SEPTEMBER 19-22, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 74 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages
Survey: Fil-Am voters most enthusiastic about DATELINE USA New AAPI study: Majority 2020 election among Asian American groups of Fil-Am, Tagalog-speaking FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Majority of Fil-Ams prefer Biden, but segment shows 2nd highest support for Trump
voters to vote by mail
Preference for in-person voting drops amid COVID-19
AS the presidential election looms just over a month away, the likelihood that the coronavirus pandemic will be gone in time for voters to hit the polls becomes more of a stark impossibility. Voting by mail is poised to be the more primary option for voters across the country to avoid interacting with others in the age of face masks and social distancing. But in California, where there are several underserved communities with low voter outreach, policy experts are encouraging greater community outreach to raise awareness of alternative voting options. “The big challenge is that, because voting will be changing for everyone in California regardless of where they live we should be thinking about our reasons to adapt,” Karthick Ramakrishnan, public policy and political sciu PAGE A4
California mayors among coalition of leaders pushing for guaranteed income programs A NUMBER of California mayors are among a coalition of at least 25 city mayors across the U.S. who are pushing to roll out guaranteed income programs for low-income individuals in their cities. Led by Stockton, California Mayor Michael Tubbs, the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) program was launched in June with the goal of providing a monthly cash payment to those with low income who meet certain requirements. Last year, Tubbs, at 29 years old launched the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) — the nation’s first cityled guaranteed income program — with help from many Silicon Valley entrepreneurs like Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. On Wednesday, September 16, 14 new mayors joined the MGI coalition, including California Mayor Robert Garcia of Long Beach. u PAGE A4
by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
tion nears, according to a new survey. about the upcoming election and candidates, and The 2020 Asian American Voter Survey — re- their positions on certain issues. The survey, which is one of the few pre-election FILIPINO American registered voters are showing leased on Tuesday, September 15 by APIA Vote, the highest levels of enthusiasm among the major AAPI Data, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice surveys that offer an in-depth look into the Asian Asian American groups as the 2020 presidential elec- | AAJC — gauges how registered voters are feeling u PAGE A2 AJPress
House passes resolution denouncing all forms of anti-Asian sentiment by RAE
REINFORCED. The Quezon City police gets new guns and a robotic vehicle to augment their operations against terrorism, illegal drugs and crime. Inquirer.net photo by Consuelo Marquez
ANN VARONA AJPress
THE U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, September 17, passed a resolution to denounce antiAsian rhetoric and discrimination fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), the measure calls on all public officials to condemn all forms of anti-Asian sentiment and “all manifestations of expression of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, antiAsian sentiment, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious intolerance.” It also asks federal law enforcement officials to work with state and local officials in investigating and documenting credible reports of hate crimes and incidents against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, and in holding perpetrators accountable. The votes were 243 to 163, with the majority “yes” votes coming from 229 Democratic lawmakers and 14 Republican lawmakers. u PAGE A3
Filipino billionaires see their wealth fall during pandemic by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippines’ richest experienced a drop in their fortunes as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the country’s economy. The collective wealth of the country’s 50 Richest dropped to $60.6 billion (P2.9 trillion) from $78 billion (P3.8 trillion) a year earlier, according to Forbes Asia. “Despite having one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, the Philippines saw its COVID-19 cases surpass 250,000 in September, the highest number in Southeast Asia. The country’s benchmark stock index, the PSEi, reflected the economic challenges the pandemic poses, falling 26% since fortunes were measured a year ago,” the magazine said. u PAGE A2
SM Investments vice chair Teresita Sy-Coson (second from left) and Henry Sy Jr. (third from left)
Self-made billionaire Manuel Villar Jr. Inquirer.net file photos
Pemberton will not face court-martial in the US PH named top ‘digital riser’ by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, clad in a gray shirt and black pants, was released from his detention cell in Camp Aguinaldo on Sunday, September 13, and was subsequently deported back to the U.S. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Immigration
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted of murdering Filipina transgender woman Jennifer Laude, will no longer undergo court-martial proceedings, a U.S. Marine Corps spokesperson said Wednesday, September 16. Pemberton will not be tried a second time since he already served the court-imposed penalty for his actions prior to his pardon, Major Melanie Salinas of the US Marine Corps’ Communication Directorate told online news service BenarNews. “Consistent with the due process traditions shared by the United States and the Philippines and the running of the Statute of Limitations, the Marine Corps will not try Lance Cpl. Pemberton a second time for the same crime. He will be processed for administrative discharge,” she said in an email to
BenarNews. Salinas added that Pemberton was currently on full duty with the Marine Corps, “but is administratively out-processing from the Marine Corps.” In response, Malacañang said the decision is now in the hands of the U.S. government. “That’s a decision of the U.S. government although I take note that they have said he will be processed for administrative discharge, meaning he will be fired as a Marine,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. Roque on Monday, September 14 said Pemberton will continue to face court-martial proceedings in the U.S. as promised by U.S. authorities. “There was a promise made by American authorities along with a representative from the Marine corps,” he said in Filiu PAGE A3
in East Asia and the Pacific by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippines was recently recognized as the top “digital riser” in East Asia and the Pacific by the Berlin-based European Center for Digital Competitiveness (ECDC). In ECDC’s Digital Riser Report, the Philippines was named as one of the world’s top digital risers along with France and Saudi Arabia. The report analyzed each country’s digital competitiveness during the last three years indicated by digital ecosystem and mindset
“In East Asia and the Pacific, the Philippines was the top Digital Riser over the last three years, while New Zealand fell significantly behind,” the report said. It also noted that the country improved the most in the mindset dimensions. “The Philippines’ outperformance can mainly be explained by its ‘Innovate Start-up Act’ lighthouse initiative, which was passed in 2019 to strengthen, promote and develop an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem and culture,” the report read. “Further beneficial initiatives u PAGE A4
A september 19-22, 2020 • LA WeeKeND AsIAN JOUrNAL
Filipino billionaires see their...
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The Sy family maintained its position at the top of the list with a combined net worth of $13.9 billion (P673.5 billion), but saw a decline in their fortune by $3.3 billion (P159.9 billion) as the pandemic impacted the SM group’s property, retailing and banking businesses. Property tycoon Manuel Villar also suffered a $1.6 billion drop in his net worth to $5 billion (P242.3
billion), but managed to hold onto his rank as the country’s second richest. Port and casino operator Enrique Razon Jr., meanwhile, climbed up a spot to third richest with his net worth of $4.3 billion (P208.3 billion), down from $5.1 billion previously. The top 10 richest in the Philippines are: 1 Sy siblings - U.S.$13.9 billion 2 Manuel Villar - $5 billion
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From the Front Page 3 Enrique Razon Jr. - $4.3 billion 4 Lance Gokongwei & siblings - $4.1 billion 5 Jaime Zobel de Ayala - $3.6 billion 6 Andrew Tan - $2.3 billion 7 Lucio Tan - $2.2 billion 8 Ramon Ang - $2 billion 9 Tony Tan Caktiong - $1.9 billion 10 Lucio & Susan Co - $1.7 billion Forbes noted that banking moguls were especially hit hard as the pandemic forced banks to accept lower profits as well as increase loan loss provisioning levels. “The Ty siblings of GT Capital and Metrobank shed 46% of their fortune, to $1.4 billion. Frederick Dy was down more than 46% to $190 million as shares in his Security Bank fell 52% over the past year,” it said. Forbes also pointed out that Oscar Lopez, who holds a majority stake in TV network ABS-CBN, lost almost half of his wealth, leaving him with $240 million (P11.6 billion), after Philippine lawmakers in July rejected the broadcast giant’s bid to renew its 25-year broadcast license. Likewise, fast food billionaire Tony Tan Caktiong suffered a pandemic-induced blow to his wealth as the ensuing quarantine measurements forced Jollibee eateries to suspend their dine-in services. This cut sales by nearly half, and his net worth ended up declining by 37%. Tycoon Edgar Sia II, on the other hand, saw a 75% increase in his net worth, which is now $700 million. “Of the 10 listees whose fortunes rose, Edgar Sia II was this year’s biggest gainer in both percentage and dollar terms,” Forbes said. “That rise was partly due to the successful IPO of his MerryMart in June; shares of the grocer have nearly doubled since the listing as quarantine measures boosted sales,” it added. Forbes’ list was compiled using information from the individuals, stock exchanges, analysts, private databases, government agencies and other sources. Net worths were based on stock prices and exchange rates as of the close of markets on August 28, 2020. Meanwhile, private companies were valued by using financial ratios and other comparisons with similar publicly traded companies. n
The 2020 Asian American Voter Survey shows Asian Americans are highly enthusiastic about the upcoming election.
Survey: Fil-Am voters most... PAGE A1
American electorate, found that Asian Americans (54%) are highly enthusiastic about participating in this year’s election, building upon the electorate’s record turnout in the 2018 midterm election. Of the Fil-Am voters, 62% said they are “more enthusiastic” compared to previous cycles, the highest level of support compared to the Chinese, Indian, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese groups surveyed. “The key findings are that Asian Americans are highly motivated this year. You see high enthusiasm but many are still persuadable [and] they’re not getting contacted by either party,” Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and director of AAPI Data, said. “So it’s a missed opportunity with less than two months to go.” The survey was conducted among 1,569 registered voters from the six Asian American communities across the country via telephone and online from July 15 to September 10. (Broken down by group, 263 Filipino respondents participated.) Despite the enthusiasm, when it comes to contact from either the Republican or Democratic Party, a majority of respondents responded “not at all.” 55% of Filipinos said the Democratic Party has not engaged them, while 56% said the same for the Republican side.
