072619 - Northern California Edition

Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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Volume 18 - No. 28 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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DATELINE Suspension lifted on heavyweight boxer who kissed Fil-Am reporter during interview FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

CALIFORNIA boxing officials on Monday, July 22 lifted the suspension on Bulgarian heavyweight boxer Kubrat Pulev who kissed a Filipina American reporter on camera during a post-fight interview in March. Pulev, who was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), had paid the maximum $2,500 fine and completed a sexual harassment course. Through a unanimous vote, the Commission allowed Pulev to reapply for his license to fight again in California on the condition that any future offense would mean a lifetime ban on

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National Asian group wins anew in $331-M verdict for struggling California homeowners

J U LY 2 6 - A U G U S T 1 , 2 0 1 9 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

Catholic clergy leads fight vs death penalty Says capital punishment is a backward step, does not deter crime

Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (right), Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (middle) and boxing Icon Emmanuel Pacquiao push for the reimposition of death penalty, at the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday, July 24. Go urged fellow lawmakers to support the passage of the death penalty bill, particularly for plunder and drug trafficking. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

THE Catholic clergy on Tuesday, July 23, led the opposition to the restoration of the death penalty being pushed anew by President Rodrigo Duterte, saying capital punishment did not deter crime and was a backward step in the quest for justice in a poor country like the Philippines. In his State of the Nation address (SONA)) on Monday, July 22, the president urged lawmakers to “act on all pending legislation to reimpose the death penalty,” especially for heinous drug-related crimes as well as plunder. Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon was dismayed at the president’s call to restore the law on capital punishment, which was repealed in 2006 under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “I find that we are again retrogressing. I thought that we were already moving toward a more humane civilization and soci-

ety,” Buzon said. Deterrent to crime? “Our stand is very clear. Even in the Church, we have already grown in maturity about understanding that issue. It’s sad. I think we are moving backward,” he added. Marinduque Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr. said there was still “no real and concrete evidence” that capital punishment deterred crime. He said the claim that the death penalty was a crime deterrent was “more questionable” in a country saddled with poverty. “It is prone to unjust sentences under the pretense of a still corrupt justice system, which our own president speaks of so often about,” Maralit said. Ozamis Archbishop Martin Jumoad said the Catholic Church had been standing against the death penalty because there was

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Jollibee invests $100-M to acquire Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJ Press

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.

PHILIPPINE fast food giant Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) on Wednesday, July 24, disclosed that it will be acquiring United States-based The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) through a $100 million investment. The $100 million is JFC’s initial investment. Jollibee Worldwide Pte Ltd, its Singapore-based subsidiary that owns Java Ventures, LLC. in the United States, will handle the purchase. According to Reuters, JFC will invest another $250 million, for a total of $350 million in acquisition. “The acquisition of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will be Jollibee’s largest and most mul-

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DUTERTE’s 4TH SONA. President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his 4th state of the nation address (SONA) at Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City on Monday, July 22. The president’s speech lasted for 93 minutes. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Pacman returns from US, commended by Senate Palace won’t stop foreign probe into Duterte drug war by RUDY

SANTOS AND PAOLO ROMERO

his family and some friends, according to an airport source. The source also said the plane Philstar.com is allegedly owned by San Miguel SEN. Manny Pacquiao quietly Corporation. For defending his title, the Senreturned to Manila aboard a private plane before dawn yesterday ate adopted a resolution comafter successfully defending his mending Pacquiao for winning World Boxing Association welter- the match. Senate Resolution 20 is a conweight title via split decision over American boxer Keith Thurman in solidation of various resolutions Las Vegas, Nevada last Saturday, filed by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sens. NanJuly 20. Pacquiao arrived aboard Chal- cy Binay, Christopher Go, Richard lenger Aero Air at the Ninoy Aqui- Gordon and Bong Revilla. In his resolution, Go said Pacno International Airport (NAIA) General Aviation Hangar around quiao has brought “immense 12:22 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, with pride and joy to Filipinos the world

over with his accomplishments as a boxer.” Go said Pacquiao had managed to accomplish what no other boxer in history has – capture 12 world titles in eight separate weight divisions. “Sen. Manny Pacquiao has, time and again, fought for the pride and welfare of Filipinos in and out of the boxing ring, all the while displaying true grit and bravery, repeatedly taking on the toughest challenges,” Go said. “Outside the area of boxing, Sen. Pacquiao has excellently fulfilled his constitutional duties

MENDIOLA AJ Press

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 22, delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) that lasted for an hour and 33 minutes. He arrived 55 minutes late at the Batasang Pambansa Complex and started his speech at exactly 5:15 p.m. After the initial pleasantries, Duterte thanked his supporters, threatened erring government

agencies, and laid out the policies he wanted to adopt for his remaining three years in office. Here are the highlights of his speech: Illegal drugs “It has been three years since I took my oath of office, and it pains me to say that we have not learned our lesson. The illegal drug problem persists,” Duterte said. To fight this “social menace,” Duterte pushed for the reimposition of the death penalty on crimes

VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

MALACAÑANG is not stopping any investigation by foreign groups into the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs but insisted that this was an “assault on the Philippines’ sovereignty.” “We are not stopping [any probes.] Our reaction is, you cannot do that to us, because we are a sovereign state. Our [justice] system is running smoothly here,” said Palace Spokesman Salvador Panelo in response to u PAGE A2 a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey which found that three of five Filipinos wanted the investigation. Quoting Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, Panelo said the justice system in the country was “robust.” “We are already investigating related to illegal drugs, as well as it all, we are filing charges, but plunder. According to him, the help of lo- do not meddle with the state of cal communities in the drug war affairs,” Panelo said. Panelo also said that the suris not enough to crush the drug trade. Corruption needs to be vey was based on the views of the critics of the administration. eliminated, as well. “SWS. Who will they ask but Corruption Duterte expressed his frustra- the people here in the Philiption over the unrelenting corrup- pines? If they believe the critition pervading the government, cisms of the opposition, then vowing that he will spend the re- that is their premise,” he said. He said the administration’s maining three years of his term to u PAGE A2 position in barring the United

Corruption, drugs, West PH Sea: highlights of Duterte’s 4th SONA by RITCHEL

by CATHERINE

Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) from investigating the drug war would not change. He said Duterte’s high trust and approval rating meant that the Filipinos were satisfied with how he was doing his job. The SWS poll said that of the 1,200 Filipinos surveyed, 60 percent agreed that “the government should not block the investigation of international groups, like the United Nations, into the killing by the Philippine police of so many drug suspects who supposedly fought back.” Only 15 percent answered otherwise, while 25 percent were undecided. This amounts to a net agreement rating of +45, which SWS considers as “very strong.”

The survey was fielded weeks before the UNHRC approved a resolution calling for a review and an investigation into the drug war. The report was backed by 18 of the 47 member countries while 14 others opposed the resolution and 15 abstained. Last week, Duterte said he would only face a Filipino court and “not a Caucasian.” “And maybe they can reimpose death penalty then die in Filipino hands… I will not answer a Caucasian asking question, or white man there. You must be stupid. Who are you? I am a Filipino, we have our courts here. Why would you have to bring me somewhere else? I would not like that,” he added. ■

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JULY 26 - AUGUST 1, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

Suspension lifted on heavyweight boxer... Catholic clergy leads fight vs death... of Ravalo partying with his team after the fight. Pulev apologized to Ravalo before the Commission’s vote on Monday, and said that the kiss was “100%� his mistake. Of his sexual harassment training, he added, “I learned I should have more respect for woman. Not only me, but all people should know this.� Ravalo told the Commission before the Monday meeting that she had been bullied online as a result of her speaking up, and even named Top Rank boxing promoter Bob Arum as being among those who dismissed her experience, reported the Associated Press. In a videoed interview last month, Arum said of Ravalo’s accusations, “I know what sexual harassment is — I really do — but that wasn’t sexual harrasment.� He added, “I’m very sympathetic to sexual harassment charges, if it’s real sexual harassment, not bullsh--.� Arum also said that Ravalo

PAGE A1 fights in North America. The suspension came after Pulev grabbed Fil-Am Vegas Sports Daily reporter Jenny “SuShe� Ravalo’s face last March, and kissed her during an interview following his win in Costa Mesa, California. Ravalo posted footage of the interview online and obtained highprofile lawyer Gloria Allred as her attorney. She added in a statement posted to Allred’s Facebook that Pulev again touched her inappropriately after the interview. “I did not encourage, nor consent, to Mr. Pulev grabbing my face, kissing me, or grabbing my backside. I was there at the event covering the match as a professional member of the press,� said Ravalo at a news conference following her interview with Pulev. Pulev responded to Ravalo’s accusations by saying that the two were friends and that he was so “elated� by his win that he gave her a kiss. His team further released their own video footage

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was acting like Pulev’s “semigirlfriend� before the fight, and was “fooling around� with Pulev while he was in training — statements that Ravalo denied. In a letter to the CSAC before the Monday vote, Allred requested that the Commission sanction Arum for his statements and require Arum to attend the Monday meeting so that Ravalo could testify to the impact of Arum’s statements. Arum, who attended sexual harassment classes with Pulev and is licensed by the CSAC, did not attend the Monday meeting. “Where’s the evidence that [Arum] benefited from the class?� asked Allred, criticizing the Commission’s lack of discipline towards Arum. “I think the best evidence of Mr. Arum’s feelings are what he says on that video.� According to the Associated Press, Pulev also agreed to participate in a video campaign being considered by the CSAC about sexual harassment. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress) n

