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SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026 Volume 20 - No.38 • 16 Pages 611 North Brand Blvd., Suite 1300, Glendale, CA 91203 • Tel: (818) 9379981 • (818) 937-9982 • (213) 250-9797 • info@asianjournalinc.com

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Bangsamoro elects first Parliament, 50 years DATELINE USA after Tripoli pact FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

ICE arrests hit record 50,925 in August Broader enforcement is driving arrests higher, while court proceedings, travel arrangements and receiving-country limits can delay deportations

Historic vote carries a generations-long pursuit of self-government into elected parliamentary rule within the Philippines; no bloc commands majority as lawmakers prepare to choose chief minister by AJPress

COTABATO CITY – Fifty years after the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front signed the Tripoli Agreement, voters in the southern Philippines have elected

the first regular Bangsamoro Parliament, moving a decades-long experiment in regional autonomy into a new phase. The Sept. 14 vote gave the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM, its first legislature chosen under

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Three days of proceedings examine Article II allegations, Duterte’s financial disclosures and the constitutional standard for conviction by AJPress MANILA — House prosecutors examining Vice President Sara Duterte’s financial affairs moved from legal principles to her asset declarations this week, while the Senate impeachment court separately heard conflicting views from retired Supreme Court justices on how many votes would be required to convict her. The proceedings from Sept. 14 to 16 cen-

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COMELEC Chair Garcia and Commissioners join BARMM canvassing sessions for the region’s first Parliamentary Elections. Photo courtesy of Comelec

ICC orders former President Rodrigo Duterte DOJ subpoenas Padilla in obstruction to remain detained ahead of November trial probe over Dela Rosa’s Senate departure Judges cite continuing flight and interference risks; separate ruling on fitness for trial remains pending by AJPress THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court has ordered former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to remain in detention, finding no sufficient change in circumstances to justify his release as his crimes against humanity trial approaches. Trial Chamber III issued its second detention-review decision on Sept. 16, the same day Duterte appeared in person before ICC judges in The Hague. The chamber concluded that

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Asset declarations, Senate vote threshold drive Duterte impeachment hearings

by AJPress WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made a record 50,925 arrests in August, but the pace of deportations has not risen at the same rate, highlighting the legal and logistical gap between an immigration arrest and removal from the United States. The Department of Homeland Security said the August total was the third consecutive monthly record, following 50,208 arrests in July and 43,900 in June. Removal figures have moved more slowly. Preliminary government data reviewed by Reuters showed deportations averaging about 1,200 a day in August, roughly the same daily pace as in May, when ICE was making substantially fewer arrests. The widening gap partly reflects who is

the parliamentary system created by the 2018 Bangsamoro Organic Law. The Commission on Elections Regional Board of Canvassers proclaimed the winners shortly after midnight Sept. 16. Final figures showed 2,018,478 voters

the grounds supporting his detention remain as the case moves toward a Nov. 30 trial. Judges said the approaching trial and the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if Duterte is convicted increased the assessed risk that he could flee or obstruct or endanger the proceedings. The chamber also cited the prosecution’s disclosure of witness identities and expected testimony, saying this increased

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Senator denies helping colleague evade arrest; prosecutors stress summons is not a finding of guilt by AJPress MANILA — The Department of Justice has summoned Sen. Robinhood Padilla and his chief of staff to answer an obstruction-of-justice complaint arising from Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s departure from the Senate in May while authorities were seeking to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said subpoenas were served

Sept. 15 on Padilla and retired Col. Jean Alla Yasin Robles at the Senate. They were ordered to appear before a panel of prosecutors on Sept. 25 and Oct. 9 and submit counter-affidavits and supporting evidence. The complaint was filed by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group under Presidential Decree No. 1829, which penalizes acts that knowingly

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Romualdez pleads not guilty in P7.44-billion plunder case by AJPress MANILA – Former House speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Sept. 16, to a plunder charge alleging that he and three co-accused received at least P7.44 billion in kickbacks and other financial benefits tied to government projects. Romualdez entered his plea by videoconference from the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, where he remains detained. The Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered his transfer there after Philippine General Hospital doctors found him clinically stable and no longer requiring acute hospital confinement. The court later rejected his request for transfer to a government hospital. His lawyers have said they intend to seek bail.

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SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Bangsamoro elects first... PAGE 1 participated, an 84.34 percent turnout. The Bangsamoro Federalist Party secured 16 of the 40 proportional-representation seats, followed by the United Bangsamoro Justice Party with 15, the BARMM Grand Coalition with eight and the Raayat Democratic Party with one. In the 32 geographic districts, BFP candidates won 15 seats, UBJP nine, Serbisyong Inklusibo Alyansang Progresibo six, and the Progresibong Bangsamoro Party and Al Ittihad-UKB one each. Eight seats are reserved for sectoral representatives. No single party emerged with the 41 votes needed to elect a chief minister on its own. Under the Organic Law, Parliament elects the chief minister by a majority of all members, with a runoff between the top two if no one obtains a majority initially. The elected members assume office at noon Oct. 30 and will serve until June 30, 2031. The appointed Bangsamoro Transition Authority is dissolved upon the election and qualification of the chief minister. A long road to autonomy The election carries historical weight because the political question it addresses predates the modern Moro rebellion. Muslim sultanates and other political communities governed parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago before Spanish colonial rule. Over time, colonial rule, incorporation into the Philippine state, migration, land disputes, underdevelopment and questions of political representation became part of the modern Bangsamoro grievance. The contemporary armed conflict took shape in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The MNLF emerged as the principal separatist movement and, on Dec. 23, 1976, signed the Tripoli Agreement with the Philippine government, estab-

lishing a framework for autonomy while preserving Philippine sovereignty. The accord did not end the conflict. The government and MNLF signed a Final Peace Agreement in 1996, while the Moro Islamic Liberation Front pursued a separate negotiating track with Manila. The 1987 Constitution provided for an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao. Congress created the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 1989, but the MILF peace process later sought a different political arrangement. The government and MILF signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2014. Congress enacted Republic Act No. 11054, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, in 2018. Voters ratified the arrangement in 2019, replacing ARMM with BARMM and establishing a parliamentary regional government. The Supreme Court upheld the law in 2024 but ruled Sulu was not part of BARMM because the province had rejected ratification. Autonomy within the Philippines Despite having its own Parliament and chief minister, BARMM remains part of the Republic of the Philippines. The Organic Law calls the region an “integral, indivisible, and inseparable” part of national territory and requires allegiance to the Constitution and the Republic. BARMM exercises broader political and fiscal autonomy than an ordinary region, but it is not independent. Parliament legislates on regional matters and elects the chief minister, while national defense and other reserved powers remain with the national government. The election therefore does not alter the presidency or Congress, nor should its results be read as a measure of national voting sentiment. Its broader importance lies in whether institutions created through the peace settlement

From the Front Page

can sustain representative government, manage political rivalry and preserve gains made after decades of conflict. The two largest blocs are rooted in rival MILF-linked political networks. Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua leads the BFP, while MILF Chairman Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim heads the UBJP. Their competition moves the struggle for political authority into electoral and parliamentary institutions. The wider peace process is not finished. Normalization commitments involving former combatants and conflict-affected communities continue as the political track moves into elected government. Violence and irregularities under review The historic vote was accompanied by serious security and procedural concerns. A joint Asian Network for Free Elections-National Democratic Institute mission said at least five people were killed and more than 20 injured in violence concentrated in Cotabato City on Sept. 13 and 14. It also reported ballot-secrecy, voter-assistance and other procedural problems in some of the 103 precincts it observed, while cautioning that its limited sample should not be treated as representative of all BARMM. In Maluso, Basilan, Comelec officials discovered 16,653 pre-shaded ballots in 36 of 69 clustered precincts. Replacement ballots were delivered and voting resumed Sept. 15. Comelec opened an investigation. No individual has been adjudged responsible. The immediate test now moves inside Parliament: assembling the majority needed to elect a chief minister. The larger test is whether a system built through half a century of peace agreements, constitutional reforms and transitional government can turn negotiated autonomy into durable democratic rule within the Philippines.n

Romualdez pleads not guilty... PAGE 1 through 2025. The Information further alleges that some funds were delivered to properties owned, occupied by or associated with Romualdez and received by Serenio and others allegedly acting on his behalf.

Those allegations have not been proved in court. Romualdez has denied wrongdoing and maintains his innocence. The Sandiganbayan has stressed that its finding of probable cause for issuing arrest warrants did not constitute a determination of guilt

and that the accused remain presumed innocent unless proved guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The Bureau of Immigration said Thursday that Serenio had left the Philippines before the court issued a hold-departure order. The bureau

AMICI CURIAE. The Senate impeachment court hears the opinions of (from left) former Supreme Court associate justice Adolfo Azcuna, and former chief justices Artemio Panganiban and Reynato Puno, aged 87, 86 and 89, respectively, on Wednesday (Sept. 16, 2026). The retired magistrates cited possible factors in determining who or how many should be counted in the final voting in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial. PNA photo by Avito Dalan/SPPA pool

ICC orders former President Rodrigo... PAGE 1 the potential for interference if Duterte were released, either directly or through others. The ruling did not find that Duterte, his family or supporters had interfered with the newly disclosed witnesses. The judges concluded that there had been no notable change in circumstances warranting Duterte’s release, with or without conditions, and ordered his continued detention. The detention ruling is separate from the still-pending question of whether Duterte, 81, is fit to participate in the trial. In January, Pre-Trial Chamber I found Duterte fit to take part in pre-trial proceedings after considering an assessment by independent medical experts. Since the case moved to the trial phase, his lawyers have again raised concerns about his cognitive condition. The defense argues that memory problems impair Duterte’s ability to understand the proceedings and assist his lawyers. Prosecutors, relying on reports from court-appointed experts, have asked Trial Chamber III to find him fit for trial. The chamber has not yet issued its decision on that question. Duterte appeared in court wearing a dark suit and white

shirt and did not address the judges. His courtroom appearance does not itself resolve the medical issue before the chamber. During the Sept. 16 hearing, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner also urged prosecutors to streamline their planned witness testimony and documentary evidence. Duterte’s defense has challenged the volume and organization of the prosecution’s disclosures, while prosecutors have disputed parts of the defense’s characterization of the material. Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity involving allegations of murder and attempted murder in

connection with the anti-drug campaign between Nov. 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019. On April 23, Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously confirmed the charges after finding substantial grounds to believe Duterte was responsible and committed the case to trial. That determination is not a finding of guilt. Duterte has denied criminal wrongdoing and remains presumed innocent. Prosecutors must prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt at trial. The opening of the trial is scheduled for Nov. 30, subject to the chamber’s resolution of pending matters, including Duterte’s fitness to participate in the proceedings.n

declined to disclose her travel details, citing privacy laws. Immigration authorities said Guevarra remains in the Phil-

ippines. Co remained at large as of Romualdez’s arraignment. The case is proceeding to-

ward pretrial, with prosecutors bearing the burden of proving the charge beyond reasonable doubt. n

