MAY 28-31, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 42 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages
Congress proclaims Marcos,Duterte as PH’s new leaders by JEANNETTE
I. ANDRADE, JULIE M. AURELIO Inquirer.net
MANILA — Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was proclaimed as the country’s 17th president on Wednesday, May 25, 36 years and three months since his family hastily evacuated Malacañang
Palace after the fall of his father’s dictatorship, bringing both the hope of unity to the nation and the fears of a return to strongman rule. His running mate, Davao City
15TH VP. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (left) and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco proclaim the newest Philippine duly elected Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Wednesday, May 25. Following Congress’ canvassing of votes for the presidential and vice presidential elections, Duterte-Carpio became the country's 15th vice president. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Mayor Sara Duterte also was proclaimed vice president. Marcos, 64, and Duterte, 43, won the May 9 elections, in a stunning landslide victory, with more than double the number of votes received by their closest rivals. The official canvassing by Congress, acting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), was completed after just a little over 15 hours with 98.84 percent, or 171 out of 173 certificates of canvass (COCs), containing a total of 53,815,484 votes. First called to the podium of the plenary hall of the House Representatives to be proclaimed winner was Duterte, who was without a family member to accompany her as she received the certificate of her victory at the polls from Senate President Vicente Sotto III, one of her opponents in the vice presidential race, and Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. She shook hands and bumped fists with lawmakers who congratulated her on her way back to her seat beside Marcos. Minutes later, Marcos was called. He was accompanied to the rostrum by his wife Liza, son
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PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (left) and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (3rd from right) proclaimed President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as the winner of the May 9 elections during a joint session of Congress in Batasan Hills, Quezon City on Wednesday, May 25. Marcos is joined by sister Senator Imee Marcos (2nd from left), mother and former first lady Imelda Marcos (3rd from left), wife Liza Araneta-Marcos (right of president-elect), son Joseph Simon (behind his mother), sister Irene Marcos-Araneta (2nd from right), and cousin House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Marcos open to possibility of Duterte as his anti-drug czar PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is open to the possibility of President Rodrigo Duterte serving in his administration as "anti-drugs czar." "If he wants to," the incoming leader said in an interview Thursday, May 26, disclosing that one of the Chief Executive's "requests" is for him to keep the anti-narcotics drive going in his "own way." Marcos clarified that there was no formal offer tendered to Duterte but that he will welcome any support when it comes to the government's continuing efforts to address the drug problem.
"We have not talked about it. But I am open to anyone who is able to help the government... So, I'm sure if he wants to play a part sasabihin naman niya sa akin (he will tell me). I am certainly open to that," noted Marcos. The Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs and drug syndicates was met with withering criticism by human rights advocates, both locally and abroad. The President's harsh stance against drug suspects is so controversial that it triggered a probe by the International Criminal Court (ICC) because of purported crimes against humanity. (Kristina Maralit/ManilaTimes.net)
LA County health officials urge vigilance ahead of Memorial Day weekend as COVID cases rise by AJPRESS
County residents are being encouraged to layer in safety measures to prevent the spreading of COVID. As summer vacation nears, the LA County Department of Health
is also pleading with students, staff and their families to likewise protect themselves to further mitigate the risk of the virus in school settings. The number of cases among students and staff has more than
doubled in one month. For the week ending May 15, there were a total of 5,918 positive cases at schools across the county, of which 4,723 were among students and 1,195 among PAGE A4
Kai Sotto ranked 49th in Sports Illustrated’s mock NBA draft PH scraps COVID-19 ‘Diplomatic push’ eyed for De Lima’s WITH cases and outbreaks remaining high and many opportunities over the Memorial Day Holiday to gather, Los Angeles
SLOWLY but surely, Filipino sensation Kai Sotto is gaining steam in his 2022 NBA Rookie Draft bid after cracking the Top 50 with still a month left before the draft proper. Sotto, the 7-foot-3 wunderkind, made it at No. 49 of the mock draft by prestigious outlet Sports Illustrated for the NBA draft proceedings on June 23 in Brooklyn, New York.
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PH envoy to US Romualdez clarifies he will remain serving as ambassador PHILIPPINE Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez will not be the country’s next secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs as he would still be the country’s envoy to its treaty ally. Romualdez himself dispelled rumors that he would be the country’s next top diplomat while on CNN Philippines’ “The Source” on Thursday,
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test rule for boosted release as case reaches US Senate anew inbound travelers by CHRISTINA
MARIE Inquirer.net
by GAEA
KATREENA CABICO
Inquirer.net
MANILA — Inbound travelers no longer need to undergo a pre-departure COVID-19 test provided they are fully vaccinated and have at least one booster shot, the Department of Tourism said on Friday, May 27. The new protocol will take effect on May 30. According to the DOT, the visitor must be at least 18 years old, and must have received the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and at least one booster shot. Also exempted from the pre-departure test requirement are the following: • Those aged 12 to 17 who have received their primary COVID-19 vaccines • Those aged below 12 and are traveling with fully vaccinated or boost DOT Secretary Bernadette Puyat said the PAGE A7 Detained Sen. Leila De Lima Philstar.com photo
RAMOS
MANILA, — A “diplomatic push” is being eyed for the release of Senator Leila De Lima as the case of her detention again surfaced in the United States Senate during a budget hearing. During the Thursday, May 26 U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing on the budget request of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for next year, Senator Richard Durbin asked USAID Administrator Samantha Power if she is familiar with De Lima, who has been detained for five years. Power answered in the affirmative, recalling writing a piece on De Lima when the Philippine senator was listed
in Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” in 2017. “She’s been imprisoned five years, [President Rodrigo] Duterte’s vengeance against her politically, now a new regime is on the way, is there anything more we can be doing to help her?” Durbin asked Power. In response, Power said that an incoming administration provides a “very good” opportunity for a “diplomatic push” for the release of the Philippine senator. “I think with a new government that itself wasn’t invested in the prior decision to arrest Madam De Lima, it seems like a very good occasion to make a diplomatic push and that I think the ones that are the most effective are executive and PAGE A5
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FROM THE FRONT PAGE
READY FOR F2F CLASSES. Gavriella Samantha Ilagan, 9, receives her first dose of Pfizer vaccine inside the Vista Mall in Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Wednesday, May 25. The girl’s mother said her child needs to be vaccinated to be protected against COVID-19 and as required by the school before the opening of face-to-face classes this August. PNA photo by Gil Calinga
Congress proclaims Marcos,Duterte... PAGE A1 Simon, and sisters Irene and Sen. Imee Marcos. His frail 92-year-old mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, was assisted up the stage by his cousin, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez. Some in the audience chanted “BBM! BBM,” the shortcut for his nickname, Bongbong Marcos, which became popular during the campaign. Smooth transition In a statement, Malacañang assured Marcos of a smooth and peaceful transition of power. Acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said the proclamation of Marcos and Duterte marked “another historic milestone in our political life as a nation underscoring that we are, indeed, a showcase and beacon of democracy in this part of the world.” “As both leaders are about to embark on the responsibilities and challenges of their respective offices, we reiterate our call for our people to stand behind our newly elected leaders,” Andanar said. There was no personal congratulatory statement from President Rodrigo Duterte himself. The canvass showed Marcos getting 31,629,783 votes, or 58.77 percent of votes counted, against his main rival, Vice President Leni Robredo who garnered 15,035,773 votes. Duterte received 32,208,417
votes, or 61.33 percent of the votes counted, trouncing Sen. Francis Pangilinan who had 9,329,207 votes. “What we have witnessed in the last local and national elections, for me, was one of the most credible, orderly, and peaceful elections in our nation’s history,” said Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who headed the senatorial panel in the NBOC. He pointed out that the country saw the highest number of votes cast in its election history with an 82 percent voter turnout. Majority president, VP It was the first time that Filipinos elected a majority president and vice president under the 1987 Constitution, he said. “In this election Presidentelect Bongbong Marcos and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte were truly rock stars,” he said. “However the greater task of the victors today is to unite our countrymen for nation-building. That begins today. This weighs heavily on their shoulders.” This is also the first time in Philippine history that the children of former presidents of the country will lead the nation as its President and Vice President. ‘For a reason’ And it is the first time in 18 years that a presidential aspirant and his candidate for vice president were elected since Gloria MacapagalArroyo and Noli de Castro won
the national elections in May 2004. Several petitions had been filed to block Marcos’ candidacy over his conviction for nonpayment and nonfiling of income tax, but these were all dismissed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). The petitioners are appealing the Comelec’s decision in the Supreme Court. Sotto, who placed third in the vice presidential race, congratulated both Marcos and Duterte. “You have been placed by God in this position for a reason,” he said in a speech at the proclamation ceremony. “May He lead you into your purpose and make you live it courageously. In every step you take, may God protect you.” In a longer congratulatory speech, Velasco said that “Congress bears witness to the unity of our country: a true partnership between the north and the south, that has become the unity of all corners of the country.” “The people have spoken decisively. This is not just your sweeping electoral victory for all Filipinos. This is a victory of our democracy,” he said. Questions about the search for more of the Marcos family’s ill-gotten wealth and the alleged human rights violations and numerous extrajudicial killings under the outgoing Duterte administration, among other PAGE A4
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Beloved Fil-Am restaurant co-owner shot dead in Oakland
BREAK TIME. Workers on their break time enjoy pares noodles from a food cart parked along Mindanao Avenue Extension in Quezon City on Wednesday, May 25. Pares is a beef brisket dish that is commonly paired with garlic rice or noodles. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
California schools try to outrace COVID outbreaks by MARK
KREIDLER Kaiser Health News
