FEBRUARY 21-23, 2024 Volume 34 - No. 16 • 12 Pages
Biden’s trade team to visit PH by JAvieR Joe ismAel
trade relations between the two countries. The delegation, led by Secretary UNITED States Ambassador to of Commerce Gina Raimondo, the Philippines MaryKay Carlson would arrive in Manila in early said on Friday, February 16 that March for the Presidential Trade President Joe Biden would send and Investment Mission from a delegation to Manila to advance March 11 to 12. ManilaTimes.net
United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson
ManilaTimes.net file photo
"President Joseph R. Biden Jr. had announced that he will send a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila, Philippines to enhance U.S. companies' contributions to the Philippines' innovation economy, connective infrastructure, clean energy transition, critical minerals sector, and the food security of its people," White House National Security Council spokesman Adrienne Watson said in a statement. The visit, she added, would reinforce the Philippines' position as a key hub for regional supply chains and high-quality investment. Watson said the trade mission was part of Biden's commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to advance U.S.-Philippines economic ties and labor rights. Philippine Ambassador to the u PAGE 2
MANILA’S FINEST. Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan (center) joins Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. (left) and Manila Police District (MPD) chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay (right) in a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the unit’s 123rd anniversary in Ermita, Manila on Monday, Feb. 19. The MPD, which was formerly named as the Metropolitan Police Force in 1901, is the Philippines’ oldest police district. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
PH, US conduct joint patrol
USA
by FRAncisco TuyAy
DATELINE March 5 primary election: Here’s what you need to know
ManilaTimes.net
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
LOS ANGELES – The March 5 primary election is coming up soon. Here’s important information you need to know, according to California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber. The last day to register to vote for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election is Feb. 20, 2024. All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election. Your county elections office began mailing ballots Feb. 5, 2024. Ballot drop-off locations opened on Feb. 6, 2024. Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office. u PAGE 3
The powerful constraints on medical care in Catholic hospitals across America NURSE midwife Beverly Maldonado recalls a pregnant woman arriving at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Maryland after her water broke. It was weeks before the baby would have any chance of survival, and the patient’s wishes were clear, she recalled: “Why am I staying pregnant then? What’s the point?” the patient pleaded. But the doctors couldn’t intervene, she said. The fetus still had a heartbeat and it was a Catholic hospital, subject to the “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services” that prohibit or limit procedures like abortion that the church deems “immoral” or “intrinsically evil,” according to its interpretation of the Bible. “I remember asking the doctors. And they were like, ‘Well, the baby still has a heartbeat. We can’t do anything,’” said Maldonado, now working as a nurse midwife in California, who asked them: “What do you mean we can’t do anything? This baby’s not going to survive.” u PAGE 2
A Philippine Air Force FA-50 (bottom) and US B-52Hs bomber aircraft (top) fly over the Philippine exclusive economic zone during the joint maritime cooperative activity on Monday, Feb. 19. The air patrol covering areas 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur, and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang, Mindoro was conducted under the third MCA that started on Feb. 9. PAF photo
Philippine jet fighters and U.S. bomber planes held a joint patrol on Monday, February 19, 2024 as part of the Maritime Cooperative Activity. Philippine Air Force Spokesman Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo said the patrol covered areas 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang Island in Mindoro. Two U.S. B52H bomber planes and three Philippine FA-50 jet fighters conducted a fly-by within the country's exclusive
economic zone. "This cooperative activity aims to bolster cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and their U.S. counterparts, thereby enhancing interoperability between its Air Forces," Castillo said. She said the activity demonstrated both nations' commitment to a free Indo-Pacific. "With this activity, the PAF underscores its commitment and readiness to support efforts in safeguarding the national territory and sovereign rights, and upholding regional peace and security," Castillo said. Last February 9, U.S. and Philippine u PAGE 5
PH Senate, House issue subpoenas to Quiboloy by TinA sAnTos
Hontiveros warned Quiboloy that a subpoena was “stronger than an invitation” and “he needs to follow it,” or he might risk being found in contempt of the Senate and face arrest. Hontiveros thanked Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri for signing the summons against Quiboloy, who has snubbed both inquiries by the two chambers. The House, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, released its subpoena on Monday requiring Quiboloy’s presence at the March 12 hearing of the legislative franchises committee. The panel is investigating SMNI’s alleged violations of the terms of its franchise, including making threats against a lawmaker and spreading disinformation. u PAGE 2
Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Senate and the House of Representatives each summoned Apollo Quiboloy, founder and leader of Davao City-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) sect, to appear in their respective inquiries on the allegations against him and his Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI). “Yes, the subpoena against Apollo Quiboloy is out. No matter how loud the political noise is, the stronger call for justice should prevail,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said on Monday, February 19.
Marcos not changing stance on ICC by Alexis RomeRo
about the ICC if he sees more evidence. “It opens (a) Pandora’s Box because it’s still those questions of jurisdictions and sovereignty that I haven’t yet seen a sufficient answer for. Until then, I do not recognize their jurisdiction in the Philippines... That seems to be the only logical conclusion that you can come to in that situation,” he added. Marcos’ predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has been accused of committing crimes against humanity over his controversial drug crackdown that left more than 6,000 suspects dead. In 2021, an ICC pre-trial chamber allowed an investigation into the drug war, saying the legal element of the crime against humanity of murder under the Rome Statute – the treaty that established the court – has been met. The Philippines ratified the statute in 2011, but Duterte withdrew the country from the u PAGE 5
Inquirer.net
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not changing his stance that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the Philippines despite a recent poll suggesting that the majority of Filipinos are in favor of the government cooperating with the tribunal on its probe on the deaths tied to the previous administration’s drug war. Speaking to reporters in Manila on tuesday, February 20, Marcos said that the ICC can produce as much evidence as it wants, but it cannot act upon it in the Philippines because of jurisdiction-related questions. “No. It’s not about the evidence, it’s about the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Philippines,” the president said when asked if there is still a possibility that he would change his mind
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Rejected Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao works out in General Santos City as part of buildup for his upcoming exhibition match against Thailand’s Buakaw Banchamek on April 20, 2024, in Bangkok. Photo from Instagram/@mannypacquiao
Pacquiao too old for Olympics – IOC by niel vicToR c. mAsoy ManilaTimes.net
THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) denied the bid of eight-division boxing world champion Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao to compete in the Paris Olympics. In response to the Philippine Olympic Committee's (POC) appeal to allow Pacquiao to fight in the Games in July, the IOC stressed that he is five years above the 40-year-old age limit. "Too bad our beloved boxing icon is disqualified because of his age and that everyone needs to go through qualifiers, in all
sports, to be able to participate in Paris," said POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino. James McLeod, IOC director for National Olympic Committee Relations, wrote the response to the POC request. "The only valid boxing qualification system for Paris 2024 is the one approved by the IOC Executive Board in September 2022 published and distributed to NOCs and boxing national federations on 6 December 2022," McLeod said in his letter. "This includes the age limit of 40," McLeod said. u PAGE 5
2 FEBRUARY 21-23, 2024 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
The powerful constraints on medical care in... PAGE 1 The woman was hospitalized for days before going into labor, Maldonado said, and the baby died. Ascension declined to comment for this article. The Catholic Church’s directives are often at odds with accepted medical standards, especially in areas of reproductive health, according to physicians and other medical practitioners. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ clinical guidelines for managing pre-labor rupture of membranes, in which a patient’s water breaks before labor begins, state that women should be offered options, including ending the pregnancy. Maldonado felt her patient made her wishes clear. “Under the ideal medical practice, that patient should be helped to obtain an appropriate method of terminating the pregnancy,” said Christian Pettker, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale School of Medicine, who helped author the guidelines. He said, “It would be perfectly medically appropriate to do a termination of pregnancy before the cessation of cardiac activity, to avoid the health risks to the pregnant person.” “Patients are being turned away from necessary care,” said Jennifer Chin, an OB-GYN at UW Medicine in Seattle, because of the “emphasis on these ethical and religious directives.” They can be a powerful constraint on the care that patients receive at Catholic hospitals, whether emergency treatment when a woman’s health is at risk, or access to birth control and abortions. More and more women are running into barriers to obtaining care as Catholic health systems have aggressively acquired secular hospitals in much of the country. Four of the 10 largest U.S. hospital chains by number of beds are Catholic, according to federal data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. There are just over 600 Catholic general hospitals nationally and roughly 100 more managed by Catholic
chains that place some religious limits on care, a KFF Health News investigation reveals. Maldonado’s experience in Maryland came just months before the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, a decision that compounded the impact of Catholic health care restrictions. In its wake, roughly a third of states have banned or severely limited access to abortion, creating a one-two punch for women seeking to prevent pregnancy or to end one. Ironically, some states where Catholic hospitals dominate — such as Washington, Oregon, and Colorado — are now considered medical havens for women in nearby states that have banned abortion. KFF Health News analyzed state-level birth data to discover that more than half a million babies are born each year in the U.S. in Catholicrun hospitals, including those owned by CommonSpirit Health, Ascension, Trinity Health, and Providence St. Joseph Health. That’s 16% of all hospital births each year, with rates in 10 states exceeding 30%. In Washington, half of all babies are born at such hospitals, the highest share in the country. “We had many instances where people would have to get in their car to drive to us while they were bleeding, or patients who had had their water bags broken for up to five days or even up to a week,” said Chin, who has treated patients turned away by Catholic hospitals. Physicians who turned away patients like that “were going against evidence-based care and going against what they had been taught in medical school and residency,” she said, “but felt that they had to provide a certain type of care — or lack of care — just because of the strength of the ethical and religious directives.” Following religious mandates can be dangerous, Chin and other clinicians said. When a patient has chosen to end a pregnancy after the amniotic sac — or water — has broken, Pettker said, “any delay that might be added to a procedure that is inevitably going to happen places that person at
risk of serious, life-threatening complications,” including sepsis and organ infection. Reporters analyzed American Hospital Association data as of August and used Catholic Health Association directories, news reports, government documents, and hospital websites and other materials to determine which hospitals are Catholic or part of Catholic systems, and gathered birth data from state health departments and hospital associations. They interviewed patients, medical providers, academic experts, advocacy organizations, and attorneys, and reviewed hundreds of pages of court and government records and guidance from Catholic health institutions and authorities to understand how the directives affect patient care. Nationally, nearly 800,000 people have only Catholic or Catholic-affiliated birth hospitals within an hour’s drive, according to KFF Health News’ analysis. For example, that’s true of 1 in 10 North Dakotans. In South Dakota, it’s 1 in 20. When care is more than an hour away, academic researchers often define the area as a hospital desert. Pregnant women who must drive farther to a delivery facility are at higher risk of harm to themselves or their fetus, research shows. Many Americans don’t have a choice — non-Catholic hospitals are too far to reach in an emergency or aren’t in their insurance networks. Ambulances may take patients to a Catholic facility without giving them a say. Women often don’t know that hospitals are affiliated with the Catholic Church or that they restrict reproductive care, academic research suggests. And, in most of the country, state laws shield at least some hospitals from lawsuits for not performing procedures they object to on religious grounds, leaving little recourse for patients who were harmed because care was withheld. Thirty-five states prevent patients from suing hospitals for not providing abortions, including 25 states where abortion remains broadly legal. About half of those laws don’t include exceptions for emergencies, ectopic PAGE 3
HATCHLINGS FREED. American tourists release to the sea 91 sea turtle hatchlings at Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, Punta Dumalag, Davao City on Monday, Feb. 19. Since the park’s launch in 2014, some 8,945 pawikan hatchlings have already been released to raise awareness on the importance of environmental conservation and preservation. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.
