JUNE 11-14, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 46 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
California officials call for more funding for Asian-language teachers
CA Attorney General Rob Bonta advances to Nov. general election by AJPress
CALIFORNIA Attorney General Rob Bonta is DESPITE the growing Asian community in advancing to the general election in November after California and nationwide, the Golden State being the top vote-getter in the state’s primary on does not have enough accredited Asian- Tuesday, June 7. language teachers and instructors, statewide officials say. For the 2020-2021 school year, almost 1,200 accreditations for bilingual instructors were confirmed by the California Dept. of Education (CDOE), but only 93 of those accreditations were for Asian-language instructors. California lawmakers and community leaders are calling for a one-time $5 million funding package to address what they described as a shortage in accredited Asianlanguage teachers. Advocates for the Asian American community say that this shortage of dualimmersion language instructors puts immigrant children — who could learn English simultaneously with their native language — at a disadvantage. “We must address the shortage of accredited u PAGE A5
COVID cases increase at LA County skilled nursing facilities anew WITH high rates of transmission across Los Angeles County, positive cases and outbreaks are increasing at skilled nursing facilities, the public health department reported on Friday, June 10. For the week ending May 29, skilled nursing facilities reported 114 new cases among residents and 205 new cases among staff. This represents a 443% and 439% increase in new cases, respectively, when compared to one month ago when there were 21 new cases among residents and 38 new cases among staff for the week ending April 23. Additionally, the number of outbreaks per week in Skilled Nursing Facilities increased sharply in the past week to 40 new outbreaks during the seven days ending June 7, returning the Early Alert Signal to high. Public Health is working closely with Skilled Nursing Facilities to respond and mitigate the outbreaks. As a reminder, an outbreak is declared at a nursing facility when there is one resident case. Skilled nursing facilities continue to maintain enhanced protective measures, including indoor masking and testing
Bonta, who was appointed to the top post in 2021, was the only Democrat in the primary race and received 57% of the vote (1,819,199) as of June 8, according to the Associated Press. “Thank you, California! Humbled by this strong vote of confidence and the resounding message
delivered by voters,” Bonta wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “Tonight, we celebrate — and tomorrow, we get back to work to fight back against the right wing attacks on our values and fundamental rights. Onward to November.” u PAGE A2
Fil-Am candidate for LA city controller Kenneth Mejia advances to run-off election If elected, Mejia would become the first Filipino elected official in the city of LA by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
FOLLOWING the 2022 primary election, Kenneth Mejia, the ambitious grassroots candidate for Los Angeles city controller, advanced to the November runoff against Councilmember Paul Koretz, making him one step closer to becoming the first Filipino elected official in the city of LA’s history. Mejia, 31, is a certified public accountant (CPA) with 11 years of experience in accounting and auditing, which he says will give him a technical edge to becoming controller, which, essentially, is a city’s top auditor. ‘KALAYAAN 2022.’ Soldiers hold an oversized Philippine flag for the raising of flag in preparation for the 124th Independence Day celebration In an email sent to the Asian Journal, Mejia — who on Friday, June 10. This year’s Independence Day celebration theme is “Pagsuong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas (Brave the challenges of had been leading among the field of candidates — a new tomorrow).” PNA photo by Joey O. Razon u PAGE A4
US highlights alliance in courtesy call on Locsin, Marcos MANILA — The United States’ Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman paid a courtesy call on president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday, June 9. According to U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price, Sherman and Marcos Jr. highlighted the importance of the bilateral alliance in the context of ensuring security and prosperity within the region and the world. Price added that the discussion also emphasized "the importance of fostering respect for human rights and rule of law in the Philippines."
"The President-elect and Deputy Secretary agreed on the importance of partnering together to strengthen our economies, including the importance of public-private partnerships, clean energy and our digital economy," he said. Sherman and Marcos Jr. also tackled possible opportunities for both countries enhance bilateral relations. In a separate statement, Price said Sherman also congratulated Locsin for his run as the country's top diplomat during U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Photo from Twitter @DeputySecState President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. Marcos Jr. "Deputy Secretary Sherman conveyed u PAGE A4
Bongbong Marcos can enter US With Padilla’s election to Senate, is it due to diplomatic immunity - envoy time to talk about federalism again?
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by Christia
Marie Inquirer.net
by angeliCa
Y. Yang
Philstar.com
Robin Padilla
MANILA — Actor Robin Padilla's election to the Senate and his potential assignment as chair of the committee on constitutional amendments may revive a push for federalism that lost steam during the Duterte administration. In an interview after the May 9 election, Padilla said he believes that Filipinos voted for him because his platform geared toward charter change and federalism. "Iyan siguro ang yakap ng ating taumbayan kaya siguro ako nangunguna (I think that is what the people want, that is why I am leading)," Padilla, who received the most votes in the senatorial race, said. While it is good to discuss options about Philstar.com photo
reforms and changes, University of the Philippines (UP) political scientist Maria Ela Atienza says that more ground work should be done to help the public understand the current system of governance. She said the country might not be ready for the shift to federalism, which would involve the sharing of powers between two levels of government— national or federal, and the states or regional. In a unitary system— the system in place in the Philippines — the central government makes nearly all of the policies and decisions. In a federal system, the central government has limited powers, as state governments can handle local affairs based on the political desires of their constituents, according to German u PAGE A4
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PRESIDENT-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would be “welcome” to the United States given his diplomatic immunity as a head of state, a top Washington diplomat pointed out on Thursday, June 9. “The fact is, when you’re a head of state, you have immunity in all circumstances and are welcome to the United States in your official role,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told reporters in a roundtable discussion in Pasay City when asked on the matter. Before this, she capped off a day of meetings with Philippine
officials, including Marcos Jr. and outgoing Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. “When someone is the head of state, they have [diplomatic] immunity and would be welcome to the United States,” Sherman added. In 2012, a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit handed down a contempt judgment against Marcos Jr., his mother Imelda, and the estate of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. for violating an injunction that barred them from dissipating assets of the estate. The contempt order came after the Marcoses entered into
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY IFB No. C3152-23 CENTRAL MAINTENANCE FACILITY (CMF) AND METROLINK OPERATION CENTER (MOC) RESTROOM RENOVATION The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking Bids for CMF & MOC Restroom Renovation project. Beginning May 19, 2022, Invitations for Bid (IFB) may be obtained via download from SCRRA’s website at http://www. metrolinktrains.com/agency/ page/title/doing_business. Electronic bids must be submitted online at http://www.planetbids. com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=13821 on or before 2:00 PM Local Time on June 28, 2022. Electronic bids will not be received after this date and time. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 10:00 AM on June 1, 2022 at 1555 San Fernando Los Angeles, CA 90065. A job walk will immediately follow. For proposers not available to attend in person, a Virtual Pre-Bid Conference will also be available via ZOOM Web Conferencing. All contractors interested are invited to register and join the Pre-Bid Conference. (registration is required). Job walks will be held at the following locations: June 1, 2022 - 10:00 am PST - 1555 San Fernando Los Angeles, CA 90065 June 2, 2022 - 10:00 am PST - 2558 Supply St. Pomona, CA 91767 The contract to be awarded will be funded in part by grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration and is subject to a DBE Participation Goal of 2.04%. For further information contact: Melissa Cousart, Contract and Compliance Administrator at email cousartm@scrra.net. 6/11/22 CNS-3590966# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
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Bongbong Marcos can enter US... PAGE A1 a settlement with the Ramos administration in 1992 and agreed to share their wealth with the government. It was considered a violation of the 1991 decision of the U.S. District Court of Hawaii prohibiting the Marcos family from touching their U.S. assets because these were the source of potential payment of damages to the human rights victims of martial law. Thousands of martial law victims won a class action lawsuit for human rights violations against the estate of Marcos Sr. in Hawaii in 1986, where they were awarded close to $2 billion. The contempt award also meant that the Marcoses would not be allowed to set foot on any U.S. territory. This issue was earlier raised during the first press conference of Marcos Jr.’s then campaign spokesperson Victor Rodriguez. A reporter had asked how the then presumptive president, as the country’s top diplomat, could travel to the United States given the contempt order, but Rodriguez ignored this and subsequent questions about the issue. Sherman stressed the “robust” relations between Manila and Washington, which spans 75 years. She met with Marcos Jr. earlier in the day and had a “positive” and “productive” meeting where they discussed a wide range of topics, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and human rights. So far, Sherman is the highest U.S. official that Marcos Jr. has met since his proclamation as the country’s next president. “The friendship between the United States and the Philippines runs deep. And so, too, does our shared commitment to upholding and strengthening the rules-based international order,” Sherman told reporters. “The Philippines has been a leader and a champion for upholding freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in the face of increasing encroachments,” she said. “The United States remains committed to standing with the government of the Philippines to uphold the rules and laws
underpinning the international maritime order, and we have spoken up against infringements of the Philippines’ sovereign rights,” she added. Sherman said she was pleased to meet Marcos as part of her 10-day Asian swing that includes South Korea, Vietnam and Laos. VFA extension “We discussed strengthening our longstanding alliance, expanding people-to-people ties, deepening our economic relationship, advancing human rights, and preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Sherman said in a Twitter post. In a statement, Rodriguez, the incoming executive secretary, said Marcos and Sherman also “discussed the importance of partnering together in order to strengthen the economy (of) the two countries” in such areas as “public-private partnerships, clean energy and the digital economy.” Invitation Last May, Marcos said he was looking at extending the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States as he raised the issue during his meeting with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava at his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City. Marcos also invited U.S. President Biden to his inauguration on June 30, which he said “could further fortify the relationship of the two countries.” The Department of State earlier said Sherman’s visit to Asia reflected Washington’s “continued commitment to the Indo-Pacific.” “The deputy secretary and the President-elect highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world and the importance of fostering respect for human rights and rule of law in the Philippines,” U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. Also present at the meeting between Marcos and Sherman were Rodriguez, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez and Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro. (With reports from Nestor Corrales and Tina G. Santos/ Inquirer.net)
From The FronT Page
FLYBY. Three FA-50PH jet fighters flyby over an oversized Philippine flag at Rizal Monument, Rizal Park, Manila in preparation for the 124th Independence Day celebration on Friday, June 10. This year’s Independence Day celebration theme is “Pagsuong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas (Brave the challenges of a new tomorrow)”. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
CA Attorney General Rob... PAGE A1
The top two vote-getters advance to the November election under California law, no matter their party affiliation. Nathan Hochman, former federal prosecutor and former assistant U.S. attorney general who is the Republican Party’s endorsed candidate, came in second with 17.5% of the votes counted. Conservative Republican Eric Early was third, with 15%, while Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, running without party affiliation, had 8% of the vote. “As attorney general, I wake up every day and go to work to protect public safety and defend Californians’ rights,” Bonta said in a statement. “No Department of Justice in the country is doing more to stand up to right-wing attacks against our constitutional and legal rights — from defending abortion protections and the right to privacy to strengthening our gun safety laws,” Bonta added. Bonta, who is the first Filipino American to hold the top lawyer
Attorney General Rob Bonta celebrates being the top vote-getter in the California primary election on Tuesday, June 7 alongside his wife, Assemblymember Mia Bonta. Photo from Rob Bonta Facebook page
post in California, was previously a state assemblymember, representing the East Bay areas of Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. Bonta, who was born in Quezon City, Philippines, moved to the U.S. at a young age and spent his early years living in a trailer in La Paz, in the Tehachapi Mountains outside Bakersfield,
California. Prior to his election to the state Assembly in 2012, Bonta was San Francisco’s deputy city attorney for nearly a decade, and served as director of the Alameda Health Care District and then part of Alameda’s City Council as vice mayor. The state’s general election will be held on November 8. n
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Dateline USa
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COVID cases increase at LA County skilled nursing...
