July 3-5, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 51 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages
Palace: China rejects third party in Recto Bank joint probe by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
briefing, said the Chinese government does not see the need for a third party investigator. MALACAÑANG on Monday, “Ang sabi nila (China), nag-ofJuly 1 said China disagreed with fer sila ng joint investigation, ‘di President Rodrigo Duterte’s ba? Tapos in-accept ng presisuggestion of involving an inde- dente. Tapos may third party. pendent body in the Philippines- Ang sabi naman nila, huwag na China joint investigation into the ‘yung third party, kailangan tayo Recto Bank collision. lang mag-usap doon (They ofPresidential Spokesperson fered a joint investigation, right? Salvador Panelo, in a media Then the president accepted.
USA
Then a third party was suggested. They said, no more third party, let’s keep the discussion between us),” he said. “Yung joint investigation, ang feeling nila, kung meron tayong separate investigations, then let’s meet. We exchange our findings, and then we decide kung anong gagawin natin dito (With DELEGATED. President Rodrigo Duterte congratulates newly appointed Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio the joint investigation, they feel Honasan II during the oath-taking ceremony at the Malacañan Palace on Monday, July 1. Also in the photo are Executive Secretary
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Salvador Medialdea and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
Canada takes garbage back from Philippines, ending long dispute
DATELINE After decades of improvement, SoCal smog reduction slows down FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Smog regulators say that the state needs $14 billion to address the problem
THE are fewer things more constant in Los Angeles than the ongoing smog problem. Although the national war on smog has led to an overall reduction in gas emissions (due to the bipartisan 1970 Clean Air Act), the air quality in Los Angeles has slipped over the last decade, according to a new study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study — which culled data from satellite measurements — found that smog formed from nitrogen oxides decreased only 1.7 percent annually from 2011 to 2015 and is increasing in some regions of the U.S.; and, by comparison, it fell 7 percent from 2005 and 2009. “Today, it feels like the future of our kids and our country is at stake,” former Obama Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Gina McCarthy told the AP. “We do not have the cleanest air and we have not crossed the finish line when it comes to pollution.”
In this file photo, protesters tell Canada to take back tons of garbage illegally shipped to a port in Manila from Canada two years ago. Inquirer.net photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta
MAYOR Eric Garcetti announced Monday, July 1, that he would lead a coalition of mayors calling on Congress to pass the Ending Homelessness Act. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Maxine Waters, would direct more than $13 billion to support the work of cities on the front lines of this crisis, deliver vital services to homeless residents, and bring our unsheltered neighbors indoors. Other mayors supporting this effort include Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot; Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh; Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney; Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan; Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson; Austin Mayor Steve Adler; Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer; Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg; Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf;
VANCOUVER — Tonnes of Canadian garbage left in the Philippines for years arrived back home on Saturday, July 29, putting an end to a festering diplomatic row that highlighted how Asian nations have grown tired of being the world’s trash dump. A cargo vessel loaded with about 69 containers of rubbish docked in a port on the outskirts of Vancouver, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. The trash will be incinerated at a wasteto-energy facility, local officials said. The conflict dates back to 2013 and 2014, when a Canadian company shipped containers mislabeled as recyclable plastics to the Philippines. The shipment actually contained a mix-
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by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
by CATHRINE
GONZALES Inquirer.net
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ture of paper, plastics, electronics, and household waste, including kitchen trash and diapers, even though Philippine law prohibits imports of mixed plastics and household trash. Some of the waste was disposed of in the Philippines, but much of it stewed in local ports for years. The issue polluted bilateral relations for years, but tensions came to a head in April when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to “declare war” against Canada unless it reclaimed the garbage. Canada missed a May 15 deadline to repatriate the rubbish, but then made arrangements soon thereafter to move it back to Canadian soil.
First round of Senate bills filed for 18th Congress
PNP chief says police not falling short of arrest targets
MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said on Monday, July 1, that the police are not falling short of arrest targets, amid the report of the Commission on Audit (COA) that the PNP missed its 2018 goals. In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Albayalde said u PAGE A4 COA was referring to the top 10 most wanted persons arrested in 2018, and not the arrest of all wanted persons which include ordinary suspects. “I think kailangan sabihin sa COA ‘yan para maintin-
Mayor Garcetti leads coalition of mayors calling for federal action to confront homelessness crisis
Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo
PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde Inquirer.net photo
Welfare Act of 2006. It seeks to lower the MACR from 15 years old to 12 years old. THE first round of filing SenSotto also filed the Anti-False ate bills in the 18th Philippine Content bill, which prohibits the Congress commenced on Mon- publication and proliferation of day, July 1, and among the first false content on the Internet, ones to be filed were those seek- provides measures to countering to lower the minimum age of act its effects, and prescribes criminal responsibility, combat- appropriate penalties, as well ing fake news and terrorism. as the Prevention of Terrorism Senate Bill No. 5, filed by Sen- bill, which seeks to amend Reate President Vicente Sotto III, public Act No. 9372 or the Huamends the Juvenile Justice and u PAGE A2
National ID system target: 105-M Filipinos covered by 2022 by NEIL
ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net
MANILA – The government is targeting to have 105 million Filipinos enrolled in the national ID system once it is fully implemented in 2022, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) chief Ernesto M. Pernia said on Monday, July 1. Speaking at the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, Pernia said the government is currently in the process of procuring the technologies needed for the implementation of the national u PAGE A4 ID system or Philippine Identification
System (PhilSys). The national ID system would serve as a single identification which would benefit Filipinos, including those living overseas and resident aliens who are at least five years old. The ID would contain information such as biometrics (thumbprint, iris and face scanning), full name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, blood type, and address. The ID would also indicate if the holder is a Filipino or a resident alien. “We are fast-tracking the implementation of the ID system. We are now in the stage of procuring the different technologies that are needed such as the automated biometric information system,” Pernia said. ■
Several Cabinet members discuss government programs including the National ID system during the preState of the Nation Address (SONA) Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Monday, July 1. Inquirer.net photo by Noy Morcoso
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PNP chief says police not falling short...
PAGE A1 dihan nila. Kase ang lumalabas, we are falling short on the arrest of wanted persons (I think we should explain to COA because it appears that we are falling short of targets for the arrest of wanted persons). We did not fall short on the arrest of wanted persons,” he said. COA earlier reported that
the PNP only managed to arrest 19.37 percent of the most wanted persons, despite its target of 51.57 percent and even as its personnel now enjoys nearly double their previous salaries. While the PNP did not hit its target number of arrests on most wanted persons, Albayalde said the PNP had hit triple of
its target on arrest of ordinary wanted persons. He said the number of arrests of persons with a bounty on their heads increased from 35 in 2017 to 48 in 2018. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Omega Jireh Fidel, an official of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, said they will review their parameters on the target number of arrests of most wanted persons following the COA report. Albayalde explained that under the present system, each police station is required to submit a list of the top 10 most wanted persons in their locality. This list will then be forwarded to provincial police offices, which will have its own 10 most wanted persons. This consolidated list will be forwarded to police regional offices, which will ultimately have its own list of 10 most wanted persons in the whole region. Fidel said this system has a “downside” as some police stations do not have their own list of top 10 most wanted persons but are still included in the formula. n
First round of Senate bills... PAGE A1 man Security Act of 2007. Other bills that Sotto filed include: the Medical Scholarship Act, which seeks to provide medical scholarships in state universities and colleges to qualified students; the AntiDrug Penal Institution bill; Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority bill; Hybrid Election bill; the 14-month pay bill; and Dangerous Drugs Court bill, which seeks to increase penalties for perjury. Senators can file up to 10 proposed bills and resolutions until Thursday, July 4. The order of filing of bills and resolutions is according to seniority or service length. The second round of filing of bills will be from July 8 to 11. “First come, first serve” basis on the filing of bills and resolutions will be implemented starting July 15. n
NEW MANILA MAYOR. Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin (left) administers the oath of Manila Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso at the Bulwagang Katipunan of the Manila City Hall on Sunday, June 30. Moreno upset incumbent Mayor Joseph Ejercito ‘Erap’ Estrada in the last May 13 midterm polls. PNA Photo by Avito C. Dalan
Palace: China rejects third party...
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that we already have separate investigations, then let’s meet. We exchange our findings, and then we decide what we’ll do with this),” he added. Panelo said the information was from Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana, who based his report on his discussions with China’s foreign ministry. He received Romana’s report on Sunday, June 30. On June 9, a Filipino boat sank
after being hit by a Chinese vessel at Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea, leaving 22 fishermen adrift for hours before a Vietnamese vessel helped and rescued them. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang proposed a joint investigation into the incident, to which Duterte agreed. The president then suggested that a “neutral country” should be part of the probe. Panelo said the Philippines
will still “suggest” a third party should findings from both countries fail to match. “Kung di tayo magkakatugma, papaano tayo, paano mareresolve? (If we do not match, how will we resolve it). [It can be] Some independent body, doesn’t have to be a country,” he said. The Philippine Coast Guard and Marina’s joint probe findings was submitted to Malacañang on June 20. n
Canada takes garbage back from Philippines... PAGE A1 Canada’s Environment Minister Catherine McKenna told reporters on Thursday, June 27: “We committed with the Philippines and we’re working closely with them.” Global concern over plastic pollution has been spurred by shocking images of wasteclogged rivers in Southeast Asia and accounts of dead sea creatures found with kilos of refuse in their stomachs. For years, China had received the bulk of scrap plastic from around the world, but closed its doors to foreign refuse last year in an effort to clean up its environment. Huge quantities of waste plastic have since been redirected to Southeast Asia, including Malay-
sia, Indonesia and — to a lesser degree — the Philippines. In November 2016, Canada amended its regulations on waste disposal to prevent incidents like the one with the Philippines. Canadian exporters now need a permit to export hazardous waste and can only obtain it if the other country consents to the import, Jenn Gearey, a spokeswoman for the Canadian environment ministry, said via email. Even so, challenges remain. In May, Malaysian officials criticized Canada after a shipping container filled with contaminated plastic bags from major Canadian grocery chains was shipped to Kuala Lumpur by a private company.
