OCTOBER 5-8, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 78 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
US cancels visa of Manila ‘drug queen’ THE Philippine Department of Justice on Wednesday, October 2, said the United States has cancelled the visa of alleged drug queen Guia Gomez-Castro. “Upon the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. visa granted to alleged drug queen Guia Castro has been cancelled,” said Justice Undersecretary and DOJ Spokesperson Markk Perete. Earlier, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said Castro left the Philippines last September 21 on a flight to Bangkok, Thailand and then flew to Taiwan and then to the U.S. on September 25. “The BI [Bureau of Immigration] is now working with U.S. immigration authorities to effect her deportation to the Philippines,” Perete added. Castro, named as the drug queen of Sampaloc, Manila, is accused of buying and distributing illegal drugs from “ninja cops,” or officers who recycle confiscated drugs. According to the police, she was in cahoots with 16 police officers in recycling drugs. The former captain of Barangay 484, Zone u PAGE A3
California child care workers now allowed to unionize under new law TENS of thousands of California child care workers are celebrating after California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law this week that will allow them to unionize and bargain for better wages and health benefits. The new law, AB387, was signed by Newsom on Monday, September 30 and will impact roughly 40,000 child care workers. It also comes after 16 years of home-based child care providers pushing for the ability to unionize as a way to improve wages and get access to better benefits like health care, retirement planning, or even specialized trainings. Similar bills have been introduced in the past, but were struck down with gubernatorial vetoes. AB 1164, for example, came close, but was vetoed by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007. Eleven other states already allow child care workers to collectively bargain. In a statement, Newsom said, “child care u PAGE A3
Putin: PH a ‘very important partner’ to Russia by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin called the Philippines a “very important partner of Russia” during the bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Sochi on Thursday, October 3. “I would like to highlight that the Philippines is a very important partner of Russia in Asia. Our bilateral cooperation is constructive and mutually beneficial but our friendly relationships between our two
countries,” he said. Putin also credited Duterte for “expanding the multifaceted cooperation between Russia and the Philippines,” saying that due to Duterte’s “personal attention,” the two countries have “revitalized our political dialogue.” Duterte is currently on a five-day official visit to mark the country’s first port call to Russia after two of the Russian Navy’s own port calls to Manila last year. It is his fourth meeting since 2016 with Putin. Duterte, in his opening speech,
thanked Putin for inviting him to Russia to attend the Valdai Forum, adding that he always looks forward to returning to the country. “I am here today to reaffirm our strong commitment and to build a robust and comprehensive partnership with the Russian Federation. In the past two years, we have seen a dramatic increase in bilateral activities across many areas of cooperation at various levels of government,” he said. He added, “We have also made historic firsts in the key strategic
Duterte says US a close friend, but blasts critics SOCHI, Russia – President Duterte has made another impassioned rebuke of the United States, which he accused of backtracking on its defense obligations to the Philippines. While acknowledging that the U.S. remains a “close friend” and only treaty ally, Duterte said some of its officials and lawmakers appear to use the issue of human rights as excuse to restrict defense assistance to the Philippines. “Is this how friends treat each other?” Duterte said at the plenary session of the 16th annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club at the Krasnaya Polyana Mountain Resort on Thursday, October 3. “Let me be very clear — I am not against the United States or the West. The U.S. is a close friend of the Philippines — in fact, our only treaty ally,” he said. “We have deep ties with the American people, forged by shared history and nourished by common values. America certainly can offer so much more [to] the world,” Duterte said. Duterte shared center stage with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who invited him to the Valdai Forum, PARTNERS. President Rodrigo Duterte and the members of his delegation hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo u PAGE A2 the Polyana 1389 Hotel in Sochi on Thursday, October 3.
Report: HIV cases rise in the Philippines, as more people turn to dating apps by RAE
ANN VARONA AJPress
HIV in the Philippines is spreading faster than any other country in the world, and health advocates are saying that dating apps — along with the lack of education — may be part of the problem. Citing numbers by the United Nations’ AIDS agency, the Wall
Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the estimated number of new HIV infections in the Philippines has more than doubled from 2013 to 2018, especially among young men. This, despite a decline in infections being seen world-wide. Of the total 67,395 people diagnosed with HIV since the infection first surfaced in the country in 1984, more than
three-quarters were diagnosed in the past five years, according to Philippine government data. The vast majority of those who contracted the virus from a sexual encounter were gay and bisexual men between the ages of 15 to 34. While the government doesn’t record how people meet their partners, interviews with pau PAGE A4
PH files another protest vs China by BERNADETTE
TAMAYO ManilaTimes.net
Militants burn images of the Chinese flag in Rizal Park on June 18.