Biden’s trade team to visit... PAGE 1 U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier said that a representative of the U.S. International Development Financial Corp. (DFC) would be part of the mission. The U.S., Romualdez said, has
offered assistance for the stalled Mindanao Railway Project with possible financing from the DFC. Biden's trade mission comes after the signing of the 123 Agreement that would pave the way for nuclear power
collaborations between the Philippines and American firms. The 123 Agreement, signed in November 2023, allows the direct transfer of nuclear information, material, equipment, and components between the two countries. g
One witness, “Rene,” whose real name was not disclosed to protect his identity, said he had worked as a landscaper at Glory Mountain compound—Quiboloy’s “prayer mountain” near Mt. Apo. He said he once saw the KOJC leader carrying with him “a big bag loaded with different kinds of guns, which he would lay on the ground inside a tent beside his mansion.” The witness also claimed he was slapped and beaten by Quiboloy whenever he was displeased with his work. He also said he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a highranking KOJC official. Grandson Testifying via live stream from a Philippine Embassy
in an undisclosed country, another witness, “David,” who claimed to be a grandchild of Quiboloy, said he was detained and tortured, along with several others, after he was accused of being in a romantic relationship, which the organization prohibited. “They put me in a cell… They put chili in our eyes… they put chili in my genitals,” an emotional David said, adding it was Quiboloy who ordered it. In the Jan. 23 hearing, three women, including two Ukrainians, accused Quiboloy of sexually abusing them as a form of religious sacrifice. Quiboloy has denied the claims and challenged his accusers to file criminal charges against him. g
PH Senate, House issue subpoenas... PAGE 1
Still in the country At a briefing after the Senate hearing, Hontiveros noted reports last week that Quiboloy had already left for China. But Bureau of Immigration (BI) legal division chief Arvin Cesar Santos told the panel there were no records of Quiboloy leaving the Philippines since his last return on July 22, 2023. BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval confirmed this: “As per record, he is in the country.” Also on Monday, Hontiveros’ committee heard more testimonies from former KOJC members alleging physical and other forms of abuse by Quiboloy or his associates, as well as possession of weapons.
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US-based foundation sets foot in Manila The powerful constraints on medical care in... by Donnabelle l. GatDula AJPress
A FILIPINO American-owned immigration and employment agency has launched its foundation in Manila. CSI Professionals Inc., a premier consultancy agency that deals with U.S. immigration and employment based in Southern California, has successfully conducted the pre-launch of its affiliate, CSI-MHO Global Foundation Inc. (CMGFI). In a press conference on February 15 to announce the formal launching of CSI-MHO Global Foundation in September, Marge Ordiales-Martinez, CEO and founder of CSI Professionals, said she is so excited to be able to give back to the community. “I am overwhelmed by the positive response I am getting from potential partners and beneficiaries of our foundation,” said Martinez, the chairperson of the CMGFI. CMGFI, a non-stock, non-profit organization, was formed on September 2023, coinciding with CSI Professionals’ celebration of its 30th anniversary. As part of the pre-launch of the CMGFI, a team from CSI Professionals conducted courtesy visits to St. Scholastica’s College and St. Dominic College of Asia (SDCA). Both institutions were very close to the heart of Martinez as St. Scholastica is her alma mater while SDCA is owned by a former long-time family business partner. SDCA chairman of the board Dr. Marita Andaman-Rillo is a very good friend of Dr.Norma Huvilla-Ordiales, whose life's dedication as a doctor of medicine specializing in children became the inspiration of Martinez in putting up the foundation. CMGF will initially focus on projects, which will help sick children and sending poor but deserving children to school. The pre-launch event, held at Berjaya Hotel in Makati City, was well attended by leading print and online reporters as well as news agencies. Representatives from partner companies were also present during the prelaunch, including SDCA and the Asian Journal. “This is high time for us to give back to the community after being able to exist in the industry for more than three decades now,” Martinez said, adding that, “The foundation is dedicated to
Marge Ordiales-Martinez, CEO and founder of CSI Professionals, at a press conference in Manila announcing its affiliate, CSI-MHO Global Foundation Inc. (CMGFI). AJPress photo by Donnabelle L. Gatdula
advancing the well-being of children and their families on a global scale.” For her part, Dr. Rillo said though still in early talks, SDCA is grateful that they are being considered to be part of the CMGF’s humanitarian initiatives in the Philippines. Martinez, on the other hand, added that the CMGF embodies a commitment to community service and philanthropy. “Motivated by our deep-seated desire to give back to the global community, we envisioned a foundation that could transcend borders and address the diverse needs of children and families worldwide,” she stressed. The CSI Professionals head likewise said that the foundation will be able to operate as a beacon of compassion, striving to elevate the well-being of vulnerable populations globally. The foundation’s launch is also consistent with CSI’s plan to expand its operation in the Philippine market. “In addition to its local initiatives, the foundation is poised to extend its reach to the Philippines, aligning its goals with the upcoming expansion of CSI Professionals,” she said. Martinez’s vision for the foundation encompasses not only providing scholarships and financial aid but also fostering scientific and medical advancements through strategic fundraising initiatives. “The essence of the CSI-MHO Global Foundation lies in its commitment to serving children
and families all over the world,” she added. She said she believes in “extending our reach to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need, embodying the spirit of global citizenship.” Her unwavering dedication to social responsibility underscores the foundation's role as a catalyst for positive change, with the ultimate goal of creating a brighter and more equitable future for generations to come. During its inaugural year, the CMGF successfully conducted fundraising initiatives for St. Scholastica, Manila's Night School and contributed to the noble cause of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “These endeavors exemplify our dedication to making a meaningful impact from the outset,” she said. The foundation also orchestrates strategic fundraising activities to support various endeavors aimed at fostering the growth and improvement of youth worldwide. “Our primary focus encompasses the establishment of scholarships and financial aid programs and the facilitation of fundraising efforts to advance scientific and medical research,” she said. “Through these endeavors, we aspire to create lasting impact and contribute to the overall betterment of communities.” At present, CSI specializes in employment-based visa petitions: J-1, F-1 (CPT & OPT), PAGE 5
PAGE 2 pregnancies, or miscarriages. Sixteen states prohibit lawsuits against hospitals for refusing to perform sterilization procedures. “It’s hard for the ordinary citizen to understand, ‘Well, what difference does it make if my hospital is bought by this other big health system, as long as it stays open? That’s all I care about,’” said Erin Fuse Brown, who is the director of the Center for Law, Health & Society at Georgia State University and an expert in health care consolidation. Catholic directives also ban medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients. People “may not realize that they’re losing access to important services, like reproductive health [and] end-of-life care,” she said. ‘Our faith-based health care ministry’ After the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion in June 2022, Michigan resident Kalaina Sullivan wanted surgery to permanently prevent pregnancy. Michigan voters in November that year enshrined the right to abortion under the state constitution, but the state’s concentration of Catholic hospitals means people like Sullivan sometimes still struggle to obtain reproductive health care. Because her doctor worked for the Catholic chain Trinity Health, the nation’s fourth-largest hospital system, she had the surgery with a different doctor at North Ottawa Community Health System, an independent hospital near the shores of Lake Michigan. Less than two months later, that, too, became a Catholic hospital, newly acquired by Trinity. To mark the transition, Cory Mitchell, who at the time was the mission leader of Trinity Health Muskegon, stood before his new colleagues and offered a blessing. “The work of your hands is what makes our faith-based health care ministry possible,” he said, according to a video of the ceremony Trinity Health provided to KFF Health News. “May these hands continue to bring compassion, compassion and healing, to all those they touch.” Trinity Health declined to answer detailed questions about its merger with North Ottawa
Community Health System and the ethical and religious directives. “Our commitment to high-quality, compassionate care means informing our patients of all appropriate care options, and trusting and supporting our physicians to make difficult and medically necessary decisions in the best interest of their patients’ health and safety,” spokesperson Jennifer Amundson said in an emailed statement. “Highquality, safe care is critical for the women in our communities and in cases where a noncritical service is not available at our facility, the physician will transfer care as appropriate.” Leaders in Catholic-based health systems have hammered home the importance of the church’s directives, which are issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, all men, and were first drafted in 1948. The essential view on abortion is as it was in 1948. The last revision, in 2018, added several directives addressing Catholic health institution acquisitions or mergers with non-Catholic ones, including that “whatever comes under control of the Catholic institution — whether by acquisition, governance, or management — must be operated in full accord with the moral teaching of the Catholic Church.” “While many of the faithful in the local church may not be aware of these requirements for Catholic health care, the local bishop certainly is,” wrote Sister Doris Gottemoeller, a former board member of the Bon Secours Mercy Health system, in a 2023 Catholic Health Association journal article. “In fact, the bishop should be briefed on a regular basis about the hospital’s activities and strategies.” Now, for care at a non-Catholic hospital, Sullivan would need to travel nearly 30 miles. “I don’t see why there’s any reason for me to have to follow the rules of their religion and have that be a part of what’s going on with my body,” she said. Risks come with religion Nathaniel Hibner, senior director of ethics at the Catholic Health Association, said the ethical and religious directives allow clinicians to provide medically necessary treatments in emergencies. In a pregnancy crisis when a person’s life is at risk, “I do not believe that
the ERDs should restrict the physician in acting in the way that they see medically indicated.” “Catholic health care is committed to the health of all women and mothers who enter into our facilities,” Hibner said. The directives permit care to cure “a proportionately serious pathological condition of a pregnant woman” even if it would “result in the death of the unborn child.” Hibner demurred when asked who defines what that means and when such care is provided, saying, “for the most part, the physician and the patients are the ones that are having a conversation and dialogue with what is supposed to be medically appropriate.” It is common for practitioners PAGE 5
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive electronica proposals for PS121122 - Security Engineer Consultant Staff Augmentation at bids@metro.net. This project is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) SetAside contract. To participate in this RFP, proposers must be SBE certified with LACMTA prior to proposal due date. For information on the Set-Aside Program, visit: https://business. metro.net/VendorPortal/faces/ home1/certifications. All proposals must be received on or before 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on, March 19, 2024, at the address listed above, sent to the attention of Victor Zepeda. Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected. For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro. net or for further information email Victor Zepeda at zepedav@metro.net. 2/21/24 CNS-3784330# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