A fourth-grade camping trip led to one outbreak, a high school prom to another. But even with covid cases rising as schools head into the final stretch of the academic year, most California districts have not moved toward reinstating mask mandates. That stance has left many parents confused and concerned as they witness or hear about covid outbreaks among students after field trips and proms. Up and down California, school administrators are running out the clock, hoping to outrace the outbreaks. The Berkeley school system and a few others have reversed their mask-optional policies, and the San Diego district sent letters to parents warning that masks could be reinstated if cases continue to rise. But most districts — including those in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland — haven’t revisited their guidance as summer draws near. “I do not plan on making any new recommendations in the final three weeks of school,” Dublin Unified Superintendent Chris Funk told KHN, noting that the Alameda County Public Health Department lifted mandatory masking rules in classrooms more than two months ago. Among other factors, administrators are reluctant to expose districts to legal challenges. From the start, the attempt to create statewide covid protocols for schools was met with sometimes-fierce resistance. Some districts, many of them rural, ignored California’s school mask mandate. In February, the Roseville Joint Union High School District, which enrolls about 12,000 students in Placer and Sacramento counties, dropped the mask rule even as a statewide mandate remained in effect. Another reason that schools aren’t rushing back to masking, several administrators told KHN, is that even though cases are rising, most districts follow county guidelines that tie public health precautions to either the number of covid hospitalizations or the strain they would put on local health systems. Hospital admission rates tend to lag positive case rates by two weeks. Still, hospitalizations remain low for now, likely because of the availability of vaccines and antiviral treatments. “We should be past mask mandates, period,” said Dr. Jeanne Noble, who directs covid emergency response at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. She said that the virus no longer poses a significant health risk to young and vaccinated populations and that
people need to adjust to living with covid. That means taking a “test-to-treat” approach, she said, rather than trying to prevent transmission. The Biden administration is moving to a model where patients are tested and then treated with antiviral pills such as Pfizer’s Paxlovid or Merck’s molnupiravir to lower their risk of going to the hospital. “I know my advice sounds scary to many, but covid is here to stay,” Noble said. “That is the endgame.” That can be a tough sell for some parents. When 40 out of 100 fourth graders at Deterding Elementary in the San Juan Unified School District in Sacramento County contracted covid after sharing cabins during a sleep-away field trip, the school was overwhelmed by inquiries from parents of students in other grades wondering whether the health rules at school were about to change — and whether the fifth-grade camping trip, scheduled for June 1, would go on. It will, although the district will monitor local conditions and public health guidance, according to Raj Rai, the district’s communications director. Some parents were confused or upset by the news that the fifth grade trip would remain on schedule, even though the district was following county health recommendations. Melanie Allen, the Deterding principal, said such confusion has been a common theme during a school year marked by shifting public health guidelines. “Even though information was posted clearly by the district on the website, parents reached out constantly to school administrators to clarify next steps for exposure or positive results,” the principal wrote in an email to KHN. The rising case rates forced the Berkeley district to make a late reconsideration — it reinstated mandatory masking in classrooms from May 23 until the end of its school year, on June 3. Superintendent Brent Stephens noted in an update on the district’s website that in addition to the spiking student infection numbers, the district could find substitutes for only about half of its absent teachers. District administrators, he said, are working in classrooms to cover the shifts. The city’s chief public health officer strongly recommended the move back to mandatory masking. “As we are not a health agency, we must rely on these experts to guide us,” Stephens wrote. Very few of California’s more than 1,000 school districts have joined the Berkeley system in making such a decision. On May 16, school officials in Pacific
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Grove, near Monterey, ordered that masks be worn inside all classrooms by its roughly 2,000 students. Katrina Powley, the district nurse, said the district is one of the few that ties its masking policy to case rates in Monterey County. Therefore, when those rates moved from “low” to “moderate” transmission, a mask mandate was triggered. The board of trustees for the San Mateo Union High School
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OAKLAND — A popular coowner of a Filipino restaurant was killed in a shooting Wednesday night, May 18 in an East Oakland neighborhood. Jun Anabo, 39, co-owner of Lucky Three Seven, was shot dead by an unknown assailant as he was closing up for the day. Lucky Three Seven is a popular restaurant and community hub at Fruitvale and Brookdale avenues. It is known for its G-Fire chicken wings, “XL” lumpia, juicy longganisa and other Filipino dishes. Customers often line up around the block to wait for their orders. A friend said Anabo was closing up and was looking forward to his 40th birthday celebration on May 28. Anabo has an 11-year-old son. Oakland police officers found Anabo shot when they responded around 9:45 p.m. to the 2800 block of Brookdale, the same block as the restaurant, police said. An ambulance took him to a hospital,
Jun Anabo, 39, co-owner of Lucky Three Seven, was shot dead by an unknown assailant as he was closing up for the day. Photo from Gofundme
where he died, police said. Grieving family members, friends and customers set up a flower-filled memorial in front of the restaurant, which will remain
closed until further notice. The homicide is the 43rd of the year investigated by Oakland police. The CHP has investigated three fatal
PH, US sign maritime framework MANILA — The Philippines and the United States have signed a maritime framework to improve regional domain awareness and confront maritime challenges together. Admiral John Aquilino, chief of the U.S. IndoPacific Command, and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Andres Centino signed the Maritime Security (Bantay Dagat) Framework on Monday, May 23, at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters at Camp Smith in Hawaii.
Bantay Dagat, a Tagalog term that means “Guardian of the Sea,” is designed to enable a holistic, intergovernmental approach to maritime security through the interoperability of U.S. and Philippine maritime forces and option to include interagency organizations. The Philippines highlighted the U.S. role for peace and stability in Southeast Asia as Manila welcomed the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy, placing Southeast Asia at the center of the regional security architecture. (Philstar.com)
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PH envoy to US Romualdez clarifies he will remain... Kai Sotto ranked 49th in Sports Illustrated’s... PAGE A1
PAGE A1 May 26. “I’ve been told that so many times, sometimes, I’m beginning to believe it, but to be very honest about it… President-elect Marcos and I had a meeting and he told me that he was very pleased with how effective I have been in Washington DC,” Romualdez said. “He told me that he would like me to continue what I’ve been doing in Washington, with the relationship that we’ve been able to establish there.” There have been talks that Romualdez would be the next DFA secretary as his cousin, Marcos Jr., is taking his time to form his Cabinet. However, Romualdez said he is happy to retain his post as a Philippine ambassador based in Washington. Marcos Jr. has been proclaimed president-elect by Congress, garnering a record majority vote of over 31 million for the country’s top post, but even the partial and unofficial tally had shown him leading with a margin of over 16 million. U.S. President Joe Biden already extended his congratulations
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Toledo IV
to Marcos Jr. two weeks ago through a phone call. And while it remains unclear how Marcos Jr. would foster a relationship with the US as chief diplomat, considering a contempt order issued by the District Court of Hawaii in 1995 when he did not cooperate to compensate victims of late despot Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s martial law era, Romualdez said Marcos Jr. is well-equipped to handle the country’s relationship with the U.S. “He spent quite a bit of time
in the United States so he’s quite westernized in that sense,” he said. To recall, Marcos Jr. and his family were in exile in Hawaii from 1986 to 1991 after the People Power revolution. Meanwhile, Romualdez said that the country’s current agreements and treaties with the U.S. would be maintained. He floated the idea that the Visiting Forces Agreement might be revisited for improvement to ensure that it is “mutually beneficial for both our countries.” (Philstar.com)
Kai Sotto
Should the stars align for Sotto, he could see himself land with the Sacramento Kings who own the said pick. Curiously, Filipino mentor Jimmy Alapag is currently serving as assistant coach for the Stockton Kings, the G League affiliate squad of Sacramento. Sotto, son of former PBA cager Ervin, is vying to become the first Filipino homegrown player in the world's biggest basketball league, where FilipinoAmerican aces Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz and Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets are already in. In other international sports outlets like USA Today, Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, The Athletic and SB Nation, Sotto, however, is not included in the big board so far. From 99th last month, Sotto also dropped out of the ESPN's Top 100 as of now while rising to No. 102 from No. 113 in the NBA Draft Room big board. Sotto on Friday, May 27 posted a photo inside the Orlando Magic facility for a workout with more to come in the next weeks reportedly, including the New York Knicks. He just turned 20 years old this month after a solid campaign for Adelaide in the Australia NBL behind averages of 7.5 points and 4.4 rebounds to be crowned as the Fans' MVP. (John Bryan Ulanday/ Photo from Instagram/@kzsotto Philstar.com)
Congress proclaims Marcos,Duterte... PAGE A2 issues, will haunt the country’s top leaders. Activists and survivors of the martial law regime of Marcos’ father said they would closely watch his actions and promised to continue defending democratic rights and won’t allow them to be violated again. “We will not be muzzled,” vowed playwright Bonifacio Ilagan, who suffered severe torture during the dictatorship. Renato Reyes, secretary-general of Bayan, said the proclamation “completes” the restoration of the Marcoses and the extension of the Dutertes in power. There also could be attempts to invalidate the record of the dictatorship, but Ilagan said that it “would be messy” and would have to overturn a law enacted, that recognized and compensated more than 11,000 confirmed victims of martial law. “We hope and will be gladly surprised if they prove us wrong,” said Edre Olalia, president of the human rights lawyers’ group National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers. Allowed to return Prior to his presidential bid, Marcos served as a senator from 2010 to 2016 before he ran for vice president in May 2016 where he was defeated by Robredo with a narrow margin. His election
protest was thrown out by the Supreme Court. He first entered the political arena in 1980 at the age of 23 as vice governor of Ilocos Norte and later served as its governor until his father was ousted in the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution. They fled to Hawaii where his father died three years later. The Marcoses were allowed to return to the country in 1992 and Marcos was elected congressman representing Ilocos Norte’s second district. He also served as governor of the province for three consecutive terms, from 1998 up to 2007, when he was elected congressman anew and then won a seat in the Senate in 2010. Duterte followed in her father’s footsteps and became a lawyer and served as vice mayor and later mayor of Davao City. Her father has openly expressed his dislike for Marcos, calling him a spoiled child and a “weak leader” who carried “baggage.” President Duterte was deeply disappointed when his daughter decided to run as vice president as surveys last year showed she was ahead of Marcos. Canvassing hitches The speedy canvass was not without hitches. On the eve of the proclamation, the NBOC was forced to tally
election results from the provinces of Pampanga, Sultan Kudarat, and Surigao del Sur from photos submitted on the Viber messaging app because the documents were missing from the ballot boxes. In all three cases, it turned out that the provincial election supervisors of the three provinces had failed to insert the COCs into ballot boxes before they were transported to Congress for the canvassing. The vote totals from the three provinces amounted to a little over 2 million, not enough to change the outcome of the national elections, but disturbing enough that some lawmakers expressed concern that it could have disenfranchised a good number of voters. “They have only one job and one job to do … which is to insert the COCs of the province of the results of the president and vice president into the ballot box and deliver it to the Senate. One job and one job only!” said Zubiri, who was visibly displeased. Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said missing COCs were “not acceptable” and promised an investigation. Casquejo said the investigation would determine whether the lapses were “intentional or inadvertent” and the sanctions to be imposed on poll workers found to be accountable.
