043022 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

APRIL 30 - MAY 2, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 34 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Fil-Am attorney leads class action team, gets $21.56M payout to drivers

Duterte to skip US-ASEAN meet in May out of respect for successor

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte will be sitting out the meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and with other leaders of Southeast Asia scheduled next month because the Philippines would have elected a new president by then. LOS ANGELES — XPO Logistics Inc., Washington, through the US-ASEAN Special one of the biggest truck companies in the Summit, will be hosting state leaders from the United States, has agreed to pay $20 million to 561 drivers misclassified as independent contractors in a major class action suit handled by a group of lawyers, led by Filipino-American attorney C. Joe Sayas Jr. XPO additionally paid $1.56M to cover taxes, resulting in a total company payout of $21.56 M. Under the terms of the settlement agreement reached at the 11th hour before jury trial., the drivers were paid an average share of nearly $27,000, with the highest individual share estimated at $69,000. The settlement, one of the highest per-worker settlement average involving misclassification of employees as independent contractors, was featured as the Top Verdict in the Daily Journal, California’s premier newspaper source of the legal community XPO Logistics Inc, is a major trucking firm that transports containers to and from shipping and railway terminals in North America. XPO regularly hires drivers to move cargo. The main  PAGE A3

California opens Medi-Cal to older unauthorized immigrants Starting May 1, expansion covers low-income unauthorized immigrants over 49 ON Sunday, May 1, California will open Medi-Cal to older immigrants residing in the state without legal permission. Unauthorized immigrants over age 49 who fall below certain income thresholds will become eligible for full coverage by MediCal, California’s version of Medicaid, the federal-state partnership that provides health insurance to low-income people. Unauthorized immigrants of all ages account for 40% of the state’s approximately 3.2 million uninsured residents. Official estimates put the number of newly eligible people as high as 235,000. Those who sign up will join more than 220,000 unauthorized immigrants ages 25 and under already enrolled in MediCal. And if Gov. Gavin Newsom gets his way,  PAGE A5

made there,” Duterte said in his weekly address. The Philippines will be holding its national and local elections on May 9 and the presidential inauguration will be held end-June. Duterte pointed out that while it would take a while for the elected president to be proclaimed by Congress, it would be  PAGE A2

Association of Southeast Asian Nations on May 12 and 13. “Pangit na tignan kung magpunta ako duon alam ko na may bagong presidente na (It won’t look good if I go and there is already a new president-elect) and besides, if there is a working conference, there might be some agreements or commitments that will be

Vice President Leni Robredo and former Senator Bongbong Marcos Inquirer.net photos

Robredo challenges Marcos to debate: ‘Anytime, anywhere’ by NEIL

ABSENTEE VOTING. Registered voters participating in absentee voting cast their votes at FENII Building, Intramuros, Manila on Thursday, April 28. The three days of absentee voting from April 27-29 are for personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other government agencies including members of media who are on duty on May 9 (election day). PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday, April 29 challenged fellow presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to a debate, saying the public should be given an avenue to ask about controversies surrounding him. Robredo made the call as she pointed out that

 PAGE A2

PH wraps up WTTC Global Summit, Saudi Arabia to host the next one DOT focuses on ‘regenerative tourism’ by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

THE president and chief executive officer of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) praised and thanked the Philippines for successfully hosting the three-day summit in Manila. “I’m not often stumped for words, but I am now. Wow! What an amazing summit. We really have rediscovered travel,” Simpson said at the closing ceremony of the summit, which gathered leaders of the tourism industries across the world.

Simpson, who considered the “extraordinary Philippine welcome” as her personal highlight of the two-day summit, added that its success was a “testament that the country’s tourism industry is well on its feet.” Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat pulled all the stops to make sure that the country’s first-ever hosting of the global summit would be memorable as she took pride in setting an example of how to open safely and showcase “how beautiful the country is.”  PAGE A3

Pictured are the newly-installed members of the Cerritos City Council including two Filipino Americans. From left: Councilmember Frank Aurelio Yokoyama, Councilmember Lynda Johnson, Mayor-elect Chung Vo, Mayor Pro-tempore elect Bruce Barrows and Councilmember Naresh Solanki. Photo by Phil Cunneen / courtesy of the City of Cerritos Administrative Services Dept.

Susana Reyes confirmed as LA Board of Public Works Commissioner 2 Fil-Ams sworn in as Cerritos, by AJPRESS

Susana Reyes

FILIPINA American public service veteran Susana Reyes has a new title: commissioner of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works. Reyes, previously the vice president of the city’s Board of Water and Power Commissioners, was unanimously confirmed by the City Council to her new board position on Wednesday, April 27. “It’s gratifying to know that people trust and believe in my leadership and public service. I stand on the shoulders of other leaders who moved the

needle on equity, justice, and sustainability,” Reyes said in a social media post. Prior to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, Reyes served as the director of the LA Department of Water and Power’s Low-Income Customer Access program, which provides low-income ratepayers with financial assistance, discounts and rebates. Reyes also served on LA Mayor Eric Garcetti’s sustainability team as a senior sustainability analyst, where she helped oversee the implementation of Los Angeles’ first Sustainable City pLAn and helped secure a $1.7 million grant

for the City from the California Air and Resources Board to help launch BlueLA, an EV car sharing pilot program in lowincome communities. Reyes is an active member of the Sierra Club, elected to the organization’s first-ever all-female Executive Committee in 2017. “Susana is a selfless public servant who has spent her career building a more resilient and fair Los Angeles,” said Garcetti said in a statement following her nomination in April. “Her strong commitment to equity, environmental justice, and public safety will make her a powerful  PAGE A2

California councilmembers by DAN

E. NINO

CERRITOS, Calif. — Two Filipino American public officials were officially sworn in as councilmembers on Wednesday, April 27 at the City of Cerritos Council Chamber. Top vote-getter Frank Aurelio Yokoyama was re-elected to his second term as councilmember while Lynda Johnson was elected in her first council run. “My dream of becoming a City of Cerritos Council member has come through,” Johnson said.

Johnson enthused that she was blessed for having a “Campaign Dream Team” and made special mention of her boss, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, for his full support. “I look forward to serving the city that I love. I will work as a team with my colleagues, to build consensus and make Cerritos the city we can be proud of.” Yokoyama is the eldest son of a Japanese-American veteran, Tom Yokoyama. His mother, the former Chit Aurelio, is a native of Subic Bay, Zambales. Both  PAGE A2

A2 APRIL 30 - MAY 2, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Duterte to skip US-ASEAN meet... 2 Fil-Ams sworn in as Cerritos, California... PAGE A1

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U.S. Press Secretary Jen Psaki difficult. said the summit will “build on” If he attends and makes a Biden’s previously announced stand or enters into agreements, $102-million programs on Duterte said it might “not COVID-19 recovery and health be acceptable to the next security, the climate crisis, administration.” economic growth, promoting In a statement dated April 16, gender equality, and “deepening

people-to-people ties” in the October 2021 US-ASEAN Summit. “It is a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration to serve as a strong, reliable partner in Southeast Asia,” Psaki said. (Kaycee Valmonte/Philstar.com)

Robredo challenges Marcos to debate...

PAGE A1 Marcos is the only presidential candidate to not participate in a debate attended by all the other candidates. “Sa puntong ito, isang kandidato na lang ang hindi pa humaharap sa taumbayan sa isang debate kasama ang lahat ng ibang kandidato. Mahalaga sana ito para masuri kami ng publiko, at para marinig nila at mapagkumpara ang vision at pagkatao namin,” Robredo said in a statement. (At this point, only one candidate has not faced the public in a debate with all the other candidates. It is important that the public can see us so they can hear and compare our visions and character.) “Inaanyayahan ko si Ginoong Bongbong Marcos na makipagdebate, para mabigyan ang taumbayan ng pagkakataong makaharap siya at matanong tungkol sa mga kontrobersiyang pumapalibot sa kanya,” she

added. (I am inviting Mr. Marcos to engage in a debate so that the public can be given a chance to see him and ask him about the controversies surrounding him.) “We owe it to the people and to our country. Kung papayag po kayo, anytime, anywhere, darating ako (If you agree, then I will be there—anytime, anywhere.).” Marcos has previously been criticized for shunning presidential debates and forums attended by his fellow presidential candidates—including the first two presidential debates organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Marcos, however, attended the debates organized by media network SMNI. Other presidential candidates—Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao—did not attend the SMNI debates.

Meanwhile, both Robredo and Marcos have opted to skip the upcoming presidential panel interviews organized by Comelec and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP). Robredo said she has already engaged in a number of panel interviews which can be accessed online. She said she opts to spend the remaining days of the campaign with her supporters and volunteers. “Sa loob ng ilang araw, boboto na ang mga Pilipino. Halos tatlong buwan nang tumatakbo ang official campaign period, at naihayag ko na sa maraming pagkakataon ang track record, mga plano, at mga prinsipyo ko,” Robredo said in a statement. Meanwhile, Marcos opted to end his campaign with visits to his supporters through town hall meetings and political rallies, according to his spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez. 

parents are realtors. Johnson’s roots are from Manila and Iloilo. Her father, Sam Johnson, is a retired U.S. navy now based in San Jose, CA. Both U.S.born, Yokoyama and Johnson grew up in this city and claimed that they are proud products of the ABC Unified School District. Johnson is the first Filipina American on the council. “It’s pretty cool that I’m still the top vote-getter,” exclaimed Yokoyama. “I’ve worked hard for the Cerritos residents. I’m proud to represent Cerritos and the region with the Southern California Association of City governments.” The City of Cerritos is a member of the City League of California Cities. He thanked outgoing Cerritos Mayor Grace Hu for mentoring him. In the official results, Yokoyama, a local businessman and attorney, garnered 3,737 votes while Johnson, an LA Sheriff field deputy, received 3,475 from 8,932 who cast their ballots with a voter turnout of only 24.76%. The city of Cerritos — with a total area of 8.9 square miles, 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles — has 36,079 registered voters out of a population of 50,143. Mayor Pro-tempore Chung Vo presented outgoing Mayor Grace Hu scrapbooks, memorabilia of her last five years as Council member and a symbolic key to the City Hall. Hu received several proclamations and commendations from various government entities and organizations. “You can still visit the City Hall,” Vo reminded Hu. After Hu vacated her post, a reorganization immediately took place among the newly-seated five city council members. Deputy Mayor Chung Vo, a VietnameseAmerican was voted as city mayor, 4 to 1. Only Yokoyama voted no.

Joined by immediate family, Lynda Johnson was sworn in as a Cerritos councilmember by Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva during a ceremony on Wednesday, April 27. Photos by Dan E.Nino

Incumbent councilmember Frank Aurelio Yokoyama was sworn in to the Cerritos City Council by LA County 4th District Supervisor Janice Hahn

Former Mayor and current councilmember Bruce Barrows was elected as mayor protempore. Yokoyama again voted no in what political pundits described as the “lone wolf” of the City chamber. The newly-elected mayor noted that all members of the City Council come from all cultural levels, including four members who are Asian American. He waxed poetic when Vo recalled his hard-fought battles and struggles when he arrived in the U.S. as a young refugee and his

family had nothing. He thanked former Mayor Carol Chen for mentoring him. “Being mayor sounds cool,” Vo revealed. “I’m not here for the title. You can still call me Chung, not a mayor. I’m a public servant to serve the people. We are one family and one city.” “As your new mayor, I’m not overshadowed with high expectations, not for personal gains or ego and to fill a pocketbook. This is all about you and not about me,” Vo concluded. 

Susana Reyes confirmed as LA Board of Public...

PAGE A1 addition to the Board of Public Works.” In addition to being a public servant for over 32 years, Reyes is the founder and CEO of AgilEngines LLC, an advocacy BIOMETRICS. A Philippine Statistics Authority personnel (right) assists Rodeno Aquino, 62, in the fingerprint scanning during Step 2 of the registration and consulting firm focused on process for the PhilSys or National ID system at the Barangay Hall of Barangay Salitran 3, City of Dasmarinas, Cavite on Thursday, April 28. Philippine community outreach and civic Statistics Authority personnel have been holding national ID registration in the villages of the city. PNA photo by Gil Calinga engagement strategies, according

to the LA Mayor’s Office. Reyes becomes the third Filipino American — and second Filipina — to serve on the city’s Board of Public Works, following Jessica Caloza and Joel Jacinto. The LA Board of Public Works is a five-member executive team responsible for the administration

of the city’s Department of Public Works, overseeing and managing more than 5,000 employees within the Department's five bureaus: Bureau of Contract Administration, Bureau of Engineering, Bureau of Sanitation, Bureau of Street Lighting, and the Bureau of Street Services. 