The majority of Asian Americans collectively identified as Democrats, but 31% still identified as independent or “other,” showing an opportunity for either side to capture their votes. When asked who they are “inclined to vote for” in the presidential race, 54% of Asian Americans are leaning toward former Vice President Joe Biden, while 30% would back a second term for President Donald Trump. However, 15% said they don’t know or are undecided. Among Fil-Ams, 52% back Biden, while 34% support Trump — the second highest support among the groups after 48% of Vietnamese voters who would re-elect the current president. The survey also asked about the candidates’ favorability with a majority of Asian Americans as a whole saying they have a very or somewhat favorable opinion of Biden, while a majority had an unfavorable view of Trump. Among Fil-Ams, 46% view him “very unfavorable” but 25% say “very favorable.” Vietnamese Americans showed the highest favorability for the president at 35%. “You see Biden favored over Trump among Japanese Americans, Korean Americans, Chinese Americans and Filipino Americans. This is important because there’s been a lot of speculation, for example, with the Filipino American community and the
Chinese American community in terms of how they will vote,” Ramakrishnan said. Top issues The survey also took a look at voters’ positions on issues from jobs to health care to gun control. Largely, the data points to Asian American groups moving more progressive. “This just means that the parties and campaigns, including issue campaigns, have to pay attention to our communities, including those working on environmental issues and gun control,” Ramakrishnan added. “I can’t tell you the number of times people have these stereotypes in terms of these issues not being Asian American issues and we have to change that.” • Government spending: 39% of Fil-Ams said they would prefer a bigger government providing more services, while 38% said it would depend. • Healthcare and immigration: 55% of Fil-Ams said they agree that the government should expand access to health insurance for all immigrants, regardless of their legal status. Meanwhile, over 60% said they agree that undocumented immigrants should have the opportunity to become U.S. citizens. • Climate change policies: A majority of Asian Americans support stronger legislation to reduce the effects of climate
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 19-22, 2020
A
Tough to tell COVID from smoke inhalation symptoms — and flu season’s coming by Mark
kreidler Kaiser Health News
ICONIC ARANETA CENTER XMAS TREE. Workers begin to install the iconic giant Christmas Tree at the Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City on Wednesday, September 16. The giant Christmas Tree display in Cubao has been a yearly tradition since it started in 1981. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
House passes resolution denouncing all... PAGE A1 t Meng said the resulting votes showed that “the House said, ‘enough.’” “For months, Asian Americans in my home state of New York and in communities throughout the nation have been verbally and physically attacked, spat on and shunned,” said Meng, who is also the first vice chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). The resolution was introduced by Meng in March in response to the increase of reported hate crimes targeting AAPIs since the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic. Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition aimed at addressing antiAAPI discrimination amid the pandemic, said in its latest August report that it received a total of 2,583 incidents of discrimination against AAPIs from 47 states in the past five months. Critics have said that President Donald Trump’s insistent use of the phrase “China virus” in describing COVID-19 has enabled the rise of anti-AAPI discrimination and hate crimes. The World Health Organization (WHO), in 2015, called on scientists, leaders, and media to avoid using names of people, places, and animals when naming diseases to avoid stigmatizing nations, economies, and people. “Enough of the demeaning usages of ‘Chinese virus,’ ‘Wuhan virus’ and ‘Kung-flu’, especially from our nation’s leaders, such as President Trump,” said Meng. “Enough of the scapegoating.” All votes against the measure were by Republican lawmakers, with Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California calling the resolution “ridiculous” and a “waste of time.” McCarthy suggested that the House focus instead on a coronavirus stimulus plan. “At the heart of this resolution is the absurd notion that referring to the virus as a Wuhan virus or the China virus is the same as contributing to violence against Asian Americans, which I will tell you no one of this side of the aisle supports,” said McCarthy. Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio accused supporters of the resolution of being a part of “the mob of cancel culture” and pointed out that the media and some Democrats used terms condemned in the resolution early on in the pandemic. “That’s how the mob operates today,” said Jordan. “They’ll attack you if you don’t say it the way they want you to say it and this is dangerous. You can’t say China virus today. Tomorrow who knows what it will be?” In a statement following the resolution’s passing, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), who also serves as CAPAC chair, doubled down on
the reports of AAPI hate crimes connected to the coronavirus. “An 89-year-old woman in New York was slapped and set on fire. A 16-year old boy in Los Angeles was beaten so badly he had to be hospitalized. And in Texas, a gunman shot a family at a Sam’s Club saying he wanted to exterminate Asians,” said Chu. “Each of these attackers, and thousands of others like them, have been inspired by the false perception that Asians are responsible for the virus – a perception that has been advanced by Donald Trump and Republicans who have insisted on using slurs like ‘Wuhan virus,’ ‘China plague,’ and ‘Kung flu’ even though they know they are dangerous,” added Chu. AAPI community applauds resolution Following the resolution’s passing, AAPI groups were quick to voice their support. National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) acknowledged that there would still be those who wouldn’t see the racism behind blaming China for the coronavirus, but said there would be a “time and place to hold all world leaders accountable for their responses to the pandemic.” “However, so long as elected officials insist on racializing the virus to deflect blame or dodge accountability, we’ll be here to remind them that Asian Americans will not be collateral or scapegoats for their failed leadership,” NCAPA wrote in a statement. Fil-Am Katrina Dizon Mariategue, acting executive director at Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) said Trump’s insistence on calling COVID-19 the “China Virus” has “opened the door to xenophobic and racist harassment of the Asian American and Southeast Asian American communities.” “While we grapple with lockdowns in our communities, lack of clear information and leadership, and language barriers to accessing necessary healthcare and culturally competent mental health support, we have also been put at undue risk of physical and mental abuse because of this hateful framing of COVID19,” added Mariategue. Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC commended Meng and CAPAC for “doing their part to reduce the discrimination and aggression” AAPI communities have been experiencing on top of the global pandemic. John C. Yang, president and executive director of the group, said the recorded increase in hate crimes towards AAPI was telling of a “dangerous path where this behavior is becoming normalized.” “Bigotry and hate cannot con-
Pemberton will not face court-martial in... PAGE A1 t pino. “They promised that even if Pemberton is released and the process in the Philippines ended, he will still face court-martial proceedings where it will be determined if additional punishment will be imposed and if he is still qualified to remain in service,” he added. Pemberton was convicted of homicide on December 1, 2015 for the murder of Laude. He was sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment. He was released from the detention after being granted an absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte, who said that it was unfair to keep Pemberton
detained. Before Duterte’s pardon, the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court ordered his release, saying that the convicted American serviceman has completed the minimum of his sentence after serving a total of 2,142 days or over five years and eight months in prison as well as accumulating a good conduct time allowance (GCTA) of 1,548 days or more than four years. The pardon voided the issue of whether or not Pemberton is entitled to GCTA. Pemberton was deported from the Philippines on Sunday, September 13 onboard an American military aircraft bound for the U.S., at exactly 9:14 a.m. n
tinue,” said Yang. “Overcoming this global pandemic is challenging enough without the constant threat of unprovoked attacks on our community. We must all work together through this public health crisis and support the Asian American and other hardhit communities by the Coronavirus.” n
THE patients walk into Dr. Melissa Marshall’s community clinics in Northern California with the telltale symptoms. They’re having trouble breathing. It may even hurt to inhale. They’ve got a cough, and the sore throat is definitely there. A straight case of COVID-19? Not so fast. This is wildfire country. Up and down the West Coast, hospitals and health facilities are reporting an influx of patients with problems most likely related to smoke inhalation. As fires rage largely uncontrolled amid dry heat and high winds, smoke and ash are billowing and settling on coastal areas like San Francisco and cities and towns hundreds of miles inland as well, turning the sky orange or gray and making even ordinary breathing difficult. But that, Marshall said, is only part of the challenge. Facilities already strapped for testing supplies and personal protective equipment must first rule out COVID-19 in these patients, because many of the symptoms they present with are the same as those caused by the virus. “Obviously, there’s overlap in the symptoms,” said Marshall, the CEO of CommuniCare, a collection of six clinics in Yolo County, near Sacramento, that treats mostly underinsured and uninsured patients. “Any time someone comes in with even some
of those symptoms, we ask ourselves, ‘Is it COVID?’ At the end of the day, clinically speaking, I still want to rule out the virus.” The protocol is to treat the symptoms, whatever their cause, while recommending that the patient quarantine until test results for the virus come back, she said. It is a scene playing out in numerous hospitals. Administrators and physicians, finely attuned to COVID-19’s ability to spread quickly and wreak havoc, simply won’t take a chance when they recognize symptoms that could emanate from the virus. “We’ve seen an increase in patients presenting to the emergency department with respiratory distress,” said Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, president and CEO of Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz. “As this can also be a symptom of COVID-19, we’re treating these patients as we would any person under investigation for coronavirus until we can rule them out through our screening process.” During the workup, symptoms that are more specific to COVID19, like fever, would become apparent. For the workers at Dominican, the issue moved to the top of the list quickly. Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties have borne the brunt of the CZU Lightning Complex fires, which as of Sept. 10 had burned more than 86,000 acres, destroying 1,100 structures and threatening more than 7,600 others. Nearly a month after they began, the fires were approximately
84% contained, but thousands of people remained evacuated. Dominican, a Dignity Health hospital, is “open, safe and providing care,” Mickiewicz said. Multiple tents erected outside the building serve as an extension of its ER waiting room. They also are used to perform what has come to be understood as an essential role: separating those with symptoms of COVID-19 from those without. At the two Solano County hospitals operated by NorthBay Healthcare, the path of some of the wildfires prompted officials to review their evacuation procedures, said spokesperson Steve Huddleston. They ultimately avoided the need to evacuate patients, and new ones arrived with COVID-like symptoms that may actually have been from smoke inhalation. Huddleston said NorthBay’s intake process “calls for anyone with COVID characteristics to be handled as [a] patient under investigation for COVID, which means they’re separated, screened and managed by staff in special PPE.” At the two hospitals, which have handled nearly 200 COVID cases so far, the protocol is well established. Hospitals in California, though not under siege in most cases, are dealing with multiple issues they might typically face only sporadically. In Napa County, Adventist Health St. Helena hospital evacuated 51 patients on a single Auu PAGE A4
A september 19-22, 2020 • LA WeeKeND AsIAN JOUrNAL
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California mayors among coalition of leaders...
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“We are thrilled to announce the addition of 14 new Mayors from across the country to our coalition,” MGI tweeted on Wednesday. The coalition currently has official pledges from 25 mayors of cities across 16 states. California mayors now include Los Angeles’ Garcetti, Long Beach’s Garcia, Compton’s Aja Brown, and Oakland’s Libby Schaaf. “At a moment of racial injustice, we see this as a way forward,” the Associated Press reported Garcetti saying. With Los Angeles being the nation’s second-largest city following New York City, Garcetti said he was looking to launch a program involving both public and private funding that would help those “who have been written out of federal legislation.” Undocumented immigrants were not among those eligible to receive the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economics Security Act (CARES Act) stimulus checks. The concept of guaranteed income, though not new, drew
attention during former Democratic Presidential candidate Andrew Yang’s campaign last year in which he proposed “universal basic income” to cover every American, regardless of how much they made. MGI’s guaranteed income is meant to be a cash payment given directly to individuals and to serve as a “tool for racial and gender equity.” According to MGI, the payment is “unconditional, with no strings attached and no work requirements.” As to why the program utilizes mayors in handling the programs, MGI said mayors are the best equipped to advocate for residents due to their direct connection to cities. “Cities are the laboratories of democracy, and mayors are closest to the communities they serve,” MGI writes on its website. Garcia, in announcing his support of a universal basic income initiative for the City of Long Beach, said such efforts would be especially helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Coronavirus has affected
every corner of the nation wreaking havoc on people’s lives and the overall economy. This toll has highlighted and exasperated the income gap in America and how families are unable to pay basic costs like housing and food,” said Garcia. “Though many have received unemployment insurance benefits, those funds have fallen short of basic needs and left many out of payments altogether.” “It’s an innovative approach to supporting people in a rapidly changing economy,” he added. “Ongoing direct payments to CCP 50TH ANNIVERSARY. The Cultural Center of the Philippines closes its 50th-anniversary celebration through a light and sound show at its individuals and families would iconic building facade in Pasay City on Wednesday, September 16. The projected images featured CCP’s excellence in the fields of performing, PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan help to start to address the in- literary, visual, and multi-media arts. equalities being experienced across the country.” Tubbs, on Wednesday, said that the goal is to encourage the federal government to launch a guaranteed income program. PAGE A2 Over half of Asian Americans and social justice, participants “It has to be a federal solution,” Tubbs said, as reported change, with 77% of Fil-Ams were also asked about civil rights (54%) said they plan to vote by (58% of Fil-Ams strongly in fa- mail or by absentee, while 27% by the Associated Press. “We agreeing. • Gun control: 51% of Fil-Ams vor), support for reallocating said they would do it in person understand that a guaranteed income is not a panacea for said they “agree strongly” that police funds (57% of Fil-Ams on Election Day. Since 1 in 3 Asian Americans everything, [but] is a powerful the U.S. should have stricter gun agree), and affirmative action (69% of Fil-Ams in favor). said using language assistance tool that provides a floor for ev- laws. How COVID-19, racism af“The Asian American elec- would help them cast their baleryone.” (Rae Ann Varona/AJfects voters torate faces greater barriers to lots, John Yang, executive direcPress) Since the onset of COVID-19 voting in 2020 with the fear of tor of Asian Americans Advancin the U.S., the Asian American anti-Asian violence, COVID-19 ing Justice | AAJC, emphasized community has largely experi- infection and confusion about provisions in the Voting Rights enced hate crimes, harassment how to vote,” APIAVote Execu- Act that allow for ballot materials and other forms of discrimina- tive Director Christine Chen said, in an Asian language or the abilOVER 17 YEARS tion. adding that the organization is ity to bring someone to the pollThe survey asked voters to rate sending translated mailers to ing center who can help you vote the level of discrimination against Asian households in battleground if you are not English proficient. Asian individuals to which 55% of states that report they speak a Though the survey only tarFil-Ams said “some,” while 48% language other than English. geted registered voters, this year, said they worry very or somewhat Vote by mail Asian Americans are the fastestoften about experiencing a hate As the COVID-19 pandemic growing segment of eligible votcrime or harassment because of continues, states are increasing ers out of the major racial and eththe stigma around the virus. their vote by mail capacity in an nic groups in the U.S., with 11.1 Given the protests against po- effort to slow the virus’ spread million eligible to vote, according lice brutality and call for racial and keep communities safe. to Pew Research Center. n
Survey: Fil-Am voters most...