ICC TRIAL. Former president Rodrigo Duterte appears before the third status conference convened by the ICC Trial Chamber III on the case of The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday (Sept. 16, 2026). Trial Chamber III consists of Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, Judge Keebong Paek, and Judge Nicolas Guillou. (Courtesy of ICC-CPI)

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Dateline USA

ICE arrests hit record 50,925 in... PAGE 1 being arrested and where their cases stand. Reuters, citing government records it reviewed, reported that people with criminal convictions accounted for less than one-quarter of ICE arrests in July. That does not mean the remaining people were necessarily lawfully present in the United States. ICE distinguishes among people with criminal convictions, those with pending criminal charges and those without convictions or pending charges who may still be subject to civil immigration enforcement. ICE says its Enforcement and Removal Operations officers generally make administrative arrests when they have probable cause to believe a person is removable under U.S. immigration law. Some people taken into custody already have final removal orders. Others may have asylum claims, family-based petitions, appeals or other immigration proceedings still pending. Depending on the case, those proceed-

ings can delay removal or determine whether a person may remain in the country. The Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review said in May that it had completed more than 1.08 million cases since Jan. 20, 2025, reducing the pending immigration-court caseload to fewer than 3.53 million. ICE has also expanded its cooperation with state and local law enforcement through the federal 287(g) program. Under the program, participating officers may perform specified immigration-enforcement functions under ICE supervision, including identifying removable people in local custody and, under some agreements, exercising limited immigration authority during routine duties. Even when the government has legal authority to remove someone, deportation can require additional steps, including obtaining travel documents, arranging transportation and securing cooperation from the country receiving the person. The White House said Sept.

9 that more than 3 million migrants had left the United States since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025. That administration figure is broader than the number of formal government removals because it includes people the government says departed on their own. The distinction is important when measuring the administration’s immigration-enforcement campaign: an ICE arrest, detention, immigration-court order, formal removal and voluntary departure are different events and should not be counted interchangeably. The intensified enforcement has also involved Filipino nationals. The Philippine Embassy in Washington said Sept. 2 that Loreto Javar, a Filipino national residing in Washington state, had been released from ICE custody on recognizance while his deportation proceedings remain pending. The embassy said the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle had provided consular assistance and had asked ICE

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026

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Election officials move ahead with existing mailvoting rules as November preparations accelerate Supreme Court action leaves new USPS system on hold; Sept. 19 military and overseas ballot deadline is next major milestone WASHINGTON — With Social Security’s main retirement trust fund projected to exhaust its reserves in just over six years, some Republican lawmakers are signaling that higher tax revenue may have to be part of a deal to preserve full scheduled benefits. The shift remains limited. Republican leaders have not adopted a party-wide plan to raise Social Security taxes, and Congress has approved no such increase. But several GOP lawmakers are now considering additional revenue as part of a solvency agreement. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, made the clearest move in June when he joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in calling for removal of the cap on wages sub-

ject to Social Security payroll taxes. The senators said they are developing legislation that would require higher earners to pay the tax on more of their wages. In 2026, employees and employers each pay a 6.2% Social Security tax on wages up to $184,500. Earnings above that amount are not subject to the Social Security tax. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has also said lawmakers should consider both the payroll-tax rate and the amount of income subject to it. Separately, Cole and Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., introduced legislation in June to create a bipartisan commission charged with recommending changes to strengthen Social Security’s long-term finances.

Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., added another Republican voice this month, telling Roll Call that Congress would probably need to address the payroll-tax side of the system. He also said lawmakers should consider a higher retirement age and greater means testing. Those ideas remain proposals, not enacted policy. The debate has taken on greater urgency because of Social Security’s financial outlook. The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report projects that reserves in the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which pays retirement and survivor benefits, will be depleted in the fourth quarter of 2032, one quarter earlier than projected last year. Social Security would not stop operating then. Payroll

to consider humanitarian and medical grounds before his release.

The embassy said it and the Seattle consulate would continue monitoring Javar’s

case and assisting him while respecting U.S. immigration procedures. n

by AJPress

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Asset declarations, Senate vote... PAGE 1 tered on Article II of the impeachment case, which accuses Duterte of unexplained wealth, inaccurate or false Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, or SALNs, and prohibited business interests while serving as vice president. The allegations remain contested, and the impeachment court has made no finding that Duterte accumulated unlawfully acquired wealth or violated financial-disclosure rules. Legal framework laid out On Sept. 14, retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang became the prosecution’s first witness under Article II, explaining laws and legal principles governing unexplained wealth, financial disclosures and business interests of public officials. Cabotaje-Tang testified that repeated omissions from SALNs may be considered when determining whether there was an attempt to conceal property, but an omission does not automatically establish guilt. She also discussed constitutional restrictions on the President and vice president participating directly or indirectly in business while in office. A significant distinction emerged over bank transactions and year-end asset declarations. Cabotaje-Tang said a SALN reflects assets held as of Dec. 31, meaning money that entered an account but was no longer there at year’s end would not necessarily appear as year-end cash. The distinction is important because the movement of money through an account is not, by itself, equivalent to an official’s net worth or proof of illegally acquired wealth. The defense challenged portions of Cabotaje-Tang’s testimony and questioned whether her interpretation of disclosure and divestment requirements should apply to Duterte. Cabotaje-Tang denied being politically motivated and said she appeared pursuant to a subpoena. Asset declarations examined On Sept. 15, prosecutors moved from the legal framework to Duterte’s actual finan-

cial disclosures. Karen Batu, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Ombudsman’s Central Records Division, testified from Duterte’s SALNs covering her years in public office. The documents showed her declared net worth increasing from about P7.25 million in 2007 to P65.04 million in 2021 and P98.66 million in 2025. Presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero stressed that SALNs filed before Duterte became vice president in 2022 principally provide a historical baseline because Article II concerns alleged conduct during her vice-presidential term. An increase in declared net worth, standing alone, does not establish unlawful enrichment. Batu testified that Duterte’s SALNs from 2019 through 2025 did not separately declare “cash on hand or in bank.” During cross-examination, however, the defense established that prescribed SALN forms did not contain a separate line specifically labeled for cash and that some personal properties may be reported collectively under applicable rules. Batu also acknowledged that the Ombudsman records office receives and keeps SALNs but does not independently verify the truth or accuracy of the information officials place in them. The hearing also examined Duterte’s declared business interests and the absence of separately declared shares of stock in several years in which she reported connections to corporations. Prosecutors contend such records warrant examination alongside corporate and financial documents. The defense has challenged the prosecution’s interpretation of how the prescribed SALN forms require those interests to be reported. Justices differ on conviction threshold On Sept. 16, the impeachment court paused the presentation of Article II evidence to hear four retired Supreme Court justices serving as amici curiae, or friends of the court, on the Constitution’s requirement that conviction receive the concurrence of two-thirds of all members of the Senate. Retired Chief Justices Hilar-

io Davide Jr., Artemio Panganiban and Reynato Puno took differing legal routes but concluded that the 16-vote threshold previously applied to the 24-member Senate need not necessarily remain fixed under every circumstance. Their opinions addressed such questions as prolonged absence, inability to participate and whether every sitting senator must be included in the denominator used to compute the required two-thirds vote. Retired Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna took a different position, maintaining that a senator should be included in the computation as long as he or she remains a member of the Senate. The Constitution states that the Senate has the sole power to try and decide impeachment cases and that no person may be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all Senate members. The retired justices were advisers to the impeachment court, not decision-makers. Their opinions did not change the conviction threshold on Sept. 16. The prosecution and defense were scheduled to present their own arguments on the issue on Sept. 23 before the senator-judges determine how the constitutional requirement should be applied. The court also issued a subpoena on Sept. 16 directing Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, the vice president’s brother, to appear as a prosecution witness on Sept. 23, along with Securities and Exchange Commission official Gerardo del Rosario. The subpoena seeks testimony relevant to the prosecution’s Article II presentation and is not an accusation or finding of wrongdoing against the mayor. At the close of the three days of proceedings, the prosecution had begun building its Article II case through expert testimony and Duterte’s official disclosures, but the underlying allegations remained unresolved. The prosecution retains the burden of establishing its charges before the impeachment court, while Duterte’s defense may challenge the documents and testimony, provide explanations for the financial records and present its own evidence. n

Election officials move ahead with... PAGE 3

taxes and other dedicated revenue would continue flowing into the program, but the

trustees estimate that continuing income would cover about 78% of scheduled retirement and survivor benefits.