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PH wraps up WTTC Global Summit...

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It was also the first major inperson conference attended by more than 1,200 delegates, 600 of whom were from more than 50 countries. According to the DOT, there were over 10,000 virtual registrations during the various events of the WTTC held at the Marriot Hotel in Resorts World Manila. Puyat said that as the pandemic forced the global tourism industry to raise its game and change the way it gets things done, “we have likewise put much effort into discerning the most effective combination between the enforcement of health and safety guidelines and personal convenience the delicate balancing act of implementing measures to ensure everyone’s safety without placing unreasonable burdens on the traveling public.” “Our shared hopes and dreams for the future are reflected in the policies we have developed, and the measures we have put in place to plan and realize this sector’s full and complete recovery,” she added. Timely and Important “I consider that this as a very timely and very important event because it is useful for many countries and the tourism sector is important for the economy, and the experience, the information that has been provided during the meeting is very important for all countries,” Mexico’s Ambassador to the Philippines Gerardo Lozano Arredondo told the Asian Journal. The ambassador also shared that he discovered Filipino food and Mexican food “are really quite related.” “There are several dishes that it is not so easy to differentiate in Mexico and Philippine cuisine and there are many in common though one of my favorites is the lechon,” he said, citing the similarities in the preparation in both countries. Now in the last year of his tour of duty, Arredondo said he is looking forward to bringing back and introducing to Mexico new ingredients that are not common there, referencing the galleon trade, which he called the first experience of globalization and trading. He also expressed his optimism about the full economic recovery of countries like Mexico and the Philippines which are both major tourist destinations. “I am very optimistic about the recovery of the economy and I am sure that at least in the case of Mexico and the Philippines touristical sector will play a very important role in the recuperation of the economy,” Arredondo said. “This has been a wonderful

Exhibited at the WTTC Summit are season’s harvests of the Philippines’ finest produce such as mangoes, pomelo, calamansi, avocado, dragon fruit, pineapple, native coffee beans, adlai grains, black rice, pili nuts, passion fruit, capsicum, mangosteen and lanzones. This is a sight and taste to behold to many foreigners since these crops are native to the Philippines. AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

global summit and, to echo your brand campaign, we certainly had lots of fun in the Philippines. This is an experience all the delegates of the Summit can definitely attest to,” WTTC Chairman Arnold Donald said in his closing address. Gloria Guevara, special advisor of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism and former president and CEO of WTTC, said the Philippines “has exceeded all of our expectations. Thanks to the leadership of Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat before and during the pandemic, the Philippines has been successfully repositioned as a top destination and she delivered an impactful Summit. The Filipino hospitality has also made it memorable.” Beautiful Destinations “I’m really excited to be supporting tourism in the Philippines,” said Jeremy Jauncey, founder and CEO of Beautiful Destinations. We had a chance to chat as we waited for the gala dinner at the Philippine International Convention Center to begin. “Hopefully, this is the start of the recovery as we are serving the people again and the country is open. It’s beautiful. It is the kind of tourism you want to be doing now – sustainably focused, regenerative tourism, out in nature, all the stuff that we’ve been missing in the last two years,” Jauncey shared.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

One Gateway Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90012-2952

213.922.2000 Tel metro.net

PAUNAWA SA PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG Awtoridad sa Transportasyon ng Metropolitan County ng Los Angeles Ang Panukala M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee ng Metro (Komite sa Pangangasiwa) ay magsasagawa ng pampublikong pagdinig sa ganap na ika-10:30 ng umaga, Hunyo 1, 2022. Maaaring makinig ang mga miyembro ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag sa: +1 (877) 422-8614 at pagpasok ng extension ng pulong 3788155#. Ang Komite sa Pangangasiwa ay itinalaga sa ilalim ng Panukala M, na kilala rin bilang Ordinansa sa Pagpapabuti ng Trapiko ng County ng Los Angeles, na nagpataw ng kalahati ng isang porsyento (.5%) na mga transaksyon at buwis sa paggamit upang pondohan ang mga pagpapabuti ng transportasyon sa County, na inaprubahan ng mga botante noong 2016. Ang Komite sa Pangangasiwa at proseso ng pangangasiwa ay itinatag upang matiyak na ang Metro at mga lokal na subrecipient ay sumusunod sa mga tuntunin ng Ordinansa. Ang proseso ng pangangasiwa ay nangangailangang magsagawa ng taunang pag-audit upang matukoy ang pagsunod sa mga probisyon ng Ordinansa na may kaugnayan sa pagtanggap at paggasta ng mga kita sa buwis sa pagbebenta sa panahon ng taon ng pananalapi. Ang mga pag-audit ay dapat ibigay sa Komite sa Pangangasiwa para makagawa ito ng mga natuklasan kung ang Metro at mga lokal na subrecipient ay nakasunod sa mga kinakailangan ng Panukala M. Bilang pagsunod sa Ordinansa, nakipagkontrata ang Metro sa BCA Watson Rice, LLP (BCA) para isagawa ang independiyenteng pag-audit ng Pondo ng Espesyal na Kita ng Panukala M at nakipagkontrata sa Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson para i-audit ang pagsunod ng County ng Los Angeles (County) at ang 88 lungsod (Lungsod) sa loob ng county. Ang layunin ng pagdinig na ito ay makatanggap ng mga pampublikong komento sa mga resulta ng mga independiyenteng pag-audit na isinagawa sa Iskedyul ng Mga Kita at Paggasta para sa Pondo ng Espesyal na Kita ng Panukala M at Pagsunod sa Mga Kinakailangang Naaangkop sa Mga Alituntunin sa Lokal na Pagbabalik ng Panukala M mula Hulyo 1, 2020 hanggang Hunyo 30, 2021, at ang taunang ulat ng Komite sa mga pag-audit na ito. Ang taunang ulat ay makukuha sa https://www.dropbox.com/s/edwh1elcyz6i9bl/Draft%20 MMITOC%20Annual%20Report%20FY21.pdf?dl=0. MGA ULAT NG INDEPENDIYENTENG AWDITOR Pag-audit ng Pondo ng Espesyal na Kita ng Panukalang M Isinagawa ng BCA Watson Rice, LLP (BCA) ang pag-audit ng pagsunod alinsunod sa mga pamantayan sa pag-audit na karaniwang tinatanggap sa United States ng Amerika at ang mga pamantayang naaangkop sa mga pinansyal na pag-audit na nakapaloob sa Government Auditing Standards, na inisyu ng Comptroller General ng United States. Ang mga pamantayang iyon ay nangangailangan na ang BCA ay magplano at magsagawa ng pag-audit upang makakuha ng makatwirang katiyakan tungkol sa kung ang Iskedyul ng Panukala M na mga kita at paggasta ay walang materyal na maling pahayag. Nalaman ng audit na sumunod ang Metro, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, sa mga kinakailangan na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukala M para sa natapos na taon noong Hunyo 30, 2021. Mga Pag-audit sa Pagsunod ng Panukala M ng County at mga Lungsod Ang Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson ay nagsagawa ng mga pag-audit ng pagsunod sa Local Return Guidelines alinsunod sa mga pamantayan sa pag-audit na karaniwang tinatanggap sa United States ng Amerika at ang mga pamantayang nakapaloob sa Government Auditing Standards, na inisyu ng Comptroller General ng United States. Ang mga pamantayang iyon ay nangangailangan na ang Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson ay magplano at magsagawa ng mga pag-audit upang makakuha ng makatwirang katiyakan kung ang hindi pagsunod sa mga kinakailangan sa Ordinansa ay nangyari na maaaring magkaroon ng direkta at materyal na epekto sa programa ng Panukala M Local Return. Ang Vasquez & Company, LLP ay nagsagawa ng pag-audit ng County at 39 na Lungsod, at ang Simpson & Simpson ay nagsagawa ng pag-audit ng iba pang 49 na Lungsod. Nalaman ng mga Independiyenteng Awditor na ang Metro at ang County kabilang ang mga Lungsod ay sumunod sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto sa mga kinakailangan na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukala M para sa taong nagtapos noong Hunyo 30, 2021. Ang mga pag-audit ng pagsunod sa Local Return Guidelines ng County at nakakita ang 88 na Lungsod ng siyam (9) na lokal na hurisdiksyon na may mga isyu sa pagsunod. Ang lahat ng natuklasan ay nalutas na o nasa proseso ng pagresolba. Ang mga natuklasan sa pag-audit ay nasa tatlong pangunahing kategorya tulad ng sumusunod: •

•

•

Wala sa Oras ng Pagsumite ng mga Form: Dalawang (2) natuklasan ng mga Lungsod na hindi nagsumite ng mga form sa oras. Ang form M-One o Form M-Two ay kinakailangang isumite ng mga Lungsod sa Metro na tumutukoy sa badyet at mga paggasta ng kanilang mga proyektong pinondohan ng Panukal`va M Local Return. Pagkabigong Makakuha ng Pag-apruba Bago Magkaroon ng mga Gastos: Anim (6) na lungsod ang nabigong makakuha ng pag-apruba bago magkaroon ng mga paggasta. Ang mga lungsod ay kinakailangang kumuha ng pag-apruba ng proyekto bago gumastos ng mga pondo sa pamamagitan ng pagsusumite ng Form M-One na naglilista ng pangalan ng proyekto, halaga ng mga pondo ng Panukala M Local Return na ibabadyet para sa proyekto, paglalarawan ng proyekto, at katwiran, na kinakailangan para sa proyekto na susuriin ng Metro para sa pagiging kwalipikado ng Panukalang M Local Return ayon sa Local Return Guidelines. Hindi sapat na suporta para sa payroll: Isang (1) lungsod ang may hindi sapat na suporta para sa mga charged sa suweldo. Ang mga empleyado at superbisor ng lungsod ay kinakailangang pumirma ng mga aktwal na timesheets/sertipikasyon sa napapanahong paraan para suportahan ang mga charge sa payroll.

Taunang Ulat ng Panukala M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee Napag-alaman ng Komite na: (1) ang mga pag-audit ay isinagawa alinsunod sa Ordinansa na inaprubahan ng mga botante noong 2016; (2) Sinunod ng Metro, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, ang mga kinakailangan na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukala M para sa taong nagtapos noong Hunyo 30, 2021; at (3) ang County at mga Lungsod ay sumunod sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto sa Panukala M Ordinansa at mga alituntunin na naaangkop sa programa ng Panukala M Local Return para sa taong nagtapos noong Hunyo 30, 2021. Ang mga pag-audit ay nakakita ng siyam (9) na pagkakataon ng hindi pagsunod na ayon sa mga tauhan ng Metro, lahat ay nalutas na o nasa proseso ng pagresolba. Ang mga nakasulat na komento sa usaping ito ay tatanggapin hanggang Mayo 31, 2022 ng ika-5 ng hapon. Maaaring i-e-mail ang mga komento sa BoardClerk@metro.net na may Paksa na “PUBLIC COMMENT FOR MEASURE M JUNE 1, 2022” at isama ang numero ng item na iyong binibigyang komento. Ang mga komento sa pamamagitan ng postal mail ay dapat i-address sa: Board Administration, LACMTA, One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99-3-1, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2952. Ang mga kopya ng mga Ulat ng Independiyenteng Awditor at Taunang Ulat ng Komite sa Pangangasiwa ay makukuha sa https://www.dropbox.com/s/edwh1elcyz6i9bl/Draft%20 MMITOC%20Annual%20Report%20FY21.pdf?dl=0 at ang mga hard copy ay maaaring makuha mula sa Record Management Center ng Metro sa LACMTA Plaza Level sa (213) 922-2342. CNSB#3579686

Jauncey and his girlfriend Pia Wurtzbach have been traveling even during the pandemic and as such, they have experienced how travel has changed. Asked to give a couple of advice to those raring to travel once more, he quipped, “Plan ahead  PAGE A5