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requirements for residents, staff, and visitors; appropriately isolating and quarantining residents; and limiting communal dining and group activities that can’t be held outdoors. High levels of vaccination and booster coverage within SNFs help provide life-saving protection. As of May 29, 91% of nursing home residents were fully vaccinated and 79% fully vaccinated and boosted with the first booster dose. Among eligible staff, vaccination rates are also very high with 98% fully vaccinated and 89% fully vaccinated and boosted. However, while the data is incomplete, it appears that far fewer SNF residents and staff had received a second booster; data to date indicates that second booster doses have been administered to just 22% of eligible residents and 7% of staff. In order to ensure that eligible nursing home residents and staff are quickly offered the second booster doses, Public Health is continuing to verify that Skilled Nursing Facilities in LA County are able to offer second doses through their relationship with
a Long-Term Care Pharmacy or through the Public Health mobile teams. Skilled Nursing Facilities that need a mobile vaccine team can inquire by filling out the COVID-19 Vaccination Special Requests for Healthcare Facilities request form. Skilled Nursing Facilities with active outbreaks will be scheduled for a mobile team clinic. “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. “This sharp increase in cases and outbreaks at SNFs reflects the increase in transmission in the wider community. When we strongly recommend universal COVID precautions, one of the reasons is because we all have a collective opportunity to protect the most vulnerable in our community, including residents in nursing homes. While hard working staff can and do take extra measures to prevent transmission at these facilities, if transmission rates are high in the surrounding community, it increases the likelihood that
residents and staff will be exposed to infected individuals. When we mask and take other protective measures during times of rising COVID cases, we are driving down spread and thereby taking steps to protect all of our residents, including the most vulnerable at our nursing homes.” Public Health on Friday reported eight additional deaths and 6,202 new positive cases. Of the eight new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 18-29, one person was between the ages of 50-64, two people were between the ages of 65-79, and four people were aged 80 years or older. Of the eight newly reported deaths, six had underlying health conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in LA County is 32,201. Public Health has reported a total of 3,025,694 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. The current positivity rate is 5.0%. There are 616 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 12,072,695 individuals, with 22% of people testing positive. (AJPress)
Los Angeles City Controller candidate Kenneth Mejia, 31, poses in front of one of his billboards in the city, which shows his endorsement from the LA Times. Mejia heads to the run-off election in November 2022 after coming out on top during the primary on June 7. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Mejia / Twitter
Fil-Am candidate for LA city controller Kenneth... PAGE A1 t
expressed excitement and pride over making it to the general election, praising his campaign team and supporters. “This is a testament that young and diverse campaigns powered by the people can win big elections when you focus on the issues and exemplify how the position you're running for can help address those issues,” Mejia told the Asian Journal. While the job of a controller isn’t to dictate what is in a city’s budget, a controller also helps analyze the effectiveness of different city departments and agencies. As the city’s chief accounting officer, the controller also oversees and manages city payroll and spending, report city finances, and offers metrics and data regarding expenditures. While it isn’t entirely up to
a controller to dictate the city budget, Mejia has called for diverting funds from the Los Angeles Police Department and allocating them to various community resources, including a guaranteed income program that provides $1,000 a month for low-income households. Famously, Mejia’s campaign billboards highlight the LAPD’s $3.1 billion budget, paired with the exponentially lower financial investments in housing, transportation, and homelessness. As the controller, he noted that transparency of finances would be a major part of his post. “When elected as City Controller, I'd like to make sure that all of the city's finances are easily transparent and accessible since right now it is difficult to find that information. In addition,
I'd like to focus on educating the public on the role of the City Controller, how to use our websites, and teach people about finance and how it can benefit Angelenos,” he said. Previously, Mejia ran for the United States Congress three times. Though the controller is an apolitical position, Mejia has been vocal about his progressive values, not least of which includes making sure that ethnic minorities are represented in government. “I am very proud to be representing our kababayan,” Mejia added. “I would be the first Filipino elected official in the City of LA and first [Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)] citywide elected official. Hoping more people who look like me feel inspired in the political process and get involved!” n
With Padilla’s election to Senate, is it time to...
PAGE A1 t political foundation Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS). Some powers have been devolved to local government units under the Local Government Code. "It is always good to discuss options for institutional reforms and changes. However, there is a need to have massive information drive to discuss with the public the current institutional setup and evaluate it comprehensively before discussing the possible
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changes," Atienza told Philstar. com. Surveys conducted during the first three years of President Rodrigo Duterte's term showed that less than half of the population understood the 1987 Constitution, she said. Meanwhile, a March 2018 survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations showed that only one in four Filipino adults knew about the federal system, while the remaining 75% said they only learned of it during
the course of the survey. Charter change might not be priority Atienza also pointed out charter change, which would have to happen for that shift to a federal Philippines, may not be the first priority of the Philippine government as the country continues to recover from the impacts of the pandemic. Although he is chair of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, president-elect Ferdinand Marcos
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US highlights alliance in courtesy call... PAGE A1 international order," Price said. gratitude for Secretary Locsin's Sherman discussed with commitment and contributions to Locsin the importance of the alliance and the rules-based maintaining a free and open
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Jr. did not mention charter change or a shift to federalism during the campaign. In a DZRH radio interview in January, Marcos Jr. said he believed that the federal system "fits" the Philippines, but admitted that pursuing charter change may be difficult as the public has historically seen these as attempts by incumbents to stay in power. "At the same time, 2022 is the beginning of the implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia ruling of the Supreme Court and [Executive Order] 138 which promotes full devolution," Atienza said. "Many local government units as well as national agencies are in the process of adjusting to these. [Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao] is still on its first few years as an autonomous regional government," she also said. "It may be premature to advocate for a shift to federalism immediately." Padilla is a vocal advocate of federalism, which he believes is what the public wants. Hours after the vote counting of the 2022 polls began, he said in a radio interview that the people wanted power to be given to different regions, which would be able to craft laws based on their culture and traditions. Federalism may be ideal for places where groups with diverse traditions and populations are present, Atienza said in an interview in 2018. In a way, federalism might be able to help them preserve their identities, she said. The shift to federalism was among President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign promises but lack of public interest relegated charter change from the government's priorities. In 2019, an interagency task force on federalism and constitutional reform pushed instead for "surgical amendments" to the Constitution. Resentment toward Manila Policymakers in Manila — the capital, and sometimes referred to as Imperial Manila — have historically been making decisions for the entire country, to the frustration of those in provinces
who feel that they have little say, according to Bob Herrera-Lim, the managing director of Teneo, a global consulting and advisory firm. "People in the provinces feel that is unfair. They have their own problems but sometimes or a lot of times, they are limited by the fact that many of...the decisions, the policies coming are based from a Manila perspective, so I think that's where [the clamor for] federalism comes from," Lim, who specializes in political and business risk in the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia, told Philstar.com. Issues related to education, real estate taxes, health and transportation are influenced by local conditions, which may not be addressed by decision makers based in Manila, he said. Asked if there is a chance that federalism can happen under the incoming Marcos administration, Lim said he expects economic managers to resist moves towards charter change because of potential losses in efficiency if the shift is not done properly. Former socioeconomic planning secretary Ernesto Pernia previously said he is "not keen" about federalism, as development across regions has been slow and unequal. In a recent interview on OneNewsPH, he indicated that the presence of federal states or regions will not help solve the problem of unequal growth and resources. "I'm not an advocate for federalism," he said, echoing his earlier sentiments. Not seen to solve inequality, poverty While federalism might balance relations and powers between the central government and peripheral areas, it will not necessarily solve issues of inequality. "It will not solve the political dynasties, the existence of political parties that are in name only. It will not prevent turncoatism. It will not prevent inequality and poverty," UP's Atienza said. She said giving power to local governments that may be poorly
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California officials call for more funding for...
PAGE A1 Indo-Pacific as well as the effects of the Russian invasion Asian-language teachers,” said on Ukraine. (Kaycee Valmonte/ Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Philstar.com) - Los Angeles said in a press conference on Monday, June 6. “Access to dual-immersion language programs [isn't] keeping up with demand. It’s equipped to wield them may unacceptable when Vietnamese cause more problems. Corruption and Mandarin were the second can also still take place in a and third most spoken languages federal system and the unitary in K-12 public schools. Yet only style of governance if the laws are 4 teachers were accredited to not firmly applied, Atienza added. teach Vietnamese and 58 to Constitutional change teach Mandarin.” Independent policy analyst and Other than Spanish, constitutionalist Michael Henry Vietnamese and Chinese are Yusingco said he is not sure about the most commonly spoken the chances of federalism in the non-English languages across incoming adminstration, because the state. And with the growing it is not clear what political system Asian population in California should replace the current one. and nationwide, the pool of "If you want to push for a immigrant students enrolling federal system, my suggestion is, in California public schools is do it the right way. Go down to also increasing, which signals the communities. Ask them, what a demand for a multilingual structure do you want?" teaching force. "What are the powers that are California State Sen. Richard going to be shared? What is the Pan (D-Sacramento), who chairs extent of autonomy and then the state's Asian American and what are the mechanisms for Pacific Islander Legislative cooperation and coordination Caucus, is introducing the between the different levels program to the Legislature. of government?" he said in an During the press conference, Pan interview with Philstar.com. acknowledged the API Equity Yusingco said the government Budget, the comprehensive should take "bottom-up" $166.5 million spending package approach in charter change passed last year that funds because attempts to change stronger tracking and prevention the constitution would need of anti-Asian hate crimes. the trust of the citizens and the However, anti-Asian bias and engagement of civil society harassment should go beyond organization who could advocate that. on their behalf. Recalling his own experience He explained those who as an elementary school student push for charter change have who could only speak Mandarin, historically employed the "topPan said that, like so many down" approach which only ESL students, he would have strengthens inherent distrust in developed more confidence and political elites. progress with a bilingual teacher. "Constitutional reform might He added that the linguistic work, but it's very important to barrier that puts immigrant make sure that the citizens are children at a great disadvantage onboard first and foremost," he also negatively affects their said. mental health. For Teneo's Lim, opening up “We need to be sure that every the process of constitutional child, no matter what language change will likely open up other they speak at home, and how they proposals unrelated to federalism, got here, has the opportunity to such as the shift to a parliamentary get an outstanding education — system and removing economic and that not only benefits that restrictions among others. child; it benefits the whole state,” "If you are Bongbong Marcos, Pan said. you know it will be a very noisy, In addition to helping difficult and heavy lift. Do you immigrant children thrive in the do it first, when you are looking classroom, the program could at problems such as inflation, also help native English speakers geopolitics, getting as fully out learn a second language and, of the pandemic, having an more importantly, help them economic recovery, [and] dealing understand other cultures — with all your critics? It's not going which, given the rise in antito be easy," he said. n
With Padilla’s election to Senate, is it time to...
