JULY 20-23, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 56 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
USA
DATELINE National Asian group wins anew in $331-M verdict for struggling California homeowners FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
THE California Supreme Court denied review of a lower court ruling on Thursday, July 18, ordering the return of $331 million to a fund for struggling homeowners. Led by the National Asian American Coalition (NAAC), a housing counseling organization, the case sought to restore money to the National Mortgage Special Deposit Fund, which was created to pay for housing counseling, legal assistance, and fraud prevention services for financially distressed homeowners. The state obtained this money as part of a 2012 national settlement with the nation’s five biggest banks for their fraudulent lending practices, which led to millions of people losing their homes due to mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures. At the height of the crisis, NAAC as a HUDapproved housing counseling agency was at the forefront assisting struggling homeowners u PAGE A5
US committed to help PH in ‘evidence-based’ drug war ASSISTANT Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell on Tuesday, July 16, said the United States is committed to working with the Philippines on “evidencebased” approaches to reducing drug demand, as both countries face the same challenge of illicit drug use. “We remain committed to working together on evidence-based approaches to reducing drug demand by improving prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services,” he said during the two-day Eighth U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) in Manila. “I want to continue sharing information and best practices to jointly combat this common challenge in a manner that will respect human rights and the rule of law,” he added. Stilwell’s statements came after Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. questioned Western commitment since their allies in Europe are “deadset” on insulting the Philippines in the United Nations. On Thursday, July 11, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution initiated by Iceland to investigate the “drug war” killings in the Philippines. It was rejected by the Philippines, describing it as “tiny majority-approved and one-sided” resolution. The BSD is the principal forum for discussu PAGE A3
Filipinos want Duterte to focus on inflation, jobs, China in 4th SONA by CATHERINE
VALENTE ManilaTimes.net
MORE Filipinos want President Rodrigo Duterte to address salary rates, rising prices of basic com-
modities, job creation and the country’s relations with China during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey released on Friday, July 19.
Conducted through 1,200 face-toface interviews with registered voters aged 18 and above from June 24 to 30, the survey showed that 17.1 percent of Filipinos were concerned with the increase the pay of workers,
while another 17.1 percent wanted to know about the government’s plan in reducing the prices of basic goods. Other topics Filipinos want to hear u PAGE A2
35,000 protesters to push sovereignty, human rights at upcoming SONA FROM 30,000 to 35,000 protesters under the umbrella Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) will mass at the House of Representatives on Monday, July 15, when President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address. The “Martsa para sa Kalayaan at Pagkakamit ng Pambansang Soberanya Laban sa Estados Unidos at sa China (March for Freedom and Attainment of National Sovereignty against the United States and China)” will be the theme of the protest. “Dapat maipaglaban ang ating pambansang soberanya laban sa mga imperyalistang Estados Unidos at China (We should fight for our national sovereignty against the imperialist United States),” Kilusang Mayo Uno President Ramon Labog said, referring to the Philippines’ sea dispute and Mutual Defense with China and the United States respectively. Raymond Palatino from Bayan-NCR said that the government failed to address the military build-up of China and cases of aggression against the fisherfolk in FACE OFF. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) and Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) appear at the MGM Grand Garden Arena the West Philippine Sea. in Las Vegas on Friday, July 19 for the final weigh-in ahead of their match on Saturday, July 20 at the same venue. Pacquiao and Thurman AJPress photo by Noel Ty u PAGE A2 both weighed in at 146 1/2 pounds.
Invoking defense pact with US another ‘sarcastic’ remark from Duterte – Palace
them,” Duterte said. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the president MANILA — President Rodrigo was aware that the treaty cannot Duterte’s latest remark on the be invoked without any armed at1951 Mutual Defense Treaty re- tack against the Philippines or the mains to be sarcasm, Malacañang United States. said Thursday, July 18. “He kept on saying that by way In Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s of putting into absurdity the criti“Give Us This Day” television pro- cism by the critics and detractors,” gram, the president called on the Panelo said in a press briefing. United States and said he was inAccording to Panelo, Duterte voking the defense pact. was just challenging his critics to “I would like America to gather go with him to the West Philippine all their 7th Fleet in front of China. Sea in case of any armed attack. I’m asking them now. I will join In the same television program, by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell at the Philippines-U.S. bilateral strategic dialogue earlier this week in Manila. Photo courtesy of DFA
VIRAY
Duterte said he will bring Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on a U.S. ship, implying that the fighting would start then. Carpio and Del Rosario, both part of the Philippine delegation in the South China Sea arbitration, have been urging the Duterte administration to invoke the arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims over the disputed waterway. “It is a challenge to them... to u PAGE A2
‘Duterte will be the first one to obey ‘Bawal Bastos’ law’ Robredo motion to dismiss Marcos poll case junked by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, July 16, said that President Rodrigo Duterte will be the first to follow the recently signed “Bawal Bastos” law, which penalizes catcalling and other gender-based harassment in public spaces and online. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte recognized the need to prevent gender-based sexual harassment when he signed Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act. “Since the president signed In celebration of Women’s Month last March, advocates, led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, call for that law, it means that he recogmeasures penalizing acts of gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, eventually prompting both houses of Congress to ratifiy the proposed safe streets and public spaces law. nizes the need [for] that law. And u PAGE A4 Photo from the Office of Sen. Risa Hontiveros
by JOMAR
CANLAS ManilaTimes.net
THE Supreme Court on Thursday, July 18, junked an urgent motion filed by Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo seeking the dismissal of an electoral protest filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The high tribunal said Robredo’s appeal was premature. The court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), issued the resolution on July 2, which was only released on Thursday. Robredo asked the tribunal to “immediately resolve” all pending cases filed by Marcos, claiming that her lead widened by more than 15,000 votes after the revision of ballots. However, the PET ruled that it could not decide yet on the case and accept Robredo’s version of events. “Protestee (Robredo) presented her own computation of the national votes for protestant (Marcos) and u PAGE A3 Vice President Leni Robredo
ManilaTimes.net photo
A July 20-23, 2019 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN JOuRNAl
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From the Front Page
35,000 protesters to push sovereignty, human... PAGE A1 t “For a government na sinasabing may close relations sa China, bakit di niya kayang magbigay ng matapang na pananalita tulad ng matapang na statement sa Canada o Iceland (For a government saying it has close relations with China, why can it not issue strong statements like it
did against Canada or China)?” Palatino said. He said the government could avail of legal instruments to assert its rights instead of invoking the MDT as the country was not under attack or declaring war as a foreign policy in violation of the Constitution. Karapatan Secretary General
Cristina Palabay denounced the government’s unwillingness to welcome an international investigation into the human rights situation in the Philippines through the Iceland resolution, which was approved by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) this week. “Huwag pong gamitin ang tinatawag nilang sovereignty card ng administrasyon na ito na halos hindi mo marinig ang pagtatanggol sa soberanya at patrimonya ng bansa pag pinag-uusapan ang U.S., pag pinag-uusapan ang China pero ambilis-bilis na lumalabas sa kanilang mga bibig, sa bibig ng mga opisyal ng administrasyong ito pag tinitignan na ang record nito sa karapatang pantao at respeto sa karapatan ng mamamayan (The so-called sovereignty card should not be used by the administration that does not defend the sovereignty and patrimony of the country as far as the U.S. and China are concerned but is quick to use sovereignty against an investigation into the people’s rights),” Palabay said. The protesters will also be pushing the wage increase and an end to contractualization, land distribution and opposition to the rice tariffication law for farmers, jobs in the country and protection of overseas workers, and the rising costs of commodities and quality of public services such as water supply. The Kilusang Mayo Uno, Karapatan, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Pamalakaya, Gabriela, Kadamay, Piston, and Migrante International are among the participating organizations. Palatino also warned of “fake news” and disinformation to discourage people from joining the protests. He also denounced the police’s advice against wearing jackets and carrying bags during the rally, saying that these only creates fear. “Ang ganyang mungkahi ay unreasonable, unnecessary. Wala po kaming ibang nakikitang dahilan kundi lumikha ng takot, discourage people from joining the rallies (Such suggestion is unreasonable and unnecessary. We do not see any reason for it other than creating fear and discouraging people from joining the rallies),” Palatino said. (Divina Nova Joy Dela Cruz/ManilaTimes.net)
AFTER THE STORM. Heaps of garbage is washed ashore in Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard, as tropical storm “Falcon” battered Metro Manila on Thursday, July 18. The trash consisted mostly of plastic and styrofor materials and wood, which were washed ashore by strong waves. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Filipinos want Duterte to focus... PAGE A1 t on July 22 are the creation of jobs or livelihood opportunities (15.2 percent), Manila’s relations with Beijing (9.2 percent), and the assertion of Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine sea (6.1 percent.) Meanwhile, 7.8 percent of Filipinos still want to hear about Duterte’s war on illegal drugs; 5.9 percent hope the President would say something about the improving the agricultural sector, while 2.6 percent want pension increases to be discussed. The same survey showed 75 percent of Filipinos were aware of the previous SONAs delivered
SONA ON MONDAY. A visitor walks past a streamer hanging at the main gate of the House of Representatives, which has implemented strict security measures days before President Rodrigo Duterte addresses Congress and delivers his State of the National Address. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
by Duterte before Congress. Pulse Asia survey has an error
margin of +/- 2.8 percent and a 95 percent confidence level. n
Invoking defense pact with US another ‘sarcastic’... PAGE A1 t show the absurdity of their position that we should be aggressively enforicng the arbitral ruling when the very effective method of gettong whatever benefits can achieve from arbitral ruling could be gotten in the diplomatic negotiations,” Panelo said. In March, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured the Philippines that any armed attack on Philippine forces in the West Philippine Sea will trigger the MDT. Under Article 4 of the 1951 MDT, “Each Party recognizes that
an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.” During the commemoration of the third anniversary of the arbitral ruling last week, Carpio said Duterte’s claim that enforcing the ruling means going to war with China was false. Carpio pointed out that under the 1987 Constitution, the Philippines renouncers war as an in-
strument of policy. “Thus, it is obvious that the only purpose of raising the specter of war is to scare the Filipino people to submit to China,” Carpio said. Del Rosario, on the other hand, said war is not a good option for Beijing as its economy relies on global trade which needs open shipping lanes, which are dominated by U.S. naval power. “With the recent clearer security guarantee definition provided by the U.S., it may not be necessary therefore to shrink to China’s threat of war,” Del Rosario said. n
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 20-23, 2019
A
Latest “go back to your country” debate highlights the paradox of racism, xenophobia in America by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
PRECIOUS MOMENT. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte witnesses the wedding ceremony of Police Staff Sergeant Galileo Mascardo and Police Lieutenant Daphne Buenaflor at The View in Davao City on Wednesday, July 17. Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo
PH military receives 10 sniper rifles from US THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received 10 sniper rifles from the United States, the U.S. Embassy in Manila announced on Thursday, July 18. In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said service members of U.S. and the Philippines unloaded and inventoried the 10 M-107 .50 caliber sniper rifles at the Camp Aguinaldo general headquarters in Quezon City. The rifles were purchased as “part of a series of equipment transfers designed to strengthen the AFP’s ability to meet mission requirements,” the embassy said. The U.S. rifles arrived at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on July 11. This was not the first trans-
fer of arms between Washington and Manila since there had been previous handovers, including radios, battle management systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems, night vision devices, among others. “The United States, as a longstanding friend, partner and ally of the Philippines, continues to provide support to the AFP through both grant assistance and expedited sales of arms and munitions to assist long-term AFP modernization goals as well as urgent counterterrorism and humanitarian aid and disaster relief requirements,” the U.S. Embassy said. President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been at odds with the U.S. for criticizing his drug cam-
Robredo motion to dismiss Marcos... PAGE A1 t
protestee after ‘revision, recount and reappreciation,’ claiming that her victory as vice president has been confirmed. In effect, what protestee seeks is the immediate resolution of the instant protest,” part of the eight-page ruling said. The tribunal pointed out that it has yet to complete the proceedings following Rule 65 of the 2010 PET rules that entails judicial recount, revision and appreciation of the votes cast. It added that the figures presented by Robredo were “speculative.” “In arriving at the figures, protestee presumes that all her claims will be admitted by the tribunal. This premise is fundamentally flawed, as the tribunal is still in the process of appreciation of the revised ballots and ruling on the respective objections and claims made by the parties thereon,” the court said. It also deferred ruling on Marcos’ plea for a technical examination of election results in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Basilan. The first recount covered three pilot provinces — Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental — involving 5,418 clustered precincts. Following the recount on the three provinces, the tribunal
shall now rule whether or not to proceed with the recount of votes in 132,446 precincts in the 27 provinces and cities identified by Marcos. Marcos had assailed the election results in 39,221 clustered precincts. The former senator lost to Robredo by only 263,473 votes. Despite the court’s ruling, the camp of Robredo remains optimistic that her victory in the 2016 polls would be confirmed. Bernadette Sarillo, Robredo’s legal counsel, said Marcos cannot claim victory yet because the PET had only put its decision on hold. “We are extremely disappointed, but we fully respect the Presidential Electoral Tribunal’s decision to deny our motion for immediate resolution, in connection with the election protest of losing candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Sardillo said. “We anchored our motion on the fact that Marcos’ camp hasn’t proven anything in its electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo. In fact, VP Leni has gained additional votes from the recount,” Sardillo said. “In the end, we are confident that Vice President Robredo will be vindicated and her victory confirmed,” she added. n
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell with U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim during U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) in Manila on Tuesday, July 16. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila
US committed to help PH in... PAGE A1 t ing the full range of political, security and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the U.S. This year, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for policy Enrique Manalo and Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano co-led the Philippine delegation, while Stilwell and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Randy Schriver co-led the U.S. delegation. ‘We’re waiting’ On the second and last day of the BSD, Locsin requested Stilwell to “concretize” amity into action by selling M16 rifles to the Philippines. “I told him that to concretize words of U.S.-PH amity into action is to sell us what Pompeo was told we need and want to buy 74,000 brand new M16s – w/3 clips each. And Duterte will finish all security threats to our democracy. Not a gift; we will pay. We’re waiting,” Locsin said on Twitter. Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte had a change of heart
about procuring weapons from its traditional ally and said he would reconsider purchasing weapons from the U.S., since he likes U.S. President Donald Trump. Both countries acknowledged the importance of a strong Philippines-U.S. alliance in enhancing security cooperation and promoting regional stability and prosperity. They pledged to enhance their already robust defense cooperation as well as reaffirmed their commitment to uphold freedom of navigation, overflight and other lawful uses of the South China Sea. “Noting this, senior officials discussed a wide variety of issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the alliance and expanding areas of cooperation,” the PhilippinesUnited States Eighth Bilateral Strategic Review Joint Statement said. The Philippine and U.S. delegations also stressed the importance of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)
paign, said in January that Manila would no longer buy firearms or any other military equipment from Washington In a turnaround in June, Duterte said he would reconsider buying weapons from the U.S. as part of his government’s “new policy.” The Philippine Air Force (PAF) had recommended the U.S.made Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Blackhawk attack helicopters that would replace the Canadian Bell 412 choppers, following concerns by Canada that the transport choppers would be used for military offensives. (Dempsey Reyes/ManilaTimes.net)
PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Sunday, July 14 tweeted that four congresswomen of color should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came” before criticizing the way the country is currently being run. He followed up his tweet thread by accusing members of Congress who are unhappy with the way the country is being run of hating America and said they are “free to leave.” Three of the four female Democrats to which the president was referring — Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts — were born in the United States, and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota was born in Somalia. In response to Trump’s tweets, Ocasio-Cortez at a press conference said, “We don’t leave things that we love, and when we love this country, what that means is that we propose solutions to fix it.” She added that the president “does not know how to defend his policies, so what he does is attack us personally, and that is what this is all about.” What followed was a dayslong sociopolitical debate on racism which was brought to a head on Wednesday, July 17 when Trump supporters at
a rally for chanted “send her back!” when Trump mentioned the four congresswomen in a speech. The message of “go back to your country” and its many derivatives — which directed to certain immigrants as well as people of color regardless of their citizenship — has resurfaced throughout American history. Alan Kraut, a history professor at American University, told PBS this week that while Trump singling out the four congresswomen for their race was “ugly,” it isn’t anything new. Kraut said that the ideology behind the “go back to your country” remark is “one of the greatest paradoxes of American society. On the one hand we pride ourselves as being a nation of nations. And we glorify that and celebrate that in a variety of ways. And at the same time, this is the society that has passed the Chinese Exclusion Law.” The Chinese Exclusion Law, which Kraut referenced, was legislation passed in 1882 that banned Chinese laborers from emigrating to the U.S. This was a response to the perceived threat of the Chinese taking away employment from white laborers. The Chinese Exclusion Law was the first piece of legislation banning immigration from a specific ethnic group. Almost a half-century later, the U.S. passed the Immigra-
tion Act of 1924 which prohibited immigration from Asia altogether and established quotas on the number of incoming immigrants from the Eastern Hemisphere as a way of preserving “the ideal of U.S. homogeneity,” according to the Department of State’s Office of the Historian. The history of exclusion and hostility towards immigrants in the U.S. — a country founded by immigrants from Europe — helped foster a vague nativist ideology that posits that immigrants pose a danger to a nation and threaten the wellbeing of those who already live there. And that ideology manifests itself in nonviolent ways, e.g. verbal harassment and vandalism, but it may also translates to violence, as in the wave of beatings and stabbings of Filipino field workers by white laborers in Central California during the late 1920s to early 1930s. “It plays to the fear that somehow America is getting too full or that the mixing of ethnicities and races would somehow aggravate issues. It’s a potent phrase and part of its potency is its ambiguity,” Michael Cornfield, a rhetoric scholar at the George Washington University, told NPR this week. “When you use a phrase like this, you’re just asking people to forget about context and forget about policy choices and just get angry at people who don’t look or sound like you do.” n
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PH, US dialogue missed chance to address South China Sea ‘grey zone’ — analyst WHILE the Philippines and the United States reaffirmed their defense cooperation in their last dialogue, the two countries missed some opportunities to address issues in the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea. In a joint statement after the conclusion of their 8th bilateral strategic dialogue, Manila and Washington recalled the assurance of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that any armed attack on Philippine forces in the South China Sea will trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Gregory Poling, director of Washington-based think tank Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), noted that this was the same language used in the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy report last month. “So consider it now set in stone,” Poling said on Twitter. However, the joint statement from the two allied countries does not address the status of Scarborough or Panatag Shoal off the coast of Zambales province. In July 2016, the United Na-
tions-backed arbitral tribunal ruled that fishermen from the Philippines, China and other countries had traditional fishing rights in Scarborough Shoal. Since the landmark ruling was issued three years ago, China Coast Guard vessels stationed at the shoal have been allowing Filipino fishermen to operate along the exterior of Scarborough Shoal but not inside the lagoon. According to Poling, the “U.S. missed an opportunity here to include some language to the effect that the allies will not accept any permanent consturction there.” “But that one will require more socialization [within] the Pentagon/State,” he added. Poling also noted that the recently concluded dialogue between the Philippines and the U.S. failed to address the concerns of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana over China’s encroachment into Philippine waters. Lorenzana earlier expressed concern over the presence of hundreds Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be part of Beijing’s maritime militia, near Pag-asa Island
in the West Philippine Sea. The AMTI director, however, clarified that the two countries can still clarify these concerns in the future. “Also doesn’t directly address Lorenzana’s concerns about grey zone/militia threats. But leaves open the door to future clarifications that ‘any attack’ includes militia violence or even threats of violence,” Poling said. Lorenzana has been calling for a review of the provisions of the MDT, stressing that the treaty should cover the West Philippine Sea amid rising tensions in the region. Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said the two countries are in talks to strengthen the MDT. “There is a mechanism — the mutual defense board — where the two sides talk about, not necessarily issues, but things to Jalilah and her family are among more than 30,000 Marawi residents who have benefited from temporary shelters provided by the U.S. strengthen our relationship about government. An added P234 million in U.S. government funding will provide shelter assistance to 2,600 additional individuals. our defense treaty,” Romualdez Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila said, adding that the board is scheduled to meet in September. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar. com) THE United States govern- Philippine government in helping conditions for vulnerable populament, through the U.S. Agency restore the normal lives of Filipi- tions,” the U.S. Embassy said. for International Development, nos affected by the Marawi conThe U.S. government has been provided an additional P234 mil- flict, which started in May 2017. at the forefront of providing hu“This new assistance reflects manitarian assistance to Filipinos lion or $4.5 million worth of huthe strong bond between the U.S. affected by the conflict in Marawi manitarian aid for Marawi City. The additional funding from and the Philippines as friends, and nearby areas. USAID, seen to boost relief and partners and allies,” Kim said in In past months, Washington recovery efforts for those affect- a statement. had provided livelihood support According to the U.S. Embas- to 7,500 households, daily water ed by the conflict in Marawi, will give emergency shelter assis- sy, the USAID will further deepen delivery to more than 6,000 interits relief efforts in Marawi City, as nally displaced persons and protance to 2,600 individuals. This is in addition to the nearly well as Lanao del Sur province, vided hygiene kits and education 33,000 individuals who have al- by expanding water and sanita- for 30,000 people. ready benefited from the U.S. tion services. In October 2018, the U.S. govThe USAID is also planning ernment launched its P1.35-bilgovernment’s past humanitarian to enhance safe spaces for the lion Marawi Response Project aid to the war-torn city. This brings the total humani- protection of women and chil- that expands livelihood activities tarian assistance that the U.S. dren against exploitation and in the city and nearby areas. government has provided to violence. It is a three-year project of the “The new funds will augment USAID that offers micro-grants Marawi to more than P3.4 billion ongoing U.S. government sup- to displaced and host comor $63 million. U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim port to the Philippine government munities in the Lanao del Sur said this shows Washington’s in providing life-saving aid and capital. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/ commitment to supporting the improving economic and social Philstar.com)
US pledges new P235-M aid for Marawi
Surprise medical bill legislation takes a step forward, but will it lead to a step back? by Rachel
Bluth Kaiser Health News
THE House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesda, July 17, approved its version of legislation to curb surprise medical bills. Though this step was an important advance, there’s still a long way forward before Congress agrees on a legislative solution to this high-profile consumer concern. These bills, the unexpected and often high charges patients face when they get care from a doctor or hospital that isn’t in their insurance network, have been the hot issue on Capitol Hill for months. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been tripping over themselves to address the widely loathed problem. One of the existential questions of the debate has been how
to compensate health care providers if balance billing — which is what happens when patients are responsible for the costs not covered by their insurer — is prohibited. The bill before Energy and Commerce originally included what’s known as “benchmarking” to set the payment amount for out-of-network doctors. So, instead of sending patients a bill for the amount that their health plans don’t pay, a doctor would be forced to accept an amount that is the average of what other doctors in the area are paid for the procedure. This approach has been favored by groups representing employers and insurance plans but draws disdain from medical specialty provider groups. Those doctor organizations, which include specialists like emergency physicians and anesthesiologists,
prefer arbitration, sometimes called “independent dispute resolution.” Under that system, both the insurer and provider would propose an amount to an independent third party, who would pick one of the two prices. The loser then pays the costs of the arbitration. During the panel’s markup, Reps. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) and Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) successfully added an amendment, which would create a “backstop” to the measure’s benchmarking approach. Here’s how it works: The doctor’s payment would still be based on a benchmark, but if he or she thinks that isn’t high enough, the physician can appeal to an arbitrator. This backstop could be used only if the dollar amount in question is more than $1,250, and the arbitrator can consider PAGE A5
‘Duterte will be the first one to obey...