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PH named top ‘digital riser’ in East Asia... PAGE A1 t
include the introduction of startup visas and public-private partnership initiatives, such as the ‘Start-up Venture Fund’ in 2019, which matched investments from investors in local start-ups under certain conditions,” it added. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in April signed the Innovative Startup Act, which created the Startup Development Program that provides benefits and incentives for startups and “startup enablers.” Included in the program’s benefits are access to startup de-
velopment programs, as well as linking startups to potential investors, mentors, collaborators, and customers in the country and abroad. “The top Digital Risers in our study had one thing in common: they have shared a deliberate and comprehensive government programme with top-level support around digitalisation and entrepreneurship,”said Professor Philip Meissner of the ECDC by ESCP Business School Berlin. The Philippine Department of Information and Communica-
tions Technology, for its part, welcomed the recognition. “This just proves that we are now reaping the fruits of the government’s digitalization efforts,” DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan said Thursday, September 16. Following the Philippines in the digital risers ranking in the East Asia and Pacific are Thailand, Indonesia, China, Cambodia, Japan, Mongolia, Brunei, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Laos, and New Zealand. n
Tough to tell COVID from smoke inhalation... PAGE A3 t gust night as a fire approached, moving them to 10 other facilities according to their needs and bed space. After a 10-day closure, the hospital was allowed to reopen as evacuation orders were lifted, the fire having been contained some distance away. The wildfires are also taking a personal toll on health care workers. CommuniCare’s Marshall lost her family’s home in rural Winters, along with 20 acres of olive trees and other plantings that surrounded it, in the Aug. 19 fires that swept through Solano County. “They called it a ‘firenado,’” Marshall said. An apparent confluence of three fires raged out of control, demolishing thousands of acres. With her family safely accounted for and temporary housing arranged by a friend, she returned to work. “Our clin-
ics interact with a very vulnerable population,” she said, “and this is a critical time for them.” While she pondered how her family would rebuild, the CEO was faced with another immediate crisis: the clinic’s shortage of supplies. Last month, CommuniCare got down to 19 COVID test kits on hand, and ran so low on swabs “that we were literally turning to our veterinary friends for reinforcements,” the doctor said. The clinic’s COVID test results, meanwhile, were taking nearly two weeks to be returned from an overwhelmed outside lab, rendering contact tracing almost useless. Those situations have been addressed, at least temporarily, Marshall said. But although the West Coast is in the most dangerous time of year for wildfires, generally September to December, another complication for
health providers lies on the horizon: flu season. The Southern Hemisphere, whose influenza trends during our summer months typically predict what’s to come for the U.S., has had very little of the disease this year, presumably because of restricted travel, social distancing and face masks. But it’s too early to be sure what the U.S. flu season will entail. “You can start to see some cases of the flu in late October,” said Marshall, “and the reality is that it’s going to carry a number of characteristics that could also be symptomatic of COVID. And nothing changes: You have to rule it out, just to eliminate the risk.” This KHN story first published on California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation. n
New AAPI study: Majority of Fil-Ams, Tagalog- speaking... PAGE A1 t ence professor at UC Riverside, said during a webinar hosted by the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs on Thursday, Sept. 17. Ramakrishnan shared findings from a study that was designed to gauge the attitudes and voting behaviors of “low-propensity voters,” or registered voters that are the least likely to participate in elections. The study included 88 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) participants throughout California, and it concluded there is a “strong preference” to vote by mail this election due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the study culled information from a small sample size, the researchers disaggregated the data among the most prominent AAPI groups and found that among Filipino American voters, 4 out of 9 Filipinos and native Tagalog speakers usually vote inperson. According to the study, Filipinos who are ESL speakers (like other ESL speakers of different origins) prefer using the language assistance available at the polls. But for the upcoming election, only about 2 out of 9 Filipinos plan to vote in person, meaning that a majority of Filipino voters will likely vote by mail or utilize one of the many ballot drop-off locations throughout the state. At a time when President Donald Trump is routinely denigrat-
ing the vote-by-mail option and encouraging voters to cast their ballots at the polls, one of the biggest challenges lies in ensuring communities and low-propensity voters that mail-in ballots are still a viable option to participate in the election. (Trump himself has voted-by-mail throughout his presidency.) In terms of bridging that information gap between government agencies and various ethnic communities, the most trusted sources include traditional and ethnic media, social media, community organizations and family and friends. Understanding the trusted channels, Ramakrishnan noted the importance of these sources to provide accurate and safe information. Social media, particularly Facebook, has been found to allow the dissemination of misinformation regarding the elections, following the Russian tampering of the 2016 election through social media. Minority communities that primarily receive information through social media are particularly vulnerable to being misinformed. “It really shows the importance of having good information readily available from these trusted sources,” Arturo Vargas of the Latino-based NALEO Educational Fund said on Thursday. “The partnership between the county and these community organizations is so important because we have to make sure that voters and families of voters feel like they can
trust the information they’re getting from the county because it’s being validated by these trusted organizations.” Mail-in voting still holds the highest interest among voters, Ramakrishnan said, but the concerns over delivery and whether or not their votes will be counted in time remain. There’s also great interest in the availability of dropoff boxes, which are locations where voters may drop their mail-in ballot off before Election Day. But Ramakrishnan pointed to the community efforts on issues like the 2020 Census, wherein immigrant advocacy organizations have extensively provided census survey support and assistance to households across LA County. “I think there is a lot of trust that has been built up and this is where I think a lot of engagement on the census has shown that these kinds of partnerships between county government agencies and community partners to make sure everyone gets counted,” Ramakrishnan said. He added, “Even if someone does not fully trust government, the strong partnership of community partners — including organizations like CHIRLA [Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights - Los Angeles], many of these AAPI rights and immigrant rights organizations — has gone far to bridge local governments with these communities.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
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Dateline P‘77%hiliPPines of Pinoys want to travel amid pandemic’
Filipino American kidnapped in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte by aJPress An elderly Filipino American was reportedly kidnapped by four gunmen in Sirawai, Zamboanga del norte on Wednesday, September 16. Authorities identified the victim as Rex Triplet, a 64-year-old farmer residing in Barangay Piacan. Initial reports said Triplet and his 23-year-old wife Celsa Maani were on their way home on board a black XRM motorcycle when four armed men in military uniforms flagged them down. The perpetrators, who were armed with a M203 rifle and
three short firearms, reportedly took Triplet and dragged him towards the hinterlands of Barangay Tapanayan. His wife was able to escape during the commotion and asked help from local officials. According to Capt. Dominador Dalion, Sirawai police station chief, responding law enforcers failed to catch the perpetrators because the area was seven kilometers away from the police station. However, he reassured that police units are coordinating with military forces to search the mountains of Barangay Tapanayan for Triplet.
Dalion also appealed to the kidnappers, urging them to release the victim. “The kidnap victim has no money. Although he has American blood, he was born here and is a Filipino citizen. His deceased mother is a Muslim and his wife is also a Muslim. There is no reason to target him,” he said. Sirawai is part of Zamboanga del norte’s triple S and B area which are the towns of Siocon, Sibuco, Sirawai, and Baliguian. These are the areas where the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro national Liberation Front maintain camps. n
Pregnancy among girls below 15 rising – PopCom by LeiLa
B. SaLaverria Inquirer.net
MAnILA — The number of children below 15 years old who had gotten pregnant has doubled in 10 years, according to the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom), which is backing a proposed law to raise the age for statutory rape and improvements in “sexuality education” to curb teenage pregnancies. PopCom Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III said pregnancies among children aged 10 to 14 years old went up to 2,200 in 2018, more than double the 1,000 in 2007. “It’s the one figure that has been increasing,” Perez said in a Senate budget hearing on Thursday, referring to the age group. Age of consent “We have roughly … 40 to 50 10-year-old children giving birth every year,” he added. In all, there were 62,000 minors aged 10 to 18 who gave birth in 2018, he said. Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said raising the age of consent in the country from 12 years old to no less than 16 years old could help prevent adolescent pregnancies. This would mean that those who have sexual relations with minors 16 years old and under
STOP THE EXPLOITATION An advocate campaigns for the creation of a national program that will deal with the alarming number of adolescent and teen pregnancies, in an event held in Quezon City in October 2019. According to the Commission on Population and Development, about 40 to 50 children aged 10 to 14 give birth in the country each year. Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon
will be held liable for statutory rape, he said. “I am sure the number of teenage pregnancies would go down if we could increase the statutory rape age,” he said. Perez said he backed Zubiri’s bill and noted that most of the girls aged 10 to 17 year old who got pregnant had partners who were older than them. 14 similar bills “So there’s an element of power play, of exploitation here because it’s older men who are the partners of these young
[girls],” he said. Aside from Zubiri’s bill, there are six proposed measures in the Senate to raise the age for statutory rape to either 16 years old or 18 years old. There are at least seven similar bills in the House of Representatives. Raising the age for statutory rape “would at least be a barrier or might scare off these predators,” Perez said. He also said PopCom had been working with the Department of Education and the De-
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2021. Rep. Mike Defensor said there are also three others who have MAnILA — Due to the months- been given paltry sums, among long lockdown, a vast majority of them the Commission on Filipithe country’s 110 million Filipinos nos Overseas with P172.3 milwant to travel to domestic tourist lion, Anti-Red Tape Authority spots and take a respite from strict with P146 million and the Dangovernment restrictions, Tourism gerous Drugs Board with P344.5 Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat million. told lawmakers on Thursday, September 17. “Based on our survey, 77 percent of Filipinos still want to travel even during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she told the appropriations committee of the House of Representatives, where she defended the Department of Tourism (DOT)’s P3.5-billion budget for 2021. This is equivalent to about 80 million of the 110 million total population. Puyat also revealed to lawmakers that hotel and resort owners have been asking for the establishment of an “isolation center” and the putting up of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test booth in their business establishments. The RT-PCR or swab test is considered the gold standard in COVID-19 testing. “They want the swab tests done fast and with immediate result, so they can screen those who are infected. Also, they want the isolation centers so they can put those who will suddenly have fevers right away,” the DOT chief related. “All of our tourist destinations of course want to open, but they are afraid and are very cautious. This is why we are giving all of them the support we have, like these safety and health protocols,” Puyat added. So far, tourism in Boracay has partially opened, aside from Baguio City in Region 1. Puyat nevertheless believes the country will recover with domestic tourism more than attracting foreign tourists due to the global pandemic, where other parts of the world have also imposed restrictions on travel. AMLC has smallest budget The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has the smallest budget allocation among all the agencies in the entire government bureaucracy, which was earmarked a measly P85.2 million for its spending for the fiscal year by DeLon
PorcaLLa Philstar.com
He said P387.6 million or 57 percent of the OVP outlay is for “subsidy/financial assistance” or dole-outs. Defensor pointed out that the President and his economic team have proposed reductions in funding for some agencies and offices due to financial difficul-
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A6 SEPTEMBER 19-22, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
Vanguard of opaqueness
FEATURES
THE Office of the Ombudsman is supposed to be the vanguard in the fight against corruption. So why is it looking instead like the vanguard of opaqueness in public service? This question has been raised after the ombudsman restricted media and public access to the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of the president, vice president and other top government officials. Henceforth, any request for copies of SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman would require the consent of the owner of the asset declaration. Two chief justices have been ousted partly because of problems involving their SALNs. Ombudsman Samuel Martires was among the eight Supreme Court justices who voted for the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno. The eight favored a quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, who argued that Sereno’s appointment as chief magistrate was invalid because she violated SALN requirements. For the country’s main anti-corruption agency, the response to that unprecedented event should
be the promotion of transparency in government. The Office of the Ombudsman should be leading the push for the enactment of a Freedom of Information Act, the easing of bank secrecy laws for certain questionable transactions, as well as the relaxation of rules governing access to the SALNs of public officials. Ombudsman Martires should even set the example by freely releasing his SALN to the media. Instead the ombudsman is moving in the opposite direction, making it easier for public officials to conceal ill-gotten wealth. It has been said often enough: those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear. Studies have estimated that the country is losing billions to corruption every year, with the problem now deeply entrenched partly because of the failure to catch, prosecute and punish crooked public officials. The move of the Office of the Ombudsman is a step backward in the battle against corruption. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
For the first time in 175 years, Scientific American endorses a presidential candidate, Joe Biden, amid wildfires and coronavirus
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS LAST Wednesday, September 9, those of us in the West Coast all shared a very eerie experience as we woke up to infernolike orange skies, and it seemed the sun did not shine that day. The blazing skies, choking smoke and ash in the air were caused by wildfires that have been raging in the West Coast — Washington, Oregon and California — all at the same time at an unprecedented pace and magnitude. The wildfires on this coast that continue to burn have already killed at least 36 people, torching more than 4.7 million acres — that is more than 32 times the size of Metro Manila! At least 87 wildfires are burning in 11 states, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, and they continue to push firefighters beyond exhaustion, risking their lives to protect the lives of people, animals, forests, homes, and businesses. In California alone, 16,500 firefighters are battling 28 major fires in the state. About 3.2 million acres have burned in the Golden State this year. Six of the 20 largest wildfires in state history have occurred this year. Scientists around the world, using longitudinal scientific studies and measures, have concluded the Earth is warming, and many said these record wildfires in the West Coast have been fueled by climate change. Other indicators of climate change as reported by climaterealityproject.org include: • Air temperatures over land are increasing. • Arctic sea ice is decreasing. • Glaciers are melting. • Sea levels are rising. • Ocean heat content is increasing. • Sea surface temperature is
increasing. • Snow is decreasing. • Earth’s lower atmosphere temperature is increasing. In the past years, President Donald Trump had been blaming poor forest management for the wildfires, threatening to withhold funding from the federal government unless the grounds of the forests are cleared of dried leaves, and denying climate change. He blamed “explosive” trees and poor forest management for the wildfires sweeping across America’s west coast. Yet, again, he denied the existence of climate change. Trump has been weaponizing and politicizing federal funding, casting blame on the Democratic-led states of California, Oregon and Washington. The president seems ignorant of the fact that national forests are owned collectively by the American people through the federal government, and managed by the United States Forest Service, which is a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Of the 33 million acres of forest in California, about 57% is owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service or Federal Bureau of Land Management. On Monday, September 14, Trump visited California weeks after the wildfires started burning. California officials led by Gov. Gavin Newsom confronted President Donald Trump faceto-face about his ignoring climate change’s role in the raging west coast wildfires. Arms crossed, and with a smirk on his face, Trump dismissed their concerns, as usual, and the exchange was painful to watch and hear for us Californians and for the American people. Trump foolishly said, “Ok, it’ll start getting cooler, you just
watch.” California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot replied: “I wish science agreed with you.” Trump arrogantly responded: “I don’t think science knows, actually.” Amid this climate crisis, we are waging another war — our battle against COVID19. The coronavirus pandemic that has claimed nearly 200,000 and infected more than 6.76 million. Family lives were shattered, businesses closed, many Americans lost their jobs just because Trump deliberately chose to downplay the pandemic. He did not invent nor create it, but his response to the crisis marked the failure in leadership to keep Americans safe and save lives. The president did not really care if 2,000 Americans died each day just as he pushed for businesses and schools to open despite the uptick in coronavirus cases. What he really cares about obsessively is to be re-elected. Because of this, he became Public Enemy #1 who denigrated health experts and scientists’ advice to mitigate the spread of the virus and save lives because what they were saying do not fit into his own narrative and political agenda. These scientists and health officials have been working so hard to research more on the new virus, and share important information to help save lives. They have been advocating for wearing mask, social distancing, personal hygiene, avoiding crowds, yet the president of the United States has been defying these measures. He even held indoor rallies that did not require masks and social distancing. Worse, he vilifies and makes fun of those who wear masks, and made it a po-
litical issue instead of a national health emergency that it truly is. Trump even insulted and undermined his own Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whose officials just testified under oath about the importance of following these mitigation measures, calling him “confused” and insisting on his own views about wearing a mask. Trump has sidelined his Coronavirus Task Force officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx because he did not want them fact-checking him for the dangerous misinformation he has been telling the American people. He has been twisting facts and politicizing not only wearing masks, but the development and distribution of vaccines and treatment, hinders wide-scale testing and contact tracing, and attempts to manipulate data from the CDC for his political agenda. Americans, Scientific American endorses Joe Biden, its first presidential endorsement in its 175-history. “This year we are compelled to do so. We do not do this lightly,” the editors wrote for the October 2020 issue, published online on Tuesday, September 15. It continued: “The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the U.S. and its people—because he rejects evidence and science.” “The most devastating example is his dishonest and inept response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cost almost 190,000 Americans their lives by the middle of September.” “Scientific American covers the advances in research and discovery that are changing our understanding of the world and shaping our lives. Founded
1845, it is the oldest continuously published magazine in the United States and now reaches more than 10 million people around the world each month through its website, print and digital editions, newsletters and app,” according to the “About” page on its website. “Authoritative, engaging features, news, opinion and multimedia stories from journalists and expert authors—including more than 200 Nobel Prize winners—provide need-to-know coverage, insights and illumination of the most important developments at the intersection of science and society.” The editors of Scientific American called out Trump’s attacks on environmental protections, health care, research and science agencies. “That is why we urge you to vote for Joe Biden, who is offering fact-based plans to protect
our health, our economy and the environment,” they wrote. They added, “Trump’s rejection of evidence and public health measures have been catastrophic in the U.S.” Filipinos in America and fellow Americans: If we are truly pro-life, if we are truly concerned about our safety and lives now and if we are truly committed to protecting the environment and the planet that we will pass on to our children, grandchildren and the future generations, then we must vote for Joe Biden. *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos.