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 11-14, 2022
Asian attacks in recent years, could be critical, advocates say. Victoria Dominguez, policy director at Advancing Justice Los Angeles, said that there is a psychological component to introducing multilingual studies at a young age, saying that “when we are exposed to other communities, other cultures, and other languages, literally, our brain rewires in a different way that allows us to be more empathetic. The spending package, if passed, would be invested into the California State Universities’ Asian Bilingual Education Program Consortium, a group representing 10 campuses in the CSU system, to increase the number of bilingual teachers in six East and Southeast Asian languages: Cantonese, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. (Tagalog and other Filipino dialects, as well as Central and South Asian languages were not mentioned during the briefing.) Fernando Rodríguez-Valls, a
professor of secondary education who works at the consortium at Cal State Fullerton, noted that classes being offered to bilingual teachers to better support their diverse classrooms do not come with financial aid as of yet. The fee for the two classes required are around $2,500 on average, classes that are designed specifically to prepare teachers on how to help students understand class materials in another language. “It’s not just learning the languages; it’s learning mathematics in Khmer. It’s learning science in Korean, learning history in Vietnamese. And in order to accomplish that, we need teachers who are qualified,” Rodríguez-Valls said. (By Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
LACMTA will receive Bids/ Proposals for C88836C1218 Invitation for Bid (IFB) Soundwall Package 10 at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. All Bids must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each Bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. C88836C1218. For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Helen Gates-Bryant at gates-bryanth@metro.net. 6/4, 6/11/22 CNS-3592186# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
publikong Pagdinig tungkol sa pagpapatibay ng iminungkahing Taunang Badyet nito para saTaon ng Pananalapi FY202223. Ang pagdinig na ito ay nasa agenda para sa SCRRA Pulong ng Lupon sa: Hunyo 24, 2022 sa ika-9:00 ng umaga Makikita sa Online ang Pampublikong Pagdinig sa: https://metrolinktrains.com/ about/board-meetings/agendas-documents/ Ang mga kopya ng iminungkahing FY2022-23 Taunang Badyet ay makukuha para sa pampublikong inspeksyon Lunes hanggang Biyernes, mula ika-8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika-5:00 ng hapon sa opisina ng SCRRA, 900 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1500, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Hunyo 6 hanggang Hunyo 24, 2022, at sa elektronikong pormat sa aming website sa www.metrolinktrains.com 6/11/22 CNS-3592852# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
Southern California regional rail authority PAUNAWA NG PAMPUBLIKONG LOS ANGELES COUNTY PAGDINIG FY2022-23 METROPOLITAN TAUNANG BADYET TRANSPORTATION Ang Southern California ReRail Authority (SCRRA) AUTHORITY (LACMTA) gional na nagpapatakbo ng sistema ng rail ng Metrolink ay INVITATION FOR BID commuter magsasagawa ng isang Pam-
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Return of the swarm
JULIAN Felipe Reef is part of the Kalayaan Island Group and lies 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza town in Palawan. It is over 638 nautical miles from Hainan Island in the southern tip of China. In 1978, Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Decree 1596, declaring Philippine sovereignty over the Kalayaan Islands including Julian Felipe Reef, which lie within the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone or EEZ. In March last year, the country protested the presence of an estimated 220 Chinese militia vessels swarming in the vicinity of Julian Felipe. Beijing claimed these were fishing vessels taking shelter from rough waters. This was at the height of summer when the seas are calm. Throughout April last year, the Department of Foreign Affairs fired a series of additional protests as the Chinese ships dispersed across the West Philippine Sea but lingered in the area. Filipino fishermen have complained of being driven away from their traditional fishing grounds by Chinese vessels. A year later, the ships were again spotted last
April, prompting another protest from the DFA. This was despite an hour-long phone conversation in the same month between President Duterte and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, during which the need to maintain peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea was stressed. The incoming national security adviser has said the Philippines must keep filing diplomatic protests against Chinese incursions, because failure to do so could be construed as acquiescence to Beijing’s maritime claims, which have been fully invalidated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Apart from filing diplomatic protests, the Philippines must take a more proactive stance in keeping unauthorized foreign vessels out of the country’s EEZ. The incoming administration must beef up the maritime patrol capability of part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of doesn’t matter if the Chinese coast guard, which Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, which are not is under the supervision of its military, dwarfs
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Philippine maritime patrol assets. Might does not make right, and the Philippines must assert its sovereign rights in its waters. (Philstar.com)
Poll: A majority of Americans believe gun control is more important than protecting right to own guns The Fil-Am Perspective Gel santos-Relos THE philosophical question is again being made the center of the ongoing debate involving our rights and liberties in America. This comes amid the escalating number of mass shootings and massacres of people, including many children in schools, perpetrated by civilians using high powered guns intended to be used by military men in the battlefield. What is more important now: the right to own gun or the need to control gun ownership? Let us rephrase the question. What is more important to you? The right of people to life and to be protected from gun violence by legislating more stringent gun control laws? Or the right to own guns, and as the powerful and moneyed gun lobbyist the National Rifle Association (NRA) would argue -- legislation, regulations and restrictions to gun ownership are "continuing the assault on our Second Amendment rights”? A Pew Research Center survey conducted in September and released this
week revealed that a majority of Americans (53%) believe it is more important to control gun ownership, while 47% say it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns. The support for stricter gun laws has been escalating as more and more people are being massacred by civilians who should have never been given access to guns at all. So many senseless deaths could have been avoided if only people in government, especially our representatives in Congress, would honor the oath they took to serve the American people instead of their own political interests. The percentage of Americans who favor stricter gun laws is on the rise, though significant partisan divisions persist. As National Public Radio (NPR) reported, “60% of Americans say gun laws should be tougher, up from 57% last year and 52% in 2017." Other industrialized countries have already made a stand to prevent these senseless deaths by legislating and implementing stricter gun laws and have saved lives as a result. And yet here in the United States, people in Congress remain beholden to the NRA, which has been shelling out a lot of money to fund the campaigns of politicians, especially the candidacy of
former President Donald Trump. Trump had despicable audacity to reject gun control at the NRA conference in Texas in the wake of the killings of 19 school children ages 9 to 11 and two teachers by an 18-year old boy, who is not even allowed to drink, but was able to buy high powered guns that he used to massacre the victims in a school in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022. Days before the study was released, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 15 bills related to gun violence prevention. "It's not about solving individual problems, it's about changing the dynamic, changing the trend lines," Newsom said as he signed the bills, the NPR report stated. “Despite growing national support for stricter gun laws, such legislation still generates controversy. One of these bills, AB 61, is facing criticism from both the National Rifle Association and the American Civil Liberties Union for expanding California's red flag law. It will enable employers, co-workers, employees and teachers — not just family members and police officers — to seek gun violence restraining orders from people they see as posing a potential threat.” The ACLU believes this law "poses a significant threat
to civil liberties" and has voiced concern that people in this expanded category may lack "the relationship or skills required to make an appropriate assessment." The Pew Research Center study showed that “men are more likely to favor protecting gun rights, while women are more likely to favor controlling gun ownership”. But what is truly consistently striking amid all the mass shootings in America year after year is the partisan divide. More Pew Research study findings, as reported by NPR, revealed that: “While a solid majority of Americans favor stricter gun laws, support remains split down party lines. Eightysix percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents said gun laws should be stricter than they are today, compared with 31% of their Republican counterparts.” Large majorities of Democrats and Republicans somewhat or strongly support barring people with mental illnesses from purchasing guns, as well as making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks. But when it comes to banning high-capacity ammunition magazines and assault-style weapons, the parties diverge: Nearly 9 in 10 Democrats favor each of these
proposals, compared with roughly half of Republicans. Gun control remains at the forefront of the national conversation in the wake of several mass shootings in the past two years, including those in Las Vegas; Sutherland Springs, Texas; Parkland, Fla.; Pittsburgh; Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Virginia Beach, Va.; El Paso, Texas; Dayton, Ohio; and Midland-Odessa, Texas. The number of states with red flag or extreme-risk laws, which allow courts to order the seizure of firearms from those believed to pose an imminent danger to themselves or others, has increased since the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., that left 17 people dead and 17 others injured. Before Parkland, only five states had red flag laws. By August 2019, 17 states and the District of Columbia had adopted them. What happened to the red flag laws which, according to an APM Research Lady survey has a widespread national approval? The survey revealed that "77 percent of Americans supporting family-initiated extreme risk protection orders and 70 percent in support of those initiated by the police”. The report further stated that even people who generally oppose gun control might favor red flag laws because they are temporary and specific, based on the
statement of Cassandra Crifasi, deputy director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. Protection orders "take guns out of the hands of those who should not have them without infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners," Dr. Mark Rosenberg, who oversaw gun violence research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as NPR reported. So when will our elected representatives in Congress listen to the voices of the people? When will they act to save lives from gun violence and go beyond giving their hypocritical thoughts and prayers when they had the chance and the obligation to do it for years and do NOTHING? *** 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
With rising inflation, just say no to California’s costly Plastics Tax Initiative Commentary
Faith Bautista LIVING in California, in good economic times, is an expensive endeavor. But, with rapid inflation and runaway home prices, the state is quickly becoming unaffordable for all but those at the top of the income pyramid. The nation’s highest gas prices, shortages of essential consumer items and rising grocery bills make it increasingly harder for working families in the Golden State to make ends meet. Despite this reality, special interests have plans that, unless stopped, will make our current economic situation even worse. One such example is a statewide tax initiative on
this November’s ballot. Unless defeated, it will raise the cost of living by nearly $9 billion – costs borne by families and small businesses. Thankfully, voters will decide the fate of the Plastics Tax Initiative, a new tax on plastic products, and a series of complex regulations that targets businesses and consumers. While the initiative allegedly reduces plastic waste, it’s doubtful that its lofty goals will be achieved. For years the state has mismanaged its recycling programs despite spending billions of dollars while recycling has decreased. This initiative neither substantially improves the recycling rate nor benefits consumers. Instead, it will raise costs for businesses and consumers when we can least afford it. The scope of what’s covered under the proposed tax is immense. It targets virtually all consumer
products, from the food containers in the grocery store to diaper packaging. One estimate highlights that the average family of four will pay $900 per year in higher costs. Given how expensive everything is now (even more expensive than last month because of inflation), most families simply cannot handle the additional burden of increased costs. That’s why the National Asian American Coalition opposes this measure. We’ve enthusiastically joined a diverse coalition that is strongly opposed to the Plastics Tax Initiative. Ballot box lawmaking is a risky endeavor. By circumventing the traditional legislative process, major flaws in special interestdrafted initiatives can’t be changed. Consumers typically bear the brunt of such drafting “errors.” The Plastics Tax is no exception.