A bipartisan group of senators has meanwhile introduced the PROMISE Act, which would establish a pro-

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PAGCOR estimates illegal gambling may account for half of PH gaming market by AJPress MANILA — Illegal gambling may account for roughly half of the Philippine gaming market, according to an estimate by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., highlighting the difficulty regulators face in policing unauthorized online platforms. PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco told reporters this week that he believes the market is roughly split between legal and illegal activity. He cautioned that the figure is an informal estimate because transactions through unauthorized operators are not captured in official industry data. The qualification is important. PAGCOR said in August that around 50 percent of online gaming sites accessed in the Philippines were illegal. That referred to the estimated share of sites being accessed, not to their share of wagers,

players or gaming revenue. Tengco said illegal operators remain difficult to suppress because they can change domain names and other identifying features after authorities block access. PAGCOR has been working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Telecommunications Commission and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center against illegal online gaming operators and payment channels used by unlicensed platforms. The regulator plans to launch an application before the end of 2026 to help players identify licensed casino and online gaming operators. PAGCOR already operates its Guarantee website, where users can check whether an online gaming provider is authorized. Financial regulators have tightened access to gambling through digital payment plat-

forms. In August 2025, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ordered supervised institutions to remove links from mobile payment apps and websites that redirect users to gambling sites. The enforcement effort comes as international authorities sharpen scrutiny of gambling-related financial crime. In a Sept. 9 report, the Financial Action Task Force said illegal gambling is a significant global money-laundering risk and that illicit markets in some jurisdictions rival or exceed regulated ones. That finding was global and did not independently measure the Philippine illegal gambling market. The Philippines was removed from the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring in February 2025 after completing its action plan to strengthen anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism financing controls. n

DOJ subpoenas Padilla in... or willfully obstruct, impede, frustrate or delay the apprehension of suspects or the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases. The CIDG alleges that Padilla and others assisted Dela Rosa in leaving the Senate compound early May 14 after authorities had sought to take him into custody on the ICC warrant. The allegation remains under preliminary investigation and has not been adjudicated in court. Padilla has acknowledged that Dela Rosa rode in his sport utility vehicle when they left the Senate and has said he dropped his colleague off in Makati. He denies helping Dela Rosa escape, maintaining that the senator merely asked for a ride and that no unlawful escape occurred. Section 1(c) of P.D. 1829 covers knowingly harboring or concealing, or facilitating the escape of, a person whom the accused knows or has reasonable ground to

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believe has committed an offense, when the act is done to prevent arrest, prosecution or conviction. Whether the evidence satisfies those elements is for prosecutors to determine at this stage. Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said Sept. 17 that issuing a subpoena does not constitute a finding of guilt. He said the department is required to act on complaints and give respondents an opportunity to submit their defenses before prosecutors decide whether the evidence warrants filing a case in court. Padilla said he would appear before prosecutors. He has also argued that Dela Rosa was not a fugitive because no Philippine court had issued an arrest warrant against him. The Supreme Court on May 20 voted 9-5-1 to deny Dela Rosa’s request for a temporary restraining order or status quo ante order that would have prevented Philippine authorities from arresting

him solely on the basis of the ICC warrant or related foreign process. The court emphasized that its ruling concerned only interim relief and that the principal legal issues remained unresolved. The ICC warrant concerns allegations that Dela Rosa bears criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator for the crime against humanity of murder in connection with killings during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. The allegations have not been adjudicated at trial. Dela Rosa has not appeared publicly since leaving the Senate compound in May. A separate obstruction complaint involving Padilla, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and former acting Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca is pending before the Office of the Ombudsman. That proceeding is distinct from the CIDG complaint now under preliminary investigation at the DOJ.n

cess for developing legislation capable of maintaining full scheduled benefits for at least 50 years. The measure does not itself raise taxes or reduce benefits. The Senate Finance Com-

mittee, which oversees Social Security policy, held an Aug. 5 hearing on possible approaches to restoring solvency. No comprehensive package has cleared either chamber. President Donald Trump

has pledged to protect Social Security, but the White House has not released a comprehensive solvency plan specifying what revenue increases or benefit changes, if any, it would support. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026

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SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Opinion

Features

Bangsamoro’s historic vote must deliver the promise of peace THE first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was more than another regional vote. It marked a critical step in one of the Philippines’ most consequential experiments in peace: replacing generations of armed conflict with democratic self-government. Understanding its significance requires understanding what Bangsamoro represents. The term refers broadly to the predominantly Muslim peoples of parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, their identity and their historical homeland. Muslim sultanates existed in the southern Philippines centuries before the modern Philippine Republic. Over time, disputes involving ancestral lands, migration, political representation, poverty and relations with the national government contributed to grievances that eventually fueled armed separatist movements.

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, organized Moro resistance had developed into a major conflict with the Philippine government. The Moro National Liberation Front, or MNLF, emerged as a leading separatist organization and eventually signed a final peace agreement with the government in 1996. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF, which had separated from the MNLF, continued its own armed struggle and negotiations with Manila. The human cost was enormous. More than 120,000 people were killed and about 2 million displaced over decades of conflict, according to widely cited estimates. Fighting also hindered development in communities already struggling with poverty. Years of negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF eventually produced the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bang-

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Editorial

Side Glances Raul J. Palabrica

WITH the way things are going at present, there appears to be no sacred cows in the government that are exempt from the Office of the Ombudsman’s anticorruption campaign. Even the Supreme Court has not been spared from that drive. Earlier, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla called on the SC to do some “soul searching” in the administration of justice in the country. During the deliberations

Bold challenge to the Supreme Court of the budget of his office in the House of Representatives, Remulla said he will inform the public of the alleged institutional issues that disturb the credibility of the judiciary. Stung by that remark, the SC, whose moral authority as the final arbiter of all issues of law rests on the public’s trust and perception that it decides cases fairly or purely on the merits, called on Remulla or other parties to file complaints against judges and justices and

samoro, signed in 2014 during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. At its heart was a profound proposition: a

UNDERCURRENT Eleanor Pinugu

submit supporting documents. It said it takes seriously accusations against members of the judiciary, but it cannot act on broad allegations against an entire appellate court based on public statements. As if on cue, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the organization that all Filipino lawyers are required to be members with or without their consent, echoed the SC’s reaction to Remulla’s comments.

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IT seems that grandmothers are currently the coolest ladies on the block. A viral wellness trend has younger generations proudly adopting the slower, more analog lifestyle associated with grandmothers. Called “nonnamaxxing,” it stems from the idea that embracing an Italian grandmother’s (“nonna”) daily routines is the key to maximizing one’s life.

ManilaTimes.net photo

conflict long fought with weapons could instead be addressed through political institutions.

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The wisdom of our grandmothers For some, this means reducing screen time and taking up more tactile hobbies like crocheting, knitting, gardening, and cooking from scratch. For others, it means embracing a calmer pace through long walks and afternoon naps. The trend is even contributing to the rise of “grandma tourism.” According to online travel company GetYourGuide, Gen Z travelers are increasingly interested in grandmother-in-

spired experiences, from learning to make pasta with an Italian nonna to learning the art of bonsai from an older Japanese teacher. So what exactly is driving younger generations to seek out the lifestyles and company of other people’s grandmothers? One explanation is that nonnamaxxing is being promoted as an antidote to burnout cul-

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Opinion & Features

Bangsamoro’s historic vote... PAGE 6 The agreement laid the foundation for greater Bangsamoro self-government within the Philippines. It was accompanied by a normalization process that included the decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons, the reintegration of former fighters into civilian life and assistance to communities affected by conflict. Bangsamoro did not become an independent country. It remained part of the Philippines. Congress enacted the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2018, and voters ratified the new autonomous arrangement in a 2019 plebiscite. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM, replaced the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a government granted broader political and fiscal authority. Unlike most Philippine local governments, BARMM operates under a parliamentary system. Voters elect members of an 80-seat Parliament, which chooses a chief minister to lead the regional government. Until this election, however, BARMM had been governed by an appointed Bangsamoro Transition Authority tasked with building the institutions necessary for an elected autonomous government. That is what made the first parliamentary election historic. Nearly 2.4 million people were registered to vote, and turnout exceeded 80 percent, according to the Commission on Elections. After decades in which the future of the region was contested through insurgency, military operations and negotiations, Bangsamoro citizens were choosing political representatives through ballots. That achievement deserves recognition. But the violence and irregularities surrounding the election demonstrate how much remains unfinished. Five people were killed in

election-period violence in Cotabato City, according to authorities cited by The Associated Press. More than 20,000 police and military personnel had been deployed across the region. In Maluso, Basilan, election officials discovered 16,563 official ballots for 36 precincts that had already been shaded. Comelec ordered replacement ballots and extended voting there into Sept. 15. These incidents should not define an election that proceeded peacefully across much of the region. Neither should the historic nature of the election be allowed to minimize them. Violence, intimidation, vote-buying and attempts to manipulate elections are not problems unique to Bangsamoro. They have troubled Philippine elections elsewhere and reflect a broader weakness in the country's democratic institutions. In BARMM, however, their meaning is particularly serious. The political settlement that created Bangsamoro autonomy rests on the principle that competing claims to political power can be resolved through democratic institutions rather than armed conflict. Violence surrounding an election therefore strikes at the very purpose of the peace process. Election-related killings must be investigated, with prosecutions pursued where evidence establishes criminal responsibility. Allegations of ballot manipulation, vote-buying and intimidation likewise require credible investigation and due process. No political organization, family or candidate should be presumed responsible without evidence. Accountability must rest on facts established through lawful investigation. Nor does the responsibility end when votes are counted. The Philippine government's peace office has described the parliamentary election as completing the political track of the Bangsamoro peace process. The separate normalization process, how-

ever, remains important, including the continuing decommissioning and reintegration of former combatants and the transformation of communities affected by conflict. The elected Parliament now inherits a responsibility larger than administering another Philippine region. It must demonstrate that autonomy can improve people's lives. Communities that endured decades of conflict should see functioning schools, accessible health care, reliable infrastructure, economic opportunity and government institutions worthy of public confidence. Muslims, Christians, Indigenous peoples and other communities within BARMM must receive equal protection under the law. The political culture must change as well. Losing an election cannot become a reason for violence. Winning one cannot confer unchecked power. Opposition must be legitimate. Public money must be accounted for. Citizens must be free to criticize their leaders and cast their ballots without intimidation. The 2014 peace agreement represented a decision to pursue a political settlement to a conflict that had persisted across generations. The first parliamentary election has now put that principle into practice. But elections alone do not create peace. The greater achievement will come when political power in Bangsamoro no longer depends on guns, intimidation or coercion; when democratic institutions command greater loyalty than armed groups or political clans; and when self-government produces opportunities that conflict denied generations before. Bangsamoro has shown that the battlefield can give way to the ballot box. The promise of peace will be fulfilled when casting that ballot is no longer historic, but simply an ordinary act of democracy, carried out freely and without fear. (AJPress)n

The wisdom of our grandmothers...