Ten minutes will change our world for Asian Americans
Commentary JOHN C. YANG IF you could do something in ten minutes or less that would make sure we have translated materials for limited English proficient members in our Asian American community, local grocery stores that carry Asian-related products, or tell Asian-owned businesses where to build new stores, would you do it? Right now, you can make the difference in how our communities are seen and supported if you take a few minutes to fill out the 2020 Census. We can no longer afford to let others view our communities as monolithic. Right now, we are in a crisis. The
Coronavirus pandemic has shown how little national data is available about the impact of this virus on Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Government officials scrambled to figure out where to send resources when the pandemic started. With accurate census data, we can prove where resources need to be deployed across the country, within the states, and down into specific communities. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are missing from data on how the coronavirus impacts us. Initially, reports did not show that people in our communities were dying from this virus faster than other ethnicities. Nearly 190,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 but lit-
tle to no data about the impact of the virus on Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The death rate among Pacific Islander Americans is higher than the Asian American community, but it took months before those scant statistics were reported. We still do not have an accurate picture of the extent of the disparities. The Asian American community is the fastest-growing population in the U.S. We learned this fact because of 2010 Census data. Without every one of us filling out the 2020 Census, we will not know if that fact continues to be true. We will not know how our communities are growing or changing. We can’t argue the need for new schools, elder care
services, or debate about fair political representation in Congress, state legislatures, and even local school boards. Within our communities we have more than 50 detailed subgroups that differ dramatically across key social and economic indicators. The detailed data from the 2020 Census is critical to our ability to break down the stereotype of the “model minority,” which has been used to erase the history of exclusion and discrimination against Asian Americans. This stereotype is also used to obscure our concerns — failing to recognize critical differences and priorities between Asian American subgroups — and therefore to excuse the lack of government
resources and investments in our communities. Some of you may be struggling at home right now with finances, your business barely making ends meet, or concerned about your job security. It is data from the census that will tell the government where to put resources that will help your business, send healthcare supplies or workers, and tell businesses where to build or rebuild. We must fully participate in the census to make sure the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are included in the planning and get our fair share of those resources. But that cannot happen without you filling out your census. The deadline to respond has been
extended so you have no excuse not to do the right thing for our community. Right now, you may be feeling unsure of what to do or how you can make a difference amid this pandemic and the calls for racial justice in protests and rallies. One thing you can do right now is to change our visibility. Be seen and be counted by filling out your census form now. You have ten minutes, right? *** John C. Yang is the president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing JusticeAAJC, a national nonprofit founded in 1991 in Washington, D.C. with the mission to advance the civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 19-22, 2020
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Duterte to review reduced social distancing rule in PUVs by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte will review the reduced 0.75-meter physical distancing policy for passengers by the Department of Transportation (DOTr). “Inaasahan po natin na siguro po magkakaroon ng desisyon ang Presidente sa Lunes sa kanyang susunod na talumpati sa taumbayan (We expect that the President may announce his decision on Monday during his next public address),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Thursday, September 17. He also said that Duterte is OPLAN SITA. The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) conducts “Operation Sita” (Oplan Sita) along Bristol Street corner Regalado Highway, still waiting for the task force’s Quezon City on Friday, September 18. Oplan Sita is a major activity of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the National Capital Region to report on the matter. control criminality amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez On Wednesday, September 16, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) reassessed the reduced social distancing rule after its implementation on
EU Parliament condemns ‘rapidly deteriorating’ state of human rights, press freedom in PH law, and with emphasis on public health,” they said The lawmakers also conMANILA — The European Par- demned the killings of peasant liament approved a resolution con- activist Randall Echanis and hudemning the “rapid” deterioration man rights worker Zara Alvarez, of human rights and press freedom who were slain last month, and in the Philippines under President asked Philippine authorities to Rodrigo Duterte and called on the launch transparent and imparcurrent administration to address tial probes into their deaths and a range of serious issues. other extrajudicial killings. The resolution, adopted Thursday with 626 votes in favor, seven The European Parliament also against and 52 abstentions, de- called on the European Union nounced the thousands of extra- and its member states to support judicial killings and other human the adoption of a resolution at the rights violations related to the ongoing 45th session of the UN government’s internationally con- Human Rights Council to launch demned war on drugs and the an independent, on-the-ground attacks and harassment against investigation into human rights activists, trade unionists and jour- violations committed in the Philnalists. ippines since 2016. The European lawmakers It likewise urged the Internaurged the Philippine government tional Criminal Court to “continto adopt and implement all the ue its inquiry into the allegations recommendations outlined by the of crimes against humanity in the United Nations High Commis- context of the killings during the sioner for Human Rights, which ‘war on drugs.’” include conducting independent The European Parliament isinvestigations into such grave hu- sued similar calls since Duterte man rights violations. assumed office in 2016. It con“[The parliament] calls on the demned extrajudicial killings in government of the Philippines to a resolution in 2016, adopted put an immediate end to all vio- urged to free detained Senator lence targeting suspected drug Leila De Lima in 2017 and called offenders and to disband private for an end to drug-related killings and state-backed paramilitary in 2018. groups insists that the fights Drop charges vs Ressa, grant against illicit drugs must be pur- ABS-CBN broadcast franchise sued in full compliance with due The European Parliament also process of law, in accordance denounced “all threats, harasswith national and international ment, intimidation, unfair prosby Gaea
KatReena Philstar.com
cabico
ecutions and violence against journalists” in the Philippines. In 2020, the Philippines placed 136th out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index of Parisbased media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières, RSF). Last year, it ranked 134th. In particular, it called on the government to drop “politically motivated charges” against Rappler CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa and former writerresearcher Reynaldo Santos. Ressa and Santos were convicted of cyber libel last June. The parliament also appealed to the government to renew the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN, the country’s top broadcaster, which was ordered shut following its franchise expiration in May. Given the “seriousness” of human rights violations in the Philippines, the European lawmakers called on the European Commission to suspend trade incentives called Generalised Scheme of Preference (GSP+), “in the absence of any substantial improvement and willingness to cooperate on the part of the Philippine authorities.” During the opening of the 45th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on the Duterte government to revoke policies and rhetoric that lead to killings and other human rights abuses. n
Monday drew criticism from netizens and a number of sectors. The new rule decreased the physical distancing inside public utility vehicles to 0.75 meters from the original one meter recommendation. The 0.75 meters will then be further reduced to 0.5 meter on September 28 and 0.3 meters on October 12. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, for his part, objected to the rule, saying he preferred the one-meter distance between passengers. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año echoed this sentiment, stressing that the economy can be opened but to sacrifice the one-meter distance is “nonnegotiable.” Until Duterte’s decision, the DOTr is suspending the new policy, which reverts the physical distance between passengers to one meter. “Suspended po ang 0.75, balik po sa one meter habang
wala pang decision ang ating Presidente sa bagay na ito (So, the 0.75 meter rule is suspended. We are back to the one-meter rule until the President decides on this matter),” Roque said. According to him, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade suspended the new policy so as to not put pressure on Duterte. “Kanina po nagsalita si Sec. Tugade, ang sabi nya (A while ago, Secretary Tugade said) because I don’t want to pressure the President into making his decision as if he is duty bound to make it in a period of time dahil kung i-implement yan, (if it will be implemented) it becomes urgent, the President must act on it right away,” Roque said. “So, he said, to give the President all the time he needs to study the matter, balik muna tayo sa (return first to) one meter and until he says so, we will not implement the 0.75 (meter),” he added. n
Pregnancy among girls below 15 rising... PAGE A5 t partment of Health on a road map to check teenage pregnancies. He noted pending bills in Congress to provide comprehensive “sexuality education” to communities and related services. Restricted access “At the core of that [road map] will be implementing comprehensive sexuality education. But we hope that the new bill, if it comes out, would be able to address comprehensive sexuality education also outside of schools and link this education to services,” he said. Perez said the rule prohibiting minors, even those who are already mothers, from accessing family planning services without their parents’ consent had contributed to the increasing number of adolescent births. The bills could expand the reach of measures to prevent adolescent pregnancy beyond what is allowed under the reproductive health law, he said. Perez said all minors who gave birth should be considered part of the vulnerable population and given social protection until the age of 25. Cash aid Based on studies, minors who
get pregnant are unlikely to finish high school and get lower wages, he noted. He said children of beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer program would be disqualified from getting benefits if they dropped out of school, as attending school is one of the requirements to stay in the
program. Perez said PopCom had been in talks with the Department of Social Welfare and Development about this matter and had proposed that adolescents with children should be considered a separate family, which could be eligible for the cash aid. n
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Crime rate down by 47% in 6-month lockdown — Eleazar by Darwin
PesCo ManilaTimes.net
THE crime rate in the Philippines dropped by 47% nationwide during the six-month quarantine that the government imposed because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar reported on Friday, September 18. The 31,661 crime incidents from Sept. 15, 2019 to March 16, 2020 decreased to 16,879 from March 17 to September 16, 2020, said Eleazar, commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Covid Shield. The decline translates to an
average of 92 cases per day during the lockdown period compared to the 172 before the lockdown, according to Eleazar. “We have been conducting analysis of the crime situation in the past six months in order to identify the best practices and security adjustments that we could replicate in other areas and eventually institutionalize in order to sustain this momentum,” Eleazar said in a statement. The eight focus crimes of the Philippine National Police (PNP) consist of murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping of
motorcyles and carnapping of vehicles. The common motorcycle theft recorded the biggest decline at 66% or from 2,013 cases before the lockdown to 693, Eleazar said. Car theft also went down by 61%, or from 218 in the prequarantine period to 86 during quarantine. The others are: Robbery by 61%, or from 4,807 to 1,867; theft by 60%, or from 10,553 to 4,228; physical injury by 38%, or from 5,474 to 3,418; homicide by 25%, or from 819 to 612; rape by 24% or from 4,580 to 3,446; and murder by 22% or from 3,197 to 2,509. n
Duterte extends state of calamity for one more year by Catherine
Valente ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has extended the declaration of a state of calamity throughout the Philippines for one more year due to lingering coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Duterte signed Proclamation 1021 on Wednesday, September 16, extending the declaration “for a period of one year, effective 13 September 2020 to 12 September 2021, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant.” “This extension will, among others, effectively afford the National Government, as well as local government units, ample latitude to continue utilizing appropriate funds, including the quick response fund, in their disaster preparedness and
response efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19,” Duterte said in his proclamation. It will also allow the government “to monitor and control prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, and provide basic services to the affected populations,” he added. The President directed all government agencies and local government units to cooperate and mobilize resources “to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate disaster response aid and measures in a timeline manner to curtail and eliminate the threat of COVID-19.” “All law enforcement agencies, with the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are hereby directed to continue undertaking all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas, as may be necessary,” he said.
