position that the state has no legal duty to cooperate with ICC investigators. Earlier reports said ICC investigators have already entered the Philippines to conduct its investigation on Rodrigo Duterte’s “drug war.” g

As voters head to polls worldwide... PAGE 3

ico by aiming to eradicate corruption … or we decide if we want to go back to the past,” said Dr. Diana Alarcón González, former chief advisor and international affairs coordinator for Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico City. Currently, Claudia Sheinbaum — frontrunner of Obrador’s progressive populist MORENA party — is leading polls with 60% support. Although the Mexican diaspora, unlike the Indian one, can vote abroad, only 70,000 are registered to vote in June — a very small number, given that 30 to 40 million first, second and third-generation Mexicans (all of whom can register) live abroad, said González. For comparison, 98 million are registered to vote in Mexico, and 11 million first-generation Mexicans live in the U.S. Thus, said González, although the Mexican diaspora is large enough to influence electoral results, “our greatest challenge is to increase their participation.” Taiwan With a historic third consecutive party win of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te on Saturday, January 13, voters rebuffed mainland China by aligning themselves with the DPP-associated view of Taiwan as de facto independent. This win will not only affect Taiwan’s relations with China but

also with the U.S., especially given that “an official declaration of independence means Beijing’s military intervention and America’s involvement,” said Rong Xiaoqing, veteran reporter at Sing Tao Daily. Nevertheless, throughout his campaign, Lai stressed “that he is not pushing for independence, only allowing the people the option to choose it or not,” Rong continued Despite the decisiveness of this victory, voting was hard for the diasporic people of Taiwan; only 4,000 of its 700,000 U.S.-resident citizens were registered in 2024. As remote voting isn’t allowed, and the DPP has opposed attempts to legalize it, “you not only have to go back to Taiwan to vote, but you have to go to the city or village where you were registered,” he explained. This difficulty favors the DPP given that many Taiwanese families went overseas before the party was formed in 1986, and many now are businessmen and international students — and thus have ties with the older, Chinese nationalist KMT party. “I hear many complaints from Taiwanese immigrants who can’t take a flight because they’re poor or elderly that their voting rights are impeded,” said Rong. Now that the DPP has won, “it’s difficult to predict how Beijing will react” — and how this diaspora will be affected. (Selen Ozturk/Ethnic Media Services)

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6 UN experts sound alarm over Philippine DOT eyes exceeding P1.5 trillion in government’s ‘unchecked’ anti-terror powers domestic visitor receipts for 2024 by Cristina Chi Philstar.com

MANILA — Six independent United Nations human rights experts have flagged the Philippine government’s “seemingly broad and unchecked” use of the antiterrorism law to target red-tagged humanitarian workers and church leaders. United Nations special rapporteurs publicized this month their October 10 letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. detailing cases of red-tagging, judicial harassment and targeted financial sanctions against religious groups and activists “in the name of countering terrorism and terrorist financing.” The UN experts counted at least 24 alleged victims of rights violations from the government’s counter-terrorism efforts from 2019 to 2023 — which covers the second half of the Duterte administration and Marcos’ first year in office. The letter was publicized last week by the UN experts, led by UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights while Countering Terrorism Fionnuala Ni Aoilain, after the Marcos administration reportedly failed to respond to their communications within 60 days. The UN experts noted an “observable trend” where Philippine authorities would accuse church members engaged in development and humanitarian work of membership with the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army

(CPP-NPA) — a group that the government has designated as terrorists. The UN special rapporteurs also raised concerns over the broad range of counter-terrorism powers bestowed upon the AntiTerrorism Council and the AntiMoney Laundering Council, which have been wielded in a “broad and arbitrary manner against non-profit organisations and individuals.” “We have received information that multiple religious organisations and their members, as well as other direct service nonprofit organisations have been affected by the alleged measures, in turn hindering access to indigenous peoples, internally displaced persons, human rights defenders, and women and children to critical human rights and humanitarian services,” the UN experts wrote. This, according to the rights experts, goes against the Philippines’ international human rights obligations, which the government has repeatedly and publicly vowed to uphold. The UN experts also warned against “the significant downstream harms” of imposing financial sanctions against persons accused of terrorism, which can hurt the “future financial and reputational viability of the impacted organizations.” They said that any process involving the listing of individuals or freezing of assets related to terrorism should adhere to due process, including ensuring a person's right to a fair trial, the

This file photo shows militant group Anakpawis holds a protest in front of the Department of Justice. Philstar.com photo

presumption of innocence, the right to appeal, and a right to effective protection by the courts. The UN rights experts also flagged the reported raids of the homes of human rights defenders and the offices of church workers and journalists, some of which were not preceded by the issuance of formal search warrants. “We are further concerned by the alleged raid targeting members of KARAPATAN, who were seeking refuge from the church, and the consequences of such a raid on the enjoyment of the rights to peaceful assembly and association and the other fundamental freedoms and protections due to human rights defenders,” the letter added. Even as the government is in the process of restarting peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) — the negotiating arm of the CPP-NPA – the justice department has maintained that it will continue to prosecute acts that will violate the country’s antiterrorism law. “If they come forward and represent themselves in good faith and yet still continue activities that will fall under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2020, then they can also be prosecuted,” Department of Justice Spokesperson Mico Clavano said in a January 11 briefing. The Marcos administration’s amnesty program for former rebels and the anti-terrorism law are also “two different animals,” said Associate Solicitor James Clifford Santos from the Office of the Solicitor General. The Supreme Court’s procedural rules for petitions seeking judicial relief from the Anti-Terrorism Council’s terrorist designation took effect on January 15. Prior to its passage in 2020, the Anti-Terrorism Act was widely opposed by human rights defenders, civil society and the government’s own human rights commission for its perceived impact on civil liberties and spaces of dissent. Most critics of the measure flagged the law's loose definition of terrorism, which raised concerns that lawful expressions of opposition and peaceful dissent could be unjustly labeled as terrorist activities. g

by Kristine Daguno-Bersamina Philstar.com

MANILA — Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said that the Department of Tourism (DOT) aims to outperform the previous domestic visitor receipts, citing last year's strong performance. "We hope to be able to surpass the P1.5 trillion pesos domestic visitors receipt na napunta sa ating ekonomiya noong 2022 (We hope to be able to surpass the P1.5 trillion pesos domestic visitors receipt recorded in 2022),” Franco said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB. According to Frasco, tourismrelated employment had created 5 million jobs across the country. Following President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s directives, the focus of the DOT is to enhance the overall tourist experience in 2024. Frasco said that the DOT is planning to construct 18 tourist rest areas equipped with clean

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco

public restrooms to address practical concerns raised by tourists. The DOT official also expressed her confidence in the 2024 outlook for the country's tourism industry, citing positive numbers from both international and domestic tourists. She shared plans to promote and develop emerging destinations

DOT photo

under the Philippine Experience Program, extending beyond the well-known spots such as Cebu, Palawan, Boracay, Siargao, Metro Manila and Batangas. Last year, the country surpassed its anticipated visitor arrivals, welcoming over five million tourists and generating tourism receipts exceeding P480 billion. g

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JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Worst traffic congestion