PAGE A1 t since he is the chief enforcer of all laws of the Philippines, he will be the first one to obey the law,” he said during a Palace briefing. Duterte is known for flirting with women and kissing them in public as well as joking about rape. Just this May, he had gotten flak for cracking a rape joke while pardoning cadets at the Philippine Military Academy during their graduation rites. Panelo, for his part, defended the president’s wont to crack lewd jokes. “Unang-una kasi (First of all), you’ve assumed that the president is bastos (inappropriate), naging bastos (became inappropriate). He never was bastos (inappropriate). When he cracks jokes, it was intended to make people laugh, never to offend. If you will just listen to the jokes of the president talagang matatawa ka eh, matatawa ka (you will really laugh). Audience … ‘di ba, they give a hearty laughter. Hindi naman bastos (He wasn’t being inappropriate),” he said. “Iba kasi iyong pambabastos (Being inappropriate is something else). You women should know that. Iba ang dating ng bastos at saka iyong nagpapatawa lang (Being inappropriate is different from just being funny),” he added. Panelo also said that Duterte is respectful to women. “You will be surprised ha, this president reacts violently, or negatively rather, to people who offend women. Mahal na mahal niya ang nanay niya; magalang sa mga girls. Magalang siya. Nagpo-po nga iyan sa lahat ng ladies (He really loved his mother, he is respectful to girls. He says ‘po’ to all the ladies),” he said. Valuing the dignity of every person Duterte signed the “Bawal
bastos” law on April 17, but Malacañang only released the information to the media on Monday, July 15. “It is the policy of the state to value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights. It is likewise the policy of the state to recognize the role of women in nation-building and ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men,” the new law stated. “The state also recognizes that both men and women must have equality, security, and safety not only in private, but also on the streets, public spaces, online, workplaces, and educational and training institutions,” it added. Under the Safe Spaces Act, no unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person will go unpunished. Among these acts include catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person’s appearance; relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions; public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any unwanted advances. Those who would commit cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling, leering and intrusive gazing, taunting, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, will be fined P1,000. They will also be required to do 12 hours of community service and attend a gender sensitivity seminar as first-time violators. For second-time violators, a six to 10 days imprisonment or a fine of P 3,000 will be imposed, while jail for up to 30 days and a P10,000 fine will be imposed on
third-time violators. Those who would commit offensive body gestures and exposing private parts, public masturbation, groping and similar lewd actions, will be fined P10,000. They will also be ordered to do 12 hours of community service and attend a gender sensitivity seminar as first-time offenders. Second-time offenders will be fined P15,000 and jailed for 11 to 30 days. Third-time offenders, meanwhile, will be fined P20,000 and jailed for one month and one day. The Safe Spaces Act also penalizes stalking and brushing against any part of the victim’s body. First-time violators will be fined P30,000, imprisoned for 11 to 30 days, and required to attend a gender sensitivity seminar. Second-time violators will be fined P 50,000 and imprisoned for one month and one day up to six months, while third-time violators will be fined P100,000. Gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace will be punished, as well. The new law requires employers to post a copy of the law in the workplace, as the new decree orders the Department of Labor and Employment and the Civil Service Commission to conduct yearly spontaneous inspections to ensure compliance of both employers and employees to the law. It also authorizes the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to cancel the license of a person found guilty of committing sexual harassment in public utility vehicles as well as allows the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend or cancel the franchise of operators who commit similar actions. n
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Dateline USa
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 20-23, 2019
A
PH, US sign 10-year deal on scientific, tech cooperation Filipinos’ trust in China falls, US rises, says poll THE Philippines and the United States have entered into a 10-year agreement on scientific and technological cooperation. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña signed the deal on July 16 at the close of the 8th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) between the two countries. The two nations, under the agreement, are committed to promote scientific collabora-
tion, build relationships between their respective scientific institutions and communities, and provide opportunities to exchange ideas and information in order to advance common goals. “The United States is proud to partner with the Philippines to promote scientific advancement and cultivate relationships based on open collaboration,” Kim said. “We believe the combined abilities of our scientists, our institutions, and our communities are more than a match for the shared challenges we face,”
Kim said. De la Peña said, “There is so much to work on together, particularly those problems that will affect ordinary people. Whether you are talking about the environment or innovation, there is much to gain by mutual cooperation.” Planned areas for cooperation under the agreement include public health, marine sciences, environmental protection, and energy. The signing of the agreement coincided with the observance of the National Science and Technology Week. n
PAGE A4 t only the complexity of the case and the quality of care. “While I prefer the benchmark like we have in Oregon, I think it strikes a fair and necessary balance,” said the committee’s top Republican, Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon. Though it’s a tidy compromise between the positions, it means the House bill no longer matches the primary legislation moving through the Senate, which earlier this summer gained the approval of that chamber’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee That bill exclusively favors benchmarking. HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) has indicated he’s open to discussions. Other members of the panel, such as Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), applauded the House action. “The House is taking a step in the right direction,” Cassidy said in an email. “We need to end up in a place that gives patients se-
curity while having a level playing field for providers, hospitals and insurers.” No everyone viewed the “backstop” idea as a positive step forward. A range of stakeholders who oppose the arbitration approach because they think it will lead to higher costs over time have offered stinging criticism, some even withdrawing their support for the Energy and Commerce measure. “We have asked Congress for one key assurance — protect us, and our employees, from being locked into government-mandated binding arbitration, which is being pushed by Wall Streetowned doctor groups,” Annette Guarisco Fildes, the CEO of ERIC, a group that represents large employers, said in a statement around five hours before the amendment was introduced in committee. “Disappointingly, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is set to report out legislation
that locks employers into exactly such a mandate,” she added. Even groups that have been championing the independent dispute resolution approach, like the American College of Emergency Physicians, have qualms with the compromise, saying most emergency services cost less than $1,250 and won’t qualify for arbitration. That isn’t the only hurdle ahead for the surprise bill legislation. In the Senate, where the surprise bill provisions are part of a larger package aimed at lowering health care costs across the industry, senators have placed 10 “holds” on the legislation, meaning it can’t go to the Senate floor for a vote yet. Still, staffers are optimistic that bill can still pass before the Senate leaves D.C. for its August recess. n This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation.
by Bernadette
tamayo ManilaTimes.net
Surprise medical bill legislation takes a...
by Patricia Lourdes
Viray
-10 among those undecided and “moderately strong” +13 among FILIPINOS’ trust in China de- those who have much trust in Beiclined while the United States saw jing. China was the only country a higher trust rating in the second quarter of 2019, according to the with a negative trust rating among latest Social Weather Stations countries tested for public trust. All the other countrues had (SWS) survey. The poll conducted from June “good” net trust rating: Canada 22 to 26 found that 51% of adult with +46, Australia with +46, JaFilipinos have little trust in China, pan with +45, New Zealand with 21% undecided and 27% with +38 and Malaysia with +34. The survey was conducted usmuch trust. This garners a net trust rating ing face-to-face interviews among of a “poor” -24, which is 18 points 1,200 Filipino adults nationwide down from China’s -6 in March. The poll firm said this is the lowest since China’s net trust rating of -35 in June 2018. Along with the lower trust rating 43% of the respondents disagreed with the statement, “Most of what the Chinese government wants to happen in the Philippines is good for the Filipinos. Meanwhile, 27% said they agree that China has good intentions for the Filipino people. The U.S., on the other hand, enjoyed a 13-point surge in its net trust rating for the second quarter. The survey showed that 81% of Filipinos have much trust, 11% undecided and 8% with little trust in Washington. This garners a net trust rating of an “excellent” +73. On the statement that the U.S. government has good intentions for Filipinos, 55% agreed, 28% were undecided and 17% disagreed. Among those who distrust China, the net agreement that the Chinese government has good intentions for the Filipinos was also lower. The poll found that net agreement on the statement was “very weak” -34 among those with little trust in China, “moderately weak” Philstar.com
National Asian group wins anew in $331-M verdict for struggling... PAGE A1 t to negotiate loan modifications and provide refinancing to help them keep their homes. Instead of devoting the money to helping homeowners affected by the crisis, however, then-Governor Jerry Brown illegally diverted the funds to plug budgetary shortfalls and to pay off existing state debt. NAAC with co-plaintiffs then sued the governor and state finance officials in 2014 to compel the return of the $331 million to the fund. Both the trial court and appellate court found the transfers
to be illegal and ordered the immediate return of the funds to the fund. Brown rushed a budget trailer bill through the state legislature before stepping down in an attempt to circumvent the courts, and then appealed anew to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court remanded the case to the Court of Appeal, which found that the budget trailer bill could not work to retroactively cure the unlawful diversions. After years of litigation, the Supreme Court declined another review, making the lower court
rulings final. Faith Bautista, NAAC president and chief executive officer, celebrated the arduous victory. “We fought long and hard for the homeowners and I’m so happy that they will finally get the help they need,” she said, insisting that the fight is not yet over. “We won’t rest until the money is in the hands of those who really need it. If there’s one thing we learned throughout this difficult process, it’s that community groups must have the strongest say in allocating this money. We can’t trust that politicians will do what’s best for homeowners
after they’ve tried at every turn to frustrate the will of the people and the courts.” NAAC, along with the community and faith-based and nonprofit leaders of the National Diversity Coalition (NDC), plans to hold a rally and press conference at the state capitol to ensure that the National Mortgage Special Deposit Fund gets immediately funded, and to make certain that community groups on the ground that regularly interact with struggling homeowners and distressed families will administer or at least provide strong oversight over the use of the funds. (AJPress)
— 300 each in Metro Manila, balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The poll has a margin error of ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. “The Social Weather Survey items on public trust in selected countries, and on the intentions of foreign governments, are noncommissioned. These items were included on SWS’s own initiative and released as a public service,” SWS said. n
A july 20-23, 2019 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN jOuRNAl
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D ateline PhiliPPines Foreigners warned against joining political activities or face deportation
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reminded foreigners that they were prohibited by law to engage in any political activity during their stay in the country as it prepares for the President Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente on Wednesday, July 17, said the prohibition was provided under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, adding that being a visitor of the country does not give foreigners the political rights and privileges of a Filipino. “Joining political demonstrations is an utter display of disrespect to the country’s authorities, and is equivalent to meddling in our internal affairs as a sovereign nation,” said Morente. Morente also warned that alien protesters may be deported if found committing acts that
constituted overthrowing the government, unlawful destruction of property, and violation of the conditions of their stay. “We are sending this warning to avoid a repeat of the cases wherein we had to deport foreign protesters,” he added. Under the law, the BI may issue the immediate deportation of erring foreigners should it find after investigation that he or she violated the immigration law through the issuance of a Summary Deportation Order (SDO). “If found guilty, we will blacklist these foreigners, effectively barring them from re-entering the Philippines,” Morente warned. In 2013, Dutch citizen Thomas van Beersum was deported after being photographed joining a protest and taunting a crying policeman, while Canadian student Kim Chatillon-Miller was also deported for joining an anti-
SONA demonstration. In 2018, Australian nun Patricia Fox was denied renewal of her visa for violating the conditions of her stay and participating in partisan political activities, while in the same year, Zimbabwean Tawanda Chandiwana, American Adam Thomas Shaw, and Malawian Miracle Osman were ordered to leave for involvement in leftist activities. BI Operations Order SBM2015-025 prohibits foreigners from engaging in political activities while in the country. Morente clarified that while it was within the BI’s policy to welcome foreign visitors, the BI is also duty-bound to implement the law by deporting foreign protesters. FLOODING DUE TO FALCON. Heavy downpour triggered by tropical depression Falcon caused gutter-deep flooding along Molino Boulevard “Foreigners have no business in Bacoor, Cavite on Tuesday, July 16. As of the latest monitoring of the weather bureau, Falcon is now off the coast of Aparri, Cagayan. It PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan joining such activities as it is a would bring moderate to heavy rains to Luzon. clear violation of their conditions of stay,” he added. (William Depasupil/ManilaTimes.net)
City of Manila to get urban planning assistance from Britain technical services on urban planning to the city of Manila and creating parks in a highly urbanized setting. MANILA – “Done deal” “Sabi niya nga (as he said), This was how Manila Mayor Isko Moreno described on Thurs- done deal daw eh. Nagkamay na day, July 18, the offer of British kami agad (we shook on it right Ambassador to the Philippines away),” Moreno told reporters in Daniel Pruce to extend technical an interview. “I’m happy. These things are services pertaining to urban planning during their recent meeting. very expensive, and if the people Moreno said that Pruce offered of Manila will receive such asby Faye
Orellana Inquirer.net
sistance, eh napakalaking bagay para sa amin (This means so much to the people of Manila),” he added. Moreno also said that the city government would accept Ambassador Pruce’s offer, since British companies have expertise in the field of urban planning. Pruce personally visited the office of Moreno on Wednesday afternoon, July 17. n
PNP files criminal raps vs Robredo, Trillanes, dozen others over ‘Bikoy’ videos by Kristine JOy
Philstar.com
Patag
MANILA — The police on Thursday, July 18, filed criminal raps, anchored on allegations by estafa convict Peter Joemel Advincula, against Vice President Leni Robredo and a dozen other personalities associated with the Liberal Party and with the Catholic Church over the “Ang Totoong Narco List” anonymous video series. The Philippine National PoliceCriminal Investigation and Detection Group filed sedition, inciting to sedition, cyberlibel, libel estafa, harboring a criminal and obstruction of justice charges against Robredo and at least 35 others. The video series that featured a hooded man known by the alias of “Bikoy” alleged that President Rodrigo Duterte and his family have drug trade links. Advincula, who claimed to be “Bikoy,” is named as respondent and witness in the complaint. He was assisted by lawyer and defeated senatorial candidate Larry Gadon, who filed an impeachment complaint against former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and is facing disbarment complaints. Duterte critics named Sens. Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima were named as respondents in the complaint. All of the Otso Diretso candidates — except Roxas — were also tagged. Others named in the complaint were Caloocan Archbishop Pablo Virgilio David and Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas. It also tagged two other bishops and Fr. Robert Reyes. The PNP anchored the charges on Advincula’s testimony, which he first bared in a press conference at the police headquarters on May 27.
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV delivers his privilege speech at the Senate on May 27, 2019, denying his alleged involvement in the creation of “Bikoy” videos. Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo
“As averred by Mr. Advincula, he was engaged by the respondents to spread lies against the president, his family and close associate, making them to appear as illegal drug trade protectors and how they earned staggering amounts of money,” the transmittal letter of the complaint read. The PNP accused them of planning “to spread false information against President Duterte’s family and administration officials in order to agitate the general population into making mass protest with the possibility of bringing down the president from the position and allow Vice-President Robredo to instantly succeed.” From disbelief to basis of complaint In a span of one month, Advincula pointed his fingers at and accused two very different camps. On May 7, at an impromptu press briefing, he stood by the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos which alleged links to the narcotics trade of the Duterte family. Several government officials, including presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, earlier raised doubts on Advincula’s credibility. When Advincula first surfaced
and linked the Dutertes to the narcotics trade, Panelo said: “It appears that he has been incarcerated in 2012 for conviction of illegal recruitment and large scale estafa, as well as for theft... These crimes involve moral turpitude that goes to the very integrity and credibility of Advincula or Bikoy.” Weeks later, on May 27, however, he said former Sen. Antonio Trillanes and members of the Catholic Church hired him to besmirch the name of the Dutertes. Advincula alleged that in the plan, Robredo would “appoint a certain congressman or senator to be the vice president” and that person would be Trillanes. Senate President Vicente Sotto earlier said Advincula—while detained at the New Bilibid Prison—was the same person who reached out to his office in 2016, accusing then-President Benigno Aquino III, then-Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and then-Justice Secretary De Lima of alleged links to a drug syndicate called “Quadrangle.” The Department of Justice, for its part, said it would form a panel of state prosecutors to hear and conduct the preliminary investigation on the complaint. n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 20-23, 2019
A
23-M Filipinos still ‘poor’; gov’t claims substantial gains CBCP franchise bill, 12 others lapse into law by Ben
O. de Vera Inquirer.net
MIDWAY through the Duterte administration, poverty incidence is on a decline, household incomes are rising, and unemployment continues to ease, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). One in every five Filipinos, however, still live below the poverty threshold — or the amount “needed to meet both basic food and nonfood needs of a family of five in a month.” According to the PSA, which releases poverty statistics every three years, the incidence rate fell
by 6.6 percentage points to 21 percent in the first half of 2018, thanks to robust, sustained economic expansion and rising incomes. It means 23.1 million are still considered poor but fewer than the 28.8 million three years ago. A family of five must have P10,481 per month to meet their needs, it said. The monthly poverty threshold during the first half of 2015 was lower at P9,453. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) attributed the “substantial” decline in poverty during the past three years to “sustained economic growth and critical and
A nurse prepares a dengue vaccine for public school kids.