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The powerful constraints on medical care in... March 5 primary election: Here’s what you... PAGE 3 at any hospital to consult an ethics board about difficult cases — such as whether a teenager with cancer can decline treatment. At Catholic hospitals, providers must ask a board for permission to perform procedures restricted by the religious directives, clinicians and researchers say. For example, could an abortion be performed if a pregnancy threatened the mother’s life? How and when an ethics consultation occurs depends on the hospital, Hibner said. “That ethics consultation can be initiated by anyone involved in the direct care of that situation — the patient, the surrogate of that patient, the physician, the nurse, the social worker all have the ability to request a consultation,” he said. When asked whether a consultation with an ethics board can occur without a request, he said “sometimes it could.” How strictly directives are followed can depend on the hospital and the views of the local bishop. “If the hospital has made a difficult decision about a critical pregnancy or an end-of-life care situation, the bishop should be the first to know about it,” Gottemoeller wrote. In an interview, Gottemoeller said that even when pregnancy termination decisions are made on sound ethical grounds, not informing the bishop puts him in a bad position and hurts the church. “If there’s a possibility of it being misunderstood, or misinterpreted, or criticized,” Gottemoeller said, the bishop should understand what happened and why “before the newspapers call him and ask him for an opinion.” “And if he has to say, ‘Well, I think you made a mistake,’ well, all right,” she said. “But don’t let him be blindsided. I mean, we’re one church and the bishop has pastoral concern over everything
in his diocese.” Katherine Parker Bryden, a nurse midwife in Iowa who works for MercyOne, said she regularly tells pregnant patients that the hospital cannot perform tubal sterilization surgery, to prevent future pregnancies, or refer patients to other hospitals that do. MercyOne is one of the largest health systems in Iowa. Nearly half of general hospitals in the state are Catholic or Catholic-affiliated — the highest share among all states. The National Catholic Bioethics Center, an ethics authority for Catholic health institutions, has said that referrals for care that go against church teaching would be “immoral.” “As providers, you’re put in this kind of moral dilemma,” Parker Bryden said. “Am I serving my patients or am I serving the archbishop and the pope?” In response to questions, MercyOne spokesperson Eve Lederhouse said in an email that its providers “offer care and services that are consistent with the guidelines of a Catholic health system.” Maria Rodriguez, an OB-GYN professor at Oregon Health & Science University, said that as a resident in the early 2000s at a Catholic hospital she was able to secure permission — what she calls a “pope note” — to sterilize some patients with conditions such as gestational diabetes. Annie Iriye, a retired OB-GYN in Washington state, said that more than a decade ago she sought permission to administer medication to hasten labor for a patient experiencing a secondtrimester miscarriage at a Catholic hospital. She said she was told no because the fetus had a heartbeat. The patient took 10 hours to deliver — time that would have been cut by half, Iriye said, had she been able to follow her own medical training and expertise. During that time,
she said, the patient developed an infection. Iriye and Chin were part of an effort by reproductive rights groups and medical organizations that pushed for a state law to protect physicians if they act against Catholic hospital restrictions. The bill, which Washington enacted in 2021, was opposed by the Washington State Hospital Association, whose membership includes multiple large Catholic health systems. State lawmakers in Oregon in 2021 enacted legislation that beefed up powers to reject health care mergers if they would reduce access to the types of care constrained by Catholic directives. The hospital lobby has sued to block the statute. Washington state lawmakers introduced similar legislation last year, which the hospital association opposes. Hibner said Catholic hospitals are committed to instituting systemic changes that improve maternal and child health, including access to primary, prenatal, and postpartum care. “Those are the things that I think rural communities really need support and advocacy for,” he said. Maldonado, the nurse midwife, still thinks of her patient who was forced to stay pregnant with a baby who could not survive. “To feel like she was going to have to fight to have an abortion of a baby that she wanted?” Maldonado said. “It was just horrible.” (Rachana Pradhan and Hannah Recht/KFF Health News) KFF Health News data editor Holly K. Hacker contributed to this report. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
US-based foundation sets foot... PAGE 3
H-3, H-1B & Labor Certifications involving EB-3 & EB-2. With these employment-based petitions, international applicants with advanced degrees are able to pursue an employment-based change of status and proceed to become a permanent resident. CSI initially started its operation
in Chicago, Illinois in 1993, providing legal expert counsel in the field of immigration and employment. In September 1995, the company put up a Los Angeles branch. Its headquarters, where it serves as its corporate office and training facility, is located in Glendale, California.
CSI’s partner/affiliate companies are in the field of manufacturing; legal entities specializing in medical and personal injury cases; real estate and corporate law; commercial and real estate property management; information technology, construction; and artificial intelligence. g
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double-check if you are registered, where you are registered and your party preference online at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. You can track and receive notifications on the status of your vote-by–mail ballot through the California Secretary of State’s Where’s My Ballot? program. Vote centers Vote centers are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 24 to March 4. On Election Day, March 5, voting centers have extended hours and are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. After receiving your ‘Official Sample Ballot’ you can scan the QR code inside to find your local voter center or a ballot drop box. You can also find your local vote center by entering your zip code on the state website at sos. ca.gov/elections/polling-place. Designated Ballot Drop Box locations can be found on the California Secretary of State’s website at caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.
What’s on the ballot? While the presidential election may get the most attention, many important state and local races are also on the ballot. Voters participating in the California primary election this coming March 5, will choose the candidates who will compete in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Under the state’s “top two” primary system, the top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the general election even if they are both from the same party. In the general election, candidates for U.S. President, Senate and House of Representatives and California Senate and Assembly will be at the top of the ballot. You can find the certified list of candidates here and more election-related information at https://www.vote411.org/. (Inquirer.net)
PAGE 1 activity by both nations this ships sailed in the West year. Philippine Sea (WPS), marking The U.S. Navy's USS Gabrielle the third successful maritime Giffords, an independence-class
littoral combat ship and the Philippine Navy's BRP Gregorio del Pilar navigated the WPS undeterred. g
Vote centers will open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties beginning on Feb. 24, 2024. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by March 12, 2024. You can register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov until Tuesday, Feb. 20. If you are registering or re-registering less than 15 days before Election Day, you will need to complete the Same-Day Voter Registration and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location. To register online or in person, you will need to provide your California driver’s license or California identification card number, the last four digits of your social security and your date of birth. If you’re not sure if you are registered in California, you can
PH, US conduct joint...
Pacquiao too old for Olympics...
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One way that Pacquiao could qualify for the Olympics is under the Universality rule, but that option has also been ruled out. The Universality rule exception cannot apply to national Olympic committees (NOCs) with an average of more than eight athletes in individual sports/
disciplines at the last two editions of the Games. The Philippines had an average of 16 athletes in the last two Olympiads, having sent 13 to the 2016 Rio Games and 19 to the 2020 Tokyo Games. Only four Filipinos have qualified for the Paris Games. World No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest
John "EJ" Obiena was the first qualifier, followed by gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, and boxer Eumir Marcial. Marcial made the Olympics for being a finalist in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, finishing with a silver. The Hangzhou Asiad served as a qualifying event for the Paris Games. g
indicated that 55 percent of adult Filipinos are in favor of the government cooperating with the tribunal on its probe of the drug war while 45 percent are not in favor of the idea. More than half or 59 percent of adult Filipinos are in favor of the Philippines rejoining the ICC, while 41 percent are against it. Last month, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a fierce critic of Duterte, said ICC probers visited the Philippines to conduct interviews on the antidrug campaign. Officials have not confirmed the alleged visit of ICC investigators.
Pressed if he approves of the presence of the ICC in the Philippines, Marcos replied: “I don’t approve or deny. You know, they haven’t done anything illegal.” “Once they do, of course, we will do something about it but ... we’re an open country, we’re not a closed country,” he added. In a recent interview, the chief executive said that ICC representatives can come as “ordinary people,” but the government would make sure that they do not come into contact with any state agency. (With reports from Sheila Crisostomo and Jennifer Rendon)
Marcos not changing stance... PAGE 1
treaty seven years later. The former chief executive has insisted that the ICC has no jurisdiction over him and that he would only answer his accusers before a local judge. Late last month, Marcos said that the Philippine government won’t lift a finger to help the ICC with its investigation on Duterte’s war on narcotics. He added that an ICC investigation poses a “threat” to Philippine sovereignty. While Marcos does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, a survey by OCTA Research conducted from Dec. 10 to 14
Vote Early and Vote By Mail this Election. It’s the easiest and most convenient way to make your voice heard. Go to PLAN.LAVOTE.GOV and help get every vote in. Text PLAN to LAVOTE (528683) to get started.
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Features
Finally, a world-class airport?
THE Philippines was one of the first countries in Asia to have a modern airport. Since the 1960s, however, the country has fallen in its standing in the region, from being the second most progressive economy after Japan to being a laggard. These days the country trails the founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in terms of many economic and human development indicators. The deterioration is reflected in the principal gateway to the Philippines, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. While the country’s neighbors competed to have the best airport in the world, travelers listed the NAIA among the worst. The reputation improved with the opening of the more spacious NAIA-3, but 2023 opened with a massive power outage that crippled the airport. So people are keeping their fingers crossed that privatization will be the answer to airport woes. On Friday, February 16, the Manila International Airport Authority or MIAA announced a winner in the bidding for the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of the NAIA: San Miguel Corp. SAP & Co. Consortium, which includes South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corp. Korea’s Incheon airport has been consistently ranked among the world’s best international gateways by the global aviation industry. Skytrax ranked Incheon fourth in the 2024 list, after Singapore’s Changi, Hamad in Qatar and Japan’s Tokyo-Haneda.
SMC SAP & Co., which also includes RMM Asian Logistics Inc. and RLW Aviation Development Inc., won the bid by offering the highest revenue share for the government, at 82.1 percent. This was more than double the 33.3 and 25.9 percent proposed by rival bidders GMR Airports Consortium and the Manila International Airport Consortium of companies owned by the country’s top tycoons, respectively. Questions have been raised on the feasibility of the 82.1 percent revenue-sharing scheme offered by the winning bidder. Unless the award of the contract is challenged, however, the concession agreement is expected to be signed on March 15, with the winner taking over NAIA management by September this year. The SMC-led consortium must pay P30 billion upfront and P2 billion annually. The contract for the project runs for 15 years, which may be extended by 10 years. There are also questions on the extent of the authority of the private consortium to reorganize personnel at the airport, which will remain under government ownership. In August last year, the
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
Office of the Ombudsman fired Cesar Chiong as MIAA chief and assistant general manager Irene Montalbo on the strength of complaints filed by MIAA employees, hundreds of whom Chiong had reassigned.