HERE’S another dubious distinction for the Philippines: Metro Manila had the worst traffic congestion among all metropolitan areas worldwide in 2023. This was according to Dutch multinational transport data provider TomTom Traffic. TomTom found that it took an average of 25 minutes and 30 seconds to travel 10 kilometers in Metro Manila in 2023, making the city dislodge Bogota, Colombia, which had the worst ranking in the previous year. The travel time in Metro Manila was worse than its average of 24 minutes and 40 seconds in 2022, when it ranked second worldwide. Within city centers, TomTom’s 2023 Traffic Index also ranked Manila as the third most congested city in Asia and the ninth worldwide. On average, it took 27 minutes and 20 seconds to travel 10 kilometers within Manila’s city center – slower by 20 seconds in 2022, TomTom posted on its website on Jan. 10. The worst day and time for travel in Metro Manila, according to the 2023 index, was 5 to 6 p.m. on Fridays, when it took an average of 35 minutes and 30 seconds to negotiate 10 kilometers at a speed of just 19 km per hour. Other Southeast Asian metro areas clocked less than 20 minutes: Jakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and city-state Singapore. TomTom based the rankings on data from 600 million devices in cars and smartphones in 387 metro areas worldwide, which collectively traveled 551 billion km. Based on its data, Filipinos wasted 117 hours, or nearly five days, stuck in traffic in

2023. Behind Metro Manila were Lima, Peru; Bengaluru, India; Sapporo, Japan, and Bogota. People may think the situation in Metro Manila is worse than presented in the traffic index. Studies have shown that traffic congestion has cost the economy billions in lost productivity annually. And people have been waiting for many years now for an improvement in the situation. While the obvious reason is the inadequacy of mass transport, which has led to an ever-increasing vehicle volume with no corresponding expansion in the road network, other factors aggravate the problem. These include uncoordinated diggings, construction and repair along roads, no cohesion in traffic policies within Metro Manila, and traffic mismanagement in general. An ill-conceived nocontact traffic apprehension scheme focused mainly on unconscionable revenue-raising that fattened one private company at the expense of already harried motorists instead of better traffic management. As the TomTom index has shown, other countries are dealing with their traffic problems, which pushed Metro Manila to the worst No. 1 spot. This should push the country to do better in traffic management. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

PBBM – our super top diplomat PROFESSOR Richard Heydarian, a widely read and respected columnist, wrote an opinion piece that in essence articulated some of the many things I had wanted to write about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and how he has performed in the oneand-a-half year that he has been in office. It’s just as well that Professor Heydarian wrote about the topic because if it had been me, my objectivity would have been questioned by the usual suspects, clearly because I’m related to the president. In the very straightforward, exclusive online piece for Journal of Democracy titled “The Son Also Rises,” Richard expressed the surprise, and perhaps even consternation, that critics and skeptics must be feeling and experiencing because President Marcos is proving that their preconceived notions as well as their “fears” about him are turning out to be unfounded. When Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took on the presidency on June 30, 2022, Professor Heydarian admitted that he had warned (like what others must have wanted to do) that “Marcos Jr. could turn out to be not just a debonair career underachiever but [also] an insidious threat.” But in reality, those who were against Bongbong Marcos sitting as president are now finding him “palatable” – to say the least – because “the new president has emerged as an unlikely ‘reformer’ of Philippine politics as well as a tough defender of Philippine sovereign rights in the South China Sea,” Richard put it, additionally noting that the president has “advanced a radical reorientation of his country’s domestic politics as well as foreign policy. If it seems a stretch to call him a conscious

champion of liberal democracy, it may not be unreasonable to Babe’s note the unexpected set of more democracy-favorable conditions Eye that his administration has View ushered in.” It’s no secret that among the issues that were thrown against President BBM during BABE ROMUALDEZ the campaign period for the May 2022 elections was that he might undermine democracy and rule in an autocratic manner. Yet the past year saw the president’s tenure coinciding with legal victories of key civil society figures such as Maria Ressa and former senator Leila de Lima in cases filed during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, pointed out Professor Heydarian, observing that President Marcos Jr. – whom he described as urbane and soft spoken – eschewed “incendiary and confrontational rhetoric,” often speaking of “reconciliation and national unity, even during the anniversary of the popular revolution that toppled his father.” One source of admiration for many – with even his staunchest critics grudgingly admitting to it – is that the president is doing extremely well in foreign policy, strengthening alliances with Western countries and like-minded nations – seeking to maintain balance, peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. In fact, PBBM was his usual “charming” best at the Malacañang vin d’honneur he and the First Lady hosted the other night. Indeed, the president is defying all pre- or, perhaps more accurately, “ill-conceived notions” about him,

THE plot thickens as far as the reported attempts of administration allies to install highly-favored presidential kin, albeit a presidential survey laggard, as the next head of government of the land. The fastest way to catapult the politician into power is by tinkering with the 1987 Constitution. Only then can the legislator become the country’s next chief executive. The story has been going around in political circles since last year. Is it fake news? A figment of someone’s malicious mind? Consider the following events. Nearly a year ago, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. reiterated his stance against Charter Change. Without replacing the 1987 Constitution, PBBM said the country can attract foreign investments. It ran counter to the position of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who has advocated for constitutional amendments in terms of economic provisions. Before 2023 ended, the speaker announced the Lower House will pursue Cha-cha this year. In reaction, Senator Imee Marcos alluded to an ‘unwinnable

how the two countries can deepen bilateral ties even further. As it turns out, our president is proving to be our super top diplomat. So many invitations from so many countries inviting him to visit are being sent to us. The fact is, his foreign travels are elevating the profile of the Philippines not only as a leading investment hub in Asia but as a major player in the Indo-Pacific region. What better news to come out of these foreign trips than the DTI report: Presidential foreign trips have resulted in P294 billion worth of investments. Last Friday, January 12, U.S. President Biden announced that he will send a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila on March 11-12 headed by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to “enhance U.S. companies’ contributions” to key sectors and “reinforce the Philippines as a key hub for regional supply chains and high-quality investment.” Many of those who did not welcome the idea of a Marcos in Malacañang are now seeing PBBM differently. The stars were indeed aligned for him because he has taken on the presidency at the most consequential time – a destiny he has embraced as the Philippines is poised to play a major role in the world today, especially when it comes to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. (Philstar.com) ***

other things. No question – from where I sit in Washington, D.C., the regard for the Philippines is at its best in the Western world because, in spite of the very challenging situation in the South China Sea, President Marcos is unflinching in asserting Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity while at the same time showing patience in continuing to reach out to China, as well as other claimant nations, to seek a peaceful resolution to maritime disputes. In his quest to find a peaceful solution, the president is taking the lead to talk with concerned ASEAN member-countries to push for a separate Code of Conduct to resolve conflicting maritime claims that would be mutually beneficial to all claimants without sacrificing our respective interests. During the visit of President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, the discussion specifically touched on developments in the South China Sea and how to find common interests between ASEAN memberThe opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not nations. necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian The president will also be going to Vietnam for an Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. official visit within this month, with the discussion *** expected to include the South China Sea issue and babeseyeview@gmail.com

Questionable initiative

The Broader View HARRY ROQUE

because on a personal basis, I have seen how he has evolved into the kind of leader that has gained the respect of the international community by demonstrating a keen understanding of the evolving geopolitical situation and showing his willingness to collaborate on global issues that include climate change, among

presidentiable’ who wants to become prime minister once the country reverts to a parliamentary system of government. Days after, Romualdez denied aspiring for the prime ministership through Charter change. The president himself seems to have reconsidered his original position. His administration is reviewing certain constitutional limitations or impediments on foreign investments and private land ownership. Like many individuals who campaigned hard for PBBM in the last election, I expect him to speak on the issue very soon. Did he change his mind? Or will he sound the death knell to the Chacha initiative once and for all? Will he finally rein in the alleged political ambition of his cousin? My unsolicited advice to our dear president: please put an end to the madness in the Lower House. Please save the institution from an image and reputational problem. The trust rating of the Lower House has dropped to 34 percent, according to a recent Publicus Asia survey. Moreover, eight in 10 Filipinos acknowledge that there is corruption in the Lower Chamber. Amendments and revisions The Constitution can be amended or revised through a constitutional convention, a constituent assembly or a people’s

