OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026
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Volume 37 - No. 40 • 14 Pages
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Trillanes alleges P319M in China-linked funds flowed DATELINE USA Supreme Court allows to firm partly owned by Philippine VP’s husband FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Social Security data to be used in voter citizenship checks
Emergency stay lets expanded federal SAVE system operate while legal challenge continues
Former senator cites financial records showing China-linked remittances to Cale88; AMLC data corroborate some transactions, while the P319-million total and any wrongdoing remain unproven by AJPress
MANILA — Former Philippine senator Antonio Trillanes IV alleged Friday that more than P319 million in China-linked funds flowed to a company partly
owned by the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, drawing scrutiny to financial ties involving her family. Trillanes said the Amoney entered Cale88 Foods Corp. from Chinese government-linked entities and China-based companies while lawyer Manases
Philippine anti-graft court keeps ex-public works chief Bonoan in Estrada flood-control case
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed the government to resume operating an expanded citizenship-verification system that uses Social Security Administration records used by state and local election officials to check federal voter eligibility. The Sept. 25 order is an emergency stay, not a final ruling that the modified Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, known as SAVE, is lawful. It puts a June lower-court judgment on hold while the government’s appeal proceeds in the D.C. Circuit. The case concerns SSA records used for verification and does not change Social Security benefits. The system was expanded after President u PAGE 5
Trump administration begins sending $500 ACA refund checks to more than 950,000 enrollees California and Nevada residents are not included because both states operate their own ACA marketplace platforms WASHINGTON — The Trump administration began sending $500 checks Wednesday, Sept. 30, to more than 950,000 Affordable Care Act enrollees in 30 states, distributing money from what the White House describes as excess fees collected to operate the federal health insurance marketplace. The Treasury Department is issuing the checks to eligible recipients, accompanied by letters signed by President Donald Trump. u PAGE 5
Second Division rejects prosecutors’ renewed attempt to remove former DPWH secretary from remaining graft charge by AJPress
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV holds a press conference in San Juan City on Friday (Oct. 2, 2026), revealing alleged financial transactions involving former president Rodrigo R. Duterte's four children and Davao-based businessman Sammy Uy. PNA photos by Joan Bondoc
by AJPress SINGAPORE — Leylah Fernandez captured her first title of the season Sunday, defeating Australia’s Talia Gibson 7-5, 6-0 in the Singapore Tennis Open final for the sixth WTA singles championship of her career. Fernandez, the Canadian of Filipino and Ecuadorian heritage, won the final nine games to complete the victory in one hour and 38 minutes at OCBC Arena. The championship was her second at the WTA 500 level,
Manila says vessel lacked authorization for research in Philippine EEZ; Beijing disputes Philippine account MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday, Oct. 1, that it challenged a Chinese research vessel operating off Batanes after deploying a patrol ship and aircraft to the area, where a China Coast Guard vessel later also appeared. The Chinese-flagged Jia Hai
MANILA — A Philippine anti-graft court has kept former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan as a co-accused of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in a graft case involving an alleged flood-control kickback scheme, rejecting prosecutors’ renewed attempt to remove Bonoan from the charge. The Sandiganbayan’s Second Division disclosed during a Sept. 29 pretrial conference that it had denied the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration. Government prosecutors told the court they would continue treating Bonoan as an accused while awaiting further instructions from the Office of the Ombudsman. The ruling leaves in place an Aug. 3 decision denying prosecutors permission to amend the criminal u PAGE 2
Leylah Fernandez wins Singapore Sara Duterte trial hears Open, claims sixth WTA title evidence on GenCorp contracts, following her Washington title in 2025. The 24-year-old entered Singapore as the No. 6 seed and ranked No. 31 in the world. She is projected to rise to No. 26 when the updated rankings are released Monday. Gibson, appearing in her first WTA final, twice answered early service breaks by Fernandez in the opening set. The Australian earned a set point with Fernandez serving at 4-5, but Fernandez held for 5-5, broke Gibson in the following game and served out the set. u PAGE 2
Philippines challenges Chinese LA County sales tax rises as legal challenge puts new revenue on hold research ship off Batanes as China Coast Guard moves in Measure ER adds half a percentage point
by AJPress
“Mans” Carpio, Duterte’s husband, held a substantial stake in the business. The P319-million figure remains Trillanes’ allegation and has not been established by the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. No court has found u PAGE 2
Ke 7 had remained about 38 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat since Sept. 28, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, according to the PCG. The agency said the Department of Foreign Affairs had confirmed that Manila had not authorized the vessel to conduct marine scientific research there. The Coast Guard deployed u PAGE 2
LOS ANGELES — A half-percentage-point sales tax increase took effect across Los Angeles County on Thursday, Oct. 1, raising the combined rate to at least 10.25% on taxable purchases while a pending lawsuit prevents the county from spending the new revenue. The increase comes from Measure ER, which voters approved in the June 2 primary election.
Weekly proceedings from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 covered government contracts, registered firearms and property records as prosecutors continued presenting evidence under Article II and the defense challenged key interpretations by AJPress
MANILA — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte turned this week to government contracts, registered firearms and property documents as House prosecutors continued presenting evidence under Article II of the complaint. The proceedings from Sept. 28 Final Los Angeles County results show 1,013,747 votes in favor, or to Oct. 1 formed part of the prose50.64%, and 987,977 against, or cution's continuing effort to establish its allegations through govern49.36%. Because cities can impose ad- ment and business records. Oct. ditional district taxes, the com- 1 was the final day of trial probined rate varies by location. The ceedings for the week after the California Department of Tax and impeachment court canceled the Fee Administration lists Los An- scheduled Oct. 2 session and degeles County and the City of Los ferred Anti-Money Laundering Angeles at 10.25%. Glendale Council testimony to Oct. 5. Article II, in plain terms, accusand Pasadena are at 11%, Santa Monica at 11.25%, and Lancast- es Duterte of accumulating wealth u PAGE 2 allegedly disproportionate to her
to taxable purchases as proceeds remain in escrow during pending litigation by AJPress
properties and financial records
lawful income, failing to fully and truthfully disclose her and her spouse's assets, liabilities and net worth in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, or SALNs, and failing to divest business interests while serving as vice president. Duterte disputes the allegations. The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, has made no final determination on Article II. GenCorp contracts examined On Sept. 28, Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System Division Chief Rendell Sopeña testified about Davao City contracts with GenCorp Industries Inc., a company Duterte identified as a business interest in her 2024 and 2025 SALNs. Sopeña said PhilGEPS records before him showed 15 Davao City contracts with GenCorp worth a u PAGE 2
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OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
Trillanes alleges P319M in China... Sara Duterte trial hears evidence on GenCorp... PAGE 1 that the Cale88 remittances were unlawful. House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville “Jinky” Luistro has said Anti-Money Laundering Council material submitted to the impeachment court includes summaries of inward remittances to Cale88 from China and other countries. Prosecutors have not publicly confirmed that P319 million represents the amount originating from China. The issue carries significance beyond Philippine politics. The Philippines is a U.S. treaty ally engaged in longstanding maritime disputes with China in the South China Sea. The existence of China-linked transactions, however, does not by itself establish foreign influence, illegal conduct or a national-security violation. Trillanes’ record gives his claims context Trillanes, 55, is a former Philippine Navy officer and two-term senator who has pursued allegations involving Duterte-family finances since the 2016 presidential campaign. His political conflict with the Dutertes is longstanding, making independent verification of his claims important. House prosecutors had planned to present him during the Article II phase of Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, which concerns allegations involving financial disclosures, assets and business interests. In April, AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura testified before the House Committee on Justice that 18 transactions selected from those listed in a sworn affidavit by Trillanes corresponded with entries in AMLC
covered- or suspicious-transaction reports. That testimony confirms that those transaction entries existed in AMLC records. It does not establish that they were illegal, validate every allegation in Trillanes’ affidavit or prove his interpretation of their purpose and ownership. Trillanes did not ultimately testify before the Senate impeachment court. He said he asked prosecutors to remove him from the witness list to relieve pressure on the prosecution panel. Because he did not take the stand, his Friday presentation was not subjected to questioning by senator-judges or cross-examination by Duterte’s defense. Carpio’s Cale88 stake becomes central to China-linked funds claim Securities and Exchange Commission Director Gerardo Del Rosario previously testified that Carpio was an incorporator, director and shareholder of Cale88 from 2021 through 2024. Corporate records presented in the impeachment trial showed his ownership reached 47.5 percent in 2024. He was no longer listed as a shareholder in 2025. Trillanes alleged that Cale88 received more than P319 million from China-linked sources between 2021 and 2024. He also cited corporate filings that, in his view, raised questions about the company’s sales, staffing, tax payments and capitalization. Neither SEC testimony nor the impeachment court has found that Cale88’s business operations or foreign remittances were unlawful. Separate P150-million China grant funded schools Trillanes also cited P150 mil-
lion provided by the Chinese government to Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines Inc., an organization founded by Sara Duterte. That transaction had a documented public purpose distinct from the Cale88 remittances. In 2018, the Chinese government announced the donation for construction of 13 school buildings in Davao City, with Tapang at Malasakit serving as a conduit between China and the Department of Education. Duterte, then Davao City mayor, participated in a groundbreaking ceremony with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua. No court has found the school-building grant unlawful. Other asset claims remain unproven Trillanes separately alleged that Duterte had peso- and dollar-denominated time deposits that were not properly reflected in Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth she filed while serving as Davao City vice mayor. He also questioned an alleged insurance or investment asset valued at about $1 million. Those assertions have not been adjudicated by the impeachment court. Duterte has previously denied allegations that she possesses unexplained wealth and has accused Trillanes of reviving accusations he has made against her family for years. The prosecution is continuing its Article II case without Trillanes. Bank records have already been submitted, representatives of banks and financial companies have been subpoenaed, and Buenaventura is expected to testify about AMLC material involving Duterte, Carpio and related entities. n
Philippines challenges Chinese research ship... PAGE 1 the 97-meter BRP Teresa Magbanua, one of its largest patrol vessels, and an Islander aircraft. At about 7:55 a.m. Thursday, the Philippine ship approached Jia Hai Ke 7 to within roughly 100 yards and launched a rigid-hull inflatable boat while personnel issued radio challenges, according to PCG spokesman Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela. The PCG said the research vessel maneuvered away from the Philippine boats. China Coast Guard vessel CCG-2503 subsequently entered the area and issued radio challenges to Teresa Magbanua. No collision or injuries were reported. By late morning, Jia Hai Ke 7 had begun moving away from the position it had occupied for several days. The PCG said it continued monitoring the vessel to ensure that it left the Philippine EEZ. China disputed Manila’s characterization of the incident. The Chinese Embassy in Manila
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) INVITATION FOR BID LACMTA will receive bids for CY133460 - SHOP TOWELS at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. A Pre-Bid conference will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 10:00 a.m., at One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Virtual Meeting: Online. This project is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) SetAside contract. To participate in this IFB, bidders must be SBE certified with LACMTA prior to proposal due date. For information on the SetAside program, visit: https:// business.metro.net/webcenter/ portal/VendorPortal/pages_ home/smallbusinesstools/ smallbusinessprimeprogram All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by LACMTA, and must be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, October 30, 2026, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. CY133460. For a copy of the Proposal/Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Veda Sargent at sargentv@metro.net. 10/3/26 CNS-4083512# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
PAGE 1 combined P34.216 million. Four went through public bidding, while 11 were awarded through negotiated small-value procurement, an alternative procurement method permitted under specified conditions. His testimony did not establish that the use of that procurement method was unlawful. The PhilGEPS count differed from information presented by Davao City, which identified 19 GenCorp transactions. The difference between the records remained unresolved during the week's proceedings. The prosecution also presented testimony from a Philippine National Police official who said 51 firearms were registered to Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, 22 under Duterte's name and 29 under Carpio's. The records formed part of the prosecution's presentation under Article II. Their introduction did not by itself establish unlawful firearms possession. Baste Duterte questioned about city contracts Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, the vice president's brother, appeared under subpoena Sept. 29. At the prosecution's request, the impeachment court declared him a hostile witness for purposes of questioning, allowing prosecutors to use leading questions. The designation was procedural and was not a finding that his testimony was false. Mayor Duterte said he had not personally reviewed the GenCorp contracts and was unaware that his sister had declared an interest in the company until the matter surfaced during the impeachment proceedings. Asked by Presiding Officer Francis Escudero whether he would have allowed GenCorp to receive city contracts had he known of his sister's declared interest, Mayor Duterte said he would not have allowed it.