The President initially declared a six-month state of calamity on March 16 just as he placed the Philippines’ most populous island Luzon under lockdown to control the spread of the virus. The declaration of a state of calamity in March enabled the government to respond better to the pandemic ahead of the enactment of virus response policies namely the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. The Philippines has implemented one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world as the entire country remained under varying levels of community quarantine. As of Friday, the Philippines recorded 279,526 COVID-19 cases with 4,830 deaths and 208,790 recoveries. n
Chinese research vessel spotted in PH economic zone — expert by Darwin
PesCo ManilaTimes.net
search vessel named “Jiageng” had spent the last week in the A CHINESE research vessel country’s EEZ in the West Philwas spotted inside the Exclu- ippine Sea. sive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Martinson said that the vessel Philippines, a maritime expert could be conducting marine scibared. entific research in the area. In a tweet, Ryan Martinson, In his tweet on the night of professor at US Naval War Col- September 17, a map showed lege, said that a Chinese re- that the vessel was 50 nautical
miles off the coast of the country. In August, a Chinese research vessel, the “Xiang Yang Hong 14”, was also spotted near the Recto Bank. President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Philippine Navy not to join drills in the South China Sea. n
RAINY DAY. A public utility jeepney stops in a ‘no loading and unloading zone’ to get a passenger amid rains along Emilio Aquinaldo Highway in Imus, Cavite on Thursday, September 17. More jeepneys resumed operation in Cavite province after it was placed under the lowest modified general community quarantine from Sept. 1-30 due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
Commission on Human Rights supports Senate bill seeking regularization, hazard pay for media workers MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights on Friday, September 18, backed a Senate bill seeking to provide enhanced protection, security and benefits for media workers. “As a country that prides itself with having a free press, ensuring the protection and just compensation of media practitioners is essential in ensuring the protection of the freedom of expression and the right of individuals to access of information,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said. Senate President Tito Sotto, who filed Senate Bill 1820 or the Media Workers’ Welfare Act, said the following in its explanatary note: “While we truly recognize media’s major influence and the important part that it plays in people’s lives; it is unfortunate that the very same people behind it are not receiving the tangible fruits of this recognition which include security of tenure, hazard pay, night shift differential pay, and overtime pay, just to name a few.” “To this end, legislative measures are put in place to ensure that the rights of all the members of the labor force are protected and their welfare are promoted,” he added.
‘Pandemic emphasizes importance of free press’ According to De Guia, the pandemic underscores the importance of a free media and its role in disseminating timely information to help educate Filipinos on the impacts of COVID19 and the ways to prevent its transmission. “The adverse economic effects brought about by the pandemic, however, has led to the enactment of retrenchment policies by several media entities and franchise holders leaving numerous media professionals with no income and support system to weather the negative economic effects of COVID-19,” she warned. “This problem is compounded by massive layoff of media workers by media entities that practice unfair labor practices that mislabels longtime employees as contractual employees —denying them employee-employer relationship and benefits despite multiple years of successive contract renewals indicating the desirability and necessity of the practitioner’s work,” De Guia added. In addition to violating labor laws, De Guia noted that denying media workers fair compensation and benefits makes jour-
nalists “vulnerable to certain financial obligations that may affect the objectivity of their news reports.” “In ensuring the protection of labor rights and a free press, the Commission continues to reiterate its support for the protection and promotion of the rights of media workers. Together let us remember that in line with our constitutional rights to freedom of expression and information the protection of our media workers is necessary to ensure a free and fair media,” she said. The bill’s provisions The proposed measure’s provisions cover all workers in the field of news media, whether “directly” or “indirectly,” including regular employees, project employees, independent contractors and more. It also requires regularization after six months of continuous employment. “The computation of employment time shall be cumulative in cases where the employee is repeatedly engaged for shorter periods by the employer to avoid regularization,” the bill reads. Apart from the insurance benefits of the media workers of the Social Security System (SSS), u PAGE A9
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Groups ask SC to nullify anti-terrorism law for impeding humanitarian work by Kristine Joy
Philstar.com
Patag
MANILA — Eleven groups of development and humanitarian workers on Friday asked the Supreme Court to nullify the anti-terrorism law for impeding humanitarian and environmental protection work. The Coordinating Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG) Inc. and its member-organizations asked the SC to strike down the entire Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 “for being contrary to the Constitution.” “The implementation of RA 11479 will surely worsen the present human rights situation and so petitioners have no other recourse but to put their trust on the Supreme Court as the faithful guardian of the fundamental law,” the petitioners said. The groups told the court: “The CPDG and its co-petitioners believe that the Anti- Terrorism Act will seriously hinder its members from continuing their development work for it will legitimize all the harassments many of its members are experiencing now including red-tagging, abduction as well as incarceration on trumped-up charges, and even extra-judicial killings (EJK).” Impeding humanitarian work CPDG argued that the anti-ter-
rorism law impedes the conduct of development and humanitarian work. The petitioners raised that the “government’s failure to address poverty and the inaccessibility of social services” especially to people who are in the countryside paved the way for NGOs like them provide alternative livelihood programs for them—but their work “earned the ire of the government,” they added. “Rather than encouraging support and allowing these projects and programs to flourish, the government forces have maliciously equated these projects as means to support their socalled ‘terrorists’ organizations’ and maliciously suspecting these voluntary humanitarian effort as material support and aid to communist insurgency,” they added. The petitioners stressed that community workers were put under surveillance, threatened and harassed by government workers through trumped up complaints filed against them. The passage of the law will only legitimize these, they said. “The aid, projects, programs and infrastructure development in the communities that they are capable to deliver to benefit the people can be branded as ‘support for terrorist activities’. In fact, in line with its counter-insurgency campaign, the government
has already impeded the flow of development projects by these NGOs,” their petition read. Even work of environmentalists will be put at risk of being red-tagged. They stressed that environmental workers go to farreaching communities to give aid and lectures, on impacts of environmental degradation. They also cited the killing of Leonard Co, a botanist and plat taxonomist, who was killed because he was mistaken to be a member of the New People’s Army while doing his research. “The environmental work extended by the petitioners and similar organizations will be taken against them under Section 12 and 13of R.A. 11479 for it will be branded as support for the so-called “communist-terrorist activities,” the petition read. The petitioners are composed of development and humanitarian workers, environmentalists, farm workers, agriculturists, scientists, consumers and children’s rights advocates. On the SC’s official list of petitions against the ATA, this would be the 33rd; two more petitions filed by groups from Mindanao through registered mail have yet to be received by the court. The SC last month said the petitions are set for oral arguments, but date has yet to be determined. n
Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno receives hygiene kits from U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim during a ceremony at the Delpan quarantine facility on Thursday, September 17. Philstar.com photo by edd Gumban
US embassy donates hygiene kits to Manila
antine facility in Tondo, Manila. Mayor Isko Moreno received the donation from U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim at the Delpan THE United States embassy quarantine center. donated on Thursday, SeptemThe hygiene kits contained ber 17, 5,000 hygiene kits and 16 face masks, soap, laundry deterhandwashing stations to a quar- gents, dishwashing liquid and by Marc Jayson
cayabyab
Philstar.com
toothbrushes. The donation is part of the information campaign BIDA Solusyon in a partnership with the Department of Health, U.S. Agency for International Development and Procter and Gamble. n
‘77% of Pinoys want to travel amid... PAGE A5 t
ties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is the reason why the OVP funding for next year is P28 million less than this year’s P708 million. The President himself is proposing an P11-million reduction in the budget for his own office,” he added. He said the OVP outlay has increased by 59 percent since Robredo’s full year in office in 2017, when Congress allocated P428.6
million for her. “Since then, Congress has been padding her budget. Her subsidy/financial assistance went up from P177.6 million in 2017 to P277.6 million in 2018 to P387.6 million this year and next year. Congress has been generous to the Vice President. Her supporters have no reason to complain,” Defensor said. Defensor – chairman of the House committee on public accounts – stressed that if even just
a part of the OVP financial assistance funds was allocated to a congressman, “it will be labeled as pork barrel.” He added that the other components of the 2021 OVP budget are P117.3 million for salaries, P3.7 million for capital outlay, P28.3 million for travel, P6.6 million for communication, P26.6 million for representation and entertainment and P41.8 million for consultants. n
CHR supports Senate bill seeking regularization...
PAGE A8 t Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pagibig Fund) and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), the measure stipulates that the following should also apply to media workers: • P200,000 death benefit for media workers who die while working STREET VENDOR. Eduardo Garalza, 54, hands over a snack to a driver of a pickup truck along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City on • up to P200,000 disability Thursday, September 17. He sells empanada, hotdog in a bun, and other snacks to motorists in the area. benefit for those with “sustained PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler injury,” “total” and “partial” dis-
ability (whether permanent or temporary) while working • P100,000 reimbursement of medical expenses per media worker who is hospitalized or needs medical attendance while working Compensation worth P500 per day for workers physically reporting in dangerous areas which are strife-torn, distressed, isolated, disease-infested or under a state of calamity or emergency will also be required if the measure passes.
In addition to this, media companies would be required to provide the same workers with basic safety gear such as bulletproof vests, helmets, first-aid kits, face shields and more. Additional pay for media workers required to render service beyond the normal eight hours a day, or between 10:00 in the evening to 6:00 in the morning the next day, would also be required if the bill passes. (Bella Perez-Rubio with a report from James Relativo/Philstar.com)
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Should I appeal or refile?
• WHY was the case denied? The Decision/Denial typically spells out or explains the reasons for the denial. But in some cases, the reason is erroneous, either because the officer misapplied the law or the facts. Atty. MichAel • Was the person eligible or Gurfinkel, eSQ entitled to the benefits sought? If they are not, it would be a waste of time to appeal. DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: • Did t he per son subm it I just received a denial from USCIS, giving me 33 days to proper evidence, showing their file an appeal. I truly think I eligibility for the immigration was eligible, but am so heart- benef it s sought? Ty pica l ly, broken. Would you advise I file when a person appeals, they are limited to the “record on an appeal? appeal,” which is the presentaVery truly yours, tion they made to the officer. A RD person is not typically entitled Dear RD: The decision on whether to to submit additional documents appeal a denial is not always or evidence on appeal. But if a simple and straightfor ward. person did not make a full or There are many facts and fac- proper evidentiary showing to tors to consider, such that I the officer, then the record on would advise people to imme- appeal would support the denidiately consult with an attorney al. For example, in connection on the decision, rather than with a fraud waiver, if a person trying to do it on their own. submitted a bare-bone declaraAmong the factors to consider tion and evidence, which failed to show extreme hardship to a are:
Immigration Corner
qualifying relative, appealing the denial may not help because the record shows they did not meet their burden of proof to the officer. • Would it be faster to file a new petition or application than it would to appeal? Sometimes it could take years before an appeal is finally heard. In addition, based on the “record on appeal,” the appeal could be dism issed or den ied. A s a result, years were wasted. Had t he person f i led a new petition, application, etc., it might’ve been faster, and they could’ve had better chances of success, especially if they properly packaged the new application, rather than appealing with the existing record. Of course, there are many factors to consider before deciding to submit a new application rather than filing an appeal, such as whether it would affect a person’s immigration status, or push a person’s priority date far off into the future. PAGE B2
Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers more immigration questions from the US and PH in Sept. 20 edition of ‘Citizen Pinoy-Your Tanong, My Sagot!’ CITIZEN Pinoy continues to provide relevant information to individuals and families who have concerns about the latest immigration policies and how they affect them. This Sunday, September 20 leading U.S. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, will provide answers to various questions raised across the U.S. and from the Philippines.