areas from economic defense, security and military technical cooperation.” In May 2017, Duterte had to cut short his first trip to Russia amid the siege of Marawi City. “Over the last two years you have managed to lower the level of terrorist threat in your country and to strengthen the potential of your security bodies,” Putin told Duterte. “We are prepared to develop our partnership when it comes to countering terrorism and share our exu PAGE A2
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday, October 2, ordered the filing of a diplomatic protest against China over the presence of Chinese vessels near Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea. Locsin instructed the concerned Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official to file the diplomatic protest on his behalf since he is in Russia to accompany President Rodrigo Duterte. “I’m in Moscow. Do I have to fly home to file the goddamned diplomatic protest myself?” Locsin said on Twitter. “That’s the military speakManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
ing. Not some friggin’ civilian media outlet. File now,” Locsin added. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Noel Clement has confirmed the unannounced entry of Chinese vessels near the Ayungin Shoal. “The mere presence there if there is no request for passage prior to that will have to be reported,” Clement said in a chance interview at the Senate on Tuesday. “Whether it is a violation or not will be up to our Department of Foreign Affairs,” he added. On Wednesday, fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged the DFA to file a diplou PAGE A4
Guia Gomez Castro
Inquirer.net photo
DILG readies Manila drug queen’s dismissal, suspension by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday, October 3, said it is preparing the suspension and dismissal papers of Guia Gomez Castro, a former barangay official who is allegedly tied to illegal drugs. “Since technically she is a barangay official, the DILG is now preparing for her suspension and dismissal kasi (because) she took her oath,” said DILG spokesman and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told reporters at Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City. He added that administrative complaints, including grave neglect of duty or grave misconduct, will be filed against Castro. “Either grave neglect of duty or grave misconduct so that can lead to dismissal of service. We can file as many cases against her because she is involved in illegal drugs,” Malaya said. u PAGE A4
A october 5-8, 2019 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL
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Family searching for missing Fil-Am mother in Long Beach
From the Front Page
by KLarize
MedeniLLa AJPress
WHEN IN RUSSIA. President Rodrigo Duterte receives a token from Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev following their successful bilateral meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Moscow on Tuesday, October 2. Ties between the Philippines and Russia are expected to be even closer following Duterte’s trip to Moscow and Sochi this week. Duterte said since his first visit in 2017, the Philippines and Russia have expanded cooperation in various areas including trade and investment, defense and security, energy, and science and technology, among others. Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal
Putin: PH a ‘very important’...
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perience and all the developments,” he added. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the meeting between Duterte
and Putin is one of the official significant highlights of Duterte’s trip to Russia. “The Palace considers this meeting as one of the significant highlights of Duterte’s
A LOCAL family is urging the public to share any information on the whereabouts of a local Filipina American mother who has been missing for over a week. Cherrylyn Tolentino Arellano was last seen in Long Beach, California on Wednesday, September 25 and has not been in contact with anyone, according to the family. Arellano, 38, was wearing black pants and a light-colored sweater on the day of her disappearance. The family says she also goes by the name Cherry, and she has dark brown eyes and dark brown hair and is 5’6” and 170 pounds. “My sister has been missing for a week now and has no car, no cell phone and has not been In this April 6, 2019 photo, U.S. Navy sailors return to the guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) in a rigid-hulled inflatable boat and in contact with anyone. If you see her, or if she pass the Philippine Navy offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcatraz (PS 16) after completing a visit, board, search, and seizure drill in support has contacted you in the last week, please let of Exercise Balikatan. Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel/U.S. Navy me know,” Catherine Rothermel, Arellano’s sister, wrote in a Facebook post. If anyone has any information about Arellano’s whereabouts, they are urged to call the
Philippines, US defense treaty should address China’s ‘gray zone’ tactics — analysts California child care workers now allowed to unionize...