He also testified that authority to sign contracts had been delegated to an assistant city administrator and that procurement matters went through the city's bids and awards process. The proceedings did not resolve whether Duterte's declared interest in GenCorp created a prohibited financial interest or whether the city's contracts with the company violated procurement or conflict-of-interest rules. Property documents enter the record When the trial resumed Oct. 1, prosecutors presented land-registration officials from Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal. Davao City Register of Deeds Kathy Florence Baldonado authenticated records for a 379-square-meter property in Matina registered to Carpio. The documents showed a P6-million purchase in July 2024 and an P8-million mortgage the following month. Prosecutors questioned whether the property corresponded to an entry in Duterte's 2025 SALN. The defense disputed the prosecution's interpretation, pointing to a SALN entry identifying property in Barangay 74-A and to an assessed value that it said matched the Matina property's tax declaration. Baldonado's role was to authenticate the land records. She did not make a finding that Duterte had omitted the property from her SALN. Samal land-registration official Marco Pineda also testified about a 791-square-meter property in Barangay Matanos registered to Carpio and purchased for about P3.45 million in 2018. Prosecutors again questioned whether the property was reflected in Duterte's financial disclosures. The testimony did not resolve whether a SALN entry corresponded to the property. The impeachment court has made no finding that either prop-
erty was concealed or improperly omitted. Financial testimony comes next The court also moved the Article II case toward financial records, approving prosecution requests for subpoenas directed at banks, insurance and financial companies and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The prosecution intends to use those institutional records as it seeks to establish the financial transactions underlying its allegations. Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura had been scheduled to testify Oct. 1, but the defense requested additional time to review materials connected to his expected testimony. Escudero granted the request and reset Buenaventura's appearance for Oct. 5. The court then canceled the Oct. 2 hearing, making Oct. 1 the last day of proceedings for the week. Representatives of banks and other financial institutions were expected to follow when the trial resumed. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, whom prosecutors had earlier considered presenting under Article II, will no longer testify for the prosecution. Lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro informed the impeachment court Oct. 1 that the panel had decided not to present him. Trillanes later said he had asked prosecutors to withdraw his name from the witness list. His statements and allegations made outside the impeachment court are separate from the testimony and documents formally presented during the Sept. 28-Oct. 1 proceedings. The prosecution still bears the burden of establishing how the contracts, asset records and forthcoming financial evidence support the specific allegations in Article II. The defense may challenge the authenticity, relevance and interpretation of that evidence. n
Leylah Fernandez wins Singapore Open... PAGE 1 Fernandez then swept the second set without facing a break point. She won 82 percent of her first-serve points in the set. Fernandez dropped only one set in five matches during the tournament. She began with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Japan’s Kyoka Okamura before defeating American Alycia Philippines challenges Chinese research ship off Batanes as China Coast Guard moves in Parks 6-4, 6-3 to reach the quarPhoto Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard terfinals. Fernandez then defeated said the research vessel was roughly the same area rather conducting normal operations than proceeding on a continu- top-seeded Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 7-5. Andreeva, the reigning Roin waters under Chinese juris- ous transit. diction and has maintained that The agency also alleged that land Garros champion, had beaChina and the Philippines have the vessel transmitted inaccu- ten Fernandez in their two preoverlapping maritime claims rate Automatic Identification vious clay-court meetings, while in the area that should be ad- System location data. Compar- Fernandez had won their previdressed through negotiations. ing those transmissions with ous two meetings on hard courts. Under the United Nations information from Canada’s Dark The Singapore victory was FerConvention on the Law of the Vessel Detection system, the nandez’s second against a Top 10 Sea, coastal states have juris- PCG said the reported track diction over marine scientific would have required the ship research within their exclusive to travel more than 2,000 naueconomic zones, and such re- tical miles in less than a day. search generally requires their It assessed the discrepancy as PAGE 1 consent. An EEZ is legally dis- deliberate AIS spoofing. That er and Palmdale at 11.75%. Measure ER is scheduled to tinct from territorial waters and assessment has not been inderemain in effect for five years. does not give a coastal state pendently verified. complete sovereignty over navThe PCG describes Jia Hai Ke Los Angeles County has estimatigation. 7 as a privately owned, 70-meter ed that it could generate about The PCG first confirmed Jia research vessel equipped with $1 billion annually. County offiHai Ke 7 near Itbayat on Sept. a dynamic-positioning system cials have said they plan to use much of the anticipated revenue 28 after a maritime surveillance used for marine survey work. flight. It said the vessel did not Philippine officials have also to support health care, public respond to repeated radio chal- noted that submarine com- health and other safety-net serlenges and had remained in munications cable routes pass vices facing fiscal pressures. The county, however, cannot through the Batanes-Luzon Strait area. The Coast Guard has spend the new revenue while a not presented evidence that the legal challenge remains pending. The Libertarian Party of Los vessel surveyed those cables, collected military information or Angeles County and Shawn Oswas operating on behalf of the borne filed suit Aug. 31 in Los Angeles Superior Court. The Chinese government. n case challenges Measure ER and Assembly Bill 1768, the state law that authorized Los Angeles County to exceed an otherwise applicable limit on local transactions-and-use taxes. The county LACMTA will receive Bids for disputes the plaintiffs' claims OP1435688370 - ARTIFICIAL IVY INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE SERVICES by email to bids@metro.net. A Virtual Pre-Bid conference PAGE 1 will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 2:00 p.m. information and remove Bonoan Online. All Bids must be from the case. The Ombudsman submitted to LACMTA on or had sought his exclusion as part before 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time of an effort to use the former on Wednesday, November 4, public works chief as a govern2026, at which time bids will ment witness in cases arising be opened and publicly read. SCRRA is seeking proposals from investigations into alleged Bids received after the above for Insurance Brokerage & irregularities in flood-control date and time may be rejected Benefit Consulting Services spending. and returned unopened. Each Services. Solicitation In its earlier ruling, the Second Bid must be sealed and marked documents may be obtained Division said Bonoan’s removal Bid No. OP1435688370. at https://metrolinktrains.com/ could affect Estrada’s available For a copy of the Proposal/ doing-business. Proposals defenses and the presentation of Bid specification visit our are due at 2:00 P.M. (PT) on evidence concerning the respecSolicitation Page on our 11/3/26. tive roles of the accused. The Vendor Portal at https:// For further information, court said its decision did not debusiness.metro.net or for contact Dorothea Cantero, termine Bonoan’s potential value further information email Sr. Contract Administrator, at or credibility as a prosecution Ricardo Narvaez at narvaezr@ (213) 452-0302 or CanteroD@ witness in later proceedings. metro.net. scrra.net. Bonoan pleaded not guilty to 10/3/26 10/3/26 the remaining graft charge on CNS-4081926# CNS-4082645# Sept. 4. Estrada has also denied ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.) ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.) wrongdoing. No court has found
opponent this season. In Saturday’s semifinal, Fernandez recovered from a one-sided opening set against Roland Garros runner-up Maja Chwalinska, winning 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 to advance to her first final of 2026. The Singapore championship gives Fernandez three career titles in Asia. She won in Hong Kong in 2023 and Osaka in 2025 before adding Singapore this year. Her other singles titles came in Monterrey in 2021 and 2022 and Washington in 2025. Fernandez also acknowledged the Filipino support she received during the tournament. During the trophy presentation, she thanked the Singaporean and “Pinoy fans” who attended matches throughout the week, saying their encouragement, energy and
positivity had made the tournament special. Born in Montreal, Fernandez represents Canada in international competition. Her father, Jorge, is Ecuadorian, while her mother, Irene, is Filipino Canadian. Fernandez reached the U.S. Open singles final in 2021 and helped Canada capture its first Billie Jean King Cup championship in 2023. She arrived in Singapore with a 17-23 record for the season before winning five consecutive matches for the title. Fernandez is entered in the China Open in Beijing, the next WTA 1000 event on the Asian calendar. After the Singapore final, she said the victory gave her confidence but that the next tournament would require her to “start from zero.” n
LA County sales tax rises as legal challenge...
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) INVITATION FOR BID
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RFP No. RM119-27 INSURANCE BROKERAGE & BENEFIT COUNSULTING SERVICES
and has said it will defend the measure. Los Angeles County said state law requires revenue collected under Measure ER to be placed in an escrow account while the litigation proceeds. Residents and businesses must continue paying the tax, but the newly collected money cannot be distributed for county services while the case remains unresolved. If the tax is ultimately invalidated, the state would administer refunds of the collected revenue, according to the county. AB 1768 authorized Los Angeles County, subject to voter approval, to impose an additional transactions-and-use tax despite an otherwise applicable statutory limit on combined local taxes. Measure ER subsequently won approval by a margin of about 1.3 percentage points. Supporters argued during the
campaign that the additional revenue was needed to help maintain health and other county services as federal and state funding pressures increased. Opponents argued that another sales tax would raise costs for residents and businesses and questioned the use of a general tax rather than revenue legally restricted to specified programs. Measure ER is a general tax, meaning its proceeds are not legally limited to a single purpose. County officials have outlined plans to direct substantial portions of the revenue toward health and safety-net programs, subject to the county budget process and the outcome of the pending litigation. The increase applies to taxable transactions throughout Los Angeles County. Purchases that are exempt from California sales tax remain exempt. n
Philippine anti-graft court keeps ex-public... either man guilty in the pending Second Division case. The case stems from allegations involving flood-control projects in Bulacan that prosecutors say were included in the 2025 national budget. Prosecutors allege that Estrada received about P213.7 million in kickbacks connected to the projects and accuse Bonoan of participating in the alleged scheme. Those allegations remain to be established at trial. Bonoan’s status in the Second Division case differs from his position in separate proceedings before another branch of the Sandiganbayan. On Sept. 1, the court’s Fifth Division granted the Ombudsman’s request to remove Bonoan as an accused in a separate P573-million plunder case and another graft case involving Estrada and
former public works officials. The Fifth Division said seeking the discharge of an accused for possible use as a state witness fell within the Ombudsman’s prosecutorial discretion. The Fifth Division subsequently recalled warrants against Bonoan and ordered his release from hospital detention. His removal from those cases did not affect the separate graft charge pending before the Second Division, in which he had posted bail. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said in June that his office had reached a cooperation agreement with Bonoan and intended to seek his use as a state witness in flood-control cases. Whether Bonoan may ultimately testify, and in which proceedings, remains subject to the applicable court process. n
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ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026
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Brian Goldsmith centers Senate bid on affordability and public safety Candidate emphasizes housing, child and elder care, smallbusiness concerns and finding solutions to homelessness by AJPress
PH, Indian navies conduct week-long naval drills with ASEAN.
PNA Photo by By Priam Nepomuceno
California sets marriage age at 18, ending exceptions for minors by AJPress SACRAMENTO — California will prohibit anyone under 18 from obtaining a marriage license or establishing a domestic partnership beginning Jan. 1, 2027, under legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom after years of debate over the state’s marriage laws. Assembly Bill 1267, authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, D-Santa Cruz, eliminates provisions that allowed a minor to marry after obtaining a court order and written consent from at least one parent or guardian. Because the former system contained no statutory age floor, a person younger than 18 could legally marry if tho-
se requirements were met. The measure also requires both people entering a California domestic partnership to be at least 18. Marriages lawfully entered under the previous provisions before Jan. 1, 2027, are not automatically invalidated by the new law. Newsom signed AB 1267 on Sept. 30. His office said California became the 18th state to prohibit marriage under 18 without exceptions. The bill passed the Senate 38-0 on Aug. 19, and the Assembly voted 78-0 on Aug. 26 to accept the Senate amendments. Supporters argued that parental consent and judicial review did not adequately protect minors who could be pressured into marriage. Pellerin said testimony from survivors highlighted difficulties
minors may face in seeking legal help or leaving a marriage. The American Civil Liberties Union opposed the 2026 proposal, arguing that an absolute prohibition could restrict minors’ ability to make significant personal decisions and interfere with reproductive autonomy. Planned Parenthood, which had opposed earlier efforts to establish an age floor, remained neutral on AB 1267, according to CalMatters. California lawmakers had considered an outright prohibition as early as 2017, but that proposal was revised after opposition from civil-liberties and reproductive-rights groups. The resulting safeguards increased court oversight without establishing a minimum marriage age. n
U.S.-trained gymnasts help Philippines place sixth in Asian Games women’s team final by AJPress
NAGOYA, Japan — The Philippines finished sixth in the women’s artistic gymnastics team final at the 2026 Asian Games, with several U.S.-trained athletes helping the national squad reach the eight-team medal round. Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Kylee Kvamme, Haylee Garcia, Chiara Andrew and Lauren Supnet combined for 147.763 points in the Sept. 23 final at Nagoya General Gymnasium. China won with 166.462, followed by Japan at 165.362 and North Korea at 158.329. The Philippines had qualified
seventh with 144.563, then improved its total by 3.200 points in the final. Jung-Ruivivar posted the team’s highest uneven-bars score at 13.766 and added 13.133 on floor. Kvamme contributed 13.633 on balance beam and 13.300 on vault. In individual competition, Jung-Ruivivar placed 10th in the all-around with 50.065 points, while Kvamme finished 12th with 47.665. No Philippine woman advanced to an apparatus final, keeping the team result as the women’s principal achievement in Nagoya. Jung-Ruivivar, a Los Angeles native who competes for Stanford, represented the Philippines at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She earned
three NCAA All-America honors in 2026, including first-team recognition on balance beam. Kvamme, from Auburn, Washington, competes for Alabama and represented the Philippines at the 2026 Asian Championships. She previously competed for the country at the 2023 Asian Championships and World Championships. The women’s performance came during a historic Asian Games for Philippine gymnastics. Two-time Olympic champion Carlos Yulo won gold in floor exercise with 14.666 and later added the vault title. His younger brother, Eldrew Yulo, earned bronze on horizontal bar with 13.666. n
LOS ANGELES — For Brian Goldsmith, California’s affordability problem extends beyond housing. It includes the rising cost of child and elder care, the shrinking path to homeownership for middle-income families and the pressures facing small-business owners. Those concerns are central to Goldsmith’s campaign for California’s 24th Senate District, where he is emphasizing affordability, public safety and measurable results. Goldsmith advanced from the June 2 primary with 55,627 votes, or 18.28%, and will face West Hollywood Councilmember John M. Erickson, who received 62,397 votes, or 20.50%, in the Nov. 3 general election, according to Los Angeles County election results. District 24 includes communities across the South Bay, Westside, Hollywood and Santa Monica Mountains areas of Los Angeles County. Among them are Torrance, Gardena, Santa Monica, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Rancho Palos Verdes and West Hollywood. Goldsmith’s housing agenda calls for more workforce and mixed-income housing, down-payment assistance, faster permitting and greater use of suitable public land for housing. He has emphasized what his campaign calls the “missing middle,” including workers who earn too much to qualify for some assistance but still struggle to buy homes near their jobs. His platform also proposes a dedicated funding stream for universal child care beginning at six months and identifies elder care as another major household expense. In discussions with AAPI residents, Goldsmith has linked those costs to multigenerational families in which adults may be raising children while helping support aging parents. Small businesses are another focus. Goldsmith proposes reviewing regulations to streamline compliance and lower costs while retaining protections he con-
California Senate District 24 candidate Brian Goldsmith, center right, with Ron Wong, at left of Goldsmith, founder and CEO of Imprenta Communications, and other attendees at an AAPI community gathering where Goldsmith discussed affordability, small-business concerns, public safety and homelessness. AJPress photo
