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M AY 3-9, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 28 • 16 Pages 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • 2500 Plaza S. Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
DOJ: Authorities arrest person who uploaded ‘Bikoy’ videos by KRISTINE JOY
Philstar.com
National Bureau of Investigation agents brought Rodel Jayme to the Department of Justice on Thursday, May 2 for inquest. Philstar.com photo
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Fil-Am arrested on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in LA THE Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday, April 26 arrested a Filipino American United States Army veteran in Reseda, California, on suspicion of plotting a massive terrorist attack in Los Angeles after a lengthy investigation by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, according to records unsealed on Monday, April 29.
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PATAG
MANILA— The Department of Justice confirmed on Thursday, May 2, that authorities have arrested the individual who allegedly uploaded the anonymous videos of a certain “Bikoy” who tagged the Dutertes to the narcotics trade. In a message sent to reporters, Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete, also DOJ spokesperson, told reporters: “It was the person who uploaded the video who was arrested for cybercrime, specifically cyberlibel.”
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LABOR DAY. Workers group gather at Mabuhay Rotonda in Quezon City to celebrate Labor Day on Wednesday, May 1. Various groups championing workers’ rights took to the streets and called for better working conditions. These include ending contractualization or “endo (end of contract),” the passing of the Security of Tenure Act, and increasing minimum wages nationwide to P750 per day. Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande
PH gov’t to tighten rules on work permits by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday, May 1, announced that the government will tighten rules on issuing work permits for foreigners “to ensure that jobs that can be done by Filipinos will not be given to foreigners.” In a BI press release, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that the joint guidelines on the issuance of work and employment permits to foreign nationals have been signed by the A Chinese worker is seen at the construction site of the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge bureau, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Labor and Employin Manila. The project is funded by loans from the Chinese government. Philstar.com photo by Russell Palma ment and the Department of Justice.
“We saw a rise in the number of foreign nationals in the previous years due to emerging industries such as the online gaming industry,” Morente said, in reference to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, where 138,001 foreign nationals are employed, according to data released by DOLE and BI. “Issues and challenges only appear now. This has never been a problem in the past because of the relatively smaller number of foreign nationals working in the Philippines then,” he added. In 2018, BI issued 83,670 special work permits which were valid for six
Pew poll: 69% of Filipinos UN experts urge PH gov’t to stop red-tagging satisfied with how democracy is working work of Corpuz, and to ensure her physical safety,” the UN special rapporteurs said as THREE United Nations spe- reported by Rappler. cial rapporteurs on WednesAmong those were special day, May 1, urged the govern- rapporteurs Michel Forst for ment to refrain from linking Situation of Human Rights Detheir colleague Victoria Tauli- fenders, David Kaye for ProCorpuz to the Communist Par- motion and Protection of the ty of the Philippines (CPP). Right to Freedom of Opinion “We call on the Philippine and Expression and Fionnuala Government to immediately Ní Aoláin for Promotion and stop these unacceptable at- Protection of Human Rights tacks on the human rights and Fundamental Freedoms by NATHALIE
ROBLES
AJPress
A RECENT survey released by Washingtonbased polling firm Pew Research Center revealed that a majority of Filipinos are satisfied with how democracy works in the Philippines. The study, which measured satisfaction with the performance of democracy in different parts of the globe, was released on April 29 and showed that across the 27 countries
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while Countering Terrorism. Forst, Kaye and Ní Aoláin said that the allegations against Corpuz were made “without grounding in fact or law.”. They noted that the government “are in retaliation for her invaluable work defending the human rights of indigenous peoples worldwide, and in the Philippines.” “The criminalizing discourse used by Philippine Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, United Nations special rapprteir on the
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rights of indigenous people
Photo from un.org
may 3-9, 2019 • NEW yORK aND NEW JERSEy aSIaN JOURNaL
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From the Front Page
Fil-Am arrested on suspicion of planning a... PAGE 1 On Friday night, 26-yearold former U.S. Army infantryman Mark Steven Domingo received a package from an undercover FBI informant which he believed to be a live bomb but was actually an inert explosive device (IED) that he planned to use for “retribution” for the recent terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand in which an alleged white supremacist killed dozens of Muslims in two mosques. According to the Department of Justice, Domingo is a U.S.-born citizen of Filipino descent. As stated in a criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors on Saturday, Domingo was charged with aiding terrorists with “material support” to carry out the planned attack. An affidavit in support of the complaint said that the young Filipino American “planned and took steps to manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder.”
DOJ: Authorities arrest person...
PAGE 1
Mark Steven Domingo, 26, a Fil-Am U.S. Army veteran was arrested on Friday, April 26 on suspicion of plotting a massive terrorist attack in the Los Angeles area. Photos courtesy of the FBI
Through conversations online, Domingo expressed alliance with radical jihadism and offered willingness to martyr himself to carry out the attack. He considered carrying attacks on the Jewish community, churches, a military facility or police officers, but court papers said that he decided to detonate an IED at a white nationalist rally in Long Beach last weekend. The decision to target the white nationalist rally in Long Beach came about when
No details of the arrest have been made public yet, as the DOJ said it is waiting for the report of the National Bureau of Investigation. Arrest by virtue of search warrant Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed that “a search warrant was issued and served.” Guevarra also told reporters to wait for more details on the pieces of evidence or paraphernalia that were seized in the possession of the suspect. It remains unclear where the search warrant stemmed from. The NBI, for its part, confirmed that it has a person of interest in custody, but details would be given in a press conference scheduled tentatively on Friday, May 3.
Domingo met with the FBI informant on April 19 when Domingo showed up with an AK-47-style rifle and allegedly referenced the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing when mentioning he wanted a device that could result in dozens of casualties, according to the affidavit. “There were mosque shootings in new Zealand [sic],” Domingo wrote to a private online group. “[T]here must PAGE 1 be retribution.” polled, 51 percent are dissatCourt papers released on isfied with how democracy is u PAGE 4 working in their country, while 45 percent are satisfied. Pew noted that Asia-Pacific nations tend to be satisfied with the state of their democracy — including the Philippines with 69 percent of Filipinos saying they are satisfied, while 31 percent admitting they are not. Japan seems to be the only exception as results showed 56 percent of Japanese claiming they are dissatisfied. In Europe, large majorities in Italy, Spain and Greece are dissatisfied. Meanwhile, in the sub-Saharan African and Latin
The Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure provides that when a person was arrested without a warrant on an offense that requires preliminary investigation, “the complaint or information may be filed by a prosecutor without need of such investigation provided an inquest has been conducted.” Matrix “Bikoy” was central to the ouster plot “matrix” released by Malacañang that linked three news organizations and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers to an alleged plan to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte. Police and the military earlier said they have not monitored any specific threat to oust the president. But Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde said they
would look into the personalities named in the matrix. The journalist groups and the NUPL denied the allegation and pointed out the errors in the matrix that was supposedly vetted by none other than the president himself. On Wednesday, May 1, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said it is “totally unnecessary” to prove the matrix. “The matrix shows that there is an ouster plot. It is just a plot, a plan, an idea,” he said. Panelo, when he first presented the matrix to media on April 22, said that the reporters should believe it because “the president is the source.” Duterte received information from a “foreign country” that Panelo refused to name. n
American countries surveyed, around half or more answered they were discontent with the democracy in their countries. “Dissatisfaction with democracy is higher in emerging than advanced economies,” the study revealed. It also showed the distinctions in democratic dissatisfaction between 2017 and 2018, with the Philippines remaining the same with 31 percent. Apart from our country, other nations who did not experience significant change were Greece, Kenya, Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria, Hungary, Poland, Australia and Israel. The survey was conducted using telephone and face-to-
face interviews during the the fourth quarter of 2018. Pew stated that the poll results were based on national samples, unless otherwise noted. 1,181 adult respondents were surveyed in the Philippines from May 28 to July 7, 2018. “For results based on the full sample in a given country, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus the margin of error. The margin of error is larger for results based on subsamples in the survey,” Pew said. (Ritchel Mendiola/ AJPress)
Pew poll: 69% of Filipinos satisfied with...