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PAGE A1 always hope that offenders would change in prison. “We believe in God’s grace to effect change in human life,â€? Jumoad said. Judicial reforms Sultan Maguid Maruhom, executive director of the Pagadian citybased group Ummah Fi Salam, said the death penalty was “very dangerous because our judicial system has not yet been reformed effectively.â€? “There is fear that it will be exploited by the powerful and applied in a discriminatory manner ‌ especially for the poor,â€? Maruhom said. Restoring the death penalty, he added, also would violate international laws, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which the country is a party. Arlyn Jawad Jumaoas, executive director of the nonprofit Save the Children from War in Basilan, said injustices would not be solved by capital punishment. “Man’s justice will never be perfect, when you kill a person in error, you can never rectify your mistake,â€? said Jumaoas, whose father was killed by Muslim rebels. Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the permanent committee on public affairs of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), noted that the rampant killings in the antinarcotics campaign have not diminished the drug trade. “The president himself admitted that it has remained unabated despite his unrelenting drug war,â€? Secillano said. Instead of restoring the death penalty, Secillano said the government should “plug the holes in our

criminal justice system, reform it and formulate approaches to solving the problem.� “Provide the poor with livelihood or employment as viable alternative to dealing drugs; dismantle drug cartels; ensure that drugs won’t enter the country with the aid of government institutions; and strengthen the family,� he added. Appeal to legislators The CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC) appealed to legislators not to pass measures just to please the president. “Don’t give our people an illusion and a quick fix ‘solution’ to our problems. They deserve something better,� said CBCP-ECPPC executive secretary Rodolfo Diamante. Human rights groups also slammed the renewed push for a death penalty law. “Mr. Duterte’s push for death penalty is another backsliding on human rights for the Philippines,� said Carlos Conde, Philippine researcher for the New York-based Human Rights Watch. The local rights group Karapatan, said the call for the reimposition of the death penalty showed the President’s “militarist, fascist and ineffective governance.� Protocol violation The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it was firmly against reviving capital punishment since it would violate the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR and the Philippines’ commitment to “take all necessary measures to prevent any execution.� CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said that instead of imposing the death penalty, the Duterte administration should focus on a

“strong, responsive justice system that won’t allow perpetrators of crimes escape the long arm of the law.� According to Eddie Villanueva, Jesus Is Lord Church founder and newly installed Deputy Speaker of the House, the death penalty is allowed in the Bible for heinous crimes, but he would not support it under the current state of the criminal justice system in the country. “God understands we use wisdom in realizing that when the judicial system is bankrupt, the poor can’t hire top-caliber lawyers,and they are the only ones who get jailed even when the charges are based on fabricated, manufactured pieces of evidence,� said the evangelist and anticorruption Cibac representative. Iligan City Rep. Frederick Siao expressed the same sentiment on the reimposition of the death penalty. “We need a systems approach — a package of bills, with the death penalty on drug lords, syndicate bosses and protectors, as one of the crucial components,� Siao said. He said there were “flaws� in the “pillars of our justice system�—law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary and penology. The country also needed bettertrained and better-equipped law enforcers plus a national crime laboratory system, special courts for drug cases, thorough cleansing of and reforms in jails and correctional centers, he added. (With reports from Tina G. Santos, Carla P. Gomez, DJ Yap, Julie M. Aurelio, Patricia Denise M. Chiu, Michael B. Jaucian, Madonna T. Virola, Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Maricar Cinco, Julie Alipala, Judy Quiros and Leah Agonoy/ Inquirer) n

PAGE A1 as a senator of the Republic, faithfully performing his functions as an outstanding public servant,� he added. For his part, Pacquiao thanked his colleagues for the commendation they bestowed on him. He said he could still put up a good fight and entertain his fans by defeating Thurman, who was 10 years his junior. “The abilities and skills I have are given by God. I believe that ability, skill and responsibility has

a purpose and that purpose is to inspire the Filipino people to rise above their limitations and overcome their circumstances,� Pacquiao said. “There are many who say that there won’t be another Manny Pacquiao. But I believe that we have many boxers who are just waiting for an opportunity, waiting for our help. It is high time for us to invest in our boxing talents who are loaded with potentials. The so-called diamond in the rough can just be around the corner,� he added.

Pacquiao called on his colleagues to support the passage of the creation of the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission. With the creation of the commission, he said the Philippines could be known as the boxing and combat sports capital of Asia. “I am ready to work with all of you in overcoming the challenges in the 18th Congress. Together as champions of the Filipino people, we shall emerge victorious and continue our fight for the country,� he said. n

Pacman returns from US commended by...

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Jollibee invests $100M to acquire... PAGE A1 tinational so far with business presence in 27 countries,” said Jollibee Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong in a statement. “This will add 14 percent to [Jollibee’s] global system wide sales, 26 percent to its total store network, will bring international business’ contribution to 36 percent of worldwide sales, and will bring [Jollibee] closer to its vision to be one of the top 5 restaurant companies in the world in terms of market capitalization,” he added. According to Tan, their priority is to accelerate the growth of The

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf brand particularly in Asia through brand development, marketing and franchise support system. As of December 2018, CBTL has 1,189 outlets spread across the United States, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Largest Asian restaurant company JFC was named the largest Asian restaurant company in 2013. And with 3,200 stores, including over 600 stores found in 13 countries overseas, its expansion still show no sign of stopping. In 2018, it acquired Mexican

chain Tortas Frontera, which serves pulled pork, chorizo and beef sandwiches with sides of guacamole and cilantro salsa; Tim Ho Wan, which is famous for its barbecue pork buns; and U.S. chain Smashburger, which serves burgers in 351 stores across U.S. Jollibee also created joint ventures with Panda Express and Vietnamese noodle soup chain PHO24 to bring their popular menus to the Philippines. Locally, JFC owns several wellloved brands like Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon, ang Mang Inasal. It is also the official local franchise for Burger King. n

National Asian group wins anew in $331-M verdict...

PAGE A1 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 HUD-approved housing counseling agency was at the forefront assisting struggling homeowners o 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

US exec: China violating economic, democratic norms

U.S. Department of Defense Undersecretary for policy John Rood said the threat from China is more long-term. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Pia Lee

Brago Philstar.com

THE threat posed by China is largely involves violating world economic and democratic norms, while the authoritarian model of government it is trying to export through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is troubling, according to United States officials. U.S. Department of Defense Undersecretary for policy John Rood said the threat from China is more long-term. “Militarily, they are developing advanced space and cyber capabilities as well as weapons like hypersonics,” Rood said at the recent Aspen Security Forum in Aspen, Colorado.

“But just as troubling, they are trying to export their authoritarian model of government to other countries through their Belt and Road Initiative which, through predatory lending, leaves nations indebted to them,” he said. The BRI is an international development plan of the Chinese government involving the growth of China-led infrastructure and investments in over 150 countries. The Chinese, he said, are quietly gaining footholds in strategic places in the world such as Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, which is vital to shipping, and even in Greenland and Iceland,

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Push for death penalty will worsen PH climate of impunity — Amnesty Int’l by Katrina

HaLLare Inquirer.net

President Rodrigo Duterte’s renewed call to reimpose the death penalty in the Philippines will only worsen the country’s climate of impunity amid the government’s campaign war on drugs, Amnesty International said. “Extrajudicial killings remain rife in the Philippines. Talk of bringing back the death penalty for drug-related crimes is abhorrent, and risks aggravating the current climate of impunity,” Amnesty International Philippines Section Director Butch Olano said in a statement on Monday, July 22. In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, Duterte urged Congress to pass a measure to reimpose capital punishment for heinous crimes, plunder and crimes related to illegal drugs. “The state of our nation is a state of mourning,” Olano said

about Duterte’s SONA, adding that his speech was a “missed opportunity” to talk about taking stock on the death of three-yearold Myka Ulpina and “thousands of others” allegedly killed in the government’s drug war. Ulpina died when she was caught in a crossfire between suspected drug pushers and police officers in Rodriguez, Rizal last June. “The president addressed the topic of drugs but did not confront the truth. The country needs an approach that delivers justice for the families of the thousands unlawfully killed, and effective health and social services for those who need them,” Olano said. He added that that administration’s “war on the poor” does not end with the killings, and it only sends families and whole communities into a “living hell, all to protect a cruel and repressive policy that is doing nothing to protect people from the risks of drugs.” n

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) n

DUTERTE SUPPORTERS. Thousands of pro-Duterte supporters gather at the IBP Road, Batasan Hills, Quezon City to show support for the 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday, July 22. A solid government solution on housing woes is among the issues they hope to hear from the President. PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Corruption, drugs, West PH Sea... PAGE A1 fight it. “Corruption continues and emasculates the courage we need to sustain our moral recovery initiatives,” he said. The president cited the massive fraud within the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), conning the government of millions of pesos that could have been used to treat illnesses and save lives, and said he was “grossly disappointed.” To fix this, Duterte said he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to arrest and cause the prosecution of those liable. He also appointed retired army general Ricardo “Dick” Morales as the new PhilHealth

president to prioritize ridding the agency of corruption. Duterte went on to say that he has identified the enemy who dumped the country into the quagmire it is currently in. “I have met the enemy face-toface and sadly, the enemy is us. We are our own tormentors... We are our own demons; we are as rapacious predators preying on the helpless, the weak and the voiceless,” he said. “We find corruption everywhere in government with every malefactor watching his cohort’s back in blatant disregard of his oath when he assumed public office… No amount of euphemism can trivialize or normalize betrayal of public trust or any other criminal

offense. It is an injury laced with insult. It is both a national embarrassment and a national shame,” he continued. According to Duterte, catharsis is needed to help stop corruption. “Catharsis is what we, individually and collectively, need to do today – not tomorrow but today. Self-purgation followed by the resolve to do what is right and proper, is good for the nation’s health,” he said. Duterte also acknowledged that he does not know when will corruption end. “Let me ask you: When will corruption end? Kailan ba talaga ‘to? Hanggang kailan (Until when)? Well, I don’t know. I’ve been in

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JULY 26 - AUGUST 1, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Harvard survey: Filipinos believe homes, farming, kids most at risk to disasters

REFUGE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD. A child uses a pew as a makeshift bed inside the Redemptorist Church in Tacloban City where residents evacuated ahead of the landfall of Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit) in 2014 in the Visayas. The typhoon threatens to whip up storm surges in the disaster-weary central Philippines that was flattened by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” Inquirer file photo by Raffy Lerma by Christina

Marie Inquirer.net

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MAJORITY of Filipinos believe that homes, farming, and children are the most vulnerable to disasters in the Philippines, a Harvard survey revealed. The nationwide household survey was conducted between March and April of 2017 by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) Program on Resilient Communities (PRC) with 4,368 adult respondents representing all economic strata. “This information is important for DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) officials to consider as they mull over the kind of messaging and training they develop to better prepare for future disasters,” HHI PRC program director Vincenzo Bolletino said. Most vulnerable infrastructure According to the survey, 69 percent of Filipino households believe that their homes “were at most risk during a disaster” among all the assets they owned. Thirty-two percent said that farmland was the most vulnerable to disasters, 23 percent said roads are at most risk while 15 percent answered schools. The survey noted that “only a small part” of the respondents were concerned about fishing resources with 13 percent, bridges with 11 percent, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities with eight percent, and health facilities with five percent.