siders necessary. He argues that affordability policy should address not only household expenses but also the costs of operating businesses and employing workers. On homelessness, Goldsmith says California should focus on finding solutions rather than merely managing the problem. His platform calls for transparent measures to evaluate homelessness programs and says programs that fail to meet their goals should be changed or ended, while effective programs should be expanded. He pairs that approach with support for community-based policing, addiction and behavioral-health treatment, and full funding for Proposition 36, the 2024 voter-approved measure that increased penalties for certain repeat theft and drug offenses while creating treatment provisions for some drug-related offenses. Goldsmith also includes anti-Asian hate and other forms of discrimination in his public-safe-
ty agenda and supports security funding for schools, religious institutions, cultural centers and other communities considered at risk. In his AAPI outreach, he has said officials should maintain relationships with communities beyond elections and understand their concerns. Goldsmith describes himself as a moderate and coalition builder who believes lawmakers should look for areas of agreement and revisit policies when evidence shows they are not working as intended. A graduate of Harvard College and Stanford Law School, Goldsmith worked in journalism at CNN and CBS News and later with Yahoo News and Katie Couric Media before moving into entrepreneurship and political consulting. His campaign has framed that background around a governing question: whether state policies are producing practical results for families, workers and businesses. n
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OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
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ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026
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Fil-Am Baltimore teacher faces child sextrafficking charges in Pennsylvania by AJPress BALTIMORE — A Filipino American public school teacher in Baltimore is facing dozens of criminal charges in Pennsylvania after prosecutors accused him of sexually abusing and trafficking a teenage boy during repeated encounters over about two years. Rogie Bantigue Legaspi, 56, a seventh-grade science teacher at Hamilton Elementary/Middle AFP Chief Gen. Antonio Nafarrete welcomes Finnish Ambassador Saija Nurminen at Camp Aguinaldo on Sept. 30. Their meeting explored School, was arrested Sept. 18 in stronger bilateral defense and security cooperation, including opportunities in areas of mutual interest. Photo courtesy of the AFP Parkesburg, Pennsylvania, following an investigation led by Chester County detectives. Prosecutors said Legaspi is charged with trafficking in minors, 15 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, manufacturing child sexual abuse material and before becoming a prominent labor pino American history had already other offenses. by AJPress The charges are allegations and been given a prominent public organizer. After serving in the U.S. Army expression. In 1995, Filipino Amer- have not been proven in court. Chester County District Attorney COMMUNITIES across Califor- during World War II, Itliong settled ican artist Eliseo Art Silva completnia are preparing to mark Larry in Stockton and continued organiz- ed Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe Itliong Day this October, renewing ing agricultural workers. He was Pamana, or “A Glorious History, A said the investigation began after attention to the Filipino American involved in the 1948 asparagus Golden Legacy,” at Unidad Park in detectives received a ChildLine relabor organizer whose leadership strike and founded the Filipino what is now Historic Filipinotown. port concerning a 15-year-old boy. According to prosecutors, the The large-scale mural traces genhelped launch the 1965 Delano Farm Labor Union in 1956. He later grape strike and reshape the farm- became a leading organizer with erations of Filipino American histo- teenager told investigators that worker movement in the United the Agricultural Workers Organiz- ry and places Itliong prominently a man he knew as “Alex” first within the story of the farm labor contacted him through a social ing Committee, or AWOC. States. On Sept. 7, 1965, mostly Filipino movement. He appears alongside The observance falls on Oct. 25, Itliong’s birthday, during Filipino AWOC members met at the Filipino César Chávez, visually linking the American History Month. California Community Hall in Delano and Filipino-led Delano walkout with law has recognized Oct. 25 as Larry voted to strike against area grape the broader coalition that followed. Silva positioned Itliong near the Itliong Day since 2015 and requires growers. The walkout began the golden sun associated with the PAGE 1 the governor to proclaim the date next day. The National Park Service iden- Philippine flag, giving the labor Donald Trump issued a March annually. Schools and educational institutions are also encouraged tifies Itliong and other Filipino organizer a central symbolic pres- 2025 executive order directing to commemorate his life and con- organizers as leaders of the action. ence in a work intended to recover federal agencies to make inforHistorical accounts differ on the Filipino American stories that had mation available for citizenship tributions. The Legislature added a sepa- precise number of workers who received limited attention in main- checks involving people registering to vote or on existing voter rate recognition this year through joined the initial walkout, but Filipi- stream historical narratives. The mural was completed seven rolls. DHS modified SAVE to inSenate Concurrent Resolution 190, no farmworkers formed the core of years before Los Angeles formally corporate Social Security records authored by state Sen. Christopher the strike that began Sept. 8. Itliong then asked César Chávez designated Historic Filipinotown in and permit bulk searches. Cabaldon. The measure designated Under the process described Oct. 25, 2026, as Larry Itliong Day. and the predominantly Latino Na- 2002 and has since become one of Events are planned in several tional Farm Workers Association the neighborhood’s most recogniz- by the Supreme Court, an authorized agency submits identifying parts of the state. The UC Berke- to join the strike. On Sept. 16, the able works of public art. State recognition followed. Car- information through SAVE, such ley Labor Center has scheduled a NFWA voted to participate, creLarry Itliong Day program for Oct. ating an interracial labor alliance son established a local Larry Itliong as a person’s name, date of birth 22. In San Diego, the Council of that became central to the five-year Day in 2010. In 2015, then-Assem- and full or partial Social Security Philippine American Organizations Delano campaign and nationwide blymember Rob Bonta authored number. The Social Security AdAssembly Bill 7, which made Oct. ministration searches its records and the Filipino American National grape boycott. The two unions merged in 1966 25 a day of special significance in and returns results to the DeHistorical Society’s San Diego chapter will hold their third annual to create the United Farm Workers California and required an annual partment of Homeland Security, which responds through SAVE. Larry Itliong Community Breakfast Organizing Committee, or UFWOC. gubernatorial proclamation. The system may confirm citItliong was inducted posthuThe organization later became the on Oct. 24. Delano will hold a community United Farm Workers of America. mously into the California Hall of izenship or indicate that more information is needed. An inconThe strike and boycott ended Fame in 2021. Unity Day on Oct. 24 at Larry Itliong His role is also preserved at the clusive result is not, by itself, a Unity Park, in the city where the after major growers signed union landmark grape strike began more contracts in 1970, marking a sig- Filipino Community Hall in Delano, finding that someone is a nonnificant development in agricultural where AWOC members voted to citizen. The Supreme Court notthan six decades ago. Modesto “Larry” Dulay Itliong labor organizing and establishing strike in September 1965. The ed that a naturalized U.S. citizen was born Oct. 25, 1913, in San the farmworker movement as a National Park Service recognizes in Louisiana had Social Security the hall as a central site in the farm records that did not accurately Nicolas, Pangasinan, in the Phil- national force. Recognition of Itliong expanded labor movement and in the interippines. He arrived in the United racial alliance that sustained the States as a teenager and worked in decades after his death in 1977. In Los Angeles, his place in Fili- Delano campaign. n agriculture, fisheries and canneries
Larry Itliong Day observances renew focus on Filipino farmworkers’ role in U.S. labor history
media platform when he was 12. Authorities allege that Legaspi later traveled from Maryland to Pennsylvania to meet the boy and that sexual encounters occurred from June 2024 through June 2026 in Chester and Lancaster counties. Investigators allege that Legaspi gave the teenager money and other items in connection with some encounters and recorded sexual activity. Prosecutors also allege that Legaspi facilitated contact between the teenager and other adult men and, on at least one occasion, brought another man to an encounter in which the teenager was sexually assaulted. Authorities said investigators reviewed communications and other records as part of the investigation. Detectives posing as the teenager contacted Legaspi on Sept. 17 and arranged a meeting in Chester County, according to authorities. Police said Legaspi arrived at a predetermined location in Parkesburg the next day and was arrested without incident. He was arraigned and ordered held on $5 million cash bail at Chester County Prison. His preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 19.
Baltimore school places teacher on leave Baltimore City Public Schools placed Legaspi on administrative leave after learning of his arrest. Hamilton Elementary/Middle Principal Natasha Pouncey told families that the district had received no information indicating that the Pennsylvania allegations involved any current or former Baltimore City Public Schools students. The district also said it had identified no previous complaints against Legaspi, according to the Baltimore Banner. Legaspi has worked for Baltimore City Public Schools since 2008. Earlier professional records show that he previously taught in Texas and the Philippines before joining the Baltimore school system. At a Sept. 25 news conference, prosecutors said investigators had not identified additional victims at that time. Authorities asked anyone with information about potentially concerning contact involving Legaspi to contact Chester County detectives. The charges remain before the court and have not been resolved. n
Supreme Court allows Social Security data...
Trump administration begins sending $500... PAGE 1 The White House announced the program Sept. 10 and initially said payments would begin in October. The payment is $500 per eligible person. It is directed at consumers who obtained 2026 coverage through HealthCare.gov without federal premium assistance and therefore paid the full premium for their coverage. Most recipients have incomes above 400% of the federal poverty level and were not eligible for premium subsidies in 2026. Some people with lower incomes who did not receive subsidies also qualify, according to administration officials. The payments come from federal marketplace user-fee revenue. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services charges insurers offering plans through the federally operated marketplace a percentage of premiums to finance HealthCare.gov and other exchange operations. Insurers can
incorporate those fees into premiums. The White House says the Biden administration collected more in user fees than was necessary and describes the payments as refunds of consumer “overcharges.” That characterization is disputed. Cynthia Cox, director of the Affordable Care Act program at KFF, told Reuters that surplus user-fee revenue does not necessarily mean consumers were overcharged. Federal records also show that unused marketplace user-fee revenue predates the Biden administration. KFF reported that more than $1.2 billion in cumulative unused revenue had accumulated from fiscal 2018 through 2020, during Trump's first administration, as federal spending on marketplace operations, outreach and enrollment assistance declined. The federal marketplace fee has changed over time. CMS set it at 1.5% of monthly premiums for 2025. The Biden administration set the 2026 rate at 2.5%, partly reflecting expectations of lower enrollment after enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. The Trump administration has set the rate at 1.9% for
2027. The enhanced tax credits, introduced in 2021 and extended through 2025, had increased federal assistance for ACA customers and temporarily removed the income ceiling that had barred households earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level from receiving premium subsidies. CMS reported that 23.1 million people selected or were automatically re-enrolled in marketplace plans during the 2026 open-enrollment period, including about 15.8 million through HealthCare. gov. The refund program applies only to eligible consumers in the 30 states using the federal marketplace. California and Nevada residents are not included because both states operate their own ACA platforms: Covered California and Nevada Health Link. New York and New Jersey are likewise outside the program. The program does not apply to consumers enrolled through state-run marketplaces, even if they received no premium subsidy. The $500 payments are separate from medical-loss-ratio rebates insurers may owe when they fail to spend the federally required share of premium revenue on medical care and quality-improvement activities. (AJPress)
to LACMTA on or before 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, October 30, 2026. Bids received after the above date and time will be rejected. For a copy of the Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https:// business.metro.net or for further information email Misty Atalanta Alderaan at atalantam@metro.net. 10/3/26 CNS-4081957# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
SCRRA is seeking proposals for an automated software testing tool. Proposal documents may be downloaded at SCRRA's website at http:// www.metrolinktrains.com/ contracts. Proposals are due on 11/12/2026. For further information contact: Tammi Phillips, Sr. Contract and Compliance Administrator, at PhillipsT@ scrra.net. 10/3/26 CNS-4079964# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) LOS ANGELES COUNTY INVITATION FOR BID METROPOLITAN LACMTA will receive Bids for DR145475 - TRANSMISSION TRANSPORTATION SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA KITS (VOITH TO ALLISON) electronically via bids@metro. AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REGIONAL RAIL net. A Pre-Bid conference will AUTHORITY RFP INVITATION FOR BID not be held. All Bids must be submitted to LACMT as per the LACMTA will receive Bids NO. LI301R-27 IFB solicitation packet on or for OP144762 - Generator before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time Maintenance & Repair Services AUTOMATED SOFTon Tuesday, October 27, 2026, via email submission at bids@ at which time bids will be metro.net. WARE TESTING TOOL opened and publicly read. Bids All Bids must be submitted received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each Bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. DR145475. For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https:// business.metro.net or for further information email Marc Margoni at margonim@metro. net. 10/3/26 CNS-4081938# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
reflect her citizenship and likely would have been required to provide additional proof. The League of Women Voters, several affiliates and the Electronic Privacy Information Center challenged the expansion, arguing that it violated the Social Security Act, Privacy Act and Administrative Procedure Act. U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan agreed in June and set aside the modifications. A divided D.C. Circuit panel later declined to stay that ruling. In an unsigned opinion, the Supreme Court said the plaintiffs likely have standing but that their statutory claims were unlikely to succeed. The majority said a 1996 immigration law likely permits DHS to request and receive citizenship and immigration information from other agencies and requires DHS to respond to state and local verification requests. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Jackson argued that the majority
misread the statute and that outdated records could burden eligible voters. Texas said this month that 2,724 registered voters were initially identified through SAVE as potential noncitizens. Further review found 578 had demonstrated U.S. citizenship, including 506 whose passport information was added after the initial search. Texas also referred 117 cases for investigation of potential noncitizen voting. Those referrals are not findings that illegal voting occurred. Federal law separately limits systematic voter-roll removals close to an election. The National Voter Registration Act generally requires states to complete such programs at least 90 days before a federal election, although individualized inquiries may continue. The Supreme Court did not decide whether that restriction applies to programs aimed specifically at removing noncitizens, an issue pending in a separate case. (AJPress)
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Opinion
Features
OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
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Election dates should not become moving targets BARANGAY elections rarely receive the attention given presidential or congressional contests. Yet for millions of Filipinos, the barangay is the government they encounter most directly. A barangay is not simply the Philippine equivalent of a neighborhood association. It is the country’s smallest political unit, with elected officials, public funds and responsibilities that in the United States would often be divided among a small municipal government, a city council district and county agencies. Barangay officials help deliver local services, respond to community concerns, coordinate disaster assistance and connect residents with municipal and national programs. That makes the latest change in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election calendar more than an administrative matter. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act 12326, moving elections scheduled for November 2026 to November 2028 and establishing five-year terms for barangay and SK officials. The last nationwide BSKE was held on Oct. 30, 2023. Republic Act 12232 had subsequently set the next elections for November 2026 before the new law changed the timetable again. Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has asked the Supreme Court to invalidate the postponement provisions, arguing that they improperly extend incumbents’ tenure and delay voters’ opportuni-
ty to choose their local representatives. Comelec has stopped preparations for the 2026 elections and said it will comply with whatever the Supreme Court ultimately orders. The constitutional question belongs to the Court, and its previous decisions show why the issue requires careful distinction. In 2023, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional Republic Act 11935, which had postponed the December 2022 BSKE to October 2023. The Court found that the postponement lacked sufficient legitimate governmental justification and infringed on the exercise of suffrage. But the Court reached a different conclusion in 2025 when it upheld Republic Act 12232. It ruled that Congress has authority to determine the terms and commencement of office of barangay officials and characterized that statute as one fixing terms rather than simply postponing an election. Republic Act 12326 presents another test of where that legislative authority ends and constitutional protections surrounding periodic elections begin. The effects are not confined to constitutional doctrine.