broad-based reforms and investments that have translated to employment generation and social protection.” It also helped that employment had shifted to other sectors aside from agriculture, NEDA Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro said in an interview in April. “Importantly, growth in per capita income of the bottom 30 percent of households picked up significantly to 29.2 percent in the 2015-2018 period from only 20.6 percent in the 2012-2015 period. This implies an increase in real incomes of the poor, which has helped in reducing poverty among Filipinos,” Navarro said. n
Inquirer.net photo by Niño Jesus Roberta
Bring back Dengvaxia – health expert by Jaime
PilaPil ManilaTimes.net
A MEDICAL doctor and vaccine expert on Thursday, July 18, urged the government to return the Dengvaxia program, saying it is the only way to stop dengue. Dr. Lulu Bravo, founding president of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination and a University of the Philippines professor, said she had just arrived from the 4th Dengue Summit held recently in Jakarta, Indonesia and that the Dengvaxia case in the Philippines was discussed extensively. Dengvaxia vaccination was approved by then-President Benigno Aquino III in 2016. The program, however, was put on hold after the Nov. 29, 2017 admission of French drug manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur that a vaccine recipient’s situation might worsen if he had no prior dengue
exposure. Some 456 Filipinos in the first six months of 2019 died of dengue, a 39-percent increase compared to the same period last year. A total of 106,630 people contracted dengue this year compared to 57,564 in 2018. The increase is being attributed to the scare created by Dengvaxia. “Since 2016, when Dengvaxia was introduced, some 20 countries, including the U.S., have adopted Dengvaxia to prevent dengue or the mosquito aedes aegyti to bring havoc to the masses,” Bravo told a news forum in Quezon City. She said the Dengvaxia vaccine program was doing well in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, which are tropical countries like the Philippines. According to the Public At-
torney’s Office, which handles criminal cases filed by relatives of dengue victims, more than 400 persons, mostly children, died after receiving the Dengvaxia vaccine. Bravo said, however, that until today, there is no evidence to prove that Dengvaxia was the cause of these deaths. “Maybe, it is because of vaccine failure, which had happened in some vaccines like the one in the case of measles,” she said. Bravo added that other than Dengvaxia, there is no licensed anti-dengue vaccine in the world today. “So, we better resume the Dengvaxia vaccine program if we want to stop dengue,” she said. Bravo reminded the public that the only cure to dengue was balanced water intake, which meant eight glasses of water daily. n
by Catherine
Valente ManilaTimes.net
FOURTEEN more bills, including Republic Act (RA) 11319 that renews the broadcast franchise of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), lapsed into law without the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte. Under the Constitution, bills that are neither signed nor vetoed by the president will automatically lapse into law after 30 days. RA 11319 extends for another 25 years the congressional franchise of CBCP to “construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for religious, educational, cultural and commercial purposes, and in the public interest, radio and/or television broadcasting stations in the Philippines.” The new law amended RA 7530, which extended the CBCP’s franchise for 25 years in 1992. It was originally granted a franchise under RA 5172 in 1967. The religious organization operates radio stations across the country through its Catholic Media Network arm. Duterte has repeatedly lambasted the Catholic Church even though he considers CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles as his friend. The President has claimed that his tirades against the Church was his response to a priest, who allegedly wished him dead. He has also warned priests against using the pulpit to criticize his administration, saying it went against the separation of Church and State. Meanwhile, the TV5 Network, which operates the TV5 television station and Radyo Singko, got its franchise renewed for another 25 years after RA 11320 lapsed into law on April 22. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo on Thursday, July 18, said Duterte probably did not object to TV5’s franchise renewal. “That means, effectively, parang pinirmahan niya rin ‘yun. Ganoon naman ‘yun (it’s like he also signed it). Kasi, when a president, who is supposed to sign, will let a law pass, ibig sabihin, okay lang sa kanya ‘yun (it means it’s okay with him),” Panelo told reporters. Duterte also failed to sign the
bills renewing the franchises of RMC Broadcasting Corp. (RA 11252), Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. (RA 11253), PBN Broadcasting Network Inc. (RA 11316), Andres Bonifacio College Broadcasting System Inc. (RA 11317), Insular Broadcasting System Inc. (RA 11318), Cebu Broadcasting Company (RA 11339), Radio Marine Network Inc. (RA 1340), First Love Broadcasting Network Inc. (RA 11341) and Tirad Pass Radio TV Broadcast-
ing Network Inc. (RA 11342). The other bills that also lapsed into law were RA 11329 or the “Bulacan State University-San Rafael Campus Act,” RA 11309 or the act rectifying the period to constitute the search committee for the presidency of the Palompon Institute of Technology, and RA 11338 or the act creating the position of assistant city administrator, emphasizing the prohibition on illegal gambling and establishing the city registry of deeds. n
A8 JULY 20-23, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
Leadership by example
FEATURES
HUMAN rights groups have welcomed the landmark law that seeks to protect people from being subjected to lewd remarks, wolf whistles, insults and other forms of sexual harassment in public places, offices, schools and cyberspace. As in other laws, however, the success of Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act in promoting civility and respect for women will depend on the proper enforcement. There have been complaints that barangay officials refuse to help victims of domestic violence, even if mandated by law to provide assistance. Can such barangay personnel be bothered with enforcing the “Bawal-Bastos Law,” which amended the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act? Some of them might even be among the violators. There is also the danger of abuse, and the use of the law for police extortion. RA 11313, signed on April 17, penalizes a wide range of offenses with fines ranging from P10,000 to P100,000, community service or imprisonment ranging from six days to six months. People would be vulner-
able to shakedowns just to escape those penalties and avoid having a criminal record. Finally, there is the leadership that must be set. RA 11313 provides penalties that can be deemed stiff for offenses such as catcalling. Such penalties can be hard to swallow if others are seen to get away with lewd comments. President Duterte will have to lead by example in complying with the new law. His supporters say his jokes about rape and sex are common in the environment where he grew up. The bar is set high, however, for norms of behavior expected of the national leadership. Now there are certain types of behavior banned by a new law bearing his signature. He will have to set the example in compliance. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Dear Filipinos in America, again: Trump’s racist tweets were not about fighting illegal immigration but to “Make America White Again”
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS KABABAYANS, I hear you. Some of you say President Donald Trump’s tirades against the four women representatives in Congress were not racist. You contend that this is just part of his fight against illegal immigration, and you elected and support him for that. I get it. I understand how strongly you feel about this issue. Like you, my family also followed the rules, paid the fees, and waited in line to obtain our legal immigration status in the United States. But illegal immigration was NOT the issue when Trump told the four congresswomen of color to go back where they came from last Sunday because these women are all U.S. citizens. In fact, three of them were born in the United States while one naturalized to be a citizen of this country after being a refugee. These four honorable women were accorded the public trust and elected by their constituents to be their voices, their champions, and their representatives in Congress in this democracy despite the fact that they are persons of color. If anything, their elections are acknowledgments and affirmations of the new faces of an America that is strengthened and enriched by people from different parts of the world.
Trump was NOT fighting against illegal immigration when he sent out those racist tweets although one could argue that his anti-illegal immigration policies are driven by the same spirit behind his tweets. After all, Trump, his family and business empire all benefited from employing undocumented immigrants. He just started championing policies against it when he ran for president, because he knows the frustration and resentment of people like you and he used it to win your votes. “SEND HER BACK!” echoed loud and clear in Trump’s reelection rally in North Carolina last Wednesday night, from the fans and supporters of Trump in the audience, reacting to more attacks by the President against the four congresswomen of color, particularly against Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, who entered the U.S. as a refugee from Somalia. Like the other three women vilified by Trump with lies, hyperbole and misinformation, Omar studied and worked hard - Edison High School; Secondary; North Dakota State University; B.S.; Political Science and International Studies University of Minnesota, Humphrey School of Public Affairs; Fellowship; Policy Fellow. She earned the trust and respect of the district she is representing.
“SEND HER BACK!” chants of Trump’s supporters sent chills to Americans and people from around the world witnessing how this president has inflamed so much anger from his crowd against Omar, a U.S. citizen and an elected public official. This is a reflection of how much hatred, fear, division Trump has sowed just to hold on to his base and win elections. Divide and conquer worked for him in 2016, and he is using the same playbook now for his 2020 re-election bid. Trump claimed his tweets were not racist. Many people agreeing with him is why he has doubled down on his attacks against these four women of color who do not quite look like ‘Americans,’ using them as his bogey(wo)men who represent the new face of the Democratic party, and scaring his base against their liberal progressive ideas and policies he calls evil and un-American pushed by people who hate America. But most people do not agree with him. Facing backlash even from members of his own party, he claimed on Thursday, July 18 that he felt bad about the chants, and that he immediately stopped the audience. The live videos would disprove his lies, however. He stood there, chin up, enjoying the moment for 13 seconds. He did nothing. He said nothing. And when the chanting died down, he continued attacking Rep. Omar.
A global community
Demand and Supply BOO CHANCO SOME of our politicians have been threatening to leave the United Nations or one of its bodies, the UN Human Rights Commission. Such remarks should normally be dismissed as mumblings of politicians in search of public attention. In the case of Senate President Tito Sotto, I think he just wants to proclaim his loyalty to Duterte without having to genuflect before him and kiss his hand the way Alan Peter Cayetano did to get the speakership. Sotto is obviously feeling insecure about keeping the Senate presidency. Responsible public officials shouldn’t be saying such things so casually. We exist in this world as part of a family of nations which the UN represents. And in spite of Duterte, we are as a nation still supportive of the ideals that led to the UN’s creation. Of course, there are world politics involved in the way the UN operates. We do not always get what we want. One of the UN’s most important documents is the Universal
President Rodrigo Dutere with Taguig Representative Alan Peter Cayetano
Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on Dec. 10, 1948 as a common standard for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. That means, there are some rights that are simply basic and inalienable no matter what some countries may think of at certain points in their history. For instance, Article 3 states that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” Article 11, on the other hand, points out that “Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had
Inquirer.net photo
all the guarantees necessary for his defense.” Adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explains why reports of so called extra judicial killings in the course of the President’s anti-drug drive has elicited such vehement reactions worldwide. That’s why that resolution sponsored by Iceland was adopted by the UN Human Rights Commission. It does not help our country’s image that there is a meme going around that claims Alan Peter Cayetano’s speech at the UN justified killing drug addicts and suspects because we do not have the resources to follow standard judicial proceedings. Nor do we have the resources to rehabilitate them all.
Trump should have learned from John McCain about what true genuine disavowing is, when the late senator grabbed the mic from a woman in red during a town hall meeting when she said “I can’t trust Obama. I have read about him, and he’s not, he’s not — he’s an Arab.” McCain said, “No ma’am. He’s a decent family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what this campaign is all about.” But Trump just revealed his true intentions behind this drama of disavowing the chant in less than 24 hours. On Friday, Trump continued with his tirades and even praised those who chanted as “true patriots.” Omar and the rest of the women demonized by Trump have been receiving death threats. Trump never told white people who, like the four women, were also critical of him to “Go back to the country were you came from.” This is racism and discrimination. Here’s a quick vocabulary lesson: Racism: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior. Discrimination: the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race,
age, or sex. The Justice Department says, “Federal laws prohibit discrimination based on a person’s national origin, race, color, religion, disability, sex, and familial status. Laws prohibiting national origin discrimination make it illegal to discriminate because of a person’s birthplace, ancestry, culture or language. This means people cannot be denied equal opportunity because they or their family are from another country, because they have a name or accent associated with a national origin group, because they participate in certain customs associated with a national origin group, or because they are married to or associate with people of a certain national origin. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says, “The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.” It is unlawful to harass a person because of that person’s race or color. Harassment can include, for example, racial slurs, offensive or derogatory remarks about a person’s race or color, or the display of racially-offensive symbols. Although the law doesn’t prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are not very serious,
harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the victim being fired or demoted). Trump is the president of the United States and yet, he is violating these laws put into place to stop the culture of racism and discrimination in America. People lose their jobs and companies are penalized when they do what Trump has been doing to people of color. Why is he being given a pass when he should have the moral authority to make sure this does not happen in America. This is not an isolated case. Trump’s history, words and actions before he became and up to now, proves he is racist and discriminates against people of color like you and me. MGA KABABAYAN, do you condone racism and discrimination? If not, then speak out and speak up. Silence is complicity. As Desmond Tutu once said, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” ***
I am not an admirer of Mr. Cayetano, but I watched the speech on YouTube and I must point out he didn’t say those things. The meme is based on an article prepared by the Inquirer’s U.S. bureau. The article is an opinion piece rather than straight news. The meme is bothersome, not because of what Inquirer maliciously claimed that Cayetano said at the UN, but because we have heard something along those lines in one form or another even from the President himself. True, our judicial system is underfunded and unreliable. True, we don’t have the resources to rehabilitate all the drug addicts. But none of those deficiencies justify killing human beings, guilty as some might have been, without due process of the law. And while some got killed in legitimate encounters with police authorities, not enough has been done to look into possible cases of abuses by the police. That’s also why the Duterte drug drive is getting international attention and condemnation. As for leaving the United Nations, that’s too drastic. We, of all people, should be aware of the value of working through an international system of nations. Our workers are all over the world, whose interests are pro-
tected by the international community. While we are not much of a trading nation, we know that we benefit from world trade facilitated by such international bodies as the World Trade Organization. Indeed, our business climate will suffer significantly if we leave the UN. There will be an impact on foreign direct investments, stock markets, business confidence on our country. It could actually significantly damage our economy. Many of our people, here and abroad, will lose jobs, and with that, a chance for a better life. Besides, why leave the UN when we benefit from many of its agencies? There is the World Health Organization, whose regional headquarters is right here in the Philippines. It is at the forefront in the international fight against epidemics. Then there is the independent arbitral tribunal established under UNCLOS whose ruling in our favor on the West Philippine Sea provides a good example of the rule of law as it covers disputes between nations. It gave a small country its day in court against actions of a regional bully. It is wrong to equate an appeal to the United Nations or any of its agencies as an act of treason
against our country. Some sycophant trying to justify his government position even said it is an impeachable offense for the Vice President to do so. I like the way Greg Atienza, one of my former colleagues in the marketing communication industry, puts it in his Facebook post. “Does anyone malign the country by seeking international support in defense of human rights of Filipinos? For how could they expect refuge under local laws when their president considers the Constitution as mere toilet paper? “Is not the United Nations all about a good world order of civilized nations that protect human rights for all?” No man or country is an island. We cannot live apart from the rest of humanity whose collective moral and ethical standards we must respect. There are international commitments we simply have to keep. Our social contract, Cayetano told the UN, is no longer confined to the nation state. He declared in that speech before the UN General Assembly that we are now a global village, a global community and we are all citizens of the world. That’s a message Duterte and his allies should take to heart. (Philstar.com)
Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
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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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 20-23, 2019
A
Trillanes warns: ‘I’ll expose Duterte’s drug links’ by Pathricia
ann V. Inquirer.net
#REALNUMBERSPH. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Atty. Marie B. Rafael (center), gives updates on the government’s campaign against illegal drugs during the open forum on #RealNumbersPH Year 3 held at the PIA Auditorium in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City on Thursday, July 18. Also in photo (from right) are Undersecretary Severo S. Catura , Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) Executive Director; and Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy spokesperson Supt. Kimberly E. Molitas. PNA photo by Ben Briones
Revised drug war death toll is thousand less than previous figure by Gaea
Katreena Philstar.com
cabico
MANILA — The latest count on the number of people killed in President Rodrigo Duterte’s widely condemned war on drugs reached just a little over 5,500—lower than the previous government figure by a thousand. Data from the Real Numbers PH released on Thursday, July 18 showed the number of drug personalities killed in 134,583 police anti-drug operations stood at 5,526 as of June 30. The count was fewer by 1,074 from the figure released by the Philippine National Police last month. According to the police, at least 6,600 drug personalities were slain in anti-narcotics operations from July 1, 2016 to May 31, 2019. The latest report also showed that 193,086 drug personalities were arrested in the last three years. But according to the PNP data released last month, 240,565 were nabbed. The fresh data was presented just a week after the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution calling for a comprehensive report on the human rights situation in the country, including alleged killings under the government’s anti-drug campaign. Discrepancy In a briefing Thursday, government officials insisted the Real Numbers—the one with lower figure—is the official and validated data. PNP deputy spokesperson Lt.
Col. Kimberly Molitas and Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Rafael-Banaag said the discrepancy in government figures is due to the verification done by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency before updating the Real Numbers platform. “Anything that comes from the PNP, National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Customs, all the data from them in so far as enforcement is concerned and in so far as data from anti-illegal drugs campaign is concerned goes to the PDEA for validation,” Banaag said. Molitas explained the PNP figure is real time while it takes time for PDEA to determine if the deaths were indeed related to illegal drugs. “Whatever the discrepancy is, I think it’s not very easy to review the folders one by one and confirm that it is an anti-drug operation. On our part, it is. But PDEA is the mandated authority to validate our operations,” Molitas said. Both figures, however, are significantly lower than the estimates by human rights watchdogs of as many as 27,000 killed. These estimates were based on a 2017 “accomplishment” report of that included more than 16,000 “homicide cases under investigations” or the killings under probe since the start of the Duterte administration. The count of drug-related homicides has since been removed from succeeding reports. The government, however, has repeatedly said that law enforce-
ment operations are done according to due process. Accountability vs statistics For Carlos Conde, Philippine researcher for New York-based Human Rights, the more important issue here is accountability, not the government’s inconsistent figures. “At this point in the brutal ‘drug war,’ accountability is more important than the statistics, given how the government tries to manipulate [statistics through] #RealNumbersPH,” Conde tweeted Thursday. Last month, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said that even the official figure of drug war deaths would be “a matter of serious concern for any country.” Conde said that while monitoring the number of slain drug personalities is crucial, it is even more important to keep track of how many of the perpetrators have been punished. “Also, there is no longer any dispute as to how catastrophic the ‘drug war’ is. The modus operandi of the government is well-established, its violations of the law and due process clearly documented,” Conde said. He added: “So whether it’s 10 or 10,000, it’s clear that government [forces] need to be held accountable.” In November last year, three Caloocan policemen were sentenced to decades in prison after they were found guilty for the murder of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos—the first conviction of officers carrying out Duterte’s drug war. n
roxas
MANILA — Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has vowed to expose President Rodrigo Duterte’s links to the illegal drug trade as he faces sedition cases filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police against him and 35 others who were linked to the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” (The Real Narcolist) videos. “Sana lang ay mag-isip nang malalim at hindi magpagamit sa pulitika ang mga DOJ (Department of Justice) prosecutors na mag-iimbestiga nitong kasong ito. Bagkus ay gawin ang nararapat para lumabas ang katotohanan (I hope that the Justice Department will remain independent and not be swayed by politics during its investigation over into this case. Instead, it should do what is right to let the truth out),” Trillanes said in a statement late Thursday night, July 18. “Anu’t-ano pa man, haharapin ko ito at gagamitin kong pagka-
kataon na mailabas ang kaugnayan ni Duterte sa iligal na droga (No matter what, I will face this and use the opportunity to expose Duterte’s links to illegal drugs),” he added. The filing of cases against key members of the opposition is also “clear acts of political persecution and harassment by the Duterte administration” aimed to “stifle democratic dissent,” according to the staunch critic of the administration. Trillanes also said the PNPCIDG investigators “abused and misused the subpoena power recently bestowed on them to single out critics of the Duterte administration.” He pointed out that the cases were just backed by the unfounded allegations of Peter Joemel Advincula who repeatedly lied to the public. “Alam nila na wala silang hawak na ebidensya kundi ang salaysay ng isang testigo na ilang ulit nang nagsinungaling sa publiko, pero tinuloy pa rin ang pagfile ng kaso (They know that they
don’t have concrete evidence except for a statement made by a person who was caught lying multiple times in public. They still filed the case),” Trillanes said. The PNP-CIDG on Thursday filed sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal and obstruction of justice against Trillanes, Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo, opposition senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros, former senator Bam Aquino, and members of the Otso Diretso slate namely lawyers Chel Diokno, Romulo Macalintal, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Samira Gutoc, and former congressman Erin Tañada. Also tagged in the complaints were Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Socrates Villegas and incumbent CBCP Vice President Archbishop Pablo Virgilio S. David, running priests Fr. Robert Reyes, Frs. Flaviano Villanueva, Albert E. Alejo, Bishops Honesto Ongtioco and Teodoro Bacani Jr. n
189 governors, mayors stripped of police powers Some officials who lost their police power were included in the drug list of President Rodrigo A TOTAL of 189 local govern- Duterte, which was released in ment officials — eight governors March this year. The DILG filed complaint and 181 mayors — have been stripped of their police powers, against 46 officials before the Ofthe Department of the Interior and fice of the Ombudsman based on Local Government (DILG) said on the initial list provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Wednesday, July 17. The local officials lost their police powers for engaging in illegal drugs, failing to stop terrorism and supporting extremist groups, according to Assistant Secretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya. Having lost such powers, they cannot control police forces, choose a chief of police and become chairman of ‘the peace and order council. “‘Pag nagkaganoon po na winid-draw, PNP na po ang bahala sa peace and order situation d’un sa lugar, tuloy tuloy pa naman po ang services ng PNP, ang kanilang mandato ‘di mawawala…Iyon nga lang hindi na sila kukuha ng direksyon mula sa LGU (With the withdrawal of the police powers, the Philippine National Police will take care of the peace and order situation, the PNP will continue to serve, the mandate of the local officials will not be lost… but the police will no longer take directions from local government units or LGUs),” Malaya said. by Darwin
Pesco ManilaTimes.net
But 37 on the list ran for reelection and 26 of them won. Malaya said they continue to monitor public officials on the government’s drug list. But, he added, some LGU officials have been requesting the National Police Commission to give back to them their “authority over the police.” n
A10 july 20-23, 2019 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN jOuRNAl
Dateline PhiliPPines
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Majority still trust, approve of Duterte, Robredo by Jeanette
i. andrade
Inquirer.net
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo and Senate President Vicente Sotto III enjoyed majority approval and trust ratings in June, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey. The president’s approval rating was 85 percent in June, down from 87 percent in March, while his trust rating stayed at 85 percent, the results of the
survey taken from June 24 to 30 showed. Pulse Asia noted that the President’s approval “remains essentially unchanged” as the movement in his rating was within the poll’s plus-or-minus 2.8 percentage points margin of error. Robredo’s approval rating, rose between March and June from 49 percent to 55 percent. Her trust rating also went up from 47 percent to 52 percent.