official trip to Russia, and we look forward to the President’s by Patricia Lourdes Viray participation in the subsequent Philstar.com events that will be held both here in Sochi and in Moscow,” THE Philippines and the Unithe said in a statement. n ed States should revise its 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) to counter China’s actions in the disputed South China Sea, analysts which set conditions for the pro- said. curement of Bell helicopters a Adrien Chorn and Monica few years ago. He said the Phil- Michiko Sato of the CSIS Southippines had to abandon the deal east Asia Program noted that the after Canada reportedly required existing treaty between the two that the air assets be used only countries is not clear on gray zone threats. for humanitarian purposes. “I tried to buy helicopters and Chorn and Sato noted that gray I was looking around South Ko- zone threats can include a mix of rea and Russia and Israel. They conventional warfare, irregular said, ‘No, you cannot buy. You warfare and cyberwarfare with buy from us.’ So Bell helicopter other influencing methods. of Canada offered me 10, but “The United States and the with a condition that I cannot use Philippines should issue a joint it against my own citizens,” he statement on an elucidative and effective MDT that addresses gray said. “But we only seek to protect zone threats and upholds the triour Republic from those who bunal decision of the Permanent wish to tear it apart. We only seek Court of Arbitration,” the analysts to curb criminality that corrodes said in an article published on the the very structure of govern- CSIS website. According to the analysts, a rement,” Duterte said. vised MDT should be multi-level “We only seek to build a credand similar to the defense readiible defense against those who ness condition levels of the U.S. might be tempted to violate our The revised treaty should also territorial integrity,” Duterte include well-defined rules of enadded. gagement, rationale for escalaHe said such restrictions limit tion of force and appropriate conhis administration’s ability to ensequences of Chinese actions. force and protect law and order “In doing so, the MDT would be PAGE A4 revised to address China’s various actions in the South China Sea and to limit the range of Chinese activities that may be considered permissible,” the analysts said. Doing so would improve Philippines-U.S. relations and would
Duterte says US a close friend, but blasts... PAGE A1 t along with King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Heydar Oglu Aliyev of Azerbaijan, and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan. Established in 2004, the Valdai Business Club is an association of leading foreign and Russian experts in several keys spheres including history, political science, economics and international relations. This year’s topic is “The Dawn of the East and the World Political Order.” While voicing resentment over the U.S. and Western nations’ criticism of his war on drugs, the President stressed he is no enemy of liberalism and freedom. “Let me stress I am not against liberalism. In politics as in the economy, liberalism, to my mind, creates the best pathways to a just and fair society,” he said. For a thriving democracy like the Philippines, Duterte said “there is simply no other better alternative to a philosophy that puts premium on the freedom and dignity of the individual.”
“Our issue is not the current global order, but rather the actions of certain actors that violate the very principles that underpin this order,” he explained. The president reiterated that the Philippines is not asking for special treatment — only fairness — from its partners. “It does not seek exemption from the norms and principles that have kept the peace in our world for decades,” he added. Duterte has been attacking the policies of the U.S. and some countries in the European Union for attaching conditions — like good human rights record — for the release of loans or grants to the Philippines. “We have seen them backtrack from defense contracts over baseless apprehensions that we would use arms to violate human rights,” he said. “Yet, you see the same countries supplying high-end weaponry to parties whose actual human rights record leaves so much to be desired,” Duterte said. He cited as example Canada,
also counter Chinese belligerence in the region, they said. One of China’s “gray zone” tactics is deploying hundreds of paramilitary vessels in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island, where the Philippine government is upgrading its facilities. Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island, one of the largest features in the Spratlys, have also been intimidating Filipino fishermen. The Department of National Defense also reported that China’s Coast Guard vessels blocked Filipino civilian vessels conducting a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, where the navy’s BRP Sierra Madre is grounded. Chorn and Sato also mentioned other dimensions of China’s tactics, such as cyberwarfare, disinformation campaigns and “debt traps” from “opaque” infrastructural investments. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has long been calling for a review on the decades-old MDT following Beijing’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea. When U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came to Manila in March, he assured the Philippines that any armed attack on Filipino forces in the South China Sea would trigger the agreement. In response to this, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said there was no need to review the agreement between Manila and Washington. “In vagueness lies uncertainty — a deterrent. Specificity invites evasion and actions outside the
US cancels visa of Manila... PAGE A1 t 48, warrants of arrest in 2002 for violation of the Republic Act 6425 or the selling, delivery, and distribution of illegal drugs, and in 2003 and 2011 for issuing bouncing checks — all of which were issued by the Quezon City
Regional Trial Court. On Monday, September 30, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno asked the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to bring Castro back to the Philippines. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)
MDT framework,” Locsin said in March. Lorenzana, on the other hand, contradicted Locsin’s “old theory of deterrence,” pointing out that the security environment in the Philippines has changed since the MDT was signed in 1951. “I do not believe that ambiguity or vagueness of the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty will serve as a deterrent. In fact, it will cause confusion and chaos during a crisis,” Lorenzana said. n
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providers help our economy by allowing working families and parents to report to work.” “Creating quality jobs for the child care workforce makes economic and common sense,” Newsom added. “These workers care for our kids — we need to take care of them.” The bill was authored by Assemblymember Monique Límon, D-Santa Barbara, who called the signing a “win for California
Long Beach Police Department at (562) 4356711. n
workers — especially women who make up the great majority of the childcare workforce in our state.” Límon praised Newsom for being a leader in changing times. “This is a new era,” said Assemblywoman Límon. “We have a new governor who cares a lot about childcare.” “AB 478 will create stability in California’s early care and education workforce,” added Límon. “California runs a 24-hour-a-day
workforce, but our child care options for working families do not meet that need nor support those who provide child care. This bill will change that.” Before the bill went for a vote, Límon said, “AB 378 remains committed to stabilizing those who educate our earliest learners and the families who seek care for their families as they remain in the workforce.” Cosponsoring the bill was Ser-
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Duterte says US a close friend...