For the public, the main concern is whether the private consortium can deliver on its promise of turning NAIA into a world-class airport. Filipinos are sick of having the country’s main gateway classified as one of the world’s worst. (Philstar.com)
US-PH-Japan trilateral security cooperation essential
Babe’s Eye View BaBe Romualdez DURING the state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the Philippines last November where he delivered a speech before a joint session of Congress, he highlighted the trilateral cooperation between the United States, the Philippines and Japan to protect the freedom of the South China Sea. “In order to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, multi-layered cooperation among allies and like-minded countries is crucial,” Prime Minister Kishida underscored, outlining efforts to “protect the maritime order, which is governed by laws and rules, not by force.” In the most recent briefing paper issued by a good friend of mine and our embassy, director of the Southeast Asia Program and the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Greg Poling with research associate Japhet Quitzon titled “Sustaining
the U.S.-Philippines-Japan Triad,” China’s “aggression in the South China Sea and increasingly aggressive posture toward Taiwan” was highlighted as it continues to “pose a threat to the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.” The brief delved on how the triad can better coordinate on a range of issues that include “Beijing’s illegal behavior in the East and South China Seas and possible Taiwan contingencies.” Exhorting the U.S., Japan and the Philippines to “urgently strengthen their partnerships with each other, reinforce the importance of cooperation and assess the role their alliances can play in ensuring regional security,” the brief provided a keen and clear-sighted assessment of the shared challenges, areas of cooperation as well as vulnerabilities that have to be addressed not only in terms of defense and security but economic as well. “In the face of shared challenges, Japan has become an important security partner to the Philippines,” the document noted, giving attention to a “reciprocal access agreement” (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had described as “extremely
significant,” saying it will bring “greater capacity to maintain peace in the South China Sea” and will also provide “greater capability in terms not only of security, but also in terms of disaster preparedness.” According to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Japan and the Philippines are fast-tracking the RAA (which is similar to the Visiting forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States) that will lay the groundwork for bigger military exercises between Japanese and Philippine troops and would also allow Japanese military personnel access to the Philippines for training and support. “Crucially, the three partners should also have economic plans in place, including supportive measures to help sustain the triad’s economies, especially the Philippines’ shock-sensitive economy,” the brief said, noting that as an archipelagic state, “the Philippines is exceedingly vulnerable to external shocks – any disruptions in the country’s energy and supply chains would not only complicate everyday function within the country but impact the ability of both the Philippines and the United States to conduct security
operations from the country.” Considering the vulnerability of the Philippines to energy and supply chain shocks, Greg says the U.S. and its allies should ensure that the Philippine economy remains robust. The U.S. should deepen its economic relationship with the Philippines and “do more to encourage U.S. investors to take a serious look at the increasingly open Philippine economy, including by lifting travel advisories to Davao and other safe areas of Mindanao, and encourage the development of local manufacturers and industries, supporting the Philippines’ domestic ability to pursue its national security aims,” the recommendation went. Our economic team at the Philippine embassy in Washington, DC has been actively engaging with key U.S. officials and various business groups to explore areas of economic cooperation and bring focus to key sectors such as agriculture and clean energy, among many others. In Washington, we regularly interact with the Japanese ambassador. Aside from aiding the Philippines in exploring more reliable energy options, the U.S. and Japan are providing
support to the Philippines in modernizing our armed forces. “Though military aid is crucial, the United States and Japan should also assist the Philippines in growing homegrown defense industries, aiming to provide jobs and increase the country’s capacity for homegrown self-defense. The Philippines currently has very few domestic defense manufacturers,” the briefing paper underscored. Another key finding highlighted in the brief are disinformation and misinformation operations that are proving to be among the greatest challenges facing allied cooperation in the region. Particularly worrying are the “disinformation and proChina narratives circulating on Philippine airwaves and cyberspace” that “exacerbate the issue and threaten to disrupt a national effort to prepare the country against a contingency in the South China Sea. These information operations promoting pro-China content are rampant throughout cyberspace, downplaying aggressive Chinese behavior and placing the blame instead on the United States or even the Philippine Coast Guard.” To counter such
disinformation, the triad should create “a unified front through harmonized messaging and coordinated anti-disinformation campaigns,” the paper pointed out, as this “limits China’s ability to wedge the triad apart. Countering Chinese disinformation in all three countries with credible, accessible and fact-based reporting will help delegitimize Chinese narratives aimed at dividing public opinion.” Like others in our government, I have been occasionally targeted by a smear campaign through fake memos, spurious emails and absurd messages from bogus senders, obviously in an attempt to picture me as a U.S. paid hand. I have only one message to these agents of disinformation: The relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines has never been better, and I will vigorously continue working to help ensure that our alliance remains solid, strong and stable. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** babeseyeview@gmail.com
EDSA people power and the United States
Public Lives Randy david THIRTY-eight years have passed since we Filipinos stumbled upon a peaceful way of toppling down an entrenched dictatorship. We called it “people power,” a massive protest gathering of people in a public place in sheer defiance of the coercive power of established authority. The world hailed it not just as a model for getting rid of dictators but as an alternative to bloody revolutions and the unending cycles of violence they typically unleash. To say that EDSA was a miracle is just a shorthand way of accounting for the idealism, the faith, and the courage that animated the mammoth crowd at its peak. No doubt, not a few went to EDSA merely out of curiosity. But their being in the crowd— discussing the significance of rapidly unfolding events and wondering how all these will affect the nation as a
whole—gave them a sense that they were in the middle of something historic. When they found themselves standing their ground against the tanks that Marcos had sent to disperse the crowd, they surely must have felt that they were not merely witnessing history; they were actually making it. This was a transformative experience. But so complex was the mix of forces and motives that formed and propelled people power that it was impossible to predict where it was headed. A lot initially depended on the readiness of those who came early to defend the protest space they occupied. Their expectation was that the longer they stayed, the greater would be the likelihood that many would come and join them. Even as they steeled themselves for the assault that was to come, they also hoped that those who were ordered to disperse them would hesitate to attack unarmed and defenseless citizens. As naïve as these hopes may have been, they were not
entirely off the mark. The people knew that, through the eyes of the foreign correspondents who had descended upon EDSA, the world was watching. In particular, America was watching. The question was whether then United States President Ronald Reagan, who was known to be a close personal friend of the Marcoses, would countenance the use of state violence to suppress the swelling antiMarcos crowd. The sentiment at EDSA at that time was that if Reagan had his way, he would not hesitate to publicly support the Marcos regime’s claim to legitimacy. But one thing was also clear: American public sentiment, as seen in the mainstream U.S. media and in the views of some outspoken members of the U.S. Congress, had turned resolutely against Marcos. The manifest venality of the dictatorship so outweighed longstanding worries about a communist takeover if Marcos fell from power that the U.S. felt it necessary to nudge
Marcos to change if he wanted to survive. I don’t think anyone knew at that point how the impasse was going to be resolved. As the EDSA crowd grew in size, the energy that animated people power reverberated in major capitals around the country as well as in Philippine embassies abroad. At the same time, the motley group of renegade soldiers that had gathered around Gen. Fidel V. Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile was gaining support with the defection of sections of the country’s armed forces. These parallel developments brought up the question of whether what was happening was a military coup or a civilian uprising. It was probably both at the beginning—two agendas racing against one another— but in the end the duality was resolved in favor of a purely civilian political order. The resolution, however, did not come immediately with the departure of Marcos or the swearing in of Cory Aquino. It came only at the
end of a protracted political process punctuated by several coup attempts and Cabinet reshuffles. Because America had played an outsize role in our nation’s history, it was natural for people on both the right and left to believe that the EDSA events were being orchestrated in accordance with an American script. That belief not only underestimates ordinary people’s capacity for heroism and patriotism but it also exaggerates the monolithic nature of U.S. power. Nowhere perhaps is the ambivalent character of American foreign policy more evident than in the divergent opinions that attended the crafting of a suitable approach to the crisis brought about by the standoff at EDSA in the aftermath of the snap election of February 1986. The most complete reference for this period is former U.S. secretary of state George P. Shultz’s memoir, titled “Turmoil and Triumph,” published in 1993. Chapter 31 is all about people power in
the Philippines and the critical days that led to the departure of the Marcos family from Malacañang and their exile to Hawaii. Uppermost in the minds of America’s top officials was how to prevent the real possibility that the crisis in the Philippines would lead to civil war. They feared that in such a war, the fledgling democratic movement that had grown around Aquino would at once be sidelined by the more organized armed communist movement. America’s military bases in the Philippines would be imperiled. There was no choice but to get Marcos to agree to a peaceful democratic transition, but getting there was far from easy. The breakthrough came on Feb. 24, when Marcos telephoned Sen. Paul Laxalt to say he was “willing to bargain.” Laxalt told him that “power brokering won’t work,” and advised him that he should “cut and cut clean.” (Inquirer. net) *** public.lives@gmail.com
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CHR to launch alert system 59% of Filipinos back PH rejoining ICC - OCTA for journalists under attack by Red Mendoza ManilaTimes.net
by Gaea Katreena CabiCo Philstar.com
MANILA — The Commission of Human Rights (CHR) is set to formally launch a platform for journalists to report threats and attacks in a bid to ensure the safety of media workers in the country. In a statement, the CHR said that “Alisto! Alert Mechanism” seeks to “provide a concrete platform where it may directly respond to attacks and threats against media workers.” According to the commission, the initiative aligns with its commitment to implement the Philippine Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists, a roadmap to promote the protection of media workers and safeguard press freedom in the country. “In a time where it is now apparent that the defenders of truth also need defending,
the conversation on fostering a safe working environment for journalists should also be making headlines on our screens as we scroll through the news and commentaries,” the CHR said. The Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with fatal attacks frequently targeting those outside the capital region. Since 1986, 199 journalists have been killed in the country, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). Government agencies like the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) further endanger journalists by falsely accusing them of supporting or being involved in the communist armed struggle, exposing them to both physical and online attacks. NUJP chairperson Jonathan de
Santos called the alert system “a NEARLY six out of 10 Filipinos good first response to threats” are in favor of rejoining the that may serve as a deterrent to International Criminal Court (ICC) further attacks and harassment. and are urging the government “We hope that engagement to cooperate in the tribunal's with the CHR and government investigation of former president agencies will lead to a safer Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on environment for media workers, drugs, an OCTA Research survey and, just as importantly, an end released on Sunday showed. to the culture of impunity on In the "Tugon ng Masa" survey attacks against journalists,” De held from Dec. 10 to 14, 2023, Santos told Philstar.com. 59 percent of the respondents The CHR urged other said they were in favor of the government agencies to Philippines rejoining the ICC, address the challenges faced while 41 percent were not. by journalists and implement OCTA said the respondents adequate mechanisms were provided an explanatory that guarantee a safe work environment. Early this month, United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of expression by ClaiRe MondaRes ManilaTimes.net and opinion Irene Khan said that some initiatives of the Presidential Task Force on THE Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) issued Media Security (PTFoMS) were personalized stamps and commemorative cover for “not enough.” g former Senate president and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile (JPE). In celebration of his 100th birthday on February 14, the stamp was unveiled at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang during a lunch party hosted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. During his stint as acting head of the Insurance Commission, he was instrumental in introducing The proposed changes under amendments to the rules and regulations that are RBH7 aim to address restrictions still included in the current Insurance Code of the on foreign ownership of public Philippines. He likewise served as acting Customs utilities, educational institutions, and advertising industries. Legislated wage hike viable At the House of Representatives, PBA partylist Rep. Margarita Nograles said a legislated wage increase will be viable if constitutional amendments are introduced to attract more foreign investments. She said the financial burden for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) associated with the proposed PHP100 wage hike can be countered by amending the economic provisions of the Constitution to allow more foreign capital. "Sana nga po magkasundo na po ang Senate at tsaka Congress at magawa po natin ang trabaho natin with regard to the economic provisions… (Hopefully, the Senate and House would agree and work together with regard to [amending] the economic provision),” she said in a press Juan Ponce Enrile’s personalized stamps conference on Tuesday. (PNA)
More investments, upskilled Filipinos seen with economic reforms MANILA – The amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution are vital in attracting more foreign investments and upskilling Filipino workforce, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday, February 20. “We just want to get those amendments incorporated into the Constitution to improve the chances of investment and upskilling of our people,” Marcos said in a media interview on the sidelines of an event at the Metropolitan Theater in the City of Manila. Marcos said consultations on proposed Charter reforms have already been done “months ago,” adding that the Senate is now taking the lead in introducing amendments to the Constitution. Aware of persistent calls for him to interfere to resolve the Senate and the House of Representatives’ differing views on Charter change, Marcos said he has been doing it “quietly” and “without any fuss.”