UN experts urge PH gov’t to stop... PAGE 1
public officials undermines the value of the vital work of human rights defenders, denigrates them in the eyes of the public and may put them at risk of threats, violence or other forms of harassment,” they said. According to UN News, government officials have accused Corpuz of being an affiliate of the Communist Party in the southeast Asian island archipelago, and its alleged “terrorist activities” in the area. Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations Brigadier General Antonio Parlade claimed that the UN itself had been “infiltrated
by the Communist Party of the Philippines through Ms. Tauli-Corpuz” during a news conference in Manila. “May IP Rapporteur sila doon at actually, iyong rapporteur na iyon, nasa listahan iyan ng, as a member of the Communist Party noong pinaylan [filed] natin ng kaso iyong Communist Party as a terrorist organization (They have an IP rapporteur there and that rapporteur, she’s in the list filed before the court tagging the Communist Party as a terrorist organization),” Parlade said in a press conference on March 13. In 2018, the Department of Justice listed 649 alleged terrorists, including the UN spe-
cial rapporteur. However, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19 dismissed the accusation against Corpuz and three others. In line with such, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. asked the European Union to stop funding the non-governmental organizations included on the government list due to their involvement with the CPP. UN experts added that the threats and harassment hinder the groups from doing their vital work. Other human rights organizations continued to support the UN in calling out the administration’s red-tagging, profiling, and surveillance. n
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Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein, including testimonials, “Success Stories,” or endorsements are of a general nature, and not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established hereby.
may 3-9, 2019 • NEW yORK aND NEW JERSEy aSIaN JOURNaL
Trump to crack down on visa overstays PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s crackdown on visa overstays will target about 12% of foreigners who legally enter the U.S. on short-term visas but remain after visa expiration and are mostly from African and Asian nations. Trump ordered the secretaries of State and Homeland Security to crack down on countries whose citizens are most likely to overstay their visas, a long-term problem that is now the biggest source of illegal immigration into the U.S., according to USA Today and Associated Press reports. More than 569,000 foreigners overstayed their visas last year, according to Homeland Security data. Trump ordered penalties for countries whose citizens overstay their tourist and business visas more than 10% of the time, such as limiting the number of travelers to the U.S. from any one country, requiring foreign travelers to post “admission bonds” that would be repaid once they leave the U.S. and requesting more documents from foreigners seeking visas. Under Trump’s guidelines, 21 countries could face sanctions because 35,442 of their
citizens overstayed their U.S. visas in 2018, according to Homeland Security data. Trump could have opted to punish countries that are the sources of the largest numbers of total visa overstays. For example, more than 34,000 Brazilians, 15,000 Chinese, 10,000 Indians and 10,000 French overstayed their visas in 2018, reports USA Today. But Trump chose to target countries with high overstay rates, not the total number of overstayers. That means Brazil, China, India and France will not be affected by Trump’s order since their citizens’ combined overstay rate was 0.9%. But smaller countries like Bhutan could face sanctions since 46 of 398 of its people who traveled to the U.S. in 2018 overstayed their visas, a rate of 13.1%. Africa, with 13 countries on the list ranging from Angola to Chad to Sudan, will be most affected by the crackdown. The biggest target by far is Nigeria, which saw 29,004 overstays in 2018. Another six countries on the list are located in Asia, and several have been embroiled in bloody armed conflicts,
such as Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. Rounding out the list are the island nations of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, who combined for 13 total visa overstays in 2018. Critics say it’s no coincidence that the Trump administration chose a method that punishes mostly African and Asian countries and spares European countries and other U.S. allies. “This is Stephen Miller’s way of operationalizing his immigration strategy to ‘make America White again’ by covering his tracks with data to disguise the underlying White nationalist objectives of the policy,” USA Today quoted Douglas Rivlin, director of communications for America’s Voice, an immigration advocacy group, said of the president’s immigration adviser. Trump said he would focus on limiting entry on a B1 visa used by business travelers or a B2 visa used by tourists. But Homeland Security data show that foreigners traveling on student visas, research visas, and cultural exchange visas are more likely to overstay their visas. (Inquirer.net)
Maria Ressa at TIME 100 Gala: Let’s toast to freedom by AJPress TIMe magazine held its annual gala in New York to celebrate the list of the “100 most influential people,” which included veteran Filipina journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa. Ressa, who has been a vocal critic against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, gave a speech on Tuesday night, April 23 wherein she said that “It’s a completely chaotic time where technology has helped make facts disputable, eroded truths, and crippled trust.” “For journalists, for people at the front lines of trying to fight for truth, this is an existential moment for journalism and for democracy; for Rappler, the company I helped build in the Philippines, it’s an existential moment, not just for our company, but for me,” she continued. In the past 14 months, the Philippine government has filed 11 cases against Ressa. “The only thing I’ve done, my only crime is to be a journalist, to speak truth to power,” she said. She has been arrested twice — in February for “cyber libel” charges related to a 2012 Rap-
Dateline USa
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WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK 2019: A health worker administers vaccines as part of the Department of Health-organized immunization program to celebrate the World Immunization Week 2019 at Ama Dome, Baseco compound in Tondo, Manila on Monday, April 29. Celebrated every last week of April, World Immunization Week aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against preventable diseases. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
PH gov’t to tighten rules on work... PAGE 1
months and allow foreigners to “render service” while on a tourist visa. Meanwhile, DOLE issued 54,241 Alien Employment Permits — which are a requirement for 9(g) visas, a visa “for aliens employed in the country, with contracts usually lasting for one to three years.” BI said it will also require the alien applicant to show proof of tax payments.
According to Morente, the new rules will not make it difficult for foreigners working or doing business in the Philippines to follow. “We have made it easier for foreign nationals to comply with our laws,” he said. “The procedures are simple, the process is now quicker, so there’s really no excuse for foreign nationals to not follow,” he added. Numerous concerns have
been raised due to the influx of foreign workers in the Philippines. A data released by BI revealed that a total of 2.44 million Chinese arrived in the Philippines from mainland China between January 2016 to May 2018. The influx, then, caused residential rental rates in the areas near Manila Bay to surge by 62.2 during the first half of 2018, property firm Santos Knight Frank noted. n
Fil-Am arrested on suspicion of planning a...
Rappler CEO Maria Ressa met actress Glenn Close at the Time 100 Summit on Tuesday, April 23 in New York. That evening, the veteran journalist attended the magazine’s Time 100 gala honoring the world’s “100 most influential people,” where she gave a toast.