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DATELINE USA
‘Diplomatic push’ eyed for De Lima’s... PAGE A1 legislative branches together operating in unison. So we can follow up on that,” said Power, who also served as Washington’s top diplomat in the United Nations under the Obama administration. Durbin has repeatedly called for De Lima’s release together with other U.S. senators. In 2019, Durbin, together with Senator Patrick Leahy,
introduced an amendment to a budget bill that would deny U.S. entry to any Philippine official involved in the “wrongful imprisonment” of De Lima. This earned the ire of Duterte, who ordered that Durbin and Leahy be denied entry to the Philippines, with then presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo calling the two U.S. senators “imperious, uninformed and gullible
American legislators.” De Lima has been detained at the custodial center at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City since February 2017 over what she has repeatedly branded as “trumped-up” drug charges against her. Recently, two witnesses recanted their statements linking De Lima to the drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.
LA County health officials urge vigilance... PAGE A1
staff. A month prior, for the week ending April 17, there were 2,742 positive cases, of which 2,159 were among students and 583 among staff. School-associated outbreaks, where there is documented transmission among students and staff, remain high. For the week ending May 21, there were 16 outbreaks. Large outbreaks at a small number of schools have been associated with proms, school events and performances, and field trips, with cases per outbreak ranging from 25-80 among students and staff. While transmission in the community remains high, it is important to layer in additional protective measures, especially when gathering for end-of-school year events, to keep school communities as safe as possible. Public Health urges everyone to wear a well-fitting mask when indoors, especially at any indoor school or sporting events. Those attending large celebratory school events should test before attending, and if positive for COVID, remain home away from others. With vaccinations providing the best protection against illness and hospitalizations, parents are urged to make sure that they and their children are up-to-date on their vaccinations and boosters. This week, there are 221 school vaccine clinics scheduled. These sites offer pediatric doses and boosters for children ages five to eleven, along with vaccines and boosters for older children and adults. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved a single booster dose for children ages five through 11 years of age, at least five months after completing a primary series. Additionally, with Memorial
Day and the start of the summer travel season just around the corner, there are a few simple things that reduce the chance of getting or spreading COVID-19 while traveling. If you’re traveling domestically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that you get a COVID-19 test as close to the time of your departure as possible, regardless of your vaccination status. The test should be taken no more than three days before your departure. The CDC also recommends that you test after travel if your trip involved situations with greater risk of exposure such as being in crowded places or events while not wearing a wellfitting mask or respirator. Since most travel involves spending time in transit hubs, testing after travel is recommended for everyone by Public Health. Please remember that, while in LA County, everyone is required to be masked on public transit and indoor public transit corridors including airport terminals and train and subway stations. Students and staff who traveled or gathered with many other people during the holiday break are encouraged to test themselves before heading back to school next Tuesday. Many schools are distributing test kits to students this week to make it easier for students and staff to test. “I send my deepest sympathies and wishes of peace and comfort to the many families who have lost a loved one from COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “While we recognize that many children who test positive experience mild illness, national trends are showing increases in cases and hospitalization rates
for children and more concerns about long term impacts of even mild infection in children. We encourage parents, students, teachers, and staff, during this time of high transmission with the most infectious strains seen to date, to wear a mask when indoors and get vaccinated and boosted when eligible. For those who are asymptomatic and returning to school after an exposure to a known case, masking is required through Day 10 from the date of your last exposure, along with testing between days three and five. If we can all do our best to protect each other, and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness or death, we can safely celebrate the end of the school year and enjoy the beginning of summer.” Public Health on Thursday, May 26 reported six additional deaths and 4,202 new positive cases. Of the six new deaths reported today, one was between the ages of 65-79 and four were aged 80 years or older. Of the six newly reported deaths, one had an underlying health condition. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 32,101. Public Health has reported a total of 2,949,830 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County. The positivity rate is 3.8%. There are 410 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 11,983,725 individuals, with 22% of people testing positive. Residents can schedule an appointment to get vaccinated at VaccinateLACounty.com and go to the How to Get Vaccinated webpage, or call the COVID-19 information line at (833) 5400473 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. seven days a week.
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OPINION
FEATURES
No tolerance for corruption IT’S good to hear the incoming president saying he will not tolerate corruption in his administration. Corruption has become like a termite in this country, gnawing at the foundations until one day, if left unchecked, it can bring the house crumbling down. And the campaign against corruption will need extra effort to gain credibility under the second Marcos administration. This battle is won through leadership by example, and the incoming president will have to navigate a minefield to show that he can provide this kind of leadership. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be closely watched for signs of trying to influence the judiciary in the numerous cases still pending against his relatives and family friends in connection with unexplained wealth amassed during his late father’s long authoritarian rule. His mother Imelda, for one, is out on bail following her conviction by the Sandiganbayan on seven counts of corruption. The incoming president has said there will be no place for corruption under his watch, so he is carefully screening his appointments for the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue. President Duterte also made a similar promise, and he wasn’t saddled with a BIR demand letter for the payment of at least P23 billion in estate tax. Marcos Jr. will have to face
this issue squarely if he wants his anti-corruption campaign to be taken seriously and the BIR to collect the proper taxes. Beyond these cases, the Philippine bureaucracy suffers from structural weaknesses that facilitate corruption. The incoming administration will have to streamline processes across the bureaucracy to cut red tape and plug opportunities for graft. Then there are the politicians who are among the most brazen violators of anti-corruption laws, who collect kickbacks from government projects and supply contracts, who intercede for smugglers at Customs, and who are among the biggest tax evaders and money launderers. A number of them are bound to be supporters of the incoming administration. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reportedly wants to be judged by his actions rather than by those of his parents. Any sincere anti-corruption crusader in this country has his work cut out for him. If Bongbong Marcos Jr. shows himself to be this kind of crusader, it would be a genuine golden age for the country. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Texas school massacre proves how the sense of humanity among many Americans has deteriorated because of guns
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS HOW could an 18-year-old boy, who is not even of legal age to drink alcohol, be able to purchase a military-style assault weapon, storm into an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and massacre 19 children — between the ages of 9 to 11 — and two teachers? How could one of the child survivors ever recover from that trauma as she fought for her life by smothering her body with blood from her murdered friends and playing dead just so she would not be shot by this deranged shooter? How could the children who were trapped inside that school of terror, hiding from the gunman as they called 911 for help find healing, or would they be scarred for the rest of their lives? How could the parents who would have to bury their children ever rise to pick up the broken pieces of their fragmented souls for the helplessness of not being
able to save their children from the evil of this world? How could parents of the children who survive ever trust the world again for fear that their own child might not be fortunate again next time a killer would fire rapid bullets? How could these parents let go and let their children be children when they fear that doing so would endanger them again? How could the spouses of the teachers who were attacked and shot as they fulfilled their sacred duties of protecting the children entrusted in their care ever grieve the loss of their beloved? How could the husband who lost his wife of 24 years not be so heartbroken that he died of a heart attack two days after his wife was murdered and he did not even have the chance to say goodbye? How could their four children orphaned by their parents and the bereaved mothers and
fathers of those who did not make it live with the tragedy of losing their family in this senseless death that could have been avoided if only the citizens of this country had the heart and humanity to do the right thing? How could those in the gun lobby group, National Rifle Association (NRA), push for even more guns and even easier access for militarystyle weapons that were manufactured to be used in the war zones by soldiers and not by civilians in everyday life all because of their greed for money? How could lawmakers who took solemn oaths live with their conscience, if they still have one, for protecting the interest of the NRA because they benefit from their lobby money and campaign donations, instead of protecting the people they vowed to serve and protect so they could stay in power and satisfy their insatiable greed for
power and money? And how could you, if you are one of the American people, even support and vote for these politicians who have been betraying us, the American people, to favor and please the NRA? How could you not be moved by so many wakeup calls with one tragedy after another? How could you even NOT support common sense legislation that would require full background checks and mental health checks so that those who do not have the emotional maturity, mental faculty and social responsibility to have guns would not have access to these killing machines, especially the assault military-style weapons? How could you not support common sense regulations on the manufacturing, buying, selling and licensing requirements that have been proposed in Congress but have been ignored, watered down or
blocked by greedy politicians? How could you choose guns over the lives of people? How could you choose to fill up the void of your ego and machismo and a false sense of security of power through guns, choosing to be blind to the fact that America is the only industrialized country that has failed to address this safety crisis that has plagued our country because of your lack of humanity? There were “1.5 million people who died because of gun violence between 1968 and 2017,” and as the National Public Radio (NPR) reported, “that is higher than the number of soldiers killed in every U.S. conflict since the American War for Independence in 1775.” “In 2020 alone, more than 45,000 Americans died at the end of the barrel of a gun, whether by homicide or suicide, more than any other year on record. The figure represents a 25% increase
from five years prior, and 43% increase from 2010,” the report added. AMERICA, have we been desensitized to firearms death? When are we going to wake up and reclaim our humanity? When our families become victims of gun violence? When it is too late? *** 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 Filipino audience using different media platforms. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos. Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos
Future president
The Long View MANUEL QUEZON III DURING the campaign, it seemed to me that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. went through a kind of “Bam Aquinofication,” doing with hair and shirt-jac what Bam did with hair and glasses, to imprint himself with the aura of greatness. Since his return from Australia, a more relaxed, in-between look seems in place, as befits a future president who now has his own mandate. Clumsy linguistic contortions (“presumptive presidentelect”), simply because the congressional canvassing and proclamation aren’t done, are ridiculous. He is the next president. Before May 9 turned into May 10, the country knew it would be him. His is the third-highest first-term victory, percentage-wise, of any president in our electoral history. This is the only enduring point of comparison over time in a country with an ever-increasing population (the records stand as follows: Ramon Magsaysay, 68.90 percent in 1953; Manuel Quezon, 67.98 percent in 1935; Ferdinand Marcos Jr., 58.7