Robredo got the highest approval and trust ratings in Visayas, both at 57 percent. However, in Metro Manila, the Vice President’s approval rating went down 10 points to 34 percent, while her trust rating declined 12 points to 31 percent. Her trust rating also declined among class ABC, from 46 percent to 33 percent. Across geographical areas and socioeconomic classes, majority trusted and approved of the work of Duterte and Sotto. n
Bill that will grant protection to media workers pushed by JaiMe
PilaPil ManilaTimes.net
THE head of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) and a party-list representative have joined hands to push for the passage of a bill that aims to address the concerns of media practitioners. Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, PTFoMS executive director, and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Rowena Niña Taduran are pushing for
the passage of the “Media Workers Welfare Act.” The proposed law seeks equal protection and a standardized remuneration for media practitioners. “We are proposing a Commission on Press Freedom and Media Security (CPFMS), which will handle media concerns, including claims that they do not receive salaries and other benefits on time,” Egco said at a news conference in Quezon City. Reporters complained that
some media entities do not pay their salaries on time or do not LRT 2 EAST EXTENSION. Engineer Joseph Dexter S. Buenconsejo (right), Project Manager of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), tours the pay them at all. media at the Emerald station of LRT-2 East Extension along Marcos Highway in Cainta, Rizal on Wednesday, July 17. The LRT 2 East Extension “The problem is only the top is projected to serve 80,000 passengers daily with its expected completion on December 2020. PNA photo by Ben Briones 10 are giving the basic salaries to their workers,” said Egco, former chief of reporters and deskman of The Manila Times. Taduran, a former reporter herself, vowed to eliminate contractual practices. “I was a broadcast journalist for 29 years and a contractual as Speaker. for the vision and objective of by Glee Jalea one for 29 years,” she said. n ManilaTmes.net “From all indications, it ap- the Duterte Coalition for a pros-
Cayetano, Duterte siblings make last pitch for speakership
Boracay flash flood shows more time needed for rehabilitation by nestor
burGos Inquirer.net
Jr
ILOILO CITY –– The interagency task force managing the rehabilitation of Boracay Island appealed to tourists and residents on Wednesday, July 17, to give the rehabilitation more time after flash floods brought by heavy pour hit the island on Tuesday, July 16.
“We are appealing to tourists … until the middle of next year, our situation will be like this and we may face some flooding,” Natividad Bernardino, general manager of the Boracay Interagency Rehabilitation Management Group, said in a press conference broadcasted by livestream from the island. Natividad said the task force could only implement “miti-
Some roads in Boracay have been submerged in floods due to the effects of Tropical Storm Falcon. Philstar.com photos by Tonette Zoning
gating” measures to address the flooding on Boracay due to unfinished drainage and other projects. “The rehabilitation of the drainage system is ongoing and while the construction is ongoing, we will implement the mitigating measures,” she told the Inquirer in a telephone interview. These include putting up pumps and temporary outfalls drainage canals, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas, to flush flood water into the sea so that the water will recede faster. “Let is just help each other,” Natividad said in the press conference. The flash floods triggered an outcry from residents, who posted on social media photographs of residents and tourists wading in flood. They also decried what they perceived as the slow pace of the rehabilitation projects even after the island was closed to tourists for six months from April 26 to October 25, 2018, for rehabilitation. n
A FINAL showdown for the speakership looms on Monday, July 22, as Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and President Rodrigo Duterte’s children set separate breakfast meetings with select members of the House of Representatives ahead of the opening of the 18th Congress, sources said. The sources who requested anonymity said Cayetano would meet with lawmakers at the Speaker Nograles Hall, South Wing Annex (SWA) at 8:30 a.m. while Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte will hold his meeting at the South Lounge of the Main Building at 8 a.m. “There will definitely be a showdown, and it will likely be extended up to 4 p.m.,” a source said on Friday, hinting at a possible repeat of a leadership shakeup in the 17th Congress when Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez was ousted and Pampanga Rep. Gloria took over his post
pears that there are two breakfast invites. The issue is who is attending which?” a senior lawmaker told The Manila Times. A partylist congressman also told The Times that lawmakers would likely be attending both meetings to hear the agenda of each party. “Kung may fiesta sa bayan, palipat-lipat ng bahay ang mga namimiesta. Ang attendance ay 100 percent sa lahat ng bahay dahil hindi kailangang pagpilian (If there is a fiesta in a town, visitors would definitely come over to all houses. The attendance should be 100 percent in all houses and no one should choose),” he said. Some House members also claimed that a manifesto of support for the objectives of the Duterte coalition has been circulating, with at least 90 lawmakers signing the document. “The undersigned members of the 18th Congress, hereby declare their unequivocal support
perous, united, free and sovereign Philippines,” the manifesto read. It was Rep. Duterte who had bared that the race was not over the Duterte siblings had wanted Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab to assume the speakership. Duterte-Carpio formed the coalition before their father announced that Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco would assume the House top post under a term-sharing agreement. The President had also dismissed his son’s coup claim as “wishful thinking.” Rep. Duterte, who had previously announced his intention to run for speaker, withdrew his bid to help the administration. No one from Duterte’s First Family will be attending the President’s fourth SONA except for the Davao lawmaker, as Duterte-Carpio and Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte had backed out from the event. n
IF TERROR ATTACKS REACH METRO MANILA
Duterte may expand martial law – Palace by Catherine
Valente ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte might be forced to declare martial law if extremists carry out terror attacks in Metro Manila, Malacañang said on Thursday, July 18. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the president was “very concerned” over potential security threats in the region arising from the suicide bombings in Mindanao. “He can declare martial law, he can declare a revolutionary government, he can use other emergency powers under the Constitution to quell whatever violence or any attempt at destroying this Republic,” Panelo said when asked what the President could do to prevent a possible spillover of terror attacks in other parts of the country. “Pwede niyang gawin lahat ‘yun (He can do all of these). The military or all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, under the Constitution, are obligated to protect the people. The President can use the Armed Forces
of the Philippines,” he added. The police and military had confirmed that one of the suicide bombers in Jolo, Sulu was a Filipino identified as Norman Lasuca. Lasuca and another suspected Abu Sayyaf member blew themselves up at the Philippine Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team camp in Indanan. “‘Yun nga ang kinakatakot niya kasi may [Filipino] suicide bomber na (That’s what he’s afraid of because there’s already a Filipino suicide bomber). He’s very concerned about that. Kaya ‘di ba nag-warning siya sa (that’s why he warned against) enemies of the state, “Don’t force my hand. I will not allow the disintegration of this country,” he added. “Kaya nga ‘di ba (That’s why [the president said]): ‘Don’t force me to the wall. ‘Pag hindi kayo tumigil (If you will not stop), I’ll be compelled to use powers granted to me by the Constitution, lalung-lalo pa ‘yung terorismo makarating dito sa Maynila (especially if terrorism reaches Metro Ma-
nila),” Panelo said during a news briefing. The president placed Mindanao under martial rule after the Islamic State-linked Maute terror group laid siege to Marawi City in 2017. Congress extended martial law until December 31, 2019. The National Capital Region [Metro Manila] Police Office (NCRPO) hoisted full alert status days after the Sulu suicide attacks, but it was lifted two days later. NCRPO chief Guillermo Eleazar, however, said the mobilization of police personnel would continue, as intelligence operations had been intensified to foil any possible terror plans and detect terrorist personalities. Last week, Duterte said he was strengthening the military and police as he sees “dangerous times” ahead. “I see very dangerous times ahead. Lumalabas nga ‘yung pawis sa kamay ko (My palms sweat) just thinking about it, if it would go awry outside of Sulu and [the] Basilan Islands,” he added. n
Sandigan affirms Samar governor’s 115-year sentence by MiChael
PunonGbayan Philstar.com
MANILA — Former Samar congresswoman and now Gov. Milagrosa Tan will have to vacate her post and spend the rest of her life in prison. The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its ruling convicting Tan of graft and sentencing her to up to 115 years in prison over the anomalous purchase of emergency supplies for victims of Typhoon Kidang worth P16.1 million when she was governor in 2001. Magistrates of the anti-graft court’s fourth division denied for lack of merit the motions filed by Tan and her co-accused to reMagistrates of the anti-graft court’s fourth division denied for lack of merit the motions filed verse its March 2019 ruling. Tan and four former provincial by Former Samar congresswoman and now Gov. Milagrosa Tan and her co-accused to reverse Philstar.com photo government officials were con- its March 2019 ruling. “Accused were also unable to ernment (DILG) installed Vice victed of eight counts of graft. The fourth division also or- reconcile the disparity between Mayor Eleuterio Mabao as actdered Tan’s perpetual disqualifi- the attendance sheets and the ing mayor. First Councilor Vicky Mabucation from holding public office. minutes for each bidding proIt recommended bail of P240,000 cess. In addition, their testimo- lay was designated acting vice for Tan’s temporary liberty while nies contradicted those of their mayor based on the rule of sucwitnesses,” the ruling read. cession. appealing her conviction. In filing the cases in 2006, the Mabao replaced Mayor Arnold “After considering the motions for reconsideration, the Office of the Ombudsman said Abalos, who was perpetually discourt maintains that while it was the provincial government pro- qualified from holding public ofmade to appear that there were cured cement, medicine, t-shirts fice in view of the graft charges competitive public biddings held and electric fans for typhoon vic- filed against him. Under a DILG Memorandum by the provincial government... tims without public bidding. Samar town acting mayor in- issued on July 1, elected officials which led to the eventual award with dismissal and unserved to Raechels Shoppers Plaza, none stalled Meanwhile, in San Sebastian suspension orders could not aswas in fact legitimately carried out,” the court said in its June 26 town also in Samar, a four-mem- sume their posts unless cleared ruling, a copy of which was re- ber team from the Department by the courts. (With reports from of the Interior and Local Gov- Miriam Desacada/Philstar.com) leased on Wednesday, July 17.
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SHOWBIZ&STYLE
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Angel Locsin, Pres. Duterte top poll as ‘most admired’ Filipino woman, man for 2019 by Deni Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com
Anthony Festa as American soldier Chris who falls in love with Kim, played by Emily Bautista
Photos by Matthew Murphy
Fil-Am actors lead ‘Miss Saigon’ national tour, now in LA by
ChRistinA M. oRiel AJPress
THE heat is on at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, where the national tour of “Miss Saigon” has mounted for the next four weeks. Opening night was held on Thursday, July 18, which was attended by several Filipino American talent, such as Jennifer Paz (“Steven Universe” and first national tour of “Miss Saigon”), Jon Jon Briones (“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” and original “Miss Saigon” production and its 2014 West End and subsequent Broadway Revival), Vincent Rodriguez III (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”) and Dante Basco (“Hook” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender). The legendary musical, which was revived and reimagined under the direction of Laurence Connor in 2014, transports the audience to Saigon during the dwindling days of the Vietnam War. After witnessing her family perish as a result of the war, 17-year-old Kim (Emily Bautista) is forced into prostitution by the
A NEW international poll found out that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and actress Angel Locsin are the “most admired” man and woman in the Philippines for 2019. According to the latest survey of global public opinion and data company YouGov, Duterte garnered a 19.39 percent admiration score, while Angel was given 11.14 percent. Following Duterte in the list are Pope Francis, Jackie Chan, Bill Gates, Manny Pacquiao, Keanu Reeves and Coco Martin as “most admired” men in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Anne Curtis, Angelina Jolie, Gal Gadot, Emma Watson, Queen Elizabeth II, Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Ellen Degeneres and Marian Rivera follow Angel in the “most admired” women’s list.
Actress Angel Locsin and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
“Hindi po ako naniniwala... pero kung totoo man, maraming salamat po,” Angel said for being voted as the country’s most admired woman. YouGov Ratings measures the popularity and fame of any-
Philstar.com photos
thing and everything, based on millions of responses from the public, the company’s website says. In December last year, YouGov gathered open-ended nomiPAGE B2
Dingdong shares photos, explains military training for ‘Descendants of the Sun’ by Deni Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Red Concepcion as The Engineer
Engineer (Red Concepción), an opportunistic bar owner with dreams to make it to America. Kim meets and falls in love with American G.I. Chris (Anthony Festa), who soon returns to the United States without her and unknowingly fathers a son named Tam with her. Three years later, Kim, who is still clinging onto this idea of love and that Chris will come back to find her, makes her way to Bangkok with the Engineer,
Photos by Matthew Murphy
who once again enters the sleazy nightclub business. The second act culminates in Kim, whose past is weighing on her, heartbreakingly deciding her son’s future and a fateful reunion with Chris, who has PTSD from the war and is now married to Ellen (Stacie Bono). Through the tragic storyline, there’s no shortage of risqué moves, the grittiness of the era and circumstances, and political PAGE B2
Philstar.com
DINGDONG Dantes has shared behind-the-scenes photos of the military training he and his co-actors went through in preparation for GMA’s Philippine version of the hit Korean action-drama series “Descendants of the Sun.” In a series of Instagram posts, Dingdong explained the kind of training they took and also introduced his co-actors in the series. Dingdong Dantes (second from left) with co-stars in upcoming GMA series, “Descendants of PAGE B2 the Sun.” Photo from Instagram/@dongdantes
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EntErtainmEnt
Fil-Am actors lead ‘Miss Saigon’... PAGE B1 themes on immigration, family separation and what the American dream means — which are ever-present and relevant today. The story and controversies around the production aside, the heart-wrenching music — by Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil — reminds the audience of why this musical has stuck around since it opened in 1989, from the yearning of “The Movie in My Mind” to Kim and Chris’ fleeting moment of intimacy during the classic “Sun and Moon” number to the Engineer’s grandiose vision during “American Dream,” which is replete with fur coats, showgirls in flashy costumes, a large convertible and a gold Statue of Liberty. “I don’t think they write music for musicals like this anymore. It’s hectic, yet has a lot of heart. We’re honored and excited to do it here in Los Angeles, especially with a predominantly Asian cast. It’s an important moment for representation,” Concepción told the Asian Journal ahead of the performance. Filipino Americans actors fill the cast, with leads Bautista (who was the understudy for Eva Noblezada in the Broadway production and Éponine in the national tour of “Les Misérables”) as Kim, Concepción (who has many theatre credits back in the Philippines) as the Engineer and Christine Bunuan as ‘Gigi,’ and several in the ensemble. “This is a story I grew up with all my life and I’ve always wanted to be in it. I went in with an open heart, trying to tell Gigi’s story, who we don’t know much about. There are so many women in this situation, such as those in a war-torn country, and have no way to survive or to support themselves...When watching Kim and her fight to survive, I hope anyone who is a mother or anyone who has a relationship with children will empathize with this,” Bunuan said. The cast also includes Anthony Festa as ‘Chris,’ Stacie Bono as ‘Ellen,’ J. Daughtry as ‘John,’ Jinwoo Jung as ‘Thuy.” They are joined by Devin Archer, Alexander Aguilar, Eric Badiqué, Brandon Block, Eymard Cabling, Joven Calloway, Rae Leigh Case, Kai An Chee, Julie Eicher, Matthew Dailey, Tyler Dunn, Noah Gouldsmith, Haven Je, Adam Kaokept, David Kaverman, McKinley
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Renewing ‘I Dos’ in the Holy Land by Emil
PErito
WHAT better way to celebrate 10, 20 years of marriage than by renewing your wedding vows? A recommitment party is a special — if not, romantic — way to affirm your love and faithfulness to your spouse. A sign that you’re still here despite the “worst” obstacle your relationship has gone through, and a promise that you will remain here to experience all the “better” days you two promised in the eyes of the Lord. To make your wedding vow Red Concepcion as The Engineer, Christine renewal all the more special, join Red Concepcion as The Engineer, Jace Chen Bunuan as Gigi and the “Miss Saigon” Air Plus Travel this December on ensemble during “The American Dream” as ‘Tam’ and Emily Bautista as Kim a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and have the ceremony in the
famous church at Cana. Christian couples are sure to have an unforgettable and spiritual wedding vow renewal at the site where Jesus performed his first miracle: turning water into wine. Not only will you feel closer to your spouse, you will also feel closer to God, for your marriage will be blessed in a holy place concentrated with sacredness. Apart from that, you will also be able to walk along the places where Jesus Christ grew up and lived — among them include Mary and Joseph’s house and carpentry shop, where Jesus spent 30 years of his life; Mount tabor, where Jesus transfigured
in the presence of some of his apostles and upon which stands the Church of transfiguration; the Church of Nativity, located in Bethlehem where Jesus was born; and Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus endured his agony. You will also have the opportunity to take a dip in the Dead Sea and witness the special Lighting of Christmas Light in Bethlehem. Established in 1995, Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us in one of our pilgrimages and private tours. For more information, contact Air Plus Travel at (562) 863-0624, or visit www:airplustravel.net.
(Advertising Supplement)
Manila’s tough mayor moved to tears by Master Showman’s memory by iza iglESiaS ManilaTimes.net
Actor Jon Jon Briones, who was in the ensemble of the original “Miss Saigon” Jennifer Paz, who played Kim in the first production in 1989 and later part of the 2014 national tour of “Miss Saigon,” attends West End revival as the Engineer, poses with opening night for the musical at the Hollywood Red Concepción, who currently plays the Pantages Theatre on Thursday, July 18. Engineer in the latest national tour. Photo by Robert Latour – Shutterstock Photo by Robert Latour – Shutterstock
Knuckle, Madoka Koguchi, Nancy Lam, Brian Shimasaki Liebson, Garrick Macatangay, Jonelle Margallo, Fin Moulding, Kevin Murakami, Adalynn Ng, Jackie Nguyen, Matthew Overberg, Emilio Ramos, Adam Roberts, Michael Russell, Julius Sermonia, Emily Stillings, Tiffany Toh, Nicholas Walters, and Anna-Lee Wright. The role of Tam is played by Tyler Dunn, Haven Je, Fin Moulding and Adalynn Ng. For the Filipino American community, the musical has undeniably been a favorite for several reasons, including the role of Kim being originated by Lea Salonga, for which she won a Tony Award, and has since been a career highlight for many Filipina American actresses such as Paz, Joan Almedilla and most recently, Noblezada, who was nominated for a Tony Award. “It’s really exciting to see a new generation be exposed to this story, especially now too with everything that is going on with
the discourse in our country. It’s important to just look at the victims of conflict and see that this is a human story. The show is constantly evolving and there’s even a new song,” Paz told the Asian Journal during opening night. Briones, who was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for playing the Engineer in the 2014 West End revival, added that the musical has launched a lot of performers’ careers. “This is so dear to us because it’s a beautiful story with beautiful music. Everyone can relate to it,” Briones said. “Actually, Filipinos think we own this show because we can see a Filipino story too. So many Filipino talents have done this and have gone through great success in their careers afterward.” The performance schedule for “Miss Saigon” at the Pantages is Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
TWO weeks since assuming office, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno continues to make headlines for his strong as steel political will in cleaning up the streets of the Philippine capital. On Thursday morning, July 18, however, radio and TV audiences witnessed how the mere mention of his beloved mentor’s name can make Manila’s toughest action man ever stop in his tracks and cry. Over “Dobol B sa News TV,” DZBB radio and GMA News top anchor Mike Enriquez couldn’t help but say that the late showbiz legend German “Kuya Germs” Moreno — also known as the “Master Showman” — must be looking down from heaven with a smile, bursting with pride, at what his favorite “That’s Entertainment” discovery is doing as a public servant. Unable to speak, Moreno bowed his head and teared up instead, taking a few more moments before regaining his composure. Ever vocal about his povertyridden youth, Moreno recalled anew how the entertainment icon who even lent him his surname for his screen identity [the mayor’s real name is Francisco Domogoso], opened the doors of a better life for him, ergo his family. From reselling junk he found in Smokey Mountain to rummaging restaurant trash bins for scraps of food he’d bring home to his mother to recook for the family, Moreno recalled how Kuya Germs always looked
Mayor Isko Moreno is overcome with emotion as he remembers mentor German Moreno during an interview with DZBB. GMA photos
out for him when he finally broke through the biz. “Kasi mga 200 plus kaming mga bata sa [That’s Entertainment] di’ba? Ever since lagi siyang naka-focus sa akin, and
wala ako sa narating ‘kong ito kung ‘di dahil sa kanya,” Moreno ended. The elder Moreno passed away on January 8, 2016 at age 82 from cardiac arrest.
