April 21-24, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 33 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Three US hitmen face life in prison over murderfor-hire killing of Filipina real-estate agent Case likened to actions ‘usually seen in action movies’
THREE American men were convicted Wednesday, April 18 for a murder conspiracy plot in which they assassinated a real-estate agent in the Philippines for cash six years ago. Former U.S. Army sergeant and sniper instructor Joseph Hunter, also known as “Rambo,” was found guilty in Federal District Court in New York, along with Adam Samia and Carl D. Stillwell.
Palace blasts EU over latest drug war remarks European Parliament insists PH should follow due process by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
MALACAÑANG on Friday, April 20, slammed the European Parliament yet again over the latter’s latest resolution urging the Philippine government to stop its anti-illegal drugs campaign that has reportedly claimed about 12,000 lives since mid-2016. Calling the European Parliament’s latest move a form of “interference” into the Philippines’ affairs, Malaca-
ñang asked the body to be more careful in issuing resolutions. “We of course find it unfortunate that members of the European Parliament once again interfered with the affairs of the Philippine state, rehashing issues and baseless claims that have been explained adequately by the Philippine government in several official statements,” Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said. In a resolution adopted Thursday, April 19, members of the European
Parliament called on the Philippine government to “put an immediate end to the extrajudicial killings in the pretext of a ‘war on drugs.’” The EU Parliament “strongly condemns the high number of extrajudicial killings,” citing death toll supposedly reaching about 12,000. The body further “expresse[d] grave concern” over reports that the Philippine National Police (PNP) “is falsifying evidence to justify extrajudicial killings” associated with the
drug war that allegedly targets predominantly lower-class Filipinos. The parliament then called “on the authorities of the Philippines to immediately carry out impartial and meaningful investigations into these extrajudicial killings and to prosecute and bring all perpetrators to justice.” Malacañang, however, maintained that the Philippine government does not tolerate unlawful deaths. “Impunity does not have a place
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Supreme Court deems deportation Calida to Supreme law ‘vague’ in decision Court: Measure Sereno involving Filipino by same yardstick
Solicitor General Jose Calida and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno Inquirer.net photos
THE U.S. Supreme Court said Tuesday, April 17, that the part of a federal law that allows easier deportation of immigrants was too vague, impeding the Trump administration’s efforts in deporting non-citizens. Bringing in the decision was Justice Neil Gorsuch — President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court appointee — who sided with the court’s four liberal justices in a tie-breaking decision involving a legal U.S. resident from the Philippines. The Tuesday decision in Sessions v. Dimaya involved James Dimaya, a Filipino who came
by AJPRESS PHILIPPINE Solicitor General Jose Calida has called on the Supreme Court (SC) to put Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno “on equal footing with other public servants” when deciding on his quo warranto petition against her. In a memorandum submitted to the SC on Friday, April 20, Calida insisted that Sereno’s appointment should be “void” from the start
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NEW PNP CHIEF. President Rodrigo Duterte hands over the marksman rifle from outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald dela Rosa to newly-installed PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde during the PNP Change of Command Ceremony at Camp BGen. Rafael Crame in Quezon City on Thursday, April 19. Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo
Marcos camp to Robredo: Stop tainting PET’s integrity by AJPRESS
Vice Pres. Leni Robredo and former Sen. Bongbong Marcos
Inquirer.net photo
THE camp of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo should cease making accusations harming the integrity of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET). Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson of Marcos, said the vice president should stop accusing the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the PET, “of systematically reducing her votes and casting aspersions meant to debase its
integrity.” “Leni Robredo cheated her way to the Vice Presidency and in this ongoing manual recount and judicial revision, she is attempting to cheat the Filipino people again by trying to change the rules in the middle of the game,” Rodriguez said. Marcos’ camp was reacting to Robredo’s motion for reconsideration, which seeks the application of a 25 percent threshold for Reuters journalist Manuel “Manny” Mogato vote validity during the ongoing recount for the 2016 vice presidential race.
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Pacquiao wants Duterte at ringside by ABAC
CORDERO
Philstar.com
No sitting president has ever come to watch Pacquiao fight overseas, and Duterte, his close friend, could be the first. Philstar.com photo
MANILA — Manny Pacquiao wants President Duterte to be at ringside when the Filipino boxing icon challenges Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “If the President is not busy,” said Pacquiao in yesterday’s press conference, April 18 at the City of Dreams. No sitting President has ever come to watch Pacquiao fight overseas, and Duterte, his close friend, could be the first. “I want to invite him,” said Pacquiao.
The line was drawn heading to the July 15 title clash in Malaysia when Matthysse, who’s in the biggest fight of his career, said Pacquiao’s “time is over.” But Pacquiao is not to be carried away, and in his business suit accorded the champion from Argentina a warm welcome. During the customary staredown, in front of all the cameras, Pacquiao smiled at Matthysse. Matthysse arrived in Manila joined by his manager and promoter, Mario Arano, Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez and PR director Ramiro Gonzalez.
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Philstar.com photo
Filipino journalist among Pulitzer Prize winners for coverage of Duterte’s war on drugs by RAE
ANN VARONA AJPress
PULITZER Prizes were once again announced on Monday, April 16, entering the second decade of awarding excellence in newspaper journalism, literary achievements, and musical composition. Among this year’s list of winners was Filipino Reuters journalist Manuel “Manny” Mogato, who with his colleagues Clare Baldwin and Andrew R.C. Marshall, won a Pulitzer Prize in the International Reporting category for their coverage on Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs. Mogato is the second Filipino
journalist based in the Philippines to win the Pulitzer — 76 years after diplomat, journalist, author, and co-founder of the United Nations, Carlos Romulo, won in 1942. Other Filipino winners have been Alex Tizon in 1997 for his article “My Family’s Slave” which went viral last year, photographer Cheryl Diaz Meyer in 2004 for her breaking news photography on the war in Iraq, and Jose Antonio Vargas in 2008 for his and the Washington Post’s coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting. A Mass Communications graduate of the University of the
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Palace blasts EU over... PAGE A1 t in our society and we continue to follow due process and hold officers accountable for their actions,” Roque stressed. He went on to say, “Hindi po natin kinukusinti ang mga patayan. Ang ating mga institusyon ay gumagalaw po para bigyan ng implementasyon ang ating batas
laban sa patayan (We do not tolerate these deaths. Our institutions are working to implement the laws against killings).” The Palace official also questioned where the European Parliament obtained the death numbers. “Ang sabi po nila, 12,000 na raw po ang namatay (They said
From the Front Page
12,000 died). Nasaan po iyong mga bangkay, at nasaan po iyong mga demanda ng mga 12,000 victims (Where are the bodies, and where are the charges filed for these deaths)?” Roque asked. While the Parliament pegged the number at 12,000, data released by the Philippine government only states a little over 4,000 “drug personalities” killed in police operations from July 1, 2016 to March 20, 2018. “Kakaunti lang po ang mga alam naming demanda tungkol sa mga patayan na ito, and we, of course, challenge them—saan po ang mga datos, saan ang ebidensya na 12,000 ang namatay na (We only know of a few of these cases. And of course, we challenge them–where are the data and evidence which show that there 12,000 deaths)?” Roque added. Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday blasted
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U.S.-PH SOCIETY. Senator Loren Legarda and Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez meet with former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines and now Co-Chair of the U.S.-Philippines Society, John D. Negroponte, and U.S.-Philippines Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson to discuss how to further enhance U.S.-PH economic relations through culture and in various areas of international cooperation. Legarda is in Washington, D.C. as the Alternate Head of the Philippine Delegation to the 2018 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. Senate photo
Calida to Supreme Court: Measure Sereno... PAGE A1 t due to lack of integrity for her alleged failure to fully disclose her wealth when she applied for the top judicial post. “Respondent asserts that she complied with the SALN (Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth) laws when she was a professor at the UP College of Law. The evidence belies her assertion,” the solicitor general said. Citing Republic Acts 3019 and 6713, Calida noted that all public officials are required to annually file their SALNs. “She can be measured with the same yardstick,” Calida said.
He stressed that Sereno “cannot be excused from complying with the law.” “If lowly court employees could be penalized for failing to file SALNs, there is no reason why she should be considered eligible for appointment to the highest post in the judiciary notwithstanding her abject failure to comply with the SALN requirement,” he added. In his quo warranto petition, Calida accused Sereno of failing to file her SALN 11 times over the course of the 20 years she was a law professor at the University of the Philippines (UP). But contrary to Calida’s asser-
Marcos camp to Robredo... PAGE A1 t Threshold pertains to what percentage of the vote should be shaded to be counted. PET is currently applying the 50 percent threshold in determining the validity of votes. In her motion filed Thursday, April 19, Robredo asked PET to follow the 25 percent threshold set by the Commission on Elec-
tions (Comelec) for shading of ballots, citing the “interest of justice and fair play.” Robredo also said that PET’s decision to apply a 50 percent threshold on validity of votes “has resulted to a systematic decrease in her votes.” But the camp of the former senator said that the invocation of the 25 percent threshold is
tions, Sereno said she “religiously filed” her SALNs during her stint as a professor. “The Chief Justice has recovered 11 of her UP SALNs, and she has direct proof that she executed at least 12 UP SALNs (i.e., for the years 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2002),” Sereno said in a memorandum she submitted to SC on Friday. The chief justice also pointed out that her repeated filing of her SALNs proved that her “intent, plan and habit as a UP professor was to religiously file her SALNs.”
With Calida and Sereno having their memoranda filed before the high court, the quo warranto case is now deemed submitted for resolution. According to Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the SC may decide on the quo warranto petition against Sereno’s appointment next month. Carpio is currently the acting chief justice, as Sereno has been on leave since March 1 to prepare for a possible impeachment trial. “We hope to decide as soon as we can. I cannot talk on that yet but we hope to finish it by end of May. By next month we should be able to decide it,” Carpio told reporters on Thursday, April 19. n
“erroneous.” “The election case was filed by BBM (Marcos) June of 2016, and since then, jurisdiction of the case is with the PET and no other as provided by Article 8 of the Constitution,” Rodriguez argued. “Since it is the Rules of the Tribunal that shall apply, her invocation of the 25 percent threshold rule is erroneous as it was made by the Comelec only on 6 September 2016, four months after the elections,” he
added. Marcos’ camp then claimed that “it is an obvious ploy on the part of the Comelec, then led by the impeached chairman Andres Bautista, to favor Robredo once revision process starts.” The revision of ballots is being conducted in connection with Marcos’ electoral protest against Robredo, who won the 2016 vice presidential race with only 263,473 more than him. Marcos accused her of committing massive electoral fraud. n
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FROM THE FRONT PAGE
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 21-24, 2018
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Three US hitmen face life in prison...
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The conviction ended a 12-day federal trial during which Hunter’s former boss and infamous South African crime lord, Paul Le Roux, testified against the three while divulging to prosecutors about his approximately 20-year career as an international crime lord that included selling missile technology to Iran, trafficking methamphetamine out of New York, and shipping guns out of Indonesia among others. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman described the case on Wednesday as “horrifying” and likened its details to those “usually seen in action movies.” “Hunter, Samia, and Stillwell conspired to end the lives of people overseas whom they had never met,” said Berman. According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Hunter, Samia, and Stillwell agreed in 2011 and 2012 to commit murders-for-hires in locations abroad in exchange for payments, including bonuses for each victim. Hunter at the time was a replacement of Le Roux’s former chief mercenary David Smith who Le Roux had killed after finding out he had been cheating him, reported the New York Times. Le Roux testified that he further instructed Hunter to replace two of Le Roux’s hitmen. Hunter then emailed Samia, a former Army sniper, and Stillwell who
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was a firearms instructor. In 2012, Samia and Stillwell traveled to the Philippines from North Carolina, and were provided by Hunter information about their targets and what firearms to use in the murders, among other things. The two surveilled their targets — one of whom was Filipina real-estate agent Catherine Lee — in January and February 2012 while devising their murder plans which entailed them posing as real-estate buyers. An in-depth report by Atavist Magazine said Lee received an email from a Canadian man living in Manila who said he and a colleague were looking to invest in some property and had found Lee through an online search. Posing as real-estate buyers, the two traveled with Lee to look at properties near her home town of Las Piñas City in Manila. It was on that day of February 12, 2012 that they killed Lee in a Toyota van — Stillwell driving and Samia shooting Lee multiple times in the face with a .22-caliber gun. The two then dumped her body onto a pile of garbage. The New York Times reported that Le Roux had suspected Lee had cheated him. By early March, Hunter had driven both men to the airport. Samia and Stillwell returned to North Carolina where they stayed until they were
tracked down by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and arrested with warrants in July 2015. The U.S. Attorney’s Office statement said that Hunter paid Samia and Stillwell $35,000 each. Hunter’s sentencing has been scheduled on September 7, 2018. Samia and Stillwell are scheduled to be sentenced a week after on September 14, 2018. ‘Ringleader of trained assassins’ Prior to Wednesday’s conviction, Hunter had already been serving 20 years in prison for numerous high crime charges including another conspiracy to murder a DEA agent, and DEA informant in 2013. He pled guilty and was sentenced to prison in February 2015. Hunter’s capture came as Le Roux helped the DEA catch him in 2013 through an arranged sting operation in Phuket, Thailand. Le Roux himself had been captured late 2012 in Liberia by the DEA. “Hunter and his cohorts turned from serving their countries as soldiers to becoming mercenaries for hire, plotting to kill a DEA agent and informant and trafficking in massive quantities of cocaine,” said former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.
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Pacquiao wants Duterte...
ney that took over 30 hours. Matthysse said he knows little “It was good. It was nice. It was a long trip obviously but it about the Philippines but came to was nice. It’s the normal. I’m a the press conference in Barong. “Out of respect,” he said. little tired. But we were comfort“I don’t know too much about able,” said Matthysse of the jour-
the Philippines. I know it’s a beautiful country. And the people have been so nice to me since I got here,” added Matthysse. It was the first time, too, that he met Pacquiao face to face. ■
Filipino journalist among Pulitzer Prize winners... PAGE A1 t City of Manila in 1983, Mogato’s journalism career started as a crime, military, and political reporter for local newspapers. He also spent seven years working for the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, covering politics, security, and diplomacy. Having been a Manila-based political and general news correspondent for Reuters for over 15 years, his work in the Philippines spans over three decades through which he’s covered some of the country’s biggest modern political events like the
“People Power Revolution” in 1986 against Ferdinand Marcos, and the 2001 fall of Joseph Estrada. Mogato has also covered conflicts involving rebellions and failed coups, like the rise of small pro-Islamic State militants who occupied Marawi last year. He also acts as a board member of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP). “Despite some dangers inherent in today’s journalism work, Manny remained steadfast and dedicated in carry-
ing out his job. Your FOCAP family is very proud of this accomplishment. Mabuhay ka Manny!” said FOCAP in a statement. ‘Duterte’s War’ Mogato, Baldwin, and Marshall were awarded the International Reporting Pulitzer Prize for their “relentless reporting that exposed the brutal killing campaign behind Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.” The winning work was the team’s series straightforwardly titled “Duterte’s War.” ■
LIGHTNING PROTEST. Students march to the Commission on Higher Education office in Quezon City to protest the looming tuition increase in private colleges and universities. The rallyists carried banners bearing the names of students who committed suicide because of their inability to pay their tuition. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
Supreme Court deems deportation law...
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to the U.S. as a legal permanent resident in 1992 when he was 13 years old. Dimaya was convicted of two residential burglary charges in California in 2007 and 2009, and was sentenced to four years in prison in total. The case was first argued in January 2017 but was deadlocked 4-4 following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. It was argued again in October with Gorsuch. The government sought Dimaya’s deportation through a clause in the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows the detention and deportation of non-citizens convicted of an “aggravated felony.” Such felonies include “crime of violence” or any felony that “by its nature, involves a substantial risk that physical force against the person or property of another may be used in the course of committing the offense.” But the federal appeals court in San Francisco said that the provision was unconstitutionally vague — an opinion affirmed by the Tuesday Supreme Court ruling. In her opinion, Justice Elena Kagan cited the 2015 Johnson v. United States ruling written by Scalia that said a similar criminal statute was unconstitutionally vague. “We can as well repeat here what we asked in Johnson,” said
Kagan. “How does one go about divining the conduct entailed in a crime’s ordinary case? Statistical analyses? Surveys? Experts? Google? Gut instinct?” Commenting on the lower courts’ inability to be consistent with immigration law, Kagan asked if car burglary would qualify as a violent felony. “Some courts say yes, another says no,” said Kagan. She added, “What of statutory rape? Once again, the Circuit parts ways. How about evading arrest? The decisions point in different directions. Residential trespass? The same is true.” Kagan’s opinion was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor. While Gorsuch did not join all of Kagan’s opinion, he agreed with the decision. “Vague laws invite arbitrary power,” wrote Gorsuch. “Today’s vague laws may not be as invidious, but they can invite the exercise of arbitrary power all the same — by leaving the people in the dark about what the law demands and allowing prosecutors and courts to make it up.” The court’s 5-4 decision was a setback for the Trump administration which has long called for tighter immigration laws and has favored deportation. Following the decision, Trump was quick to voice his displea-
sure in a two part tweet. “Today’s Court decision means that Congress must close loopholes that block the removal of dangerous criminal aliens, including aggravated felons,” tweeted Trump. He continued, “This is a public safety crisis that can only be fixed by Congress — House and Senate must quickly pass a legislative fix to ensure violent criminal aliens can be removed from our society. Keep America Safe!” Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE) Deputy Director Tom Homan said he too was disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision. “As a law enforcement agency, ICE will certainly abide by this decision; however, it will have an adverse impact on our ability to establish that aliens convicted of certain violent crimes — such as sexual offenses, kidnapping, and burglary — are removable from the United States and ineligible for certain immigration benefits,” said Homan. “It is yet another example of the need for Congress to urgently close the loopholes that allow criminal aliens to avoid removal and remain in the United States,” he added. Dissenters of the decision were Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. (Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)
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LAUSD workers strike, demand more funding, resources One teachers’ union has already begun rallying, joining a growing national teachers movement that demands fairer pay, while UCLA employees protest massive layoff by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
HUNDREDS of educators across the Los Angeles Union School District (LAUSD) braved the early morning rain on Thursday, April 19 to picket for higher wages, safer campuses and more staffing and resources. “LA is at a tipping point,” United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) Secondary Vice President Dan Barnhart said. “If we continue to starve our schools, disrespect our educators and shortchange our students, public education will not survive.” From Sylmar High School in Sylmar to Felicitas & Gonzalo Mendez High School in Boyle Heights, teachers, janitors and other school workers picketed amid prolonged contract discussions with the LAUSD, which many protesters felt have not addressed the needs for students and teachers. UTLA’s county-wide protest follows other teacher protests held across the nation, demanding policymakers to institute more funding rather than heed to suggestions to arm teachers with guns following the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Fla. At Thursday’s rally, picketers used the hashtag #ArmMeWith as a way to divert the attention to arming teachers with guns to providing teachers with a wide range of classroom resources and reform. “Arm us, not with guns, but with counselors, school nurses, psychologists, teacher librarians, fair pay, less standardized testing, lower class sizes, support for special education, and more,” according to the event flyer. UTLA has advocated for more funding from the state and for the LAUSD to tap into its reserve fund — $1.7 billion according to the UTLA — to meet classroom needs. Thursday’s rally comes just days after thousands of union mem-
bers from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99 voted to authorize the union to call a strike if necessary. About 94 percent of SEIU Local 99 members cast their supportive votes from March 12 to April 13 at more than 700 district sites including schools, special education centers, and early education centers. “We will let the District know that the members of the Local 99 have spoken and we’re ready to strike — for fair wages, for more staffing, for respect,” Local 99 President Conrado Guerrero said in a statement. “We should all be proud of the courageous step we’ve just taken together.” The issue of teachers’ wages has been central to the protests, and while LAUSD officials increased a proposed wage hike from 2 to 3 percent in the 20182019 school year, union leaders don’t think it’s enough. “It’s a step in the right direction but it’s not enough,” said Max Arias, Local 99 executive director, said. “A majority of school workers are also parents of LAUSD students. The District’s insistence on low wage, part-time work has a direct impact on students as their parents struggle to pay rent and put food on the table.” Local 99 has accused the LAUSD of “knowingly” allowing subpar staffing capacities for custodians which have resulted in unsanitary bathroom facilities. Guerrero said that the district has admitted that its schools are only half-staffed relative to the actual necessities of the schools. “The dedicated school workers who transport students safely to school, feed them, support their classroom learning, and keep their classrooms and playgrounds clean have made our voices heard,” Guerrero said. “We are tired of this school district dismissing and devaluing our work. We are an essential part of student learning and if it takes a strike for LAUSD to un-
derstand that, we’re ready to take action.” The LAUSD did not respond to requests for a comment on this piece. Although California is ranked as the 6th largest economy in the world, California ranks among the lowest in public education funding. According to a January 2017 report from the left-leaning California Budget and Policy Center, “California is ranked 41st among all states in spending per K-12 student after adjusting for differences in the cost of living in each state.” In the 2015-2016 academic year — the year from which data was used for the study — California public schools spent $10,291 per K-12 student, which is $1,900 less than the national average per student spent figure. This particular issue of public education funding is not just limited to K-12 institutions. Educators in higher education have also experienced a severe lack of resources and have advocated for fairer wages and respect for the teaching profession. UCLA protest On Friday, April 20, UCLA employees, students and community advocates protested and signed a petition to the office of the Dean of UCLA Extension, who reportedly plans to cut 25 percent of its workforce, affecting hundreds of workers. UCLA Extension employees more than 300 workers who serve primarily low-income students and their families across the greater LA area. The cuts are a result of an effort to “close an $8 million deficit which employees say results from frivolous spending by UCLA Extension Dean Wayne Smutz on high-priced consulting firms and an internal service system whose malfunctions, coupled with student fee hikes, have caused a drop in enrollment,” according to a statement from Teamsters Local 2010. n
Smoking raises Asians’ chances of getting diabetes SAN DIEGO, California — Asian American active smokers increase their susceptibility to diabetes by 30-40 percent compared with nonsmokers, according to major medical societies,
the U.S. Surgeon General, and recent studies. “Smoking is directly linked to lung, throat, and other types of cancer, but according to the 2014 Health Consequences of
Smoking Report of the Surgeon General, there is now adequate evidence to infer that smoking causes diabetes, too,” said Dr. Caroline Chen, postdoctoral fellow in public health at the Uni-
COC FILING. A day before the deadline for the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC), potential candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) positions flock to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila on Thursday, April 19)=. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez earlier said the aspiring candidates should file the COCs at their local Comelec office by April 20, as there will be no extension for the deadline. As of April 18, a total of 305,082 COCs have been filed since the start of filing period. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