Editorial
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The Long View Manuel L. Quezon III A picture is worth a thousand words, but the picture also depends on the angle at which it was taken. Last August, Momentum Research (Cleve Arguelles’ firm after he left) asked people two questions about partisanship. The first was, how would you picture yourself: a supporter of the administration, opposition, or an independent? The biggest portion—67 percent—pictured themselves as independents, or not a supporter of either the administration or the opposition. As for picturing themselves as supporting the administration, 17.5 percent self-identified as such; on the other hand, those who pictured themselves as supporting the opposition comprised 10.4 percent. There were 4.2 percent who said they didn’t know or were unsure, while 0.9 percent declined to answer. The second question was, some people describe themselves as supporters of the Marcoses, supporters of the Dutertes, and some also describe themselves as supporters of the opposition. How do you describe yourself? The biggest group
was those who described themselves as independents or who didn’t support any of the groups mentioned: 45.5 percent. The next biggest group described themselves as supporters of the Dutertes and their allies: 28.9 percent. Those identifying themselves as supporters of the Marcoses and their allies comprised 11.6 percent, while those who described themselves as supporters of the opposition, such as former Vice President Leni Robredo, Sen. Bam Aquino, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and their other allies, comprised 9.6 percent, with those saying they didn’t know or weren’t sure amounting to 2.9 percent and those refusing to answer, 1.4 percent. The contrast between the two should lead to interesting discussion on the difference between party politics and personality politics: the “none of the above” cohort, based on the August snapshots, anyway, being enormous. The relatively small numbers for both “administration” and “opposition” sort of match the other, personality-based question, but the Duterte cohort for its part seems to have melted into the “none of the above” segment, which might also be a clue as to their thinking. In terms of personalities, however, the way most people think is a snapshot of eroded co-
Pia Roces Morato THERE is an old, quiet wisdom in classic philosophy and Scripture that warns against vanagloria – the pursuit of empty praise, superficial honor, and applause unearned by genuine substance. The Apostle Paul famously cautioned early leaders against this very trap in Philippians 2:3 that says: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” Ancient theologians placed vainglory alongside the most destructive human vices, not merely because it warps the soul of the individual, but because of the wreckage it leaves in its wake. When vainglory invades private life, it breeds narcissism and fragile egos. But when it enters the halls of government, it becomes a systemic disease that quietly strangles good governance. Just take a look around our
cities and provinces, and you will see physical monuments to this political affliction. We see municipal coliseums rising in towns where public hospitals lack basic medicines. We see expansive town plazas built in jurisdictions where clean, piped water remains a luxury. We see public transit projects delayed for years because successive administrations refuse to complete initiatives started by their predecessors – preferring instead to break ground on new, shiny, but ill-conceived infrastructure that can bear their own names. In political science, these are known as “white elephants.” In daily life, they are simply monuments to vanity. Vainglory, however, demands an audience. It trades in high-visibility optics over long-term outcomes. Under its influence, leadership transforms from public stewardship into a continuous performance. Public policy is no longer evaluated by a simple,
First is accountability. Elections give residents a recurring opportunity to judge how officials have handled public resources, community services and local problems. Extending the interval before an election also extends the period before voters can retain or replace those officials at the ballot box. Second is political turnover. Whatever the performance of any individual barangay official, changing the election date leaves the existing of-
CTalk
horts, at least when it comes to the Dutertes and the Marcoses, though the “opposition” has remained remarkably consistent over time. It is also showing a near-majority that considers itself unaffiliated with the three major groupings they read, hear, or watch about whenever politics is discussed. I often tell people that if Vice President Sara Duterte ends up convicted in an impeachment trial, one unintended consequence would be the first election in 42 years that wouldn’t be about, one way or another, the Aquinos (in truth, the Edsa Coalition) and Marcoses (in truth, the Marcos-Macapagal-Estrada coalition) or their proxies. Nor would it be exchanging that decades-old dynamic for a Marcos-Duterte confrontation, spanning the next couple of decades at least, because neither of the two dynasties has an heir capable of leading, nationally, at this point. The various players might retreat to their respective bailiwicks and hold them, but there would be the chance that 2028 would be, for once, about tomorrow and not yesterday. And in the nick of time, too, considering the piled-up problems begging for some sort of attention, if not resolution, before we revert to u PAGE 8
When ego eclipses the Constitution
ROSES AND THORNS
ManilaTimes.net photo
rigorous question – “Does this solve a fundamental problem for our citizens? – but by a self-serving one, “How will this make me look?” Consider the subtle, perverse ways it manifests in local governance. When local chief executives decline or turn away donations from national bodies like the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) – such as vital patient transport vehicles or medical equipment – not because the community does not need them, but because the donation comes attached to the political branding of a rival, vainglory reaches its logical, tragic conclusion. When an official would rather deny their constituents an ambulance than allow a political opponent to take credit for delivering it, vanity ceases to be mere silliness; it becomes an outright hazard to public safety. Even more dangerously, when vainglory becomes the primary u PAGE 7
Cito Beltran I recently learned that San Miguel Corp. CEO Ramon S. Ang called for a press briefing with members of the Bulacan media. There, he presented satellite images, video footage, maps and the like. All this in an effort to disprove claims being spread by unknown Facebook accounts in the province that flooding there is caused by the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project. “Not long after the media attendees’ stories were filed and posted, what followed bore some of the hallmarks of a coordinated online activity: locked profiles churning out comment after comment disparaging Ang and the airport – with the same comments making it to the comments section of multiple media outlets.” I am reminded of the words of Thomas Aquinas who pointed out: “To those who believe, no explanation is necessary. To those who do not believe, no explanation is possible.” Ramon Ang has, time and
Commentary
Gary B. Teves THE “ber months” in the Philippines are often associated with the start of the Christmas season. It also coincides with the height of national budget deliberations. This is the time when marathon sessions are being held in Congress to dissect and review the government’s spending plan for 2027. With increasing uncertainty both home and abroad, the Marcos administration should focus on things that it can control. Restoring fiscal order and discipline with the way the government manages and spends public money should be at the top of that list. The Philippines is currently confronted with a limited fiscal space. For laymen, it means less room to fund priority programs and projects largely because of the size of the budget deficit (expenditures are larger than revenues), and the country’s debt. In 2025, the budget deficit
ficeholders in place longer than under the timetable voters had previously been given. In communities where the same families or political organizations have long held influence, the length of an electoral cycle can have practical consequences for challengers seeking office. Third is youth participation. The change applies not only to barangay officials but also to the u PAGE 8
Delaying the inevitable again, gone out of his way to be transparent about the airport project to the point that he personally engages the media and the public to update or clarify matters of concern and interest. But I agree with the position of St. Thomas Aquinas that no amount of explanation is enough to convince not only critics but especially those who are part of a sinister and well-financed group organized for the sole purpose of destabilizing and delaying the SMC-NMIA by preying on the emotions of Bulakeños by blaming the airport for flooding. I looked back on the history or early stage of the proposed SMC Bulacan airport and remembered that the project was actively blocked by certain individuals in government. They were deeply invested in the New Clark City Airport as well as businesses with in the Clark development project that they wanted Clark Airport to have exclusive control of aviation in the region. Another group wanted to protect the economic growth of Pampanga instead of allowing Bulacan to build up its own economic hub, a proposed legislation in support of this, which was killed at the Office of the Presi-
dent as PBBM’s first veto. Then there were those who wanted to preserve and protect the old NAIA which was their gold mine. Another group was even pushing for Sangley as an alternative for domestic flights instead of NAIA. Come to think of it, many infrastructure projects of SMC as well as aviation-related endeavors have all been subjected to “generated opposition” or technical delay or sabotage starting with the expressways, trains, airline, the New NAIA and now the New Manila International Airport. To their credit, SMC has kept going as it has done in the past. RSA often says “this too shall pass” or “lilipas din yan.” One time I heard him say “Hindi na ba kayo na sanay?” Every undertaking of San Miguel Corporation has been completed, operating and, more importantly, beneficial to Filipinos on land and in the air. The expressway projects are ongoing concerns that have expanded in lanes, volume and length. The Skyway keeps going further and better, and now the Star Toll is well on its way to operating in Quezon province and soon to Bicol province. u PAGE 8
Making every peso count stood at P1.6 trillion, equivalent to 5.6 percent of the economy. While it has gone down from its 8.6 percent peak in 2021, it is still far from the 3 percent target deficit that this administration originally planned to achieve by 2028. Meanwhile, the national government debt continues to worsen. As of July 2026, it climbed to P19.4 trillion. More importantly, the debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio rose to 66 percent as of the first half of 2026, a level not even seen during the height of the pandemic. Based on revised estimates, this ratio will remain above 64 percent at least until 2028. The international threshold for manageable debt level is 60 percent of GDP. In practice, having a budget deficit and debt is not automatically bad provided that funds are actually spent on productive sectors that will help grow the economy. But that is not what happened. Corruption, misallocation of funds, as well as lack of transparency and accountability persisted. The end result is a weak economy with a ballooning debt
and limited fiscal space. Rise in mandatory allocations. According to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, 64 percent of the 2027 budget will be earmarked for legally mandated items such as salaries and pension of government and military personnel, debt interest payments, and national tax allotment for local government units. Less money will be available for funding growth enhancing sectors. Uncertainty in the Middle East. Escalating conflict in the region could lead to higher oil prices in the coming weeks. The government may again need to provide targeted assistance to vulnerable Filipinos. Stronger typhoons and natural disasters. Extreme weather events have devastated agriculture and infrastructure in the country. Higher interest rates and weak peso leading to expensive borrowing. Interest payments account for 15 percent of the proposed national budget. This will reduce the amount available for classrooms, health care and u PAGE 8
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Commentary
Jonathan Malaya THE House of Representatives has finally acted on the urgent need to modernize the Philippines’ defenses against espionage. By a vote of 247 in favor, 10 against, and none abstaining, the chamber last week approved House Bill No. 9642, the proposed New Espionage Act, on third and final reading and transmitted it to the Senate. The measure was reported out by the House committee on revision of laws led by Batangas 3rd District Rep. King Collantes and was principally authored and defended on the floor by San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora. It recognizes a reality our existing laws could not have anticipated: intelligence is now collected not only by spies stealing paper plans from military facilities, but also through cyber operations, drones, geospatial mapping, tracking devices and other technologies that penetrate government offices and critical infrastructure without anyone knowing about it. The Philippines has experienced a disturbing succession of suspected espionage activities. In January 2025, authorities arrested Chinese national Deng Yuanqing in Makati with two Filipino accomplices. Deng had lived here since 2013 and was linked to the People’s Liberation Army. Investigators recovered LiDAR geospatial mapping and surveillance equipment containing data on Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites, military installations, power and petrochemical plants, airports and ports, lighthouses, and a military signal repeater. Soon afterward, authorities announced the arrest of a spy ring operating in Palawan. Five Chinese nationals were detained led by Cai Shaohuang, also known as Richard Tan Chua. The group were conduct-
MANILA — The Philippine government’s debt climbed to a record P19.61 trillion at the end of August, while the International Monetary Fund lowered its forecast for the country’s economic growth this year, reflecting a more difficult environment for government finances, businesses and consumers. Government debt increased by P217.62 billion from July, according to the Bureau of the Treasury. Compared with the end of 2025, the total was higher by about P1.90 trillion. Most of the debt is owed to lenders and investors within the Philippines. Domestic debt reached P13.24 trillion, accounting for about two-thirds of the total. Foreign debt stood at P6.37 trillion. Part of the increase came from the weaker peso, which makes debts denominated in dollars and other foreign currencies more expensive when con-
ing drone operations and surveillance flights in Ulugan Bay, home to Naval Detachment Oyster Bay, and were monitoring the movements of Philippine Navy and Coast Guard vessels deploying to the West Philippine Sea. And just this March, the National Security Council disclosed that its Insider Threat Program had uncovered and disrupted another Chinese-linked network that recruited Filipinos with access to government and security institutions. The approach often began with an innocent-looking online job or consulting offer. Requests for general research then progressed to internal analyses, sensitive information and documents. Persons identified through the aliases “Lawrence,” “Alison,” and “Charles” supplied material connected with the Department of National Defense and Philippine Navy. Another, “Danny,” used contacts in the Coast Guard to obtain information on rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. These cases reveal the inadequacy of the present legal framework. Espionage remains principally governed by Article 117 of the Revised Penal Code and Commonwealth Act No. 616, enacted in June 1941 as the country faced the danger of Japanese invasion. Those laws punish the unauthorized gathering or transmission of national defense information to injure the Philippines or benefit a foreign nation. Their language, however, reflects an era of forts, warships, blueprints, and codebooks. Today, a hostile actor can map a base without even entering it, intercept communications without opening a letter, recruit an insider through a professional networking site, or transfer stolen data across borders in seconds. A modern law must address cyber-enabled collection, drone and geospatial surveil-
lance, interference with defense assets, and attacks on critical infrastructure. Fortunately, HB 9642 provides law enforcement with the legal tools to do so. It penalizes espionage and conspiracy, unauthorized handling or disclosure of classified matter, unlawful surveillance, interference with national defense assets and critical infrastructure, and the prohibited use of cameras, drones, listening devices, and tracking equipment. It reaches specified offenses committed abroad, including those committed by Filipinos or directed against the Philippine government. It allows the Anti-Money Laundering Council to trace funds and property linked to espionage, recognizing that intelligence networks require financing and local support. Nonetheless, these powers remain bound by the Constitution. The bill does not give investigators an unrestricted license to listen, search, or monitor. Qualified military, law enforcement, and intelligence personnel must seek authority from the Court of Appeals. They must show reasonable grounds that an espionage offense has been or is about to be committed, that the evidence sought is essential, and that no other readily available means will suffice. The Lower House has done its part. The Senate must now scrutinize the measure, preserve its safeguards, and act with urgency. Espionage has already changed. Philippine law can no longer remain trapped in 1941. (Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Jonathan Malaya was formerly assistant director general of the National Security Council and undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Safety and Security.
verted into pesos. The peso weakened from P61.327 to the dollar at the end of July to P62.209 at the end of August. The Treasury said currency movements increased the peso value of the country’s foreign debt by P90.32 billion during August. The latest figures do not mean the government borrowed the entire increase during the month. Changes in exchange rates can raise or lower the peso value of existing foreign obligations even without new borrowing. The debt increase comes as the economy has also been losing momentum. IMF staff recently lowered their forecast for Philippine economic growth in 2026 to 3.4%, down from 3.9% in July. The new estimate is also below the government’s revised growth target of 3.5% to 4.5%. The IMF cited weaker public construction spending, softer private investment, natural disa-
sters, a slowdown in the property sector and higher energy costs as factors weighing on growth. Official government data show the economy expanded by only 2.3% from a year earlier in the second quarter. Investment fell, while household spending continued to grow at a slower pace. Consumers have also been dealing with higher prices. Inflation stood at 6.1% in August, although it eased slightly from 6.2% in July. The IMF expects inflation to average 5.6% this year and economic growth to improve to 5.1% in 2027. The government, meanwhile, expects its budget deficit to reach about P1.66 trillion this year, equivalent to 5.4% of gross domestic product. IMF staff said the government’s current fiscal approach was broadly appropriate but urged stronger revenue collection and more efficient spending on infrastructure and other public investments. n
When ego eclipses the Constitution...
PAGE 6 engine of power, leaders begin to treat the Constitution itself not as a sacred covenant, but as a temporary inconvenience. Decisions are increasingly made at the direct expense of constitutional boundaries – whether through bending term limits, bypassing legislative oversight, violating due process for quick political wins, or weaponizing state agencies to punish rivals. This constitutional defiance represents a tragic irony in the Philippine context. The preamble of the 1987 Philippine Constitution opens with a solemn declaration: “We the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God…” The Charter explicitly frames human governance as a humble stewardship under a higher moral authority. When a politician elevates personal ambition above the Constitution, they do not merely break a legal contract; they betray the very spiritual premise upon which the nation was founded – substituting the worship of self for the humble service of a sovereign people before God. When a leader’s ego demands absolute control or an immediate victory to feed their public image, the deliberate constraints of constitutional rule feel like intolerable chains. The constitutional mandate to serve the people gives way to an overriding obsession with self-preservation.