pler article and most recently at the end of March for the news site’s alleged violation of foreign ownership. “So who are we toasting? Please, grab your glass, raise it to Filipinos, to Americans, and other freedom-loving people all around the world who are fighting desperately for their democracies, because they — we believe in the goodness of human nature. We believe that the only way to build is with hope, it’s with inspiration, it is — it’s with love. We will hold the line powered with the best of human nature. Please, let’s toast to freedom,” Ressa ended in her speech. In the magazine entry of Ressa’s influence, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright wrote, “When I pre-
sented her with the National Democratic Institute’s highest honor in 2017, she spoke of the hard work and courage of her colleagues at Rappler: ‘We are journalists, and we will not be intimidated. We will shine the light. We will hold the line.’ That is precisely what she has done.” The magazine also named Ressa among the group of global journalists, who are fighting to spread truth, for “Person of the Year in 2018.” The gala on Tuesday, April 30, was attended by some of the world’s game changers across various industries, such as Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Gayle King, Taylor Swift, Dwayne Johnson, Sandra Oh, Hasan Minhaj, and Emilia Clarke. n
PAGE 1 Monday also found that Domingo boasted about owning weapons as well as 80 pounds of nails and shrapnel that “would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs,” the affidavit said. Additionally, during the planning process of the attack, Domingo asked his conspirator, the FBI double agent, to locate someone who knew how to craft bombs. “This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to case the maximum number of casualties,” U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna for the Central District of California said after Domingo’s arrest. “Protecting Americans from terror attacks is the number one priority of the Justice Department, and anyone who plots to use a weapon of mass destruction will be held to account.” Domingo has been in federal custody since his arrest and made his first appearance Monday in the U.S. District
Court. As an U.S. Army infantryman, Domingo finished a four-month deployment to Afghanistan in January 2013 and became interested in obtaining an IED after he learned of an FBI informant who knew about them. “I’ll be honest. I’m smart in history but I failed chemistry. Science is not my forte... If he doesn’t want to make it, don’t force him. But ask him how,” Domingo said in one conversation, per court papers, which also alleged that Domingo expressed support and allegiance for the radical jihadist group the Islamic State. In an interview with the Daily News, Domingo’s younger brother, 22-year-old James Domingo, said that when his older brother began attending a mosque in their quiet neighborhood of Reseda, he saw it as a “good thing.” “I thought maybe my brother finally found some sort of guidance in this world,” said the younger brother, who lived with the suspect and their aunt and grandmother
for much of their young lives. “Like anybody else, I don’t want to assume a thing when someone is going into a new religion.” Though most of Mark Domingo’s radicalization were relegated to online forums and digital correspondence, the younger Domingo brother did not indicate whether or not he knew of his older brother’s radical intentions. In a public letter, the Domingo family requested privacy on the matter as they have “family members who are ill right now and require our full attention and care.” But in the Daily News interview, James Domingo said, “I hope this dies down eventually and hopefully my brother will be found innocent of all of this.” If Mark Domingo is convicted with the charge of “providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists,” he would face a “statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison,” according to the Department of Justice. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
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Dateline PhiliPPines
No rule barring foreign journalists from entering PH by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday, May 1, clarified that no rule from the new government guidelines on issuing working permits to foreigners is barring foreign journalists — especially those critical of the Duterte administration — from entering Philippines. The statement came after DOLE signed the Joint Guidelines on the Issuance of Work and Employment Permits to Foreign Nationals with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). “Nothing in the guidelines would state so that we are barring specific foreign journalist or foreign media outfit to come into the Philippines and cover the events of the current administration,” said Dominique Tutay, director of the Bureau of Local Employment, during a press conference after the signing. Instead, foreign journalists
would be given a special working permit (SWP) if they would be working in the country for a maximum period of six months, as explained by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. According to him, journalists given special working permits will only work in the Philippines for up to six months, so they will not heed an alien employment permit (AEP) — which is required if a foreign national applying for a job is not included in the approved list of categories for alien workers allowed to secure an SWP. However, it should be provided that no Filipino is competent, able, and willing “to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired” when issuing the AEP. The SWP, meanwhile, will be issued by the BI to foreigners who intend to work, engage in specific activities, or render services in the country outside of an employment arrangement. As reported by the Inquirer, these activities and services include: • Professional athletes,
coaches, trainers and assistants • International performers with exceptional abilities • Artists, performers and their staff, who perform before an audience for a fee, subject to compliance with the requirements of the concerned agency, office or body • Service suppliers coming primarily to perform temporary services and who do not receive salary or other remuneration from a Philippine source other than expenses incidental to their temporary stay • Treasure hunters authorized to search for hidden treasure with permit from the concerned government agencies and instrumentalities • Movie and television crews authorized to film in the country by the relevant regulatory office, body or agency • Foreign journalists practicing their profession or covering a specific event in the country • Trainees assigned in government institutions, governPAGE 7
Bilateral talks to resolve South China Sea ‘irritants’ - Palace by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
MALAcAñANG on Monday, April 29, said china is open to bilateral talks to resolve the territorial incursions raised by President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting with chinese President Xi Jingping last week. According to Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Xi expressed willingness to discuss “irritants,” such as the increased presence of chinese vessels in disputed areas, despite reiterating Beijing’s claims to the West Philippine Sea (South china Sea). “What the president mentioned [were] the irritants. [They refer] to everything there. From the presence of the ships, from the alleged harassment, all of it — the irritants,” said Panelo at a press briefing. “Both sides repeated their previous positions on the matter, and they both agreed that whatever irritants, challenges, [these] can be re-
solved through negotiation,” he added. He also quoted Duterte, saying the irritants arose from the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated china’s claim over nearly the entire South china Sea. “And both of them agreed that the mechanism of bilateral relations will be used to resolve the conflict,” Panelo said. He noted the government’s optimism over “positive” results; however, he admitted that there is still much to be done. “The next movement will be the negotiation. They already talked about the irritants. But, if you were to ask me, we have to wait for their official response about our complaints,” he said. Duterte, who previously set aside an international arbitral ruling that upheld the Philippines’ claims, recently became adamant about his stance against continued chinese incursions as chinese vessels reportedly circled the
Philippine-held Pagasa (Thitu) Island. He also demanded that the chinese fisherfolk to stop harvesting the giant clams in Scarborough Shoal. “We raised certain protests. We still do not know if they are affirming or disputing it. Because if they dispute it, we will talk and [insist that] it is not true,” Panelo said. “What is that? Who is that? Why is it there? What are they doing there? We do not know the answers to that yet,” he added. Panelo, however, confirmed that the two leaders have made an agreement to discuss the specifics of the maritime row as well as the arbitral ruling in the next session of the Bilateral consultation Mechanism on the South china Sea, which the Philippines and china set up in 2016. “That would be discussed there, it will be more specific there. Bilaterals usually dwell on general issues, both of them are reading their messages,” Panelo said, referring to Duterte and Xi. n
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MAY 3-9, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
FEATURES
Leaders for Heritage HEIRTAGE Month is starting with several heritage churches ruined or slightly damaged by the recent powerful earthquakes. In the old districts of Manila such as Binondo and Intramuros, there are old structures that deserve to be preserved and restored but are in danger of being demolished. The old train station in Paco has been razed. In other countries, many cities have Old Towns — historic sections where buildings, landmarks and even original pavements and street lamps are preserved. There are also traditional villages outside urban centers where the art, architecture, public works, local culture and traditional lifestyles are preserved as living history. Some of these villages have been declared as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. UNESCO has listings even for traditional celebrations, or Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, such as Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead, which is a more elaborate version of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days in the Philippines. There are
heritage listings for traditional food such as Turkish coffee and Washoku or Japanese cuisine. Then there are nature’s blessings, which the Philippines has in abundance. The country is home to some of the world’s most extensive wetlands, which are protected by an international convention. The newest — the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area in Manila Bay — deserves nurturing. Manila Bay itself, where the view of the sunset is a source of national pride, deserves to be saved from further pollution and reclamation activities. Forests, coral reefs, the rich biodiversity, beaches – these are as much part of our national heritage as the man-made structures that need protection and expert restoration. We’re all custodians of our national heritage. It’s a responsibility that the country cannot afford to take for granted. Celebrated since 2003, this year’s theme for this special month is “leaders for heritage.” Every Filipino can be a leader in preserving the heritage not just of the country but of humanity. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Trump defies Constitution by blocking subpoenas in probes on him: What is he hiding? The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP has been claiming he is the most transparent president in U.S. history. Any selfrespecting U.S. citizen committed to the truth knows this is a lie. Transparency and account-
ability are values upheld by the principles of checks and balances mandated by the U.S. Constitution so that not one person nor institution accorded with public trust may abuse power. Yet the 45th president of the United States has been desperately doing everything to block all calls for him to come clean. Even worse, he orders government officials to ignore subpoenas to testify under oath before Congress in pursuit of the truth on the allegations of criminal intent,
abuse of power and obstruction of justice as laid out by Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report. In addition to these are subpoenas by the courts to investigate cases referred by Mueller to the judiciary outside of the purview of the mandate given to him in the Russia probe. It revealed more cases of alleged campaign finance violations, cover-ups, use of the Trump Foundation for his family’s personal gain and benefit, defrauding and scamming the government in