3 U.S. senators’ bill to shield immigration judges from political pressures WASHINGTON, D.C. – Three Democratic senators introduced a bill that would insulate immigration judges from improper political interference or manipulation. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (DHawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (DN.Y.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) introduced the Immigration Court Improvement Act in response to the recent revelations that the Trump administration will impose “unfair, unnecessary, and politically-motivated” quotas on immigration judges. “At a time when the Trump administration is constantly attacking the rule of law and threatening immigrant communities, immigration judges need new legal protections from the President’s political interference,” Senator Hirono said. “Our immigration courts system only works if we uphold the non-partisan nature of their roles rather than allow them to be used as tools to carry out Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s political agenda,” Senator Harris said. “Families all over our country rely on immigration courts to
versity of California, San Diego. One way to reduce diabetes risk is to quit smoking. The Asian Smokers’ Quitline Chinese line can help smokers quit. A CDC funded nationwide program, ASQ Chinese Quitline provides free one-on-one counseling by phone and free nicotine patches to qualified smokers in Cantonese and Mandarin. Friends and family of smokers can also call ASQ 1-800-8388917 to receive information and advice about how to help smokers quit. According to the Centers for Disease Control, smokers with diabetes have higher risks for serious complications, includ“Smoking is directly linked to lung, throat, and other types of cancer, but according to the 2014 Health Consequences of Smoking Report of ing: the Surgeon General, there is now adequate evidence to infer that smoking causes diabetes, too,” said Dr. Caroline Chen, postdoctoral fellow • Heart and kidney disease in public health at the University of California, San Diego. • Poor blood flow in the legs
Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)
seek justice, but we have seen a disturbing pattern over the last year of attempts to manipulate immigration court judges. This legislation would help protect our non-partisan immigration judges from outside political interference,” Senator Gillibrand said. “NAIJ applauds Senator Hirono for leading the effort in Congress to address the structural flaws with the Immigration Court,” said Judge A. Ashley Tabaddor, President of the National Association of Immigration Judges. Asako Shimizu, chair of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, also expressed support for the senators’ bill. The Immigration Court Im-
provement Act would underscore the judicial nature of the job of immigration judges by requiring, among other things, that: • The Attorney General supervise them in a way that does not interfere with their independent decision making authority. • They maintain the appropriate judicial status with the bar of the highest court of their states. • Actions of immigration judges be judged under the applicable Code of Judicial Conduct, not attorney conduct. • They not be disciplined for good-faith judicial decisions. • Their performance appraisals not be measured using any system of completion goals. n
and feet that can lead to infections, ulcers, and possible amputation (removal of a body part by surgery, such as toes or feet) • Retinopathy (an eye disease that can cause blindness) • Peripheral neuropathy (damaged nerves to the arms and legs that causes numbness, pain, weakness, and poor coordination) “In some cases, smoking can double the risk for life harming, and life threatening complications associated with diabetes like kidney failure,” said Dr. Ho Luong Tran, President & CEO of NCAPIP, an organization of doctors aimed at raising awareness of diabetes and cancers that disproportionately affect Asian Americans. “Smoking has been shown to raise blood sugar and
may make the body more resistant to insulin, so it’s really bad for someone with diabetes,” said Cherrie Ng, project manager of ASQ. “ASQ wants to help smokers manage diabetes. We urge smokers to contact ASQ Chinese Quitline (1-800-838-8917) and make a quit attempt today! Besides providing service in Cantonese and Mandarin, ASQ also offers other service lines to help smokers who speak Korean and Vietnamese”. If you are of Asian descent with a body mass index of 23 (you can calculate at: https://aadi.joslin. org/en/am-i-at-risk/asian-bmi-calculator ) talk to your doctor about being screened for type 2 diabetes. For more information about diabetes in Asian Americans, go to www.screenat23.org n
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Filipino Muslim activist barred from entering US
to Manila. “Activists are under attack in the Philippines and in the U.S., THE Philippines is not the only with (Australian) Sister Patricountry deporting foreign activcia Fox being detained, peasant ists. It seems that the United activists being killed and critics States is also not tolerating forharassed. This just goes to show eign activism. the striking fascist similarities beBayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zatween the Trump and the Duterte rate reported the detention of administrations,” he said. Jerome Aladdin Succor Aba, a He urged people all over the Muslim activist, upon his arrival world to condemn “these deplorat the San Francisco Internationable acts.” al Airport at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Facebook photo shows Jerome Aba during the “What’re the U.S. and Philip2016 Kidapawan protests. April 17. pine governments afraid of? Are Zarate said Aba is co-chairman with religious and government they so paranoid and scared that of Sandugo, which groups indig- officials, including members of the whole world would know the enous peoples and national mi- the U.S. Senate and House of horrid human rights situations in norities “fighting for their rights Representatives, he said. their respective territories?” he and ancestral lands.” Zarate added that U.S. immi- asked. Zarate said the International gration denied Aba’s entry apKristina Palabay, secretaryCoalition for Human Rights in plication “due to an unspecified general of the human rights the Philippines sent Aba to the problem with his visa – which is group Karapatan, said U.S. auU.S. “to raise awareness about relatively common.” thorities have not released any the human rights situation in He further reported that as of 2 basis for Aba’s denial of entry. Mindanao and the humanitarian p.m. on Thursday (San Francisco U.S. officials, according to Palcrisis unfolding in the country, time), the Muslim activist was be- abay, also told Aba that he does where thousands have already ing held in a secured area of the not have any “good reason” to be been killed in the two-year reign airport with access to food, water in the U.S. despite being granted REUNION. Relatives of children whose deaths were believed linked to Dengvaxia meet with Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta at of President Duterte.” and a restroom, while he waited a multiple entry visa valid for 10 the Department of Justice building in Manila. Acosta has been providing legal aid to the families of children who died or fell ill after being administered with the anti-dengue vaccine. ManilaTimes.net photo by John Micah Sebastian His itinerary includes meetings for the next available flight back years. n by Jess
Diaz Philstar.com
UN health agency: Dengue vaccine shouldn’t be used widely LONDON — The World Health Organization says the first-ever vaccine for dengue needs to be dealt with in “a much safer way,” meaning that the shot should mostly be given to people who have previously been infected with the disease. In November, the vaccine’s manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, said people who had never been sickened by dengue before were at risk of developing a more serious disease after getting the shot. After a two-day meeting this week, WHO’s independent vaccines group said it now had
PH CARBON REDUCTION POLICIES. Senator Loren Legarda shares the Philippines’ laws and initiatives to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions during the Second Annual High-Level Strategy Session (HLSS2) organized by AirQualityAsia (AQA) and the US-Asia Institute at the sidelines of the 2018 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington, DC. Legarda, Alternate Head of the Philippine Delegation, joined Hon. Mathew J. Nolan, Treasurer of AQA, and Hon. Colleen Wakako Hanabusa of the First District of Hawaii, United States Congress, for the panel on Parliamentary Leadership on Carbon Reduction Policies – Implementing the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Clean Air. Senate photo
Legarda highlights parliamentary leadership in air quality, climate policies WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Loren Legarda underlined the importance of parliamentary leadership in formulating carbon-reduction policies, and implementing the Paris climate accord and Sustainable Development Goals on clean air, at the 2018 AirQualityAsia Second Annual High-Level Strategy Session (HLSS2) on Sustainable, Healthy Cities and Sustainable Energy that was held on Wednesday, April 18 in the U.S. capital. “As parliamentarians, we bear the responsibility of steering our country forward through fostering a policy environment where laws can unlock national potential and serve as the foundation for inclusive and sustainable development where our people could thrive and prosper,” Senator Legarda said. The Senator noted the close connection between air quality and climate changeas she delved into key legislative measures that advance environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Department of Health, about one in four deaths in the country are attributed to air pollution, which also relates to sources of high carbon dioxide emissions. “We are therefore supporting both climate and health goals at once when we implement policies and measures that improve air quality,” Senator Legarda emphasized. The Senator talked about the mechanisms prescribed by the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 that work on improving air quality in the Philippines and forging a path for the country to transition into a low-carbon and climateresilient economy.
The Philippines is pursuing this path even though its carbon emissions register at a negligible level compared to other countries. “Our vulnerability and resilience as a nation has given us a voice to represent and lead other highly vulnerable countries in climate negotiations. When everyone else found it adequate to set the global warming limit at two degrees Celsius, we pushed it even further. We encouraged greater and more ambitious climate action by setting the limit to 1.5 degrees,” said Senator Legarda. On the Paris Agreement, the Senator pledged to ensure that the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contributions, which are being finalized and slated for submission this year, will adhere to the 1.5 degree Celsius-limit. Senator Legarda concluded her remarks by stressing the crucial role of Congress in giving budgetary support to climate adaptation and mitigation projects and programs. The Second Annual HighLevel Strategy Session on Sustainable, Healthy Cities and Sustainable Energyis organized by AirQualityAsia in conjunction with the US-Asia Institute. Held on the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings, HLSS2 brings legislators, air quality experts, green energy finance and renewable energy business together for clean air-focused environment and energy policies. Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations, Finance and Climate Change, is the Alternate Head of the Philippine Delegation to the 2018 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C., USA. n
SWIMMING GOLD. National Capital Region (NCR) representative Althea Michel Baluyot wins a gold medal for the 200 LC meter butterfly event during the 2018 Palarong Pambansa at the Quirino Stadium Poolside in Ilocos Sur on Tuesday, April 17. The Palarong Pambansa, which is organized by the Education Department since 1948, is the premier sports event for both public and private student-athletes coming from the 18 regions of the country. PNA photo by Jess Escaros Jr.
proof the vaccine should only be used “exclusively or almost exclusively in people who have already been infected with dengue.” The U.N. health agency said a test should be developed so doctors would be able to quickly tell if people had previously been sickened by dengue — but the group acknowledged doing that so isn’t straightforward. “We see significant obstacles in using the vaccine this way, but we are confident this also spurs the development of a rapid diagnostic test,” said Dr. Joachim Hombach,
executive secretary of WHO’s expert group, during a news conference on Thursday, April 19. Sanofi said last year that doctors should consider whether people might have been previously infected with dengue before deciding whether they should risk getting immunized. The company said it expected to take a 100 million euro ($118 million) loss based on that news. People who catch dengue more than once can be at risk of a hemorrhagic version
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PH Budget Secretary Diokno shares gov’t vision, priorities at Washington roundtable discussion
MANIFESTATION. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, representing Senator Leila de Lima, present to Senate reporters the manifestation that the two senators had filed at the Supreme Court during a media conference on Thursday, April 19. The manifestation urged the high court to dismiss the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Senate photo by Marieche Balili
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Philippine Secretary of Budget and Management Benjamin E. Diokno outlines the Duterte Administration’s socio-economic priorities and policies during The Asia Foundation – U.S. Philippines Society Roundtable Discussion at the Carnegie Endowment for Peace in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, April 18.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Dr. Benjamin E. Diokno, Philippine Secretary of Budget and Management, was the featured speaker in The Asia Foundation – US Philippines Society Roundtable Discussion at the Carnegie Endowment for Peace in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, April 18. Providing the audience with more details on the implementation of the Duterte Administration’s socio-economic agenda and the path to becoming a middle-income economy, Secretary Diokno outlined the government’s priorities and policies as reflected in the National Budget. He identified the priority accorded by the Philippine Government to physical infrastructure and human capital development. “By the time we step down in 2022, we shall have ushered in the golden age of infrastructure,”
Secretary Diokno said, emphasizing the expected benefits of the Build Build Build program for enhanced productivity and international competitiveness. The program will include 75 big ticket projects involving roads & bridges, transportation, flood management, water supply & irrigation, and other public infrastructure projects. “We plan to spend between $160 to $180 billion dollars between 2017 and 2022,” the Secretary added. He also stated that the government is expecting economic growth to outpace the acceleration of debt accumulation in assuring the audience that debt-to-GDP growth ratio would be manageable. In addition to infrastructure, Secretary Diokno said that the government is prioritizing human capital development. He noted increased budgetary allocations for the conditional transfer program, national health insurance, universal access to tertiary education, and the full implementation of K-12. “We have a very young population with a median age of twenty three years old. In an aging world, that is a very formidable national asset,” Secretary Diokno said in reemphasizing the importance of education, training and capacity building. At the end of his presentation, he shared the vision that, by 2022, the administration would leave behind a modern Philippines, with first world infrastructure, a competent and trained workforce, more decent jobs and higher wages, and an open and effective governance system. The presentation was followed by a wide-ranging and substantive discussion ranging from the possible challenges to sustained growth, initiatives in government procurement, Marawi rehabilitation, Boracay recovery, educational programs, and environmental protection. According to US-Philippines Society President Ambassador (ret) John F. Maisto, “Secretary Diokno’s presentation on the Duterte Administration’s budget and policy priorities drew a diverse Washington audience interested in gaining a fuller understanding of opportunities for increased bilateral trade and investment as the Philippine economy continues to demonstrate impressive growth.” ■
Fortune names Sen. de Lima as one of world’s greatest leaders by GAEA
KATREENA Philstar.com
CABICO
SENATOR Leila de Lima is among the world’s greatest leaders, a New York-based business magazine said. Fortune Magazine included de Lima, one of the most outspoken critics of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, in the annual list of who it deems the “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders.” The entry about de Lima, who ranked 39, stressed that her “imprisonment has not stopped the firebrand from continuing to speak out publicly” on the extrajudicial killings linked to the government’s brutal war on drugs. “President Rodrigo Duterte’s hard-line policies against drug dealers are polarizing globally,
but in the Philippines they’ve faced little dissent. de Lima, who headed a committee investigating hundreds of extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s leadership, has been a noble exception,” the magazine wrote. De Lima is currently detained in Camp Crame over drug-related charges. Prior to her arrest, she was ousted as chair of a Senate panel holding hearings on the killings. The senator was accused of protecting and coddling drug traders inside the New Bilibid Prison during her stint as Justice secretary. She repeatedly denied the accusations, saying her detention is politically-motivated. De Lima was also recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential People by Time Magazine,
one of the notable Women Human Rights Defenders in 2017 by Amnesty International, one of the Leading Global Thinkers in 2016 and 2017 by Foreign Policy Magazine and one of the Southeast Asia’s Women to Watch by the Diplomat Magazine. Joining the detained senator in the Fortune’s list of greatest leaders were Bill and Melinda Gates, the #MeToo Movement, South Korea President Moon Jae-in, Oprah Winfrey, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, among others. “The student” of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and other schools in the United States topped the list for their “courage, tenacity and sheer eloquence” to tackle the disease of gun violence. ■
Palace blasts EU over... PAGE A2 t
TOTOONG PAPEL PARA SA TOTOONG MAHAL
the European Parliament for for crossing “a red line when it called for unwarranted actions against the Philippines.” “This resolution that the European Parliament just adopted is based on biased, incomplete, and even wrong information, and does not reflect the true situation on the ground,” Cayetano said. He added, “In case the members of the European Parliament are not aware of it, may we remind them that their recommended actions already constitute interference in the affairs of a sovereign state.” EU official deported The European lawmakers also called on the administration “to stop banning the entry into the country of persons who are perceived as critics of President Duterte’s policies.” Earlier this week, a European politician was detained and immediately deported for allegedly
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ing the strong voices for human rights.” The party also urged the House of Representatives to probe the PES official’s deportation, adding that the “unfortunate incident only shows how paranoid this government is in keeping the rest of the world blind from the damage President Duterte has done to our country.” PES President Sergei Stanishev, for its part, condemned how Filibeck was “treated as a criminal on the orders of the government and forcible deported from the country.” “Clearly, the president intends to silence criticism of his deadly policies both at home and abroad,” Stanishev said. He continued: “As a united political family, we refuse to be silenced. We will continue to express our solidarity with the democratic opposition to Mr. Duterte’s increasingly authoritarian rule in the Philippines.” ■
Three US hitmen face life in prison...
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Simple lang ang iyong pangarap: makasama ang iyong mahal sa buhay sa Amerika. Pero minsan, hindi simple ang paraan.
engaging in a “partisan political activity.” Giacomo Filibeck, the deputy secretary general of the Party of European Socialist (PES) and a native of Italy, was detained at the Cebu International Airport and immediately deported last Sunday, April 15. Filibeck was supposed to join the Akbayan Party-list Congress as a guest of honor on Monday. The Bureau of Immigrations, however, ordered his deportation because he supposedly “violated the conditions of his stay when he came to the Philippines last year.” Filibeck was part of a human rights delegation that visited Manila in October 2017 that denounced the killings under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. Akbayan, a sister party of PES, called Filibeck’s deportation a “deplorable act of silenc-
For the hit, Hunter had hired four former U.S., German, and Polish soldiers to serve as security and hitmen for what they thought was a Colombian drug trafficking organization. Hunter was recorded describing the mission to his recruits as being “just like a military mission.”
“This is real [expletive]. You know, you see everything. You see James Bond in the movie and you’re saying, ‘Oh, I can do that.’ Well, you’re gonna do it now,” a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s office quoted Hunter saying. Following the sentencing in May 2016, Bharara said: “The sentencing of Joseph Hunter,
an admitted contract killer, convicted drug trafficker, and ringleader of trained assassins, ends another chapter in a chilling criminal case that spanned the globe.” Manhattan prosecutors are also managing the current Lee case as both cases came from the same investigation. (Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)
UN health agency: Dengue vaccine...
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of the disease. The mosquitospread virus is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates across Latin and South America, Asia, Africa and elsewhere. It causes a flu-like disease that can cause joint pain, nausea, vomiting and a rash. In severe cases, dengue can result in breathing problems, hemorrhaging and organ failure. About half the world’s population is at risk of dengue; WHO estimates that about 96 million people are sickened by the viral
infection every year. Following Sanofi’s announcement last year, the Philippines halted its dengue immunization program, the world’s first national vaccination program for dengue. The government also demanded a refund of more than 3 billion pesos ($59 million) from Sanofi and is considering further legal action. In February, the Philippines said the vaccine was potentially linked to the deaths of three people: all of them died of dengue despite having received the
vaccine. The country imposed a symbolic fine of $2,000 on Sanofi and suspended the vaccine’s approval, charging that the drugmaker broke rules on how the shot was registered and marketed. More than 730,000 children aged 9 and above in the Philippines have received at least one dose of the dengue vaccine, usually delivered in three doses. There is no specific treatment for dengue and there are no other licensed vaccines on the market. ■
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US, PH officials lead groundbreaking Duterte maintains stance against divorce bill of first major EDCA project by aJPress
by aJPress The construction of a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (hADR) storage facility in Basa Air Base in Pampanga began on Tuesday, April 17. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and United States Ambassador to Manila Sung Kim led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the warehouse, which is one of five projects under the enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (eDCA) between the two countries. The facility will be used to store equipment and other supplies critical to responding efficiently and effectively to “evolving security challenges and promote peace” in the Asian region, according to Lorenzana. In his speech, Lorenzana also applauded the alliance between the Philippines and U.S. “built on a strong foundation of shared values, sacrifices, and history.” “I know that eDCA is one of the sure ways to enhance our alliance and help promote peace and security in the region as it provides a framework through which both the Philippines and the United States will approach the evolving security challenges,” he added. The Defense chief also said eDCA allows the increase in
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (second from left) and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim (third from left) lead the groundbreaking ceremony for a multipurpose Humanitarian Defense Response Warehouse at Basa Air Base in Pampanga. Inquirer.net photo
training opportunities for the U.S. and the Philippine forces, increasing the interoperability of both militaries. eDCA trainings, likewise, allow both forces to respond to humanitarian crises affecting the Philippines. “hence, it is the Filipino community that will ultimately benefit from this project which is not only a testament to our countries’ commitment to having a stronger alliance, but also to our desire to help one another grow capabilities together,” Lorenzana said. Kim, meanwhile, described eDCA as a testament to the “continued dedication and commitment to our partnership and friendship” and an “agreement between two sovereign nations,
a pact between equals.” “As we break ground at the very first major eDCA project, we look forward to continuing to work closely with Philippine government for future eDCA projects at the five agreed locations,” the U.S. ambassador said. “The Philippines, of course, will maintain full control of facilities,” Kim added. Signed in 2014, eDCA is an agreement that allows the U.S. military to construct facilities and pre-position defense assets inside Philippine military bases: Basa Airbase in Pampanga, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva ecija, Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro, and Mactan-Benito ebuen Air Base in Cebu. n
PH eyes diplomatic protest vs China by Catherine
S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
MANILA is mulling diplomatic action against Beijing over the reported presence of two Chinese military planes on a disputed reef in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), a Palace official said on Thursday, April 19. Palace spokesman harry Roque Jr. told reporters the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was considering filing a diplomatic protest with China for breaching its international obligations. “The secretary of foreign affairs has said that they are preparing and exploring the possibility of a
diplomatic protest,” Roque said during a news conference. “Obviously, if we consider a diplomatic protest, then you consider the other state to be in breach of an international obligation,” he added. Roque issued a statement after a newspaper published a photograph showing two Chinese military transport planes on Mischief Reef, which the Philippines calls Panganiban Reef. Panganiban Reef, called Meiji Jiao by Beijing, is part of the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone where it enjoys sovereign rights to exploit natural resources under the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The photograph taken on January 6 showed two Xian Y-7 military planes 20 to 50 meters apart on the ramp near Runway 21 of the reef. China’s claims on the disputed waters were invalidated by a United Nations-backed tribunal in July 2016, for lack of legal and historical basis. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The hague also junked China’s “nine-dashline” map covering practically the entire South China Sea. It concluded that Panganiban Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas)
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PhILIPPINe President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, April 18, reiterated that he is against the legalization of divorce and dissolution of marriage in the country. Duterte said he could not support house Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s bill because his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is “not happy” with his proposed law. “I’m sorry but I cannot follow you. My daughter is not happy with that, really,” the president said during his speech at the Change of Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Quezon City. Duterte teased Alvarez, “Magusap na lang kayo ni Sara (Just talk with Sara).” The Davao City mayor and house speaker earlier engaged in a word war after Alvarez reportedly called Sara a part of the opposition when she formed a separate regional political party.