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A new anti-espionage law Supreme Court dismisses challenges to Senate impeachment voting rule finally in the works
Philippine debt reaches record P19.61 trillion as IMF lowers growth forecast by AJPress
ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026
And when this happens, the shift in motivation carries devastating consequences for the public good. First, it corrupts public spending. When personal legacy drives policy, scarce taxpayer money is diverted away from critical, invisible needs toward performative projects. A politician seeking personal glory will always choose a multimillion-peso archway over an upgraded drainage network, even if the latter keeps families from flooding during typhoon season. Second, it destroys institutional continuity. Vainglorious leaders view government offices not as sacred trusts passed down through generations, but as personal stage props. Because they cannot bear to share credit or build upon another’s success, long-term national plans are routinely scrapped every election cycle, forcing the country to continually restart from scratch. Third, it replaces truth with narrative. A leader obsessed with public applause cannot tolerate bad news or failure. They surround themselves not with independent experts, but with flatterers who tell them what they want to hear. When data conflicts with the preferred narrative, the facts are suppressed or manipulated, leaving government operating in a dangerous echo chamber. Finally, it degrades the very concept of citizenship. When
relief goods are stamped with a politician’s face, or when basic public works are painted in party colors, it conditions the public to view government services not as rights guaranteed by law, but as personal favors bestowed by a benevolent patron. It transforms proud citizens into beholden dependents. True statecraft requires humility – the willingness to plant seeds for trees under whose shade you may never sit. It asks leaders to care more about the enduring strength of institutions than the transient warmth of public applause. If we wish to break the cycle of performative politics and build a state that truly works, the electorate must look past the grandstanding, the vanity projects, and the self-serving theater. We must measure our leaders not by how brightly they shine on stage, but by how well the house stands long after the curtain falls. In the end, political leaders would do well to remember the sharp warning of Proverbs 16:18 – that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. A legacy carved into monuments of vanity will inevitably crumble, but a nation built on selfless stewardship endures. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
by AJPress MANILA – The Supreme Court has dismissed three petitions challenging the Senate Impeachment Court’s revised method for calculating the two-thirds vote required to convict Vice President Sara Duterte, leaving the tribunal’s Sept. 23 rule in effect without deciding whether that interpretation is constitutionally correct. Sitting en banc, the court dismissed petitions filed by former Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, lawyer Ernesto Francisco Jr. and Berteni Cataluña Causing on procedural grounds, including lack of standing and prematurity. At issue is Article XI, Section 3(6) of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that no person may be convicted in an impeachment trial without the concurrence of “two-thirds of all the Mem-
bers of the Senate.” On Sept. 23, the impeachment court voted 13-1, with six senator-judges not participating, to overturn an earlier interpretation that treated 16 votes as the fixed requirement in a 24-member Senate. Under the revised rule, the denominator consists of senators able to participate when judgment is rendered. Presiding officer Francis Escudero has said senators legally prevented from acting or otherwise unable to participate under circumstances recognized by the tribunal may be excluded. Rodriguez argued that the impeachment court had added a qualification not found in the constitutional text. Francisco maintained that conviction requires at least 16 votes because the Constitution provides for a 24-member Senate. Causing similarly argued that senators who remain in office should continue
to be counted even when they cannot participate. The Supreme Court did not resolve those arguments on their merits. Senate Impeachment Court spokesman Regie Tongol said the Sept. 23 ruling remains undisturbed. His comments that the dismissal reinforced the tribunal’s independence represent the impeachment court’s position, not a Supreme Court finding on the constitutionality of the voting formula. Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Oct. 1 that a challenge could become ripe after the impeachment court votes on guilt or acquittal, particularly if a conviction were reached with fewer than 16 votes. The constitutional requirement remains two-thirds. The unresolved dispute concerns which senators should be included in the denominator when that fraction is calculated. n
Alex Eala, Isa Briones named to TIME100 Next 2026 by AJPress Filipina tennis player Alexandra Eala and Filipino American actress Isa Briones have been named to the 2026 TIME100 Next, TIME magazine’s annual list recognizing 100 emerging figures across entertainment, sports, business and other fields. Eala was selected in the Innovators category, while Briones was named among the Artists on the list released Sept. 30. Eala’s profile was written by 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, who has known
her since she began training atthe Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain. The 21-year-old entered late September ranked No. 18 in the world after a season that included her first WTA Tour title. Eala won the Washington WTA 500 in August, defeating Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the final and becoming the first player representing the Philippines to win a WTA Tour singles championship. Briones plays Dr. Trinity Santos in HBO Max’s medical drama The Pitt. Her TIME profile was written by co-star Katherine
LaNasa. The daughter of Filipino actor Jon Jon Briones, she made her Broadway debut as Eurydice in Hadestown in March 2024, appearing opposite her father as Hermes. Briones returned to Broadway this year as singer Connie Francis in Just in Time, playing the role from April 1 through May 29. TIME introduced TIME100 Next in 2019 as an extension of its TIME100 franchise, focusing on emerging figures the publication says are helping shape their respective fields. n
ICC rejects Duterte bid for automatic expert verification of open-source evidence by AJPress THE HAGUE — International Criminal Court judges have rejected former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to require expert verification reports for open-source and user-generated evidence in his crimes against humanity case. Trial Chamber III ruled Sept. 28 that imposing the requirement on every such item would be unnecessary and could delay proceedings. The decision does
not prevent Duterte’s lawyers from challenging individual prosecution exhibits onauthenticity, reliability or admissibility. Judges said the defense should identify specific objections, allowing prosecutors to respond and provide supporting material when warranted. The chamber also approved adding a URL field to the court’s electronic evidence system to identify the internet sourceassociated with open-source material. The change is administrative and does not itself establish
authenticity or admissibility. Duterte’s defense sought the additional safeguard because of the volume of prosecution material and raised concerns about duplicates and document quality. Those remain defense assertions, not judicial findings. The ICC confirmed three counts of crimes against humanity involving alleged murder and attempted murder against Duterte in April. He is presumed innocent unless proved guilty. His trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 30. n
Supreme Court rejects challenge to June 3 Senate leadership session by AJPress MANILA — The Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to the June 3 Senate session that reshaped the chamber’s leadership during a dispute over who could preside and whether enough senators were present to conduct official business. In a resolution dated Aug. 26 and made public Thursday, Oct. 1, the Supreme Court en banc dismissed a petition filed by lawyers Valeriano S. Loon and Zigfred M. Diaz questioning the legality of the session. The Court said the petitioners failed to sufficiently show that the senators who convened on June 3 committed grave abuse of discretion. It added that the holding of the session appeared consistent with the facts and applicable law and jurisprudence. The controversy arose from a leadership standoff that left the Senate divided over who could preside over the chamber and how a quorum should be calcu-
lated. On June 3, Sen. Francis Escudero joined 11 senators who were already present, bringing the number participating in the session to 12. A quorum was declared, allowing the Senate to proceed with official business. The chamber then declared several leadership positions vacant and elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore. Gatchalian subsequently served as acting Senate president. The proceedings were challenged by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and senators aligned with him, who questioned whether the session had been validly convened and whether the senators present constituted the quorum required to transact business. Gatchalian and his allies defended the session, maintaining that the Senate could proceed under the Constitution, Senate rules and applicable Supreme Court jurisprudence. The Supreme Court’s resolution leaves the challenged June 3
proceedings undisturbed in the case brought by Loon and Diaz. Its language, however, was tied to the circumstances presented in the petition. The Court did not issue a broad declaration that 12 senators would necessarily constitute a quorum in every future Senate proceeding. The June 3 leadership dispute generated other legal challenges. Earlier in June, teacher John Barry Tayam asked the Supreme Court to affirm the validity of the session and the quorum used that day. The Court dismissed his petition for lack of legal standing without granting the declaration he sought. Cayetano and members of his bloc later filed a separate petition asking the Court to invalidate the June 3 proceedings and actions taken during the leadership reorganization. The political standoff eventually moved beyond the acting leadership arrangement. Gatchalian was elected Senate president during a special session on June 17. n
DOJ says anti-trafficking protection applies to Mary Jane Veloso after pardon New legal development follows release of Filipino worker whose 2015 execution in Indonesia was halted at the last minute by AJPress MANILA — The Department of Justice said Thursday, Oct. 1, that a legal protection intended to prevent trafficking victims from being punished for acts resulting directly from their exploitation has been applied to Mary Jane Veloso, days after a presidential pardon ended her more than 16 years in Indonesian and Philippine custody. Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty cited the “non-punishment principle” under the country’s anti-trafficking law, which protects trafficking victims from liability for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked. Veloso was arrested in Indone-
sia in April 2010 after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin concealed in luggage she was carrying. An Indonesian court convicted her of drug trafficking and sentenced her to death. She has consistently maintained that she did not know the drugs were there and that she was deceived while seeking work abroad. Her case drew international attention in April 2015, when Indonesia prepared to execute her. Philippine authorities obtained a last-minute reprieve so she could testify in criminal proceedings involving people she identified as having recruited her. After years of diplomatic negotiations, Indonesia transferred Veloso to Philippine custody in
December 2024. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed an absolute pardon Sept. 24, and she was released the following day. Speaking at the DOJ on Thursday, Veloso appealed to those she identifies as her recruiters to publicly acknowledge that she had no part in the drug offense. Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao face separate Philippine charges of qualified trafficking in persons, illegal recruitment and estafa. Both pleaded not guilty. Veloso testified in the cases on June 19. Since her release, DSWD and the Department of Migrant Workers have provided financial and reintegration assistance to Veloso and her family. n
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OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
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Delaying the inevitable... PAGE 6 Under RSA’s leadership, PAL transformed into a viable undertaking to the point that the previous owners bought back the company. When SMC won the bid to rehabilitate and develop NAIA, SMC was once again subjected to “created” negative publicity and disinformation. It became evident that there were sore losers who could not accept the SMC takeover. There were also several aviation-related companies and investors that were unwilling to give up their advantageous rentals within NAIA and of course, with the SMC management came the clean-up related to corruption. Today, critics claim that the New Manila International Airport project supposedly “blocked” river outflows to Manila Bay, causing water to backflow and flood wider areas across the province. They even use “inventive” AI graphic work to fool and mislead the public and Bulakenyos in particular that their worsening flooding is caused by a single project.
Without needing to, SMC addressed flooding in the areas in Bulacan near the airport. The rivers that were supposedly blocked, three of them actually – the Santa Maria River, Meycauayan River and Taliptip (Alipit) River that surround the airport site – were actually widened and deepened, just like SMC has done in their river clean up in Metro Manila. What SMC did was essentially increase the rivers’ flood-carrying capacities and rate of discharge out to Manila Bay. People may not know it but in the early stages of the project, San Miguel Corporation called on global experts to study the proposed site and provide engineering solutions. These global experts were: Danish Hydraulic Institute (DHI), an engineering, research and technology firm specializing in water environments; UK-based Mott MacDonald, experts in coastal and marine engineering, and Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. of the Netherlands, experts in marine infrastructure. The engineering evaluation
and services of such global firms became the stamp of approval that green lighted funding within SMC as well as European banks and regional investors who also conduct their own due diligence and sustainability assessments. We could go on discussing or arguing the merits or demerits of the Bulacan Airport or New Manila International Airport project. But to what end when we know that the alleged opposition is manufactured by vested interest groups? Do we want to be deprived of or denied world class infrastructure that brings economic growth annd allow the terrorism of the insignificant few to once again delay the inevitable? No one is going to build our nation but ourselves. (Philstar. com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** E-mail: utalk2ctalk@gmail.com
Former Philippine Prime Minister Cesar Virata dies at 95 Longtime finance chief, educator and banker was a leading economic technocrat during the Marcos administration by AJPress MANILA — Cesar E.A. Virata, the former Philippine prime minister and longtime finance chief who became one of the country’s most prominent economic technocrats during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., died Friday, Oct. 2. He was 95. The Department of Finance and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. announced his death. No cause was disclosed. Born Dec. 12, 1930, in Kawit, Cavite, Virata served as finance secretary from 1970 to 1978 and finance minister from 1978 to 1986. He was also prime minister
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from 1981 to 1986 and represented the Philippines as governor to the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. His years in government spanned the martial-law period and the severe debt and economic crisis of the early 1980s. Historical studies describe Virata as part of a group of technocrats involved in fiscal policy, foreign investment and engagement with international financial institutions. Before entering public service, Virata worked at SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. and taught at the University of the Philippines, where he served as dean of the College of Business Administration from 1960 to 1967. He earned degrees in mechanical engineering and
business administration from UP and an MBA in industrial management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. UP renamed its business school the Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business in 2013. After leaving government, Virata remained active in banking and economic affairs. He joined the RCBC board in 1995 and later became corporate vice chairman. RCBC’s 2026 corporate filings continued to list him in that post. Virata was married to Joy Gamboa Virata, a prominent Philippine theater actress and director associated with Repertory Philippines. The couple have three children: Steven Cesar, Gillian Joy and Michael Dean. n
Reset button...
being a basket case. What would happen were the Veep convicted in an impeach-
ment would be to turn the 2028 election into a real contest, considering the old alignments are all, in one way or another, either exhausted or directly implicated in the mess the country’s consistently been in since the pandemic. To be sure, the old players, plus the most organized parties (three of which are subsidiaries of the largest corporations), will all play a role, and they will be among the first to shift their attention from the current confrontation to finding a horse to back in 2028 now that the field’s been wiped clean. Either someone will emerge from left field, shaking things up, or there will be status quo candidates possibly different from what came before in being less extreme, less able to promise big while giving little detail, than those who’ve come before. While I personally wish for the administration to achieve the ultimate disruption by including an election for a constitutional
convention in the 2028 polls, a shift to problem-solving instead of score-settling would be wonderful in and of itself. It would be like pressing the reset button; as I said, a means to look forward and not backward, for once. Premised, of course, on a conviction in the impeachment, itself based on the assumption that the evidence in at least one of the articles of impeachment is solid enough to result in the Veep’s removal and permanent disqualification from office. There is a remarkably large—even huge— percentage of citizens who seem primed to keep an open mind, without wearing blinders based on partisanship. (Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Email: mlquezon3@gmail.com; Twitter: @mlq3
Election dates should not... PAGE 6 Sangguniang Kabataan. Young Filipinos who expected an opportunity to vote, run for office or enter local government in 2026 will instead face a different electoral calendar. That is significant in a country where the SK was created specifically to give young people a formal role in community governance. There is also a financial and administrative consequence. Comelec Chairman George Garcia said approximately P8 billion had already been spent preparing for the November 2026 elections before the postponement. The commission says materials and equipment may still be usable later if properly stored, reducing the extent of any eventual loss. For Filipino Americans, the closest comparison is not postponing an election for a homeowners association or advisory neighborhood council. It is closer to changing the election timetable for thousands of very small local governments whose officials exercise actual public authority. Many Filipinos abroad also retain direct connections to barangays through family, property, businesses and community re-
sponsibilities in the Philippines. Decisions involving local certifications, community services, disaster assistance and neighborhood administration can affect households even when some family members live overseas. Supporters of longer terms can point to continuity in governance, less frequent electoral disruption and the cost of repeatedly conducting nationwide local elections. Congress also possesses substantial authority over the structure and tenure of barangay government, as the Supreme Court recognized in its 2025 decision. The competing concern is whether repeated alterations to an election calendar eventually affect the predictability that periodic elections are intended to provide. That distinction is now before the Supreme Court. Its decision will have implications beyond whether Filipinos vote for barangay and SK officials in 2026 or 2028. It may further define how Congress can restructure the terms of the country’s most local elected officials while preserving the electorate’s periodic opportunity to decide who governs them. (AJPress)
Making every peso count... PAGE 6 nutrition, food, agriculture, and infrastructure. To maximize the use of our limited resources, the government must ensure that every peso counts. It must spend public funds judiciously and transparently. The following are our recommendations: Adhering to the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). The PDP is the most important policy document for every administration. It provides the blueprint of what the government plans to do and achieve during its term of office. Spending priorities should always be anchored on the PDP. Redirecting public expenditures. Funding for unproductive items must be reallocated toward more productive and growth supporting programs. For example, the P71 billion budget for unconditional ayuda in 2027 would be better used for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, school-based feeding, classroom building, agricultural services, and ease of doing business initiatives of the Anti-Red Tape Authority. Strengthening coordination between executive and legislative. The President should convene and preside over the Legislative and Executive Development Advisory Council twice a month to rigorously monitor the budget process and ensure that national priority projects remain adequately funded and
implemented on schedule. Enhancing transparency and accountability in the budget process. Congress should open to the public the entire budget process, particularly bicameral conference meetings, to allow citizens to scrutinize the budget, and flag unnecessary insertions or amendments. The President must use his line-item veto power to strike down any unnecessary insertions in the budget. Intensifying budget monitoring. The President, and his Cabinet, should devote more time conducting provincial visits. This would allow them to personally verify reports coming from line agencies and assess progress of national projects such as on food production, education, health care, and infrastructure. Making every peso count should be the guiding principle of every administration. It has to be aggressive in enforcing order and discipline in spending our limited resources. Much has already been lost to corruption. And it is within the control of each administration whether this is the legacy it wants to leave behind. (Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Gary B. Teves is a Filipino politician and public servant who served as secretary of the Department of Finance.