attempts to pay his equitable dues in taxes, and so much more. Trump likewise failed to release his tax returns, unable to beat the deadline given to his appointed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who, like his appointed Attorney General William Barr, appears to be serving Trump’s interest and not of the American people as mandated by law. Recently, Trump, his family and the Trump Organization filed a lawsuit against
Deutsche Bank and Capital One in an attempt to block congressional subpoenas seeking their banking and financial records. As the Associated Press (AP) reported, this lawsuit is in response to the House Financial Services and the House Intelligence committees that have subpoenaed Deutsche Bank and several other financial institutions as part of investigations into Trump’s finances. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff
says the subpoenas are part of an investigation “into allegations of potential foreign influence on the U.S. political process.” House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, says “the potential use of the U.S. financial system for illicit purposes is a very serious concern,” and says her committee is looking into those matters, including whether they pertain to Trump, according to the AP report. PAGE 7
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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Public Lives
Randy david IN just one generation, China has achieved through capitalist development what it could not accomplish by exporting Maoist socialism. Credit for this unprecedented global clout is generally given to Deng Xiaoping, who once reminded his people that “to be rich is glorious.” This heresy, which became a popular slogan, was a turning point in China’s ideological transformation. From the doomed effort to form the socialist human being through agrarian socialism, the Chinese Communist Party sought instead to create a robust economy using the tools of market capitalism. Rather than view it as a reversal of the socialist vision, however, the Party interpreted the modernization of the Chinese economy through capitalism as building the precondition for a socialist society, in which prosperity — not poverty — is democratized. No better confirmation is there of Deng’s genius than to see China today preside over a gathering of world leaders and top business executives to discuss how to spread the benefits of capitalist development through the integration of the world’s trade, manufacturing and communication infrastructure. This is what the so-called Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is about — at least on paper. Launched in
OpiniOn and Features
China’s place in today’s world Rodolfo Fariñas withdraws from 2013, the BRI has generated interest from at least 150 countries. At the second BRI Forum in Beijing this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the assembled guests: “The Belt and Road cooperation involves new ways to improve opportunities for common prosperity and economic globalization. We should keep the parties motivated in the spirit of multilateralism. In going ahead, we should focus on opportunities.” This sounds more like standard IMF-World BankADB rhetoric than the fraternal assurances typically given by a socialist leader to visiting comrades from communist parties and movements. No talk of revolution here, only of promoting the gospel of globalization. Having succeeded in gaming the world capitalist system, the new China seeks to open all doors and lift all barriers to trade and investment. Together with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping has become a leading critic of protectionism. Armed with its tremendous economic capacity, China today behaves more or less like the United States at the end of World War II, or surplus-rich Japan in the 1980s. It leverages its economic clout not just to create more wealth for itself and its companies, but to extend its sphere of influence to other areas. The use of economic aid or official development assistance is key to this strategy. It is certainly not unique
to China. The old term for it is neocolonialism. Having succeeded in establishing a firm foothold in the global capitalist system, China is inescapably caught in its logic no matter how much the communist party leadership tries to regulate its insertion into the system. The big question is how long it can sustain the dynamism of its open economy, while keeping its political system closed. The communist party’s tight grip on China’s political system, and, in turn, the Chinese state’s control of its market economy remains a kink in the country’s economic modernity. The close intertwining of economic interests with political objectives introduces a complexity that other countries’ business enterprises are not comfortable with when dealing with Chinese companies. The lack of transparency breeds distrust, fosters corruption and raises concerns about “debt traps” and other hidden agendas. These negative perceptions inevitably seep into the politics of countries that receive Chinese aid and loans or host Chinese investments, often blending dangerously with existing anti-Chinese prejudices. Yet, there is no denying the fact that the rise of China as a global economic power has raised economic productivity worldwide. It has made the world’s wealthy people richer than before. But, it has also made many commodities, hitherto only PAGE 10
Trump defies Constitution by blocking...
PAGE 6 The New York Times reported, that for more than 20 years, “Deutsche Bank lent Donald J. Trump billions of dollars, even as his tarnished financial record put him off limits for most of Wall Street.” The Times further said Deutsche Bank is now putting the president on the defensive after its lawyers “have spent months cooperating with investigators from two Democratic-controlled congressional committees, which issued what one lawmaker called a ‘friendly subpoena’ to the bank in mid-April.” The bank could end up sharing decades of his personal and corporate financial records, according to the Times. The report said the prospect of having Trump’s financial records be finally revealed
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • mAY 3-9, 2019
has “prompted Mr. Trump to file a lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan on Monday [April 29] in an attempt to block Deutsche Bank and another financial company, Capital One, from sharing documents.” Playing the victim role and branding all calls for accountability as “presidential harassment,” the lawsuit filed claimed “The subpoenas were issued to harass President Donald J. Trump, to rummage through every aspect of his personal finances, his businesses, and the private information of the President and his family, and to ferret about for any material that might be used to cause him political damage.” As TIME reported, Reps. Schiff and Waters issued a joint statement accusing the president of trying to “put off
meaningful accountability as long as possible.” “The meritless lawsuit filed today by President Trump to block duly authorized subpoenas to non-governmental entities is another demonstration of the depths to which President Trump will go to obstruct Congress’s constitutional oversight authority,” the statement said. Has Trump really been transparent as he claims to be? What is he hiding? Does he think he is above the law in defying the Constitution he has sworn to uphold? ***
Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos. Relos
Ilocos Norte gubernatorial race MANILA — Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas (Ilocos Norte) on Thursday, May 2, withdrew his candidacy for governor in Ilocos Norte. The 67-year-old lawmaker said he wants to retire from politics when his term in the House of Representatives ends on June 30, according to reports. Fariñas filed his withdrawal at the Commission on Elections less than two weeks before the midterm elections on May 13. With the withdrawal of Fariñas, Ilocos Norte board mem-
ber Matthew Manotoc will run unopposed as governor. Manotoc is the son of Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, who is running for senator, and the grandson of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos. In 2017, Fariñas led a House inquiry into the supposed misuse of P66.5 million in tobacco funds in his province. Fariñas accused Imee Marcos of authorizing the purchase of 115 assorted motor vehicles in 2011 and 2012 “without the benefit of public biddings.” (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com) Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas Philstar.com photo
No rule barring foreign journalists from... PAGE 5 ment owned and controlled corporations (GOCC), and private entities • Lecturers, researchers, trainers and others pursuing academic work, who are assigned in schools, universities, educational and research institutions, government agencies and other entities — with or without compensation • Religious missionaries and
preachers • Commercial models and talents • Culinary specialists or chefs • Professionals, consultants or specialists According to Tutay, the guidelines, which limit the work categories for which foreigners would be allowed to secure an SWP, aims to prevent abuse of the permit
with the release of a “positive list.” “It’s the first time that we released a positive list to prevent the abuse of the SWPs,” she said. “So there are already 14 or 13 categories of workers who could be given SWPs. If they’re no on the list, it’s automatic – they will have to apply for an alien employment permit at the DOLE,” she added. n
may 3-9, 2019 • NEW yORK aND NEW JERSEy aSIaN JOURNaL
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MAY 3-9, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
Calendar of Events across
DATELINE PHILIPPINES
America
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS M AY 3 -1 0
35th annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival The 35th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will be presented May 2 - May 10, 2019 at select cinemas in the Los Angeles area. A key highlight of the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month activities, the Festival is produced by Visual Communications, the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, and enjoys broad support from cinema artists and audiences alike. For more information and the schedule, please visit https://festival.vcmedia.org/2019/.
M AY 4
Kulintang festival in Oakland, CA As part of the as part of the celebrations of Asian American Heritage Month, Gongster’s Paradise — a kulintang party — will be held on Saturday, May 4 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center where the father of Filipino-American Kulintang music, Danongan ‘Danny’ Kalanduyan was once an artists in residence. This year’s line up will feature a new generation of Maguindanaon Master Artists from Cotabato City, Traditional groups from all over the United States and Contemporary groups from all over the world including Toronto, Philippines, Seattle, Virginia, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Alongside non-stop kulintangan, Gongster’s Paradise will feature visual artists, vendors, and dancers to showcase movements related to kulintang music rooted from all over Mindanao. A feast will be served throughout the evening to be prepared and served by Chef Eric Pascual, rising star and owner of Eats By E and will be joined by collaborator and sponsor, Ramar Foods. It will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (388 9th St., Oakland, CA 94607).
Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Tri-County Gatsby Gala Induction in Claremont, CA Roaring ‘20s is an optional attire for the ‘Gatsby Gala Induction’ of FACC Tri-County (Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino Counties) on May 4, at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, 555 West Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711, 6 to 11 p.m. Guest Speaker and Inducting Officer: Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz; and Sierra Madre Councilmember Rachelle Arizmendi, inspirational speaker. FACC Tri-County, under the stewardship of President Merwynn Montenegro, leads to support and enhance businesses that serve diversified communities. Its mission is to advocate for all businesses, provide opportunities for growth, and increase their competitiveness in the market place. For more information, contact Merwynn (909) 319-3145; 1st VP Carmela Giliberto carmela.giliberto@getbeyond. com, or 2nd VP Gregg Vargas (909) 802-0901.