According to the survey, Filipinos’ high concern over their homes “may be linked to their experience with disasters, as most of the population have experienced significant damage to property, assets and have been displaced from their homes due to a disaster.” Forty-two percent of Filipinos have reported that their homes were partially destroyed while 16 percent had been displaced for at least a week, the survey added. “The high level of damage to homes was particularly pronounced in Eastern Visayas, the region extremely hit by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), where 97 percent of homes have either been partially damaged or completely destroyed at some point by a disaster,” the HHI PRC said. “The region also reported the highest level of vulnerability of homes at 84 percent, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) at 82 percent,” it noted. The survey also said that the homes of most Filipinos were unprotected to losses and damages with only three percent had some form of home insurance. Most vulnerable workers Further, the survey also found that 57 percent of Filipinos believe that farmers were the most vulnerable workers to disasters in the country. Meanwhile, 39 percent said that fishermen and wage laborers were the most at risk followed by shopkeepers or businessmen with 13 percent and livestock herders with 12 percent. Cagayan Valley, which has the

most of the population dependent on farming reported the highest level of vulnerability of farmers at 87 percent. Meanwhile, the National Capital Region (NCR), the region with the most skilled salaried workers, cited the highest level of vulnerability of wage laborers at 82 percent. Most vulnerable people The survey found that more than half of the respondents, or 52.3 percent, believe that children are the most vulnerable to disasters. This was followed by the elderly at 51.9 percent, poor people at 35 percent, and people with disabilities at 23 percent. According to the survey, the NCR and the newly established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) reported the highest level of children’s vulnerability, both at 72 percent. BARMM also reported the highest concern over the elderly at 72 percent, followed by NCR at 68 percent. “Undeniably, the Philippines has numerous vulnerable populations. A quarter of the population are living below the national poverty level, and there are huge numbers of informal settlements in coastal/flood prone areas, especially in Metro Manila,” the HHI PRC said. “Furthermore, the population is also still largely young with a third of it below 14 years, while over a million people are displaced each year due to rapidonset disasters,” it added. n

18TH CONGRESS. Senators of the 18th Congress pose for a souvenir photo during its opening on Monday, July 22. The Upper House elected Senator Vicente Sotto III as Senate President. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

US exec: China violating economic... PAGE A3 t where future sea routes through the melting Arctic may open up. According to Rood, the U.S. has the advantage of building enduring relationships with allies and partners who value freedom and democracy. “The Chinese cannot peddle those values and their model is not sustainable in the long run,” he added. Navy Adm. Philip Davidson, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, vowed that the U.S. will continue to exercise its right to navigate above, below and on the sea in international waters, including in the East and South China seas to guarantee a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Davidson noted that more than half the world’s population

and wealth is in the Indo-Pacific region, which depends heavily on shipping for commerce and undersea cables for telecommunications, and these must be protected. Davidson singled out those maritime areas because of provocative actions from China, such as seizing, then militarizing, disputed islands in the South China Sea and using its military to shadow ships and planes from the U.S. and its partners as they transit the area. “What I consider to be the greatest long-term strategic threat to the United States and the rules-based international order is China,” Davidson said. Besides flexing its muscle in the East and South China seas, the Admiral said China’s growth in ships, planes, missiles, space

and cyber capabilities has been dramatic. In 2000, China had about a dozen satellites. Davidson said China will launch more satellites this year, about 100, than any other nation, including the US. “China is moving quite perniciously across the whole of the Indo-Pacific, if not the globe,” said Davidson, who cited and described the BRI as an aggressive infrastructure investment effort on several continents that circumvents world banking norms and practices. The U.S. military is just one tool to use in addressing issues in the Indo-Pacific region, the commander said, but a wholeof-government approach that includes diplomacy and economic initiatives among allies and partners is also vital. n

Corruption, drugs, West PH Sea... PAGE A3 t – with government for almost 35 years now. I am not singling out myself. It’s the entire gamut of our system,” he said. “Corruption exasperates. It frustrates. It is also exasperating that there are times when I think that perhaps it is blood that we need to cleanse and rinse away the dirt and the muck that stick to the flesh like leeches,” he added. Duterte also claimed that there are no sacred cows in his administration, saying he has fired or caused the resignation of more than 100 officials and appointees of government “without regard to relationship, friendship and alliance.” He vowed to take responsibility for the shortcomings of his administration and pursue programs that would protect Filipinos as well as improve their quality of life. “We are now entering a period of consequences. The consequences of what we did and did not do but should have done during my first half of my term. I assume full responsibility for that. As president, I cannot pass the blame to anybody, so it’s on me,” Duterte said. “Though we cannot change the past, we will not squander the future. I will push harder in the pursuit of programs that we have started but always within the parameters of the law. I will not merely coast along or while away my time during the remaining years of my administration,” he added. Bills pushed Aside from the reinstitution of the death penalty, Duterte asked

the Congress to: • Pass the bill establishing the Department of Water Resources and Water Regulatory Commission that would enact reforms in water management in the country; • Fast track the creation of the Department of Disaster Management that would focus solely on disaster and climate change resilience plans and programs; • Postpone barangay and SK elections to October 2022 “to rectify the truncated terms of sitting barangay officials;” • Enact a Magna Carta for Barangays that aims to declare barangay officials as regular government officials, and further empower barangays to improve their delivery of government services; • Establish a Department of Overseas Filipinos that would address concerns of Filipino workers abroad; • Pass TRAIN 2 or TRABAHO bill – that aims to reduce the corporate income tax rate to 20 percent, broaden the tax base, and rationalize tax incentives to businesses – as well as three remaining tax reform packages that seek to raise the excise tax on both alcohol and tobacco, reform the real property valuation system, and revise the taxes on capital income and financial services; • Pass a new Salary Standardization Law (SSL) that would raise the pay of government workers, including public school teachers and public hospital nurses; Duterte also requested the approval of the National Defense Act, Uniformed Separation and Retirement Pension Bill, as well

as the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Service improvements The president implored the government agencies to improve their services and ensure their responsiveness to people’s needs. He listed off the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Social Security System (SSS), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Land Registration Authority (LRA), and the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or PAG-IBIG Fund) as the top five agencies that need improvements in their service delivery. “Simplify. Just like the others. You can do it electronically... I’ve been asking that from you since three years ago. ‘Pag hindi pa ninyo nagawa ‘yan ngayon, papatayin ko talaga kayo (If you still haven’t done that, I will kill you),” Duterte said. “Simplify and make your services responsive to – client-friendly. Your client is the Filipino, our employer – from where the money in our pockets come from, from our salaries,” he added. Duterte also thanked Executive Secretary Medialdea for his work on increasing the number of lines for Hotline 8888, making it more responsive to the public. Rehabilitations Duterte touted the successful rehabilitation of popular tourist spot Boracay Island after its sixmonth closure to the public. “We cleaned and rehabilitated the island and I allowed it to heal naturally. I am proud to say that it has been restored close to its original pristine state,” he said. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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Sotto, Cayetano take helm of 18th Congress Duterte confirming Go’s ties to frigate deal an admission of plunder — Trillanes by Javier

J. ismael ManilaTmes.net

SENATORS on Monday, July 22, elected Sen. Vicente Sotto III as Senate president, while at the House of Representatives, Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano was installed as speaker. Sen. Ralph Recto was reelected as president pro tempore and Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri was voted majority leader, while Sen. Franklin Drilon retained his post as minority leader. Senators elected Myra Villarica as Senate secretary and retired Gen. Rene Samonte as sergeantat-arms. Sotto, who is on his fourth term, thanked his colleagues for electing him as the 23rd Senate president. “Thank you is a very weak expression to convey the deep sense of gratitude that I feel today, for the honor of being your Senate president. To be elected at large by the whole nation is, indeed, a rare honor and privilege for 24 in a more than a hundred million population; and to be elected by those elected, as you did to me, is much more humbling than a greater source of pride,� he said in his acceptance speech. He administered the oath of office to newly elected senators — Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, Ronald “Bato� dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee� Marcos, Pilar Juliana “Pia� Cayetano, Emmanuel “Lito� Lapid and Ramon “Bong� Revilla Jr. Meanwhile, Sotto said the mat-

ter of organizing the Senate committees would be tackled in the next two days. No fight At the House, Cayetano’s installation as speaker was smooth, as lawmakers decided to honor President Rodrigo Duterte’s 15-21 term-sharing proposal. Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, who had earlier eyed the top House post, was the first to nominate Cayetano, followed by Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. Under the term-sharing agreement, Velasco will succeed Cayetano and will sit as speaker for 21 months. Cayetano secured an overwhelming 266 votes, while 28 lawmakers voted for Manila’s Sixth District Rep. Benny Abante Jr., making him the minority leader. Magdalo Rep. Manuel Cabochan and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza abstained from voting, while Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman cast a “no vote� for speaker. Rep. Duterte told reporters that his sister, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, talked to him early on Monday and asked him to respect their father’s decision. Nonetheless, he aired his disapproval of the term-sharing deal, adding that the Duterte Coalition, which he formed with DuterteCarpio, would decide on its next move when Cayetano steps down. “I am against any term-sharing agreement. However, if the speaker resigns after 15 months, then we will have to elect a new

speaker,â€? Rep. Duterte said. Sources said Rep. Duterte was “left with no choiceâ€? but to listen to his father, who allegedly threatened to skip his fourth State of the Nation Address if lawmakers did not support the term-sharing deal. Cayetano said he would reach out to the Duterte siblings. “I’ll make an effort to reach out to those whom I failed to connect with during my campaign for speakership, whether they are local government officials‌ whether they are blood family of a government official, it’s natural to get hurt during the elections‌ how can you heal a land if you yourself will not forgive and forget?â€? Cayetano told reporters. Grateful for his colleagues’ support, he also said in his speech that he would push for a “relevant, responsible and reliableâ€? Congress. Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla was also appointed senior deputy majority leader. Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, whom the Duterte siblings earlier endorsed as speaker, will chair the House Appropriations Committee, while Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino will head the Accounts Committee. Velasco, on the other hand, will chair the Committee on Energy. Former Foreign Affairs undersecretary Jose Montales was appointed as the new secretary general, while former police deputy director Gen. Ramon Apolinario was named sergeant-at-arms. (With reports from Glee Jalea/ManilaTImes.net) n

from holding public office in the future. The Philippine National Police (PNP)-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Department of Justice on Thursday filed charges of sedition, cyberlibel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal and obstruction of justice against Robredo and senators Theresia “Risa� Hontiveros and Leila de Lima, and former senators Antonio Trillanes 4th and Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th, among others. The cases were filed in connection with the “Ang Totoong Narcolist� videos that linked President Rodrigo Duterte and members of his family to illegal drugs. Based on the complaint, the respondents “planned to spread

false information against the President’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. Robredo’s camp debunked the complaint, calling it harassment and “kwentong kutsero� (hearsay). PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde said on Monday the cases were out of their hands “Nasa korte ‘yun.’ Yung sa amin is the possibility of a commission of a crime (That is up to the courts. Ours is the possibility of a commission of a crime), he said. n