Canada produces more waste per capita than other countries with comparable levels of economic development, ranging from the United States to Japan, according to a study by the Conference Board of Canada. The majority of it ends up in landfills. Environmental advocates argue that developed countries should stop exporting their trash and figure out how to handle it domestically. “The way forward is to drastically reduce the amount of waste we generate, especially plastic waste,” said Vito Buonsante, plastics program manager at Environmental Defense in Toronto. (Inquirer.net with reports from AFP)
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1 in 5 Filipinos gets news from Facebook — SWS by PIA LEE-BRAGO Philstar.com
ONE in five adult Filipinos uses Facebook daily to read news, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The First Quarter 2019 Social Weather Survey of SWS conducted on March 18-31 found that 21 percent of adult Filipinos or an estimated 13.9 million individuals use Facebook daily for reading the news. A majority 60 percent or 40.4 million adults still consume news daily through television, while only 15 percent or 9.7 million individuals do so through radio. Even fewer adults, only two percent or one million individuals read newspapers daily. “Thus, Facebook as a daily news source is more common than radio and newspapers combined, and is second only to television,” SWS said. As of March, SWS said 99 percent of adults who use the internet or an estimated 30.3 million individuals have a Facebook account. This is equivalent to 45 percent of the total adult popula-
tion or around 30.5 million individuals. YouTube is the second most popular social media site among adult Filipino internet users. Thirty-eight percent of adult internet users or an estimated 11.7 million individuals said they own a YouTube account. This is followed by Instagram with 15 percent or around 4.7 million individuals, Twitter with eight percent or around 2.7 million individuals, and Viber with seven percent or an estimated 2.1 million individuals. The survey also found that having a Facebook account is more common among urban dwellers (56 percent) than rural dwellers (38 percent). By major geographic areas, the proportion of adults with Facebook account is highest in Metro Manila at 64 percent, followed by other Luzon areas at 48 percent, Mindanao at 39 percent and the Visayas at 33 percent. Half of adult Facebook members who are college (49 percent) and high school graduates (49 percent) read the news daily using the social media site. SWS
Mayor Garcetti leads coalition of... PAGE A1 Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu; Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido; Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey; and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “Cities are fighting hard every day to turn the tide on this humanitarian crisis — and Washington has to match our urgency, our commitment, and the investment we’re making to confront it,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Homelessness is a national emergency that requires federal action, and we need Congress to be part of the solution and supply resources that can bring housing, health care, and hope to Americans suffering on our streets.” Rep. Waters’ proposal would create new affordable housing to support people experiencing homelessness. Specifically, the bill provides $5 billion over five years to support 85,000 new permanent housing units. It directs $2.5 billion over five years to new Special Purpose Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, which would give preference to people experiencing homelessness and those most at-risk of becoming homeless. And it would add $1 billion to the National Housing Trust Fund, which is expected to create
25,000 new units for extremely low-income households. In the coming months, Mayor Garcetti will lead this coalition to rally support for the legislation in Washington, D.C.; increase the number of cosponsors representing our cities; and testify in favor of the measure before the House of Representatives. Mayor Garcetti proposed a U.S. Conference of Mayors resolution endorsing the legislation and calling for its immediate passage that will occur at the conclusion of the conference today. “Chicago is proud to stand with cities across the country in support of our homeless and at-risk families,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “No one should ever have to call a bridge, park bench, or a doorway home. Here in Chicago we are ready to make the critical investments needed to expand affordable housing, social services, and job training to prevent homelessness before it starts, but we can’t do it alone. That’s why we welcome opportunities to collaborate with our partners across city, state and federal levels to coordinate resources and develop policies to ensure every
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said this is higher compared with 37 percent among elementary graduates and 36 percent among non-elementary graduates. “Reading the news through PAGE A4
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY IF NO. C3144-20 CENTRAL MAINTENANCE FACILITY (CMF) DRAINAGE REDIRECTION The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking Bids for the CMF Drainage Redirection. The estimated value of this project is $1,125,200. Bid documents may be obtained via download by visiting SCRRA’s website at http://www.metrolinktrains. com/agency/page/title/doing_ business. (Vendors must register on the website in order to download the document). A Pre-Bid Conference/job walk will be held at 1555 San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065 on July 9, 2019 at 10:00 am. Electronic Bid Submittals due at 2:00 p.m. (PST) on July 25, 2019 at http://www. metrolinktrains.com/agency/ page/title/doing_business. The contract to be awarded will be funded in part by grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration and is subject to an DBE Participation Goal of 7%. Bidders must possess a valid California Contractor’s License. Payment of prevailing wages and compliance with all required employment and training programs established by the State of California Department of Industrial Relations is required. If federally funded, compliance with Davis-Bacon regulations will be required. For further information contact: Wai Shong Chan, Contract Administrator at 213.452.0476 or email chanw@scrra.net. 6/29, 7/3/19 CNS-3268574# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
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US Navy combat ship in Davao for visit by PIA LEE-BRAGO Philstar.com
THE U.S. Navy’s combat ship USS Montgomery arrived in Davao City on Saturday, June 29, for a port visit to the Philippines during its first deployment. “It is an honor to visit one of the longest-standing U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region,” said the Montgomery’s commanding officer Edward Rosso. He said the port visit will allow the U.S. “to demonstrate our commitment to maritime security in the region, while strengthening relationships with our friends, partners and allies.” During the port visit, the ship will host local military and civic
leaders. “My crew and I are very much looking forward to visiting Davao City,” Rosso said. Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, commander of the Logistics Group Western Pacific, stressed the importance of the U.S.-Philippine partnership. “Our navies, just like our nations, have a long history of cooperation and partnership based on mutual trust, respect and decades of friendship,” Tynch said. “Every port visit and exercise we complete together continues to strengthen maritime security and regional stability,” he said. The Montgomery is the fourth ship to be named after the capital of Alabama.
It is classified as an Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS) – a fast, agile and mission-focused navy vessel designed to operate in near-shore environments for surface warfare, mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare. With its high speed and shallow draft, LCS provides presence and access to places where larger ships cannot go. The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict. n
After decades of improvement, SoCal smog reduction...
PAGE A1 In Southern California, researchers found a 10 percent increase in premature deaths attributed to ozone pollution between 2010 and 2017. According to the EPA and reported in the LA Times, LA’s current smog level is above the federally-measured health standard of 70 parts per billion. But the quality of air depends on the area you live. In LA proper’s west side and downtown LA, pollution has eased significantly with two and four bad air days, respectively. But in the neighboring San Fernando Valley, there were 49 bad air days. But bad air days disproportionately affect the California inland, especially communities in the San Bernardino and Riverside coun-
ties. Last year, the City of Riverside had the worst air quality in the nation with the most bad air days at 173 days, according to data released by the EPA last year. “We’re not seeing the same improvements as people living near the coast,” Anthony Victoria of the Riverside County-based Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice told the Times. “When you’re in San Bernardino you look toward the mountains and it’s not clear. You have layers of smog you can see in the sky. You have people with asthma struggling to breathe, and it’s a devastating thing.” The decrease in improvement on overall air quality in California comes at a time when the state is at odds with the Trump ad-
ministration, which earlier this month moved forward with plans to weaken vehicle pollution standards, regulations that the state relies on to reduce vehicle emissions. Every year that passes, Southern California smog regulators say they are further away from the $14 billion needed to pay for more fuel-efficient vehicles and other ways to reduce pollution to meet federal health standards, the Times reported. If by the end of the year, California fails to provide a smog-reduction plan, the EPA could begin to implement a series of sanctions including more restrictions on industries that contribute to the rising pollution and a decrease in federal highway funds. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
SPEAKING TOUR. Indigenous peoples (IP) leaders check their presentation during a conference before a Filipino community group in Queens, New York City on Saturday, June 29. The IP leaders are in the United States for a series of speaking engagements about the atrocities of the CPP-NPA-NDFP. PNA Photo by Mac Villarino
Mayor Garcetti leads coalition of mayors calling... PAGE A3 Chicagoan has access to the support they need and the resources to lead the lives they deserve.” “Homelessness is not a problem that cities can solve on their own — it is a national issue that needs a national response. The federal government needs to be our partner in this critical work,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh.
“In Boston, we have worked hard to reduce homelessness among veterans and people experiencing chronic homelessness. But to truly end homelessness, we need to support the bill Representative Waters is proposing. This bill will allow for more investment in supportive housing and allow for the kinds of services that stabilize the most vulnerable among us, including recovery and mental health support at a scale equal to the true need. Broad and deep investment of critical resources from the federal government is sorely needed.” “The Ending Homelessness Act is a vital first step investing in real solutions. But most importantly, it finally recognizes our national homelessness crisis and connects it to housing,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. “Right now, cities and states do so much good with so few resources. With this investment, these efforts would start to be matched proportionally by federal resources.” “Cities across our country are the frontlines of addressing our homelessness and housing crisis and need urgent action from our federal government. Seattle has poured unprecedented resources into this crisis, but homelessness cannot and will not be solved by only local governments,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “While cities like Seattle are helping more people than ever move into permanent housing, Congress needs to step up and give cities more resources to move people off the street and into housing.” “Homelessness is an urgent challenge in cities across America, and ending it will take all of us working together,” said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. “In Dallas, we are already taking important steps to address this issue, but we need Washington to step up and do its part. That’s why I’m proud to join mayors across the country in support of this bill.” “The Ending Homelessness Act is national recognition that the breadth and pervasiveness of the homelessness challenge transcends city limits and state lines,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “Austin has cut youth homelessness in half and brought veteran homelessness to net zero. If passed, this bill will leverage attention and the much needed resources to help us finish the job.” “Mayors across America are working to address homelessness, and they can’t do it alone,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “We need the resources of the federal government to help us tackle this complex challenge.” “Homelessness has reached crisis levels in our country and our response requires action at every level of government,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who chairs the CA Big City Mayors Coalition. “If tens of thousands of people were made homeless by a flood or a fire, we would not tolerate them living unsheltered for years.” “Cities need help from all levels of government and federal resources would help us deliver an immediate upgrade to people’s lives,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “Oakland supports all legislation that prevents our residents from sliding into homelessness in the first place, but we also need funding right now to help move our neighbors off the sidewalks and into safety and services.” “One of the most effective ways our national government can address homelessness is by investing in cities,” Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu said. “In Anaheim, we have leveraged city, state and federal funding into a comprehensive strategy of daily outreach, shelters, services, job training and lasting housing. It is a proven model that has transformed lives and restored neighborhoods.” “The City of Santa Ana is grateful to the State of California for
