031420 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

MARCH 14-17, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 20 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

USA

DATELINE EU leaders rip Trump’s travel ban as virus advances internationally FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Trump declares national emergency in response to coronavirus pandemic by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

which will funnel more federal aid to states and municipalities to treat patients and combat the spread of disease. In a press conference on the White House Rose Garden, the president declared a state of emergency amid the spread of the COVID-19 virus, a proclamation that retroactively took effect on March 1, 2020.

THE temporary travel ban from the United States to European countries for 30 days took WEEKS after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) effect on midnight, Friday, March 13, in an went international and began spreading expoeffort “to keep new cases” of the novel coro- nentially, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, navirus “from entering our shores,” President March 13 officially declared a national emergency, Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, March 11. From the Oval Office, Trump addressed the American public in an error-laden speech, blaming Europeans and folks traveling from Europe for the recent increase of U.S. cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, saying that “a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travelers from Europe.” On Thursday, Trump assured reporters that the decision won’t hamper the already wanting transatlantic relationship, claiming that, “We get along very well with European leaders but we had to make a decision and I didn’t want to take time and, you know, it takes a long time [to] make the individual calls and we are calling and we had spoken to some of them prior to [the announcement].” But communicating with the European

OPLAN WISIK.Manila City Hall personnel clean the sidewalk as the city government launched ‘Oplan Wisik,’ which is part of the drive to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike Alquinto

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Princess Cruises to suspend all voyages over virus concerns 6 Filipinos on MV Grand Princess test positive PRINCESS Cruises announced on Thursday, March 12 that it will suspend all operations of its 18 cruise ships for 60 days after two of its ships carried passengers, including six Filipinos, who were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The move is a “proactive response to the unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global spread of COVID-19,” the company said in a statement. One of its cruise ships, the MV Grand Princess, had been stranded off the coast of San Francisco after it was stopped by United States officials to test those on board for the potential virus infection. Reports have also said that the ship previously carried a man who later died from COVID-19 in California, becoming the first passing in the state. u PAGE A3

NATIONAL EMERGENCY. U.S. President Donald J. Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, delivers remarks during a press conference declaring the outbreak of the coronavirus disease to be a national emergency on Friday, March 13, in the Rose Garden of the White House. White House Photo by Tia Dufour

LA public schools to close for two weeks starting Monday by AJPRESS THE Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest school district in the United States, will close for the next two weeks in light of the growing coronavirus (CoVID-19) pandemic. Starting Monday, March 16, all public schools in the district will be closed for the coming two weeks, “while we evaluate the appropriate path forward,” LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner said in an email to employees on Friday, March 13. The San Diego Unified School District, considered the second-largest district in the state, also announced its shutdown. “California has now entered a critical new phase

International flights to and from Manila not covered by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

Fil-Am community kicks off census week of action in LA County

LOS ANGELES — An 83-yearold Filipina human trafficking victim reunited with three family members this week after 65 years apart. In an emotional reunion, Fedelina Lugasan — fondly known as “Nanay Fedelina” — was surprised by her older sister Eunila Cinco on Monday, March 9 after securing a visa to come to the MULING PAGKIKITA. Fedelina Lugasan (2nd from right), who had been enslaved by a Filipino family United States. Cinco was accomin Southern California for 65 years, reunited with family members (L-R), her granddaughter panied by her daughter Luz Alau PAGE A3

Led by the Filipino Complete Count Committee of LA County — a coalition comprised of Fil-Am AS households across the coun- organizations, elected officials, try begin to receive invitations to community leaders and business participate in the 2020 Census, owners — the weeklong activiFilipino American organizations ties started on Saturday, March and leaders in Los Angeles Coun- 14 with simultaneous gatherings ty are holding a week of action to at the Pilipino Workers Center encourage community members (PWC) in Historic Filipinotown to fill out the questionnaire. and at sites in Long Beach/CarBetween March 12-20, individ- son and Artesia where speakers uals will receive a letter in the mail discussed what’s at stake for the with instructions on how to com- community and trained attendees plete the decennial count, wheth- on how to conduct census outer by paper, phone or online. It is reach through door-to-door canthe first time the latter option will vasing or by phone banking. be made available. u PAGE A3 by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

Chrystine Abcede, older sister Eunila Cinco and niece Luz Alabado, at the Pilipino Workers Center this week after they secured visas to come to the United States. AJPress photo by Noel Ty

Metro Manila placed on ‘community quarantine’ as 52 virus cases now in PH

METRO Manila has been placed on a community quarantine for the next 30 days in response to the growing number of cases of the novel coronavirus in the fight to stop the spread of the COVID-19 (COVID-19) in the Philippines, President Rodrigo pandemic,” Beutner and San Diego Superinten- Duterte announced on Thursday, March 12. dent Cindy Martin said in a joint statement. “There The president’s orders — which will begin on Sunis evidence the virus is already present in the com- day, March 15 until April 14 — include halting domunities we serve, and our efforts now must be mestic travel to and from the capital region, banning aimed at preventing its spread. We believe closing mass gatherings and closing schools for 30 days after the state’s two largest school districts will make an the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infecimportant contribution to the effort.” tious Diseases raised the virus alert system to Code This comes as eight new identified coronavirus Red Sublevel 2. cases were reported as of Friday, March 13, bring“To my countrymen, do not panic. Please do not ing the total number of cases in LA County to 40. be stressed to the point that you may not be able to A release from the LA County Department of do what you want to do,” he said in a nationally telePublic Health said that the updated number in- vised address. “You can still do so, but we will have cludes three cases with unidentified sources of restrictions. There will be conditions because there is exposure, one case who recently traveled to South a crisis.” u PAGE A5 u PAGE A5

Filipina human trafficking victim reunites with family after 65 years by CHRISTINA

“Americans are the strongest most resilient people in the whole world and we will defeat this threat,” the president said, flanked by Vice President Mike Pence, whom Trump assigned to lead the COVID-19 task force within the White House, and other administration and public health officials. u PAGE A2

By phone or online, the 2020 Census is available in 12 languages, including Tagalog. AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

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From the Front Page

DISINFECTION. Sanitation team members constantly clean the escalator to keep it germ-free on Friday, March 13 at Fisher Mall in Quezon City. The Department of Health has advised all establishments in the country to maintain cleanliness to prevent the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Trump declares national emergency...

PAGE A1 t “When America is tested America rises to the occasion,” the president said, noting that the effort to combat the spread of disease depends on the actions of all Americans whose “shortterm compromises will result in a long-term gain.” By declaring a national emergency, Trump bestowed emergency authority to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) “to temporarily waive or modify certain requirements of the Medicare, Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance programs...throughout the duration of the public health emergency,” according to the official White House proclamation. Among those who are priorities for this state of emergency are senior citizens, who are more likely to contract the pathogen and die from it. Pence noted that the best way to prevent the spread of disease is to monitor hygiene and protect “the most vulnerable.” “Practice common sense, practice good hygiene and look out for the most vulnerable. It’s especially important right now that we look after senior citizens with

chronic underlying health conditions who are the most vulnerable in our communities,” Pence said, giving lip service to the administration’s efforts to prioritize funding health care centers for the elderly. Trump’s announcement was scheduled an hour after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a public statement at the Capitol detailing a new House bill that would provide free coronavirus testing for all Americans, even those who are uninsured. “We can only defeat this outbreak if we have an accurate determination of its scale and scope,” said Pelosi, who negotiated with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin for the bill. When asked about the bill during the Rose Garden press conference, Trump said Trump downplayed the bill’s effectiveness in We don’t think the Democrats are giving enough. They’re not doing what’s right for the country.” Sequentially, Trump indicated he opposes the Democraticbacked bill (as does House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy), but Pelosi was positive that the

bill will pass the House on Friday. (As of press time, the bill’s fate is still unknown.) Despite the calls from public health officials and lawmakers to increase testing for Americans, Trump deemed mass testing unnecessary, saying, “We don’t want everyone taking this test. It’s totally unnecessary. This will pass. This will pass, and we’ll grow stronger from it.” Trump’s declaration follows a confirmed rumor that the Trump administration in 2018 fired the U.S. pandemic response team as a way to cut costs within the administration. This response team was an official group of White House officials responsible for heading the U.s. response in the event of a deadly pandemic. Though there were early warnings from public health officials of a new coronavirus that would potentially evolve into a pandemic, then-national security adviser John Bolton disbanded the global health security team in the spring of 2018. This led to the “abrupt departure” of Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer from the National Secuu PAGE A6

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Fil-Am community kicks off census week... PAGE 1 Larger-scale events that included canvassing to nearby businesses and homes had originally been planned but were downsized after concerns about public health and weather conditions. Attendees were also encouraged to tune in online. “The Filipino Complete Count Committee is launching a week of action to get the word out in English and Tagalog that we all need to participate and be counted in the census,” PWC Executive Director Aquilina Soriano Versoza told the Asian Journal at the We Count LA census kick-off at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration on Thursday, March 12. The census is intended to count people living in the United States, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. It contains nine questions, such as the number of people who live in the household and demographic information, including their sex, names, dates of birth, and races. Families are reminded to also count children, especially babies, who are among the groups that risk being undercounted. Throughout the week, the committee has scheduled themed days: • Church Outreach Sunday (March 15) when individuals visit local churches to tell fellow parishioners to fill out their forms; • Make It Count Monday (March 16) to change profile photos on social media with a committee-made graphic and the hashtag #EveryFilipinoCounts; • Tara Na, Mag-Census Tuesday (March 17) to create short videos about why being counted is important; • Why We Count Wednesday (March 18) to spread census information to personal networks; • Tell Your Tita Thursday (March 19) to pledge to commit three other people to fill out their forms; • Fill Out Friday (March 20) to complete the forms. The committee is working with LA-based retail and restaurant partners to provide discount coupons who do so. There will also be a watch party on Saturday, March 28 (location and further details to be announced) to debut teleserye (soap opera)-style public service announcements for the census, featuring Fil-Am actors like Dante Basco and Princess Punzalan. The Complete Count Committee was launched last October with the mission to increase Filipino participation for the count ahead of Census Day on April 1, during which people should fill out their forms based on their address on that day. Though, some exceptions apply to special count areas, such as college dormitories or prisons. Soriano Versoza also reminded community members that there is no citizenship question on the final form, which had been a contentious issue for the past two years. “That’s absolutely not true. There is no census question on the census. It’s only nine questions to fill out so it’s also very quick and

Philippine Consul General Adelio Cruz spoke at a celebration for Nanay Fedelina at Pilipino Workers Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 10. AJPress photo by Noel Ty

Filipina human trafficking victim reunites... PAGE A1 t

A Tagalog poster designed by the We Count LA initiative encourages participation in the 2020 Census. AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

easy to fill out and the information is secure,” she said. The information is confidential and protected under federal law and cannot be shared with other government agencies, the U.S. Census Bureau said as all bureau staffers take an oath to protect information collected. “The information available will only be like the total numbers in one area, for example, of Filipinos. That’s important because if we aren’t counted in a neighborhood, they’re not going to give as much resources for the Filipino community. They might not give us resources in language, things like that,” Soriano Versoza added. The census helps determine how the federal government will distribute over $675 billion to states through programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Title I grants to public schools, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Though the paper questionnaires are only available in English and Spanish, census invitations will include an insert in 12 languages, including Tagalog, inviting respondents to go online or by phone. Additional resources are available in 59 non-English languages, braille, and large print. According to data retrieved from the 2018 American Community Survey, there are more than 4 million Filipinos in the United States. California is home to 1,651,933 Filipinos, making them the largest Asian and Pacific Islander (API) group in the Golden State. LA County alone has more than 400,000 Filipinos. The We Count LA initiative, comprised of community-based organizations representing LA County’s diverse communities, also encourages individuals to report any false news or social media posts on its website at www. wecountla.org. The Bureau does not gather any sensitive information, such as credit card or social security numbers. For households that haven’t

responded by early April, they will get a reminder postcard and eventually a paper questionnaire weeks later if no response has been received. From April 20 to 27, households will get a final reminder postcard before census workers start knocking on doors to gather responses from May to July. The state population counts, which help determine the apportionment of seats in Congress, are due by Dec. 31, 2020 and will be delivered to the president. n

bado and granddaughter Chrystine Abcede. Originally from Leyte, Lugasan had worked since she was a teenager as a domestic helper for four generations of Benedicta Cox’s family, first in the Manila, before they brought her to the United States in 1980 where they settled in Northridge, a city north of Los Angeles. “[Nag]papasalamat [ako] sa inyong lahat ng tumulong sa [Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)] at sa Consul (I want to thank you all who helped at PWC and the Consulate),” Lugasan tearfully said on Tuesday, March 10 during a celebration at PWC’s office in Historic Filipinotown, the nonprofit organization instrumental

in her journey to freedom. During her time with the family, Lugasan did not receive any days off and was not paid for her work, which included taking care of the children and then grandchildren and household chores. Her relatives had feared that she had died or started her own family because they lost contact about three years after she left the Philippines and no one had provided any updates on her welfare, Alabado told attendees on Tuesday. “Hindi ko alam bakit ginanon siya because before siya umalis maayos naman usapan namin (I don’t know why they did that to her because before they left, our conversation was smooth),” Alabado said, adding that she

had visited her aunt and gave her things before her trip to the United States. But in reality, Lugasan’s passport, birth certificate, and other important documents were taken away from her, and she was subjected to physical and verbal abuse through the years. She also slept on the floor at the house, according to previous reports. When her elderly employer Benedicta Cox was hospitalized, Lugasan watched over her but was unable to rest or eat for days, leading to her vomiting and collapsing. A nurse at the hospital alerted law enforcement, which resulted in the FBI searching Cox’s residence and the eventual rescue of Lugasan

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PH Mission staffer in new York tests positive for coronavirus by MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

KIRA Danganan-Azucena, charge d’affaires and deputy permanent representative of the Permanent Mission of the

Philippines to the United Nations, confirmed in a message to UN colleagues that a “colleague at the Philippine Mission tested positive today (March 12, Thursday) for COVID-19.”

Rumors began swirling around the local community on Thursday afternoon through various chat groups about said employee testing positive, and

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Princess Cruises to suspend all... PAGE A1 t

On Monday, March 9, the cruise ship docked at the port in Oakland with its first passengers finally disembarking. As of Tuesday, 1,406 people had disembarked from the ship, leaving at least 1,000 still on board. Americans on board have been relocated to a hotel in San Carlos, California that can house up to 120 individuals, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said. “Each person going to San Carlos has been screened by medical professionals, and because they have mild symptoms that do not require hospitalization, they cannot be quarantined at Travis Air Force Base. While none of these individuals are known to have contracted novel coronavirus (COVID-19), they will be

tested and monitored by medical professionals,” the office said in a statement on Thursday. According to Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Henry Bensurto Jr., there were 529 Filipino crew members and nine Filipino passengers on the luxury cruise ship. Of those, six Filipinos tested positive for COVID-19. However, it is not yet clear whether the six infected Filipinos are all crew members or if some of them are passengers. In February, 2,670 passengers and 1,100 crew members of Princess Cruises’ MV Diamond Princess were forced into quarantine following reports that a passenger who had disembarked more than a week before had tested positive for the coronavirus. Of those, 80 Filipino crew

members tested positive for COVID-19. On February 25, 445 Filipinos were repatriated from the cruise ship and placed under a 14-day quarantine at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, as part of government policy. Viking Cruises also announced this week that it would temporarily suspend river and ocean trips scheduled to depart between now and April 30. The suspensions also come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. State Department recommended that all travelers avoid cruise ships, after previously extending the guidance to only the elderly and individuals with underlying health issues. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress) Nanay Fedelina (center) is joined by her family, caretakers and supporters, including Bill Nelson and Vicki Rollins, owners of a Long Beach skilled nursing facility where Nanay lives.

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PAGE A3 t in 2018. The FBI alerted the Philippine Consulate General in LA, the Asian Pacific Islander Human Trafficking Task Force, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and PWC about Lugasan’s case. “I’ve been in the service for

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (Metro) Metro will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. C68946: Link Union Station per specifications on file at the Office of Procurement, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (9th Floor) on March 9, 2020. The Contract is to procure a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) to support the design and for the construction of the Link Union Station (Link US) Project. The Link US project will transform how regional rail operates in Southern California by converting Union Station from a ‘stub-end’ to a run through station that will increase operational capacity to meet the future growth of the regional rail system while accommodate a new future California High Speed Rail service. Work under this contract will include construction management support during the final design and construction of all elements of the Link US Project that includes utility relocation, street improvements, Platform #4 and viaduct bridge structure over the US 101 Freeway that connects to the main line tracks along the Los Angeles River south of Los Angeles Union Station. The estimated contract value is $400,000,000 - $600,000,000.00. All Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted to Metro and filed at the reception desk of the Office of Procurement on or before Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time. Statement of Qualifications must be submitted in sealed envelopes/boxes, by mail or hand delivered to the address below. Submittals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each SOQ must be sealed and marked RFQ No. C68946

almost 25 years and prior to [LA], I was assigned to the Middle East and…believe it or not, we handled over 20,000 cases of assistance to nationals, Filipinos who were abused, who were not given proper salaries…But one case in my career stood out and that is the case of Nanay Fedelina,” Philippine Consul General Adelio Cruz said on Tuesday. “We are now witnessing a miracle and through the collective efforts of people here, we were able to save Nanay Fedelina, give her justice and bring her family here to meet her.” The Philippines continues to be a large source of human trafficking and labor exploitation in the United States, PWC’s Executive Director Aquilina Soriano Versoza told the Asian Journal. The organization is currently working with close to 100 Filipino victims. “Filipinos are striving to improve their lives and here in the United States, the immigration laws make people more vulnerable,” Soriano Versoza said. “For many, their immigration status is so tied to their employer that it’s easy for them to abuse. When they get here, it’s not what they expect and they don’t have the resources and don’t know the system so they stay vulnerable.” PWC had estimated that throughout her decades of work, Lugasan’s back wages come to about $1.6 million, using California’s minimum wage at the time she began employment with the Cox family in 1980. But after months of investigation, Cox was put on house arrest in 2019, sentenced to probation for five years and ordered to pay $101,119.98 in restitution. Cox died about six months into the arrest. Reuniting Since her rescue, Lugasan has lived at a skilled nursing facility in Long Beach, where she now has her own room and has made friends with other residents. Lugasan celebrated her 83rd birthday with her newfound community last summer, saying it was the first time she had ever celebrated her special day. Meanwhile, as Lugasan’s story was being shared through various media platforms last year, Abcede told the Asian Journal that someone had sent an article to the family. She then reached out to a friend who lived in Los Angeles

who helped her call the hospital Lugasan was admitted to and then PWC’s office and the FBI. “We didn’t get any information after, I think, about a week or two after sending them proof that we are the relatives. I understood because they were probably validating the information I gave them,” Abcede said, adding the only memory she had of Lugasan was talking to her on the phone and receiving a doll as a present. Lugasan had the opportunity to meet Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez during his visit to LA last fall, when she expressed her desire to return to her hometown and see if her siblings or other relatives were still alive. Lugasan, who is under a T visa for victims of human trafficking, cannot go back to the Philippines yet, so the Consulate and embassy had helped expedite the process of securing a U.S. visa for her older sister, who is the only surviving sibling. With Lugasan’s freedom, she hopes to bring awareness to the plight of human trafficking victims and encourage the community to help report any incidences. “There’s not one thing to spot a human trafficking victim but there are a few red flags, like individuals who don’t seem to have as much freedom to go around by themselves for example, or don’t have access to their own passports,” Soriano Versoza told the Asian Journal. “It is hard to identify all the time but even if you have like a sliver of an inkling that maybe something right isn’t happening…being ready with resources is helpful in letting that person know that there is a place they could reach out to if they needed to.” While the family’s end goal is to bring Lugasan back to her native country, they said the next three weeks together here in LA will be about spending as much time together and enjoying some sightseeing. “We won’t be able to bring back the sixty years she has been gone, but we will spend the next three weeks to bond with lola just to make her happy,” Abcede said. If you are in a similar situation or you know someone who may be experiencing exploitation and abuse, please contact the Pilipino Workers Center at (213) 250-4353. n

