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Volume 24 - No. 29 • 12 Pages
T h e F i l i p i n o A m e r i ca n C o m mu n i t y N e ws pa p e r
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
July 18-24, 2025
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Marcos to press US on tariffs and security DATELINE USA Bernie Benito voted in first Washington Summit with Trump from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
On his first official visit to Washington under the Trump administration, Marcos seeks relief new president of Filipino Town Las Vegas from new U.S. tariffs and deeper defense cooperation as tensions rise in the South China Sea LAS VEGAS — Bernie Benito, a well-known leader in the Filipino American community and resident of Las Vegas since 1972, has been voted the next President of Filipino Town Las Vegas by its officers and board of directors. Benito succeeds Rozita Lee, who resigned on July 10, 2025. “I am deeply honored and humbled to continue to lead the efforts that highlight the historical significance of Filipino Town Las Vegas for the Filipino American community and for all of Las Vegas,” said Benito. “Along with our dedicated officers and board members, our next steps will focus on creating activities that will ensure Filipino Town is not just a landmark but a living, breathing cultural destination for locals and tourists alike, allowing our community’s heritage to be shared and experienced by everyone!” Ernie Buo has also been voted as the new Vice President of Filipino Town Las Vegas. A senior civil engineer for the City of North Las
by AJPress
WASHINGTON — When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrives in Washington on July 20 for a three-day official visit, he will be walking a diplomatic tightrope, hoping to shield his country’s export econ-
omy from a new round of U.S. tariffs while reinforcing Manila’s growing reliance on American military support in one of Asia’s most contested regions. The visit, his first bilateral summit with President Donald Trump, comes as the United States prepares to raise duties on Philippine exports to 20 percent,
Senate to Supreme Court on VP Duterte impeachment: We don’t have enough details by Jean Mangaluz Philstar.com
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Denaturalization push signals shift in immigration politics WASHINGTON, D.C. — A renewed push by some Republican lawmakers and former Trump administration officials to revive and expand the use of denaturalization — the legal process of revoking U.S. citizenship from naturalized immigrants — is drawing fresh scrutiny from civil liberties advocates and legal scholars. While denaturalization has long existed in U.S. law for limited circumstances such as war crimes or material fraud during the naturalization process, its broader application is being re-explored within conservative policy circles. The move signals a new and controversial frontier in immigration enforcement. Denaturalization: Rare but powerful Under current federal law, the U.S. government may seek to revoke naturalized citizenship if it can prove that the individual obtained it illegally — for example, by misrepresenting material facts or concealing a disqualifying background. Historically, such cases have been rare, often limited to indiu PAGE 2
a move that has unsettled Filipino business leaders and drawn concern among senior officials in Manila. The tariff hike, set to take effect August 1, follows months of recalibration in U.S. trade policy under Trump’s second term, which has adopted a u PAGE 2
DAILY GRIND. Motorists negotiate heavy traffic along EDSA, Quezon City on Wednesday, July 16. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is working with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to improve vehicular traffic through the Intelligent Transportation System that will also enhance road safety, improve transport efficiency, and promote inclusive mobility. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
MANILA — The Senate has formally responded to the Supreme Court’s order on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment through a Manifestation Ad Cautelam, which means compliance while proceeding with caution. In a July 8 order, the Supreme Court asked both chambers of Congress to explain the details of the impeachment case. Among the details the Supreme Court asked Congress to explain are the separate impeachment cases filed against Duterte in the House of Representatives. The Senate replied that it was not able to sufficiently answer some of the items. “Respondent Senate manifests that it lacks sufficient knowledge or information on the matters stated under items (a) to (k) of the said Resolution, and this, not in a position to respond to the Honorable Court’s directive,” the Senate said. The items in question pertain to the impeachment u PAGE 2
9 years after arbitral ruling, Luxury on a budget? Why Manila is China still defies PH sea claim becoming a haven for the world’s wealthy by Charie Abarca Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Philippine government sounded the alarm over China’s continued rejection of the historic arbitral award, nine years after the arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of Manila and dismissed Beijing’s claims over the South China Sea. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teresa Lazaro expressed this sen-
timent in her keynote speech on the eve of the 9th anniversary of the Philippines’ arbitral victory. She emphasized that the arbitration and its award are shining affirmations of the compulsory dispute resolution mechanisms of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “The Award not only sets reason and right in the South China u PAGE 3
by AJPress MANILA — In a world where luxury often comes with a sky-high price tag, one Southeast Asian city is quietly defying the trend. According to the newly released Julius Baer Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2025, Manila is now ranked as one of the world’s most affordable cities for the rich—an unexpected but telling indicator of the Philippines’ evolving economic and cultural footprint.
A global lens on luxury Each year, Swiss private bank Julius Baer measures the cost of living well among the world’s affluent. The bank’s Lifestyle Index tracks the price of 20 high-end goods and services—from designer handbags and fine watches to personal trainers, luxury cars, and private healthcare—in 25 major cities. In 2025, Manila emerged near the bottom of the list, placing 23rd out of 25 cities surveyed. u PAGE 3
Chavit calls it quits with the Marcoses: Whistleblower who exposed alleged Pacquiao and Barrios set for showdown the final press conference, two fighters Singson feels ‘forgotten’ despite corruption in NBN-ZTE deal speaks fromAt two eras meet with mutual respect, sharp backing Marcos Jr. in 2022 race focus — and everything to prove out after nearly three years in prison by AJPress
MANILA — Businessman and political kingmaker Luis “Chavit” Singson has publicly withdrawn his support for the Marcos family, citing feelings of neglect after helping secure President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s 2022 election win. In a candid interview aired on July 8, 2025, on the Bilyonaryo News Channel’s #AtTheForefront program, the former Ilocos Sur governor said he u PAGE 4
Jun Lozada, who testified on alleged corruption in the NBN-ZTE deal, reflects after nearly 3 years in prison —on faith, family, and the cost of coming forward by AJPress
Jr. says his time behind bars became a period of personal MANILA — The whis- reflection and religious transtleblower who exposed the formation. “I asked God, ‘Why?’ hunalleged corruption behind the canceled $329-million NBN- dreds of times,” Lozada shared ZTE broadband deal is speak- in a recent interview with Philing out after serving nearly Star Life. “But eventually, I three years in prison for a sep- learned to surrender. I found arate graft case. Now a free purpose even in prison.” u PAGE 3 Luis “Chavit” Singson Inquirer.net file photo man, Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada
by AJPress LAS VEGAS — The cameras flashed, the fans cheered, and two fighters stood face-to-face under the lights of the MGM Grand. One, a legend chasing one last great victory. The other, a champion determined to protect his prime. At the final press conference for Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios, held Wednesday, July 16, the air was tense—not from drama, but from purpose. This wasn’t a circus. This was business. A veteran making a
mission out of a comeback. A titleholder preparing to slam the door on that comeback. The bout is set for Saturday, July 19, and both men are ready. Pacquiao: Still here, still hungry At 46, Pacquiao could be resting comfortably in his postretirement legacy. Instead, he’s back—fighting not just for a title, but for something intangible: purpose. “This fight is not just about boxing. It’s about inspiring others,” Pacquiao said. “If you u PAGE 4