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in the country. “By their acts, they weaken my government’s ability to protect law-abiding citizens from the outlaws,” he said. “They limit our capacity to stop the vicious cycle of internal conflict and underdevelopment,” the president said. “They clip our wings, making it more difficult for us to effect meaningful change for our people,” he lamented. “Now let me ask you this. In what universe is this right, justifiable or fair? Nowhere but in the self-contained bubbles of some societies that had the luxury of developing first,” Duterte said. “We are tired of the misguided and self-serving crusades of the few. It is time that they are challenged,” he said. In his speech, Duterte also batted for non-interference in domestic affairs. “We want unimpeded freedom — guaranteed by our Constitution — to exercise our right to govern ourselves as a people and as we saw it fit. And we want friends and partners to respect our independence to make sovereign decisions just as we respect theirs,” he added. Duterte stressed the importance of a nation’s independence, noting developing countries like the Philippines face different challenges and problems that would require different sets of solutions. “The principles of respect for
state sovereignty, non-intervention and peaceful resolution of disputes must be upheld at all times, otherwise the order unravels,” he said. The president’s statements came on the heels of the resolution passed by the United Nations’ Human Rights Commission supporting Iceland’s call for a probe on the human rights situation in the Philippines under Duterte’s term. Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the country may have overlooked the importance of Russia and that it was an “oversight of strategic proportions” that the Chief Executive was trying to correct. Panelo explained that the President discussed Philippine foreign policy being tailor-fit for the United States. “He added that while he is maintaining the country’s alliance with the U.S., he opted to embark on an independent foreign policy, having in mind the current geopolitics, by reaching out to all nations that extend their hand of friendship to the Philippines with mutual respect and without preconditions,” Panelo said. Duterte, in his speech, pointed out that he had sought responsible partnerships and meaningful cooperation to realize his vision of inclusive growth and development in the Philippines. The Chief Executive likewise touched on the importance of ASEAN centrality and unity in
PH files another protest... PAGE A1 t matic protest over the presence of Chinese Coast Guard ships spotted at 4 to 5 nautical miles from the shoal. “The presence of Chinese ships in our marine territory has been tolerated by the Duterte administration akin to normalizing it at the aim of making the public immune or accustomed to, when it is a serious violation of our national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Pamalakaya National Chairman and former Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap said in a
statement. Pamalakaya urged the DFA to be transparent with the diplomatic protests it filed. “According to Mr. Locsin, many diplomatic protests were filed but they remained shady or concealed from the public eye and the fact that the recipient country never responded positively, this raises questions on the nature and legitimacy of these protests,” Hicap said. “Diplomatic protest seems to lose its bearing courtesy of the President Duterte’s contin-
managing the impact of geopolitical rivalry among the greater powers. Duterte took note of Russia’s “Turn to the East” policy to underscore the latter’s increasing focus on Asia. “These developments, to the mind of President Duterte, are indicative of the shifting of the global balance of power from West to East, which in turn, would greatly cause a positive impact on the peace, stability and progress in the region,” he said. Panelo also noted how the president criticized certain powerful countries that impose their rules on other nations. “He took the opportunity to ask the critics of his war on drugs to investigate first before they condemn his campaign against corruption, criminality and illegal drugs that destroys the very fabric of Philippine society,” Panelo added. “He reiterated his commitment to pursue what he has started against the enemies of the state no matter what the cost to his life or liberty,” Panelo said, adding that the president ended his speech by wishing everyone world peace. “The president’s critique moved one from the audience to ask him how he managed the shift of the country’s foreign policy,” he said, explaining Duterte’s usual lengthy answer. (Christina Mendez and Pia Lee-Brago/Philstar.com)
She left the country last September 21 on a flight to Bangkok, Thailand and then flew to Taiwan and then to the U.S. on September 25. Castro is currently under
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Report: HIV cases rise in the Philippines... Docu being made on 1924 massacre Donaire to train in Manila for Inoue of 16 Filipino strikers in Hawaii