‘Robredo not immune from suit’ by Jomar

canlas ManilaTimes.net

VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni� Robredo is not immune from criminal suit although she is an impeachable officer under the 1987 Constitution, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Monday, July 22. Guevarra issued the statement after Robredo’s camp decried the filing of criminal charges against the vice president. “I have stated earlier that the present constitution does not grant the vice president immunity from suit,� he said. He clarified that criminal prosecution had nothing to do with impeachment, but could be grounds in being disqualified

Trial to open for journalist critical of Duterte MANILA — High-profile Philippine journalist Maria Ressa’s libel trial opens Tuesday, July 23 in a case that press freedom advocates see as government retaliation for her news site’s critical reporting on President Rodrigo Duterte. Ressa, who leads online outlet Rappler and was named a Time Magazine “Person of the Year� in 2018 for her journalism, is out on bail and faces years in prison if convicted. This case is among a string of criminal charges that have hit Ressa and Rappler over the past year, prompting allegations that authorities are targeting her and her team for their work, The news portal has reported extensively and often critically on Duterte’s policies, including a deadly crackdown that rights groups say may be a crime against humanity. “The message that the government is sending is very clear,� Ressa told reporters in February as she posted bail after spending the night in jail over the libel case: “Be silent or you’re next.� The case that opens Tuesday centres on a Rappler report from 2012 about a businessman’s alleged ties to a then-judge of the nation’s top court.

In this March 29, 2019 photo, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa posts bail in an anti-dummy case following her arrest in the airport. Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcaso

Government investigators initially dismissed the businessman’s 2017 complaint about the article, but state prosecutors later decided to file charges. The legal foundation of the case is a controversial “cybercrime law� aimed at online offences ranging from stalking to child pornography. Ressa, 55, argues the law did not take effect until months after the story was published.

Government lawyers say it is effectively a new article since Rappler had updated it in 2014 to fix a typographical error. While the plaintiff is a private citizen, like all criminal cases in the Philippines the suit is prosecuted by government lawyers. Ressa and Rappler also face tax and corporate fraud cases. Ressa’s presence in court is not mandatory and she is not expected to attend the hearing, according to Rappler. The libel case has drawn international attention, with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright expressing concern over democratic rights. Prominent rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who joined Ressa’s legal team this month, said the case echoed a recurring theme in her work, where “journalists who expose abuses face arrest while those who commit the abuses do so with impunity�. Duterte, who denies being behind the case, has singled out Rappler for criticism, also banning it from covering his public events and forbidding government officials from talking to Rappler reporters. (Philstar.com) n

60% of Filipinos want international probe on drug war by Helen

Flores Philstar.com

MANILA — Six in 10 Filipinos believe the Duterte government should allow international organizations such as the United Nations to conduct an investigation on the killings linked to the administration’s war on drugs, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed. The poll, conducted on June 22-26, found 60 percent of adult Filipinos agreeing with the statement, “The government should not block the investigation of international groups, like the United Nations, into the killing by the Philippine police of so many drug suspects who supposedly fought back.� Of the 60 percent, 26 percent strongly agree and 34 percent somewhat agree. Only 15 percent disagree with the statement, consisting of seven percent who strongly disagree and eight percent who somewhat disagree. The figures resulted in a net

agreement score of +45, classified by SWS as “very strong.� The remaining 25 percent of respondents are undecided. The net agreement that the government should not block the investigations by international organizations on the drugrelated killings involving the police was highest in Mindanao at “extremely strong� +50, followed by very strong net scores in balance Luzon at +45, Metro Manila at +43 and the Visayas at +42. It was very strong in both urban and rural areas, at +46 and +44, respectively. Net agreement was very strong in all classes: it was highest in class D or the masa at +46, followed by class E at +45 and class ABC at +37. It was also very strong among both women and men, at +47 and +44, respectively. The net agreement with the statement was “extremely strong� among 35- to 44-yearolds and high school graduates, both at +52. It was also extremely strong

among 18- to 24-year-olds at +50, followed by very strong scores among 25- to 34-year-olds at +48, 55-year-olds and above at +45 and 45- to 54-year-olds at +31. The net agreement was at very strong levels among college graduates at +46, elementary graduates at +40 and non-elementary graduates at +36, respectively. The survey was based on face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults, 18 years old and above, nationwide. Eighteen of the 47 United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) member-countries recently voted in favor of a resolution that calls for a comprehensive report on the situation in the Philippines and lays out several key actions against the rising killings in the country’s anti-illegal drug campaign. Malacaùang has strongly condemned the resolution adopted by UNHRC, calling it an interference in the country’s domestic affairs. n

In this Feb. 19, 2018 photo, then Special Assistant to the Preisdent Bong Go listens to the senators’ inquiries during the Senate probe on the issues involving the Philippine Navy’s frigate acquisition program. Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban by Patricia lourdes Philstar.com

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MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks on Sen. Bong Go’s involvement in the Navy frigate deal is an admission of crime, former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said. “Duterte’s admission of his and Bong Go’s involvement in the frigate scam is actually an admission to the crime of plunder,� Trillanes said in a statement. Trillanes recalled the findings of last year’s Senate inquiry, which found that the intervention of Duterte and Go on behalf of the South Korea company “helped make it profit billions of pesos more by forcing the Philippine Navy to accept several substandard equipment, such as the combat management system, that were different from the list specified in the original contract.� The former senator noted that Duterte fired then Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercardo when he insisted that the contract must be implemented faithfully. “These acts made the contract grossly disadvantageous to our government and left the Philippine Navy with an expensive platform with limited capabilities,� Trillanes said. In his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday, Duterte said the frigate deal made Go a senator. “Kung ipadala ko ‘yung limang — pati ‘yung frigate ko na bago,

‘yung pinagkaguluhan nila ni Trillanes dyan sa — that made Bong a senator, ubos ‘yan because there are already guided missiles in that island,� Duterte said. The president said this to justify his decision not to invoke the country’s arbitral victory over the West Philippine Sea as he does not want to go to war with China. Last year, the Senate conducted an investigation into Go’s alleged intervention to favor a supplier of a combat management system for

two frigates from South Korean shipbuilding giant Hyundai Heavy Industries. The Senate inquiry stemmed from leaked new reports of a white paper originating from the Office of the President asking the Navy to look at a proposal by a South Korean subcontractor. Go, who was then special assistant to the president, claimed that this was “fake news� and that he was only passing on to the Department of Defense a “complaint� the president’s office received. n

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FEATURES

OPINION

Priorities in the second half

THIS time there was no “coup” at the House of Representatives, and Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano assumed the post of speaker with no turbulence on Monday, July 22. Vicente Sotto III also regained his post as Senate president without incident. So the two chambers of Congress should have no problem tackling in earnest the rather long list of legislative priorities that President Duterte laid out in his State of the Nation Address — his fourth, and the first as he enters the second half of his term. Some of the president’s priorities are expected to be contentious: the restoration of the death penalty for plunder and heinous crimes related to drugs; the revival of mandatory ROTC or Reserve Officers’ Training Corps for Grades 11 and 12. The rest of the measures require thorough spadework, notably the creation of new departments for overseas Filipino workers, disaster resilience, and water resources management. The President also wants to increase excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol and get the second phase of his tax reform program approved. He wants a new round of salary standardization for government workers, to include teachers and nurses, as well as a government “right-sizing” measure. The other priorities are the rewriting of the

National Defense Act and amendment of the Human Security Act, the modernization of fire protection services, the National Land Use Act and National Valuation of Property Act, the creation of a trust fund for the coconut levy and setting up of a national academy for sports. He wants the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections moved again, from May to October 2020, and the passage of the Magna Carta for Barangays. Apart from those bills, Malacañang expects the 18th Congress to pass within the year the General Appropriations Act for 2020. The four-month delay in the enactment of this year’s GAA has derailed the implementation of the President’s priority Build Build Build infrastructure program and slowed down economic growth for 2019. Three years is a short time in Philippine legislation, and there’s still a lot on the plate of the 18th Congress. With leadership conflicts out of the way for now, it should hit the ground running. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THIS just in — after 12 years of delivering the daily news from the studios of The Filipino Channel (TFC) in California, “Balitang America” will be taping its daily newscast from the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation headquarters in Manila, Philippines, joining other news bureaus like “Balitang Middle East” and “Balitang Europe.” While the daily news stories will still be gathered by its news correspondents from different parts of the United States, “Balitang America” will be anchored by news personalities from ABS-