PAGE 6

ture. Globally, Gen Z workers report high levels of career-related stress and burnout. In the Philippines, a 2022 Deloitte study found that 70 percent of Gen Zs and 63 percent of millennials surveyed re-

ported experiencing burnout because of the intensity and demands of their workloads. But perhaps the attraction runs deeper. Spending time with older people may also offer younger generations a much-needed reprieve from a

highly performative life. At a time when we are constantly pressured to look at and measure ourselves, older people can offer a space in which we become less preoccupied with how we appear to others and more attentive to meaning,

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026

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Part 3 of a three-part series Stewardship, Succession, and the Leader Who Lets Go On the hardest transition a founder will ever make — and why it is the most important.

The greatest leaders in history share a quality that is easy to admire and very hard to practice: they understood that their most important job was to prepare the world to succeed without them. For a founder who has built a business from nothing, this is perhaps the most difficult truth to hold. You are the reason the business exists. Your instincts built it. Your relationships sustain it. Your authority holds it together. The idea that it must one day run without you — not just survive, but thrive — can feel like a loss before it has even happened.

And yet this is the final and most profound act of leadership available to you. It is called stewardship. And it begins with a shift in how you see yourself — not as the owner of a business, but as the guardian of a legacy that will outlive you. The Shift from Ownership to Stewardship Ownership is about control. The owner decides. The owner approves. The owner is the final word. This is appropriate — even necessary — in the founding years. It is how great businesses get built. But stewardship is about something larger. The steward asks not "What do I want?" but "What does the family need?" Not "Who do I trust?" but "Who is the right person for this role?" Not "How do I maintain control?" but "How do I build a system that does not need me to control it?"

This shift is not a single moment. It is a process — sometimes slow, sometimes uncomfortable, always worthwhile. And it must begin before the founder has no choice. Succession that is forced by health or circumstance is succession under pressure. Succession that is planned, discussed, and prepared over time is succession as a gift. "The true measure of a leader is not what they built. It is what continues to be built after they step back." What Succession Really Means Many founders hear the word "succession" and think it means choosing which child gets the business. This is understandable, but it is only a small part of the picture. True succession planning is about far more. It is about

connection, and purpose. One of the gifts of growing older is that it can change what feels worthy of our time and attention. Psychologist Laura Carstensen’s Socioemotional Selectivity Theory proposes that our priorities can shift according to how much time we perceive ourselves to have left. When life seems expansive, as it generally does when we are young, we are more likely to prioritize achievement, novelty, and expanding our social worlds. As our perceived time horizon becomes shorter, emotionally meaningful experiences, close relationships, and satisfaction in the present become increasingly important. That kind of perspective is particularly valuable to generations living in a culture of immediacy. When you’re young, every setback can feel permanent and catastrophic, especially when you find yourself constantly comparing your low moments with other people’s online highlights. Then you sit beside an 80-year-old who has lived through eight decades of wins, losses, embarrassments, heartbreaks, and beautiful redirections, and somehow the seemingly “forever” moments become mere chapters, rather than the

whole story. There is, of course, another side to this exchange. Loneliness and social isolation among older adults have emerged as an important public health concern. Studies also show that loneliness among older adults is not simply a matter of whether someone lives alone. Older people can be surrounded by family and still feel lonely when they lack meaningful connection, a sense of belonging, or opportunities to contribute. My hope is that nonnamaxxing will not be reduced to just another trendy aesthetic, but will encourage more opportunities for meaningful intergenerational interaction. After all, it is one thing to adopt the hobbies and habits of older generations; it is another to actually spend time with them. Intergenerational relationships can be valuable to everyone involved. Younger people receive perspective and emotional grounding. Older people receive connection, purpose, and the opportunity to pass something on. I am writing this as I get ready to visit my parents. Every Sunday, we gather at my sister’s house for lunch, where my parents get to spend time and catch up with their chil-

dren and grandchildren. I have come to see this not only as a sacred family ritual, but as a visceral encounter with the longitudinal experience of being human. Around one table sit people of different ages and at very different points in the same journey, each one with a unique lesson and insight to contribute. It is increasingly easy to lead age-segregated lives, moving only in circles populated by people who look, think, and live as we do. So there is something both beautiful and necessary about younger people rediscovering the value of seeking meaningful connections with older generations. Perhaps that is the deeper wisdom hidden beneath a trend with a funny-sounding name. In a culture that constantly tells us to maximize ourselves, our grandmothers can help remind us of something much simpler. Life doesn’t have to be performed and validated by others to be worth living. (Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Email: eleanor@shetalksasia.comn

INSIDE FAMILY BUSINESS

Prof. Enrique Soriano

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SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Legarda, son reported in France as Team Philippines heads into 20th Asian Games seeking stronger medal haul Ombudsman reviews replies Anti-graft office says its information places the lawmakers in Paris; their precise whereabouts have not been independently confirmed by AJPress MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, are reported to be in France as the Office of the Ombudsman reviews their responses to complaints involving solar-energy projects associated with Leviste’s companies. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said information available to his office places the mother and son in Paris and indicates they also trav-

eled to Switzerland. Their precise current location has not been independently confirmed. The National Bureau of Investigation earlier said Legarda left the Philippines for France on Aug. 2, while Leviste departed separately for Hong Kong. Immigration authorities said neither had a derogatory record preventing travel at the time. Legarda’s latest publicly reported medical leave from the Senate ran through Sept. 16. As of Sept. 17, she remained

described in current reporting as abroad. Legarda and Leviste have submitted counter-affidavits in the Ombudsman’s preliminary investigation. Remulla said their filings were late but would still be considered as part of due process. Both have denied wrongdoing. Their spokesman, lawyer Tony La Viña, has called the investigation political persecution and said Legarda had no ownership or management role in her son’s solar companies. n

Stewardship, Succession... PAGE 7

preparing the next generation — not just picking from among them. It means identifying the skills and character required to lead the business into the future, and then honestly assessing which family members have those qualities — and which ones can develop them with the right mentorship and time. It means being willing to have the conversation that the eldest child may not be the right CEO — and that this does not diminish them as a person or as a beloved member of the family. It means understanding that leadership is a calling, not an inheritance. It also means asking the children what they actually want. Some will surprise you. A child you assumed would take over may have been quietly longing for a different life. A child you overlooked may have been waiting for permission to step forward. Succession planning creates the space for these truths to emerge — gently, without crisis, while the founders are still present to guide the conversation. Preparing the Next Generation The next generation carries a burden that the founding generation rarely fully appreciates. They did not choose to be born into this family and this business. They grew up in the shadow of a founder whose achievements are extraordinary. Many of them have spent their careers quietly wondering whether they are good enough — not because they are not capable,

but because the founder's standard is simply so high. One of the greatest gifts a founder can give their children is clarity about expectations, honesty about their strengths, and genuine investment in their development — not because they are family, but because they are the future of the business. This means real mentorship, not just inclusion. It means delegating meaningful responsibility and accepting that mistakes will happen — and that mistakes are how leaders are made. It means stepping back from decisions that the next generation should be making, even when it is difficult to watch them do it differently than you would. It means trusting the process you started when you decided to build something that would outlast you. The Legacy That Matters Most Ask any founder, in their most honest moments, what they hope for their family after they are gone. Very rarely do they say "I hope they are rich." Almost universally, they say some version of the same thing: "I hope they still love each other. I hope they stay together. I hope they take care of one another." This is the legacy that matters most. Not the assets. Not the revenue. Not the brand. The family. Family governance — the councils, the constitutions, the boards, the honest conversations about roles and succession — is not about bureaucracy. It is about protecting the most precious thing a

founder ever created: a family that trusts each other enough to build together. The founder who builds this — who has the courage to plan for their own absence, who invests in the next generation's readiness, who creates the structures that will carry the family forward — is not diminishing their legacy. They are completing it. That is what stewardship looks like. And it is the most important work you will ever do. — End of Series — (This three-part series marks the beginning of an ongoing column on Family Governance. In the months ahead, we will explore topics such as the Family Council, the Family Constitution, succession planning, conflict resolution, family employment policies, and other practical governance frameworks that help family enterprises thrive across generations.) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff *** Prof Enrique M. Soriano serves as a Mentor at the Singapore Institute of Directors Board Readiness Program, where he contributes to the development of current and aspiring directors in corporate governance, board effectiveness, and strategic oversight. He advises multi-generational family enterprises and boards across Asia, advocating for merit-based board composition and principled stewardship to ensure long-term sustainability.n

Alex Eala brings U.S. Open momentum to Aichi-Nagoya as the Philippine delegation joins Asia’s quadrennial multisport showcase by AJPress

NAGOYA, Japan — Team Philippines enters the main phase of the 20th Asian Games with Olympic champions, continental medalists and emerging athletes seeking to improve on the country’s performance at the previous edition. The Asian Games, often called the Asiad, are Asia’s largest multisport competition. Organized by the Olympic Council of Asia, they are held every four years and bring together athletes from 45 national Olympic commit-

tees. Like the Olympics, the program includes athletics, swimming, gymnastics, basketball, boxing and tennis, while also featuring sports with strong Asian traditions, including sepak takraw, kabaddi and wushu. The modern Asian Games began in New Delhi in 1951, but their roots extend to the Far Eastern Championship Games, first held in Manila in 1913. The Philippines also hosted the second Asian Games in Manila in 1954. The 2026 Games formally run from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Aichi Prefecture and Na-

goya, although several competitions began earlier. More than 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials are expected, with competition in 43 sports and 71 disciplines. It is Japan’s third time hosting the Asian Games, after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. The Philippines is represented by more than 400 athletes and officials, with its roster led by two-time Olympic gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo, defending Asian Games pole vault champion EJ Obiena, tennis standout Alex Eala, Olympic boxing

