February 14-16, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 14 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages
Duterte tells ICC: Drug war will not stop that his controversial drug war will continue until the end of his term in 2022. “Drugs — I like to address myself to the International Court of Justice and to the prosecutors coming here to investigate. The war or the drive against drugs will not stop,” he said during a speech in Cebu City. “And it will last until the day I step out,” the president stressed.
by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has told the International Criminal Court (ICC) that there’s no stopping his campaign against illegal drugs despite the impending preliminary examination into the alleged extrajudicial killings in the country. Duterte on Monday, February 12 said
DATELINE
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MALASAKIT CENTER. President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, February 12, pledged a P50-million financial assistance to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), a government-owned hospital. Duterte made the commitment as he led the launching of the Malasakit Center at the hospital, which aims to improve the access of public to health care services especially the underprivileged. Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante
No truth to ICC plot, says Loida Nicolas-Lewis
USA
by JANICE
MATEO Philstar.com
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Federal judge blocks DACA termination weeks before it’s set to expire Second judge stalls program deadline, calls the Trump administration decision ‘arbitrary and capricious’ A SECOND federal judge on Tuesday, February 13 temporarily halted the Trump administration from ending the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This move comes amidst another week in the months-long immigration wrangle. Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York argued that the federal government’s decision to end DACA — which has granted more than 690,000 undocumented youth work authorization and protection from deportation among other benefits — was an unlawful “abuse of discretion.” “Defendants indisputably can end the
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vestigate the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines,” Lewis said in an open letter posted on social FILIPINO-AMERICAN busi- media. “Any supposed transcript of a nesswoman Loida Nicolas-Lewis on Monday, February 12, denied recent phone conversation is boPresident Rodrigo Duterte’s alle- gus,” she added. The businesswoman issued the gation she was behind the move of the International Criminal Court statement after Duterte accused (ICC) to examine reports of extra- her of conspiring with the ICC to judicial killings in the Philippines. get him investigated. “I know everything, tell her that She called the president’s source I know. It’s Loida. I have the comof information bogus. “There is absolutely no truth to the story given to you by ‘another “There is absolutely no truth to plete transcript,” Duterte said in country’ that I was in any way involved in the ICC decision to investigate the story given to you by ‘another Filipino during a press conference the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines,” Loida Nicolas-Lewis said in an country’ that I was in any way in- last Friday, February 9. open letter posted on social media. “I was already listening to the File photo by Christina Mendez/Philstar.com volved in the ICC decision to in-
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Poll: Filipinos prefer career over love by AJPRESS
MORE than half of Filipinos pick their career over love life, according to a Social Weather Station (SWS) survey released Tuesday, February 13. In a poll conducted from December 8 to 16, 2017, respondents were asked the following HEALTH PROTEST. Members of various groups and their children hold a question: “In case you have to rally in front of the Department of Health building in Manila to ask Health choose between your love life officials to hold a dialogue with parents of children who were administered and career, which of these two with Dengvaxia. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma would you choose?” Based on the result, 59 percent or three of five adult Filipinos said they would priori- ROMANCE AND ALL. A young couple shares sweet moments at the Lumina Rose Garden, an
Trump sends $4.4 DOJ to probe raps trillion budget proposal to Congress against Aquino, others U.S. President Donald Trump sent Congress a $4.4 trillion budget proposal Monday, February 12, outlining increases in military spending, a budget for diplomacy and foreign aid, and cuts in several federal programs and agencies among others for the next 2019 fiscal year. The blueprint comes after Trump last week signed a two-year bipartisan budget deal struck by Congress to increase military and domestic spending by $300 billion. The proposal released Monday is unlikely to make it pass both chambers of Congress in its current form — it’s estimated to add $7 trillion to the federal deficit over the next ten years. But it does though, shed light on some of the administration’s funding priorities. Funding for infrastructure, immigration
tapes of their conversation. It was provided to me by another country but the conversation was in the Philippines and New York,” he added. Duterte claimed hearing Lewis saying, “See you in the headquarters when the case is filed.” “From the looks of it, it’s all politics,” said the president, referring to the ICC probe. But according to Lewis, the claim made by Duterte was laughable as her group – the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance – does not even have headquar-
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illuminated tunnel adorned with flowers at Resorts World in Pasay City.
ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo Jr.
over Dengvaxia mess Philippines eyes China as alternative destination for OFWs by AJPRESS
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) will conduct a probe on a criminal complaint lodged against former Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and 19 others in connection to the controversial anti-dengue Dengvaxia vaccine. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday, February 13, said they will start a preliminary investigation on the joint complaint filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. (VPCI), and former Department of Health (DOH) consultant Francisco Cruz. As the government’s fact-finding into the cause of deaths of children who were injected the vaccine is still ongoing, Aguirre noted that it is the complain-
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by AUDREY
MORALLO Philstar.com
THE Philippine government is eying China as an alternative destination for overseas Filipino workers following President Rodrigo Duterte’s continuing ban on their deployment to Kuwait, Malacañang said on Monday, February 12. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is already finalizing a mechanism with China that would allow the
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Philippines to send workers there. “[T]hat’s being worked out. And I hopefully, there will be bilateral agreements soon,” Roque said in a press conference in Malacañang. Roque also reported that around 400 Filipinos arrived in Manila on Monday morning, following Duterte’s offer to repatriate distressed Philippine nationals in Kuwait in three days. According to the presidential spokesman, the 400 nationals belonged to the first batch of
Filipinos who had been allowed by Kuwait to apply for amnesty after they overstayed or escaped from their employers in the Gulf country. Roque said that those who would opt for repatriation from Kuwait would be given P5,000 as financial assistance and P20,000 for alternative livelihood. “The missions all over the Middle East in particular have been instructed to find alternative employment for our kababayans who have opted for
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A February 14-16, 2018 • La MIDWeeK aSIaN JOurNaL
No truth to ICC plot...
PAGE A1 ters and merely uses the internet for communications and teleconference. She said the only time she may have used such lines was when they organized a rally in front of the United Nations headquarters in 2013 to support the Philippine delegation that filed the case against China over the South China Sea dispute. “However, I do believe that murder without due process of our fellow Filipinos on suspicion of drug dealing is reprehensible and goes against the laws of both God and man,” she said in her open letter. ‘I will cross-examine’ If he gets recommended for prosecution before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for instigating extrajudicial killings, Duterte said he would personally cross-examine its chief prosecutor to make her realize that “she is doing it wrong.” “I’m waiting. Tingnan ko kung gaano siya... (I’ll see how good she is). A few questions, ‘yan kaming dalawa lang (just the two of
us). If she decides to file a case, I will cross-examine her there in the International Court of Justice,” Duterte said, referring to Fatou Bensouda in remarks before local government officials in Cebu City Monday night. The ICC is about to start its preliminary examination of the killings tied to Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, which has reportedly killed thousands, mostly from slum communities. The ICC was acting on a communication sent by lawyer Jude Sabio detailing the Senate testimony of Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed member of a death squad allegedly organized by Duterte when he was still Davao city mayor. Sabio, based on Matobato’s testimony, is accusing Duterte of ordering the killing of about 1,400 people in Davao City when he was mayor and 7,000 others in his antidrug war as president. The opposition welcomed the ICC announcement, saying the preliminary examination is a step closer to attaining justice for victims of extrajudicial killings.
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From the Front Page But Malacañang belittled the development, saying the crackdown against illegal drugs does not constitute a crime against humanity. The president emphasized his controversial war on illegal drugs would continue until the end of his term. “I told the police and the military, ‘work on it.’ I take full responsibility for the consequences of the drug campaign...whether intended or not. It will be my sole, singular responsibility, and I will answer alone,” the president said. “If I do not move, let’s be frank, 40 percent of the total barangays in the Philippines are contaminated with shabu. There are about 9,000 barangay captains into drugs. How can I control? I will run out of time,” he added. Duterte said he is ready to face the consequences of his actions which, he claimed, were intended to preserve the country and its youth. “If I die, I don’t mind. I am old. I have completed all of my dreams. All my dreams, all the accolades, all the applause, I’m done with all of them. I do not need it really,” he added. n OFW REPATRIATION. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac and OWWA officers welcome distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were repatriated from Kuwait through Philippine Airlines (PR) 669 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Monday, February 12. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Duterte tells ICC: Drug war... PAGE A1 Last week, the ICC announced that it will conduct a preliminary investigation into crimes against humanity allegedly committed by Duterte under his drug war to determine if there is basis to conduct a formal investigation against him. But the unfazed president said he is ready to face investigation of the ICC. He also added, “If I go to prison, I go to prison. If you want to execute me, look for a country that allows prisoners to be executed by firing squad. Doon ako (I’ll be there).” Malacañang earlier welcomed
the ICC’s move but dismissed the impending preliminary examination as a “waste of the court’s time and resources.” The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) also expressed confidence that the allegations of crimes against humanity against Duterte “will not fly.” Since Duterte assumed presidency in mid-2016, the Philippine government has recorded about 4,000 deaths linked to his drive to eradicate illegal drugs in the country. But human rights groups have disputed it, saying the actual death toll is nearly thrice the official number. Over the weekend, the head
DOJ to probe raps against... PAGE A1 ant’s burden to prove the liabilities of the respondents. “It’s up to the complainants to prove their allegations. It’s their duty to support their cases and not depend on another’s submission,” the justice secretary said. He also noted that the complaint filed by the VACC, VPCI, and Cruz is independent of other possible complaints on the same issue. “It would be up to the prosecutors how to treat the complaints, whether to consolidate them or resolve separately,” Aguirre added. The VACC, VPCI, and Cruz on Monday, February 12, filed a complaint for multiple homicide and physical injuries through negligence against Aquino, former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad, former DOH Secretary Janette Garin, and 17 others. Respondents also include former and incumbent DOH officials; senior executives of French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur, the developer and manufacturer of Dengvax-
ia; and Zuellig Pharma, Sanofi’s distributor in the Philippines. “Since [the] correlation between vaccine (Dengvaxia) and deaths have been established prima facie, respondents Aquino III, Abad, Garin and the other respondents should stand trial for criminal negligence,” VACC lawyer Atty. Manuelito Luna told reporters. He went on to say, “The causal relationship between vaccine and deaths, dengue shock or adverse events, under the circumstances, could hardly be ignored. And the number of counts would be the number of subjects inoculated irrespective of the number of doses administered,” The respondents are likewise accused of malversation of public funds, and violations of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act., and R.A. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. Complainants claimed that Aquino and other officials “anomalously and illegally funded and procured the Dengvaxia vaccine and ill-advisedly, thoughtlessly, and imprudently” implemented the
of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed readiness to assist the ICC in its preliminary examination into the country’s situation. In a statement on Saturday, February 10, CHR Chief Jose Luis “Chito” Gascon also urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the DOJ to cooperate with the international court. “The CHR is ready, if requested, to assist in any way with the process of preliminary examination. The government, as a party to the Rome Statute, is dutybound to fully cooperate with the ICC,” said Gascon, a known critic of the drug war. n
dengue immunization program “by unduly influencing or exerting undue pressure on any member of the BAC (bids and awards committee) or any officer or employee of the procuring entity to take a particular action which favors or tends to favor a particular bidder.” More than 830,000 Filipino children were administered Dengvaxia since the government implemented the dengue immunization program in April 2016. The program was suspended last December following an announcement made by Sanofi that the vaccine could cause a more severe case of dengue when administered to a person who had not been previously infected with the virus. “Clearly, the deaths and dengue shock or adverse events noted following inoculation of Dengvaxia are correlated or linked,” the complaint read. It further stated, “The causal relationship between vaccine and deaths, dengue shock or adverse events, under the circumstances, could hardly be ignored. And the number of counts would be the number of subjects inoculated irrespective of the number of doses administered.” n
Poll: Filipinos prefer career... PAGE A1 tize their career over having a love live. Only 41 percent said they prefer love life over career. According to the polling firm, the preference for career over love life was high among singles, regardless of sex. Among single men who chose career over love life, 82 percent of them are widowed, separated, or divorced; and 77
percent of them never married. “This is higher compared to 53 percent among those with live-in partners and 50 percent among marrieds who would choose the same,” SWS said. Meanwhile, among single women, 80 percent of those who are widowed, separated, divorced, or divorce; and 83 percent of those who never married, also chose career over love life.
Sixty-five percent among those with live-in partners, and 49 percent among marrieds preferred the same. The SWS survey was conducted among 1,200 respondents nationwide using faceto-face interviews. It has a margin of error of ±3 percent nationwide, ±4 percent for Luzon, and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao. n
Philippines eyes China...