percent in 2022, which edges out Diosdado Macapagal’s 55.05 percent in 1961, a ranking held for 62 years). It is a mandate secure enough to make everyone, including the members of both chambers of Congress themselves, blind to the conflict of interest or simply poor taste represented by Sen. Imee Marcos and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez being members of the joint canvassing committee tasked to proclaim Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (their brother and first cousin, respectively) as president-elect. We are so unfamiliar with this that it’s even been remarked, as if it was peculiar, that the highestranking senator, Robin Padilla (grandson of Jose Padilla, a Bulacan congressman-turnedactor who used the screen name Mario de Cordova), received far fewer votes than Marcos. In the first place, in a presidential election year, less attention is paid to the senatorial race, unlike in midterms, when the senatorial results are a referendum on the sitting president. So, it was that in the last premartial law elections, the topranking senators all received fewer votes than the winning
presidential candidate: in 1961 (3,554,840 for Diosdado Macapagal; 3,489,658 for Raul Manglapus), in 1965 (3,861,324 for Ferdinand Marcos Sr.; 3,629,834 for Jovito Salonga), in 1969 (5,017,343 for Marcos Sr.; 4,826,809 for Arturo Tolentino) just like Marcos Sr.’s second term victory, this year was a landslide for Marcos Jr. We know very little, in fact, next to nothing, about who, at this stage, constitute the brains trust of the next administration. The role of the first first lady we will have in 21 years is little-discussed as well, but of his wife, a lawyer, Mr. Marcos has already concisely described her vital value-added: “She knows how to put a group, a team together, find good people, put them in the right place, all of these things, motivate them properly.” While undisclosed, the future president’s selection committee trusted by the future president and first lady has been said to be composed of Anton Lagdameo Jr., Iñigo Zobel, Benhur Abalos, and Vic Rodriguez, and that Ramon Ang has the next president’s ear and gives advice when asked. To be sure, it’s been said
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was proclaimed as the country’s 17th president on Wednesday, May 25. His running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte also was proclaimed vice president. ManilaTimes.net file photo
that the next president wasn’t in a rush, indeed found it only proper, to announce his full Cabinet until and unless Congress proclaimed him president-elect first. But with no real controversy to accompany the overwhelming results, public opinion abhors a vacuum of information. In time-honored fashion, names were floated, only to be denied. Trial balloons? More jaded observers put it simply: The first names released are the ones least likely to make it past the final cut. The political front has
Benhur Abalos for Interior, Boying Remulla for Justice, and Vic Rodriguez for Executive Secretary, along with the first Cabinet member named, future vice president Sara Duterte for Education. It took a week (May 17-23) for them to accept, but Bienvenido Laguesma, an old hand at Labor, and Toots Ople, for the newly created Department of Migrant Workers. Between the two of them, they will likely avoid the hostility and recriminations in the current administration. The respected Arsenio Balisacan returns
to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), with his bona fides secure on two fronts: as former Neda chief and because he’s a “good friend” of the incoming chief executive. “At last, a G.I.!” (or Genuine Ilocano) enthused the peanut gallery. *** 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: mlquezon3@gmail.com; Twitter: @mlq3
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FLYING HIGH. The Philippine flags fly along Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Wednesday, May 25. The flags are on display as the country prepares to celebrate its 124th Independence Day on June 12. PNA photo by Gil Calinga
NAIA tagged as worst business class airport in the world in international study by FRANCO LUNA Philstar.com
MANILA — Ninoy Aquino International Airport was called the "worst business class airport in the world" after it received the lowest overall score in a recent study. The study by worldwide luggage storage app Bounce ranked the top airports for business class travel in the world, based on factors such as number of lounges, number of destinations served, percentage of on-time flights and airport rating. Manila’s airport, referred to as the "main gateway to the Philippines" in the study, finished with the worst scoring in three different categories: its number of destinations, on-time performance, and rating from Skytrax. NAIA was assigned a rating based on its 14 lounges, 101 destinations served, 59.6 percent
of on-time flights annually, and airport rating of 3/5 out of Skytrax, which were good for an overall score of 0.88 out of 10. Gatwick Airport in the UK was listed as the second-worst airport in the world with an average score of 1.82 out of 10, with just 67.8% of its flights being deemed to be on-time and only a 3/5 rating on Skytrax. The third worst-rated airport in the study was Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, with an overall score of 2.03 out of 10. Newark scored poorly across the board, with a 3 out of 5 rating from Skytrax and with just 69.4% of flights being on time. Among airlines, Singapore Airlines was listed as the best business class airline in the world, with an overall score of 9.57 out of 10 after it scored top place across all three categories. On the other hand, Egyptair finished as the worst business
class airline in the world, with an overall score of 5.71 out of 10 after ranking last place across every category. The best business class airport in the world according to Bounce is Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom, which has the highest number of lounges at 43 and a wide range of 239 destinations to choose from, giving it an overall score of 7.10. For the research, each airport was given a normalized score out of ten for each factor before an average was taken across each of the scores. These were based on the number of lounges listed on LoungeBuddy, the number of destinations that the airport serves according to Wikipedia, and the airport’s rating out of five according to Skytrax, and the percentage of on-time flights between June 2018 and May 2019 according to OAG’s.
PH scraps COVID-19 test rule for boosted... PAGE A1 move will encourage more tourists to visit the country. “The DOT sees this development as a win for the local tourism industry as welcoming more tourists in
the country will yield more revenues for our MSMEs and restore more jobs and livelihoods in the sector,” Puyat said. The tourism department also announced that travel insurance
is “no longer required, “but still highly encouraged,” for arriving passengers. Over half a million foreign tourist arrivals have been recorded in the country from February 10 to May 25.
SAVE YOUR HOME Iligtas ang inyong tahanan
Sasakupin ng California Mortgage Relief ang mga hindi nabayarang bayad. Tulong Sa Utang Sa Bahay para sa Paghihirap ng COVID. Tahasang Babayaran Ang Sa Inyo Ay Nagpautang Walang Sisingilin, Walang Babayaran Pabalik
Alamin Ang Iba Pa：
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Creative Industries Bill ni Cong. de Venecia, Sandigan to proceed with trial of Marcos wealth case pasado hanggang Senado by ELIZABETH
MARCELO
Philstar.com
SA wakas, naipasa na nitong Mayo 23, 2022 sa ikatlo at huling pagdinig ang Senate Bill No. 2455 o ang "Creative Industries Charter of the Philippines” na siyang counterpart ng panukalang batas ni Fourth District Congressman Christopher de Venecia na nauna nang naipasa sa Mababang Kapulungan noong nakaraang taon. Ang panukalang ito na pangunahing ini-akda ni Cong. Toff de Venecia sa Kongreso ay naglalayong i-organize, i-develop, at i-angat ang creative economy ng bansa upang makapagbigay ng mas maraming kabuhayan at oportunidad para sa mga malikhaing Pinoy. Ito ay dadaan muna sa Bicameral Conference Committee bago ito ipasa kay Pangulong Duterte para mapirmahan niya at maging batas na. Ito ang magsisilbing pamana ni Congressman de Venecia upang i-angat ang malikhaing industriya (creative industry) sa buong bansa. Bahagi ng creative industries ang mga malikhain gaya ng mga artista, pintor, manunulat, mananayaw, singer, rapper, event organizer, arkitekto, advertiser, comic book artist, chef, fashion designer, interior designer, graphic designer, furniture designer, content creators, e-Sports gamers at marami pang iba, pati na ang mga negosyo at kumpanyang nagtataguyod sa kanila. Kapag naging batas na ito, itatayo ang Philippine Creative Industry Development Council, Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan, Creative Industry Development Fund, at iba pang hakbang upang mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga Cong. Christopher de Venecia nasa creative industry.
MANILA — The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan will proceed with the trial of a wealth forfeture case involving shares of stocks in a telecommunications company, supposedly held in trust for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and his wife, former first lady Imelda Marcos, by their alleged cronies or business associates. In a nine-page resolution promulgated last May 23, the court’s Fourth Division has denied the motion for suspension of proceedings filed by the defendants or their representatives. The Fourth Division maintained that it cannot suspend the trial of the case without a temporary restraining order (TRO) or writ of preliminary injunction from the Supreme Court (SC), as its magistrates may be held administratively liable under Section 7 Rule 65 of the Rules of Court. Denied was the joint motion for suspension of defendants Rosario Arellano, Victoria Legarda, Angela Lobregat, Benito Nieto, Carlos Nieto, Manuel Nieto III, Ma. Rita delos Reyes, Carmen Tuazon, Victor Africa, Ramon Nieto Jr., the legal representative of the deceased defendant Ramon Nieto, and Benigno Manual
Valdez, the representative of Rafael Valdez. The forfeiture case, docketed as Civil Case No. 0178, was filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) at the Sandiganbayan in October 1997. It seeks to recover in favor of the government 3,305 shares of stock in the Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc. (ETPI). The PCGG, represented in court by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), said the shares were held in trust for the Marcos couple but registered in the names of the defendants, who the PCGG identified as the cronies or business associates of the Marcoses. In their motion, the defendants said the proceedings must be suspended as a similar case, dock-eted as Civil Case No. 0009, handled by the court’s Third Division, is still under appeal before the SC. The anti-graft court’s Third Division, in a decision promulgated on Dec. 4, 2019, has awarded in favor of the government P2.756 billion worth of stocks in ETPI under the names of Jose Af-rica and Manuel Nieto Jr., small individual ETPI shareholders, and the Aerocom Investors and Managers Inc., which transferred its ETPI shares
to ISM Communication Corp. on July 11, 2005. The Fourth Division also pointed out that Civil Case No. 0178 was filed in 1997 precisely to cover some other registered owners of the ETPI shares not impleaded in Civil Case No. 0009 filed in 1987. “There is no question that this Court acquired jurisdiction over the persons of the mo-vants/ defendants and over the subject matter of the case. The instant case was filed pursuant to the instruction of the Supreme Court to implead the registered owners of those shares in a for-mal complaint,” the Fourth Division said. The ruling was penned by Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna with the concurrence of Associate Justices Alex Quiroz and Georgina Hidalgo. Civil Case No. 0178 and Civil Case No. 0009 were among the many civil forfeiture suits filed by the PCGG at Sandiganbayan against the Marcos family and their alleged cronies in an effort to recover billions of pesos believed to have been illegally amassed during the martial law re-gime. More than a dozen of the cases remain pending while more than 20 were dismissed due to “insufficiency of evidence.”
Comelec to revise rules on electoral protest by WILLIAM
B. DEPASUPIL ManilaTimes.net
for local positions to speed up the process that normally takes years THE Commission on Elections to resolve. (Comelec) will revise its rules and Commissioner George Erwin procedures on electoral protest Garcia, a former election lawyer, said on Wednesday, May 25 that under the existing rules and regulations, there were a lot of election cases that were not resolved at all because the local official has already finished serving his or her three-year term in office. He explained that the guidelines is an overdue process that needs to be revised so that the cases will continue to move forward despite the exchanges of motions and counter motions and other legal procedures as outlined by the Comelec rules. Garcia also pointed out that an electoral protest is not only timeconsuming but also expensive, particularly on the side of the protestant who has to shoulder the expenses of transporting the ballot boxes to the Comelec main office in Manila. He noted a local official has only three years in office, which is not enough to resolve an electoral protest, considering the long and tedious legal process that needs to be followed. "A local official has only a threeyear term. When a protest is filed, it will already take a year just to collect the ballot boxes, another
year for the revision of ballots and a third year for the presentation of evidence," Garcia said. He added that in such a scenario, the subject of the protest has already served his or her three-year term in office which automatically renders the case "moot and academic." "Why bring the ballot boxes here in Manila? Why not in the place where the alleged electoral violation was committed? Why file a protest and spend a fortune if you already lose? These are the changes that we need," he said. Garcia said there were 30 electoral protests pending before the Comelec Legal Department in connection with the just-concluded national and local elections. With the changes, the Comelec is hopeful that all 30 cases will be resolved soonest. The Comelec only handles electoral protests involving local officials or the governor and vice governor and provincial board members, and city and town mayors, vice mayors and members of the city council and municipal council. The Supreme Court en banc, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, handles the protest for president and vice president, while the Senate handles protest against senators and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal for congressmen.