the Homeless Emergency Aid Program block grant that we collectively advocated to come to fruition last year through a strong coalition of Big City Mayors. We, in California, have stepped up and now we need additional support and funding on Federal level to supplement the arduous work happening at the City level,” said Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. “The City of Santa Ana was one of the first cities to declare a shelter crisis last August, after a City-led Point in Time Count that indicated our unsheltered homeless population had increased drastically. We need to move fast to support the expansion of shelter beds to house this unsheltered population, to secure safe immediate housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, and to mitigate negative impacts of homelessness in our community. With the support of Washington for the Ending Homelessness Act, we can continue to address the humanitarian and public safety crisis concerning homelessness in the beautiful City of Santa Ana.” “The Ending Homelessness Act will deliver relief to our neighbors without homes, while protecting the quality of life in our cities,” said Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey. “Take it from a mayor who is committed to solutions — resources, not rhetoric, make a difference when it comes to addressing this complex issue. We cannot be complacent when we have children, veterans, disabled and elderly sleeping on our streets.” “Our nation’s mayors are doers, not talkers, and the best way to move the needle forward on homelessness is by funding proven and effective programs like Housing First at the city level,” said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “We need immediate action by Congress and the White House because true compassion is not allowing people to live on our streets where their lifespans are cut precipitously short.” At the annual 87th Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Mayor Garcetti participated in a session entitled “Homelessness and Housing: Government, Philanthropy, and the Private Sector,” alongside Mayor Caldwell, whose city hosted this year’s gathering; San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo; Eugene, Oregon, Mayor Lucy Vinis; and Glendale, Arizona, Mayor Jerry Weiers; and Matthew Doherty, Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Mayor Garcetti, Mayor Kenney, Mayor Durkan, Mayor Steinberg, and Mayor Schaaf are also members of Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, a coalition working to highlight housing issues, oppose funding cuts, and advocate for public-private partnerships that support affordable housing and address homelessness. In addition to the Ending Homelessness Act, Mayor Garcetti and his colleagues will push for action on two other pieces of legislation: the Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act sponsored by Senator Feinstein and Representative Ted Lieu, which would establish a new $750 million grant program to provide homeless services; and the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Suzan DelBene, which would increase the housing credit allocation by 50 percent and boost affordable housing production by an estimated 450,000 homes over the next decade. Last month, Mayor Garcetti met at City Hall with members of L.A.’s congressional delegation to discuss the need for federal assistance to end the homelessness crisis. n
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DATELINE PArroyo: HILIPPINES Another woman speaker soon
Robredo hopes for better ties with Duterte by GLEE JALEA ManilaTimes.net
VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo remains hopeful about having a “better working relationship” with President Rodrigo Duterte on their final three years in office, despite her belief that she was always seen by the president as an “enemy.” “Ang ating parang hino-hope, iyong sanang mangyayari, iyong magandang working relationship between sa Pangulo at saka sa Pangalawang Pangulo. Kasi iyon naman ang nararapat sana…kasi ang tingin na sa atin kalaban mula sa umpisa (We are hoping that a better working relationship between the President and the Vice President can finally happen. Because that’s how it should really be like… because it seems like we were already seen as an enemy right from the start),” Robredo said in her weekly radio show on Sunday, June 30. She recalled how there were already signs of hostility shown against her when she and the President held separate inauguration rites in 2016. Duterte took his oath in Malacañang, while Robredo had a simple ceremony at the Quezon City Reception House. “Mula sa umpisa, ang signals nandoon na… ayaw ng Pangulo
makihalo sa inauguration. In fact, mayroon na noong preparation for a joint inauguration kasi iyon naman ang tradisyon, pero sinabihan kami na ayaw makihalo ng pangulo sa atin (Even from the start, there already were signals that the President did not want to have a joint inauguration. In fact, a joint inauguration was prepared as it was according to tradition, but we were told that the president did not want to join us),” she said. Robredo also hoped that she and the president could finally work together with a shared advocacy when she was appointed chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, but on December 2016, she was given the directive to “desist from attending all Cabinet meetings” over their “irreconcilable differences.” With the order, Robredo said, Duterte seemed to show that he did not trust her and that it would be hard for them to work together. “Wala siguro ang tiwala sa atin, ‘di ba naakusahan tayo na sumali tayo sa isang rally sa EDSA na hindi naman totoo. Pero base sa maling accusation, hindi na tayo pinapa-attend ng Cabinet meeting (Maybe the trust was not really placed on us because we were accused of joining a rally
in EDSA, even if it was not true. But based on a false accusation, we were ordered not to attend a Cabinet meeting since then),” she added. Still, the Vice President cited her accomplishments in the first half of her term, particularly the anti-poverty efforts of her flagship project, the Angat Buhay Program, in coordination with private parties to help those in the “laylayan ng lipunan (fringes of society).” The Office of the Vice President (OVP) already utilized P350 million for over 300,000 families and beneficiaries from 176 partner cities and municipalities as of December 2018. The OVP also received the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit for fiscal year 2018. Last week, Robredo cleared speculations that she would run for president in 2022, maintaining that she would leave such ambition to “destiny,” so as not to taint her advocacies and commitment to doing public service for the poor. The 2022 race for President is being projected to narrow down between women candidates, with Robredo and Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio as perceived frontrunners. n
Lacson to drop ‘bomb’ vs Health Secretary Duque SEN. Panfilo Lacson on Sunday, June 30, claimed to have discovered another anomaly in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) that might involve Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, which he believes would lead to the filing of a plunder case against the latter. Asked if he had another exposé against Duque, Lacson said, “Meron na naman, mas malaki pa (Yes, there is, and it’s even bigger).” “Mas grabe pa ‘di lang ito lease ng building niya kundi may family corporation involved na meron na naman kinalaman tungkol sa PhilHealth o tungkol sa DOH (Department of Health) mismo (This is more serious. It is not only about the lease of his building [by PhilHealth] but the family corporation is again involved in PhilHealth and DoH
itself),” Lacson said. “May hinihintay pa akong last document. May hawak akong mga dokumento. Karamihan ng document na dumarating sa amin, galing din sa loob eh (I’m just waiting for the last document. I have documents already. Most of these documents we receive come from insiders),” he added. The senator said he would share this new information with President Rodrigo Duterte once he gets all the documents. “Sa ngayon substantial. Pero mas maganda ang makarating hanggang logical conclusion (It’s substantial. But it would be better if it reaches logical conclusion),” he said. Pressed whether his wouldbe exposé could be used to file charges against Duque, Lacson said, “Maliwanag na plunder.
Isang dokumento na lang hinihintay ko (It’s definitely plunder. I’m just waiting for one document).” Lacson said PhilHealth and DoH employees were helping him gather the documents to expose the irregularities in their respective agencies. “Kasi sa tinagal-tagal ng panahon nakikita nila ang namumuno sa PhilHealth pinaglalaruan ang pera (Because they saw that through the years the PhilHealth management misused the money),” he said. “Ang kwenta nila for the last five years lang, P154 billion ang nalustay. ‘Yan ang kwento nila [sa akin] (By their estimate, for the past five years, about P154 billion was misappropriated. That’s what they told me),” Lacson added. (Bernadette Tamayo/ ManilaTimes.net)
by GLEE JALEA ManilaTimes.net
AMID a heated speakership race among male contenders for the 18th Congress, former speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo believes that there are very high chances for a woman to also run for the top House post in the near future. Even as she braced for her retirement as a public official, Arroyo kept mum on her personal choice for speaker, saying she did not want to “preempt” members of the next Congress. Those who are vying for the speakership in the 18th Congress are Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate. Velasco was named the bet of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan. “I don’t want to preempt the next Congress. To begin with, I will not be there. I’m just very confident that what they are going to do will be good for the country.
Each speaker has his own style,” Arroyo said during a small gathering with members of the House media. “A woman can become speaker as a matter of course. I wouldn’t be surprised because the Philippines is traditionally very progressive when it comes to women’s rights,” she told The Manila Times. Arroyo, the first woman House speaker, cited the 2018 report of the World Economic Forum that showed Manila ranking 8th in Global Gender Gap report, with the WEF attributing it to “full parity” on political and economic leadership. Since 2006 under Arroyo’s presidency, the Philippines had been consistently part of the WEF list, running against at least 144 countries. Arroyo recalled that “one of her many memorable moments” in public office was ranking fourth among Forbes Magazine’s Most Powerful Women in 2005 “because it projected a Filipino woman to the world.” “One of the memorable things
I would bring with me is I got to work with a lot of young congressmen. And it makes me confident about the future of our country because they will lead the nation when the time comes,” she said. “These people, who are young will [aim] for the highest leadership later on. They are here… They will do the country well. Wisdom is very important, but you also need energy. But as I said, these young people have the ingredients [even] as they gain more experience,” Arroyo added. Arroyo stepped down as speaker with a thanksgiving Mass with her family, staff and former Cabinet secretaries in her home at La Vista in Quezon City. She ended her 11-month term by fulfilling the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. Under her leadership, the House approved a total of 909 measures, 250 of which became national laws. Arroyo is set to work as consultant to her home province of Pampanga to help in implementing its “megalopolis” project. n
A6 JULY 3-5, 2019 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
‘A lesser evil’
FEATURES
COMPARED to the drug scourge, illegal gambling is the lesser evil, according to President Duterte. Still, jueteng, masiao and certain other numbers games remain illegal, and there are laws against them that must be enforced. So it’s good to hear Philippine National Police officials saying that they intend to enforce those laws, especially if the violation is brazen. Previous PNP officials have issued similar statements even as they acknowledged that some jueteng lords have contributed to limited police resources in the past. Instead of looking the other way in the face of blatant violation of the law, President Duterte can prod his congressional allies to consider proposals to legalize and regulate jueteng. The illegal status of the game engenders corruption, which the president says he wants eradicated along with the drug menace. Like drug trafficking, jueteng has also corrupted the political system and undermined elections. True, illegal gambling has generated employment especially in the countryside. But so does drug trafficking, and it’s still no excuse to tolerate the illegal activity. Providing jobs and livelihood opportunities to lo-
cal communities allowed the drug cartels to thrive in Colombia and Mexico. Kidnapping for ransom is a major cottage industry in Sulu and parts of Basilan, no doubt providing lucrative profits and livelihoods to those involved in it. Yet this is no excuse to tolerate the criminal act. In a country where the government operates casinos, lotteries and its own version of jueteng, the national policy on all forms of gambling needs clarity. The proposal to legalize jueteng has been tossed around by policy makers for a long time. Until jueteng is placed under state regulation, however, it will remain an illegal activity, no matter what the president of the republic may say. Illegal gambling may be a lesser evil, but it will still be evil — a corrupting influence that gives its operators a prohibited edge when they launder their dirty money through politics. And the PNP has a mandate to enforce the law, regardless of the degree of evil. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
3 more challenging years — for Duterte and PH
Commentary
DINDO MANHIT THE phenomenal rise of the Davao strongman as the most powerful leader in the Philippines has disrupted the Philippine political and economic landscape in the past three years. A majority of Filipinos did express optimism in the last presidential election that President Duterte would be a disruptive leader who would initiate drastic yet effective solutions to achieve “real change.” While the president’s unorthodox style of leadership and management of state affairs created an environment of political uncertainty and unpredictability, the political will to undertake bold reforms given
his high popularity ratings offered a good opportunity to institute radical changes in national policies. We have become familiar with his brutal approach toward human rights and the rule of law, his populist brand of politics, the “militarization” of government, preoccupation with federalism, expansionist fiscal management (“Dutertenomics”), and what many think is a defeatist approach in handling the West Philippine Sea issue. Three years on, the lack of wide-ranging institutional reforms shows that the promise of radical change was farfetched, especially on the issue of corruption in the bureaucracy. Further, the president’s inability to end the perennial drug problem in three to six months, as he had promised, is
a serious stain on his record. To date, the drug scourge seems to have only worsened, as the president and the police have admitted several times. The calls by international human rights advocates for an independent investigation into the killings spawned by the “war on drugs” have been summarily rejected by the government. Still, despite the many controversies it has had to battle in the past three years, the Duterte administration’s net satisfaction ratings in the last survey ranged from “good” to “excellent.” Its latest satisfactory rating of 81 percent, however, should not lull Malacañang into thinking that good perception is enough; ultimately, the president’s leadership and legacy will be primarily gauged through the actual impact of his governance on the
lives of majority of Filipinos. Under Duterte’s watch, the following landmark bills have been signed into law: free college tuition, free irrigation, free internet access in public places, tougher sanctions for hospitals demanding deposits, universal health care, expanded maternity leave, more accessible and affordable mental health services, and the institutionalization of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program. In line with the president’s populist stance, the Senate and House of Representatives worked to pass laws that aimed to alleviate the conditions of the poor and widen access to basic education, health and social services. Despite these landmark laws, there are still unfulfilled promises that need to be reevaluated. The coconut farmers, for
instance, anchored their hopes on Duterte’s campaign promise to return the more than P75-billion coconut levy fund to them. Initially, the President said he would do that within his first 100 days. Unfortunately, it took the Senate and the House of Representatives almost three years to pass the measure—and then the President vetoed the measure this year. Meanwhile, the increase in the compensation of teachers and nonteaching personnel still hangs in the balance due to budgetary constraints and the possible distortion of the salary standardization policy of government. The major pivot of the Philippines to China and the government’s “soft stance” on the West Philippine Sea issue have been widely criticized. Instead