“Between the two houses, they will come to an agreement then that will be the way we’ll do it,” he said. “It’s really a storm in a tea cup because this has been decided very long ago from both the leaders of both houses… You know, what for me is more important than to make these proclamations, pronouncements, what’s more important is to get it done,” Marcos added. Last month, Marcos said he is in constant communication with lawmakers and legal luminaries to get their insights on the proposed reforms to the Constitution. House leaders on Monday filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7, seeking amendments to certain provisions of the Constitution. RBH7 is similar to Senate’s RBH6, particularly Articles XII (National Economy and Patrimony), XIV (Education, Science, Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports), and XVI (General Provisions).
card with the basic definition of the International Criminal Court and its functions to inform all of its respondents regarding the question. Respondents in Luzon were the "most in favor" (65 percent) of the Philippines returning to the ICC, followed by Mindanao, 51 percent. Conversely, 49 percent of Mindanao respondents said they were not in favor of the Philippines returning to the ICC, followed by 35 percent in Balance Luzon. Socioeconomic class ABC support for the Philippines' return to ICC was at 67 percent, while support from those belonging to Class D was at 42 percent.
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Divided by region, Northern Mindanao respondents had the highest support at 92 percent, while the Davao Region had the lowest at 10 percent. On the question of whether the government should cooperate with the ICC in the investigation of the drug war, 55 percent said they were in favor, while 45 percent said they did not want the government to cooperate. Balance Luzon respondents had the highest support for cooperation at 65 percent, while Mindanao had the lowest at 42 percent. The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent. g
Juan Ponce Enrile’s personalized stamps commissioner, acting finance secretary, chairman of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines, and defense secretary under Marcos Sr. JPE spent four terms in the Senate and became the 21st Senate president during the 15th Congress from 2008 to 2013. He also served one term in the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1995 as a representative of Cagayan's first district. In 2022, at the age of 98, Enrile returned to government service as the chief presidential legal counsel. PHLPost said the basis for the issuance of the personalized stamps to Filipino centenarians is Republic Act 10868, or the "Centenarian Act of 2016," which honors and grants additional benefits and privileges to Filipinos who reach the age of 100. g
ManilaTimes.net photo
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Wednesday FEBRUARY 21, 2024
MAGAZINE
Ria Atayde, Zanjoe Marudo engaged By iza iglesias ManilaTimes.net
CELEBRITY couple Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo delighted fans on Tuesday with the announcement of their engagement. Atayde, 31 and Marudo, 41, took to Instagram to share the good news, sharing a series of travel photos, along with a close-up shot of Atayde’s hand proudly displaying a sparkling diamond ring. “Forever sounds good [white heart emoji] [ring emoji,]” wrote Atayde in the caption. To which Marudo sweetly replied, “And tastes even better [white heart emoji].” The actor then also posted a photo on his Instagram story kissing the actress on the cheek while laying in bed and wrote in the caption, “Hi fiancé [waving hand emoji]” Their joint post garnered congratulatory messages from their family and friends. “Yaaaay love you guys! [white heart emoji],” Atayde’s sister-in-law Maine Mendoza commented. “[Red heart emohi] love you two!” actorCongressman Arjo Atayde also said. “Congratulations Ri and Z!” shared Joshua Garcia. “Ayaaaaan na,” wrote Angelica Panganiban. “Ily both!!! congrats and best wishes z and riri!!!!” Janine Gutierrez said. Gary Valenciano also said, “OMG!!!!! My heartfelt congratulations go out to the both of you!!!!! God bless you @ria @onlyzanjoemarudo.”
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Philstar.com
THE Senate passed on a third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2505 or the Eddie Garcia Bill, named after the veteran actor who passed away last 2019. Garcia was 90 years old when he died days after he suffered an injury on a production set, leading to a call for improved safety protocols for the film, television, and radio industry. The bill passed the Senate on a final reading last February 19 with several celebrities present to witness the passage, including Iza Calzado, Ricky Davao, Randy Santiago, Tirso Cruz III, Martin Nievera, Pops
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2024 UERM-MAASC medical, dental missions in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur
LOS ANGELES – Members of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay - Medical Alumni Association of Southern California (UERM – MAASC) mostly doctors, nurses, and paramedical personnel and community volunteers from Los Angeles, California conducted and performed medical and dental mission, gift giving and feeding program for the underserved families in the Municipality of Narvacan, Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo announce their engagement on Province of Ilocos Sur. UERMTuesday, Feb. 20. Photo from Instagram/@ria MAASC have been to Narvacan twice and for the third time it Also sharing their heartfelt messages were was different. There is a new Gela Atayde, Maris Racal, Lovi Poe, Elisse administration, some new Joson, Toni Labrusca, Yassi Pressman, Raymond structures but the people Gutierrez, Rayver Cruz, Maja Salvador and were the same, still in need of Enchong Dee, among many others. medical care. Atayde and Marudo worked together in the For three days, January fantasy television series “My Dear Heart” in 2017 29-31, 2024, 34 Barangays all and have since become close friends. affected by recent devastating Rumors of them dating began in August 2022 earthquakes and typhoons were when they were spotted at a restaurant in New served by the 70 members York with some friends. Atayde’s mother, veteran of the medical mission team. actress Sylvia Sanchez confirmed their relationship More than a thousand patients in October of the same year. received medical and dental services, free medicines including multivitamins for all ages. Hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol problems and arthritis are the usual medical conditions including upper respiratory problems like colds, and flu-like symptoms were common. Dental care and tooth extractions were also efficiently provided. A gift giving and feeding program for 635 children was also conducted during the mission. School supplies, chocolates multivitamins and Jollibee meals were provided including mascot entertainment to the delight of the children. The mission group was headed by Dr. Pauline Jose,
Celebrity couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at the Senate.
Fernandez, celebrity couple Marian River and Dingdong Dantes, and Garcia’s wife Lilibeth Romero.
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Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes witness Senate pass Eddie Garcia bill, honor ‘Rewind’ By Kristofer Purnell
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UERM MAASC Medical – Dental Mission Team: L-R – Mayor Pablito Sanidad Sr. of Narvacan, Dr. Ed Banez, Mission Coordinator, Dr. Teri Pastor, President Elect, UERM MAAAI, Dr. Warren Gabrillo, President PMASC and Dr. Pauline Jose, President UERM MAASC
President of UERM MAASC joined by Dr. Teri Pastor, President Elect of UERM MAAAI, Dr. Warren Gabrillo, President of Philippine Medical Association of Southern California (PMASC) and Dr. Agnes Joaquin, President Elect PMASC. Also, in the group are Dr. Toni Suansing-Olaer and Dr. Amry Jane Chavez, Heads of the Dental Group and Dr. Edgar Banez, Mission Coordinator / Past President of UERM MAASC together with UERM MAASC Past Presidents Dr. Neda Balon Reyes and Dr. Cita San Diego and President Elect Dr. Rita Guiamelon. Honorable Luis Chavit Singson, President Emeritus, Philippine League of Municipalities and Municipal Mayor Pablito Sanidad Sr. together with Municipal Board Member Ms. Gina Cordera and Mr. Bhoying Villanueva are the collaborative mission partners in the Philippines who provided overwhelming support sponsoring the
Star Cinema photo
Three of the bill’s coauthors are actors themselves, namely, Robin Padilla, Lito Continued on Page 9
2024 UERM MAASC Medical-Dental Mission Team.
2024 Medical-Dental Mission Partners, Governor Gerry Singson, Province of Ilocos Sur and Mission Coordinator Dr. Edgar Banez, UERM -MAASC Past President
mission team transportation services, accommodations and food during the duration of the medical/dental mission. Municipal Rural Health Officer Dr. Angelo De Vera and Municipal Council Member Dr. Edna Sanidad facilitated and coordinated the medical mission locations including mission information to the communities. The group also paid a courtesy call visit to the office of Ilocos Sur Governor Gerry Singson in Vigan Capitol Building. Above all, we again take this opportunity to give thanks to the Lord and to those who made this Medical/ Dental mission possible – our generous donors, our national alumni association in America and our dedicated volunteers who continue to provide their valuable time and effort in helping our nation in need, one barangay, one community at a time, said Dr. Ed Banez.
Diether Ocampo at 50 still hopes to find Ms. Right By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com
Players have their photos taken by a caddie during a practice round for the 75th PAL Interclub golf tournament championships at the Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on Tuesday.