One of our biggest concerns with the measure is its overreliance on a state bureaucracy that has failed to do its job: CalRecycle. For years, this agency has mismanaged the state’s beverage container recycling program. CalRecycle has been unable to detect fraud and has held onto huge recycling deposit surpluses that are supposed to be refunded to consumers. Ignoring this checkered past, the Plastics Tax Initiative vests even greater authority to CalRecycle to create new programs and charge unlimited administrative expenses for implementing these new taxes. Without radically reforming CalRecycle, all Californians will pay billions in higher taxes with little to show for it and little assurance that our tax dollars will be used as promised. Worse still, the tax will expand inequality.
Underserved communities are already hurt by rising prices. The initiative will not only raise the cost of food, but it will also cost Californians good-paying jobs. More than 40,000 California workers employed in the plastic manufacturing industry would likely see their jobs vanish. These are middle-class jobs that do not require a college degree. The initiative’s maze of mandates will squeeze instate employers and displace these jobs to factories outside California – a lose-lose on all fronts. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. The Plastics Tax proponents hope we ignore the massive tax increase with the promise of a better tomorrow – if only we agree to their “solution” that will increase the cost of our food, ship jobs to other states and radically grow a government agency that’s not succeeding today with a
smaller mandate. California voters need to get the facts about this tax measure and its harmful provisions. We have time before the November 2022 election. It’s time to get informed and educated. *** 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. *** Fa i t h Ba u t i sta i s t h e p res i d e n t and CEO of National Asian American Coalition, a HUD-approved, programoriented nonprofit that provides housing counseling, small business lending, and technical assistance services to minority and low-income populations. She also serves as the founder and president of National Diversity Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy organization comprised of community organizers, faith-based leaders, and business owners working collectively for greater financial equality and empowerment for underserved communities.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 11-14, 2022 A7
PH, US seek to preserve free, open Indo-Pacific by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com
MANILA — Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met on Thursday, June 9 with presidentelect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss new ways to deepen the bilateral U.S.-Philippines alliance and highlighted the importance of fostering respect for human rights and rule of law. In a readout, the U.S. Department of State said the number-two diplomat met with both outgoing and incoming administrations to reaffirm U.S. commitment to the bilateral alliance and a free and open Indo-Pacific. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Sherman also met with Marcos’ advisers, including Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, incoming executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro during her visit to the country. Sherman, the highest ranking State Department official to come to the Philippines since the pandemic, congratulated Marcos on his election. “I was pleased to meet and congratulate President-
elect Marcos. We discussed strengthening our longstanding alliance, expanding peopleto-people ties, deepening our economic relationship, advancing human rights, and preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Sherman said on Twitter. In a readout of Sherman’s meeting, Price said Marcos and the deputy secretary agreed on the importance of working together to strengthen the economies, particularly publicprivate partnerships, clean energy and digital economy. He said Sherman and Marcos highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world and the importance of fostering respect for “human rights and rule of law in the Philippines.” “They discussed opportunities for our two nations to deepen our alliance and friendship and seize new opportunities to deliver for our people in the years to come,” Price said. Sherman was also at the Department of Foreign Affairs for a courtesy call on Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. During the meeting, Sherman
conveyed gratitude for Locsin’s commitment and contributions to the alliance and rules-based international order. They spoke about maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, and also discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its global ramifications. The State Department announced Sherman’s travel to the region that reflects the U.S.’ continued commitment to the Indo-Pacific and follows the U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit, President Biden’s visit to South Korea and Japan, the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo, and the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Reinvigorating its partnership with ASEAN, the U.S. hosted last month the U.S.-ASEAN Summit to take on urgent issues. 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. The U.S., Manila’s most vocal partner in reaffirming the 2016 arbitral award, has said it will continue to stand by the historic South China Sea ruling. n
Marcos commits to human rights accountability, says UN envoy by Neil
ArwiN MercAdo Inquirer.net
MANILA — President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed commitment to ensuring accountability in issues concerning human rights, United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez said on Friday, June 10. Following his courtesy call on Marcos at the latter’s headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Gonzalez underscored the need to enhance accountability in governance. “We need to continue in enhancing accountability in terms of human rights and making sure that what we adopted as part of the Human Rights Council Resolution 4553… they are addressed,” Gonzalez said in a press briefing. “President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed [his] commitment. He even shared that he is conducting a number of
consultations to ensure the best way of supporting the human rights agenda,” he added. Gonzalez is referring to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)’s resolution that calls for “technical assistance” to aid the Philippines in its human rights efforts. Some human rights groups have dubbed the resolution as a “missed opportunity” to launch an investigation in the human rights situation in the Philippines. Gonzalez said Marcos’ commitment to the human rights agenda is “quite encouraging.” “We reiterate the support of the United Nations,” Gonzalez said. Asked if the human rights issues during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte were tackled during the meeting, Gonzalez answered in the negative. He said that the human rights
discussion revolved on the UNHRC resolution. “It means the UN and the government needs to work together in addressing some concerns on human rights and he’s very much interested for example in ensuring a consultation for the nomination of the new Commission of Human Rights,” Gonzalez said. “This is the topic that he immediately raised and he also mentioned the importance of ensuring high-level accountability in terms of human rights,” he added. Aside from human rights, issues of peace and climate change were also discussed during the meeting. “So a quite positive, very positive meeting and we are quite encouraged that we continue supporting the Philippines and the new administration in terms of addressing national priorities,” Gonzalez said. n
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‘No letup on PH protests vs China incursions’ ‘PH shouldn’t join sanctions vs Russia’ by Francis
Earl cuEto ManilaTimes.net
THE Philippines will not get tired of filing diplomatic protests against China for as long as Beijing continues to intrude or trespass in Philippine territorial waters, the incoming National Security adviser (NSA) said on Friday, June 10. "We will continue to file diplomatic protests, never mind that we are filing 10,000 of them," said Prof. Clarita Carlos at the Laging Handa public briefing. The Philippines, however, will still hold dialogues with China and other countries over disputed territories, according to Carlos. Earlier, she said the Marcos administration will pursue a "critical engagement" with China. Such engagement, Carlos added, involves creating a holistic political, economic, social and cultural framework. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, June 9 protested the presence of some 100 Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). Last April 4, the vessels were allegedly illegally operating at the reef, a part of the
exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. "The persistent swarming of Chinese vessels is contrary to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award," the DFA said in a statement. "It is also a violation of China's commitments under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, in particular, the exercise of selfrestraint pursuant to Paragraph 5 thereof," it added. In a historic ruling in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Netherlands favored the Philippines on its own claim and invalidated China's sweeping claims over waters in the South China Sea. China does not recognize the ruling. Manila and Beijing have long been locked in a dispute over parts of the South China Sea to almost all of which China insists it has exclusive rights. "The lingering unauthorized presence of Chinese fishing and maritime vessels is not only illegal, but is also a source of instability in the region," the DFA said. "The Philippines calls on China to comply with its obligations
under international law, cease and desist from displaying illegal and irresponsible behavior, avoid further escalating tensions at sea and immediately withdraw all of its vessels from Philippine maritime zones." The department did not disclose whether there had been a Chinese government response and whether the boats were still in the area. China's embassy in Manila did not respond to requests for comment. Beijing said the vessels were fishing boats sheltering from bad weather, but Manila rejected the explanation, saying there was no storm in the area at the time. Manila said it has filed more than 300 diplomatic protests over Chinese actions in the disputed waters over the past six years. Last month, the DFA said it had summoned a senior official of the Chinese Embassy on April 13 to protest the harassment of a Taiwan marine research vessel with Filipino scientists onboard by a Chinese Coast Guard ship. It also filed a separate protest last month over China's annual practice of declaring a fishing ban over areas beyond its "legitimate maritime entitlements." n
Cayetano willing to join Senate majority bloc, but only if he heads blue ribbon panel by Zacarian
sarao
Inquirer.net
MANILA — Senator-elect Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday, June 9 expressed willingness to join the incoming Senate majority bloc but only if he will be assigned chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee. Cayetano said this after baring that Majority Leader Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri – who is set to be the Senate president of the 19th Congress – said he wants to work together with him in the majority bloc. “Ang sabi ko naman, alam mo kailangan niyo ng fiscalizer, so kung ibibigay niyo ‘yung Blue Ribbon Committee then baka may dahilan ako magmajority because I will be able to do my job,” said Cayetano in an interview during the groundbreaking of the science
terminal and exhibit center in Taguig City. (As I said, you know you need a fiscalizer, so if you give me the Blue Ribbon Committee then maybe I have a reason to be in the majority because I will be able to do my job.) “Pero kung bibigyan ninyo ko ng committee na napakaganda pero walang magfifiscalize o kokonti ‘yung mag fifiscalize, o watak watak ‘yung magfifiscalize sa administrasyon na ito ay mahirap ‘yun,” he added. (But if you’ll give me a committee that is very good but there is no fiscalization or few fiscalizers in this administration, that will be difficult.) He then stressed the importance of a fiscalizer, equating it to the media which, according to him, exists for democracy. Cayetano also said that he will
also be happy to join the minority bloc if the position for fiscalizers won’t be offered to him. “So I’ll be happy to be in the minority kung walang role na mabibigay ang majority wherein we will be able to expilicitly say kung kailan tama at kailan mali,” he said. (So I’ll be happy to be in the minority if there is no role to be given for me in the majority so we will be able to explicitly say when is right and when is wrong.) “So that’s the present status at siguro maguusa-usap ulit as we wait before the Sona (State of the Nation Address), kasi nga marami ang not in the country or busy mag-organize,” he added. (So that’s the present status and maybe we’ll talk again as we wait before the Sona, because many are not in the country or are still busy organizing.) n
by Helen
Flores Philstar.com
MANILA — Incoming national security adviser Clarita Carlos on Friday, June 10 said the Philippines should not join Western sanctions against Russia, noting that the two countries have a “very robust” relationship. “Russia might be able to supply us with our much-needed oil and gas,” Carlos, a retired political science professor, told a televised public briefing. “But if I give advice to the president, it should be that we cannot join the sanctions mechanism that the U.S. is doing.” President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had a meeting with
Carlos at his headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, June 8. Carlos will replace Hermogenes Esperon Jr., a former armed forces chief. Carlos said the Philippines should maintain its neutral stance in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. “That is what we have been doing from the beginning, and we have a very robust relationship with Russia,” she pointed out. President Duterte has said previously that the country should refrain from taking sides in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, fearing further escalation could result in a nuclear war.