PAGE A1 voluntary repatriation from Kuwait,” Roque said, adding that the government is paying close attention to the employment situation in Oman and Bahrain, which are both signatories to the International Labor Organization Convention on the protection of migrant workers. On Friday, February 9, Duterte announced that he would not lift the deployment ban on Kuwait after he fumed over the latest death of a Filipino in the Gulf country. He also offered to shoulder the expenses of Filipinos who would leave the country in the next 72 hours. According to the president, there were 82 reported OFW
deaths in Kuwait in 2016, and this number jumped to 120 in 2017. It was reported over the weekend that the body of Filipino Joanna Demafelis was found in a freezer an apartment in Al Shaab area where it might have been hidden for over a year. Roque said that the Philippines would hold Kuwait responsible under the concept of state responsibility as it has an obligation to provide distressed Filipinos with legal redress. “Kuwait, under international law, has a legal obligation to provide legal redress for the victims, Filipino victims of these horrendous crimes in Kuwait. And of course, if Kuwait fails in this regard, then it will incur in-
ternational responsibility for an internationally wrongful act,” Roque said. Bello said that one condition that the Philippine government is asking is for Kuwait to sign a memorandum of understanding that would provide Filipinos in its territory more protection. Duterte was recently met by Kuwait Ambassador to the Philippines Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh who invited him to visit his country. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are around 250,000 Filipinos, many of whom are domestic workers, in Kuwait, making it a top destination for Filipinos who want to lift their families back home from poverty. n
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A February 14-16, 2018 • La MIDWeeK aSIaN JOurNaL
Dateline USa
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California rejects Trump proposal to ask citizenship in 2020 census by Klarize
Medenillia AJPress
A neighbor’s smoke is toxic – especially to children ThaT nasty smell is the first thing you notice. Cigarette smoke is inside your house. But you don’t smoke – so how’s it getting in there? Truth is, secondhand smoke is sneaky. It doesn’t need an open door or window to enter your apartment. a neighbor’s smoke can travel through tiny cracks in the floors, walls, pipes, ventilation systems, and even electrical outlets. Each year secondhand smoke kills 41,000 nonsmoking adults
and 400 innocent children. In adults, secondhand smoke causes stroke, heart disease and lung cancer. To top it off, children exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome, asthma attacks, and bronchitis. Bottom line, unless your complex is completely smoke-free, you and your family could be in danger. Secondhand smoke has over 7,000 chemicals—70 of which are cancer causing—
Trump sends $4.4 trillion... PAGE A1 enforcement, opioid crisis Office of Budget Management director Mick Mulvaney, wrote to Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-WI) Monday saying that the administration “does not believe these non-defense spending levels comport with its vision for the proper role and the size of the Federal Government.” he added, “however, we believe it is prudent to lay out the administration’s roadmap for how to account for these higher non-defense spending levels in a responsible manner.” The budget deal reached last week secured the raising of spending caps by around $300 billion, but Monday’s outline proposes $540 billion in nondefense spending for the 2019 fiscal year which starts October. That’s $57 billion less than the cap set by
Congress. In the proposal, $200 billion would be alloted to expanding infrastructure over the next decade — $44.6 billion in 2019. Many in Congress think the $200 billion isn’t enough. The $200 billion from direct federal investment is part of the larger $1.5. trillion Trump introduced at his State of the Union address last month which leaves the rest to come from state, local, and private investment. “We will build, we will maintain, and the vast majority of americans wants to see us take care of our infrastructure,” said Trump on Monday when he released the proposal. The american Society of Civil Engineers gave an overall grade of a D-plus for U.S. infrastructure, and the american Road and Transportation Builders as-
and even brief exposure to it is toxic. You do so much to protect your family. You put up fences and gates. You install alarm systems. You put baby monitors around the house. But your neighbor’s secondhand smoke can’t be ignored. Not anymore. Talk to your landlord today about making your apartment building completely smoke free. Protect your family. Learn how at TobaccoFreeCa.com. n sociation recently released a report that summed over 54,000 structurally deficient bridges in the U.S. But the allotment would also mean reducing funds for existing transportation programs of $178 billion over the next decade, according to the Times. amtrak grants could be nearly cut in half from $1.2 trillion to $538 billion. The army Corps of Engineers would also see a cut of over 20 percent. In line with the Trump administration’s efforts on curbing illegal immigration, the Department of homeland Security (DhS) would get $46 billion under the new proposal for 2019 — $3.4 billion more than this year’s. The DhS would also hire 2,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and 750 border patrol agents. as for Trump’s wall, the proposal seeks $18 billion towards buildPAGE A7
ONCE again, California is pushing back on a new Trump administration proposal that would require census questionnaires to inquire about citizenship. On Tuesday, February 13, a coalition of 19 of the nation’s state attorneys general, including California attorney General Xavier Becerra, threatened the administration with another lawsuit, arguing that the “unconstitutional” proposal would have a disquieting effect on immigrant involvement in the official population count. “What the Trump administration is requesting is not just alarming, it is illegal,” Becerra said in the letter, noting that the California Dept. of Justice is ready to “take any and all necessary legal action” against the proposal. “This is clearly an attempt to bully and discourage our immigrant communities from participating in the 2020 Census count,” Becerra added. California is home to a large, vast immigrant population; approximately 1 in 4 of the nation’s foreign-born population reside in California. The decennial population count is primarily used to determine the number of representatives in Congress that is entitled to each state. This would negatively affect states with large immigrant populations which would receive an inaccurate number of representatives In December 2017, the United States Justice Department submitted the request to the U.S. Census Bureau, stating that it would serve to determine the citizenship voting-age population as
required by Section 2 of the Voting Rights act. Becerra and his colleagues argued that, however, that inquiring about citizenship violates the Constitution that calls for the U.S. Census Bureau to count “the whole number of persons in each State,” rather than just citizens. Immigration talks in full force No issue has rocked the nation during the first year of the Trump administration more than immigration reform. In addition to the states’ battle with the administration on the immigration front, lawmakers in Congress also find themselves in the middle of a major immigration compromise. This week, the Senate began an intensive, open-ended immigration debate with the goal to conjure up a deal for the Deferred action for Childhood arrivals (DaCa), the Obama-era program that provided undocumented youth a host of benefits, including protection from deportation. The main objective is to achieve a bill unmuddied by the current political climate, which has undoubtedly been complicated by President Donald Trump whose wavering, reactionary views on immigrants since his presidential campaign. Previously, Trump has said that he’s willing to sign legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for DaCa recipients as long as the bill confirms funding for his controversial border wall and eliminates family sponsorships. When the administration terminated DaCa in September, immigrant rights advocates were outraged and have since urged
Washington to deliver a solution for the more than 690,000 DaCa recipients awaiting their fates. On Tuesday, a group of more than 250 local, state and national organizations sent a letter to Congress, urging the protection of DREaMers while continuing to reject Trump’s “nativist” immigration views, including extreme border militarization and threatening family-based sponsorships and the Diversity Visa. “President Trump and Congressional Republicans created this moral crisis and it is up to them to work in good faith with Democrats to reach a narrow agreement that pairs a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers with smart and sensible border security measures,” read the letter from the coalition which includes Center for american Progress, the National Women’s Law Center and Service Employees International Union. “Members of Congress must oppose efforts to hold Dreamers hostage in exchange for a nativist wish list,” the group added. “anything that goes beyond the scope of the original agreement from last fall—namely, protecting Dreamers and making additional investments in reasonable border security—must be rejected.” The current immigration debates largely affect the asian american and Pacific Islander (aaPI) community. according to migration statistics, immigrants from asia received more green cards than any other immigrant group in the last decade. asian immigrants particularly benefit from family sponsorships; 239,000 asian immigrants received visas through familybased sponsorships in 2015. n
Filipina pilot earns US Air Force scholarship program She will receive 164 hours of flight training in the T-6a Texan II aircraft, as well as 239 hours of a FEMaLE pilot of the Philip- flight operations ground training. The aLP is intended to build pine air Force has been selected as one of the recipients of the avi- relationships between future ation Leadership Program (aLP), leaders of the U.S. air Force and a United States air Force scholar- other air forces around the world, ship program for selected officers as well as to increase overall cooperations and partnership with from around the world. Second Lieutenant Catherine other countries, the embassy Mae Gonzales, the first female pi- said. Gonzales, a member of lot from the Philippine air Force to receive the scholarship, will at- PMa Class of 2017, hails from tend the program from February Zamboanga. It was the Zam2018 to May 2019, the U.S. Em- boanga siege in 2013, an urban bassy in Manila announced on armed conflict between government troops and the Moro IslamMonday, February 10. by Frances
Mangosing Inquirer.net
ic Liberation Front, that served as one of her inspirations to pursue her dream to become a pilot. “During those times, I really felt a great eagerness to defend my hometown, and I thought I could be of great help to that mission from above, since insurgents are vulnerable from this point,” she was quoted as saying. She said she is honored to represent the Philippines for the program: “Serving my country as a female officer shows how the military profession has matured and opened for great changes by allowing us, female officers, to lead.” n
US: Stop militarization of South China Sea by Frances
Mangosing Inquirer.net
ThE U.S. Embassy in Manila is calling on China and all other claimants of the South China Sea to “refrain” from construction and reclamation activities, as well as the militarization of the disputed waterway. “We call on China, as well as other claimants, to refrain from taking any steps towards the construction of new facilities, militarization of disputed features, and further land reclamation in the South China Sea, and to commit to resolving disputes peacefully with other claimants, particularly given the ongoing efforts by asean and China to negotiate a code of conduct,” the U.S. Embassy Manila press attaché Molly Koscina told the Inquirer in a text message on Saturday, February 10. Koscina was asked for comment on the photos released by the Inquirer last February 5, showing the remarkable progress of China’s construction of air and naval bases on seven of its artificial islands claimed by the Philippines in the Spratly archipelago. President Rodrigo Duterte, who has downplayed the sea dispute
since he assumed the presidency in 2016, reiterated that the Philippines will continue to pursue its friendly ties with the regional superpower because it cannot go to war with China. “We are neutral. We will continue to talk with China. This is not the time to be fighting over South China Sea because it will only lead to a war,” he said in a press conference on Friday in Davao City. Duterte also chose to set aside the 2016 ruling by an international arbitration tribunal that favored the Philippines and invalidated China’s massive claims in the South China Sea. China and the 10-member asean states are working on the code of conduct for the vital waterway, which is mostly claimed by China but also claimed by the Philippines and other asean countries. The embassy said the U.S. will continue to uphold international law, and urged the regional claimants to hold a dialogue on the hotly contested waterway. “We remain firm in our commitment to uphold the rights and freedoms of all states under international law with regard to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the
U.S. Embassy Manila press attaché Molly Koscina Inquirer.net photo
sea,” Koscina said. “We continue to urge all claimants, including China, to peacefully manage and resolve disputes in accordance with international law,” she added. n
Federal judge blocks DACA termination...
PAGE A1 DaCa program. The question before the court is thus not whether defendants could end the DaCa program, but whether they offered legally adequate reasons for doing so. Based on its review of the record before it, the court concludes that the defendants have not done so,” Garaufis wrote in his ruling, referring to the Trump administration as the defendants. Garaufis also noted that the Trump administration’s claim that DaCa was passed unlawfully in 2012 was a “plainly incorrect factual premise.” Obama had signed DaCa into law via an executive order, an action that drew criticism from conservatives at the time. The judge acknowledged the widespread financial opportunities DaCa has provided (as identified by the plaintiffs), noting that DaCa recipients have “raised families, invested in their educa-
tion, purchased homes and cars and started careers.” he added that the administration didn’t seem to acknowledge or consider these benefits, writing “that alone is sufficient to render their supposedly discretionary decision to end the DaCa program arbitrary and capricious.” The federal judge from Brooklyn becomes the second federal judge to temporarily block the Trump administration from ending DaCa, further complicating its plans for a major immigration overhaul. In early January, U.S. District Court Judge William alsup of San Francisco ruled that the sudden termination of DaCa “deprived DaCa recipients of constitutionally-protected property and liberty interests without due process,” as previously reported by the Asian Journal. his views mirror those of Garaufis in that he, too, was concerned
over the perceived “abuse of discretion” in the administration’s termination of the program. Garaufis’s ruling occurred during the week that the Supreme Court was to meet behind closed doors to decide whether to take up the Trump administration’s challenge to alsup’s ruling. The Justice Department (on behalf of the Trump administration) said that it will not back down on its claim that the administration’s termination of DaCa was “within its lawful authority” and all “vigorously defend this position.” The Trump administration is likely to challenge Garaufis’ ruling in the weeks to come as the spirited immigration debate continues. In the meantime, only current DaCa recipients are allowed to renew their enrollments through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
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OPINION
Hitting where it hurts
FEATURES
IN a rare move, the House of Representatives has ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue to conduct a tax probe on Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Specifically, the BIR was tasked to look into the earnings and tax payments of Sereno from 2004 to 2010, when she was one of the lawyers for the government in its case against NAIA Terminal 3 builder Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. The PIATCO issue has been raised against Sereno even before she was promoted to Chief Justice, upon her appointment to the Supreme Court. She has denied any anomalies in her financial declarations, including in her official statements of assets, liabilities and net worth. The House committee on justice says Sereno also failed to file her SALNs for many years when she worked as a law professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Since the House has taken this tack in going after alleged wrongdoing, authorities should pursue a similar approach in pinning down other public officials suspected of amassing ill-gotten wealth. The Office of the Ombudsman and, where possible, the Anti-Money Laundering Council can coordinate with the BIR in this pursuit. This can be useful even in President Duterte’s
campaign against so-called narco politicians. They shouldn’t be difficult to spot; drug traffickers and their coddlers can rarely resist flaunting their wealth, even if it is dirty money. Tax probes can also be initiated against politicians believed to be engaged in jueteng and smuggling as well as the corrupt in the Bureau of Customs and other graft-ridden agencies. Even Congress members can be subjected to tax probes. Lawmakers have stubbornly resisted proposals to pass anti-racketeering legislation. A tax investigation is the next best thing, with the antimoney laundering police later brought in to build a tighter case. Congressmen have said they expected Sereno to be impeached next month. Her tax payments and articles of impeachment to be sent to the Senate. asset declarations are likely to be included in the Authorities should not stop with the Chief Justice;
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
there are other public officials whose unexplained wealth calls for a tax probe. (Philstar.com)
An abused wife’s story that men like her husband Porter and Trump dismiss and marginalize PRESIDENT Donald Trump faced the press The Fil-Am people and even tweeted about his praises for Perspective his former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter, who resigned last week when allegations against him were GEL SANTOS-RELOS made public by his former wives, Colbie Holderness and Jennie Willoughby, after they reportedly contributed to a delay in granting him a permanent security clearance required for him to continue his work in the West Wing. “We wish him well,” Pres. Trump said. “He worked very hard. I found out about it recently and I was surprised by it. But we certainly wish him well. It’s obviously a tough time for him. He did a very good job when he was in the White House. And we hope he has a wonderful career, and hopefully he will have a great career ahead of him. But it was very sad when we heard about it, and certainly he’s also very sad. Now he also as you probably know, he says he’s innocent. And I think you have to remember that. He said very strongly yesterday that he’s innocent.”