‘Pinoys need 2 to 3 jobs to avoid poverty’ - report MANILA — Most Filipinos need to have two to three jobs to steer clear of poverty, according to the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom). Juan Antonio Perez III, PopCom executive director, said the incoming administration of president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should consider looking into providing a living wage to curb the rising poverty incidence in the country. “We are proposing to the PopCom board to study the possibility of having what we may call a living wage (which) addresses the cost of living,” he said partly in Filipino during a Laging Handa public briefing on Thursday, May 26. Perez said the government should already look into providing a living wage instead of minimum wage, which could not catch up with the cost of living. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has set a national average of P12,000 a month as the poverty threshold. The minimum wage in most regions, Perez said, is below the poverty threshold. He said 14 regions in the country have fewer effective workers than
the number of consumers. Citing data from the PSA, Perez said the number of Filipinos living below the poverty line rose to 26 million in 2021 as a result of the pandemic. The figure comprised 23 percent of the country’s population. The number of people living in poverty has notably jumped in areas like the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Central Visayas and other areas where the incidence of COVID is also high. Perez expressed hope that the Marcos administration will take advantage of the demographic transition and continue implementing population development programs. The Philippines, he said, has only 10 to 15 years to take advantage of the demographic transition to smaller families. By 2035, he said, there would be more Filipino elderly who will be requiring more resources. Aside from maintaining the family planning program and addressing the cost of living, Perez also hopes that the next administration will push policies on food security and housing. (Philstar.com)
California schools try to... PAGE A3 District voted in early May to extend its mask mandate until June 1 and strengthened protocols after a prom that was held in San Francisco in April resulted in an outbreak among 90 of the 600 students in attendance. Those districts remain in the minority despite the statewide covid surge. Roughly 20 schools in Marin County experienced outbreaks in early May. And the Dublin school district, in the East Bay, saw rates shoot up fivefold from March to April and continue to rise in May. Those schools haven’t revisited their optional mask policies. Schools in Davis, in Yolo
County, have not reinstated mask requirements despite rising cases, in large part because the county health director decoupled mandates from test positivity rates. “We have sufficient protection against the virus, especially with Paxlovid available at test-totreat locations,” said John Fout, a spokesperson for the county. Only increased hospitalizations straining the health care system would prompt a change, he added. At this point, an uptick in serious illnesses may not be recognized until after the school year ends — and that is what many school administrators appear to be counting on.
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Husband and wife are finally reunited in America after 32 years, on this success story on Citizen Pinoy BETH was petitioned as “single” by her U.S. citizen father in 1988. At her Embassy interview, visas were already available for “married” children. The consul advised her to marry Benjamin, her live-in partner, so she could add him to her petition and bring him and their children along with her. She followed the consul’s advice and married Benjamin. Unfortunately, the Embassy made a mistake and issued her visa as “single” (F-1), instead of married (F-3), preventing her husband from immigrating, and her naturalization application being denied. Beth retained leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel who was able to finally bring Benjamin to the U.S.
Atty. Gurfinkel even met with the consuls at the Embassy, who agreed they issued Beth’s visa in the wrong category but could no longer withdraw it since the visa was already issued. They did agree, however, to issue a visa to her child. Benjamin was eventually able to get a green card through their U.S. citizen child’s petition. Watch this success story of a family reunion that was 32 years in the making on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, May 29 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/ Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
Heart attends Cannes Film Festival for the first time By Dana
Cruz Inquirer.net
Heart Evangelista
Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte
HEART Evangelista took fans with her on her trip to the Cannes Film Festival, which she finally got to attend for the first time. The actress talked about her experience in Cannes so far while showing herself setting up her outfit for the day, via her Instagram page on Friday, May 26. “Good morning everybody from Manila. I am in Cannes. It is my first time so I’m gonna make this day a great day,” she said. “It’s just so much fun, so much art, so many nice stores, and the people are just alive and kicking. I am just having such an amazing time,” she added. “This was indeed such an experience and there’s just so much more that’s going to PAGE B6
FAMILY REUNION THAT WAS 32 YEARS IN THE MAKING, ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Beth (center) was petitioned as single by her U.S. citizen father in 1988. When she came in for her interview at the Embassy, the consul advised her to marry Benjamin (left), her live-in partner, so she could bring him and their children along, as visas were already available for married children. However, the Embassy erroneously issued her visa as “single,” preventing her husband from immigrating, and her naturalization application being denied. Beth hired leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right), who requested that Benjamin and their 10-year-old child be processed as following-to-join. The Embassy advised that Benjamin could not be issued a visa because Beth’s visa was issued as F1 (single), but they were able to process her child’s visa as a derivative. Atty. Gurfinkel worked tirelessly to bring Benjamin to the U.S. to reunite this family. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, May 29 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
Sunshine Cruz bonds with her three daughters through exercise By alex
Brosas Inquirer.net
ACTRESS Sunshine Cruz has found a perfect activity to bond with her three daughters– Angelina, Sam and Chesca–and this is exercise. “It’s very, very important lalo na sa akin na laging nagtatrabaho [ang mag-workout] (It’s very, very important especially for me to do workout). It’s very, very
important sa akin na makapagworkout (for me to do workout) as it gives me more energy,” Cruz initially said when asked why she needed to exercise during the opening of Surge Fitness + Lifestyle (SFL) in Glorietta 3, Makati on Tuesday, May 24. Cruz and her three daughters attended the event along with Zanjoe Marudo and child actor Bae-by Baste. “Mas nakakapag-focus ako sa
pagbabasa at pagmemorize ng script (I can be more focused on reading and memorizing script),” she added. Doing exercises also gives Cruz the opportunity to bond with her three daughters. “And at the same time it’s a good thing na itong working out sa Surge, nakakapag-bond kami (we are able to bond). It’s a form of bonding sa amin ng mga anak PAGE B2
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Sushi & Sake keep festival season in full swing this summer at Pechanga Resort Casino 2nd Annual Pechanga Sushi & Sake Festival back by demand, benefits Habitat For Humanity Inland Valley
Filmmaker TS Botkin, director of “A Long March,” a documentary about the equity movement of WWII Filipino veterans who were denied of their compensation, poses before a poster of the film. “A Long March” was shown at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific American Film Festival which ended on May 13. Photo by Fe P. Koons
Sunshine Cruz bonds...
PAGE B1 ko (with my daughters),” she said. Cruz likened her workout session with her daughters to that of bonding with her peers. “Maybe na-inspire ko sila kaya ginaganahan sila na magwork out. Parang magbabarkada kami kapag nagwo-work out kami. Sometimes, sila pa ‘yung nag-i-inspire na mag-work out, ‘Mom, let’s work out. Let’s go,’” she said. “Nakakatuwa na ‘yung working out namin dito sa Surge is our part of bonding as mom and daughters.” (Maybe I was able to inspire them to work out. We are like a group of friends when we work out. Sometimes, they are the ones who inspire me to work out, ‘Mom, let’s work out. Let’s go.’ It’s cool that our working out here at Surge is part of our bonding as mom and daughters.) When working out, the actress and her daughters don’t pressure themselves with heavy exercises. They do their thing at their own pace and with their own choice of exercise. “If we want to try spinning, okay today, mag-spinning tayo. Then if we want to try Zumba, ganoon lang kami, no pressure.
FESTIVAL season gets into full swing in Southern California and for sushi and sake fans, there is one event at Pechanga Resort Casino not to miss. The 2nd annual Pechanga Sushi & Sake Festival gets underway Saturday, July 9, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for VIP pass holders, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for general admission. The event includes an afternoon filled with premium Japanese sake, house-made sushi by master Pechanga chefs, a silent auction and live music. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased at the Pechanga Box Office, by calling (877) 711-2946 or via online at Pechanga.com. Proceeds from the event benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley. Four ticket levels are available: • VIP – $150 and includes sampling more than 40 varieties of sake, eight types of beer, talk with sake makers and chefs, and bid on silent auction items before general admission attendees • Designated Driver VIP – $70 and allows guests to sample sushi and bid on silent auction items before general admission attendees • General Admission – $75
Sunshine Cruz Photo from Instagram/@sunshinecruz718
Kasi ganoon naman dapat talaga (It is what it should be). Kung ano ‘yung nae-enjoy ninyo na workout dapat ‘yung ang gawin ninyo para hindi maging traumatic ang experience nyo,” she said. (If we want to try spinning, okay, today we go spinning. Then if we want to try Zumba, we are just like that, no pressure. Because it is what it should be. What workout you enjoy, it is what you should do so that your experience will not be traumatic.) g
Chefs Kiyo Ikeda, Kok Che and Andre Pinto will be on hand to meet guests and share their expert opinions.