PAGE 9

Bold challenge to the Supreme... PAGE 6

Remulla’s pushback was immediate and sharp. He asked the SC to give an update on the administrative complaint that his predecessor, Samuel Martires, filed last year against seven justices of the Court of Appeals (CA), two of whom have already retired, for ignorance of the law and conduct prejudicial to the public interest in connection with the disciplinary action that Martires had earlier imposed on a high-ranking provincial official. Note that Martires has impressive credentials in the judiciary, having served prior to his appointment as ombudsman as regional trial court judge, justice of the Sandiganbayan, and SC associate justice. In other words, his esteem and loyalty to the institution he served for almost two decades cannot be discounted or undervalued. It is reasonable to assume that he would not have filed that complaint unless he was convinced (perhaps beyond the shadow of doubt) that the acts in question were committed and the justices deserve to be disciplined by the SC. So what’s keeping the SC from expeditiously resolving that complaint? Has it been archived for one reason or another without the public, more importantly the legal community, being informed about it? (Incidentally, some incumbent SC justices were former members of the CA.) If the prosecution in a criminal case fails to present its evidence in court within, say, seven years from its filing, the

case would be dismissed on the ground that the accused has been deprived of his or her right to speedy trial. If a lower level court judge is unable to decide a case submitted for decision within, for example, four years, he or she could receive severe disciplinary action from the SC for the same reason earlier mentioned. Note the provision of the Constitution on court decisions: “All cases or matters filed after the effectivity of this Constitution must be decided or resolved within twenty-four months from the date of submission for the Supreme Court and unless reduced by the Supreme Court, twelve months for lower collegiate courts, and three months for all other lower courts.” The word used for the 24-month period for the SC is “must” and the provision has no ifs or buts, or any qualifying clause so it is mandatory or compulsory. But that word has been interpreted by the SC as discretionary or noncompulsory, so much that, unless a case is a matter of grave public concern, it is not uncommon for it to take years to decide. It is not as if the individual SC justices do not have a corps of highly paid assistant lawyers, researchers, and consultants who cannot make the decision making process move faster so the litigants are able to enjoy their right to speedy trial from the highest court of the land. Take the case of then Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor

Arthur Carandang who was dismissed by then President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018 for alleged unlawful disclosure of information about his personal wealth. In spite of the fact that, as early as 2014, there was already an SC decision on the limits of the president’s power to dismiss a high-ranking official of the Office of the Ombudsman, it was only last year that the SC rendered the decision declaring Carandang’s dismissal as illegal. Fortunately, Carandang is still alive to see his name cleared and receive the retirement benefits he was unceremoniously deprived of. Remulla’s call on the SC regarding the state of the administration of justice in the country resonates with lawyers who have pending cases with the CA and the SC. Unlike Remulla who enjoys constitutional protection on tenure, they cannot come out in the open to complain about the slow pace of justice in the halls of Padre Faura without risking a citation for contempt of court or disciplinary action. It remains to be seen whether Remulla’s dig on the SC will have beneficial results or it will be business as usual. (Inquirer. net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff *** Email: raul.palabrica@inquirer. netn

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Legal scholar calls for review of Philippine rules on children’s status

Family Code distinctions remain as proposed legislation seeks to remove classifications based on parents’ marital status by AJPress

MANILA — A Philippine family law scholar is calling for a review of rules that classify children according to their parents’ marital status, arguing that the legal system should give greater consideration to a child’s actual family circumstances and best interests.

Atty. Amparita S. Sta. Maria, a faculty member of the Ateneo School of Law and a human rights advocate, raised the issue in a lecture titled “Rethinking the Best Interests of the Child: Beyond Legitimacy in Family Law,” part of Ateneo de Manila University’s Breakthroughs Lectures series on the family. Sta. Maria argued that le-

gal presumptions centered on marriage can sometimes conflict with biological relationships and the circumstances in which children are actually raised. She said such presumptions can serve useful purposes but should not automatically determine what is best for a child when evidence points to a different family reality.

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Team Philippines heads into 20th... PAGE 8 medalist Aira Villegas and defending jiu-jitsu champion Annie Ramirez. Eala arrives after reaching the third round of the U.S. Open, the deepest run of her career at the New York Grand Slam. The No. 17 seed defeated Mary Stoiana and Oleksandra Oliynykova before falling to American Iva Jovic, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Now ranked No. 18 in the world, Eala won bronze medals in women’s singles and mixed doubles at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, held in 2023 after a one-year pandemic postponement. Her Asian Games participation also creates an unusual

conflict with the professional tennis calendar. Competition in Nagoya is scheduled from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, overlapping with the China Open, a mandatory WTA 1000 tournament. The Philippine Tennis Association has requested an exemption from the WTA so Eala can represent the country without penalties associated with missing the Beijing event. No final WTA decision had been publicly announced as of Sept. 17. The Philippines finished 17th in Hangzhou with four gold, two silver and 12 bronze medals. Philippine Olympic Committee officials have said the goal in Japan is to surpass that performance. The campaign has already produced an early setback.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Defending men’s basketball champion Gilas Pilipinas was eliminated in the group stage, with China ending its title defense in a 105-61 victory on Sept. 14. The formal opening comes Saturday, when Villegas and weightlifter Albert Ian delos Santos will carry the Philippine flag. Members of the delegation joining the parade of nations will wear “Malaya,” a piña-jusi barong designed by Francis Libiran. The attire incorporates Philippine flag colors, Baybayin and Kalinga-inspired patterns. Once the ceremony ends, attention returns to competition and Team Philippines’ effort to build on its medal haul from Hangzhou. n

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Quirino Gov. Dax Cua dies at 48; Vaquilar succeeds him

Former congressman also led national and Asia-Pacific local government organizations by AJPress

CABARROGUIS, Quirino — Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua, a former congressman and national local-government leader, died Tuesday, Sept. 15. He was 48. The House of Representatives confirmed Cua’s death Wednesday. His family and the provincial government had not publicly disclosed the cause of death as of Thursday. Quirino is a landlocked, mountainous province in the southeastern portion of the Cagayan Valley region in northeastern Luzon. Cabarroguis is its capital. Bordered by Isabela, Aurora and Nueva Vizcaya, the province has six municipalities and 132 barangays. The Philippine Statistics Authority recorded 210,841 residents in the 2024 census. Quirino became a regular province in 1971. Cua entered provincial politics at 23, serving as vice governor from 2001 to 2007 and governor from 2007 to 2010. He then represented Quirino’s lone congressional district from 2010 to 2019 before returning as governor in 2019. In Congress, Cua chaired the House Committee on Ways and Means and filed House Bill 4774, an early House tax-reform measure later consolidated with other

Photo from Facebook/@HouseofRepsPH

proposals leading to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, or TRAIN, law. At the time of his death, Cua was president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines for the 2026-2029 term and president of United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific for 2025-2027. Vice Gov. Julius Caesar “Jojo” Vaquilar succeeds Cua as governor. Under Section

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44 of the Local Government Code, the vice governor becomes governor when a permanent vacancy occurs in the governorship. Cua’s wife, Midy Cua, represents Quirino’s lone congressional district in the House. Public viewing of Cua’s remains began Sept. 17 at the Quirino Capitol People’s Gymnasium in Cabarroguis for residents. n

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SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Remulla challenges Roque over asylum status Marcos breaks ground on NAIA subway station as airport rail link advances as Austrian decision remains undisclosed Interior chief says six-month period has lapsed; former Palace spokesman says application remains pending by AJPress MANILA — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla is standing by his assertion that former presidential spokesman Harry Roque’s asylum application has been denied, while Roque says the case remains pending in Austria. As of Sept. 17, neither side had publicly produced a decision from Austria’s Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum confirming approval or rejection. Remulla said the six-month period for deciding the application had passed and challenged Roque to prove it remained unresolved. Roque rejected that interpretation. Austrian administrative rules generally give the asylum authority six months

to decide a case, but the expiration of that period does not automatically amount to a denial. Applicants may challenge an authority’s failure to act. Roque has said he first sought asylum in the Netherlands before his application was transferred to Austria. He maintains that the Philippine cases against him are politically motivated, a characterization the government rejects. An Angeles City Regional Trial Court issued an arrest warrant for Roque and other defendants in May 2025 after finding probable cause in a qualified human trafficking case tied to Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga. The court said the charges were non-bailable. The finding did not determine guilt. Roque

has denied wrongdoing and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Separately, the Bureau of Internal Revenue filed a criminal complaint in April over alleged tax violations involving Biancham Holdings and Trading Inc., placing the estimated deficiency at P3.35 million. The allegations remain unadjudicated. Remulla has also said authorities intend to act once an INTERPOL Red Notice is issued. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant but a request to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted person, subject to the laws of the country involved. Until an Austrian decision is publicly verified, Roque’s asylum status remains disputed. n

Legal scholar calls for review... PAGE 9 The issue affects a substantial share of Philippine families. Philippine Statistics Authority data show that 808,965 of the country’s 1,358,989 registered live births in 2024, or 59.5 percent, were classified as nonmarital. The remaining 550,024 were marital births. Distinctions remain in law Under Article 164 of the Family Code, children conceived or born during the marriage of their parents are considered legitimate. Article 165 generally classifies children conceived and born outside a valid marriage as illegitimate unless another provision of the code applies. Article 176, as amended by Republic Act No. 9255, provides that a child classified as illegitimate is generally under the parental authority of the mother and is entitled to support. Such a child may use the father’s surname when paternal filiation has been expressly recognized as provided by law. The same provision states that the legitime, or compulsory inheritance share, of each illegitimate child is onehalf of the legitime of a legitimate child. Supreme Court decisions have modified the application of some longstanding doctrines but have not eliminated

the Family Code classifications. In Santiago v. Jornacion in 2021, the Court considered a case involving a man seeking to establish biological filiation with a child born while the mother was married to another man. The Court ordered further proceedings, including DNA analysis, and stressed the importance of scientific evidence and the best interests of the child while recognizing the existing presumption of legitimacy. In Aquino v. Aquino, also decided in 2021, the Court abandoned its previous interpretation of the so-called “iron curtain rule” that had prevented nonmarital children from inheriting by representation from grandparents and other direct ascendants in certain circumstances. The Court used the terms “marital” and “nonmarital” rather than attaching the traditional labels directly to children. The Court further clarified in Cua Ko v. Republic in 2023 that legitimacy and biological filiation are separate legal concepts. A child’s status under the law does not necessarily resolve the question of biological parentage. In Republic v. Tangarorang, decided in 2025, the Court held that a child legitimated through the parents’ subsequent marriage retained that

status even after the marriage was later declared void because of psychological incapacity. Another 2025 ruling reaffirmed that Article 176 generally places parental authority over a nonmarital child with the mother while emphasizing that custody disputes must ultimately be resolved according to the child’s welfare and best interests. Congress weighs broader change A pending measure would go further by changing the Family Code itself. House Bill No. 7016 proposes removing the classifications of children as legitimate, illegitimate and legitimated. It was filed Dec. 22, 2025 by Reps. Sarah Jane Elago, Renee Louise Co and Antonio Tinio and referred to the House Committee on Revision of Laws on Jan. 26, 2026. As of Sept. 17, the House of Representatives listed the measure as pending with the committee. It has not become law. Sta. Maria’s proposal similarly represents an argument for legal reform, not a change in existing law. The Family Code classifications and their corresponding legal consequences remain in force unless amended by Congress or affected by subsequent controlling court rulings. n