Seniors face challenges at Pueblo, Del Monte
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The fairways are rolling fast in both courses that will be used for the 75th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championships but senior participants will find reaching the greens challenging. “You better use one club stronger in every approach,” said Dan Salvador III of Tagaytay Midlands who sampled the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club on Monday. “The winds are heavy.” Dry conditions make the fairways firm but Pueblo’s greens are unpredictable. Some are receptive and others are not. Players, however, praise the pristine conditions of the greens at Pueblo and at the Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Groundskeepers at Pueblo did a good job rehabilitating the greens which a few months ago had brown patches. While the bombers off the tee will have wider fairways to deal with at Pueblo, it is the opposite at the tree-lined old course known for being home to two of the country’s greatest golfers – Frankie Minoza and the late Celestino Tugot. Dan Cruz said Del Monte favors players who hit their drivers straight. “I spent a lot of times, punching shots under the trees,” he said during his practice round on Tuesday.
Julius Bautista, one of Del Monte’s top amateurs who will see action next week, said the greens are hard, advising players to hit it short and let the ball roll into the green. “Puwede tirahin ang green kung ang pin nasa likod,” Bautista said. The city rolled out the red carpet for the event’s diamond anniversary as it hosted a welcome dinner at the Mallberry Hotel on Monday. Participants were treated to an evening of cultural dances highlighted by the performance of the city’s young dancesport athletes. The seniors’ competition kicks off on Thursday with Luisita defending its title against the souped-up teams of Canlubang and Manila Southwoods, and the dangerous Del Monte squad. The 75th staging of the PAL Interclub is supported by diamond sponsors Mastercard and Asian Journal. Platinum sponsors include Airbus, Primax Broadcasting Network and Araw Hospitality while gold sponsors are Tanduay and Asia Brewery. Joining the event as silver sponsors are ABS-CBN Global, Radio Mindanao Network and Philippine National Bank. VISA is a minor sponsor while Must Glow is joining as a donor.
ONCE married, the stillsingle Diether Ocampo dreams of seeing himself with the woman he’ll spend the rest of his life with. The 50-year-old actor and Philippine Coast Guard auxiliary captain had Kristine Hermosa for a spouse until 2009. Theirs was a five-year romance. While their marriage didn’t work out, Diether is confident he’ll be able to find a life partner in no time. Nah, he’s not giving himself a deadline. His belief in the sanctity of matrimony has never wavered
although he admits that: “Not all marriages are for everybody.” Diether cites his family members and friends who proudly share their married life experiences making him to think that “after all, there is such a thing as a long and lasting relationship.” On the other hand, Diether confesses to being upset, if disoriented, if people around him confide their marital heartbreaks. “I think that’s the way it is. Your family gets bigger. The While his first marriage didn’t work out, Diether couples are busy doing their Ocampo is confident he’ll be able to find a life partner and he is not giving himself a deadline. thing respectively plus the ABS-CBN photo Continued on Page 9
PAL INTERCLUB CEREMONIAL TEE-OFF. Howard Lance Uyking, Philippine Airlines assistant vice president for brand management, hits the ceremonial ball ushering in the PAL Seniors Interclub golf team championships in Cagayan de Oro City. Others in photo are (from left) PAL vice president for sales Salvador Britanico, Pueblo de Oro general manager Kits Penga, Del Monte golf chairman Robert Wapano, Cagayan de Oro councilor George Sio Goking, Limketkai Luxe Hotel GM Jerome dela Fuente, PAL Express president Rabi Ang, PAL tournament executive committee member May Flores, PAL vice president for security Teddy Quinzon and PAL VP for planning Christoph Gaertner.
community 9 Is it time to update your California revocable trust? The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 21, 2024
stipulated qualifications and consider tax implications. 2. Distribution Provisions: You can modify how and when assets are distributed, for example, by adding contingencies or Atty. Kenneth creating trusts within the main UrsUA reyes trust for specific beneficiaries. 3. Trustee Appointment IT is a good idea to review or Removal: Changing your existing revocable trust trustees due to if the terms and provisions incapacity, resignation, or are still current. A revocable your preferences requires living trust is a cornerstone of careful attention to detail and a comprehensive estate plan in ensuring a smooth transition. California. Its flexibility allows 4. Asset Transfers: Adding you to adjust your wishes or removing assets from the through life’s ups and downs. trust involves understanding But how do you actually make titling procedures those changes? This is typically and ensuring proper done by amending a revocable documentation. trust in California, delving into the process and common areas of modification. California Probate Code Section 15401 outlines two primary methods for amending a revocable trust: 1. Following the Mini-reunion in Manila Bay of the Foliente family members from the Los Angeles area, San Trust’s Instructions: Francisco Bay Area, Melbourne (Australia) and various parts of Metro Manila in early 2024 Many trusts specify their own amendment procedures. Read your trust carefully. If it outlines specific steps, follow them precisely. These may involve signing an amendment form, notifying beneficiaries, or obtaining specific consents. 2. If the trust is silent on amendments, you can follow the general First cousins who used to be playmates as kids were reunited in Manila: Engie del Rama (LA), procedure for amending the revocable trust. This While amending a trust Greg Foliente (Melbourne) and Majela Foliente Lai (SF Bay Area) is done by drafting an may seem straightforward, Amendment Documents, Sign legal technicalities and and Notarize, and Deliver to potential pitfalls lurk beneath the Trustee. the surface. Consulting an The common terms that experienced California estate are updated through an planning attorney is highly amendment to the revocable recommended. They can draft trust are: a legally sound amendment 1. Beneficiaries: Adding, document, protecting your removing, or changing intentions, advise you on beneficiary designations is a potential tax consequences frequent amendment. Ensure of your changes, ensure new beneficiaries meet any compliance with all
Barrister’s Corner
Some of the ladies of the Folientes of Polillo
Manila mini-reunion of the Folientes of Polillo, Quezon
AS a pre-taste of a planned grand reunion in early 2025 of the Foliente clan from the island of Polillo in the province of Quezon, family members from the Los Angeles area, San Francisco Bay Area and Melbourne in Australia had a mini-reunion* in Mania Bay together with their relatives in the Philippines on 14 January 2024. The progenitor of the Folientes of Polillo was Sabas Foliente, a businessman and trader originally from the Bicol region who married Felixverta Pinta Pumarada in the latter part of the 1800s. Felixberta was one of eight children from the Pumarada clan, a long-established family (and perhaps could be considered “local”) in Polillo with some also established across the Polillo Straight in Infanta, Quezon. Sabas Foliente was a former “gobernadorcillo” of the Polillo municipality during the latter phase of the Spanish rule (the title and scope of responsibilities and authority of the gobernadorcillo have similarity to the role of mayor today**). **Note 2: From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Gobernadorcillo The gobernadorcillo (literally “little governor”) was a municipal judge or governor in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined charges or responsibilities of leadership, economic, and judicial administration. The gobernadorcillo was the leader of a town or pueblo (people or population). In a coastal town, the gobernadorcillo functioned as a port captain. They were appointed through an exclusive nomination provided by the Spanish law. Their term of office lasted for two years. The position of a gobernadorcillo was honorary and mandatory in order to afford him those valid exemptions signified in the Philippine law. At the end of his biennial term he would enter and form part of the principalía, and was entitled to enjoy the honors and preeminence inherent to this state. This “mayor”, who was at the same time “justice of the peace” and port captain, was directly responsible to the governor of the province in the exercise of his office. In 1893, the Maura Law was passed with the aim of making the municipal
*** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Cer tified 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 is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. He is founder and Managing Partner of LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.
A revocable trust offers incredible flexibility, allowing you to adapt your estate plan as circumstances change. Understanding the amendment process and commonly modified terms empowers you to make informed decisions about your future.
Collage of the Foliente Family mini-reunion in Manila Bay in January 2024
governments in the Philippine Islands more effective and autonomous. One of the changes that this law brought about was the reorganization of certain structures of town governments, among which was the designation of town head’s title, that is, gobernadorcillo, also as capitan municipal, effective 1895.
Tomoko Foliente (Melbourne, Australia; originally from Japan) with niece Hannah Foliente (Manila)
Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes witness... From Page 8 Lapid, and Bong Revilla, while two are children of veteran actors — Grace Poe (daughter of Ferdinand Poe Jr.) and Jinggoy Estrada (son of Joseph “Erap” Estrada). Among the bill’s provisions are a normal eight-hour work or up to a maximum of 14 hours or a total of 60 hours in a week and specific provisions on social welfare benefits and insurance from work-related incidents or deaths. It also guarantees opportunities for gainful employment and decent incomes and protection from abuse, harassment, hazardous conditions, and economic exploitation. Once signed into law, the government will then establish a Movie and Television Tripartite Council composed of individuals from the government, employers, and workers in the entertainment industry.
On the same day, Padilla issued Senate Resolution No. 909, which recognized the box office success of “Rewind” starring Rivera and Dantes — the couple’s first feature film in over a decade. The film featured at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival and went on to become the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, earning P902 million at the global box office. “This achievement is a testament to the return of a vibrant and flourishing Philippine film industry — attributed to the hard work and commitment of artists, writers, directors and all members of the production teams,” Padilla said in the resolution. Joining Rivera and Dantes for the recognition at the Senate was director Mae Cruz Alviar and other members of the film’s production team.
Diether Ocampo at 50 still...
From Page 8 fact that they have dissenting opinions on just as any subject matter,” he reasons out. But Diether finds reassuring solace in knowing he’ll be coming home to his wife albeit frazzled from work. “It would make me happy to be talking with my wife about what my whole day was like, and hers too. Those little things that could lighten the mood,” Diether explains. He’s honest though to concede to the fact: “The problem is who. Who am I going home to? Ang hirap [it’s difficult], right?” A solo parent to his 19-year-
legal requirements and formalities, and navigate complex situations involving incapacitated beneficiaries or disagreements among family members. A revocable trust offers incredible flexibility, allowing you to adapt your estate plan as circumstances change. Understanding the amendment process and commonly modified terms empowers you to make informed decisions about your future. Remember, while some basic amendments may be feasible on your own, seeking professional guidance ensures your wishes are accurately and legally reflected in your trust.
old son Dream, Diether isn’t about to give up on his quest for Ms. Right as yet. “I know that one day she will come,” he says armed with optimism. If waiting for the right girl to come along is on the wings, hasn’t Diether given getting into politics a serious thought? For many local elections now, the actor is being wooed by some quarters to take a political plunge. Isn’t this the route most celebrities take or are destined to be? “To be honest, it’s not my forte. Hardly have I imagined myself into it. I don’t want to be elected and end up saying,
‘What am I doing here?’ No, politics is never my thing.” Meanwhile, Diether’s fans can’t wait to see their idol’s collaboration with fellow former The Hunks members Piolo Pascual and Jerico Rosales. Of them three, it’s Piolo who’s the brains behind cooking up either a film or a TV series for a reunion project. Fact is, Piolo has already begun tapping into a pool of creatives for a possible material. If finally brought to fruition, here’s hoping billing won’t be much of an issue among them, but whose name do you think should be billed first?