PAGE A1 t tients, doctors, and epidemiologists reveal that most meet online. One 27-year-old who was interviewed by the WSJ said he was diagnosed with HIV in 2017 and believes he contracted HIV after having unprotected sex for the first time with a man he met on Grindr, a dating app that caters to the gay, bi, trans, and queer community. “Young people are on dating apps these days, and they will have sex,” Jigg told WSJ. “We need to equip them with the knowledge and resources that come with it.” Like in many countries in Asia, young people in the Philippines have turned to the internet due to the wide availability of smartphones, intuitive apps, and cheap data plans. The internet, as the WSJ reported, has been an empowering platform for members of the LGBTQ community in the Philippines who have otherwise found it difficult to find the same support and access to meeting partners of the same gender offline. But as the article highlighted, the uptick in online activity has clashed with the majority Catholic country’s lack of sex education and HIV screenings. In response to the epidemic, Philippine lawmakers just this year passed a bill that lowered the HIV screen age from 18 to 15. It also encouraged sex education in schools. The Philippines’ health ministry also recently joined HIV testing nonprofits who bring
ued tolerance of Chinese incursions, especially when his supposed end game venue, during his several visits to China, he simply swallowed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s outright dismissal of the arbitration rul- PAGE A3 t ing favoring the Philippines,” vices Employees International Union (SEIU) California, along he added. The group urged the govern- with the American Federation of ment to pursue serious protests State, County and Municipal Emby pushing for multilateral ven- ployees (AFL-CIO). A push towards better pay ues with claimant countries, the According to a recent study Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and United Nations and by the Economic Policy Institute and UC Berkeley’s Center for the seek international support. n Study of Child Care Employment, child care workers in California are barely making ends meet. In 2011, for example, the absent without official leave highest-paid child care provid(AWOL) status after filing a leave ers working at licensed daycare of absence from April 25 to June centers were making less than 25 this year during then Manila $35,000 on average per year. State Senator Holly Mithcell Mayor Joseph Estrada’s term, (D-Los Angeles) joined others in according to Malaya. n
DILG readies Manila drug queen’s dismissal...
PAGE A1 t Castro, barangay captain of Barangay 484 Zone 48 in Sampaloc, Manila, is accused of buying and distributing illegal drugs from “ninja cops,” or officers who recycle confiscated drugs.
Dateline USa
finger-prick HIV tests outside to gay clubs and gay beauty pageants, and offered antiretrovirals to those who test positive. Antiretrovirals — though often challenging to get — prevent the virus from progressing. But outside the government, many young men have been taking education and the promotion of screenings into their own hands and through the same platforms that brought them a sense of community. Desi Andrew Ching was diagnosed HIV positive in 2007, a time he noticed infections rising among his gay peers. He told the WSJ that while the internet allowed those in the gay community to venture out and meet others, HIV infections began to increase as cheap smartphones became accessible to more people. “I couldn’t sit around and do nothing,” Ching told the WSJ. So he quit his job with JPMorgan Chase & Co., and founded the nonprofit HIV & AIDS Support House (HASH) to promote HIV screening. Because talking about HIV was still taboo, Ching used apps like Grindr and Tinder, to not only encourage men to get screened, but to actually meet with men and get them screened. Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter were also successful platforms in reaching out to other young men. Many volunteers, with training funded by UNAIDS, began creating app profiles asking people to swipe right for free HIV tests. One volunteer, Romar Valentine Torres, amassed 13,000
followers on Twitter and began using his following to dispel myths about HIV and promote sex safety and education. But his encounters on social media have not been without hate mail and threats. “A lot of Filipinos are still very conservative and they don’t like to see people talking about sex,” Torres told WSJ. Danvic Rosadino, a program manager at a nonprofit LoveYourself, said that such conservatism has been reflected in the efforts to introduce preventative HIV medicine and antiretrovirals. One drug, PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis), has been used in other Western countries including the U.S., which approved its use in 2012. Rosadino said that LoveYourself, which is authorized by the Philippine government to distribute antiretrovirals, attempted to bring the drug to the Philippines for years and now is the only organization in the country distributing it. Pharmacies don’t carry it and it isn’t covered by government insurance. “People were opposed because they believe it would encourage more promiscuous behavior,” told the WSJ. But for those who are among the growing number of young men seeing HIV as being a reality around them, HIV screenings are becoming part of a much needed conversation. “Many people are afraid to get tested,” a 29-year-old call center worker named Marigona said in the report. “I’d rather know than live in fear.” n