initiative. The people can directly propose amendments upon a petition of at least 12 percent of the total registered Filipino voters. At least three percent of the electorate must represent each legislative district (Article 17). To date, we have 67 million registered voters. Therefore, the Cha-cha advocates must gather at least 8 million signatures. The speaker said the House of Representatives also wants to settle the issue of whether the senators and congressmen should vote separately or jointly vis-àvis proposals on constitutional amendments and revisions. Under Section 2, Congress may propose any amendment or revision upon a vote of threefourths of all its members. In the landmark Santiago vs. Comelec case (1997), the Supreme Court said the people’s initiative deserves an infusion of flesh, blood, energy and strength. It directed Congress to fulfill its constitutional mandate to expeditiously provide the implementing rules so the people can exercise this right. The Court also declared Republic Act 6735, authored by Senator Raul Roco, as inadequate and incomplete to provide sufficient standards for subordinate legislation. The said Initiative and Referendum Act only deals with people’s initiative

for local legislation. In a later case, Lambino vs. Comelec (2006), the Supreme Court ruled that “a people’s initiative to change the Constitution applies only to an amendment of the Constitution and not to its revision. In contrast, Congress or a constitutional convention can propose both amendments and revisions to the Constitution.” In the 14th Congress, Senator Miriam Santiago sponsored a bill wherein the people can directly introduce constitutional amendments through a legitimate initiative. (I am not aware who filed the counterpart bill in the Lower House.) We have already elected people in the 19th Congress. Still, we lack a law that could legitimately operationalize the people’s initiative system. Thus, our legislators, particularly in the Lower Chamber, have their work cut out for them: amend RA 6735 and provide the legal infrastructure to the system. Whatever is lacking in the Roco law should be rectified by our lawmakers. They should focus on crafting relevant laws instead of supporting the political agenda of the favored one. Signature-buying Currently, a group called PIRMA (People’s Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action), which spearheaded a

Charter change campaign during the time of President Fidel Ramos, has launched another initiative to revise the Constitution. The group claims to have started gathering signatures from registered voters nationwide. The lead convener of PIRMA also admitted that they are pushing for both houses of Congress to jointly vote on Charter change proposals, regardless that it dilutes the Senate vote (ABSCBN). Lawyers for the group have admitted funding the ‘EDSApwera’ advertisement (an illconceived and badly-executed political ad) that aired on three major TV networks. In the last general elections, a 30-second ad placement in a primetime spot costs almost P2 million. The PIRMA said they used private funds mainly sourced from donations. But I am not convinced. Speaking of the EDSA-pwera ad, I spoke with an original stalwart of PIRMA, former Cagayan Economic Zone Authority administrator Raul Lambino. He denied that his faction had anything to do with the TV ads. What they did in the 1990s was to organize public meetings around the country to explain their proposed amendments to the Constitution. They never resorted to buying people’s support. Moreover,

several local government executives have disclosed that the congressmen themselves are leading the signature drive in legislative districts. Some of their constituents complained of being hoodwinked into affixing their signature to the Cha-cha forms. They thought the signature campaign was related to ‘ayuda’ or government subsidy. Opposition lawmaker Edcel Lagman has alleged that public funds might be involved in the Cha-cha campaign through the P12-billion insertion in the 2024 Comelec budget. He claimed that the Comelec did not request for the funds intended for elections, referenda, recall votes and plebiscites. The gentleman from Albay also disclosed that some voters received P100 for their signature. So, is the ongoing Charter change campaign a genuine initiative of the Filipino people? Or is it a P100 signature-buying drive engineered by some beholden and sycophantic politicians? Let us not allow individuals with insatiable greed for power to trivialize the concept of people’s initiative. (Philstar.com) *** 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.

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Senate chief sets Cha-cha in motion by Bernadette e. tamayo and

ma. reina Leanne toLentino ManilaTimes.net

SENATE President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri on Monday, January 15 filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 seeking to amend economic provisions in the Constitution. Senate President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina "Loren" Legarda and Sen. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara co-authored RBH 6, proposing amendments to Articles 12, 14 and 16 of the charter. The senators said the nation's economic policy "must be reframed under the demands of this increasingly globalized age, while still protecting the general policy of Filipinofirst that guides the economic provisions of the Constitution." The resolution cited "a need to institutionalize the reforms laid down in the Public Service Act to liberalize industries, promote efficient service delivery and foster competition as an enduring policy." Article 12 deals with "National Economy and Patrimony," Article 14 with "Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports" and Article 16 with "General Provisions." RBH 6 provides that the amendments will be done by inserting the phrase "unless otherwise provided by law." For example, Section 11 of the National Patrimony and Economy provision would be amended to read: "No franchise, certificate, or any other form of authorization for the operation of a public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations or associations organized under the laws of the Philippines, at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens unless provided by law. Unless provided by law, the participation of foreign investors in the governing body of any public utility enterprise shall be limited to their proportionate share in its capital, and all the executive and managing officers of such corporation or association must be citizens of the Philippines." "Our children deserve to have access to the best educational institutions, both Filipino and foreign, to ensure that they receive the best training to

become globally competitive citizens in the modern world," Zubiri, Legarda and Angara said. They said the advertising industry "already has foreign players, and liberalizing the same is a logical and sound policy to attract foreign direct investment in that industry." Zubiri said the filing of RBH 6 aims "to avert a constitutional crisis between the House of Representatives and the Senate. And to make it clear that there are no other planned provisions or amendments on any other thing but purely economic in nature." During a press briefing, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the Senate to lead the Charter change or Chacha initiative, but it should not include allowing foreign land ownership. Zubiri said the president is concerned over the reported attempt by some Cha-cha proponents to offer P100 to anyone who would sign the petition pushing for the people's initiative (PI). He said he met with the president last January 9, and "we discussed how we can diffuse the situation." "In fairness to the president, he was not aware that the people's initiative language was to diminish the power of the Senate. After that, he asked me to meet with the speaker," Zubiri said. He said he met with Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday evening, January 16, and "we had a lively and vigorous debate on the issue." Marcos met with Zubiri and Romualdez on January 11 after the traditional vin d'honneur in Malacañang. "In that meeting, I defended the position of the Senate that as far as we are concerned their plan is unconstitutional because we are a bicameral system of government," Zubiri said. "I would like to thank the president for his comment that the PI is too divisive. He said, 'Why doesn't the Senate take the lead in the discussions of the economic provisions and then you approve your version, which the House can adopt?' So, that was the position of the president," he said. He said the majority of the senators have decided to create a subcommittee under the

Committee on Constitutional Amendments, headed by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, to conduct the hearing on the RBH 6. Angara was chosen to lead the subpanel. In a statement Monday, Romualdez said he supports the filing of RBH 6. "This resolution using the mode of Constituent Assembly is a decisive step towards amending the 1987 Constitution, particularly in terms of relaxing the economic provisions that currently restrict the entry of foreign direct investments into the Philippines," he said. "The move to amend the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly underscores our commitment to a democratic and participatory process. It reflects our collective resolve to address the longstanding barriers that have, to some extent, hindered our nation's progress," Romualdez said. He said "the synergy between the Senate and the House in passing" the resolution "will send a strong signal of unity and purpose." Albay 2nd District Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente "Joey" Salceda welcomed "any effort by the Senate" to open talks on revising the Constitution. "Opening up the conversation, rather than immediately closing the window for change, is necessary and urgent," Salceda said in a statement. He said he believes an "existential threat of a constitutional crisis" does not exist. "Both the People's Initiative underway and previous attempts by the House to establish a Constituent Assembly to amend the Constitution are fully in accord with the process stipulated in the 1987 Constitution. The regular workings of the legislature and the relationship between the Senate and the House should thus continue without interruption," Salceda said. "With or without the success of the People's Initiative, the House, for its part, will also exhaust all means made available by the Constitution to bring in more investments, create new and better-paying jobs, and create new business and trade opportunities for our people. These things cannot wait." g