Since assuming office, Duterte has forged warmer ties with Russia and China, the Philippines’ non-traditional partners, under his independent foreign policy approach. The West has imposed crippling sanctions against Russia following its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine that has killed scores of soldiers and civilians, destroyed the country’s infrastructure and created an exodus of millions of refugees to its neighboring countries. The world’s major companies also halted or scaled down their Russia business operations, protesting the war’s tremendous human toll on the Ukrainian population. n
Leni Robredo visits Sen. De Lima; people’s campaign, senator’s case among discussed by Gabriel
Pabico Inquirer.net
lalu
MANILA — The opposition people’s campaign and the developments on the drug-related cases against her were discussed when Vice President Leni Robredo visited her, Senator Leila De Lima said on Friday, June 10. In a handwritten statement sent by her office, De Lima — currently detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame — said that she was extremely delighted with Robredo’s visit. “Extremely delighted by VP Leni’s visit today here in the PNP Custodial Center. We had a marvelous time sharing stories and insights,” the outgoing senator said. “We talked about the very inspiring people’s campaign of Team #LeniKiko, Jillian’s graduation and her recent U.S. trip with her daughters, and the upcoming launching of the Angat Buhay NGO. We also touched on the recent positive developments in my cases,” she added. According to De Lima, there was no hint of ill feelings within Robredo even as both of them failed to land elective posts in the 2022 national elections. De Lima sought a second term in the Senate, running under the banner of Robredo and fellow Senator Francis Pangilinan, who ran for president and vice president, respectively, in the
recent polls. “Talagang nakatataba at nakagagalak ng puso na makasama at makausap si VP Leni. Walang mababakas na sama ng loob, kundi katatagan at kapanatagan. Isang kaibigan at kapwa lingkod bayan na kailanman ay hindi nakalimot, kasamang nanindigan, at sa kabila ng lahat, sa kahit anumang pagkakataon, walang dalawang-isip na inaalay ang sarili para sa Pilipino at sa Pilipinas,” De Lima said. (It is really heartening to talk to VP Leni. There was no trace of any ill feelings, but only strength, resolve, and courage. A friend and a fellow public servant who did not forget me, stood by me, and without thinking twice or hesitation, offered herself for Filipinos and the Philippines.) “I wish her all the very best. Muli, maraming salamat (Again, thank you so much), VP Leni!” she added. Robredo lost against eventual winner and now President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., getting 15,035,773 votes against Marcos’ 31,629,783 votes. Pangilinan also lost to Marcos’ running mate, Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio, 9,329,207 votes to 32,208,417 votes. In the senatorial race where 12 senators were picked for the 19th Congress, De Lima was ranked 23rd according to the partial and unofficial tally, getting 7.222 million votes. Out of the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem’s
Vice President Leni Robredo Inquirer.net file photo
core senatorial slate, only Senator Risa Hontiveros managed to land a seat, placing 11th with 15.26 million votes. Two more of the RobredoPangilinan tandem’s guest candidates in Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero and Senator Joel Villanueva also made it to the Magic 12. Regarding her drug-related cases, De Lima said her camp started to see good developments in their favor as several of the government’s witnesses have recanted their testimonies, with both convicted drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos claimed that they were only pressured to testify agains the senator. De Lima’s lawyers said they hope more “coerced” witnesses would come out to recant their statements. n
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Features
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 11-14, 2022 A9
Another strip of land along Las Vegas Blvd sells for millions by RealtoR
Fely Quitevis-Bateman
BIG land deals seem to be in vogue this season in Nevada. According to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a strip of land on the southern part of the Strip has been acquired by a mystery buyer recently. The plot of land is a 2.2acre property along Las Vegas Boulevard and Russell Road, and was reportedly bought at a price of $12.8 million. Lily Funds founder Tom McManus is the seller, per the news reports. The land is between the Diamond Inn motel and the Little Church of the West wedding chapel, and is said to have been bought by a limited liability company called Object Dash, which is managed by Object Dash Trust according to state records. Over the past year, there have been several big land purchases in communities in Nevada that has
created excitement and continued the great momentum for both buyers and sellers in the state. With the return conventions and tourists to cities like Las Vegas, dubbed as the gambling and entertainment capital of the world, many are eyeing continued development in the state and looking at audience-generating projects for communities. Aside from the recent big land purchase, there have been other big transactions which are expected to bring a wealth of projects to different communities in Nevada. Formula One’s parent company, for one, completed a $240 million purchase of nearly 40 acres just east of the Strip. Formula One is gearing up for its high-speed race in 2023 which will have drivers navigate a course that provides many of the iconic landmarks in Las Vegas
A breakfast meeting with Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s Pahrump investors, notably Alka Products CEO Andrew Hoang, who is close to getting approval from Nye County to build a glove factory in Pahrump. Photo above shows (from left) Jenny Truong, Kelly Tiam, Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman, Harold Tiam and Andrew Hoang.
This Google Maps photo shows the property bought by a mystery owner in Las Vegas along South Las Vegas Blvd., between the Diamond Inn Hotel and the Little Church of the West.
Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s new investors, Clark and Angelica Games of Palm Springs, CA who are both nurses, are looking at business opportunities in Pahrump. Photo above shows (from left) Clark Games, Angelica Games, Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman and Russ Bateman.
as backdrop and brings Formula One racing as close as ever to fans and observers. The 14-turn, 3.8 mile-race course will see drivers navigating the course at speeds of up to 212 miles per hour. The Siegel Group, on the other hand, purchased about 10 acres near the north part of the Strip for $75 million in April, just across from Resorts World Las Vegas. While the firm has not made any comments as to what it plans to put up on the piece of real estate dubbed as “the last great piece of land available on the north Strip,” many industry observers are speculating that long-term options for the group may include a casino-hotel, a condominium tower, retail outlets and multi-family apartments. The Oak View Group, meanwhile, acquired 25 acres of land in an area just minutes away from Harry Reid International Airport, and plans to build a major arena, entertainment hub and casino which will cater to people who can afford it. The 20,000-seat arena, reports say, will have the ability to host major music acts and can become a home to a professional sports team. And since the National Basketball Association (NBA) has indicated that Las Vegas is among the cities it is considering expansion to, the arena being built within this entertainment/sports complex will be NBA-ready, just Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for in case. small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948 or send email to fely@preciousAside from these huge land properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com. deals, news reports have touted
other big transactions in Las Vegas including Hard Rock International’s plans to buy The Mirage’s operations for more than $1 billion along with a goal to build a guitar-shaped hotel tower on the Strip, and casino landlord Vici Properties buyout of MGM Resorts International’s real estate spinoff for $17.2 million. In Pahrump, which is only 62 miles west of Las Vegas, a project that has gained momentum will see 400 acres of open farmland in the northern part of the town become a gaming and entertainment hub that will include a 40,000-squarefoot resort casino centered around a 7/8-mile track, with stables for 280 racing horses, and amenities like restaurants, shopping facilities, campgrounds, a water park, batting cages, a movie theater and parking for recreational vehicles. That project will also bring the first pari-mutuel harness racing track to the state. Another big project that is on the horizon for the town is the planned development for what is dubbed as “Mountain Falls South,” which will see Adaven Management and its associated parties build more than 5,000 residential units in a planned community on approximately 1,177 acres of land southwest of the intersection of Manse Road and Hafen Ranch Road. Requirements set forth in the development agreement for this project have been carried out over
Soon-to-be neighbors of Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman at Turnberry Place, Tower 1 are Dr. Phil Paleracio and Mr. Bing Longakit. Escrow is scheduled to close soon assuming that everything is in place. Photo above shows (from left) Realtor Quitevis-Bateman, Dr. Paleracio and Mr. Longakit.
the years, with the most recent item being the construction of a roundabout on Highway 160 at Manse Road which the company is working on with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). The roundabout is expected to cost about $1.5 million. Millions of dollars are being pumped into projects in the state, and in big cities like Las Vegas and towns like Pahrump. Real estate opportunities abound for those who want to take advantage of land and/or properties available in the market. Some of my buyers both in Las Vegas and Pahrump are enjoying the benefits of having invested in the market – whether it is in terms of the continued rise in real estate prices and valuation of their properties,
or by investing in properties which continue to make money for them (Airbnb or other types of rental properties). I bring a few decades worth of experience in real estate that will help you, my kababayans, in your search for real estate – whether it is for a new home, a second/vacation home, an investment property, or a piece of land where you want to construct your dream home. M y c o m p a n y, P r e c i o u s Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702538-4948 for more information. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days. (Advertising Supplement)
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Atty. Gurfinkel answers more immigration questions from Kapamilya in Chicago, on part 2 of a series of Q&A on Citizen Pinoy LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers more immigration questions from Kapamilya in Chicago and neighboring areas when Citizen Pinoy brings you the second installment of “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” In this episode, viewers will hear from Flora whose sister came to the U.S. as a tourist in 2018. Flora wants to know if she can petition her sister who is still in the U.S. and living with her. Rey’s mother petitioned him during the ‘90s, but he did not pursue the petition when it became current. Now, Rey wants to know if that petition can be revived or if his mother needs to re-petition him. Connie’s mother-in-law petitioned her daughter as “married,” but she has been separated from her husband for some time now.
