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Volume 37 - No. 32 • 12 Pages
AUGUST 7 - 13, 2026
Also published in Los Angeles, Orange County/Inland Empire, Northern California, San Diego, New York/New Jersey
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
California Legislature recognizes Filipino American history, honors community leaders
info@asianjournalinc.com • Tel: (818) 937-9981 • (818) 937-9982 • (213) 250-9797 • 611 North Brand Blvd., Suite 1300, Glendale, CA 91203
Philippines presses U.S. to reduce additional tariff to 10% Manila says a new import-control mechanism addresses Washington’s forced-labor concern, but U.S. trade officials have not announced a change from the 12.5 percent rate
Assembly and Senate resolutions mark the October observance as five honorees are recognized at the Capitol
by AJPress
MANILA — The Philippines is seeking a reduction in an additional U.S. tariff on Philippine goods after establishing a government mechanism intended to
Audit records take focus in Sara Duterte impeachment trial
SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly and Senate adopted separate resolutions Monday recognizing October 2026 as Filipino American History Month, while a Capitol program honored five individuals and organizations for contributions to technology, literature, historical preservation, community service and film. Assemblymember Jessica Caloza presented House Resolution 102, which the Assembly adopted by voice vote after 64 lawmakers joined as coauthors. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 120, introduced by state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, on a 36-0 vote. Cabaldon introduced the measure June 18, and it was ordered to a third reading June 24. Caloza is the first Filipina elected to the California Legislature. Cabaldon, elected in 2024 after serving for two decades as mayor of West Sacramento, is the first Filipino American to u PAGE 3
Los Angeles paralegal sentenced to time served in immigration fraud case
Federal prosecution involved petitions based on arranged marriages intended to secure favorable U.S. immigration status LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles paralegal who admitted preparing fraudulent immigration petitions involving members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ has been sentenced to time served and ordered to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment. Maria De Leon, 77, pleaded guilty to participating in a marriage- and visa-fraud conspiracy connected to members of the Philippine-based church founded by Apollo Quiboloy. According to the U.S. Justice Department, u PAGE 3
COA witnesses described documentation gaps involving confidential funds released to the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education, while defense lawyers challenged the prosecution’s conclusions and sought a receipt-by-receipt review. by AJPress
Breaking barriers and making history—Alex Eala clinches her first WTA title, a proud moment for Philippine tennis. Photo courtesy of WTA Facebook
American hard-court season moves through Toronto and Cincinnati toward the US Open by AJPress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Alexandra “Alex” Eala completed a rain-delayed comeback against top-seeded Jessica Pegula on Monday, Aug. 3, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 to become the first player representing the Philippines
Formal bid begins Philippine review as detained pastor continues to face domestic prosecutions. MANILA – The United States has asked the Philippines to extradite Apollo Quiboloy, beginning a treaty review that could lead to court proceedings over whether the detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder should be surrendered to face federal charges in California. The case carries diplomatic weight because Quiboloy was a longtime friend and spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo
MANILA – The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte turned to the documentary trail behind confidential funds released to two government offices she headed, as state auditors testified about acknowledgment receipts, spending plans and records they said were insufficient to verify portions of the reported expenditures. Hearings from Aug. 3 through Aug. 5 focused on Article I of the impeachment case, which accuses Duterte of misusing P612.5 million in confidential funds. The amount consists of P500 million released to the u PAGE 2
Eala defeats Pegula in Washington, delivers JPMorganChase chief calls for business-government action as Philippines’ first WTA Tour singles title The 21-year-old rises to a career-high No. 20 as the North bank sets $750 billion housing goal to capture a WTA Tour singles title. The victory at the Mubadala DC Open gave Eala her first championship on the main women’s tour and her first at the WTA 500 level. It also moved the 21-year-old eight places to a career-high No. 20 in the world rankings, u PAGE 2
Duterte. It also requires Manila to balance treaty obligations to Washington with the authority of Philippine courts trying him. The Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday, Aug. 6, that it had received the U.S. request and endorsed it to the Department of Justice. The DOJ said earlier that it had not yet received the document, leaving the interagency handoff unclear. Extradition is not immediate. Philippine law requires a request u PAGE 2
Jamie Dimon outlines policy priorities on housing, artificial intelligence and workforce development during a San Francisco forum by AJPress
SAN FRANCISCO – Jamie Dimon called for closer cooperation between business and government on housing, education, public safety and job training Monday, arguing that economic growth should be matched by policies that widen access to opportunity. The JPMorganChase chairman and chief executive spoke at Chase Center during the opening stop of the bank’s 16th annual bus tour. Asian Journal was one of the media organizations attending “San Francisco: Capital of Opporby AJPress tunity,” where Dimon joined Kevin Delaney, editor-in-chief of The San MANILA - Artificial intelligence from using AI to assist workers Francisco Standard, for a fireside could help Philippine companies than from replacing them. It es- chat on the economy, technology raise productivity and expand ac- timated that generative AI could and public policy. cess to specialized services, but it place 4.5 percent of jobs in lowNoah Wintroub, Global Chair, also threatens to reshape the busi- and middle-income countries at J.P. Morgan, was among the ness-process outsourcing industry risk of automation while mean- bank’s senior executives at the by reducing the value of some rou- ingfully increasing productivity in event. As JPMorganChase’s top tine, rules-based work, according 16.2 percent. Bay Area executive, Wintroub to recent World Bank and governThose global estimates are not discussed the firm’s regional ment studies. forecasts of Philippine layoffs. presence and its plans to increase The World Bank’s World Devel- They measure whether job tasks housing investment through the opment Report 2026 said develop- can be automated or improved American Dream Initiative. He ing economies stand to gain more u PAGE 4 said additional private capital
U.S. extradition request for Quiboloy AI could lift productivity but pressure puts treaty process, local cases in focus routine BPO work, World Bank says by AJPress
prevent products made with forced labor from entering the country. u PAGE 2
Philippines faces a workforce transition as companies automate repetitive tasks and seek more advanced digital skills
could support housing production if accompanied by public policies that reduce development barriers and expand supply. The tour brings Dimon and other senior executives to branches, operations centers and local events across the country to meet employees, customers, business owners, public officials and community organizations. It also allows the bank to review regional operations and assess where it could expand services or direct capital. This year’s discussions parallel the six focus areas of the JPMorganChase American Dream Initiative: business growth and entrepreneurship; housing access and affordability; financial health and wealth creation; careers and skills; health care; and support for local institutions such as schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations and local governments. Dimon described what economists call a K-shaped economy, in which different groups move in opposite directions. Higher-income households, investors and u PAGE 3