M AY 1 1
Sagalas at Santacruzan in Los Angeles The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will hold its Archdiocesan SANTACRUZAN on Saturday, May 11 at 2:45 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels (555 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Parishes and civic organizations are invited to join the celebration. Hermana mayores and Hermana menores, sagalas, angels and estrellas will all be in their best attire as they processed towards the altar, honoring our Blessed Virgin Mary. This year’s theme is: “Holy Mary, Handmaid of the Lord, Our Perfect Model In Doing the Will of God.” You are invited to witness one of the most joyful cultural traditions in the Philippines. Come and be with us to celebrate the Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A Reception/ Dinner-Dance will follow after the Eucharistic celebration at Embassy Suites by Hilton/ 800 N. Central Avenue, Glendale, CA 91203. For more information, please call Patty Santiago (818) 362-4864 / E-mail: piesan@hotmail.com or Arnel Bailon (818) 362-4864
M AY 25
Marist School Marikina to celebrate 55th anniversary in Buena Park, CA Marist Alumni Abroad, coordinated by Arthur ‘Jojo’ P. Armada ‘77, invites alumni, family and friends, and the public who are interested, to the 55th anniversary grand reunion of the Marist School Marikina, to be held on Saturday, May 25, at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel (7675 Crescent Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620). The event’s theme is “Celebrating Our Marist Life...The Legacy Continues,” hosted by Marist Alumni Abroad. Dinner and dance: 6 pm to 11 pm; donation: $55/pax (per person). Contact person is overall chair Jojo P. Armada at (626) 216-3529 or email: armadaarthur@yahoo.com.
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Cebu Pacific shrugs off labor issues by LISBET
ESMAEL ManilaTimes.net
CEBU Pacific dismissed speculations that labor woes were behind the airline’s decision to cancel more than a hundred flights. Charo Logarta-Lagamon, the airline’s spokesman, said the company had a good relationship with Juan Wing Association of the Philippines (JWAP), Cebu Pacific’s union. “The cabin crew formed a union, and I don’t think that’s related,” she told The Manila Times late Tuesday. She said that while the company acknowledged there were absentees everyday, this was “normal” as it was not preventable. “There are contingencies for these,” the official said. Cebu Pacific had canceled over 100 flights extending up to May 10 and affecting
thousands of flyers. A source told The Times the problem stemmed from issues on the ground. He said pilots and flight attendants have raised concerns about low salaries. He described the waves of flight cancellations as “unbelievable,” and urged Cebu Pacific to address its employees’ issues instead of “making so many alibis.” Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) spokesman Allan Tanjusay said Wednesday the group was coordinating with JWAP regarding the matter. JWAP is affiliated with TUCP, an umbrella of worker unions. “The union will negotiate for better wages and benefits, better working conditions, and better terms under the existing labor policies and regulations to improve … working climate
that would benefit the interests of both the union members and the management,” TUCP President Raymond Mendoza was quoted as saying in a statement issued on April 21. The Department of Transportation had also stepped into the issue. “I have talked with CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board), MIAA (Manila International Airport Authority) and CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) to look into the matter,” Transportation chief Arthur Tugade said in a television interview on Wednesday. “While we’d like to understand the present predicament of Cebu Pacific in relation to their internal requirements, they should equally understand our mandate of making sure that the traveling public is safe, secure and convenient,” he added. ■
UP enters top 100 universities in THE Asia rankings
MANILA — The University of the Philippines is among the top 100 in unversities in Asia after placing 95th in the 2019 Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings. This is the first time that UP entered the top 100 although it has been in the THE rankings since 2017. “UP soared 61 places from its 156th position in 2018 to sit in the upper 23 percent of 417 universities from 27 countries for 2019. It is one of only five universities from Southeast Asia in the top 100, with two from Singapore and the other two from Malaysia. UP remains the highest ranked university from the Philippines,” the university
said in a press release. According to the THE website, the Asia University Rankings 2019 use the same 13 performance indicators used in the world rankings, “but they are recalibrated to reflect the attributes of Asia’s institutions.” “ T h e u n i v e r s i t i e s a re judged across all their core missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook – to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons available,” THE also said. It also noted that UP has 9.7 students per staff and a female-to-male ratio of 53:47. UP was in the top 600 in the 2019 THE world Univer-
sity rankings, up from the 601-800 bracket in 2018 and 801-1,000 bracket in 2017. “Earlier this year, Londonbased THE also published the rankings for universities in emerging economies where UP made a 79-place leap to 87th, and in the Asia-Pacific region where UP edged into the 101-110 bracket from 150-160 in the previous year,” UP said. “For the fifth year running, UP was in the top 100 of the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) Asia University Rankings, holding the 72nd spot in 2019. The rankings published by British company QS are also among the most recognized in the world,” it added. (Philstar.com)
China’s place in today’s world
PAGE 7 dreamed about, available at cheap prices to poor people in low-income countries. China’s rise, on the whole, has been good for world capitalism. And, perhaps, no one knows this better than the big capitalist conglomerates themselves that saw their profits rise beyond imagination when they started relocating segments of their production to China. China was no fool to merely allow foreign companies to exploit its cheap labor. It saw in this the opportunity to learn new techniques of production, to transfer technology and to gain access to new markets.
But, while it has phenomenally succeeded in actualizing its vision of the Chinese future, the country continues to grapple with image problems. And these pertain not only to the Chinese state, but also to its people. Flush with cash and eager to see the world outside, mainland Chinese are only beginning to learn the norms of international travel. Their reputation for unruly behavior precedes them. These perceptions do not die easily. They manifest themselves in nearly every public opinion survey. Like the almost blanket trust they reserve to the United States,
Filipinos’ distrust for China is axiomatic and unexamined. Of all the unconventional positions President Duterte has taken, it is his declared pivot to China that is potentially the costliest in political terms. That public approval of his presidency remains high despite his obsequious pro-Chinese pronouncements only shows the public’s general indifference to foreign-policy issues. But the moment Filipinos begin to feel that mainland Chinese are taking over their neighborhoods and their jobs, the political equation could change overnight. (Inquirer. net)
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COMMUNITY Journal
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Employer-sponsored green cards are still available despite H2-B ban Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ RECENTLY, the USCIS “de-listed� (or banned) Filipinos from applying for the seasonal/temporary H-2B visa. (This visa allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary nonagricultural jobs, such as housekeepers at hotels during the busy summer season.) However, this ban DOES NOT APPLY to Filipinos seeking green cards through the labor certification or PERM process. That avenue for green cards or legalization is still available to Filipinos, as long as it is a legitimate job opportunity and you follow the rules and abide by the law. The USCIS and U.S. Em-
bassy concluded that Filipinos were abusing and/or being abused under the H2B program: • The Philippines has a high H-2B overstay rate, where nearly 40% of H-2B visa holders from the Philippines overstayed their visa and went TNT. • Nearly 40% of the worldwide visas for family members of victims of trafficking (T-visas) were from Filipinos who came to the U.S. as H-2B visa holders and then claimed they were victims of trafficking. In other words, DHS and DOS are now concerned about the high volume of trafficking victims from the Philippines who were originally issued H-2B visas and then became victims of trafficking. So, it appears it is not safe for Filipinos to apply for H-2B visas, as so many claim they were abused. • “The Philippines’ continued inclusion creates the potential for abuse, fraud, and other harm to the integ-
rity of the H-2A or H-2B visa programs.� It also may be that many Filipinos were taking advantage of these programs by entering the U.S. on an H-2B visa but violating the visas by overstaying, and then in an attempt to remain in the U.S., made up stories about being abused or trafficked, so they can remain in America and bring their family from the Philippines to join them. However, even though Filipinos are banned from applying for an H-2B visa (except on a case by case exception), they can still apply for green cards under labor certification or PERM. In fact, I have had several Filipinos consult with me, who were eligible to be petitioned by an employer, but mistakenly thought they were now banned from doing so. That is not true. Filipinos can still be petitioned for green cards through an employer. The basic rePAGE 12
A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE THAT INCLUDED RETROGRESSION OF PRIORITY DATES, AGING OUT, AND THE FATHER SUCCUMBING TO CANCER JUST BEFORE VISA ISSUANCE ON THIS SUNDAY’S “CITIZEN PINOY�! In July 2007, Raffy’s mother adjusted status in the U.S., hoping to immediately bring her husband and son, Raffy (left) to the U.S. from the Philippines. However, her priority date retrogressed (moved backwards) and the wait stretched for years. Several setbacks occurred, including further retrogression of the priority dates, Raffy aging out, and Raffy’s father being diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately he passed away in the Philippines without seeing his American dream come true. Raffy’s mother then retained the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel, who took over the case from two previous attorneys, who were not taking active steps to move the case forward. Watch how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to convince the Embassy to reconsider Raffy’s denial, showing he qualified under the Child Status Protection Act, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy� – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
Asia Society names Discover, BuzzFeed, and KPMG as the Best Employers for Asian Pacific Americans in 2019
NEW YORK, April 16, 2019 — Asia Society has named Discover Financial Services, Inc. as the “Overall Best Employer� for their efforts in promoting and developing Asian Pacific American (APA) talent, with recognition for “distinguished performance� given to the leading independent digital media company BuzzFeed and professional services firm KPMG LLP. Asia Society will present the awards to all the winning employers on May 15 in New York City at the 2019 Best Companies for Asian Pacific Americans Awards Ceremony and Dinner, held in conjunction with Asia Society’s 2019 Diversity & Marketing Leadership Summit. Previously known as the Diversity Leadership Forum (DLF), the Summit has expanded to a
two-day conference that looks at unleashing innovation and capturing market opportunities through powering Asian talent, consumers, and investors in the US and Asia. “We launched this summit a decade ago to shine a light on the challenges and opportunities Asian Pacific Americans face in the workplace,� said Tom Nagorski, Asia Society’s Executive Vice President. “While challenges for APA employees persist, we’ve also seen real progress being made by Fortune 500 and other multinational companies, both in creating an
inclusive workplace for APA employees, as well as providing opportunities for APAs to advance into leadership positions. Asia Society commends all of this year’s winners for their commitment in these areas, and we hope that others will follow their lead.� The “Overall Best Employer for Asian Pacific Americans� award recognizes companies that exhibit excellence in all of the other award areas. “At Discover, we are passionate about fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment PAGE 12
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MAY 3-9, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
Community Journal
Asia Society names Discover, BuzzFeed...