of fighting for the Philippines’ sovereign rights, which the Hague ruling had upheld, the President decided to set aside this landmark decision. The passive and “defeatist” policy on the West Philippine Sea was crafted to get more loans and grants from China—a trade-off that, three years on, still has to show worthwhile results. In the next three years, the biggest challenge for the Duterte administration is reducing poverty especially in the rural areas, alongside raising agricultural productivity, the anemic progress of which has been a drag on economic performance. It also needs to control inflation, undertake more institutional reforms, dismantle existing monopolies and increase labor productivity. A full plate right into its closing days. (Inquirer.net)
Impossible for Carpio and del Rosario not to know that they are deceiving the country Commentary
RIGOBERTO TIGLAO THE claim that President Duterte should be impeached for not restricting our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) from foreigners is so absurd that it is astonishing that media has given it mileage at all, with even otherwise sober commentators believing that rubbish. What is disgusting is that the two men mainly responsible for spreading this nonsense—Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio and Aquino 3rd’s foreign secretary Albert del Rosario—cannot not know that they are misleading the public, as I will show in the course of this piece. Why are they doing so? Because of an ideological hatred for China, and an added factor for del Rosario, to cover up for his role in our losing Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Panatag or Scarborough Shoal) in 2012 to China. The Yellows are cheering them and repeating their yarn of course because they think they can pull down Duterte’s popularity by stoking the embers of anti-Chinese racism among Filipinos. At the outset, we have to emphasize first that Duterte was
referring not to our EEZ in its entirety but only to Recto Bank (Reed Bank) within which he said we cannot ban Chinese fishermen. His comment was in the wake of protests over the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel – whether it was a deliberate case of ramming or an accidental collision hasn’t been established. Recto Bank is indeed within our 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and whose natural resources therefore we have the sovereign rights to exploit. (Let’s leave out of this discussion the other fact that Recto Bank is also within the area we claim as territory, the Kalayaan Island Group, but which China, Taiwan, and Vietnam also claim.) Fire-eating What the Yellow demagogues, and the two fire-eating anti-China haters do not mention because it would immediately shatter their propaganda tack, and what many commentators astonishingly are so ignorant about, is the following. Our EEZ that includes Recto Bank is partly in an area which three other countries (and Taiwan) have declared as their sovereign territories, decades before 2009 when we drew precise geological coordinates for the zone through the socalled Baselines Law. We call this area the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which Marcos named as such when
he declared it part of Philippine territory in 1978. For China it is their Nánsh Qúndo, part of Hainan province; and for Vietnam, Qun o Trng Sa, part of its Khánh Hòa province. Our EEZ also overlaps a similar zone and the territorial sea of three other countries — Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia — and Taiwan. China occupies two features that is within both our EEZ and KIG, including the most wellknown Mischief Reef. It has five more outside our EEZ but within the KIG. Vietnam occupies five within both our EEZ and KIG, and an additional 9 within our KIG but outside our EEZ. Malaysia occupies four, three of which are in the KIG. (See accompanying map.) Mind-spinning these may be, the point is this: We cannot and have in fact not been able to ban from this area in our EEZ—the KIG— citizens from countries which also claim it as their sovereign territory. How difficult is it to understand that? Say, you have title to a property adjacent to your residence, and you shoo away people who are planting kamote there to make use of it. But then somebody else comes and claims it as his property, shows you his title, and says those people are his relatives he gave permission to plant. Do you quarrel with him, even hire goons to throw out those people? Metaphor’s limits This metaphor has its lim-
its though since in the case of the Spratlys, China, Vietnam, and Taiwan claim it is their sovereign territory. And unlike property disputes among individuals within one country and therefore bound by that nation’s laws, there is no super-state, i.e., no court to determine which “title” is genuine or fake. It is impossible for Carpio to not know all this. He had declared in 2011: “Under traditional international law typology, States acquire territory through occupation, accretion, cession and prescription, not by executing multilateral treaties (such as UNCLOS that issues guidelines for defining an EEZ.” He wrote that ponencia in an August 2011 decision upholding the constitutionality of the 2009 baselines law that in effect defined our EEZ. Or was it just his staff who wrote it, that he didn’t bother to read? In fact, what Duterte is saying is exactly what Carpio proposed right after the arbitral panel’s ruling in 2018: “The ruling says that Scarborough Shoal (which is within our EEZ) is a traditional fishing ground of Filipino and Chinese fishermen. So, both can fish there,” he said. “The Philippine government should talk to China and establish protocols so we can fish in peace,” he said. Why is he saying now that Duterte is violating the Constitution for allowing Chinese
fishermen to fish in an area in our EEZ which China claims is their territory? Constitution Yes, the Constitution mandates the President to protect our EEZ. But it is absurd, or downright stupid, to claim that a Philippine president is violating the Constitution when he cannot stop foreigners’ activities in, or kick foreigners out of our zone, when they also claim it as also theirs. Carpio exhorts us not to call the Spratlys a “disputed area.” But the entire world calls it that. Even the world’s superpower, the U.S., has not recognized our claim to the Spratlys, with its Navy manual on territories in the world saying: The U.S. does not take a position on territorial disputes in the Spratly Islands. In 2011, Aquino authorized an energy firm of the Indonesian-owned First Pacific Co. (the source of wealth of his foreign secretary del Rosario) to explore for oil and gas in an area in Recto Bank. In March, two Chinese maritime surveillance vessels forced out of the area the survey ship MV Veritas Voyager that the company had contracted to find out where to drill appraisal wells. The vessels claimed the area was Chinese territory and the Voyager did not have permission from its government for its activities there. Did anyone claim that Aqui-
no violated the Constitution for not sending our Navy to escort the ship so it can undertake its surveys? Then the next year, because of del Rosario’s gullibility in believing what a US assistant state secretary—several ranks below his stature—told him, we lost Bajo de Masinloc, which is of course within our EEZ. Why didn’t they or anyone claim that Aquino should be impeached for not kicking out the Chinese from a shoal within our EEZ? Other than the fact of course that the Yellow Cult was in complete control of media then, there was no way for Aquino to grab back Bajo de Masinloc except by force, which the UN Declaration categorically bans. In these two cases, del Rosario himself was witness to how a president could not restrict China from a part of our EEZ it claims it owns. Why is he now alleging that Duterte is violating the Constitution by allowing Chinese to fish in Recto Bank? Or does he want Duterte to do what Aquino stupidly did in 2012, which was to send a warship to arrest Chinese fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc? Well we all know how that ended up. We our lost territory that at least we could say we controlled since Spanish times. (ManilaTimes.net)
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 3-5, 2019
BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY OURNAL
Property prices up for 7th straight quarter
Ecozone ban to hurt BPO sector
22 projects worth P34B at the mercy of MalacaĂąang, 131 other proposals face dim prospects by ROY
STEPHEN C. CANIVEL Inquirer.net
MORE than P34 billion worth of projects to put up buildings for IT-BPM companies are now at the mercy of President Duterte after Malacaùang slapped a ban on new economic zones in the country’s capital district. According to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), these represent the value of 22 Metro Manila-based projects awaiting final approval of Malacaùang. These refer only to the investment commitments that have been endorsed to the Office of the President before Administrative Order
The BSP reported over the weekend that property prices continued to pick up as the residential real estate price index (RREPI) went up by 3.1 percent to 119.9 in the first quarter of the year from 116.3 in the same quarter a year ago. Manilatimes.net photo by Justine Ruth Bitancor by LAWRENCE AGCAOILI Philstar.com
THE cost of acquiring homes rose for the seventh straight quarter in the first three months this year after a series of interest rate hikes by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last year to curb rising inflationary pressures. The BSP reported over the weekend that property prices continued to pick up as the residential real estate price index (RREPI) went up by 3.1 percent to 119.9 in the first quarter of the year from 116.3 in the same quarter a year ago. The RREPI measures the average change in prices of various types of housing units based on data from housing loans granted by universal, commercial, and thrift banks. The RREPI has been rising since the second quarter of 2017. The BSP said prices of condominium units and townhouses grew by 10.9 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively, year-on-year, while prices of duplex units and single-detached housing units
decreased by eight percent and 1.7 percent, respectively. The RREPI was also higher by 1.6 percent versus the fourth quarter of last year. The BSP said residential property prices were higher in both the National Capital Region (NCR) and areas outside NCR. The average residential property prices in both NCR and areas outside NCR went up by 8.7 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively, compared to year-ago prices. “In NCR, the rise in the average residential property prices was largely due to the increase in the prices of condominium units. In areas outside NCR, all types of housing units registered price increases, except for single detached houses, which recorded a decline,� it said. For the first quarter, seven in 10 or 74 percent residential real estate loans (RRELs) were for the acquisition of new housing units. By type of housing unit, 46.2 percent of residential property loans were for the purchase of single detached units followed by condominium units with 44.5
percent, and townhouses with 8.6 percent. By area, majority of the loans granted in the NCR were for the purchase of condominium units, while loans granted in areas outside NCR were for single detached houses. The BSP placed the real estate and project finance exposures of Philippine banks under tight watch after debt watchers and multilateral lending agencies raised the red flag over the possible overheating in the economy, The BSP has approved enhancements to the prudential reporting requirements in order to strengthen oversight of banks’ real estate and project finance exposures. The reportorial enhancements form part of BSP’s macroprudential toolkit and would give the regulator a better grasp of the extent and quality of exposures of big banks to project finance, especially since demand for project finance is expected to increase and gain further traction as the country moves towards achieving its infrastructure goals. n
June inflation seen easing below 3%
A
(AO) No. 18 took effect. In an effort to boost countryside development, AO 18 slapped a moratorium on new ecozones in Metro Manila starting June 22, giving pending economic zone developers whose papers are in MalacaĂąang about a month to iron out deficiencies in their submissions. However, a bigger number of projects could be set aside by the ban, which caught PEZA and the information technology and business process management (ITBPM) industry by surprise. This sector is more popularly known as the business process outsourcing or BPO industry. PEZA earlier said that there were still 131 Metro Manila-based proj-
ects that did not make the June 22 cutoff date, even though these had already been partially approved by PEZA. The total value of these projects was not yet made available by PEZA. These pledges, according to PEZA Director General Charito Plaza, were not yet endorsed to MalacaĂąang because they first had to comply with requirements from other government agencies. Talks of an ecozone moratorium have been ongoing as far as 2017. Tereso O. Panga, PEZA deputy director general for policy and planning, said they appealed to MalacaĂąang as early as January last year to give a transition period of at least six months. n
Gov’t eyes higher tax on low-alcohol drinks Move to curb binge drinking among youth
losing market share to alcopops, which have at least 10 brands available in the country at that time. THE government is looking at Lambino said that since alcofurther raising the excise taxes pops sell well among the youth, slapped on so-called “alcopops� making these drinks expensive not only to generate additional revenues but also to discourage binge drinking, especially among the youth. “We are studying whether it should be part of the proposal or if we should maintain the status quo as these products are already being taxed as distilled spirits,� Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Joselito G. Lambino II told reporters last Friday, June 28, when asked about the plan to increase the excise taxes on alcopops. Lambino confirmed that a recent meeting between the departments of Finance (DOF) and of Health discussed the emergence of alcopops in the domestic drinks market. Alcopops are flavored drinks with lower alcohol content of about 3 to 7 percent, widely available in convenience stores and small retailers. A report in 2012 quoted an executive of a local firm involved in product distribution as saying that beers, for instance, were already by BEN
O. DE VERA Inquirer.net
would help lessen binge drinking. While Congress already approved higher excise taxes on cigarettes, the plan to raise levies on alcohol products remains pending. n
by ANNA LEAH
E. GONZALES ManilaTimes.net