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte said he is against the legalization of divorce and dissolution of marriage in the Philippines. Inquirer.net photo
Alvarez is one of the authors of the house Bill 7303 or “An Act Instituting Absolute Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage in the Philippines.” Malacañang earlier confirmed that the president is against the bill. “he doesn’t want to comment but since there was voting
already in Congress, the president is against divorce,” Palace Spokesperson harry Roque said last month. Duterte, according to Roque, thinks divorce should not be made legal as “children would be pitiful if there will be divorce.” On March 19, the house of
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OPINION
FEATURES
Symbiotic relationship
AS of Friday, April 20, a second draft of the executive order on job contractualization awaited the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte. This is a good indication that the measure is being subjected to careful deliberation. As labor groups have stressed, the contractualization scheme has been abused by certain employers to avoid giving their workers the wages and benefits provided by law and to prevent the formation of unions. Also called “endo” or end of contract, employers hire workers for several months and then lay them off before they become eligible for regular status. Workers can be rehired over and over, but always under such a contractual setup. There are some business enterprises, however, wherein contractual employment is unavoidable or practical, with job or production orders peaking only during certain seasons. Even large companies also find it more efficient to outsource the hiring of workers with specialized skills such as security guards and janitors who need special training. There are companies that provide such workers. The government must balance these economic realities with the promotion of the welfare of workers. Satisfied employees tend to be more productive, but employers also need a reasonable return
on investment to sustain their enterprise and keep the workers happy. Any order regulating contractualization must be nuanced and reasonable for both employer and employee. Recent pronouncements of labor officials on the issue, however, are reportedly spooking investors, who are considering relocating to more business-friendly countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. This is according to the secretary of trade himself. The country is competing with its neighbors in attracting job-generating foreign direct investment, and so far the Philippines has been trailing most of the others in the region. Over the past three decades, the country lost a lot of business to China, a hybrid communist state whose phenomenal growth was powered partly by cheap labor. Investors and workers have a symbiotic relationship; one can’t live without the other. In rationalizing contractualization, both sides must be prepared for a reasonable if not entirely happy compromise. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Poll: A majority of Californians back increase in deportation as some cities oppose California’s sanctuary state policy
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS CALIFORNIA, home to the biggest Filipino population in America, is divided, and so are kababayans in the Golden State, when it comes to the “sanctuary state” policy enacted into law by Governor Jerry Brown last year. The poll published by UC Berkeley’s progressive-leaning Haas Institute on Wednesday, April 18, revealed the paradox that while 70 percent of Californians agreed that immigrants strengthen America, 59 percent backed an increase in deportations. Despite these findings, however, this poll conducted in December 2017 of 2,440 Californians also found that 66 percent rejected the idea that Trump’s border wall is an important priority of immigration policy. The law that designates California as a sanctuary state be-
came effective on January 1, 2018, restricts local authorities’ cooperation with federal immigration authorities to allow people who have entered America illegally to live and work without the threat of deportation. Prior to this, many cities in the Golden State have already been sanctuary cities like San Francisco. The law — California Values Act — is intended to “protect the safety and well-being of all Californians by ensuring that state and local resources are not used to fuel mass deportations, separate families, or terrorize our communities. The bill will provide essential safeguards to ensure that police, schools, health facilities, courts, and the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement remain accessible to Californians from all walks of life and that California’s limited resources are
directed to matters of greatest concern to state and local governments.” The statewide California law mandates: Law enforcement may not comply with an ICE detainer unless the detainee: (1) has been convicted of a specific serious or violent felony; (2) has been convicted of a felony punishable by imprisonment; (3) has been convicted in the past 5 years of a misdemeanor for a crime that could have been punishable either as a misdemeanor or a felony, (specifically listed crimes include child abuse, bribery, gang-related offenses or driving under the influence, but only for a conviction that is a felony); (4) is a registrant in the California Sex and Arson Registry; (5) has been arrested on suspicion of a serious or violent felony and a magistrate has made a finding that there is probable cause to
hold the person for that charge; or (6) has been convicted of certain federal aggravated felonies or is subject to a federal felony arrest warrant. Even then, AB 4 gives state and local law enforcement officials the option of not complying with an ICE detainer request. HOWEVER, since President Donald Trump’s election and his fight against sanctuary cities, counties, and states, conservative-controlled areas have been opposing the sanctuary state policy. As Newsweek reported, these jurisdictions include the city council of Las Alamitos in Orange County, which voted to exempt itself from Brown’s Senate Bill 54 in April. Orange County leaders have also joined a federal lawsuit by the U.S. Justice Department against California’s state sanctuary law. So has Escondido City Council and San
Life’s storms reveal your true friends “When I came to know her exemplary kindness, I thought she should have been the nun and I should have been in the working world. Well. you must already know that Manang Rose was an unassuming and prayerful person but also had strong values, especially kindness that exemplified a sincere Christ-like attitude.” – Sister Jolisa Lazaro, S.N.D, June 2, 2016 “It’s during the worst storms of your life that you will get to see the true colors of the people who say they care for you.” – Anonymous HAVE you done a rigorous inventory of your life’s grace? Grace in the sense that God showered you with unintended blessings or that God mercifully did not punish you for something you should have been. I wanted to reflect on that, as this word came upon me, “mirrflect,” a combination of holding a mirror and reflection on one’s life, while attending the wake of a dear friend’s mom. Two years ago, 2016, I lost two valuable members of my family, Asuncion, my mother, to complications of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) at age 88 on March 18 (day after St. Patrick’s Day) and my sister, Rosalinda, at age 67 on May 17, 2016, 60 days apart. Why did I lose my mother and my eldest sister in a span of 60 days? Simply, no answer suffices, but just to recognize that God harvested His angels in His own time. During that week, I observed strange things. Aside from cabinets opening and closing on their own, I usually stayed in our li-
Rhizomes
PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. brary, with sunlight peering from the windows on the south side in the early afternoon. I watched the sun’s rays and a strange silhouette of a young woman appeared wearing a lace dress. I took a photo of that image, as I could not make sense of it. Whose image was that, I asked? It turns out an old photo of my younger mother resembled that silhouette. Since these double traumas, friends have surfaced for me. Would you believe my granddaughter, barely three years old now? It is the beautiful soul in her I still remember when, as an infant, barely months old, when I was holding her to feed her milk. I kept sobbing as I held the bottle to her mouth (Princess for this essay). I could not stop sobbing, but I still had to nurture this baby, as both of her parents were at work. This beautiful soulful infant held on to my pinky with her inch-long fingers barely able to grab my pinky. Her reaching out to me, though barely awake, and feeding from her bottle, touched me so much. During my mother’s funeral mass, Princess was held by her dad, Sergio, and her mom, Co-
rina, taking their turns, as the mass progressed. The church was full and musicians from the community came to pay their respects and even sing for my mother, primarily the David family (Mon, Nicole and Carlo). Even her grandfather, Enrique, held out his arms to hold Princess. But, she refused them all, all of these primary caretakers, to hold her. When I offered my outstretched hands to hold her, she moved her body towards me and I got to hold her during mass. I keep that memory in my heart and in my mind as a special bond between Princess and myself. Asuncion’s enduring friendship and those who kept me company Sion, my younger sister, kept me company. We went to all the Filipino movies we could see together, even if I had to drive 50 miles round trip each time. At times, it was a test of my endurance as the heat and traffic became unbearable during the summer. Yet, once reunited, it became something we look forward to, where we can simply let our souls bare, but also how easy conversations were. We went to our favorite “hole in the wall” for lunch and it got us through our difficult years. Just a few days ago, I complimented her for making everyone laugh that we met, giving much of her in storytelling and jokes. Our texts were long at times, wherein we wrote down what we see about life, and as we wrote them all out, we gained clarity that the two back-to-back deaths
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Diego County. BUT as The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” (BA) reported on Thursday, April 19, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) fired back with a lawsuit, which lists the group Los Alamitos Community United as plaintiffs. The lawsuit claims that the city violated state laws and have put public safety at risk. According to a report by BA’s LA Correspondent, Steve Angeles, despite the growing number of anti-sanctuary cities, Los Alamitos for now, will be the only one facing legal action. Newsweek reported that Brown spoke before the National Press Club on April 17, saying, ”I am concerned about our borders” and cited problems with guns, drugs and human trafficking. “California’s a very diverse state. We have many different
congressional districts and cities. And they think differently.” “I would say that the law as I signed it was very different than the law that was originally introduced. California works with the immigration service all the time. They’re working daily with our state prison system as well as other law enforcement people, “Brown explained. “But we do say we’re not going to do the work of the federal government. Under the law, we’re not required to. We’re not interfering with it. But we are doing our work.” DO YOU SUPPORT California’s sanctuary state policy? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
The issues I’m fighting for Commentary
RAJI RAB IN today’s space age of innovation and economic stability, advancement of our next generation is the sacred key to the ultimate success of our society. Envisioning endless possibilities, students are the ultimate gateway to the scientific rewards of the future and a debt free education will raise a debt free nation. If we can bail out the banks and Wall Street from financial crises, we can surely bailout our students from crushing debt. To jumpstart progress we need better jobs with profitable trade to boost economy, while strengthening national debt. Rewarding business opportunities, incentives and removing burdensome regulations will help boost our economy. I will help business entities with incentives to keep proportionate jobs here in America. We are blessed with a very generous wealthy class of American people who have contributed a lot and are great humanitarians. An extra bit of support from the wealthy, the banks, Wall Street & other big institutions will help reduce national debt. Immigration to America has been a symbol of hope for people all over the world, taking refuge here from the worst forms of abuse, and in return, enriching
Raji Rab, candidate running for California’s 30th Congressional District
us with brightest cultures, minds and regions. While I am devoted to compassionate immigration, I will enforce strong measures to stop criminal elements from entering our homeland. Housing, health care, welfare and Social Security rights are human rights. I will ease Medi-Cal, Medicare, social Security, and help get lowincome housing options. I believe tax relief is necessary for small businesses and the middle class to rejuvenate our working climate, bringing a culture of team spirit to cultivate our economy. As a peaceful society, we must address the issues of public safety, national security and guns.
Attention is needed for crime prevention with increased law enforcement jobs and advanced rehabilitation options. We need friendly international relations and transformational leadership to jointly remove the menace of terrorism and hate crimes. I am a huge fan of constitutional rights and strict background checks will deter guns falling into wrong hands. For world peace, non-proliferation of nuclear arms with an appreciable foreign policy is necessary. We must exercise, preach and practice peace and adopt measures to remove fear
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The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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The issues I’m fighting... PAGE A8 t of war from our planet. We need to evenly fortify our foreign policy to justify our peaceful position to heal the cause of humanity. Our military & veterans deserve the best. We need modern resources to deter all threats to protect our homeland. Our VA care needs to reflect our appreciation for our military by offering more relief, recognition and better choices of health care options. Unacceptable clear and present danger of nuclear contamination exists here in our valley, requiring a full cleanup, pending over 50 years without any care, attention or public relief. This needs a strict federal investigation and accountability. We are blessed with constitutional rights and it is only upon us to preserve these rights. I will work to ensure that these rights are never compromised. Sadly, being the wealthiest na-
tion in the world, we have painful poverty, homelessness, and housing issues. I will address the root cause and prevention of these issues. Even those with jobs are struggling to support their families, without savings, on a month to month basis. People are already overburdened and crushed with low income. I will fight to remove heavy traffic and parking fines, the unconstitutional harsh fees and penalties, drowning us without any control and I will work to strengthen the clarity of our criminal justice system. The partisan political climate in Washington D.C. is not acceptable and years of the same old representation are part of the problem. I will work with the participation of all sides. I neither have old deals or past arrangements to keep with special interest groups. The purpose of my life is only to serve the betterment of the American
OpiniOn & Features
people and my loyalty will remain with the American people forever. Resent water and air quality is of concern. We get some rainwater, but the farming and agriculture water supply from the Colorado river goes to the seven river basin states. We need justified water reforms in view of our growing population here in California. As leaders of the free world, it is our natural responsibility to form larger platforms to protect animals from sickness and cruelty. We must ensure that animal rights are enforced, honored and preserved. I am committed to the issues addressed above, devoted to pleasantly serve you better, and filling your lives with goodness of health, happiness and prosperity. *** Raji Rab is a candidate running for California’s 30th Congressional District.
Life’s storms reveal your true... PAGE A8 t
were God’s blessings and to see how much we are blessed, beyond our expectations. I hung out with her family, and I got to know more of my niece, Jennifer, and my favorite nephew, Brian, a tender soul who has been nursing her mother, back to her healthier self. They all were encouraging about my first book project. Editor/friends who contributed positively I requested my editor, Christina, to write the foreword on my book, “Even the Rainbow Has a Body.” She too was going through tough times, as she had just lost a dear uncle in late November, when the foreword was due. Yet, she braced herself, I am not even sure how she did it and wrote the most touching foreword to my first book. I knew then, with that foreword written, I would get the book published. I also asked my former editor, Nickee, to edit my essays and to help me with the book. It was a “rosy” relationship, forged with thorns and rose petals. With her candid feedback and my fragile feelings then, I could not take sometimes her objective criticisms. But, when we persisted, instead of resisting the differences in our perspectives, while modifying each other’s contributions, the project was finished; I shed a tear that finally a book is worthy of memorializing the legacies of my mother and my
sister. But it took generous souls, the likes of Hydee Ursolino-Abrahan who orchestrated how I should break up the book chapters with solo photos of my subjects, even a group photo of the choral groups that I featured. I cannot thank her enough for reaching out to me that this would be possible, in the middle of the holiday preparations during Thanksgiving. I am also indebted to Fritz Friedman, Michael Gonzalez, Ph.D., Prof. Carol Ojeda– Kimbrough, and Cynthia Bonta who wrote reviews on the book cover. They too, after writing their reviews helped me get out of my trauma. But it was Grace Ysabel Simon, a senior in high school, who captured the essence of my book, even before reading the book chapters. How she did it is a mystery of the blessings of the Holy Spirit who is hand-picking all the folks who helped in giving birth to this book. It took a very caring and professional printer, Monty Rili of Squid Ink Printing, to bring out the aesthetics and quality that I needed for the book. And with the book launch, supported by tender loving souls, like Cora Oriel, Ted Benito, Asuncion Abarquez Ferrer, and Lem Balagot in Los Angeles, the book became symbolic of a ‘phoenix rising out of the ashes.’
My husband, Enrique and children, Corina and Carlo and my granddaughter, Princess became my early supporters for this book and with their support, I rise out of these traumas and reclaim my life of writing. Two years after, more book launches have been organized by many earth angels, all stepping up to do it: Cynthia Bonta, East Wind Bookstore, Angge Lahoz, Korkie Paz, Emmellee Coronel, Ester Tagud, Philippine Expressions Bookshop, and even its latest poster ad, designed by Tina Salonga-Bulchand. Thank you to all of you, dear community folks, named and some unnamed, who are my true friends, with Christ-like attitudes and kindness, as I weathered the worst storms of my life! *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 21-24, 2018
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De Lima to stay in jail after SC junks appeal by Dana
SioSon AJPress
Senator Leila De Lima will remain in detention after the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed her motion for reconsideration on the arrest warrant against her issued by Muntinlupa regional trial Court (rtC). In a ruling penned by associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., the SC upheld the arrest order against the senator, which was issued by Muntinlupa rtC executive Judge Juanita Guerrero on February 23, 2017. De Lima surrendered to authorities on February 24, 2017, and has since been detained at the Philippine national Police (PnP) Custodial Center in Quezon City. the warrant of arrest came after the Department of Justice (DoJ) charged De Lima for her alleged involvement on the illegal drug trade inside the new Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary from 2010 to 2015. the senator, however, denied the charges and cried political persecution. In her petition, De Lima argued that it was the office of the ombudsman, not the rtC, which has jurisdiction over the drug cases against her because she accused of profiting from drug trade by using her position as the Justice secretary.
Sen. Leila De Lima
Inquirer.net photo
She also claimed that Guerrero committed grave abuse of discretion for ordering her arrest despite the fact that she had a pending motion to quash. the high court dismissed De Lima’s petition to nullify her arrest on oct. 10, 2017 due to lack of merit. the senator later filed a motion for reconsideration, which the SC also dismissed recently. In a statement on Wednesday, april 18, De Lima lamented the SC’s decision to junk her motion for reconsideration. “I am disappointed but hardly surprised…It is disheartening
because our case is clearly meritorious. and I say that as plainly and as objectively as I possibly STILL AT IT. Supporters of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno bearing photos of five associate justices of the Supreme Court hold a rally in front of the Supreme Court building. Sereno had asked the five justices — Teresita de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis could,” the senator said. She also vowed “to continue Jardeleza and Noel Tijam – to inhibit themselves from the quo warranto case filed against her by Solicitor General Jose Calida. The justices rejected the chief justice’s motion for inhibition. ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo Jr. fighting for [her] innocence.” “Because I am innocent. no lie can ever change that fact. Someday I will attain my vindication, and all the lies—especially the PAGE A7 t ‘Matter of concern’ PH vocal vs China – Lorenzalies about the deaths of the thounational Security adviser Herna Shoal and recto (reed) Bank are sands of victims of the so-called Defense Secretary Delfin mogenes esperon downplayed ‘War on Drugs’—will be exposed, “submerged at high tide, form and the butchers, tyrants, and part of the exclusive economic Lorenzana said the Philippines the recent development but adoppressors will be brought to an- zone and continental shelf of the had been “vocal” in opposing mitted it was “a matter of conswer for their crimes against the Philippines, are not overlapped China’s militarization of several cern.” “I don’t see it as a threat, but Constitution and against human- by any possible entitlement of areas within the West Philippine Sea, such as Panganiban reef. it is a matter of concern. If it is China.” ity,” De Lima added. n “We will ask the [Department militarization and directed to us, China has beefed up construction and reclamation ac- of] Foreign affairs to make a we’ll have to look further what tivities in the disputed islands note verbale, a protest on why really landed there and if there they are militarizing that. But are such,” he said. since 2013. asked what the government senatorial race. With his new the recent photo belie earlier the Chinese has been saying that aspiration in public service, we promises by Beijing not to fur- their militarization there is just would do in case China’s militastrongly believe that he can con- ther militarize the disputed area. defensive,” Lorenzana told re- rization was directed at Philiptribute more in our shared goal to according to the Washing- porters late Wednesday in Camp pines, esperon responded: “You, ensure services the success of the ton-based asia Maritime trans- aguinaldo, Quezon City after the what would you do? How will future Bangsamoro government parency Initiative, China has 20 military’s change of command landing of an airplane be directed to us? Will that bear forces and ultimately, achieve lasting outposts in the Paracel Islands ceremony. the Philippines “can’t do any- and land in our territory?” peace and prosperity in Mindan- and seven in the Kalayaan Island “there remains to be probao,” Jaafar said. Group or Spratlys, aside from thing” if China has been sending the BtC, formed by the previ- control of Panatag (Scarborough) military transport planes over lems there which we have managed and will manage, through ous administration under execu- Shoal, which it grabbed from the Panganiban reef, he said. “they have a runway and they what we call the bilateral consultive order 120, was tasked to draft Philippines after a standoff in can use it,” Lorenzana said. tative mechanisms. that is ongothe Bangsamoro Basic Law, which 2012. He also cast doubt that Beijing ing. rather than shouting out or will serve as the legal basis of the China is said to have reclaimed new Bangsamoro political entity. 1,300 hectares of land in the would agree to return the reef to throwing remarks against each its natural state. other, we have now managed the the commission was formed South China Sea. “I don’t know. they have al- area,” he added. following a peace agreement bethe Philippines, meanwhile, “after all, the situation retween the government and the occupies nine islands in the Ka- ready spent billions there. So, I MILF. layaan group, and has an airstrip don’t know if they will agree to ally there is that our relations with China do not start and end It has 15 members, all from on the largest, Pag-asa (thitu) that,” Lorenzana said. earlier this year, Lorenzana with the West Philippine Sea. So the Bangsamoro and appointed Island. by the President – seven selected on Wednesday, Foreign af- sought a diplomatic protest now, we have strong relations in by the government, and eight, in- fairs Secretary alan Cayetano against China for militarizing trade, as well as in investments cluding the chairman, selected by said the government was verify- Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) reef, and cultural activities,” esperon the MILF. ing the reported presence of Chi- following a report from Hong added. “We are not targets [of the commission has represen- nese aircraft in Panganiban reef Kong-based asia times saying tatives from three communities and could file a protest upon that China had established mili- militarization]but of course, that – Muslims, Christians and indig- confirmation from the defense tary bases and buildings in the strengthens their hold on the isdisputed area. lands which is expected.” n enous peoples. (ManilaTimes.net) department.
PH eyes diplomatic protest...