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 30 - MAY 2, 2022 A3

Fil-Am attorney leads class action team... PAGE A1 plaintiff, Angel Omar Alvarez, and other drivers were required to sign a contract where they purportedly agreed to work as contractors. However, despite being labeled as independent contractors, XPO required its drivers to undergo an employment application process. XPO also controlled the days and hours worked, and imposed various policies that the drivers must adhere or face disciplinary action. Alvarez and several other drivers filed a class action suit against XPO, arguing that the defendant’s policy of misclassifying its drivers as independent contractors violated California’s employment law. They also contended that XPO’s deductions of fuel, insurance, and other business expenses from their wages violate the Labor Code. The drivers demanded reimbursement of the amounts deducted plus legal interest. The class action suit was litigated for almost four years before the U.S. Central District Court. XPO sought to elevate the class certification issue with the U.S. Court of Appeals. However, Sayas and his team prevailed in maintaining the class action status of the case. XPO was represented by major defense firms, initially by DLA Piper, and subsequently by the O’Melveny and Myers firm. The drivers’ attorneys, with Sayas as lead class counsel, contended that the drivers were employees as their driving work was an integral part of XPO’s operations. They also argued that XPO retains control over drivers’

wages, hours and working conditions, the manner and means of drivers’ work, including control over their trucks and other equipment used to handle cargo. California adopted the ABC standard for properly classifying a worker as an independent contractor. The three criteria are: • The worker must be free from the control and direction of the company in how he does his work; • The worker is doing work that is outside the usual course of the company’s business; and • The worker must have his own business or established trade or occupation that he normally does which is the same type of work performed for the company. Sayas argued that XPO could not establish under criteria B that the drivers are doing work outside of the company’s normal course of business. He said neither can XPO establish under criteria A that drivers are free of control and direction. The defendants argued that the contract signed by the drivers allow them the freedom to run their own businesses, and that the evidence shown by the plaintiffs were only indicative of its efforts to comply with government regulations, and that none of these establish control. The first mediation failed to reach an agreement. However, as the attorneys of both sides prepared for trial, both parties agreed to engage in a second mediation before retired federal magistrate, Judge Jay Gandhi, during which they agreed to a tentative settlement of all class

claims for $20 million, plus payment of taxes. On Jan. 10, 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Klausner granted final approval of the settlement. The court-appointed class administrator has commenced distribution of the funds this month. “Misclassification of workers as independent contractors deny them those important legal protections such as the rights to be paid for each and very hours worked, overtime, and protection against unlawful wage deductions,” Sayas said. “This is a fight that my firm has litigated in other cases for years now. Every class action victory not only results in beneficial impact to many employees. These cases provide notices to employers to conform their business practices with employment laws,” Sayas added. In a prior case, Sayas won summary judgment in federal court against another company resulting in reclassification of workers as employees. In that case, he obtained a recovery of $11.04 M for the employees. With reclassification, the employees thereafter obtained and continued to obtain employment benefits, including health insurance, retirement, payment for all hours worked, and Workers Compensation coverage. Sayas was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, a Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine for 10 years running, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas. (By Val Abelgas)

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California opens Medi-Cal to older unauthorized... PAGE A1 which seems entirely plausible considering the state’s rosy financial outlook, California could allow all remaining lowincome unauthorized immigrants — an estimated 700,000 people — to join Medi-Cal by 2024, or sooner. As I have explained previously, Medi-Cal has some well-known problems. But it is still far better than no insurance at all. Read on to learn about the new benefits and how you can enroll if you are eligible. Under current law, all unauthorized immigrants who meet the financial criteria can get limited Medi-Cal coverage, including emergency and pregnancy services and, in some cases, long-term care. But when they sign up for full MediCal, they get comprehensive coverage that includes primary care, prescription drugs, mental health care, dental and eye care, eyeglasses, and much more. That’s no small thing for people who are getting gray. “This is a key moment when you want to incorporate all these aging undocumented immigrants into the health care system,” says Arturo Vargas Bustamante, a professor of health policy and management at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. If you let their chronic conditions go unattended, he says, they’ll just end up in the emergency room and be more expensive to treat. He calls it “a responsible way of investing.” As Bustamante points out, it’s no longer the case that immigrants come to work temporarily in the United States and then return to their home countries. They are staying, raising families, and growing old in this country. And unauthorized immigrants play an important role in the labor force, paying an estimated $3.2 billion in state and local taxes a year in California and $11.7 billion nationally. Nobody benefits if they’re too sick to work. While it will take time to roll out the new benefits, the task will be made easier by the fact that the vast majority of unauthorized immigrants who will become eligible for full coverage are already signed up for limited Medi-Cal benefits — so the state has contact information for them. Those already in limited Medi-Cal will be automatically upgraded to full-scope Medi-Cal.

Assuming their contact details are current, they will receive packets in the mail explaining their expanded benefits and prompting them to choose a health plan and a primary care provider. “We expect to see people who are already enrolled in restricted-scope Medi-Cal go into full-scope Medi-Cal right away,” says Ronald Coleman, managing director of policy at the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, a nonprofit that promotes health access for communities of color. “The question is: Will they understand their benefits and know how to navigate the system?” Those who are not signed up for restricted Medi-Cal may not be easily identified and, given cultural and language barriers, could be difficult to convince. The Department of Health Care Services, which administers Medi-Cal, is working with county officials, consumer advocates, and the state health insurance exchange, Covered California, to reach eligible immigrants. It has published notices with frequently asked questions in multiple languages. And the agency has an “older adult expansion” page on its website, available in English and Spanish. Advocates have also been gearing up. The California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, for example, is sponsoring legislation, AB 2680, which would direct $30 million to community groups to conduct outreach and enrollment for people in underserved communities who are eligible for Medi-Cal. A similar program expires in June. Separately, the network is seeking an additional $15 million specifically for unauthorized adult immigrants, says Monika Lee, a spokesperson for the organization. Even as advocates and health officials spread the word about the new eligibility rules, they expect to encounter deep distrust from immigrants who vividly remember the Trump administration’s public charge rule, which stoked fear that applying for public benefits might harm their immigration status or even lead to deportation. With elections looming, many fear those days are not entirely in the past. “What advocates are trying to do on the ground is explain what county offices do with

their information. It’s not shared with immigration,” says Tiffany Huyenh-Cho, a senior attorney at Justice in Aging. “We’re really trying to allay some of those concerns people still have.” Modesto resident Alina Arzola, a 64-year-old unauthorized immigrant who came from Guanajuato, Mexico, says she is not afraid of the immigration police. She is hesitant to sign up for Medi-Cal for a different reason: She fears the quality of the care is not very good. “Economically, perhaps it would help me,” she says. But she says she has not heard good things from her 87-year-old mother, who is a U.S. citizen and a Medi-Cal enrollee. In December 2020, her mom had surgery scheduled to remove her cataracts. It was all confirmed, Arzola recalls, but when her mom arrived, the doctor wasn’t there. He never showed up. Arzola, who has diabetes, gets primary care at St. Luke’s Family Practice, a clinic in Modesto that treats uninsured people at no charge. But the clinic is not allowed to provide free care to people who are able to obtain affordable insurance — and that means that sometime after May 1, Arzola will no longer be able to go to the clinic, which she deeply regrets. So she will likely bite the bullet and sign up for Medi-Cal. “I’m sure it wouldn’t be convenient for me to be without medical care,” Arzola says, “so I don’t have any alternative.” The Department of Health Care Services and other resources are available to help you or a loved one learn about the new Medi-Cal benefits for older immigrants, including how to sign up and how to choose a health plan and provider. The Health Consumer Alliance (8888043536 or www. healthconsumer.org) provides free consultations and has offices across the state. It also has a fact sheet — available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and multiple other languages — that explains the Medi-Cal expansion to older adults. It provides contact information for enrollment, whether through your county welfare office, Covered California, or your local community clinic. The Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (916-4483234 or www.lchc.org) offers a toolkit and fact sheets in English

MORNING WORKOUT. A group of cyclists rides on the right lane of the Salitran Road in Dasmarinas City, Cavite on Thursday, April 28. The stretch of Salitran Road has been a popular area among cyclists and joggers. PNA photo by Gil Calinga

PH wraps up WTTC Global Summit... PAGE A3 of time, you need a lot more paperwork so plan ahead of time. Unfortunately, you can’t just turn up at an airport anymore, because you need all the paperwork. That means you have to be early at the airport as well.” He also believes in the importance of having a global health passport of sorts. “It is really important for our industry if we can make it work but it is a complicated and lengthy process,” he admitted. Regenerative Tourism As Jauncey mentioned, the Philippines is stepping up its game as far as sustainable tourism is concerned, focusing as well on regenerative tourism, which leaves a lasting and positive impact on the host destination. “We want sustainable tourism and we want a tourist destination to be even better than it was before, (we want the kind of travel) that does not destroy nature but at the same time benefits the host communities,” Puyat said. “We have to think of the future generations... We want to make sure that each tourist destination is taken care of for our future generations,” she added. In one of the panel discussions

at the WTTC, regenerative tourism champions and Masungi Georeserve trustees Ann and Bullie Dumaliang said stakeholders must first localize their approaches and understand how they could protect the destination. “When we talked about regenerative tourism it focuses on an ecosystem-wide approach which we tend to forget when we talk about sustainability,” Ann said. “A lot of us have limited the concept of sustainability to simply reducing plastic waste, offsetting our carbon, and all of these. We tend to forget that we need to localize our approach and that means getting to know all the places and understanding the geographical nature of the destinations,” she added. Masungi Georeserve Foundation provides forest enforcement support to deter and eliminate threats to the georeserve and surrounding watershed areas. Through on-ground patrolling, installation of ranger stations, and investments in monitoring technology, the foundation was able to accelerate efforts and secure more areas for conservation in the area.

At present, the nature reserve project located in Baras, Rizal has so far planted 60,000 native trees, engaged more than 100 park rangers, supported 200 local households, and rescued 2,000 hectares of land from encroachment and illegal activities. “All of that now is sustained and protected using the fund that we raised through tourism, it really goes on to show how tourism can be a force for good for nature,” Ann shared. “Regenerative tourism is really a change in mindset, it’s a paradigm shift from a tourism that leaves no trace to a kind of tourism that leaves things better than they were before, both for businesses and for travelers,” his sister Billie added. For the Dumaliangs, the government plays an important role in replicating Masungi’s successes. “You need to be open to innovation, to new policies, and actually incentivize that. If you don’t restore the watersheds around us, you will lose water. If you don’t protect the area from extractive industries, the entire landscape and all the communities will suffer,” Billie said. (With reports from PNA)

and Spanish. The advocacy groups Health Access and the California Immigrant Policy Center have put out a joint FAQ in English and Spanish. (Bernard J. Wolfson/Kaiser Health News)

This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that provides in-depth coverage of health issues and that is one of the three major operating programs at

KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KHN is the publisher of California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. 

A6 APRIL 30 - MAY 2, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Election blight

OPINION & FEATURES

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IT’S good to see personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources doing their job and rescuing trees from election blight in this toxic campaign season. Last week the DENR reported removing 7,229 campaign materials from trees in Soccsksargen or Region 12. As of Wednesday, April 27, the DENR said it had taken down 114,664 campaign materials nationwide under the “Oplan Baklas” program in cooperation with the Commission on Elections and local government units and police. Personnel from two DENR bureaus – environmental management as well as mines and geosciences – are part of the campaign to protect trees from damage during the election season. Environment advocates and officials whose offices are part of Oplan Baklas have constantly appealed to candidates to spare trees and display their campaign materials only in Comelecdesignated common poster areas. Even candidates who claim to be environmental champions, however, have campaign materials on trees. The candidates will have to send a stronger message to their supporters about the need to protect the environment. The DENR reported the highest number of

confiscated campaign materials in Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Luzon and the Bicol region. Oplan Baklas needs to intensify its efforts in Metro Manila itself, where among the biggest violators of the Comelec rule on common poster areas are incumbent local government executives and their allies in barangay offices. Their campaign materials are plastered on lampposts along busy streets and hang from electrical and telephone wires. In practically every electoral exercise, such violations are done with impunity because candidates and their supporters are aware that even if caught, they face no penalties. The DENR has stressed that Republic Act 3571 prohibits cutting, destroying or injuring planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs or plants of scenic value along public roads and in school premises, parks and other public leisure grounds. P500 to P5,000 or both on violators, according Presidential Decree 953 imposes penalties to the DENR. If the department seriously wants of six months to two years, fines ranging from to discourage violations, it should begin filing

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

appropriate charges so that penalties can be imposed and people will know that the government means business. (Philstar.com)

Revelations weeks before the May 9 elections make the choice even clearer: Dirty old trapo politics OR gobyernong tapat?