The RFQ documents are available for download from Metro’s Vendor Portal using the following link: http://business.metro.net/ VendorPortal/faces/home/solicitations/openSolicitations?_ adf.ctrl-state=c3ttqcu76_4&_ afrLoop=60221628588853 Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) One Gateway Plaza Los Angeles, CA 900122952 9th Floor Receptionist For further information, please email, Fred Origel, Director, Vendor/Contract Management at HYPERLINK “mailto:origelF@metro. net”origelF@metro.net 3/14/20 CNS-3352949# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

Older sister Eunila Cinco (left) gives Nanay Fedelina an embrace, after being separated for 65 years. AJPress photos by Noel Ty

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Eight UN experts raise concerns Metro Manila placed on ‘community... on ‘red-tagging’ of rights workers PAGE A1 t

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

EIGHT United Nations human rights experts wrote to President Rodrigo Duterte to express concern on the government’s “red tagging” of rights organizations in the country. At the 43rd UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, eight independence UN experts sent a communication to Duterte raising concern on “the statements made by high-level officials threatening human rights organizations and accusing them of having ties with the communist movement.” They stressed that 62 individuals have been arrested following raids at the offices of civil society organizations and residence of rights groups members. The communication, addressed to Duterte, was sent by: • UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Michel Frost

File photo shows Karapatan members protesting the killings of two of its members: Ryan Hubilla and Nelly Bagasala and peasant leader Nonoy Palma. Philstar.com photo

• Vice-Chair of the UN Working Group on Abritrary Detention Leigh Toomey • Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances Luciano Hazan • Special Rapporteur on ex-

trajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Agnes Callamard • Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye • Special Rapporteur on the

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LA public schools to close for two weeks... PAGE A1 t Korea and four cases pending more investigation. Two of the cases are hospitalized. Four cases have been also reported in Long Beach, and one case in Pasadena, which have independent city health departments. The LAUSD serves over 700,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, early education and adult education at over 1,000 schools. During the 201819 school year, the district reported 2.1% of its students were of Filipino descent. The district said it will roll out a virtual learning plan and partner with public media stations to provide educational content for students during the closure period. Ahead of the announcement, the district announced a partnership with local stations, PBS SoCal and KCET. According to a release, the stations will have the following broadcast schedule: PBS SoCal (Daytime programming from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PreK through 2nd grade); KLCS-TV (Daytime Programming would highlight content for Pre-K through 12th grade from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with additional educational programming in the evenings);

KCET (Daytime programming: 9th grade through 12th grade); and additional educational programming on PBS SoCal and KLCS digital channels. Forty family resources centers, staffed with trained professionals, will be opened for families who need assistance with childcare starting next Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Children will be able to have a warm meal, engage with their peers and pursue their different studies. And they’ll be safe,” Beutner said in his email. Postpone, cancel public gatherings California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state Department of Public Health on Wednesday, March 11 advised that events should be postponed or canceled across the state for the rest of the month. This includes large gatherings, such as concerts, conferences and sporting events, with 250 or more attendees, and smaller gatherings in venues that don’t allow “social distancing” of six feet per person. “As with all guidance that relates to COVID-19 response, authorities will revisit this guidance on a regular basis to evaluate the

continued public health need for it and to evaluate if any elements need to be changed,” the department said in a release. The LA County Board of Supervisors and LA City led by Mayor Eric Garcetti said at a press conference on Thursday that they would follow the same policies as it comes to county and city departments and meetings. The city will stagger entry for visitors in public buildings to no more than 50 at a time — including city museums, libraries, parks, pools, and community centers. Transit locations and similar facilities, including LAX and the Port of Los Angeles, as well as all city shelters, are exempt from this requirement at this time. Disneyland also announced that it would close until the end of the month for the fourth time in its history. Officials also reminded residents to stay informed through trusted and official sources for accurate and timely updates, including CDC.gov, PublicHealth. LACounty.gov, and LAMayor. org/Coronavirus. For more questions, they can call 211, the County’s hotline, which is available 24/7. n

According to Duterte, the crisis is “very, very clear,” urging the public not to trivialize it. “COVID-19 is spreading throughout the country, including the Philippines. It’s a serious one. Do not belittle it. Do not minimize it, but do not kill yourself with worry,” he said. As of Friday, the virus has infected at least 52 Filipinos, including five deaths in the country. The president also quelled fears over the quarantine, clarifying that it is not martial law. “There is no struggle of power here. There’s no conflict, there’s no war. It’s just a matter of protecting and defending you from COVID-19. That’s about it. It has nothing to do with the power of the military or the power of the police nor my power or these guys beside me. It’s just an issue of protecting public interest and public health,” he said. “This is not martial law. It is not even extraordinary. What is sought to be solved here is, again, nothing else except to fight the virus and to exact compliance. It would really be better for you to believe [the authorities],” he added. Travel restrictions The domestic land, sea and air travel to and from Metro Manila will be suspended from March 15 to April 14, however, Duterte said this is subject to the daily review by the inter-agency task force. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año clarified that workers living outside Metro Manila but work in the capital region will be allowed to enter as long as they present valid identification cards (IDs). “I just want to clear this for workers’ sake. The orders state that those living outside Metro Manila but are working here will be allowed to enter as long as they present an ID proving that their work is here,” Año said in a radio interview. “Supposedly, we are to implement a total lockdown like what was done in other countries like China, but we also have to consider our workers, especially ordinary workers,” he added. Likewise, patients undergoing medical treatment in Metro Manila are required to present proof, such as a medical certificate, to be allowed entry in the region. The Philippine National Police (PNP) acting spokesperson, Maj.

Gen. Benigno Durana Jr., said that the PNP will man all entrance and exit points in Metro Manila during the quarantine. He noted, however, the details on where and how many checkpoints will be set up are yet to be finalized. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, meanwhile, also assured that the transportation of goods to and from Metro Manila will continue during the quarantine.“Residents of NCR should not worry about [the]

supply of food, produce in groceries and retailers,” he said, urging the public to refrain from panic buying and hoarding supplies. The Light Rail Transits, Metro Rail Transit, and Philippine National Railway will continue to operate during the quarantine, as well. As for foreign travels, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be allowed to travel to China, except to Hubei province,

u PAGE A6

A march 14-17, 2020 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL

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Gov’t mechanism to probe, punish erring security personnel ‘largely ineffective’ — US report MECHANISMS in place to investigate and punish abuse and corruption in the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines remained mostly unsuccessful, the U.S. Department of State said in its global rights report for 2019. The 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released March 12 noted that Philippine laws provide criminal penalties for corruption by public officials as well as President Rodrigo’s moves to fire officials over allegations of corruption. “But the government did not implement these laws effectively and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity,” the report read. The State department noted that the institutional deficiencies of the PNP and the public perception that corruption in the police was endemic has continued. “The PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) remained largely ineffective,” the State Department said, referring to the body which monitors the character and behavior of all policemen and investigates all administrative offenses committed by PNP personnel. Currently, the IAS is under the supervision and control of the PNP chief.

3,619 disciplinary procedures over 14,724 complaints The State Department noted that out of the 14,724 human rights violations complaints filed against cops from July 2016 to April 2019, the PNP recommended disciplinary procedures in 3,619 cases and dropped charges in 588 cases. “Although the IAS claimed manpower and resource limitations hampered its investigations into deaths resulting from police operations, it asserted the majority of police operations were legitimate, lawful police actions,” the department said. Police said just over 5,500 alleged drug dealers and users back have been killed during arrest because they resisted violently. But the figure is significantly lower than the estimates by human rights watchdogs of as many as 27,000 killed. The PNP’s Counter-Intelligence Task Force, for its part, reported the 7,867 police received administrative punishments, 4,100 were suspended and 2,367 were dismissed as of April 2019. The PNP CITF has been replaced by the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, which the PNP says on its website, “is designed to conduct intelligence build-up and law

enforcement operations against PNP personnel who are involved in any illegal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, financial crimes, cybercrime, malversation, graft and corrupt practices, security violations, and others.” ‘Largely ineffective’ According to the State Department report, no extrajudicial killings or forced disappearances were identified and investigated by the AFP Human Rights Office from January to July 2019. While it noted of the efforts to reform the PNP and AFP through human rights training, the State Department stressed that “government mechanisms to punish abuse and corruption in the security forces were poorly resourced and remained largely ineffective.” “Prolonged delays in the justice system reinforced the perception of impunity for the security forces and for national, provincial and local government actors accused of corruption and human rights TESTED. President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go were tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Thursday, March 12. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo confirmed that Duterte and Go did not have symptoms of the virus. abuses,” it also said. Malacañang photo The US State department has been submitting annual human rights reports on all countries receiving assistance from the U.S. as well as on all United Nations member states. (Gaea Katreena PAGE A2 t 2018, the news began trending sponsibility for the disbandCabico /Philstar.com) rity Council who was head of the this week after Democrats and ment of the pandemic response pandemic response team, the Republicans on the hill began team, saying, “I just think it’s Washington Post reported on criticizing the Trump adminis- a nasty question… You say we May 10, 2018. tration for being ill-prepared for did that, I don’t know anything Though the termination of the current outbreak of COVID- about it,” adding that he is tioned), Ireland, Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, the pandemic response team 19, of which 47 states currently “very proud” of the efforts of his administration on conquerSerbia, Armenia, Montenegro, initially went under the radar have cases. when it was first reported in But Trump claimed no re- ing the disease. n Belarus and Russia. The phrase “all travel from Europe” also caused confusion since the ban also would not affect U.S. citizens, permanent residents and certain family members, who are PAGE A5 t Party of the Philippines and the meanwhile said that Communiallowed to come back to the U.S. rights to freedom of peaceful as- New People’s Army as ‘terror- cation Secretary Martin AndanLater on in the speech, he said sembly and of association Clem- ist organizations’ where rights ar’s message during the UNHRC that certain travelers would be ent Nyaletsossi Voule workers were tagged, abduction session echoes what the UN exexempted including “Americans • Special Rapporteur on the of Karapatan Southern Mindan- perts said. who have undergone appropriate promotion and protection of ao secretary general Honey Mae At the event, Communications screenings.” Secretary Martin Andanar said: human rights and fundamental Suazo. In fact, U.S. citizens are al- freedoms while countering terIn their letter, the UN experts “We repeat the call for prudence lowed to fly out of Europe even rorism Fionnuala Ní Aoláin. said red-tagging and actions of in assessing claims, particularly if they’ve not been tested be• Chair-Rapporteur of the the State, “may have a chilling from sources who have enjoyed cause the screenings take place Working Group on discrimina- effect on the legitimate work of the hallowed status of human after they land in the U.S. To tion against women and girls human rights defenders in the rights defenders while waging clarify Trump’s remarks, the of- Meskerem Techane country.” the longest insurgency in Asia ficial White House Twitter ac“In view of the urgency of the and terrorizing communities in Philippine jurisprudence decount wrote, “Those exempt fines red-tagging as “the act matter, we would appreciate a the Philippines.” from these restrictions, such as of labelling, branding, naming response on the initial steps takPalabay said: “Philippine govU.S. citizens, will be directed to and accusing individuals and/or en by [Y]our Excellency’s Gov- ernment officials have obviously limited airports where screening organizations of being left-lean- ernment to safeguard the rights disregarded the views of the can take place.” (Klarize Mede- ing, subversives, communists or of the above-mentioned persons eight special rapporteurs. They nilla/AJPress) terrorists (used as) a strategy... in compliance with international should be reminded that such acts are in violation of the UN by State agents, particularly law instruments,” they added. They urged that, pending Declaration of the Rights of Huenforcement agencies and the military, against those perceived the government’s reply, “all man Rights Defenders.” Palabay and ten others are facto be ‘threats’ or ‘enemies of the necessary interim measures be taken to halt the alleged ing a revived perjury charge that State.’” Karapatan, whose secretary violations and prevent their stemmed from the complaint general Cristina Palabay is at the re-occurrence and in the event filed by National Security AdvisUN event, released a copy of the that the investigations support er Hermogenes Esperon Jr. or suggest that the allegations The accused are members of communication to reporters. to be correct, to ensure the rights groups that sought proThreats, raids Among the incidents the UN accountability of any person tection from the courts against experts raised in the letter are responsible of the alleged vio- perceived threats from the State, but failed. rape and death threats against lations.” Andanar’s message to rights Esperon accused them of Palabay, the arrest of the 62 falsifying information in their activists following raids in their body Palabay, who attended the amparo petition, specifically on offices and residence in Bacolod City, filing of the Philippine De- gathering as co-head of the Ecu- Rural Missionaries of the Philippartment of Justice of a peti- menical Voice for Peace and Hu- pines’ Certificate of Registration, tion proscribing the Communist man Rights in the Philippines, and sued them for perjury. n

Trump declares national emergency...

EU leaders rip Trump’s travel ban as virus advances...

PAGE A1 t Union — which has an embassy in the U.S. — doesn’t require calls to individual members. In its response, the EU denounced Trump’s decision to impose the 30-day ban in a statement from the 27-member coalition’s central leaders. “The coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action,” the president of the European Council Charles Michel and president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement. Michel and Leyen also pointed out that the White House did not give the EU or any European leaders advance notice of the decision, making clear that it “disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation.” The virus that causes COVID-

19 — which stands for coronavirus disease 2019 — has already claimed the lives of 4,717 patients across the world as of Thursday, according to a Johns Hopkins University data dashboard. The total confirmed cases is now over 127,000 across the globe. Fact-checking Trump’s speech Trump’s Wednesday night address attracted controversy from health officials for making misleading statements that created confusion. For example, the ban does not suspend “all travel from Europe” as Trump said; the temporary ban applies to the 26 countries within the Schengen Area, a zone in Europe in which people can travel across countries without having to go through border checks. European countries outside of the Schengen Area that wouldn’t be affected by the ban include the UK (which Trump men-

Eight UN experts raise concerns on...

PH Mission staff in New York tests positive for...

PAGE A4 t adding that that the Philippine Mission is in lockdown and employees were told to self-quarantine. In a tweet on Friday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. said the patient was “doing well; she’s young, spritely, smart and taking some doctor prescribed meds.” Azucena said that the colleague last visited the UN on Monday, March 9. She was reportedly asymptomatic then.

“She came down with flu-like symptoms and, in accordance with our office protocol, did not report for work that day and saw her doctor,” the message read. The PH Mission staffer tested positive for flu and was prescribed Tamiflu. “She got the call today that she tested positive for COVID19,” it added. As of late afternoon Thursday, the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue, which houses the Philippine Consulate Gen-

eral and the Philippine Mission, is on lockdown and all personnel have been instructed to self-quarantine and to seek medical attention should they develop the symptoms (of coronavirus). The Philippine Mission has advised the UN medical director’s office of the development, as well as New York City’s health department. Calls and emails to the Philippine Center have not been returned as of press time. n

Metro Manila placed on ‘community...

PAGE A5 t

upon execution of a declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved. International flights to and from Metro Manila will still be allowed during the quarantine period, but travelers will be subject to “strict quarantine guidelines.” Foreigners coming from countries with confirmed local transmission of COVID-19 will be denied entry to the country except for Filipino citizens, including their foreign spouse and children, if any; holders of Permanent Resident Visas; and holders of 9(e) Diplomat Visas issued by the government. “If you’re a Filipino citizen and you’re coming from abroad, you will be allowed to come home subject to strict quarantine guidelines,” Nograles said. Education and work Duterte said schools across the capital region will be closed until April 12, but reminded students that they are still required to fulfill their academic requirements even if formal classes are no longer held. The Department of Education

said that graduation rites and moving up ceremonies scheduled within April 13 to 17 will be adjusted to a later time in areas in Metro Manila. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also told the students to stay at home during the quarantine, saying that those who will be seen in crowded, public places will be sent home. “If you are seen outside, loitering, not doing anything, just shouting, the police and military will go to you. You will be asked if you have a problem. If you say you don’t, we are just here outside, then, maybe, if you are arrogant, you will be brought to the station for record purposes,” Duterte said. He added, “Avoid trouble with the law, with anybody. Just, in the meantime, follow. Better just stay home and study.” During the quarantine, work in the executive branch will be suspended until April 12, but there will be a skeletal workforce to ensure the continuous delivery of services to the public. The legislative branch and the judiciary are encouraged to

also adopt the same policy. Work in the private sector will continue, but companies are being encouraged to offer “flexible work arrangements” to their employees. Meanwhile, manufacturing, retail, and service establishments are advised to remain in operation during the quarantine period. Gatherings banned Planned or spontaneous mass gatherings will also be prohibited during this time. “Mass gatherings, defined as a planned or spontaneous event, where the number of people attending could strain the planning and response resources of the community hosting the event, shall be prohibited during the said period,” Duterte said. The Archdiocese of Manila announced a temporary halt on the Holy Mass and public activities from March 14 to March 20. “I recognize that this may impact many faithful and priests but let us do this with the spirit of sacrifice for the good of all,” said Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of Manila. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Pacquiao files anti-spitting bill Cyber-troll armies linked to supporters by Javier

J. ismael ManilaTimes.net

SENATOR Emmanuel Pacquiao has filed a bill prohibiting spitting in public places. He filed Senate Bill 1406 or “Anti-Spitting Act of 2020,” which seeks to prohibit and penalize indiscriminate spitting and expelling of nasal mucous in public areas and other places. Pacquiao said respiratory illnesses had already spread in a

rapid pace and with it is an urgent need to institute a concrete preventive measure to stop the spread of diseases. “This shall not only prevent the spread of the coronavirus and other contagious and airborne diseases,” he added. The senator cited a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which stated that viruses spread through droplets of saliva or mucus carried in the air for up to 6 feet

or so when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bill provides that any person caught spitting in public places shall be fined a minimum of P5,000 to a maximum of P50,000, and possible imprisonment of up to six months. The law also stipulates that the Department of Health and Department of Science and Technology may conduct seminars and issue guidelines on the possible health hazards of spitting. n

House passes bill creating OFW dept by reina leanne

TolenTino ManilaTimes.net

THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure that seeks to create the Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment. The chamber approved House Bill 5832 or “An Act Creating the Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment, Defining its Mandate, Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor,” with 173 affirmative votes, 11 negative votes and no abstention. The proposed department will “protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipinos Overseas; to formulate, plan, coordinate, promote, administer, implement policies and undertake systematic

national development programs for managing and monitoring the overseas or foreign employment of Filipino workers.” It will assume and perform the powers and functions of the Department of Foreign Affair’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Philippine overseas labor offices under the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), International Labor Affairs Bureau under the DoLE, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and the Social Welfare Attachés Office under the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Section 19 of the bill places the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration under the new department’s supervision, but

the former will continue to function according to its charter. Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman voted against the passing of the measure. He said the bill “will uselessly balloon the bureaucracy even as it will accelerate, via a purported “one-stop shop,” the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) without addressing the enormous and escalating social costs of labor migration.” He added that the establishment of the department directly contravenes the long-standing national policy, as mandated in Republic Act 8042 (“Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995”), “which provides that the State does not promote overseas employment as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve national development.” n

Ramon Tulfo surrenders to police over cyberlibel cases by CaThrine

Gonzales Inquirer.net

MANILA — Radio broadcaster and columnist Ramon Tulfo voluntarily surrendered to the police on Friday, March 13, after two Manila courts released warrants of arrest against him over cyberlibel cases. A police report showed the 73year-old broadcaster turned himself in at the Manila Police District’s Special Mayor’s Reaction Team office at about 12 noon. He was assisted by his lawyer when he surrendered to the police. According to police, one of the warrants of arrest against Tulfo was issued by Rainelda Estacio-Montesa, presiding judge of

the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46, for the crime of libel under Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 4 (C) of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Another warrant for the same crime was issued by Danilo Leyva, acting presiding judge of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 10. Both arrest warrants were issued on Friday, SMaRT chief Maj. Rosalino “Jhun” Ibay Jr. told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview. Upon his surrender, Tulfo posted bail for the charges and was later released from police custody, according to Ibay. Police have yet to provide