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Marriage Erased: The Guide to Annulments in California Barrister’s Corner A tty . K enneth U rsua R eyes MARRIAGE annulments in California are a legal process that declares a marriage null and void, as if it never existed. This differs significantly from a divorce, which terminates a valid marriage. Below, we explore the distinctions between annulments and divorces, the legal grounds for annulments in California, time limits for filing, the annulment process in Los Angeles, and the potential effects of an annulment. An annulment differs from a divorce in that it establishes that a marital status never existed, whereas a divorce terminates a valid marriage. A divorce dissolves the bonds of matrimony based on causes arising after the marriage, while an annulment is based on causes existing at the time of the marriage. For example, an annulment decree declares the marriage void ab initio, erasing the marriage and its implications from the outset. In contrast, a divorce leaves intact the marriage relationship between the time of the marriage ceremony and the entry of the final decree . Whealton v. Whealton, 67 Cal. 2d 656, McDonald v. McDonald, 6 Cal. 2d 457, In re Marriage of Garcia, 13 Cal. App. 5th 1334. In California, the legal grounds for annulments are outlined in . Cal Fam Code § 2210. A marriage may be annulled if any of the following conditions existed at the time of the marriage: one
party was underage, one party was already married, one party was of unsound mind, consent was obtained by fraud or force, or one party was physically incapable of consummating the marriage. For instance, fraud must go to the very essence of the marriage relationship, such as concealing an intent not to have children or hiding a significant fact like sterility . Cal Fam Code § 2210, Turner v. Turner, 167 Cal. App. 2d 636, Handley v. Handley, 179 Cal. App. 2d 742, In re Marriage of Turfe, 23 Cal. App. 5th 1118. The time limits for filing an annulment depend on the grounds. For example, an annulment based on fraud must be filed within four years of discovering the fraud. If the annulment is sought due to one party being underage, it must be filed before the underage party reaches the age of majority. For marriages involving bigamy, the action must be brought during the joint lives of the parties to the illegal marriage . Cal Fam Code § 2210, Stierlen v. Stierlen, 6 Cal. App. 420, Millar v. Millar, 175 Cal. 797. The annulment process in Los Angeles follows the general California procedures for annulments. A petition for nullity of marriage must be filed in the appropriate court, and the petitioner must prove the grounds for annulment. The court will then issue a decree of nullity if the grounds are substantiated. During the proceedings, the marriage is treated as valid until the decree becomes final. Temporary orders, such as spousal support or property division, may be issued while the case is pending . Cal Rules of Court, Rule 5.76, Dunphy v. Dunphy, 161 Cal. 87.
The effects of an annulment are significant. Once a marriage is annulled, it is treated as though it never existed. This can impact property rights, inheritance, and spousal support. For example, annulment may automatically cancel a spouse’s rights under wills, trusts, and other legal instruments. However, the court may still address issues such as child custody and support if children were born during the marriage . Dunphy v. Dunphy, 161 Cal. 87, Cal Fam Code § 2024. Marriage annulments in California are a distinct legal remedy that voids a marriage based on specific grounds existing at the time of the marriage. The process and implications differ significantly from divorce, and understanding the legal framework is essential for those seeking an annulment.
*** 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, APC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a BoardCertified 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 U. REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Everything Is Entrusted to Us Pastor’s Notes Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas OCTOBER begins our Stewardship Month, a time to rediscover a simple but life-changing truth of our faith: Everything is a gift. Everything is entrusted to us. And someday, we must give an account of what we have done with God’s gifts. Our life is a gift. Our health is a gift. Our families, abilities, education, work, possessions, parish community, and opportunities are gifts. Even the earth beneath our feet—the air we breathe, the water we drink, the trees, animals, oceans, mountains, and all creation—has been entrusted to our care. Stewardship, therefore, is much bigger than money. It is a way of looking at life. A steward does not ask only, “What belongs to me?” A Christian steward asks, “Lord, what have you entrusted to me, and what do you want me to do with it?” This is beautifully reflected in this Sunday’s Gospel, the Parable of the Tenants. A landowner plants a vineyard, prepares it carefully, entrusts it to tenants, and expects fruit from it. The vineyard belongs to the owner, but it is placed temporarily into the hands of the tenants. Isn’t that also the story of our lives? God has entrusted each of us
EMPLOYMENT
with a vineyard. Your life is your vineyard. Your family is part of that vineyard. Your vocation, health, talents, possessions, faith, relationships, opportunities, and years on this earth are all part of it. The question is not simply, “What have I received?” The deeper question is: “What fruit am I producing with what God has given me?” Pope Francis reminds us in Laudato Si’ that the earth is our common home. We are not absolute owners of creation but caretakers of something received from God. Caring for the environment, using resources responsibly, avoiding waste, and remembering the needs of future generations are therefore not merely social concerns; they belong to our Christian responsibility. But stewardship also includes the human vineyard. In Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that every generation inherits the responsibility of shaping the world so that human dignity is protected, justice is promoted, fraternity grows, and people are able to flourish. What a beautiful way to understand stewardship: we have been entrusted not only with things, but with one another. We are stewards of our children and their future. We are stewards of the poor and vulnerable among us. We are stewards of our parish community. We are stewards of the faith handed down to us by generations before us. And we are stewards of the world that we will someday hand on to generations after us. Even our parish is a vineyard
entrusted to us. The church where we worship, the ministries that serve our people, the formation of our children and young people, the care of our buildings, our outreach to those in need, and the daily work of proclaiming the Gospel all depend upon parishioners who recognize: This is our spiritual home, and its mission has been entrusted to us. That is why our stewardship of time, talent, and treasure matters. Our Sunday offering is not simply paying a bill or making a donation. It is an act of thanksgiving. It is our way of saying: “Lord, everything I have comes from you. I return a portion of your blessings so that your work may continue.” St. Paul gives us another beautiful picture of a fruitful life in this Sunday’s Second Reading: whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and worthy of praise—think about these things and put them into practice. That is what a flourishing vineyard looks like. As we begin Stewardship Month, therefore, let us look at the vineyard God has entrusted to each of us. What am I doing with my life? What am I doing with my gifts? What am I doing for my parish? What am I doing for people who have less than I do? What kind of world am I helping to leave to the next generation? Someday we will return the vineyard to its Owner. May we be able to stand before the Lord with gratitude and say: “Lord, you entrusted these gifts to me. I tried to care for
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LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026
Health @Heart Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS BY 2030, the human race, killed by robots, will be erased from the surface of the Earth, according to some critics of Artificial Intelligence. In 2019, US Congresswoman AOC predicted that in 12 years (2031), “the world will end” due to climate change. While we are waiting for the extinction of the human race and the end of the world, allow me to discuss why I think Artificial Intelligence will be a great boon to the world and the human race, and why I think it will be man’s best friend, making life healthier, better, more comfortable, longer, and more fun for us humans. Naturally, just like any new device or idea, we must truly study and deeply understand AI, and know how to manage and fully control it wisely and safely. To slow down its progress now and allow our adversaries to be ahead of us is foolhardy and dangerous. Had Japan been ahead of us in developing the Atom Bomb, which the USA used to end WWII by bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki, history would have been a disaster for the West. As a cardiac surgeon, I can visualize how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize modern medicine. By automating administrative burdens as an essential collaborator for medical professionals, the symbiotic relationship not only restores humanity to the practice of medicine but ultimately saves countless lives through superior, more precise care. AI-Powered Medical Scribes: Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools can securely listen to a doctor-patient conversation and instantly synthesize it into a structured, accurate clinical note. AI directly targets the electronic health recordkeeping crisis, a major factor in physician burnout, through ambient clinical intelligence. AI can automate routine tasks like drafting insurance pre-authorizations, sorting inbox messages, and managing prescriptions. By relieving doctors of clerical burdens, AI returns them to their original calling: interacting directly with patients. This reduction in cognitive fatigue directly translates to safer care, as well as happier, more focused physicians. Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy to Prevent Fatal Errors: Diagnostic errors and delayed treatments contribute to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths annually. AI serves as a tireless, ultra-precise "second set of eyes" across multiple medical specialties. Advanced Radiology & Pathology: Deep learning algorithms can analyze X-rays, MRIs, and biopsy slides in seconds, identifying microscopic anoma-
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AI and Medicine lies—such as early-stage lung nodules or aggressive breast cancers—that might be missed by a fatigued human eye. Sepsis and Deterioration Alerts: By recognizing subtle, multi-variable trends hours before overt symptoms appear, AI can alert nursing staff in ICUs to impending sepsis or cardiac arrest, buying critical time to deploy life-saving interventions. Continuous Remote Monitoring: Wearable devices integrated with AI track patient biometrics at home. If a congestive heart failure patient begins retaining fluid, the AI flags (communicates) the trend to the care team, allowing for a simple medication adjustment that prevents an emergency hospitalization or a fatal event. Not replacing humans The integration of Artificial Intelligence in medicine is not a replacement for human clinicians, but a vital reinforcement. AI successfully mitigates the burnout threatening the medical workforce. Simultaneously, its capacity for rapid data analysis, early symptom detection, and diagnostic precision creates a safety net that catches errors before they reach the patient. Ultimately, an AI-supported healthcare system is one where doctors have the time to care, and patients have a much higher probability of surviving and thriving. A powerful catalyst The integration of Artificial Intelligence into medicine and healthcare delivery represents one of the most profound technological shifts of the modern era. Historically, healthcare has been constrained by human cognitive limits, administrative bottlenecks, and the immense time required to translate biological discoveries into bedside treatments. Today, AI acts as a powerful catalyst, augmenting human clinical expertise, streamlining logistics, and personalizing patient care. AI is transitioning healthcare from a reactive system to a proactive, predictive, and highly efficient model of medicine, as I have described in my book, Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ Our Children (Amazon. com) The most immediate and revolutionary impacts of AI: Machine learning models, trained on millions of clinical data points, can identify subtle patterns that may escape even the most experienced human eyes, with accuracy rates that rival or surpass human specialists. For instance, AI systems can detect microscopic signs of breast cancer or early-stage lung nodules years before they become symptomatic. Furthermore, AIdriven pathology tools accelerate the biopsy analysis process,
them. I tried to share them. I tried to make them fruitful. And I tried to leave your vineyard better than I found it.” May that be the spirit of our Stewardship Month: grateful for everything, possessive of nothing, responsible for much, and generous with all that God has entrusted to us. Much love, Fr. Rodel Balagtas
*** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California
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providing rapid cellular staging that allows oncology teams to initiate lifesaving interventions days or weeks ahead of traditional schedules. In drug discovery, AI bypasses traditional trial-and-error laboratory methods by using predictive modeling to simulate how billions of molecular compounds will interact with specific disease targets. AI can design entirely new synthetic proteins or repurpose existing medications for new therapeutic uses in a fraction of the time Healthcare providers spend a disproportionate amount of time on charting, billing, and documenting patient encounters. Ambient clinical intelligence—AI systems that securely listen to doctor-patient conversations and automatically generate structured electronic health records (EHRs)—frees clinicians from their screens, allowing them to focus entirely on the patient. By streamlining these workflows, hospitals can reduce costs, minimize waiting times, and maximize resource utilization. Through wearable devices and remote monitoring sensors, AI continuously tracks vital signs, blood glucose levels, and cardiac rhythms of patients in their own homes. Predictive algorithms can flag a deteriorating trend in a chronic heart failure patient and alert a care team to intervene before a crisis occurs, significantly reducing hospital readmissions. For rural or underserved populations, AI-driven triage systems and telemedicine platforms provide expert-level diagnostic support and guidance where physical specialists are unavailable, bridging the gap in global health equity. In conclusion, Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the landscape of medicine by expanding the boundaries of what clinicians can achieve. The synergy between human empathy and artificial intelligence will undoubtedly define the next golden age of medicine. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
10 OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026 • LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL
FABAG-GLAC to mark 36th anniversary, Filipino American History Month in Glendale EVENT will honor first responders and senior community members and award education grants to students GLENDALE, Calif. — The Filipino American Business Association of Glendale and Greater Los Angeles County will celebrate its 36th founding anniversary and Filipino American History Month with a community gathering Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Glendale Adult Recreation Center. The free event, scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. at 201 E. Colorado St., will combine recognition of local first responders, tributes to Filipino American senior community members and education grant awards for students. FABAG-GLAC said it will honor Glendale Police Chief Robert
Members of the Filipino American community join Glendale city officials during the Sept. 29, 2026 City Council meeting, where the city proclaimed October 2026 as Filipino American History Month. The proclamation recognizes the history, contributions and achievements of Filipino Americans in Glendale and across the United States. Photo courtesy of FABAG-GLAC
William and Fire Chief Jeffrey to the community. Brooks, along with members of William was appointed Glentheir respective departments, dale’s 21st police chief in June in recognition of their service after serving as interim chief and previously as deputy chief. Brooks serves as chief of the Glendale Fire Department. The organization will also recognize two Filipino American senior “legends.” Mary “Nene” Maceda will be honored for her community service and involvement in the arts and dancing, while architect Serge Palomo will be recognized for his accomplishments as a senior masters athlete competing in events including shot put, javelin, discus and the 100-meter race, according to event organizers. As part of the celebration, FABAG-GLAC will present its Gift of Education Grant Awards to outstanding Filipino American high school seniors from the Glendale Unified School District. FABAG was organized in September 1990 under the Cultural Exchange Committee of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce as part of an effort to strengthen ties among Glendale’s diverse communities. The organization is marking its 36th year in 2026. The Oct. 10 Filipino American History Month celebration is listed among FABAG-GLAC’s scheduled community events for 2026. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Families and community members are invited to attend.
A Glimpse at Anna Orlina’s First Solo Exhibit
GLASS sculptor Anna Orlina has stepped out of the shadow of her famous father, Ramon Orlina, to present her highly anticipated first solo exhibition, “Reflections of Being.” Running from September 18 to October 11, 2026, at Galerie Stephanie in Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City, the show marks a significant milestone in her decade-long journey of working with glass. While Anna spent years honing her foundational techniques by observing her pioneering father and studying at institutions such as the Pilchuck Glass School, “Reflections of Being” represents the crystallization of her own distinct artistic voice. Unlike the more traditional geometric focus associated with the older generation, her solo work features vibrant color pairings, energetic forms and a playful use of light. For her debut, she spent five to six months focused on creating a deliberate 10-piece collection rather than following her usual routine of participating in group exhibitions. The exhibition offers an intimate journey into Anna Orlina’s multicultural identity, femininity and family bonds. Her Filipino-Malaysian heritage is reflected in the vibrant palette of the 10 works, drawing heavily from her experience growing up in a multicultural household. Several pieces are inspired by her young nieces, Mari and Kira. She translated their bright personalities into playful forms, creating a delicate glass butterfly for Mari and a radiant star structure for Kira. Her creative process combines meticulous cutting, laminating, coldworking, grinding and polishing. Demonstrating her interest in innovation and sustainability, she also upcycled waste glass into some of the new luminous forms. Family, faith, femininity, cultural and ethnic lineage, and selfhood are among Anna’s abiding subjects in this exhibition. From these thematic ex-
Young sculptor Anna Orlina.