ABANGAN: What is Gel Santos Relos up to with the new changes at The Filipino Channel? CBN News Channel (ANC) in Manila beginning July 29, 2019. This means you will no longer watch me on the anchor’s chair daily as you used to in the past 12 years. This change in the organization will then help the news bureau in North America to expand its audience, reaching out to younger generations who are born and raised here, using new digital platform programs. Under the leadership of “Balitang America” (BA) Executive Producer Troy Espera, ABSCBN International and TFC have rolled out “TAYO” (a Filipino word that means “we” or “us”) - a new digital brand that offers fresh storytelling of uplifting and positive stories that make Filipinos in North America proud of

their rich heritage. “TAYO” features stories that are relevant to both FilipinoAmerican and Filipino-Canadian communities, serving to also unify news brand across the North America region. Our San Francisco Bay Area Correspondent Rommel Concara has also started working on a podcast, so Filipinos will get to know kababayans who have made a mark in the community. TFC will also continue to give platforms where kababayans in North America will have a chance to air out their opinion on issues that matter to us. Townhall meetings will still continue especially as Filipinos in North America exchange perspectives and information that will help the community in mak-

ing informed decisions as we make consequential decisions during elections and other civic exercises. HOWEVER, this change will also allow TFC in North America to expand and strengthen its reach and service to its core audience — our kababayans who immigrated to the United States, including the Lolos, Lolas, and other immediate members of the family who have been loyal viewers of the programs from the Philippines to keep them connected to the Motherland and ease away their homesickness. In my continued commitment to the Filipino American community, I am working with TFC on a new digital brand that will help Filipinos navigate their new life in the United States, empow-

ering YOU with information that will help you know, understand and adapt to your new way of life as immigrants, citizens and members of the workforce in the U.S. Equally important — this program will be like “family” to YOU — to which you can ask questions, air out concerns, exchange perspectives and opinions in matters that truly touch you and your families on a personal level. I will continue to serve you as a true Kapamilya — your “Ate”, “Tita” or simply your kapamilya “Gel”, who will strive to make you feel you are not alone as you start and adapt to your new life in the United States. ABANGAN: A podcast/teleradyo para po sa inyong lahat,

mga Kapamilya. And so if you have anything you want us to talk about in our teleradyo, information you need to help you in your day to day challenges in America, heartaches and pains and worries that keep you up at night, share them with me so we can address your concerns in our new teleradyo. Send your messages to: Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos. You may also email me: gelrelos@icloud.com. ABANGAN! Malapit na malapit na! *** 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

PH-US ties: Robust, Duterte’s pivot to China: Gains, challenges, promises Commentary vibrant & dynamic THE recently concluded eighth Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) between the United States and the Philippines was a great success, with the conversations covering a wide spectrum of issues aimed at BABE ROMUALDEZ deepening the partnership even further in the areas of security and defense, as well as trade and investment. Discussions were also conducted on how both countries can enhance cooperation to combat transnational crimes such as human trafficking, terrorism and other mutual concerns. Co-leading the Philippine delegation were Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Ricky Manalo and Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano, while U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Randy Schriver co-led the American delegation. I was pleased to host a dinner for the delegates, most especially Assistant State Secretary David Stilwell who was on his first official trip to the Philippines. Secretary Stilwell’s appointment was overwhelmingly confirmed by the U.S. Senate last June — a very welcome development considering that the post has been unfilled for over two years. We were happy to see the guests in a relaxed and jovial mode, enjoying the special Filipino dishes prepared by Chef Jessie Sincioco. I expressed my gratitude to everyone present, among them Executive Secretary Salvador “Bingbong” Medialdea who took time to join us despite his busy schedule, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. who flew in from Hong Kong. The BSD is supposed to be an annual discussion but we skipped last year due to scheduling problems. We really have to commend Undersecretary Ricky Manalo who worked hard to put everything together, and Assistant Secretary Honey Isleta of the Office of American Affairs. The occasion also served as a farewell of sorts for U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim, who will be leaving for his next post in Indonesia. Many are saddened by the news because Ambassador Kim is very well-liked and well-respected because he has been doing such a great job in strengthening ties between the Philippines and the U.S. Most importantly, he is also liked by President Duterte — and that is really something else. While many want his tour of duty extended, many also accept that such is the diplomatic life. Many will miss him, and we can only hope that the next top diplomat to the Philippines will also be of the same caliber, having Ambassador Kim’s engaging and charismatic ways. ■

Babe’s Eye View

PRESIDENT Duterte’s foreign policy has been marked by relative distance from the West and expanded interaction with closer Asian neighbors. China, the first major power that he visited, looms large in this recalibration. He has LUCIO BLANCO PITLO III made four trips to China and three to Japan and Singapore; he has visited all Southeast Asian capitals, as well as India, South Korea and several Middle Eastern countries. But he has yet to visit a western country. Growing intraregional trade, migrant labor flows, a desire to manage disputes, and Western criticism of his domestic policies, notably his controversial war on drugs, have motivated his foreign trips. Mr. Duterte’s cultivation of friendly ties with Beijing has strong economic, security and strategic underpinnings. The rise of China and other regional powers is stirring geopolitical shifts with profound implications on the world. The fast-growing economies of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, are in the fault line of a major power rivalry between the traditional dominant power, the United States, and a rising challenger, China. In this context, overreliance on one power is unwise and can even be a liability when the rivalry intensifies. PH approach This may have prompted Mr. Duterte to rethink the Philippines’ approach to its big northern neighbor with which it has long-standing territorial and maritime disputes. One cannot choose one’s neighbors, but one can choose the relations one wants to have with them. Mr. Duterte made his choice. His approach to China has rested on managing disputes, building trust and confidence, and expanding economic ties. This approach recognizes that decades-old disputes cannot be easily resolved even with the landmark 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. For instance, while the ruling clarified maritime entitlements and the status of certain features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), it did not rule on questions of sovereign ownership over features in the sea. It even affirmed the traditional fishing rights of foreign nationals in certain areas of the Philippines’ western exclusive economic zone (e.g., Panatag Shoal). And while the ruling did narrow down areas

of maritime dispute by deciding that no feature in the semi-enclosed sea qualifies as an island eligible for extended maritime zones, the close proximity of certain features may still create possible overlaps, particularly if they would be deemed rocks or high-tide elevations entitled to a 12-nautical-mile territorial sea. Hence, while acknowledging the ruling’s value as leverage in dealing with Beijing, there is no substitute to establishing bilateral and regional mechanisms to manage disputes in the six-party flash point. The creation of a bilateral consultation mechanism, which has met four times since 2016, and its active participation in negotiations for a regional Code of Conduct (COC) represent Manila’s two-pronged approach in dealing with the WPS challenge. Caution, prudence Friendlier relations with China and with fellow Asean members enable the Philippines to fully harness its role as Asean-China country coordinator, putting it in a good position to seek the early adoption of an effective and binding COC. The establishment of hotline communications and adoption of a Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea constitute other regional mechanisms to address sea incidents. In the last meeting of Asean defense ministers in Thailand, member-countries reaffirmed the importance of Guidelines for Air Military Encounters and adopted Guidelines for Maritime Interaction. Playing down disputes is essential to stabilizing relations and expanding economic engagement. In 2016 and 2017, Mr. Duterte pardoned Vietnamese poachers caught near waters off northwestern Luzon, gave them provisions, and witnessed their sendoff. Manila is not alone in this. Other countries with unsettled maritime rows with China, like Vietnam and Malaysia, deemphasize the impact of such disputes in their overall ties. Caution and prudence guide the Philippines’ attitude toward sea incidents, such as what happened at Recto Bank on June 9. The act of leaving Filipino fishers in distress was condemned, a diplomatic protest was filed, a Vietnamese fishing vessel that came to the rescue was thanked, the fishermen and their families were given immediate relief, China’s explanation was

sought, and an investigation was concluded. A week after the incident, in a speech before the United Nations, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. called the act of abandoning Filipino fishers to the elements a “felony.” The matter was also brought to the attention of the International Maritime Organization in London. At the Asean Summit in Bangkok last month, Mr. Duterte raised the urgency of concluding a COC to prevent similar incidents from taking place in the future. At this point, Manila could convey the probe’s findings to Beijing and expect to hear the results of the latter’s own inquiry and the corresponding actions to be taken. Economic dividends While security concerns over Beijing’s increased presence and activities in the WPS remain, Mr. Duterte’s China policy has produced tremendous economic dividends for the Philippines. China became the Philippines’ largest trade partner in 2016 and largest export market and investor in 2018; it is expected to become the Philippines’ largest tourism market this year. Last year, China became the Philippines’ biggest banana export market—a distinction held by Japan for 30 years. Philippine fruit exports to China jumped by 50 percent in 2017. In fact, it is domestic constraints, such as inefficient production and difficulties in land acquisition, that are limiting Filipino growers and exporters from taking a larger bite of the China market. Last April, China became the Philippines’ top source of tourists — a position held by South Korea for six years. Meanwhile, delays in infrastructure projects are largely attributable to local factors, notably weak absorptive capacity, administrative bottlenecks and right-of-way issues. Partnership with China in the fields of poverty alleviation, renewable energy, manufacturing, skills training, e-commerce and fintech may hold promise. In sum, Mr. Duterte’s warm ties with Beijing reflect emerging regional responses to China’s rise. The desire to properly handle disputes so as not to affect overall ties is apparent. Although perceived threats may not be easily discounted, China is increasingly seen as a new partner with a transformative impact on the country. Balancing security and economic demands will shape the evolution of bilateral ties. That said, hard swings should be avoided to mitigate disruption and ensure continuity. (Inquirer.net)

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 26, 2019

Friday, July 26, 2019

SF

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 26, 2019

Filipina actress Princess Punzalan enters her second act Punzalan returns to the screen in critically acclaimed film “Yellow Rose” by

Klarize Medenilla / AJPress

THERE’S a scene in the 2019 coming-of-age indie film “Yellow Rose” where the titular character Rose (played by two-time Tony Award-nominee Eva Noblezada), a 17-year-old undocumented Filipina and aspiring country musician living in East Texas, looks in her bedroom mirror, dejected amid a creative rut. Her mother, Priscilla, played by Princess Punzalan, enters the bedroom and comforts young Rose and together they sing the Pilita Corrales song, “Dahil Sa Iyo.” “Yellow Rose,” written and directed by Filipina American filmmaker Diane Paragas, follows the trials and tribulations faced by Rose as Priscilla is detained by ICE and speaks to the very familiar plight of undocumented families in America. The film has become a darling success within the festival circuit, garnering the Grand Jury Award at three film festivals: the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, the Bentonville Film Festival and the CAAMFest37. Noblezada in her feature film debut also won the Special Jury Prize for Best Breakthrough Performance at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Punzalan’s performance as the hard-working undocumented mother doing her best to foster a gainful future for her young daughter mirrors experiences felt by families all over the country and the strength of the human condition in the face of misfortune. “It was so timely,” Punza-

lan told the Asian Journal in a recent interview. “I wanted to do something that’s relevant and I believed in Diane because I saw how she conducted the auditions and just how she operates, and all the more I became interested in the role.” The tragedy of the film is the separation between mother and daughter and the honesty and authenticity behind Noblezada’s and Punzalan’s performances. In a scene where Priscilla is being taken away by ICE and Rose cries running towards her mother, the emotion exuding from the screen hits squarely in the heart of the viewer. “I really studied the script and tried to imagine and put myself in Priscilla’s shoes. I have a daughter so I tried to make it as real as possible for me and I just performed as I felt that, as a mother,” Punzalan said, praising Noblezada for her transparency and amiability. Punzalan’s role in “Yellow Rose” provides a vibrant introduction of the actress to a whole new audience, but to Filipinos, she is a well-loved gem who has been a staple of television and film for decades. Despite being born to legendary Philippine broadcast personalities Orly Punzalan and Helen Vela, Punzalan shares that her parents never forced her or her siblings to pursue a future in show business. “[My mother] wasn’t encouraging us to get into the entertainment industry. But when I was 10 years old, her colleague, who was a radio broadcaster