Radio broadcaster and columnist Ramon Tulfo surrenders to police on Friday, March 13, after two Manila courts released warrants of arrest against him over cyberlibel cases. Photo courtesy of Manila Police District

details on which issue the libel cases stemmed from as of posting time. n

of Duterte flagged as ‘digital predators’ by arTemio

Dumlao Philstar.com

BAGUIO CITY — Cybertroll armies linked to supporters of President Duterte have been cited as among the 20 “Worst Digital Predators of Press Freedom” in the world in 2020, according to international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). To mark “World Day Against Cyber-Censorship” on Thurssay, March 12 RSF unveiled its list of press freedom digital predators that include private companies and government agencies that use digital technology to spy on and harass journalists and thereby jeopardize the ability of media to gather information. RSF said along with 19 other groups around the world, the Philippine “call center hubs”

are disseminating fake or maliciously edited content and fake memes, conducting targeted harassment campaigns. The Philippine “call center hubs” are being used by Duterte supporters to smear and boycott the ABS-CBN network with the aim of blocking renewal of its congressional franchise. RSF said the 19 predators include The Cyberspace Supreme Council of China, which imposes internet censorship and supervises the private-run social media platforms like Baidu, WeChat, Weibo and TikTok and had also been blocking and deleting content and apps, and most recently victimized was a Beijing-based magazine that ran a story about unreported cases of coronavirus infection;

Yoddhas in India, trolls who accordingly either volunteer their services or are paid employees of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); the Algerian Regime’s Electronic Flies, a trolls army in the government’s pay to discredit journalists critical of the government; the Russian Kremlin’s Troll Army spreading false reports and videos, publishing personal information and defamation targeting journalists exposing them; the Mexican Troll Gangs, doing social media smears, threats and insults targeting journalists critical of the government, and the Jair Bolsonaro’s “Hate Office” in Brazil who also used social media campaigns of insults and threats against journalists who make revelations about the Brazilian government. n

A8 MARCH 14-17, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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O PINION No panic buying

FEATURES

THE Philippines, where water dippers and handheld bidet sprayers are widely used in washrooms, isn’t about to run out of toilet paper. So filling an entire cabinet with hundreds of rolls of toilet paper is not only unnecessary but may also turn out to be unsanitary, as paper that is stocked too long tends to deteriorate and may even attract disease-causing microorganisms. Workers in the agriculture and fisheries sector, many of whom must earn on a daily basis, also haven’t stopped producing their goods. Meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, rice, salt and sugar aren’t about to run out. Not even African swine fever has stopped local hog raisers from continuing to produce and sell pork and pork products. The food processors that buy the agricultural raw materials also aren’t stopping production, so instant noodles, canned meat and sardines, pasteurized milk, coffee and other items with a long shelf life aren’t about to run out. There has been a spike in demand for alcohol, hand sanitizers and of course face masks. Officials have assured the public that supplies of alcohol and hand sanitizers are adequate, and manufac-

turers are happily moving to meet the higher demand. So there’s really no need to hoard any item or engage in panic buying amid the growing 2019 coronavirus disease contagion. Health professionals have been one in stressing that the most basic defense against COVID-19 — or any other pathogen, for that matter — is regular hand washing with soap and water, plus the observance of cough and sneeze etiquette. They have appealed to the public to refrain from stocking up on N-95 masks, so that those who truly need the item — the health professionals on the front line of the battle against COVID-19 — will not face shortages. Hoarding anything and panic buying will also put at a disadvantage the millions of Filipinos who panic. This period of uncertainty calls for civic recannot afford to buy in bulk, and are left only to sponsibility, cooperation with health authorities,

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

and avoidance of any action that smacks of hysteria. (Philstar.com)

After downplaying coronavirus outbreak, Trump declares a national emergency as Pelosi announces bipartisan deal reached with White House to help victims

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THE only thing worse than incompetence in governing is to have a president who is being driven by selfish, greedy, malicious intentions. This has been proven time and time again under the leadership of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. The coronavirus health emergency just highlights the failure in his leadership to the detriment of the American people he has sworn to serve. The United States government could have acted faster, ordered testing quicker, given people science-based facts and information to help them protect themselves more efficiently, had Trump thought of what would be good for the health and safety of the American people more than his political survival. But as The Independent reported, “Donald Trump did not push to carry out widespread coronavirus testing because he believed higher confirmed case numbers could be damaging for

his re-election campaign.” This much-needed testing on a large scale could have limited the outbreak of COVID-19. Trump has been reluctant to launch a campaign of “aggressive testing,” which could be instrumental in identifying key outbreak areas. “The U.S. has tested fewer than 12,000 people for the disease since January. In South Korea, authorities have been testing as many as 10,000 a day,” The Independent wrote. The president was being urgently warned by Health Secretary Alex Azar that coronavirus would become a “major” crisis, but Trump instead downplayed the urgency of the medical emergency, contradicting scientists, WHO officials and the government’s own health officials, politicizing the crisis and blaming it to Democrats. When speaking to the American people, he and his minions would spew lies that the virus is contained in America, that all Americans would be tested, that this outbreak would go away in April, and that the vac-

cine would be available in six months. All NOT true. I watched news reports about the thousands of passengers stranded on a virus-hit cruise ship off the coast of California. Trump’s focus was on the “numbers” as he expressed concern that letting them come ashore could increase U.S. case numbers. “I like the numbers being where they are,” Mr Trump said. “I don’t need to have the numbers double because of one ship.” “That’s partly because more testing might have led to more cases being discovered of coronavirus outbreak,” Politico health reporter Dan Diamond said as quoted by The Independent, based on his investigative studies on the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. Speaking to NPR, Diamond said: “The president had made clear – the lower the numbers on coronavirus, the better for the president, the better for his potential re-election this fall.” There are now more than

A virus in the White House?

Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA THERE’S a new epidemic being posted on social media: moronavirus. The root word is “moron,” as in idiot, stupid or nincompoop. A more charitable synonym is “incompetent.” An indication of moronavirus is the assertion by U.S. President Donald Trump that people could go to work despite showing symptoms of coronavirus or being actually infected. Said Trump: “So if, you know, we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work... some of them go to work, but they get better.” Trump also added, “They’ll get better very rapidly, they don’t even see a doctor, they don’t even call a doctor.” In a telephone interview with Fox News talk show host, Sean Hannity, Trump also said he doubted the coronavirus death rate of 3.4% estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO), calling it “a really false number.” Trump gave no logical or coherent explanation for his doubts except to say that he based his comment on a “hunch” (in other words, guesswork), as well as on

“conversations with a lot of people.” This is a usual Trump tactic of attributing his own weird views to unspecified sources. He is usually his own source, although his other sources of misinformation are folks like Sean Hannity and others at Fox News. Trump’s remarks are not only moronic but dangerous. If his supporters take him seriously (as they apparently do), that could exponentially aggravate the health crisis in America. Medical professionals have protested what Trump said. Said Dr. Kathie Allen, a California family physician: “Am a doctor. Don’t go to work with coronavirus. Don’t listen to Stupid.” It’s obvious whom she meant. Contradicting Trump, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged people to stay at home if they are sick. However, the moronavirus appears to have also infected even the CDC. The executive director of a national organization of U.S. nurses reported on network TV the complaint of a nurse who had contracted coronavirus after attending to afflicted patients. Her superiors recommended testing. State health authorities endorsed this. But the CDC disapproved of the test ostensibly because if the nurse had been wearing protective gear, she should not have been infected. But the fact was that the nurse had already been infected! One

wonders if moronavirus is as dangerous as coronavirus. That’s not all. Pressed to conduct widespread nationwide testing of citizens for the virus, the White House claimed that the Trump administration has arranged for one million tests to be conducted “within a few days.” Sensible quarters, including members of Congress, don’t believe this is possible. “I’m hearing from people who are sick, who want to get tested, and don’t know where to go,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the state has been one of the hardest hit by the virus in the U.S. It appears, however, that the Trump White House is not the only presidential quarters afflicted by the moronavirus. Malacañang seems to be similarly afflicted. According to Manila media, “the government has faced intense criticism over its handling of the outbreak, and its decision to allow direct flights from China despite the lockdown in Hubei province, the epicenter of the epidemic.” Warnings have been given by members of Congress about thousands of Chinese workers entering the Philippines and about millions in funds being laundered by China in the country. Estimates are as high as 500,000 Chinese workers, many of them suspected to be members of the Chinese military (this makes you wonder

2,000 cases of Americans who tested positive, and as of press time, 47 have died. Trump’s response? “ I don’t take responsibility for [the] lag in testing,” consistent in the thinking that taking responsibility would be damaging to his reputation and record. It was painful to hear the president’s lack of knowledge, if not, malicious choice to ignore the facts when he foolishly compared the coronavirus death toll to that of common flu, which at the very least is misinformation from the Office of the President of the United States. On Twitter, Trump tweeted: “So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!” It was painful to hear Anthony Fauci, infectious disease chief at the National Institutes of Health, fact check and cor-

rect the false claims of the president, warning that coronavirus could be “10 times more lethal than seasonal flu”. Fauci had also been forthcoming when he admitted on Thursday in news reports that the U.S. was “failing” at testing, contradicting Mr. Trump’s claims that “frankly, the testing has been going very smooth.” Fauci told Congress that “The system is not really geared to what we need right now...let’s admit it.” What is so enraging is this president’s knee jerk reaction to immediately help Wall Street, instead of helping the ordinary hardworking Americans, whose health, lives and livelihoods because of the outbreak. His minions in the Republican Party initially even blocked legislation put forth by Democrats that would guarantee 14 days of paid leave for workers affected by the coronavirus. On Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, delivered a message to the American people announcing :”Today, we are passing a bill that does just

that: the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which is focused directly on providing support for America’s families, who must be our first priority” whether President Trump is on board or not. As The Hill reported, “Pelosi has spent much of the week in intense negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in search of a bipartisan package that can pass through both chambers of Congress and win Trump’s signature.” BREAKING NEWS: CNN reported afternoon of Friday, March 13, that President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over the coronavirus outbreak following a week of cancellations, suspensions and growing case numbers that unsettled Americans nationwide. “The action I am taking will open up access to up to $50 billion...and a large amount of money for states, territories and localities,” Trump announced. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday announced a broad

what China’s game plan is). But President Rodrigo Duterte does not seem bothered by these red flags. The Duterte government has either no idea or won’t reveal how many Chinese nationals are working in the Philippines. The Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources has expressed exasperation at the inability of the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Labor and Employment to come up with credible figures on the number of Chinese nationals working “legally or illegally” in the country. Sen. Joel Villanueva, Senate committee chairman, reportedly lambasted the BI and DOLE: “It’s glaring. Your records show you are issuing few alien employment permits, but there’s a flood of Chinese workers, and from their numbers, it’s clear there are illegal workers.” The situation has become so moronic (a symptom of Moronavirus) that ridiculous statements have been unkindly attributed in social media to known Duterte lieutenants like Sen. Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa (“Yong mga illegal Chinese workers, gawin nating legal!”) and Sen. Bong Go (“Bigyan ng civil service eligibility ang mga Chinese workers.”) There is no proof that the senators actually made those bizarre suggestions. But Sen. Frank Drilon was quoted in media, asking with unveiled sarcasm, whether the Philippines has become a province of China.

There has also been public outrage over a 44-year-old Chinese from Wuhan and a female companion who had reportedly visited the provinces before being tested in Manila and being found positive for coronavirus. One of them subsequently died. Wuhan was where the coronavirus began to spread. Media also reported that 500 people had arrived in the Philippines from Japan onboard the virus-infected cruise ship Diamond Princess, many of them crew members. Forty-four have been confirmed positive for the virus. Because they were all met by family members, it has been feared that they may have also passed on the disease Is the Philippines prepared to cope with the epidemic? Opinions of the medical sector and knowledgeable officials are not reassuring. In a Senate hearing, the Department of Health (DOH) was asked about how it identifies and tracks down people who may have come in contact with the infected couple from Wuhan. No clear answer was given. While the DOH claims that it is “prepared” to cope with the epidemic, that may simply be posturing or an attempt to prevent panic among the public. Privately, health professionals and hospital personnel have admitted that they are “ill-prepared,” due to the lack of transparency among health authorities, understaffing, and the shortage of protective medical equipment. The dire state of the Philip-

pine health care system has been made worse by health budget cuts of 2.25 billion pesos announced by Duterte. This means limited funds for protective gear urgently needed by health workers. At this point, we can only pray that Duterte will not listen to another one of Trump’s theories on coronavirus, namely, that it cannot survive in warm weather. Trump is said to have theorized that when the cold season in America is over and summer sets in, the virus will disappear. Since it is always a hot season in the Philippines, does it mean the virus won’t spread in the country? If so, how come hundreds have already been infected? Rather than listen to those afflicted with moronavirus, let’s follow what clear-headed authorities have suggested, to minimize the risk of being infected, until a vaccine can be made widely available. Observe impeccable hygiene. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, as well as with a disinfectant, especially after coming from public places. Avoid touching your face and eyes before washing your hands. Use a tissue for coughing or sneezing and dispose of it properly. Stay home and work at home if you don’t feel well (don’t believe Stupid). And minimize exposure to big crowds. Most of all, don’t panic and don’t spread panicky rumors. Life must go on. (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)

u PAGE A10

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Court orders Garin trial over Dengvaxia mess by Jomar

Canlas ManilaTimes.net

The gate of the Senate building was closed beginning Thursday, March 12 to give way to Covid-19 disinfection operations. Several senators have gone on voluntary isolation as a precaution against the disease. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

Lawmakers, Cabinet members go on self-quarantine by Bernadette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

LAWMAKERS and members of the Cabinet opted to go into self-quarantine as a precaution against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Twelve senators isolated themselves, either because they had contact with a person infected with the coronavirus or were simply playing it safe. Under self-quarantine are Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian, Panfilo Lacson, Manuel Lapid, Maria Josefa Imelda Marcos, Francis Pangilinan, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Francis Tolentino. Gatchalian and Binay were the first to announce that they would go on a 14-day isolation after getting in contact with a resource person infected with the coronavirus during a Senate hearing on March 5. The wife of the resource person died on Wednesday, March 11 the first reported local coronavirus death. Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Ana Theresia Hontiveros did not quarantine themselves but will observe social distancing while working. Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Christopher Lawrence Go said they had to attend to many important matters. Sen. Juliana Pilar Cayetano will put on hold

scheduled activities but will not go on self-quarantine. Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, meanwhile, said he was already on “semi-quarantine” because Congress had adjourned. Asked if he will go on selfquarantine, Recto said, “Yes. [I] am doing the same. No public events for now. Just reading, exercising, farming and watching TV. [I] am ok. [I] have a good immune system.” Zubiri proposed that senators be tested for the coronavirus, “as we were exposed on Thursday to a number of people.” Sotto said the Senate is not on lockdown. “I have issued a directive to the Senate sergeant at arms to put the Senate under restricted access, not a lockdown, as the term lockdown has been misinterpreted and abused,” he said. In the House of Representatives, former Committee on Appropriations chairman and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab said he had started self-quarantine on Thursday, March 12. Last Wednesday, Ungab interacted with Gatchalian when he attended the plenary session of the Commission on Appointments at the Senate, along with Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio. House Secretary General Jose Luis Montales on Thursday said the chamber remains free from the coronavirus. “There are no confirmed cases. Neither are there persons under investigation, nor persons

A QUEZON City court found cause to proceed with the trial of former Health secretary and now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, who is facing a criminal complaint in connection with the death of a child who was inoculated with the Dengvaxia vaccine. Judge Maria Gilda Loja Pangilinan threw out Garin’s motion to dismiss the case for lack of merit. The complaint was filed by the family of Zandro Colite, who died shortly after being injected with the anti-dengue vaccine developed by Sanofi Pasteur Inc. Colite, 11, died on Dec. 27, 2017 of multiple organ bleeding. Garin was the secretary of the Department of Health when the government rolled out a massive anti-dengue immunization drive. More than 800,000 children received the vaccine. The child’s family is seeking actual and compensatory damages amounting to P2.3 million, P800,000 in moral and exemplary damages and P50,000 in civil indemnity. The court ruled that there was enough basis to proceed with the trial. “Upon perusal of the complaint, the court finds the allegations in the complaint sufficient to constitute a cause of action and defendant’s averments as merely directed to the veracity and correctness of the allegations found therein,” it said. Garin had assailed the venue where the case was filed, saying she is not a resident of Quezon City. But the court said “the venue [was] properly laid by the plaintiff when he chose to file the instant complaint in this court by reason of the residence of one of

the impleaded defendants, which he considers as a principal defendant.” Garin is also facing several criminal charges in the lower court after the Department of Justice (DoJ) indicted her and several others in connection with the use of Dengvaxia. The former Health chief is also facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violations of the Anti-Torture Act and Consumer Act. Charges were also filed against Vicente Belizario Jr., Kenneth Hartigan Go, Gerardo Bayugo, Lyndon Lee Suy, Irma Asuncion, Julius Lecciones, Joyce Ducusin, Rosalind Vianzon, Maria Lourdes Santiago and Melody Zamudio of the Food and Drug Administration; Socorro Lupisan and Maria Rosario Capeding of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine; corporate directors and officers of Sanofi Carlito Realuyo, Sanislas Camart, Jean Louis Grunwald, Jean-Francois Vacherand, Conchita Santos, Jazel Anne Calvo, Pearl Grace Cabali and Marie Esther De Antoni. Last month, a panel of prosecutors created by the DoJ found probable cause to indict Garin and nine other health officials over the use of Dengvaxia that allegedly resulted in the deaths of schoolchildren. The Justice department said there was enough evidence to indict the president of Sanofi Pasteur Inc., the supplier of Dengvaxia, for violating the Consumer Act of the Philippines. The findings were based on the preliminary investigation on the second batch of complaints filed against the officials in connection with the deaths of children who received the vaccine. In a 78-page resolution, the panel of prosecutors said there

under monitoring,” Montales said. Just the same, the House compound would be disinfected from Friday to Sunday, he added. The country’s economic managers are also undergoing selfquarantine after some of them were exposed to a coronavirus patient. “I was told that a fellow I met with last Thursday and Friday last week has tested positive for Covid-19 today. I have no symptoms, but am self-isolating until I get tested,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd told reporters in a message Wednesday night. He urged individuals he interacted with during press briefings on Friday last week and on Tuesday to “follow suit.” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said “it’s best to go on self-quarantine to be on the safe side.” “I decided go on self-quarantine because I was in the NLEx (North Luzon Expressway) inspection ceremony with Secretaries Dominguez and Tugade last Thursday and was in a wake with Secretary Dominguez last Saturday,” he told reporters in a text message on Thursday, referring to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. The National Economic and Development Authority said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia is also voluntarily isolating himself and so is Budget Secretary Wendel Former Philippine Health Secretary and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin Avisado. n

ManilaTimes.net photo

was “inexcusable lack of precaution” on the part of Garin and the accused government officials in the “fast-tracking of the procurement process” for the Dengvaxia despite being aware of its low efficacy results and the potential risks associated with its use. The government stopped the dengue immunization program after Sanofi Pasteur issued an advisory that Dengvaxia could lead to severe illness for those who have not been exposed to the dengue virus. n

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive proposals for PS68825 - Toll ExpressLanes Enforcement Assessmentat the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/ Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. A Pre-Proposal conference will not be held. This project is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Set-Aside 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 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at the address listed above, sent to the attention of Victor Zepeda. Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened. 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. 3/14/20 CNS-3352460# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

A10 March 14-17, 2020 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL

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ABS-CBN suspends live shows and tapings of its ‘teleseryes’ by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