REHAB AND DEVELOPMENT. Workers spruce up the Pasig River Esplanade behind the Manila Post Office building on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The beautification efforts are in preparation for the launch of the “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli” project through the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development on Jan. 17. PNA photo by Robert Alfiler

Risa Hontiveros hits people’s initiative route for Cha-cha by Charie abarCa Inquirer.net

MANILA — The supposed push for the people’s initiative method for Charter Change (Chacha) only seeks to undermine and weaken the Senate’s voice in amending the 1987 Constitution, said opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday, January 15. In a statement, Hontiveros said the “well-funded” campaign is all about “greed” and not about the people. “[T]he reported people’s initiative is not about any economic or political reforms in the Constitution. There’s no mention of that in the forms allegedly spreading. The campaign only wants both houses of Congress to vote jointly during a Constituent Assembly, thus weakening the Senate’s voice and participation in the process of Cha-cha,” said Hontiveros, partly in Filipino. She stressed that she will keep an eye on this scheme and pointed out that instead of “wasting time” on these “fake people’s initiatives,” it would be better to prioritize what really benefits Filipinos. Among these include lowering

Sen. Risa Hontiveros

the price of goods, raising the wages of the workers, addressing the worsening corruption and keeping an eye on China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea. “The country has so many problems that cannot be answered by that people’s initiative,” she emphasized. Hontiveros’ statement was made amid a supposed signature campaign for Cha-cha. Hours after Hontiveros issued

Inquirer.net file photo

her statement, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri announced that with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s go signal, the upper chamber will review certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution. Zubiri said this will be a Senate priority, repeatedly clarifying that their amendments will only focus on economic provisions of the country’s highest law, particularly public services, education, and advertising. g

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Piolo Pascual, Eugene Domingo, Dingdong Dantes, Christopher de Leon among stars coming to MIFF THE stars and filmmakers are flying from the Philippines to attend the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles from January 29 to February 2. In a partial list of confirmed talents coming from Manila, Piolo Pascual, Eugene Domingo, Dingdong Dantes and Christopher de Leon lead the talents who will grace the screenings and Q&As of the 10 films, a star-studded closing night awards gala and other exciting events in the fiveday film festival. The 10 films in the very successful 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, which has earned an estimated P1.069 billion (estimated $19.11 million), making it the biggest-grossing edition in the festival’s half-a-century history, will make their American premiere at MIFF. The following stars and filmmakers will represent their movies at MIFF (note this is only a partial list – more stars may be confirmed) and will either introduce their films before the screenings or participate in Q&As after the screenings at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood: “Becky & Badette” – Eugene Domingo, lead actress, and Perci Intalan, executive producer. Eugene and Perci will introduce “Becky & Badette” before the 8:55 pm screening on Wednesday, Jan. 31. “Broken Heart’s Trip” – Christian Bables, lead actor; Andoy Ranay, supporting actor; Benjie

Cabrera and Omar Tolentino, executive producers. Christian, Andoy, Benjie and Omar will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 pm screening on Tuesday, Jan. 30. “Family of Two” – pending confirmation “Firefly” – Ysabel Ortega, supporting actress; Dingdong Dantes, actor (special participation); and Anj Atienza, writer. Ysabel will participate in a Q&A after the 5:55 pm screening on Tuesday, Jan. 30. “GomBurZa” – Enchong Dee and Cedric Juan, lead actors; Piolo Pascual, supporting actor; and Pepe Diokno, director. Enchong, Cedric, Piolo and Pepe will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 pm screening on Thursday, Feb. 1. “(K)Ampon” – Beauty Gonzalez, lead actress, and Joji Alonso, producer. Beauty and Joji will introduce “(K)Ampon” before the 8:55 pm screening on Tuesday, Jan. 30. “Mallari” – Piolo Pascual, lead actor; Janella Salvador, lead actress; Derick Cabrido, director; and Brian Dy, producer. Piolo, Janella and Derick will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 pm screening on Monday, Jan. 29. “Penduko” – John Arcilla, supporting actor. John will introduce “Penduko” before the 8:50 pm screening on Thursday, Feb. 1. “Rewind” – Dingdong Dantes, lead actor. Dingdong will introduce “Rewind” before the 8:35 pm screening on Monday, Jan. 29. “When I Met You in Tokyo” –

Christopher de Leon, lead actor, and Karishma Gidwani, executive producer. Christopher and Karishma will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 pm screening on Wednesday, Jan. 31. The 10 films will have two other screenings (including simultaneous screenings on Feb. 2 at both the TCL Chinese Theatres and DGA) during the festival but the screenings above are where the stars and filmmakers will be in person. The complete screening schedule and ticket information are available here: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-manila-international-film-festival-tickets-771883764117. The public can also buy limited tickets to the glittering closing night awards gala and see the stars, filmmakers and celebrities in person on Friday, Feb. 2, at 6:00 pm at the Directors Guild of America on famed Sunset Boulevard. The star-studded gala features a red carpet, cocktails, an awards show and a dinner/ after-party. Limited tickets to the gala are available here: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/2024miff-awards-gala-tickets791645993477?aff=erelpanelorg. Nine MIFF awards, including Best Picture, voted by an independent jury of respected professionals in film, will be announced. As previously announced, acclaimed veteran actress Hilda Koronel will receive the inaugural Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award,

FILIPINO ACTOR MAKES BROADWAY DEBUT IN ‘CHICAGO’

‘Chicago’ is said to be the longest-running American musical currently gracing the Broadway stage by HANS CARBONILLA Inquirer.net

THE Filipino community in the United States is celebrating a new addition to the Broadway scene as acclaimed actor Red Concepcion officially takes the stage in the Tony Award-winning “Chicago the Musical,” marking his debut on Broadway. This milestone unfolds as Concepcion steps into the role of Amos Hart in what is widely regarded as the longest-running American musical currently gracing the Broadway stage. His engagement will commence on Jan. 15 until Mar. 24. In an Instagram post, the musical’s page extends a warm welcome to the Filipino theater actor with a caption, “Welcome to CHICAGO, @red_concepcion! He joins our cast and makes his Broadway debut as Amos Hart beginning Monday, January 15th!” Concepcion, renowned for

Filipino actor Red Concepcion joins ‘Chicago the Musical’ as Amos Hart, marks Broadway debut. Photos from Instagram/@chicagomusical

his portrayal of The Engineer in “Miss Saigon” during the U.S. National and UK and Ireland Tours, offered a glimpse behind the scenes with snapshots from rehearsals. “The only rehearsal pic I’ve taken. What a whirlwind it’s been! Hope to see you all Monday!,” he wrote. For those unfamiliar with Concepcion’s work, he gained acclaim for his lead role as Alan Strang in the Manila restaging of Peter Shaffer’s psychological

drama “Equus.” In 2014, he clinched the Aliw Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the Gawad Buhay Award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Musical for his performance as Adam/Felicia in the Manila production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” Concepcion joins Charlotte d’Amboise (Roxie Hart), Max von Essen (Billy Flynn), R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine), Kimberly Marable (Velma Kelly), Lili Thomas as Matron “Mama” Morton.