What’s ‘Family History’ really all about? by lhar
Santiago ManilaTimes.net
IF you’ve still to catch comedy genius Michael V’s big screen directorial debut, “Family History,” then you’re still probably wondering what the movie’s all about. A few days before this coproduction between Michael V’s own Mic Test Entertainment and comebacking outfit GMA Films, Showbuzz sat down with its all-around brainchild relaying a common feedback. People can’t seem to figure out what the movie’s all about, whether from Family History’s poster or trailers. “It’s actually all intentional,” admitted the comedian who’s also famously called Bitoy. “Kasi Michael V. with leading lady Dawn Zulueta PAGE B3
ManilaTimes.net photo
Angel Locsin, Pres. Duterte... PAGE B1 nations from panellists across 41 countries, asking them simply: “Thinking about people alive in the world today, which [man or woman] do you most admire?” “These nominations were then used to compile a list of the 20 men and 20 women who received the most nominations and were nominated in at least four countries. An additional 10 popular local figures were added to the lists for individual countries,” the company explained its methodology in obtaining the poll. According to the company, in the fieldwork conducted from
March to June, the company used their lists to poll each of the 41 countries, asking two questions: “Who do you truly admire?,” where respondents could make multiple selections, and “Who do you MOST admire?,” where they could only pick one. “These two numbers were combined into a percentage share of admiration, displayed to the right of each name in the graphic above and table below, which shows the full results for every country including local celebrities and public figures.” The company explained that by asking respondents two ques-
tions, “we can understand both the breadth (i.e. global reach) and the intensity of a person’s support.” “Altogether, we polled in countries that constitute more than two-thirds of the world’s population. However, some parts of the world were better represented than others, so we weighted up the impact certain countries had on the final scores and weighted down others so the global scores more accurately reflect the breakdown of sentiment in the world overall.” The company said that all surveys were conducted online.
Dingdong shares photos, explains...
PAGE B1 “A snappy salute to my coactors for showing their neversay-die dedication to the craft by agreeing to immerse with our country’s Special Forces in preparation for our respective roles,” he began his post. “We give much respect to our uniformed men for their love and dedication to protecting our people and securing the land. It
is true that we enjoy these liberties in society because the Armed Forces are in the frontline, risking their lives for us to enjoy ours, free from threat— may it be man made or natural,” he said. As such, he said, “It is our duty as actors to represent them properly and as accurately as possible on screen. And what better way to do it than by learning WITH them in their own school!”
Dantes, along with Rocco Nacino, Paul Salas, Prince Clemente, Jon Lucas and Lucho Ayala, underwent a two-day training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Special Forces in Port Magsaysay. Although Jennylyn Mercado was rumored to be starring opposite Dingdong as leading lady, no confirmation yet was given by GMA.
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Nadine breaks silence on not being picked as new Darna by Deni roSe M. afiniDaD-BernarDo Philstar.com
AWARD-winning singer-actress Nadine Lustre has spoken up regarding ABS-CBN’s selection of Jane De Leon, and not her, as Liza Soberano’s replacement for the upcoming Star Cinema revival of a movie about Filipino superhero Darna. In an interview with CNN Philippines’ “The Source,” Nadine said that while she is honored that her fans and the movie’s first director, Erik Matti, wanted her to be Liza’s replacement, she clarified that she did not audition for the role or did anything to secure the slot for her. “Honestly, I’m just really honored that people like parang they want me to be their Darna kasi I didn’t put any effort (for) the movie, I didn’t audition or anything,” she bared. According to her, to be likened to the Pinay superhero is enough. “To be compared or to be likened kay Darna na, you know, independent, powerful, it’s really nice,” she said. It can be recalled that last April, Erik shared to The STAR’s Ricky Lo that Nadine was his personal choice to be the next Darna. He was backed by actresses like Lorna Tolentino who played a Darna role before and
Nadine Lustre
Katrina Halili, who played Valentina opposite Marian Rivera’s Darna in the 2009 GMA TV series. Last May, Nadine has been lauded by fans after a video of her shouting “Darna” went viral.
Photo from Instagram/@nadine
The video, uploaded on the YouTube channel of Nadine’s fellow Viva artist Donnalyn Bartolome, shows Nadine asking Donnalyn for the stone that transforms the plain Narda into the superhero Darna.
Another Muhlach joins showbiz by
Boy aBunDa Philstar.com
ANOTHER Muhlach has entered show business and she’s none other than Alyssa Muhlach, the daughter of Almira Muhlach and former PBA star Paul Alvarez. After her stint in the Miss World Philippines last year, Alyssa is setting her sight on acting with the thriller movie Clarita as her first project. She also has a good singing voice that could give today’s singers a run for their money. Coming from a well-known showbiz clan, Alyssa is also deserving of a spot in showbiz. She sees carrying her surname has its share of advantages and disadvantages. “There are disadvantages because there comes a certain expectation with (regards to) the last name,” she began telling while sitting for the first time on the hot seat of Tonight with Boy Abunda recently. “S’yempre palagi po akong pressured to really try to live up to the expectations of the people na kapag Muhlach ka kailangan ganito ka kagaling automatically.” She added, “The advantage is since they’ve been in the industry business for years, they’ve shared with me much wisdom about how the industry works and, at the same time, how you should deal with people, to always be humble and to treat everyone with kindness and respect.” But she’d like to think that with regards to the “disadvantage” it can also be seen as an advantage knowing that it challenges her to really do better and to always give an edge “as in ibigay mo kung ano ‘yung maibibigay mo at kung kaya mo pang higitan, higitan mo.” Her showbiz roots can be
Alyssa Muhlach
traced from her grandfather, former actor-producer Cheng Muhlach, the dad of her mom Almira. Of course, you should know by now that Alyssa’s mom, Almira, is one of the siblings of Aga and Arlene. Alyssa said that her Tito Aga and Tita Charlene are close to her. They supported her when she joined the Miss World-Philippines last year. Aga also gives her pointers on acting. The 22-year-old stunner didn’t hesitate about telling how she felt when her parents separated. She was really angry at her dad during those times. “Yes, I was angry (that time). I mean, how I wish na pinili n’ya kami. We’re three girls and since I’m the eldest, I sort of became the bridge between the two, like ‘Ma, sabi ni Papa…’ or ‘Pa, sabi ni Mama.’” Due to her parents’ break-up, Alyssa felt it’s her duty to protect her siblings. “As the Ate, I’m very protective of my sisters. Actually, it was because of my parents’ separation that I feel like I’ve become the stronger and more selfless woman that I am now.
Regine Velasquez at the MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2019.
Photo from Instagram/@alyssamuhlach
“I can’t change the past. What I can do is to really try to be the best version of myself now and I love my dad, my mom and my sisters unconditionally as in kahit anong mangyari I will always be there to support them kahit paulit-ulit man ‘yan.” In fact, she learned martial arts like karate and taekwondo for self-defense. Boxing has even become her hobby. No wonder, Alyssa is willing to do action in future projects. Soon, Alyssa will be appearing in a teleserye with JM de Guzman and Kiko Estrada. Everybody knows that JM is now single. So, what if the actor courts her? “Hindi po kasi ako ‘yung type of girl who just dates around. When I date or nagpaligaw ako, it’s really like a commitment to me; it’s a serious relationship. And I also wanna be with someone who respects my family — my mom and my dad na magpaalam so kung kaya n’yang gawin ‘yung process na ‘yun,” the NBSB (no boyfriend since birth) Alyssa answered with a laugh.
Philstar.com photos by Jan Milo Severo
Regine emotionally accepts Lifetime Achievement Award by Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
R EGINE Velasquez turned emotional while singing her hit song “Dadalhin” during the MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2019 held in Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday. During the production number on awards night, Kapamilya singers Bugoy Drilon, Darryl Ong, Michael Pangilinan, Jay-R, Jona Viray, Klarisse de Guzman and Katrina Velarde sang the Asia’s Songbird’s hits as tribute to her for the Lifetime Achieve-
ment Award. In an interview with the media, including Phi lstar.com, Regine said she turned emotional because she did not expect the young singers to render her songs. “’Di ko nga ineexpect kasi the kids are singing my songs e. I’m trying not to cry. Ang panget tuloy ng kanta ko. I got a little emotional. It’s not every day that you get to be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. I just want to thank them for this honor,” Regine said. Almost one year since she be-
came a Kapamilya, Regine said she is happy and grateful to the network for the projects. “Oo nga, magwa-one year na ‘ ko. I’m happy and grateful. Nagpapasalamat ako sa ABS-CBN for trusting me at sa mga trabahong binigay sa akin,” she said. She also made an update for her show “Idol Philippines.” “Malapit nang mag-end ang ‘Idol.’ Mamimiss ko si Moira, si Vice, si James, kasi bestfriends na kami ni James. Kakaiba siyang experience kasi first time kong mag-judge ng singing contest alPAGE B5
TRADING AN OLD EMPLOYER FOR A NEW ONE STILL GOT THEM THE PRIORITY DATE FROM THE PREVIOUS EMPLOYER, THUS CUTTING WAIT TIME. Husband and wife, Jon (left) and Jen (center), were working for an employer who agreed to sponsor their employment petition. However, the work became increasingly difficult that their quality of life suffered, making the couple quit their jobs. Faced without a sponsor, no jobs, and two deaths in the family that they could not go home for, was a tremendous burden for the family. When they asked the advice of leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, he told them to look for another employer who would be willing to sponsor them. Fortunately, Jon and Jen found a new employer that gave them new hope and a new lease on life. Atty. Gurfinkel was also successful in transferring the priority date on the first employer’s case to the new employer’s petition, saving years of additional waiting time. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
What’s ‘Family History’ really all...
PAGE B2 I’m an avid moviegoer and I get really frustrated when I see trailers that give away the story of a movie. Minsan pa nga, I hear comments like ‘Mas maganda pa ‘yung trailer kaysa pelikula,’ and I get disappointed for the filmmaker that way. “That’s why with Family History, I made sure the viewers won’t get any idea what the story’s about. Whatever they see in the trailer, it’s just the icing on the cake. Wala pa ‘yun. Those are just snipets that don’t give the story away.” Bitoy has taken extra care of every little detail of the movie, which is naturally very special to him. After all, besides directing and producing his first film, he also wrote the screenplay and acts as its lead. “I wanted to create mystery. I want people to wait with excitement so that when they see the film, magugulat sila,” Bitoy further expressed “I want them
to expect the unexpected, na pagkatapos nilang manood, they will feel and say, ‘Ah sulit ang panonood ko. And the trailer that I saw, patikim lang talaga ng mas masarap na meal na inihanda du’n sa buong pelikula’.” Meanwhile, before Bitoy, his leading lady Dawn Zulueta and the rest of the cast buckled down to Family History’s grueling movie promo schedule, he told Showbuzz he made sure post-production was done. This means he had already seen the entire movie and proud to say every time he invites people to watch that he is truly satisfied with the outcome. “The satisfaction I feel is high and I can’t believe that from an idea [the story] is now translated into film at pinapanood na ng mga tao. ‘Yung idea na galing sa utak ko, pumapasok na sa utak nila.” Besides fulfillment, Bitoy also feels an overwhelming sense
of gratitude to everyone who helped him make his dream project a reality. From top love team Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix to the rest of the cast and crew, everyone cooperated with him. And of course, when it comes to Dawn, Bitoy has nothing but praises. “Siyempre Dawn Zulueta ‘yan, big star talaga but she never made us feel that she’s ‘The Dawn Zulueta.’ She’s very cooperative, very collaborative. You never hear her complain. Sobrang bait and she voices out her ideas to make the scenes better.” All in all, Bitoy describes his first experience as directorwriter-producer-actor as “very good” so that Family History will not be his last to be sure. “My experience has been very pleasant. I am so inspired now to do more. In fact, I already have something in mind for the next project,” he smiled.
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A new Darna is ready to soar by IZA IGLESIAS ManilaTimes.net
AFTER months of auditions nationwide, Star Cinema finally announced on Wednesday that newbie actress Jane de Leon was officially starring in the muchawaited remake of Mars Ravelo’s beloved superheroine “Darna.” The movie outfit’s Managing Director Olivia Lamasan personally named de Leon on ABS-CBN News, adding that almost 300
celebrities auditioned for the part, which had originally been given to Liza Soberano. It can be recalled that prime time star Liza Soberano withdrew from the project on April 4 citing a finger injury sustained on the set of teleserye “Bagani.” Soberano revealed how six steel plates had to be inserted in her right index finger following the accident, which even required a follow up surgery this month.
Meanwhile, Darna has given de Leon her biggest break to date considering how she is practically new in the business. So far, her most notable portrayal has been as Jericho Rosales’ little sister Maggie Bartolome in the hit series “Halik.” Before then, she appeared in the 2017 fantasy series “La Luna Sangre” as one of the moonchasers, and Regal Entertainment’s teen flicks “The Debutantes” (2017) and comingof-age movie “Walwal” (2018). Darna director Jerrold Tarog (who also replaced original reboot director Erik Matti in October 2018) described de Leon as an “instinctive actress.” In addition, Lamasan recalled how de Leon stood out from her batch of talents the first time she saw her. “Pinresent na si Jane sa amin (Jane was presented to us) a couple of years ago, and among all the 13 noon na Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) presented from Star Magic, natatandaan ng isang talent handler na napansin ko na siya noon (I noticed her even then). I even said itong batang ito pwedeng sumali ng (this child can join) beauty pageants. “And then I saw her again in ‘Halik.’ Sabi ko, ‘itong batang to, meron.’ (I said to myself that this child has something.) There’s something about her.” De Leon underwent a series of call backs after her audition until Tarog finally presented her audition tapes to ABS-CBN management for deliberation. “In the end, it was a unanimous decision among all of us [for Jane to be the new Darna among hundreds of auditionees,” PAGE B5
MOONLIGHTING
The photo is the message (Part 1 of 2 series)
by MYLAH DE
LEON
WORDS are mere grace notes, all my life I’ve dealt with words. They are adequate for many of our purposes, even indispensable for most. They can (of course) be immeasurably beautiful and graceful. But they can’t do everything. Testimonial to the power of the photograph to present a tapestry of history, told to the eyes are in images that capture each event in a split second of its happening. Words cannot do that. They can tell us about people and events that shape one’s daily word, but the news photograph brings reality to
life in a very special way. The skills of the photographer grabs for us the instant, spontaneous electricity, when they cap off a collection of visual delights of nostalgia, history and drama in whose story needs few words — a paragraph or two in the news columns — for photos, volumes here. The role of the newspaper, then and now, is essentially the same: to provide readers with vivid communication about the world they live in. Photography, with its vivid communication of reality, is ideally suited to the aims of journalism. But today, photographers are different than before, with visual sophistication: more composed and artful, and less liked poised tableaux. They are better
educated and trained not only in technique, but also in visual expression — and there is more competition. In a broad range of subjects, photojournalists have covered wars and wonders, entertainers and athletes, fads and fashion, presidents and their celebrations, disasters and discoveries with their skills and extraordinary versatility; not merely by recording an event. They conveyed a larger meaning combining information with emotion, even comment. Old timers had their quality instinctively, the new ones roaring with their new vigor, have it bred in the bone and polished by training. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com
Active photographers of the Fil-Am newsville.
Realities of life: There will always be negativity everywhere (Part II of III)
Life Coaching in a Different Perspective STARGAZER
Jane de Leon
ABS-CBN photo
NEGATIVE energies will always be present anywhere and everywhere. Where there is yin, there will always be the yang. Where there is light, there will be darkness because that is the law of balance. Day in and day out we go through a lot of ups and downs. There are also a lot of different people to work around every day. The moment you wake up, you get to interact with a loved one; be it your partner, spouse, sibling or children. Single people living alone get to touch base with people once they step out their doors or by mere talking on the phone. Human Interaction will always be inevitable and need not be face to face especially in this age of
technology. Now let us peek into the life of a normal family with children. This may not be the norm but for the sake of setting examples, we shall create scenarios. Tick tock, tick tock says the clock. First energy burst of the day is when your child seems to have a tantrum and refuses to go to school. And then you yell and badger him with words so he would hurry, dress up and take breakfast. Now your partner joins the bandwagon and throws his share of ordering around. Fine, one for all and all for one! The seemingly hot energies fizzle more and more. Ok — so what do you think happened when you threw a lot of energies with force and irritation first thing in the morning? You simply charged the environment with a lot of stress, heightened emotions and got the adrenalin going. Then you drive off to school, drop your kid and go to work. On the way to work, you en-
counter a lot of lousy drivers. You either get pissed off and curse silently or open your window and yell on the top of your voice. And even if you choose to be quiet, negative energies still do multiply. You enter the office with a very hot temperament. Though you try very hard to conceal it, a trigger will set you blowing your top away! A wrong comment from a co-worker or a simple joke that can go wrong may set off the fire alarms! To add more fire, that co-worker joined in the vicious cycle by getting angry, too. This type of emotional outburst is very typical. But what we should pay attention to is the fact that personal negative energy was multiplied one after the other until it messed up with others. What then have we achieved? We were indeed successful in multiplying negativity and dispersing it with a lot of gusto. PAGE B5
Imee Ong-Maghanoy: A day in the life of a celebrity esthetician BY MONET
LU
MOVE over, law-breaks and loiterers! There’s a new mayor in Manila – and he means business! Like a superhero (I’m thinking, “The Mighty Thor”), he came just a week shy of being elected as mayor of Manila, with a sledgehammer in hand whacking gambling machines and throwing the first few blows at what he said was an illegally built barangay outpost. Just when all seems gray and hopeless, the new mayor swoops in and saves the day – or more particularly – Manila. Clearly, Francisco Moreno Domagoso, aka Isko Moreno, is not wasting a single moment of his three-year term. Barely two weeks since he took over, he presents a suspect arrested for allegedly extorting money from sidewalk vendors in his district. And while we are still wrapping our minds over the miracle that is Manila, now, he goes to Manila Zoo and feeds Mali, the elephant. People have been publicizing the city’s clean up all over social media. Apparently, the filthy Manila that we’ve known, grew up in (and oddly loved for sentimental reasons) is practically unrecognizable. I never thought I’d see the day when the streets of Divisoria and Carriedo that are packed with
Imee Ong-Maghanoy
countless sidewalk vendors and are impenetrable to motor vehicles would become passable to vehicular and pedestrian traffic, clear of obstructions, and relatively clean. But now, I am seeing photos of the streets of Manila like it’s being taken from the pages of my mind’s dream! People have been posting photos of the before-and-after Manila streets and it seems so surreal! I can’t
help but ask myself, how is that it took only weeks for Moreno to transform Manila while the previous line of mayors before him have done nothing – even remotely close – to what he did? Then I remember this young man’s background. This man is not some rich kid or a middleclass citizen who lived a normal, comfortable and traditional life PAGE B5
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Baron officially proposes to girlfriend Regine emotionally accepts... by Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
ACTOR Baron Geisler has made his engagement to nonshowbiz girlfriend Jamie Evangelista official as he proposed to his girlfriend during a wedding shoot. In its Instagram account, The Wedding Library posted a photo of Baron kneeling to Jamie and asking her to marry him. “Surprise! It’s official! Baron Geisler officially proposed to Jamie Evangelista during our shoot in Cebu!” The Wedding Library captioned the photo. “To the surprise of the whole Team & the bride, what she thought was a simple birthday surprise turned out to be a heartwarming official proposal from Baron,” it added.
Last May, Baron announced that he is marrying his psychologist girlfriend from Cebu. “Pagod na ako sa laro, sa pag-party. Gusto ko na ring magkaroon ng sariling pamilya,” Baron told Push. The couple started dating back in September 2018. The “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” star said that Jamie has been by his side when he decided to start a new life in Cebu. “She’s very patient sa akin. Alam niya kung paano ako timplahin. Super happy ako kasi maalaga siya,” Baron said. “When I had nothing, wala pa ‘yung barber shop ko, nung walang-wala ako, she supported me. Kasi ang buong pag-aakala ko wala na akong Baron Geisler officially proposed to Jamie babalikan sa showbiz, kaya Evangelista during a photoshoot in Cebu. nagtayo na lang ako ng busiPhoto from Instagram/@ theweddinglibraryph ness,” he shared.
A new Darna is ready to...
PAGE B4 continued Lamasan. “Natuwa nga ako na isa siya sa mga nag-audition (I was glad that she was one of those who auditioned). Pati si Direk Lauren (Dyogi) said there’s something about her. Bilang filmmakers, may nakikita kami. Malakas ang instinct ng bata (As filmmakers, we see something. The child’s instincts are strong.)” Moreover, Lamasan said a
newbie was perfect for the movie, because “yung story natin ngayon (our story now) is a genesis story—a coming of age. Ang requirement talaga is somebody na (The requirement is) young and with an air of innocence but at the same time a strength of character.” Lamasan finally shared that when ABS-CBN management asked de Leon how committed she was to do Darna, the lucky
and deserving actress replied, “I will do everything and anything for the role because I believe in her, I believe in what Darna stands for.” The 20-year-old officially follows the footsteps of top actresses Angel Locsin, Marian Rivera, Vilma Santos and Lorna Tolentino in playing the iconic comic book character of legendary writer Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo.
Realities of life: There will...