SAFETY GEAR. Seller of face masks made of cloth draws buyers near Munoz public market along Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, March 11. People resort to cloth face masks amid the shortage and higher price of surgical masks triggered by the new cases of the deadly coronavirus disease. Prices of fabric face masks range from P25 to P65 depending on the style and design. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Bishops defend Tagle over Dutertes tirades by robertzon

ramIrez

Philstar.com

MANILA — While former Manila archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has yet to respond to President Rodrgio Duterte’s tirade on his appointment to the Vatican, some Catholic bishops have defended the cardinal and called the president’s allegations “foolish.” Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David simply laughed off a news article he shared on Facebook where Duterte claimed that Tagle was removed from the Archdiocese of Manila after he angered Pope Francis supposedly for meddling in politics. “Unbelievably ludicrous,” David said in his Facebook account. Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos also defended Tagle against “all lies” of Duterte on the prelate’s re-

cent appointment as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Vatican. “All lies — distortion of truth. They did not (know) what they are talking about, nor have a clearer picture of everything,” Santos said, adding that Tagle’s appointment “is a grace from God, a gift and blessing to the Philippines.” The president had earlier claimed that the pope relieved Tagle as Manila archbishop because he had contributed funds to the opposition. Duterte, who has been accused of making false claims and citing dubious data in some of his speeches, did not say where he got the information about Tagle. Santos said Tagle’s work for the Catholic Church should not be tainted with Duterte’s lies as the former is “dedicated, devoted

(and) his fidelity to Jesus and to the Church is solid and untainted.” Santos added that Pope Francis will soon appoint Tagle’s successor. The pope has appointed Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo as the apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, a few weeks after Tagle left the Philippines earlier this year for his new post at the Vatican. Pabillo said he does not see any reason to dignify “unfounded accusations” of Duterte against Tagle. Just like the bishops, Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)-Public Affairs Committee, said Duterte’s words against Tagle are “simply twisted and reeks of intrigue.” n

Establishments polluting Manila Bay shut down by eIreene JaIree

gomez

ManilaTimes.net

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) had shut down five commercial establishments found to be discharging untreated waste water into Manila Bay. Representatives from the joint task force led by the DENR and LLDA, the local government of Pasay City, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group served the cease and desist orders to four restaurants and one auto shop located at HK Sun Plaza along Macapa-

gal Boulevard. These establishments wereZhi-Brothers Restaurant, Ocean Bay Restaurant, Da Rae Jung Korean Restaurant, Song Do Won Restaurant and BHP1 Autoworks. They were found violating provisions of Republic Act 9275, or the “Philippine Clean Air Act of 2004,” which prohibits the discharging or disposing of any pollutant to water bodies. Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns undersecretary, chided the erring establishments for “exceeding what the law has set in terms of the waste they generate,” jeopardizing ef-

forts to rehabilitate Manila Bay. “No matter how much effort we give in cleaning the Manila Bay, nothing will happen if we allow these errant business owners to do what they are doing,” he said. The DENR official reminded business owners to religiously comply with environmental laws and regulations. “We are calling out the attention of business owners not only around Manila Bay, but all over the country to check on their environmental compliance,” he said, adding that the DENR was willing to provide technical assistance or advice to businesses in order to comply with environmental rules and guidelines. n

FOLLOWING the government’s declaration of a “community quarantine” and ban on mass gatherings due to an outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), ABS-CBN has temporarily suspended live entertainment shows and production of teleseryes starting on March 15. “ABS-CBN is temporarily suspending the staging of its live entertainment shows and production of its teleserye starting Sunday in compliance with the goverment’s declaration of a community quarantine and ban on mass gatherings to contain the spread of Covid-19,” the network said in a statement

released on their social media accounts. “The company is taking these initiatives for the safety and health of our artists, crew, production teams, their families and the general public,” it added. Megastar renews ABS CBN contract, asks Duterte to reconsider franchise While this measure is in place, the network said it would continue to serve the audiences by bringing back well-loved shows “to help provide inspiration, hope and upliftment.” “We assure the public that ABS-CBN will continue to bring the latest news and information through our TV and radio newscasts and digital platforms, especially at this time when the

country is facing a public health crisis,” the post read. “We thank our Kapamilya viewers for their understanding and continued support,” it said. The latest statement was released just three days after ABS-CBN also decided to temporarily stop admitting studio audience to its shows. The affected TV programs in the said audience ban include “It’s Showtime,” “ASAP Natin ‘To,” “Magandang Buhay,” “Banana Sundae,” and “I Can See Your Voice.” Noontime show “Eat Bulaga,” which airs on GMA 7, also temporarily stopped admitting live audience for their show, in relation to the sudden virus spread. n

Rehabilitation of Taal-hit areas ongoing by Faye

almazan ManilaTimes.net

THE rehabilitation of areas stricken by the Taal Volcano eruption is ongoing, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 4A said. On the sidelines of the news conference of the Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2020 last week, DoT Region 4A Officer in Charge Marites Castro said the time frame they set for the rehabilitation of the affected areas

was within two months. Region 4A, or Calabarzon Region, groups together the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. During the height of the volcanic eruption, a number of establishments in the popular holiday town of Tagaytay City in Cavite temporarily closed and suspended operations. Castro said establishments in Tagaytay had begun operating again, with some imposing 20- to 50-percent discounts on

their published rates. Meanwhile, Castro said based on their initial data, the region saw a “large” number of tourists, particularly sameday visitors. “I think we have 50 million for same day visitors [and] more than 7 million for overnight visitors,” she noted. According to Castro, the provinces of Rizal, Cavite and Batangas emerged as the top three provinces that had the most overnight tourists. n

After Trump’s handling of coronavirus, can...

PAGE A6 deal with the Trump administration on coronavirus relief legislation, though as of press time, President Donald Trump has yet to publicly say that he backs the measure, which adds paid emergency leave and free testing for COVID-19. As CNN reported, t”he legislation will also provide, according to Pelosi, “paid emergency leave with two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave.” The bipartisan deal will also expand federal funding for Medicaid “to support our local, state, tribal and territorial governments and health systems, so that they have the resources necessary to combat this crisis.”

On Thursday, the top contenders of the Democratic nomination delivered their own respective speeches rebuking Trump and his handling of the COVID-19 virus outbreak, and offered their own plans to help contain the outbreak and help the American people. Looking forward, take solace in the thought that the days that we have an unqualified occupant in the White House are numbered. This November, we will vote him out of office. It’s important that more Americans watch the first oneon-one debate between former VP Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, the remaining contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, to help us decide who to vote for to run against Trump.

Due diligence in this democratic process is important. The debate will be aired on CNN this Sunday, March 15. The race isn’t over. Consider these facts: 3,979 total pledged delegates are available. The tally now: Biden 887; Sanders 662. The candidate needs 1,991 delegates to win. Let all Americans cast their votes. This is what democracy is all about. *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE

Journal James teases Nadineâ€™s new album Jake vows â€˜to fightâ€™ for Kylie By Cha Lino

By Boy

aBunda Philstar.com

Inquirer.net

STaYIng true to their statement that they will continue working with each other, especially on music, actor and musician James Reid hinted at the upcoming album of his former girlfriend nadine Lustre, which is set to drop this 2020. Reid, the cEo of the music label careless music manila, uploaded a snapshot of what appears to be a meeting for Lustreâ€™s album on his Instagram Stories, yesterday, march 12. The actor did not disclose any more details about Lustreâ€™s PAGE B3

Nadine Lustre and James Reid

JaKE cuenca has been posting sweet messages for his girlfriend, 2016 miss International Kylie Versoza, on social media every so often. Last Feb. 7, he posted on his Instagram @juancarloscuenca a sweet birthday message for Kylie. he wrote, â€œI always remind myself how lucky I am to have you in my life. Iâ€™m the lucky one here to have you. I want you to know that you have my loyalty. Iâ€™ll always be here to take care of you no matter what. Iâ€™ll always be by your side fighting the good ABS-CBN photo fight with you.â€?

New detached single-family homes now selling at Tempo at The Resort

Rancho cucamonga, ca â€“ Welcome to The Resort, a bright new master-planned community in Rancho cucamonga thatâ€™s designed to bring out the best of everything. With new detached single-family home designs available at Tempo by TRI Pointe homesâ€”plus modern amenities, beautiful green belts, paseos and sustainable, style-forward homesâ€”The Resort offers a modern urban escape that will change the way your family lives. Itâ€™s a vibrant new living destination crafted for you to explore, discover and connect, featuring shared gathering spaces throughout and retail just around the corner. Visit today to discover the perfect home for you in a place that brings resort-style living to the forefront. now selling from the mid $500,000s, Tempo by TRI Pointe homes offers stunning new detached single-family homes ready to carry you into

But the one that caught the attention of many netizens was his recent post that read, â€œWaiting for you to come home.â€? It stirred such various speculations as the couple is already living together, that Jake had already popped the question and the two will soon get married. The Kapamilya actor confirmed that the post was meant for his ladylove and set the record straight that they are not living together. â€œSi Kylie, kakasimula pa lang niya sa showbiz. So, Iâ€™m gonna let her enjoy it,â€? began Jake. â€œKasi with me, Iâ€™ve been doing this (acting career) for almost 19 years so gusto ko mag-enjoy sâ€™ya

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sa pagiging artista nâ€™ya. I donâ€™t wanna lock her down.â€? â€œIn regards to what people have been thinking that we are living together, well, we are neighbors in Bgc and we see each other every day. We enjoy each otherâ€™s company and I canâ€™t ask for anything more. I moved in to Bgc to be closer to her.â€? Jake and Kylie first worked together in ang Panday in 2017 and became co-stars in the TV adaptation of Precious hearts Romances series titled Los Bastardos aired on aBS-cBn. The two officially confirmed their relationship just last September on Tonight with Boy abunda PAGE B2

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contemporary flats for singlelevel livingâ€”with beautiful and innovative construction built to stand the test of time. now open and selling from the high $300,000s, nova by The new home company presents new three-story townhomes and stacked flats to fit how you want to live with more. Experience six incredible plans offering 995 to 1,263 square PAGE B2

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New detached single-family homes... PAGE B1 feet as well as two bedrooms and up to two-and-one-half bathrooms. Now selling, Enliven by Van Daele Homes brings striking designs to The Resort with modern attached row townhomes. Four incredible floor plans ranging from 1,544 to 2,000 square feet encourage you to express your individuality, with up to four bedrooms and four bathrooms and generous living spaces. Pricing starts from the high $300,000s. Also open at The Resort, Abraham (2nd from right) with Filipino American talent, such as Vincent Rodriguez, Diane Paragas, Dante Basco, Ella Jay Basco, and Joshua Aspire by Van Daele Homes Dela Cruz at the Unforgettable Gala in Dec. 2019. Contributed photo welcomes contemporary flats for single-level living priced from the high $300,000s. Inviting, fresh and modern, these new homes boast 1,176 to 1,706 square feet with up to three bedrooms and two bathrooms, featuring five inspiring plans to choose from. Now open and priced from the mid $400,000s, Lumin by conscious collaborations with Van Daele Homes brings new By Christina M. Oriel key studios and brands to bring detached bungalows and conAJPress these stories and voices to life. temporary flats for single-level â€œOne of our goals is to help A FILIPINO American producer with nearly two decades bridge the gap between enterin the entertainment industry tainment and [people of color]announced the launch of a new owned companies for potential multicultural public relations brand partnerships and Iâ€™m and marketing agency to uplift really looking forward to the opPAGE B1 voices often missing and un- portunities we can bring to uplift (TWBA). According to Jake, he derrepresented in mainstream Asian Americans, including Filiand Kylie started out as friends pino Americans,â€? he said. spaces. before becoming an item. It A Southern California native, Jeremiah Abraham officially was last Dec. 30, Jakeâ€™s 32nd unveiled Tremendous Communi- Abrahamâ€™s rĂŠsumĂŠ boasts an birthday, when they celebrated cations at the start of March with extensive career working on their first year as a couple in the mission of working with en- campaigns for studios, such Singapore. tertainment studios to promote as Disney, Warner Bros, Sony Jake shared that he is close to new theatrical releases and cre- Pictures, Universal, Lionsgate Kylieâ€™s family as well. â€œI really ate content and live experiences and HBO. appreciate how they accepted He made his way to New that are culturally authentic and me; transparent ako sa kanila targeted for Asian Americans York â€” where he continues to and they accepted me as who I consumers, especially fellow live â€” to take up an associate am. I donâ€™t have to pretend.â€? director of marketing position at Fil-Ams. What he had truly found Jeremiah Abraham, founder of Tremendous This comes at a time when CondĂŠ Nast with the responsibilCommunications Contributed photo tough to do as natural and as weâ€™ve seen Asian and Asian ity of pushing out multi-platform convincing as can be was his American projects be well-re- content for the media giantâ€™s â€œWhen I was freelancing, I intimate scene with Denise Lauceived by audiences, be it â€œPara- brands, such as Vogue, GQ, found it much more liberating rel, her co-star in The Haunted, site,â€? â€œThe Farewell,â€? â€œCrazy Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. and I was able to make more of that already had its final episode Rich Asians,â€? and â€œYellow Rose,â€? He also had a stint at another an impact by following my own last Feb. 9. of which Abraham served as a Asian American agency that vision.â€? Jake recalled that it was a bit handled major corporate brands co-producer. Though the agency is focused difficult for both of them â€œkasi The moniker Tremendous was like McDonaldâ€™s. Tremendous on the diversity of Asian Ameri- magkaibigan talaga kami like chosen as a â€œwonderful descrip- also plans to pitch more Asian can groups, being a Fil-Am is brother and sister but we just tor of people of color, especially American stories to mainstream an added perspective Abraham have to be professional. Parehas Asian Americans, and the work media; already it has helped seeks to bring to these discus- kaming Peque Gallaga babies that weâ€™ve created in entertain- individuals and projects get sion tables. so (we) just dived into it to do ment,â€? Abraham told the Asian features on Forbes, Variety, While freelancing and figur- the scene.â€? Deadline and Teen Vogue. Journal in an email. ing out his next steps, Abraham During her guesting in TWBA, â€œIâ€™ve always had a drive to met a group of filmmakers in Denise also revealed that their While the projects Tremendous is set to roll out this year be an entrepreneur,â€? he told New York and saw the oppor- kissing scene was the most difare still under wraps, Abraham the Asian Journal in a previous tunity to bridge the public rela- ficult she has done in her acting said the company is securing interview ahead of the launch. career given that the actor is like PAGE B3

Fil-Am co-producer of â€˜Yellow Roseâ€™ follows passion to uplift more multicultural stories

living to The Resort. Offering three exceptional designs to choose from, these stunning residences boast 1,448 to 1,934 square feet of quality design with up to four bedrooms and four bathrooms. With a name like The Resort, you know there are amenities to match. And it all begins with the forward-trending, resortstyle recreational and fitness center made to kickstart and shape every action, connection and experience in your wellness journey. Find your stride at the swimming pool or your zen in the yoga room. Sit back and relax with newfound friends at the barbecue area. Here, there are countless places to gather and connectâ€”or even take to nature, with beautiful green belts and paseos. Whether itâ€™s downtime at the outdoor lounge or breaking a sweat at the fitness center, The Resort redefines what it means to have an active and healthy lifestyle. Your front door is your gateway to everything when you live at The Resort. Take a short

stroll to get a quick retail fix or hop in the car to find the perfect date-night restaurants and trendy shops to browse at Victoria Gardens and Ontario Mills. If youâ€™re looking for some entertainment nearby, head to the Toyota Arena for a concert or hit the Auto Club Speedway for high-speed fun. Being in a prime location walking distance to the Metrolink train station and close to the 10 and 15 freeways, you always have easy access to employment, recreation destinations and entertainment hotspots in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire and more. Plus, nearby business centers offer an abundance of opportunities. With all that and the Ontario International Airport close to your new home at The Resort, youâ€™ll be surprised at just how convenient your life can be here. The Resort is located at 9301 The Resort Parkway, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. For more information on The Resort, please visit TheResortLiving. com or call (909) 270-4284.

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Jake vows â€˜to fightâ€™ for...

Add Life to the Menu with Spice Mixes By Grace O As you probably know from history, North Spice blends are an easy way to get America was discovered by Columbusâ€™ creative in the kitchen and enjoy flavors expedition in the 15th century because of the world. Europe wanted to find a shortcut to India, with whom they had been trading in valuable spices. Back then, spices were mostly used to help preserve food in the days before refrigeration and to mask the off flavor of food starting to spoil. In general, herbs are the fresh leaves of a plant, such as sage, oregano and basil. Spices are usually considered the seed, berry, bark, root or rhizome (creeping root) of a plant. In common practice, once fresh herbs are dried, theyâ€™re considered spices. For almost all of human history, spices have been prized for their medicinal properties and today there is new focus on how spices enhance our health and stave off aging. The right spices can make such a difference in the benefits and flavor of a dish. One thing you need to know about spices is that they fall into categories that provide different benefits. For instance: Â‡ ,PPXQLW\ ERRVWLQJ VSLFHV LQFOXGH turmeric, cumin, clove, allspice, citrus zest and star anise. Â‡ &OHDQVLQJ VSLFHV ZKLFK KHOS GHWR[LI\ the body, include cinnamon, rosemary, oregano, bay leaf and hibiscus. Â‡ 5HVWRUDWLYH VSLFHV FDQ ERRVW \RXU ERG\ÂˇV function and include garlic, cardamom, pomegranate, fenugreek and thyme. Â‡ &DOPLQJ VSLFHV LQFOXGH VDJH EDVLO saffron, mint and lemongrass.

FOODTRIENTSÂŽ DESSERT SPICE MIX (YIELD: ABOUT 1/3 CUP) Ingredients

8 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 4 tsp. instant coffee 2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cardamom (brown, not green) 1 tsp. ground nutmeg

Directions Place all ingredients in a jar and shake well.

ABOUT GRACE O

GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooksâ€”The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won Gourmandâ€™s â€˜Best in the Worldâ€™ Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com

Jake Cuenca to girlfriend Kylie Versoza: â€œI always remind myself how lucky I am to have you in my life.â€? Photo from Instagram/@juancarloscuenca

a brother to her on- and off-cam. She shared that they were laughing so hard before the shoot. â€œWe just looked at each other and weâ€™re just like, â€˜Letâ€™s just do it one take so we donâ€™t have to do it again.â€™â€?

Jake also expressed his appreciation to all Kapamilya viewers who supported the show that gave him the opportunity to work again with Shaina Magdayao and director Manny Palo.

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Julia celebrates birthday with family and ‘a loved one’ by

Niña V. GuNo Inquirer.net

JULIA Barretto traded her star-studded dinners for an intimate birthday bash this year as she turned 23. The actress’s birthday is on March 10. T he “Blo c k Z ” st a r s a id on Instagram on Wednesday, March 11, that she hosted “a dinner for 10, my family and a loved one.” She shared pictures from the celebration, such as her si l k r ed d r ess, t he elega nt table set-up wit h pink f lowers, her mom, Marjorie, and youngest sister, Erich, cook-

ing a meal and a bouquet of red roses. Fans were intrigued by her statement, wondering who the “loved one” could be and if it meant that there was someone special in her life. T he act ress has been romantically linked to her “Between Maybes” co-star Gerald Anderson, though she denied last August that the actor was ever her boyfriend. For her 23rd birthday, Barretto also wrote a message of self-love with the statement, “In this chapter in my life, I am FREE,” and shared a picture of Julia barretto. photo from instagram/@juliabarretto her posing topless.