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS WE, the Filipino people, have been clamoring for change and an honest government to clean up the corruption-infested Philippine government to make it really work to help uplift the lives of ALL Filipinos, and not just of the rich, powerful and the wellconnected. No matter what party you are supporting and what spirit color you are wearing, we all share these aspirations. The truth that was revealed in April, just weeks before the all-important May 9 elections, should make the choice clearer for us — those of us who truly love our country, are loyal to the Constitution and the rule of law, and are committed to leaving a legacy of truth, freedom, and a strong democracy to the next generations. Revelation #1: Sen. Leila de Lima is innocent Senator Leila de Lima has been jailed for five years for drug charges and for allegedly being involved in the Bilibid drug trade to use money for her senatorial campaign in 2016. On Thursday, April 28, alleged Visayas drug lord Erwin Espinosa, who has been detained, has retracted all his accusations against opposition Senator Leila De Lima, stating in a sworn counter-affidavit submitted to the Department of

The Corner Oracle

ANDREW J. MASIGAN DYNASTIES monopolize political and economic power in both the local and national spheres. Is it unfair? Yes, because political dynasties enjoy untold advantages that common citizen have no access to. Have dynasties worked to the country’s advantage? No, statistics show that dynasties retard development in their respective constituencies. Despite their negative effects, however, dynasties remain well entrenched in our political system. Political dynasties have grown both in number and in “fat.” Fat dynasties occur when more than one family member sits as governor, vice governor, mayor, vice mayor, congressman and councilor simultaneously. Fat dynasties have become more the rule than the exemption in our political system today. In the Senate, 16 out of the 24 members belong to dynasties. Seventy percent of Congress belongs to political clans. Meanwhile, 73 out of 81 governors belong to dynasties, as do 53 percent of all mayors. Make no mistake,

Justice (DOJ): “Any and all statement given during the Senate hearings, or in the form of sworn written affidavits, against Senator Leila De Lima are NOT TRUE.” The affidavit stated Espinosa’s false statements was “a result of pressure, coercion, intimidation and serious threats to his life and family members from the police who instructed him to implicate the Senator into the alleged drug trade.” “For this, undersigned apologizes to Senator De Lima,” said the affidavit, as reported by Rappler. “But Espinosa has no intention of doing so since he was only coerced, pressured, intimidated and seriously threatened by the police. He has no other option but to invent stories for fear of his life and of his family,” the sworn affidavit further stated. This vindicates De Lima for all the maliciously fabricated charges against her by the vindictive attitude and response of traditional politicians who made sure she would suffer the consequences of her exposing the truth about Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. The lies and disinformation about extrajudicial killings by the Duterte administration were even corroborated by forensics expert Raquel Fortun, attesting to the fact that some death certificates issued for victims

of Duterte’s war on drugs had been falsified to show they died of natural causes instead of gunshot wounds, with some of them shot in the head. Perpetuating this culture of impunity characteristic of traditional politicians who have no regard for the truth, human rights and the rule of law is deemed by many kababayans as the rationale behind the “Uniteam” — which they say unifies the crooks, plunderers, and convicted criminals in the government of the country. They are now all rallying behind the candidacy of Bongbong Marcos, the son of deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and Sara DuterteCarpio, the daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte. What can be a more compelling reason for them and other traditional politicians belonging to family dynasties to discredit and fight against the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan? With zero corruption record and service to the poor and the marginalized sectors of society, Leni and Kiko vow to make all public officials who abuse their power be held accountable for their crimes against the Constitution and the Filipino people, put an end to family dynasties, and strictly enforce the transparency and

disclosure requirements for public officials. What can be a more powerful motivation, many people ask, for Sara Duterte Carpio, who is running against Pangilinan for VP, than to maintain the status quo and save her father from impending investigations by the international courts for his human rights violations in his war on drugs? Revelation #2: Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte would never debate “Mr. Marcos, can you really be a good president if you do not answer serious questions? Can you really be a good president if you are not doing serious interviews?…Are you hiding something from the public? Are you hiding something, Mr. Marcos?” BBC’s Howard Johnson asked Bongbong Marcos who just walked away without a response. Bongbong also walked away from interviews and press conferences with journalists who ask hard questions, as he walked away from debates, except those ran by his “allies” in media, including SMNI — the news network owned by U.S. fugitive Pastor Apollo Quiboloy who endorsed Marcos, and whose network and church are being used as a propaganda machine for Duterte and Marcos. Ten days before the election, presidential candidate VP Leni

Robredo challenged Marcos to a one-on-one debate, saying in a statement on Friday, April 29: “Inaanyayahan ko si Ginoong Marcos na makipagdebate, para mabigyan ang taumbayan ng pagkakataong makaharap siya at matanong tungkol sa mga kontrobersiyang pumapalibot sa kanya. We owe it to the people and to our country.” Indeed, a candidate who has nothing to hide, who is knowledgeable about domestic and international laws and issues, who has a clear vision and platform to solve the country’s problems, who can articulate all of these issues well in a truthful manner, would just jump on any opportunity to make his answers known to the public, ready to be fact-checked, debunked and tested to help them make a conscientious informed decision. Marcos is not that candidate. He turned this challenge down. He has failed the truth, transparency and accountability tests all throughout his campaign, and in fact, his life. How can we trust this man? If as a candidate he could not fulfill these requirements we are demanding from the president, how much more when he has already been accorded with the public trust and the tremendous power of the highest office of the Philippines? Marcos has not been truthful

and accountable about his family’s abuse of power since martial law, the P203-B estate tax they have not yet paid up to now, his misrepresentation about his educational and professional achievements, his use of fake news and disinformation to rebrand his family so he can go back to power. He has been denying about the use of paid troll farms to discredit his critics, political opponents, and peddle lies about him and his family for a publicity stint. Bongbong said he has no trolls. He challenged people to show him one because they don’t exist. The truth is: TROLLS EXIST. Troll farms exist. And there is now proof that we need to see that reveal who these trolls are, where they are, the fake news/ information they peddle in real time, with our own eyes. I will report on this in-depth. ABANGAN! (To be continued) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989. She was a news anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the

Why most dynasties oppose a Robredo presidency dynasties will continue to fatten and monopolize power unless there is an enabling law to stop them. Political analyst Cleve Arguelles intimated to The STAR that dynasties generally operate to keep their respective clans in power across administrations. It doesn’t matter if there is a misalignment in political ideology between the dynasty and the sitting president. Neither is it important that their agendas clash. Dynasties are typically willing to compromise since theirs is a “family business” where the idea is to keep the enterprise going for as long as possible. For most, what matters is access to the president and exemption from persecution. The president holds both the power of the purse and the full force of the executive branch, after all. This is why it is common for dynasties to switch allegiances every six years. While detestable, society accepts it to its peril. Beneath their patronizing words towards the president (whoever it may be) is unabashed opportunism. Dynasties exemplify political survivalism at its crudest. This may not be true for all, but certainly the majority. An Oxford Development Study

concluded that government units led by dynasties register higher poverty rates, lower human development indices and lower economic competitiveness compared to independently governed LGUs. This is because mechanisms for horizontal accountability (where one office checks and balances the other) are virtually non-existent. Dynasties override institutions and weaken them over time. The study further states that the centralization of power to one clan leads to poor policy formation. This is because the preservation of power is the priority, even more important than social and economic development itself. Painful reforms and unpopular decisions are avoided as they erode political equity. Adoption of populist policies becomes the norm at the cost of stunted development. Dynasties corner rent seeking industries on the back of their political and economic sway. It is common for local government officials to control power distribution, transportation franchises, water distribution, mining, infrastructure, construction and real estate development in their respective bailiwicks. Not only does this deprive the business

community of a fair opportunity to compete, it also exacerbates income inequality. Mind you, cornering rent seeking industries happens in both the national and local levels and the statistics validate its effect on income inequality. Prepandemic data show that only 40 families control 76 percent of the economy or roughly P13.7 trillion worth of economic output per year. Tax records further show that only 489 families have a net worth of P1.5 billion or more, many of them political families. A total of 250 families control the political affairs of the country. In contrast, 58.4 million of our countrymen are made to live on a daily income of only P779 or less. The extent of income inequality in the Philippines is the most acute in ASEAN, as proven by our Gini coefficient of 41.58. We are also the 4th most crony-capitalist economy in the world. The Marcoses and Dutertes are themselves dynasties. They are supported by the Arroyos, the Estradas and the Romualdezes, all of whom are dynasties too. And since the MarcosDuterte UniTeam is leading in the polls, numerous dynasties across the archipelago have pledged their support for political

survivalism. Given the composition and background of the UniTeam, it is highly unlikely that the AntiPolitical Dynasty Bill will see the light of day despite it being mandated by the 1987 Constitution. Thus, a vote for Marcos is a vote for political dynasties. The antithesis of a dynasty is Leni Robredo. Robredo is the only member of her family serving in government today. She maintains a strong anti-political dynasty position with every intention of leveling the political playing field if elected. The specter of losing their economic and political advantages is the reason why entrenched dynasties are doing all they can to foil a Robredo presidency. While in Congress, VP Leni was the vice chairman of the House committees on good governance and public accountability. There, she co-authored the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, the Freedom of Information Act and supported the Anti Political Turncoat Law. Participatory governance and transparency are at the core of VP Leni’s values. Robredo authored the Full Disclosure Policy Bill, which mandates all government agencies and their sub-units to disclose their

budget and financial transactions without need for request. She also authored the People Empowerment Bill, which seeks to allow more public participation in decision and policy-making; the Participatory Budget Process Bill, which seeks to increase participation in budget-related decisions in government; and the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act to promote transparency in the taxation process. If elected, Robredo will do everything in her power to enact the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill and other transparency-related laws despite strong resistance from the legislature. Thus, a vote for Robredo is a vote against political dynasties. Whether we want political dynasties to persist or desist is a personal choice. A vote for Marcos or Robredo will determine the fate of dynasties as we move forward. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Email: andrew_rs6@yahoo.com. Follow him on Facebook @Andrew J. Masigan and Twitter @aj_masigan

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A Marcos presidency will doom Philippine economy - think tank by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

LOCAL think tank Action for Economic Reforms warned on Friday, April 29 that a Marcos presidency would spell disaster for the Philippine economy. It said in a statement that this year's elections are a turning point for the country, and that given the global pandemic's profound social and economic impact, the next president must have concrete strategies in place Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to limit COVID-19 risks and Robredo, who received the support the country's economic highest score of 105 among the recovery. contenders. "Unfortunately, if polls and The research organization surveys would dictate the actual pointed out that analysts, results, the country's economic investors, and economists can future is now in terrible jeopardy. all see red flags in a potential Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Marcos presidency. Jr. has led electoral surveys, and "The son is a much inferior this spells trouble for everyone," version of his father, however, AER said. as Marcos Jr. has an unclear It said according to a economic platform which Bloomberg survey of 28 investors depends on the empty rhetoric of and analysts, Marcos Jr. had the 'unity' rather than any concrete second lowest score of the five plans or policies," AER said. candidates considered, with a Fiscal irresponsibility and score of 46, compared to Vice corruption, growing debt, a President Ma. Leonor "Leni" downgraded credit rating,

ManilaTimes.net file photo

decreased investment, shrinking remittances, worsening poverty, and failing economic performance are among the risks associated with a Marcos administration, it said. "In light of all these, it is no wonder that markets and investors are apprehensive regarding Marcos Jr.'s presidential campaign," AER said. He has avoided presidential debates and has refused to answer tough questions. This is hardly the kind of leadership that inspires trust in an uncertain economy, AER added. n