With her latest role in “Yellow Rose,” also starring Eva Noblezada and Lea Salonga, Princess Punzalan hopes to continue to break out in acting in the United States.

and had a TV show, asked her if they could use me as a replacement for the child actor who got sick,” Punzalan said. “So, my mom asked if I would like to [take the role], 10-year-old me was just like, ‘Yeah! Why not?” The young Punzalan’s performance stunned producers and audiences, which led to more and more acting gigs. But as a child actor, Punzalan had “boundaries” set by Vela and was only allowed to act during summer and Christmas vacations to avoid distractions from studies. From then on, Punzalan made waves as a fixture on Philippine TV, becoming a cohost on the Sunday variety show “GMA Supershow”. But it wasn’t until the television drama anthology entitled “Princess” in 1987 that the young actress started to seriously hone in on her acting, playing different characters every week. “It was like free schooling for me, I learned a lot during that time, so it was fun because I wasn’t stuck with just one character. It was like I had a new challenge every week, and it was so much fun,” Punzalan shared. Punzalan would then spend the back half of the 1980s to the mid-aughts starring in popular series, like the sitcom “Family 3+1” in which she starred with her mother and “Mula sa Puso” on ABS-CBN, the latter for which she won the PMPC Star Award for Best Drama Actress in 1998. After decades of success in Philippine media, Punzalan met husband Jason Field, an American, and in 2005 moved to the U.S. “When I got married and we moved to Michigan, I thought that I can’t pursue my acting career here, at least not right now, because if I was gonna pursue acting, I’d have to fly back and forth either to New York or LA and I thought that wouldn’t serve as a good foundation for the marriage,” she said. So when it came to finding work stateside, she thought back to her childhood career aspirations of becoming a doctor. But because of the laborious schooling required to become a doctor, Field suggested that she take up nursing instead. “It was challenging at first because I hadn’t been to school

in a long time, and I was the oldest one in all my classes,” said Punzalan, who has been a registered nurse for five years. “But I had an advantage: when you go back to school and you’re older, you already know who you are, what you want and I took things way more seriously.” Simultaneous to achieving her goals in nursing, Punzalan continued to go back to the Philippines ever so often to take on certain acting roles. But moving to the U.S. was a turning point for the actress who saw the nuanced ways in which American actors handle emotion versus the theatrical, almost histrionic way Philippine actors tend to portray characters. “The more I watched [American programs], I started to realize, ‘Oh, my god, my acting is way over the top and the way [American actors] convey emotions here is just way more subtle and more subdued,’” Punzalan said. “So I had to adjust, and even if I wasn’t acting, I would watch someone and think about how I would do that scene. And then I would observe Philippine acting and then think about how they would do that in America.” And Punzalan put those observations to good use, as seen in her performance in “Yellow Rose,” which showcased Punzalan like we haven’t seen her before. Her lifelike portrayal as a hard-working undocumented mother emanated so naturally and so effectively; there isn’t an ounce of excess in her performance, and she has the talent of saying so much without saying much at all. Now based in the Los Angeles area, she is transitioning into being a hospice nurse which offers a more flexible schedule to allow to act and be an attentive mother to her 5-year-old daughter Ellie. Next month on Thursday, August 15, Punzalan will participate in a Q&A with Paragas and producer Rey Cuerdo at a screening for “Yellow Rose” in Carson, California hosted by the Apl.de.ap Foundation International. With the continued success of “Yellow Rose,” Punzalan hopes to bring more acting experience to the second act of her career. She continues to lend her talents to Philippine

After decades in Philippine entertainment, Princess Punzalan moved to Los Angeles, where she is a nurse. AJPress photos by Noel Ty

Princess Punzalan stars as Priscilla, the mother of teenager Rose, played by Eva Noblezada. Priscilla’s character, an undocumented Filipina living in Texas, gets detained by immigration officials, leaving Rose on her own. Still courtesy of “Yellow Rose”

projects, but Punzalan hopes to land a television series in the U.S. “With a television series, you can get really deep into the character on your own time. It’s also really nice to work with the same people all the time for a

long time because you get to know people better, kind of like a family,” Punzalan shared. “I did so many television series in the Philippines and I really enjoyed it so I’m hoping in America I’ll be able to do that also.”

Alden, Kathryn Bernardo share The 1st thing Jane did after clinching Darna role lessons learned from portraying OFWs by Marinel r. Cruz Inquirer.net

JANE de Leon went into training immediately after she learned she would be the next Darna on the big screen. “She really needs it,” Star Cinema Adprom head Mico del Rosario told the Inquirer on Friday. “The role will be very physical.” “These days, she is into functional workout and learning how to do stunts,” Del Rosario added. “There will also be discussions about her role. She would have to study it very thoroughly with director Jerrold (Tarog).” Star Cinema, ABS-CBN’s film production arm, informed Jane of the good news on June 15, recalled Del Rosario. Over the weekend, the team conducted a casting call to search for the actress who will play the young Narda, Darna’s alter-ego. Twenty-year-old Jane started appearing in ABS-CBN programs in 2016. She was last seen as Maggie, Jericho Rosales’ sister, in the defunct soap series “Halik.” On the big screen, she was in the cast of the Regal Filmsproduced teen flicks “Walwal” and “The Debutantes.” As to how big the film project would be, Del Rosario disclosed: “It will be huge, but then, I want to emphasize that the network’s objective is simple: It is to retell the story of Darna, and to introduce her to

saw their passion and dedication to it.” In 2014, it was announced that Angel Locsin would fly again—just like she did on TV in 2005—as the iconic superheroine, but this time, on the big screen. Erik Matti would helm the project. In October 2015, Angel tearfully admitted on television that she could no longer play the part because of her spine injury. Two months later, a teaser for “Mars Ravelo’s Darna” was released despite the news of Angel quitting. In 2017, Angel, who earlier Jane de Leon promised to rejoin the producPhoto from Instagram/@imjanedeleon tion if her condition improved, said her doctor had advised her a new generation of viewers.” not to carry on with the project. He also denied that ABSShortly after, Star Cinema anCBN has been quickening nounced that Liza Soberano production pace because its would take Angel’s place. contract with the Ravelo family In August 2018, Liza conwould expire soon. firmed that she suffered from “I can’t say up to when a fractured finger while taping the contract will be, but it will definitely not end this year or in for the fantasy-adventure series “Bagani.” 2020,” he stressed. Two months later, the When asked for ABSnetwork announced that direcCBN’s reaction to comments tor Erik had quit “Darna,” by netizens that this particular citing “creative differences” “Darna” project was cursed, Del Rosario said: “The network as among the reasons. Weeks after, the public was informed doesn’t have any reaction to that Tarog took over the directhat. But on a personal level, it’s unfortunate na iniisipan nila torial post. Last April, Liza withdrew ng ganun. Hopefully, things will from “Darna,” citing her finger finally push through now that injury. we’ve found our Darna.” A month later, Star Magic Del Rosario also pointed out that the network was grate- announced that there would be auditions for the role, which ful to Angel and Liza “because eventually landed on Jane’s they gave so much of themselves to the project. We really lap.

by Jan MilO SeverO Philstar.com

ALDEN Richards and Kathryn Bernardo shared the lessons they learned after playing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for their upcoming movie, “Hello, Love, Goodbye.” During the movie’s recent press conference, Alden said filming the movie makes him realize that the lives of OFWs are very inspirational. “What I’ve learned about this movie is ‘yung mga OFWs sobrang inspirational ng buhay nila sa ibang bansa, hindi lang sa Hong Kong pero all over the world,” he said.

“Given a chance to play the role that can define the OFWs all over the world is an honor already. Itong pelikula na ‘to pagpapakita na rin kung gaano kakulay ang buhay ng mga kababayan natin na nagtatrabagho abroad para sa pamilya nila dito sa Pilipinas,” Alden said. The “Eat Bulaga” TV host added that the film aims to send the message that while OFWs have to live far from their family, they have found a new one through their friends and workmates abroad. “We’re sending a beautiful message that of course there

Continued on Page SF4

Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards in a scene from their movie. Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02

EA on the power of social media by Oliver M. PuluMbarit Inquirer.net

EDGAR Allan “EA” Guzman sees a changed entertainment landscape these days, markedly different from when he was new to the business. “Show biz personalities nowadays have bigger impact because of social media,” EA tells the Inquirer in Filipino. “So it’s important to be a good example to young people who idolize you.” It’s been over a decade since EA started giving show biz a shot. His sheer love for the art of acting, he says, continues to play a significant part in amassing a variety of roles for the small and big screens.

show biz is time, since our rest is limited.” But EA, whose performance in the 2011 film “Ligo na U, Lapit na Me” put him on the local show biz map, shares that he learned to find much-needed recharging, eventually: “I maximize our schedule. I work four times a week only. It’s important that I don’t just keep accepting work, since I also need to think about my health.” Now nearing 30, EA says he doesn’t work out regularly, but he makes sure he has a consistently healthy diet: “I haven’t Edgar Allan Guzman eaten rice for about a year.” Photo from Instagram/@ea_guzman EA, who won “Eat Bulaga’s” “I enjoy my work, and I love Mr. Pogi tilt in 2006, has gotten what I do,” the actor declares. acting and hosting work across “The only difficulty I have about Continued on Page SF3