PAGE B4 No one gained positively from this exercise. But could have prevented this? The moment the child had his tantrums at home, the parent could have calmly but firmly talked to him like an adult instead of badgering or shouting. The parent may set conditions such as positive reinforcement or a reward system if the child will be on time and prepared for school. No loud voices then. While driving, play calm soothing music on the way. If negativity catches up with the other drivers, simply breathe deeply and be composed. Tell yourself that everything is fine and wonderful. Let it go... let the negative emotions brewing dissipate fast. When you reach the office,
grab a cup of cold water and sip slowly. Breathe deeply, do small talk or crack a joke with a colleague. Or you can or talk about what’s good for lunch. Taking your mind off stressful situations will disperse the unwanted negativity. Notice how your heart rate slows down, body temperature cooling a bit and breathing becomes deep and slow. Feel how you are becoming more relaxed. One can never change people and situations.but what we have is the CHOICE on how to respond to a situation. If we approach stressful events with a cool and relaxed mind, then the unnecessary hot energies will simply evaporate. Smile and simply breathe deeply. One can never go wrong
with taking deep long breaths. If symptoms persist, take a walk while still taking long deep breaths. It will work, you’ll see.
*** Stargazer is a life coach, aura reader, psychic/clairvoyant, and lecturer on the paranormal. She uses the aura, energies & vibrations as focal points of her psychic readings. Using several techniques involving the psychological, spiritual, paranormal and her own experience of the intricacies of life, Stargazer makes one get in touch with his inner and understand life in a positive manner. Faith in God and belief in self is what Stargazer emphasizes on. Currently, Stargazer is a radio anchor of DZMM Teleradyo, the radio arm of ABS-CBN. Her show “Pinoy Vibes” has been airing every Sunday morning since Sept. 2007. She can be reached at stargazerphils@ gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://stargazer.ph/.
PAGE B3 though galing ako dun at marami na kong hinost na singing contest, pero iba pa rin pala maging judge. I hope I was able to help some of the hopefuls kasi sa akin personally, I got what I wanted to do that’s why hindi ako magla-lie, I want them to become better,” Regine said.
Regine added that she feels bad for the losing contestants, but assured them that the singing contest is just the beginning. “We feel bad (that someone has to go). Kasi kahit alam naming contest ‘yon, we kind of get involved to them kasi kasama mo eh. ‘Yung sa tagal ng pagsasa-
mahan namin, kahit papano nakikilala mo sila. They get scared, they get insecure, we try our best to tell them this is not the end because it isn’t. It’s a singing contest, it’s not the end, it is the beginning. ‘Di ba si Moira, ‘di naman siya nanalo before, but look at her now, she’s a superstar,” Regine enthused.
Imee Ong-Maghanoy: A day in...
PAGE B4 where he grows up with parents who send him to school and gets home with food prepared and had his future planned – that may have been the life he dreamt of, because his life was anything but easy. He came from poverty. And that may have been the reason he knew exactly what the city needs. He knows Manila like the back of his hand. Now, this the former scavenger and pedicab driver from the slums of Tondo is the youngest elected mayor of the city of Manila at 44 years old, the youngest-ever councilman (23 years old), and the youngestever elected vice mayor (32 years old) of the city. He defeated former Manila mayors retired president Joseph Estrada and retired police general Alfredo Lim with a landslide victory of 357,925 votes – more than the numbers of Estrada and Lim combined. The story of his years growing up in crippling poverty in the alleyways of Tondo to his big break in local showbusiness after being accidentally discovered by a talent scout during a neighbor’s wake is well known. I remember this young man as the fair-skinned mestizo when he stepped into the lights of show business during the ‘90s. He’s always been a humble soul and quite seemingly awkward then. I can’t blame him. He’s not used to that kind of life, let alone the quick turn of events that he got himself into. He starred in teenybopper films before doing more mature roles under Seiko Films. At his peak, he also played the beau of a young Claudine Barretto. At his most controversial, he was the poster boy of bare-skin flicks. He stayed in showbiz just as until he was ready to climb the
Imee Ong-Maghanoy regularly attends Hollywood events where she meets several celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Charlie Sheen and James Franco
city’s political totem pole and his eventual foray into politics is the best thing that happened to Manila. Indeed, he came a long way from scavenging for scraps to cleaning up the city—both literally and figuratively – as their newly elected mayor. In the years I’ve watched my beloved city led by one mayor after another, I’ve always had these question lingering: will this city ever be rid of garbage, traffic and crime? Is there hope for Manila? Now, these questions have been answered and his name is “Mayor Isko.” Thank you, Mayor Isko Moreno, and may all your plans
– which I believe, is every Manileno’s dream – of a clean and safer Manila – come into fruition. Keep up the great work! *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
B JULY 20-23, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 20-23, 2019
COMMUNITY Journal
Q&A for beginners in the stock market
& All roads lead to SouthBay Pavillion Tax Stock Tips on August 3-4 for trade expo CITY of Carson, CA. – All roads will lead to the SouthBay Pavillion on Aug. 3-4 in this suburban city south of Los Angeles as industry players from both the U.S. and the Philippines are poised to participate as exhibitors and resource speakers. The multi-zone Travel Trade and Consumer (TTC) Expo is a multi-zone event. It is open to the public, who can freely explore exhibitor booths throughout the mall, attend informational business talks and seminars, and discover Filipino food items and other products. At the B2B Area (located next to Photomakers and Beauty Lounge), a presentation or “Pulong-Pulong� akin to a town hall meeting will feature five Fil-Ams as role models who will talk about their experiences and challenges before they were able to reach their pinnacle of success in their respective businesses and companies. This will highlight the 2019 Travel Trade & Consumer Expo to be held on Aug. 3-4 sponsored by the Asian Journal. The following are the schedules and resource speakers that will highlight the event on August 3 (Saturday afternoon) while the exhibits are on display: 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Presentation and (Pulong-Pulong) Town Hall meeting with Fil-Am role models actively involved in U.S. trade according to their respective expertise, active roles, and product lines. Their individual documented achievements will be the storyline subjects for this segment of the B2B session and how their roles interplay with Trade on Logistics, Compliance, Product Sourcing, Management, and Marketing in the U.S. Recognition and admiration of the continuing struggles and determinations of Pangasinan Provincial local manufacturers will be highlighted as their saga continues to be watched by World Trade Entities. The five featured speakers are Dennis Alvarez, CEO of I.C. Green Corporation based in Ha-
Part 2 of 2
Victor Sy, cPA, MBA
Should I invest in individual stocks or mutual funds? Unless you are a seasoned veteran, it’s better to invest in pooled funds than individual stocks. There’s danger in picking stocks in your first years because stock prices rise and dive and create tension that you should avoid. Trading stocks should be fun, exciting. Pooled funds can be either mutual funds or exchange traded funds. • Mutual funds invest in a pool of stocks for a pool of investors. These are actively managed funds that employ fund managers who are in charge of making investment decisions. As an investor, you’ll typically pay a notable fee in exchange for that professional, hands-on guidance. • Exchange traded funds track indexes such as the S&P 500. They are passively managed. Their fees tend to be considerably lower. What are the benefits and dangers of investing in the stocks? First, the danger: volatility – the mood swings of rise and fall of
waiian Gardens; Racky Doctor, CEO of Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation whose plant is based in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan; Demy Manibog, President of Philippine Foodtrade Corporation based in the City of Commerce; Lydia Banez, Controller of Laube Technology Inc. located in Camarillo; and Rosie Molina, Import Coordinator (Office & Warehouse manager) of L.A. Triumph doing business as Medgear with headquarters in Cerritos. 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Protocol – Full coverage on “ Door to Door Logistics and Compliance.
“ Staff specialists of E. C. Ferrer CHB, Inc. (U.S.) and associate partner SKYLINK, International Inc. (Manila, Philippines); New MSC (Minimum Security Criteria) C-TPAT; ISF (Import Security Filing); Cargo Consolidation; Rail and Truck Inland Deliveries ; Warehousing & Distribution; Letters of Credit; AES (Automated Export System). 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: World Impact - Section 232 (Steel & Aluminum Products) & Section 301, Section 321 – entry type 86 – low valued merchandise; ECommerce; Customs Surety
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stock prices. The market can be up one day, down the next, and then back up again. Next, consider the benefits: the market has historically spent more time up than down, and those who are in it for the long haul tend to come out ahead. In other words, investors who stuck with stocks made more money, actually much more, than those who left or stayed with bank savings accounts. So, what should I do when the stock market plummets, besides being scared? Don’t react when the stock market takes a tumble. Remember that you don’t actually suffer a loss until you actually sell. In the meantime, it’s just a paper loss. Sit tight and wait for the value of your stocks to come back up. Remember too that a losing trade is part of stock trading. You can mitigate losses of you diversify. What is diversification? Invest in several stocks, in various market segments (say, energy, biotech, and retail). You can do this by buying ETFs. Should you buy penny stocks if you don’t have enough funds?
Penny stocks (priced below $5) seem appealing when you don’t have enough funds but they are risky. They’re hard to research. You may want to read our separate article on penny stocks. The Bottom Line On Stock Investing: I recommend it. You should try investing in stocks. It’s rewarding if you know what you are doing. Follow our tax and stocks tips at www.asianjournal.com to get you going. Good luck. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.� Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com. (Advertising Supplement)
The better part of the day
The Prophetic Voice Ribbon cutting for the 2018 Travel, Trade and Consumer Roadshow, which will return again this August 3 and 4 at the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, California. AJPress photo
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reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS I’M merely in my third week of serving as pastor of Incarnation Church, and I love it. The people are warm, and the neighborhood is serene. I know that as time goes by, I will be busy with many ministerial and administrative duties. But I like to take my time now, slowly getting into the flow of pastoral work. And I try to maintain my peace by keeping a good prayer life. I realize that my work as a pastor and preacher has to be grounded in prayer all the time. As I grow older in the ministry,
I realize the importance of having a quiet and personal time with God. So I’m making a habit of waking up early to say my morning prayer and do my spiritual reading and meditation after having a cup of coffee. In the silence of the morning, I like coming to a deep sense of the presence of God. But I could only wake up feeling good in the early morning if I don’t go to bed late. So I make sure that I have seven to eight hours of sleep. In this way, I won’t find it challenging to enter into prayer. The Gospel this coming Sunday is about choosing this better part, which Jesus wants us to keep always. When Martha complained to Jesus why Mary was not helping her in the kitchen to prepare
meals for Jesus and his disciples, Jesus responded, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.� For Jesus, the priority is attentiveness to his presence before anything else. Not that he wants us to be irresponsible and lazy, but because he wants everything that we do to be rooted in prayer so that our worries would ebb away. He wants us to contemplate his presence and rest in it before fulfilling any work. In this way, we become more serene and focused on essential things that matter most in life. Furthermore, we become more attentive and loving to the people around
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C JULY 20-23, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL Debt Relief
Atty. LAwRence yAng THE client is 60, while his wife is 58. He issued his check to pay rent of $1,200 but the check was dishonored for insufficient funds. The landlord called him to tell him that his rent check bounced. The client was surprised that his check bounced because he had at least $5,000 in the checking account. He went to the bank and asked why his check bounced when he still had $5,000 in the account. The teller informed him that there was no money in his account because the bank received a notice of levy from his judgment creditor for $11,000 and so the sheriff took all the money in his bank account. The client explains that he had consolidated his credit card loans of about $30,000 through a business providing that service, which he had been paying in monthly installments. He was surprised to find out that his account was levied and all his money taken. He said he only owed the creditor $3,000 so how come the judgment is $11,000? Well, if you add interest and attorney fees and some time, the $3,000 of debt can become $11,000 of judgment. It’s not unusual.
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth URSUA ReyeS ONE traditional way of obtaining permanent residency for most immigrants is through a petition by a US citizen spouse. As a spouse of a US Citizen, an alien is considered an immediate relative and entitled to immediately apply for a green card inside the United States. This is usually done by simultaneously filing an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and an I-485 Application to adjust status. However in order to do this, the alien spouse must have been inspected when the alien entered the United States or if not inspected must be grandfathered by section 245(i) of the immigration and nationality act. Being inspected means that the alien entered using a valid visa, paroled inside the United States, entered
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Client with bank account levy seeks Chapter 7 relief Can he get his $5,000 that was levied back? Yes, he can, how? By filing a claim for exemption in the court that issued the judgment and levy, on the ground that the funds taken are necessary for his basic necessities. He must also attach a declaration and financial statement showing his gross and net income for the household vs. monthly living expenses and conclude that the funds taken are required for his basic necessities. He must file the claim in with the supporting documents, get a hearing date and time form the clerk of court, then serve the claim of exemption on the creditor and file in the proof of service to the creditor. The creditor is given the opportunity to object to the claim of exemption and appear at the hearing. The hearing will be set at least 30 days after the claim of exemption is filed but the claim of exemption and all supporting documents must be filed within 10 days of the levy date. If the judge agrees with the client, the judge will issue an order to have the $5,000 returned to the client. The client has also decided to file for Chapter 7 relief as he and wife still owe about $25,000 of credit card debt and he wants all of those discharged once and for all to avoid another levy or
wage garnishment situation. If the judge denies the claim of exemption, then the client has lost the $5,000 for good. He doesn’t feel good losing the $5,000 because he only owed $3,000 and says it is unjust that he now owes $11,000 for a $3,000 debt. Can he keep the $5,000 in Chapter 7 if the judge orders the refund? Yes. He can keep the $5K because in his case, he can exempt the entire 5K under 703.140(b)(5) of the California Code of Civil Procedure. So, with Chapter 7, he and his wife get a fresh start in life without the burden of any debt while keeping all their assets, all their retirement accounts, all their cards, and all their cash. No worries anymore and they don’t have to keep paying installments on a consolidation through a business service that probably keeps the money in their pocket. That’s why the client’s bank account was levied despite the consolidation because who knows where the installment payments are going. It’s not like a Chapter 13 where the court-appointed trustee distributes the plan payments to all creditors and there is a court order that prohibits further collection efforts against the debtor while the Chapter 13 is still in ef-
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Permanent residency through marriage to US citizen spouse using the visa waiver program. The alien is grandfathered by section 245(i) if a family petition or a labor certification has been filed for the benefit of that alien prior to April 30, 2001. If the alien was not inspected nor grandfathered under section 245(i), such as if the alien crossed the border illegally, the alien cannot obtain his or her green card inside the United States. Then it becomes a catch 22 situation because if the alien spouse leave the US, the alien spouse becomes subject to the 3/10 year unlawful presence bar. The alien spouse may apply for a provisional waiver of the 3/10 year bar inside the US which will give the alien spouse some assurance that he or she may be able to come back the US if he or she interviews at the US embassy overseas for the immigrant visa. Along with the application and petition, the alien is also required
to take a medical examination by a physician designated by the USCIS. The result of that physical examination is reported in a USCIS form and sealed in an envelope submitted with the Petition and Adjustment Application. The alien spouse may also apply for a work authorization card with the Petition and Adjustment application. The work authorization card will allow the alien spouse to work legally in the United States, obtain a social security card, and a driver’s license while that person is waiting for his or her green card interview. Work Authorization card are usually issued in about1 to 2 months from filing the application. The green card interview is usually set in about 5 to 6 months from the time the petition and application is filed. The green card interview is the most important
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Tapat Sa Batas Atty. RheA SAmSon ANG green card na tinatawag din na permanent resident card ang patunay na ang isang indibidwal ay may lawful permanent resident (LPR) status sa US. Subalit ang LPR status ay hindi talagang permanente sapagkat maaaring magkaroon ng determinasyon na ang LPR ay nag-abandona na ng kanyang LPR status sa US. Ang abandonment ay maaaring maging isyu kapag ang LPR ay bumabalik ng US pakatapos ng mahabang biyahe sa labas ng US. Ang LPR na pumapasok sa US pagkatapos ng matagal na panahon na pagkawala sa US ay maaaring matanong ng Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) tungkol sa kanyang matagal na pagkawala at ang CBP ay maaaring magkaroon ng determinsayon na ang LPR ay nag-abandona na ng kanyang LPR status. Ang mga tanong ukol sa abandonment ng LPR status ay kadalasang lumilitaw kung ang LPR ay nasa tuloy-tuloy na nasa labas ng US ng mahigit na isang taon. Ang LPR na nagbabalak na lumagi sa labas ng US ng mahigit sa isang taon ay kailangang magapply ng re-entry permit sapagkat hindi siya makakapasok ng US sa pamamagitan lang ng green card. Maraming LPR ang naniniwala na kapag sila ay may re-entry permit, ito ay garantiya na sila ay hindi na matatanong tungkol sa abandonment of residence kung sila ay nasa labas ng US ng mahigit na isang taon. Ngunit mali ang paniniwalang ito. Ang prinsipyo o pamantayan para madetermina ang isyu ng abandonment ay kung ang LPR ay may objective intention na bumalik ng US pagkatapos ng maikling biyahe. Ang mga sumusunod ay maaaring maging batayan nito: (1) family ties – ang LPR ba ay may family ties sa US? O ang pamilya ba ng LPR ay nasa labas ng US at wala silang intension na tumira sa US? (2) trabaho – ang LPR ba ay may trabaho sa US na maaari niyang balikan? O ang trabaho ba ng LPR ay nasa labas ng US? (3) tax returns – ang LPR ay nag-file ng tax returns bilang US resident? (4) club memberships at iba pang community ties – ang LPR ba ay may mga kaugnayan sa ibang club o organisasyon sa US? (5) mga ariarian – ang LPR ba ay may-ari o umuupa ng mga ari-arian sa US?
Abandonment of green card O ang mga pag-aari ba ng LPR ay nasa labas ng US? Ang LPR na gustong manatili sa labas ng US ng isang taon ay kailangang magpakita na hindi pa siya nag-abandona ng kanyang LPR status sa pamamagitan ng paggawa ng ng mga sumusunod: (1) kailangang magbayad siya ng buwis bilang resident alien; (2) kailangang may mga pag-aari siya sa US o umuupa ng ari-arian sa US; kailangan ding bayaran niya ang mga utility bills ng mga ari-ariang ito; (3) kailangang mayroon siyang US credit cards at ginagamit niya ang mga ito; (4) kailangang mayroon siyang US bank accounts at ginagamit niya ang mga ito; (5) kailangang may babalikan siyang trabaho sa US; (6) kung ang trabaho niya ay sa labas ng US, kailangang ipakita niya na ang trabahong ito ay pansamantala lamang. Sa isang kasong napagdesisyonan ng Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), sinabi ng BIA na kung ang LPR ay lumabas ng US upang maiwasan ang military service o military training sa panahon ng giyera o sa panahon na may national emergency, ang LPR ay masasabing nag-abandona na ng kanyang LPR status. *** A green card which is also called the permanent resident card is proof that an individual has lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in the US. However, LPR status is not necessarily permanent as there can be findings that an LPR has abandoned his LPR status by failing to maintain permanent residence in the US. Abandonment may arise as an issue when re-entering the US after a long trip abroad. An LPR who attempts to reenter the US with his green card after prolonged absences may find that Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) believes that he has abandoned his residence. Questions regarding the abandonment of LPR status usually arise when the LPR is abroad for at least one year continuously. An LPR who plans to be outside the US for more than one year may apply for a re-entry permit as he will not be able to enter the US with the green card alone. Many LPRs believe that having a re-entry permit is a guarantee against a finding of abandonment but this is not the case. The guiding principle or standard in abandonment is whether or not the LPR had an objective intention to return to the US after a relatively short trip
abroad, fixed by some early event. Factors to consider include the following: (1) family ties – does the LPR have family ties in the US with whom he is in regular contact or are his close family members in another country with no plans to move to the US? (2) job – does the LPR have a job in the US which he can return to or is he working outside the US? (3) tax returns – is the LPR filing taxes as a US resident? (4) club memberships and other community ties – is the LPR actively connected to clubs or other organizations in the US? (5) property – does the LPR own or rent property in the US or does the LPR own or rent property in another country? An LPR who wants to spend time outside the US may show that he has not abandoned his status as LPR by doing and retaining relevant documentation on the following: (1) he must pay US taxes as a resident alien; (2) he must own or rent property in the US and pay utility bills and other bills for that property; (3) he must have and use US credit cards; (4) he must have an use US bank accounts; (4) he must maintain close ties with family members in the US; (5) he must maintain employment in the US; (6) if working abroad, he must be able to document that the work abroad is temporary. In a case decided by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the BIA held that if an LPR departs for the purpose of evading military service or training in times of war or a period declared by the President to be a national emergency, he is considered to have abandoned his LPR status. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others. Please visit our office: LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Call or text us: (213) 381.5710 Email us: attorneys@lindainsamsonlaw. com. (Advertising Supplement)
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 20-23, 2019
Is going through security checks compensable work time? CHELSEA Hamilton and Alyssa Hernandez worked for WalMart at its Fulfillment Center in Chino, California for several years. These employees sued their employer in a class action for, among other things, unpaid overtime and minimum wages. The employees claimed that Wal-Mart required employees to go through mandatory offthe-clock security checks during each meal period and at the end of the shift without being paid for the time spent walking to the security checkpoint after clocking out and time spent waiting in line and passing through security. Wal-Mart’s policy of requiring employees to go through security checks when leaving the facility, including during meal breaks, cut into the legally required thirty-minute meal period, making it too short. Employees claimed that Wal-Mart’s security checkpoint policy discouraged employees from leaving the premises during meal periods to a degree that violates California meal period law. Therefore, the employees claimed that Wal-Mart failed to provide meal periods in compliance with California law. Wal-Mart denied all the employees’ claims and contended that it complied with all applicable laws and paid its employees all wages and other payments that were owed. In the retail industry, employers set up elaborate security measures to minimize thefts. These can include bag checks before employees leave the work
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights ATTY. C. JOE SAYAS, JR. premises. However, the procedure may result in wage losses, as employees are required to undergo security checks on unpaid time. Employees are not able to leave until they are checked. The time spent during the checks could easily add up for employees. Under California law, employees should be paid for all hours worked. “Hours worked” is that time during which an employee is subject to the control of an employer. It includes all the time the employee is suffered or permitted to work, whether or not required to do so. Hence, employees should be paid when required to do the following: preliminary work before they actually start their workday and perform their main job, or b) postliminary work which are tasks performed after their main job is completed, (such as cleaning or maintaining tools or equipment, removing protective gear, sanitizing or disinfecting, or security inspections after the end of their shift) It does not matter if an activity is not part of the employee’s “principal activities.” Employees must be paid for the time they are ‘subject to the control’ of their employer even if they are not working (i.e., not performing their principal ac-
tivity) during that time. This socalled ‘unproductive’ time is still compensable. Prior to trial, the Court entered an Order certifying the case as a class action. The case then went to trial before a federal jury. The jury found in favor of the employees and awarded $6.1 million to them. Employees who spend time under their employer’s control before or after their scheduled shifts should not take their time for granted. Fifteen minutes spent going through security checks at work may not sound like a lot. However, if it occurs regularly over several years, the wages owed to the employee may be significant. Moreover, if it happens to several employees, then the employer has saved on labor costs, by passing the costs to its workers. Workers would be smart to inquire with experienced employment attorneys to determine if additional wages are due to them. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com” www.joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2018.] (Advertising Supplement)
Client with bank account levy seeks... PAGE C2 t
fect. Client with notice of default on house seeks Chapter 13 relief The next client is 52 and doesn’t work. His wife makes about $88,000 a year as a registered nurse. They own a house but the mortgage has not been paid for eight months. The mortgage is $2,500 a month so he owes about $20,000 in arrears. He received by certified a notice of default with a recording date of June 27, 2017, informing him that the bank has decided to commence foreclosure proceedings and that he has 90 days to pay the arrears in full plus all legal fees and penalties otherwise a foreclosure sale date will be set approximately 21 days after the 90 days expires. So the client is worried that he
may lose the house to foreclosure after September 27. Well, I think he should worry more about his wife asking him to explain why the mortgage is eight months past due when she has been giving him her net income of $6,000 a month? That’s a perfectly valid and legitimate question to ask don’t you think so? At any rate, the client now needs to file for Chapter 13 to save his house from foreclosure. Chapter 13 will freeze the default at $20,000 and will allow the client to pay that off in 60 months, that’s about $340 a month. In addition, he has to resume the current mortgage payment a month after the case is filed. The foreclosure process stops immediately upon the filing of the Chapter 13 case. I told him that it may help if he actually got a job to help with the additional expense of the plan
payment for the arrears because wife’s income is good at net $6,000 but the mortgage has not been paid for eight months, so something else must be going on that is draining the funds, right? I mean, we weren’t born yesterday, money doesn’t just disappear, it’s going off somewhere where it’s not supposed to. The math doesn’t add up. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
married for 2 years or more, the alien spouse will recieve a permanent greencard. If the couple has been married for less than 2 years, the alien will receive a conditional green card. The alien spouse will have to file a petition to remove the condition 3 months prior to the expiration of the conditional greencard which is good for 2 years. Obtaining legal status in the United States is a one shot deal. People should seek the assistance of an experienced Attorney to guide them through this important and and once in a lifetime process. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your
matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail “mailto:kenneth@kenreyeslaw. com” kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Permanent residency through marriage...