Moira’s ‘reflection’ on new career milestone by

ChristiNa alpad ManilaTimes.net

ALMOST everyone who grew up watching and loving Disney movies dreamt of becoming their favorite Disney princess, but only a few get to live it out somehow. Filipina singer Moira de la Torre is one of the lucky few. Walt Disney Philippines revealed last week that the 26year-old will sing “Reflection,” the famous theme from the animated film “Mulan,” for the promotions of its live action adaption in the country. “It’s a dream that we all share — to be a Disney princess and it feels almost close to that [singing this song] so I am very grateful,” de la Torre said during the grand reveal at the ballroom of The Shangri-La at The Fort in Bonifacio Global City. The feat is extra special for de la Torre who said she has a personal connection to the song. “It’s the first song I ever sung in public. I think I was seven or nine when I used to join singing contests and perform special numbers in church. I only had one minus-one cassette tape and it was [the theme from] Mulan,” the singer-songwriter

See how one can petition relatives for a green card through employment on a brand-new Citizen Pinoy this Sunday THIS Sunday’s episode deals with family petitioning family members for a green card through an employment-based petition or labor certification. Auntie Eva has a six-bed boarding care home in the U.S. that she was operating by herself. It was very challenging to be doing the cooking, the cleaning, medication, and bedside care or her residents, on top of the administrative work. She needed help, and she had a niece, Russel, who just graduated from Nursing in the Philippines. Eva found out from an earlier episode of Citizen Pinoy that relatives can petition family members moira de la torre sings ‘reflection’ the theme from the animated film ‘mulan,’ for the for a green card if they fulfill certain criteria. In this promotions of its live action adaption in the country. photo courtesy of Walt disney philippines

recalled. One of the most streamed female artists in the country today, as certified by popular streaming app Spotify, the singer looked every bit a princess that day as she sang Reflection the Moira de la Torre way. “I was actually expecting to have a lot of rules [in my interpretation] but when I got into the studio [to record the

song], they just said, ‘We just want Moira,’” de la Torre happily related. Pressure from the past Of course, like the movie, Reflection became a popular song in the Philippines from the start, not only because pop star Christina Aguilera sang the commercial release in 1998 but more so because Philippine PAGE B4

Lovi, Benjamin and Jeric on losing projects over COVID-19 scare by lhar

saNtiaGo ManilaTimes.net

THERE were medics on the set of the new GMA Network rom-com series “Owe My Love” as the show held its first taping on Monday. Everyone had to see these health workers before proceeding to work with temperature and blood pressure checks in the midst of the rising cases of the novel coronavirus or Covid-19 in the country. Even lead stars Lovi Poe and Benjamin Alves were taking extra precaution to avoid getting sick. Lovi had her mask and alcohol bottle in the stand-by area. “I’m more particular with personal hygiene. Kung noon sobrang hindi ako nagpapabaya when it comes to hygiene, lalo na ngayon that there are already several cases of the virus in the Philippines. I wash my hand every so often and I have alcohol with me all the time. Kailangan laging malinis and I don’t touch my face,” she said. Lovi admitted she gets paranoid over the COVID-19 coverage. “It’s very hard not to be bothered about it. Kasi siyempre pag pagod ka, you feel weak and then mapapa-isip ka. Oh my gosh, pagod lang ba talaga ko? You can’t avoid being paranoid because anybody can catch the virus. It’s good that everyone’s very careful now so I always remind myself, ‘OK, Lovi, be

benjamin alves with lovi poe

sure you take all the necessary precaution.” Asked how she deals these days with fans coming to greet her, she replied, “We can always say naman in a nice way na no touching muna. It’s for everyone’s safety. Hindi lang sa fans, even with friends and coworkers in showbiz. In my case, it’s been my habit to kiss them and it’s hard to just stop doing it. I’m thankful that there are those who tell me na, ‘O, wala munang beso. Ayaw ng corona virus.’

photo from instagram/@benxlaves

Kasi nagwo-worry ako minsan, if I don’t kiss them, baka sabihin nila, nag-iinarte ako.” It’s no longer a question if Covid-19 has affected the entertainment industry because everyone feels it, Lovi included. “As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. I have some bookings that have been cancelled like [gracing] a store opening in the Middle East. Nakakahinayang because the talent fee is good but nag-iingat lang din sila so I PAGE B4

Fil-Am co-producer of ‘Yellow... PAGE B2 tions and marketing aspect with the production side. That’s how he led to co-producer credits of Fil-Am projects, such as Diane Paragas’ “Yellow Rose” and Isabel Sandoval’s “Lingua Franca,” alongside Jhett Tolentino and Carlo Velayo. “‘Yellow Rose’ is proof that genuine stories that represent real people and their real experiences here in America work and people have a desire and demand for them. They shouldn’t compromise their vision just because they think that it might play to a wider audience,” Abraham said. “Yellow Rose” — the musical film starring Eva Noblezada, Lea Salonga and Princess Punzalanthat swept 14 awards at various film festivals in 2019 — was ac-

Family petitioning Family For employment-based green card. many people believe the only way to bring a family member to the Us is through a family petition. auntie eva started as a caregiver when she first set foot on american soil. through the years, she was able to put up her own six-bed facility, but desperately needed help. eva’s niece, russell, just finished her nursing courses back in the philippines. While watching an episode of citizen pinoy, eva learned a valuable lesson: family members in the Us who have businesses that are financially stable can legally petition relatives for an employment-based green card (perm/labor certification). Watch this informative episode on how atty. gurfinkel’s office was able to complete all the necessary requirements, and help tita eva get the much-needed help for her facility (and a green card for her family member) on a brand-new episode of citizen pinoy. (advertising supplement)

quired for worldwide acquisition by Sony Pictures last fall. With the success and reception of the film, Abraham hopes it will usher in backing for more authentic Filipino and Fil-Am stories. He added, “But from my experience, marketing and doing communications for studios across different audiences, I come at it from that standpoint where I am Filipino American, I know what these stories are, but I also come at it from a more commercial standpoint.” “Lingua Franca” — written, directed and starring Sandoval about an undocumented trans Filipino caregiver who pursues a marriage to obtain a green card — premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last fall and made its rounds to other festivals. Sandoval made his-

tory as the first trans person of color to screen at the prestigious festival. On top of launching the new company, Abraham, together with PJ Raval and Cecilia Mejia, is a Cinematografo Originals finalist for “Slaysians,” a docuseries about the underground LGBTQ “slaysian” movement, including many Fil-Ams. “At the end of the day, I want to help diversity the narrative that’s out there already. Movie studios now are increasingly finding value in providing genuine experiences for their films to these multicultural audiences and that’s what I hope to be the leader in,” Abraham said. “[Tremendous] is new but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot of experience doing this for various different clients.”

case, Eva owns a business (care home) and she has a relative who is qualified to work in the facility. So, she can legally petition Russel for a green card. Eva consulted with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, who prepared all requirements and helped Eva’s niece, Russel, prepare for the Embassy interview, guiding her every step of the way. Find out how leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to provide Auntie Eva the help she desperately needed on all-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (advertising supplement)

James teases Nadine’s new...

PAGE B1 soon-to-be track compilation. “@nadine album 2020 (rocket emoji),” the actor stated. The star couple announced their split last January, but they have been spotted together on several social gatherings with friends. A portion of the former couple’s joint statement released

on “Tonight with Boy Abunda” on Jan. 20 stated: “We agreed that going separate ways was best for both of us. We are in good terms and are still really good friends and will continue to work with each other especially when it comes to music.” Lustre and Reid also used to collaborate in their musi-

cal endeavors such as Reid’s “IL2LU” in his 2017 album “Palm Dreams” and the track “Summer,” which is included in the “Careless Mixtape” released in 2018. Lustre also starred in one of Reid’s music videos, “Fiend,” featuring singer-songwriter Just Hush, which premiered last August.

B4 MARCH 14-17, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Moira’s ‘reflection’ on... PAGE B3 pride Lea Salonga lent her voice to Mulan to sing for the original animated movie. Did de la Torre feel pressured to follow in Salonga’s footsteps? “Actually, at first, to be honest, I was terrified, but if there’s one thing that I learned from Mulan, Lea Salonga and Christina Aguilera, it’s really being true to myself. They made it to that stage because they were

true to themselves and I feel very empowered by that,” the singer confidently replied. The warrior in her Being true to one’s self, the very message of “Mulan,” is something de la Torre has sought to do for the last seven years. A regular talent for commercial jingles, it was in 2013 when de la Torre first tried her luck in national singing competitions via “The Voice Philippines.”

She was, however, eliminated in the early part of the show. Nevertheless, de la Torre forged a career when she released hit songs “Malaya” and “Tagpuan” among others. And throughout this journey, de la Torre remarkably fought against the standard to show that there is a place for nonbelters like her in the music industry. “It’s very intimidating to be in a generation like this, where there’s a standard to everything. [In music] what’s in is birit or, you know, the dancing ones. I want to dance but I really can’t,” she laughed. “I could’ve gone on stage and change who I was to fit in but I didn’t,” the sweet singer divulged. The bigger battle she fought and continues to endure is depression. Admirably, de la Torre openly talks about her condition. And so, when The Manila Times asked her how she relates to the character of warrior Mulan, she said it is her continuing battle with mental health and her advocacy to let others know they can seek help. “I have a lot of wars in my head! I’m battling depression and anxiety. I have gotten better but it’s a step-by-step process every day. It’s consciously making an effort not to let the lies and outsiders get the best of me.” Aware that depression is common in showbiz, she noted, “I know that we’re conquering [the problem] because we are slowly learning to be more authentic in our industry. And I love it, because we’re all growing together.” And like the true Mulan she admired while growing up, de la Torre refuses to let depression and anxiety get the better of her for she knows that rising above the condition will benefit not only herself but others who look up to her. “There are definitely good days, but after everything that’s happened, I really feel that my calling is to lead people back to hope. When I step on that stage, and one person feels encouraged, then I already know that I fulfilled my calling. That trumps every fear and anxiety that I have, just knowing that I have changed a person’s life,” de la Torre ended.

If I could interview Jesus Christ MOONLIGHTING by MYLAH DE

LEON

LENT is a season of Christ’s teachings, which are presented in a thousand pulpits across the nation — self- righteously, mournfully, nasally, coldly, feebly, flamboyantly, blandly, and violently. If I were asked about the rationale of my faith, I’d say: First, I believe in a grand universal order and meaning and in a power that is both greater than us and within us. I believe in a God I could worship formally wherever I am, in a God that answers, that guides and shapes, that comforts and chides (oh, yes!). When you really come down to it, he is benevolent and all-seeing, being built recognizably in man’s image. And more than that, I believe in the God invoked by our public characters as an ally in righteousness. I believe with passion, in justice, kindness, decency, humility, courage and honor. I see it revealed equally in a raindrop, in a gentle caressing breeze, in the shape of a leaf, the palpitating body of a tiny bird or the swell of a cumulus cloud? What of the chorales of Johannes Sebastian Bach? W hat can a preacher give me that Beethoven cannot? W hat can a sermon give me that I cannot fi nd in a

Shakespeare sonnet or the line of great philosophers and the metaphysical poets like John Donne and company? What can church rituals give that a great dance or ballet cannot? In all these creative acts that lift and enlarge man, timeless artists create beauty and unlock mysteries, who serve truth and never make wars because they supplant compassion and make pettiness go away, like a painting of Van Gogh that sings like a thousand violins. Can anyone imagine what it would have been to interact with the lord, who knew your every thought, your every word? I will come very prepared, read religiously, not browse, on the dogmas and every theological attribute I could muster. But I will still be so intimidated! If I could have a one on one w it h Jesus Ch r ist, k now i ng that He existed, I will ask these questions. Lord, given the fact that you have bestowed life that dies, why did you give us death? Since we are born, why should we die? I will ask Jesus about everything, from the Virgin birth to the betrayal of his friend Judas Iscariot whom Dante Alighieri in his Divina Comedia Inferno Canto Uno he put at the deepest layer of hell, for that offense of treachery and betrayal. I would ask about Good Friday, Easter day and the Rise and “free will.” My Lord, why did you give Adam and Eve free will, but banish them for their sin of disobedience they were predestined to do? Lord, on Good Friday, I don’t

know why on the day on which ma n den ied God shou ld be called good? Christ, who was both “Man” and “God”, had to experience man’s refusal of the spirit, so why is man unperturbed by what he did and does? Lord Jesus as a Man, you knew God. “I am “Man” and “God” so it is with each of you. I struggle to understand that, we do not really know what we mean by “God” or “Man” and the drain of its contradiction and resolution is everything. The Blessed Virgin: The Great Matrix One of the pleasures of age is reading books long forgotten like Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” and the Prarie Queen, which alluded to the Blessed Virgin Mother. I’ve read the great flowering of trust in the Virgin, of the glorious building in her honor, of the consummate artistry and rich harmony that flourish on every hand. “Lord, why do men feel such need with showing it. We are galled, distorted, mortified and forever puzzled by it. They have gifts and style we lack, achievements are theirs, who do they need to give us fl ick of pain at our being, we, who are their mates and mothers?” But the Blessed Virgin was loved for her mercy, beaut y and gift of inspiring creation in others, love above all for her generosity and power. She both gave and forgave. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com.

Lovi, Benjamin and Jeric on losing...

PAGE B3 understand. “I was also scheduled to attend an international film festival in Italy where my movie ‘Latay’ is in competition. The festival has been cancelled too. It’s understandable, of course because Italy is hit hard by Covid-19. I even heard in the news that the entire country is now on lock down.” Instead of feeling bad, though, Lovi chooses to count her blessings. After all, she’s been busy for quite some time now. She has also decided not to travel abroad for now. “The

timing is just right anyway. I’m starting Owe My Love so I can focus on the project. Puro taping muna gagawin ko. Masaya kasi very light itong series namin. I know I’m going to have fun with my co-stars.” As for Benjamin, even before Covid-19 broke-out, he’s considered himself to be germaphobe. “People with me in the house and my driver all know that I always ask for rubbing alcohol for my hands,” he admitted. “Nowadays, because I also read that the corona virus stays long on clothes, I get out of them and

take a shower the moment I get home and change to a clean house clothes.” Asked how he feels the effect of Covid on showbiz, Benjamin replied,“If I know that there will be big crowds, I beg-off na lang from invitations for now. If it cannot be avoided, I see to it that I have a face mask and alcohol or hand sanitizer with me. With the danger of catching the virus, I’ve really become conscious of going to crowded places. If there is nothing important to do outside, I just stay home.” PAGE B5

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Richard, Sarah cancel SB19: They’re not K-Pop; they’re Pinoy-Pop and proud wedding over virus outbreak ACTORS RICHARD Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati announced on Thursday, March 12 their decision to postpone their March 14 wedding amid the rising cases of Covid-19 infections in the country. The couple released a statement on their respective Instagram accounts as follows: “As much as we want to celebrate our love with our family and friends, in light of the recent situation we have decided to postpone our wedding as we do not want to put any-

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

IN recent years, the so called “Hallyu Wave” or pop culture from South Korea has grown to become a major driver of global culture. Korean dramas or Kdramas are No. 1 on global video streaming apps; K-beauty, which covers Korean skincare products and beauty routines, dominate the cosmetics industry; while Samgyeopsal — Korean barbecue — eateries abound. But most of all — even before the full circle Hallyu invasion — K-Pop, Korea’s upbeat and danceable music — has long conquered the world. In the Philippines, whether you’re in school, at the mall or even riding a jeepney, a K-Pop artist or group’s music is bound to be playing somewhere with a fanbase that sounds like them and even looks like them. In fact, this catchy sound and the moves and looks that go with it have gone all the way to Hollywood with K-pop acts such as BTS and Blackpink already big stars over there. And as K-Pop stars carry on conquering the globe, they have a common denominator beyond their success — the South Korean training system that is also fueling the careers of five young Filipino men to stardom today. Breaking barriers Seoul-based entertainment company ShowBT Entertainment is officially the first Korean agency to bring the K-Pop training system to the Philippines. With a goal to produce musically talented individuals who have both the passion and drive to succeed like K-Pop artists, they searched for five Filipinos to form the now popular boyband SB19, or Sound Break 19. The group’s name suggests a Korean and Philippine collaboration, that is, breaking music barriers between the two nations; with the number 19 simply a play between two country codes — Korea’s 82 minus the Philippines’ 63. And with the overall training of the group, spanning four years under their South Korean coaches, ShowBT Philippines nonetheless renamed their genre P-Pop for Pinoy Pop, allowing the boys to bring their Philippine sensibilities into their music.

SB19’s full-blooded Filipino members Ken, Justin, Sejun, Josh and Stell. Photo from Instagram/@officialsb19

New, fresh Pinoy sound SB19’s full-blooded Filipino members are Sejun, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin. But while their looks, rhythm and singing style take after the K-Pop model, they are proud to say they have never changed their core as Filipinos and proudly bring this to the SB19 sound. In an interview for The Manila Times Entertainment and Lifestyle online show, “CSI: Celebrity, Style, Inspiration,” the boys talked about the steps they took under the expertise of ShowBT Philippines to create “a new and fresh Pinoy sound.” For starters, all their songs are in Filipino and all-original. They haven’t gone the way of doing covers of K-Pop hits translated. It was in October 2018 when SB19 released their first single “Tilaluha,” which was received adequately in the market. In July of the following year, however, they came back stronger with the single “Go up” and an accompanying music video, landing them their goal of mainstream popularity. As of last count, “Go Up’s” music video has a staggering 5.8 million views on YouTube, and keeps rising every day. Major milestones Trained in the K-Pop system which entails practice, practice, practice and besides genuine discipline, SB19 made history on November 20, 2019 as the first Filipino artists to debut on Billboard’s “Next Big Sound Chart” at No. 6. Said chart tracks “the fastest accelerating artists [of a given] week, across all major social music sites, statistically predicted to achieve future

success.” The following month on December 24, SB19 achieved another milestone as the first Filipino act to debut on Billboard’s “Social 50 Chart” landing on the 28th spot and eventually peaking on 10th spot. Moreover, the group stayed put on the Social 50 for 11 consecutive weeks. Finally gaining their momentum, the group then released the music video for their third single “Alab” on January 9 of this year, catapulting them to the top spots of Twitter world trends. To date, “Alab” has 4.2 million views and climbing. Taking over the internet for their synchronized dance moves, vocals, beats and Filipino charm, SB19 now has a huge fan base named A’TIN (pronounced as “eighteen”) that just can’t get enough of them. Grounded, grateful During their “CSI” interview, the regular boys turned P-Pop stars said they will forever be grateful to their K-Pop idols and their training for inspiring them and providing them the discipline that got them to where they are today. “We admire the K-Pop stars because of their talent and skills kasi sobrang sarap nila panoorin mag-perform and noon pa man hindi mo maiwasan maisip na sana maging katulad kami nila,” the group’s main dancer and vocalist Ken shared. “We look up K-Pop groups like Big Bang and BTS of course, at marami pa pong ibang artist,” Josh , the group’s lead rapper joined in. “Pero para po sa amin hindi pa rin nawawala yung pag-

one at risk. “Thank you so much to those who flew in and to everyone who worked so hard for our special day. We only wish good health for everyone and we hope to celebrate with you as soon as things get better.” Gutierrez and Lahbati’s high profile bridal entourage had no less than President Rodrigo Duterte and former presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph Estrada among the principal sponsors. (by The Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez Manila Times)

Photo from Instagram/@richardgutz

Lovi, Benjamin and...