Five years of social media required on visa application forms

This means the U.S. government can now go back and Immigration check any visa applicant’s FaceCorner book and other social media postings for the past five years. And it does no good to now close the account and delete it, Atty. MichAel because the question asks you Gurfinkel, eSQ to provide information about all social media platforms for the RECENTLY, the State Department revised immigrant and PAST five years. That would include accounts that were closed non-immigrant visa application forms to add a question asking a or deleted in the past five years. In addition, a person may person to list each social media be found inadmissible based on platform they have used within FRAUD if they failed to disclose the last five years. This includes any of their social media platthe person’s username or handle they used on that media forms within the past five years. And a review of social media platform. If more than one platform or username or handle may be a factor in connection has been used, the person must not only with uncovering terrorism, but could also be a factor disclose all that information. in connection with a person’s (They do not need to provide eligibility for various immigratheir password.) tion benefits. For example, if Among the media plata person is being petitioned forms requiring disclosure are Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, by a U.S. citizen spouse, but they’re posting recent vacation Twitter, YouTube, etc. photos on Facebook with their Disclosing a person’s social former boyfriend or girlfriend media is part of the Trump or ex-spouse, USCIS or the administration’s Muslim travel Embassy may be concerned ban initiative and “extreme about whether the marriage to vetting,” to determine whether a person may be “inadmissible” the American is fixed. Similarly, if a person posted that they just based on terrorism related got a visitor visa and they are issues. According to the State now moving to the U.S. “permaDepartment, “Social media can nently,” that might also be an be a major forum for terrorist indication of fraud which would sentiment and activity. This come back to haunt them. will be a vital tool to screen out While people are free to use terrorists, public safety threats, social media and post whatever and other dangerous individuthey like, they should now be als from gaining immigration benefits and setting foot on U.S. aware that the U.S. government is interested in what they are soil.”

posting, whether it may relate to terrorism, fraud, or eligibility for any immigration benefit. If you encounter issues with the U.S. government over your social media postings, which may have been innocent, but are being interpreted as potentially fraudulent or harmful to the U.S., you may want to seek the advice of an attorney, who can evaluate your situation and hopefully resolve it with the U.S. government. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars 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 and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice 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: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 26, 2019

IS THERE A WAY TO EXPEDITE THE PETITION FOR A 42-YEAR OLD SPECIAL CHILD SINCE HER GRANDMOTHER WHO USED TO CARE FOR HER HAS ALREADY PASSED ON? THIS QUESTION AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED ON “CITIZEN PINOY: YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT!” The first batch of Kapamilya who came to the “Citizen Pinoy” taping in Illinois have their questions answered this Sunday. Find out if the petition for a married son, that has dragged on for 15 years, can be expedited since he is needed by his aging parents to care for them. Can a U.S. citizen petition her mother who has married twice, but her first marriage has not yet been annulled? Get answers to these questions and more on an encore episode of — “Citizen Pinoy,” this Sunday at 6:15 p.m .PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)

Fil-Am dancer Bailey Munoz advances to ’So You Think You Can Dance’ top 20 by Billy De la Cruz AJPress

FOLLOWING Filipina American dancer Hannahlei Cabanilla’s win on “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 15 (SYTYCD) last year, another Fil-Am talent is set to make a splash in the American dance (Advertising Supplement) contest’s ongoing 16th season. On its 7th episode, Filipino American dancer Bailey Munoz from Las Vegas, wowed the judges as he danced to “Begschool days, I liked joining plays. gin” by Four Seasons during the Academy Round of the I realized that I could act, and it competition. was where I started developing He received the golden my skills.” ticket making him part of the Apart from doing film and TV, EA starred opposite Eugene top 20 hopefuls out of 64 contestants who will move on to Domingo in the stage producthe next round. Fellow Filipino tion of “Bona” in 2012. American dancer John John Among his colleagues, one remains influential to him: “Den- Tarrayo failed to make the cut, nis Trillo… [whom I worked with however. Also known as “BailRok,” in ‘Astig’] gave me pointers. They helped, especially with my 19-year-old Munoz is no stranger to the spotlight. movements.”

EA on the power of social media...

From Page SF2 networks GMA 7, ABS-CBN and TV 5, and is currently back as a Kapuso talent. “I’ve worked with other networks, and I can say that they’re the same,” he says. “I went back to GMA because this is my mother network—dito talaga ako nagsimula. It’s my second home. They accepted me with open arms.” He relates that signing with GMA Artist Center made him

feel ecstatic and “lucky.” He immediately landed a role in the fantaserye “Dragon Lady.” “I’m happy to have worked with Janine (Gutierrez) and Tom (Rodriguez) for the first time,” says EA, who previously starred in “My Korean Jagiya” and various episodes of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” While not exactly a childhood dream, acting as an occupation came to mind later, EA recounts: “During my high

Bailrok with his parents, Fredie and Barbra, and younger sister Faither.

In an interview with ABSCBN News’ Bev Llorente, Bailrok gave the news crew a tour to his house in Las Vegas. He proudly showed his wall of fame, a collection of his childhood photos with A-list celebrities he has worked with and met through dancing. “When I toured with Bruno

Photo by Bev Llorente

Mars, it was such an amazing experience. He is the coolest guy. He is a good person to look up to,” he shared. In 2010, then 9-year-old BailRok landed a spot on the semi-finals of “America’s Got Talent.” “I started at a very young Continued on Page SF5

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celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 26, 2019

celebrity world

Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson: Are they together or not?

By Ferdie Villar SHORTLY after actress Julia Barretto and actor Joshua Garcia confirmed the end of their relationship last June 28, more rumors and speculations came out regarding the former’s alleged involvement with another actor. The other actor is no other than Gerald Anderson, who has been in an “off and on” relationship with Bea Alonzo. However, just last July 21, Bea has been putting cryptic posts on Instagram; making more people think that she and Gerald have gone their separate ways. The controversy started when a netizen posted a photo of Julia and Gerald together, after attending Rayver Cruz’s birthday celebration at a bar in Taguig a few weekends ago. According to the netizen, the two got in the same car and left the party, and accused Gerald of cheating on Bea. The post received a lot of negative comments, mostly directed at Julia. Coming to Julia’s defense

is her mother, actress Marjorie Barretto, who said that she is thinking of taking legal action against the netizen who posted the photo and started all the controversy. However, is there nothing really going on between Julia and Gerald? What fueled the fire more was Bea’s activities on social media, including her post that said, “you can’t make the same mistake twice, the second time you make it, it’s not a mistake anymore, it’s a choice. ENOUGH.”

Aside from Bea, Julia’s exboyfriend Joshua has also been posting on his social media about their break-up. Netizens also noticed that the actor has liked Bea’s recent post. At the moment, Julia has moved in her own home (just next to her mom’s house), and Bea has been getting a lot of support and encouraging messages from fans, netizens and even colleagues from showbiz (including Julia’s own aunt, Gretchen Barretto). We’ll see how this story develops.

Filipino-Australian Migo Adecer is one of the lead stars in the teleserye, “Sahaya,” on GMA Pinoy TV.

Julia Barretto has been accused as the “third party” involved in the breakup of Gerald Anderson and Bea Alonzo.

Actor Gerald Anderson was rumored to be seeing actress Julia Barretto while still with girlfriend Bea Alonzo.

Actress Bea Alonzo started to post cryptic messages on her Instagram, adding speculations that she and boyfriend Gerald Anderson have broke up.

Boots Anson Rodrigo, a well-known actress in Philippine showbiz, will make her comeback via the newest teleserye on GMA Pinoy TV, “Hanggang Sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko.”

Alden, Kathryn Bernardo share...

From Page SF2 are struggles on being an OFW, kasi sa akin ang pumapasok kasi sa isip ko, mahirap ang trabaho, malayo sa pamilya, malungkot, pero ‘yung nagawa namin dito sa ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye,’ is something na pinakita namin ‘yung kabilang side na kung iiwan ng mga kababayan natin ‘yung mga pamilya nila, mayroon din silang nadiscover na bagong pamilya kung saan sila nagtatrabaho,” Alden said. “Yung mga roles na pinor-

EMPLOYMENT

tray namin dito, I hope na magkaroon ng realization ‘yung mga kabataan kasi pabata na nang pabata ang mga OFWs ngayon,” he added. Kathryn admitted that working as an OFWs is not for the soft-hearted because it is not easy to spend your time away from your family. “Swerte ‘yung mga OFWs na nakuha ‘yung pamilya nila, na nakaipon na. Hindi siya para sa lahat kasi hindi siya madali. Dapat ‘pag pumunta ka do’n buo

‘yung loob mo na ‘OK gusto ko to at gagawin ko ‘to dahil gusto ko ‘to hindi lang dahil kailangan.’ Kasi ayaw mong at the end of the day sisihin mo na ‘pumunta kasi ako dahil kailangan nila e,’ pero ang ending malungkot ka. Ikaw naman ‘yung magsusuffer, nakaipon ka pero di ka naman masaya. Kung buo ang loob mo at willing mo ‘pag daanan lahat ‘yon, may malaking prize na naghihintay talaga, pero hindi siya para sa lahat,” Kathryn explained.

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Jessica Apolinario, daughter of Ermin Apolinario of the Department of Defense and Ting Ting Apolinario of the Depoartment of Justice in Washington, DC; tied the knot with Nick Devine, pastor at Woodstock Church in Brunswick in Canada at a wedding ceremony and reception held at Morais Vineyard in Virginia. Shown in photo are (L-R) Joshua Apolinario, Linh-Chi Apolinario and daughter Adylyn Grace, father of the bride Ermin Apolinario, the newlywed couple, and Ting Ting Apolinario, mother of the bride.

SERVICES

Actor Joshua Garcia confirmed last month that he and former girlfriend Julia Barretto have gone their separate ways.