SFIO announces 50% reduction of authorized shares from 5B to 2.5B

STARFLEET Innotech Inc. (OTC Pink: SFIO), a global investment holding company, is pleased to announce that the company is reducing its current authorized share count by 50% from five billion to 2.5 billion. “We believe this reduction leaves enough shares in reserve for us to continue our capital raising efforts, while also minimizing dilution among our shareholders,” said CEO Jeths Lacson. SFIO is also announcing the creation of a new class of preferred shares pending processing on NVSOS, to be used for future acquisitions, as well as for onboarding new officers and key partners. The Series B Preferred Shares consist of 310 million shares – largely converted from common shares held by

the company’s officers and key shareholders – amounting to 22% of the total 1.415 billion. Approximately 1.105B outstanding shares is expected following the restructure. The new class of preferred shares will carry at least a 12-month moratorium on sales, further restrictions on sales and an opportunity for conversion

to common shares beyond the moratorium, as well as a right of first refusal for the company to repurchase offered shares. “These initiatives are only some of a number of moves we are making to champion transparency and maximize shareholder value across our community,” Lacson said. (Advertising Supplement)

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 30 - MAY 2, 2022

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A8 APRIL 30 - MAY 2, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

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Metro Manila remains under Alert Level 1 until mid-May MANILA — Most areas in the Philippines, including Metro Manila, will remain under Alert Level 1 from May 1 to 15, Malacañang announced on Friday, April 29. Aside from the capital region, the following areas will be under the lowest alert level until midMay or after the 2022 elections: • Cordillera Administrative Region: Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City • Ilocos region: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Dagupan City • Cagayan Valley: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and City of Santiago • Central Luzon: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City, Olongapo City • Calabarzon: Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Lucena City • Mimaropa: Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, and Puerto Princesa City • Bicol region: Albay, Catanduanes, Naga City • Western Visayas: Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo Province, Bacolod City, Iloilo City • Central Visayas: Siquijor, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City • Eastern Visayas: Biliran, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc City, Tacloban City • Zamboanga Peninsula: Zamboanga City • Northern Mindanao: Camiguin, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City • Davao region: Davao City • CARAGA: Surigao del Sur, Butuan City The following component cities and municipalities will be also placed under Alert Level 1 during the same period:

• Cordillera Administrative Region: Tublay, Benguet • Calabarzon: Candelaria, Quezon; Dolores, Quezon; and San Antonio, Quezon • Mimaropa: Cagayancillo, Palawan • Region V: Caramoan, Pili, and Tigaon, Camarines Sur; and Capalonga, Camarines Norte • Western Visayas: Candoni, Negros Occidental; and Tobias Fornier (Dao), Antique • Central Visayas: Amlan (Ayuquitan), Negros Oriental and Duero, Bohol • Eastern Visayas: Matalom, Leyte • Zamboanga Peninsula: Jose Dalman (Ponot) and Labason, Zamboanga del Norte; Molave and Ramon Magsaysay (Liargo) Zamboanga del Sur; and Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay • Northern Mindanao: Tudela, Misamis Occidental; Baroy, Lanao del Norte; Lala, Lanao del Norte; and Tubod, Lanao del Norte; • Davao region: Caraga, Davao Oriental • SOCCSKSARGEN: City of Koronadal, South Cotabato; Arakan, North Cotabato; and Lebak, Sultan Kudarat • CARAGA: Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte; Santa Josefa, Agusan del Sur; Libjo (Albor), Dinagat Islands; and General Luna, Surigao del Norte • Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: South Upi, Maguindanao and Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi All business establishments may operate at full capacity in areas under Alert Level 1. Meanwhile, the following provinces, highly urbanized cities and independent component cities shall be placed under Alert Level 2: • Cordillera Administrative

Region: Benguet, Ifugao • Cagayan Valley: Nueva Vizcaya • Calabarzon: Quezon Province • Mimaropa: Occidental Mindoro and Palawan • Bicol region: Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, and Sorsogon. • Western Visayas: Antique and Negros Occidental • Central Visayas: Bohol, Cebu, and Negros Oriental • Eastern Visayas: Leyte, Northern Samar and Western Samar. • Zamboanga peninsula: City of Isabela, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay • Northern Mindanao: Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental • Davao region: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro and Davao Occidental • SOCCSKSARGEN: General Santos City, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato • CARAGA: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte • Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Basilan, Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi Malacañang said alert level classifications of component cities and municipalities under IATF Resolution 166-A not otherwise affected by this resolution will remain in effect until May 15. The announcement came after the Department of Health detected a new Omicron subvariant in the Philippines. The Philippines has reported over 3.68 million COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, with 60,267 deaths. (Philstar.com)

Advincula appointed cardinal-priest of Rome parish by ROBERTZON

RAMIREZ

Philstar.com

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula Philstar.com photo

MANILA — Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula has been appointed cardinal-priest of the Parrocchia San Vigilio in Rome, a few days after his recent meeting with Pope Francis. In a post on Facebook, the Parrocchia San Vigilio invited Catholic devotees to witness Advincula’s canonical possession on April 30 at 7 p.m. Rome time. “We are all invited to participate in the Eucharistic celebration for this very important moment in

the history of the parish and our community,” the Parrocchia San Vigilio said. Advincula became part of the consistory on Nov. 28, 2020, along with 12 other bishops of the Catholic Church. With his new role, Advincula will be taking care of the Catholic Churches in Rome that are called “titles” and are traditionally under the jurisdiction of one parish. On April 21, Advincula met with Pope Francis and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. 

WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III administers a vaccine to a child at the launching of World Immunization Week (WIW) by the DOH-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), held at SM City Masinag in Antipolo City, Rizal on Thursday, April 28. The launching promotes immunization for the protection of children aged 5 years old and below for their routine Immunization; for school-age children against measles, rubella, tetanus-diphtheria (MRTd CBI/SBI); female adolescents (9-12 years old) for HPV; pregnant women for tetanus toxoid; and senior citizens for flu and pneumonia. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Divisoria vendors sue Isko for graft by WilliaM

DePaSUPil ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENTIAL candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso and five other city officials are facing graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the sale of the Divisoria Public Market. Also named respondents were Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan, City Council Majority Floor Leader Joel Chua, Councilor Ernesto Isip Jr., Secretary to the Mayor and Chairman of the Asset Appraisal and Disposition Committee Bernardito Ang, and Assistant Secretary to the Mayor Manuel Zarcal. The complaint was filed by the Divisoria Public Market Credit Cooperative, represented by vendors Emmanuel Plaza, Eduardo Fabrigas, Rogelio Bangot, Jr., Betty de Leon and Lourdes Estudillo. In a 14-page complaint, the vendors group charged Domagoso and company for violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the "Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act." The group claimed that the Divisoria Public Market, a cityowned patrimonial property of Manila located in Binondo, was sold by Domagoso without prior notice and consultation with the market's bona fide tenants and vendors. The vendors alleged that the sale of the market was without the required pre-qualification

standard for the bidders as stated in City Council Resolution 171, S, 2020, which gave the city mayor the authority to enter into a contract "with any reputable corporation or entity." "The unrestrained disposition of the Divisoria Public Market by the City Council was brought about by the hastily prepared endorsement of Councilor Joel Chua, supported by the letter of Assistant Secretary Manuel Zarcal, that trampled upon the rights and interests of the Divisoria Public Market vendors, among others," the complaint-affidavit read. "Verily, the respondents must be held accountable for its arrogation of power, unbridled prerogative, unauthorized disposition of a cultural icon, in favor of a private holding corporation that is 40 percent Chinese," it further said. The sale, it added, violated section (e) and as well as sections (g) and (j) RA 3019. Section 3 states: "Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions." The complainants said Doma-

goso and his co-accused acted "hastily, unlawfully, oppressively, causing undue injury to the complainant...by giving Festina Holdings Inc. unwarranted benefits, advantage of preference in so discharging their official administrative function through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence." "That, respondents public officials had entered on behalf of the government, into a contract or transaction that is manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the same, to the public at large, to the public market vendors in Divisoria Public Market, and depriving our future generation of priceless heritage," the complaint affidavit read. Records showed that by virtue of City Council Resolutions 171 and 180, issued in June 2020, Domagoso was authorized to take action off the estimated 3,700 square meters property. Festina Holdings Inc. won the bidding for offering P1,446,966,000. The Deed of Sale was consummated on Aug. 10, 2020. City Council Resolution 180 approved by Chua, allowed the conduct of the public bidding while Resolution 171 permitted Domagoso to enter into contract with any corporation or entity to sell the old market. On Aug. 17, 2020, the City Council and Lacuna-Pangan, resolved to have scrutinized and ratified the deed of sale entered by Domagoso. 

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Told she must leave, Marie was able to receive her green card in the US IN 2002, Marie and her three children visited the U.S. as tourists. They planned to visit family and then return home to the Philippines. However, Marie later decided to remain and became out of status. In 2009, Marie’s mother, a green card holder, petitioned Marie in the F2B category. When the priority date on her petition became current, she consulted with at least four attorneys, all of whom told her that because she was out of status, she had to go back to the Philippines to apply for her immigrant visa. But Marie did not want to go back because she was worried about the uncertainty of applying in the Philippines, and that she might not be able to return to the U.S.

She finally decided to consult with the “Attorney of Last Hope,” Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, who was able to find a way for Marie to apply for a green card (adjust status) in the U.S. After retaining Attorney Gurfinkel, Marie got her green card in October 2021 in the U.S., and can now get healthcare, find a better job, and enjoy the other benefits of being a green card holder. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, May 1 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download free app. (Advertising Supplement)

Angeline Quinto introduces son Sylvio

A triumphant new mom Angeline Quinto gives a glimpse of her first child, Sylvio. Photo from Instagram/@

SINGER Angeline Quinto is now a mother. The 32-yearold has given birth to a healthy baby boy named Sylvio. The Kapamilya star continuously posted updates on her Instagram leading up to her experience with labor pains. On Wednesday, April 27 she shared a photo taken inside her car, on her way to the hospital, with the words “Ready to pop” written on her exposed belly. Over on her Instagram stories, Quinto announced the exact time of her first child’s birth. “10:22 PM. 27 April 2022. Hello, Baby SYLVIO,” she wrote. She also posted a photo of the baby in an incubator with his father, Quinto’s non-showbiz partner, quietly watching their child. On Thursday, April 28 a seemingly rejuvenated Quinto posted a quirky photo of her holding her child in one arm, and thrusting her other arm up in the air. “Motherhood unlocked,” she wrote. The photo has since garnered more than 200,000 likes, and almost 5,000 congratulatory comments, some of them from other celebrities like Anne Curtis, Luis Manzano, Loisa Andiola and Aicelle Santos. (By Shennah Romanillos/ManilaTimes.net)

GREEN CARD ACQUIRED AFTER BEING TNT FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS, THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Marie was petitioned as single by her father in the 90’s, but she got married in 1998, revoking her father’s petition. The marriage did not last, and in 2002, Marie and her three children went to the U.S. as tourists. Since then, they had been overstaying and living in fear. Marie’s mother, a green card holder, petitions her daughter this time. Marie had consulted with four attorneys who all told her she had to go back to the Philippines once her priority date becomes current. Marie refused to go back to the motherland for fear that she might not be able to return to the U.S. She consults with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel who was able to find a way for Marie to remain in the U.S. and be interviewed here, and eventually get her green card in October 2021. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, May 1 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Sandara flaunts Filipino speaking skills in Dubai By Kristofer

Purnell Philstar.com

2NE1 member Sandara Park flaunted once more her fluency in Filipino after ordering at a restaurant in Dubai using the Philippines’ national language. Dara posted on her Instagram story a reel of her talking to a Filipino waiter about what she and her companions wanted to order, as well as the waiter’s

suggestions. “Ordering food so naturally in Tagalog,” Dara captioned her story. “Thank you mga kababayan for the love and protection.” While asking for everyone’s drinks, Dara changed from Filipino to Korean and English quite naturally as well, translating the orders to the waiter. In the reel itself, the caption reads that Dara was comfortable Korean singer and actress Dara Park PAGE B2 Photo from Instagram/@daraxxi

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Journey at Pechanga hosts 15th CM Pro-Am JOURNEY at Pechanga hosted Character Media’s 15th Annual Pro-Am Golf Tournament last April 4-5, 2022. In its 9th year, the event was once again set against the spectacular rolling hills of Temecula, California, in full display at the famous premiere championship golf course. Journey at Pechanga has enjoyed tremendous following from many Asian golfers, and was once again an official sponsor of the event. Outstanding LPGA golfers were featured at the Pro-Am, including Megan Khang, Angel Yin, Na Rin An, Alison Lee, Chella Choi, Mi Hyang Lee, Suu-Chia Cheng, Annie Park, Kelly Tan, Jennifer Chang, Jillian Hollis, Yae Eun Hong, Jiwon Jeon, Sydnee Michaels, Brianna Do, Greta Voelker, Kaley In, Gabriella Then and Hanuel Sky Seo. Filipino American golfer Tisha Alyn Abrea, who was a first team All-Southwestern league golfer for Vista Murrieta High School and a member of the Cal State Fullerton golf team, also participated in the Pro-Am

Bea Rose undergoes kidney transplant after 3 years of dialysis By Dana

Cruz Inquirer.net

The group led by LPGA golfer Suu-Chia Cheng won the coveted CM Pro-Am Cup this year.

event. The event brought together outstanding LPGA golfers and superstars with tee sponsors who got to swing their golf clubs alongside these amazing athletes. The night before the actual tourney, sponsors found out which LPGA professional golfers they would be playing with at the Journey at Pechanga course. Thirty LPGA golfers will be grouped with four amateurs to form teams that will compete in the event. The format is an 18hole scramble tournament, and the team with the lowest score wins the event. In the tourney, the maximum score allowed is a bogey.