Find out if one can petition relatives for green cards to work at the petitioner’s care home facility; if one can petition and marry one’s cousin; and if a longtime seafarer with a C1D and a B1B2 visa can convert these to an immigrant visa. Another question is if a petition is still valid even if petitioner (his brother) just recently passed. Can his other brother, living in
the U.S. and about to acquire his citizenship, take over as the petitioner? Find out the answers to these questions and more on another informative and brand-new edition of “CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot,” this Sunday on TFC, at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Cast of “Ratched” (from left): Finn Wittrock, Judy Davis, Jon Jon Briones, Sarah Paulson, Cynthia Nixon, Sophie Okonedo, Sharon Stone and Charlie Carver
Jon Jon Briones: Role in ‘Ratched’ an acknowledgment of my Filipino culture By Rito
P. Asilo Inquirer.net
IT isn’t every day that we get to interview a homegrown Filipino actor and talk about his crucial participation in a mainstream Hollywood production. And he becomes even more endearing when you see him wearing his Pinoy identity on his overachieving sleeve with such pride and humility. The actor we’re talking about is Jon Jon Briones, and the visually sumptuous TV series that showcases his acting chops (in the role of asylum boss Dr. Richard Hanover) is “Ratched,” where he’s billed fourth after title-roler Sarah Paulson (Nurse Mildred Ratched), Finn Wittrock (notorious murderer Edmund Tolleson) and Cynthia Nixon (Gwendolyn Briggs, a politician’s press secretary). In our exclusive video interview on Zoom with Sharon Stone on the same day we spoke to Jon Jon and gorgeous actor Finn (who was paired with the latter for our two-on-one chat), it was the actress herself who voluntarily mentioned Jon Jon as we were wrapping up our Q&As with her. Sharon, along with “Ratched”
Briones plays Filipino doctor Richard Hanover
Photos courtesy of Netflix
producer Ryan Murphy, doesn’t just see a (Marlon) Brando in Jon Jon’s thespic skill set, she also considers him a “really humble, good man” who’s incredible to work with. What we liked about Jon Jon even more was his humility sans obsequiousness. Asked if he didn’t feel intimidated alongside his stellar scene partners, particularly Sharon, Cynthia and Judy, Jon Jon shared with Inquirer Entertainment his
memorable experience working with Sharon in a crucial sequence. The actor described a scene where his character, Dr. Hanover, pays Lenore a visit to talk about his treatment for Henry’s psychosis. “Actually, I did [get intimidated] in that scene with Sharon,” Jon Jon recalled. “I was a foot away from her, and I was like… (he pauses)—after all, this is Sharon ‘Basic Instinct’ Stone we’re talking PAGE B2
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Jon Jon Briones: Role in ‘Ratched’ an...
Island Pacific launches ‘Island Pacific Select’ private label Island Pacific supermarket, a Filipino grocery chain with 16 locations in California and nevada, recently launched its private label program known as “Island Pacific select.” This week, Island Pacific select Glazed Banana Thins made its way to store shelves. “We are extremely excited to introduce Island Pacific select Glazed Banana Thins. The manufacturer of this product is a family owned business in the Philippines who are passionate in creating the best banana chips on the planet. What makes this product amazing is it perfectly
embodies the goals and objectives of our private label program which is to provide premium product at affordable prices!” said Island Pacific Founder & CEO, nino Jefferson lim. Island Pacific’s professional buyers and R&d department meticulously grade and analyze each product before making it a part of the “Island Pacific select” product line. The objective of Island Pacific’s private label program is to guarantee that customers are buying premium quality products. These premium banana chips are proudly made in the Philip-
pines and imported to California. The sweet bananas are ethically and responsibly sourced from local Philippine banana farms. There are four varieties of flavor to choose from: original, chocolate, cinnamon and salted. Island Pacific Banana chips are cooked in small batches and are sliced to perfection resulting in a thin, crispy crunch with every bite! Island Pacific select Glazed Banana Thins retail for $4.99 but Island Pacific will have an introductory sale of $3.99 in store and for delivery or pickup through the Island Pacific app or website. (Advertising Supplement)
PAGE B1 about (laughs)! “Then, there was a part where I was having a hard time. so, sharon came to me, held my hand and just looked at me. Well, she probably said something, but I can’t remember now what it was … because I just remember it was sharon stone right in front of me! and that gesture really helped me, you know? Where things like this are concerned, you get over them as you get older. You just have to tell yourself, ‘OK, I’m just as good as they are.’” But sharon was just one of the string of stars Jon Jon had to interact with in the show: Formidable Hollywood insiders have also been tapped to breathe life into the supporting characters of nurse Mildred Ratched’s (of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest”) eight-part origin story, including sharon (as vengeful heiress lenore Osgood), Judy davis (nurse Betsy Bucket, Mildred’s nemesis), Vincent d’Onofrio (Governor George Wilburn), Charlie Carver (hospital orderly Huck Finnegan); alice Englert (staff nurse dolly), Brandon Flynn (Henry, lenore’s troubled son), sophie Okonedo (Charlotte Wells, a patient with a multiple personality disorder), amanda Plummer (motel manager louise), Rosanna arquette (social worker annie) and Corey stoll (Charles Wainwright, a private eye on a mission). “You’re right. It’s easy to be intimidated when you’re working with stars of this magnitude.
But you know what? When Ryan (the man behind such actorfriendly vehicles as “american Horror story,” “Glee,” “Pose,” “The assassination of Gianni Versace,” “Feud,” “nip/Tuck” and “The Politician”) invites you to become part of his world, that’s a compliment that instantly boosts your confidence. It means that you can play whatever role he gives to you. so, to get his blessing is enough. “Moreover, once you meet these wonderful artists, you can see that they’re good people and wonderful human beings. You realize that Finn, sarah, sharon and the others—they’re just like you and me.” We told Jon Jon that while his scene-stealing cameo (as Modesto, the problematic Pinoy father of Fil-am serial killer andrew Cunanan, portrayed to sinister perfection by darren Criss) in “Gianni Versace” may have started the ball rolling for him in Hollywood, his fierce and focused portrayal in “Ratched” is the type that turns Broadway thespians into Hollywood stars. What makes any job easier, Jon Jon said, is an actor’s hard work and drive. He talked about this after we said that we found dr. Hanover’s drive too compelling to ignore. We likened Jon Jon’s “Ratched” character to his career-boosting role as The Engineer in the Cameron Mackintosh musical “Miss saigon,” where he began as part of the pioneering Filipino cast in the musical’s 1989 West End premiere in london. In that musical, Jon Jon earned his stripes, so to speak, and rose from the ranks—from playing an nVa solder/barman to finally seizing the pivotal role of The Engineer. Whatever you think of “Ratched,” it’s undeniable how the actor commands the screen with as much flair as vulnerability—a ticking human bomb who will do anything to get what he thinks he deserves. “When I first read the script of
‘Ratched,’ I was very happy to read a particular line in it that has since been deleted out of the final cut,” he said. “In that scene, Mildred asked my character, ‘are you of Filipino descent?’ I was thrilled because that was an acknowledgment of my culture—the Filipino culture—and placing an immigrant, a person of color, in that era in the 1940s is a big deal. “dr. Richard Hanover is a person who believes in his brilliance—and he also believes that he belongs in their world … that he can do more than any other person. Of course, he has that huge ego that gets him in trouble, and it does, but he is a man who thinks he needs to prove a lot of things. This makes him human. “another thing that I like about him is that he actually believes in helping people … that he can really cure anyone. In a way, this is bad because he has that God complex. Then, he starts running away when this results in trouble.” Is that why Dr. Hanover feels very protective of his patient Charlotte (Sophie), who suffers from multiple personality disorder? “absolutely. When Richard met Charlotte, he thought he was making progress with her condition. But he was really doing it for him as it was for her,” Jon Jon disclosed. “He saw her as his salvation. and he could see himself in Charlotte’s situation—Charlotte has multiple personalities, while Hanover tries to be somebody he’s not to be able to escape his past. There’s something kindred about what they’re both going through—which I find beautiful.” as we were saying our goodbyes, we told Jon Jon that we couldn’t wait for the whole Philippines and our Inquirer readers to see his star turn in “Ratched” today. Jon Jon then broke into a big smile, waved at us and said, “Maraming salamat! Paki-kumusta na lang sa lahat.”
Should I appeal or...
PAGE B1 These are only a few of the factors a person would need to consider in connection with the decision on whether to appeal. Of course, the best course of action is to properly package and present your case at the outset to avoid t he den ia l . T hat’s where having an attorney could greatly increase the chances for approval. If you get a denial, the decision on whether to appeal is complex and you should consult with an attorney on the best course of action. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different,
and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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UERM Medical Alumni Association hosts COVID-19 response project in the Philippines LoS ANGELES, CA – The coronavirus pandemic changed millions of lives, and it is not over yet. The Filipino community is no exception, especially in the Metro Manila area, where thousands are unable to work – unable to provide basic needs for their families. It was very painful to learn that many of them have to swallow their pride and go begging for whatever helps they can get in order to survive. Their stories touched Dr. Rocita Sandiego’s heart, past president of University of the East Ramon Magsaysay - Medical Alumni Association of Southern California (UERM - MAASC). She said, “We have to do something!” And so, with the help of Dr. Edgar Banez, overall CoVID-19 Project Response Coordinator and Dr. Nem Abad Santos, UERM MAASC current president, a CoVID-19 Response Project Philippines was conducted on August 19 to September 3, providing 10 kilos of rice, P200 financial assistance THE LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL CONTINUES ITS PUBLIC SERVICE BY ANSWERING IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS ON CITIZEN PINOY and face shields to 1,080 most – SOCIAL DISTANCING STYLE! Atty. Gurfinkel answers several questions on this Sunday’s episode of Citizen Pinoy. Anita from San Jose, CA affected families mostly jeepney (top right) asks if she can petition her relatives to work as caregivers in a care home that she owns. Across the Pacific Ocean, Edward, and pedicab drivers in Metro from Laguna in the Philippines (bottom right) would like to know if his petition is still valid even if his petitioner (his brother) just died a Manila area. few weeks ago. He would also like to know if having a grandfather who was 100% American and who served in WWII would help his case The project was coordinated in any way. These are just some of the questions that Attorney Gurfinkel (left) will answer on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style this Sunday, September 20 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite in the Philippines in partnership providers). (Advertising Supplement) with Haligi Ng Bata, Inc. (HBI), a non-profit social development and charitable organization thru Pedro Ramirez, Co- CoVID-19 Project Response Coordinator and Monette Zaragosa, HBI operations Manager. Underserved barangays in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Montalban, Manila, and Quezon By Ratziel San Juan were chosen, and the neediest Philstar.com families were identified. Coordination with barangay officials ABS-CBN’s Tarsier Records and community leaders was brought together artists from done. The distribution was well different countries to produce organized – social distancing a cross-cultural single titled and face covering was followed, “Rise.” and some grateful recipients US-based songwriter Vince cried after getting their “ayuNantes, who also composed das.” BTS’ “Black Swan,” collaboratIt was an uplifting and noble ed with Filipino pop stars Sam endeavor, made possible only Concepcion and Inigo Pascual, by the generosity of our donors. Grammy Award-winning R&B UERM Medical Alumni Assoartist Eric Bellinger, Manilaciation in America and Southern based producer Moophs and California, Health Care Services Malaysian singer-songwriter International, doctors, nurses, Zee Avi for the inspiring track. PAGE B4 Cover art for the “Rise” single ABS-CBN photo parishioners, volunteers, and
COVID-19 Response Project Relief Distribution & Assistance Program in Caloocan, Malabon sponsored by UERM - Medical Alumni Association in America and Southern California.
Families in Montalban, Manila receive relief.
BTS composer collaborates with Sam, Inigo for new single ‘Rise’
The relief distribution and beneficiaries in Tanza, Cavite
other individuals shared their blessings to help our needy Kababayans. Haligi Ng Bata management and staff including community leaders also contributed their assistance and time, despite being deeply affected by the pandemic. “We know that we can never thank our donors and volunteers
enough. Your overwhelming show of compassion and generosity will never be forgotten. We also thank our dear Lord for giving us the opportunity to help, and may he continue to bless us all,” said Dr. Banez. (Contributed by UERM Medical Alumni Association of Southern California)
B SEPTEMBER 19-22, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes AN action under the DVPA (Domestic Violence Protection Act) seeking a restraining order often is necessary to protect parties from abuse or domestic violence perpetrated by the other spouse or significant other. At times, it is effective in preventing harm to
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Will a domestic violence finding affect my claim for sole or joint custody of our children?
one of the parties. At the same time, this process is sometimes abused by family law litigants as a strategy for obtaining an advantage in a child custody case.