PAGE B4 All the same, it’s a big adjustment because traveling was a big part of Benjamin’s life last year. Whenever an opportunity came, he would pack his bags ang travel to different destinations. “I was traveling in between tapings. Kahit three days lang ang bakante, I would travel. But with what’s happening now, hindi muna ko mag-tra-travel. You can never tell what you may catch in places that you visit. I also don’t want to jeopardize the production if I end up being quarantined. It’s a minimum of two weeks if you are cleared of the virus. But if you are sick, it will take you longer [to recover] so the production will suffer.” Before COVID-19 broke-out, Jeric Gonzales was one of the most in demand artists for mall shows and other out-of-town events in the biz. In fact, just for the month of March, he accepted to do shows in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Bataan, but all three

have been cancelled. The organizers are worried about transmission during their events. “Zero na, Tito. Wala nang raket. Walang additional income,” Jeric told Showbuzz. A nursing graduate, Jeric perfectly understands what happened all the same because everyone has to be careful to avoid catching the dreaded virus. “You really need to have a strong and healthy body. Eat right, take vitamins, exercise and see to it that your hands are always clean. You should also avoid crowded places. That’s why hindi rin masyadong masakit sa akin na nawala yung mga raket ko. With those type of events, you really have to mingle with a lot of people. It’s unavoidable that people will touch you and even kiss you. Hindi naman sa ayaw ko, but we really have to take extra precaution during this time.” The actor even gave Showbuzz a lecture on proper handwashing. “Hands should be washed

thoroughly. Your palm, your fingers, the back of your hands. If possible, do the washing for one minute. After rinsing your hands, huwag nyo nang ihawak sa mga bagay where it can get the germs. It’s only when you have washed your hands that you can touch your face.” Free from his busy rounds of personal appearances, Jeric is now focused in taping his afternoon series “Magkaagaw” with Klea Pineda, Sheryl Cruz and Sunshine Dizon. “We are so inspired in ‘Magkaagaw’,” he beams. “We’re rating so well and we’re just thankful that the viewers are really supporting us. I believe it’s this very exciting story that the viewers love. They should continue watching the show now that the bad characters are conniving to destroy the relationship of Gio, my character, and Clarisse played by Klea.” Besides “Magkaagaw”, Jeric will soon promote his new single “Line To Heaven” under GMA Music. Yes, the actor’s a good singer.

ka-Filipino namin kasi ang dami rin pong Filipino artists ang finafollow namin and Western artists din po. So parang halo-halo na rin yung influence namin.” “Gusto rin po naming sabihin na yung training namin hindi lang sa skills, kasi nandiyan na po yun even before. Ang naturo sa amin is yung mindset and yun ang pinakaimportante kasi doon ka mas nainspire pa mag-improve. Doon po kami talaga nahasa, sa mindset pati na sa manners and paano maging public figures,” he

continued. “But to differentiate, yung genre po namin is pop pero pag dating sa music, bukod sa culture, yung pinaka-soul namin as artists is Filipino. Kumbaga every time na nagsusulat tayo ng kanta, yung soul natin yung nandun sa kanta — kung paano tayo mamuhay dito sa Philippines, kung paano tayo magmahal, nailalagay namin sa songs,” group leader Sejun elaborated. Grounded With a huge billboard of their

group already along Edsa, the boys, Sejun, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin, swear they haven’t changed a bit. “Nagku-commute pa rin po kami, kumakain pa rin po kami sa labas ng street food. Siguro po medyo mas nakikilala lang kami everywhere,” Stell humbly enthused. “Nakakatuwa po, overwhelming yung mga nangyayari sa amin pero kung paano po kami mamuhay, same pa rin po,” Sejun shared.

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Team Mabuhay participates in Susan G. Komen’s ‘More Than Pink’ Walk Sinusuportahan ng Loterya ng California

Pambansang Problema sa Pagsusugal Buwan ng Kamalayan Team Mabuhay participated in the Susan G. Komen ‘More Than Pink’ Team Mabuhay proudly showed off the Philippine ﬂag. AJpress photos by Ivy Manalang Walk at Dodger Stadium.

A GROUP of Filipina Americans were among the 6,000 breast cancer survivors, thrivers, and supporters who turned out for the Susan G. Komen Los Angeles County’s MORE THAN PINK Walk™ at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 29. Team Mabuhay was led by Weny Khan and supported by UP Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) and several Fil-Am community partners. The 2020 Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk™ has raised just under $750,000 to date. For those who were unable to participate on February 29 but want to support the work of Komen in Los Angeles County, donations are being accepted until April 6. Go to https://komenlacounty.org/. Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer

research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen has set a Bold Goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50% in the U.S. by 2026. Komen was founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Komen Los Angeles County is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the local community. Through events like the MORE THAN PINK Walk™ Komen Los Angeles County has invested $10,535,590 in community breast health programs in Los Angeles County and has helped contribute to the more than $920 million invested globally in research. For more information, call 310.575.3011 or visit http:// komenlacounty.org ■

Marso 1-31 Ngayon ang panahon upang gawin ang unang hakbang Para sa Kompidensyal na Libreng Tulong Tumawag sa 1-800-GAMBLER

Sa pakikipagsosyo sa :

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C MARCH 14-17, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Tax & Stock Tips victoR sy,

cPa, MBa (RetiRed)

HERE is a welcome new for seniors like me. Probably you too. We hate filling out tax forms with small words crammed into small boxes. Fear not, support is on the way with a new simpler 1040 SR. It displays bigger fonts for elderly eyes. Here are 10 things about this new simple form 1040 SR. 1. The new form 1040 is designed to help taxpayers 65 and older. 2. It will be easier for seniors to enter retirement income and other tax benefits. 3. You don’t have to be retired

Tapat Sa Batas atty. Rhea saMson SIMULA noong Pebrero 24, 2020, may bagong form, ang Form I-944 Declaration of SelfSufficiency na kailangang i-file kasabay ng I-485 Adjustment of Status Application. Ang Form I-944 ay maaari ring hilingin ng USCIS sa Request for Evidence (RFE) para sa mga application for extension of status o change of status. Ang layunin ng Form I-944 Declaration of Self-Sufficiency ay upang madetermina ng USCIS kung ang aplikante ay malamang na magiging public charge sa hinaharap na panahon, o kung ang aplikante ay aasa sa public support sa ilalim ng final rules on public charge inadmissibility. Ang sumusunod ang mga aspeto na maaaring tingnan ng USCIS sa aplikante: ang pagtanggap ng mga public benefit, edad at kalusugan, mga pag-aari, edukasyon, kasanayan sa trabaho, at kasanayan sa mga lenguahe ng aplikante. Sa Form I-944 Declaration of Self-Sufficiency, ang aplikante ay kailangang magbigay ng mga detalyadong impormasyon tungkol sa kanyang sambahayan o household at sa lahat ng nakatira dito. Kasama sa household members ang aplikante, kanyang asawa, at mga anak na binata at dalaga na wala pang 21 taon gulang. Ang aplikante at mga

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IRS releases new simple tax form for seniors to use this form. 4. Using the new form isn’t mandatory and seniors can still use regular federal tax forms. The form is based off the regular 1040 with the same schedules, instructions and attachments. 5. Taxpayers who still file by paper will find the new form easier for aging eyes. 6. Fonts are bigger and easier to read. 7. The shading in boxes on the regular 1040 has been removed to improve contrast. 8. The form has lines for specific retirement income streams such as Social Security benefits, IRA distributions, pensions and annuities. 9. The form makes it simpler for

seniors to take advantage of the full standard deduction. 10. It also includes the extra standard deduction amount for taxpayers aged 65 so seniors don’t have to search for it. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation. *** He retired after 50 years of defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He published a book on “How to Avoid or Survive IRS Audits.” Readers may email tax questions to vicsy@live.com.

Declaration of self-sufficiency

household member ay kailangang maglista ng kanilang annual gross income sa huling federal tax return na kanilang nai-file. Ang annual gross income ng household ay kailangang hindi bababa sa 125% ng Federal Poverty Guidelines para sa tax year. Kung walang tax returns nai-file ang household, kailangang ipaliwanag ito sa USCIS. Kinakailangan din sa Declaration of Self-Sufficiency na magbigay ang aplikante ng kanyang credit score at credit report mula sa Equifax, Experian o TransUnion. Kung may negative history sa credit report, kailangan itong ipaliwanag. Kailangan ding sabihin ng aplikante kung siya ay dating nag-file ng bankruptcy. Ang aplikante ay maaaring masabing isang public charge kung siya ay natakatanggap ng mga public benefit, katulad ng: (1) Federal, state, local o tribal cash assistance for income maintenance, (2) Supplemental Security Income; (3) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); (4) General Assistance; (5) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program o “Food Stamps”; (6) Section 8 Housing Assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher Program; (7) Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance; (8) Public Housing under the Housing Act of 1937; o (9) Federal-Funded Medicaid. Kung ang mga public benefit na ito ay natanggap ng aplikante, kailangan niyang isaad kung kailan niya natanggap ang mga ito at halaga ng mga public benefit

na kanyang natanggap. Kinakailan ding isaad sa Form I-944 Declaration of Self-Sufficiency kung ang aplikante ay may health insurance at kung siya ay tumanggap ng fee waiver para sa mga USCIS immigration benefits. Ang aplikante ay kailangan ding magbigay ng impormasyon tungkol sa kanyang edukasyon, at mga diploma/degree na kanyang natanggap, pati mga training certificate para sa trabaho o propesyon. Ang aplikante na may kasanayan sa English at iba pang lenguahe ay kailangan ding magbigay ng ebidensya ng kasanayan na ito. Kung ang aplikante ay nagretiro na, kailangang ibigay niya ang petsa ng pagretiro. *** USCIS has introduced a new form, Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency, effective on February 24, 2020. Form I-944 is to be filed with all I-485 Adjustment of Status Applications, and may be requested as part of Request for Evidence (RFE) for applications for extension of status or change of status applications. The purpose of Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency is to determine whether applicants are likely to become public charge, or dependent on public support at any time in the future under the final rules on public charge inadmissibility. The factors that would be considered by USCIS include receipt of public benefits, as well as the applicant’s age, health, family status, assets, re-

The Prophetic Voice ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas ON this third Sunday of Lent, we hear from the Gospel of John, The Woman at the Well (John 4:5-42). It’s a compelling story that speaks of Jesus, offering himself as the Living Water. Whoever drinks from this water will never thirst. The Samaritan woman does not understand what Jesus is telling her. Jesus is not referring to the water from Jacob’s Well but Himself as the spring of water welling up to eternal life. He is God’s gift that promises not ordinary human life, but God’s own life. As the story unfolds, the Samaritan gradually comprehends what Jesus is saying, especially after Jesus told her everything she has done in life. She accepts Jesus’ offer, saying, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty. Then she tells Jesus that she knows that the Messiah is coming, the one called Christ. Jesus responded, “I am he, the one speaking with you.” Then she left her water jar to go into town to tell everyone what she has found out—Christ, the Living Water! In times of anxieties, let’s find comfort in drinking from the Living Water. Let Jesus quench our thirst for peace and wisdom. Let’s take this Lent as a time of purification. Let Jesus purify our minds and hearts to what is essential in life. Let our interior

Family Law Atty. EthElEnE F. SAlAS

WHEN a person passes away, the decedent’s assets could be divided in several ways: intestate succession (decedent left behind no will), testate succession (the decedent left a will), or through a trust instrument. Certain assets, such as bank accounts or qualified assets, could also be transferred through the use of beneficiary designations. Probate Court When a person dies still owning property in their individual u PAGE C3 name, an order from a Probate Court is required in order to transfer the assets from the decedent’s name to the names of the decedent’s heirs. The decedent’s heirs will need to file a petition to open a probate estate in a probate court where the decedent was last domiciled. Additionally, if the decedent owned real property in a different state the heirs will need to open a probate estate in each state where such real property is located. The laws of each individual state will govern the distribution of assets. Probate court serves two main purposes. The main purpose, as mentioned above, facilitates transferring any assets owned by the decedent to the decedent’s heirs. For example, if the decedent owned a house, the decedent will not be able to sign the deed transferring the house to their heirs. Therefore, the Probate Court will authorize a fiduciary to sign the deed. The second purpose is the opportunity for creditors of the decedent to step forward and make a claim for the estate. Each state gives the creditors a certain time pe-

Barrister’s Corner atty. Kenneth URsUa Reyes THINKING about one’s demise is not something people want to spend time thinking about. However reality is that we all have to face this one day. It is just a matter of whether you depart this world prepared or unprepared. If you pass away with at least $166,250 in gross assets and you do not have a living trust (even if you have a will), your beneficiaries would have to open up a probate case before title to the assets can pass to them. When I say gross asset, I mean regardless of how much debt you owe on them. For example if you own a house valued at $350,000 at the time of your death, it does not matter that your mortgage balance is $300,000, a probate case has to be opened in order to pass title to that property. The same is true with other types of assets such as owning a business, a professional practice, bonds, equities, etc. This is a very low threshold to exceed specially in California where real estate prices, even after the economic crisis, remains in the upper end of the curve among the 50 states. Commencing a probate case is expensive and a very slow

On keeping faith in these troubled times “ Let’s take this Lent as a time of purification. Let Jesus purify our minds and hearts to what is essential in life.” life with God brings serenity to us and the world! Let me also share with you this lightly edited thought-provoking message of a Chinese pastor regarding the outbreak of coronavirus in China. (It was originally posted on the TeamBlind website.) The hustle and bustle of China finally quieted down, the restless society finally calmed down, and the restless Chinese people gradually calmed down. The wild animals that were once held by humans in cages finally managed to keep humans in ‘cages’ Humans finally lowered their proud head and begun to think quietly: Are we still the king of the earth? Mankind finally felt the power of Nature once again. The greedy heart is being purified by the virus, and the mouth that loves to eat is being punished by the virus. The people who have been soaking in the bright red and green places all day have been driven home by the virus, saying, “Go home.” There are fewer and fewer people on the street, few cars on the road. The air is getting fresher, the haze is gone, the sky is

getting bluer, the sun is getting brighter. Family lives are getting warmer, [harmonious], and Cordial and people’s hearts have become [calmer]. People who haven’t read for years have picked up books at home. Parents and children, who had no communication with their children, [and] couples who couldn’t speak a few words a year have opened up the conversation box. Children who did not know how to respect the elderly [have] also begun to be filial. The virus taught human beings a vivid and profound lesson. It made us understand awe. The virus will not leave so quickly, it needs to see the ‘cultivation’ of human’s good habits, and the virus will not continue to rag, because human love will gather more power to keep the virus away. Time will tell us everything. Time will also prove what is right. The virus reminded us there is an almighty and humans are just humans. Blessings! *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Wills vs. trusts

riod from when the estate was opened to make a claim. This is commonly referred to as the “Creditor Claim Period.” After the Creditor Claim Period, the estate can be closed and creditors are generally barred from bringing further claims. II. What a Will Can and Cannot Do The ultimate goals must be discussed when determining whether a person requires a will or a trust. Although a Trust is the preferred method and can avoid probate, it is not the best for every person. A Will can be used to: Pass the decedent’s assets according to the decedent’s wish. However, as detailed above, the assets will need to be transferred according to the probate process. A Will is cost effective to draft compared to a Trust. Generally, a Will requires less labor for an attorney to draft. Additionally, a Trust requires further work for the attorney and the client to ensure the Trust owns all the client’s assets. While the Will is cost effective to create, the costs associated with probating the estate can be up to five percent of the value of the estate. The Testator can name preferred guardianship of minor children. The Court will strongly consider the persons named in the Testator’s will when determining guardianship of minor children. However, this is generally not an automatic. The Court will still consider what is in the best interest of the child. A Will can be used to create a testamentary trust. This is a Trust created by the death of the Testator. Unlike trusts created during the life of the decedent, a testamentary trust can be cumbersome to manage because the Probate Court will be involved in

the administration of the trust. A Will can be used to avoid a bond for the persons administering the estate. Probate Courts will require the personal representative or executor to post a bond in order to protect the property of the estate. In the Will, the Testator can request the court to waive the bond requirement or to require the lowest bond amount required under the laws of where the Probate Court is located. A will cannot be used to: Avoid probate. The Will states to whom the Testators assets are to be distributed, but the assets must still go through the probate process first. Maintain privacy. Probate court, like any court, is a matter of public record. Avoid estate taxes. As stated, the preference is to create a trust. It can avoid so many problems that occur once someone passes. Schedule an appointment to see us so that we can effectively map out an estate plan that can avoid probate and the costs of hiring an attorney if probate is needed. *** Ethelene F. Salas, Esq. is a practicing family law attorney. Ms. Salas is a PilipinoAmerican born in the Philippines, raised in the United States, and speaks Tagalog fluently. She completed all her studies in the United States including a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics in 1989 from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Juris Doctorate in 1992 from the University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) School of Law. The Law Offices of Ethelene F. Salas is located at—the main office at 100 N. Barranca St., Suite 700, West Covina, CA 91791. We also have branch locations in Torrance/Gardena, Cerritos, Riverside, Orange, and Ontario. To schedule an appointment with her, please call (626) 858-4646 or email us at efsalas-law@att.net (Advertising Supplement)

How important is it to have a living trust? “ The assets held in your living trust will be managed by the trustee and distributed according to your directions without court supervision and involvement when you pass away.” process. Someone qualified will have to file a Petition with the probate court to have someone appointed as executor or administrator. The Petitioner’s attorney gets paid a statutory rate for attorney’s fees commencing with 4% of the gross estate. The probate referee will have to be paid for appraising the assets of the estate. If it is necessary to post bond, the premium on the bond would have to be paid as well. There is also the cost of administering the estate such as selling some of the assets to satisfy the estate’s obligations and to divide the estate according to the will or the intestate line of succession if there is no will. The entire process could take up years specially if certain beneficiaries and creditors file certain claims. The probate court file would be

public record. On the other hand if you have a living trust, your estate can avoid the entire court system and court supervision. In certain situations, the process may also save you estate taxes which may be substantial if your assets exceed a certain threshold. Basically, you and/or your spouse can be named as the initial trustee of the trust while you are alive. The trustee is the person who manages the trust. This means you retain control of all your assets the same way as if you never had a trust. For revocable trusts, you can later on, at any time during your lifetime, revoke the entire trust if you change your mind. The assets held in your living trust will be managed by the trustee and distributed accord-

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Employees’ rights and the coronavirus Part 1 Q: I am a working parent with a school-age child, who has been sent home due to fears of infection from the coronavirus. My work entails interacting with people throughout the day. I want to take precautions, practice social distancing, and self-quarantine if necessary. However, I am worried about my job. What are my rights in the event that I need to stay home and not work due to the coronavirus? A: The novel coronavirus aka COVID-19 was officially declared this week as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The outbreak continues to sweep globally. There is a lot of information online, particularly from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Persons worried about contagion should attempt to educate themselves about how to stay safe and how to keep their families and others safe. Our immediate concern in this column (and the area of our expertise) is not medical but legal. The vast majority of the population are workers/ employees. If they need to be off work to avoid infection, is their job protected or can they be legally fired? If they go on leave, can they be paid while on leave? If they fall ill, how long can they be out of work on protected leave? Can they take leave if they need to care for a family member who has COVID-19? Can the employer require its employees to stay home? Can employees seek reasonable accommodation for staying home due to the coronavirus? And what happens if employers fire employees for taking leave? So many questions. But first things first. In California, an employee working for 30 or more calendar days within a year is entitled to paid sick leave. An employer is required to provide a

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrenCe yAng WHAT do I mean by “very senior client?” The client is 90 years old. He qualifies as my second most senior client, after a 92-year-old client 10 years ago. Well, the oldest human in California died last year at 101. That was not my client. My most senior client was 82 when we filed his Chapter 7 case to wipe out $40K,000 of credit cards. After he got his discharge, he started fresh without debt and got a new wife who was 30 years younger. So, that’s what you get with your fresh start at the age of 82. You feel young again. That’s what he told me when he brought over his new wife to introduce to me. I think it is good to have some tales of longevity amidst all the intense media daily minute-tominute coverage of COVID-19. Let’s put things in perspective: The sky is not falling. This too will pass. And the world will go back to normal. The vaccine will be developed. It does not matter who develops the vaccine as long as it works. The virus does not distinguish race or geography. The important thing is for all races, the whole of humanity to unite to fight it. Besides, the mortality rate is low. People over 60, and those with weaker immune systems, have a higher mortality rate of 14%. But by and large, the mortality rate is 3.5%. This

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. minimum of 3 days, or 24 hours, of sick leave per year. Paid sick leave may accrue at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, and must be reflected on each wage statement. The law applies to full-time employees, as well as temporary, part-time, and seasonal employees. The law also provides paid sick leave to both non-exempt (hourly) and exempt (salaried) employees. Employees may begin using accrued sick leave on the 90th calendar day of employment. In the alternative, an employer may use its own Paid Time Off (PTO) or sick leave policy if it accrues at the same or faster rate than the state-mandated accrual. Instead of waiting for sick leave accrual, an employer may provide the 3 days of sick leave up front at the beginning of the year. If the employer “frontloads” the amount of sick days in this way, sick leave may not be carried over to the next year. An employer may choose to cap the amount of paid six leave an employee may use per year to 3 days, or 24 hours, and the total amount an employee may accrue to 6 days, or 48 hours. In the city of Los Angeles, specifically, employers must provide employees with a minimum of 6 days, or 48 hours, of paid sick leave per year. Sick leave will accrue at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked and can be capped at 72 hours. Employers must retain records documenting hours worked and paid sick leave accrued for 4 years. Paid sick leave can be used

for absences due to illness, the diagnosis, care or treatment of an existing health condition or preventative care for the employee or their family member. Preventative care may include self-quarantine as a result of potential exposure to COVID-19 if quarantine is recommended (or likely required) by civil authorities. There may be other situations where an employee may exercise their right to take paid sick leave, or an employer may allow paid sick leave for preventative care. These situations may include exposure to COVID-19 or where the employee has traveled to a high risk area. Can the employer require a worker who is quarantined to exhaust paid sick leave? The answer is no, an employer cannot require that the worker use paid sick leave. Using paid sick leave is the employee’s choice. The employer can require that employees take a minimum of two hours of paid sick leave, if the employees chose to use paid sick leave. How much paid sick leave will be used is up to the employee. Next week, we will discuss the all-important question: What if you run out of paid sick leave? *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2018.] (Advertising Supplement)