PAGE 11 for all our employees, and believe diversity and inclusion leads to stronger innovation, growth, and success,” said Sara Breyfogle, executive sponsor of the Asian Professionals employee resource group at Discover. “This recognition from the Asia Society reflects our ongoing commitment to encourage diversity in the workplace.” Both BuzzFeed and KPMG are once again recognized this year. Having only joined the survey last year, BuzzFeed is again commended for their work, especially for promoting APAs into leadership positions. Meanwhile, KPMG is also named the best employer for sponsorship and the development of workforce skills for Asian Pacific Americans. KPMG has been recognized as an award winner in each of the last eight years. “At KPMG, diversity and inclusion are core values as we recognize that all of our people’s backgrounds and experiences help our organization grow, thrive and drive innovative outcomes, ” said Michele Meyer-Shipp, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at KPMG. “KPMG is honored to again be recognized by the Asia Society for having an inclusive, supportive culture where Asian Pacific Americans can develop and build great careers.” As part of BuzzFeed’s efforts to support APAs in leadership positions and enrich the overall employee experience for APAs, BuzzFeed’s Asian-affinity ERG, A*FAMILY, hosts professional development series for its members. Dao Nguyen, BuzzFeed’s Publisher and executive sponsor of A*FAMILY, says the ERG also offers programming that extends beyond BuzzFeed and incorporates the larger APA community. “We’ve highlighted prominent Asian talent by inviting guest speakers to BuzzFeed, celebrated key cultural moments like Diwali, and supported both local initiatives and international fundraisers. Our diverse programming gives APA employees a ton of opportunities to engage with our cultures and foster community at BuzzFeed,” said Nguyen. AT&T and PepsiCo were noted for demonstrating innovative practices in a new category that was added to the awards process this year: Best Company Marketing to Asian Pacific American Consumers and Investors. “We are again thrilled and
honored to be recognized by Asia Society, especially in this new marketing category,” said Corey Anthony, SVP-HR and chief diversity officer at AT&T. “We appreciate the individuality, culture, and heritage of each of our customer segments and try to reflect that in our advertising, marketing and sponsorships throughout the year. This honor – with those we’ve received from Asia Society in the past for our talent pipeline and mentoring – shows the depth and consistency of our diversity strategy and impact of our efforts.” “PepsiCo is committed to creating smiles for our consumers and customers by offering them unique moments. Delighting different consumer cohorts such as Asian Pacific Americans with our products and making their lives more enjoyable through every sip and bite is our aim. Our power is in the diversity of our associates who drive the innovation, design and messaging of our products and brands through data and insights. We are grateful for this recognition from Asia Society,” said Umran Beba, Chief Global Diversity & Engagement Officer at PepsiCo. The results are part of Asia Society’s 10th Annual Asian Corporate Survey, which honors employers for their achievements in promoting diversity and the quality of their APA workforce initiatives. The annual survey measures the experience of Asian Pacific Americans at Fortune 500 and other large companies, with over 2,500 employees participating in the 2019 survey. It is part of Asia Society’s efforts to showcase the expanding influence of Asian Pacific American workers in the economy and how employers are responding. Finalists and winners are chosen based on a combination of employee survey results (80 percent) and scores from a blind panel of expert judges (20 percent). Employees of Asia Society are not involved in the awards decisions. Below is the full list of 2019 Best Companies for Asian Pacific Americans award winners. Overall Best Employer for Asian Pacific Americans Winner: Discover Distinguished Performance: BuzzFeed, KPMG Main Categories: Best Employer for Sponsorship and Development of Workforce Skills for APAs Winner: KPMG Distinguished Performance: Chevron, Discover
Best Employer for Promoting APAs into Leadership Positions Winner: BuzzFeed Distinguished Performance: Colgate-Palmolive, Credit Suisse Best APA Employee Resource Groups Winner: Chevron Distinguished Performance: Cigna, Grant Thornton Best Company Marketing to APA Consumers and Investors Winner: AT&T Distinguished Performance: PepsiCo, PG&E Best Employer for Promoting APA Women Winner: BNY Mellon Distinguished Performance: Credit Suisse, Marriott Best Employer for LGBT Asian Employees Winner: Goldman Sachs Distinguished Performance: Marriott, BNY Mellon Most Innovative Practice Citations: Recruitment and Selection Grant Thornton (Best of the Best); BuzzFeed; KPMG; Goldman Sachs Retention KPMG (Best of the Best); Goldman Sachs Employee Growth & Advancement Goldman Sachs (Best of the Best); KPMG Profit & Loss Leadership Development Chevron (Best of the Best); Boston Scientific APA Employee Resource Groups KPMG (Best of the Best); Discover Marketing to APA Consumers & Investors AT&T, PepsiCo (tied—Best of the Best); Marriott; PG&E Promoting APA Women Medtronic (Best of the Best); AT&T LGBT Asian Employees: Grant Thornton (Best of the Best); Discover; BNY Mellon About Asia Society Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to address a range of challenges facing Asia and the rest of the world. Asia Society has cultural centers and public buildings in New York, Hong Kong, and Houston, and offices in Los Angeles, Manila, Mumbai, Tokyo, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Washington, D.C., and Zurich. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, Asia Society provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration between Asia and the world. (Advertising Supplement)
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS IS fasting healthy? Fasting results in drop in blood sugar during the fast and spike of the glucose level on resumption of food intake. It is best for our blood sugar to be on even keel at most times, instead of fluctuating because other hormones in the body negatively reacts to yoyo changes. Omitting a meal a day or eating half of your usual caloric intake (depending on your target weight) is safer, unless you are a diabetic who is on a daily computed caloric intake. Another strategy is to eat nothing but vegetables and fruits 2-3 times a week (or every other day) and drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. This will also act as a colon/body cleansing regimen, without having to buy those unsafe and expensive pills, drinks, or enemas for colon cleansing. Reducing or eliminating rice, bread, sweets and other carbohydrates from our diet is the healthy way to go. We have enough carbohydrates in many vegetables and fruits. Low-carb (high protein) diet is in. How to find out if you have immunity? People who do not know
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Practical health tips if they had been vaccinated or if they had the contagious disease in the past and want to find out if they have immunity to that particular disease, especially for travelers and those who know they would be exposed to infectious illnesses, could have their titer tested. The titer measures the antibody for specific disease (like measles, mumps, rubella, etc.). Antibodies, called immunoglobulins are Y-shaped protein molecules produced by our body to help protect us against foreign elements called antigens (like vaccines or past exposure to the disease). Antigens stimulate our immune system to manufacture antibodies, which prevent us from catching the disease. Why B-12 and Folic acid for GERD patients? Patients with GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), where the sphincter (a valve) between the esophagus (food pipe) and the stomach has lost its ability to “shut the valve watertight,” and remains loose or open, allow gastric acids to go up to the food pipe causing burning mid-abdominal pain and irritation/scarring. While the stomach secretes hydrochloric acid to help in digesting food, the food pipe in unable to tolerate acid. GERD patients are pre-
scribed Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) drugs to control the acid production. With less acid, the absorption of vitamin B-12 ND Folic Acid is reduced, so physicians add B-12 and Folic Acid to the therapy for these patients. How can a non-smoker get COPD? COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), is a very common condition, which afflicts cigarette smokers, those exposed to secondary smoke, and environmental and occupational toxic agents. COPD is an adaptive inflammatory immune reaction to exposure to toxic particles, fumes, gases, especially in cigarettes. All these lead to inflammation, thickening, narrowing, mucus production, and on-and-of spasms of the breathing pipes and ballooning and thinning of the air sacs (emphysema) of the lungs destroying their ability for normal gas exchange (absorbing oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide). But COPD could also be due to constant stomach acids regurgitating (flowing up) into the breathing pipes, seen among those with GERD, especially when lay down. The acid-insult over time causes COPD. How does bed-elevation help GERD patients? PAGE 15