INFLATION likely eased to below 3 percent in June after registering a slight uptick in May, according to analysts polled by The Manila Times. Forecasts on the rate of the increase in the prices of goods and services for the month ranged from 2.6 to 3.0 percent with a 2.9percent average, lower than the 3.2 percent posted in May and 5.2 percent 12 months ago. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) earlier projected inflation to hit between 2.2 and 3.0 percent. The Philippine Statistics Authority will release official June inflation data on July 5. Analysts from Moody’s Analytics and AAA Equities both offered the highest forecast of 3.0 percent. “Inflation in the Philippines has always been cost-push driven, meaning price increases are mainly due to the increase in [the] price of production and transport of goods. Overall, it is oil prices,� AAA Equities Head of Research Christopher Mangun said. “We continue to believe that inflation will continue [to be] lower, because oil prices are significantly lower than last year’s,� he added. According to Mangun, May’s slight acceleration was a “fluke� on account of weather conditions. For her part, Moody’s Analytics Economist Katrina Ell said a lower inflation rate could allow the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to ease policy rates in in the July-toSeptember period. “Our forecast for CPI (consumer price index) in June is 3.0 percent year-on-year, with cooler rice prices as an important downward contributor. The path is clear for the BSP to reduce policy rates in the third quarter,� Ell said. Analysts from ING Bank Manila and Security Bank Corp. also believe lower rice and oil prices contributed to the deceleration in inflation, which they said likely settled at 2.9 percent last month. Pork-import restrictions In a report, Security Bank Chief Economist Robert Dan Roces said that, in the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index, rice prices had been consistently going down in the last two months. He added, however, that higher fish and beef prices were still recorded. “Additional upside risks to the food index now include restrictions on pork imports from African Swine Flu (ASF) high-risk countries, providing markets some shortfall in supply and, thus,
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
driving prices up, as well. The additional ban to pork imports from [South] Korea imposed [on Friday, June 28] may well seep into July supply levels, as well,� Roces said. “In the fuel index, pump prices have slightly risen in the last two weeks as renewed tensions in the Middle East began lifting global oil prices. Crude have also been hit by concerns that the U.S.China trade dispute would lead to slower economic growth, but core OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) may still be able to balance the market in the short term by responding to consumer demand and produce beyond its targets depending on market conditions,� he added. ING Bank Manila Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa said favorable base effects, lower domestic oil prices and improvement in supply chains contributed to easing inflation. “Food inflation remains to be the single largest driving factor behind the overall headline number, given its sheer heft in terms of weight in the CPI basket. Food inflation [is likely to] fall from its surprise 3.4-percent growth in May, with rice exhibiting deflation after the government passed the crucial legislation on rice tarrification, which helped keep stocks of the all-important grain in good supply,� he said. “Utility prices, will also contribute to the slowdown in price gains, as we saw lower price increases for this sector with [the] Meralco (Manila Electric Co.) generation charge down in June 2019 from its level in 2018. Transport costs will likely be almost flat as domestic pump prices contracted from the same time in 2018,� Mapa added. ANZ Research and Philstocks Financial Inc. said June inflation would likely hit 2.8 percent. In a report, ANZ Research
Manilatimes.com file photo
said lower oil prices offset price increases in some agricultural products. It added, however, that reduced global oil prices and a stronger peso “should provide an offset.â€? Japhet Louis Tantiangco, research associate at Philstocks, on the other hand, explained that easing inflation was due to the high base effect. “We’re comparing this month’s consumer price index with a high one on the same period last year. Also, June’s inflation would still have the lagged effect of the monetary tightening done in the latter part of last year,â€? Tantiangco said. Other factors include the depreciation of peso and lower oil prices, he added. Mild El NiĂąo Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Head of Economics and Industry Research Division Michael Ricafort offered the lowest projection — 2.6 percent — which he attributed to lower global crude oil prices, a stronger peso exchange rate, and higher base/denominator effects that offset the effects of the mild El NiĂąo. “Global crude oil prices still among three-month lows. Nymex crude oil price [is] already higher at $59 per barrel levels from the low of $50.60 on June 5, 2019, but still below the high of $66.60 posted on April 23, 2019 amid tensions between U.S. and Iran,â€? Ricafort said. “A stronger peso exchange rate‌may result [in] lower prices of imports and help ease overall inflation. Higher base/denominator effects may have led to [further] easing in the inflation trend,â€? he added. According to Ricafort, the impact of the mild El NiĂąo will be mitigated by the Rice Tariffication law and the other non-monetary measures of the government. n
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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 3, 2019
Malaka Gharib’s graphic novel “I Was Their American Dream” explores identity as a Filipina-Egyptian to infer the tone and content of the story. I asked my parents questions like, ‘Why did you and In a conversation with the myself in the book. “WHEN I was growing up, dad get a divorce?’ ‘Dad, why AJ: How did this idea bemy mom would always say: ‘You Asian Journal, Gharib talks about did you get so upset when I told the creation of “I Was Their come a book deal? have to be better than us.’ She MG: My publisher is Clarkson you Darren was going to be my never explained what she meant American Dream” and why it’s husband? Do you feel okay with time to own our identity and Potter, which is an imprint of by that. But I understood. I had people knowing that?’ I tried culture. Penguin. I was making stuff and to somehow rise above my parto be very fair to them and give Asian Journal (AJ): At what posting it on Instagram. I think ents’ life in America. But how?” clues to my family members point did you want to tell your I had less than 30 cartoons on Filipina-Egyptian writer and about what the story was going story as a Filipina-Egyptian there when a friend of mine at artist Malaka Gharib explores to be about. growing up in America? NPR said, ‘Hey, my friend is an this idea of a ‘better life’ in AJ: Were there any memoMalaka Gharib (MG): I never agent and you should pitch this the early pages of her graphic ries or instances growing up really thought much about race as a book.’ I didn’t take it serimemoir, “I Was Their American issues that deeply until 2016 and ously because I couldn’t imagine that you wanted to include but Dream,” which was released didn’t end up because of page seeing all the anti-immigrant it turning into a book. She was earlier this spring. constraints? very encouraging about it and Through comics that illustrate rhetoric in the news. The very MG: Absolutely, that’s a one-dimensional conversations said, ‘Here’s your idea: cartoons anecdotes — from her Filipina great question and haven’t gotabout being a first generation mother and Egyptian father’s im- that I was seeing in the media ten that one before. I wanted to Filipino-Egyptian-American.’ I migration stories to her upbring- about immigrants — that we explore the conflict in religion. I were coming here and taking think everybody in 2016 undering in Cerritos, California and think that when you’re growing people jobs, that we were terror- stood that there was this need struggles to find a sense of beup in a really devout household, ists — did not really match with for nuanced immigrant stories longing — Gharib goes beyond religion is so important and what I grew up with in Cerritos, and that was something easy the stereotypical caricatures of you take it as seriously as your California. I grew up in a town to sell to publishers during that what Filipinos or Egyptians are parents. When you’re young, you that was an Asian bubble and time. thought to look and act like and had a lot of diversity and people AJ: The book is a quick read don’t question religion then and shows that there’s more to the you believe the stories they tell immigrant experience than what from every social class. I also had but is rich with intricate detail my parents’ own story, which — whether it’s your mom using you. You believe that two angels the media portrays. are on your shoulders watching didn’t match the news either. a cookie tin for a sewing kit or Gharib, who is the deputy your every move and you believe Thinking about my dad, for your dad eating KFC on the editor and digital strategist of in heaven and hell and are example, he’s Muslim. I was a couch. What was the storyNPR’s Goats and Soda by day, guided by that righteousness. little too young for the post-9/11 boarding process like and how was compelled to explore race discourse about Muslims, but for did you decide on what details I wanted to talk about more and identity following the 2016 deeply when I lost my faith in Casome reason, 2016 seemed to to include on certain pages? election after seeing the “antiMG: For me, I wanted to use tholicism, which was around the immigrant” rhetoric in the news. be the moment because I was time I got confirmed. We went an adult by then and I thought the least amount of information The result: a novel inspired on this retreat in Big Bear and it about my dad who liked garden- to convey the maximum story. by a ‘90s comic book charting was weird and cultish and I felt Gharib’s perspective in a mixed- ing and loved the movie ‘Forrest That’s what I really love about Gump.’ He’s totally harmless. I the comics format in that it’s very really uncomfortable. They made race household through red, us kneel around in a circle and wanted to correct the narrative restrictive. It’s like poetry: What white and blue colored-drawthey said they would bring Jesus that I was seeing and provide are the base images, words ings, with some pages inviting out at any second but they made my own nuanced perspective for and dialogue you need to tell the reader to be interactive as us pray for an hour and when readers and also my generation. the most impactful story? I had well. they finally brought Jesus out, AJ: How did you decide Easter eggs throughout the The pages take readers he was a candle. I was so mad. a graphic novel would be the entire book too...if you knew, through trying to fit in at high best platform for doing so? you knew. Everybody was like, ‘I It confirmed to me that I was school and college, summers better off as a Muslim anyways in MG: As for why the graphic totally eat with one foot up and in Egypt where her dad moved the other foot down on the chair the end. back to after the divorce, the de- novel format, a big part of my I wanted to include that story artwork is the zine and comic too.’ I’m so glad that people fiance of being a writer instead in the book because I think that caught that because I put this of a traditional job, and teaching book culture…I would buy zines religious pressure is such a big at Skylight Books in LA and then little Easter egg in there. Like her husband about her multiculpart of the immigrant experitry to create my own zines and people who understood the tural identity. ence too. I had limited space comics at home and get them sewing kit cookie tin reference Yet, with the specific details printed at the copy machine — those are the little things I put and also, I had a great editor of Gharib’s personal story, a named Kat Chow, who is one of at my uncle’s medical office in in there for us. universality emerges that esthe founding members of NPR’s Historic Filipinotown. That was As for storyboarding, what pecially first generation kids in Code Switch podcast. I hired her was it that I wanted to say on American can relate to, whether a very foundational way for me to help guide me in the process a whole? I wanted to explore it’s emulating what we see while to express myself. There wasn’t of helping me explore my race a question in my mind that I my relationship to race during watching popular TV shows or and identity issues. She basically wanted to emulate this diary high school and I would then having to balance the cultures said, ‘You can’t fit everything in. feel, DIY-style in expressing unpack that into further detail. we identify with. You just have to unpack a few What did I aspire to look like? things.’ I let that one go but that Why did I think that way? Why was something I really wanted to did I think that looking that way was the right way to look? When go into. AJ: The pages where you I unpacked those questions, I compare praying in a Filipino tried to use anecdotes to bring Catholic household versus the those answers to life. I wanted Egyptian Muslim household to look like that because I didn’t and the contradictions were fit in. Instead of saying that, I tried to think of stories. I thought interesting. Do you still feel that pressure of being on top about [my sister] Min Min and of the customs and language how she took those pictures in high school with all those Filipina when you’re with your sides of the family? girls next to her...I never got to MG: Oh yeah! My dad and do anything like that because I a lot of my Arab family are on didn’t have a group of Filipina Instagram and there are a lot of girlfriends because I didn’t pass things I just don’t post. I don’t as one. post photos of me smoking AJ: How reliant were you hookah or me eating during on past diaries and drawings? the month of Ramadan...out of MG: I relied on them pretty heavily. I kept a very serious jour- respect of my family members. I don’t post overly provocative nal in high school and college clothing because it’s very conand even in my prepubescent servative in the Middle East and years. I have them all at home and looked back at those in case I don’t want my family to get the there were any stories that were wrong idea about me. AJ: Growing up what were missing, but I also fact-checked some of your favorite books or my own history by calling elementary, high school and col- authors who inspired you to be a writer and journalist? lege friends. MG: This is a very cliché AJ: What conversations did thing but Tatay [maternal grandyou have with your family and father], when I was growing up friends? I know you spoke to in the 8th grade, he gave me your mom and dad about tella copy of ‘The Catcher in the ing this family history. MG: I tried to use a journalist Rye’ and it was a very mature, introspective, moody, comingframework, which is you should of-age story...I probably read it never let your subject be sursix times through the duration of prised when they read the final story. You should be giving them high school but I really loved the Pages from Gharib’s “I Was Their American Dream” explore questions of identity and belonging as a poignant sensitivwity and care clues along the way as to what first-generation growing up in a multicultural, mixed household. the story is about, if it’s going be of Holden Caulfield. I wanted to Reprinted from “I Was Their American Dream” (copyright 2019 by Malaka Gharib), published by combative or supportive. In the emulate that in my writing style Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC question, they should be able too. Comics and zines too, but I didn’t get into reading longer form or mainstream ones until after college. I read a lot of indie ones but I don’t even remember the titles of them. I was also really moved by the American Girl books. I like wholesome things in general, which is why the book, you could argue, can be perceived as wholesome and appropriate for young adults. I liked the historical stories about the girls, learning about their lives and cultures, and how they shaped them and their view of the world. I always wished they would have a book for a Filipino Egyptian so I tried to think about writing one. AJ: You spend your time at NPR writing about poverty and global development. But you’ve written pieces about your Filipino culture, whether through food or your husband Gharib inside her childhood room in Lakewood, California. Photo by Andrew Castro wearing a Barong to your by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL/AJPress
An artist and writer, Gharib knew a graphic novel would be a fitting medium to tell her story.