Bangsamoro commission backs Bong Go’s senate bid
tHe interim commission for the Bangsamoro has endorsed the senatorial candidacy of Special assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, citing his contributions to the Mindanao peace process. In a statement, Ghazali Jaafar, chairman of the Bangsamoro transition Commission (BtC) and first vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said the President’s aide had “demonstrated exemplary leadership, which is instrumental to the good and harmonious relationship of the Filipino and Bangsamoro in Davao.” “Secretary Bong Go is an old friend of the Bangsamoro transition Commission and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He is known to us as a man of integrity and competence because he is one of the most trusted men of President rodrigo roa Duterte,” Jaafar said. the Bangsamoro commission chief said Go “deeply understands
the problem of the Bangsamoro people and the importance of addressing them to ensure just and dignified peace in Mindanao.” “He is profoundly aware of what is needed for the attainment of socioeconomic prosperity of the country. as the special assistant to the President, he serves as a facilitator of the BtC’s communications for the office of the President and other departments and agencies of the government. all concerns including some sensitive issues confronted by the BtC were clarified and addressed through the able facilitation of Secretary Bong Go,” Jaafar said. Because of Go’s help, the commission was able to expedite the legislative process for the stillpending Bangsamoro Basic Law in the Senate and the House of representatives, he said. “With the significant contributions of the Secretary Bong Go, the BtC leadership believes that he deserves to be endorsed and supported in the coming 2019
FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Petra, Aqaba, Jordan
(Tiberias, Ceasarea, Haifa, Meggido,Magdala, Nazareth, Cana, Mt Carmel, Capernaum, Mt. Beatitude, Jericho, Bethany, Mt.Tabor, Mount Zion, Mt. of Olives, Old & New Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Qumran, Masada Dead Sea, Allen by Bridge, Madaba, Mt Nebo Petra, Aqaba Jordan)
OCTOBER 18 to NOVEMBER 1, 2018 SPIRITUAL CHAPLAIN: REV. ANTONIO FLORES Oct. 18, 2018( Thursday) Day 1 – MNL HKG, TEL AVIV, ISRAEL Oct. 25, 2018 (Thursday) Day 8 - Jerusalem Trans-Atlantic flight from LAX to Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv, Mass at the Holy Eucharist Church of St Peter in Gallicantu “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...” (John 1:14) Israel. (Meals served in-flight) We will walk to view the Dome of the Rock from the outside, and visit the Oct. 18, 2018 (Friday) Day 1 – Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv/ Western Wall, ( Wailing Wall ) the only part of the Herodian Temple still Tiberias standing and the most sacred place in the world for Jews. Then, we will Arrival from Manila still Oct. 18,2018 late in the evening. After we clear drive to Mt. Zion, to visit the Upper Room, revered as the site of the Last Immigration and Customs, will be met by our driver for transfer to tiberias . Supper, then survey the Dormition Abbey, and the Church of St. Peter in enjoy the panoramic view of the Mediterranean. We will spend our first night Gallicantu, the site where Peter denied Jesus three times. After the day’s in Tiberias. Dinner and overnight (D). Gai Beach Hotel (Oct. 19, 2018) Holy tour, we will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Jerusalem (B, D) Eucharist Notre Dame Vatican Hotel Oct. 20, 2018 (Saturday) Day 3 - Tiberias/ Meggido/ Nazareth/ Cana / Oct. 26, 2018 (Friday) Day 9 - Mount of Olives/Gethsemane/Bethlehem/ Mt Tabor Jerusalem (New City)/Ein Karem We will have short stop in Meggido and the Plains of Armageddon, known in Mass at the Church of Nativity Hebrew as Meggido, a giant fortress and City built by King Solomon. In the New “O mountain of God, receive me, a mother, with my child.” (Protoevangelium Testament book of Revelation, it is referred as the sites of the “final battle”. of James 22:3) From there, we will continue our drive into Nazareth, where we will have Mass We will arrive at the Mount of Olives, to enjoy another view of Jerusalem, in the Church of the Annunciation, the Cave of the Annunciation and visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the Dominus visit Joseph’s Workshop and Then we will move on to Cana of Galilee, where Flevit (“God wept”) sanctuary. Next, we’ll walk the Palm Sunday Road to the Our Lord performed His first miracle: changing water into wine at the wedding Garden of Gethsemane, and visit the Rock of Agony and the Church of feast. We will invite couples to Bless their marriage vows, Continue to Mount all Nations. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Bethlehem, a city whose name is Tabor, site of Jesus Transfiguration Afterward, we will head to Tiberias. Dinner recognized around the world. After celebrating Mass at the Church of Nativity, and overnight in Tiberias. (B/D).Gai Beach Hotel. we will see the Manger; visit the Church of St. Catherine, the Grotto of St. Oct. 21, 2018 (Sunday) Day 4 - Tiberias/Mount Beatitude/ Multiplication / Primacy/ Capernum/Boat Ride “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Early AM departures to Mt. Beatitude Drive up to Mount Beatitudes, visit the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people. Eucharistic Celebration. Enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Then to the Church Primacy of St Peters. Overnight Magdala ( BB, D)
Jerome and the Shepherds’ Fields. Then we will return to Jerusalem (New City), to view the Temple Model to see how it looked during the time of Jesus. Here, we will gain a better understanding between the old and new cities of Jerusalem. Up next is a trip to Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church, where Mary proclaimed her famous “Magnificat”. We will end our day by returning to our Hotel. (B/D).
Oct. 23, 2018 (Tuesday) DAY 6 - Jordan Valley/Jericho/Bethany/ Jerusalem Mass at the Church of St. Lazarus MAGDALA, Israel – 2009 Discoveries from a new archaeological dig are creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and it’s the home of Mary Magdalene.”She lived here and she met Jesus here and she continued with Him. Yes, it’s that place The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue dating back to the time of Jesus. According to archaeologists, it’s the first one discovered in the Galilee.
famous mosaic map of the Holy Land. Then we will drive down to Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba (B/D). Movenpick Resort & Residence.
Oct. 27, 2018 (Saturday) Day 10 - Jerusalem/ Dead Sea/ Qumran/ Masada Mass at the Church of all Nations After breakfast, we will celebrate mass at the Church of all Nations and then we will drive to Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the Oct. 22, 2018 (Monday) Day 5 - Magdala Full day retreat , Focus will Include programs based on the historical caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herod’s fortress and the Jew’s last stronghold against the Roman. Return to and Religious value of the Magdala sites Jerusalem for dinner and Overnight (B, D) More info coming up as we get closer to the dates MAGDALA, Israel – 2009 Discoveries from a new archaeological dig are Oct. 28, 2018 (Sunday) Day11 - Jerusalem/Allenby Bridge/Madaba/ creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is Jordan/Mt. Nebo/ Aqaba called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and it’s the home of Mary Magdalene.”She Mass at Mount Nebo lived here and she met Jesus here and she continued with Him. Yes, it’s On this day, we head to Allenby Bridge and cross into Jordan. We will go to that place The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue the Baptismal Site at Bethany, which Pope John Paul II visited in 2000. dating back to the time of Jesus. According to archaeologists, it’s the first one Then, it’s on to Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Our discovered in the Galilee. next stop will be the Church of St. George in Madaba, which hosts the
Oct. 24, 2018 ( Wednesday) Day 7 - Jerusalem (Old City)/Via Dolorosa/ Mount Zion Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.” (John 19:17) We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem and will follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) and say the Station of the Cross to the holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visit Golgotha and the Tomb of Our Lord. After mass, we return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we will enter the Old City, sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and view the Pool of Bethesda. Then we will visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostratos (where the soldiers played the Game of Kings) and the Arch of the “Ecce Homo”. Dinner/Overnight Notre Dame Vatican hotel
Oct 29, 2018 (Monday) Day 12 - Aqaba/Petra Mass at Stella Maris Church – Aqaba After breakfast, we will journey through the Siq, until we get our first glimpse of the Khazneh (Treasury). Then will we walk down to visit the Temple and view the many caves all around the Theater. At the end of the tour, we will drive back to Aqaba for overnight and dinner (B/D). Movenpick Resort & Residence Oct. 30, 2018 (Tuesday) Day 13 - Aqaba/ Jerusalem We Cross the Jordanian Border to return to Jerusalem. Dinner/Overnight Oct. 31, 2018 (Wednesday) Day 14 - Jerusalem /Yad Vashem Museum/ TLV/ LAX After breakfast, we will visit the Yad Vashem Museum,is Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the dead; honoring Jews who fought against their Nazi oppressors and Gentiles who selflessly aided Jews in need; and researching the phenomenon of the Holocaust in particular and genocide in general, with the aim of avoiding such events in the future. After the Western Wall, Yad Vashem is the second-most-visited Israeli tourist site. Return to the hotel for lunch and relaxation in preparation for our return flight back to the USA after early dinner will be transferred to the airport for flight Oct 31, 2018 8:45 PM departure from TLV End of Our Memorable Pilgrimage to Jesus Home Land!!!
Marian Pilgrimage France, Spain & Portugal September 8 to September 21, 2018 Spiritual Director: rev. John Duy nguyen Still one of the great pilgrimages shrines in the world, visited by thousands of pilgrim’s. Arrive in Lourdes in the late afternoon, orientation to the shrines and spends some time in the sanctuary. Dinner & overnight. Sept. 9, 2018 - (Sunday) Day 2 - Paris (CDG) Arrived Paris CDG, Then after we clear immigration and collect our (BB, D) Luggage,. you will proceed to your hotel and have mass and dinner. Sept. 15, 2018 - (Saturday) Day 8 - Lourdes Overnight in Paris. (D) You will have early morning bath at the healing water of Lourdes. Then return to the hotel for breakfast. There after attend Holy Mass Sept. 10, 2018 - (Monday) Day 3 - Paris Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, also at the Grotto. continue the day with a walking tour of the shrines and known as the City of Light. Full day touring with local guide, including places associated with the life of St. Bernadette. Spend some time visit of the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Basilica of Sacre meditating on the passion of our Lord through more than life size Coeur, The chapel of the Miraculous Medal in Rue de Bac is the site exotic way of the sacrament and prayers. Afternoon will be free time of Marian Apparitions and contain the reliquaries of St. Catherine for private devotion. Dinner/overnight (BB, D) Laboure and St. Louise De Marillac. The shrine of St. Vincent the Paul is within walking distance, a few blocks from Rue De Bac, visit Sept. 16, 2018 - (Sunday) Day 9 - Lourdes / Zaragoza the chapel which houses the relic of St. Vincent the Paul. Overnight After Breakfast, you’ll continue your drive towards Zaragoza, Spain. Visit the shrines of Our Lady of Pillar, the 2nd most popular in Paris (BB/D) pilgrimages sites in Spain. See the Magnificent altar in the Basilica, built on site where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the apostles Sept. 11, 2018 - (Tuesday) Day 4 - Paris/Lisieux After breakfast, Full day in Lisieux, home of St Therese, who at age St. James, before her assumption into heaven. Dinner/overnight 15, entered the convent and became Carmelite nun, she took the Zaragoza (BB, D) religious name of St Therese of the child Jesus and the Holy face. The spirituality of her little ways was not about extraordinary things, but Sept. 17, 2018 - (Monday) Day 10 - Zaragoza / Salamanca rather about doing simple things of life well and with extraordinary After breakfast you will embark on a trip to Salamanca. You will have love. She believed and taught that “Everything is Grace”, God’s face a short stop and panoramic tour of Avila. Upon arrival in Salamanca, and presence could be experienced in every person and situation of you will visit the Old Cathedral and tour the city. Dinner /overnight our lives, if we just attend with love and expectancy. She died at the Salamanca (BB, D) age of 24 believing that her life was really the beginning for God, promising to spend her heaven doing good on earth, her promised” Sept. 18, 2019 - (Tuesday) Day 11 - Salamanca / Fatima shower of Roses” began and have become a torrent in the church After Breakfast, you will spend the first half of the day touring ever since. Return to Paris, Dinner in a restaurant near the hotel. Salamanca. You will visit the new cathedral with a short stop at Plaza Mayor for lunch. After lunch you will continue to Fatima, the Overnight in Lisieux (BB, D) famous Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Upon arrival you will have a Sept. 12, 2018 - (Wednesday) Day 5 - Lisieux / Nevers / Paray- short orientation tour of the Sanctuary. Attend the nightly Candlelight procession at the Shrine. Dinner and Overnight Fatima (BB, D) Le-Monial After Breakfast, Continue your drive to the picturesque Loire valley to Nevers, visit the convent of St. Gillard, where St. Bernadette’s Sept. 19, 2018 - (Wednesday) Day 12 - Fatima incorrupt body miraculously preserved since her death in 1879. Breakfast, then Visit the Museum dedicated to the Blessed Virgin At the conclusion of the eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary Mary followed by Mass at the Apparitions chapel, Full day Guided in Lourdes, St. Bernadette lived for 12 years as a member of the tours includes the Shrines ground, visit of the tombs of Francisco congregation of the sisters of charity of Nevers. St Gildard convent and Jacinta in the Basilica, In Aljustrel and Valinhos, you see the is her final resting place. After she was blessed with the apparitions two homes of the shepherds, site of Our Lady’s fourth apparitions. of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, St. Bernadette retired in Nevers. She Stop at the Parish church where the seers were baptized, and the received her religious habit in 1866. Continue to Paray-Le-Monial for cemetery where Francisco and Jacinta were once buried. You will do the station of the Cross. We encourage everyone to spend some time Dinner & Overnight (BB, D) in the Blessed Sacrament, which is open every day. Dinner/overnight Fátima. (BB, D) Sept. 13, 2018 - (Thursday) Day 6 - Paray-Le-Monial After Breakfast, you will tour Paray-Le-Monial. Your first stop is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and here you will celebrate Holy Sept. 20, 2018 - (Thursday) Day 13 - Fatima / Lisbon Eucharist. Then you will tour and admire the Romanesque basilica After breakfast ,you will proceed to Lisbon with stops at Santarem and see the Chapel of Apparitions. After the Basilica, you will proceed to visit the church of the Holy Miracle containing the Glorious to the Monastere e la Visitation. Visit the reliquary of Saint Margaret 13th century Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem .Then you will do a Mary of Alocoque at the Chapel of Visitation. Still to see and visit after panoramic city tour of Lisbon, with a visit to the Basilica of St Anthony lunch is the Park of the Chaplain and the Chapel of St. Colombiere. de Padua, St Jeronimo’s Monastery and the famous Belem Tower. Dinner/Overnight Lisbon (BB, D) Dinner & Overnight (BB, D) Sept. 8, 2018 - (Saturday) Day 1 USA/PARIS Transatlantic flight from USA to Paris (CDG )Meals serve on board.
Sept. 14, 2018 - (Friday) Day 7 - Paray-Le-Monial / Lourdes Sept. 21, 2018 - (Friday) - Early AM transfer to Lisbon After breakfast you will continue your pilgrimage to Lourdes. Lourdes, Airport for flight home to USA celebrating 160 Years of apparitions of Blessed Virgin to Bernadette. Full of wonderful memories of Our Pilgrimage
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Poe tops Pulse Asia senatorial survey by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com
BIRTHDAY WITH ORPHANS. Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada celebrates his 81st birthday with orphaned children sheltered at the Catholic orphanage, Association De Damas De Filipinas, in Manila on Thursday, April 19. Estrada was an award-winning actor and producer before becoming a politician who served as mayor, senator, vice president and president. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Palace accuses Australian nun of lying, shows her photo speaking at rallies by AJPress MALACAñANG on Friday, April 20, belied claims that 71year-old Australian Catholic missionary Patricia Fox had not spoken at rallies she attended in the Philippines. During a news briefing, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. presented a photo supposedly taken April 9, showing Fox holding a microphone during a protest. “I heard the CBCP say that Sister Fox, although she attends rallies, has not spoken in rallies. Well, I now have a picture and this is taken April 9 in a rally organized by KMU and Gabriela partylist in front of Coca-Cola Davao City distribution center in Ulas, Davao City,” Roque said. The Palace official was apparently referring to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), which literally translates to May 1 Movement. Fox, who has been living in the Philippines for 27 years as a missionary and as an advocate of farmers’ rights, was arrested by Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers on Monday, April 16 at her home in Quezon City for alleged “illegal political activities” in the country. She was released the following day. In a television interview,
she denied participating in party politics. The BI said Fox was released for further investigation “after it was established that the Australian nun holds a valid missionary visa and, thus...is a properly documented alien.” “I am just telling the bishops, hindi po sinabi ni Sister Fox sa inyo ang buong katotohanan (She is not telling the whole truth). Ito po ang larawan (This is the picture),” Roque added. The CBCP, however, has not issued a public statement claiming that Fox never took microphones at rallies. Roque was likely referring to leftist lawmaker Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis Partylist, who earlier said: “Never in 27 years has Sister Pat been a speaker at any rally. Never in 27 years has she articulated anti-government statements.” ‘No crackdown on foreign critics’ Malacañang said there is no crackdown on foreigners who are critical of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Justifying the detention of Fox, Roque stressed that the law banning foreigners from participating in political activities in the Philippines also applies to supporters of the administration. “Our law is clear: those in the
Patricia Fox, a rights and land reform advocate, was detained for nearly a day for supposedly violating the Bureau of Immigration’s Order SBM-2015-025, which bans foreign tourists from engaging in partisan political assemblies. Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman
CA justice named Comelec commissioner by Jomar
canLas ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has made his first appointment to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), choosing a justice of the Court of Appeals to replace retired commissioner Arthur Lim. A well-placed source of The Manila Times said Duterte had appointed Associate Justice Socorro Balinghasay-Inting for a seven-year term as Comelec commissioner, or until February 2, 2025. The appointment papers have yet to be released and transmitted to the Comelec. Inting is a senior member of the appellate court’s 12th Division, where she has served for nine years. The new Comelec commissioner is a native of Davao City and the proud mother of a public attorney in Muntinlupa, Nina Ma. Socorro. Inting started her government career at the Public Attorney’s Office. She later became a prosecu-
tor in Davao City, Cebu City and Manila. She entered the judiciary in 1997 when she was appointed Makati Metropolitan Trial Court judge. She was later named judge at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) and served for nine years. Inting was appointed to the appeals court by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on November 6, 2009. The appointment of Inting to the poll body is an ad interim appointment, which means she can immediately assume the post, subject to the confirmation of the powerful Commission on Appointments. Inting is a graduate of Ateneo de Davao University where she earned a degree in management. She finished law in the same university and passed the bar exams in November 1980 with a grade of 81.6 percent. There is still one vacant position in the Comelec, the post left by Commissioner Christian Robert Lim. n
Duterte maintains stance... PAGE A7 t
Representatives approved the proposed law on its third and final reading with a vote of 13451-2. The bill, however, has no counterpart in the Senate. The bill aims to give “the opportunity to spouses in irremediably failed marriages to secure an absolute divorce decree under limited grounds and well-defined judicial procedures to terminate a continuing dysfunction of a long broken marriage.” It likewise aims to grant the divorced spouses the “right to marry again for another chance to achieve marital bliss.”
Among the grounds of divorce include existing grounds for legal separation under Article 55 of the Family Code, and annulment under Article 45 of the same code, which include physical violence, homosexuality, marital infidelity, and affliction of sexually transmissible infection, among others. Grounds also include separation in fact for at least five years, legal separation by judicial decree for at least two years, psychological incapacity, gender reassignment surgery, irreconcilable differences, and joint petition of spouses. n
Philippines are here because of our consent for them to be here, but they are not allowed to engage in any political activity,” Roque said on Thursday, April 19. “There’s no crackdown. It’s really the law. The law may be harsh, but such is the law.” Immigration Operations Order SBM-2015-025 states that “foreign tourists are prohibited from engaging in any political activity as defined by law and jurisprudence such as joining, supporting, contributing or involving themselves in a rally, assembly, gathering, whether for or against the government.” n
Viray
MANILA — Sen. Grace Poe is the leading candidate among senatorial hopefuls in the May 2019 elections, according to a Pulse Asia survey released Friday. The latest survey shows that 57 percent of Filipinos already have preferred senatorial candidates for the upcoming midterm elections. Poe topped the survey with 70.8 percent of the respondents saying that they will vote for her. Sen. Cynthia Villar ranked second with 55.6 percent followed by Taguig City Rep. Pia Cayetano with 53.8 percent. Sen. Nancy Binay landed in the fourth place with 45.8 percent followed by Sen. Sonny Angara with 44.9 percent, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio with 43.8 percent and Senate President Koko Pimentel with 39.8 percent. Completing the “magic 12” are former Sen. Sergio Osmeña III (38 percent), broadcaster Erwin Tulfo (36.7 percent), former Sen. Lito Lapid (33.8 percent), former PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (33.1 percent) and former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (32.2 percent.) Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos (32.2 percent), Sen. Bam Aquino (30.5 percent) and Sen. JV Ejercito (29 percent) placed 13th to 15th in the survey. According to Pulse Asia, only 15 out of the 58 individuals who were included in the survey winning. would have a statistical chance of The survey was conducted
Infographic by Philstar.com
from March 23 to 28 using faceto-face interviews. n
A12 april 21-24, 2018 • la WEEKEND aSiaN JOUrNal
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Billy Crawford, Coleen Garcia share beach wedding photos Boyet could have died from the shoot by Ricky Lo
Celebrity couple billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia have officially tied the knot in a beach wedding on Friday, April 20 in balesin island. the pair welcomed their guests in an intimate white-themed party on thursday, April 19. they also shared photos of their bachelor’s and bachelorette parties. billy and Coleen were co-hosts for noontime show “it’s Showtime,” where billy declared his intention to court Coleen. they confirmed their relationship in July 2014. After two years of dating, they got engaged in December 2016. the pair has been fondly called by fans as “team bicol.” (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar.com)
Philstar.com
A lot of people (among them worried friends like Marichu “Manay ichu” Maceda and Canada-based journalist baby K. Jimenez) have been wondering what really happened to Christopher “boyet” de leon, you know: 1. Was he really accidentally shot during the shoot of a critical scene in the GMA soap “Kambal, Karibal?,” 2. Who pulled the trigger of a gun loaded with a blank bullet?, and 3. Was he hospitalized not once, not twice but thrice? the answers to those questions most everybody is asking are: 1. yes, boyet was hit in the On the set where the accidental shooting happened: The scenes started with the two actors grappling for a gun that was loaded with a blank bullet. Philstar.com photo PAGE B2 Photos from Instagram/@official_timyap
Award winning Fil-Am performer Deedee Magno Hall returns to FASO’s ‘Swing the Night Away’ 2018 DeeDee Magno Hall, 2018 ovation Awards winner for lead actress in a musical for the role of Diana in east West Players’ “Next to Normal,” performs again in the Filipino American Symphony orchestra’s (FASo) “Swing the Night Away” on May 20. Deedee, a versatile artist who began as a cast member of Disney Channel’s “the All-New Mickey Mouse Club” and transitioned into an acclaimed musical theater artist, dazzled the guests in last year’s “Swing the Night Away,” the annual show when FASo is configured into a swinging big band and attendees can dance to their hearts’ content. the FASo big band, led by musical director and conductor robert “bob” Shroder, accompanied Deedee as she crooned bebop numbers which moved the audience to hit the dancefloor. “i had so much fun last year!” exclaimed Deedee, whose broadway and national tour credits include playing Kim in “Miss Saigon” and Nessarose in “Wicked” and the recent “if/then.” “My parents were
Deedee Magno Hall, Ovation Award 2018 winner, returns to “Swing the Night Away” with FASO in its annual transformation as a fun swing band.
able to attend, and i even got them to dance with me alongside all the ‘pro’ swing dancers! it was such a fun filled evening of great music and dancing the night away!” Added the multi-talented Fil-Am who is the voice of Pearl on Cartoon Network’s “Steven Universe,” and a co-founder of the mommy singing group, Mama bares, “i look forward to working with Kuya bob
and the awesome musicians again! it’s not often i get to sing that type of music, so i like that it’s a bit of a challenge as well as a ton of fun to sing with a live orchestra!” Another featured guest, VJ rosales, is also expected to help keep the night swinging away with his singing style steeped in jazz, pop and r&b. He is a member of the popular a cappella group, the Filharmonic, which appeared in the movie, “Pitch Perfect 2,” competed in NbC’s “the Sing-off” and shared the stage with Pentatonix and Fifth Harmony. this year, “Swing…” will be staged at the Signature At Granada in Granada Hills which will be transformed into an elegant night club with masquerade ball as the exciting theme. Dis or dance instructors will be available to guests. the $125 ticket per person includes cocktails at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. tickets and information are available at www. fasofoundation.org or by calling bob Shroder, (818) 395-8936, Arlene Ferrolino, (213) 248-9850 and Andy tecson, (323) 467-5096.