PeaceMaker FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. (PART 1 OF 3) *Remarks of Hon. Jose de Venecia - Former Speaker, Philippine House of Representatives; Founding Chairman and Chairman of Standing Committee, International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP); Co-Founder, Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA); Chairman, International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP); Special Envoy of the President to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and for Intercultural Dialogue at the ICAPP Special Conference on the Silk Road last February 1-4, 2018; Tehran, Iran. Excellencies, friends and colleagues: On behalf of ICAPP, the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, let me thank and welcome you all, delegates and observers to this ICAPP Special Conference on the Silk Road here in the historic city of Tehran. We are pleased and honored by the support of Iran’s great political leaders—Their Excellencies Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani, First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Petroleum Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, Minister of Industry, Mines and Business Mohammad Shariatmadari, Senior Foreign Policy Adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ali Akbar
As the New York Times (NYT) reported, Mr. Porter vehemently denied these allegations, saying “these allegations are simply false,” despite details of the alleged physical, verbal and emotional abuse, including actual photographs of one of his former wives with a black eye, had been made public. Trump tweeted on Saturday to double down on his defense of Porter, stating “Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation.” He added, “There is no recovery for someone falsely accused — life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?” To this date, no passionate heartfelt messages have come from the president of the United States to women who spoke out about the abuse they suffered from Porter, and to other women who are victims of domestic violence. Trump, however, has consistently been quick to absolve his allies and support-
Velayati, Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Ali Najafi—and other distinguished officials of the Iranian Government. Let me also greet our host, the Islamic Motalefeh Party, represented in the ICAPP Standing Committee by our dear friend and colleague, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, and co-founder of ICAPP—former Vice President Hassan Ghafoori Fard—the Islamic Labour Party, which is also a member of the ICAPP Standing Committee, and the political parties of Iran We thank the Islamic Motalefeh Party, with the support of the Iranian Government, for sending invitations to 100 principal political parties in 39 countries in the Asian region which have keen interest and concerns on the Silk Road, as well as political parties and organizations from Latin America, Africa, and Europe—the Permanent Conference of Political Parties in Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPPAL), the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP), the European People’s Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). We take note of the recent establishment of the Asia-Europe Political Forum (AEPF), which seeks to promote closer cooperation between ICAPP’s Asian political parties and the various political parties in Europe, in addition to our close ties with COPPPPAL and CAPP. Persia: One of the greatest and oldest civilizations in the
ers of their sins — Porter, Moore, Ailes, O’Reilly, etc. — and would even defend them as though the female accusers were all liars and that these powerful men were the victims here. Not surprising, considering the fact that Trump himself has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct and assault. This Valentine’s Day, let me share with you the voice of one of Porter’s ex-wives who wrote a blog about the abuses she had to endure while married to him, and why she stayed until she could no longer bear it. Porter tried to silence her and invalidate her story. Let us now hear from Jennie Willoughby, whose background includes a Master of Education in brain-based teaching and positive behavior and a Bachelor of Science in bio-chemistry & molecular biology, according to the biography page of her blog bornebackceaselessly.com. Here is her blog post entitled, “Why I Stayed.”: The first time he called me a “fucking b*tch” was on our honeymoon. (I found out years later he had kicked his first wife on theirs.) A month later he physically prevented me from leaving the house.
Less than two months after that, I filed a protective order with the police because he punched in the glass on our front door while I was locked inside. We bought a house to make up for it. Just after our one year anniversary, he pulled me, naked and dripping, from the shower to yell at me. Everyone loved him. People commented all the time how lucky I was. Strangers complimented him to me every time we went out. But in my home, the abuse was insidious. The threats were personal. The terror was real. And yet I stayed. When I tried to get help, I was counseled to consider carefully how what I said might affect his career. And so I kept my mouth shut and stayed. I was told, yes, he was deeply flawed, but then again so was I. And so I worked on myself and stayed. If he was a monster all the time, perhaps it would have been easier to leave. But he could be kind and sensitive. And so I stayed. He cried and apologized. And so I stayed. He offered to get help and even went
to a few counseling sessions and therapy groups. And so I stayed. He belittled my intelligence and destroyed my confidence. And so I stayed. I felt ashamed and trapped. And so I stayed. Friends and clergy didn’t believe me. And so I stayed. I was pregnant. And so I stayed. I lost the pregnancy and became depressed. And so I stayed. Abuse is indifferent to education level, socio-economic status, race, age, or gender. And no one can ever know the dynamics of another’s relationship. My cycle continued for four more years. Afterward, I let go and welcomed the hard work of healing and forgiveness. My experience made me stronger and able to love more deeply. But my heart breaks for him. In the end, who is the real victim of his choices? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www. TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos
Different nations, a shared destiny world We are happy to convene here in this storied land, which is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Persia, as Iran was known before 1935, was one of the greatest empires of the ancient world, dating back around 7,000 B.C., or more than 5,000 years ago. Historians and Vikipedia tell us that the Persian Empire ruled from the Balkans to North Africa to Central Asia, spanning three continents, from its seat of power in Persepolis. It was the largest empire, the first world empire. And was the only civilization in all of history to connect over 40% of the global population, accounting for approximately 49.4 million of the world’s 112.4 million people in around 480 B.C. Iran became an Islamic Republic in 1979, following the Iranian Revolution, also known as the Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy and clerics assumed political control. Seeing the new Iran at firsthand The epochal events of February 1979 have made Iran a unique political power—one with spiritual and moral authority that extends well beyond its secular frontiers. We had the privilege of seeing the new Iran at first-hand. For two days before the General Assembly of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP), now renamed the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA), in Tehran last November 2006, we were official guests of the Iranian Government, hence we were able to consult with Iran’s highest political leaders on ways and
means of engaging the Iranian State in the global community’s effort then to seek ways of helping ease the multiple Middle East crises—in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine. We met President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Speaker of Parliament Haddad Adel, former Speaker of Parliament Nategh Nouri, principal adviser to Iran’s Spiritual Leader Ali Khameini; then Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki; and our dear friend, the great former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, who recently passed away. We earlier had the privilege of successful visits to Manila of then President Rafsanjani, and followed later by Speaker Nategh Nouri, which advanced political, economic, and cultural relations between the Philippines and Iran. We found the Iranian leaders proud of their country’s enhanced importance in the Middle East and in the world. They were even more proud that the European, American, Asian, Latin American, and African powers were beginning to acknowledge the reality of Iran’s rising power and influence. They were fully aware of their own need for Iran to exert its influence on the side of peace in the Middle East. We came away from our meetings with Iran’s political leaders convinced that a modus vivendi could be reached between Tehran, the European, American, and Asian leaders—and that Iran could help shape the then processes of reconciliation between the religious and ethnic communities in Afghanistan, Iraq, Leba-
non and Palestine. To this day, we believe that Iran can and must play a crucial role in bringing about peace, security and development in the Middle East and the global community. Support for Iran Nuclear Deal On the Iran nuclear deal, we in ICAPP reiterate our support to the important and vital agreement signed by Iran and a group of world powers—the U.S., the United Kingdom, Russia, France, China, and Germany—in 2015. According to the European Union, which helped facilitate the Iran nuclear talks, “the International Atomic Energy Agency has verified 8 times that Iran is implementing all its nuclear related commitments following a comprehensive and strict monitoring.” The Deal—the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)— which is the culmination of 12 years of long drawn-out negotiations, strengthens cooperation and is critical for the security of the region. The Iranian nuclear deal has ushered in a new chapter of political and economic engagement with Iran, which, we believe, will benefit the Iranian people, the region, and the global community.\ Praise for the Iranian leadership, calm and sobriety in resolving street protests We commend the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani for their leadership and for exercising calm and sobriety in resolving the recent demonstrations in some cities in Iran. In the midst of protests, which others feared might result in chaos and violence, President
Rouhani’s wise and moderate leadership prevented the escalation of street tensions and expeditiously brought back normalcy in the country. Indeed, we laud the collective Iranian leadership for recognizing the concerns of protesters and for upholding the right of the Iranian people to bring their grievances and aspirations. Iran’s key role in the 21st Century Silk Road Excellencies, friends: We are gathered here to underscore the role of political parties and civil society organizations in generating economic, trade, political and cultural connectivity and peopleto-people bonds with the “Silk Road Spirit.” Iran, as we know, played a vital and actual role in the ancient Silk Road, connecting the East and the West, serving as the main hub for the international trade and exchange of various cultures. Iran today is also expected to play a strategic role in the new Silk Road, by connecting and developing keen overall ties with the other regions. Indeed, it gives us great pleasure to be in the great capital of Iran once more to share our views on two related issues that are of historical importance to us Asians in this Asian century. These are regional development and regional security. In our part of the world, they are two vital strands of geopolitics that are interlocked permanently, for Asians cannot have a full flowering of their national economies without achieving between them a relationship of good-neighborliness based on cooperation, trust
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Dateline PhiliPPines
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PH, China agree to ‘self-restraint’ in sea row Alvarez defies Ombudsman’s by Dana
SioSon AJPress
THE Philippine and Chinese governments have reached an agreement to exercise “self-restraint” on activities that may escalate the tensions in the highly disputed South China Sea. This comes amid reports of China’s continuous military build up in the region. “Both sides agreed to continue discussions on confidencebuilding measures to increase mutual trust and confidence and to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities in the South China Sea that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability,” their joint statement read. On Tuesday, February 13, the Philippines and China convened the Second Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) in Manila. Both sides said they had a “frank, cordial exchange of views” on issues concerning the sea row, and had discussed “ways to manage and prevent
incidents at sea, promote dialogue and cooperation on maritime issues, and enhance mutual trust and confidence.” The Philippines and China also reiterated their “commitment to the full and effective implementation” of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) on the region is set to begin early next month. Both sides also said that they had a “productive exchange on ways to strengthen cooperation” in different areas such as marine environmental protection, fisheries, marine scientific research, and oil and gas, “without prejudice to their respective positions on sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.” “There were intensive discussions on mutually beneficial joint initiatives and consensus on the convening of technical working groups in the areas of fisheries, oil and gas, marine scientific research and marine environmental protection, and
dismissal order against Garcia by Dana
SioSon AJPress
HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday, February 12, said he will “definitely not” implement the Ombudsman’s order to dismiss Cebu 3rd District Representative and Deputy Speaker Gwen Garcia. Ombudsman Conchita Morales has earlier ordered Garcia’s dismissal from service for grave misconduct in connection with the controversial purchase of a Balili property in Tiga-an, Naga Cebu in 2008. The Ombudsman provided the House speaker a copy of the order for “appropriate action.” Alvarez, however, told reporters that he would not act on it as there is “no legal basis” for him to do so. “My appropriate action is not to implement the order. Why? Because there is nothing in the Constitution that allows me to do that,” Alvarez said. He further stressed that that it is “not within the power” of the Ombudsman to “discipline or remove” any member of the sistance Program (SNAP) — for- House of Representatives. “So if I do that, I will be viomerly known as the Food Stamp Program — would also have its lating the Constitution since the and the U.S. Trade and Develop- funding cut by at least 30 percent Constitution provides that it is ment Agency. over the next ten years. How re- only us who have the power to The Environmental Protection cipients receive their benefits discipline and remove a member of the House of RepresentaAgency would see a slash of $2.8 would also change. billion of its budget — 34 percent The White House proposes tives,” Alvarez added. In June 2008, Garcia, who down from its current level. The that a share of food stamps be reagency’s Office of Science and placed with a premade “Harvest was then the governor of Cebu Technology would also be cut box” of “100 percent American City, purchased a 24.92-hectare nearly in half, from its current grown foods provided directly to property worth nearly P100 mil$762 to $489 million. households” — Mulvaney com- lion for human settlement and Congress did reject a similar pared the box to those that come seaport project. It was later disproposal last year, but that hasn’t from Blue Apron, a subscription covered, however, that half of stopped it from being included in company that sends ingredients the property “were underwater the latest proposal outline. If the to customers on a regular basis. proposal were to be approved, “What we do is propose that for the EPA funding would be the folks who are on food stamps, part lowest since 1990. — not all, part — of their benefits Furthermore, programs relat- come in the actual sort of, and I PAGE A6 ed to fighting climate change ef- don’t want to steal somebody’s and above all, common interests. fects — labeled “lower priority” copyright, but a Blue Apron-type China’s rebuilding of the Silk programs by the administration program where you actually re- Road — would also be eliminated. ceive the food instead of receive To some extent, China’s hisFederal entitlement programs the cash,” said Mulvaney. toric revival and expansion of the like Medicare, Medicaid, and In comparison with last year, ancient Silk Road has often been food stamps would see reduc- the White House estimates that compared with the Marshall Plan, tions of at least $1.7 trillion with around $600 million would be the great U.S. initiative that rebuilt Medicare specifically seeing cuts saved by taxpayers as a result of Western Europe from the ashes of of $237 billion. such program cuts. (Rae Ann Va- World War II. The Supplemental Nutrition As- rona / AJPress) The Silk Road stands out on its
Trump sends $4.4 trillion... PAGE A4 ing one along the southern border with Mexico and would include a wall of around 65 miles along South Texas, costing $1.6 billion. The proposal also looks to allocate $13 billion in new spending for treatment, recovery support services, and mental health programs in relation to the opioid crisis. Also included is a 13 percent increase of $80 billion for the Pentagon, and $85 billion for veteran care. Cuts in health care, and programs in science, arts, and social welfare A total of 22 programs and agencies would be cut through the proposal, many of which are in the environmental, arts, sciences, and social welfare sectors. Programs and agencies include the National Wildlife Refuge Fund, the NASA Office of Education, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Institute of Museum and Library Services,
political security,” the statement added. A newspaper report last week showed that the continuous developments of Beijing’s artificial islands in the heavily disputed waters are nearing their completion. Malacañang earlier dismissed China’s military buildup in the area as something that is not “news” anymore, as it noted that the Philippines cannot wage war and could only continue to rely on China’s “good faith.” But on Monday, February 12, Malacañang said that it had “protested not only the building of islands but also the alleged ‘militarization’ of the islands.” “The Philippine government has consistently filed protest. And even during the term of President [Rodrigo] Duterte, we have filed protest,” Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque said. He added, “[This is] in response to claims that we are not doing anything. We are doing what the government has deemed best to be done.” n
and part of a mangrove area.” In 2012, a public bidding was conducted “for the supply and delivery of backfilling materials and other incidentals of its submerged and mangrove portions.” The local government awarded the contract to Supreme ABF Construction. But the Ombudsman, in a ruling last January 15, stated that then Governor Garcia was not authorized to enter into a contract with ABF Construction. “While this Office finds merit on her assertion that the P50 million allotment for the airport/ seaport and other economic enterprise site development program (a capital outlay expenditure that was carried over to the 2012 Annual Budget of the province), was a valid source of appropriation for the Balili project, such appropriation did not validly confer authority to respondent Garcia to enter into a contract with ABF Construction for the Balili project. She failed to point out the specific provision in the appropriation ordinance which supposedly authorized her to enter into the contract,” the Ombudsman said in its decision. For Alvarez, the Ombudsman’s order came too late. He also questioned its timing. “Why resolve this case only now, over 5 years after its filing? With the pending impeachment complaint against the Ombudsman in which Deputy Speaker Garcia would be actively involved in its dispatch, being ex officio member of the Justice Committee and a vigorous participant, Ombudsman Morales now seems to have the lever-
Different nations... own merits as a historic force for development and for peace. More significantly, it is being carried out on a wide scale, involving more countries and more peoples across three continents of the world, and it is free from the politics of ideology that some claim led to the historic failures in development in the post-war era. It is so far alone in addressing the gaps evident in emerging
age to influence and secure the dismissal of the impeachment complaint against her,” he said. Garcia earlier said she would leave the House leaders to decide on the implementation the Ombudsman order. She also remarked that the the timing of the ruling against her was “highly suspicious,” “Considering that I have been vigorously and actively involved in the dispatch of impeachment complaints such as the one against Chief Justice [Maria] Lourdes Sereno, it is no surprise that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, who now faces an impeachment complaint against her, would want to have the impeachment complaint dismissed by strong arming key members of Congress such as myself. My dismissal from service at her hands makes her motivation far too obvious,” Garcia added. Like Garcia, Malacañang also questioned the timing of the dismissal order against her. “It is also unfortunate that the decision of the Ombudsman was released at a time when such actions could be given political color. While we leave the merits of the case to the Ombudsman, the release of the decision could have come at a more circumspect time,” Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque said. While saying that Malacañang respects the decision of the Ombudsman, Roque expressed agreement that only Congress has the power to suspend or remove its members, adding that the Ombudsman “cannot arrogate this power of Congress.” n and developing economies, and because of this, the Silk Road initiative could be the key in unleashing 21st century economic development. Some say it has the potential to influence and change this century, and we believe it is going to change it for the better. For it has the potential as a constructive force that would facilitate the emergence of a model upon which our nations could enhance our collective security. (To be continued next week)
A February 14-16, 2018 • La MIDWeeK aSIaN JOurNaL
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IMF: Timely action needed if inflation spikes by MAYVELIN
U. CARABALLO ManilaTimes.net
MONETARY authorities should step in if consumer price growth exceeds expectations, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Philippine representative said on Friday, February 9. “If inflation pressures continue to go up, then the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) should be ready to take action,” IMF Resident Representative Yongzheng Yang said at The Manila Times 7th Business Forum at the Marco Polo Davao. The BSP’s policymaking Monetary Board should remain watchful, he said, given rising credit growth and the economy’s continued expansion. “In that context, it is very important for the monetary authority to keep an eye [on]and make sure that inflation be
IMF Resident Representative Yongzheng Yang. Photo by Russell Palma/ManilaTimes.net
maintained within the target,” he said. Breach expected Inflation hit a three-year high in January and the Monetary Board on Thursday, February 8, said it now expected the 2.04.0 target to be breached this year. The forecast for 2018 was raised to 4.3 percent from 3.4 percent while that for 2019 was adjusted to 3.4 percent from 3.2 percent.
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Tax effort highest in 11 years — DOF by MARY
GRACE Philstar.com
PADIN
THE share of the country’s tax collections to gross domestic product (GDP) rose to 14.3 percent in 2017, the highest level recorded in 11 years, according to the Department of Finance. “According to preliminary data, the tax effort in 2017 registered at 14.3 percent of GDP, the highest in the last 11 years,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said. “In the past administration, the tax effort increased by an average of 0.3 percentage point per year. In 2017 the tax effort registered a 0.6 percentage point increase from the previous year, double the average the last administration. This is the highest rate of improve-
Tax effort refers to the share of the government’s tax collections to the country’s gross domestic product. Photo by Edd Gumban/Philstar.com
ment since 2009,” he said. Dominguez attributed the growth to the improvement in the efficiency of revenue-collecting agencies. “We were able to improve collections that much without a change in tax rates and only through more efficient and honest tax collections,” Dominguez said.
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Mobile wallets take PH closer to cashless society ManilaTimes.net file photo by MELISSA
G. BAGAMASBAD ManilaTimes.net
ASIA may not be up to speed as their Western counterparts in the transition to cashless transactions but countries like China have kept up while neighbors like the Philippines have been making gradual steps. Just recently, more apps like PaidUp, the first mobile wallet designed for restaurants and coffee shops in Manila have let users “order ahead” so they can “skip the line” and save time and money, according to its CEO and founder, Asim Haneef. Haneef says their long-term goal in in-
vesting in the country and the rest of Asia is to empower MSEMs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) in different ways. “Since accelerating cashless payments is a part of that framework, it fits into what we’re doing quite well,” he explains. Haneef adds that customers also love convenience, which is why apps like Uber and Grab are popular, since both transport network vehicle services (TNVS) allow for cashless transactions. “People hate to wait around, fumble around with cash, wait for their cash bills and the right change, etc. so the convenience that PaidUp offers people—simply being able to discover, choose, pay for your
next meal or drink in a few seconds without having to line-up, is something that busy people find very appealing. After all, saving time is saving money in some ways,” he adds. Chinese billionaire and Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma has, in fact, emphasized the need for cashless transactions to be executed in the Philippines. Doing so, he believes will reduce corruption and allow the country’s economy to prosper. To this end, Ma’s affiliate company in the Philippines, Ant Financial Services Group, has launched a new mobile payment service while Mynt or Globe Fintech Innovations, a
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Romualdez vows to help raise funds for Philippines infra program LOS ANGELES – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez has vowed to help raise the muchneeded fund for the country’s P8 trillion, five-year infrastructure development program. In an interview with The STAR, Romualdez said together with the Department of Finance (DOF), they would push for the promotion of investments and bilateral agreements between the Philippines and the U.S. Asked about his priorities for
2018, the diplomat said, “Let me begin with the macro-priority that is Build Build Build, one of the most ambitious infrastructure programs in our history. It is a massive P8-trillion infrastructure development program for the next five years.” “Together with the economic team led by Finance Secretary Dominguez, we hope to be able to invite more American participation in the administration’s flagship project,” he said. In terms of sectoral priorities,
Romualdez said they would focus on the manufacturing resurgence program. “We hope to encourage more investments from or partnerships with American firms, especially in electronics, textiles, garments, and other value-added products,” he said. Romualdez is also optimistic these initiatives would lead to more partnerships with U.S.based companies. “Corollary efforts in this regard will be finding synergies
In an interview with The STAR, Romualdez said together with the Department of Finance (DOF), they would push for the promotion of investments and bilateral agreements between the Philippines and the U.S. Photo by Ernie Penaredondo/Philstar.com
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Based on the central bank’s Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS) for December 2017, banks saw a net tightening of their overall lending standards for commercial real estate loans from October to December using the diffusion index approach. Photo file by Philstar
B FEBRUARY 14-16, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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Monette AdevA MAglAyA
Atty. Kenneth This stunt she pulled at the ex- in 2012, she was 88 years old UrsUA reyes
TODAY is Valentine’s Day but instead of a romantic love story, how about a double scoop of stories about the kindness of the human heart? I like retelling Lou’s life story. Lou Xiaoying is one remarkable Chinese woman who is a beacon of light, a ray of hope and a surge of warmth in a world that has grown dark and cold. I wrote about Lou a few years back to shine a light on the life of a woman, who despite humble circumstances, managed to save the lives of babies salvaged from the trash heap, apparently discarded by women in compliance with China’s draconian one-child policy to curb its population growth. Contrast Lou’s life with that of a 25 year-old New Jersey woman in 2012 who claims she is not ready for her pregnancy, filmed her own abortion, with full make-up, lights and gazing at the camera and exclaiming with joy at the end of the procedure purportedly to “inspire” and show women that abortion is a positive experience. She even writes about it in one publication. Notice I refuse to give a shout out to her name or the publication’s name. Some bask in infamy and one can show displeasure by refusing to give a shout out. The woman who is a wannabe actress of low-budget slasher horror movies which slaughter children works as an abortion counselor. She says, “I feel in awe of the fact that I can make a baby. I can make a life…” Sadly, it was a life that she chose to end coldly. The delusional woman, as if reading from a script even says at the end of the murderous procedure, “Yay, Cool! I feel good.” She decides to keep a sonogram of the baby as a memento. Did she even bother to ask the father of the child? Even more disturbing is the distinct possibility that she may have become pregnant to create a prop so she can pull this contemptible youtube stunt and become an internet sensation. If she did, this makes it all the more egregious and revolting.