Succulent pieces of sake will be featured at the 2nd Annual Pechanga Sushi and Sake Festival taking place on July 9. Photos courtesy
Another type of sushi that will be offered at the festival for VIP and general admission
and includes sampling more than 40 varieties of sake, eight types of beer, sampling the freshest sushi prepared by master Pechanga chefs, and bidding on silent auction items • Designated Driver – $45 and
includes trying the freshest sushi prepared by master Pechanga chefs, plus bidding on silent auction items. With one ticket, guests can taste more than 40 premium sakes (daiginjo, ginjo, junmai and sparkling), including many award-winning brands and styles from all over Japan and around the world. Pechanga chefs get rolled up in the festival as they prepare thousands of fresh sushi pieces to pair with the sake selections. Chefs Kiyo Ikeda, head chef of Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar, Kok Che, executive sous chef of Pechanga’s Guests can taste more than 40 premium Asian restaurants, and Andre sakes at the festival. Pinto, Pechanga Executive Chef,
Specially-made appetizers will be on hand for guests to taste at the Pechanga’s Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar’s 2nd place win at the 2nd Annual Pechanga Sushi and Sake Festival. readers’ poll of USA Today helped make the festival a possibility.
will be on hand to meet with guests, present them with fresh, made-on-site sushi, and share their expert suggestions for matching sushi with sake. A traditional Japanese Taiko drummer, a Japanese guitarist, and a “Koto” – Japanese harpist – will set the mood of the festival’s musical interludes for the festival. A silent auction also features sought after gifts such as art, vacation packages and more. The festival’s idea sprang from the popularity of beer and sake within Southern California, as well as the continued rise of sushi as a mainstay of sought-after fare in America. The 2nd place win for Pechanga’s Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar in USA Today’s Best Casino Restaurant readers’ poll in 2018 also helped cement the festival’s possibility at the Temecula resort/ casino. Proceeds support Habitat For Humanity Inland Valley’s programs that provide housing needs and home repairs to senior citizens and those no longer able to do such work themselves. The festival’s tasting menu and sake selections will be released soon. Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the best casino resort in the west by the readers of 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 the hottest slots, 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) 711-2946 or visit www. Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino. (Advertising Supplement)
B4 MAY 28-31, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Reimbursement for community Know your options to get out of debt contribution towards a spouse’s education Minding Your Finances and student loan during marriage Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes ONE of the biggest problem of millenials and Gen Z are educational cost and student loan debt. This eats up a large part of a households budget even among married couples. However, what happens to all the money paid towards one spouse’s education and student loans if the marriage fails and leads to divorce. Well, California Family Code Section 2641(b)(1) provides that upon divorce or legal separation, the community “shall be reimbursed” for its “contributions” to a spouse’s education or training that “substantially enhances” the
EMPLOYMENT
spouse’s earning capacity. Under Family Code Section 2641(a), reimbursable community “contributions” means payments made with community or quasicommunity property for a spouse’s education or training or for the repayment of a loan incurred therefor, no matter where the parties resided when the payments were made. Family Code § 2641 reimbursement is not limited to education or training received during marriage. Rather, by its terms, application of the statute is governed solely by whether community funds were used to pay for the education or training. Thus, educational costs and loans paid with community funds are within the ambit of § 2641 reimbursement even if the education occurred before marriage. Marriage of Weiner, supra, 105 CA4th at 239-240, 129 CR2d at 291;
In Marriage of Mullonkal & Kodiyamplakkil (2020) 51 CA5th 604, 607-608, 265 CR3d 285, 288, the court held that the community is entitled to reimbursement where spouse paid off student loans for education she attained before marriage with funds from her salary earned during marriage. In Mullonkal & Kodiyamplakkil, the trial court erroneously held § 2641 did not apply because, among other things, the student spouse (Wife) repaid her premarital education with her own earnings during the marriage, and the nonstudent spouse (Husband) failed to contribute to Wife’s education/ loan repayments and family expenses. “[B]ut nothing in [§ 2641] contemplates denying reimbursement to the community where the student spouse pays for her own education or PAGE B6
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ARE you seriously in debt and don’t know what to do about your situation? Are you afraid that unless you do something about it, thing will just continue to get worse every day? When people are going through financial difficulty and are unable to pay their bills, their first reaction is often to ignore their debts and avoid contact with creditors. They think that by doing this, somehow the creditors will simply give up and go away. Then one day the problem blows up in their face. They either get served a wage garnishment at work or they find out that their bank account has been frozen by a judgment creditor that they have ignored. I see this happen all the time. That’s when they rush to see a bankruptcy attorney to find out what can be done to protect themselves. This is when they realize that they should have done something about their debt problems sooner in order to avoid the unpleasant consequences of their inaction. Most states have a statute of limitations- this is the period of time in which a creditor
Atty. rAymond
must file a lawsuit in order to collect on an unpaid debt. In California, that is generally 4 years from the time you stopped paying. A debt can go unpaid for years and you may not hear anything about the debt at all. Well, don’t hold your breath. When the collection accounts get close to the 4-year mark for the creditor to file suit, that’s when you often get served a lawsuit before the statute runs out. If a creditor does sue you and obtains a judgment, the judgment is good for 10 years in California and can be renewed thereafter. That’s a pretty long time for a creditor to be chasing you and your assets, if you have any. If you own a home and a judgment lien is filed against it, the debt becomes a secured debt
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FOR RENT
and it must be paid in full plus accrued interest when you sell your property someday. Filing a bankruptcy doesn’t automatically remove a judgment lien but under certain circumstances, there is a procedure by which it can be removed. This will depend on the value of your home, outstanding loans on the property and your homestead exemption amount. Your homestead exemption is the amount of the equity in the property deemed protected by law if the house is your primary residence. An attorney can explain to you how this works. OK, so before any of the above happens, what are the ways to get out of debt before things take a turn for the worse? The key to your success is to be pro-active instead of being reactive. In other words, take action now instead of waiting until something bad happens. There basically only 4 ways to get out of debt if you’re on the verge of insolvency: (1) increase income so you can start paying larger amounts on your debts PAGE B6
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Employees injured in off-work premises: Are employers or property owners liable? Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights The University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Society of Southern California (USTMAASC) has partnered with BayaniPay, a pioneering digital platform for global Filipinos, in order to jumpstart its fundraising efforts to support the UST FMS projects and medical missions in the Philippines. BayaniPay offers zero fee remittance and high exchange rates every time you send to the Philippines as well as a U.S.-based digital checking account with no minimum deposit and monthly maintaining balance. To register and help USTMAASC reach its goals, head to bayanipay.com/register and use the invite code USTMED. USTMAASC is holding its 14th Biennial Inaugural Ball and Jubilarian celebration on August 13, 2022 at the Embassy Suites Anaheim South. Dinner ticket is $90. For ticket reservations, send an email to ustmaascorg@gmail.com.
Pastor’s Notes ReveRend Rodel G. MARTIN Buber, the Jewish theologian, tells the story of an encounter between a jailed rabbi and the chief jailer: Touched by the majestic and quiet face of the rabbi, who was in deep in meditation, the chief jailer asked him: “How are we to understand that God the all-knowing said to Adam: “Where art thou?” “Do you believe” answered the rabbi, “that the scriptures are eternal and that every era, every generation, and everyone is included in them?” “I believe this,” the jailer responded. “Well,” said the rabbi, “in every era, God calls to everyone: ‘Where are you in your world?’ So many years and days of those allotted you have passed, and how far have you gotten in your world?” So God says something like this: “You have lived forty-six years. How far are you?” When the chief jailer heard his age mentioned, he pulled
Where are thou? himself together, laid his hand on the rabbi’s shoulder, and cried: “Bravo!” Bu his heart trembled. Buber’s story provokes us to answer the same question the rabbi raised to his jailer: “Where are you in the world?” So, likewise, God asks the same question today to jolt us into examining our lives and taking responsibility for our way of being. In his book, By Way of the Heart, Wilkie Au says that this decisive heart-searching is, according to Buber, the beginning of a spiritual way for human beings. He explains that so long as we do not face the still, small Voice asking us, “Where art thou,” we will forever remain way-less. Indeed, where are you now in your life in the world, brothers, and sisters? It’s a relevant question to reflect on as we meditate on the Scripture Readings this Sunday. Where are you in your Christian faith as you hear Christ’s summon to be a witness of your faith in Him to other people during these challenging times in our church and the world? Where are you in the moral principles of living with integrity and truth? Where do you stand on life, racial, gender, gun, and safety issues? On the personal level, where
are you as you balance your life between prayer, family responsibility, and the urge to do something for your parish and others? Where are you in terms of the peace of your soul and relationships? I hope that you take the time to answer these questions. It’s because my desire for you all is that of St. Paul, as stated in today’s Second Reading (Eph 1:17-23): “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe.” Your loving pastor, Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas. *** 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.