Very senior client cornered by $34K in credit cards “ My senior client cannot do Chapter 7 because he has a lot of non-exempt equity in his house. He can only do Chapter 13 to handle those credit cards.” means, even if you get infected, you will most likely recover from it, even without the vaccine. My 90-year-old client has a lot more to worry about. First, who needs $34,000 in credit cards at 90? The client needs at least $1,000 a month of minimum payments to keep those current every month. His social security is $1,600 and he has a pension of $400 so he has $2,000 of monthly retirement income. Half of that goes to pay credit cards just to keep them current. Second, right after we filed his bankruptcy case, his kidney starts acting up. His filtration rate dropped from 40% to 15%. You would think that dialysis would solve the problem. But his doctor just discovered a mass growing in his kidney which biopsy reveals is cancerous. Well, I would say that at 90, he has already lived a full life. Not many people live up to 90. I mean, Kobe was only 41 and had barely declared “mamba out.” And we all know that the pilot hired to get him and his daugh-

ter to the ball game should have been more careful and experienced. Life is full of surprises. What did Kobe mean by “mamba out?” Kobe referred to himself as a deadly mamba snake on the court because his shooting accuracy in the basketball court was so deadly. So “mamba out” meant that he was retiring. Okay, back to my very senior client. He had a business but it was not making money and he literally got scammed out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by one of those Nigerian scams targeting seniors. When you get an unsolicited call or contact who tells you that there is a pot of gold, a huge pot of gold, in your name worth millions of dollars and all you have to do is give him some money in advance and the pot of gold is all yours, do not believe that fairy tale. It is false. It is not true. It is a scam to get money from you. And for you senior ladies, who get those calls that your Mr. Romeo that you have never met across the At-

u PAGE C4

Declaration of self-sufficiency PAGE C2 t

sources, financial status, education and occupational skills, and English and language skills. Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency requires applicants to provide detailed information about their household and all individuals living in the household. Household members include the applicant, the applicant’s spouse, and children under 21 years old and unmarried. Applicants and their household members are required to list their annual gross income as indicated in their most recent tax return filed. The household’s annual gross income must be at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the most recent year. If no tax returns were filed by the applicant and their household members, an explanation must be provided to USCIS. The Declaration of Self-Sufficiency requires applicants to submit their credit score and credit report from Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. If any negative history appears on the credit report, the applicant must provide an explanation. The applicant is also asked on whether he has previously filed for bankruptcy. An applicant may be found to be a public charge if he has

received public benefits such as: (1) Federal, state, local or tribal cash assistance for income maintenance, (2) Supplemental Security Income; (3) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); (4) General Assistance; (5) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or “Food Stamps”; (6) Section 8 Housing Assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher Program; (7) Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance; (8) Public Housing under the Housing Act of 1937; or (9) Federal-Funded Medicaid. If any of the above benefits have been received by the applicant, the applicant must provide details about each public benefit received, date benefit began and ended, and the among of benefit received. Aside from the above, Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency requires applicants to provide information on whether they have health insurance, and whether they have ever applied or received fee waivers for USCIS immigration benefits. Applicants must also provide information on their education, detailing their educational history and all degrees obtained, including copies of transcripts, diplomas, degrees, and trade profession cer-

tificates. Applicants should also provide evidence of any training, licenses and certificates relating to their occupations and professions. Applicants with English and other language skills are required to provide evidence of such language certifications, and language courses taken. Lastly, applicants are asked whether they are retired and the date of retirement. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005). SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 381-5710; Email: info@samsonlawfirmpc.com” info@samsonlawfirmpc.com. (Advertising Supplement)

Reinstatement for surviving beneficiaries of an I-130 petition filed by a deceased relative DEAR Attorney Tan, My US Citizen mother filed an I-130 immigrant petition on my behalf, which has a priority date in February 2000 and which has been approved. She filed the I-130 petition after I came to the US in 1999 as a tourist from the Philippines. Since my arrival, I have lived in the US and have been out of status. Since I was petitioned as an unmarried adult daughter, I was advised that I had to wait several years to get a green card. Recently, my mother passed away. Can I still get a green card through my mother’s petition? -Apparently In Limbo Dear Apparently In Limbo, When your mother passed away, the I-130 that was approved on your behalf was revoked by operation of law pursuant to 8 CFR Section 205.1. However, depending on the facts of a particular case, all is not lost. You may be eligible to get a green card pursuant to INA Section 204(L). Under INA Section 204(L), relief from an automatic revocation of an I-130 petition is available to certain surviving relatives. Surviving relatives who are eligible to seek 204(L) relief include a 1) principal or derivative beneficiary of an I130 petition that was filed by a deceased permanent resident or U.S. Citizen, and 2) derivative beneficiary of an I-130 petition that was filed by a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen where the principal beneficiary has died. Section 204(L) relief

Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn is also available to derivative beneficiaries in I-140 employment-based petitions where the principal beneficiary has died. Another requirement for Section 204(L) relief is that the person seeking relief must have “residence” in the US. What is meant by “residence?” It is your primary home or principal actual dwelling place. At least one beneficiary must have resided in the U.S. when the petitioning relative died, and must continue to reside in the U.S. when seeking Section 204(L) relief. It is worth noting that all beneficiaries of a petition can benefit from Section 204(L) relief as long as at least one of the beneficiaries meets the residence requirement. Further, although “residence” is required, Section 204(L) does not require actual physical presence in the U.S. when the relative died. In your case, it appears that you are eligible to obtain a green card. You are a principal beneficiary of an I-130 petition filed by your US Citizen mother. Further, you appear to meet the residence requirement in that you have been in the US since your arrival in 1999—you resided in the US when your mother passed away, and currently reside in the US. A check of the USCIS visa bulletin

indicates the priority date for the I-130 petition filed by your mother on your behalf is current, so you can file an I-485 adjustment of status application, requesting reinstatement of the I-130 petition filed by your mother pursuant to Section 204(L). As a sidenote, Section 204(L) relief is also available if one’s relative died while the I-130 was pending, not only after the I-130 petition was approved. Section 204(L) relief therefore is broader than Humanitarian Reinstatement of a petition under 8 CFR Section 205.1, which can only be requested by the principal beneficiary when the petitioner him/herself has died, and after approval of an I-130. Relief under Section 204(L) is discretionary, and can be denied if factors in support of relief are not presented properly. It is accordingly recommended that you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

How important is it to have a living... PAGE C2 t ing to your directions without court supervision and involvement when you pass away. This can save your heirs time and money. Since the trust would not be under the direct management of the probate court, your assets and their value and your beneficiaries’ identities would not become a public record. Your heirs and beneficiaries would still have to be notified about the living trust and advised, among other things, of their right to obtain a copy of the trust. If you are contemplating setting up a trust or have an existing trust that needs to be updated because your family circumstances

have changed over the years, you should set an appointment with an experienced attorney that understands and can competently advise you in the law. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

*** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is 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 (Advertising Supplement)

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People and Events Fil-Am doctors and nurses volunteer Batangas City Group donates $12,000 to provide Taal Volcano relief for relief aid for the Taal Evacuees

LOS ANGELES – Taal Volcano, a majestic site in the Province of Batangas, Philippines once again had a Category IV level of explosion in January 12, 2020. It caused devastation and prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents surrounding the volcano. A month after, many victims have gone back home but hundreds also remained in evacuation centers, home destroyed and nowhere to go back. The need for relief is obvious and a decision was made by dedicated volunteers to change course. Instead of the annual medical mission, a humanitarian relief operation was planned. On February 13, 2020, 40 dedicated volunteers — mostly doctors and nurses from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Alumni Association of Southern California (UERM-MAASC) and its national association, UERM-Medical Alumni Association in America (UERM-MAAA) and Healthcare Service International (HCSI) — all joined hands conducting relief operations for 1000 affected victims and families housed in evacuation centers in Barangay Apacay, Municipality of Taal and Barangay Cuenca in Batangas City. The group established proper coordination with local partners — Batangas Provincial Health Office, Save Our Nation, Joint Task Force Taal, Office of the Municipal Mayor of Taal and Haligi Ng Bata Inc. — to assist volunteers in the repacking and distribution of relief goods composed of groceries,

2020 Relief Operation Organizer, (From Left) Dr. Edgar Banez, Over-all Mission Coordinator, Dr. Neda Ballon & Dr. Cita San Diego, UERM-MAASC Past Presidents, Pedro Ramirez, Co-Mission Coordinator and Philip Barroja, Former Batangas City Administrator, together with representatives of Mayor Pong Mercado of Taal Municipality Ballon & Dr. Cita San Diego, UERM-MAASC Past Presidents, Pedro Ramirez, Co-Mission Coordinator and Philip Barroja, Former Batangas City Administrator, together with representatives of Mayor Pong Mercado of Taal Municipality.

canned goods, rice and hygiene kits. Also as requested, the group donated boxes of medicines and nebulizers, including vitamins received by the Provincial Health Office. A two and a half hour trip to Taal, Batangas from Manila on February 13 with a truckload of relief goods started at 7:00 a.m and the operation was completed seven hours later. “It was not much but to be able to provide a little bit help and hopefully a little bit of hope and love pre-Valentine’s Day makes us feel better for being able to serve our kababayan in need. We thank our dear Lord for allowing us to participate in this noble en-

deavor,” said Dr. Ed Banez, overall mission coordinator and former president of UERM-MAASC. Special thanks to volunteers and donors and local partners: Mr. Phillip Barroja, Former Batangas City Administrator; Mayor Pong Mercado of Taal Municipality; Dr. Rose Barrion, Provincial Social Welfare Officer; Mr. Don Linatoc, Head of Save-Our-Nation Task Force Taal; and Cuenca Municipal Counselor Henry Larcia; for their hospitality and invaluable support. Without them, this mission would not have been possible. A very special thanks to Mr. Joel Pastor’s family of Batangas City for hosting lunch for the volunteers. ■

“Pinalitaw ng Panginoong Diyos ang magandang ugali, magandang kabihasnan, magandang pagsa- samahan ng mga Batangueno. Salamat. Kahit kayo ay taga-ibang lugar, kahit kayo ay hindi Batangueno at tumutulong sa nagdurusa, sa mga nahihirapan dito sa Batangas, ipahintulot nyong sabihin ko ito sa inyo—kayo rin ay Batangueno! May pag-asa tayo,” said Cardinal Emeritus Gaudencio Rosales This appeal entitled “Babangon Ang Batangas” — made by His Eminence Cardinal Emeritus Gaudencio B. Rosales over Radio Verittas Philippines a few days after the January 12, 2020 eruption of the Taal Volcano — inspired the Batangas City-Sto. Niño Devotees Association into action to find ways and means to provide relief aid for the Taal Evacuees. On January 24, 2020, President Fe Remo Bueno of the Batangas City-Sto. Niño Devotees Association convened an emergency meeting of the association’s Board of Directors and appropriated the amount of $6,100 for the relief aid for the Taal evacuees. Consequently, the Association opened a line of communication with the Archdiocese of Lipa through its subsidiary, the Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Commission, Inc. (LASAC), the entity in charge of the Archdiocese’s humanitarian endeavors. The association then requested the Archdiocese for assistance in the distribution of the relief aid materials for the evacuees. Bueno then appointed Board Member Bobby Reyes to oversee the Association’s “Bangon Batangas” project and was instructed to proceed with a fundraising dinner

On February 15, Batangas City-Sto. Niño Devotees Association representatives delivered the donation of PhP606,720.00 ($12,000.00) to the Archdiocese of Lipa. (L-R) Rowena Lat, Secretary to the Director; Rod Bautista; Fr. Jayson Siapco, Director, LASAC; Letty Maneja and Rhona Bautista.

buffet event on February 9, 2020, with co-host Willie Carandang of Hapag Pilipino Restaurant in Daly City, California. Prospective donors were invited to the buffet dinner, free of charge, with a request to donate to the “Bangon Batangas” relief aid project. The restaurant provided the venue and donated the buffet dinner to the fundraising event. The association set a goal of $10,000 (including the previously appropriated $6,100.00) It was a full house at the Hapag Pilipino Restaurant during the fundraising event. The fundraising was a complete success, raising $7,355, bringing the total funds raised for “Bangon Batangas” to $13,455, exceeding the association’s barometer of donation goal by $3,455. The group thanks two anonymous donors who donated $1,000 each. On February 15, 2020, a check

in the amount of PhP606,720.00 ($12,000.00 at the rate of exchange of P50.56 to $1) was delivered by Rod & Rhona Bautista and Letty Maneja, members of the association, to the Archdiocese of Lipa. The check was received by Fr. Jayson Siapco, director of LASAC, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Lipa. The Board of Directors of the Batangas City-Sto. Niño Devotees Association are: Fe Remo BuenoPresident; Jason Alcantara-Vice President; Bobby Reyes-Secretary; Philo Mendoza-Treasurer; Clarito Agustin-Auditor and Marlon Macaraig-PRO; Board Members: Romel Chozas-Immediate Past President; Bayani Baliwag; Christian Buquid; Ching Calucag; Malou Ateinza Cuasay; Melvin Maca- tangay; Delia Godoy Montano; Ardie Perez, Cecil Zaraspe and Joseph J. .Minioza, Legal Counsel. ■

LAX implements nighttime closure policy Terminals, parking structures and areas within central terminal area closed to public between midnight and 5 a.m.

The relief distribution, the local partners at the evacuation center in Barangay Apacay, Municipality of Taal.

DUE to heavy overnight construction, limited early morning flight activity, terminal cleaning and sanitizing protocols and a priority to keep all guests and employees at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) safe and healthy, LAX’s Central Terminal Area (CTA) will be closed to the public nightly between midnight and 5 a.m. except for: • Ticketed airline passengers and persons meeting, accompanying or assisting them (Airline check-in counters and federal passenger security screening will be open depending upon flight schedules for each terminal); and • Airport and City Personnel whose employment requires their presence. This overnight closure to the public mirrors those at similar facilities in Los Angeles and across the country, including Los Angeles Union Station, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (JFK, LGA, and EWR), Philadelphia International Airport, and Atlanta HartsfieldJackson Airport. Signage has been posted on and around airport property informing the public of the closure and the FlyLAX.

com and LAWA.org websites have been updated with this information. The nighttime closure policy has been in the works since well before the COVID-19 virus was discovered, and the closure is not a response to the virus. However, the closures do allow for cleaning crews to better access all high-touch areas and restrooms for cleaning and sanitizing.

LAX operates 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, which means that on any given night, there will be employees and guests within the CTA, terminals and parking structures. Authorized airport and city personnel and ticketed passengers and their guests will be allowed access. LAX-it also remains a 24-7 operation, and passengers, drivers and staff are permitted to be there during overnight closure hours. ■

Photo courtesy of Facebook

Very senior client cornered by $34K in credit... PAGE C3t

lantic ocean needs money from you for whatever reasons, do not believe he loves you. I know you are tempted to take $50,000 from your credit cards to send to Mr. Romeo. Do not do it. But if you have already sent him the money and cannot pay back the $50,000 in credit cards, it is time to consider wiping out those cards with Chapter 7. My senior client cannot do Chapter 7 because he has a lot of non-exempt equity in his house. He can only do Chapter 13 to handle those credit cards. The plan payment in Chapter 13 will be much less than $1,000 a month but it still hurts him because what he needs is Chapter 7 where the $34,000 is entirely wiped out without any payment. In Chapter 7, the trustee would

have the power to force the sale of his house and use the proceeds to pay off the $34,000, after paying the client his $175,000 of exempt equity. This would be like using a sledgehammer to kill a mosquito. Of course, nobody wants to lose his house for $34,000 of credit cards, right? I would not file a Chapter 7 for the very senior client under any circumstance because I do not want him to lose his house. In his case, Chapter 13 is the best alternative. It would protect his house from creditor liens from the $34,000 of credit cards, and at the same time it would allow him five years to pay off the $34,000 without interest and during these five years, creditors will be prohibited from calling him, and continuing collection efforts, including lawsuits, garnishments and levies. It gives him peace of mind for the

next five years while his house is protected from creditors. The question is, will he live another five years? That is up to God, really. God may still have a purpose for him to achieve in the next 5 years. If you have a debt problem and need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation, and has successfully represented more than ﬁve thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)

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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

No more visitor visa for “birth tourism”

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ THE U.S. Department of State (DOS) has revised its regulations on eligibility for visitor visas, establishing that “travel to the United States with the primary purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the United States is an impermissible basis for the issuance of a B non-immigrant visa.” Consequently, “a consular officer shall deny a B nonimmigrant visa to an alien who he or she has reason to believe intends to travel [to the United States] for this purpose.” The practice of pregnant women coming to the U.S. on visitor visas in order to give birth to a child (so the child would be a U.S. citizen) has been commonly referred to as “birth tourism.” DOS states that birth tourism is no longer considered a “legitimate activity” on a visitor visa, and birth tourism creates risks to U.S. national security and law enforcement. There have been news reports of various agencies advertising (especially in China) on how they could assist women in obtaining visitor visas in order to give birth in the U.S., and emphasize the advantages to their newborn baby, such as free education,

free medical, job opportunities without the need to obtain a work authorization, and the ability to petition their parents once they are 21 years old. In some cases, these women plead poverty to the hospital social workers, and give birth at U.S. taxpayer expense. In one reported case, a woman paid the hospital the indigent (poor person) rate for hospital bills of $4000, when the actual cost was $28,000. But it turned out she had more than $225,000 in a U.S. bank account, and had made purchases of Rolex watches and Louis Vuitton purses and handbags during that same “visit” to the U.S. In fact, some business travelers have referred to the flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai as the “Baby Express,” because the business and first-class sections were filled with women with crying newborn (U.S. citizen) infants, as a result of birth tourism. I know that many people from around the world wish to come to the U.S. and give birth in order to give that child the future opportunities that the U.S. has to offer. But DOS is cracking down on birth tourism, and if a woman applies for a visitor visa for the primary purpose of giving birth in the U.S., the visa will be denied. Even if a woman already has a

visitor visa, and enters the U.S. noticeably pregnant, it would be up to the CBP to decide whether to let her in or not. She might also be questioned in secondary inspection, to evaluate if her primary purpose in coming to the U.S. is to give birth to a U.S. citizen baby. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Business Quote of the Week “It’s not about having a specific set time; both personal and professional lives are 24/7. It’s simply, more about making the right allocation to each one and recognizing that it’s going to be different every single day.” — Ellen Kullman, former CEO of Dupont

1/4 of registered POGO workers are Filipino, says Pagcor

Inquirer.net ﬁle photo

ment and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chair and CEO Andrea Domingo said there were 30,521 A quarter of the people em- Filipino employees working in ployed by licensed Philippine these companies, which provide offshore gaming operator (Pogo) online gaming services to bettors firms are Filipinos, according to overseas, primarily China. “While Pogos cater to foreign the country’s casino regulator, debunking the assertion of critics customers and employ foreign that the lucrative sector benefits customer service representatives who could effectively adonly Chinese workers. Speaking to the press on dress their concerns, other areas Wednesday, Philippine Amuse- such as information technology by DAXIM

L. LUCAS

Inquirer.net

support, live studio and gaming platform providers employ local workers,” she said. “This number does not include employees in the ancillary industries, such as real estate, transportation and retail,” Domingo added. Data from the gaming regulator showed that licensed Pogo firms employ a total of 120,976 workers as of the latest count, with 69,613 PAGE D2