Terminal 3 station and tunnels form part of 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway targeted for completion in 2031

by AJPress

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking Wednesday, Sept. 16, for the Metro Manila Subway’s NAIA Terminal 3 station and connecting tunnels, beginning construction of the airport section of the country’s first underground railway. Contract Package 109 covers a 2.413-kilometer underground section between Taguig and Pasay, including a station beneath the Terminal 3 open parking area. The station will connect directly to the terminal building in coordination with New NAIA Infra Corp., the airport’s private operator.

PCO Photo

The ceremony did not mark the start of the subway as a whole. Construction is already underway elsewhere on the line. Marcos said the project has reached nearly 60 percent overall progress, while the government said right-of-way requirements for the airport section have been fully secured. The NAIA tunnels will require underpinning existing expressway piers, a Japanese engineering method designed to maintain structural stability while excavation proceeds below existing infrastructure. The full Metro Manila Subway will run about 33 kilometers with 17 stations from

Valenzuela through Metro Manila to Parañaque, including the airport spur. It is financed largely through loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which signed a fourth financing tranche of up to 220 billion yen in March. Government estimates put travel time between Valenzuela and NAIA Terminal 3 at roughly 40 minutes once the system is operational. The airport station is projected to serve about 70,000 passengers daily by 2035. The government is targeting completion of the full subway in 2031. CP109 was awarded to the Taisei-DMCI joint venture. n

Philippines seeks private capital to fund 2035 climate target Most of new emissions commitment depends on international finance, technology and capacity-building support by AJPress MANILA — The Philippine government is seeking more private and international capital for clean-energy and climate projects as it begins implementing a new climate commitment whose largest component depends on overseas support. The Philippines submitted its 2026 Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on Sept. 8. It commits the country to a 75 percent net reduction and/or avoidance of cumulative projected greenhouse-gas emissions from 2025 through 2035 against a business-as-usual scenario, including forestry and other land use. Seven percentage points of the target are unconditional. The remaining 68 percentage

points depend on international finance, technology and capacity-building support. That dependence makes access to external capital central to overall implementation. Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, speaking at the Philippine Net Zero Conference 2026, urged investors, businesses and financial institutions to expand financing for clean technologies and climate projects. He also called for financing that is accessible, scalable and does not unnecessarily add to debt. The NDC says implementation will draw on public and private financing, including innovative instruments, while seeking international support that is accessible, predictable, highly concessional and non-debt creating. Carbon markets are also part of the financing strategy. The NDC recognizes market

mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement but requires transparency, national governance and safeguards against double counting. The Department of Energy has separately issued guidelines for generating, managing and monitoring carbon credits in the energy sector. The financial system is also being positioned to support green investment. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Securities and Exchange Commission and Insurance Commission have developed sustainable-finance taxonomy guidelines to help identify qualifying activities. Separately, the Department of Finance announced in July that the Green Climate Fund approved a $6.78 million readiness grant to strengthen the country's capacity to develop and implement climate investments. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026

people events arts culture entertainment

‘Filipiñana’ named Philippine Oscar entry as FAP backs ‘58th,’‘Agapito’ by AJPress MANILA – The Film Academy of the Philippines has selected Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana as the country’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards, while backing two other Filipino productions seeking consideration in separate Oscar categories. Carl Joseph Papa’s animated documentary 58th is pursuing Best Documentary Feature Film, while Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero’s Agapito is seeking consideration for Best Live Action Short Film. The distinction is important. Filipiñana is the Philippines’ official selection under the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ country-submission process for International Feature Film. Documentary Feature and Live Action Short follow separate eligibility and submission rules. Written and directed by Manuel, Filipiñana follows Isabel, a 17-year-old tee girl at an exclusive country club outside Manila. The film pre-

Filipino-American writer Michael Cruz Kayne wins 2026 Emmy with ‘The Late Show’ by AJPress

Photos from Facebook/@filmacadph

miered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision. It later screened at the Berlin International Film Festival and the New York Asian Film Festival. Papa’s 58th revisits the 2009 Maguindanao massacre through Reynafe Castillo’s effort to secure recognition for her father, photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, as

the massacre’s 58th victim. His remains have not been recovered. The film premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and later competed in Annecy’s Contrechamp section. Agapito, a 15-minute live-action short set in an aging duckpin bowling alley, competed in the official Short Film Competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and later screened at the Toronto

International Film Festival. The Academy’s submission deadlines are Sept. 30 for International Feature, Oct. 8 for Live Action Short and Oct. 15 for Documentary Feature. Oscar shortlists are due Dec. 15, with nominations on Jan. 21, 2027. The 99th Academy Awards will be held March 14, 2027. FAP support or country selection does not constitute an Oscar nomination. n

LOS ANGELES — Filipino-American comedian and writer Michael Cruz Kayne won a 2026 Emmy as part of the writing team behind CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, adding another television honor to a career that has included multiple Emmy nominations and an earlier win. The Late Show won Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series during the first night of the 78th Emmy Awards on Sept. 5 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The Television Academy lists Kayne among the credited writers receiving the award, alongside Stephen Colbert, head writers Ariel Dumas and Jay Katsir and other members of the program’s writing staff. The victory was not Kayne’s first Emmy. He was also among the credited writ-

ers when The Late Show won Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 2022. Academy records show that Kayne received additional writing nominations for The Late Show in 2021 and 2023. He was also nominated in 2021 for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand Building Back America Great Again Better 2020. Kayne describes himself on his official website as a Filipino-American comedian, actor and writer based in New York. He has worked as a writer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert while also performing in television and comedy. The 2026 Emmys brought additional recognition for The Late Show. The program won Outstanding Variety Series at the Sept. 14 ceremony, which concluded the three-night Emmy schedule. n

Christopher de Leon revisits the film that began his career 52 years ago by AJPress MANILA — More than five decades after Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang introduced Christopher de Leon to movie audiences, the actor returned to the Lino Brocka classic at the Philippine premiere of its restored 4K version. The Sept. 4 screening at Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza opened Film Industry Month, which the Film Development Council of the

Philippines is using to mark 50 years of what it describes as Philippine cinema’s Second Golden Age. Released in 1974, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang was de Leon’s first film. He was 17 when his movie career began. He played Junior, a privileged young man confronting prejudice, cruelty and hypocrisy in his community. De Leon recalled auditioning for the role and taking acting, voice and script-analysis lessons while perfor-

ming in the musical Godspell. His first scene, opposite Lolita Rodriguez and Mario O’Hara, required eight or nine takes. He said Brocka and his veteran co-stars helped guide him. The film featured de Leon’s first onscreen kiss, opposite Laurice Guillen in a bowling-alley scene. The performance earned him his first FAMAS Best Actor award and began a film and television career that has continued for more than five decades.

The restored film had its world premiere in June at Il Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna, Italy. The 4K restoration was undertaken by the FDCP and Philippine Film Archive with Carlotta Films and Janus Films/The Criterion Collection at L’Immagine Ritrovata. Original picture and sound negatives were used except for reels 1 and 6, which relied on preservation elements held by the BFI National Ar-

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Photo from www.michaelcruzkayne.com

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SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Zsa Zsa Padilla mourns death of younger brother

Kim Chiu pushes ahead with handbag business as legal dispute continues

Singer-actress asks for prayers as family remembers brother who died at 57

Singer-actress speaks about her relationship and says she continues to love and miss her older sister by AJPress

Photos from Instagram/@zsazsapadilla

by AJPress MANILA — Singer-actress Zsa Zsa Padilla is mourning the death of her younger brother, Peregrine “Sonny” Padilla, who died Sept. 13 at age 57. Padilla announced her brother’s death on social

media on Tuesday, Sept. 15, describing Sonny as deeply loved by his family and saying his passing had left an “immeasurable void.” She said the family was grateful for the love, laughter and memories they shared with him and asked for prayers for Sonny and

their family. “Rest in peace, my dearest brother, Sonny,” Padilla wrote. “You will always be loved and forever missed.” Padilla did not disclose a cause of death. Her daughter, singer-actress Karylle, also remem-

PAGE 13

Christopher de Leon revisits...