Jericho denies breakup with Kim by JAN MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

ACTOR Jericho Rosales denied rumors that he and wife Kim Jones have separated. In a report by PEP, Jericho said that he didn't want to talk about his personal life. "No comment because it's not the place. I never really talk about my relationships but we're happy, we're good," he said. "Kim and I, we're amazing, we're fantastic," he added. When asked how is his love life right now, Jericho said: "Good, great, amazing, fantastic." Jericho and Kim shut down speculations that they broke up after they attended the 2023 ABS-CBN Ball together last September 2023. Jericho and Kim were more than happy to be attending the long-delayed return of the ball and were excited to rekindle some old friendships. "It feels so good, we have so many good memories here. See-

Celebrity couple Jericho Rosales and Kim Jones at the 2023 ABS-CBN Ball. Philstar.com photo

ing everyone together again is so much fun. To kiss and hug everyone we haven't seen since before the pandemic," Kim told Philstar.

com, which Jericho reciprocated by saying, "We're just excited, we just want to see everyone now."

named after the late outstanding community leader, public servant and Olympian. An audience award, voted by MIFF moviegoers at the screenings, will be given to a movie that gets the highest score. The MMFF team will be represented by Romando “Don” Artes, chairman; Tim Orbos, executive committee member and former transportation undersecretary; Atty. Rochelle Macapili-Ona, executive director; Irene Jose, executive committee member and COO of The Araneta Group’s entertainment unit; Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, actress and team member; and Noel Ferrer, spokesperson. Also scheduled to attend the MIFF are the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Tirso Cruz III and Jose Javier Reyes, chairman and consultant, respectively. Other events promoting collaboration and cooperation between the Philippines’ filmmakers and Hollywood and beyond are also scheduled by MIFF, whose mission is to showcase, promote and help uplift Philippine cinema. The TCL Chinese Theatres is located on the third level of Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland), 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. The DGA is located at 7920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046. The MIFF founders are Omen Ortiz, chairman; Ebradu Udarbe, president; Lisa Lew, executive producer; Ruben Nepales and

They’re coming to LA! Piolo Pascual, Eugene Domingo, Dingdong Dantes and Christopher de Leon are among the stars confirmed to attend the inaugural Manila International Film Festival from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2. The stars and filmmakers will grace in person select screenings at the TLC Chinese Theatres and the exciting closing night awards gala on Feb. 2 at the Directors Guild of America.

Janet Nepales, media relations consultants; and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager. Also on the MIFF team are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; Cindy Sison, consultant;

and Meriden Angeles, coordinating producer. For MIFF sponsorship inquiries, contact Erickson Ilog (eilog@ manilainternationalfilmfest.com) and Ron Ramores (rramores@ manilainternationalfilmfest. com).

Meet the Filipina ballerina who played the lead in Atlanta Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Mikaela Santos played Marie in the December 2023 run of Yuri Possokhov’s take on the ballet classic by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky MIKAELA Santos, 25, recently made headlines in the U.S after she played the lead female role, Marie, in Atlanta Ballet’s December run of “The Nutcracker.” Hailing from Taguig, the ballerina joined the Atlanta Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 before becoming a member the following year at only 17. Before her turn in the spotlight, Santos has been playing small roles in the ballet company’s runs of the Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky classic in previous years. She’s done Chinese and Spanish variations, and played in small scenes as a supporting role prior to her announcement as Marie last year. “I’ve done this version of ‘The Nutcracker’ for six years, and every year it feels like we are transported to a different place,” she said in an interview with an Atlanta-based publication. And though she was one of four different casts in the total 19 performances of the ballet, Santos is still reeling from this opportunity. “Every time I step on the stage, it’s like basically showing [that] this is what I love and I’ve been working on it since I was like 11 or 12, you know?” she told a local reporter in a TFC interview. “And I just want to show people that, you know, it’s possible, you can do it if you put in the work.” Santos began her ballet training as early as three years old, encouraged by her parents. In her teens, she joined the Effie Nañas School of Classical Ballet and in 2014, won second place in the Junior Division at the first Cultural Center of the Philippines Ballet Competition. This earned her a spot at the Philippine Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in March 2016. In the same year, she became a finalist at the World Ballet Competition in Orlando, Florida where one of the judges, Atlanta Ballet Artistic Director Gennadi Nedvigin, noticed her. “She was a young but determined competitor with strong technical skills that demonstrated great potential to become a professional dancer,” Nedvigin spoke of Santos in an interview. She was soon offered a schol-

Meet Mikaela Santos, the 25-year-old Filipino ballerina who played the lead in Atlanta Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Photos courtesy of Atlanta Ballet

arship to the Atlanta Ballet Professional Summer Intensive and was subsequently offered a position in the Fellowship Ensemble. “After joining Atlanta Ballet 2 (Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education’s highest level of training) and now six years with the company, Mikaela has gained the confidence and artistry needed to perform a lead role. She developed her own style and personality while on stage,” Nedvigin continued. Santos has since performed in Atlanta Ballet’s John McFall’s “The Nutcracker,” Bruce Wells’ “Snow White,” Marius Petipa’s “Paquita,” Yuri Possokhov’s “Firebird,” David Bintley’s “Carmina Burana,” and Robert Barnett’s “Arenskey,” Marius Petipa, Jean Coralli, and Jules Perrot’s “Giselle,” and Sergio Masero’s “Schubertiada.” In March 2023, she starred in her first full-length ballet performance as Kitri in Yuri Possokhov’s “Don Quixote.” The 25-year-old ballerina was also included in Dance Magazine’s “25 To Watch” list in 2023. “It’s her imaginative spark— along with pristine technique and bright musicality—that makes Mikaela Santos one of Atlanta Ballet’s most captivating dancers,” the write-up read. Santos considers Romanian Alina Cojocaru and Argentinian Marianela Nunes among her ballet idols. “Both dancers are very

different, but I love how effortless and strong they make every step look on stage and off,” she said in another interview. Looking at how far she’s come, Santos often thinks of why she had to go abroad to pursue her dream of performing arts. She said in one interview, at the time, she didn’t feel like the arts were supported in the country like it is abroad. Asked if she has any advice for aspiring Filipino dancers who want to pursue a career in dance outside of the Philippines, she said the key is to be patient and open to changes. “There will be a lot of challenges along the way but take it as a learning experience. Never doubt or look down on yourself because no one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, as long as you keep a positive mindset you will eventually reach your goals.” At 25, Santos still has a lot of dreams she wants to fulfill, like dancing in Europe or maybe even going back to the country and performing at home. “I really do want to go back and dance there because it’s my home. My family is still there. I would love for them to see me perform now that I’m actually a professional.” Santos will star in the Atlanta Ballet’s March 2024 production of “Cinderella” by Bruce Wells. (Inquirer.net)

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 19-25, 2024

PCGSF invites young Fil-Ams to join IMPACT! program THE Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco invites young Filipino Americans to join the IMPACT! Filipino-American Internship Program for Summer 2024. The IMPACT! Program is a nine-week professional development program created by the U.S.-Asia Institute (USAI) in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), which allows young Filipino American adults to have a first-hand look at the U.S. government in Washington D.C., engage with government and political leaders, and reflect on the role they, as future leaders, might play in strengthening Philippines-U.S. relations. According to the US-Asia Institute website, IMPACT! introduces young adults to their roles and responsibilities in becoming engaged in their community and beyond. It provides them with the skills and knowledge to participate in and transform into leaders in the democratic and electoral processes as well as civil society through a series of

hands-on and interactive workshops, networking opportunities, placement in professional development/internship positions in Washington, D.C, one-on-one mentorship, and the completion of a civic engagement project. This program provides these young people with the opportunity to intern/shadow on a national level in various offices of elected officials, public agencies or in organizations involved in the political/government/policy influencing arena. This opportunity helps develop a stronger understanding of how government and the political system work by experiencing it from an insider’s perspective. Further, the program prepares these young leaders to participate in the civic arena, developing skills for those interested in public service and/or in becoming citizens involved in their communities. Not only is this an invaluable professional experience, but it also benefits the Filipino American community by increasing the interest of Fil-Ams in American politics and civic engagement in the future.