pense of an innocent life to grab her few minutes of dubious fame cries out for justice and she will be held to account. The laws of karma are irrevocable, sometimes swift, sometimes slow, but without bone marrow-deep repentance, comes without fail in due season. I read somewhere, “Karma is only a b__ch if you are.” There is still hope for humanity. The response had been worldwide revulsion and condemnation at the celebratory tone of her scripted abortion. At the very least, women who see abortion as a solution to a complex problem do so in a somber, quiet way, with heads bowed down, away
and lay languishing of kidney failure in a hospital. Despite pain and impending death, Lou looks beautiful in repose. Her eyes sparkle with joy. A calm peacefulness is etched in her face. If she is still alive today, she would be about 94 years old. It has been 6 years and an internet search show no updates about Lou. At her age and condition, no news is good news. Lou and her husband made a living scavenging the village trash for recyclables. It was a tough, backbreaking way of life trudging through the streets and sifting through other people’s often filthy and smelly discards. Over the years, they picked up 30 abandoned babies from the trash heap. Of the 30 foundlings they saved, the couple kept 4 babies to raise themselves and the rest, they gave away to friends and relatives. They have one biological child, a woman, who is now past 50 years old. When Lou was 82 and already a widow, she saved one more baby from the trash. She said, “Even though I was already getting old I could not simply ignore the baby and leave him to die in the trash. He looked so sweet and so needy. I had to take him home with me…My older children all help look after Zhang Qilin … I named him after the Chinese word for rare and precious.” Lou’s story is riveting for its simple, unquestioning reverence for life despite living in stark poverty. She didn’t start out wanting to rescue foundlings but in 1982, her heart was touched when she found the first child, a baby girl, who was lying helpless and abandoned amongst the trash. “Watching her grow and become stronger gave us such happiness and I realized I had a real love of caring for children … These children need love and care. They are all precious human lives. I do not understand how people can leave such a vulnerable baby on the streets. I realized if we had strength enough to collect garbage how could we not recycle something as impor-
“...The boy look at him nonplussed, shrugged his shoulders and went back to throwing one more jellyfish back to the water, and told him, ‘Made a difference to that one...’” from the limelight. What has women’s liberation movement come to these days? It may have been hijacked by the dark side. Shallow, soulless creatures who call themselves women walk the earth. Fortunately, for every one of this kind of vile woman, there are thousands who shun the limelight and work quietly in the trenches fighting the evil of abortion, women I know like Gerri and Anna Maria and members of the Shield of Roses who have been quietly pounding the pavement, persuading women to consider adoption instead and knocking unceasingly on heaven’s doors with prayer and fasting to help in the struggle against the seemingly prevailing culture of death and darkness. But let’s get back to Lou. Her story is like a laser light and her story is worth repeating. She lived in the rural countryside in Eastern Zhejiang province. Picture her home as it was then. It is a humble hovel, its small yard littered with debris and recyclables. A little boy of 7 plays in the yard. Lou lived in that home with her husband Lin until he prededed her in death more than 20 years ago. When I first wrote about Lou
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MANY people try to file and open their own divorce case without an attorney in an effort to save on legal fees. Often, the self-represented divorce litigant would seek the assistance of the court facilitator’s office in preparing the papers to open their own divorce case. However once the divoqqqqqqrce case is opened, many self-represented petitioners are not able to finish their divorce case to judgment for various reasons. The most common reasons are the following: Improper proof of service of divorce petition Self-represented litigants are not familiar with the code of civil procedures on how initial pleadings should be served on the opposing party and the notice requirements. As such the Court is unable to exercise jurisdiction on the other party until proper service on that party is done properly. Failed to prepare and exchanged required financial disclosures California family code requires that both parties exchange complete and accurate financial disclosures. Proof that these financial disclosures have been exchanged needs to be filed in Court. The court will not enter judgment on a divorce case unless the financial disclosure requirements are satisfied. Default judgment does not conform with the petition for dissolution If the respondent has been de-
I filed my own divorce but I can’t finish it faulted and the petitioner is moving for a default divorce judgment, the default judgment must conform to the divorce petition. If the two does not conform to each other, the court will often reject the judgment. Child support requested is not guideline Child support in California is based on guideline. Sometimes the self-represented litigant will try to ignore child support or seek a child support order that is not based on guideline. This will result on the judgment being rejected by the Court. Pension and retirement plans were not joined Some pension and retirement plans (such as local government retirement plans) need to be joined in the divorce action if there is a community property interest in these plans. Self-represented litigants are not aware of these rules and often ignore this requirement. QDRO was not prepared to divide pension and retirement plans Certain pension and retirement plans that are covered by ERISA requires a qualified domestic relations order to be divided (QDRO). Self-represented litigants often ignore this requirement. As a result, the plan is not divided. Unequal division of community property in default divorce cases If there is no settlement agreement, then the court has to divide the community property and debt equally between the parties. Often, self-represented parties will try to propose or prove up
an unequal division of community property and debt usually in their favor. Trying to save on legal fees by handling your own divorce case could turn into a nightmare if your case has issues that needs to be handles a certain way. It is like trying to fix your own plumbing problem if you have no plumbing experience, it could end up costing you more. If you opened up your divorce case but cannot seem to finish it due to some issues, it is best to seek the help of a highly qualified family law attorney. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Mobile wallets take PH closer...
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unit of Ayala Corporation, which also owns Globe Telecom, has recently upgraded its GCash mobile wallet. This mobile wallet will have features that allow customers pay for goods and services by scanning QR codes of merchants through their mobile phones. “We should make the Philippines a cashless society. Cashless society means no corruption, life is easier,” Ma told students at De La Salle University in Manila when he visited the Philippines last October. “In my city, mobile phones can almost get you any-
thing… There are no pickpockets in the buses because there’s no money in the people’s pocket. No wallet, only mobile phones.” One of the challenges of going cashless in Asia, according to Justin Hall, principal at Golden Gate Ventures, is “merchant and customer acceptance, and utilization of technologies.” Getting merchants to accept cashless payments, he adds, “be it card, aggregated applications, digital wallets, or even cryptocurrencies, is still a very difficult proposition.” Some hawkers in Singapore for example, still insist on us-
ing cash because customers are inconvenienced when machines don’t work properly during peak hours. Hall adds that cashless payment relies on “technologies and services that may be out of reach for many users, especially emerging technologies.” Operating in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines can also be problematic at times as well, due to their archipelagic nature. JP Ellis, chief executive of C88 Financial Technologies, a fintech company that has operations in both countries, says they have been “challenged by access points and lack of data.”n
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BUSINESS NEWS
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 14-16, 2018
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Repo deficiency causes senior What you need to know about pretax plans to seek Chapter 7 relief What’s
Debt Relief
ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG
THE first client is 75 years old. Her husband passed four years ago and left her with $30,000 of credit card debt. She has been making minimum payments on their credit cards for the last 15 years as far as she can recall at the rate of $800 a month. So in one year, she pays about $10,000 of minimum payments to keep the $30,000 current. In 10 years she paid $100,000 to keep them current. In the last 15 years, she has paid $150,000 to keep her credit card masters happy. Mastercard and Visa are very happy with her. They lent her $30,000, 15 years ago. After 15 years she paid them $150,000, and she still owes them the same $30,000! Well, of course, that a great business profit for MasterCard and Visa, right? Borrow $30,000 and pay back $150,000 in 15 years but still owe the same $30,000! Just imagine the client was only 60 when she got her $30,000 of credit cards with her husband. Now, her husband has gone on ahead of her. Together, they have paid $150,000 on the $30,000 starting at her age of 60. At 75, she has paid $150,000 and still owes the very same $30,000. Nevermind that she could put the $150,000 to much better use now at 75, if she did not owe the $30,000 in the first place. Now that she is retired and receiving a social security payment of $1,300, forking over $800 a month to make these minimum payments to MasterCard and Visa means that 61 percent of her retirement income goes to minimum payments. Now that doesn’t sound good, does it? She rents a room for $500 a month, so just the credit card payments and the rent use up all of the social security of $1,300! So get this, at 75 she has to get part-time work at Walmart to have money for food and other necessities. Without the $800 paid to credit cards, she literally would not have to work anymore.
$800 a month after rent is paid is more than enough for food and other necessities for a single person. The client has been living this way, until two months ago, when her 2015 Lexus RX330, which she leased for $450 a month was repossessed. She thought she wouldn’t owe Toyota anything since they took the car back. But last week, Toyota sent her notice that she owed them a lease deficiency of $18,000. This, of course, is the proverbial last straw that broke the camel’s back. Mastercard and Visa already take more than half her social security, forcing her to continue working at Walmart at the age of 75, but now owing another $18,000 to Toyota for a car that she has already returned to them and can’t drive anymore, these circumstances put her financial situation into a more accurate perspective. At the age of 75, she needs a complete makeover of her finances. Chapter 7 will wipe out the $30,000 of credit card debt, and the $18,000 owed to Toyota. She will wipe out $48,000 of debt that she totally doesn’t need to be burdened with at 75. We are talking about the quality of life here. Nobody wants to live like this. Her creditors own her life! This is no way for anyone to live, no matter what age. I am sure that her beloved husband would agree that they should have filed for Chapter 7 at least 10 years ago, so that now, the client at least would have saved $100,000 in retirement funds instead of being saddled with debt. Debtor opts for Chapter 7 relief due to health reasons The second client is still young. She is barely 50. Her husband suffered a stroke two years ago. His hospital bill is $200,000. Well, that obviously is one problem. And he owes about $40,000 of credit cards. That’s another burden you don’t want to have even if you are completely healthy and able to work. She needs $1,200 a month to keep her husband’s
$40,000 of credit cards happy and current. The problem is that husband cannot work anymore because of the stroke. Husband is still ok in that he is still able to talk and not paralyzed, but I believe he is depressed because of his condition. He’s a lot younger than I am, but I feel that he’s lost the will to continue living. I feel bad for him and her. I can help him discharge the $200,000 of medical bills and $40,000 of credit cards. That’s a no-brainer. But I wish I could do more for him healthwise. But that’s now between our Almighty Father in heaven and him. I can suggest that he reads Psalm 91 written by Moses: “Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, can say to Him, ‘You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.’ He will keep you save from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases… God says ‘I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord. When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them. I will reward them with long life; I will save them.” If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader. There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.
Two women, a boy and the... PAGE B2 t tant as human lives?” Since 1978, the Chinese communist government has enforced, with few exceptions, its one-child policy. Families are prevented from having more than one child under pain of penalty. Those who abide by the rule are given bonuses and incentives. Boys are preferred in Chinese culture so that couples who want a son feel compelled to throw away infant girls. It is claimed that the policy prevented the birth of 400 million babies. Lou’s life story bears resemblance to the story of the little
boy and the jellyfish. There was once a little boy walking on the beach. He noticed that as the tide receded, there were thousands of jellyfish being washed up and lay stranded helpless on the shore. He picked them up one by one and began tossing each jellyfish back into the water, into the sea where they can survive and live. A man also walking along the shore watched the boy in utter disbelief. To him, the boy was trying to do the impossible. Shaking his head, the man approached the boy and asked, “Hey, kid, what do you think
you’re doing? You can never make a difference. There are thousands of jellyfish. You’ll only save a few of them.” The boy looked at him nonplussed, shrugged his shoulders and went back to throwing one more jellyfish back to the water, and told him, “Made a difference to that one …” Each precious human life saved certainly made a difference to that one life. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
Romualdez vows to help raise funds for... PAGE B1 t
with American partners towards enhancing our design industry and the innovation eco-system,” he said. In line with Philippine government’s rural development priority, he said they plan to develop the American market for the Philippines’ agri-business and food manufactures exports, including in niche products such as in halal and specialty food. He said the services sector would likewise remain vital as an engine for continued economic growth. “We will seek to expand American investments in the business process management industry especially in value added subsectors,” he said. In tourism, he said they would continue to support the Department of Tourism’s efforts to en-
courage American companies and associations to hold their meetings, events and conventions in the Philippines. “We are also preparing to launch the 12th Ambassador’s Tour, which will feature Manila, Cebu and Bohol as main destinations,” he said. The ambassador also noted that “during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Manila last year, he also discussed with President Duterte, and in fact welcomed, our interest in a bilateral free trade agreement with the United States. I also intend to vigorously follow through on their discussions with my U.S. counterparts.” Lastly, he said his first year in office would zero in “on sharing our economic story here in the United States.” “I intend to spend much of
my first year or two undertaking economic diplomacy outreach in major trade and business centers around the country. We will share the good news that the Philippines remains open for business; and is one of the most competitive and business-friendly economies in dynamic Southeast Asia,” he added. Romualdez was appointed ambassador to the U.S. in July 2017 by President Rodrigo Duterte. On Nov. 29, 2017, he presented his credentials to Trump and formally assumed office. He is also concurrently the Philippines’ emissary to the Commonwealth of Jamaica, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia. (Philstar.com) ■
IMF: Timely action needed... PAGE B1 t
Some analysts had expected an adjustment during Thursday’s meeting but the Monetary Board said that its inflation expectations “continue to be anchored within the inflation target band over the policy horizon”. The BSP’s overnight borrowing, lending and deposit rates were subsequently maintained at 3.0 percent, 3.5 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, but the dominant view among analysts is that adjustments will have to be made later this year. BMI Research on Friday said it expected a 50-basis point adjustment to be in place by the end of the year. “Coupled with interest rate normalization in the U.S., which will likely continue to weigh on the Philippine peso, we forecast the BSP to hike its RRP by 50 bps to 3.50% by end-2018 to safeguard macroeconomic and currency stability,” the Fitch unit said. “The BSP maintained the status quo at its meeting on Feb-
ruary 8, but we believe that the window for further rate hold is quickly narrowing,” it added. While BMI is keeping its 2018 inflation forecast at 4.0 percent, it said that monetary authorities would be forced to act given substantially higher consumer price growth. “While the BSP expects the spike in inflation to be temporary and is reluctant to hike interest rates for now, we believe that price pressures are likely to average higher in 2018 than in the previous year,” it stated. The pickup in price pressures goes beyond cyclical factors and is partially due to the sustained high credit growth “as a result of the ultra-accommodative monetary policy stance.” “Together with higher oil and commodity prices, we expect inflationary pressures to remain elevated, and this will likely prompt the BSP to tighten its monetary policy to keep inflation under control,” BMI said. It noted that the Philippine
economy was growing strongly in excess of 6 percent in real terms and 8 to 9 percent in nominal terms, at odds with the 3.0percent policy rate. “If this situation is sustained for much longer, the economy is at risk of overheating and further heighten the risk of malinvestment,” BMI said. ‘Behind the curve’ It called out the BSP for being “increasingly behind the curve” by continuing to defer tightening. “We highlight that the Philippine 2-year bond yield have risen considerably since Q316 and is now at around 100 bps above the central bank’s benchmark rate,” BMI said. The peso, again one of the worst performing emerging market currencies, is also looking to retest near-term support. A rise U.S. bond yields and further Federal Reserve rate hikes this year will likely further push the peso down against the U.S. dollar, BMI said. (With Jordeene B. Lagare) ■
THE only means an employer can offer employees between taxable and nontaxable benefits is through section 125 plan. What are a section 125 plan, a cafeteria plan, and the IRS requirements for this plan? 1. Cafeteria Plan: Cafeteria plan is a written plan maintained by employer for employees that meets the requirements and regulations of section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. The participants may receive benefits on a pretax basis and must have the option to choose at least one taxable benefit or cash and a qualified nontaxable benefit. It should specifically describe all benefits and establish rules for eligibility and elections. 2. Qualified benefits under the cafeteria plan rules: The qualified benefits include accident and health benefits but not archer medical savings accounts or long-term care insurance, adoption assistance, dependent care assistance, group-term life insurance coverage, and health savings accounts including distributions to pay long-term care services. 3. Premium-only or premium conversion plans: The employees premium contributions to employer-sponsored health and welfare plans may be made on a pretax basis. The sec.125 choice is between taxable salary and
New
ARLENE AL-OS, CPA, MBA nontaxable contributions to a group health insurance plan. 4. Flexible reimbursement accounts or flexible spending accounts (FSA): The employees contribute and are reimbursed on a pretax basis for unreimbursed medical, dependent care, or adoption expenses. The sec.125 choice is between taxable salary and nontaxable contributions to a flexible spending account. 5. Three types of FSAs allowed under sec. 125: The three types of FSAs under sec 125 are: 1) health FSA, reimburses employees for health care expenses, 2) dependent care FSA, reimburses employees for certain child care expenses under IRC sec. 129, and 3) an adoption assistance FSA under IRC sec. 137. These types of plans could either be included in the sec 125. plan document or a separate written plan descriptions may be prepared. 6. Full flex or full cafeteria plans: Employees choose from a list of options of benefits selections. The sec.125 choice is
Calendar of Events across
between taxable salary and or taxable benefits and the employer’s nontaxable contributions to qualified benefits. 7. When is sec. 125 plan necessary? If an employer wants to give employees cash if they waive-out of the group health plan. If there is no sec.125 the group health plan would be taxed on the amount of the cash waiver even employees choose the group health plan. 8. Must be in writing: The plan document should be in writing and have to include the following: a specific description of each of the benefits available under the plan, including the periods during which the benefits are provided coverage period, the plan’s participation rules, the procedures governing participants’ elections under the plan, including the period during which elections may be made, the extent to which elections are irrevocable, and the periods with respect to which elections are effective, the manner in which employer contributions may be made under the plan, such as by salary reduction agreement between the participant and the employer or by non-elective employer contributions (flex credits) to the plan, the maximum amount of employer contributions available to any participant under the
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America
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS F E B R UA RY 1 4
Free Reggae Valentine Rendezvous with Lover’s Rock at Grand Park, LA Grand Park is making Valentine’s Day easy and affordable with an ode to romance, and an evening featuring Lover’s Rock, an American Soul-influenced Reggae music subgenre on Wednesday, February 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. Angelenos looking for a relaxed Valentine’sevening under the stars will be serenaded to the sounds of DJ Danny Holloway and DJ Phersone, who will be spinning laid-back Reggae tracks throughout the evening. Couples will enjoy the park’s romantic ambience and tables for two around the fountain and throughout Olive Court, which will be illuminated with the glow of string lights. They can dine amidst the iconic views of Los Angeles City Hall and Grand Park’s own Arthur J. Will Memorial fountain. To help sweeten the mood, desserts and treats will be available for purchase from various food trucks and couples can capture romantic moments with a complimentary photo booth. Grand Park by the Olive Court and Arthur J. Will Memorial fountain is located at 200 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Park furniture is available on a first come, first served basis.