SF Board of Supervisors unanimously approves Traffic Congestion Mitigation Tax for November 2019 ballot Sponsored by Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Aaron Peskin, the measure would add a surcharge on Transportation Network Company rides originating in San Francisco to fund congestion mitigation projects, including safe streets and Muni transit operations

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, July 23, unanimously approved a ballot measure introduced by Mayor London N. Breed and Supervisor Aaron Peskin to add a surcharge to rides made through Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) in San Francisco in order to fund street safety projects and investments in Muni service. The Traffic Congestion Mitigation Tax will now be on the November 2019 ballot and will need to be approved by two-thirds of voters. If approved by voters, the tax would become effective on January 1, 2020. The measure is estimated to raise up to $35 million annually for transit and Vision Zero safety projects, and would impose a 3.25 percent surcharge on all individual rides and a 1.5 percent surcharge on shared rides that originate in San Francisco. Rides in electric vehicles (EVs) would have a surcharge of 1.5 percent regardless of whether they are individual or shared, in order to encourage the use of EVs. The proposal was crafted by Mayor Breed and Supervisor Peskin in cooperation with TNCs Uber and Lyft. “We need to reduce congestion on our streets so that people can get around more easily, while continuing to invest in our public transportation and make our streets safer for everyone,” said

Mayor Breed. “This requires coming together to find solutions to improve street design and encouraging people to take transit, walk, and bike.” “We all know congestion in San Francisco is terrible and everyone needs to be a part of the solution, including the TNC companies, users and the City,” said Supervisor Aaron Peskin. “This requires strategic investment from all of us to prioritize solutions that get people out of their cars, onto public transporta-

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 26, 2019

In loving memory of Rudolph “Rhuddee” Gaudinez Vitug

R

July 17, 1952 - June 20, 2019

udolph “Rhuddee” Gaudinez Vitug of San Jose, California passed joined his creator las June 20, 2019 at the age of 67. Known among his friends and family as “His Gorjuzness,” Rhuddee was a member of the Samahang Filipinoy Community of the Most Holy Trinity Church. A viewing, vigil and rosary service was held last July 18 and his remains were buried on July 19, at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

are on the street. Assemblymember Phil Ting authored legislation last year that ensured San Francisco’s authority to implement a surcharge on rideshare trips with voter approval. Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1184, which allows a higher tax rate for single-passenger rides and lower rates for shared rides and zero emission vehicles. The bill also allows the surcharge to be applied to autonomous vehicle rides when the technology becomes available. “San Francisco’s ability to move its people around safely in a growing economy is vital. But the City’s current transportation revenue streams can’t keep up with the demand,” said Assemblymember Ting. “I’m glad to see Mayor Breed and Supervisor Peskin taking the next step spelled out in AB 1184 and working to invest in bike lanes, public transit, and safer roads. If the tax is approved by voters, I hope the lower rates for shared rides and EVs motivate consumers to use those options.” Revenue from the tax measure would be split equally between transit improvement measures, such as improving bus and rail service frequency and reliability, and Vision Zero safety improvements, including pedestrian and bicyclist safety infraBailey “Bailrok” Munoz made it to the top 20 of structure and traffic calming “So You Think You Can Dance” season 16. measures. Photo by Bev Llorente

“We need to reduce congestion on our streets so that people can get around more easily, while continuing to invest in our public transportation and make our streets safer for everyone,” said Mayor Breed. tion and safely walking and biking.” In 2017, then-Board of Supervisors President Breed and Supervisor Peskin convened a task force to explore the potential for new transportation revenue measures in San Francisco, consisting of neighborhood organizations, advocacy groups, business and civic organizations, and public agencies. The task force issued its final report in 2017, which found that TNCs accounted for roughly 15 percent of intra-city trips, and an estimated 20-26 percent of vehicle trips Downtown during peak periods. It is estimated that on an average weekday, 6,500 TNC vehicles

community

Fil-Am dancer Bailey Munoz advances... From Page SF3 age. It was such a blessing for me being on ‘America’s Got Talent’ when I was younger,” he told ABS-CBN News. “I’ve been lucky enough to perform with Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber. I got to dance with Beyoncé, Megan Trainor.” His other notables performances include an appearance in Chris Brown’s music video, in “Dancing with the Stars,” and at a New York Knicks’ game. As for his current journey on SYTYCD, BailRok hopes that his love and passion for dancing will help him through the tough competition ahead. He promised to give it his all as he considers getting the golden ticket not only a dream come true, but a chance of a lifetime as well. Behind BailRok’s success, and his SYTYCD journey, are

his proud parents, Ferdie and Barbra Munoz, and her younger sister Faithe. “We haven’t really digested what he has experienced through dance,” Ferdie Munoz told ABS-CBN News. “I know how hard he works when he’s performing at something. Specifically for SYTYCD, he’s spent months training. I know that this is something he is preparing for,” Barbra Munoz shared. “During that audition, I was not necessarily scared or nervous, it’s a combination of both because I know he really wanted it and worked so hard for it.” Next week, BailRok and the rest of the top 20 performers will partner with SYTYCD “AllStars” to compete for a spot in the top 10. “So You Think You Can Dance” airs on Fox on Monday nights at 8 p.m.

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people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 26, 2019

New mural celebrates Filipinx American heroes and community leaders ‘Heroes’ project reflects aspirations of a long-standing immigrant community

SAN FRANCISCO, CA –– Over the past four months, 18-year-old Ramon Bonifacio would spend his Saturdays visualizing, sketching, stenciling, priming, and painting at the Bayanihan Community Center, at the corner of Mission and Sixth Streets. The recent high school graduate is among a group of artist-activists, educators, and community members dedicated to the creation of a mural that depicts and pays homage to eight FilipinxAmerican community leaders and SOMA heroes, each with special significance and/or outstanding contributions to SOMA’s Filipino community: Major Demetrio M. Cariño, World War II veteran; Al Robles, poet and activist; Dr. Dawn Bohulano-Mabalon, historian and professor; Dr. Mario Borja, physician and founder of FADF; Bullet X Marasigan, social worker and social justice advocate; Carlos Villa, artist and educator; Victoria Manalo Draves, U.S. Olympian diver and multiple gold medalist; and Bill Sorro, community activist. On Saturday, July 13, the Filipino-American Development Foundation (FADF), South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN), along with members of the community, volunteers and the family of these eight outstanding community members celebrated the completion of the “Heroes in Our Windows” mural at the Bayanihan Community Center 1010 Mission Street. From 6-8 p.m. participants unveiled the mural, discussed the s/heroes, enjoyed food, and commended the hard work of the volunteers responsible for its creation. The Bayanihan Community

The debate on immigration and deportation continues across the board, which has resulted in changing policies within the DHS

WHAT is the process of getting deported? What can be done? What can one expect? These may be some of the questions that people think about. Normally, deportation cases proceed through the Department of Justice Executive Office A community artist paints a portrait of artist and activist Al Robles. Contributed phtoos for Immigration Review (immigration court) where individuals appear and present their cases in front of an Immigration Judge. However, there are also instances where Expedited Removal is used. Below is a summary of an article by the American Immigration Council on Expedited Removal. What is Expedited Removal? Created in 1996 under the Community members, family members of featured heroes, and guests at the unveiling of the mural in Illegal Immigration and Immifront of the Bayanihan Community Center. Photo by Anthony Bongco grant Responsibility Act, “Expedited Removal” is the legal authority given to even low-level immigration officers to order the deportation of some non-U.S. citizens without going in front of an Immigration Judge. With Expedited Removal, immigration officers can “summarily order the removal of nearly any foreign national who arrives at the border without proper documents; additionally, undocumented immigrants who Family members of featured heroes, artists, and representatives at the mural unveiling program at the have been in the United States

14 days or less since entering without inspection are subject to expedited removal if an immigration officer encounters them within 100 miles of the U.S. border with either Mexico or Canada.” Individuals in expedited removal are detained until removed, and there is no right to appeal an expedited removal. There are limitations to expedited removal when it comes to certain individuals. U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs, or “green card” holders) should not be subject to expedited removal. Refugees, asylees, or asylum seekers (people who fear persecution in their home countries or indicate an intention to apply for asylum) should also not be subject to expedited removal. How is the government implementing expedited removal now? In 2017, President Trump issued an executive order which directed the DHS to dramatically expand the use of “expedited removal” to its full statutory extent. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would carry out the full expansion. As of July 23, 2019, “expedited removal may be applied to individuals who are undocumented, or who have committed fraud or misrepresentation, and who are encountered within the entire United States and who have not been physically present in the United States for two years

prior to apprehension.” The problem with this is, when an immigration official encounters someone they believe may be subject to expedited removal, the burden of proof is on the individual to prove otherwise. Meaning, “an individual believed to be subject to expedited removal will have the burden of proving to an immigration official that they have been physically present in the United States for two or more years or that they were legally admitted or paroled into the United States.” There are many questions surrounding current immigration laws and deportation proceedings in the wake of policy changes and executive orders from the current Administration. Individuals and their families should consult with a licensed and experienced immigration and deportation attorney to discuss their options, and to make a plan for when they are put in deportation proceedings. ***

have promoted the collective goal of achieving this project completely through volunteer community efforts. The heroes and sheroes were chosen collectively by the SOMA and Filipino community-at-large. Each hero holds a dear place in the South of Market, and has all in his/her own ways

fought for and shaped the Filipino community into SOMA Pilipinas with a lasting 100year impact in San Francisco. The mural is to give overdue recognition and visibility for achievements including advancing veterans equity, immigrant rights, tenant & housing rights, social justice, and

the lasting influence of artists and activists from the I-Hotel struggle. The mural hopes to create a beacon of inspiration, hope, empowerment, a sense of belonging and reminder of collective power in a neighborhood that has undergone rapid changes since the turn of the century.

The CTV Files

Atty. LiLLi BAcuLi coLLins, EsQ

Bayanihan Community Center.

Center is a Filipino community center located in the South of Market (SOMA), a neighborhood which has been home to generations of Filipino immigrants since the early 1900s. In 2016, the South of Market gained recognition as a Filipino Cultural Heritage District, to be known as SOMA

Photo by Anthony Bongco

Pilipinas. The Bayanihan Community Center, located in the heart of SOMA, might have been easy to walk by without notice in the past, but now this mural is an important reminder and inspiration to the community of SOMA. The mural artists, Mel Vera Cruz and England Hidalgo,

Atty. Lilli Baculi Collins is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full-service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; lbaculi@ctvattys. com; www.chuatinsayvega.com. (Advertising Supplement)

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 26, 2019

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 26, 2019