MANILA — Actress and television host Kim Chiu is moving forward with her handbag business, introducing six new designs for House of Little Bunny Philippines while a legal dispute involving the company and her older sister continues. In a social media post this week, Chiu showed herself arranging bags by color, size and design before the release of a new collection. She said she personally organizes the products for each launch and announced six additions to the brand’s lineup. She also directed customers to the brand’s headquarters and online store for the newly released collection. The post did not mention her sister, Lakambini “Lakam” Chiu, or directly refer to their legal dispute. Chiu launched House of Little Bunny in the Philippines in 2022. The business later became the subject of a qualified theft complaint involving corporate funds. The Quezon City Office of the City Prosecutor found sufficient basis to pursue 124 counts of qualified theft against Lakam, according to a 21-page resolution dated Sept. 1 reviewed by Philippine media. The transactions cited in the resolution totaled

Photo from Instagram/@ chinitaprincess

P44,396,331.65. Lakam has denied committing qualified theft. She disputed the characterization of the withdrawals and transfers as unauthorized, maintaining that the sisters’ joint accounts could also be used for other business ventures. She also challenged findings from an audit cited in the complaint. Prosecutors rejected those arguments at the preliminary

stage and found sufficient basis for the case to proceed. The resolution is not a finding of guilt. Lakam remains entitled to contest the allegations and present her defenses in court. Chiu’s latest collection signals continuing activity at House of Little Bunny as the dispute over the company’s finances moves separately through the legal process. n

Niño Muhlach’s license revoked for two years after Antipolo crash by AJPress

Photo from Instagram/@sinegangdotph

PAGE 11 chive. De Leon said the Manila screening marked only the second time he had watched the film in full, the first being more than 50 years earlier. He remains active onscreen and is part of the cast of GMA Network’s forthcoming medical drama Code Grey. The dinner followed ano-

ther public family moment in August, when KC greeted Pangilinan on his 63rd birthday and shared family photographs. She again addressed him as Dad and expressed appreciation for occasions when the family could spend time together. Pangilinan responded to the greeting with thanks. Pangilinan returned to the

Philippine Senate in 2025 and is serving in the 20th Congress. In her Sept. 9 post, KC also congratulated her mother on “Honor Thy Mother,” the family drama starring Cuneta that premieres globally on Prime Video on Sept. 11. Concepcion closed her post with a simple wish: “More family QT soon.” n

MANILA — The Land Transportation Office has revoked actor Niño Muhlach’s driver’s license for two years after concluding its investigation into an Aug. 23 crash in Antipolo City that injured a man and damaged several establishments. The LTO said its investigation and hearing found Muhlach liable for reckless driving and classified him as an “Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.” The agency said severe exhaustion preceded his loss of control of the sport utility

PAGE 13

Niño Muhlach with wife Diane Abby Tupaz

Photo Facebook/@dianeabby

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026

Inside IMG’s strategy to build Alex Eala into a global brand The agency began laying the commercial groundwork after Eala’s 2022 U.S. Open junior singles title. Four years later, the world No. 18 is drawing attention from fashion and expanding her reach across major consumer industries. by AJPress NEW YORK — Five days after Alex Eala’s U.S. Open campaign ended, the Filipino tennis star appeared in another high-profile New York setting, this time without a racquet. Eala made her New York Fashion Week debut Sept. 10 in the front row at Tory Burch, followed by appearances at Michael Kors and Calvin Klein. She shared space with prominent figures from fashion and entertainment, including Anna Wintour, and was featured by Vogue during the week. The appearances showed how quickly Eala’s profile is extending beyond tennis. At 21, she is represented by IMG Tennis, a division of WME, within a larger organization whose businesses span sports, entertainment, talent representation and licensing.

Photo from Instagram/@alex.eala

The groundwork came first IMG began developing Eala’s commercial business years before she entered the top 20.

Forbes reported that Max Eisenbud’s IMG group began laying the foundation after

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Glaiza de Castro pregnant with first child

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Bela Padilla, tech CEO Martin Tan confirm eight-month relationship by AJPress MANILA — Actress, writer and director Bela Padilla and tech executive Martin Tan have confirmed they are in a relationship, ending months of public speculation about their status. The confirmation came in a street interview posted Sept. 13 by content creator Johnny K. Padilla and Tan were at the Legazpi Sunday Market in Makati when they were asked whether they were a couple. Padilla answered yes. Tan said they met through a mutual friend and had been together for eight months. Padilla said their shared interest in movies helped them connect. The pair also spoke about what they appreciate in each other, with Tan citing Padilla’s intelligence and humor and Padilla describing him as willing to try new experiences with her. Tan is chief executive of Tenext.ai, a software company developing artificial-intelligence tools for customer-facing business operations. The couple had appeared together publicly before

Bela Padilla and Martin Tan. Photo: Instagram/@withjohnnyk

confirming the relationship. Tan attended the Sept. 7 premiere of Padilla’s film Life After You, where he was photographed carrying flowers. Padilla had previously described their status more cautiously. At an Aug. 19 media conference, she said Tan

was “not yet” her boyfriend and that they were still getting to know each other. Padilla was previously in a long-term relationship with Norman Bay, whose breakup with the actress was publicly confirmed by Padilla in August 2025. n

Niño Muhlach’s license revoked... PAGE 12

by: Jessica Ann Evangelista Inquirer.net

Months after she opened up about having a child, Glaiza de Castro is expecting her first child with husband, Irish businessman David Rainey. De Castro announced the good news on Saturday, Sept. 12, through an Instagram post featuring photos of her showing her baby bump. “Entering another chapter [pregnant girl emoji],” she wrote. “So glad I’m through the first trimester because… GRABE PALA. Will share more about this soon!” De Castro also expressed appreciation for the women who have been helping her prepare for motherhood. “It’s also been so nice and

Photo: Instagram/@glaizaredux

comforting talking to other women about this journey as a first-time mom. I need all the help I can get. Basta masasabi ko lang, ibang klase talaga ang mga nanay,” she added. In the comments section, fellow celebrities including Heart Evangelista, Carla Abellana, Sanya Lopez, Gabbi Garcia, Julie Anne San Jose, and Ruru Madrid, among others, extended their congratulations to the soon-to-be mom. De Castro and Rainey, who met in Siargao, first tied the knot in Northern Ireland in October 2021 in a Celtic-themed ceremony. They later held a second wedding ceremony in Botolan, Zambales, in January 2023.

The actress had previously opened up about their plans to have a child, saying that they would leave it to the right time and if blessed, she would ideally have two children. De Castro most recently appeared in “58th,” an animated documentary about the Maguindanao massacre. De Castro plays Reynafe Momay-Castillo, daughter of photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, one of the massacre’s victims. De Castro previously starred as one of the lead cast members of “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre.” She is set to appear next in “Amir,” GMA Pictures’ official entry to the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival. /edv n

vehicle, which crossed into the opposite lane and struck three establishments and a parked motorcycle. Muhlach had earlier acknowledged falling asleep while driving and said the crash was “entirely my fault.” He said he would take responsibility for the injured person and property damage. The LTO initially imposed a 90-day preventive suspen-

sion, issued a show-cause order and placed the vehicle on alarm status. The agency said the SUV would remain under alarm status while its resolution is in effect. The ruling followed a separate public dispute involving Nicolas Villanueva, who was injured in the crash. Villanueva had complained that his damaged motorcycle had not been replaced and that he remained unable to work. Muhlach’s wife, Diane

Abby Tupaz, responded that the actor had continued providing assistance and that an insurer was processing the motorcycle claim. Those details were her account. Villanueva later apologized to Muhlach and his family, saying emotion over the motorcycle had influenced his earlier remarks. He also deleted his earlier post. The two-year revocation was announced Sept. 16 after the agency’s hearing. n

Zsa Zsa Padilla mourns death... PAGE 12 bered her uncle, writing, “We love you Tito Sonny.” Friends and colleagues from the Philippine entertainment industry, including Charo Santos-Concio, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano, were among those who posted messages of condolence.

Zsa Zsa and Sonny were among the six children of retired international boxing referee Carlos Padilla Jr. and Esperanza Felipa Padilla, a family of two sons and four daughters. Carlos Padilla Jr. is best known in boxing for refereeing the 1975 “Thrilla in Manila,” the third and final fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Zsa Zsa Padilla began her professional music career with the Manila Sound group Hotdog in 1982 before pursuing a solo career. She has worked in Philippine music, film and television for more than four decades. In 2025, she marked her 42nd year in the industry with the Star Music album ’Pag Tinadhana and her Through the Years concert. n

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SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Health @Heart Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS Yes, I literally eat bacteria actual live bacteria - a billion of them every morning, and sometimes, for snacks, six varieties of them in one cup of Chobani 20 Gram Protein, Lactose-free, Mango Greek Yogurt, with Zero Added Sugar. These are live cultures of wiggly bacteria. These good live bacteria support our gut microbiome, where harmony is vital; any imbalance between good and bad bacteria can weaken the immune system and cause diseases, not only in the gastrointestinal system but in other organ systems. I switched from Chobani Mango-Passion Fruit Greek Yogurt, which I loved for its taste, because of lactose intolerance. Greek yogurt is the healthiest variety of yogurt. What benefits do we get from yogurt? Firstly, it is highly nutritious. It has double the protein and half the carbohydrates. Key health benefits include: It supports muscle and energy, aids in weight management, improves digestive and gut health, has live and active probiotic cultures that boost the immune system, strengthens bones, rich in essential micronutrients (vitamin B-12 for healthy brain function, zinc for the immune system and cellular repair, and iodine for thyroid health). Fermented dairy products, like Greek yogurt, are associated with reduced risk for T2 diabetes lowers blood pressure, thanks to the potassium and magnesium in it. In the United States, more than 176 million Americans eat Greek yogurt. No statistics for the Philippines, but Chobani, among others, has entered the Philippine Market. The counterpart of Greek yogurt in the Philippines is “Kesong Puti” (White Cheese), Carabao Milk Yogurt, made by curdling raw Carabao (water buffalo) milk with salt and a coagulant (citrus juice or vinegar) and straining out the liquid whey, like in making yogurt, to achieve a thick, creamy flavor. Does the Carabao Milk Yogurt confer the same health benefits as Greek Yogurt? The answer may surprise you. In some areas, Carabao Milk Yogurt actually outperforms Greek Yogurt, according to experts, because Carabao milk is naturally a “premium” dairy base, which “exceeds many of the Greek yogurt’s famous nutritional properties without needing to be as highly pro-