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 21, 2024
What to do when facing debt problems
easy to ignore the situation and hope that things will get better on their own. But that will never happen until you do something about it. That means you should be always aware how much money you Atty. RAymond have coming in, how much BulAon money you have going out, and spend within your means. Borrowing when you are MOST people who are already in debt is not a good struggling with debt problems idea. I see a lot of people who for the first time are often resort to payday loans when confused and don’t know their income is short, hoping what to do. They’ve never this can be a quick fix. But been in this situation before. they are not, and they will only They have always paid their put you in a bigger financial bills on time. For the first time hole every month. When I see in their life, they are finding the interest rates that these it difficult to fulfill their debt payday loan “thieves” are obligations. Bill collectors charging, I get angry. Who may be calling and they’re in their right mind will pay afraid to answer the Once you fall behind on more than 1000% interest phone or even go to their mailbox. They’re feeling your debt obligations, it is on a $300-500 loan? You read that right: more than embarrassed, desperate, easy to ignore the situation 1000% APR is what most or even angry. of these pay day loan This can happen to and hope that things will companies are charging anyone. Sometimes, it is get better on their own. But and this should be a crime! the result of making bad desperate people financial decisions. But that will never happen until But fall for it all the time and more often than not, it is caused by reasons beyond you do something about it. that’s what keeps them in business. your control. For instance, That means you should be Don’t wait until you get these days I am seeing to a point of desperation a lot of small business always aware how much before you start tackling owners who are simply money you have coming in, your debt problems. In not making enough to cases, you can still even meet their payroll how much money you have some avoid bankruptcy if you needs. Every month is a struggle, and they are not going out, and spend within know what your options are. If you wait until your even paying themselves your means. situation becomes a because there is not financial emergency, you enough money in the will find that those options business after paying their are extremely limited.. employees, suppliers, vendors, have a few months’ worth of living expenses tucked away *** and other business expenses. in a savings account, but the The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints What should they do? truth is that most people expressed by the author do not Or you can be someone don’t even have $1,000 in the necessarily reflect the opinions, whose work hours just got beliefs and viewpoints of Asian reduced or perhaps got laid off bank. It’s true because as a bankruptcy attorney, I see it Journal, its management, editorial by your employer. I feel bad every single day. Even people board and staff. when I hear of people being who earn high incomes, most *** terminated from their job of of the time, have no savings. None of the information herein is 10, 20 or sometimes even 30 They spend it all every month. intended to give legal advice for any years. The job is the only job It seems like the higher specific situation. Atty. Ray J. Bulaon they’ve had and known for the income, the higher the has successfully helped over 6,000 years- and it is what they’ve clients in getting out of debt. For a free considered to be their financial expenses. It’s not how much you make that matters. It’s attorney evaluation of your situation, security. Then one day they what you get to keep. please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL get a notice from their boss Once you fall behind on FREE 1-866-471-8272. saying that they are no longer (Advertising Supplement) needed by the company. They your debt obligations, it is
Minding Your Finances
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suddenly find themselves with no income and they are not prepared to deal with the fact that they may need to go back to school to learn new skills to find a new job or switch careers in midlife. If you rely on a paycheck or your business to feed your family, missing even one paycheck or one slow month (if you’re in business) can be devastating. This is when people find out that with no savings in the bank, they are literally just one month away from bankruptcy because without the income, they are unable to pay their bills. The ideal situation is to
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 21, 2024
11
An exclusive interview with LA Mayor Karen Bass Valuing the ‘community of our humanity’ for the common good: Mayor Bass’ courage, core beliefs, and loving wisdom by Prosy AbArquez-DelAcruz, J.D. AJ Press
“The elder’s invisible productivity, of holding the field, a nonverbal transmission of energy and goodwill aids in our growth. [S/he] carries forward evolution’s higher intentions, stands beside us and blesses us as we struggle to grow beyond our current level of understanding into new light. [S/he] has a dispassionate vision to recognize the fully developed oak tree in our current acorn consciousness. By holding the field – by recognizing our inherent potential, by desiring the fullest expression of our unique gifts, and by empowering us to act through an infusion of loving wisdom – we receive a spark, comparable to a spiritual battery jump, that enables us to embrace our destiny and to move courageously into the future. -Rabbi Zalman SchacterShalomi, From Age-ing to Sageing,1997 I walked into LA City Hall greeted warmly by the front desk staffers and asked to wait after outgoing Police Chief Michael Moore announced his retirement from LAPD at a press conference. Two plaques were displayed on top of the right-hand bookshelf. One is the framed Los Angeles Business Journal’s Cover: “LA 500: The Most Influential People in Los Angeles with Mayor Karen Bass as LA’s New Power Player.” Another is the framed plaque to the Office of Mayor Karen Bass who received the 2023 Rev. George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Award, from the Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (ICUJP). Its organizational theme is “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.” The award’s inscription reads: “From her first day in office in December 2022, Mayor Karen Bass has shown her commitment to ending the homelessness crisis in the City of Los Angeles, starting with declaring a state of emergency, and most recently allocating a large part of the city’s budget to the issue and going forward with the innovative ‘Inside Safe Initiative’ demonstrating how a city government can respond to a crisis with clarity, effectiveness, and compassion.” Eduardo Soriano-Hewitt, a city hall staffer who has served four mayors in his professional city career of 20 years: Hahn, Villaraigosa, Garcetti, and now Bass, shared this insight. “Mayor Bass is strategic, analytical, and focused. She’s not hyper-focused on the pageantry nor obsessed with the flashiness of being a big city mayor. She’s focused on making a difference. She’s focusing on bringing our city together to tackle the most challenging issues of our time,” he said. He is currently the Chief of Public Engagement Strategies in the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety. I hardly expected this synchronicity of an insider’s observation with outsider recognition of Bass’ moral, qualityfocused, service-oriented, and courageous leadership! Especially right after her first year anniversary as mayor on Dec.12, 2023, Los Angeles Magazine, wrote: “Bass has hit it out of the park. She’s been a slamdunk. She’s a 10 out of 10.” Trevor Noah said, “In 2022, Bass upset a well-financed opponent to win the election and return to the city where her activism began.” Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reported: “Bass’ political brand is built on coalition-building and pragmatism, and those skills surely served her well during the days of discord [School Strike Mediation between SEIU Local 99 and LAUSD]. In another hallmark of her style, she also remained largely quiet in public during the tense period of negotiations, saying Friday that ‘grandstanding and speaking publicly when things are being hashed out does not benefit anyone. What was important was getting the work done and getting the job done,’ Bass said.” LA Times Opinion: “Los Angeles mayors have no official authority over local schools, but they have a big stake in their success. And the kind of political capital that can make people listen. For that reason, Los Angeles was fortunate that Mayor Karen Bass stepped up last week to mediate a labor impasse between LAUSD and 30,000 low-wage workers that shuttered schools for three days.” CalMatters: “Mayor Bass did many things right. Officials estimated a month or more to reopen the freeway, and she came in ahead of time – it’s always better to be early than late. She was visible and available for questions, underscoring her promises of transparency. She put her image and reputation on the line, so the rapid success became her success, though she was happy to share credit with other leaders and agencies involved. She credited the quick work to “urgent action at all levels of government,” and managed to boast nimbly, not using her own name but broadly including herself as among those deserving credit.” San Fernando Valley Business Journal: “I spend a good chunk of my time complaining about
the things the city of Los Angeles is doing wrong – from singlehandedly attempting to destroy our hospitality industry with a half-baked proposal to put the homeless in hotels to a City Hall that seems to run rampant with questionable activities – so it may seem odd that, today, I actually want to commend the mayor and her administration for a job well done. But then again, credit is due where credit is due.” Rabbi Zalman wrote the opening quotes that I start this piece with, underscoring the prescient profile of an individual like Mayor Bass who views intractable social issues as solvable, by Los Angeles linking arms. That radical optimism in the “community of our humanity,” seems to fit Los Angeles’ name, a city of angels. Could it be that her deep optimism comes from recognizing Mahatma Gandhi’s core belief that the world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not for everyone’s greed? Courage to defeat a billionaire, with diverse communities supporting her core beliefs City of Los Angeles is the creative capital of California with Hollywood as one of its creative assets. It is known for its convergence of snow-covered mountains, especially after the rains, and its coastal communities populated by enthusiasts of bicycling, roller-skating, walking the trails, gymnastics, painting, singing, playing instruments, weight lifting, dancing, and even kite flying. LAX is one of the nation’s and the city’s busiest airports and the city has its own Department of Water and Power, generating utilities for household, business, and commercial use. While, the Port of LA is the site for the logistical transfer of commodities, from overseas. Disney Hall is its famous concert hall, where worldwide acclaimed Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, including earlier Maestros EsaPekka Salonen, and Zubin Mehta, conduct first-class concerts. LA is also home to Colburn, the West Coast ‘Juilliard’ training school for dancers and musicians. It has over a hundred museums dedicated to art, science and technology, the well-visited Academy Museum, near LACMA; and the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, among others. We have a lot to be proud of in this city, including our current Mayor Karen Bass, yet its social issues, while present in other cities, have become LA’s brand. Social issues bred by misdirection followed by transformative community changes In previous decades, LA was notoriously known as the drive-by city for gang-related killings, that the media popularized as such. After the Rampart scandal, LAPD headed by Chief Bernard Parks was placed under a federal consent decree establishing a baseline, a legally binding performance improvement plan, which affected its anti-gang unit. It finally ended nearly a decade on July 17, 2009. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan transferred the care of mentally ill patients to the states and federal spending on mental illness declined. The irony was that when Reagan was governor of California, he signed the Lanterman Act to provide modern mental health services in 1967, which also included the care for the developmentally disabled. This became the starting point of unhoused folks living on the streets, some of whom were veterans and folks with mental illness, displaced from the closure of mental health hospitals. Citizen Karen Bass wrote to the LA Times in 1989 about the cocaine war and alcohol addiction in South LA. She described the deterioration of the quality of lives amongst Black Americans, who had lost their jobs from permanently closed automobile manufacturers. It became desolate made worse by the high dropout rates of Black youths from high schools, who found gangs luring them to fast bucks by drug dealing. In the 1990s, in a 71.3 square mile radius — where 35% Blacks, 65% Latinos had a median income of $21,000 – there were 700 liquor stores, even more than Rhode Island, a state of 1,045 square miles. It was accompanied by drug dealing in nearby fast food chains, including an open display of prostitution, and degraded quality of life with jobless men slumped on their front porches, feeling helpless. Bass dared to act along with a coalition of caring non-profits and residents. She obtained a federal grant of $4 million to do a study on South Central’s drug and alcoholic addiction and years later, a property was rented to her organization by LA City, to find solutions to these social issues. Bass founded Community Coalition (CoCo) a non-profit that succeeded to empower community folks, the grandmothers, the parents, even high school students