PAGE C2 t
step in the process. It is through this process that the USCIS officer usually determines whether the marriage, which forms the basis of the Petition, was entered in good faith. The adjudicating officer usually asks detailed questions about the marriage relationship between the US Citizen spouse and alien spouse. If the couple do not have children, the marriage are usually subject to closer scrutiny. Along with this inquiry process, the USCIS would usually request for certain documents that proves a bonafide marriage. Some of these documents may be in the form of pictures, joint utility bills, health insurance documents, and many more. If everything goes well, the USCIS officer will approve the case and a green card will be mailed to the alien’ address within a reasonable time period. If the couple has been
People and Events National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) to host 13th National Empowerment Conference in Los Angeles
WASHINGTON, DC — From August 15-17, 2019, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) will convene its 13th National Empowerment Conference (NEC) in Carson, California. The theme of this
year’s NEC is “Make It Count: Transforming Mindsets for 2020 and Beyond,” which reflects NaFFAA’s commitment to raising awareness around key issues affecting the community, laying out a clear plan of action around
the 2020 Census and Presidential election, and building a unified vision of Filipino American empowerment. The three-day national convention will bring together a di-
u PAGE C4
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Removing the conditions of your permanent residence without your petitioning spouse’s participation A PERSON who obtains his/ her green card via marriage to a US citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional permanent resident has a green card that is valid for 2 years. In order to continue to have permanent resident status after 2 years, the conditional permanent resident and his/her US citizen spouse must file an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence during the 90 days before the expiration of the green card. 8 CFR 216.4(a)(1) But what if things don’t work out with the US citizen spouse after getting married, and the conditional permanent resident can no longer get the participation of his/her US citizen spouse in filing the I-751 petition? In such a case, the conditional permanent resident may seek an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement. In order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage upon which his/her status was based was: 1) entered into in good faith, and 2) terminated. 8 CFR 216.5(a)(1)(ii) With respect to the required showing that the marriage was entered into in good faith, the conditional permanent resident
Legal Advice ATTY. DARRICK TAN must show that his/her marriage was not a “sham.” A marriage is considered a “sham” if, when they married, the couple did not intend to establish a life together. An intent to obtain something other than or in addition to love and companionship (such as a green card) from that life does not make a marriage a sham. Matter of Soltan, A76 888 125 (BIA 2001). Documents such as joint bank and credit card statements, and photos that demonstrate that the marriage was entered in good faith should be presented. Also, in order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage was terminated. By “terminated,” the USCIS requires a valid, formal divorce judgment. An I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement cannot be approved in cases where the conditional permanent resident is legally separated or in divorce proceedings that are still pending. Also, once the marriage is terminated, the conditional resident may file
the I-751 petition immediately, and does not have to wait until the normal 90 days before the expiration of the conditional green card. It is worth noting that if the conditional permanent resident and his/her US Citizen spouse live in California, a valid divorce judgment must be obtained in the California courts. I have had numerous California-resident clients in the past who have obtained a “quick” divorce judgment in Nevada only to face USCIS scrutiny after presenting the Nevada divorce judgment in support of an I-751 waiver request (since one must be a Nevada resident to obtain a divorce in Nevada). The assistance of an experienced attorney in handling the divorce as well as the I-751 waiver request is accordingly recommended. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
The better part of the day
PAGE C1 t
us and less impatient. The Lord is inviting us all to this intimate relationship with him. In a busy world of business and domestic life, he wants us to stay close to him so that our lives and work would become more peaceful, joyful, and fulfilling. Let this prayer of Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI become our prayer: God of stillness and of quiet… Still the restlessness of my youth—still that hunger that would have me be everywhere, that hunger to be connected to everyone, that wants to see and taste all that is, that robs me of peace on a Friday night. Quiet those grandiose dreams that want me to stand out, to be special. Give me the grace
to live more contentedly inside my own skin. Still the fever I inhale from all the energy that surrounds me, that makes my life feel small. Let me know that my own life is enough, that I need not make an assertion of myself, even as the whole world beckons this of me from a million electronic screens. Give me the grace to sit at peace inside my own life. Still my anxiety, my heartaches, my worries and stop me from always being outside the present moment. Let each day’s worries be sufficient unto themselves. Still my unrelenting need to be busy all the time, to occupy myself, to be always planning for tomorrow, to fill every minute with
some activity, to see distraction rather than quiet. Still my heart so that I may know that you are God, that I may know that you create and sustain my every breath, that you breath the whole universe into existence every second, that everyone, myself no less than everyone else, is your beloved, that you want our lives to flourish, that you desire our happiness, that nothing falls outside your love and care, and that everything and everybody is safe in your gentle, caring hands, in this world and the next. (Source: Angelus, In Exile) *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
C4 JULY 20-23, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Calendar of Events across
America
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS J U LY 2 0 -2 1
International San Beda alumni grand reunion in Las Vegas The 3rd International San Beda Alumni Grand Reunion will take place on July 20 to 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bedan alumni from all over the world are invited to join the celebration. The highlight of the weekend affair is the Gala Night on July 20 at the Nevada Ballroom of Harrah’s Hotel & Casino. Other activities include welcome socials at The Piano Bar of Harrah’s, a golf tournament at Bali Hai Golf Club, tour of the Hoover Dam, lunch at the D’Pinoy Joint and mass at the Guardian Angel Cathedral. Organized by the San Beda Alumni Association of Southern California, this grand reunion will bring together Bedan alumni from different cities in the United States and other countries, including Manila, to reconnect with fellow Bedans and renew ties with their alma mater, San Beda University. This international grand reunion is made possible by Duty Free Philippines, Jun Castillo, and the GS ’72 & HS ’76 Batch of San Beda University. For inquiries and reservations, interested parties may call Philip Policarpio at (818) 536-9898 or Rey Castillo at (714) 749-2971.
J U LY 2 0 -AU G U ST 1 0
Tagalog classes in Los Angeles This Filipino Language & Culture Pilot class is hosted by Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and is organized by the Filipino Language Movement led by Ms. Ivy Daulo. This is the only community-based Filipino language & culture ADULT program in the City of Los Angeles in collaboration with the Filipino Language Movement. This is a 5-session program that starts July 13 to August 10, 2019. (*Schedule is subject to change based on the number of enrollees). Come and bring your entire family and learn Tagalog together! Student benefits include certificate of completion, handouts / workbook provided, learn with other peers (adults and youth are not mixed); family learning opportunity; taught by university Filipino language instructor and lifetime member of Council for Teaching Filipino; practical language learning tips & application each week Limited slots! Hurry and register now! Prices are for all 5 sessions: Individual Adult: $150 each for 5 sessions; bring a [artner: $250 for 5 sessions ($125 each adult); parent + child: $200 for 5 sessions ($150/parent + $50/child). We urge everyone to do the whole program so you can learn more but if it’s not possible to attend all 5 Saturdays, you can choose the dates you want to join us. $30 / session for adults or $10 / session for children. Payment methods: Cash, Check (payable to: SIPA), Venmo (SIPALA) and Credit/Debit Cards are accepted. Send check payments to: SIPA at 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026. Please register by emailing Fidji Victoriano (fidji@sipacares.org) if paying outside of Eventbrite. SIPA is located 3200 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026. Limited free parking on surface lots along Robinson St. and Dillon St. Street parking is also available around the area. Please see posted signs for details.
J U LY 2 0
The Ibaan Association USA-Canada gala dinner in LA The Ibaan Association USA-Canada will hold its 32nd Annual Gala Dinner & Dance July 20, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City - Ballroom A at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, California 91608. For reservations call Monica Benitez at (323) 697-3731 / email: monica_benitez03@yahoo.com or Irene May Villafranca at (323) 4232299 /email: imay02@yahoo.com. Tickets are $85 for Adults and $40 for Children (3 to 10 years old). Please make checks payable to: Ibaan Association USA-Canada and mail to: Merly Pagunsan at 5025 Heintz St. Baldwin Park, CA 91706. For sponsorship information on our 2019 Souvenir Program please contact President Noli Reyes at homesbynoli@gmail.com or call (818) 458-7888. Please RSVP by April 12, 2019.
J U LY 2 1
FACRC’s Pentecost Celebration in Granada Hills, CA The Filipino American Charismatic Renewal Community (FACRC) will have its pentecost celebration on Sunday, July 21 at St. John Baptiste De La Salle Church in Granada Hills, CA. With the theme “Holy Spirit, Set Our Hearts On Fire,” there will be a mass with Auxiliary Bishop Alex Aclan beginning at 1:30 p.m., followed by a speech by keynote speaker Fr. Ramon Valera and healing led by Bro. Robert Canton. The program will last until 7 p.m. Registration is $10 per person. St. John Baptiste De La Salle Church is located at 10738 Hayvenhurst Avenue, Granada Hills, CA 91344. For more information, please contact Ging Mangaliman at (213) 453- 2595 or May Mallari at (323) 401-0886.
Free eye screening in Las Vegas The Las Vegas China Town Lions Club is offering free eye screenings to the public on Sunday, July 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It will be held at the Chinatown Mall at 4255 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas, NV 89102. Please contact Grace Tam if you have questions at (702) 338-9969.
J U LY 24 -28
40th annual Philippine Nurses Association of America National Convention in Atlanta, GA The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) will have its 40th annual national convention from July 24 to 28 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, GA, hosted by the PNA-GA chapter. More information and details TBA. To learn about the PNA-GA, please visit: https://pnaga.wildapricot.org/.
J U LY 24
Panel Discussion: Breaking Through Global Success is hosted by the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA). On Wednesday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m. esteemed guests will speak about eCommerce, Logistics and the Supply Chain. Attendees will benefit from networking, making elevator pitches and a Q and A with the speakers. Register online at www.faccgla.org. Early Bird tickets purchased by July 19 are $25 for members (regularly $30) and $35 for future members (regularly $40). Venue is Public School 818 Restaurant and Bar at 15300 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA. Please, no cash at the door, kindly register online.
AU G U ST 1 - 9
University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International Convention & Alaskan Cruise The University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International, Inc. (UPNAAI) will have its 40th convention on a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. The theme will be “In the New Millennium - UPNAAI at 40: Evolving and Emerging Nursing Roles.” On Aug. 1. it will be UPNAAI Volunteers Service Day in Seattle, then 2-9 will be a cruise from Seattle, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes, Victoria, and back to Seattle. Convention Fee $100 for Alumni in addition to cruise pricing. No convention charge for friends and family members. Contact Hours will be provided for the educational conference. For more information/to register and view cruise rates, please visit https://www.upnaai.com/.
AU G U ST 2
Masskara Festival in Long Beach, CA The Long Beach Bacolod Association (LBBA) will be having its second annual Masskara Festival event in Long Beach, CA at the Long Beach Marriott Hotel on Friday, August 2 located at 4700 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach from 6 p.m. to midnight. As a sister city organization, dignitaries from both Bacolod, Philippines and Long Beach will be in attendance. The dinner ball will also feature live entertainment and Masskara dancing. For tickets please call Malou Mariano at (562) 335-2587.
AU G U ST 3 - 4
Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo in Carson, CA The second annual Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo is back on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 at the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, CA. The two-day event is Southern California’s largest B2B expo showcasing tourism, trade, and investment opportunities in the USA and Philippines. It will feature networking opportunities for business-to-business, business-to-government, and business-to-consumer. The event is powered by the Asian Journal and Balikbayan Magazine. For more information, please visit https://traveltradeconsumer.com/.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
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All roads lead to SouthBay Pavillion... PAGE C1 t
Bonds; Entry Processing Protocols; CBP Linkage with Partnered Government Agencies ( Food and Drug, United States Department of Agriculture, Environment Protection Agency, Fish & Wildlife Agency , and others); Foreign Trade Zones ; Customs Form 28 & 29; HTSClassification & Binding rulings; Anti-Dumping & Countervailing duties; Foreign Trade Agreements; Marine Insurance; Power of Attorneys; Food and Drug’s new evaluation audit criteria on entry filers. Import & Export Specialists of E. C. Ferrer Custom House Brokerage will be on hand simultaneously at the Expo site to assist attendees and answer any inquiries on related customs compliance issues and logistics and trade business matters during the course of the event. The participation of these well-established companies is an offshoot of the successful staging of the first Trade Expo in 2018 whereby producers from both Pangasinan province and the U.S. had also exhibited their goods and products. Providing strong support is Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA which coordinated early on with Pangasinan top officials in a livelihood and fact-finding tour in Pangasinan province on Sept. 21, 2013 — to bring their products into the United States. This resulted in the participation of producers and manufacturers from Pangasinan in the first Trade and Diversity Expo in Artesia on Oct. 4, 2014 sponsored by the City of Artesia in cooperation with PB-USA, FilipinoAmerican Chamber of Commerce of Southeast Corridor as well as other ethnic Chamber of Commerce around Los Angeles. Then Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. and Vice Gov. Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. and several Pangasinan town and city mayors had also witnessed firsthand this Diversity, Trade Expo and Street Festival. Philippine Foodtrade Corporation is a distributor of popular Tropics brands of food and beverages like coconut juice, vinegar marinated bangus (milkfish), longanisa, noodles, soy sauce, tocino and many more. Laube Technology, Inc. is a distributor of steel mill products, screwed machine parts, ceramic
Sample of booths highlighting Philippine-made products at the Travel, Trade & Consumer Roadshow.
Eddie Ferrer of E.C. Ferrer Custom House Brokerage gives a talk about import and export opportunities.
chips, keyboard assemblies, customized metal parts, magnet sensors and electric components. L.A. Triumph, Inc. manufactures and markets medical and hospital uniforms, finished products from fabrics, men and boys work clothes and other apparel. Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation with marketing office in Buena Park is behind healthy snacks, such as RIMO Curls, RIMO Blend, Micronutrient Growth Mix, Brown Rice Bar, Iron-fortified rice and rice kernel. These products were developed to address the malnutrition problem among Filipino children, especially those below five years old. With their products sold out during the first Trade Expo last year, Nutridense
is coming back as an exhibitor. The I.C. Green Corporation manufactures and markets engine revitalizer, motor oil enhancer and fuel efficiency products using I.C. green motor oil, bio-fuel booster. These are but a few manufacturers and producers which will make their presence felt in this second annual TTC. The Sunday, Aug 4 schedule will cover topics such as Branding, Marketing, and Networking. Details to be announced soon. For inquiries, interested parties may contact Eddie C. Ferrer or Jackie M. Ferrer at (562) 4226492 or (562) 841-5381 or the Asian Journal at (818) 502-0651 or visit www.traveltradeconsumer.com. (With reports by Dan E. Nino) ■
National Federation of Filipino American... PAGE C3 t
verse array of Filipino and Filipino American leaders from across the public, private, and nonprofit sector for panels, workshops and receptions promoting community engagement, knowledgesharing, and bayanihan—or unity and cooperation. Speakers and presenters will include Hon. Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, Philippine Consul General for Los Angeles; Mayor Albert Robles, Carson; Commissioner Jessica Caloza, Los Angeles Board of Public Works; and Anna Marie Cruz, Business Development Office for CDC Small Business Finance. “NaFFAA is driven by the tireless energy and boundless efforts of our network of community advocates and leaders,” says Brendan Flores, NaFFAA’s National Chairman. “By holding
our NEC in Los Angeles, we have a unique opportunity to leverage the knowledge and power of community leaders, thinkers, and decision makers in a region where a large number of Filipinos and Filipino Americans reside, impacting different industries and all sectors of society.” The 2019 NEC comes just as NaFFAA announces the appointment of Carissa Villacorta as its new Executive Director, concluding an extensive search that yielded a diverse field of candidates from coast to coast. Villacorta is an Author, Community Builder and Public Relations Professional who has created positive change through active listening and authentic storytelling for her clients in philanthropy, entrepreneurship, advocacy and technology. Villacorta began her immigrant’s journey at
the Philippine Consulate General of New York, where she helped organize diplomatic receptions, community gatherings and other projects that promoted the talent of the Filipino. She will succeed Jason Tengco, who stepped down in April after two years leading NaFFAA. “I’m elated that NaFFAA’s Board of Governors has invited me to join them in their tireless work advocating for their rights, progress and well-being of four million Filipinos in America. I’ve admired NaFFAA’s leadership over the years and am grateful to have been invited to continue serving the Filipino American community in this role.” Villacorta will be introduced to the members and supporters of NaFFAA at the upcoming NEC. For the full program of speakers, panelists and special. ■
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 20-23, 2019
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C JULY 20-23, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 20-23, 2019
MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM
&
August 2019 priority dates
Immigration Corner
The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date
FAMILY CATEGORY:
ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ
August 22, 2008
February 22, 2008
(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder
June 1, 2019
Current
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
November 1, 2008
April 1, 2008
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
April 1, 1998
October 1, 1997
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
November 1, 1998
May 1, 1998
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)
Current
January 1, 2017
First Preference
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning in October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance or Final Action Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card.