Revolutionary cancer treatment, good news for hopeless patients established. EVERYONE suffers from large and (3) Treatment results are followed small ailments during their lifetime. up at monthly intervals. Based on In particular, cancer has long been the blood tests received when a a terrifying disease that has long patient first came to our hospital been thought to be an incurable (minerals, vitamins, functional disease, with no known cause tests for each organ, cancer and no cure. However, with marker tests, and other special the remarkable development of tests performed at our hospital), remodern medicine, cancer is no examination is performed to make longer an incurable disease. up for or exceed the previous tests. If you had cancer, what would you It measures the response to treatment most fear? Of course, to feel that the through special tests that measure cancer shadow of death is near is the biggest fear in itself, isn’t it? Then you would imagine Dr. Chang-Seok Kim, MD activity, whether the drugs used are still insufficient even after supplementation or the fear of surgery and excruciating pain. When cancer is diagnosed, radiation whether the drugs used are damaging to various chemotherapy, commonly called “Chemo,” is organs. Even after successful cancer surgery, what chosen as the last treatment option, but it is controversial because of its many side effects, many patients worry about is metastasis. Another such as weakening the immune system due to the characteristic of Dr. Kim’s treatment is to prevent weakening of the body by destroying even normal cancer from metastasis. He inhibits various substances that promote cells. Some people even say that chemotherapy can metastasis of cancer, replenishes the deficient lead to an earlier death. Recently, overcoming the shortcomings and ingredients consumed, lowers the increased portion limitations of this chemotherapy and more effective of toxicity that promotes metastasis, and injects complementary therapies are continuously being substances that inhibit the formation of blood developed, which gives great hope to those who vessels that are the pathway for cancer metastasis. Cancer requires blood vessels to metastasize. have advanced diseases in particular. Dr. Kim Chang-seok of Korea developed an Among the substances that aid in the formation innovative cancer treatment method without of blood vessels and those that interfere, there are surgery or pain by finding out whether the condition some that play an important role: minerals and was diagnosed and metastasized through blood vitamins. So, find these minerals and vitamins tests based on the papers verified by SCI (Science and make up for what you lack. If you have a lot of angiogenic substances, you can lower them Citation Index). He said, “There is really no place to heal those with phytochemicals that get rid of them. In this who have given up in large hospitals. Because way, he treated a 70-year-old patient with stage 4 chemotherapy or radiation therapy is no longer lung cancer at a hospital in Busan with minerals, available. For these people, I treat cancer using vitamins, and phytochemicals. Also, he cured a man minerals, vitamins, and plant extracts (turmeric, in his 50s who could not receive surgery with liver chitosan, etc.) that have been verified through cancer that was 9 cm or more and spread to various various tests conducted in general hospitals and places. He treated more than 1/2 of a stage 4 lung cancer SCI papers.” His innovative treatment can be good news for patient who had given up at a large hospital in 82 days with minerals and vitamins. the following people: At Global Telecare in Garden Grove, Orange • Those who did not need chemotherapy or radiation treatment when cancer was first confirmed County, we are promoting the establishment of a at the hospital (those who have metastasized to cancer clinic through a partnership with Dr. Kim. Dr. Kim, who passed the American Doctor’s stage 3 or higher, etc.). • Those who have been recommended to receive Examination at an early age and conducted hospice or to organize their lives at home, want to pediatric regeneration research and cancer metastasis research at New York University, plans do their best to receive treatment • Those who do not get better even after several to spread the innovative cancer treatment method times of chemotherapy or radiation therapy at a he has researched and developed here in Southern California. hospital. He is also planning a special low-cost program • Those who have regular examinations after treatment is complete, and those who are concerned that can detect various cancers through blood about metastasis and recurrence and want to know tests. It is the latest medical technology to diagnose whether you have cancer by analyzing the lab test their current condition. Treatment by these therapies is carried out results of the blood samples collected at the Global comfortably without pain or surgery. The procedure Telecare Clinic. Global Telecare, through a partnership with for treatment is as follows: (1) You come to the Clinic and get tested. As well Dr. Kim, is preparing a variety of affordable and as this test result, we use all the tests you have ever innovative cancer treatments, as well as many received (blood tests, equipment tests; CT, MRI, plans for diabetes, dementia, skin diseases, and PECT, biopsies) and various tests performed at our erectile dysfunction. If you are interested in Dr. clinic, namely blood tests (minerals, vitamins, organ Kim’s pain-free cancer treatment, please contact function tests, cancer marker tests, etc.) and other Global Telecare for an upcoming seminar at info. jcsolution@gmail.com. special tests done by the hospital). (2) Based on the test results, the current *** condition is determined and treatment guidelines The information of this article is for informational purposes are established. Among the minerals, vitamins, only. No material is intended to be a substitute for and other nutrients in our body, some components professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always have a large amount in the blood depending on seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health the progress of cancer, and some components care provider with any questions you may have regarding have a small amount. Based on the results of the a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a examination, considering the patient’s previous new health care regimen, and never disregard professional treatment and condition, the cause of excess or medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something deficiency is identified and treatment guidelines are you have read in this article. (Advertising Supplement)
Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, CAROL Holaday and her husband Jim Willcoxson were employed by Colonial Van & Storage, Inc., a moving and storage company in Fresno, CA. Holaday was a supervisor and long-haul dispatcher. She worked at Colonial’s Fresno office but was authorized to work at home. Holaday often had coworkers visit her home for social and work-related reasons. Willcoxson was a Colonial sales representative. Kyle Holaday, the 26 years-old son of Holaday and Wilcoxson, was an Iraq and Afghanistan wars veteran and suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD for which he was being treated. He was unemployed and lived with his parents. He had a history of selfharm and misuse of firearms. Crystal Dominguez was a Colonial employee and worked with Holaday. She was a frequent visitor to Holaday’s home and considered Kyle a friend. Rachel Schindler knew Holaday in a business capacity, had been to her home a few times, but had only briefly met Kyle. On the evening of March 24, 2017, Holaday and Willcoxson hosted a dinner in their Fresno home for Dominguez and Schindler. Schindler brought her five-month-old daughter with her. The four adults were socializing, but also networking and engaged in job-related tasks. Kyle acknowledged the guests when they arrived, sat in the living room, and looked at his cell phone. Willcoxson went into the kitchen while the three women talked in the living room.
Kyle left the living room and returned with a handgun and began firing. He shot and killed Willcoxson and a family dog and wounded Holaday, Dominguez, and Schindler. A bullet grazed the baby’s ear. Kyle fled from the home and was struck by a moving car when he ran into the street. Police arrived and arrested him. Dominguez and Schindler both filed a lawsuit against Holaday and her employer, Colonial, for personal injury damages. Dominguez claimed negligent supervision against Holaday and alleged Colonial was vicariously liable for Holaday’s misconduct pursuant to the doctrine of respondeat superior (i.e., a doctrine that
No. [The lower court was then ordered to dismiss the case against the employer.] However, the case against Holaday remained. The question then is: What is the homeowner’s duty of care to visitors on their premises? California law generally requires property owners to provide reasonably safe conditions for those who visit their properties. Owners have a responsibility to maintain their properties to avoid risks of accidents and injuries. However, mere injuries to guests on the premises does not mean owners are automatically liable. The injured person and their attorneys will have to prove that the injury was caused by a dangerous condition in the premises. In the end, it will take the combined effort of technical experts, attorneys, and medical providers working together to present a true picture of the mechanics of the accident and the resulting injuries in order to recover adequate compensation for the injured. *** 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.] (Advertising Supplement)
California law generally requires property owners to provide reasonably safe conditions for those who visit their properties. Owners have a responsibility to maintain their properties to avoid risks of accidents and injuries. holds an employer is legally responsible for the wrongful acts of an employee, if such acts occur within the scope of the employment). Colonial asked the court to dismiss the case against it. Dominguez and Schindler argued that an employer has an affirmative duty to provide employees with a safe place to work which, in this case included the employee’s home as an off-site work premises. The Court of Appeal, thus, had to answer this question: Does the employer have a duty to ensure that an off-site meeting place for coworkers like an employee’s private residence is safe from third party criminal harm? Citing public policy and privacy reasons, the Court answered:
B6 MAY 28-31, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Gardening for mental health to support wellness THERE are many things to celebrate in May. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge and raise awareness of those living with mental health conditions to help reduce the stigma so many people experience. It serves as a reminder for us to find ways to take care of ourselves and support others with mental health needs. May is also Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month, a monthlong celebration that recognizes the contributions and influence of AAPIs to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. While there are many things to celebrate this month, what I enjoy most about May is heading outside to enjoy the warmer weather and do the things I love, including working in my garden and watching my vegetables and fruit grow. By tending to my garden, I am also tending to my mental health. Although I love my garden, I know that California is facing a severe drought. And, since May is also Water Awareness month, finding ways to reduce my water usage and recycle water enables me to save water, save money, and do my part to help save California. And it is not hard! “Save Our Water,” the statewide public awareness campaign, offers a simple yet impactful list of water saving tips that can easily be added to daily routines to make the most of your water usage while still getting the results you want. I encourage all of us to do our part by:
• Recycling indoor water. Using leftover water to give thirsty plants a drink prevents water from going down the drain while also taking care of your plants. • Planting low water use trees. Planting low water use trees in your yard provides shade to your outdoor landscaping and helps keep homes cooler. Consider planting water wise trees and plants around the home to save water and create a beautiful yardscape. • Using a hose with an adjustable nozzle. Some plants, areas and tasks need more water while others need less. With an adjustable nozzle, you are in control of your water usage. • Setting a timer when watering. Less time watering is more water saved. Instead of letting water flood your plants, use a timer. Your plants and your wallet will thank you! Finally, before reaching for your hose, consider using a broom to clean outdoor spaces. Sweeping can clean your patio or driveway just as quickly and easily as water. Plus, this simple switch saves 6 gallons of water every minute – that’s 180 gallons of water saved every 30 minutes! As we take care of our mental health this month and recognize other AAPIs in our community, let’s also do our part to make saving water a way of life. Visit SaveOurWater.com for more tips on how you can do your part and help preserve the California we love for future generations. (Contributed Article)
Reimbursement for community...
PAGE B4 where the nonstudent spouse did not somehow earn an entitlement to an equal share of the community. Indeed, the statute refers to community contributions to education, and makes no reference to the source of the community contribution.” Marriage of Mullonkal & Kodiyamplakkil, supra, 51 CA5th at 615-616, 265 CR3d at 294. At a minimum, reimbursable community expenditures include amounts paid for the student spouse’s tuition, fees, books, supplies and transportation. Fam.C. § 2641, Law Rev. Comm’n Comment, 23 Cal. L.Rev. Comm’n Reports 1 (1993) Beyond this, however, community expenditures are a reimbursable “contribution” only if directly
related to the educational experience. Ordinary living expenses that would have been incurred regardless of whether one spouse was attending school such as rent, food and clothing, health care and entertainment, are not reimbursable under § 2641. Marriage of Watt (1989) 214 CA3d 340, 354, 262 CR 783, 791-792. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship
between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Heart attends Cannes Film...