I eat bacteria cessed.” Come and join me to eat live bacteria! It’s healthy. Veggie false claim Fruits and vegetables are healthy food items that should be a part of our daily meals. The US FDA recommends 2-3 cups of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. The TV ads of Balance of Nature (and a dozen others) claim that taking 3 capsules of its fruits and veggies is enough; a substitute “for good health” is patently false. In fact, you would realistically need to take 40-50 capsules every day to equal the USFDA recommendation for the daily requirement of fresh fruits and vegetables. And even if one takes 50 capsules a day, they would still not provide the health benefits of natural fresh fruits and vegetables. Why this misinformation, which to me is fraudulent, is allowed to victimize unsuspecting consumers is puzzling to me. Granted, it may not harm those who take the capsules, but this precludes them from taking enough daily, which is a deceptive practice by these greedy entrepreneurs. This is why I have been advocating for decades that this trillion-dollar food supplement industry be regulated more closely and more strictly by the government to protect the gullible and uninformed public. It is regulated but not seriously. These Ads are supposed to be true and accurate by law, but the US FDA has done nothing about false claims about hundreds of other food supplements. The unsuspecting public is the ultimate victims, who spend their hard-earned dollars to be healthier, but simply gets scammed. By the way, I have developed and am selling Exercise Capsules (Exercise Mimetics), so you don’t have to move a muscle, live on a couch with a TV remote in hand, or sit the whole day doing computer work, to replace physical exercise. Dose: 50 capsules, 3 times a day. Only a dollar a capsule. Anyone interested? Indeed, caveat emptor! Soft drinks and cancer When I was a youngster, I enjoyed the bubbly, fizzy, crispy taste of soft drinks until I went to medical school and learned that soft drinks, which I call “liquid candy,” were poison to our bodies. It causes metabolic syndrome, especially among children. A recent large study from Mass General Brigham involving 112,000 individuals suggests that daily soft drink consumption “is linked to a higher

risk of developing stomach cancer, compared with those who drank them less than once a month.” Do yourself a favor, stay away from this poison, and warn the children too. Tai chi and the brain Against data from more than two decades ago, which thought the brain only produces new cells early in life. Now, we know that the brain has the ability to change throughout our lifespan, growing new cells, making new connections, and even increasing in size. “In a meta-analysis of 20 studies on tai chi and cognition, tai chi appears to improve executive function-the ability to multitask, manage time, and make decisions-in people without any cognitive decline. In those with mild cognitive impairment, tai chi slowed the progression to dementia more than other types of exercise and comparably improved their cognitive function compared to other types of exercise or cognitive training.” - MS Tai bo, modulated kick-boxing in slow motion for anyone, especially for seniors, is my game. It is like slow-motion shadow-boxing. It can be done anywhere in the house or outside. Like tai chi, it needs no gadgets or tools, just your mind and deep concentration. Coffee reduces fat Coffee is a healthy drink. Consuming 3-4 cups a day appears to help lengthen our telomeres and our longevity, as long as combined with a healthy lifestyle. Coffee confers a lot of health benefits. Finland, where coffee consumption is the highest per person compared to other nations, was an appropriate place to track more than 2,200 adults born in 1966 and find out what coffee did to their bodies. Researchers found that “the heaviest coffee drinkers carried less total and visceral fat and more skeletal muscle than those who drank none, even with identical BMI.” Join me for a shot of Colombian espresso! *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is

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Inside IMG’s strategy to build Alex Eala... PAGE 13 Eala won the 2022 U.S. Open girls’ singles championship, becoming the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title. IMG agent Carter Lin later traveled to the Philippines to meet companies and promote longer-term partnerships built around tennis’ international calendar rather than campaigns tied to individual tournaments. Eala’s 2025 Miami Open breakthrough sharply raised her international profile. She defeated reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, advanced when Paula Badosa withdrew before their scheduled match, then beat Iga Swiatek before losing to Jessica Pegula in the semifinals. Her rise accelerated in 2026. Eala won her first WTA Tour singles title in Washington, defeating Pegula in the final and becoming the first Filipino to capture a WTA Tour-level singles championship. She later climbed to a career-high No. 18. The IMG playbook IMG’s history in athlete marketing stretches to Mark McCormack’s representation of golfer Arnold Palmer beginning in 1960, a relationship that helped shape the modern business of building commercial careers around elite athletes. Eisenbud leads IMG Tennis while serving as head of client representation for WME Sports. His career has included work with Maria Sharapova and Li Na, while IMG Tennis has represented leading players including Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek. At that level, representation extends well beyond finding sponsors. Agents negotiate commercial rights, manage competing brand categories and schedule promotional work around training, recovery and tournaments. Forbes reported that Eala’s representatives have concentrated much of her commercial work into designated periods, including trips to the Philippines, limiting disruptions to tournament preparation. Building the business Forbes estimated in August that Eala generated more than $5 million in off-court earnings over the previous 12 months, a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore

Photo from Instagram/@alex.eala

before taxes and agent and management fees. Longstanding Philippine relationships form part of that foundation. Globe says Eala has been its ambassador since she was eight. Forbes reported that Globe and Bank of the Philippine Islands renewed four-year agreements with her in early 2026. Her portfolio has broadened further. Panasonic Philippines named Eala an ambassador in August, while Marriott Bonvoy partnered with her for its “Tennis The World” campaign across Asia-Pacific excluding China, linking her with travel and tennis experiences tied to the Australian Open. The mix of telecommunications, banking, consumer electronics and travel shows how her appeal is moving beyond companies directly associated with tennis. Fashion widens the audience Fashion has become another outlet for that visibility. Vogue profiled Eala during the U.S. Open and later included her among breakout sports figures expected to attract fashion-industry attention. Her appearances at Tory Burch, Michael Kors and Calvin Klein followed within days. Wintour had already taken notice of Eala during the U.S. Open, where the Vogue editor discussed the growing relationship between athletes and fashion. The significance lies less in any single show than in the audience surrounding it. Fashion Week places Eala before

designers, editors, advertisers and international consumer brands as athletes increasingly move between sports and popular culture. Eala also brings a distinctive geographic dimension to that appeal. She commands a strong following in the Philippines while competing yearround on an international tour, giving brands access to an established home audience and growing recognition abroad. The value of the name Eisenbud believes Eala’s commercial future could eventually extend beyond traditional endorsements. He told Forbes that she could develop a significant licensing business, with products associated with her name or image generating royalties. He also predicted that Eala could become the world’s second-highest-paid female athlete in 2027, behind Coco Gauff. The forecast reflects Eisenbud’s assessment of his client’s potential rather than an independent earnings projection. Eala’s expanding business remains closely tied to the tennis career that created the demand. Every appearance or campaign must compete with training, recovery and tournament preparation. As her profile grows, selectivity becomes increasingly valuable. IMG’s work is not simply finding the next opportunity, but determining which ones warrant Eala’s time and fit the longer career taking shape around her. n

past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, distinguished educators, renowned scientists, etc. (Wikipedia).

Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com. On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com n

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My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)

Rogelio Constantino Medina DURING his teenage years at La Salle Green Hills, Atty. Jose Ferdinand “Joy” Mendoza Rojas II was already engaged in buying and selling different kinds of goods, which he offered to the parents of his classmates and to employees in offices his father, Jose Agreda Rojas, visited during the summer. He later entered the real estate business after graduating from the University of Massachusetts in the United States, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with majors in economics and political science, cum laude, in 1988. Rojas graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 1994 with a Juris Doctor degree and passed the bar examinations that same year. He worked as an associate at a private law firm from 1994 to 1995 before becoming a partner at Rojas Sales De Leon Tecson & Desiderio Law Office. In 2000, he established the Jose M. Rojas II Law Office, which engages in the general practice of law. Beyond business and law, Rojas developed another pursuit: visual art, which began partly through charitable efforts to help others. The former general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has participated in numerous art-fora-cause exhibits. On December 2, 2017, he held his first solo show at the Saturday Group Gallery in Mandaluyong City. The exhibit featured winning racehorses, reflecting his experience as a former chairman of the Philippine Racing Commission. Art critic Sid Reyes wrote that Rojas pursued a strain of abstraction in the tradition of French informel and matière, or matter painting, associated with Jean Dubuffet, Jean Fautrier and Georges Mathieu. “Rojas transforms a surface into an encounter with the infinite varieties of sensation, tension, and languorous mood,” Reyes noted. Rojas is a member of the Saturday Group, one of the country’s oldest artists’ organizations, and has participated in its group exhibitions and collaborations. He will hold his 10th solo exhibit at ArtistSpace at Ayala Museum in Makati City from October 10 to 26, 2026. He paints primarily in his

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026

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Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, an Artist Who Draws Inspiration From His Travels rented studio in Pasig City. Horses remain a recurring subject, while his abstract works draw on memories of places he has visited. Rojas says he finds inspiration in the Philippines and abroad, particularly in Japan, France, Spain and other European countries. During weekdays, he divides his time among business, legal work and art. “Friday and Saturday nights, I devote my time to my wife,” he says. On Sundays, he usually spends time with his in-laws and other family members. He is also a lay minister at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church in Makati City and is occasionally invited as a guest on a Sunday radio program. His wife, Atty. Patricia “Trisha” A. O. Bunye, became the first Filipino woman and first Southeast Asian woman to serve as president of LESI, the Licensing Executives Society International, a global organization focused on intellectual property, commercialization and licensing. When time permits, Rojas reads autobiographies, real-life stories, fiction and history. “I also love to read history books because there is something from the past that can be learned and applied to the present and future,” he says. When he was younger, he played tennis and badminton before becoming involved in equestrian sports and horseback riding. “But I am involved in horse breeding and horse racing as a hobby,” says Rojas, who served as director and corporate secretary of PHILTOBO, the Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization Inc., from 1997 to 2006. The youngest of seven siblings, Rojas was also a member of the Manila Jaycees from 1988 to 2006. He ends the interview with this philosophy: “Make the most of your life by sharing what you have and serving others’ needs, and you will find happiness in your heart.” His words reflect a simple conviction: happiness may be fleeting, but bringing happiness to others can lead to contentment and peace. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com n

The Rojas couple.

Atty. Joy Rojas II in his art exhibit in Makati City.

Atty. Joy Rojas II in Romania.

Atty. Jose Ferdinand Rojas II in Europe.

The Rojas couple celebrates their pet dog TJ's birthday.

Visual artist Joy Rojas II with his pet dog TJ.

Atty. Joy Mendoza Rojas II with his wife Atty. Trisha Bunye-Rojas.

Very supportive Atty. Trisha Bunye-Rojas (right) with Atty. Joy Rojas II.

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SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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