to use their voices to influence positive policy changes. With its foundational growth assisted by USC for five years, the Center for NonProfit Management in developing the organizational capacities, and board members who became mentors to Bass, CoCo grew. It exists today to listen to more stories, to share them, and to empower residents to advocate for more reforms and policies. CoCo led a campaign to repurpose land use from businesses that fueled the addiction into positive community centers, more supermarkets that offer fresh produce, including laundry mats. Sylvia Castillo, Bass’ former colleague at CoCo, described the organizational success: ”It is her character, her compass and staying true to that, she sits across from the table - you know who I am and you know who we are…I am only here because you all told me. You are the anchor in our people’s work.” Historic campaign for mayor: Diversity is her oxygen Homelessness became a jarring issue with folks on the streets, unhoused, their meager possessions contained in a train of shopping carts. Groceries resorted to a “brake” technology preventing the carts from leaving their premises. Tents were resorted to, resulting in encampments, expanding in reach beyond South LA, skidrow downtown, to Brentwood, Koreatown churches, vacant lots to be developed, the Valley, even near the Venice Canal and underneath freeway bridges. Flyers insinuating homeless folks were garbage to be “swept up and cleaned up,” were mailed by Mayoral Candidate Rick Caruso into voters’ homes, promising to sweep up homelessness and increasing policing. I got that flyer. His campaign criminalized the unhoused, poor not by choice, but nurtured by structured industry and government failures. It was a historic campaign for mayor that Karen Bass won. At the end of the primary, PBS SoCal reported: “Caruso ended up spending an average of $176 for every vote he received, Rep. Karen Bass, who netted more primary votes, spent an average of $11.79.” Caruso had actually spent $110 million, a corrected amount I got from Mayor Bass, who had raised $9.7 million, a ratio of 8.9 to 1, while the primary saw a much higher spending ratio of 14:1. If one considers Los Angeles’ diversity, “that LA residents speak over 224 languages,” as the U.S. Census reported, running for mayor might have been insurmountable. 550,000 LA City voters came out to give Karen Bass a 10% margin win, who mobilized a diverse grassroots campaign, while five billionaires supported Rick Caruso. It was a movement campaign, which Jenny Punsalan Delwood, Bass’ deputy chief of staff described, prompted by the Mayor, to share her insights. “At the heart of Mayor Bass’ campaign, in terms of her operating style and her genuine core belief in the power of the people, we are able to say, we are going to run a campaign that truly listens but also showcases the power, the beauty of, and the diversity of Los Angeles. When that‘s the core, people come and they show up, they bring their friends, they host pop-up canvasses in their homes, and house parties in their communities. Mayor Bass ran a campaign centered on the unity and diversity of Los Angeles,” Delwood shared. It was not surprising to find many “Davids” in the ethnic communities who defeated the Goliaths billionaires’ infusion into the multimillion-dollar Caruso’s campaign. It communicated the power of the people, and as Bass said, “That became my oxygen. I enjoyed campaigning.” She recalls a similar movement campaign when she ran for California’s 37th Assembly District in 2004. Bass served in the state Assembly from 2004 to 2010, serving as Assembly speaker during her final term. I thanked her for saving state jobs, including mine, as part of the State Department of Public Health, instead of resorting to the default cuts that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted, fearing recall from conservative constituents. Fellow Republicans whom she worked with, recognized Bass as kind, patient, and respectful. She was the only woman in a Group of Five, as Assembly speaker, who was part of the difficult budget negotiations to resolve the state’s budget deficit. Some of the deficit cost-cutting measures were rest stop closures along major state highways, including the closure of California’s jewel park, Big Sur. Years later, the state recognized that their deficit-compelling decisions cut into their income streams. They later sponsored renovations of rest stops, the use of developmentally disabled in maintenance, and initiated state parks improvements, increasing
Mayor Karen Bass with Interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi
Anthony Ancheta - Graphic Designer; Eduardo Soriano-Hewitt - Chief of Public Engagement Strategies, Mayor’s Office of Public Safety; Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz- Writer, Asian Journal; Mayor Karen Bass; Jenny Punsalan Delwood, Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Karen Bass and Max Reyes, Senior Director of Economic Policy.
Mayor Karen Bass participates with LAHSA ‘s Count of Unhoused, a point in time, with LA Metro
visitors. Accountability and public trust: the currencies of her public service I shared with Mayor Bass that she was a trustworthy congressional representative whose currencies were accountability and public trust, derived from regular conference calls, and in-person town hall meetings, as well as reporting back to her constituents on what she has done on their behalf. As a representative for the 37th Congressional District serving from 2010 to 2021, she regularly held accountability meetings. My neighbor and I attended, hungry for information that we could trust, particularly during the tenure of the 45th former U.S. president, whose media releases were lacking in facts. The Washington Post catalogued “more than 22,000 false or misleading statements in nearly four years of [Donald Trump], including 189 on a single day in August, as published by the New York Times on Nov. 3, 2020. One key conference call that I remember involved folks hearing the latest about the social security cuts, proposed by the former 45th U.S. president. He consistently infused national conversations with cuts to social security, creating unnecessary fears on seniors with limited incomes. 7,000 participated in that conference call. In an aspirational tone, Mayor Bass asserted: ”I want to do that again. Before you know it, there will be another campaign. I don’t want to wait. I want to go to the people now; I want to do a oneyear accountability report. I don’t want to be somebody who just shows up at the next campaign. I mentioned that a couple of times, and I want that scheduled.” Two staffers were present during the hour-long interview with the Asian Journal, and her deputy chief of staff responded, “It will be done.” It is at this point that I shared my intention behind this interview – for the Asian Journal and our Filipino American community to know the essence of Mayor Karen Bass, even before the next round of campaigns. It is in this circle of accountability, with staffers listening in during the interview, being reminded of what the mayor wants done, while in the presence of the press, that I realized that her currencies of truth and accountability are really her daily habits, even her several decades-long code of ethics, and her code of responsibility. “Our lives are about social change,” she said, looking to me. I nodded as for five decades now, it has been the life’s mission of my husband and mine to serve the people. For disclosure, my husband, Enrique serves as one of the Human Relations Commissioners in LA City. Annie Nepomuceno, president of the United Chambers of Commerce, member of the Fil-Am community, a business entrepreneur, and a musician, attested to the mayor’s accountability: “I had the privilege of interviewing Mayor Bass at the 17th annual luncheon of the United
Chambers of Commerce. 360 folks came to the Skirball Museum. She spoke of the San Fernando Valley’s economic health at other events, but this time, on a one-on-one interview with me, discussing safe streets, building housing for all income levels, and increasing transit accessibility. Seeing firsthand how in demand she gets, that her presence is important to many, she has the most efficient staff that plans and manages her time down to the minute, so she may make the numerous appointments, daily. It seems that she masters conserving her energy when she is out of the public eye, as she seems on point and very present in the conversation. Her team has been reaching out to the United Chambers more than ever. From her Deputy Mayor for Economic Development to the Community Engagement team and many others in between, I can see the emphasis the Mayor has on what her constituents have to say. We value their efforts in fostering strong partnerships and appreciate their dedication to ensuring the economic vitality of Los Angeles.” On homelessness affecting Filipino Americans Rose Ibañez, member of LA City Mayor’s Transition Team following Bass’ victory, shared how she saw an encampment of unhoused Filipinos. “After working for decades as a City of Los Angeles employee (currently retired) for the unsheltered community, it was heart-wrenching to be faced with an encampment with the largest number of Filipinos, 20 families, near a middle school. Not immune to this housing need to secure a job, we also saw additional cultural and language barriers they were faced with. With the support of many partners: Mayor’s office, City and County departments, social service agencies, and community volunteers working together, these unhoused Filipino families are now in transitional housing. We will continue to assist the most vulnerable and in need, as community volunteers,” said Ibañez. Ibañez was describing her firsthand encounter of the encampment that was referred to us by Cecile Ochoa. Ibañez called Deputy Chief of Staff Delwood, who got Eduardo Soriano-Hewitt involved. When Soriano-Hewitt made his visit, he was devastated to see how folks lived, and distraught that they were without a safety net, and without a job. He cried that evening and vowed to do more for them. The city of LA delivered: 20 families got their temporary housing. Persistent calls of followup came from concerned Ibañez, a resident of Carson. The Filipino Channel’s Steve Angeles documented the transition of this encampment of 20 families on television, broadcasted around the world in their news segment. Now in transitional housing, these folks can begin to look for a job, for without an address, they cannot even apply. During the Mayor’s interview with Trevor Noah, she informed the listeners that these unhoused families will stay in transitional
housing for 24 months until permanent housing can be secured. She identified structural barriers in the use of federal housing vouchers and she negotiated with HUD to remove the barriers that made no sense and to qualify these unhoused residents, primarily veterans whose military pension became a barrier to using federal housing vouchers. By the end of Mayor Bass’ first year in office on Dec. 12, 2023, 21,000 folks had been moved to temporary housing, with 3,000 into permanent housing. During her campaign, she promised that 17,000 would be off the streets. Around Thanksgiving 2023, a conversation topic amongst our family was the prevalent and pervasive encampments. We were concerned about the rains forecasted and how exposed they were to chilly winds and rains. By Christmas 2023, these encampments had been vacated. The streets had been cleaned up, and the sidewalks became accessible public squares. It gave us all a chance to exhale. Like Soriano-Hewitt, we are affected by suffering. Like Mayor Bass who saw blood, guts, lost limbs and lost lives, firsthand as a physician assistant and then a nurse, she is not beyond feeling the pain and suffering. Castillo recalls that they [Bass and Castillo] would be in a meeting and “we were somewhere and she turned to me – we have to do this. Our people are dying on the streets. The intensity of malformed inhumanity, that she is reminded of the slave ships. For her, it is not leadership, we are doing this. It is leadership based on her values and her deep love for the people. She’s clear on who she serves. We are here and our life’s purpose is that we are committed to each other to move forward…all of our work is an adjunct of that. She has the light and sees light in others. Ask the people who do know. That’s is her leadership style.” “Suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice,” Victor Frankl wrote in his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” in 1959. We still find our city of LA in this state of suffering from those unhoused. “His book is a meditation on the irreducible gift of one’s own counsel in the face of great suffering, as well as a reminder of the responsibility each of us owes in valuing the community of our humanity,” Patricia Williams said in praise of Frankl. For us in LA, we are comforted by a new ethos, a new insider culture of caring, responsive, accountable, effective City Hall, from the Office of Mayor Karen Bass and its constituent departments, council districts, commissions and various departments. We, the citizens, hope we can mirror the same care and concern for our neighbors and communities. A paved alley, working street lights, trimmed trees, and wellmaintained roads are all indicators that we all care for one another and we trust our city government works for its residents. Photos courtesy of LA City Hall
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 21, 2024
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