Oxford Economics: PH inflation, GDP growth to benefit from global oil price drop nomic boost from a decline in oil prices will be modest. Relative to previous oil price collapses, MANILA — Consumer prices in monetary authorities will find it the Philippines and its economic difficult to respond to the negagrowth stand to benefit from low- tive demand shock as deflationer global oil prices, which UK- ary pressures mount,” Oxford based Oxford Economics said Economics economists Gabriel may serve as a “modest” offset to Sterne and Luka Raznatovic said the adverse impact of the COVID- in a March 10 report titled “Weak oil a modest global offset to coro19 outbreak. “Under the current period of navirus impact.” Over the weekend, world oil extreme uncertainty, the ecoby BEN

O. DE VERA Inquirer.net

prices plunged to a four-year low of about $30 per barrel over fears that the spread of COVID19 was depleting global demand amid slower travel, tourism and manufacturing, coupled with the failure of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) to agree on production cuts, Oxford Economics noted. In case global oil prices stayed at the $30-per-barrel level for PAGE D2

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MVP pulls out of tycoons’ NAIA rehab plan AMLC: Toughen PH anti-laundering regime or face int’l sanctions

by Daxim

L. Lucas

Inquirer.net

Ninoy Aquino International Airport by migueL

R. camus

Inquirer.net

MANILA — An alliance of billionaires backing the rehabilitation of Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is threatening to unravel with the sudden pullout of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Metro Pacific, one of the country’s biggest infrastructure companies, said in a stock exchange filing on Monday it had informed its partners and members of the Naia Consortium “of our intent to withdraw from this project.” Metro Pacific’s aborted participation in the consortium, which is offering to expand and operate Naia through a 15-year concession, appears the latest casualty in an era when appetites are souring over investments linked to long contracts with the government. “[Metro Pacific’s] share price has been battered by investor doubts surrounding returns on regulated investments recently,” a source close to the company told the Inquirer on Monday. Metro Pacific is also a major shareholder of Maynilad Water Services Inc. Along with Manila Water Co Inc., it was targeted in a Duterte administration-led crackdown on the capital district’s water concessionaires over

provisions in their decades-old contracts that are now viewed as unfair to the government. “The concession on offer for Naia seems to carry the risk of unacceptably low returns and disproportionate risk,” the source added. Metro Pacific’s withdrawal, the process of which remains unclear, deals a blow to Naia Consortium, which expects to invest about P102 billion to significantly increase passenger capacity and air traffic in Naia. A member of the consortium, however, said the ambitious proposal could still proceed although he did not elaborate. The group came together two years ago with the common goal of upgrading and expanding Naia, which suffered from congestion before the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak weakened air travel demand in the country and around the world. But years later, its terms remain under negotiation, more recently, over the extent of expensive real property taxes, another source told the Inquirer. Jose Ma. Lim, CEO of Metro Pacific, earlier warned that property taxes for the sprawling Naia complex in Pasay and Parañaque would account for over half of the expected investment return over the life of the contract. In an interview last month, De-

MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is pushing for amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Human Security Act to keep the country’s financing regulations at par with global standards. According to AMLC, the Financial Action Task Force has recommended the amendment of these laws after its publication of the Mutual Evaluation Report for the Philippines in October 2019. This assesses a country’s measures to fight money laundering, terrorism financing, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The agency said the Philippines needs to enact and implement the amendments within 12 months, following the report’s publication to ensure that the country is not included in the Inquirer.net file photo FATF’s “gray list” of jurisdictions partment of Transportation un- with strategic anti-money laundersecretary for planning Ruben dering and counter-terrorism fiReinoso said safety issues on a proposed Naia bus rapid transit system and the layoff of airport workers were also on the negotiating table. Naia Consortium’s proposal is among a slew of airport projects meant to ease congestion in Maby consueLo maRquez nila and nearby provinces. Inquirer.net San Miguel Corp. had also proposed a $15 billion international CEBU Pacific, the largest budggateway in Bulacan province, et airline in the country, canceled northwest of Manila. Near the domestic flights going to and mouth of Manila Bay, the Cav- from Manila starting Sunday, ite government wants to build a March 15 until Tuesday, April 14 brand-new $10 billion interna- due to the community quarantine tional air hub on reclaimed land imposed on Metro Manila to curb with Chinese and Filipino part- the spread of the coronavirus disners. ease. The SMC project is delayed On Thursday night, the Philipwhile the Cavite government’s pine government placed Metro contract signing was pushed Manila under community quarback because of the lockdown in antine which halts land, domestic China due to the spread of COV- air and domestic sea travel for a ID-19. month. Apart from Metro Pacific, Naia However, the airline’s manageConsortium’s members include ment said it will continue to operAyala Corp., Aboitiz Equity Ven- ate flights going to the following tures, Andrew Tan’s Alliance Glo- destinations: bal Group Inc., and Lucio Tan-led MANILA Asia Emerging Dragon Corp. • Bangkok Members also include the Go• Brunei tianun family’s Filinvest Develop• Singapore ment Corp. and the Gokongwei • Jakarta group’s JG Summit Holdings Inc. • Bali (Denpasar) Their technical partner is Singa• Kuala Lumpur pore’s Changi Airports Interna• Kota Kinabalu tional. n • Taipei • Narita • Osaka • Nagoya • Ho Chi Minh • Hanoi

nancing deficiencies that present a risk to the international financial system. Inclusion in the gray list will result in an additional layer of scrutiny from regulators and financial institutions, thereby increasing the cost of doing business, delaying the processing of transactions, and blocking the country’s road to an “A” credit rating, the AMLC added. Both measures were presented to President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet during its most recent meeting. “To help the country’s road to an ‘A’ credit rating strategy, the President will endorse both measures to Congress as urgent,” the agency said. The salient provisions of the proposed amendments to the AMLA are the inclusion of real estate developers and brokers as covered persons; the inclusion of tax crimes and violations of the Strategic Trade Management Act in relation to the proliferation financing of weapons of mass destruction, as predicate crimes un-

der the AMLA; and the authority to implement targeted financial sanctions pursuant to United Nation Security Council resolutions on proliferation financing. The proposed amendments will also expand AMLC’s investigative powers, granting it subpoena powers; give it the authority to preserve assets under freeze or asset preservation orders, or the retention of forfeited assets; and a prohibition on court injunctions against forfeiture actions. Meanwhile, salient provisions of the proposed amendments to the Human Securities Act include criminality provisions for foreign terrorist fighters and financing of travel; the inclusion of a mechanism in the process of domestic designation of a terrorist, terrorist organization, or terrorist group; and the implementation of targeted financial sanctions in relation to UN Security Council resolutions to stop the flow of funds or assets to terrorist groups as well as the use of such funds or assets. n

Cebu Pacific suspends domestic flights to and from Manila • Dubai • Sydney CLARK • Cebu • Caticlan (Boracay) CEBU • Caticlan (Boracay) • Cagayan de Oro • Bacolod • Butuan • Dumaguete • Siargao • Iloilo • Ozamiz • Tacloban • Zamboanga • Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi Passengers with canceled flights may choose the following options: •.Travel ahead of original schedule on flights until March 14, 2020, free of charge (subject to space availability) • Rebook the flight, with change fees and fare difference waived. • Store the full value of the ticket in a Travel Fund. This is valid for 180 days and can be used to book any Cebu Pacific flight within the next 12 months • Get a full refund. The refund will be according to the mode of payment. If paid in cash, refund must be claimed at designated Cebu Pacific ticket offices. If pay-

ment was made through debit or credit card, please allow two (2) billing cycles for refund to be credited into the account. To avail the above options, clients may use the “Manage Booking” portal in the Cebu Pacific website http://bit.ly/CEBmanageflight Meanwhile, passengers with confirmed flights until April 30 this year who want to suspend travel may avail the following options: 1. Free Rebooking – Rebook flights to a new travel date, with change fees waived. Fare difference may apply To rebook the flight, use the “Manage Booking” portal in the Cebu Pacific website http://bit.ly/ CEBmanageflight 2. Travel Fund – The full cost of the ticket can be placed in a Travel Fund which can then be used as payment for a future booking. The Travel Fund is valid for 180 days and can be used for bookings as far as 12 months out To avail of the Travel Fund option, use the “Manage Booking” portal in the Cebu Pacific website http://bit.ly/CEBmanageflight to cancel the booking and store the value in the Travel Fund. n

Oxford Economics: PH inflation...

Inquirer.net file photo

PAGE D1 t the rest of the year, an additional 0.5-1% could be added to the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP), Oxford Economics estimates showed. Besides the Philippines, the other economies that could be big “winners” from an oil price slump would be China, India, Indonesia and Argentina, while Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mexico, Australia, Norway, Romania and Malaysia shall be the “losers,” Oxford Economics said. On a global level, a low oil price environment would add 0.3 percent to world GDP, based on Oxford Economics estimates. As for inflation, the global rate of increase in prices of basic commodities may dip by 1.1

percentage point (ppt) below baseline this year if oil prices continue to slide. At a $30-per-barrel oil price scenario, inflation in the Philippines would be reduced by about 0.9 ppt from baseline. Among emerging markets, India, China, the UAE, Indonesia, Poland, Bulgaria and Slovenia would also see 0.8-1.3 ppt reduction in inflation amid lower oil prices. Oxford Economics noted that emerging market inflation was more sensitive to petroleum price adjustments relative to the world average as “advanced economies tend to use oil less intensively and so are less positively affected.” “Cheaper oil prices should boost households’ real income

growth, bolstering spending power once the recovery begins. But that point could still be a way off. In the short run, such income gains may not boost spending much given pessimism regarding coronavirus and the subdued consumer and business confidence,” Oxford Economics said. Last Tuesday, March 10 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila Jr. pointed to a downside risk to domestic inflation partly due to the lower outlook for global oil prices. But the state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) had projected monthly inflation increase of 0.1-0.2 ppt as COVID-19 resulted into both demand- and supply-side risks. n

1/4 of registered POGO workers... PAGE D1 t of these being Chinese, who are employed for their language skills, as they are in charge of communicating—either through chat or voice calls—with their compatriots overseas who play Pogo games. The same Pagcor data showed that there are 3,000 Vietnamese nationals employed by Pogo firms, 2,400 Indonesians, 1,700 Taiwanese and 1,200 Malaysians, along with workers of 44 other countries. “Employment of Filipinos in Pogos will continue to rise, as

more and more Filipinos are able to learn and qualify for the jobs offered in the industry,” Domingo said. “As for the present employees, they are now being required to undergo mandatory courses for them to learn the laws and proper behavior while in the Philippines.” The Pagcor chief also debunked criticism that online gaming firms contribute nothing to the economy or the state’s coffers, noting that these firms paid P5.7 billion in fees to Pagcor last year. When Pagcor first introduced

the concept of Pogos in 2016, it earned P73.3 million in fees from the gaming firms. It then rose sharply to P3.1 billion in 2017, and P6.1 billion in 2018. Under the agency’s regulatory requirement, all Pogo licensees must remit 2 percent of their gross gaming revenues as regulatory fees. “From 2016 to 2019, [Pagcor’s] income from Pogo—including application, processing and regulatory fees—operations already amounted to over P18 billion,” Domingo said. n

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Peso remains stable — DoF Tips for buying a pre-owned EV

ManilaTimes.net file photo by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

THE Department of Finance assured the public that the Philippine peso remained stable despite uncertainties brought by the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and trade war. “Despite the volatilities in the

global economy, made more uncertain by the spread of Covid19, the collapse of global stock markets and trade restrictions imposed on each other by the world’s top trading economies, the Philippine peso remained firm,” the department said in an economic bulletin released on Friday, March 13.

As of March 10, the local currency ranked fourth, year-to-date, among the top currencies in Southeast Asia that maintained their value against the U.S. dollar, it added. As of posting time, however, the peso has dropped to P51.31 to a dollar from the P50.85 : $1 finish on Thursday, March 12. n

Tips to stay financially safe from coronavirus WITH the uncertainty around the coronavirus, here are some tips from WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez for keeping your wallet safe. Ask your bank for help “Many banks and credit unions have stated they are willing to offer assistance to people who face temporary financial hardship due to the coronavirus. These might include measures like being able to skip a payment, having temporarily lower rates, getting fees waived or having a credit line increase. If you find yourself struggling financially, call customer service to make your case. Make sure to clearly and politely articulate the reasons for your hardship.” Focus on maximizing savings “Most people’s jobs aren’t immune to the coronavirus. So, it’s a good idea to set aside as

much money as you can from each paycheck in case coronavirus impacts your ability to work or causes you to have additional medical expenses. Even beyond the current situation, it’s always good to have an emergency fund. Avoid panicking about stocks, too, and just remember that it’s only a matter of time until the virus runs its course.” Take advantage of travel Insurance but know the limits “If your travel provider cancels a trip because of the coronavirus, a ‘trip cancellation or interruption’ policy might help you get your money back. Some credit cards offer this benefit for free, though issuers have been cutting back in recent years. Keep in mind that if you cancel your own trip out of fear of the virus, your insurance policy probably won’t cover you unless you have coverage for canceling

‘for any reason’ or doctor’s orders to quarantine yourself.” Use credit cards, not cash “Though there’s not much evidence to show that touching cash spreads coronavirus, it’s theoretically possible, and the Federal Reserve has been quarantining bank notes from Asia. China also burned some of its currency that had been circulated through the Wuhan area. Using a credit card’s contactless capability may help give consumers more peace of mind. Plus, credit cards can be used for online purchases, allowing consumers to avoid shopping at crowded stores. In addition, consumers that decide to stock up on essential items and spend more than usual in the coming months can recoup some of that expense, and get some extra time to pay, by using a rewards credit card.” n

EV drivers who are customers of SCE, including those who purchase a pre-owned car, can also receive a $1,000 Clean Fuel Reward rebate. by JUlia

roether Edison International

ELECTRIC vehicles have come a long way since December 2010 when the Nissan Leaf was first introduced on California’s roads. Today, consumers have more model choices and longer driving ranges. One thing hasn’t changed, though; car buyers still want to save money. With many EV leases expiring, buying a pre-owned EV can be a good way to save. To find out what customers should know before buying a preowned EV, we talked with Brian Moody, Autotrader’s executive editor. Moody recommends drivers keep a few key things in mind when looking to make the switch to a pre-owned EV. Do your research If you are considering a specific make and model, look at online forums and owners’ clubs dedicated to that car. They are a great source of information. Current car owners freely share both positive and negative feedback on the car. This can help you be aware of specific things you should have your mechanic look at when they inspect the car you are considering purchasing. Learn about the warranty EV warranties differ somewhat from their gasoline counterparts. Plug-in hybrids and all-elec-

tric cars typically have a longer warranty period for the electric drive components, like the drivetrain and battery pack. For most manufacturers, the warranties span roughly eight to 10 years. This should give pre-owned drivers some piece of mind when it comes to the need for major repairs. Conduct a test drive Make sure you test drive the car before making your decision. EVs provide a different driving experience than their gasoline counterparts. They are quieter, responsive and accelerate quickly. Don’t test drive a gasoline-powered car that’s the same make and model and just assume they’re exactly alike. Consider your driving habits Drivers should take into consideration their driving habits when determining which preowned EV is right for them. If you mainly drive close to home, a car with a lower battery range may meet your needs just fine and it will cost less than a car with an extended-range battery. Additionally, as with any preowned, car-buying decision, car buyers should set a budget, check the vehicle history report, have their mechanic inspect the car before purchasing and factor in total cost of ownership. Fuel and maintenance costs for EVs are typically less. For instance,

charging an electric car at home is equal to paying less than $2 per gallon of gasoline. In addition to total cost of ownership benefits, Moody noted that EV drivers usually receive preferential parking since charging stations are typically located closer to stores and other locations where drivers park most often. And, contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to have a special charger at home to charge your EV. Most EVs come with a Level 1 charger that can plug into a standard 120-volt residential outlet. To take advantage of this charger, be sure it is included as part of your purchase. Southern California Edison EV drivers, including those who purchase a pre-owned car, can also receive a $1,000 Clean Fuel Reward rebate. The rebate is good for both all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and second and third EV owners are eligible to apply. Drivers who go electric help reduce greenhouse gases, a leading driver of climate change, and contribute to healthier, cleaner air for all Southern Californians. Since transportation contributes to almost half of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, replacing fossil fueled cars with electric cars is critical to meeting California’s clean energy and carbon neutrality goals. n

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How to extend the life of your used car NEARLY 70% of all car sales are used vehicles, thanks to the rising costs of new cars and the increasing quality of their used counterparts. While buying a previously owned vehicle makes the best financial sense in a lot of cases, experts say there are some things to keep in mind. “To keep everyone on the road safe and protect your purchase, all drivers need to stay up-to-date on car maintenance,” says Doug Turner, director of service operations at Byrider, the nation’s largest used car and finance network of dealerships. “This is especially true for those with used cars.” April is National Car Care Month and to help you extend the life of your used car, the automotive experts at Byrider are offering the following tips: • Follow the maintenance recommendations of the manufacturer. • Caring for a vehicle is similar to caring for oneself -- take pre-

ventative steps to help keep your car healthy. Pay special attention to issues, noises or warning signs that could indicate your vehicle needs maintenance. Warning lights on your dashboard are illuminated for a reason. Understand what they mean and address them as-needed. • Prevent rust and other issues by keeping the interior and exterior of your vehicle clean. • Use a trusted repair service that hires Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified technicians. This certification can make a big difference when it comes to quality repairs and maintenance. • Complete as-needed or at a minimum, an annual inspection, on the vehicle. Keep in mind that different seasons of the year require different inspections and repairs. • Use quality parts. • Fill your vehicle with the proper gas. Use premium if the vehicle manufacturer suggests

it.

• Regular oil changes will keep your car running as smoothly as possible. Be sure to use the proper oil per the manufacturer recommendations. • When buying a vehicle, stick to retail dealers that put cars through a detailed inspection process. This will help to ensure a given vehicle’s safety and reliability. At the same time, consider dealers with an attached service department. “Your relationship with the dealership shouldn’t end once you drive the car off the lot,” adds Turner. In the case of Byrider, every car sold comes with a warranty or optional service agreement, as well as discounted parts, labor and service. A used vehicle can be a great investment. Extend the life of your car and stay safer on the roads by making smart purchasing decisions and taking a proactive approach to maintenance. (StatePoint) n

PH House OKs lower capital for foreign retail

Philstar.com file photo by Edu

Punay

Philstar.com

THE Philippine House of Representatives has approved a bill easing the capital requirement for foreign investors in the country’s retail trade industry. Voting 156-13 with three abstentions on the last day of session before the Lenten break, Congress passed on third and final reading House Bill 59 that amends Republic Act 8762 or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. The measure specifically intends to lower the required minimum paid-up capital for foreign retail trade investors from the current $2.5 million to $200,000 to make it easier for foreigners to invest in retail trade. Proponents led by Tarlac Rep. Victor Yap explained that lower-

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ing the minimum paid-up capital will attract more foreign investments in the country’s retail sector. They said the measure will lead also to a greater variety of products, more competitive local players, inflows of new technology and more jobs for Filipinos. Several foreign chambers have earlier supported the measure. Under RA 8762, foreigners are barred from fully owning enterprises with a paid-up capital of less than $2.5 million. This requirement is among the highest in the ASEAN and has been deemed restrictive by foreign investors. In lowering the minimum paidup capital to $200,000, proponents explained that the financial risk of entering a new foreign market is significantly decreased,

resulting in a more attractive investment environment for foreign retailers. They added that this measure removes the requirement for foreign investors to acquire shares of stock of local retailers, eliminates the required net worth, number of branches and track record conditions for foreign retailers to engage in retail trade in the country, and reduces the required locally manufactured products carried by foreign retailers to 10 percent, from 30 percent of the total cost of their stock inventory. The country’s minimum paidup capital in retail trade activities was previously set at $10 million, before it was lowered to $5 million. In the past two decades, more than 20 foreign retailers entered the Philippine market. n

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