The program also highlights professional development at its core. Each IMPACT! participant is matched with a mentor based on professional and career goals, offering individualized support and guidance to our program participants in helping them navigate their professional careers and expand their networks. The IMPACT! Program also features a variety of group and individual networking opportunities and professional development workshops. In the United States, participation in the political process and being civically engaged are crucial to ensuring that a community’s needs and concerns are heard and addressed. The IMPACT! program is one way to achieve this objective by finding a more effective way to support the Fil-Am community’s new generation to represent their own community politically and civically. The 2024 IMPACT! Program will run from June 3 - August 2, 2024. The internship program is open to U.S. citizens of Filipino descent and dual U.S./Philippine citizens, aged 18 to 25 years old, and enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student with a good academic standing or recently completed an undergraduate degree. Selected participants will receive the “Filipino American Youth Political Leadership Award” in the form of a $2,000-stipend. They will be responsible for all expenses, including travel, housing (inexpensive housing options are available at the suggestion of the USAI); food; and others. After acceptance into the program, participants must also show proof of health insurance and sign a liability waiver. Young Filipino Americans are highly encouraged to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve and lead. Interested candidates may apply at http://tinyurl.com/3vp4tcts until 31 January 2024, 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time (10:00 p.m. Mountain Time, 8:00 p.m. Alaska Time). Those interested can also visit https://www.usasiainstitute.org/ impactprogram for additional information, to learn about requirements, and to sign up for email Photo courtesy of San Francisco PCG updates about the program.

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LEADING U.S. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL EXPEDITES AN EMERGENCY VISITOR’S VISA FOR DON TAGALA’S MOTHER, ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Don Tagala (left), ABS-CBN news correspondent for North America, needed a visitor’s visa for his mother so she could come to the U.S. to be with her critically ill daughter. Time was running out, so Don sought the help of Atty. Gurfinkel who was able to secure an emergency interview at the U.S. Embassy. The earliest appointment had been August 13, but Mommy Vinia was able to be interviewed earlier, and her visa was issued on an expedited basis. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, January 21 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Emergency interview and an expedited visa for Don Tagala’s mother on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday DON Tagala, the award-winning reporter on TFC News, desperately wanted his mother, Vinia, to come to the U.S. because his sister, Almira, became critically ill in 2019. His mother could be there for her children for emotional support and to make crucial life-decisions. The hospital where Almira was on life support even emailed the U.S. Embassy explaining the circumstance and requesting for a visitor’s visa for Vinia. However, the Embassy instructed the hospital to go through the normal process. Time was running out, so Don went to leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel to seek his assistance and expert advice. Confident that Vinia would abide by the terms of her visa and return to the Philippines, Atty Gurfinkel immediately sought an emergency visitor visa and expedited interview, so Mommy Vinia could arrive in the U.S. as soon as possible. Unfortunately, while all prepa-

ABS-CBN North America News Correspondent Don Tagala (left) welcomes his mother, Vinia (right), at JFK International Airport.

rations were going on, Don’s sister passed away on June 24. The visitor visa application was updated, asking the Embassy to still

expedite the visa to now enable Don’s mother to attend the funeral, instead of the original request to visit Almira at the hospital. Atty. Gurfinkel was able to secure an emergency interview on June 26 (where the earliest available appointment would have normally been August 13) and an expedited visa was also issued the same day. On June 28, 2019, Mommy Vinia arrived in New York, four days after her daughter passed on. She was able to attend the funeral and be there for Don. While it was a bittersweet reunion for Don and his mother in the U.S., it is important to know what to do and where to seek help if an emergency arises. Watch this encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, January 21 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

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JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Postal Service begins FY24 second Finances quarter with consistent service performance

USPS issues new Love stamp WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Postal Service reported new delivery performance metrics for the first week of the second quarter for fiscal year 2024. The average time for the Postal Service to deliver a mailpiece or package across the nation was 2.8 days. FY24 second quarter service performance scores covering January 1 through January 5, included: • First-Class Mail: 87.5 percent of First-Class Mail delivered on time against the USPS service standard, an increase of 1.6 percentage points from the fiscal first quarter. • Marketing Mail: 93.4 percent of Marketing Mail delivered on time against the USPS service standard, consistent with performance from the fiscal first quarter. • Periodicals: 82.0 percent of Periodicals delivered on time against the USPS service standard, an increase of 1.3 percentage points from the fiscal first quarter. During peak season, USPS experienced a significant growth in package volume throughout the nation, and effectively managed the expected increased volume along with the unexpected network disruptions outside its control as demonstrated by its continuing ability to deliver mail and packages to 98 percent of the nation’s population in less than three days. In fact, approximately 45 percent of mail and packages are delivered a day in advance of the specified service standard, and approximately 97 percent of all mail and packages are delivered within a day of its specified service standard, which evidences our ability to rapidly adjust to all conditions. The very small percentage of mail that is not delivered within this time frame is often the result of broader staffing and hiring issues within the local economies that we are working aggressively to address. One of the goals of Delivering for America, the Postal Service’s 10-year plan for achieving financial sustainability and service excellence, is to meet or exceed 95 percent on-time service performance for all mail and shipping products once all elements of the plan are implemented. Service performance is

defined by the Postal Service as the time it takes to deliver a mailpiece or package from its acceptance into our system through its delivery, as measured against published service standards. With the implementation of the Delivering for America plan, the Postal Service continues its focus on improving service reliability for the American public and business customers by modernizing the outmoded and aging postal network across the nation. Meanwhile, the Postal Service continues its celebration of the joys of love with the latest stamp in the popular Love stamp series. The issue date for the 2024 Love stamp was set to allow customers to take advantage of this beautiful stamp for their Valentine’s Day messages. The stamp was issued in Romance, Arkansas. The digital illustration on this stamp features a highly stylized white bird made of four geometric shapes shown against a rich red background. Facing the upper right corner of the stamp, the bird carries in its beak a pink envelope sealed with a red heart. The envelope carried by the bird on this stamp serves a purpose similar to the stamp itself, hinting at a fond greeting from a loved one even before the letter or card has been opened. The red, white, and pink of this design call to mind the traditional colors of Valentine’s Day cards and decorations, but as with all previous Love issuances since the series began in 1973, this stamp encourages us to open our hearts and express our feelings on any occasion—especially when it comes as a welcome surprise. Antonio Alcalá designed this stamp with art by Katie Kirk. The love stamp pane of 20 stamps are issued as Forever stamps. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps. com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. (USPS Release)

Atty. RAymond BulAon IN this week’s article, I would like to provide an overview of how installment agreements are often used by the IRS in tax collection. When you can’t pay the government what you owe all at once, the IRS will allow you to make monthly payments over a reasonable amount of time, usually 60 to 72 months. But it can also be longer as long as the liability can paid over the life of the collection statute (10 years from the date of assessment). The IRS wants their money as soon as possible. That’s a given. But for those individuals and businesses who are not able to resolve their tax debt immediately, the IRS may have no choice but to agree to a payment plan based on your surplus income after allowable living expenses are deducted. I say “allowable” because the IRS does not allow all expenses. The expenses must be in line with the IRS guidelines and that can sometime be tricky or frustrating to taxpayers who are spending more than is acceptable. In some cases, the IRS may allow you one year to adjust your expenses to give you some time to reduce them. Installment agreements require that you commit future tax refunds towards paying your outstanding balance. If you owe

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Can’t pay your IRS taxes?