The basis for this is thepresumption against sole or joint custody under California family code section 3044. California Family Code Section 3044 (a) provides “Upon a finding by the court that a party seeking custody of a child has perpetrated domestic violence against the other party seeking custody of the child or against the child or the child’s siblings within the previous five years, there is a rebuttable presumption that an award of sole or joint physical or legal custody of a child to a person who has perpetrated domestic violence is detrimental to the best interest of the child, pursuant to Section 3011. This presumption may only be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence. In determining whether the presumption in family code 3044(a) has been overcome, thecourt shall consider all of the following factors:(1) Whether the perpetrator of domesticviolence has demonstrated that giving sole or joint physical or legal custody of a child tothe perpetrator is in the best interest of the child. In determining the best interest of thechild, the preference for frequent and continuing contact with both parents, as set forth insubdivision (b) of Section 3020, or with the noncustodial parent, as set forth in paragraph(1) of subdivision (a) of Section 3040, may not be used to rebut the presumption, in whole or in part.(2) Whether the perpetrator has successfully completed a batterer’s treatment program that meets the criteria outlined in subdivision (c) of Section 1203.097 of the Penal Code. (3) Whether the perpetrator has successfully completed a program of alcohol or drug abuse counseling if the court determines that counseling is appropriate. (4) Whether the perpetrator has successfully completed a parenting class if the court determines the class to be appropriate. (5) Whether the perpetrator is on probation or parole, and whether he or she has complied with the terms and PAGE B6
How to spot an IRS fraud audit Tax Tips Victor sy, cPA, MBA & roger L. orieL IT started with a letter from the IRS. Your tax return has been “selected for examination.” Your defense was holding up but the agent has started to ask about cash transactions, safety deposit box, foreign bank accounts and even showed up with a second agent. Something is wrong. Does the agent suspect fraud? Are you being referred to CID (Criminal Investigation Division)? If so, you need help. Pronto. It would be foolish not to set up an adequate defense. Here are some indicators of a fraud audit. Red flags toward a fraud audit 1. The agent performs a cash
Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA sAMson ANG isang lalaking lawful permanent resident (LPR) o green card holder na nasa pagitan ng 18 hanggang 26 taon gulang ay kailangang magrehistro para sa Selective Service at magpakita ng ebidensiya ng pagrehistro para sa kanyang N-400 Application for Naturalization. Ayon sa USCIS Policy Manual, ang aplikante para sa naturalization ay kailangang magpakita na sa loob ng statutory period, siya ay sumusunod sa mga prinspyo at adhikain ng U.S. Constitution at nagnanais ng kaayusan at kaligayahan ng U.S. Ang aplikante para sa naturalization na tumanggi sa pagrehistro, o kaya sadyang hindi nagrehistro para sa Selective Service ay nagpapakita na wala sa kanyang disposisyon ang kaayusan at kaligayahan ng U.S. Ito rin ay nagpapakita na hindi siya naniniwala sa mga adhikain ng U.S. Constitution, at ayaw niyang magdala ng sandata para sa U.S. Ang hindi pagrehistro para sa Selective Service ay may epekto rin sa determinisyon ng good moral character ng lalaking LPR. Ang pagrehistro sa Selective Service ay kailangang gawin ng LPR sa loob ng 30 araw pagkalipas ng kanyang ika-18 na kaarawan hanggang sa kanyang ika26 na kaarawan. Ang aplikante ay maaaring magrehistro para sa Selective Service ng personal sa kanyang local post office, maaari rin ito sa pamamagitan ng pagmail ng Selective Service registration card, o kaya ay online sa website ng Selective Service System. Ang naturalization application ay hindi aaprubahan ng USCIS kung ang aplikante ay tumanggi
deposit analysis and finds that deposits materially exceed reported income. 2. The agent asks about other bank deposits, safety deposit boxes, or offshore bank accounts. 3. The agent requests detailed information about your lifestyle and spending habits. 4. The agent begins requesting copies of every document that you show him. 5. Suddenly, it is difficult to communicate with the agent. 6. The agent begins to contact third parties regarding payments made to you or received from you. 7. The agent insists on meeting with you despite you having a representative. 8. The agent insists on meeting in your place of business or home instead of your representative’s office. 9. You are visited by two special agents (the second agent’s role is to provide corroborating
testimony). Recent development • IRS Criminal Investigation Division has new access to cellphone databases to track down tax cheats. • This will allow IRS CID to follow Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for guys boasting big item purchases such as luxury cars, vacation homes, jewelry, planes or yacht. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.
Selective service registration for naturalization
sa pagrehistro, o sadyang hindi nagrehistro para sa Selective Service sa loob ng statutory period. Ang USCIS officer ay mag-issue ng Request for Evidence para magbigay ang aplikante ng status information letter at registration acknowledgment card bago magbigay ng desisyon na ang LPR ay hindi nga nagrehistro. Ang status information letter ay magsasaad kung kinakailangang magrehistro ng aplikante at kung ang pagrehistro ay nagawa niya. Kung ang aplikante ay wala pang 26 taon gulang, siya ay ineligible para sa naturalization. Kung ang aplikante ay nasa pagitan ng 18 hanggang 26 taon gulang, maaaring siya ay ineligible para sa naturalization. Bibigyan ng USCIS ng oportunidad ang aplikante para ipakita na (1) hindi niya alam na siya ay kailangang magrehistro, (2) hindi niya sinasadyang hindi magrehistro, o (3) hindi niya kailangang magrehistro para sa Selective Service. Ang aplikante para sa naturalization na higit na sa 31 taon gulang ay eligible para sa naturalization kahit hindi sila nakapagrehistro para sa Selective Service. Ito ay dahil ang hindi pagrehistro ay nasa labas na ng statutory period kung saan kailangan niyang magpakita na siya ay may good moral character at naghahangad ng kaayusan at kaligayahan ng US. Maliban dito, ang aplikante na higit sa 31 taon gulang ay hindi kailangang magpakita o kumuha ng status information letter mula sa Selective Service para sa kanyang naturalization application. A male lawful permanent resi-
dent (LPR) between the age of 18 to 26 years old is required to register for Selective Service and provide proof for purposes of filing his N-400 Application for Naturalization. According to USCIS Policy Manual, an applicant for naturalization must show that he has been and continues to be attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during the statutorily prescribed period. A male applicant who refused or knowingly and willfully failed to register for Selective Service negates his disposition to the good order and happiness of the United States, attachment to the principles of the Constitution, good moral character, and willingness to bear arms on behalf of the United States. Registration with the Selective Service must be within 30 days of the 18th birthday but not after reaching 26 years of age. Applicants may register for Selective Service at their local post office, return a Selective Service registration card received by mail, or online at the Selective Service System website. USCIS will deny a naturalization application when the applicant refuses to register with the Selective Service or has knowingly and willfully failed to register during the statutory period. The USCIS officer may request the applicant to submit a status information letter and registration acknowledgment card before concluding that the applicant failed to register. The status information letter will indicate PAGE B6
Senior seeks Chapter 7 relief for $40K credit cards Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng THE client is a senior at 67. He is married but separated from his wife for some time. He lives with a woman but is not married to her obviously because he is only separated from his wife. You can’t remarry until you have divorced. Separation, whether de facto or legal, does not entitle you to remarry. If you remarry while you are only separated, that would make you a bigamist, and bigamy is a crime. Apparently, the client is aware of all of these different marital or cohabitation arrangements. He says that although he is collecting social security, he still works when his employer gives work to him. He works as a seaman. Seamen do not work for 12 months a year. Sometimes
they work half a year or a couple of months in a year. This kind of work is different from working on a cruise ship where the employer gives you ten months of work and allows you two months of vacation. When seamen are working, they can make $7,000 to $8,000 a month on the higher side. The problem is that it’s not that easy to get fully employed for 12 months. “Feast or famine” would be appropriate for seamen. When they work, they make good money but they can go for months without working and make nothing. The client made $40,000 last year for five months of work, which means that he was not employed for seven months last year. If we average out his income of $40,000 over 12 months, his monthly income is a little over $3,300/month. The above analysis of his income situation is relevant to qualify him for the type of bankruptcy relief that he is looking for. He says that he owes $40,000 of credit card debt. He is tired of
paying $1,300 a month. He says he has paid $1,300 every month on these cards for the last ten years, and still today, he owes the same $40,000 after paying over $156,000. Doesn’t seem fair and he’s just plain tired of paying. In other words, borrowing $40,000 and paying back $156,000, but still owing the same $40,000 in 10 years seems a little one-sided. He should have just paid for a house instead. Since he wants to get rid of his $40,000 of credit cards now, can he qualify for a total wipe-out of $40,000 with a Chapter 7, or a partial wipe-out of the $40,000 with a reorganization of his financial affairs in a Chapter 13? Well, this would all depend on the applicable means test to determine what his actual current gross income is. What if his employer called him into work for 10 months at $8,000 a month? That kind of current income would knock him out of Chapter 7 and force him into Chapter 13 with probably a $300 to $500 monthly PAGE B6
BTS composer collaborates with... PAGE B3 For Nantes, life is “the main story” that inspired the writing of the song. “From the pandemic to protests, to political differences, to unfair treatment to one another as human beings, it’s a lot for all of us to digest, and I wanted to give people something they can enjoy, emotionally connect to, and believe in,” he said. Meanwhile, Moophs shared that “Rise” is the biggest release Tarsier Records has undertaken so far to “give listeners
a multi-cultural example of coming together to rise above adversity.” “This song is my answer to 2020. If we look past borders, politics, and skin color and resolve not to be divided, we can overcome anything this year throws at us,” the producer said. Concepcion also revealed his excitement on collaborating with other artists from the Asia Pacific. “Doing a project this big and this important is definitely
a dream come true for me. I think with the artists that we have from different parts of the world, and the unifying message it has, this song could be heard everywhere across the globe,” he said. Two music videos for “Rise” will be released: an animated video straight out of a comic book where the artists will be superheroes battling “the 2020 monster,” and inspiring stories of humanity and messages of hope from influencers worldwide.
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Real estate market shows resilience Real Estate Knowledge Martin Santiago, Broker-aSSociate WHILE the lockdown chased some buyers away, the balance between supply and demand remained largely the same as it had been, keeping prices high. Housing markets have proven incredibly resilient to the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Home sales have lagged since the outbreak of the virus in March but — more importantly to individual buyers and sellers — home prices have actually risen. Preventing foreclosures during a period of rapidly rising unemployment is important to housing markets because a sudden rush of supply could exceed demand to the point that it pushes home prices into free fall, as we saw happen in 2008. As the summer approached,
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a number of cities lifted stayat-home orders, and many who wanted to buy or sell in the spring jumped into the market. This release of pent-up demand has made the summer unusually active; two home-buying seasons have, for all intents and purposes, been condensed into a single July frenzy. This also contributed to the aforementioned increase in prices. In other words, the market rebounded. Keep this turnaround in mind as we explore the five predictions for the California real estate market below. We will probably see another drop in home sales going forward, related to the economic rollback that started in midJuly. But that sharp increase in home sales tells us a lot about the level of demand within the market. The forecast for California’s housing market in 2021 is relatively favorable, given the circumstances. Things could be worse than they are, given the seriousness of the public health crisis. In fact, the nation’s real
estate market is often referred to as the one bright spot in the economy right now as we approach the fall of 2020. Buyers and sellers are beginning to realize that real estate deals can still be conducted despite the coronavirus pandemic. State officials have deemed real estate and closing companies essential businesses due to their role in supporting the state’s infrastructure. So, you can still go out and buy a house. And based on those sales stats from earlier, there are plenty of people who want to do that. If a vaccine goes into widespread production toward the end of this year, or in early 2021, it would give California residents a huge confidence boost. It would also bring more people into the housing market, increasing demand and home prices going forward. A new trend is happening as more and more home buyers are looking at suburban and rural areas. The numbers also verify that many people are leaving – or are planning PAGE B6
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 19-22, 2020
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Filipina frontliner dies in Southern California
TUSTIN, California -- Another Filipino front liner in the fight against the coronavirus is gone. Nueva Velez Parazo, a nurse practitioner and only daughter of retired Manila Bulletin reporter Chito Parazo, succumbed to CoVId-19 last Sept. 5 at the Hoag Hospital after being infected by an elderly patient in a nursing home in orange County. She spent 32 days in the Intensive Care Unit of Hoag Hospital. She was 45. Parazo was born on oct. 28, 1975 in the Philippines. Her older brother, Xerxes, died in an accident in 1984 at the age of 9. She worked for CareMore Health Plan of California and attended to 99 patients in various nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout orange County. Parazo graduated with a nursing degree cum laude from the Philippine College of Health Sciences and got her master’s degree from the same school. She was able to get a visa to take
the CGFNS test in California 14 years ago. She finished a twoyear course as Nurse Practitioner magna cum laude from the Charles drew University of Medicine and Science. She is survived by parents
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FOR RENT
Chito and Jennifer Parazo, and children Joshua, 22; Rhoubie, 20; and John, 18. Viewing will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Saddleback Chapel in Tustin.
B SEPTEMBER 19-22, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Reasonable accommodation at work due to COVID-19
Q: MY coworkers and I have had to work from home due to COVID-19. We are slowly returning to the office and I am concerned. I am an older worker with well-controlled diabetes and I have family members at home who are immuno-compromised. I don’t want to be infected and I certainly do not want to infect my family. If I talk to my employer about this, I would like to know what my rights are. Please advise. A: As California workplaces re-open, employees who are older or employees of any age who have an active or unstable pre-existing health condition, may request their employers for a “reasonable accommodation.” Under California law, there is a need for reasonable accommodation if the employee’s medical condition limits a major life activity, such as working. It can be argued that being able to work safely without getting sick (due to a one’s pre-existing health condition), may qualify an employee for reasonable accommodation. Under California’s disability laws, an employee who has a disability should notify the employer of his or her condition in order to obtain reasonable accommodation. Once notified, the employer must engage in a timely, good faith interactive process to determine if reasonable accommodation can be made for the employee. In the case of employees who may be at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, employers with 5 or more employees may have a duty to engage these employees in a timely, good faith interactive process in order to determine what reasonable assistance the employer may extend to the employee, in order to enable the employee to do his or her job despite their medical condition. We have previously detailed in this column many examples of reasonable accommodation.