Gharib sifting through old drawings and zines she made during her adolescent years.
Childhood photos of Gharib
grandfather’s birthday. What was it like pitching those stories to your editor at NPR and having that platform to talk about your identity on a mainstream scale? MG: I am very lucky to be at a place where I can have such a huge platform...I did a piece about the Filipino lunch club we had and one about mental health and I did one recently about Thanksgiving...and an interesting perspective for the mainstream to see that other cultures just don’t eat turkey and mashed potatoes. I feel this obligation to write about stories I’m passionate about. I’m always thinking about the people I grew up with in Southern California, what they might be interested in reading because I am them and I am interested in reading that stuff too. AJ: You have some anecdotes around the question of ‘what are you?’ In the book, you write ‘I used to love this question because it gave me the opportunity to talk about my ethnicity. But not everyone felt that way.’ How have you come into your identity over the years? MG: There’s no better time than now to proclaim from the rooftops your ethnicity. If this how you identify yourself and you are proud of it, then why should we hide that? There is something so beautiful about representing your culture... For a little bit, I didn’t want to tell people who I am but now, I want you to know exactly who I am and I want to celebrate my ethnicity. AJ: Through this journey, what does it mean for you to be Filipina? MG: My whole life, we were taught that being Filipino was a bad thing. In high school, I went to school with a lot of other Asians but I quickly understood that Filipinos were at the bottom of whatever hierarchy of the Asians with the Japanese at the top. When I would go to Egypt, my dad would tell me not to tell others that I was Filipino because, in the Middle East, Filipinos are the help. I had thought it wasn’t an honorable thing to be Filipino, but now, I get so excited when I see another Filipino out in the world. It’s a time to celebrate each other and it has lifted my heart in so many ways. AJ: What do you want readers to take away from “I
Photos by Andrew Castro
Was Their American Dream”? MG: First of all, I hope people can relate to this book who aren’t Filipino or Egyptian. What I’ve been amazed by is that so many people have found it relatable. It’s not just Filipinos who are reaching out and saying thank you for writing this book. It’s been people from so many countless cultures. I’ve seen the book become a force to bring people together like I saw a post of a group of young people having a kamayan dinner and said they were inspired by the book to have the dinner and talk about being Filipino. Someone told me, ‘This book makes me want to call my grandma and celebrate everything that we are.’ I want people to be proud of who they are. No matter who you are, take pride in it. There’s nothing to be ashamed of and you don’t have to try to be something that you’re not. AJ: In this book and even in your other writings and posts on social media, you share a lot of yourself. What’s something people may not know about you? MG: I actually don’t find the things I share too personal. I feel like the stories are so universal that they’re impossible to be truly personal. I hope that makes people more vulnerable. In this world where everything’s so fake and posed, you’re constantly being promoted at by ads and everything is so algorithmically chosen for you so I want there to be some vulnerability, kindness, personal connection and intimacy. I hope the things I make bring people together or a person closer to how they’re feeling. AJ: For you, what does the American Dream mean? MG: I never knew that I needed to have an American Dream. I only thought that American Dreams were for outsiders. But I grew up feeling like an outsider too in this country and I realized that I also needed to have a dream, which was weird. But it wasn’t like my parents’ dream of a white picket fence or buying all my titos some polo shirts from the outlet. Mine was to feel a sense of belonging in my own country — the country that my parents told me I belonged in, yet it hadn’t felt that way. This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
Angel, Neil get engaged MILO SEVERO Philstar.com
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WEDDING bells will be ringing soon as Kapamilya actress Angel Locsin is now officially engaged to boyfriend Neil Arce. In his Instagram account, Neil posted a photo where he is holding the engagement ring while Angel was in the background. “Excuse me miss… I have a question…” the film producer captioned the post. In her Instagram account, Angel posted photos of her with Neil showing her hand with the engagement ring on it. “Surprise of my life,” Angel wrote. In another post, Angel was seen looking at Neil while showing the engagement ring. “I said YES,” she captioned the post. “We’re engaged! Wahhhhhh!” Angel wrote on another post. “Thank you for allowing me to be with you, take care of you and most of all love you for the rest of my life,” Neil wrote on his Instagram account. Celebrities such as Kris Aquino, Anne Curtis, Angelica Panganiban, Liza Soberano, Kathryn Bernardo, Enchong Dee, Maja Salvador, Bea Alonzo, Jennylyn Mercado, Charo Santos, Maymay Entrata, Alex Gonzaga, Paulo Avelino, Julia Barretto, Billy Crawford, Iza Calzado and Arci Munoz, to name a few, sent their greetings for the couple. “Sooooo soooo happy for you mars,” Anne commented. “Congrats Ate Alex! Pero ako muna,” Enchong play-
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 3, 2019
Why David could be GMA 7’s ‘Next Big Heartthrob’ by RITO
P. ASILO Inquirer.net
Angelc Locsin with Neil Arce
fully commented, referring to their blockbuster movie “Four Sisters And A Wedding.” “Ninang pa rin ba ko?” Kris commented, to which Angel replied: “Yes please ate!!! Please be our ninang!” In another post, Angel thanked all well wishers for being part of their journey. “Still on a high from everyone’s reaction and well wishes. hehehe! Thank you sooo much for being part of our journey & adding so much joy to our engagement. Love you guys!” Angel said.
Photo from Instagram/@therealangellocsin
Meanwhile, Angel asked her followers for tips for their wedding preparation as she posted a video on her Instagram story. “So ito na nga. Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sa lahat ng mga bumati sa amin ni Neil. Wala pa kaming ibang detalye pero gusto ko lang unahin na kung paano ba isuot ang engagement ring, maghanap ng venue at wedding planner so kung mayroon kayong mga tips jan, maghahagilap ako kung paano ba ito. Salamat,” she said.
Ryza reveals more about herself by BOY
ABUNDA Philstar.com
IT’S been a year since Ryza Cenon became a Kapamilya with her remarkable performance as Aubrey in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” serving as her debut acting project in ABS-CBN. She is now seen weeknights in “The General’s Daughter” as Jessie, one of the contravidas in the life of Angel Locsin’s Rhian. Her sweet demeanor works to her advantage. Ryza can become your ideal woman in one acting project and your most hated character in another. But between the two, many are convinced Ryza is perfect for villain roles. She broke into her sweetest smile in appreciation of the positive observation before telling yours truly how enjoyable it is for her to portray such roles than the meek and mild personality of a bida. “Never did I dream about becoming a bida or contravida. What I wanted is to be a good actress. Perhaps, I am best at being bad because I enjoy doing that kind of character; nalalaro mo ‘yung character di kagaya ng bida na plain lang ‘yung character na kailangan lang maaawa ‘yung tao sa ‘yo.” Ryza’s career began when she joined a talent search on GMA 7. That was 15 years ago. Fast forward to the present. Ryza is happy and proud of her achievements yet she stressed that not much has changed when it comes to her lifestyle. “I still am the same person who is so simple. Kumbaga, lahat natutunan ko (pero) never akong nagmadali sa career ko. I don’t have any insecurities in my body na kung may umangat man kaysa sa akin, ‘Okay, congrats,’” she said during her guesting on Tonight with Boy Abunda (TWBA).
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Ryza Cenon
Even when she is praised for her acting performance, Ryza remains humble. According to her, she puts a lot of effort in studying her character, especially now that she is acting alongside finest actors, among them is Angel Locsin. “The fight scenes with Ate Angel, I must be prepared all the time,” she pointed out. Apart from acting, Ryza is also into painting and archery. She, too, is good at saving her hard-earned money through “the jar technique.” She has two jars where she keeps P50 bills in one jar and P20 bills in another one. After filling them up, the total amount goes straight to the bank. In fact, she just recently deposited around P60,000 to P70,000 “without me realizing that I’ve saved that amount in those
Photo from Instagram/@iamryzacenon
jars.” But when it comes to love, Ryza has realized that one should not invest all her emotions in the relationship. “Kailangan magtira ka sa sarili mo kasi pag hindi, nawawala ka hanggang sa hindi mo na kilala yung sarili mo,” she explained without going into details about the end of her two-year love affair with Cholo Barretto. Never mind if they are together in The General’s Daughter. “I have moved on so it’s not difficult for me to work with him. Besides, I don’t take my personal (issues) at work. Are we friends? I can’t tell but I’m not closing any doors at ayoko din magsalita ng tapos pero sa ngayon I’m not yet ready to make friends (with him).”
Andi not closing door to marriage by RICKY LO Philstar.com
EVEN as she welcomes her second child next month, Andi Eigenmann said that, although not in the near future, she is not closing her door to the “possibility” of getting married. “I don’t think about marriage,” Andi admitted during the recent baby shower and her advance birthday celebration hosted by Aprica at Rockwell last June 22 (actual birthday is June 25). “I used to think that Jake Cuenca with girlfriend Kylie Verzosa I need to get married but after birth in Manila, Andi will go back living the life I have now, I feel contented. This life is enough for to Siargao. The double celebration was me. I’d be happy to get married a happy family affair. Almost and I’m not closing my door to all of the Eigenmanns were that possibility. It’s something accounted for: Andi’s uncle Mithat I need to experience in my chael de Mesa, cousin Ryan, and life.” Andi’s first child, seven-year- half-siblings Gabby, Max, Stevie and Timmy (Sid Lucero), except old Ellie, is by her former boyfor cousin Geoff who attended friend Jake Ejercito. The second is by her current boyfriend, surfer to his girlfriend who gave birth Philmar Alipayo with whom Andi a week earlier. Andi’s Lola Rosemarie Gil was in the US, while is living in Siargao. After giving
Photo from Instagram/@juancarloscuenca
Cherie Gil was in Palawan. From Andi’s mother side, mom Jaclyn Jose: Andi’s half-brother Gwen, her aunt Veronica Jones (Jaclyn’s sister) and cousin Abby Asistio. The Eigenmann siblings organized and hosted the games; the last was Pinoy Henyo where Jaclyn and Michael competed. “As long as Andi’s happy,” said Mom Jaclyn, “I’m happy for her and I support her all the way.”
THIS article is one year in the making, but not because we didn’t like chatting with actor-model David Licauco. In fact, we found the GMA 7 hunk, who just happens to be Jaime Licauco’s grandson, a fascinating subject worth every writer’s precious time. This week, David begins his bid for big-screen stardom via the rom-com “Because I Love You.” In an industry inhabited by celebrities who hide behind “manufactured” images, David’s pull-no-punches candor is as refreshing as seeing him work the runway with a friendly smile—even when he’s made to wear nothing
but revealing underwear in fashion shows. Presentation is key, the actor stressed: “It’s how you carry yourself that matters. I don’t want to look malaswa in a pair of briefs, because you can look slutty even when you have a denim jacket on.” This week, David ascends to solo leading-man status by way of Joel Lamangan’s breezy rom-com “Because I Love You,” which opened in theaters nationwide last Wednesday, June 26. In the movie, the actor, who just turned 24 last June 15, plays Rael Tansingco, a business mogul’s heir who falls in love with his best friend Tres’ (Martin del Rosario) new David Licauco romantic prospect, firefighter Photo from Instagram/@davidlicauco Summer (Shaira Diaz).