The very promising young sculptor Anna Orlina (3rd from left).
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SendVia Becomes ManoHealth, Bringing the Filipino Tradition of “Mano” to a New Model of Cross-Border Family Care New identity reflects a deeper mission: helping families care for loved ones in the Philippines with trusted, human support from across the miles LOS ANGELES, Calif. — September 1, 2026 — SendVia, a care service created to help families in the United States support loved ones in the Philippines, today announced its new name: ManoHealth — an identity inspired by one of the Philippines’ most enduring expressions of love, respect and care for elders. The Filipino tradition of “mano” is a gesture in which a younger person takes an elder’s hand and gently brings it to their forehead as a sign of respect. For ManoHealth, that simple human gesture captures what the company seeks to provide families separated by thousands of miles: care that remains personal, respectful and connected. The company’s new tagline, “Health With a Human Touch,” reinforces that promise. ManoHealth is a coordinated care service designed for convenience and peace of mind for both the U.S.-based buyer and the loved one receiving care in the Philippines. Services include Care Coordination, an Annual Doctor Visit, Quarterly Nurse Visits, 24/7 Telehealth, a dedicated Care Companion, and a HealthWallet for laboratory and pharmacy needs. By bringing these services together, ManoHealth helps ensure that essential and preventive care is provided, coordinated, and reported back to the family through one trusted channel. Same Team. Same Trusted Care. A Name With Deeper Meaning. “SendVia was built around helping families care for the people they love from afar. ManoHealth gives that mission a name that feels much closer to what we have always meant,” said Matt Jordan, Co-Founder and Man-
aging Director of ManoHealth. “It is about respect, family and making sure that even when you cannot physically be there, someone you trust can be.” Existing customers will continue to receive services from the same team and care network. The transition from SendVia to ManoHealth represents an evolution of the brand rather than a change in the company’s fundamental mission. The Challenge of Caring From Thousands of Miles Away For millions of Filipinos living abroad, supporting parents, grandparents and other loved ones back home has long been part of family life. But sending financial support is only one part of caregiving. Distance can make seemingly simple questions difficult to answer: Did Mom make it to her appointment? Did Dad understand what the doctor said? Who will accompany Lola to the clinic? Is someone checking on her regularly? Who can the family call when something changes? ManoHealth was created to help bridge that distance. Its model combines healthcare access with ongoing personal support so families abroad can remain more involved in the care of loved ones in the Philippines. Rather than simply providing access to individual health services, ManoHealth is designed to help families navigate care through coordinated support, health monitoring, Care Companions, physician access and communication with family members abroad. From Sending Support to Sending Care The transition from SendVia to ManoHealth also reflects the
evolution of the company itself. SendVia began with a familiar diaspora experience: families abroad wanting a better way to care for loved ones back home. The company sought to go beyond simply sending resources by helping families connect those resources to actual care. ManoHealth takes that idea further. Its approach is built around helping families turn concern from thousands of miles away into care that is tangible, coordinated and personal. A dedicated Care Companion can help provide a consistent human connection on the ground, while healthcare professionals and virtual physician access help families navigate health needs. Families abroad can receive updates that help them understand what happened during a visit and what may need to happen next. The result is a model intended to provide something especially valuable to families living across borders: peace of mind. A Filipino Idea With a Universal Meaning Although the name ManoHealth draws directly from Filipino culture, its underlying idea is universal. Across cultures, families struggle with the realities of caring for aging parents while living in another city, another country or another time zone. Technology can make communication easier, but it cannot always replace the reassurance of knowing that a trusted person is physically present when help is needed. That is the human connection ManoHealth hopes its new name will represent. ManoHealth — formerly SendVia — is health with a human touch.
FAHM UbeFest Returns for a Weekend of Filipino Flavor, Culture and Community
by Ellen Rodriguez-Swing
CERRITOS, Calif. — Filipino American History Month is getting a flavorful Southern California celebration as UbeFest returns Oct. 3 and 4, 2026, for its second FAHM celebration at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts parking lot, 12700 Center Court Drive in Cerritos. Presented by UbeFest LLC in partnership with the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Cerritos and Gateway Cities (FAC3), the free two-day festival invites families, food lovers, entrepreneurs, artists, performers and community groups from throughout Southern California to come together for a celebration of Filipino culture. UbeFest began with one of the Philippines’ most beloved flavors but has grown into more than a food festival. This year, ube shares the spotlight with
mango following UbeFest LLC’s MangoFest launch in August 2026, adding another distinctly Filipino favorite to the weekend. Festivalgoers can explore Filipino dishes, ube-inspired desserts and specialties, local vendors, live entertainment, cultural performances, family activities and community organizations
while discovering and supporting Filipino-owned businesses. The festival also showcases the creativity, entrepreneurship and cultural influence of Filipino Americans, welcoming longtime fans of Filipino food and culture as well as those experiencing them for the first time. Now in its second Filipino American History Month edition, UbeFest is designed as a gathering place for the broader Southern California community, offering a weekend to eat, discover, celebrate and connect. UbeFest FAHM 2026 runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. Admission is free. Organizers invite attendees to bring family and friends and experience a weekend of Filipino food, culture, entertainment and community.
LOGO Cargo 33 Years of Trust, 12 Years of Helping Abandoned Shipments
Anna Orlina’s “MARIposa”.
A profile of Anna Orlina with her glass works.
One of Anna’s eye-catching Anna Orlina’s glass works, “Ascent”. glass work.
fascinating Another Anna’s attractive artistic work.
plorations emerge works that are distinctly hers: playful and lucent in design, yet revealing a contemplative core drawn from her experiences as a young woman and daughter and as an inheritor of the Orlina glass legacy. Glass, with its sensitivity to light and shadow, texture and movement, allows her work to take on a range of interactive and optical dimensions while maintaining a strong sense of form. These qualities also offer a tactile kind of play. She likens the process of constructing her glass art, which involves cutting, grinding, polishing, laminating and upcycling scraps into something new, to the modular, hands-on spontaneity of assembling LEGO bricks.
*** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Associate Professor III Rogelio Constantino Medina is an award-winning Filipino international journalist, columnist and academic. He is well regarded for his extensive contributions to Philippine media and major international news publications. His career spans several decades and covers a wide range of fields, including news, business, travel, lifestyle, science, sports and health. He has written for major international publications such as the Far Eastern Economic Review in Hong Kong, The Japan Times in Tokyo and Gulf News in Dubai. Notably, he made history as the first Filipino journalist to interview Japan’s first astronaut, Dr. Mamoru Mohri. He is also credentialed with the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Press Centers in New York City and Washington, D.C. *** Email: rogelio.medina@asianjournalinc.com
For more than three decades, LOGO Cargo has served Filipino families—and for 12 years, it has continued stepping up to help abandoned shipments find their way home. For 33 years, LOGO Cargo has been serving Filipino communities, building a reputation around dependable cargo service, commitment, and care for families sending balikbayan boxes to their loved ones in the Philippines. Beyond its regular cargo operations, LOGO Cargo has also spent 12 years helping with abandoned balikbayan box shipments, assisting families whose packages were left unresolved, undelivered, or forgotten by other cargo providers. Behind every abandoned box is a family waiting for food, clothing, gifts, and other important items sent by loved ones abroad. For LOGO Cargo, these boxes are more than shipments—they represent sacrifice, hard work, and love from Filipinos overseas. Over the years, LOGO Cargo has stepped forward to help process, sort, release, and deliver abandoned shipments to their rightful recipients in the Philippines. The company has also participated in efforts involving thousands of abandoned balikbayan boxes and multiple containers. WHEN NOBODY ELSE STEPPED UP, LOGO CARGO DID LOGO Cargo has continued to assist in abandoned shipment cases where other providers were no longer willing or able to complete the delivery. LOGO Cargo was the only cargo company that stepped up to help with certain abandoned shipments when nobody else wanted to take responsibility for them. Instead of allowing these boxes to remain forgotten, LOGO Cargo worked to help bring them home to the families who had been waiting—often without charging recipients additional delivery fees. For CEO and Founder Joel P. Longares, helping abandoned shipments reflects the company’s commitment to serving Filipino families beyond ordinary cargo operations.
LOGO Cargo CEO Joel P. Longares with BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepumoceno during a coordination meeting on the handling and delivery of abandoned balikbayan boxes.
LOGO Cargo CEO Joel P. Longares with former MICP District Collector Romeo Rosales and former BOC Deputy Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz during the initial coordination for the release and delivery of abandoned balikbayan boxes
With 33 years of service and 12 years of helping abandoned shipments, LOGO Cargo continues to show that service is not only about transporting boxes—it is about standing by Filipino families when they need help the most. WHEN OTHERS STOPPED, LOGO CARGO STEPPED UP. (Advertising Supplement)
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LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026
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Sharon Cuneta returns to Los Angeles with Dodjie Simon’s ‘Best of All’ enters “The Mega Experience” — November 13! 2027 GRAMMY® consideration by AJPress
by AJPress LOS ANGELES, CA — The Megastar is back, and audiences are about to experience a new and exciting Sharon Cuneta as she makes her highly anticipated return to the U.S. concert stage. Fresh from the tremendous attention and success surrounding her television series “Honor Thy Mother,” Sharon Cuneta returns to America at an exciting moment in her celebrated career. Now, she is ready to reconnect with her fans through music in SHARON CUNETA: THE MEGA EXPERIENCE, happening Friday, November 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at PAZNAZ, 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, California. The excitement is already building. With tickets for Sharon’s Pechanga engagement almost gone, Los Angeles fans are encouraged to secure their seats early for this special Pasadena concert. TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! The Mega Experience promises an evening SVIP — $198 with Photo Op filled with the songs, stories, warmth and unmisVIP — $128 takable presence that have made Sharon one of Platinum — $108 the Philippines’ most enduring and beloved enGeneral Admission — $88 tertainers. The concert will also introduce audiFor tickets and sponsorship inquiries, call: ences to a refreshed Sharon, ready for another Trinity Legacy — 323-440-3174 / chapter onstage. 818-455-2132 Joining Sharon as special guest is Bugoy Carnie — 619-261-3215 Drilon, with special participation by Nathan November 13 belongs to the Megastar. Los Bryce, making this an even bigger night of Filipi- Angeles, get ready: SHARON CUNETA is back, no music and entertainment. and this time, it’s THE MEGA EXPERIENCE!
Miss Asia Pacific USA Sophia Mendiola joins international field in Cebu by AJPress CEBU, Philippines — Sophia Mendiola, Miss Asia Pacific USA 2026, is representing the United States at Miss Asia Pacific International as the competition moves through its Cebu events ahead of the Oct. 10 coronation night. Mendiola is among 38 delegates competing this year. The Southern California-based Filipino American has a background in professional dance and pageantry. A professional flamenco dancer, Mendiola has also trained in hip-hop and belly dance and has been involved with Flamenco with Roots, a nonprofit that provides dance education. She previously held the Miss Young Philippines USA 2025 title in Glendale, California, and appeared at Los Angeles Fashion Week during her reign. Mendiola also received the Miss Missosology special recognition during the pageant’s Sept. 26 press presentation at NUSTAR Resort in Cebu City. Missosology is a pageant-focused media and analysis platform that covers national and international beauty competitions. Miss Asia Pacific International traces its history to 1968, when the Philippine-founded competition debuted as Miss Asia Quest. It expanded in 1984 to include countries around the Pacific and became Miss Asia Pacific Quest, then adopted its current name in 2005 as participation widened beyond the region. The competition’s first major media event this year was held Sept. 26 at NUSTAR Resort in Cebu, where Philippine representative Gabrielle “Jiji” Galapia was named Darling of the Press. Denise Martinez of Honduras placed first runner-up in the media selection, followed by Thailand’s Sasiwararin Atsawahirankarn. The delegates presented their national cos-
tumes the following day at the Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City. Sandeepa Sewmini Don Samarasinghe Disanayake of Sri Lanka won Best in National Costume, with Galapia placing first runner-up and Cambodia’s Ry Srey Neth second runner-up. Candidates are continuing with scheduled activities around Cebu before the preliminary competition on Oct. 6 at Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark. The Miss Asia Pacific International 2026 coronation is set for Oct. 10 at the Mactan Expo Center in Lapu-Lapu City, where reigning titleholder Isabela Fernandes of Brazil will crown her successor.
Carlos Yulo, Chloe San Jose reveal engagement kept private for nine months by AJPress TWO-TIME Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo and longtime partner Chloe San Jose have announced their engagement, revealing that Yulo proposed on Dec. 18, 2025, and that the couple kept the milestone private for nine months. The pair disclosed the engagement on Sept. 28 through social media and a proposal video. Yulo wrote, “Nine months ago… she said yes,” while San Jose said they had chosen to keep the news between themselves before sharing it publicly. The proposal took place in Tagaytay, where Yulo presented San Jose with two engagement rings. In the video, he said the gesture was tied to the two gold medals he won at the 2024 Paris Olympics and credited San Jose with supporting him during the period leading to those victories. Yulo presented San Jose with two rings, one with an oval blue-green center stone and another with a heart-shaped yellow center stone, a gesture he said reflected the two Olympic gold medals he won in Paris. The announcement came days after Yulo won two titles at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He captured the men’s floor exercise on Sept. 24 with a score of 14.666, then won vault the following day with a two-vault average of 14.599. The floor title also gave Yulo championships at the world, Olympic and Asian Games levels in the event. Those were the same two disciplines in which he won Olympic gold in Paris, where he became the first Filipino athlete to win two gold medals at a single Games.
Photo from Facebook/@ChloAnj
Yulo and San Jose have been together since 2020 after first connecting online while living in different countries. Their relationship initially developed through messages and video calls before they were able to spend more time together in person. The couple has not publicly announced a wedding date.