F E B R UA RY 1 7
The Blue Eagle Circle Gathering at Loyola Marymount University Fellow Ateneans! The Blue Eagle Circle (TBEC) is inviting you to join us on Saturday, February 17, 2 p.m. PST at the Loyola Marymount University for a simple gathering with fellow Blue Eagles. The gathering will be held at 1 LMU Drive, Suite 210, Room 107, Los Angeles, CA 90045. The venue is The CAVE, below the Sacred Heart Chapel. There will be an anticipated mass at 4:30 p.m. PST. Feel free to bring your family and friends. For more information, contact The Blue Eagle Circle at admin@blueeaglecircle.com. You may also call Benkie Natividad, TBEC President at (818) 484-0948.
F E B R UA RY 2 0
“Usapang Pagkain”: A monthly series exploring wellness with Filipino cuisine in Chicago, IL Community-based organization AFIRE (Alliance of Filipinos For Immigrants Rights & Empowerment) and food media and events group Filipino Kitchen will explore wellness and health with Filipino Cuisine in a monthly series, Usapang Pagkain. The event series is free and open to the community. Each event will highlight a Filipino dish or dishes, including recipes. During the weekday evening events, a light dinner of the highlighted dishes will be provided. Made possible with a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, the purpose of the series is to explore how Filipino food can best serve our community. On Tuesday, February 20 from 6 to 8 p.m., the focus is “Healthy & Happy Hearts.” The event will take place at the Hana Center (4300 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL). Schedule and venues are subject to change, please check http://afirechicago.org and http://filipino.kitchen for the most up-to-date information.
F E B R UA RY 22
Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA There will be an immigration forum on Thursday, February 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). RSVP is a MUST to attend. No registration fee required. Please contact (714) 657-7460 or admin@globallawcenters.com. The immigration forum is about employment-based immigration information regarding FAST TRACK Work Visas ( H-1B1, TN, E-3), green card by marriage, family-based immigration employment sponsorship for green card and work visas after graduation. Candidates with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visas issues are encouraged to attend for a FREE immigration consultation & immigration assistance. As you have already seen there are many changes happening in the field of immigration with regards to the new executive administration and their agenda. Global Law Centers strives to inform the immigrant community of its rights and make sure it is knowledgeable about what immigration processes might be available. The forum will also update everyone about new and recent changes which may affect immigrants and their families.
Fil-Am artist Lynda A. N. Reyes presents at the Women’s Caucus for Art exhibit in Santa Monica, CA Los Angeles-based artist Lynda A. N. Reyes will be showing her transparent watercolor painting “My Companion” at the Women’s Caucus for Art 2018 national conference exhibition at Arena One Gallery in Santa Monica, California from Feb. 21 to March 10. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, February 22 during the start of the 2018 national conference in Los Angeles with a closing reception on March 10 in observance of International Women’s Day. The Arena One Gallery, Santa Monica Art Studio is located at 3026 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405. For more information, please call (310) 397-7449 or visit www.arena1gallery.com/exhibitions. To see more of Reyes’ work, please visit www.lyndaanreyes.com or contact her at lyndaanreyes@gmail.com.
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B4 FEBRUARY 14-16, 2018 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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People and Events
CSUF business students offer free help preparing tax returns IRS sponsors Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
THE Cal State Fullerton student-run chapter of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is offering income tax return preparation and filing assistance to low-income families and individuals through April 14. VITA, a program sponsored by the IRS, offers free assistance in preparing simple tax returns for low- to moderate-income families earning $60,000 per household or less. Volunteers — students, alumni and faculty members — are trained and certified by the IRS, and the group is advised by Jonathan Durrant, assistant professor of accounting. Walk-in service is provided Fridays and Saturdays through April 14 (closed March 30-31), 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. No appointments are offered. Location is at the Education-Classroom Building, Room 8, Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd. Applicants must bring: • Photo identification and Social Security card, and birthdates for taxpayer, spouse and dependents • Passport for international students • Wage and earnings statements and financial statements applicable to a personal income tax return
EMPLOYMENT
Photo courtesy of CSUF News Center -news.fullerton.edu
• Records of payments to daycare and provider’s I.D. number • Last year’s income tax returns, bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit • All 1098-E and T forms for educational expenses • W-2s, 1099s and all other tax-related documents for 2017 There is a $2 per hour or $8 for a daily permit on Fridays. Parking is free on Saturdays in most lots. Details are available online. For more information, contact the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at (657) 278-8681 or csufvita@ gmail.com.
EMPLOYMENT
What you need to know about pretax...
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plan, the plan year on which the plan operates, for a plan that offers paid time off, the required ordering rule for use of non-elective and elective paid time off, for a plan that includes FSAs, the plan’s provisions complying with any additional requirements for those FSAs (for example: the uniform coverage rule and the use it-or-lose it rules), for a plan that includes a grace period, the plan’s provisions complying with
the grace period requirements, and for a plan that includes distributions from a health FSA to employees’ HSAs, the plan’s provisions complying with related requirements. 9. Filing requirement of cafeteria plan. You may be required to file Form 5500.
issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxrelated penalties. ***
Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited *** Disclaimer: Any accounting, business by the IRS and other governmental or tax advice contained in this agencies. communication is neither intended as (Advertising Supplement) a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific
Tax effort highest in 11 years... PAGE B1 t He also cited the government’s successful crackdown against Mighty Corp., which yielded P30 billion in additional tax collections. Earlier, Internal Commissioner Caesar Dulay said the agency’s tax effort rose to 11.26 percent in 2017 from the 10.8 percent recorded the previous year. Tax effort refers to the share of the government’s tax collections
to the country’s gross domestic product. The economy grew 6.7 percent in 2017, slower than the 6.9 percent growth posted in 2016. Revenue of the BIR last year amounted to P1.779 trillion, up 12.9 percent from the P1.576 trillion actual collection the previous year. This also represents a 97.27 percent accomplishment rate as against the bureau’s P1.829 trillion collection goal for 2017.
The Bureau of Customs, meanwhile, collected P457.64 billion in 2017, representing a 97.8 percent accomplishment rate in relation to its P468 billion goal for the year. For 2018, the BIR is targeting to collect P2.039 trillion in taxes, 14.61 percent higher than the 2017 actual collection. The BOC is also targeting to collect P598 billion in customs duties and taxes. ■
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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 14, 2018
Making it work: The ups and downs of long-distance relationships by Ritchel Mendiola & Bianca cRuz / AJPress BEInG in a long distance relationship is a struggle, and given the choice, most people would steer clear away from it. Unfortunately, in this fast-paced world, there is a pretty good chance that couples may find themselves in different cities — sometimes, countries — for a job or even a scholarship to study someplace else. When this happens, making the decision to end the relationship or stay together is nowhere near the vicinity of easy. Thankfully, the technology we have today has made communication easier. With the influx of messaging apps like Messenger, Skype, and Viber, keeping in contact with one another has become more convenient and less of a hassle. For couples who choose to continue their relationship, the distance will always be a problem, but if it’s any consolation, they can now quickly reach each other with just an app and a webcam in the comforts of their homes. It takes a lot of effort and commitment, but any couple can make the distance work for them rather than against them. Here are two couples in long-distance relationships (LDRs) who shared how they make their situations work and how they stay close to each other even when they’re far apart. Shen Bacal (Las Piñas, Philippines) & Nathan Amora (Los Angeles, California) “We met through a mutual friend when we were both 16 years old and in sophomore year. nathan was just someone I considered a friend of a friend until we got to know each other better. We’d stay up late texting
and chatting about anything and everything. I thought that it was nice to meet someone I could talk to the way I did with him. I was myself and I was comfortable to share my thoughts and feelings. It felt great! “We’ve been together for six years and three months now. We’ve been apart more than we’ve been physically together. He left to live in the States for good in May 2013. We’d only see each other once a year — every year if we’re lucky. We’re not physically together right now but we’ve learned to accept our situation. We actually thought that this kind of relationship was both beneficial to us since it gave us space and time to grow as individuals. We didn’t feel the need to change each other, instead we were able to watch each other become the best version of ourselves. “To those who are in a long-distance relationship or are thinking of being in one, I suggest you get to know each other better since you’re entering a more serious level in a relationship that requires mental and emotional commitment. Learn to support each other, as well. Relationships can be selfish. Long distance taught us how to let go of what we can’t control. It might hurt that you aren’t a part of your partner’s daily activities and milestones, but at least you can be proud at the fact that they’re doing well on their own. “There will always be days that your longing will be unbearable, so find a healthy way to express your feelings. Call your friends or family to keep
Shen Bacal and Nathan Amora
you company; cry, drink, or dance your sadness away. Know your boundaries and avoid doing anything that will jeopardize your relationship. Relationships are constant works in progress, so always make time for each other — no matter how long or short it is. “LDR is actually like any other relationship, the difference is the distance but the connection is the same. What made it easier for us is that we were able to establish the friendship before anything else. This definitely helped us trust each other better. In the end, LDR wasn’t a decision we had to make, it was a flow that we just went with.” Pamela Andres (Manila, Philippines) & Mark Ocampo (San Francisco) “We met seven years ago
Pamela Andres and Mark Ocampo
during my dad’s basketball game. We were in high school at the time, but from different schools. Later on, we realized we had a lot of common friends and started to hang out with each other. We met again in San Francisco when I went there for a two-month family vacation. Mark took me and my brother for a tour since my sister, who is a nurse there, only had a week off work. Before I went to Las Vegas, I said yes when he asked me to be his girlfriend. “We’ve been technologically together for seven months now. We’re not physically together so we facetime each other everyday. We still constantly struggle with the time difference; he wakes up when I’m about to sleep. Being in a long distance relationship, you
will definitely miss the personal contact. You will get those random urges to hug your partner even though you can’t. “Before Mark and I separated in San Francisco, we mentally prepared ourselves and even googled ‘how to make long distance relationship work.’ There was a list of rules that we agreed on and consistently do to make our relationship work. We strengthened our trust in each other. It can be hard, at times, but if you really want to make your relationship work, you have to trust your partner and believe that your love for each other is strong enough so you won’t have to be paranoid all the time. “The distance can sometimes fizzle the spark in a relationship so we always make an effort to keep the spark
alive between us. We are also each other’s best friends. Being your lover’s best friend helps in building the trust between the two of you. You become your lover’s personal cheerleader in their endeavors and interests in life. Most importantly, we plan when we’re going to meet. never forget to set a specific date you can both look forward to and prepare for that special day. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and there really is nothing quite like the feeling of finally hugging your partner after not being with them for a long time. “ Ultimately, long distance relationship might be a challenge for most couples, but isn’t it better to at least try it rather than give up easily and spend your life being haunted by what-ifs?