Employer-sponsored green cards... PAGE 11 quirements are: • A financially stable employer in the U.S. with a real job position, where the alien will work once they obtain their green card. It need not be a Fortune 500 company. It can even be a six-bed board and care facility, sole proprietorship, etc. Typically, the net income on the employer’s tax return should equal the alien’s salary in order to demonstrate an employer’s “ability to pay” the wage. • An alien who is qualified for the particular job position either through education or experience. It need not be a college-level job. In fact, caregivers are also eligible for green cards through employer sponsorship, and right now it takes about the same amount of time as professional or skilled workers (approximately 2-3 years.). • The employer must first make a good-faith effort to
locate qualified U.S. workers for the job. If there is no qualified U.S. worker ready, willing, and able to perform the job duties, the job can be “certified” for the alien. Even if a person is out of status, they may still be eligible to get a green card if they were grandfathered under section 245(i) or qualify for a provisional waiver. Therefore, if you believe you are eligible, or know someone (such as a relative in the Philippines) who may be eligible, and there is an employer who willing to sponsor the alien, you should consult with an attorney, who can evaluate the case and assist in processing it. But don’t miss out on a green card through an employer based on the H2B ban, as it does not apply to labor certification green cards. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member
of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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Shifting to self-care: A nurse’s guide to well-being
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BY
RAE ANN VARONA / AJPRESS
HIS year, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has chosen the Nurses Week (May 6-12) tagline of “Four Million Reasons to Celebrate” to be an ode to the nation’s 4 million registered nurses who daily represent the nation’s healthcare system and dedicate themselves to providing quality care all clinical settings. According to the ANA, nurses make up the largest group of health care professionals in the nation and it’s no doubt that Filipinos make up a large number of the profession. In California alone, 20% of registered nurses are said to be Filipino. For 17 consecutive years, nurses have been ranked as having the m o s t honest and ethical profession as a testament to their role and impact both in and
outside hospital settings. But despite their hard work, many compromise their own personal health in doing so. It isn’t uncommon for example, to hear of nurses working over their 12-hours shifts, or keeping themselves on-call in case they’re needed in the hospital. A 2015 report by the American Journal of Nursing pointed to a number of studies unsurprisingly showing that nurses who work extended hours of 12 or more
hours in a 24-hour day or over 40 hours in a week, are less likely than the general population to have an adequate amount of quality sleep. Lack of sleep combined with long hours shifts, the report added, have been found to be associated with health problems that not only affect performance or memory, but contribute to diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. The ANA in 2014 made it a point to release a statement to nurses and their employers “to carefully consider the need for adequate rest and sleep when deciding
whether to offer or accept work assignments, including on-call, voluntary, or mandatory overtime.” Anita Nacion-Vita, the Filipina American registered nurse (RN) behind the new Nurses Rise wellness service, experienced the stresses of the job firsthand. As a result, she often experienced burnout syndrome, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and other symptoms of “workaholism.” As a former night shift worker, there was also insomnia, and the regular need for caffeine, sugar, and sleeping aids. Coping with stress outside of work, there
Anita Nacion-Vita
was shopping, excessive drinking, partying and TV binge-watching. “I thought I had to have it all together all the time, which led to all the suffering I endured. I used to feel that taking breaks would cut into my time for charting and make me fall behind. There were times I took them feel-
ing guilt and shame,” Nacion-Vita shared with the Asian Journal. “What I didn’t realize was that breaks are there for reason. They’re meant for us to fill up again and finish the rest of our shift with more energy and ease and less anxiety,” added Nacion-Vita. PAGE 15
Exporting care: The history of Filipino nurses in the United States By NATHALIE
AJPress
ROBLES
A VAST majority of Filipinos are seen to dominate the field of nursing in the United States, with registered nurses (RNs) making up the largest segment of the country’s health care workforce. Many often attribute such numbers to the common notion that those who hail from the Philippines are hospitable and accommodating. However, beyond that reputation lies a clearer explanation of how the Pearl of the Orient Seas seemingly exported care to the hands of Uncle Sam. In the Philippines, an average RN commonly earns only around five percent of the
salary that the U.S. can offer, with an average of P170,960 ($3,301) per year, PayScale reported. From 2012 to 2017, 92,277 nurses left the Philippines in search of opportunities abroad, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency. Others would argue that in the United States, RNs could earn more in a day than they’d make in a month back home. The average annual salary of RNs in the United States was $73,550 in 2017 — about $35.36 per hour. The employment of Filipino nurses in the United States was made more convenient due to the colonial relationship shared by the two countries from 1899 until 1942
during the Japanese occupation but it wasn’t until 1946 when the Philippines was granted independence by the U.S. During the American occupation, several programs ultimately led to the surge of Filipino nurses in the U.S. Pensionado Act of 1903 A sudden need for local health care professionals led the U.S. Army to recruit Filipinos to work as Volunteer Auxiliary and Contract Nurses. Filipinos were sent to the United States as government-funded scholars otherwise known as pensionados. They included those pursuing a nursing degree in the said recruitment. Some of those who stayed for employment as nurses in the
U.S. established the Philippine Nurses Association of New York in 1928. As pensionado nurses returned to the Philippines, they helped set up and manage the 17 nursing schools that were established in the country from 1903 until 1940. Due to this, most of those who finished their nursing education were inspired to fly to the United States since they can do so with little restrictions. Filipino nurses were considered “U.S. nationals” and even traveled with U.S. passports. Exchange Visitor Program of 1948 As the U.S. State Department set up an Exchange PAGE 15
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Features
Practical health tips...
PAGE 12 Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease is very common. The prevalence of GERD in North America is about 18.1 to 27.8 percent; Europe, 8.8 to 25.9 percent; East Asia, 2.5 to 7.8 percent; Middle East, 8.7 to 33.1 percent; Australia, 11.6 percent; and South America, 23 percent. Besides avoiding spicy foods and medications, one very practical and helpful strategy is elevating the head part of the bed to prevent the acid in the stomach from flowing upward to the esophagus. This could be achieved by using two bed risers (6-8 inches tall) placed under the feet at the head end of the bed, or by using a wedge pillow, or buying a bed with mechanical or motorized head-elevation feature, as in hospital beds. Using multiple pillows does not work as well, since movements during sleep could dislodge the pillows. Placing books with cardboard on top, under the mattress could also help. Does CPAP use save lives? Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) was first recognized in 1965, one of the greatest advances in the history of Sleep Medicine. OSA is caused by an anatomical blockage of the airway behind the throat which also produces snoring.