Connie would like to know what is the fastest way for her sister-in-law to get her green card. Vina has a staffing agency for caregivers and certified nursing assistants and wants to know if she can petition her nieces and nephews to work for her company, and if they need to be certified or have prior work experience for the positions. Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions and more in Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with Kapamilya from Chicago. Watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, June 12 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
How Jodi’s degree in psychology helps in her acting and parenting styles By Marinel
Cruz
Inquirer.net
ACTRESS Jodi Sta. Maria, who finished her degree in psychology in 2020, said her background on the study of human behavior has helped her so much not just in her portrayal of her character in “The Broken Marriage Vow,” but also in her parenting style to teenage son Thirdy. “My course helped me a Jodi Sta. Maria Photo from Instagram/@jodistamaria lot, especially when it came to
understanding the character. I know that there’s always a psychological reason as to why this person behaved this way. I needed to retrace and try to understand what might have happened to her when she was younger; if she has had wounds that have yet to heal. It also helped in creating the character. I was able to put a lot of layers and turn her into something threedimensional,” Jodi told Inquirer PAGE B2
YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT IN CHICAGO PART 2. Leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (2nd from right) answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in Chicago, in Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” Some of the questions Atty. Gurfinkel answers are – From Flora (2nd from left): My sister came to the US on a tourist visa in 2018. She is still living with me. Is it possible for me to petition her?; From Connie (3rd from left): My mother-in-law petitioned her daughter as “married,” but her daughter has been separated from her husband for quite some time now. What is the fastest way to get her a green card? Watch this second installment of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in Chicago on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, June 12 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
Nora Aunor leads National Artist awardees By Shennah
roManilloS ManilaTimes.net
AFTER years of being nominated, award-winning actress and country’s “Superstar” Nora Aunor is finally proclaimed as National Artist for Film by Malacañang. The announcement was made Friday night, June 10 by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Nick Lizaso.
Throughout her five-decade career, Aunor’s acting talent has been recognized here and abroad. She was nominated at the FAMAS Awards 17 times since 1973 and was conferred the Gawad CCP para sa Sining for Film and Broadcast Arts by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 2015. Meanwhile, actor-director Tony Mabesa was proclaimed National Artist for theater; PAGE B4 Nora Aunor
GMA photo
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Why Joey Reyes decided to return to directing sexy films By alex
Brosas Inquirer.net
KNOWN for his rom-com movies, director Joey Reyes is back to doing sexy films again. Reyes feels it’s about time he dipped his artistic fingers anew into directing films replete with sexy scenes. “I always wanted to do something na very tense, very sexual, bordering on perversion, showing that what you see in people is not necessarily what you get because each and everyone
of us, may secret side tayo na paminsan-minsan mo lamang makita kapag itinulak mo ‘yung tao para ipakita kung ano ‘yun (we have secrets which you only see once in a while when you push that person to show what they are),” the director said during the online conference for “Secrets,” last Friday, June 3. Directing the film was something he enjoyed immensely. “Enjoy ako. Sawang-sawa na ako sa romcom. Sawang-sawa na ako sa pagiging pleasant.
At tandaan mo, ako ang may sulat ng ‘Live Show.’ Matagaltagal na rin ‘yun,” he said. “Live Show” was a controversial film which tackled live-sex performers. (I enjoyed it. I am fed up with rom-com. I am fed up with being pleasant. And remember, I wrote “Live Show.” It’s been a while already.) Initially, Reyes initially had misgivings about megging “Secrets,” saying “it’s not like every producer will do a film like this.” PAGE B6
How Jodi’s degree in psychology... PAGE B1 Entertainment during a recent media gathering to promote the finale of “The Broken Marriage Vow.” The series is the local adaptation of the British drama series “Doctor Foster.” It begins by showing how the seemingly perfect life of Dr. Jill Ilustre unravels when she discovers that her husband, David, is having an affair with the daughter of one of her patients. Relationship with sonJodi said her psychology background was also a great help when it comes to strengthening her relationship with 16-year-old son Thirdy. “I know that, at this point, there are things that he prefers to keep from me and there are also things that he is very much open to discuss with me. What I try to do is not impose things on him, like tell him pointblank what to do or not to do,” said Jodi. “I always ask questions that are not answerable by a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ This way, he would have to expound when he answers. That’s the only way to connect with him at this point. He is turning 17 and I know for a fact that, sometimes, his circle of friends are more influential to him than his parents,” Jodi pointed out. “I always try to ask him to invite his friends over so I get to meet them, so that I am able to observe the sphere of influence that my son has. To me, that’s important.” Open communication lines This also explains why Jodi said she takes seriously the struggles of Gio (Ziajian Jaranilla), Jill’s son in the story. “I think it’s important for parents, especially those who are estranged, to have open communication lines with their children. You have to keep on reassuring them that it’s not their fault that the separation happened, and that they are not to be blamed for it.” She further said: “That’s why they go through what we call the rebellious stage. They feel shame and guilt. They would ask themselves, ‘Is it my fault? ‘Am I not enough to keep them together?’ It’s like they burden themselves with this problem that has nothing to do with them or is not their doing.” Jodi then emphasized the need to keep on checking the kids. “Let’s keep assuring them with our love, let them know that, even though our relationship with their daddy or mommy didn’t
work, they will always be loved and appreciated,” Jodi said. “I would read messages on Twitter saying they feel angry with Gio, that Gio is so stubborn, and that he should be slapped in the face for misbehaving, but we have to understand that there are psychological implications to what happened. We must also be aware that if we feel hurt with what happened as parents, imagine the damage that this separation has caused our children.” ‘Underlying reason’ Jodi also talked about the need to look into the “underlying reason” for a child’s unusual behavior. “Sometimes, what we only see is how they react physically and we forget that they are also going through a very difficult time. While we’ve already come to terms with the separation, they are still processing what happened. Most of them, because of their being young, are not able to process these things on their own. They need help from parents or a support group,” she explained. The series, which also features Zanjoe Marudo and Sue Ramirez as major cast members, is currently airing its last three weeks. It was shot in Benguet, Baguio, and La Union in December 2021 and premiered on the Kapamilya Channel on Jan. 24. Happy with the ending Asked whether she was satisfied with the way her character turned out in the end, Jodi replied: “If I say, ‘Yes, I’m happy with the ending,’ the audience would say I’m biased. It’s really hard to tell, but toward the end, the viewers will see something that will make them understand and say, ‘Ah OK.’ We would want to wish that the characters did this or said that, but since this is an adaptation, we really can’t veer away from what the creative team and our writers have laid down for us.” Does she feel relieved that she would finally be able to let go of Jill and move on? “For me, even though we finished taping for the series last December, I still have remnants of Jill in me. She’s not that easy to remove from my system,” Jodi explained. “I was able to take a break from work for six months. I would say that, yes, I am now in the process of washing off all these remnants.” g
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Art, musical event takes place at iconic Yamashiro Hollywood
IN 1911, when the Bernheimer brothers built Yamashiro with a hundred Japanese craftsmen to replicate a palace located at the Yamashiro province mountains near Kyoto Japan, they had the vision of housing priceless collection of Asian treasures and artifacts for enjoyment of the general public. It was indeed a window to reimagine the colorful and rich gems of the past so that people will appreciate love and understand the Asian legacy of the past. Today, Yamashiro stands to be an iconic and historic place, visited by countless tourists and residents alike. Yamashiro Hollywood has become a Los Angeles restaurant that captures the imagination of diners and a symbol of cuisine excellence. In keeping up with the rich historical past of Yamashiro Hollywood, a unique art and musical event called “Hope, High on a Hill in Hollywood” will unfold among the residents of the city of Los Angeles. As the title suggests the theme “hope” is the underlying purpose of the soirée – Hope for all our dreams and aspirations for a better world and for the only planet we live in called Earth. The resurgence of the visual arts as well as the performing arts, after the catastrophic pandemic that made the entire entertainment world into a standstill, remains to be a powerful testament of the human spirit as encapsulated by the art/dinner/musical soirée. On June 11, Saturday at 6 p.m. different artists headlined by digital artist Errol C Mendoza
Some of the works of art as conceptualized and executed by digital artist Errol Mendoza.
with guest photographer Craig Cardwell will exhibit their respective collections to the public. Errol C Mendoza art has been hailed by art lovers and enthusiasts. Filipino art critic, Cid Reyes, the doyen of Philippine art criticism says of Mendoza’s art: “The engine that would drive Mendoza’s composition was a conflation of motion, movement, dynamics, rhythmic pattern, flux, flow, fluidity, unrest… Yet all these would be tempered by the grace of lyricism and a highspirited playfulness.” Critic Reyes further says that “Mendoza music-inspired works are marvels of fragmentation, shards of planes that are themselves thrown into rhythmic syncopation.” Craig Cardwell, as a guest artist and photographer, will display his personal collection of rare art photographs which is in line with the Duchampian thinking: “I’m an artist, therefore what I say is art,
is art.” World renowned and popular jazz musician Eduardo “Tateng” Katindig will once more amaze the audience with his unique brand of jazz music in the music segment of the event. An added feature of the program includes the participation of award-winning rapper/singer and composer, C-Tru. Soloists, who have reached their talent in voice with varying degrees of success among music aficionados in the Los Angeles region, will interpret popular Broadway, pop opera, opera and film songs. Singers include Filipino tenor Sal Malaki with American tenor Todd Strange and baritone Adviel Gonzales. Joining them will be mezzo-soprano Erin Alford, soprano Courtney Taylor and coloratura soprano Anna-Lisa Hackett, first prize winner of the Southwest Voice Competition. Songs from Broadway and the opera will be featured like “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “West Side Story,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Carmen,” “Turandot”, “La Traviata,” as well as from the movies like “The Greatest Showman” and “The Mission” promises to enthrall the audience. Assisting artist at the piano will be Maestro John Massaro, principal conductor of the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director/principal conductor and co-founder of the Phoenix Metropolitan Opera. Gail Dubnium, former mezzosoprano of the Metropolitan Opera and creative director of the Phoenix Metropolitan Opera will be joining popular Filipino TV host Kat Iniba and Nate Calima. A raffle of different limited digital art on canvas with or without acrylic or oil embellishment as well South Sea Pearls will be awarded to winners who hold tickets for the unique event. The One Heart Movement, a 501(c) 3 and a non-profit organization is a special recipient of a percentage of sales of the artworks during the event. For ticket availability and reservations, send an email to the at DreamAgeGroup@gmail. com or by texting 818 -583 7717. Doors at Yamashiro Hollywood open at 5 p.m. and the art exhibition begins at 6 Errol Mendoza and Craig Cardwell headline the artists and hosts who will be featured p.m. at “Hople, High on a Hill in Hollywood.”