Finding love online: Digital love without physical touch Fil-Ams discuss the rise of online dating in the 21st century by Klarize Medenilla AJPress In an age where technology has permeated nearly every aspect of modern life, it’s no surprise it’s made its mark in the dating game. The first online dating website, Match.com, came onto the scene in 1995, introducing the world to a new way to meet romantic partners. Amid the stigma it first garnered, it was revolutionary, bridging the worlds of technological innovation and romance. Fast forward to the 2010s and the introduction of Internet dating smartphone applications that make finding a partner as easy as sending a text. And in a few short years, more and more people have outsourced and entrusted their love lives to the algorithms on their phones. The stigma attached to online dating, more or less, has considerably diminished and has only become more popular. According to a 2016 study from Pew Research Center, 40 percent of Americans use online dating as a source for searching for romantic partners. notably, the attitudes toward online dating have also improved. In 2005, only 44 percent of participants considered online dating to be “a good way to meet people.” In 2015, that number jumped to 59 percent. And online dating has become more nuanced with sites specific to different kinds of people. Christianmingle.com, for example, allows Christians to find other Christians and sites like Grindr are geared for LGBTQ+ individuals. What attracts many people to online dating is, among many factors, convenience, according to 26-year-old Raymond Chu, who moved to Los Angeles in 2013. “I didn’t know anyone when I moved here. I was straight out of college — I went to school on the East Coast, and I found a job here,” Chu, a computer programmer, told the Asian Journal in a recent phone interview. Chu signed up for the popular dating application Tinder where users are given a selection of different profiles of other users in their area. If a particular user interests you, you swipe
Mail him/her a package of their favorite things.
Ways to make Valentine’s Day special even when you’re apart by Jennifer Soriano/AJPress
The introduction of Internet dating makes finding a partner as easy as sending a text.
right; if not, you swipe left. Users that swipe right on each other are matches, and they may start interacting. (You can’t interact with someone without matching with them first.) “It was pretty easy to sift through several profiles and to find someone who piques your interest,” Chu said, sharing that the experience made him uncomfortable at first. Like most users, the young Fil-Am had his share of pedestrian interactions with girls and went on dates that didn’t go beyond the first one. After four months of intermittent presence on the app, he struck a connection with a girl also working in tech. “That relationship lasted two years, which was longer than any relationship my friends have had who also use Tinder,” Chu shared, with a laugh. “These applications — Tinder, OkCupid, or any of them — generally, I think, have a stigma attached to them. People joke that they’re only used for short-term flings or one night stands. But I can attest that there are people there that will share relationship goals with you, whether it be a shortterm thing or a long, committed relationship. There’s something for everybody.” Chu mentioned that he’s still on Tinder, but as he’s gotten older, it’s becoming less appealing to him. But given technology and social media’s impact on our culture, he has no doubt that online dating will only continue to grow as its own industry. “It does get old, and it does
feel weird just swiping through these profiles like a game,” Chu admitted. “But I do see this as the new normal. I work in tech and I know that there are folks constantly working to make these sites and apps more sophisticated to mitigate their shortcomings. It’s only just the beginning, and I see this — online dating — becoming the standard.” Twenty-seven-year-old Maureen Rosa acknowledges the ease of online dating and the potential benefits, but also knows of the dangers. Rosa, an office administrator in the LA public health space, signed up for Tinder, OkCupid and Bumble, the latter, a dating site in which women are to message first. The young Fil-Am saw “moderate success” but generally prefers meeting people in more traditional ways, adding that she feels that dating sites — especially those more geared towards millennials — aren’t great if looking for serious, committed relationships. But Rosa doesn’t blame the sites themselves for what can go wrong within each interaction. But to her, dating apps can be a vehicle in which to spread vitriol and can make the dangers of dating, in general, more streamlined. “On paper, the concept is great,” Rosa said. “But it definitely has a lot of drawbacks and I hate to say it, but it’s hurt my feelings a lot. Some people use it as a game that they do with their friends and they message girls with these mean or really
FOR most couples, it’s easier to think about Valentine’s Day when you and your significant other are at close proximity comPhoto from Pexels.com pared to those who are far apart. While couples who get to celebrate this special day with their loved ones are luckier, the distance inappropriate, asinine things. could be just a test to see how far your love for each other can go. Some people don’t really think And no day can prove this test than on a Valentine’s Day, alongabout the person on the other side birthdays and anniversaries. For this issue, the Asian Journal side of that message thread: rounded up ways you and your sweetheart can make Valentine’s that’s a person with feelings, Day special even when you are apart. you know? I can be dehumanDo not forget the “I love you” call izing, I think.” In this digital age, calling him/ her to say “I love you” is the After about a year and a half most basic thing to do. After greeting him/her a Happy Valentine’s of trying to make a connection Day, say your “I love you” in a more loving tone than you normally with someone from her phone, do. Afterwards, you can initiate a conversation reminiscing your she retired her dating profiles sweet moments together or what would you do next time you see in favor of meeting someone in each other. person. Send him or her something handmade “On one hand, it can set you A gift doesn’t need to be expensive to be good. A heartfelt letup with someone whom you probably would never have met ter or a photo album, or any gift that you’ve made yourself shows you put time and thought into your gift and will serve as a reminder [in real life] and it can be aweof how much you care even when you’re not around. some. But on the other hand, Record and share a video the whole thing could turn into Take a video of yourself or have someone take your video and a horrible nightmare from ‘Black Mirror,’” Rosa says with a laugh, be creative with what you want say. You can talk your heart out enumerating the things you miss about him/ her, recite a poem you referencing the netflix original made yourself, dedicate a song or two, or do a silly dance number. anthology series that explores Watch a romantic movie at the same time the negative effects of social Since you are unable to go for a movie date physically together, media and technology. you can opt to watch a romantic movie on the same day and try to Despite her concerns about online dating, however, she mir- watch it around the same time, even though you are in different locations. This will somehow give the both of you a feeling of being rored Chu’s sentiments regardconnected. You can discuss your comments on the movie later over ing the impact of online dating a phone call, through e-mail, or chat messaging. has on the current zeitgeist. Mail him/her a package of their favorite things. Rather than dismiss online datThink of the favorite things your significant other and put them ing for its shortcomings — or in a fancy handmade packaging. Put a short label outside deunduly praise it for its breakscribing the gift. For example, you can write “something that can throughs — it’s best to accept that it’s simply just another form brighten up your smile” for a lipstick or “something as sweet as you are” for a chocolate. of social media: any pros and Send gift certificates/concert tickets cons lie with the humans using Sure you love your significant other the way they are, but how them. “But that’s the risk you take, about giving them gift certificate to a hair stylist, massage therapist, or spa? This will make them feel more beautiful and confident in general, with dating, digitally inside and out. Is your sweetheart’s favorite band playing to his/her or otherwise,” Rosa added. “And a lot of factors are at play: town or somewhere nearby? Then buy him/her a ticket! Spend Valentine’s Day celebration on another day age, city, which app you’re usFeb. 14. is not the only day that you can celebrate Valentine’s ing. At the end of the day, I can only speak about my experience Day. If you’ll see each other the next month or so, you can surprise him/her with a question, “Would you be my Valentine date today?” with dating apps, but dating, in general, is a gamble. And it can If he/she affirms, which is more likely so, then do the things that you should have done together on that special day. be worth it.”
entertainment 3
Paulo Avelino can’t define love by Deni
Rose BeRnaRDo Philstar.com
Kapamilya actor paulo avelino might have been seen walking the Star magic Ball red carpet last year with a blonde bombshell in his arm, but during his recent interview with philstar.com for his current soap opera “asintado,” the star of upcoming biopic “Goyo: ang Batang Heneral” admitted that he has never been in love. in time for Valentine’s, philstar.com asked avelino what is love for him, but the actor failed to come up with a definition, explaining that it is because he was never in love before. in July last year, aBSCBN reported that the Kapamilya heartthrob was dating Filipino-australian model Jodie Elizabeth Tarasek. avelino also reportedly dated fellow Kapamilya star KC Concepcion. What could be the qualities of that one who could
make him fall in love? “Simple lang,” said paulo. “Siyempre, gusto mo ng matalino, gusto mo ng caring, and gusto mo rin ng may oras sa’yo.” This Valentine’s, he said he has no time to celebrate as he has a full taping schedule for “asintado.” although he seems to still be on the lookout for the one who could make him fall in love, avelino shared that his showbiz career is in upswing. in “asintado,” he plays a lawyer with a very complex character. “He loves in such a weird way na minsan hindi mo na masabi kung pagmamahal nga ba ito o hindi,” paulo said of his role. He is done taping for his movie “Goyo: ang Batang Heneral,” which might be shown by the end of this year. He is thankful for the positive reviews he got from starring in last year’s metro manila Film
Paulo Avelino
ABS-CBN photo
Festival entry, “ang larawan.” at first, he was sad that “ang larawan” was pulled out from many cinemas. “Of course, noong una, nalungkot ako, pero after seeing how people were fighting for it, natuwa ako na maraming lumaban para sa pelikulang ito.”
Why Gary and Angeli are #RelationshipGoals GaRy Valenciano and wife angeli pangilinan-Valenciano have been married for 34 years now, only a year short of Gary’s career milestone as a singer-actor for 35 years this year. How do they keep it together? “Face the challenges and know that it’s never smooth-sailing and it can get really rough, and sometimes that boat can capsize,” Gary shared on his and his wife’s relationship secret, which is also his advise for anyone with #RelationshipGoals. “But only the boat capsizes, and not the people in it. The people in it don’t have to give up their lives for it, but they just need to face it, they need to accept it. They might not understand it, but when they understand that they’re together for a reason, then things can turn around,” Gary told philstar.com. Valenciano kicks-off the year-long celebration of his 35th anniversary in the industry with the much-awaited reprise of his critically acclaimed Valentine concert “love in motion.” Directed by Gary and angeli’s son, paolo Valenciano, with musical direction by mel Villena and vocal musical direction by mon Faustino, “love in motion” first had a twonight run in 2017, marking Gary’s very first solo Valentine concert in manila in almost 20 years. (Philstar.com) Gary and Angeli Valenciano
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 14, 2018
The former spouses’ TVC instantly went viral within hours of release.
Photos courtesy of McDonald’s Philippines
Sharon, Gabby reconnect for Valentine’s by ChRistina
alpaD ManilaTimes.net
“Kilig” [an official word in the Oxford dictionary since 2016 to mean “the feeling of exhilaration or elation”] exploded online and on TV Friday, Feberuary 9, when ‘80s power couple, the former mr. and mrs. Gabby Concepcion and Sharon Cuneta finally appeared on screen together. Fast food chain mcDonald’s definitely landed a coup by reuniting the former husband and wife in a TV commercial after networks and major movie companies tried and failed to do so for so many years. an appealing Valentine treat for the public—Sharon-Gabby fans or not—the TVC was set against the meaningful Opm love song “Kamusta Ka” with the megastar seated in mcDonald’s, about to take a bite into her Chicken mcDo. a chance encounter, the handsome dramatic actor suddenly appears in front of her asking, “Do you mind if i join you?” Surprised, Cuneta quickly gets a hold of herself and replies, “ikaw naman parang wala tayong pinagsamahan.” Both self-conscious as they go through their chicken and fries, sparks soon fly as they steal glances at one another, giggle and loosen up. The
romantic mood finally reaches its climax when Concepcion reaches across the table to wipe the corner of Cuneta’s mouth. a typical mushy scene in romantic flicks, the ex-lovers finally burst out laughing when the megastar playfully tells him there was nothing to wipe off in the first place, and throws a napkin his way. it can be recalled that it was in 1981 when the would-be couple first met on the set of “Dear Heart,” then-15-year-old Cuneta’s launching movie. a box office success, two more Sharon-Gabby movies quickly followed via “p.S. i love you” in 1981 and “my Only love” in 1982.