Alfred: Actor-politico grateful for third term in congress by RICKY
CALDERON ManilaTimes.net
ACTOR-politician Alfred Vargas will take his oath as congressman of the 5th District of Quezon City on June 30 and is grateful for the opportunity to fulfill his third and final term as lawmaker. Despite the crowded race for his post last elections, Alfred bagged a convincing win, garnering the highest number of votes among multiple opposition. He is very thankful for this new mandate from his constituents and credits his good track record in earning their trust all over again. “Nothing beats a good performance. If the people see that you are doing your job well, they will return the favor by voting you back into office,” said the actor. Alfred went through a grueling campaign period and is currently taking time to rest before plunging back to work come July 1. He is also mak-
him. I can only wish to last as long as he did in the industry. For Alfred, what happened to Manoy Eddie was an accident and hopes it will never happen again whether to a star or a member of the production. “We should take the necessary precautions always,” he said. “We should always be careful in the work area and ensure its safety, not only for the stars but for the production people as well.” According to Alfred, he’s Alfred Vargas Inquirer.net photo had offers from both ABSCBN and GMA Network to ing up for time he lost with his do teleseryes but has begged wife and kids in the run up to off from them to concentrate elections. in Congress and spend his Meanwhile, in this same infree time with family. His fans terview, Alfred expressed sadshould see him soon in a couple ness over the death of veteran actor Eddie Garcia. He revealed of movie projects, one of which has Iza Calzado in the cast and they became very close after directed by Mac Alejandre from working on a project together. He remembers Manoy Eddie as the script of Ricky Lee. “I normally do just one very professional and helpful movie a year but if a good in giving him valuable advice script comes along, we might regarding acting, professionalreconsider our decision,” said ism and loving one’s work. Alfred. “I truly admire and respect
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Shay Mitchell pregnant with first child
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 3, 2019
V. GUNO
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Angelina Mead King on how Facebook outed her as a transgender to friends, contacts BUSINESSWOMAN and car enthusiast Angelina Mead King told TV host Boy Abunda it was Facebook that outed her as a transgender woman. King started to do hor-
mones at the end of 2015 after her father died, she said on “Tonight with Boy Abunda”, as posted on ABS-CBN’s YouTube page, June 28. She was not planning to come out to her
SHAY Mitchell is expecting her first child with Canadian TV host and reporter Matte Babel. The Filipina-Canadian actress made the announcement on Friday, June 28, with friends and family, and said it a topless picture showing her was social networking site Face- pregnant belly on Instagram. book that decided to out her. She also released a video “Midyear of 2016, Facecalled “Guess Who’s Preggers” book decides to out me. in her YouTube channel, which Hindi ako nagpa-out, Facebook gives a rundown of how she mismo,” said King. (I didn’t out broke the news to people close myself, it was Facebook [who to her, her “lonely” emotions did it].) on pregnancy and the photo “Hindi ko nga alam paano shoot she had with her growing nangyari kasi dati I used to tummy. keep two phones. Different The “Pretty Little Liars” numbers, different emails, hindi star wrote in the caption of sila mag-ka-friends, walang the video: “Everyone waits connection. And then nag-nofor the right time to make the tification na nagpadala sa lahat announcement and for me ng friends ko, ‘Your friend Ian it wasn’t until I couldn’t hide King is on Instagram as Angie it anymore and was tired of Mead,’ tapos dun na nagkalat.” wearing over sized sweatshirts. (I do not know how it hapWe’re beyond excited and lookpened because before, I used ing forward to starting a family.” to keep two phones. Different “I’ve learned so much about numbers, different emails, there myself and parenthood over was no connection. And then a the past 6 months, and feel like notification was sent to all my I haven’t even scratched the friends saying, ‘Your friend Ian surface.” King is on Instagram as AnThe video announced a new gie Mead,’ and that’s when it series, “Almost Ready,” to be spread.) released on July 17. That same day, King’s friends and cousins took screenshots of the notification and sent it to her, asking what was going on. She recalled not knowing what to do and turning to her wife Joey for help. “I didn’t know also what to do, so kausap ko yung wife ko by MARINEL R. CRUZ around lunchtime,” she said. Inquirer.net “Sabi ko, ‘Ano, buksan ko na “SHE’S proud and grateful, yung account?’ kasi andaming but also regretful,” said Jasmine nag-fo-follow. Wala na tuloy Curtis-Smith when asked how tuloy na.” (Inquirer.net) her sister, Anne, took the news of her being part of the cast of Alvin Yapan’s historical drama, “Culion.” The role of Doris, one of the three female leads in “Culion,” was previously offered to Anne. “Regretful,” Jasmine explained, because Anne had wanted the role for herself, but prior commitments—like an upcoming movie with comedian Vice Ganda—forced the latter to give it up. “Her loyalty to her other commitments came first. She said, ‘I’m happy that it was given to you. I know you can do it.’ Kinilig ako because we Angelina Mead King Photo from Instagram/@angiemeadking seldom talk to each other about
Shay Mitchell
The pregnancy news comes months after Mitchell disclosed on Instagram in January that she suffered a miscarriage in 2018. Mitchell has kept her
Photo from Instagram/@shaymitchell
relationship with Babel lowkey—the YouTube video is the first time she shared footage of them together. They have been romantically linked since 2017.
Jasmine doesn’t mind being 2nd choice to sister Anne
for each other,” added Jasmine. “I’m fine with being the second choice to Ate. Truth be told, my role in ‘Baka Bukas’ was first offered to her, too.” Samantha Lee’s LGBTthemed film “Baka Bukas” won for Jasmine several acting awards. “I think I’ve already outgrown that phase. Had this happened when I was younger, I’d have felt hurt. These days, I actually feel lucky because the role Jasmine Curtis Smith with her sister Anne has found its way to me. Being Photo from Instagram/@jascurtissmith second choice is nothing until you make it a big deal,” Jasmine projects, usually kanya-kanya,” Jasmine told the Inquirer shortly stressed. “Another actress other than Ate was considered to play after she attended the story conference for the movie, along Doris. Mas kinikilig ako knowing that iOptions Ventures (the with the production’s other female leads, Iza Calzado (Anna) film’s producer) thought I am of the same rank as these artand Meryll Soriano (Ditas). ists. I’ve now managed to turn “Our bond is thickening situations like this into positive now. Ate and I are growing toencouragement.” gether. We’re genuinely happy
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Once upon a time series...
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond
CHARISSE’S CONFECTION A story in two Scoops
MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA
Part 1 of 2
“I’ve had it!” Charisse said to herself as she put down her phone. This one broke up with her via text message, saying he’s found someone else and something about her being too square. They say three is a charm or in her case, she thought, three strikes and you’re out. She stiffened her spine, picked up her phone and was going to just block his calls, hesitated for a bit, and with a glint in her eye and a decisive finger, deleted his name from her contact list forever. Charisse used to go into a season of self-pity after a break-up but realized that it was like flogging yourself silly after the one you foolishly trusted kicks you to the curb. One day she took action. She decided to be kind to herself and take none of the bad behavior others feel they can pile on her. She built her selfconfidence daily, rigorously with positive affirmations and learned to do many things with excellence just like her Mom and her Lola taught her — two generations of awesome women who continue to guide her. As a research associate for a non-profit firm for a decade, she made a modest living allowing her to have her own place and some expendable time doing things for others. She kept close tab of her expenses but made sure she had money for her continuing education and time to spend generously with other people. Charisse kept in close touch with her family keeping them in the loop about her simple but utterly engaging life. She mentally threw out the window the new wave speeddating, internet dating, webchatting schtick. It works for some but certainly not for her. It’s a jungle out there. She decided she will do things the old fashioned way. She was going to be a jolly mini-renaissance girl, a well-rounded lady that considers technology as a useful tool but never a crutch. “Hah! Tall order,” she admitted to herself but she knew on the gut level she was going to do it or die trying. Her dad and her brother said she had spunk and gumption. She always got going when the going got tough. She thought it was the built-in spark plug wired into her by
praying to God constantly. She learned how to do things, like write, bake and cook, even dance and sing and do stand-up comedy — pursuits that made her so busy, so disciplined and so doggone tired she just didn’t have time to be sad. She talked to senior people in the mall and at the senior center and realized she enjoyed learning so much from their stories. She also felt their intense loneliness. She became friends with them and looked forward to senior center nights. She became particularly close to Dolly, an elegant graceful, silver-haired lady that seemed like she was to the manor born. Boy, were those senior citizens
single lady aka “old maid” whose sell by date is about to expire among her group of friends. The current social media template seems to work for her friends but not for her. Charisse shrugged her shoulders. With an impish grin, she said out loud, “I don’t care. I will be a happy, single lady just the same. So goodbye to love.” Charisse sprung into action to slam shut another annoying damper of a mini-chapter of her life. She went to her kitchen, tied her long lustrous brunette hair into a bun, put on her apron determined to whip out a delicious baked goodie, a confection like no other. Baking was her magic wand to shoo away the blues. She opened her pantry, peeked at her refrigerator and checked out ingredients for one of her specialties, Crema de Fruta, a layer of lady fingers, covered by cream, then a layer of peaches and cherry and a thin layer of clear gelatin on top to hold the layers together. She will bring her delicious confection to the Senior Center tomorrow for Dolly who will be celebrating her 80th birthday. Dolly loved seeing her every time she stopped by at the Senior Center. Her eyes lit up when she sees the younger woman. She loved to regale her with wonderful tales of a glorious past. Charisse listened and learned of a wonderful, well-heeled family life until a tragic accident wiped out all except for a grandson. Dolly’s eyes would close when she recalls the tragedy while Charisse kept her respectful silence squeezing the woman’s hand slightly as a tiny measure of comfort. Charisse’s natural curiosity as a researcher would normally drive her to check out her story on the internet. But she felt Dolly’s story was told to her in confidence like a secret and so it will stay that way. She purposely didn’t ask for her full name because she enjoyed the mystery and the company of the older woman. She thought that too much information overload has killed all the mystery and wonder in this world. And so she just let it be. (To be continued next week …) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
“...Baking was her magic wand to shoo away the blues...” a hoot to be with! She learned to tango and do the foxtrot with them. She volunteered to read to the children at the library. The kids made her laugh and they taught her to be joyful and lighthearted. Her friends complained that she was missing in on the action. Quietly, she begged to differ. Best of all, she rediscovered prayer and its powerful, wonderful effect on her and the people around her. She found comfort in the quiet sanctity of her small parish church. Through her journey of selfdiscovery, Charisse learned to never be one to wallow over a break-up — more so with an extremely crass text break-up. “What is wrong with guys these days who won’t be man enough to do a face-to-face break-up? So many beta boys, spineless soy boys around her orbit! Where are the gentleman alpha males that pursued the love of their life with all they’ve got? Charisse was convinced romance and courtship are dead like the dodo. Or perhaps, the reason there are no alpha males and manly men is that women don’t act like women these days. And the men are so confused they want to be women. “Oy Vey!” she sighed. She picked up the expression from one of the Jewish women at the center. She alternates it with her mom’s expression of exasperation, “Hay Naku!” At this rate, I will be the only
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 3, 2019
Debt Relief
ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG HOW do you answer this question? Let’s check what the Bible has to say about debt. The Bible says that one should neither be a lender or borrower. It does not seem to recommend the assumption of debt. Otherwise, it should say, it’s OK to be a borrower, but not a lender or vice-versa. This statement is clear. It does not sound like fake news. It’s straightforward. It doesn’t sound like a mysterious early morning tweet from the president. On the contrary, the Bible is specific. Don’t be a lender or a borrower. Why not a lender, because you might end up losing your money? Why not a borrower, because debt service will end up destroying your life? Debt will literally enslave you with minimum payments to keep them current that will cost you a fortune in the long run. You will eventually lose a fortune that should be in your bank account. You will need this fortune for
How much debt is too much? your retirement but if you have too much debt, instead of having this fortune available for your use to augment your social security when you retire, you will have nothing but debt that keeps on asking for more money from you every month. For those of you who don’t have debt, read on, so you won’t decide to plunge into a sea of debt. So how much debt is too much? I posed this question here exactly 20 years ago. If you were 45 then, you would now be ready to retire at 65. Were they 20 long years? No, in fact, they were 20 very short years. Your 5-year-old son is now 25, done with college and working. Your toddler then is now an adult. Your 3-year-old daughter then is now 23, also an adult. She is now a registered nurse. Your son is now a mechanical engineer working for an international construction firm based in Hong Kong. Your parents who were then 69 are now 89. They have good genes but they have all kinds of aches and pains and both need caregivers to help them along. So what happened? Twenty years just passed by so fast you
