AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026
611 North Brand Blvd., Suite 1300, Glendale, CA 91203
Volume 37 - No. 34 • 14 Pages
Tel: (818) 937-9981 • (818) 937-9982 • (213) 250-9797 • info@asianjournalinc.com
DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Abbott seeks to bar H-1B workers from Texas public schools Proposal would cover current visa holders and future applicants; Filipino educators are among H-1B teachers working in U.S. schools
Senate absences put 16-vote rule at center of Duterte impeachment trial Cayetano and Legarda have missed proceedings; Estrada, dela Rosa and Marcoleta face legal barriers as court keeps conviction requirement unchanged by AJPress MANILA — Five senator-judges have missed all or
part of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial for reasons ranging from illness and medical leave to detention and an outstanding international
Zamboanga shooting drives nationwide push on guns, school security
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling for legislation that would bar public school districts from employing workers on H-1B visas, targeting a federal program some Texas school systems use to recruit teachers for hard-to-fill classrooms. Abbott announced the proposal Aug. 18 in Austin, saying he wants “exactly zero” H-1B visa holders working in Texas public schools. He said the restriction should apply to current visa holders as well as future applicants. No such K-12 prohibition is currently in effect. The proposal would require approval by the Texas Legislature, which convenes in January 2027. The plan would extend restrictions Abbott u PAGE 4
PNP tightens firearm safeguards as DepEd orders active-attack drills; investigators have yet to establish motive by AJPress
Military recruiting rebound accelerates as services hit 2026 goals early Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force reach annual targets months ahead of schedule after years of recruiting difficulties WASHINGTON - U.S. military recruiting has continued its strong recovery in 2026, with four active-duty services reaching annual goals months ahead of schedule after years of difficulty attracting enough qualified volunteers. The Army said in May that it had signed contracts with more than 61,500 future soldiers, meeting its fiscal 2026 active-duty target four months before the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. The Navy later contracted 45,000 future sailors. The Air Force reached its goal of 32,750 active-duty airu PAGE 2
Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited Ateneo de Zamboanga University to meet with school officials. Alongside government agencies such as DSWD and DOH, and partner organizations, the initiative also provided Psychological First Aid and psychosocial support to students, families, and school personnel in need. DepED Photo
Security deployment expands as investigation continues and BARMM prepares for landmark Sept. 14 vote by AJPress
COTABATO CITY - Security preparations for the Bangsamoro region’s first regular parliamentary election have intensified
Former speaker cites witness reversals; Ombudsman says 28 other witnesses remain
MANILA — Former House speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has challenged key witness accounts in the government’s flood-control corruption investigation, citing a series of recantations while the Office of the Ombudsman maintains that its inquiry rests on a broader body of testimony and evidence. Romualdez filed a supplemental counter-affidavit Thursday, Aug. 20, incorporating the recantation of retired Marine Orly Guteza, who withdrew earlier
MANILA — Philippine authorities are tightening firearm safeguards and preparing schools nationwide for active-attack emergencies after the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University raised questions about gun storage, campus security and protections for minors. The Philippine National Police on Friday ordered commanders nationwide to reinforce rules requiring personnel to secure firearms, particularly while off duty or at home, and prevent access by children or other unauthorized people. The directive followed the Aug. 18 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University's junior high school campus, the second deadly Philippine school shooting in less than two months. Authorities said a Grade 8 student fatally shot a Grade u PAGE 2
Attack on Bangsamoro leader’s FBI adds Iloilo mayor’s son to convoy raises security concerns Most Wanted Fraudsters list in ahead of first parliamentary election alleged $650 million scheme as authorities continue investigating the Aug. 15 attack on interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua and expand enforcement of an election-period gun ban. u PAGE4
allegations that he participated in cash deliveries to properties associated with the former speaker. The Ombudsman said Guteza’s reversal would not derail its investigation. The anti-graft office said it has 28 other witnesses, described as active members of the uniformed services, who can provide direct and material information about transactions under scrutiny. Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s 1st District, has denied wrongdoing. The case remains u PAGE 5
Federal agents offer up to $150,000 for information leading to Rey E. Grabato II’s arrest and conviction by AJPress
NEWARK, N.J. — The FBI has added Rey E. Grabato II, son of Mina, Iloilo Mayor Rey P. Grabato, to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list over allegations that he participated in an investment scheme involving more than Council authorizes permanent ceremonial $650 million and about 2,000 investors. signs at First and Los Angeles streets and Grabato remained on the FBI Temple and Figueroa streets list as of Aug. 19. The bureau is Councilmembers Curren Price offering up to $150,000 for inforby AJPress and Nithya Raman absent. The mation leading to his arrest and action became final Aug. 12. The conviction and says he has ties LOS ANGELES — The Los An- proposal originated with Coun- to the Philippines and may be geles City Council has approved cilmember Ysabel Jurado and was living there. A federal arrest warrant was official designations for two seconded by Councilmember Bob issued Oct. 12, 2022, in New downtown intersections associ- Blumenfield. ated with the city’s early Filipino Under the action, the Los Ange- Jersey. Grabato is charged with American communities, naming les Department of Transportation conspiracy to commit securities First and Los Angeles streets “Lit- is directed to install permanent fraud, securities fraud, conspirtle Manila Square” and Temple ceremonial signs at both inter- acy to commit wire fraud, wire and Figueroa streets “America is sections. The committee report fraud and conspiracy to defraud in the Heart Square.” identifies First and Los Angeles the United States in connection The Council adopted the Pub- streets as the location of Los An- with taxes. The charges remain allegalic Works Committee report geles’ original Little Manila and u PAGE 2 tions. Grabato has not been on Aug. 11 by a 13-0 vote, with
Los Angeles names two downtown Romualdez challenges key testimony in flood-control probe squares to mark Little Manila history by AJPress
arrest warrant, putting renewed attention on a rule the Senate court says will not change: 16 votes are u PAGE 2
convicted in the case and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Federal prosecutors allege that Grabato and others participated in a scheme involving National Realty Investment Advisors LLC, or NRIA. According to the indictment, an NRIA investment fund raised approximately $650 million from about 2,000 investors between February 2018 and January 2022. Grabato was NRIA’s president and majority owner. Prosecutors allege investors were misled about NRIA’s financial condition and the use of their money. The indictment alleges that investor funds were used in part to make distributions while NRIA generated little or no operating income from its properties. NRIA, the investment fund and more than 100 affiliated companies filed for Chapter u PAGE 2
F-1 STUDENTS RULE CHANGE DHS Eliminates Duration of Status for F-1 Students
Southern California State University accepts F-1 international students. Apply to our degree programs before Learn about the new rule takes effect. the new policy
NO APPLICATION FEE UNTIL END OF AUGUST 2026 PROGRAMS:
Bachelor of Business Administration (4+ years) MBA & MBA-STEM (3+ years)
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO!
213-382-5300
info@scsuniversity.edu www.scsuniversity.edu