for several years, the IRS will apply your payments to your oldest liabilities first. If your refunds are not sufficient to pay what you owe, your agreement will simply continue until all the terms are satisfied. If you owe $50,000 or less, you may qualify for a streamlined agreement if you can pay your liability over 5 years. What this means is that you may not be required to submit collection information statements which detail your income and expenses. This applies even if you have sufficient assets to satisfy your tax debt. Once the installment agreement is in place, you must remain current on your monthly payments. If you run into some problems and have to miss some payments, it is best to call the IRS and let them know. If you do nothing, you are considered in default. When that happens, your agreement will be cancelled by the IRS and they will take enforced collection action such as a bank levy, wage garnishment, or a federal tax lien being filed against your home or other real property. In some cases, your U.S. passport can even be revoked, and you will not be able to leave the country until you get current again. Unfortunately, interest and penalties do not stop with an installment agreement. So, the longer it takes for you to pay what you owe, the larger your tax liability becomes. For this reason, it is important that a qualified tax professional review your case

thoroughly to see if this is in fact your best option. For example, if you have assets that can be sold to resolve your tax liability much more quickly, this could be a good alternative and less costly for you in the long run, even if it means only being able to pay your taxes partially and reducing the principal balance before you enter into an installment agreement. If you qualify for tax debt forgiveness (called an “Offer in Compromise”), this may also be a good option if you qualify. With this option, you will be able to significantly reduce what you owe the IRS via a settlement and get the IRS out of your life once and for all. If you owe the IRS, the State, EDD or State Board of Equalization, my office can help you find the best solution to resolve your tax liability. You will never have to speak with the IRS again. I will review your case and help you make the best decision for yourself and family. *** 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. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has been in private practice for 23 years and have helped more than 6,000 clients obtain debt relief. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-471-8273. (Advertising Supplement)

MEDICAL MISSION IN NUEVA ECIJA. Munoz (The Science City) Mayor “Baby” Armi L. Alvarez (seated, 3rd from left, in light blue shirt) poses with the members of the Philippine-American Association of Nevada medical mission team, headed by Daniel C. Fabito, MD, FACS, FPCS, PAAN president (in scrub suit), Luz Micabalo, Philippine-American Charity Foundation President, and Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, (standing, 4th from the left) chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA and Asian Journal columnist. During the 5-day mission in Munoz and Talavera, the missionaries provided consultations and free medications to more than 500 individuals, and performed surgeries, including for various tumors, thyroid and gallbladder surgeries, hernia repair, hysterectomy, and dozens of minor procedures. Photo courtesy of Dr. Philip Chua

Consul General Neil Ferrer, KCR and Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Raymundo Del Rosario, KGCR lead a wreath-laying ceremony marking the 127th anniversary of the martyrdom of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in San Francisco. San Francisco PCG photos

Knights of Rizal joins PH Consulate in 2023 Rizal Day commemoration

SAN FRANCISCO – Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer and Cavite 7th District Board Member and new Knights of Rizal (KOR) Supreme Commander Raymundo Del Rosario led a wreath-laying ceremony at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall, in line with the commemoration of the 127th anniversary of Rizal’s martyrdom last December 30, 2023. The solemn ceremony was attended by Philippine Consulate General officials and Knights of Rizal officers. The 2023 Rizal Day commemoration, which carries the theme “Rizal: Pundasyon ng Kahapon, Isinasabuhay Ngayon,” marks the anniversary of Rizal’s martyrdom at Manila’s Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park or Luneta) by firing squad. Earlier, Consul General Ferrer welcomed Supreme Commander Del Rosario during his call at Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Center in San Francisco. The call marked the Supreme Commander’s first international stop as the newly elected national head of the Knights of Rizal. During the call, Consul General Ferrer and Supreme Commander Del Rosario discussed ways to propagate the works and teachings of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, especially among young Filipinos and Filipino Americans, in areas under the consular jurisdiction of the consulate. Consul General Ferrer noted

Consul General Neil Ferrer takes his oath as Knight Commander of Rizal with a third-degree rank before Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Raymundo Del Rosario, KGCR in a special knighthood ceremony, held at the Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Center in San Francisco.

that San Francisco was Rizal’s first stop in his 1888 visit to continental United States, his first and only trip to America. After staying for three days at the opulent Palace Hotel along San Francisco’s Market Street, Rizal took a ferry to Oakland, then a train to Benicia, which was subsequently ferried to Sacramento. A plaque on Rizal’s brief stay in San Francisco was installed on the exterior wall of the Palace Hotel in 1996. In a special knighthood ceremony held during the visit to Sentro Rizal, Supreme Commander Del Rosario elevated Consul General Ferrer to the third-degree rank of Knight

Commander of Rizal (KCR). The Consul General thanked the Supreme Commander for the rank elevation in the Order of Knights of Rizal. “While this is a pleasant surprise for me, it is with honor and humility that I accept the role and responsibilities as a Knight Commander of Rizal with a third-degree rank. As Consul General, I will continue to promote our national hero’s life and legacy in the ten states under the Consulate’s jurisdiction, in partnership with the Knights of Rizal and the Filipino Community,” Consul General Ferrer said. (PCGSF Release)

Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Raymundo Del Rosario, KGCR (5th from left) and Consul General Neil Ferrer, KCR (6th from left) are joined by (from left) Vice Consul Adrian Baccay; Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona; Deputy Consul General Raquel Solano; Los Angeles Landmark Chapter OICArea Commander John Louie Estapia, KCR; Sacramento Landmark Chapter Deputy Chapter Commander Brian Pastor; Filipino community leader Roberto De Lara; Consul Jed Llona; and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil.

SF encampment teams helped more people into shelter, 2023 report says SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor London N. Breed and the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) recently announced results from the Healthy Streets Operations Center (HSOC) street outreach efforts in 2023. Through multiple operations across San Francisco during the year, HSOC delivered: • 22% increase in people connected to shelter or housing – 1,553 people on the street vs 1,268 in 2022 • 14% increase in number of multi-day operations – 483 operations in 2023 compared to 432 in 2022. In September, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a clarification to their ruling allowing the city to resolve encampments when shelter is offered and available, and people still refuse. Prior to this, the city had limited ability to enforce the law while conducting street outreach. Since that clarification from the courts: • San Francisco saw a 17% reduction in tents – from 609 tents in a July 2023 count to 508 tents in November 2023. Despite this work and leading with offers of services, outreach workers continued to run into those who rejected their offers of shelter. During the entire year, 64% of the people engaged with in encampments declined offers of shelter or reported already having shelter or housing. Still, the city will continue to send outreach teams out to offer support and services and to enforce local laws. Under current law, if a legitimate offer of shelter is given and rejected, people cannot remain in tents where they are. In addition to the over 1,500 people helped into shelter directly from the street by city street encampment teams, thousands of others accessed shelter or housing through other means. • San Francisco currently shelters more than 3,600 people per night and is continuing to expand capacity. • Since November, San Francisco has opened hundreds of more shelter beds that have helped provide more resources for those on our streets. • The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing has a launched a new pro-

gram called Street to Home, which bypasses barriers to place people living on the street directly into available housing. In addition to shelter and emergency resources, San Francisco also has expanded housing slots in the city by 50% since Mayor Breed took office in 2018. This expansion has helped over 13,000 households exit homelessness through city programs including direct housing placements and relocation assistance. "San Francisco is a compassionate city that will always lead with a services-first approach, but we also can’t allow people to deteriorate on our streets when we have a place for them to go,” said Mayor Breed. “We have worked to expand our street outreach efforts to bring people indoors into the city’s system of care, despite the challenges we have been facing that has limited our outreach efforts. I want to thank all of the city teams who are out there working hard every day in our neighborhoods to connect people to services and keep our streets safe and clean.” “I am humbled seeing the work our HSOC colleagues have done this year, day in and day out,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of the Department of Emergency Management. “In the new year, I look forward to the HSOC team continuing to lead with compassion while helping our unsheltered neighbors get off the streets and into shelter, housing or reuniting with their chosen family.” How street outreach works Led by HSOC and DEM, the city’s street outreach efforts involve the work of various agencies to include the Departments of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), Public Works (DPW), Public Health (SFPDH), the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD), the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), and the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office. The single goal for encampment operations is to respond to encampments by offering help to the people in them. Service teams work with people prior to street outreach operations to proactively assess housing and shelter needs, in addition to other resources that require referrals. During en-