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
Visa Issuance Date
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
Current
July 1, 2016
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
Current
July 1, 2016
*** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice
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Rosier picture from economic team: Lower inflation, stronger peso in 2019 by BEN
O. DE VERA Inquirer.net
ment’s decisive steps to stabilize the general price level.” Among these decisive steps, THE Duterte economic team she said, was the full implecontinues to paint a rosy picture mentation of President Rodrigo of the future, seeing lower infla- Duterte’s orders last year to tion this year hovering just be- increase food supply and pass a law removing volume restrictween 2.7 to 3.5 percent. Inflation projection for 2019 tions in rice importation “which had been at a higher range of 3 opened up the rice sector and to 4 percent but the Development helped bring rice prices down.” She said in 2020 until the last Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) said at a press confer- year of the Duterte administraence that the government now tion in 2022, inflation was likely expects a lower rate of increase to hover between 2 to 4 percent in prices of basic goods in 2019. per year. As a result, the DBCC also exJanet B. Abuel, acting budget secretary and chair of the DBCC, pected a stronger peso in 2019 said it was “due to the govern- which would keep the peso-dol-
lar rate to 51 to 53 per dollar from 52 to 55 per dollar previously. Abuel said the economic team had projected a “possible appreciation of the peso with easing inflation pressures and positive market sentiment” following a credit rating upgrade of the Philippines, referring to the BBB plus rating given the country by debt watcher S&P Global Ratings last April. It was two notches higher than minimum investment grade. Credit ratings are a measure of a government’s creditworthiness. As the stability of state fiPAGE D2
ADB’s outlook on Philippine economy glooms, cuts 2019 growth forecast to 6.2%
regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
Business Quote of the Week “Don’t take too much advice. Most people who have a lot of advice to give with a few exceptions generalize whatever they did. Don’t over-analyze everything. I myself have been guilty of over-thinking problems. Just build things and find out if they work.”
— Ben Silbermann, Founder of Pinterest
In a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook report, the Manila-based multilateral lender cut its growth estimate for the Philippines for this year to 6.2 percent from 6.4 percent previously. Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos
weighed on the economy in the first quarter. In a supplement to its Asian THE Asian Development Development Outlook report, the Bank (ADB) on Thursday, July Manila-based multilateral lender 18, slashed its 2019 economic cut its growth estimate for the growth projection for the Phil- Philippines for this year to 6.2 ippines amid developments that percent from 6.4 percent previby IAN
NICOLAS CIGARAL Philstar.com
ously. If realized, ADB’s projection would match the 6.2 percent actual growth rate registered in 2018, and would settle within the government’s downwardly revised 6 percent-7 percent annual PAGE D2
D JULY 20-23, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Economic team to closely study new Ease of doing biz law’s IRR signed federalism drafts — Dominguez by anna leah
e. gonzales ManilaTimes.net
by Ian
nIcolas cIgaral
THREE government agencies signed on Wednesday, July 17, the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Efficient Government Services Delivery Act of 2018, which is expected to help considerable improve the country’s business climate. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Alicia dela Rosa-Bala and Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director Jeremiah Belgica signed the IRR, which the latter said would be published today and take effect 15 days afterward. “The IRR was meant to supply
Inquirer.net
FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Tuesday, July 16, the economic managers would closely examine new drafts of the proposed federal charter, adding that economic discussions on the possible shift in the form of government have been inadequate so far. President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly said the Philippines must overhaul the 1987 Constitution and switch to a federal system of government to close the country’s widening wealth gap and empower regional governments. In an interview with Cignal TV’s ONE News, Dominguez said the previous draft crafted by members of a consultative committee did not answer key economic issues. The charter reviewers, whom Duterte appointed, proposed that federated regions be given a share of not less than 50 percent of all national taxes. “You know that draft is little over a hundred pages and there were three pages on the economics — cannot be,” Dominguez said of Con-Com’s draft charter. “The business sector, the banking sector — basically the Filipino people — have to know a little more about how this new charter is going to affect them and their way of doing business,” he added. “So we said this particular draft was not adequate to the task. So, essentially, if there is a new draft we will certainly take a good and close look at it.” ‘Don’t rush into federalism’ Dominguez earlier warned against rushing into the planned shift to federalism, saying ConCom’s draft had “ambiguous and
years in prison, a fine of between P500,000 and P2 billion, and termination of retirement benefits on the second. The law amended RA 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007. Applicants may file complaints through text messaging and even their social media accounts, according to Belgica. “One salient point that we have included is the recommendation for us to preventively suspend erring government employees. [The] law that created the ARTA did not give us the power to preventively suspend. What we could only do is file cases or assist citizens,” he said. “In partnership with other government bodies, we are now also deputized to investigate and PAGE D3
Review of rice tariff law pushed by Karl
r. ocampo Inquirer.net
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier warned against rushing into the planned shift to federalism, saying Con-Com’s draft has “ambiguous and unclear” provisions on revenue and spending assignment. Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo
unclear” provisions on revenue and spending assignment. International debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service also cautioned that federalism could present downside risks to the country’s institutional and fiscal profile. Last month, Duterte struck a defeatist tone and declared he was now open to the possibility that his proposed shift to a federal government will not gain support. But he urged local officials to at least amend the Constitution “that would change this nation.” “So if we are going to study
a federalism measure by the House, then it should meet those standards that it should be more efficient; it should be clearer; it should cost us less rather than more,” the Finance chief said. “This federalism issue from the point of view of economics has not been discussed enough... You know, that might be a big disincentive for people to come in because, again, the rules are not going to be clear,” he added. “There is nothing fundamentally unviable about it (federalism). But there are unviable versions of it.” n
ADB’s outlook on Philippine economy... PAGE D1 t target for this year. For 2020, ADB kept its forecast at 6.4 percent. Gross domestic product — or the value of all finished goods and services produced in the country — eased to 5.6 percent in the first three months of 2019 after a spat among lawmakers stalled the approval of the new national budget, leaving fresh projects unfunded and crimping
all of the details for the full implementation of the [EoDB]. This will also include the procedure on how the complaints should be made,” Belgica explained. “We cannot do that before without the IRR. The complaining process was not included in the law,” he added. Signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on May 28, 2018, RA 11032 standardizes the processing time for applications and transactions with the government: three working days for simple transactions, seven for complex ones and 20 for those requiring highly technical assessment. The law also imposes hefty penalties on violators: a sixmonth suspension on the first offense; and a maximum of six
state spending. The latest reading was the slowest since 5.1 percent registered in the first quarter of 2015. Growth in exports of goods and services also slowed in the first quarter as a result of lackluster global trade and economic activity, although these effects were partly offset by higher household consumption and private investment, ADB said. “As a consequence of these
developments in Q1, the growth forecast is revised down,” the lender explained. According to ADB, public investment is expected to rebound in the second half of 2019 after the budget bill was signed into law last April. Meanwhile, slowing inflation, low unemployment and steady remittances will continue to support household consumption, it added. n
INDUSTRY stakeholders are appealing to President Duterte to order a review of the rice import liberalization law after palay prices reached its breakeven point, leaving local rice producers without any profit. At the same time, rice prices in the market have remained “almost constant” despite the assurance of economic managers that these would go down by P7 a kilo. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol relayed these concerns on his Facebook page on Wednesday after he engaged in a dialogue with farmers, assuring them that their concerns would be submitted to the President through a formal memorandum.
The rice law, passed barely four months ago, has already resulted in the continuous decline in the buying price of palay. Farmers in some provinces reported that it had plummeted to as low as P12 a kilo or the same as the average cost of producing rice. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the average farm-gate price as of June was P17.85 a kilo—the lowest in almost three years. Piñol said stakeholders also decried the “massive profits enjoyed by rice importers and traders” who bought imported rice at low prices and yet sold them to retailers at jacked-up rates. “The prevailing farm-gates prices showed a steep drop from an average of P20 a kilo of fresh palay earlier this year, which resulted in an estimated P114
billion in losses to Filipino rice farmers for the whole year,” he said. “In contrast, the market prices of rice, expected to drop by P7 a kilo with the rice tariffication law, have remained almost constant with some areas reporting a drop of only P1 to P2 a kilo even with the deluge of imported rice,” he added. Shipment entry records lifted from the Bureau of Customs showed that the landed cost of rice coming from Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand were P18.22, P25.33 and P23.06 a kilo, respectively. However, validation of market prices conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s regional offices showed that the staple was being sold between P32 and P70 PAGE D3
Rosier picture from economic team... PAGE D1 t nances is also related to a country’s performance, credit scores serve as a proxy grade for the economy. Improved ratings would allow the government to demand lower rates when it borrows from lenders, which could translate to lower interests for consumers and businesses borrowing from banks using government-issued debt paper as benchmarks for their loans. The Philippines currently enjoys investment-grade credit ratings from the top three debt
watchers—Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch Ratings and S&P. On growth of gross domestic product (GDP), the DBCC retained these targets—6 to 7 percent in 2019, 6.5 to 7.5 percent in 2020 and 7 to 8 percent in 2021 and 2022. The economy grew 6.2 percent last year—a three-year low, mainly as inflation hit a 10-year high of 5.2 percent due to new or higher excise on consumer goods slapped by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, skyrocketing global oil prices and domestic
food supply bottlenecks, especially of rice. In March, the DBCC downgraded the 2019 GDP growth target from 7-8 percent previously as the government operated using a reenacted 2018 budget at the start of 2019. Duterte signed this year’s P3.7-trillion national budget only on April 15 as the two chambers of Congress squabbled over corruption-laden “pork” funds, leading to government underspending of at least P1 billion per day on public goods and services between January and April. n
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BSP to mint P20 coin – official Palace: Duterte to study business groups’ opposition to Security of Tenure Bill
President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the “Araw ng Pasasalamat” for the overseas Filipino workers at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on July 12, 2019. Presidential photo by Toto Lozano Maniltimes.net file photo by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo
ManilaTimes.net
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will mint a P20 coin to replace the banknote of the same amount in circulation now, according to a senior central bank official. In a recent interview, BSP Senior Assistant Governor Dahlia Luna told reporters that the central bank’s policymaking Monetary Board had approved the coin’s minting. “Hopefully we can release it (P20 coin) in the first quarter of next year, if not the end of this year, because the Monetary Board had already instructed us to make the design,” said Luna, also the head of the BSP Security Plant Complex that is responsible for producing Philippine banknotes and coins.
The decision to mint a P20 coin, she also said, is based on a University of the Philippines study that found the P20 bill is the country’s most widely used banknote, and thus prone to have a shorter lifespan. Compared to the less-than-ayear lifespan of a banknote, a coin can last for as long as 15 years. Asked for further details, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno told reporters that it was “still under deliberations by the Monetary Board.” Coins in circulation now is the New Generation Currency (NGC) Coin Series, made up of the 10-peso, 5-peso, 1-peso, 25cent, 5-cent and 1-cent coins. The series’ design features enhanced the coins’ aesthetics and security, according to the BSP.
“In particular, micro-printed details using laser-engraving technology were included in the two highest denominated coins, the 10-Piso and 5-Piso, which makes it difficult for these coins to be duplicated using traditional coin counterfeiting methods,” it explained. The central bank also said the metallic composition of these NGC coins also discourages the illegal practice of hoarding large quantities of coins for the extraction of their metal content. The coins, which appear as “metallic silver,” are made from durable nickel-plated steel that possess very good wear and corrosion resistance. The change in material addresses concerns on discoloration predominantly observed for copper-based metals. n
dicial or decision in cases,” he added. “The discussions when it comes to quasijudicial agencies, they should be bounded within their own internal rules. We would surmise that if you have internal rules, then follow that.” International treaties are also exempted in the coverage of the EoDB, according to ARTA Deputy Director General Ernesto Perez. “These are [an] active part of the exemptions. We respect in-
roMero Philstar.com
MALACAÑANG on Thursday, July 18, gave assurance that President Rodrigo Duterte would consider the opposition of business groups to the Security of Tenure bill, which aims to protect workers’ rights by removing the ambiguities in laws that prohibit labor-only contracting. “The president is always appreciative and considerate on whatever opposition or concerns raised by any sector in this country relative to any bill passed in Congress and subject to his signature or veto,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing. Under the SOT bill transmitted to the Office of the President, labor-only contracting exists when the job contractor merely supplies, recruits, and places workers to a contractee, workers supplied to a contractee perform tasks that are listed by the industry to be directly related to the ternational treaties [and] agree- core business of the contractee, ments, and we’ve been saying that [the EoDB] is a general law, so that if it is in conflict with a special law, then the special law PAGE D2 t will take effect,” Perez said. He also said an inventory of a kilo nationwide. “The drop in the price of rice the citizens charter would also in the market of P1 to P2 a kilo be conducted by the ARTA. “The specific guidelines on does not even come close to the [the] citizens charter will be financial sacrifices of rice farmtaken up subsequently through ers,” Pedro Lim, a farmer leader a guideline that will be notified from the Caraga region, said. “Palay prices are aground but to all government agencies and rice prices in the market are still the private sector,” he said. n
Ease of doing biz law’s IRR... PAGE D2 t also recommend a preventive suspension, but subject to the discretion of the Commission or Ombudsman,” he added. Belgica said another critical point listed in the IRR is the allinclusive application of the law. “It is pretty much very comprehensive, except for those constitutional bodies [that] are exercising quas judicial functions. When it comes to constitutional commissions, they are not covered as to their quasi ju-
by alexis
and the contractee has direct control and supervision of the workers supplied by the contractor. Senate Labor Committee Chairman Joel Villanueva has said the bill clarifies ambiguities in existing laws that have allowed employers to tiptoe around the ban on labor-only contracting. SOT bill also classifies workers into four types namely regular, probationary, project and seasonal. Once the bill becomes law, project and seasonal workers will have the same rights as regular employees like the payment of minimum wage and social protection benefits for the duration of their employment. The classification aims to curb practices that misclassify employees and prevent them from obtaining regular status, Villanueva said in a recent statement. The measure, however, does not totally ban labor-only contracting. All contractors have to secure a license from the Labor
department to engage in job contracting. Business groups have asked Duterte to veto the SOT bill, saying it would be inconsistent with the businesses’ constitutional right to contract labor as part of management prerogative. They also warned that the bill could prod businesses to remove low-skilled jobs contracted out to service providers by using automation and artificial intelligence, redesigning work processes, or transferring work to more investor-friendly foreign destinations. Banning “endo” or end of contract is one of the campaign promises of Duterte during the 2016 elections. He has issued an executive order implementing labor law provisions against illegal contracting but admitted that a law is needed to ban all forms of contractualization. Last September, the president certified as urgent the bill that seeks to ban labor-only contracting, saying the practice is causing poverty and underemployment in the country. n
Review of rice tariff law pushed the same,” Aldrin Cardenas, a former overseas worker who now heads a farmer-cooperative, added. While the policy ensures an annual subsidy of P10 billion to the rice industry to cushion it from the measure’s adverse effects, former professor at the University of the Philippines Los
Baños Teodoro Mendoza said this would not be enough, noting that the amount was only 2.5 percent of the sector’s P400-billion contribution to the economy. The fund, which was supposed to jump-start modernization programs for the industry this year, has yet to reach the farmers due to bureaucratic bottlenecks. n
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Tan to serve as PAL’s transitional president You too could be a hero for your family: by Richamond
JMJ Wealth Management tells you how
meRcuRio
Philstar.com
PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) chairman Lucio Tan will serve as the company’s president in the meantime, as the airline continues to find someone to take the role permanently. Sources told The STAR that Tan was named as the flag carrier’s transitional president. They said his daughter, Vivienne Tan, who is PAL’s current executive vice president, treasurer, and chief administrative officer, would “assist her father in the day to day management of the airline.” No timetable has been set as to how long the tycoon will remain president. Nonetheless, he is expected to serve as the transitional president “until the next president is named.” PAL has been on the lookout for a new president and chief operating officer following the
Sources told The STAR that Tan was named as the flag carrier’s transitional president. Philstar.com file photo
retirement of Jaime Bautista. PAL’s board of directors last month approved the request for retirement of Bautista as PAL president and COO, effective last June 30. As a result of Bautista’s retire-
ment, Vivienne was appointed as the firm’s officer-in-charge as the airline undergoes a crtitical transition period. Vivienne earlier said “a lot” of big changes are in store for PAL. n
PH on track for 2019 coco oil export target by eiReene JaiRee
Gomez
ManilaTimes.net
WITH the pace of the country’s coconut oil export performance in the first four months of 2019, the Philipines is on track to hit its export target of 970,000 metric tons (MT) for the entire year, the United Coconut Associations of the Philippines Inc. (UCAP) said. At the recent press briefing for the 2nd World Coconut Congress held in Quezon City, UCAP Executive Director Yvonne Agustin told the media that the country was aiming to ship out a higher volume of coconut oil in the international market for this year. The target is 4.2 percent higher than the 951,353 MT in 2018 and 912,631 MT in 2017. “I think we are [on track] based on the performance of the four months. We hit the average for the year,” she said. In January to April, the total outbound shipments of coconut oil reached 366,992 MT, up 35 percent from last year’s 271,696 MT, contributing 37.8 percent to the total export target for 2019. Revenues from coconut oil exports, however, is expected to decrease by 17 percent to $1.185 billion from $1.430 billion a year earlier and $1.830 billion in 2017. Export revenues stood at $297.718 million in the first four
Photo courtesy of United Coconut Associations of the Philippines
months of the year, a 20.5-percent decline from $374.458 million recorded in 2018. “I hope that still we will reach $1 billion. We’re only in the halfway anyway,” Agustin said, citing volatility of coconut prices in the global coconut market. “Looking at the current market prices for coconut oil, it’s really below our projected price. We projected a price of $700 to $800 per ton. Now we’re at $600 to $650 per ton,” she added. Agustin said the industry was banking on the increasing prices of other coconut export commodity such as copra that could offset the drop in the revenues from coconut oil exports this year. “Right now, the price of copra
is increasing. Maybe that can help,” she said. The UCAP official also noted that the local industry would be willing to ship out additional volume of coconut oil in the global market as long as there would be allocations available. “The things is the stocks and inventories here and at destinations. So we’re thinking that if inventories at destinations are still high, not unless these are reduced by consumption then they can start buying again, although there’s a regular shipment of coconut oil to the foreign market. As a matter of fact, our preliminary for May alone is more than 100,000 tons. I hope there’s still volume to sell,” Agustin said. n
ON a given ordinary day, we salute every parent, head of the household, and all breadwinners, who keep their best foot forward and are responsible in every sense to keep their family intact and provide for the needs. We regard and consider the daily heroes in our lives. They remind us that we too can be a hero ourselves—for our own selves and our families by simply being responsible and prudent and by protecting our loved ones from financial disasters, poverty, and hardship in case of an unexpected death, disability and major illness. Life, as we know it, is full of uncertainties. We never know when our time on this earth will be up. But if there’s one thing that is inevitable, it is that lives are meant to be taken away in the most unexpected moment at the most unexpected time. Although it is not for one to decide when death will arrive, that person can still do something to protect and secure his family’s future even when he is gone. In this day and age, protecting your loved ones is not something as dramatic as saving them from fire-breathing dragons or scary ogres. However, the modern-day monsters manifest itself in unexpected financial needs that will inevitably show itself in the future if not taken care of right away. For those who value their family, protecting your loved ones with valuable life insurance is the ultimate act to show you care, according to couple Jorge and Mary Acolola, their son Joseph (JMJ), owners of the personal service-oriented JMJ Wealth Management. Life insurance covers unexpected costs that the family one has left behind could not handle. Some of the main coverage for life insurance includes an emergency fund, income replacement, funeral costs, mortgage, college education and more. In an interview with the Asian Journal, Jorge and Mary and their son Joseph clarified that life insurances are not just sales talk, as no none is exempted from death and sickness. Nobody is a “superhero.” With their families hailing from Pampanga, Roxas City, and
Jorge and Mary “Nikki” Viray-Acolola, with their son Joseph
Pangasinan, the Acolola family knows that like them, most Filipinos come to the U.S. in search of a better life. However, there are still many Filipino Americans who are unaware of the benefits of having life and health insurance coverage. Acknowledging such fact, JMJ Wealth Management said that it has always been their mission “to inform and remind FilipinoAmericans to not be a burden to oneself and their family by purchasing non-traditional life and health insurance.” Being life and health agents since 2009 and an affiliate of the Sequoia Innovations, JMJ Wealth Management also suggested that the most ideal time to consider having life insurance is when one is still young, healthy, and insurable to avoid financial trouble, bankruptcy or even poverty. Aside from offering best products like American International Group (AIG), National Life Group, Life of South West (LSW), and being a host of other companies depending on the cli-
ent’s specific needs, JMJ Wealth Management also offers affordable Final Expenses and Funeral Programs for senior citizens as well. JMJ Wealth Management also offers assistance with IRA Rollovers JMJ Wealth Management was proud to say that what makes them different from the rest is that they are not exclusive to any insurance company so they can offer only the best and affordable insurance packages for their clients. More importantly, JMJ said that they are “foremost loyal to the needs of our clients rather than insurance companies.” With JMJ Wealth Management consistently growing, the Acolola family also invites people with a drive to succeed to join their team and be financially rewarded for their hard work and dedication with the pleasure of having no boss around. For more information on getting the best out of life, one can visit their office located at 3435 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 300, Los Angeles CA 90010 or call (213) 383-1422. n (Advertising Supplement)
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