According to Bill Anderson, Pechanga’s Chief Marketing Officer, the Pro-Am is a fun experience for all participants, and the amateurs get to look at how the professionals strut their stuff on the golf course. “You get to watch to watch a pro in action,” Anderson stated. “And they are amazing. They are accurate, they are long on their drives, and their putting is spectacular. And to actually play alongside with them is a privilege and a treat.” “And now when you watch them on TV, you can cheer and root for them, which is great too,” he added. According to Anderson, LPGA golfers have told them that they absolutely love Journey at Pechanga and the entire property. “I think this is a really cool spot. I’m from California, so it’s nice to play anytime when I’m here. The weather is always great… have a great time with my pro-am group and do our best to play well,” said Alison Lee. “I think this is my third or fourth year, and I truly enjoy coming back every year. I love meeting new people and seeing familiar faces,” Megan Khang stated. “You guys throw an amazing pro-am LPGA professionals Angel Lin and Suu-Chia right before the tournament starts LPGA superstar Suu-Chia Cheng Cheng are interviewed by media prior to the and it’s always a lot of fun.” prepares to tee off during the CM Pro- tournament’s start. “Here are Journey, there’s so

LPGA golfers and Pechanga executives pose for a group photo prior to the tournament.

Photos provided by iGraphix/Pechanga

Filipino American golfer and social media influencer Tisha Alyn Abrea participated in the CM Pro-Am event.

many spectacular views out there and you kind of forget you are out here in a golf course when you’re playing,” she added. In the end, it was the group featuring LPGA superstar SuuChia Cheng who triumphed and won the coveted CM Pro-Am Cup. Journey at Pechanga championship golf course, one of the many high-end amenities at Pechanga Resort Casino, is consistently rated among the top public courses in California. When golfers partner their rounds with a luxury stay at the adjacent resort, the value of the experience rises. Please see Pechanga.com or call the resort ahead of a visit to ensure you have the most up to date health and safety protocols. Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the best casino in the west by USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering 5,400 of the hottest slots, 152 table games, world-class entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 7112946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter. (Advertising Supplement)

MISS International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago has finally undergone a successful kidney transplant after years of suffering from chronic kidney disease. The beauty queen expressed gratefulness to her brother, who served as her kidney donor, via her Instagram page on Thursday, April 28. She also showed herself and her brother both wearing hospital gowns at Toronto General Hospital in Canada. “Thank you to my baby brother’s love and bean I am changed. Thank you world for showing me kindness and patience and of course to my family, friends and strangers for your support, countless prayers and positive energy,” she said. “Finally, after the [third] time and [three] years of dialysis! I feel brand new! I feel loved and renewed!” Santiago also showed herself during her first and last dialysis sessions via her Instagram page. She credited the procedure as the one that initially saved her life. “My last and first time dialyzing. Dialysis helped me stay clean for [three] years which initially saved my life,” she told fans. She also thanked the doctors and nurses who took care of her throughout her three years in dialysis. “Bea Rose Santiago, dialysis patient now transplant patient saying as long as we’re together, there will be hope,” she declared. Fellow beauty queens Megan Young, Pia Wurtzbach and Maggie Wilson were among those who expressed happiness for Santiago. g

Bea Rose Santiago

Photo from Instagram/@bea.santiago

Sandara flaunts Filipino... PAGE B1 speaking in Filipino after remembering how many Pinoys reside in Dubai, “Nago-order ako ng food and then I remembered nasa Dubai pala ako hahaha ang cute!!! Thank you sa mga love [niyo] sakin.” The “Pambansang Krungkrung” has showcased her fluency in Filipino before, switching to it from Korean in an acting skit for a television show in Korea in

2020. Dara arrived in Dubai having done a surprise performance with 2NE1 at the Coachella 2022 festival during which she lost her right shoe. She even shared in a tweet that being in Dubai reminded her of the Filipino movie of the same name Aga Muhlach, John Lloyd Cruz, and Claudine Barretto, “I want to watch it again hehe romantic.” g

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Good things to come for eastern entrance to Pahrump By rEaLTOr

FELY QuITEVIS-BaTEMan

DEVELOPMENT continues to take place in Pahrump, a town located some 62 miles west of Las Vegas, and one of the neighboring communities positively impacted by the great things happening in the gambling and entertainment capital in the western United States. In a recent news development, a company named Adaven Management went before the Nye County Commission to provide an update on a development agreement that was approved more than two decades ago that, if things go according to plan, will see quite a change to the eastern entrance into the town. What is planned is a construction of a roundabout on Highway 160 at Manse Road, something that the company has been working with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). According to a company official, the project is currently under review and it is expected to receive the green light to start on the project sometime in the near future. Apart from construction plans for the roundabout, Adaven revealed in a recent Pahrump Valley Times report that it is being required “to provide rights of way necessary for the constuction of the roundabout, as well as to provide construction funds to build the roundabout.” It added that the company would like to start the construction as soon as the NDOT will allow them. The planned roundabout will provide access to

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman with Nye County Chief Planner Brett Waggoner, who confirmed about the two roundabouts coming on Highway 160.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (extreme right) attended a meeting with three Nye County commissioners who are leaning towards the approval of a glove factory on Mesquite/Avenue of the Stars in Pahump.

a planned Common Interest Community dubbed “Mountain Falls South.” The development agreement provides for the company and its associated parties to build around 5,160 residential units in the planned community. The subdivision’s location is on approximately 1,177

acres of land southwest of the intersection of Manse Road and Hafen Ranch Road. And while it may be a bit of time before homes can be built on the site, other requirements set forth in the development agreement have taken place over the years, including the donation of a 12-acre site for Floyd Elementary School, donation of water rights and necessary sewer connection, as well as coordination with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to help establish a church on Manse Road. Additionally, there has been paving and curb and gutter work done on Manse Road, and installation of a fiber-optic line, which is in line with stipulations in the development agreement that called for certain improvements to be made to Manse Road from the highway to Hafen Ranch Road. Currently, it is estimated that about $17 million has been invested by Adaven on infrastructure; the roundabout is likely to cost another $1.5 million. This certainly bodes well for the town of Pahrump as it continues on its way to progress. Originally inhabited by the Southern Paiute and mostly dotted with ranch-style holdings over 400 hectares in size, Pahrump has grown into a town that major retailers and real estate developers are taking a look at due to its proximity to Las Vegas. In an article in the Las Vegas Review Journal, it said that a broader acceleration for areas like Pahrump is seen in order to address the needs of homebuyers as real estate and property developers eye new regions where they can set up potential projects. That means more housing in the future, and perhaps an exodus of people looking for the right opportunities in newer markets. Plus, there’s the boon of the continued rise of real estate prices in the town. Although land From left: Jenny Truong, Ron Quilang and Alka Products prices in Pahrump may not be as low as it was CEO/President Andrew Hoang. Mr. Hoang is behind the decades ago, it is still an affordable alternative proposed glove factory in Pahrump. Phase 1 of the project to the rising real estate prices in Las Vegas, will reportedly provide 600 jobs in the area.

One of Realtor Quitevis-Bateman’s investors, Victor Covarubbias (left, seated), also a resident of Tower 2, Turnberry Place, visited Pahrump for a possible site of a Ford dealership. Mr. Covarubbias owns a Ford dealership in California. With Covarubbias in above photo are (from left) Realtor Quitevis-Bateman and another investor, Jennifer

which has seen many duking it out for available affordable housing and potential for overbidding. Real estate in Pahrump has appreciated about 155% over the last ten years alone, according to latest data available, which puts the unincorporated town in the top 10% nationally for areas whose real estate values have appreciated exponentially. Due to this, many observers see Pahrump as being one of the best long-term investments that people can make in the United States over the past decade and into the future. Despite a downturn in the housing market, Pahrump’s real estate portfolio has continued to appreciate. The roundabout is just one of the projects planned in Pahrump. Millions of dollars in projects are being infused in infrastructure which will benefit the town in the long run. While prices are still affordable, now is the time to look for opportunities in Pahrump and neighboring communities. Whether you are looking to settle in a new place, find your own piece of retirement heaven, or just looking to own land or another property as an investment, Pahrump is a great find and I will help look for the best opportunities available in the market. Many of my clients have reaped the benefits of their investments in land and property – you could be one of the many individuals and families who can grow their real estate portfolio and net worth by looking at what’s on the market. My company, Precious Properties, is a fullservice company serving its clientele since 1992 and you can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-5592476 and 702-538-4948 for more information. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days. (Advertising Supplement)

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Kalayaan Incorporated donates $1,000 to Siliman University Alumni Association of Southern California After their stint in the drama series’ book two, Kapuso rising stars Will Ashley (right) and Elijah Alejo are ready for their next acting venture. GMA photos

Will, Elijah have their hands full after Prima Donnas By Jerry

Donato Philstar.com

THE Prima Donnas set has become another playground for young stars Will Ashley and Elijah Alejo to further understand the intricacies of acting as a craft. Give them more time to grow up in taking on new and meaty roles, they will form part of GMA 7’s future entertainment industry with the likes of Sparkle Sweethearts and Sparkada. Now that the Monday-throughSaturday drama series will have its season finale after Eat, Bulaga, Will and Elijah are gearing up for their next acting venture. “It’s very challenging,” said Will of his character in the upcoming series, The Fake Life, in a recent press conference via Zoom. The role is different from his Prima Donnas’ Nolan, a good friend of Jillian Ward’s Donna Marie. “Sobrang daming mga unexpected na ginagawa nung character ko (He is doing many unexpected things in it). (Yung) character ko po dito ay puno ng galit, puno ng paghihiganti. He will fall in love and we’ll see what will happen to him from there. (We’ll see) if love will melt his heart (or soften him) and what’s the reason of his revenge.” Wrapping her head around some dramatic portrayal is Elijah, who will guest in such shows as Wish Ko Lang! “It still depends on what they (people behind my talent management will) give me,” said she, who has done a convincing kontrabida character as Brianna, of possible project preferences. “I’m still open to kontrabida roles and playing kontrabida, since I have enjoyed it. Actually, in Prima Donnas season one, I got very nervous doing my scenes

EMPLOYMENT

because it was my first time to be a kontrabida. Since (I was doing them) with Jillian (Ward) and Tita Aiko (Melendez), (I would ask for their comments) like ‘Tita, OK po ba yung pagsalita ko?’, ‘Jill, OK ba ako? Nakakatakot ba ako? Nakakamaldita ba ako? Nakakaasar ba ako?’ Then, nung tumagal, medyo naging OK na ako. I have become more confident to play kontrabida.” Like any young actors out there, who are still learning the ropes of acting, Will and Elijah accept any role that is served on their plate. “Nagkaroon naman po ako ng mga mababait na roles,” said she. “Memorable is the one I did in Wish Ko Lang!, it was super dramatic, talagang malayo from my being a kontrabida and from my mababait na roles before.” Her high school student character went through the ordeal of being abused by family members. The young star was also seen acting as a quirky sister in I Can See You: The Lookout. Among the GMA talents, Will, Elijah and Jillian are not yet part of a Sparkle loveteam, so they can work in a show with or without a partner. “Now, I’m just enjoying a solo (career), parang nabigyan po ako nang magandang opportunidad na gumawa ng isang role talaga na pakiramdam ko na tatak sa maraming tao,” said Will of his The Fake Life role. “I have no idea if there are plans for me to be paired up (with another artist) and what I can say is I enjoy going solo, which allows me to explore. Whatever GMA gives, I will accept it. They know what’s better for me.” As for Elijah, she said that “I don’t know if I will be a part of the PAGE B7