Not all snorers have OSA. The blockage leads to breathholding which occurs 50-100 times or more a night, depriving the person with a normal level of oxygen. Their sleep is repeatedly interrupted by sudden awakening, gasping for breath, disturbing bed partners also. The patient feels tired during the day, sleepy, a dangerous vehicle driver and machine operator, has poor concentration, obviously sleep-deprived. Over time, this frequent lack of oxygen during sleep increases the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Some reported unexplained deaths, or heart attack, during sleep could be due to OSA. There are millions of unsuspected and undetected OSA. When the Sleep Study confirms the diagnosis of OSA, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment is the gold standard, the ONLY effective one, together bronchodilator inhalation, where needed. Early diagnosis and treatment with CPAP are a life saver. Medicare and most health insurance plans cover the services of a Pulmonologist, the Sleep Study, and the CPAP machine and its accessories. OSA, a dangerous condition, is nothing to snore about. When should colonosco-
py be done? Cancer of the colon is a dreaded killer. It is a recommendation that screening colonoscopy be done at age 50. If this scope does not show any tumor (adenomas or cancer), the next colonoscopy should be in ten years. If low-risk adenomas are present in the colon, the followup scope is done in 5 years. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force stated that colonoscopy could be done up to age 75. If findings are normal, it is not recommended to be done after that age. If adenomas are found, the next scope is in 5 years. Eating vegetables and fruits at least 3 times a week and minimizing red read, not eating processed meats at all, quitting cigarettes, abstinence or moderation in alcohol intake, and doing low impact physical exercise at least 5 days a week, will lower the risk for most diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and cancer. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
Exporting care: The history... PAGE 14 Visitor Program to “combat Soviet propaganda,” more nurses from the Philippines availed of the opportunity. The Philippines and the United States settled on an agreement that highlighted the importance of financing educational and cultural exchanges. A large percentage of the exchange visitors came from the Philippines, and many of them were nurses or nursing students. 1965 amendments in the U.S. immigration laws Immigration laws were liberalized to allow Filipino nurses and other professionals to immigrate to the U.S. The said amendments permitted Filipino nurses to come to the U.S. on tourist visas without pre-arranged employment, allowing them to adjust their status once they set foot in the U.S. During this period, the number of nursing schools in the Philippines soared from 17 in 1940 to 170 in 1990 to more than 429 at the present
time. Many of these nursing schools were diploma mills exploiting the desire of many Filipinos to enter the nursing profession. However, the lax regulation resulted in a problem since only 15-20 percent of the Filipino nurses who immigrated to the U.S. after 1965 could pass the state nursing board exams. As a resolution, the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) was established in 1977 to prevent the exploitation of graduates of foreign nursing schools who come to the United States to work as nurses but who couldn’t pass the nursing board exams in the U.S. Today, there are many steps one must pass through in order to become a licensed nurse in the United States, even if they are licensed back in the Philippines. The process includes: meeting educational requirements, such as graduating from an accredited RN program abroad and showing at
least two years of work experience in your home country; and then applying to a state’s Board of Nursing and taking the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN), which may include an English language proficiency test. Once licensed, the job search begins through a nursing recruitment agency or U.S. employer. Nurses can then apply for a U.S. visa after receiving a job offer. From January to March of this year, 2,890 Philippineeducated nurses have taken the NCLEX in the U.S. Last year, a total of 10,302 Filipino nurses took the test, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). History suggests that the Philippines and the U.S. are linked beyond the nurses that step in to fill the latter country’s demand for that special health care. The connection between the two countries continues to show itself in the present day.
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 3-9, 2019
Shifting to self-care: A nurse’s...
PAGE 14 “You can’t go 100% from start to finish. It is not sustainable.” Wanting to make a change, Nacion-Vita made it a point to be an advocate for selfcare for nurses. She shared with the Asian Journal some of her personal tips for finding balance and personal well-being. Meditate “Meditation is my number one tip. It’s free and can be done in as little as five to 15 minutes,” said Nacion-Vita. As night shift worker especially, Nacion-Vita like many, found herself in a cycle of not getting enough rest on her days off, struggling to stay awake during the day, and relying on coffee and sleep aids just to find a rhythm. “It made me feel like I was always in fog,” she said. “My sleep was broken up into a nap session, versus sleeping a full six to eight hours a day.” But through meditation, she was able to get the relaxation and freedom she needed. She shared five simple steps, starting with creating a quiet environment free of distractions. “Go to a quiet place where you are not to be disturbed for at least five minutes,” said Nacion-Vita. She added that playing instrumental spa music was one easy way to really get into the setting. After finding a preferred environment comes body positioning: “Sit in a position power. Feet flat on the ground. Back is slightly curved, not rigid. Shoulders rolled back and relaxed. Hands with palms facing downwards to ‘ground’ your energy.” Next comes setting your intention: “Spiritual quality such as love, kindness, it is whatever you want to focus on and receive from your meditation. Close your eyes and start to arrive and start to let go of external stimuli.” Breath: “Allow your breath to guide you. Take an initial cleansing deep breath to start. Inhale for four seconds. Hold it at the top for four seconds and then exhale all of your breath for four seconds. Then do this sequence again with equal and even breaths for two rounds. Then do the last one just as the same as the first one. A cleansing closing breath. Take the deepest breath you have ever taken from the week and day.” The final step is express-
ing gratitude: “Honor and thank yourself for showing up for yourself. Give thanks for the gifts you are receiving from meditation.” End your meditation session by pausing and taking three more slow and deep breaths. Exercise Nacion-Vita also found regular exercise to be a big help in increasing her blood flow and waking up her body. One of the programs offered by Nacion-Vita’s group is a Mindfulness Running Program that includes group runs by the beach. Being an avid runner, she picked up running to combat the fact that she was always very sleepy. She eventually set a goal to run a half marathon, and made running a part of her regular routine. “It kept me on a good routine to move my body, which also added the benefit of getting better sleep and quick bursts of energy during my working hours,” said NacionVita. Make the most out of breaks “Take breaks without guilt or shame,” said Nacion-Vita, adding that breaks are a great time to put in a meditation session, getting blood flowing, and just setting aside time to fully recharge. She also recommends stepping away from the workspace and making a change of environment to help shift energy in a better direction. “Maybe go to the courtyard if you have access to one, go for a walk, or go anywhere outside your usual setting,” said Nacion-Vita. Unable to get out? Nacion-Vita shared that just getting up and walking laps around the unit floor make a difference. Other easy things that can be done during breaks are listening to music that uplifts and relaxes, or using essential oils. “I can easily shift my mood from chaos to calm with essential oils,” said NacionVita, who brings a small bottle with her wherever she goes. Her personal favorite that is recommended for relaxation is lavender. Take the opportunity to recharge off duty Perhaps more important than resting during break time is resting when off the work shift. A self-care rhythm is a great place to start, said Nacion who has a three-step “Release, Refuel, and Renew” method to clear energy and fuel back up. Starting with the release
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step, the Fil-Am nurse suggests letting go of the things that no longer serve you through again, meditation, but also through things like writing and journaling, working out, or dancing and singing to move negative energy out through the body. Next comes refueling. “Nourish yourself,” said Nacion-Vita. “Eat delicious and nutritious food that fuels your heart and soul. Keep brownies and processed foods to a minimum no matter how tempting. All in moderation. Hydrate. Take a mindful shower or bath honoring your body and what it does for you in a state of gratitude and thanksgiving.” Finally comes the renewal step. “Once you are all filled up, you begin again. From this space you are able to go about your day and tackle the next task at hand in a harmonious way,” said Nacion. “Connect with yourself and loved ones and do something joyful and playful.” Find a community of fellow nurses Joining a community of like-hearted nurses that support and lift each other up is something all nurses could benefit from, according to Nacion-Vita. Unable to find a supportive community that was focused on nurses was what ultimately led her to create Nurses Rise. Nurses Rise looks to bring balance to the healthcare paradigm through being a safe place for nurses to connect with each other and learn skills in overcoming the stresses that the nursing profession encounters. “Rise” is an acronym for “Reclaim Intuitive Strength and Empowerment.” “The vision of Nurses Rise is to redefine that paradigm by expressing one’s unique healing potential to become an empowered healer,” said Nacion-Vita. She hopes that by realizing the importance of selfcare, nurses would be able to better show up for family and patients without having to compromise their own health and well-being. Her program includes personal one-on-one coaching, workshops, and retreats. “Nurses are at the forefront of healing, so we must practice what we preach. We have been trained to take care of everyone else except no one has showed us how to do it for ourselves,” said Nacion-Vita. “It is our duty and responsibility to serve from our highest good.”
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