The couple’s romance went beyond the screen when in 1984, a few months after Cuneta’s 18th birthday, the famous love team got married for real. Soon their only daughter KC was born, but within three short years, their marriage fell apart. While each saw to their respective careers and personal lives, their only post-annulment project was the movie “Tayong Dalawa” in 1992, making the new TVC their first reunion project in almost 26 years. as of press time, the TVC, which mcDonald posted on its official Facebook page, tallied 1.3 million views, 80,000 reactions, 45,000 shares, and 10,000 comments.
4
features The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 14, 2018
The bolder she gets, the better she becomes AFTEr her praise-worthy performance in “Siargao,” Erich Gonzales altogether shed her sweet/wholesome image by essaying more daring roles in her latest movie, “The Significant Other” (as the other woman of Tom rodriguez, with Lovi Poe as Tom’s model-girlfriend; directed by Joel Lamangan; opening nationwide on Feb. 21), and in the Kapamilya soap “Blood Sisters” (directed by Jojo Saguin, in a triple roles as Carrie, Agatha and Erika, who works as a sexy dancer to support her son). Earlier, Erich posed sexy as cover girl of Rogue magazine. All these constitute a wise move that gives her career the big boost that’s been sorely lacking. The bolder Erich gets, the better she becomes. Good for Erich whose long-delayed “liberation” came after she broke up with Daniel Matsunaga. Is it true that among those courting her is a tycoon’s grandson who takes a helicopter to visit her…the better to impress her? Find out Erich’s answer in the following “Body Talk” interview. Eirch is a Virgo (Sept. 20, 1990), Erich stands 5’5”, weighs 115 lbs. and measures 34-24-34; and wears small-size shirt and size-7 shoes. What sort of diet do you follow? “Low on carbs, more on protein, fruits and vegetables.” What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner? “Breakfast: black coffee and fruits. Lunch: grilled chicken or fish. Dinner: salad.” Snacks? “Protein bar.” How much water do you take per day? “A lot, more than eight glasses a day.” Food that you usually crave for? “I have a sweet tooth; something sweet like cakes or chocolates.”
Erich Gonzales with Tom Rodriguez and Lovi Poe
What vitamins are you taking? “Vitamins C and E; multivitamins.” What workout do you do? “Whenever I have free time, I work out in the gym.” As it is, your body looks perfect. Any part that needs improvement? “I want to strengthen my core.” And the most vulnerable part? “Legs.” Favorite part of your body? “My eyes.” What part of a guy’s body do you notice first? “his eyes.” And what turns you on and off? “Good grooming; dirty nails.” How do you take care of your skin? “I always wash my face. I apply moisturizer and sunscreen.” Any other beauty secrets? “Eat healthy and exercise.” How much sleep do you get per night? “It depends. When I have taping, we usually pack up late, 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. so I am able to go to sleep morning na. I get up around 11 a.m.”
Favorite sleepwear? “Pajamas.” How many pillows do you sleep with? “Two.” Do you snore? “No.” Do you talk in your sleep? “No.” Do you sleepwalk? “No.” Last thing that you do before you go to sleep? “Pray.” And the first thing that you do as soon as you wake up? “Pray.” How do you relax, cope with stress? “I listen to music. I like the songs of Ed Sheeran. I watch all kinds of movies — horror, comedy, action, feel-good movies.” How’s your love life? “Still single.” Any nightlife? “I prefer to stay at home.” Three guys that you think have nice bodies. “Piolo Pascual, Jericho rosales and Paulo Avelino (or Matteo Guidicelli).” Using only body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire him? “Just smile or stare.” (Philstar.com)
Health & Wellness
Ultra Femme 360: Finally, a makeover for your ‘Lady V’
Imee Ong-maghanOy TruTh be told, talking about a lady‘s ‘nether regions’ is not really the the first topic of choice for both men and women. Obviously for men, they’d rather talk about the ‘experience’ and not the anatomical aspect of it. For women, considering our more complex and descriptive way of thinking, there is not much we can say about it other than standard hygiene practices, and for mothers, we can only wish for it to go back to the way it was before we’ve given birth. So we do what most women do: we focus on our face and body, and forget about what’s ‘below the belt.’ In retrospect, it’s not because we don’t care but more so because we are limited with ways to improve its appearance – or so we thought. At Image Body Spa and Image Spa MD, we strive to discover ways and available technology to improve the skin and body. It is with pride and excitement that I introduce a treatment that will make our dreams (yes, men and women included) come true. Why? Because It’s meant to tighten and rejuvenate the vaginal area – a makeover for the ‘lady V’, so to speak. Something both ladies and gents will definitely appreciate. The treatment is called, ultra Femme 360. It is a radio frequency treatment that targets two different areas, the labia and the vaginal canal (inside and outside basically). Focused thermal energy disrupts collagen fibers,
causing them to unravel and produce new collagen fibers and stimulate blood flow, which in turn restores the vagina and vulva areas to a more youthful state. ultra Femme claims to tighten and raise the labia, decrease the diameter of the vaginal opening and canal and improve natural sensation and lubrication. Other benefits aside from rejuvenation of the vagina and entire vulvar and area, includes plumping of Labia Majora, lifting and firming of Labia Minora, tightening of Introitus (vaginal opening), tightening of Vaginal Canal, tightening of Perineum, increased Blood Flow to Clitoris and may decrease stress incontinence While most mothers confess that after giving birth, things just haven’t been the same down there, they’ve given up hope because vaginal rejuvenations usually included surgery, a painful recovery and a significant amount of downtime. Well, good news! This procedure is a great option for women who desire non-surgical improvement of their intimate health. Plus, no anesthesia is required there is no downtime. The whole procedure is non-invasive, painless with a warm heat sensation. It requires no recovery time. You can easily have the treatment during your lunch break and return to your daily activities immediately. The procedure meets strict safety standards. The built-in Energy Flow Control system provides uniform heating during the therapy. This means that the treatment is typically without any
discomfort, while the optimal amount of energy reaches the target tissue. heating at lower temperatures compared to ablative lasers decreases risk for infection or discharge. And like all treatments, we tailor an individual plan based on your needs. recommended number is 3 treatment sessions scheduled once a week. Patients have reported improvements after a single treatment session. The results will typically continue to improve over the therapy time and the follow up period. This latest technology is currently available at Image Body Spa in West hollywood. We are one of few providers who have been using it and are getting excellent reviews from clients. You can visit Image Body Spa at 8709 Beverly Blvd, West hollywood, CA 90048 and take advantage of our 30 percent discount for month of February. From one woman to another: it’s time we take matters ‘below the belt’ into our hands and take advantage of innovative treatments such as this. After all, who wouldn’t want a makeover that’s a win-win for us and our partners? I know I do. *** Imee is an established aesthetician, a business owner and a managing partner for Image Spa MD and CEO of Image Body SPA. She has a degree in Biology and Doctor of Dental Medicine. Image Spa is now one of the most reputable medical spa facilities in LA and has branches in Rancho Cucamonga and Encinitas for Image SPA MD and Image Body SPA-West Hollywood. Imee has been in the aesthetics industry for over 20 years. (Advertising Supplement)
Karylle isn’t pressured to entertainment 5 give Zsa Zsa a grandchild ‘Desire’ makes Rachel Alejandro look this good The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 14, 2018
by MJ
Marfori ManilaTimes.net
MoRE than three years into her marriage with Spongecola frontman Yael Yuzon, showbiz sweetheart Karylle Tatlonghari is not pressured to go in the family way just yet. Karylle blissfully told The Times that she and Yael are enjoying life with just the two of them for now, even as her divine diva mom Zsa Zsa Padilla declared in an interview she’s ready to be a grandmother. To that, the divine daughter said, “I’m not pressured—not at all! Especially with the kind of relationship I have with my mom. But I understand where she’s coming from.” Besides her daily duties on aBS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime,” Karylle is also busy with her new business venture with co-host anne Curtis Rockstar KTV Bar. on Valentine’s day, she will headline swanky private members club Manila House’s special dinner show, while Yael will also have a show out of town. “Ganoon talaga. We manage naman and bawi na lang after,”
Karylle Tatlonghari
ManilaTimes.net photo
said the happy wife. asked what they plan to do post-Valentine’s, she replied, “Nothing fancy. Just a long leisurely walk would be perfect.” Clearly, Karylle is content with everything in her life right now. Thriving in positivity, she even described her chance encounter with Marian Rivera [remember the controversy many moons ago when dingdong and Marian got together right after he and Karylle broke up?] as “a beautiful moment.” “I will leave it at that para less talk less mistake. To add to that is very dangerous because I don’t want people to think I’m making a thing out of it.”
Photos from Instagram/@maria.ellen.adarna
John Lloyd Cruz, Ellen Adarna seen to wed on Ellen’s birthday by apryl
GalanG Philstar.com
MaNIla — Sexy star Ellen adarna and boyfriend John lloyd Cruz might still be mum on the exact date of their rumored wedding. But it might happen sooner than you think. according to a source close to the actress, the lovebirds might tie the knot in summer, as was earlier reported by The Star and Philstar.com, presumably on Ellen’s birthday, april 2. The source speculates that the two might get married by then because the actress likes holding big parties on her birthday. Just last week, Ellen, in a social media post, showed an apparent baby bump on an
Instagram story. John lloyd can be seen walking beside her. The post came about a week after the couple posted the same photo of a location with a picturesque green view, which Ellen captioned: “our future view.” Netizens guess that the location might be in Tagaytay or antipolo, due to these places’ proximity to Manila, where the couple works as actors. From the looks of this place and from the artistic knack of lloydie, expect the house to be accentuated with awesome home interiors and architecture. The couple will not get a house in alabang, said the source, because Ellen has exboyfriends living there.
Clad in a fiery red dress that brought out the glow in her cheeks, singer-actress Rachel alejandro looked every bit the modern, beautiful and ultra-fit woman that she is for the launch her new book, “21 days to a Sexier You,” which she co-authored with her sister and The Sexy Chef health food business partner Barni. almost two months into the Metro Manila Film Festival success of “ang larawan’s” movie adaptation, alejandro is back to her fashionable wardrobe and curvier frame after portraying the role of Paula, the younger of two spinster sisters, across West End darling’s Joanna ampil. More than deglamorizing for the part, alejandro also revealed how she had to lose several pounds to depict the impoverished state they were in from the beginning of the Nick Joaquin classic. “If you saw me in larawan, I was very slim because I really had to go on a strict diet look that thin on the big screen,” alejandro recalled. “So I guess you can say I know quite a lot about losing weight as you will see in this book,” she added with a smile. 21-day challenge as purveyors of the health food delivery service The Sexy Chef since 2004, the alejandro sisters have truly embraced every aspect of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, “21 days to a Sexier You” is already their third book to
food and beverage recipes of 21 days are in fact anchored on the power of the “Fat Fighting-4,” namely calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and Vitamin d. “Individually, each of the four nutrients we have in the books can contribute to weight loss but together, they can turn your body into a burning machine,” the sisters wrote in their book. as for their chosen title, alejandro clarified that the book does not claim that readers who follow the weight loss plan will be beach ready with hard abs, biceps and all in a matter of 21 days. What they develop is the kind of mindset that is necessary to get them through to their ideal weight. Rachel Alejandro ManilaTimes.net photo “Studies suggest that it takes date that provides diet tips and at least 21 days to build new recipes, with this first publication habits, hence, our effort is for under aBS-CBN Publishing incor- our readers to develop good porating fitness regimens as well. and healthy habits that hopefully, according to the 43-year-old after their 21-day trial, they could “Nakapagtataka” hitmaker, 21 sustain,” she explained. days will prove to be very timely Desire over discipline for readers what with specific conadmittedly, alejandro noted tent to shed light on the high-fat/ that adopting healthy habits low-carb diet fad that everyone is easier said than done, espewants to try these days. cially since food is “one of life’s Better yet, it also lists a new greatest pleasures.” as such, she diet plan that promises easier encourages readers to get into and faster weight loss, even for their best shape by harnessing those experiencing a weight loss a force much powerful than selfplateau despite cutting calories discipline—desire. and exercise. “The idea of desire struck Formulated with celebrity me while watching Naomi Watts nutritionist Nadine Tenco, the in this TV show—she has her life
together but ended up doing all the wrong things. Eventually her perfect life started spiraling out of control,” alejandro shared with The Manila Times at the sidelines of their book launch. “Hence, more than free will, it is our desires that propel us to do things, especially the difficult ones. In the case of weight loss, it’s more natural for us to be passionate about food, but I think what will make us let go of that passion is when we start visualizing what we desire to be,” the actress added. and by that, she doesn’t just mean looking good. “This is not to say that everyone who needs to lose weight do not have fulfilling lives. It’s just that maybe, if to some degree, there is discontent in you—from the way you at look yourself or if you’re becoming unhealthy and you can no longer run after your children—that’s when your desire to be better could kick in,” she thoroughly explained. Finally, she and her sister revealed the best way they’ve proven in weight loss—and that is to start thinking beyond losing weight. “Mas maganda isipin, ‘Ano yung makukuha ko pag ginawa ko to? Pag nag tiis ako?’ Just keep those thoughts and keep on visualizing your desires, even just for the first 21 days, to get to your goal.” (ManilaTimes.net)
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 14, 2018