Features
B april 21-24, 2018 • la WEEKEND aSiaN JOUrNal
Hopia Like It opens new location in Granada Hills, CA
Looking for a place to satisfy your hopia craving? Look no further than family-owned Hopia Like it, which opened its doors to its granada Hills location this past Saturday, April 14. Hopia Like it offers several varations of the beloved Filipino pastry; whether filled with traditional mung bean paste or onion & peanuts. on the sweeter side, customers can choose ube, buko pandan, guava, pineapple, or nutella flavors. Hopia Like it’s recipe is made from flour and shortening so the crust is flaky just like that of an empanada and the filling is made with mung bean, the same as that of butsi. Hopia has long since evolved into different flavors, shapes, fillings and textures. Hopia Like it was established in 1999 by family members, gerry, Anette, Susan, John & James. They are known to be the purveyor of pastry goods. They believe in quality, not quantity, & only use the freshest imported ingredients. Every pastry chef has been cooking since they were kids as part of family tradition & is led by John who took culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena by a master chef. “We promise an intimate and relaxed dining experience that offers something different to local and foreign patrons and ensures you enjoy a memorable food ex-
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Paolo Ballesteros and Solenn Heussaff: Newest BFFs in showbiz by Lhar
Santiago ManilaTimes.net
THE moment Paolo Ballesteros and Solenn Heussaff started shooting for Regal Entertainment’s Mother’s Day presentation entitled, “2 Mommies,� they hit it off right away. They’ve become the best of friends in fact and never run out of things to talk about. There’s not a dull moment when these two are together. Showbuzz saw how much fun Paolo and Solenn have at a set visit this week. They’re just so comfortable with each other— joking and laughing around— that it seemed they’ve known each other for a long time. “We e actually worked in one show when i was with ‘Eat Bulaga’,� Solenn volunteered. “But he was in the field and i was in the studio so there wasn’t a chance for us to really get to know each other well.� Finally, “2 Mommies� came along and it was a welcome development for both actors. “When we saw each other on the set, there was no more warming up. Tsikahan na agad. Until now na last shooting day na namin, parang hindi kami nauubusan ng pag-uusapan at masaya kami. Tawa lang kami ng tawa,� Paolo shared. As expected, one of the things they talk a great deal about is makeup what with Paolo’s expertise in makeup transforma-
Paolo Ballesteros and Solenn Heussaff
tion and Solenn also a makeup artist. “i told him nga to do a makeup transformation of himself as Solenn. i’ve been waiting for it pero he doesn’t do it. kinukulit ko siya ngayon because we’re together in a movie and i can’t wait to see his transformation as me,� Solenn enthused. “no, we should do each other’s make-up transformation. You become Paolo and i become Solenn since you’re also very good with make-up. Let’s do it now,� Paolo challenged her laughing. “Hindi ko kaya yung ginagawa mo,� she admitted. “Kaya mo ‘yon. You’re very
Photo courtesy of Viva Films
good. You should try it,� Paolo sincerely encouraged her in return. They really are good friends as you can see. in “2 Mommies,� Paolo and Solenn also play good friends who go their separate ways after something happens between them. Unbeknownst to Paolo’s character, he got Solenn pregnant. Years later, Solenn’s character decides it’s time for her son to know his biological father, who by then had become openly gay. A touching comedy, “2 Mommies� is directed by Eric Quizon and opens in cinemas on May 9.
The Script reveals what they love about Filipinos by Patricia LourdeS Philstar.com
perience every time,� the owners share. For those who can’t make it to the physical store, Hopia Like it accepts online orders and extends free shipping to anywhere in the United States when you spend $26.95 or buy 2 dozens. (AJPress) Hopia Like It is located at 17705 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, California 91344. For more information or to order online, please visit http://www.hopialikeit.com. (Advertising Supplement)
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DESPiTE the difference in culture, rock band The Script believes they have a lot of similarities with their Filipino fans. The irish trio — Danny o’Donoghue, glen Power and Mark Sheehan — were in the country for the fourth time last weekend for the Manila leg of their “Freedom Child� tour. in an interview a few hours before their show in Manila, The Script said that they were “pretty lucky� as a band due to the “great crowd� that they have wherever they go to. “What i always remember about the Philippines was that when we first played here, we played in the ‘Thrilla in Manila.’ We played that venue where we watched Muhammad Ali and (Joe) Frazier,� lead vocalist Danny o’Donoghue said, referring to the Araneta Coliseum. The Script first performed at the Araneta Coliseum in 2011. At that the time, o’Donoghue said they did not expect such overwhelming reception from
The Script’s Irish trio: Danny O’Donoghue, Glen Power and Mark Sheehan.
Filipinos. “We were just expecting to get off the plane and maybe play to a few hundred people, but the welcome that we received was unbelievable considering none of us are from here, we don’t speak Filipino,� o’Donoghue said. “That really kind of set off the relationship that we have that every time we have a tour we come back in the Philippines, i just remember my ears ringing from the crowd just singing every song,
Why Megan is addicted to taking good care of herself by MJ
Marfori ManilaTimes.net
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every word, not just the chorus,� he added. The frontman said that despite being irish, the band has similarities “in the inside� of their hearts with their Filipino fans — heart, passion, love, lyrics and music. The rock band’s fourth concert in Manila served as their most interactive show so far as the members went down the stage in the middle of the show to perform among the crowd.
THERE is no doubt that the Philippines’ first ever Miss World beauty title holder Megan Young is one of the finest women in the industry. Just look at her face, her 23 inch waist, and bubbly personality. When the Times met with Megan, she was glowing even though she said she had barely slept from taping for her gMA network soap “The Stepdaughters� the night before. Megan shared nonetheless that she “addicted� in taking care of herself. “ “There’s this certain happiness i feel when i take good care of myself—a sense of accomplishment. i know i’m still in my 20s but i’ve learned to take care of myself this
Megan Young
ManilaTimes.net photo
early rather than eventually saying, ‘Sayang, sana ganito ginawa ko noon.’ So i’m doing everything that is good for me now.�
good for her means weight training five times a week when her schedule permits and going to Pilates every now and then. When it comes to her diet, she said that her secret is preparing her own food. “i have to make my own baon kasi i know what is in it. Nauubos ko rin.� Megan stays away from junk food almost all the time and snacks on “clean food� aka grains, fruits and other edibles with no preservatives. There are no restrictions in her diet but she makes sure it consists of the right portions of carbohydrates, protein and fat. “i don’t do the fad diets because i’ve tried them before and i end up having bad habits or temporary results. it’s really better to for me to take it slow but eat clean.�
Boyet could have died from... PAGE B1 groin, barely missing his aorta (the biggest artery in the body) by centimeters; 2. it was not Marvin Agustin (as earlier reported) who pulled the trigger but a young female co-star; and 3. Yes, Boyet was rushed to the hospital, the third time was last week when he suffered from convulsion that left him totally “blacked out.� To get the real story, Funfare got it from Boyet himself. in the soap, Boyet plays the father of Marvin who plays the father of kyline Alcantara. in that scene, Marvin and i were supposed to be grappling for the gun which was empty and only a sound effect was needed. in another shot, i fell down and Marvin placed the gun in his crying daughter’s (kyline) hand and pulled the trigger to make it appear that (kyline) was the one who shot me. This time, the gun was loaded with a blank bullet inside an adaptor. Kumalas ‘yung adaptor and it hit me in my singit. i was bleeding. i thought that the blood was coming from a gasgas in my skin. ‘Yon pala, the adaptor entered four inches into my singit. But i didn’t mind it. i even accompanied my daughter
Mariel to Marawi for her gift-giving project among the residents. (Boyet is a Philippine navy reservist.) on the third day, i started feeling intense pain. My wife (Sandy Andolong) became worried, crying while cleaning my wound. Back from Marawi, i was given an anti-Tetanus shot because there was gunpowder in the adaptor. An X-ray showed that something was inside. i was operated on. They took out a nine-millimeter metal, as big as a bullet. After several days, i was in extreme pain again so i was brought back to the Asian Hospital which is near our home. i was put on intravenous anti-biotic. i was getting bored at the hospital so after three days, i was discharged, accompanied by a nurse (with the anti-biotic drip). With the heavy anti-biotic medicines, i was taking my daily doses of vitamins/ medications (for the liver and the heart, including a relaxant pill). The cocktail had an adverse effect on my body. i suffered from convulsion and i collapsed. i was in total blackout. When i regained consciousness, i was at the iCU of Asian Hospital. i didn’t have any recollection of what happened. Sandy was cry-
ing and crying. That’s the tragic story. The good news is that Boyet is well although still on anti-biotic for one more week. His wound is healing fast. To be safe, he underwent an executive check-up. Everything is okay: his brain, his heart, his cholesterol level, etc. Done with “kambal, karibal,� he should be back on the set of the kapamilya soap “Sana Dalawa ang Puso� by now and ready to start the shoot for Erik Matti’s movie “oTJ on The Job (2)�. “in my career,� said Boyet, “i’m used to playing with guns but what happened was a first. it was an accident and nobody was to blame. i’m thankful to gMA for taking care of me and paying for my medical bills. i just hope it doesn’t happen again.� Boyet has an APPEAL (there, in all caps): “There should be a stand-by emergency team on the set composed of professionals talaga. You never know what could happen — somebody could suffer a heart attack or a heat stroke. There should also be a first-aid team. i’ve worked with the props men several times. But then, the props, not just the guns, should be double checked.�
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Exploring the Tomb of Lazarus Arab and Muslim village in the West Bank, situated on the southOften referred to by its me- east slopes of Jerusalem’s Mount dieval name of Bethany is Al-eiz- of Olives. this large and energetic town ariya (or al-Azariya), a Christian by Emil
PErito
gets its name from the new testament figure Lazarus, whose tomb is located there and has become a classic pilgrimage destination. It was here that the recorded miracle in the Gospel of John where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, took place. Located above his tomb is the fittingly named Church of Saint Lazarus that is said to have been first built sometime between 333 and 390 AD. Also believed to be in close proximity is the house of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha — also notable biblical figures. Between 1952 and 1953, the church was developed by architect Antonio Barluzzi, uncovering much of site’s history. Inside the Church of St. Lazarus, visitors can view beautiful murals depicting the lives of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha: the meeting of Jesus with the two sisters, Mary listening to Jesus as she sits at His feet with Martha expressing annoyance as recorded in Luke 10:25-37, and the anointing of Jesus by Mary with expensive perfume as indicated in John 12:1-8. Established in 1995, Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us in our next pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Jordan, & Dubai on October 5 - 16, 2018. For more information, contact Air Plus Travel at (562) 863 - 0624, or visit us at www. airplustravel.net.
Here’s what went down at Rachelle Ann Go and Martin Spies’ wedding by tisha ramirEz Inquirer.net
After getting engaged last year, rachelle Ann Go and Martin Spies have tied the knot in Boracay. the aisle that she walked down was decorated with pastel-colored flowers, feathers, and candles. Above the outdoor venue hung strings of flowers and white paper decorations. rachelle wore a backless gown with lace sleeves and beaded embellishments by her brother Oz Go. Mark looked sharp in a gray suit and blue tie. At the reception, rachelle changed into another gown by Oz. It had a sweetheart neckline, thigh-high slit, an was made in a blush pink hue. this is what she wore when she had her first dance with Martin. As for celebrity guests, Sarah Geronimo, erik Santos, Moira Dela torre, Kyla Alvarez, and Mark Bautista were present. Congratulations, rachelle and Martin!
tomada Philstar.com
“NOT everyone gets a second chance to live. I’m thinking, maybe I still have a mission in life.” Bianca Manalo is “back to work” but her near-death experience during the Holy Week is still fresh in her mind and difficult to talk about. the beauty queen/actress survived a traumatic accident at sea on Maundy thursday, after the speedboat she and her companions rode on got hit by strong waves and capsized en route to an island off Antique province. news reports said -she was with a group of 10, including fellow actress ehra Madrigal and Bianca’s boyfriend, Mayor Jonathan tan of Pandan, Antique, when the incident happened and left one dead. the mayor and a companion had to swim for two hours to seek help until they were spotted by local fishermen. Bianca and the rest fought for their survival for three hours before rescue finally came. “I’m still recovering. I’m still having panic attacks. Kaninang umaga, yung dream ko dagat pa rin. Nalulunod ako. Yesterday, I dreamt of being in the water again, hinihila daw ako ng mga whale. My dreams are all water-related,” Bianca, whose sunburn marks were still visible, told The Star. “But I’ve been having counseling with my psychologist. the last session I had with her was a two-hour session. Sabi niya, it’s not going to be easy, but it’s normal (what you are experiencing).” According to Bianca, her psychologist advised her “to take deep breaths whenever I’m experiencing anxiety… (and) run my race. Whatever my personal problems are, she told me to fix them first because once I fixed them, everything will fall into place.” One thing is for sure, the beach lover added, “Ayoko munang makakita ng dagat. Kasi pag nagfa-flashback... ayoko muna. even the thought of stepping into a speedboat and imagining — just imagining sa gitna ng dagat na wala akong...” Her voice broke off, as she suddenly placed her hand on her chest. “Nanginginig ako, nagpapalpitate ako.” It’s not hard to understand why Bianca still struggles with the memory of her experience. She tried holding back tears all throughout this interview. But she has decided to open up about it so that others may somehow learn from her story. “for now, kahit mahirap, nagpapa-interview ako to create awareness at the same time be an example — to be careful
Miss Universe-Philippines 2009 Bianca Manalo Philstar.com photo
next time, be sure to have a life vest, dapat there’s presence of mind and you should always be alert.” She believes her training as a former flight attendant helped her. “I think so because I wouldn’t know basic swimming since I never had swimming lessons. I remember when we were almost drowning, hinihila ako ng mga friends ko because I wrapped my legs around the propeller,” she recalled. “Hinihila ako ng friend ko, tapos sabi ko, ‘wag mong hawakan kasi malulunod tayo lahat, relax ka lang, calm down, so tinulak ko siya sa taas ng speedboat.” She further narrated that she also took off her outerwear. “Nagbikini na ako kasi mabigat eh. Because I remembered when I was a flight attendant, when you’re in the water, you have to remove your clothes para di mabigat. So, basic swimming. everything was basic. then pray and stay calm.” there was a point though that Bianca thought she was going to die, and if that was to be her fate, she was already prepared to accept it. “I still had my phone. Nalunod kami ng 10:15 a.m. 12:35 (p.m.) tumawag ako ng 911 twice. Hindi ko na marinig pero tumatakbo ang number, so I know nasagot. I said, please locate our location here, in the middle of the ocean, here in Antique. “And then, that time, naisip ko, ‘Tatawag na ba ako sa Mommy ko? Tawagan ko kaya brother-in-law ko, pahanap ako sa helicopter?’ Tapos inisip ko, ‘Baka maging burden ako, ayoko nalang. Anong mangyayari sa show ko, may tribute kaya?’ I had already accepted that I was going to die.” Bianca began to entertain such thoughts because only about a foot of the boat’s bottom stayed above water. “then I saw the look of my friend, yung look na ‘wala na.’ I heard her telling both of
Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia speak up against online bashing
If there is anyone who has sonalities. is used to seeing nasty messages Barretto, who belongs to an and comments disparaging her had more than their fair share of online hate, it would be popular oft-controversial celebrity clan, PAGE B4 celebrities who came of age in the social media generation, just like Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia. “Bashers,” or individuals who seem to gain pleasure in leaving unsavory commentaries on social media, often flock to high-profile accounts like those of Barretto, Garcia, and other showbiz per-
Photo from Instagram/@Philippine Weddings
Bianca thankful for her second life by NathaliE
AFTER ENTERING THE US IN THE BACKSEAT OF A MINIVAN, PINA’S NEXT HURDLE WAS HOW TO LEGALIZE HER STATUS. Pina (center) entered the U.S. in 2001 through the Canadian border, while seated in the back seat of a minivan. Border patrol asked the driver a few questions, but never spoke with Pina, and let them pass through. Pina was petitioned by an employer, and eventually married her U.S. citizen husband, John (left), who also petitioned her. Both cases were denied based on the way she entered the U.S. Although she consulted with Attorney Gurfinkel several times, she retained other attorneys, and her case was denied. She finally retained Attorney Gurfinkel, who was able to obtain her green card through “provisional waiver.” Watch how Attorney Gurfinkel came to the rescue, and help Pina achieve her American dream, on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.
her kids, ‘I love you mga anak.’ So parang pumikit nalang ako, sabi ko, ‘Lord, wala na?’ then, I was singing ‘God Will Make A Way.’ I was praying out loud. “Tapos si ehra, she was saying (to her husband tom Yeung), ‘Love, please stay strong for me.’ So yun na ang naririnig ko. Sabi pa ni tom, ’pag lumubog na ang banca, mag-floating tayo. I tried floating but I drank so much seawater. So, I thought, if this boat was going to go down, we’re all going to die. “Tapos nakatingin lang ako sa langit. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, kung ganito po ako mamatay, kayo na po bahala.’ Kaya nung dumating na ang rescue, iyak ako ng iyak kasi dun ko na feel na, makikita ko pa pala yung pamilya ko. Basta iba yung pakiramdam! Oh my God, I’m alive!” Bianca observed the Holy Week afterwards. “the next day, I attended the High Mass, the two-and-ahalf-hour Seven Last Words. And then, I joined the procession and then Saturday, we rested kasi may bangkay kami, may lamay, so nakiramay kami. then Sunday, I attended the easter Mass. When I arrived in Manila, nagpa-thanksgiving Mass ako, and then last tuesday, I went to Manaoag (Church in Pangasinan). Talagang, Lord, grabe talaga!” the incident led to a renewal of faith for her. “Grabe talaga, grabe po. Parang ngayon, ayoko ng gumawa ng kahit anong kasalanan. Kahit magsinungaling lang ako, baka mamatay ako, baka parusahan ako, ayoko na. Parang ngayon, ngiti ka lang, mabait ka lang, pagbigyan mo lahat.” every day, Bianca said, she wakes up thanking God for her second chance at life. She has also resumed her work commitments. Last Saturday, she was a judge at the press presentation of the finalists for the Mr. & Ms. Hannah’s World tourism Philippines pageant at SMX Aura. She has already informed the production of fPJ’s “Ang Probinsyano,” where she plays Bubbles, lover of Jhong Hilario’s villain character Alakdan, that she was ready to continue taping for the ABS-CBn series. “Life goes on. things are going back to normal. Basically, back to normal as an artista, as a sister to my siblings, as a daughter to my mother,” Bianca said. “I’m very thankful for my second life. not everyone gets a second chance to live. I’m thinking, maybe I still have a mission in life. Siguro mahal ako ni Lord. Sinasabi nga nila, siguro mabait ka kasi pinagbigyan kang mabuhay uli or di pa tapos yung mission ko sa buhay.”
Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia Philstar.com photo
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Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia speak up against... Goodbye Boracay — see you in six months PAGE B3 looks, talents, and personality online. She has had countless bashers tell her that she might have had work done on her face, that there is no talent behind her pretty face, and that she is another vain artista. Barretto confronts these negative statements in her new commercial, where she is joined by Garcia to convey an uplifting message. “This project is so timely,” she said. “Standing up against online
bashing is something that Joshua and I feel is relevant because the audience will be able to relate to it. I think a lot of them are curious about how celebrities deal with negativity directed at us online.” “Nangyayari talaga ‘to sa amin,” agreed Garcia. “And the message of the commercial is really uplifting because people might say a lot of bad things about you online, but you shouldn’t feel bad about yourself because the people who know you in real life
By Monet
ABS-CBN photo
will know the real deal, the real story, and will always value you for being who you really are.” The teen love team has made fans swoon over their romantic films “Vince & Kath & James,” “Love You to the Stars and Back,” and “Unexpectedly Yours.” Barretto said: “This is the first time that I had a project that tackled this reality, and it’s one that empowered us to voice out how we really feel about online bashing.” ‘They should stop’ To their credit, the love team does not reciprocate the hate they receive from bashers. “I feel like the bashers should stop. Their lives will be more positive if they follow the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Focus on yourself, improve, and figure out how you can be a better person. For those suffering from online bashing, it’s a waste of energy to dwell on the negativity. Shrug it off. You know who you are and don’t let other people tell you otherwise,” Barretto advised. “We can’t really stop the bashers from doing what they want,” Garcia thoughtfully replied to his on-screen partner’s statement. “But I suggest that bashers think of their victims. You should get to know them, what they go through, before typing something mean. Madali mamintas than finding good things to say to a person. For the online bashing victims, the people who matter most will always love you for who you really are.” (Philstar.com)
Lu
When an island becomes an income-generating tourist spot and has drawn millions of people to its powder-white sand beaches and coral reefs, it is hard to imagine that it will suddenly come to an end – at least temporarily. I have been to Boracay and the place never fails to give me a mix of emotions. On one hand, I love that it has been a haven for travelers looking to still gain some normalcy in their routine (or nightlife) by shopping and hanging out at bars and restaurants like they are actually in a city and not on a secluded island. But of course, this comes at a cost, hence the temporary closure. As news reports have said, the rapid development and pollution that threatened its idyllic shores have led to the closure order to tourists for six months. President Rodrigo Duterte has said that inadequate sewage treatment Boracay has turned its beaches into a “cesspool.” While I am in favor of cleaning the once-virgin island that boasts of pristine clear waters and warm sands, I think this decision to close it temporarily will threaten the livelihood of thousands of people. Most of the roughly 40,000 residents of the four-square-mile island are dependent on tourism. Ms. Graf, an operator on the western side of the island says, “We want the government to help us. But closing the island is another matter altogether. We don’t want that.” “Closure means the end of jobs,” she said, asking how local workers were “going to eat in the next six months.” She predicted that it would have ripple effects across the entire Philippine economy. “You close us down, and we will likely not recover from it,” she added. “Tourism in Asia is very competitive.”