FILIPINO songwriter Elzar “Dodjie” Simon has entered a collection of Original Pilipino Music into the 2027 GRAMMY® Awards process with Best of All (The Music of Dodjie Simon), a seven-track album built around four-part vocal arrangements. Simon said the album and two of its recordings were submitted for consideration for the 69th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. The album was entered for Best Global Music Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical; “Ikaw Lamang” was entered for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals; and “Kulang Ang Paleta” was entered for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella. The Recording Academy reviews entries for eligibility and category placement before qualifying works advance through the awards process. First-round voting is scheduled for Oct. 12 through Oct. 22, with nominees to be announced Nov. 16. The 69th Annual GRAMMY® Awards will be held Feb. 7, 2027, in Los Angeles. Released Aug. 11, Best of All features Moy Ortiz, Nica Tupas, Bianca Lopez-Aguila and Joshua Cadeliña. Its seven tracks are “Pinakahihintay,” “No Mount Too High,” “Best of All,” “In God Alone,” “Ngayon ang Bukas,” “Kulang Ang Paleta” and “Ikaw Lamang.” Four songs are in Tagalog and three in English. Four tracks are a cappella. Joel Navarro arranged the album and produced it with Simon. Martin Andrew Guevara served as recording engineer, while Jett Galindo handled mixing and mastering. Marvin Querido plays keyboards on “In God Alone” and “Ngayon ang Bukas,” while Francisco Llorin on cello and Japs Bautista on oboe join the singers on “Ikaw Lamang.” Galindo, a Filipino mastering engineer and Berklee College of Music graduate, was the mastering engineer on Gaby Moreno’s X Mí (Vol. 1), which won the 2024 GRAMMY® Award for Best Latin Pop Album. Navarro’s career spans choral conducting, arranging and music education. A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Music, he
later spent 12 years conducting choirs at Calvin University before returning to Southeast Asia. Ortiz has had a long career in Philippine vocal music as artistic and musical director of The CompanY and as a composer, arranger, performer and record producer.
12 OCTOBER 3 - 9, 2026 • LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL
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Filipino American Producer Marc Anthony Nicolas Joins The Price Is Right for Season 55 Two-time Daytime Emmy Award winner brings more than 15 years of television and brand partnership experience to the daytime series by AJPress LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Filipino American television producer and host Marc Anthony Nicolas has joined The Price Is Right as a Producer for Season 55. Nicolas is a two-time Daytime Emmy Award winner with more than 15 years of television experience. In his role, Nicolas develops and manages partnerships that bring prizes and audience giveaways to the CBS game show. "The Price Is Right has created joyful television moments for generations, and I am honored to contribute to that tradition," said Nicolas. "My career has always brought together television production and brand partnerships. I am excited to help deliver memorable prizes and surprises for contestants and viewers throughout Season 55.” Nicolas has spent more than 15 years producing daytime talk, game and lifestyle television. His credits include The Tyra Banks Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Talk and Let's Make a Deal. During his tenure at The Talk, he served as the program's first Filipino supervising producer and earned two Daytime Emmy Awards as part of the production team. He is also the executive producer and host of Make Your Marc on GMA Pinoy TV, a 30-minute
series featuring Global Filipino trailblazers. Make Your Marc has received a Telly Award and reaches Filipino audiences in more than 100 countries. About Marc Anthony Nicolas Marc Anthony Nicolas is a two-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning television producer, host and brand partnership professional. His honors include induction into the Asian Hall of Fame and the President Joe Biden’s Lifetime Achievement Award from TOFA. Born in the Philippines and raised in California, Nicolas creates entertainment that highlights Filipino excellence while connecting brands with audiences across television and live experiences.
‘Forgotten Island’ tops Philippine box office as global rollout begins by AJPress DREAMWORKS Animation’s Forgotten Island opened at No. 1 in the Philippines with PHP 97.2 million, delivering a record local debut as the Filipino-inspired feature began its wider theatrical rollout. Universal Pictures Philippines said the film earned PHP 97,236,533 during its opening weekend, calling it the biggest DreamWorks Animation opening in the country and the biggest opening for a non-franchise animated film. Box Office Mojo separately listed the Philippine opening at about $1.53 million. In the United States and Canada, Forgotten Island earned a finalized $13,007,005 from 3,548 theaters from Sept. 25 to 27, placing fifth for the weekend. It added $711,915 on Monday,
bringing its domestic total to $13.72 million through Sept. 28. Worldwide figures were still changing as overseas grosses arrived. As of Wednesday, Box Office Mojo placed the global total at about $21.5 million, while The Numbers listed roughly $22.8 million, reflecting differences in international reporting. The North American opening came below prerelease expectations reported by industry publications, although audience response was strong. CinemaScore gave the film an A based on opening-night polling, while Rotten Tomatoes listed a 95% critics score and a 96% verified audience score as of Wednesday. The Numbers lists the film’s production budget at $80 million, excluding marketing costs. The early grosses do not by
themselves establish the eventual financial result while the international release remains in progress. Written and directed by Joel Crawford and Filipino American filmmaker Januel P. Mercado, Forgotten Island follows best friends Jo and Raissa after they enter Nakali, a fantastical world populated by creatures inspired by Philippine folklore. H.E.R. voices Jo and Liza Soberano voices Raissa. The cast also includes Lea Salonga, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate and Ronny Chieng. DreamWorks lists Mark Swift as producer. Filipino acts BINI and SB19 are featured on the soundtrack. The film remains in theatrical release in the Philippines and North America.
Artists remember veteran concert producer Susan Lim and her decades in entertainment by AJPress ARTISTS and colleagues are remembering veteran concert producer Susan Lim for a career that spanned Philippine productions and overseas tours for Filipino performers. Lim died Sept. 14. Pops Fernandez, Martin Nievera and Roderick Paulate were among those who later shared public tributes, recalling both her work in entertainment and their longtime friendships with her. Lim had been active in production since at least the early 2000s. Contemporary reports identified her with Big Slim Entertainment, which produced a 2003 Manila concert featuring “Meteor Garden” stars Ken Zhu and Vanness Wu with actress Barbie Hsu. Later that year, the company was also involved in a Philippine concert featuring all four
members of F4. Her work later extended to the North American Filipino entertainment market. In 2022, Lim, then identified with Big Slim Entertainment, worked with Nancy Yang of NY Entourage Productions on planned U.S. concert tours for Alden Richards and Gigi de Lana. More recently, Lim was part of the team behind the SexBomb Girls’ reunion concert series, which began in December 2025 and expanded into additional Philippine performances and overseas dates. During the group’s Australian tour in April, Rochelle Pangilinan publicly thanked Lim, identifying her as a co-producer with NY Entourage Productions. Fernandez recalled Lim as a longtime friend whose interest in concert production dated back to her younger years. Nievera said Lim had support-
Patrick Garcia has offered a new, detailed account of his 2008 breakup with Jennylyn Mercado, revisiting a relationship that became the subject of intense public attention while Mercado was pregnant with their son. In a Sept. 29 interview with entertainment host Ogie Diaz, Garcia said he decided to speak at length about the past after Michelle, his eldest daughter with wife Nikka Martinez, told him that negative comments about him were appearing in the comment sections of Michelle’s social media posts. Garcia said the continuing criticism directed at him had also affected his family. Garcia and Mercado were a couple when they announced Mercado’s pregnancy in January 2008. Their relationship unraveled soon afterward, and Mercado publicly confirmed the breakup the following month. At the time, Mercado said she felt she was not receiv-
ing the emotional support she needed during her pregnancy and expressed hurt over a televised interview in which Garcia was asked a hypothetical question about the baby’s paternity. Garcia now recalls that exchange differently. He said he understood the question as hypothetical and answered that he would still care for the child even if the child were not biologically his. According to Garcia, Mercado and her family took the answer as evidence that he doubted the pregnancy. Garcia said he tried to contact Mercado after the disagreement and later asked to be informed about medical appointments so he could be involved in the pregnancy. Mercado’s account at the time differed, including her assertion that she had sought greater emotional support from him. Garcia also addressed the breakup publicly in 2008, denying that he had abandoned Mercado and later saying he learned through television that she considered their relation-
by AJPress MANILA — The Philippine Senate has honored SB19 after the group became the first homegrown Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza, recognition that has also opened a broader discussion about government support for the country's creative industries. The Senate adopted Resolution No. 545 on Monday, Sept. 28, commending Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin for their achievements and contributions to Philippine music. Sen. Bam Aquino, who filed the measure, cited the group's international reach and its promotion of Filipino music and identity. SB19 performed an hour-long set on the Allianz Stage at Chicago's Grant Park on July 30, appearing on the opening day of Lollapalooza 2026. The performance included “DAM,” “GENTO,” “MAPA,” “VISA,” “DUNGKA!” and “CRIMZONE,” as well as the live debut of “LAWLESS.”
Photo from Instagram/@officialsb19
The group also performed its version of Francis Magalona's “Mga Kababayan.” Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan separately sponsored Senate Resolution No. 573, which also commended SB19 for its Lollapalooza appearance and its role in bringing Original Pilipino Music to an international audience. The Senate recognition comes as Aquino works with SB19 and its company, 1Z Entertainment, on proposed legislation addressing the needs of Filipino artists and other creative profes-
sionals. Details of the measure remain under development. During discussions after the Senate appearance, Josh said creative workers often lack a government sector specifically focused on their concerns, particularly when artists spend extended periods overseas touring and representing Philippine culture. SB19's international schedule this year has also included performances at Japan's Summer Sonic festival in Osaka and Tokyo.
Boots Anson-Roa-Rodrigo reflects on a life beyond the screen
In Grateful, the veteran actress looks back on a career spanning entertainment, family, public service and advocacy by AJPress BOOTS Anson-Roa-Rodrigo has spent more than six decades in Philippine entertainment, but her memoir, Grateful, presents a life shaped as much by family, public service and industry advocacy as by film and television. Born Maria Elisa Cristobal Anson on Jan. 30, 1945, she was the daughter of pharmacist Belen de Leon Cristobal and Oscar Gamboa Anson, better known as Oscar Moreno, a prominent postwar matinee idol and Sampaguita Pictures leading man. Her own career began while she was a senior studying Speech and Drama at the University of the Philippines, when she was invited to host the television program Dance-O-Rama. There she met broadcaster Pete Roa. They married in 1964, had four children and remained together until his death in 2007. Anson-Roa moved into film in the late 1960s. Her performance in Lino Brocka’s Wanted: Perfect Mother earned her a FAMAS Best Actress nomination. She later shared the FAMAS Best Actress award with Vilma Santos, winning for Tatay Na si Erap while Santos was honored for Dama de Noche. It marked the first Best Actress tie in FAMAS history. Her screen career continued through films including May Minamahal, Mano Po, Blue Moon and Caregiver, while her work expanded beyond entertainment. From 1982 to 1986, she served
Photo from Facebook/@ElisaLover105
as press attaché, cultural officer and special assistant to the ambassador at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. She later remained in the United States with her family before returning to the Philippines in 1993 and resuming her acting career. She also taught communication and media-related subjects at the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University. Her public-service work has also included a long association with the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, or MOWELFUND, which supports workers in the Philippine film industry. She has served the organization in several capacities, including chairman, and proceeds from Grateful have been designated for the foundation. In 2014, Anson-Roa married lawyer Francisco “King” Rodrigo Jr., a longtime family acquaintance who was also widowed. At 81, she remains active on screen in a role that places her in comparatively uncommon ter-
ritory for mainstream Philippine cinema. In Brillante Mendoza’s Until She Remembers, Anson-Roa-Rodrigo plays Catherine, a woman living with Alzheimer’s disease and the former love of Concha, played by Charo Santos-Concio. Barbie Forteza plays Concha’s granddaughter Angel, who sets out to find Catherine as her grandmother faces terminal cancer. The film reveals that Catherine and Concha had shared a same-sex relationship decades earlier before circumstances separated them. What distinguishes the film is not simply that it depicts a lesbian relationship, but that it places two women in their 70s and 80s at the center of that love story. Philippine screen portrayals of LGBTQ relationships have more often focused on younger characters; Mendoza’s film instead examines same-sex love, aging, memory and mortality through veteran actresses whose characters carry an unresolved relationship across decades. The role marked a departure from the maternal and family characters Anson-Roa-Rodrigo has often portrayed. She has said that playing Catherine took her outside her comfort zone and challenged her as an actress, particularly in portraying a same-sex relationship while exploring aging and memory loss. Asked how she hopes to be remembered, Anson-Roa-Rodrigo has used one word: “Serviam” — “I serve.”
Regine Velasquez opens up about menopause and changes in her singing voice Photo from Facebook/@susan.o.lim
ed his career and Fernandez’s and helped bring them on U.S. tours. Paulate also paid tribute to their friendship. Lim was married to former SexBomb member Cynthia Yapchingco, who announced her passing and shared a personal tribute.
Patrick Garcia revisits 2008 breakup with Jennylyn Mercado by AJPress
SB19 honored by Senate after historic Lollapalooza performance
by AJPress MANILA — Regine Velasquez-Alcasid has opened up about how menopause has affected her singing voice, describing a period when an instrument she had relied on for decades became increasingly unpredictable. Speaking at a Sept. 25 media conference ahead of her “FINALE” concerts, Velasquez said her voice would sometimes crack, become difficult to control or fail to respond as she expected. She described what she experienced as “menopause voice.” Velasquez said examinations found no polyp and that doctors told her they could find nothing wrong with her vocal cords. The changes nevertheless required her to reconsider how she ap-
proached singing. She said she has learned to work with the voice she has now rather than expect it to sound or behave as it did 10 or 20 years ago. Her experience reflects changes documented in medical research, although their severity varies widely among women. A 2026 review published in the journal Menopause found that hormonal changes associated with menopause can affect vocal pitch, stability and phonation. Such changes can be particularly noticeable to professional singers and others who depend heavily on their voices. Velasquez, who is marking four decades in the music industry, has also spoken about the physical and emotional demands of large-scale perfor-
Photo from Instgram/@reginevalcasid
mances. She has said “FINALE” will be her last major solo concert of comparable scale, but has emphasized that she is not retiring from singing. She recently completed recording a new album, while a documentary about her career and preparations for “FINALE,” titled “Songbird,” is planned for theatrical release in 2027.
Vhong Navarro weighs legal options after appeals court reduces convictions in 2014 case by AJPress
Photo from Facebook/@onlygarcias
ship over. Mercado gave birth to their son, Alex Jazz, on Aug. 16, 2008. The former couple later established communication around their son. Garcia married former actress Nikka Martinez in 2015, and they have four children together. Mercado had not publicly responded to Garcia’s latest account.
MANILA — Actor and television host Vhong Navarro is weighing further legal action after the Court of Appeals reduced the convictions of Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee and two co-accused in the criminal case stemming from a 2014 incident in Taguig. Navarro’s lawyer, Alma Mallonga, said his camp would pursue remedies available under Philippine law following the appellate ruling. The Court of Appeals modified the May 2024 convictions of Cornejo, Lee, Simeon Palma Raz Jr. and Ferdinand Guerrero from serious illegal detention for ransom to grave coercion, cutting the penalty from reclusion perpetua to prison terms ranging from six months to three years, six months and 21 days. The court also imposed a P100,000 fine. Their release, however, is not immediate. The Bureau of Corrections said Cornejo and Lee must also complete sentences tied to a separate
grave-coercion conviction arising from the same 2014 episode. Because the penalties are served successively, BuCor placed Cornejo’s minimum sentence date at Dec. 23, 2026, and Lee’s at Feb. 18, 2027, subject to final verification and applicable sentence credits. The cases trace back to Jan. 22, 2014, when Navarro said he was beaten, restrained and pressured to turn over money during an encounter at a condominium in Taguig. The incident led to criminal cases against Cornejo, Lee and several others. Cornejo separately pursued sexual-assault allegations against Navarro. In 2023, the Supreme Court ordered the dismissal of rape and acts-of-lasciviousness charges against him after finding that probable cause had not been established. That ruling is legally separate from the cases against Cornejo, Lee and their co-accused. Navarro’s camp had not publicly announced a specific filing challenging the latest Court of Appeals decision.
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