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Rocco reacts to breakup news involving friends By Nathalie
tomada Philstar.com
ROCCO Nacino pulled off three major life events over the pandemic. The Kapuso star proposed marriage to former De La Salle volleyball player Melissa Gohing in November 2020. Two months later, in January 2021, they were able to wed aboard a naval ship since Rocco is a Philippine navy reservist. Now, they’re expecting their first baby together. “Alam mo yung sinasabi nila na kaya pala nagkakaroon ng dad bod because the dad, kapag gusto kumain ni mommy, napapasabay. So ito yun (laughs). Napagsabihan na ako ng managers ko. I have to lose weight because I have a new project coming up and I have to look the part and get in shape real quick,” said Rocco, giving The STAR his latest life update on the sidelines of the GMA-NCAA All-Star Basketball Game on Sunday, June 5. “But I have time. And it’s a fun, fun time in our lives! I just got a message from (my wife) that today is the first day na sumipa si Baby. Melissa is due to give birth three days before her birthday, Oct. 19. Grabe no, what are the odds?” The official gender reveal is happening on Sunday, June 12. “My dad wants us to have twins pero hindi eh (laughs). But we have plans to try again in two years or maybe right after,” he said. The excitement of the First Lady actor is partly due to the fact that it wasn’t that easy for them to get pregnant. “I thought it would be easy to get pregnant, but ‘di pala… iba-iba pala yung stories. That one simple factor of not being stressed, malaki naidudulot pala yun sa pagbubuntis. And I was working on To Have and To Hold, it was heavy drama, so hirap talaga kami… yung story niloko ako, so lagi akong galit, naapektuhan yung personal life ko,” he shared.
Kapuso actor Rocco Nacino and volleyball star Melissa Gohing got engaged and married over the pandemic. Photo from Instagram/@nacinorocco
Rocco was candid enough to admit that there was a time when his wife would become his “emotional punching bag” because “I had to get out of the character.” “So, she would tell me, ‘Love, love, ‘di ito yung character mo.’ Well, this time, we went to the beach, (had) supplements, vitamins, I slept, good vibes palagi (nakabuo kami). Ganun lang pala formula,” he said. As preparation for first-time fatherhood, Rocco is now busy researching, asking tips, signing up for birthing classes and reviewing his “nursing roots” on how to take care of a pregnant woman. He’s a registered nurse who has a master’s degree in nursing. “It’s a nice time to be in, especially that it’s my forte. It’s my highest score in the board exams — maternity and child nursing... Yes, I have a masters pa in nursing, ito na ang application,” he said. “But I have to say, nakakabobo din, madaling magadvice sa ibang tao, pero ‘pag ako, bakit wala akong alam? Parang ganun. Nakakatawa lang. Ganun pala. Totoo pala sinasabi nila — when it happens to you, PAGE B6
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How important is it to have a living trust? Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes THINKING about one’s demise is not something people want to spend time thinking about. However reality is that we all have to face this one day. It is just a matter of whether you depart this world prepared or unprepared. If you pass away with at least $184,500 in gross assets and you do not have a living trust (even if you have a will), your beneficiaries would have to open up a probate case before title to the assets can pass to them. When I say gross assets, I mean regardless of how much debt you owe on them. For example if you own a house valued at $350,000 at
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the time of your death, it does not matter that your mortgage balance is $300,000, a probate case has to be opened in order to pass title to that property. The same is true with other types of assets such as owning a business, a professional practice, bonds, equities, etc. This is a very low threshold to exceed specially in California where real estate prices, even after the economic crisis, remains in the upper end of the curve among the 50 states. Commencing a probate case is expensive and a very slow process. Someone qualified will have to file a Petition with the probate court to have someone appointed as executor or administrator. The Petitioner’s attorney gets paid a statutory rate for attorney’s fees commencing with 4% of the gross estate. The probate referee will have to be paid for appraising the assets of the estate. If it is necessary to post bond, the premium
on the bond would have to be paid as well. There is also the cost of administering the estate such as selling some of the assets to satisfy the estate’s obligations and to divide the estate according to the will or the intestate line of succession if there is no will. The entire process could take up years specially if certain beneficiaries and creditors file certain claims. The probate court file would be public record. On the other hand if you have a living trust, your estate can avoid the entire court system and court supervision. In certain situations, the process may also save you estate taxes which may be substantial if your assets exceed a certain threshold. Basically, you and/ or your spouse can be named as the initial trustee of the trust while you are alive. The trustee is the person who manages the trust. This means PAGE B5
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Troy, Aubrey finally married after 18 years CELEBRITY couple Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero finally tied the knot on Thursday, June 9 after 18 years of being in a relationship. Photos of their intimate civil wedding ceremony were uploaded on Instagram by their friends and family. Aubrey and Troy reshared those photos on their Instagram stories. ABS-CBN News entertainment reporter Gretchen Fullido shared a video of the ceremony presided by Mandaluyong Mayor Carmelita Abalos. The couple revealed that they were engaged last March in an Instagram post. They have two children, Hunter and Rocket. Aubrey also has a son, Maurie, from a previous Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles Photo from Instagram/@troymontero relationship. (By Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com)
Nora Aunor leads National... PAGE B1 soprano singer and librettist Fides Cuyugan-Asensio for music; novelist-playwright Ricardo Lee and poet, fictionist, playwright and essayist Gemino Abad for literature; the late director Marilou Diaz Abaya for film; couturier Salvacion Lim Higgins for fashion; and choreographer Agnes Locsin, known for pioneering neo-
ethnic dance, for dance. In an interview with ABSCBN, Asensio said that she couldn’t believe that she was awarded with the prestigious National Artist for music. “Oh my God finally after the fourth try,” she said. Meanwhile, Salvacion Lim Higgins’ son, Mark Higgins, thanked the NCCA for the award.
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“With my deepest thanks to the NCCA and the CCP as well as the Office of the President for this honor. I hope my mother’s body of work will continue to inspire artists and designers for generations to come,” he said. The Order of National Artist is the highest national recognition given by the NCCA and CCP upon approval of the President of the Philippines. g
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What’s stirring inside of us Pastor’s Notes reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS HAPPY Trinity Sunday! It’s the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit What do this feast and the dogma mean to us? How do we make sense of this mystery of our faith? In childhood, the first thing we learn about God is that He is love in a dynamic relationship of three persons. John Foley, S.J. explains it well to us: So Jesus promised to pour out the Holy Spirit into us. He tells us that the Spirit is God. “Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he [God the Spirit] will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” Do you get the logic? Everything the Father has belongs to the Word. Everything that Jesus the Word has belongs to the Spirit. The Spirit is the third part of God, so to speak, and it bestows us and the whole earth back upon the Father, thus closing the circle. What aliveness, what
movement there is in God: speaking, reaching out, flowing forth, receiving back. God is liquid motion, a dynamism in which everything is changing always, yet always remaining the same because it is love. We are invited into that circle of love. Even in today’s difficult world. So the most important thing to remember about this solemnity is that it calls us to enter deeply into a relationship with God and one another. It calls for genuine friendships, a united and caring community, faithful marriages, and closer family bonds. It urges us to reach out in compassion to those who feel alienated, hurt and misunderstood. It invites us not to give up on people and loved ones who disappoint us and differ from our views or perspectives. Most of all, the mystery of the Holy Trinity calls us to relate to God in a simple and personal way by addressing him as Father, Son, and Spirit. In his memoirs, The Spiritual Journey of a Misfit, A Personal Pilgrimage, Francis Dorff, O. Praem., who spent most of his life working in the academe, wishes that his colleagues approach their faith not too much in academic exercise but in a relationship with God’s active life stirring up inside of
us. Here’s what he confesses in his memoirs addressed to God: Later on, some of my colleagues in philosophy and theology would go in a much sophisticated direction with my attempts to tell them what you are stirring within me. With minor variations on this theme, they’d say something like, “Well, with that regard, “on one hand, with Heidegger, you could agree…On the other hand, Thomas Aquinas would argue…Or you could take Whitehead’s position and argue….” These are just a few of the options they would outline in painstaking detail. This laid the foundation for an argument or two behind which we both could safely hide. Then I’d forget that I hadn’t wanted to argue. I’d wanted to share with them you were stirring up with me. Yes, what God is “stirring up” inside us is what this solemnity is all about. And what is stirring up in us is our longing for love, peace, unity, and order in these challenging times. *** 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.
How important is it... PAGE B4 you retain control of all your assets the same way as if you never had a trust. For revocable trusts, you can later on, at any time during your lifetime, revoke the entire trust if you change your mind. The assets held in your living trust will be managed by the trustee and distributed according to your directions without court supervision and involvement when you pass away. This can save your heirs time and money. Since the trust would not be under the direct management of the probate court, your assets and their value and your beneficiaries’ identities would not become a public record. Your heirs and beneficiaries would still have to be notified about the living trust and advised, among other things, of their right to obtain a copy of the trust. If you are contemplating setting up a trust or have an existing trust that needs to be updated because your family circumstances have changed over the years, you should set an appointment with an experienced attorney that understands and can competently advise you in
the law.
*** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.
What is retaliation against a ‘protected activity’? Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. Q: I HAVE been employed by a mid-size company in Los Angeles for over 2 years. Recently, some co-workers privately talked to me that several workers in their department often make crude sex jokes that make everyone else uncomfortable. They’re afraid to complain because two of the perpetrators are in management positions. What can we do? A: Report the possible misconduct to your employer. Check if you have an employment handbook which outlines your employer’s antiharassment or anti-discrimination policies. These policies may tell you the steps to take in order to report a misconduct or file a complaint. Company policy may direct you to report to your immediate supervisor or to human resources or call a confidential hotline. In notifying your employer, be professional and cordial. State the facts of what happened, be objective, and avoid name-calling or derogatory language. Mention dates, times and examples of the more serious incidents that happened. You may state your concerns regarding how these incidents affect workplace safety or work productivity. By notifying your employer, you are engaging in “protected activity.” In the context of harassment or discrimination, protected activity is defined as an activity that a worker may do without fear of retaliation by the employer. Exercising a legal right is protected activity. Other examples of protected activity under the Labor Code may include (but not limited to): • Filing or intending to file a
wage claim • Filing of intending to file a harassment or discrimination complaint • Reporting a hostile work environment or other types of misconduct at work • Refusing to engage in misconduct • Discussing wages with others at work • Using or attempting to use sick leave benefits • Asking for reasonable accommodation due to a health-related issue • Reporting about safety and health issues in the workplace • Taking time off from work to serve on a jury • Appearing as a witness against the employer in a government investigation Employees have a legal
employer claiming that they were fired after complaining about rampant sexual and racial harassment in the workplace. During trial, the two employees (through their attorneys) presented evidence to show that the workers at the location they worked at regularly engaged in sexual and racial harassment, which was sometimes covered up by management. When these two workers complained about it, they were disciplined and ultimately forced to leave the company. The jury sided with the employees and returned a final verdict of $22.3 million in compensatory damages to Martinez, including $16 million in emotional distress. Page was awarded $2.2 million in damages, which included $1 million in emotional distress damages. Martinez was awarded $400 million in punitive damages while Page was awarded $40 million. The total award of $464 million is believed to be the largest in the state involving a non-class action case. *** 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)
Employees have a legal right to a safe working environment free of harassment and discrimination. If the employee’s reporting of a hostile work environment or other misconduct results in termination, that may be employer retaliation. right to a safe working environment free of harassment and discrimination. If the employee’s reporting of a hostile work environment or other misconduct results in termination, that may be employer retaliation. Employers who engage in retaliation due to a legally protected activity may be liable for damages. Even though not every harassment and retaliation case will result in multi-million verdicts, these claims are taken seriously by the courts and the juries as shown by the verdicts handed out. Consider the case reported in the news: Alfredo Martinez and Justin Page, two men who worked for Southern California Edison in the Bay Area, sued their
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Rocco reacts to breakup... PAGE B2 you suddenly don’t know what to do,” he added with a laugh. How is Melissa’s pregnancy in general? “It’s better. But she struggled during the first trimester… The second trimester came, she was more energetic and she was able to do many things. And tama nga na mas free yung body, pero nagsta-start na yung weight gain, so I have to get her like belts. Start
na yung masakit yung likod niya matulog lang, minsan natataranta ako, ano ba kailangan gawin? “So, now, the third trimester is about to start… Lahat ng pera ko for my game room dapat, went to the baby room. I had to put it on hold… dream ko kasi ang chroma screen, I was saving up for that but magiging baby cabinet na,” he quipped. He further said that he just tries to accommodate all of Melissa’s requests, including early-morning
cravings. “I just say yes to everything… Kakapagod but very fulfilling!” Melissa also wants him to be around always. “Ako ang laging hinahanap. I wake up at 6 a.m. to play tennis. But paalam lang (ang hirap), then she’d say, can you send me videos of you playing? Yung picture ko lang happy na siya. It’s one of the funny things that happened during the pregnancy. She’s super clingy kaya sabi ng mga tao, magiging kamukha ko (si baby), sorry (laughs)!” As mentioned, Rocco got married at the height of the pandemic and looking back, he didn’t know how they were able to pull it off. “But we’re glad that we did. Not everyone is capable of making things happen. It was very expensive for me but I still pushed through with it because these are moments na hindi mo mababayaran or mauulit. And then to know that we were able to pull these things off — like the marriage, the house, the pregnancy — during the pandemic, parang for ourselves, it’s an achievement,” he reflected. Nevertheless, Rocco felt sad over the reported showbiz breakups involving friends. Some Kapuso couples have figured in separation news, confirmed and otherwise, over the pandemic. “Kaibigan ko lahat ang naissue… It’s sad,” he said without mentioning names. “Yung wife ko natatakot, alam mo yun?” “But kasi kilala ko sila, I was able to reach out and show support. It’s sad that these things happen. But I believe yung sinasabi nila na may bigger plan. Kung madapa ang isang tao, laging may chance every day na bumangon.” From his own experience of being married for over a year, one thing Rocco learned is “how communication is so important.” He added, “I am like the kind of person that treasures my own time, don’t disturb me, I’m doing this. But kailangan din pala natin ng alone time, time with ourselves, together, time with people we don’t know or with friends. Importante pala yun, hindi pwede kayo lang. “That I learned from some people also. And how open communication can always strengthen relationships. So, I’ve learned to be more open. It’s actually helping me with everything.” g
Senior client with business faces crossroads with $70K credit cards Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng THE client is 72, married, and owns a small business. He’s been operating the business for the last 30 years. At its height, when times were good, the business had 10 fulltime employees. He used to net between $120,000 to $150,000 of profits after tax. That’s a nice and decent profit. Well, what happened to the business? It got left behind due to the change of technology. What does getting left by technology change mean? Let’s use an example of a huge business that literally got killed by technology change. Ever hear of the word KODAK? If you at least 50 years old, you certainly know what KODAK was. When the first cameras were commercially produced probably in the late 1800s, KODAK started making cameras and film, black and white then colored film. I had a brownie camera myself given to me as a gift about 1958. To use this camera, you have to use KODAK film. No focusing required. Just point and shoot. Made in the USA. This was less than 10 years after the end of WWII and American products ruled the world. Everything was American: cars, TVs, radios, cameras, film, etc. Nobody in the world could compete head to head with KODAK. No one. Of course, other film manufacturers started to come out of the woodworks like Fuji film. But there was no real competition for KODAK. It made tons of money every year. It was smooth sailing for decades for KODAK until digital cameras came into the picture. Interestingly enough, digital
cameras do not use film. What’s more interesting to note here is that KODAK itself invented digital cameras in 1975. Steven Sasson invented the first self-contained digital camera, .01megapixel, for KODAK. But for another 25 years, KODAK ruled the world with its film. In 1990, its total worldwide sales were $16B and its net profit was $2.5B. It employed 70,000 people. Yet, in 2012, KODAK file for bankruptcy relief. KODAK could not survive the onslaught of digital cameras coming in from Asia. Remember, digital cameras, which KODAK invented in 1975, do not use film. It was so sure that its brand and product were so well known that digital cameras would die. But technology changed and people preferred to use digital cameras, which were more convenient to use without film. I won’t tell you which technology my client was involved in. But the client also sat too long on his laurels and his business became the victim of technology and got left behind. With the new technology, fewer people needed his service and product, so there is no doubt the client had gone the KODAK way. He still has two employees and able to breakeven. So what’s the problem? He has $70,000 of credit card debt. He needs $2,200 a month for minimum credit card payments monthly. When your business is breaking even, $2,200 a month is a big deal; that’s $26,000 of profit at the end of the year or $26,000 of interest expense. I don’t want to get into the details of what he owns aside from the business, but obviously, the $70,000 of credit cards is now a very irritating situation for him. He has received “hard money” offers to pay off the credit cards. These are high-interest loans to pay off the cards. In other words, they lend you $70,000 to pay off his credit cards, but he ends up
paying more than $2,200 a month to service the hard money loan. Now, that’s a no brainer, isn’t it? Yeah, replace the debt with higher interest loan, that’s a great idea, like a square wheel. Well, it so happens that after careful analysis of the client’s asset structure, he can actually get Chapter 7 relief, for a fresh start. Keep everything including his business but wipe out the $70,000 with a Chapter 7 discharge. The higher interest loan would cost more than $70,000, probably $200,000 when it’s fully paid off. A consolidation would also cost at least $70,000 over 5 years. With Chapter 7, the client gets a fresh start without paying a cent on the $70,000. That’s $200,000 cheaper than the higher interest loan, and it’s $70,000 cheaper than consolidation. So which would alternative sounds the best for the client? In five years, with a Chapter 7, his credit score will be back over 700 and he would not have to pay any portion of the $70,000. If he chose the higher interest alternative in five years he would be out $200,000. If you don’t see the benefit of Chapter 7 relief, I don’t know what else to tell you. But the client did the right thing and chose Chapter 7 relief to get rid of the $70,000. *** 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)
Permanent residence for crewmen A COMMON issue for which persons have consulted with me is whether any avenues towards permanent residence exist for a person who entered as a “crewman.” Under INA Section 245(c)(1), a person who enters the US as a “crewman” is generally barred from adjusting his status to permanent residence. Analysis of this issue must begin with determining whether one is actually a “crewman,” who is barred from adjustment. A “crewman” is defined as a person “serving…in a capacity required for normal operation and service on board a vessel, …or aircraft, who intends to land temporarily and solely in pursuit of his calling as a crewman and to depart from the United States with the vessel or aircraft on which he arrived or some other vessel or aircraft.” INA Section 101(a) (15(D). A “crewman” under this definition is assigned a “D” visa classification, but is often issued a dual C-1 transit/ D crewman visa. Because of this, a common misperception exists that a C-1 visa classification is designated for crewmen, and that a person who entered the US under a C-1 classification is by definition a “crewman,” therefore barred from adjusting his status to permanent resident. However, it is important to keep in mind that if a person entered on a C-1 transit visa, he may not be a “crewman”
Legal Advice
Atty. DArrick tAn and may be eligible to adjust status. Further, the facts of a particular case regardless of letter classification of one’s visa upon entry may also be considered. Next, if considered a “crewman” under the above definition, one may file for adjustment of status to permanent residence and get his green card in the US if he is covered by INA Section 245(i). To be covered under INA Section 245(i), one must be the beneficiary of a visa petition or labor certification filed on or before April 30, 2001. If the petition was filed between January 14, 1998 and April 30, 2001, physical presence in the US on December 21, 2000 is also required. If not covered under INA Section 245(i), a “crewman” would need to obtain his immigrant visa at a foreign consular post. Traditionally, persons who were unlawfully present in the US for more than 1 year, and who had to obtain their immigrant visa at an overseas US consulate were subject to an unlawful presence bar from returning to the US for 10 years. That person would be able to seek a waiver of the
unlawful presence bar after leaving the US, but if denied, he would be left outside of the US, and away from his family for 10 years. Under the Provisional Waiver program, a person can apply for and get a decision on the waiver of the unlawful presence bar without leaving the US. If the waiver is approved, the applicant can leave the US with some assurance that he will obtain his immigrant visa at the US consulate post and quickly return. Spouses and minor children of US citizens are eligible for provisional waiver relief (under President Obama’s recent executive actions, the relief will soon be expanded to include spouses, sons or daughters of permanent residents, and sons and daughters of US citizens). *** 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 Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association. LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277. Email: info@
Why Joey Reyes decided to... PAGE B2 He admits that his directorial career took a backseat because of the pandemic, which changed the landscape of doing films. “Nanggaling tayo sa pandemya na two years na, literally, natigang tayong lahat sa paggawa ng pelikula,” he said. (We came from a pandemic which is two years now, literally, we all dried up without doing films.) He feels that with a different geography in entertainment, it is very difficult to encourage people to go back to the cinemas to watch Filipino movies. “Dudumugin nila ang ‘Doctor Strange,’ dudumugin nila ang ‘Mission: Impossible,’ pero anong klaseng pelikulang Pilipino ang pupuntahan nila sa sinehan?” he said. (They will flock to see “Doctor Strange,” “Mission Impossible,” but what kind of Filipino film will make them flock to cinemas?) Admittedly, Reyes believes that the future of maintream Joey Reyes
Photo from Facebook/Jose
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