THE Siliman University Alumni Assocation of Southern California (SUAASC) hosted their biennial installation of new officers and fundraising dinner dance on Saturday, April 23 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, California. The Kalayaan Incorporated 2021-2022 Officers and Board Members extend their warmest congratulations to fellow Board Member Rachel Gaston who got inducted as the alumni association’s Board Secretary. At this event, Kalayaan Incorporated (KI) Immediate Past President Lady Hope Robillos presented a check for $1,000 to SUAASC for her end-of-term donation. It is customary that the outgoing Kalayaan Incorporated President identifies a non-profit of her/ his choice to donate ten percent of the funds raised during her/ his term. Despite of the pandemic, the 2020-2021 Board of Diretors of Kalayaan Incorporated was able to raise $17,783.00. KI Immediate Past President Lady Hope Robillos who is also a past president of the alumni association was joined by the current Kalayaan Board representatives: Vicky Perez de Leon (President), Lynda Joco (Secretary), Susan de Guzman (Treasurer), Marilou Perez

Kalayaan Incorporated and Siliman University Alumni Association of Southern California are represented by: (L-R, seating): Lady Hope Robillos (Kalayaan Incorporated Immediate Past President and Past SUAASC President), Josie De Jesus (Ex-Officio). Vicky Perez De Leon (current KI President), Lydia Soriano (Ex-Officio) and Zeny Sabacor (Ex-Officio). (L-R, standing): Archerie Calunod (KI Director), Rachel Gaston (KI Director and newly inducted SUAASC Secretary), Marilou Perez (KI Assistant Treasurer), Lynda Joco (KI Secretary), Ethel Rubio (KI PRO), Susana De Guzman (KI Treasurer), Aida Jugo and Paul Mirador (both KI Directors).

(Assistant Treasurer), Ethel Rubio (PRO), Archerie Calunod (Board Member), Christine Consunji (Boardmember) and Paul Mirador (Board Member) at this event. Kalayaan Incorporated Past Presidents who were also present in the festivities are Lydia F. Soriano (2007), Zenaida P. Sabocor (2015) and Josie E. De Jesus (2016).

The 2022 Kalayaan Incorporated Board of Directors extends the invitation to the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence to all Filipino organizations in Southern California which will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 to be held at the Hyatt Regency Orange County. For more information, please call Please call (818) 648-3493.

Kalayaan Incorporated is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. For inquiries, please contact: Ethel G. Rubio Press Relations Officer, Kalayaan Incorporated Mobile: (818) 640-2946 Email: ethelrubio27@gmail. com FaceBook Page: https:// www.facebook.com/ kalayaanincorporated. g

John marks 30 years in showbiz: ‘Greatest achievement ko’ By anne

PasaJol Inquirer.net

JOHN Prats expressed his gratefulness to God and his fans as he reached a new milestone in his career as an actor. He celebrated his 30 years in the showbiz industry by showing throwback photos of himself from the numerous shows he was a part of, via his Instagram page on Wednesday, April 27. “30 years in this industry. Maraming salamat Lord God! Eto na po ang GREATEST achievement ko!” he said. “Sabi ng karamihan, napakahirap tumagal sa showbiz industry, kaya naman maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat na naniniwala sa akin!” (30 years in this industry. Thank you so much, Lord God!

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na bigyan niyo pa ako ng maraming-maraming taon para makapagbigay pa ng saya sa mga kababayan ko, maging sa pag-aartista man o sa pagiging direktor,” he added. (Lord God, I pray that you will give me many more years to give joy to my fellowmen, may it be as an actor or as a director.) Prats received congratulatory messages from his wife Isabel Oli, his sister Camille Prats and fellow actors including Jake Cuenca and Benj Manalo. Prats entered show business when he was 8 years old and John Prats Photo from Instagram/@johnprats has starred in numerous films including “Tanging Yaman” This is my greatest achievement! Prats also asked God to grant (2000), “Sitio” (2013) and the Many people say that it is hard him more years in show biz so ongoing action-drama series to stay in the showbiz industry, he could continue to entertain “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” that is why I want to thank all of people. where he also serves as one of you who put their trust in me.) “Lord God, dasal ko po the directors. g

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‘Dancing through life with you’: Kathryn tells Daniel in sweet birthday message By Jan

MIlo severo

Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actress Kathryn Bernardo had a short but sweet birthday message to boyfriend Daniel Padilla who celebrated his 27th birthday last April 26. In her Instagram account, Kathryn posted a photo and video of them dancing in a yatch. “Dancing through life with you and enjoying every single step. Remember that you and I are always in sync, and no matter what the music is, there’s no better rhythm than when we’re dancing TOGETHER,” Kathryn wrote. “Happy birthday to my person,” she added. Celebrities such as Ria Atayde,

and Angel Locsin, to name a few, commented their greetings to Daniel. Earlier this month, Daniel dedicated Green Day’s “Last Night on Earth” to Bernardo in time for her 26th birthday. In his Instagram account, Daniel posted photos of him and Kathryn. “I text a postcard sent to you / Did it go through? / Sending all my love to you / You are the moonlight of my life / Every night / Giving all my love to you / My beating heart belongs to you / I walked for miles ’til I found Kapamilya sweethearts Daniel Padilla and you / I’m here to honor you / If Kathryn Bernardo I lose everything in the fire / Photo from Instagram/@bernardokath I’m sending all my love to you,” Joshua Garcia, MJ Lastimosa, Daniel quoted the song. Miles Ocampo, Ruffa Gutierrez “Happy birthday,” he added. g

Fil-Am choreographer of Justin Bieber, BTS joins ‘Top Class’ By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

“TOP Class: The Rise To P-Pop Stardom” — the biggest and newest P-Pop reality search competition in the Philippines — will have internationally-renowned dance superstar and choreographer Brian Puspos as its official dance mentor. The announcement comes after the show revealed Asia’s Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan and Hip-Hop artist Shanti Dope as the contestants’ vocal and rap mentors, respectively. “It means the world to me being FilipinoAmerican, and just my love for the Philippines and our people, but also representing dance. You know, dance has just recently gone to the forefront of just art and I think it’s very important for me as

a Filipino and as a dancer to be on such a high platform and to help people reach their dreams, help mentor them and shape them to get better,” he said during his launch. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Puspos first gained recognition in the dance scene when his dance crew called “SoReal Cru” finished as the runner-up in the second season of Randy Jackson’s “America’s Best Dance Crew.” In the seventh season, he competed once again but this time with the “Mos Wanted Crew,” finishing third. He is also an R&B singer, having already released three EPs in 2017 and 2020. As a choreographer, he has worked with famous acts such as Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, and K-Pop group BTS. “I think out of everyone that I’ve worked with, PAGE B6

Filipino foresters meet in Las Vegas THE Society of Filipino Foresters in North America (SFFNA) will bring together Filipino foresters from all over the world to its 9th Biennial Convention and Reunion on May 20-22, 2022 to be held at the Gold Coast Hotel (4000 W. Flamingo Road) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The three-day gathering features a Meet-and-Greet Reception, a Gala Night, and a field trip/picnic at the Valley of Fire State Park. A symposium focusing on the theme “SFFNA’s

relevance to and involvement in local community development” is the main activity of the event. According to Rudy M. Leal, SFFNA President, experienced individuals in forestry projects that benefit the rural or upland communities are invited to speak in the symposium. He added that the event will afford participants the opportunity to renew acquaintances and friendships they held during their student years in several forestry educational institutions in the Philippines.

Since its founding in 2004, SFFNA has held conventions/ reunions in Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, California; Auburn, Alabama; Las Vegas, Nevada; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Francisco, California; Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; and Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. For inquiries, contact Rudy Leal at rudymanatleal47@ gmail.com; Abe Velasco at sr4str@gmail.com; Mike Marave at enex88@yahoo.com; or Ann Boado at annboado@ gmail.com. g

Red flags that indicate a termination may be ‘wrongful’ Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. MATTHEW Flanigan worked as the Director of Information Technology (IT) for Rheumatology Diagnostics Laboratory, Inc. (RDL) in Los Angeles, California. He discovered that tens of thousands of patients’ information were uploaded to the network, causing a privacy violation. He reported the violation to upper management but was ignored. Later, in a separate lawsuit among shareholders, he was asked by the majority shareholder to testify that the violation never happened. He refused and was later suspended. The company then hired a new IT manager (who happened to be the spouse of the company’s compliance manager), p u r p o r t e d l y to conduct an investigation into the violation. Flanigan was accused of logging into the company’s network to delete files, including the files he claimed were disclosed in violation of patient privacy. A third party computer forensics company not connected with RDL was brought in to investigate; it found that someone else used Flanigan’s log-in information to delete the files. Despite this, Flanigan was fired. Flanigan sued the company, alleging wrongful termination on the basis of retaliation, among other things. Flanigan claimed that the new IT manager used Flanigan’s login information to delete the files to cover up the violations committed by his spouse

(the compliance manager). The company then used the unauthorized disclosure and file deletions as a pretext to fire Flanigan in retaliation for reporting the violations in the first place, and for refusing to testify in favor of the majority shareholder. The company denied retaliating against Flanigan and argued that Flanigan was terminated for several reasons, but primarily because he did not comply with his duties to the company. Under California law, an employer may not terminate

employee refused to commit an illegal act) 2) The employee performed a statutory obligation (e.g., the employee was absent in order to serve in a jury) 3) The employee exercised a statutory right or privilege (e.g., the employee declined to take a polygraph examination) 4) The employee reported a statutory violation for the public’s benefit (e.g., the employee reported legal violation internally within the company or to a government or law enforcement agency – this is also known as “whistleblowing”). Employees are protected if they truly believed the conduct they complained about was unlawful, even if it was not. Flanigan’s case went to trial. The Daily Journal reports that the jury returned a verdict in Flanigan’s favor, awarding him $1,680,000 in damages (economic damages of $500,000; non-economic damages of $580,000; and punitive damages $600,000). The employer has filed an appeal. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.]

Under California law, an employer may not terminate an employee for retaliatory reasons. Doing so may give rise to a wrongful termination claim. A termination is illegal or “wrongful” if it is based on discriminatory intent or is a violation of public policy. an employee for retaliatory reasons. Doing so may give rise to a wrongful termination claim. A termination is illegal or “wrongful” if it is based on discriminatory intent or is a violation of public policy. Discriminatory intent pertains to discrimination based on such protected characteristics as age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, and even union affiliation. A termination is also illegal if it violates public policy. This means that the termination is likely illegal if the employee was fired because: 1) The employee refused to violate a statute (e.g., the

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How to obtain custody and Is bankruptcy the right choice for you? visitation rights for unmarried dads Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes ESTABLISHING parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child. Family Code §7610. Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of the child. Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paternity which allows the non biological father to be deemed the natural father of the child. A typical situation is when boyfriend gets girlfriend pregnant. Girlfriend for some reason decides to exclude boyfriend from baby’s life so she breaks up with boyfriend, does not give the boyfriend any information about her delivery, and does not state the boyfriend as the father in the birth certificate or decides to name someone else as the father. Girlfriend does this because her parents disapprove

of the ex boyfriend. One way a presumption of Paternity is created is by executing a voluntary declaration of paternity. A Voluntary declarations executed before 1997 give rise to a conclusive presumption of paternity and can be overcome only by blood or genetic tests ordered on noticed motion by the mother or presumed father must be made within three years of the date of execution of the voluntary declaration Family.Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, it is not characterized as a conclusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of an order for child custody, visitation, or child support.” Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33. Another way of establishing presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories listed (a) to (f) under family code §7611:

(a) He and the child’s natural mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce, or after a judgment of separation is entered by a court. (b) Before the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) If the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce. (2) If the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation. (c) After the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) With his consent, he is named as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate. (2) He is obligated to support PAGE B7