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS IS DEET safe? The ingredient DeeT ((n,ndiethyl-m-toluamide) in insect repellents is safe when used according to directions on the container, according to the U.S. environmental Protection Agency (ePA). For approval, the ePA requires manufacturers seeking registration of a product to present laboratory data showing safety and efficacy supported by extensive testing on both the short-term and the long-term health effects of the chemical. DeeT passed this stringent test, and has been extensively used all over the world. Very few incidents of toxicity have been reported over its long history. Why use insect repellent? Insect repellents greatly minimize people’s exposure to tick bites and mosquito bites which may transmit potentially serious illnesses, such as West nile viral infection, dengue fever, malaria, etc. The use of such repellent also allows individuals to indulge in outdoor activities, recreational or labor-related. When should the repellent be applied? It should be used before going outdoors, especially in known endemic areas for mosquito-borne illnesses. While the West nile virus-carrying mosquitoes usually bite around dusk and dawn, some have been reported to bite during the day. The prudent thing to do is to use insect repellent whenever going outdoors, where mosquitoes abound. Should it be reapplied? Since perspiration, washing or rain may render the first application useless, the repellent should be reapplied accordingly, following the instructions on the container. Those preparations with higher concentration of DeeT are not any superior or more effective, but will provide longer lasting protection. How about indoors? not really, unless you see or feel mosquitoes indoors. In this situation, the use of repellent is necessary. More importantly, check on all window and screen doors which may have holes in them, and making sure the doors and windows are always properly shut. Getting rid of stagnant waters (in potholes and containers) near the house also helps eliminate mosquito breeding places. How does DEET work? The reason why female mosquitoes bite people and animals is to suck the blood that contains
The Boracay’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry also asked Mr. Duterte to reconsider, arguing that not all businesses are violators, and that those found to be polluting should instead be cut off from the water supply. There are mixed reactions from the residents. Some understand the logic and thought it would be worth it in the long run. I remember back in 2010, the new York Times described Boracay as being known for its laid-back party culture and Asia’s next tourism hot spot. Since then it has landed on the covers and “best” lists of travel magazines. Foreigners, most of them Chinese or South Korean, crowd its beaches and shops, and local officials say the island drew two million visitors last year. The race for tourist dollars fueled rapid development. Bamboo huts and modest, wood-framed inns gave way to modern hotels, mall outlets and American chains like Starbucks, KFC and McDonald’s, and Caticlan Airport recently expanded to handle the flow of tourists. The boom brought jobs and money, but it also brought trash and overtaxed the island’s water and garbage disposal systems and, crucially, its sewers and storm drains. This is the reality of having a commercialized vacation spot. We reap what we sow and now ‘payback’ has followed us to this day. It’s hard to say goodbye to Boracay, but the situation has left us no other choice. I just hope that the government is sincere
in this project. Rumor has it that they signed an agreement with Galaxy entertainment, a Macau-based casino operator, and a Philippine partner to begin construction next year on a $500 million beachfront casino that would add to the burdens on the island’s infrastructure. however, a local newspaper reported that the new casino would need to secure an environmental clearance certificate from the agency before opening. Besides, that would actually defeat the purpose of having the island cleaned only to open up a bigger establishment that will eventually – or swiftly turn the place into an even bigger cesspool. Whatever the government is planning (or hiding), I feel it is fitting that I write my goodbye piece to this marvelous island that has brought pride and economic benefits to our countrymen. Six months may seem like a short time to recuperate from the damage that commercialism has caused this paradise but I am keeping my fingers crossed. So long, ‘Bora’, may you be as beautiful, if not more glorious than you have ever been. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
Insect repellents the protein to help develop their eggs. The skin odors (even perfume, cologne or skin lotion) and carbon dioxide from our breath attract mosquitoes. Like other mosquito repellents, DeeT repels mosquitoes, making the wearer unattractive for feeding. It makes mosquitoes unable to “find” the person. If you wear DeeT and you are not being bitten my mosquitoes flying around, you know the repellent is working. If you still get a bite, then you have to reapply the chemical. Which one works best? The repellent that contains DeeT has been proven to be the most effective. The higher the concentration (up to 50 percent only) of DeeT, the longer the action is. Studies done in 2002 have shown that at 23.8 percent DeeT, it provides almost 5 hours of protection; at 20 percent, 4 hours; at 6.65 percent, 2 hours; and, at 4.75 percent and 2 percent soybean oil were both (each) about 1 ½ hours. The rule of thumb is: choose the concentration that you could use for the various lengths of time you will be outdoors, since you can always reapply if needed for a longer period. Are non-DEET repellents equally effective? Plant-based repellents that are applied to the skin also provide some protection, but DeeT appears to provide longer lasting protection. Product labels usually states on them the duration of protection. Individuals concerned about using DeeT should consult their physician. You could also access the national Pesticide Information Center (nPIC) over the Internet at www.npic.orst.edu. Those repellents with DeeT are labeled accordingly. How should repellent be used? (1) Read and follow the instructions on the label of the container; (2) Apply repellent on the skin that is exposed, not the skin under the clothing; (3) Do not over-apply; (4) Do not apply to wounds, irritated skin or cuts and bruises; (5) Upon return indoor, was the treated skin with soap and water; (6) Apply the spray aerosol or pump outdoors and not in an enclosed area or room; (7) Do not spray directly to the face, spray the hands and then rub them gently to the face, avoiding the eyes and mouth; and (8) The adult should apply the repellent on young children, excluding the children’s hands to prevent eye or mouth contamination. Is DEET safe for children? There are no specific studies done on the use of DeeT in children. however, the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on environmental health has this report: “Insect repellents containing DeeT (n,n-diethyl-m-toluamide, also known as n,n-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), with a concentration of 10% appear to be as safe as products with a concentration of 30% when used according to the directions on the product labels.” The AAP and other experts say it is acceptable to apply repellent with low concentrations of DeeT to infants over 2 months old. Other guidelines cite that it is acceptable to use repellents containing DeeT on children over 2 years of age. Check with your pediatrician for more details. Is allergy to DEET possible? Yes. As a matter of facts, there are occasional reports of skin allergy to some DeeT preparations. If this happens, wash the areas with soap and water and consult your physician. As far as conclusive studies on pregnant women or data on its effects on the fetus, we are unable to find any, so we recommend against its use by them. Can DEET be used with sunscreen lotion? Yes, this is recommended during daytime. Apply sunscreen first and then DeeT containing repellent. Some preparations have both, but the use of these combination products is discouraged, because sunscreen may need to be applied more often than DeeT repellent. Applying DeeT preparation to clothing also helps. How about non-chemical strategies? The less chemicals or drugs we use, the better, and the lesser expensive, as long as we have equally effective and safer alternatives. If wearing long sleeve shirts, head nets and gloves (or, mosquito tent or net) will not interfere with the outdoor activities, and is effective, this is the best choice. however, realistically and logistically, this strategy may be cumbersome and impractical. In this situation, insect repellent may be resorted to. Always remember to take a shower or wash the areas with repellent thoroughly with soap and water after the outdoor activities. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
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Make Green Island Seafood Restaurant your go to spot for fresh and healthy Chinese food If authentic Chinese eats and fresh seafood are something you crave, then Green Island Seafood Restaurant is the place to be. Since opening three years ago, Green Island Seafood Restaurant has been serving the Chino Hills and surrounding areas with a healthy and fresh fare inspired by the authentic flavors of South China. All their food is free of MSG, and their seafood — from ocean to table — is always fresh and never frozen. With a menu consisting of 140 different dishes, Green Island Seafood Restaurant allows customers to explore a variety of authentic Chinese cooking from their warm congees, meat, vegetables, and seafood. Owner and manager Getty deems their food as being, “very light and very healthy, keeping to the original taste”. Order from their popular seafood menu which features fresh razor clams, tilapia, Hong Kong style crabs, shrimp and more — all cooked on your table, ensuring freshness. Customers especially love their live lobsters and Alaska King Crabs which come at market price. Other customer favorites include their fried chicken wings, spicy house special filet mignon, crispy noodles, and spring rolls. for dessert, choose from their menu of authentic Chinese sweets like their Sweet Sesame Peanut Mochi Ball, or Mashed Taro Paste
Zsa Zsa Padilla
Photo from Instagram/@zsazsapadilla
Zsa Zsa Padilla is back on stage by Arlo
Custodio ManilaTimes.net
with Gingko Nut dessert, among others. Located next to Costco Wholesale, CVS, American Tire, and just five minutes away from The Shoppes at Chino Hills, Green Island Seafood Restaurant makes relaxing and enjoying a nice meal after shopping and running errands easy with their clean and modern interior, comfortable seats, and large flat screen TV. Not to mention, their lunch specials have remained the same great price since the restaurant’s opening. Seafood specials rotate weekly and their chef — who has 35 years of experience — makes sure to update the menu monthly, introducing customers to new and exciting Chinese dishes each time. Seating 132 people, the spacious and elegant establishment also makes a perfect venue for gatherings whether they be birthdays, company parties, anniversaries, graduation celebrations, and so on. Parties of 10 or more can make use of their private VIP room that can host up to 18 people and is complete with a media system for entertainment including karaoke. Those wanting a larger venue can even take advantage of the whole restaurant. Green Island Seafood Restau-
rant has been raved online as being one of the best Chinese restaurants in the area. Most recently, both Getty and the restaurant received certificates of recognition presented by the California Legislature Assemblyman of the 55th district for their leadership and dedicated service in their business community. With their fresh ingredients and authentic flavors, Green Island Seafood Restaurant is sure to become your go-to spot for a healthy and unpretentious Chinese food experience. Green Island Seafood Restaurant is located at 13161 Peyton Dr, Ste B, Chino Hills, CA 91709 and is open everyday except Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, call them at (909) 591 - 1899. (Advertising Supplement)
ONe occasion, three important events. Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla is excited to hit the concert stage after more than a year to mark her 35th anniversary in showbiz, her 54th birthday and Mother’s Day. Aptly titled “The Best Day Of My Life,” Padilla excitedly shared at a media conference that May has always been a red letter month for her what with her birthday on May 28, shortly after Mother’s Day, which falls this year on May 13. “I had a frozen shoulder, which was one reason I couldn’t do a concert last year, but I’m OK now,” Padilla explained when asked why she had been away from the concert scene longer than usual. “But my comeback will be really special—I have for my guests [my daughters] Karylle [Tatlonghari-Yuzon] and Zia [Quizon]!” she added with glee. Thankfully, despite her absence from the concert stage, Padilla has always been visible to the public, her acting career taking front and center with such high-impact roles as “Wildflower’s” Red Dragon, opposite Maja Salvador’s Lily Cruz in the hit teleserye; as well as her weekly musical performances in “ASAP.” Nevertheless, Padilla acknowledges that even in a span of a year, music can evolve so much so much so that she continues to keep updated with top hits here in abroad via Spotify and You Tube.
“My daughters find me weird for knowing all the current songs,” the Internet savvy singer laughed, even as she holds the distinction of being the first filipino to have her own personal domain (zsazsapadilla.com) before social media took the world by storm. Amid all the new sound, however, the Divine Diva decided sing her original songs for the concert—the likes of “Point Of No Return” by Louie Ocampo and “Hiram” by George Canseco, among many others—which established her as a solo artist. She realized she should when her friends told her they cannot relate to the millennials’ music these days. “for my audience, they need to identify what a song says. It was only last year I understood what they were saying, so that for my audience–my own league–we really go for the mellow songs,” she said. She rightly noted too that the songs composed by the likes of Willy Cruz and George Canseco, to name a few, are of a different level in terms of lyrical melody. Asked if she has thought of doing a revival of her songs just like Olivia Newton-John recently did with her hit, “I Honestly Love You”, Padilla said it will not be that easy since the recording rights are owned by Viva Records and Vicor Music Corporation. What she can surely do though is sing every classic Zsa Zsa Padilla single in her concert, that have made filipinos fall in love over and over again, perhaps even cry at times, as she does what she does best.
B april 21-24, 2018 • la WEEKEND aSiaN JOUrNal
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COMMUNITY Journal
Will TPS help get a green card? FOR several countries affected by armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions, the program which allows foreign nationals to stay and work in the United States legally, Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”), will soon be coming to an end. For nationals of Sudan, their program will terminate on November 2, 2018; for nationals of Nicaragua, TPS will end on January 5, 2019; for Haiti, TPS will terminate on July 22, 2019; and for El Salvador, TPS will come to an end on September 9, 2019. So, for a national of one of these countries, is there anything someone who is currently in valid TPS status can do to facilitate immigration into the United States before their TPS status terminates? Recently, United States Circuit Courts of Appeal in the Ninth and the Sixth Circuits have held that a grant of TPS qualifies as an admission under the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”), thus satisfying the “inspected and admitted or paroled” requirement for adjustment of status purposes, meaning that they qualify to complete the processing of their lawful permanent resident status (“green card”) without having to leave the United States. In both the 9th and 6th Circuit cases, the immigrants involved were married to U.S. citizens, and the bars preventing adjustment of status, relating to failure to maintain lawful status and unauthorized work were not applicable in each case. This benefit would also apply to parent of a United States citizen who is over 21 years old and is petitioning them. Following the Ninth Circuit’s precedent decision, a United States District Court in California, held that a grant of TPS status by USCIS, constituted an “entry” (and, thus, entitlement to relief) in relation to a prohibition to adjustment of status under a different code section. This bar states that a person, “must maintain continuous lawful status since entry to the United States.” The U.S. District Court held that the grant of TPS status is the
Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller date of entry to the country, and as long as the person maintains lawful TPS status continuously since their initial grant, they shall be deemed as “being in and maintaining” lawful immigrant status. Importantly, the plaintiff in the District Court case, was a
Another possible avenue, although it hasn’t been addressed by a court in this context, is to have an employer file an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on behalf the person currently in TPS status, if they qualify under an employment-based immigrant visa category. However, this avenue also requires the additional step of obtaining a labor certification from the Department of Labor. Once the labor certification and the immigrant visa petition are approved and provided a visa is available for that category, the person can file an adjustment of status application under an applicable section of the INA. It is important to note that each person in the above referenced Court Decisions, was still in lawful TPS status when they filed to adjust their status and obtain their Green Card. That is why it is important to get the ball rolling on this process as soon as possible, so that an adjustment of status application can be filed before TPS status terminates. If you believe that you or a family-member may be eligible for adjustment of status because of TPS or you are concerned because your TPS status is going to expire and you don’t know what to do, consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration lawyer immediately. You might be able to benefit in ways you never thought possible.
“It is imperative that this petition be filed as soon as possible, as it normally takes USCIS many months to process.” national of El Salvador, who initially entered the U.S. without inspection, but was granted TPS in 2001 and continuously reapplied and received renewal to his TPS status. Also, notable, is that the petitioner for his relative petition, was his U.S. citizen mother. In California, at least, this latest decision paves a pathway for those who have entered the U.S. unlawfully, but who have since obtained and maintained lawful TPS status. For a person in this position, who knows that their TPS status will terminate on a specific date, there are steps they can take right away to facilitate at possible transition to lawful immigration status. If they have a qualifying relative, that is a Legal Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen spouse, parent, or child over 21-years-old, that relative can file a Petition for Alien Relative. It is imperative that this petition be filed as soon as possible, as it normally takes USCIS many months to process. Once the petition is approved, and provided a visa is available for that category, a person then can file an adjustment of status application.
*** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com website: www.rreeves.com *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 21-24, 2018
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C APRIL 21-24, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Minding Your Finances Atty. rAyMond BulAon THE cost of a college education has spiraled out of control for most families. In the last 10 years, student loan debt has sharply risen from $240 billion to $1 trillion dollars. Almost 60 percent of this debt is held by households with less than $8,500 in net worth. This makes sense because if these families had sufficient financial resources to send their children to college, they wouldn’t be borrowing so much to begin with, right? Are you or someone you know in this situation? Unfortunately, a lot of people are not aware of their options in dealing with student loans that they cannot afford to pay back. So in this article, I will discuss the basic information you need to know before you can move on to the next step of finding a resolution. First of all, you need to know whether your student loans are federal or private. I find that a lot
Community Journal
Can’t pay your student loans? of people are confused and don’t know the answer to that question. Perhaps they have several loans and at the time they got them, they didn’t really know the difference and didn’t really care as long as they got the money they needed to pay for college. But this is an important question for you to answer because depending on the type of student loans you have, the remedies or options will vary. If you can’t answer this question, one way to find out is to go to www.nslds. ed.gov, the Department of Education’s database which lists all federal loans. If it’s not there, it’s most likely a private loan. The second thing you need to figure out is whether or not you are in current, delinquent, or default status. Again, this not only helps you determine which options are available but if for instance, you are already in default status, that means that the entire loan amount is now due and the creditor can now take enforced collection action such as a wage garnishment or even take your tax refund (if your loan is a federal loan). If it’s a private loan, the credi-
tor first needs to obtain a court judgment to do any of the above. However, if it’s a federal loan, they can do what’s called an administrative wage garnishment in the absence of a court order although they have to give you 30 days’ notice. These days, as the awareness grows regarding the severity of the student loan problem nationally, you will see a lot of companies advertising everywhere — on the internet, TV, the radio or in the mail — and a lot of them are misleading the public with claims promising “student loan debt forgiveness” or “new government programs to eliminate your student loans.” While yes, there are ways to sometimes eliminate student loans or have them forgiven, it is not as easy as they make it sound. Of course, you can do some research yourself without paying anyone but you can also go hire a debt relief attorney who can review your case and advise regarding legal and nonlegal options. If you need help in making your student loan debt more af-
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Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA
CRIMINAL Investigations can be initiated from information obtained from within the IRS when a Revenue Agent (auditor) or Revenue Officer (collection) detects possible fraud. Information is also routinely received from the public as well as from ongoing investigations underway by other law enforcement agencies or by United States Attorney’s offices across the country. What should you at this time? 1. Verify the identity of any agent who comes to your premises. Get a business card. 2. Do not talk with or write to any IRS personnel anymore. 3. Hire a CPA or criminal tax lawyer to represent you. 4. Execute a POA (Power of Attorney) and an engagement letter with your rep immediately.
The Prophetic Voice reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS THERE is a restlessness in many of us, one that makes us think about life and questions the varied facets of human existence. It’s a divine restlessness because it urges us to contemplate on one’s purpose and meaning of life and the happenings of this world in different periods of its history. It’s what Tom Wrights posits in the opening chapter of his book, “Simply Christian,” when he writes about the echoes of a voice within us. He says: “It is as though we can hear, not perhaps a voice itself, but the echo of a voice: speaking with calm, healing authority, speaking about justice, about things being put to rights, about peace and hope and prosperity for all. The voice continues to echo in our imagination, our subconscious. We want to go back and listen to it again, but having woken up, we can’t get back into the dream. Other people sometimes tell us it was just fantasy. But the voice goes on, calling us, beck-
Fraud audit – What to do 5. Keep a copy of both POA and engagement letter at home, your office, and with you at all times. 6. Refer all calls for documentation or explanation to your tax representative. 7. Do not provide any more documentation directly to the agents. Go through your rep. 8. Provide the good, the bad and the ugly to your representative. Don’t hide stuff from your guy. 9. Prepare written memoranda of all meetings, dates, people, questions and responses. 10. List and copy each page that you provide to the IRS. Word of Advice: Do not take fraud cases lightly. As soon as one or a combination of these red flags appears, hire a representative—preferably a tax attorney or seasoned CPA. This is not the time to be cheap. Defend yourself properly. Caution: Do not innocently offer discounts for services or goods to an agent. Such discounts are considered bribes. IRS personnel are clean—the cleanest among civil servants. The Service has zero tolerance
for bribery. An innocent offer can lead you to CID. Informant? You may have been referred by an informant—a vengeful employee, ex-husband, girlfriend, or jealous competitor. Auditors are reluctant to reveal this info but I’ve learned a subtle way to get a hint: when an auditor responds by saying that “I’ll ask my manager,” you have been referred. If auditor says “I can’t tell you” you have been referred. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Divine echoes
oning us, luring us to think that maybe there might be such thing as justice, as the world being put to rights, even though we find it elusive.” This restlessness resulting from the echoes of a voice within us is something positive then. And all we need to do is listen to it and respond to it with love, interest, and trust. St. Paul recognizes these echoes of a voice as the Spirit of God dwelling in us. He says that we are not in the flesh; on the contrary, we are in the spirit. He argues that if we live according to the flesh, we will die, but if we live by the Spirit we will live (Rom 8:9, 11-13) And so, despite all the pleasures and allurements of this world; despite all the progress in infrastructures, technology, science, and engineering; indeed, despite the human genius, we cannot forget that we have the restlessness that urges us to seek the Divine, the Creator of all. We are made to live in the Spirit and abide by its truth. It’s only with humility of a child that we can submit to this truth. That’ why Jesus Christ prayed these words: “I give praise to you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden
these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.” (Matthew 11:25) This truth seeks not only justice but also beauty and depth in relationship with God and other people. It’s a constant longing for the well-being of others, peace, and harmony in the world. May we respond with love to these echoes of a voice—the voice of Jesus Christ that tells us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30) *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
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Community Journal
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 21-24, 2018
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Sex discrimination in the workplace: Writ of Mandamus relief for unreasonable A continuing problem delay in pending immigration filings
THESE days, employers generally know that gender discrimination, i.e., singling out someone for negative treatment just because of their sex, is illegal. Employers may have a handbook saying all the right words to discourage gender discrimination. However, the existence of an employer’s written anti-discrimination policy does not mean that it is followed in practice. Even today, the “glass ceiling” – that invisible barrier that prevents women from obtaining upper-level positions (and it is often women who are victims of gender discrimination) – remains intact. More disturbingly, these glass ceilings are harder to recognize and more difficult to combat, particularly where employers are savvier at making a great show of “equal” treatment. They may have hired or promoted some women to seem fair. On closer inspection, however, these women may not be paid as much as their male counterparts, or they may experience derogatory or hostile treatment from their male colleagues. Consider the recently reported case of an accomplished female cancer doctor and research scientist: Dr. Lauren Pinter-Brown worked for the University of California Medical Center for 25 years, and spent 10 years (2005 to 2015) as a director and researcher in the school’s lymphoma program. For much of her tenure in the department, Dr. Pinter-Brown was the only female there. In 2011., Dr. Pinter-Brown reported to management and then to human resources an incident that occurred when another lymphoma specialist and male colleague continuously berated her and made her feel unsafe in the workplace. In-
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. c. Joe SAyAS, Jr.
stead of doing an investigation, the human resource officer accused Dr. Pinter-Brown of being a “diva” and an “angry woman.” He then hid her complaint in a drawer, stating “no one needs to know about this.” After her complaint, Dr. Pinter-Brown began to experience harassment and retaliation. Her research privileges were revoked by a mostly male peer-review committee. She was subjected to audits of her work and told that “everyone hates you.” A supervisor threw a stack of paperwork in front of her, saying that “we don’t want someone like you directing the UCLA lymphoma program.” A male physician told her that “your job is not to boss the guys around.” Male colleagues were not treated in this manner. The employer did not take any action to further investigate or correct the problem. The employer simply said that Dr. Pinter-Brown had “interpersonal’ issues” with her male colleagues. The work environment became intolerably hostile that Dr. Pinter-Brown was forced to resign, and essentially abandon the career she built for 25 years. She sued UCLA Medical for, among other things, gender discrimination. California law prohibits discrimination on the basis of “sex,” defined to include a person’s “gender”; and “gender” includes a person’s “gender identity” and “gender expression.” It is also unlawful to engage in discrimination against any person be-
cause of sexual orientation, which means “heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality.” When a worker is rejected for employment, fired, or otherwise harmed in employment because of her or his sex or gender, she or he may be a victim of sex discrimination. Discrimination based on sex comes in many forms; failure/ refusal to promote; unequal pay; disparate treatment in terms of socio-business relations (i.e., golf, power lunches, etc.); and using “lay-offs” to get rid of female employees who get pregnant. Victims of sex discrimination can recover remedies such as back pay, reinstatement, front pay, compensatory damages including emotional pain and suffering, and punitive damages. Discriminated workers may also be entitled to recover attorneys’ fees and litigation costs. After trial, the jury found in favor of Dr. Pinter-Brown and awarded her $13,011,671, which included $635,612 in lost wages, $2,376,059 in future economic damages, $7 million in past non-economic damages, and $3 million in future non-economic damages.
*** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [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 the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.] (Advertising Supplement)
Company files Chapter 7 due to $1 million judgment THE client is a corporation that has been in business since 2000. It had good times and bad over the last two decades but always managed to land on its feet. It has an ever-growing list of clients that need its products, which it sources from abroad. It has two kinds of clients: clients with their own brands for the same product and clients that buy the product with client’s own brand. In 2015, the client appears to have had some kind of misunderstanding with one of its major foreign suppliers regarding a large order that apparently was not produced by the supplier to conform to the correct specifications. This resulted in the delivery of the large order being rejected by the ultimate buyer. Well, you can see why this rejection of the order shipped caused a major disruption in the business relationship between client and foreign supplier. Since the ultimate buyer rejected the shipment, the client was not going to get paid the expected $1.3M from its customer. But the foreign supplier demanded to get paid in full for the shipment, which had an FOB value of $1.0M. If the client paid the supplier $1.0M for a rejected order, the client would have to immediately eat the loss of $1.0M. The client does about $3.0M of yearly business, so an outright $1.0M loss is not sustainable. The client does not have $1.0M in cash or available credit lines, and does not see the wisdom of eating such a big loss. In addition, the client be-
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng
lieves that it was supplier’s fault that the shipment did not comply with the required specifications, which caused the rejection of the order. On the other hand, the foreign supplier believes it complied with the required specifications as far as they understood it. So, it’s a big mess. The client offered to give the shipment back to the supplier but the supplier does not want the merchandise back. The supplier wants cash of $1.0M. Eventually, the supplier files a lawsuit her in Los Angeles against the client for $1.0M breach of contract and fraud. Many breach of contract lawsuits add a fraud cause of action, which basically works as follows. The element of fraud consists of a misrepresentation made by the defendant to the plaintiff. The plaintiff justifiably relied on the misrepresentation. The plaintiff suffered damages by relying on the misrepresentation, and the damages of the plaintiff are proximately caused by the misrepresentation. More or less these are the essential elements of the fraud or deceit cause of action. If the plaintiff fails to prove one element, there is no fraud. For instance, the plaintiff alleges that
he suffered damages because he relied on defendant’s misrepresentation that he doesn’t have to file income tax returns for 2017. However, the plaintiff himself is a certified public accountant. There is no justifiable reliance on defendant’s representation because the plaintiff himself is a CPA and therefore should know himself that he should or should not file income tax returns for 2017. In any event, at trial, the plaintiff was able to prove by a preponderance of evidence that the client did indeed defraud the plaintiff supplier of $1.0M. Well, so now the choice is to pay the $1.0M or the company files for Chapter 7 liquidation. What would you do if you owned this company? Of course, a fraud judgment for $1.0M is an intentional tort that is that dischargeable. But the fact that the judgment is not dischargeable does not prevent the company from filing Chapter 7 to handle the claim. So what happens? In Chapter 7, the trustee will literally attempt to liquidate the company. The plaintiff will have to file a proof of claim in the bankruptcy as a judgment creditor. If the liquidation results in cash, the trustee will pay creditors in the legal order of priority. The IRS has no. 1 priority for unpaid taxes. This judgment creditor will get paid after the IRS gets paid. The trustee will auction off the inventory, if any, and collect receivables. The trustee will administer cash in the bank.
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Can I enforce a form I-864 affidavit of support in divorce proceedings? THE Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 requires that US Citizens sponsoring an alien for legal permanent residency execute an immigration form I864 Affidavit of Support. This is an agreement between the US Government and the Sponsor to promise to support the immigrant beneficiary seeking admission to the US at a level not less than 125% of the national poverty level. The purpose of the I-864 Affidavit is to prevent the noncitizen from becoming a public charge. The sponsor’s obligation continues until either 1) the intended immigrant becomes 2) the intended immigrant is no longer permanent resident by departing the US or relinquishing his or her residency 3) the immigrant is subject to removal or deportation but applies for and obtains anew adjustment of status based on a new affidavit of support 4) the intended im-
Barrister’s Corner Atty. kenneth UrSUA reyeS migrant or sponsor dies 5) the intended immigrant worked for 40 qualifying quarters under the Social Security Act. The I-864 affidavit is legally binding and enforceable contract between the Sponsor and the US Government. The enforceability even goes beyond this. The sponsored immigrant spouse can also enforce this contract against the sponsor and file an action to enforce the sponsor’s support obligation separately from any support rights the sponsored immigrant spouse may have under Family Code Section 4320. Erler v. Erler, 824 F.3d 1173 (9th Cir.
2016). This obligation becomes an important issue where the marriage between the Sponsor and the immigrant beneficiary breaks down and a Divorce Petition is filed. The I-864 obligation does not terminate with divorce or dissolution of marriage. Pursuant to Erler, neither a divorce judgment nor a premarital agreement may terminate an obligation of support under the I-864 affidavit. The obligation is not dischargeable even if the immigrant spouse is later supported by a third party or attempts to be self-sufficient. Further if a Joint Sponsor also signed an I-864 affidavit, the Joint Sponsor is jointly and severally liable for the support of the immigrant spouse. The immigrant spouse has an independent standing to enforce the obligation under the I-864 affidavit against the sponsor either in state court or federal court. In
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A COMMON question that is asked by a person who has a pending immigration petition or application is “how much longer until USCIS makes a decision?” The question is understandable, in that an unreasonable delay in the USCIS’ adjudication of a petition or application can have adverse effects, including loss of employment and employment opportunities, possible termination of employment, and difficulties in obtaining student and credit loans. While an immigration filing is pending, the typical response by USCIS upon inquiry is that further time (usually 90 or 180 days) is needed to make a decision. However, often that 90 or 180 days that USCIS needs to make a decision turns into months and sometimes years. What option does a petitioner or applicant have to compel the USCIS to act on his or her case? Pursuant to the Mandamus and Venue Act of 1962, a Writ of Mandamus action can be filed in the US District Courts to compel the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the USCIS, DHS’s bureau, to act on a petition or application for which adjudication has been unreasonably delayed. The statute allows for an “action to compel an officer of the United States to perform his duty.” The legal duty for USCIS to promptly act on a pending petition or application can be found in the Administrative Procedures Act (“APA”), 8 USC Sec. 1571, and 5 USC Sec. 555(b). These statutes form the basis of Writ of Mandamus relief. The APA gives the court authority to “compel agency action unlawfully held and un-
cision. The timeframe given to make a decision is 180 days; however, more than 180 days pass and no decision is made. The applicant then seeks to get updated status of the application via an Infopass appointment, and is advised that the Atty. DArrick tAn case is still under consideration and more time is needed. In such a case, a writ of manreasonable delayed.” The policy for processing immigration ap- damus can be filed in Federal plications is set forth under 8 Court to compel the USCIS to USC Sec. 1571, which states that act on the application. Often, “the processing of an immigra- a decision is made on the case tion benefit application should after the Writ of Mandamus is be completed no later than 180 filed in that the unreasonable delay is brought to the attention of the USCIS. A prompt decision is often made by USCIS after filing to avoid the use of government resources in having to defend the meritorious action. It is important to keep in mind that Writ of Mandamus relief is available to a variety of pending petitions and applications, not just green card applications based on marriage. To determine whether Writ of Mandamus relief is a good option in your pending immigration case, it is recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced days after the initial filing of the attorney. application.” Further, 5 USC *** Sec. 555(b) states that “within a reasonable time, each agency Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to shall proceed to conclude a mat- practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA ter presented to it.” A typical case in which Writ of and Southwestern University School Mandamus relief is a viable op- of Law. He is a member of the Contion is in a green card applica- sumers Attorney Association of Los tion based on marriage. I have Angeles and is a former member of the had several inquiries in recent Board of Governors of the Philipp ine months concerning delays in American Bar Association. processing of these cases. Typi*** cally, the green card applicant LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 along with his or her US Citizen spouse is interviewed by a USCIS Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los officer and at the end of the in- Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. terview, the green card applicant Email: info@dtanlaw.com. is advised that additional time is (Advertising Supplement) needed by USCIS to make a de-
Legal Advice
“While an imigration filing is pending, the typical response by USCIS upon inquiry is that further time (usually 90 or 180 days) is needed to make a decision.”
Can’t pay your student... PAGE C2 t
fordable, call my office at 866477-7772 to schedule a free confidential consultation. Since 1998, I have represented more than 5,000 clients in bankruptcy. Let me help you get out of debt
once and for all. I have offices in has successfully helped thousands of Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, *** please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at None of the information herein is in- TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. tended to give legal advice for any (Advertising Supplement) specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon
C4 APRIL 21-24, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Can I enforce a form I-864 affidavit...
PAGE C3 t
re Marriage of Kumar, 13 Cal. App. 5th 1072 (2017). This means the sponsor’s support obligation under the I-864 affidavit may be enforced within the family law case/ divorce action. In addition, the Court in Kumar held that immigrant spouse has no duty to seek employment to mitigate his or her damages. The bottom line is that in any divorce proceeding, one has to consider whether one spouse has signed an I-864 affidavit in the past for purposes of conferring a green card to the other spouse and whether that obligation continues on. It may
be a separate claim for support available to the immigrant spouse within the family law case.
article is not a solicitation. ***
Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a *** Certified Family Law Specialist. He was Please note that this article is not President of the Philippine American Bar legal advice and is not intended as Association. He is a member of both legal advice. The article is intended the Family law section and Immigration to provide only general, non-specific law section of the Los Angeles County legal information. This article is not Bar Association. He has extensive CPA intended to cover all the issues re- experience prior to law practice. LAW lated to the topic discussed. The spe- OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is cific facts that apply to your matter located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, may make the outcome different than Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 would be anticipated by you. This ar- or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit ticle does create any attorney client our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. relationship between you and the Law (Advertising Supplement) Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This
Company files Chapter 7 due... PAGE C3 t
Senior wants Chapter 7 discharge of $35K credit cards The second client is 70 years old and single. She never got married. She is still pretty and charming. But I guess she never met her prince charming so she decided to stay single. She owes $35,000 of credit cards. She has been paying $12,000 a year for the last 20 years. She has paid $240,000 in the last 20 years, and yet she says she still owes $35,000! Wonder of wonders indeed, sad but true. She says she is just tired of paying for the cards and now that she is retired, the $12,000 a year for interest payments on the cards is a big dent on her retirement income and prevents her from
enjoying her retirement years. Not surprising. Her retirement income consists of $1,200 of social security and $1,800 of pension. So, she has $3,000 a month. The cards take a third of that every month. Ouch! In addition, she has already paid $240,000 to her credit card masters, modern-day slavery, no doubt. She decides it’s high time for her to get rid of these cards with a discharge or wipe out in Chapter 7! I guess she got smarter as she got older, but could have saved $240,000 if she got rid of these cards when she was 52. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. ***
Calendar of Events across
Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader. There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789. (Advertising Supplement)
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Family reunion in Las Vegas A surprise family reunion to coincide with the celebration of Rex & Nenita’s 60th wedding anniversary will be held at Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 21. The couple wed on the bride’s birthday on April 12, 1958 celebrating her 84th year, making this three reasons to celebrate. Rex first immigrated to the U.S. 51 years ago after serving with the U.S. Army Philippine Scouts and one year thereafter he was joined with his wife and their four young children. Joining the celebration are children Evelyn, Evangeline, Elizabeth, Enrico and their families, grandchildren, great grandchildren and close friends.
A P R I L 29
Pilita Corrales concert in New York l Pilita Corrales, “Asia’s Queen of Songs,” will headline a dinner and show entitled “A Million Thanks to You” on Sunday, April 29. The dinner will be buffet and comes with a ticket. Show begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel (135-20 39th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354). For tickets, please contact: Baby Lantin at (917) 916-6770 / (718) 608-7771, Ching (917) 294-6783, Nel (347) 738-3025, Joji (908) 783-2680, Tessa (732) 492-4170, or Bong (646) 289-0917.
APRIL 30
East West Players’ 52nd Visionary Awards & Silent Auction in Los Angeles East West Players celebrates its 52nd Anniversary at the Annual Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction. The Visionary Awards laud the achievements of individuals who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through their craft. Proceeds from the gala will benefit East West Players’ educational and artistic programs. It will be held at the Hilton Universal City (555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608) on Monday, April 30. At 5:30 p.m., VIP Reception*, silent auction, and registration begin. Dinner and awards show begin at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit: http://www. eastwestplayers.org/news/east-west-players-52nd-anniversary-visionary-awards-dinner-andsilent-auction/.
M AY 3 -1 2
34th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival The 34th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will be presented May 3 - May 12, 2018 at select cinemas in the Los Angeles area. A key highlight of the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month activities, the Festival is produced by Visual Communications, the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, and enjoys broad support from cinema artists and audiences alike. Since 1983, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival has presented over 4,000 films, videos, and digital mediaworks by Asian international and Asian Pacific American artists, and additionally features seminars and panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards. The Film Festival continues to be the largest festival of its kind in Southern California and is the premier showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific American and international cinema. To learn about Visual Communications, visit www. vconline.org.
M AY 1 8
The Asian American Group to celebrate first annual Asian Culture Day in Las Vegas On Friday, May 18, the Asian American Group (AAG) will celebrate the first annual Asian Culture Day. The event will be held at the Conference Center of Las Vegas (6590 Bermuda Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119), and will start at 6 p.m. There will be a variety of Asian dishes and cultural performances at the celebration. The primary goal of the Asian Culture Day celebration is to invite and unite the Asian nations of the world, and to educate and share their respective cultures in order to achieve greater understanding and fellowship between nations. The annual Asian Culture Day was established by Senate Bill 175, which proclaims every 18th of May as Asian Culture Day in the state of Nevada. The bill was introduced and authored by State Senator Scott Hammond, and was signed into law by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval last year. The bill gives recognition to the Asians and Asian-Americans who were instrumental in the settlement and early development of the State of Nevada; the culture and traditions shared by Asians and AsianAmericans; and the Asian and Asian-American communities that continue to make important contributions to the cultural, religious, political, and business environment. To purchase tickets visit https://www.asianamericangroup.org/saac-2/.
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People and Events Four Filipinos involved in CASA 0101 Theater’s production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” BOYLE Heights, California — Back by popular demand! Disney’s Broadway musical hit, “Beauty and the Beast” will return to CASA 0101 Theater this May. CASA 0101’s production of the critically acclaimed musical is made possible by the theater, Josefina López, founding artistic director and TNH (Teatro Nuevos Horizontes) Productions, Rigo Tejeda, founding artistic director and Abel Alvarado, associate artistic director. It will presented in association with Councilmember Gil Cedillo and El Centro Del Pueblo. The production features a diverse and multicultural cast of 28 actors on the main stage of CASA 0101 Theater for a five-week run from May 11 to June 10. Valley Scene Magazine has raved: “CASA 0101 Theater in Boyle Heights treats its audience to a stunning, yet cozy and intimate production that allows the audience to feel immersed within the story. The quality of the performances was phenomenal and really brought the popular Broadway musical to life.” Paul Mryvold’s Theatre Notes wrote: “Under the direction of Rigo Tejeda, the cast fills the stage with dynamic energy, singing up a storm – kudos to musical director Caroline Benzon. The costuming, designed by Abel Alvarado, is nothing short of sumptuous, a feast for the eyes.” StageSceneLA.com commented: “Making this particular Disney’s ‘Beauty and The Beast’ an audience draw for L.A. theatergoers is a diversity in casting both groundbreaking and reflective of our city’s mix of Latinos, African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Angelenos of European ancestry.” Producers of the production include: Felipe Agredano, Emmanuel Deleage, Edward Padilla, Gustavo Rodriguez and Executive Producer Conrado TerrazasCross. The perennial favorite includes music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and the book by Linda Woolverton. The show was originally directed by Robert Jess Roth and originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. This production is directed by Rigo Tejeda, musically directed by
Caroline Benzon, and features new choreography by Tania Possick. Rigo Tejeda said, “Our culturally diverse production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will be a visual and aural feast for the eyes and ears for theatergoers of all ages and backgrounds. Our current production of the show will feature some returning cast members, along with many very talented new actors in leading and supporting roles, as well as new members in the ensemble.” “Following the huge success of our first presentation of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Broadway Musical we are honored to bring the celebrated production back for an encore engagement, in partnership with CASA 0101 Theater, TNH Productions and El Centro Del Pueblo. Our production consists of a multicultural cast, offering a great opportunity to bring our entire community together for family theatre at its best,” said Los Angeles Councilmember Gil Cedillo. Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” follows Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and a Beast, who is actually a handsome young Prince who lives in a luxurious castle in France. When an Old Beggar Woman, who is actually an Enchantress, asks the Prince for shelter from the freezing cold, the Prince shuns the beggar for her repulsive appearance, at which time the Enchantress appears transforming the Prince into a Beast for his coldhearted and selfish ways. The Enchantress casts a magic spell upon the Prince’s entire castle, including his good-natured servants, who are transformed into household objects to reflect their different personalities. Ashamed of his new appearance, the Beast conceals himself inside his castle with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world, and an enchanted rose, which will bloom until he turns 21 years of age. Time is running out. If the Beast can learn to love a woman and earn her love in return before the final petal falls off the rose, the curse will be broken and he will return to his original self as a Prince. But, if not, he will remain a Beast forever, and all the members of his household will be doomed as well for
From L-R: Maxwell Peters (LeFou), Matthew Noah (Monsieur D’Arque) and Ensemble in CASA 0101 Theater’s production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” (Photo by Ed Krieger)
Andrea Somera (Belle) and Omar Mata CASA 0101 Theater from May 11 to June
all eternity. The score of “Beauty and the Beast” includes iconic songs like:
18, 1994, starring Susan Egan as Belle and Terrence Mann as the Beast. CASA 0101 is located at 2102 East First Street (at St. Louis Street), Boyle Heights, CA 90033. “Beauty and the Beast” will run for five-weeks starting May 11 to June 10, with performances on Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Discounted preview performances will be presented on May 4, 5 and 6. Tickets are $40 each for General Admission; $30 each for Students and Seniors and $25 each for Boyle Heights Residents and Children 10 and under. Tickets are $20 each for Preview Performances May 4, 5 and 6, 2018. For tickets, please call the CASA 0101 Theater Box Office at 323-263-7684, email tickets@casa0101.org, or buy online at www.casa0101. org. Group Discounts are available by calling the Box Office. (Beast) in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” the Broadway musical playing at 10 presented by CASA 0101 Theater and TNH Productions. (Photo by Ed Krieger) This show is recommended for families. Advance reservations the Academy Award-winning nated songs, “Be Our Guest” are highly encouraged. The song, “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Belle.” The musical first running time of the show is 131 and the Academy Award-nomi- opened on Broadway on April minutes.