didn’t notice as time flew by so fast like a speeding train. Let’s just say that 20 years ago, you and your spouse had a net combined income of $4,000. I already said you were 45 years old then. You had a house mortgage to pay, maybe a second trust deed, one of those home improvement loans, had one or two car payments. Your son and daughter were still in grade school. You examined your debt level then when you read my article 20 years ago. You were in fact at a major crossroad in your life. You had about $30,000 of credit cards, which needed 25% of your net household income, or close to $1,000 to make minimum payments on your credit cards. It felt like wage garnishment and your heart was being ripped out through your wallet, right? What was left was $3,000, which you allocated for the house, the cars, food, electricity, insurances and other living expenses. After all these expenses, probably, your household had nothing left. If you had nothing left, where would you have gotten $1,000 a month to make minimum payContinued on Page 6
Barrister’s Corner
provided it is filed prior to the minor turning 18. Another situation is a bigamist marriage where the first spouse has been absent and not known to be living for 5 years prior to the second marriage or if the party believed the spouse to be dead at the time of the second marriage. A Nullity based on this ground may be filed during the life of the other party. A marriage may be voided if either party was of unsound mind at the time of the marriage. Unsound Mind means a person is incapable of understanding the nature of the marriage contract and the duties and responsibilities it creates which depends on the degree of mental capacity of the party. This may not be a ground if the party later on came to reason yet continued to freely cohabitate with the spouse. Fraud is another ground for voiding a marriage. The false representation or concealment must relate to a substantive matContinued on Page 6
Grounds for annulling a marriage
MOST couples that want out of a marriage in California usually file for Divorce. There are circumstances though that allow a couple to have their marriage “voided” rather than “dissolved.” There is a big difference between the two concepts. With a voided marriage, it restores the couple to status of unmarried person as if they have never been married before. In a divorce, the couple would always be regarded to as married during the period of the marriage. Unlike Divorce which can be obtained regardless of the reason. Voiding a marriage may only be obtained based on certain grounds. It is void in cases of incest and bigamy. It is voidable in cases of minority, Unsound Mind, Fraud, Force, or Physical Incapacity. Marriages between parents, children, ancestors and descendants, brothers and sisters, half brothers and sisters, uncles and nieces, and aunts and nephews are incestuous and are void from the beginning. So are
ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES bigamist marriages where either party was still married to another person when they entered the marriage. Nevertheless, it is best to obtain a Nullity Judgment to clarify the legal status of the parties under these circumstances. Certain situations does not necessarily make a marriage void but makes it voidable on the parties option. One such circumstance is when the petitioner was under 18 years old when the petitioner married and the parents did not provide their consent. The Nullity petition based on this ground has to be filed within four years after the party turns 18. The parent of the minor may also file the Petition
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How much debt is too much?
community
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 3, 2019
Minding Your Finances
What causes people to file bankruptcy?
zero savings. Another situation I frequently see is where people keep refinancing their mortgage every time they accumulate a good NO matter how the economy amount of equity in order to pay does, there are always reasons off their debts. Once the credit for people to file bankruptcy. cards are paid off, it doesn’t take During the period of 2008-2012, very long before they are used more than 1.5 million people again and then maxed out over filed bankruptcy year after year. just a few years, sometimes with This was during the height of balances even higher than they the foreclosure crisis. Millions of were before the refinance. And homeowners were struggling of course, with each refinance, with unaffordable mortgage paythe mortgage amount keeps ments, unemployment and failing growing, along with the monthly businesses. As much as they did mortgage payment. Stop looking not want to file bankruptcy, they at your home as an ATM mahad to in order to protect their incomes, families and “ Recently, I have seen a lot chine and make sure that the purpose of any refinancing their homes. of people going crazy with that you do helps you better Fast forward to 2019. The unemployment rate is payday loans. These loans have your overall financial condicurrently low according to exorbitant interest rates, which tion, not make it worse. Lawsuits, Judgments and experts. There have been are then extended by way of Wage Garnishments: Some a lot of talks recently about a coming recession in the additional borrowing. It’s a people have no choice but file bankruptcy right away next 2 years. Consumer vicious cycle that is hard to to in order to stop aggressive debt is at all-time high again and has surpassed get out of once you are in it.” creditor collection action. I don’t know why but I see a pre-2008 levels. Clients are asking me: I am concerned about for the car, it gets repossessed lot of people who wait until they the national economy. If things and the poor co-signor (who only have one of the above before dotake a turn for the worse, how will wanted to do a good deed) ends ing anything about their financial that affect me? My answer: For- up with the bill. If they can’t pay problems. You will be better off get about the national economy. the huge deficiency after the car planning ahead of time as you How’s your PERSONAL economy? is sold, sometimes they end up may have better options besides If you are managing your finances filing bankruptcy. Think twice be- bankruptcy if you can no longer well and not spending more than fore buying any car, whether for pay your debts. But if you wait unyou earn, your chances of surviv- yourself or for someone else. Re- til you have been sued, received a ing any changes in the national member that you will be paying judgment, or having your wages economy will be better than most for 36-60 months and the bank garnished, you may find yourself people. In other words, the basic doesn’t care whether or not you with very limited options. For the last 20 years, I’ve rules of money management re- lose your job. If you sign on the main the same no matter how the dotted line, you are legally re- been helping people and business owners get out of debt. If sponsible. national economy does. Foreclosure: Although the you are in debt and have no clue What usually causes bankruptcy filings? Here are a few that I’ve number of foreclosures has gone what you should do next in order seen in my work as a bankruptcy down in the last few years, there to change your situation for the will always be people who will better, I offer a free consultation. attorney for the last 22 years: High interest loans: Recently, I end up facing foreclosure for one Call my office at 866-477-7772 have seen a lot of people going reason or another, unfortunately. for more information. I have ofcrazy with payday loans. These Common reasons are a job loss, fices in Glendale, Cerritos and loans have exorbitant interest disability or again, excessive debt. Valencia. rates, which are then extended When your income is stretched *** by way of additional borrowing. out too thin because you are pay- None of the information herein is inIt’s a vicious cycle that is hard ing a mortgage, huge credit card tended to give legal advice for any to get out of once you are in it. debts, etc. and making sure that specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon But it is no different from having you can still pay for your normal has successfully helped thousands of credit cards that you keep charg- monthly living expenses, you will clients in getting out of debt. For a free ing on when you clearly don’t become very vulnerable to any attorney evaluation of your situation, fluctuations in income since you have the means to pay it all back. Some people think that as long are barely surviving. Most people please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at as they can make the minimum are only one paycheck away from TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement payments, they will be fine. They bankruptcy especially if they have
ATTY. RAYMOND BULAON
EMPLOYMENT
don’t stop and think how excessive credit card indebtedness can keep them trapped for yeas, sometimes a lifetime. Auto repossessions: Fast-talking car salesmen seem to have a way of getting you finance regardless of your credit or having insufficient income. This comes with a huge price tag, of course, because the lower your credit score is, the higher interest rate the lender gets to charge you. Sometimes, people will also co-sign for a family member or friend just to help them out. And then when the person ends up not paying
EMPLOYMENT
From Page 5 of servicing your credit cards that tremely wealthy. Because $10,000 ments? By borrowing more. So, are taking 25% of your monthly invested in apple only 10 years in one year you will have had net income? Although you may ago would be worth how much to borrow $12,000. So in one not admit what you are doing, today? That $10,000, which was year, you owe, not $30,000, but you are actually killing the ability 10 months of minimum monthly $42,000, and instead of needing of your family to save for the fu- payments for you then, would only $1,000 for debt service, you ture by keeping these cards cur- be worth $677,000 today! If you invested three years of minineeded $1,300, and so on and so rent over the years. If you read my article then mum payments on credit cards forth. In year three, at 48, you will have owed $66,000, instead of and chose not to wipe out the 10 years ago, you would have $30,000, needing almost $2,000 $30,000 of credit cards 20 years a cool $2 million today! What a minimum payments, instead of ago, how much money would small change in your life direction $1,000. You would have dug a you have paid your credit card would have meant in benefits for you and your family! Our God hole so deep for yourself that you masters? A lot. You would have paid is so great, indeed! Because he couldn’t get out of it. You might blesses those who rely on as well have MasterCard and Visa tattooed on your “You would have dug a hole so deep Him with abundance! You want to be a millionforehead because they for yourself that you couldn’t get aire when you retire? Get own you and you work out of it. You might as well have rid of your credit cards now for them. Let’s say that you did MasterCard and Visa tattooed on and invest your savings in equities. Twenty years from get a promotion that your forehead because they own now when you check your gave you an additional million dollar portfolio, you $1,000 of net income. you and you work for them.” will be so glad that you Should that have gone to debt service of credit cards of them $240,000 in 20 years. You read my article today and made $30,000? Think about it. $1,000 would have paid them a quar- the wise decision of your life. And of debt service means $12,000 a ter of a million dollars. And how how would your credit score be year of money that should go to much would you still owe them 20 years from now if you wiped your savings and investments for today, the same $30,000. You are out your cards now? It would be your future, should it not. If you making them rich, while keeping perfect at 830. If you need debt relief, set an actually paid $12,000 a year to yourself poor. That’s the simple appointment to see me. I will anservice $30,000 of credit cards, truth. If you took my advice 20 years alyze your case personally. after using all of your additional *** income to keep your credit card ago and wiped the $30,000 out masters happy, you would have with a Chapter 7 petition then, Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in paid them $60,000 in five years, how much would you have now bankruptcy, business, real estate and and worst of all, you still owe that you are 65? You probably civil litigation and has successfully would have $500,000 if you in- represented more than five thousand them the same $30,000! Shouldn’t you use the $60,000 vested the savings of $1,000 a clients in California. Please call Angie, to save and invest for your fam- month for 20 years wisely. Not Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for ily’s future instead? Aren’t you with Bernie Madoff of course. an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, sacrificing your family’s financial If you bought Apple shares 20 Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, future and opportunities in favor years ago, you would now be ex- Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
Grounds for annulling a marriage
From Page 5 ter and directly affect the purpose of the party deceived in entering the marriage. The fraud must go to the very essence of the marital relation before it is sufficient for an annulment. It is not sufficient simply to contend that your spouse turned out to be a lazy, drunken disappointment. Nullity based on fraud has to be filed within four years of discovering the fraud. Certain marriages that are entered into by force are voidable. Circumstances that meet these standards requires that the forced party’s free will to have been overcome by the spouse such as through the use of threats. These type of Nullity must be filed within four years from the date of marriage. A marriage where the spouse was
found to be incapable of physically engaging in copulation may be voided. It can only be filed by the spouse that does not have the physical incapacity and must be filed within four years of the marriage. Before deciding weather a divorce is the appropriate avenue to end your marriage, parties should evaluate if a Nullity is a viable alternative and weather it serves their best interest. *** 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
EMPLOYMENT
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 “mailto: kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com” kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 3, 2019
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE -July 3, 2019