OVER the last 35 years, many clients always ask me “Attorney, should I file for bankruptcy?” This question is asked after they have told me what their problem is. The problem is always financial: having a hard time paying credit cards; behind on mortgage payments and there is a threat of foreclosure from the bank; owe a big amount of money to the landlord for my business; lots of medical bills; my income is only enough to pay for the rent or mortgage and monthly necessities, have no extra income to pay for other debt mostly credit cards; creditors keep calling me to pay but I can’t pay. So, if you distill the problems to their essence, income is short, and creditors are not getting paid. That’s basically what the problem is. Let’s look at famous people, or businesses that have filed for bankruptcy. We presume all of them had income that was short, and creditors were not getting paid, so they decided to get bankruptcy relief. There’s Walt Disney who filed for Chapter 7 twice before his Disney theme parks took off. Of course, now Disney is a successful global business worth billions. There’s also Milton Hershey who filed for Chapter 7 before Hershey chocolates became the biggest chocolate business now worth also billions doing business worldwide. Orange County filed for bankruptcy reorganization about 15 years ago. Hertz, the car leasing company just got out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy recently. The country of Argentina decided to do a DIY bankruptcy about 20

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng years ago when it declared to all its creditors worldwide that Argentina was not going to pay any of it’s debts because it was bankrupt. Creditors who owned Argentine promissory notes lost billions of dollars overnight. The Catholic Church here in the USA, several of it’s dioceses declared bankruptcy to handle the large number of child molestation lawsuits against it. This is very sad for me to say because I am Catholic. I don’t mean the bankruptcy they filed to protect themselves, but the huge volume of child molestation cases is just incredible. This is an assault by the devil on the church. There’s no question about that. K mart, which used to be everywhere before, filed for bankruptcy about 15 years ago. Sears Department stores filed for bankruptcy about 10 years ago. So if you have ever been to Disneyland, ate a Reese’s pieces or Hershey chocolate bar, leased a Hertz car, visited Argentina, visited a Catholic church, bought something at K mart or Sears, and gone to Orange county, you are dealing with entities that have decided that bankruptcy was the right choice for them. And of course, the Trump companies have filed at least 4 bankruptcies during the nineties and have avoided billions of dollars of debt. Let’s just leave it at that. What’s the secret in these bankruptcies? They continue to survive but without debt or with much reduced debt, thus assuring their survival in the future. In other words, their incomes are the same, but they don’t have to pay debt anymore which guaranties that they can survive. It’s pretty simple and beautiful concept really. Let’s say your net household income is $7K a month. You have 2 kids in high school. You have a mortgage on the house. You have two car payments. Everything is cool until you have to allocate part of that $7K net income to pay your $50K of credit card debt. $50K of credit card debt needs $1.5K of your $7K net income. That means your net income is actually only $5.5K, not $7K. Now ask yourself, how long can you continue paying $1.5K a month from your net income? Let’s say you can pay it for 5 years. That’s $100K in a little over 5 years. After paying $100K to keep $50K of credit cards current for 5 years, how much of it do you still owe? Sad to say, you still owe the very same $50K of credit cards! Can you really afford to live like this until you die or at least until you retire? Let’s say you will retire in 10 years. This means you would have paid $200K of minimum card payments, yet you still owe after $200K of payments, the very same $50K. When you retire in 10 years, your net income will drop by half. At that time, your net income of $3.5K a month is only enough to pay the mortgage and food. There’s nothing left to pay the $50K of credit cards. Now if you had decided that bankruptcy is the right choice for you today, then in 10 years from now, you will have saved $200K which you can invest at the rate of 7% a year. That will double every 6 or 7 years. In 10 years maybe you will have $400K in your investment portfolio that will generate $2.8K

a month for you in retirement. So, in retirement you will have your $3.5K of retirement income, plus $2.8K, or $6.3K of retirement income monthly, which is just $700 short of your income when you were still working. So is bankruptcy the right choice for you? You decide. But whatever you decide, it will affect your retirement income in the future, and it will affect how you survive your retirement. Praying always helps It also helps to pray to our God, Jesus and the Blessed Mother Mary for divine protection against the virus, and financial problems, because we have a God who loves us and showers us with infinite mercy. All we have to do is humble ourselves and pray. What is the current proof that God and Jesus are divine and all powerful? I refer you to exhibit A, the incorruptible body of Carlo Acutis! Current ongoing physical proof God is almighty incorruptible body of Carlo Acutis died 2007 at age of 15 Look at the incorruptible body of the blessed Carlo Acutis who died at 15 in 2007. You can look at his body in Rome, Italy, now 14 years after his death. He looks like he’s just asleep in his jogging suit and rubber shoes! That is a perfect example of an ongoing sign on earth that the God of Moses, our God, my God, is almighty and all-powerful that He even suspends the natural laws of biology and physics without any effort. He resurrected His one and only beloved son from death on the cross. Indeed, He has power over death. I have actually thought, “What would the other religions believe if they actually saw the incorruptible body of the blessed Carlo Acutis? I think even Buddha, if he were alive today, would truly believe that Yahweh is the one True God.” No need to think about reincarnation and nirvana because his incorruptible body is available for all to see in Rome, Italy. We won’t need any kind of explanation on the efficacy of modern day mummification. Come on, man, that’s all bull. The truth is in plain sight. Believe your own eyes, that the one true God is all-powerful and His name is Yahweh, “I am who am.” He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. Seven of my high school classmates passed away in 2021. They have all gone to meet their creator. I would like to mention their names here: Ricardo A, Victor Y, Jerry L, George C, Jimmy G, Edward N and Ricardo D. Three died of co-vid, one slipped and fell in the bathroom, one of heart attack, two of cancer. I pray all of them are in heaven with our Lord enjoying eternity with their loved ones.. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advise for anyone. There is absolutely no attorney client relationship established by reading this article. *** “Don’t worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)

Fil-Am choreographer... PAGE B5 in my dance career, I think BTS are the ones that really stick out because not only am I a fan of them, I’m also a huge fan of their hard work — they put their blood sweat and tears into everything that they do. That’s something that really sticks out to me and somethingI hope to see from the contestants of Top Class as well.” Asked what the trainees of Top Class will have to show to impress him, the “Male Choreographer of the Year” — recognized by the world’s largest dance brand and enterprise, World of Dance (in 2012 and 2014) — simply encouraged future participants to be themselves. “It’s a cliché but I think that’s very important because, you know, God made us all individuals and we’re all very unique and special. So I think just looking out for people embracing themselves, and obviously having the discipline to work really, really hard.” He added, “From joining dance competitions, I’ve learned that it’s not really about the placing the first place second place third place, it’s really just about having a lasting impression. So I think if you pour your passion and your heart into something and you present it on stage, I think you’ve already won. And it’s really just about the lasting impression that you give.”

Renowned Filipino American dance choreographer Brian Puspos Photo from Instagram/@brianpuspos

Top Class is a reality show made possible by the collaboration of Filipino entertainment giants — Kumu, Cignal Entertainment, TV5, and Cornerstone Entertainment. The show will be hosted by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Auditions for the show is extended until April 30. For this edition of the series, Top Class will only be admitting boys aged 16 to 26. The audition mechanics can be found on the social media pages of Top Class. Aspirants will have to download kumu, upload their 57-second audition klip on their kumu account with the hashtag #kumuTOPCLASS, and accomplish the given steps to make their audition entries valid. g

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Will, Elijah have their hands... PAGE B4 next Sparkle Sweethearts, kung magkaka-love team po ako. As of now, solo po muna ako (I’m pursuing a solo career). Kung kanino man ako i-partner, pwede po. If I will have like a solo guesting, go lang po ako. Whatever career path they have (set) for me, I’ll do my best.” Since the two rising stars are in their teens, they have the luxury of time to give different aspects and genres of acting a try and eventually find their niche. “I have encountered (and worked with) many very good actors and directors and learned lessons from them that I can use in my work and career and will help me grow,” said Will. Elijah, for her part, shared that from being a child to teen star, she has understood the value of professionalism and being on time. “May mga natutunan po ako sa perspective ng ibang tao, sa perspective ng mga character ko (I have learned lessons from the perspectives of fellow workers and characters), malaking bagay din po yun para sa akin.” Helping them understand well the rudiments of acting and mentoring them on the entertainment business is the series director Gina Alajar.

“I always say this na nag-uumpisa sila ngayon (they are starting to build their careers) and they’ve shown great potentials and they’ve shown great talents. Now, it’s up to them if they will take care of it (their talent),” said she, “mahaba pa ang tatakbuhin nila dito sa buhay ng showbiz, dito sa industriyang ito. Hindi sila dapat makuntento sa kung anuman ang meron sila ngayon, kung sa anuman ang alam nila ngayon (because) acting is a 24/7 education, right? It changes every day, hindi ka pu-pwedeng mag-stay sa isang kind ng acting. Sinasabi ko nga eh, ang pag-iyak (ay) ibaibang klase yan, hindi ka pwedeng umiyak ng parepareho.” Part of the artists’ growth, added the actressturned-director, is they “have to mature,” to discover different approaches in accessing emotions that will make them, for instance, cry. “Never stop learning. My advice is not to stop learning,” added she. “(Working with) every director and in every project, they have something to learn and ‘wag nilang aalisin yung sa sarili nila yung pagkakataon na kunin nila ang lahat ng matututunan nila that will make them grow.” With that, Will and Elijah are ready for any acting assignments that will come their way. g

How to obtain custody and visitation... PAGE B6 the child under a written voluntary promise or by court order. (d) He receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child. (e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child’s father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative. (f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied. An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionally-protected “liberty interest” in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who has an extant parentage relationship with the child. Dawn D. v. Super. Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877 The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets pregnant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the husband of the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband, who is not impotent or sterile, is “conclusively” presumed to be a child of the marriage. This conclusive presumption may be challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only

persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612. Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute’s underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parent-child relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200–1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675. Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born. While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights. However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. ***

Attorney Kenneth Reyes is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Immigration and Family Law Sections. You may contact Atty. Reyes at (213) 388-1611 or via e-mail at kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA. Visit us at Kenreyeslaw. com to learn about our firm. (Advertising Supplement)

On prayer and our loving relationship with Jesus

Pastor’s Notes ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas “SIMON, son of John, do you love me?” Jesus’ question to Peter in this Sunday’s Gospel (John 21:119) is fundamental to the life of Christians, especially those that God calls to the ministry of building up the Church. The question speaks profoundly of the need for a loving and intimate relationship with Jesus as a non-negotiable part of the call to any Christian vocation. Our love for Jesus spurs us to love for his mission of service, mercy, and compassion for God’s people. One can only cultivate this loving relationship with Jesus through a disciplined prayer life. This means spending time with Jesus in solitude, contemplating his presence, and growing in the knowledge of him through his words and inspiration from others who have the same great devotion and fidelity to him. I cannot fulfill my pastoral ministry effectively and overcome its challenges without intentional time of prayer and worship. In prayer, I find peace, wisdom, and inspiration. In prayer, I feel the love of Jesus. To be a faithful disciple of

Jesus means to take him as our companion in the journey. We must feel his presence, love, and encouragement in every endeavor. It’s like what the disciples experienced in this Sunday’s (March 1) Gospel when they were fishing all night and not able to catch any fish until the Resurrected Jesus came in their midst and encouraged them to keep on fishing.

books always motivates and inspires me to enter into prayer with Jesus. Here are my favorite quotes from him on prayer: “I am deeply convinced that the necessity of prayer, and to pray unceasingly, is not as much based on our desire for God as on God’s desire for us. It is God’s passionate pursuit of us that calls us to prayer.” “The only way to pray is to pray, and the way to pray well is to pray much.” “To pray, I think, does not mean to think about God in contrast to thinking about other things, or to spend time with God instead of spending time with other people. Rather, it means to think and live in the presence of God.” “To pray is to listen to the One who calls you my beloved daughter, my beloved son, my beloved child. To pray is to let that voice speak to the center of your being, to your guts, and let that voice resound in your whole being.” *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

“To pray is to listen to the One who calls you my beloved daughter, my beloved son, my beloved child. To pray is to let that voice speak to the center of your being, to your guts, and let that voice resound in your whole being.” Life is full of challenges in every stage and every chosen vocation. Crises and disruptions like sickness and death are bound to happen. But we find strength, wisdom, and peace through a profound prayer life and the support of fellow Christians. One of my mentors in prayer is Henri Nouwen. Reading his