C APRIL 21-24, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM
&May 2018 priority dates
Immigration Corner
The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:
ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an
First Preference
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
October 8, 2007
January 22, 2006
September 22, 2017
June 1, 2016
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
September 8, 2007
December 15, 2006
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
July 22, 1995
April 1, 1995
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
October 15, 1995
February 1, 1995
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Second Preference
Advanced Degree (Masters)
Current
Current
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
July 1, 2017
January 1, 2017
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
July 1, 2017
January 1, 2017
attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar 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. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does 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 C all To ll free t o s ched ule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
Business Quote of the Week “Everyone is an entrepreneur. The only skills you need to be an entrepreneur: an ability to fail, an ability to have ideas, to sell those ideas, to execute on those ideas, and to be persistent so even as you fail you learn and move onto the next adventure.” - James Altucher, hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, best-selling author
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 21-24, 2018
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Dollars remitted by expatriate Filipinos continue to rise by Daxim
L. Lucas
by ma. Lisbet
K. esmaeL
Manilatimes.net
Inquirer.net
DOLLARS sent back home by expatriate Filipinos continued to rise in February on the back of larger remittance volumes from both land- and sea-based workers, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Monday, April 16. In a press statement, BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said personal remittances from Filipinos overseas reached $2.5 billion in February 2018, higher by 5.4 percent than those sent in the same month a year ago. This brought the cumulative remittances for the first two months of the year to $5.2 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 8.1 percent. The central bank data did not indicate if the higher remittances were due to rising number of overseas worker deployments or simply larger amounts being sent home by Filipinos. Land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more recorded a 6.5 percent growth to $4 billion while those from sea-based and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year rose by 9.7 percent to $1 billion. Meanwhile, cash remittances from overseas Filipinos coursed through banks reached $2.3 billion in February 2018, up by 4.5 percent year-on-year. For the first two months of 2018, cash remittances totaled $4.6 billion, an increase of 7.1 percent compared to the $4.3 billion level posted in the same period last
Gabby Lopez retires as ABS-CBN chairman
A man counts the dollar bills inside a money exchange shop in Manila.
year. This was supported by the cash remittances both from land($3.7 billion) and sea-based ($1 billion) workers which increased by 6.4 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively. The U.S., United Arab Emirates (UAE), Germany and Malaysia were the major contributors to the growth in cash remittances for the month. Remittances from the U.S. and UAE each contributed 1.2 percentage points to the 4.5 percent overall growth. Meanwhile, cash remittances from Germany and Malaysia each shared 1 percentage point to total growth in cash remittances. By country source, the bulk of cash remittances for the first two months of 2018 came from the U.S., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Japan, United Kingdom, Qatar, Germany, Hong Kong and Canada. The combined remittances from these countries accounted
Inquirer.net photo
for almost 80 percent of total cash remittances. Personal remittances represent the sum of net compensation of employees (i.e., gross earnings of overseas Filipino workers with work contracts of less than one year, including all sea-based workers, less taxes, social contributions, and transportation and travel expenditures in their host countries), personal transfers (i.e., all current transfers in cash or in kind by workers with work contracts of one year or more as well as other household-to-household transfers between Filipinos who have migrated abroad and their families in the Philippines). Also included are and capital transfers between households (i.e., the provision of resources for capital purposes, such as for construction of residential houses, between resident and non-resident households without anything of economic value being supplied in return).
EUGENIO “Gabby” Lopez III has stepped down as chairman of media giant ABS-CBN Corp, turning over the position to cousin Martin “Mark” Lopez. Gabby Lopez’s retirement after over two decades at the helm was announced during ABS-CBN’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Thursday, April 19. “As every athlete knows, there comes a time when inevitably it’s time to let go of the reins and allow others to take over,” he said in a speech. “My father has always said ‘broadcasting’ is for the young. After all, today’s digital world is vastly different from the world I managed,” he added. The 65-year-old Gabby, who also served as a chief executive officer from 1997 to 2012, stressed: “[I] will not disappear into the woodwork.” He was then elected chairman emeritus, following his father Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr. who was given the post in 1997. ABS-CBN said Gabby Lopez was responsible for transforming the company “from being the country’s biggest broadcasting network into being the country’s leading media and entertainment company.” He paved the way for the introduction of the company’s cable TV service SkyCable, global subscription channel The Filipino Channel, and streaming sites TFC. tv and iWant TV, and ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN Chairman Emeritus Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III (left); New ABS-CBN Corporation Chairman Martin “Mark” Lopez (right) Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN
TVplus, a digital terrestrial television product. The media firm’s new chairman, Mark Lopez, said he accepted “this huge responsibility of carrying on the company’s vision of being in the service of the Filipino—using the blueprint of excellence and innovation set by Gabby”. “ABS-CBN has played an instrumental role in nation-building in the past 65 years. We understand what the company means to the Filipino and this country, and we will take this to heart as we guide the company through its digital transformation,” he added.
Mark was previously ABSCBN’s chief technology officer, focusing on the company’s strategic directions and technology operations as well as its modernization program. He also spent 13 years at power distribution utility Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) where he was vicepresident and chief information officer, and president of subsidiary e-Meralco Ventures, Inc. Also on Thursday, ABS-CBN disclosed that its board had given the go-signal for an additional investment of P592 million to fund Sky Cable’s expansion.
Maldives is composed of around 1,200 islands, atolls, and reefs, and is known for its paradiselike resorts that attract tourists worldwide. The image shows Safari island. Photo from Visit Maldives website
Philippines, Maldives seal deal for direct flights by rOsette
aDeL
Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation on Tuesday, April 17 said the Philippines and the Republic of Maldives have signed an agreement for direct flights between the two countries. After the two nations inked the agreement on air service on Tuesday, direct flights from Manila to Maldives and back are now closer to reality. The deal will allow an initial 1,200 seats that can be flown by each party’s designated airlines per week between Manila and Maldives. The flights originating from or destined for points outside Manila will be unlimited. This is in line with the Philippines’ pocket open skies policy which promotes other international gateways away from the capital.
The DOTr did not announce when the flight agreement would take effect. According to the DOTr, the two nations met on April 16 and 17 to draft the agreement after it discussed preliminary proposals in letter exchanges in the past few months. The meeting was attended by the Maldivian delegation, which included officials of the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority. Philippine representatives from the DOTr, Department of Foreign Affairs Civil Aeronautics Board, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment also joined the two-day meeting. Maldives is in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India. In March 2018, the Ministry of Tourism of Maldives said it recorded a 17-percent increase on its tourist arrivals.
Manila seen to be 9th fastest-growing Asia-Pacific city in 2018-2022 by ben
O. De Vera Inquirer.net
)ROORZ XV RQ
WHILE the growth of Metropolitan Manila’s economy is expected to slightly slow down in the next five years, it will be the ninth-fastest across major cities in the Asia-Pacific region, UKbased Oxford Economics said. In the report titled “Asia-Pacific Cities and Regions Outlook: Indian cities dominate new growth forecast,” Oxford Economics economist Mark Britton projected Manila’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) expansion to average 6.4 percent for the period 2018 to 2022. The 2018-2022 growth forecast for Manila was only behind Bangalore’s 9.6 percent, Hyderabad’s 8.1 percent, Ho Chi Minh City and Delhi’s 7.9 percent, Mumbai’s 7.8 percent, Kolkata’s 6.9 percent, and Chennai’s 6.8 percent. While sharing the same 6.4percent growth projection with the Philippines’ capital, Chinese cities Tianjin was ranked eighth while Guangzhou placed 10th. During the period 2013 to 2017, Manila’s GDP growth averaged a faster 7.2 percent, Oxford Economics said. India In the past five years, Manila’s average GDP expansion ranked a lower 11th place, behind Bangalore’s 10.8 percent; Tianjin’s 9.6 percent; Shenzhen’s 9.3 percent, Guangzhou’s 9.1 percent; Chengdu and Ho Chi Minh City’s 9 percent; Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai’s 7.7 percent; and
Hyderabad’s 7.6 percent. According to Oxford Economics, Bangalore ranked first due to “significant financial and business services activity” in the city. “Across the wider region, we expect the significant growth disparities between cities to persist over the medium term. Ho Chi Minh City is the only non-Indian city to feature in our top five, with Tianjin, Manila and Guangzhou the others outside India to make the top 10. China’s two megacities, Beijing [11th] and Shanghai [12th], are also expected to see strong growth, but just miss out on top 10 status,” Oxford Economics said. More advanced cities “Among the more advanced economy cities, there are few standout performances. Perth [17th] and Brisbane [18th] lead the Australian cities, while Melbourne [19th] continues to outperform Sydney [22nd]. Singapore [21st] is forecast to outpace Hong Kong [24th], although by a smaller margin than in the recent past,” Oxford Economics added. “Japan’s large cities are again set to struggle at the bottom of our growth rankings, with Osaka, where the demographic outlook is particularly challenging, projected to experience the slowest GDP growth of all 33 cities in our forecast,” according to Oxford Economics. Osaka’s GDP was projected to contract by 0.2 percent during the period 2018-2022, while the cities of Tokyo, Kawasaki, Yokohama and Nagoya were expected to grow below 1 percent.
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BDO aims for P31-B profit in 2018 by Doris
Dumlao-abaDilla Inquirer.net
BDO Unibank sees net profit this year hitting a record-high of P31 billion, higher by 10.3 percent than the level last year, to be driven by sustained lending expansion and steady growth in fee-based income. For the first quarter, BDO booked P5.9 billion in net profit or 19 percent of the full-year guidance. This was flat from year-ago level but excluding mark-to-market revaluation of the investment portfolio of insurance arm BDO Life and the ongoing restructuring and expansion costs at rural bank arm One Network Bank (ONB), first quarter net income would have risen by 16 percent. Net interest income grew by 20 percent to P22.2 billion due to the 18-percent expansion in loan book to P1.8 trillion and the 16-percent hike in total deposits to P2.2 trillion. Low-cost deposits contributed the bulk of total deposit growth. In a briefing ahead of BDO’s stockholders meeting, bank president Nestor Tan said loan volume would sustain a mid-teen pace of growth this year, with the government’s massive infrastructurebuilding providing some upside. The slight rise in interest rate is seen working in its favor, resulting in some improvement in margins. Profits this year will be driven by core businesses but Tan said BDO would also invest in three new growth areas: rural bank ONB, insurance arm BDO Life and the wealth management business. Capital spending this year is seen at P9 billion. BDO expects securities trading
Jollibee BDO President Nestor Tan Inquirer.net photo
and foreign exchange gains to be muted this year amid heightened volatility in local and international markets. It expects low-cost deposits to continue growing albeit at a slower pace. Yesterday, the bank announced a new offering of P5 billion worth of long-term negotiable certificates of deposits (LTNCDs) with a tenor of 5.5 years at an indicative pricing of 4.5 percent a year. Proceeds will lengthen the maturity of funding sources and support business expansion plans. On prospective acquisitions, Tan said BDO would be “selective going forward because organic growth is strong for us.” After a series of acquisitions starting in the 2000s that eventually built BDO into the country’s largest bank with assets of over P2 trillion, Tan suggested that
merger and acquisition (M&A) opportunities that would bring more value to BDO had become more scarce. “M&A is a question of value. When you have most of the products that you need, when you have the scale and when you have the ability to expand the way that you have been expanding, the business case for doing it by acquisition shrinks,” Tan said. With a loan book of about P1.8 trillion, which is currently growing by 18 percent, Tan noted that BDO could organically grow its lending business by P300 billion to P350 billion a year. The bank expects to open 50 to 70 new BDO and ONB branches this year to support organic growth. To date, it has over 1,200 branches and over 4,000 automated teller machines nationwide.
Inquirer.net photo
Jollibee takes control of US burger chain
by Doris
Dumlao-abaDilla Inquirer.net
HOMEGROWN fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corp. has consummated a deal to acquire a controlling stake in US hamburger chain Smashburger, taking a bigger bite of the vast US market and scaling up its global footprint. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, April 17 Jollibee said the closing conditions, including required government approvals, had been obtained as proxvided under the March 8 purchase agreement signed by wholly owned subsidiary Bee Good! Inc. (BGI) for the acquisition of an additional 45 percent of SJBF
LLC, the parent company of the entities comprising the Smashburger business. With the execution of the $100-million deal with Smashburger Master LLC, Jollibee now officially owns 85 percent of Smashburger through BGI, the disclosure said. With the transaction, US sales contribution to worldwide sales surged to 15 percent from 5 percent. Consequently, foreign businesses now account for about 30 percent of Jollibee’s system-wide sales, from 20 percent prior to the Smashburger deal. In terms of store network, the consolidation of Smashburger into Jollibee increases its worldwide store network by 365 stores or 9.6 percent to 4,162. This also
expands Jollibee’s geographical presence from 16 countries to 21, adding Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, United Kingdom (England and Scotland) and Panama to its global footprint. Smashburger, which is based in Denver, Colorado, has 365 restaurants worldwide in 39 states in the US and in 10 foreign markets. Jollibee—now one of the most valuable restaurant chains in the world in terms of market capitalization—had said that one of its priorities upon takeover would be to change Smashburger’s debt structure to significantly reduce its financing cost and enable the business to make more investments for long-term growth.
Sales of sugary drinks hard hit by new taxes, says Nielsen by Daxim
l. lucas
Inquirer.net
While sales of sugar-sweetened beverages have been weakening over the past few years, the accelerated rate of decline in sales in February — a month after the implementation of excise tax hikes — has begun to reflect consumers’ “typical” reaction to price increases. Thus said market research firm Nielsen whose recent retail index study showed more pronounced sales declines in sari-sari stores, with all five sugar-taxed bever-
age categories showing faster sales decline of an average of 8.7 percent in February 2018 versus 4.4 percent in the same period last year. As of February this year, prices across five categories carried by sari-sari stores increased by 20.6 percent compared to a year ago. Carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks had the biggest price jumps among sari-sari stores at 21 percent and 18 percent, respectively. Other sugar-sweetened beverages such as ready-to-drink juice, powdered juice, and powdered tea have not yet fully passed on the
tax to consumers as prices have increased less than 10 percent. Powdered juice and powdered tea have showed double-digit declines at 15.4 percent (versus 1.7 percent in February 2017) and 18.1 percent (versus 3.4 percent in same period last year), respectively. Carbonated soft drinks sales decline also accelerated from 4.1 percent last year to 7 percent in February of this year. The Nielsen retail index provides continuous tracking of product sales in defined retail outlets, and is the industry cur-
rency in measuring a brand’s market share. “While healthier and more convenient options contributed to the slowdown of sugar-sweetened beverage over the past year, we can attribute the faster rate of decline to how consumers have changed their consumption and shopping habits amid the first wave of price increases,” Nielsen Philippines managing director John Patrick Cua said in a statement. “This reaction from consumers is a normal and expected behavior immediately following a price
increase,” he also said. “Over time, some consumers may go back to old buying habits while some will adopt their new buying patterns.” “Consumers will not totally give up these sugary drinks because these are simple joys that they provide to their kids and themselves,” Cua, however, added. “For instance, some say ready-to-drink juice cannot be compromised as it is their child’s baon.” In contrast, decline in sales in supermarkets are less substantial, slowing down by 9.4 percent in
February versus 14.7 percent in February 2017. In examining the seven categories, energy drinks and ready-to-drink juice show significant declines with 10.7 percent (versus 3 percent in February 2017) and 8.8 percent (versus 4.7 percent in February 2017). In supermarkets, prices across the seven sugar-taxed categories increased by 16.6 percent in average. Prices of ready-to-drink tea and carbonated soft drinks indicated the highest price hike in supermarkets, with increases of 24 percent and 21.6 percent compared to year ago prices. /kga
D april 21-24, 2018 • la WEEKEND aSiaN JOUrNal
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Ayala: Global expansion to Wells Fargo fined $1 billion for drive earnings growth auto insurance, mortgage abuse by AngelicA
BAllesteros Manilatimes.net
CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. is bullish about its international expansion as it gears up to grow net income to P50 billion by 2020. Subsidiary AC Industrial Technology Holdings, Inc. has already started exporting KTM motorcycles to China and Thailand and is now awaiting the necessary approvals to ship units to Vietnam, Ayala said. AC Industrial targets to export 70 percent of its motorcycles to these markets while the remaining 30 percent will be sold domestically. “The number of units we’ve had in the beginning is that we are going to produce by 2020 around 10,000 units, of which about 5,000 to 6,000 units will be exported, the rest will go to the domestic market. As the market evolves, there’ve been new models introduced,” AC Industrial Chief Executive Officer Arthur Tan told a news conference following Ayala Corp.’s annual stockholders’ meeting in Makati City on Friday, April 20. For its unit Integrated MicroElectronics, construction of a new manufacturing plant in Serbia, which will produce automotive parts, is currently under way. The new facility is set to open this October and is expected to contribute to AC Industrials’ fourth
quarter revenues. Power arm AC Energy Holdings, Inc., meanwhile, is looking to allot 50 percent of its investments to international expansion this year. “We have around a billion dollars’ worth of committed equity to all our projects. About 80 percent of that is going to the Philippines and 20 percent we’ve already invested internationally, specifically in Indonesia,” AC Energy President and CEO John Eric Francia said at the same briefing. “So in a matter of years, we’re going to increase the share of international from where it is to date, from 30 percent to 40 percent,” he added. Manila Water Co. meanwhile hopes to “triple or quadruple” its regional footprint by 2023 to increase the revenue contribution of offshore business, which is currently at 5-6 percent. Manila Water is currently the largest foreign investor in Vietnam’s water space and is now looking at further opportunities in Myanmar. Ayala Land, Inc., meanwhile, aims to double its footprint in Malaysia’s Klang Valley over the next two to three years. Earlier this year it raised its stake in Malaysia-based MCT Berhad to 66 percent. “We now have a platform to plan our expansion into Malaysia. The board just recently approved
the acquisition of a 9.25-acre [property]in Klang Valley … that is basically our first land acquisition in Malaysia since we first invested in MCT Berhad,” Ayala Land President and CEO Bernard Dy said. Newly established AC Ventures Holdings Corp., chaired by Ayala Corp.’s Chief Finance Officer Teodoro Limcaoco, has earmarked $250 million this year to further diversify its portfolio. “We have created AC Ventures … to invest in small positions in new technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the areas we are interested in. In fact, our senior management team planning includes trips to China and Silicon Valley for further studies,” Ayala Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said. Education services arm AC Education Holdings, Inc. is focusing on the domestic market following its recent team-up with the Yuchengco Group’s iPeople, Inc. It also acquired a 96 percent stake in National Teachers’ College last February, bringing AC Education’s total student population to 34,000. “But we are open to international ventures [although]our priority is the domestic market,” said AC Education President Fred Ayala, adding that some international companies are approaching them for possible joint ventures.
New Amazon feature makes international shopping easier for Pinoys by Kristine Joy
Philstar.com
PAtAg
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino shoppers have quicker access to more brands now as Amazon launches its international shopping feature on its mobile application. In a press release, the shopping giant said that the new feature is a way to allow customers outside the United States to get access to the products on its site. “Customers have been asking for a way to easily find and shop only for products available to be shipped to them. The International Shopping experience solves
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this customer need and makes it simple to browse, shop and ship more than 45 million products to over a hundred countries,” Samir Kumar, Vice President of Amazon Exports and Expansion, said. Over 45 million items from the United States are just one click away for Filipino shoppers, Amazon said. The “International Shopping” feature of its mobile application will display import duty estimates, as Amazon will take over the coordination with courier services for customs clearance. The Amazon application is available for both iOs and Android mobile devices. The newly added feature may also be accessed
The application is available on both iOs and Android mobile devices. The newly added feature may also be accessed through a mobile browser.
through a mobile browser. The feature offers five languages, English, Spanish, simplified Chinese, German and Brazilian, and accepts 25 currencies. The company said that it is looking to expanding its feature to include more languages and currencies.
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The scandal-laden megabank has begun taking steps to undo the damage caused to more than half a million consumers by KlArize
MedenillA AJ Press
Two federal financial regulators are fining megabank Wells Fargo $1 billion for charging mortgage borrowers unreasonable fees and forcing customers into buying car insurance they didn’t need. Announced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on Friday, April 20, this is the most severe penalty by the Trump administration against a Wall Street bank. According to the CFPB, Wells Fargo violated the Consumer Financial Protection Act by implementing a mandatory auto insurance program that added extra costs to some borrowers’ auto loans. The bank also charged some customers too much over mortgage interest rate-lock extensions. “I am especially pleased that we were able to work closely and effectively with our colleagues at the OCC, and I appreciate the key role they played in the negotiations,” CFPB Acting Director Mick Mulvaney said in a statement. “As to the terms of the settlement: we have said all along that we will enforce the law. That is what we did here.” Wells Fargo was fined $500 million by each agency and will have to pay its penalty to the CFPB in 10 days; the OCC did not specify a deadline. The CFPB said that the $1 billion fine is part of a settlement with the bank, which apologized last year for charging some 570,000 consumers for auto insurance they didn’t need. A previous internal review by Wells Fargo discovered that about 20,000 of those consumers possibly defaulted on car loans and had their cars repossessed because of the unnecessary extra insurance costs. According to the two agencies’ filings on the bank, Wells Fargo’s “conduct caused and was likely to cause substantial injury to consumers.” According to financial regulators, Wells Fargo has already begun remediating affected
Photo courtesy of Wells Fargo
consumers and will undertake internal activities related to its risk management and compliance management. Wells Fargo CEO Timothy Sloan said that the bank is making moves toward “delivering on our promise to review all of our practices and make things right for our customers.” This scandal is only one of a slew of scandals the bank has faced in the last few years. In addition to upcharging customers with inflated mortgage fees and forcing the purchase of unnecessary auto insurance, Wells Fargo received intense pushback for the 2016 account fraud scandal wherein millions of fraudulent savings and checking accounts were created on behalf of Wells Fargo clients without their consent. The CFPB fined Wells Fargo more than $185 million over the account fraud scandal, which the CFPB called “the widespread illegal practice of secretly opening unauthorized deposit and credit card accounts.” Because of the penalties,
Wells Fargo said that it will be adjusting its preliminary financial results for the first fiscal quarter of 2017, dropping its net income to $4.7 billion, an $800 million shift in its balance sheet. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) and the committee’s ranking Democrat Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said on Friday that, in addition to issuing fines, those at the top should be punished further. “It is not enough to hold a bank accountable. The actual individuals responsible for the wrongful deeds must be held responsible as well,” Hensarling said in a statement, adding that the bank “has many dedicated employees” who “had nothing to do with the wrongful acts.” Waters also said that the “fines are not sufficient in addressing the pattern of illegal behavior by Wells Fargo, and this action still does not put the bank’s past behavior to rest. Steeper penalties are still necessary.”
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