PAGE B1 be happening. So I’m glad I could take you guys with me.” Prior to this, Evangelista gave a glimpse of her flight to Paris, where she stayed overnight before going to Cannes. She can be seen giving a goodbye kiss to her husband, Sorsogon governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and waiting at an
airport with her glam team. “I’m so excited to appear at the red carpet. It’s just a first-time experience for me,” she gushed. In January this year, Evangelista also experienced another first as she took her first solo trip to Paris Fashion Week. She went to the event with no glam team, calling it her “very first trip as an independent woman.” g
I got my conditional green card through my US citizen spouse but we divorced. Now what? A PERSON who obtains his/ her green card via marriage to a U.S. citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional permanent resident has a green card that is valid for 2 years. In order to continue to have permanent resident status after 2 years, the conditional permanent resident and his/her U.S. citizen spouse must file an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence during the 90 days before the expiration of the green card. 8 CFR 216.4(a)(1) But what if things don’t work out with the U.S. citizen spouse after getting married, and the conditional permanent resident can no longer get the participation of his/her U.S. citizen spouse in filing the I-751 petition? In such a case, the conditional permanent resident may seek an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement. In order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage upon which his/her status was based was: 1) entered into in good faith, and 2) terminated. 8 CFR 216.5(a)(1)(ii) With respect to the required showing that the marriage was entered into in good faith, the conditional permanent resident must show that his/her marriage was not a “sham.” A marriage is considered a “sham” if, when they married, the couple did not
Legal Advice
Atty. DArrick intend to establish a life together. An intent to obtain something other than or in addition to love and companionship (such as a green card) from that life does not make a marriage a sham. Matter of Soltan, A76 888 125 (BIA 2001). Documents such as joint bank and credit card statements, and photos that demonstrate that the marriage was entered in good faith should be presented. Also, in order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage was terminated. By “terminated,” the USCIS requires a valid, formal divorce judgment. An I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement cannot be approved in cases where the conditional permanent resident is legally separated or in divorce proceedings that are still pending. Also, once the marriage is terminated, the conditional resident may file the I-751 petition immediately, and does not have to wait until the normal 90 days before the expiration of the conditional green card. It is worth noting that if the
conditional permanent resident and his/her U.S. Citizen spouse live in California, a valid divorce judgment must be obtained in the California courts. I have had numerous California-resident clients in the past who have obtained a “quick” divorce judgment in Nevada only to face USCIS scrutiny after presenting the Nevada divorce judgment in support of an I-751 waiver request (since one must be a Nevada resident to obtain a divorce in Nevada). The assistance of an experienced attorney in handling the divorce as well as the I-751 waiver request is accordingly recommended. *** 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. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-6390277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 WHAT’S the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy? Chapter 7 is called a fresh start because it wipes out all dischargeable debt while allowing the debtor to keep most, if not all, of his assets. Chapter 13 is called reorganization of the debtor’s financial affairs where he is allowed to restructure his debts with partial or no payments. In Chapter 7, the debtor pays nothing to creditors and gets a fresh start in life with no debt but keeping all exempt assets. In Chapter 13, the debtor pays something to creditors depending on whether creditors are secured or unsecured. Which is better, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13? The answer is it depends on what you are trying to achieve. Let’s give some actual examples. The client is 64. He owes $50,000 of credit card debt. His gross income is $5,000 a month. He is married and his daughter and 2 grandchildren live with him. His wife receives social security of $1,000 a month. He owns a house worth $500,000 on which he owes a mortgage of $325,000. He has a brand new Tesla Model X, for which he pays $700 a month. These are the basic facts for this client. So, should he file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13? In this case, all of the debtor’s assets are exempt. He can keep all his assets. The bankruptcy trustee cannot take any of his assets to sell and liquidate for creditors. Paying for $50,000 of credit cards is taking a big chunk out of his income. He needs to set aside $1,500 a month to keep his credit card masters happy every month with minimum payments. So, if he can wipe out all of the $50,000 credit cards, he can save how much? He can save $1,500 a month, or $18,000 a year. In two years, he will save $36,000. Whereas if he just kept on going without Chapter 7, he would pay $36,000 to his credit card masters, but still owe how much of credit cards? After paying $36,000 in two years, he would still owe his credit card masters, exactly the same $50,000 that he owed two years ago. It would thus give the client a great benefit if he could just wipe out the $50,000 of credit cards now at the age of 64. Why? Because in two more years, he will be getting full social security benefits even if he continues working his job which gives him $5,000 a month. If he
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence has to continue paying $1,500 a month for $50,000 of credit cards, the amount is significant enough to cause him a lot of financial and emotional pressure. It just doesn’t make any sense to not get rid of the $50,000 of credit cards now. It’s like having a bunch of monkeys on his back that he has to keep on feeding every day. Nobody in his right mind wants to be in this situation. But does the client qualify for Chapter 7? Well, we have to check if the client will qualify for Chapter 7 using the Means Test. We get his gross household income and family size and compare that with the state median income to determine if it’s below or over the median. If he is below the median, then we don’t have to proceed to the next step. He would appear to be eligible for Chapter 7. If he is over the median, we will have to determine if he has at least some disposable income that will allow him to pay at least 25% of the $50,000 in Chapter 13. We use the IRS deductions to arrive at his net disposable income. If his disposable income is such that he can pay at least 25% of the $50,000 over 60 months, then he would not be eligible for Chapter 7. If his case is filed as Chapter 7, there would be what’s called a “presumption of abuse” and he would have to be able to overcome that presumption of abuse by proving by a preponderance of the evidence that he is not abusing bankruptcy law. Motions to dismiss due to presumption of abuse are brought by the U.S. Trustee and the debtor would have to respond to that motion before a federal bankruptcy judge. If the judge believes debtor, then he still gets a discharge despite the presumption of abuse arising. Let’s just say that it’s not an easy task to overcome the presumption of abuse. Let’s say the client passed the Means Test and there is no presumption of abuse. Then, I would file the client’s case as Chapter 7 so he can get a fresh start without the burden of the $50,000 credit cards, which be totally wiped out, while he keeps all his assets. If the client fails the Means Test,
then I would file his case as Chapter 13 where he would have to pay at least $200 a month for 60 months, more or less. This means he pays $12,000 over 60 months, just the principal; no interest. After paying $12,000, the court will discharge $38,000 of the $50,000 and he will owe nothing. Now, if the client in this example had a house that is worth $510,000, not $500,000, and owed $325,000 on it, I will file this case as Chapter 13 where the client would pay about $180 a month over 60 months. After that, $40,000 will be discharged. If we add another fact, say the client owes $10,000 to the IRS for last year’s income tax, and then I would also file this as Chapter 13 where he would pay $150,000 a month to the IRS over 60 months with nothing paid to the $50,000 credit cards. After that, the entire $50,000 would be wiped out. In other words, only the IRS gets paid the $10,000, the credit cards do not get anything. If we filed this as Chapter 7 under the first set of circumstances, the $50,000 would be wiped out, but the $10,000 IRS debt would not be discharged because the income tax is not yet three years old. If the tax were owed for the year 2016 and all other conditions to discharge income tax were present, then Chapter 7 would wipe out the $50,000 credit cards, and the $10,000 income tax. As you can see, there are many factors that can affect which case should be filed, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. And the fact is there are many other factors that can affect the issue of which case should be filed for the debtor, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Suffice to say that bankruptcy law is actually pretty complicated. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advise for anyone. There is absolutely no attorney client relationship established by reading this article. *** 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)
Know your options to get out of...
PAGE B4 to hopefully avoid filing bankruptcy, (2) reduce expenses so that you can increase your disposable income and have more money available for debt repayment, (3) Convert assets you don’t need into cash and use the money to negotiate with creditors, and (4) File bankruptcy to wipe out debts or consolidate your bills (This requires filing either a Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13). If you’re feeling paralyzed by debt and can’t think clearly at the moment, you need a good attorney who can properly evaluate your situation and recommend possible solutions. The first thing you need to do when you don’t know what to do is to realize that sometimes, you cannot do it on your own. There is nothing wrong with getting legal help. The sooner you get help, the sooner you
would be able to protect your home, your job, your car, your bank account and other assets. For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. *** NOTE: Due to the virus lockdown, I am currently offering consultations via phone or video. Please call the office to schedule your appointment with me. Questions? Email me at gethelp@rjb-lawoffices.com. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 28-31, 2022
B7
Pahrump Balloon Festival is back!
By realTor
FelY QuITeVIs-BaTeMan
brand-new balloons to launch and fly over Pahrump that will capture the attention of event-goers. Also at the event, there will also be the ever-popular carnival and three bounce houses for youngsters, as well as food vendors on site and merchandise vendors for attendees to buy all sorts of gifts and souvenirs. Aside from these, a car show will take place on the north soccer fields after the balloon launches, corn hole and horseshoe tournaments, and music for entertainment. As the Pahrump Balloon Festival happens over the Veterans Day weekend, organizers are arranging something special in honor of those who have served the country. There
will be a sunrise Veterans Day ceremony to be held on the first day of THE 9th Annual Pahrump Balloon the event (Nov. 11, Veterans Day) that Festival is back on the table and will will feature more flair than usual. The take place this fall, from November 11 planned ceremony “will see a hot air to November 13. balloon rise over the field during the According to an article in the ceremony, from which a parachuter Pahrump Valley Times, the event, will jump and unfurl the red, white and which has generated keen interest from blue glory of the American flag.” the town’s residents, is scheduled over Per the article, the local VFW the Veterans Day weekend at Petrack Riders group will be taking part in the Park, and will feature a lot of activities ceremony and will provide the color for people of all ages. guard that will present the colors. Of course, the main feature of the As an added attraction to the event, Pahrump Balloon Festival will be a “turkey drop” (not a live turkey, mind the hot air balloons that will launch you) will be done at the final day of the throughout the weekend. Organizers event, with balloon pilots scattering said that they are expecting more certificates for free turkeys over the park on Sunday morning. How exciting is that? Attend the event, and you may even get your Thanksgiving bird for free! Many residents and supporters are glad that the Pahrump Balloon Festival is back on the calendar. Earlier this year, the event had been canceled until Doug Dubin and Doug Campbell went before the Nye County Commission to request a festival permit. After addressing concerns from the commissioners, including parking and location of the carnival, the organizers received unanimous approval for the permit. Of course, this is just one of the many activities taking place year-round in Pahrump. The town has plenty to offer in terms of recreational activities for residents and visitors – the town is no longer the sleepy town it once was. Golf, a popular sport across America and an activity that many Americans (and kababayans) take pleasure in, can be had at the Mountain Falls Golf Club designed by famed acrchitecture firms Nicklaus Design Group and Cal Olson Design. The 18-hole golf course and country club with breathtaking views is also capable of hosting events of all types – weddings, holiday parties, corporate events. Tennis, bowling, martial arts, horseback riding and cycling are just some of the recreational and sports activities that can be done in Pahrump. There are leagues and groups that cater to aficionados of these activities, and these groups are always welcoming more members to their fold. Walking and hiking, whether by yourself or with friends/groups members, or even with the furry members of the family, are also big in Pahrump. There are many parks and areas that offer trails for the casual or the adventurous. These areas also offer an opportunity for bird-watching or just plain nature-tripping. If you have the itch for the track (the Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small racetrack, that is), go no further than businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948 or send email to fely@precious-properties.com. the Spring Mountain Motor Resort
Photo above shows a 3,000-plus square-foot building on Acoma Ave. that will be on the market soon.
Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (extreme left) with (from left) Dr. Phil (the best dentist in Clark County), Atty. Bing Longakit and Mary Jane, who are all my investors in Pahrump at Turnberry Place Tower 1 in Las Vegas. We all had a celebration dinner at Benihana’s at Westgate Resort.
My son Primo and his cousin John are scouting for a commercial property for a project he wants to build in Pahrump.
and Country Club, which hosts various driving schools, track rentals and is home to a private motorsports country club. It has North America’s longest racetrack at 6.1 miles, and that may soon expand to over 9 miles when expansion is completed. Right next to the racetrack is Spring Mountain Estates, which features luxury trackside homesites and is minutes away from Lake Spring Mountain where more activities await the adventurer – paddle boarding, kayaking, flying on a jetpack, among others. Homesite owners are welcome to all the amenities that the country club has to offer and that includes the lounge, workout facility and other services like massage therapist. Whether you are visiting Pahrump or moving to the town as resident, there are many things to keep you occupied. And with Las Vegas just 62 miles away,
the opportunities are endless for more activities on your to-do list. Take a look at what Pahrump has to offer. Real estate in the area is currently affordable, and presents a great opportunity for the savvy buyer/ investor. In fact, many of my clients are now reaping the benefits of their investments. Whether you are looking for a new home, a second home, an investment property (maybe for an Airbnb), or just the chance to own real etsate, I can help you look for the best opportunities in the area. My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has successfully helped its clientele find the best deals since 1992. 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
B8 MAY 28-31, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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