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. However, specifically for COVID19 related requests for reasonable accommodation, the following may constitute reasonable accommodation: Allow the employee to continue to telework or work from home. Telework used to be controversial and looked upon as an inferior way of reporting to work. However, with the lockdown, and with many employees being sent home with laptops to work from home, the image of telework has gotten a vast makeover. Many industries are finding out that telework is a reasonable alternative to reporting to work in person. If the job can be done remotely, then it should be considered. Provide employees with personal protective equipment (PPE). These may include face masks, gloves, face shields, hazmat suits, etc. Some employees may not be able to wear PPE for various medical reasons. The employer should further engage these employees in interactive process to determine if other types of accommodation may work instead. Modify the work environment to reduce crowding or maintain social distancing. Some work places have erected plastic barriers between their employees and the general public. Other work places have reconfigured the work areas and cubicles to allow more spaces between employees. Stagger work schedules so fewer workers are in the office at any given time. Some work industries may be able to open by shifts or may schedule employee work in such a way that there will be fewer employees in an enclosed space.
Extend medical or disability leave. Employees who went on medical disability leave due to COVID-19 may ask to have their leave extended until other types of accommodations can be available for them. Transfer or re-assign employees to a vacant position that may reduce the risks of contagion for the employee. For example, at-risk employees may be assigned to positions that limit interactions with customers. Offer part-time or modified work schedules or tasks. Employers may limit the total number of hours that employees stay in the enclosed workplace or interact with other people. Employers may offer part-time telework or work on a different shift that would mean a less crowded commute for employees. The law does not obligate employers to provide the first accommodation requested by the employee. However, the employer has the obligation to continue to engage the employee in a good faith interactive process. The employee has the obligation to keep communicating with the employer about what they need to be able to do their job and avoid the risk of infection. In these pandemic times, it is everyone’s task to work together so keep themselves, their co-workers, and their families safe. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw. com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.] (Advertising Supplement)
On scoring points for a place in heaven Pastor’s Notes reverenD roDel G. BAlAGtAS THE other day a close friend reminded me how fortunate I am to have served God as a priest for almost 30 years now. And with this thought, he said that I have “invested” a lot of years in ministry to secure my place in heaven. “Well, of course, I’m happy that I have served the Lord and helped many people,” I told him. “But I don’t know about securing my place in heaven,” I added. And then we went on talking about each other’s struggles against sin and being faithful to God’s commandments. That conversation made me think of how each of us longs for God’s mercy at the end of our life here on earth. We want to be with God in heaven. We don’t want to perish in hell. And we wish that our departed loved ones are now enjoying eternal life. How do we measure one’s assurance of a place in heaven? Is it by the number of “points” we gain through our good deeds and the length of years we served God and other people? If yes, we fall
into Pelagianism, a heresy with roots in the fifth century, which declared that salvation is possible through human efforts alone, without God’s grace. Pope Francis has warned us against the danger of this ancient heresy. In Gaudete Et Exsultate, his apostolic exhortation on the call to holiness in today’s world, he states: “Those who yield to this pelagian or semi-pelagian mindset even though they speak warmly of God’s grace, ‘ultimately trust only in their powers and feel superior to others because they observe certain rules or remain intransigently faithful to a particular Catholic style…They fail to realize that ‘not everyone can do everything,’ and that in this life human weaknesses are not healed completely and once for all by grace. In every case, as Saint Augustine taught, God commands you to do what you can and to ask for what you cannot, and indeed to pray to him humbly: ‘Grant what you command, and command what you will.’” (49) This Sunday’s Gospel, the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, is about the primacy of God’s grace and mercy. In the parable, those who worked earlier were surprised to see the householder give the same wages to all the laborers, including those he
hired later during the day. “The last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat,” they complained. He said to one of them in reply, “My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?” In the parable, by calling one of them a “friend,” the householder appreciates the efforts of those who worked hard all day. But he admonished them in questioning his generosity and will to do as he wishes with his money. According to this parable, then, God’s kingdom is God’s gift to give, and none of us must begrudge God in his generosity. And in the light of Pope Francis’ warning against the pelagian mindset, our salvation does not depend solely on our efforts, but ultimately relies on God’s grace. Let each one of us leave our fears, self-righteousness, and pride and surrender ourselves to the mystery of God’s mercy and love. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
Senior seeks Chapter 7... PAGE B4 payment for five years. In Chapter 13, he might have to pay about $18,000 of the $40,000, then, $22,000 would be wiped out after completion of plan payments. This looks like more of a Chapter 7 than a Chapter 13 actually considering his employment income for last year was $40,000. An examination of his employment income from January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 shows a gross of $10,000, or $3,333 a month. Even if he has social security of $1,400, he would still be eligible for Chapter 7 complete wipeout of the $40,000 relief. His wife, from whom he is separated, is a registered nurse who makes $100,000 a year. But since they have been separated for some time, his wife’s monthly gross income of $8,000 a month does not come into play under the means test. Separation from his wife actually makes him eligible for Chapter 7 while being not separated from wife would not make him eligible for Chapter 7, but would make him eligible for Chapter 13 instead.
Senior qualifies for Chapter 13 for $60K credit cards The next client is 56 years old and a widow. Her husband was in perfect health when he died from an accident inside their house three years ago. He slipped and fell on his head, and became comatose and never recovered. So, the client now owns the house by herself since she was a joint tenant on the house. The condo is a senior housing facility. She owes $60,000 of credit cards. She doesn’t make much as a caregiver. Her gross income of $2,500 is enough to pay the mortgage, which is only $500 a month but the HOA is $400! Still, a total of $900 for the house is not bad at all. It’s cheap housing in LA where rent for a one-bedroom apartment will set you back $1,500. I remember 40 years ago when I only paid $550 for a two-bedroom apartment. The client wants a Chapter 7 wipe out but unfortunately, even with her low income, she can only qualify for Chapter 13 because she has $20,000 of nonexempt equity in her home. If she were to file Chapter 7, she would end up losing her
house to the trustee who will sell her house. From the sale proceeds, the trustee will give her $100,000 as her exempt equity while $20,000 would be used to pay the $60,000 of credit cards. So she will have to pay one third or 33% of the $60,000. After paying one third, the court will discharge $40k or two-thirds of the $60K credit cards. In Chapter 13, there is no risk of losing her house. So, considering everything, the client should go for Chapter 13, not Chapter 7. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice. Each case is different. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
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Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases DEAR Attorney Tan, I was driving home and was at a complete stop when another driver rear ended my car. I was not feeling well after the accident, as my back seemed very tight and stiff. I took some days off from work. After a week, I contacted the other driver’s insurance to report the claim. The insurance adjuster for the other driver said they would fix my car, and offered me $500.00 for my injuries. Is that enough? I do not know where to go from here. –K.K. Dear K.K., The first step is to make sure that any injuries that you have suffered in the accident are examined and treated. You can recover treatment costs since they are considered “economic damages” that you suffered due to the accident. You can also recover for time away from work as “economic damages,” even if you used paid time off or sick leave. The term “economic damages” means “objectively verifiable monetary losses including medical expenses, loss of earnings, burial costs, loss of use of property, costs of repair or replacement, costs of obtaining substitute domestic services, loss of employment and loss of business or employment opportunities.” Civil Code Section 1431.2(b)(1). A person’s claim for economic damages apart from medical expenses are often overlooked and not pursued by persons who settle their accident cases on their own, or with the assistance of inexperi-
Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn enced counsel. Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings. To recover for past lost earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she has lost to date. To recover damages for future earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she will be reasonably certain to lose in the future as a result of the injury. CACI No. 3903C. How are past lost earnings proven? Medical records, which show the doctor authorizing a release from work or giving instructions to restrict work activities, can support the time taken off from work due to the injury. For those self-employed, medical providers typically do not provide a release from work; however, medical records should record work restrictions placed by the medical provider. After showing that the time off was justified, the next step is to value the lost earnings. A letter from a person’s employer that outlines the amount of time that one has lost as a result of his/her injury, the loss of benefits, and the rate of pay during the time
of loss is evidence of the value of one’s loss of earnings claim. Other supporting documents include pay stubs, time cards, and tax returns. The monetary value of sick leave and vacation time that are used due to the injury are also recoverable. For those self-employed, earnings history as reflected by tax returns and profit and loss statements can help prove the value of lost earnings. Similar supporting documentation must be presented for future lost earnings. Apart from economic damages, you can recover “general damages,” which are damages for the pain, suffering, and inconvenience due to the accident. If you were suffered injury in an auto accident or someone’s premises, please contact our office to discuss your case. To maximize monetary recovery, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced attorney in presenting your personal injury claim. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) and American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). He is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Will a domestic violence finding...
PAGE B4 conditions of probation or parole. (6) Whether the perpetrator is restrained by a protective order or restraining order,and whether he or she has complied with its terms and conditions. (7) Whether theperpetrator of domestic violence has committed any further acts of domestic violence. A person has “perpetrated domestic violence” when he or she is found by the court to haveintentionally or recklessly caused or attempted to cause bodily injury, or sexual assault, or to have placed a person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to that person or to another, or to have engaged in any behavior involving, but not limited to, threatening, striking, harassing, destroying personal property or disturbing thepeace of another, for which a court may issue an ex parte order pursuant to Section 6320 to protect the other party seeking custody of the child or to protect the child and the child’s siblings.The requirement of a finding by the court shall be satisfied by, among other things, and not limited to, evidence that a party seeking custody has been convicted within the previous five years, after a trial or a plea of guilty or no contest, of any crimeagainst the other party that comes within the definition of domestic violence contained in Section 6211 and of abuse contained in Section 6203, including, but not limited to, a crime described in subdivision (e) of Section 243 of, or Section 261,262, 273.5, 422, or646.9 of,
the Penal Code. The requirement of a finding by the court shall also be satisfied if any court, whether that court hears or has heard the child custody proceedings or not, has made a finding pursuant to subdivision (a) based on conduct occurring within the previous five years. In Christina L v. Chauncey B, 229 Cal. App 4 th 731 (2014),the Court of appeal held thatbecause a Domestic Violence restraining order must be based on a finding that the partybeing restrained committed one or more acts of domestic abuse, a finding of domesticabuse sufficient to support a DVPA restraining order necessarily triggers the rebuttablestatutory presumption that an award of sole or joint physical or legal custody of a child to a person who has perpetrated domestic violence is detrimental to the best interest of thechild. Cal. Fam. Code §§ 3044. The presumption that an award of sole or joint physical orlegal custody of a child to a person who has perpetrated domestic violence is detrimental to the best interest of the child changes the burden of persuasion, but may be overcome by a preponderance of the evidence showing that it is in the child’s best interest to grant joint or sole custody to the offending parent. Cal. Fam. Code § 3044. In that case, the father had a history of perpetrating domestic violence against the mother. Domestic Violence restraining orders has been issued multiple times over the years including within the last 5 years. The trial court ignored both the existing
restraining order, the legal effect of such a judicial finding, and failed to apply the family code 3044 presumption and instead awarded joint custody to father. The Court of appeal reversed and remanded the case back to the trial court. A domestic violence finding will trigger a presumption against awarding joint or solephysical and legal custody to the perpetrator parent. However, this presumption is notabsolute but is rebuttable in court. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Selective service registration... PAGE B4 whether a requirement to register existed. If the applicant is below 26 years of age and did not register with Selective Service, he is ineligible for naturalization. If the applicant is between 26 and 31 years old, he may be ineligible for naturalization. USCIS will allow the applicant an opportunity to show that he did not knowingly or willfully fail to register, or that he was not required to do so. Applicants for naturalization who are over 31 years of age are eligible for naturalization even if they knowingly and willfully
failed to register. This is because the applicant’s failure to register is outside the statutory period during which he must show that he is of good moral character and disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States. Also, since an immigrant who is 31 years old or older is eligible for naturalization even if he knowingly and willfully failed to register, he should not be asked to obtain a status information letter from Selective Service. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member
of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005). SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 274-4561; Email: info@ samsonlawfirmpc.com.
(Advertising Supplement)
Real estate market shows...
PAGE B5 to leave – big cities as telecommuting becomes the norm for many businesses. It’s easy to understand the motivation behind this trend. The coronavirus pandemic has basically put a premium on space. It’s hard to practice social distancing when you live in a crowded city center. There just aren’t enough properties on the market to meet the demand from buyers. Housing supply continued to decline significantly across the state, with all areas falling more than 30 percent in
active listings from last year. Southern California, in particular, has experienced a major drop in supply. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic — and especially in the early stages of it — a lot of sellers began to take their homes off the market due to fears of contagion. But that trend has eased a bit. Homeowners who want to sell are starting to realize that it’s reasonably safe to do so, with some commonsense precautions. We could see a gradual increase in forsale inventory through the end
of 2020 and into 2021. We expect to see another gradual reopening process later this year, which in turn could lead to another surge in home sales. *** Martin Santiago is a broker associate at Compass Beverly Hills, a fullservice residential brokerage firm. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be a formal legal advice nor the formation of a broker-client relationship. Call or email Martin at (213)788-8300 & brokermartinsantiago@gmail.com. (Advertising Supplement)
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 19-22, 2020
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B SEPTEMBER 19-22, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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