campment operations, a team spends time in encampment areas and people are offered shelter, safe sleeping sites, and other services. Praise for HSOC Joe is a 61-year-old veteran who has been homeless off and on for many years. In August, the HSOC team encountered Joe at 6th and Harrison in a tent during an encampment resolution. The team spent time assessing his medical condition and interest in housing. When he was offered a permanent housing spot through the newly launched Street to Home pilot, he immediately said yes. A Coordinated Entry housing assessment was completed to ensure that Joe was qualified for the program. Days later, Joe was transported to his new home at the Le Nain Hotel (a placement for adults 60 years and older) where he signed his lease and got a permanent placement. He remains permanently housed and HSOC reports no further encounters with Joe since his placement. Bob F., a property manager in the Bayview, had a growing encampment around his and several neighbors' properties. They alerted city officials to the growing problem, including unnavigable streets due to large structures, RVs, and trash. HSOC assessed and resolved the situation. “It briefly gave us optimism, since we’re way down here mostly out of sight,” said Bob. “But seeing these results and the promise of more to come, I couldn’t be happier with the job David and HSOC is doing.” HSOC teams work five days per week providing a coordinated city response to unsheltered persons experiencing homelessness, individuals with serious behavioral health needs, encampments, street cleanliness and related public safety issues to ensure San Francisco's streets are healthy for everyone. The city’s street outreach progress can be found at https://www. sf.gov/data/healthy-streets-data-and-information?_gl=1*1kfw28o*_ga*MjkwMDQ1MjQ4LjE2NTM2MDYzMDY.*_ ga_BT9NDE0NFC*MTcwNDkyNjE5Mi4zMzUuMS4xNzA0OTI5MTY2LjAuMC4w*_ ga_63SCS846YP*MTcwNDkyNjE5Mi4yNDYuMS4xNzA0OTI5MTY2LjAuMC4w.

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 19-25, 2024

11

OTS gives grant to Santa Clara for Safe Routes to School Program

Sky River Casino announces partnership with SFMTA in station domination at Chinatown-Rose Pak station Roaring into the new year of the majestic Dragon

SKY River Casino is proud to partner with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) for an exclusive station domination for The Central Subway Chinatown-Rose Pak Station starting this month. The domination features a larger-than-life video wall that towers over commuters, a large wallscape banner, floor graphics, and digital platforms across all three metro stations. The various creatives will continue to immerse commuters traveling to and from these stations with Sky River Casino’s offerings and messaging in the coming months. As the Lunar New Year approaches, the visual features a roaring golden dragon – a symbol of power, wisdom, success and prosperity – against earth tone backgrounds that convey Sky River Casino’s wish for peace and harmony in 2024. The Chinatown-Rose Pak Station features a giant floor graphic of the Golden Dragon, which is divided into five parts located on the entrance and train levels. In addition to English, there are also delivered in Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. Finding all five floor graphics to complete the golden dragon means good fortune is coming your way. Opened in January of 2023, The Central Subway Chinatown-Rose Pak Station is located at the historic hub of the city’s largest and most dynamic Asian community. With a monthly ridership average of 2,121,135, the Chinatown station is the busiest and most used station of all three, which includes Union Square/Market Street, and Yerba Beuna/Moscone Center. As a station that provides an efficient and rapid-transit connection, the Chinatown-Rose Pak Station serves as the perfect platform to

reach locals and visitors welcomed by Sky River Casino. Sky River Casino has been active in bringing excitement to the Chinese community. This can be seen with its sponsorship and participation in the annual San Francisco Chinatown Lunar New Year Street Fair and Parade hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. In celebration of the Year of the Dragon, Sky River will have a booth at the street fair and a dragon float at the parade. The casino will also be sponsoring an auspicious Dragon statue as part of Chamber’s “Dragon on Parade” public art project. The new partnership with SFMTA at the Chinatown-Rose Pak Station will further enhance Sky River Casino’s brand awareness and position in the Chinese community. Located in Elk Grove just off Highway 99 and easily accessible in less than two-hour drive from the heart of San Francisco, Sky River Casino is home to a total of 17 bars, restaurants and lounge destinations offered inside the casino in addition to the hottest slot machines, exciting table games, and a thrilling High Limit Room. For more information about

Sky River Casino and its offerings, restaurant open hours and more, please call 916-866-0200 or visit www.SkyRiver.com. Join Sky River Rewards Sky River Rewards, is one of the most hi-tech rewards programs among casinos in Northern California, allowing guests cardless play, cashless wallet, and more. The Sky River Rewards card is your key to receiving points for all your activities and those points can be redeemed for Free Play or dining credits. Become a Sky River Rewards member now to receive $20 Free Play. To activate your Free Play, visit any slot machine and place a bet. Sky River Rewards enrollment can be done online using a computer, tablet, or phone with a camera. Sky River Casino was built by the Wilton Rancheria in partnership with Boyd Gaming Corporation, which is building and managing the property for the tribe. The casino opened in August 2022 and includes 100,000 sq ft of gaming, 2,100 slot machines, 80 table games, and 17 bars and restaurants. To learn more, visit www. SkyRiver.com. (Advertising Supplement)

SANTA CLARA – The City of Santa Clara received a $45,200 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to continue the important work being done through the city’s Safe Routes to School Program. This program helps improve the safety of children walking, bicycling, or scootering to school by funding activities that emphasize bicycle and pedestrian safety. “Everyone deserves to get around Santa Clara safely, regardless of what modes of transportation they use,” said City Manager Jovan Grogan. “Education plays a pivotal role in creating a strong culture of road safety and this grant will help us continue to ensure that our most vulnerable road users, our children, get to school and return home safely.” Grant funds will support a variety of activities focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety including: • Bicycle training courses and student assemblies to educate youth on safe riding and walking behaviors. • Helmet fitting inspections and distribution of helmets, along with free safety equipment such as bicycle headlights/taillights, during youth safety trainings at schools participating within

File photo/www.santaclaraca.gov

our Safe Routes to School Program. The grant program will run through September 2024. For more information on the program, please contact Carol Shariat at CShariat@SantaClaraCA. gov or visit SantaClaraCA.gov/ SafeRoutestoSchool. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Located at the heart of Silicon Valley about 45 miles south of San Francisco, the City of Santa Clara truly is “The Center of

What’s Possible.” Incorporated in 1852, Santa Clara covers an area of 19.3 square miles with an estimated population of 129,498. Santa Clara is home to an extraordinary array of high-tech companies, including Applied Materials, AMD, Intel, Nvidia, Oracle, and Ericsson. The City of Santa Clara is also home to Santa Clara University, California’s Great America Theme Park, and Levi’s® Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers and future host site of Super Bowl LX and FIFA World Cup in 2026. For more information, go to SantaClaraCA.gov. (City of Santa Clara Release)

PHILIPPINES BASEBALL GROUP CALLS ON CONGEN FERRER TO DISCUSS GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT OF FILIPINO BASEBALL PLAYERS. Consul General Neil Ferrer welcomed the officers of the Philippines Baseball Group (PBG), a Southern California-based nonprofit organization, at the Philippine Center in San Francisco last December. Among those who called on the Consul General were PBG President Bill Picketts, PBG Northern California Regional Director Matt Lopez, Filipino community leader Roberto de Lara, and Philippine News Today publisher Francis Espiritu. The PBG aims “to promote baseball and Filipino players on a global scale… and address the decline in baseball participation at the collegiate level in the Philippines by providing comprehensive support and opportunities for talented Filipino American players in the U.S.” San Francisco PCG photos

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JANUARY 19-25, 2024 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160