California child care workers now allowed to unionize... support of the bill on the Senate floor and said that the bill would be beneficial to child care workers who are currently making “poverty wages.” Mitchell said that better pay would, in turn, mean better care for California’s children. Kim Pattillo Brownson, vice president for policy and strategy of First 4 LA, similarly said that the new law would allow child care workers to have greater stability and decent wages, which would result in better care for the state’s youngest children. “This is a ‘win-win-win’ because it helps young children through quality early education, it helps parents be productive
in the workforce and it helps providers with greater stability, less turnover in the classroom, and better training and retention of a vital workforce,” said Brownson. But not everyone was in support of the legislation. Senator Jeff Stone (R-Temecula) said the bill was an example of labor union influence over the state legislature. “This is nothing more than a union grab,” said Stone during a debate on the bill. “It’s very clear that this institution is strongly controlled by labor.” The bill will go into effect beginning January 1, 2020. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)
by Joaquin
Henson Philstar.com
HONOLULU— New research into the 1924 Hanapepe Massacre that killed 16 striking Filipino sugar cane workers and four police deputies is searching for details of the tragedy nearly 100 years later. On September 9 of 1924, 16 Filipino sugar cane workers and four police deputies were killed during a melee in Hanapepe. More than 100 striking workers were jailed. Local filmmaker Stephanie J. Castillo is hoping to find the exact cause of the fight as well as the unmarked graves of the victims, for a new documentary which began filming Saturday, Sept. 28. Titled “The Hanapepe Massacre Mystery” the documentary is being completed in time for the 100th anniversary of the tragedy in five years. It will be aired on PBS. “We were trying to research what were the political and social forces that led to the Hanapepe Massacre happening. Also, we’ve been trying to locate the graves of the 20 people who passed away in the riot. There were 16 Filipino laborer plantation workers that were on strike and four deputized sheriffs that died during the conflict,” Michael Miranda of the Filipino American National Historical Society told KHON2. Kauai researchers include former Kauai Film Commissioner
National Guard troops guarding 130 strikers before they are jailed.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Archives
Randy Francisco of Hanapepe, who is President of the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center; actor and director Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre of Hawaii in Hanapepe; retired history professor Andrew Bushnell of Kapaa who has taught and lectures on this history; and Christopher Ballesteros, a Kauai native now living in Boston. Ballesteros wrote a 100-plus page history thesis for his Harvard undergraduate degree on the massacre. Castillo, who’s from Kaua’i and is a former Honolulu StarBulletin news reporter before
becoming an independent filmmaker, returned to her home island in July after six years on the mainland where she worked on her last documentary film about a New York City jazz great. She is now based on Kauai, but her ‘Olena Productions company had been previously based in Honolulu for 30 years, where she made more than 10 awardwinning documentary films. She has partnered with filmmakers in Honolulu, New York, Connecticut, Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angeles and in Europe. (Inquirer.net)
Lima, calling for her immediate release, and for other purposes.” A Senate resolution, even if adopted, does not have the force of law. In an April press release, De Lima thanked the five senators, saying, “I express my deepest gratitude to the five honorable members of the U.S. Senate not only for calling out the political persecution I have to endure under the present administration but also the human rights abuses in the country.” “America must continue to stand for human rights and good governance. That’s why I was proud to introduce [the resolution], which calls for the release of [De Lima],” he added. The verbal spat was initiated when Durbin and Leahy filed an amendment to an appropriations bill to prohibit the entry into the U.S. of any Filipino official involved in De Lima’s incarcera-
tion. It was later approved by the U.S. Senate appropriations committee. Leahy and presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo recently exchanged words over the proposed ban, with the latter claiming that the move was an attempt to meddle in Philippine affairs, which Panelo believes Leahy “simply doesn’t get.” President Rodrigo Duterte has played down the proposed amendment, saying it is too early to say anything. “It is not an act of state. It does not carry the mandate of the entire Senate. So, if there is one or two or three who say that these things exist in the Philippines, let them,” he said on Tuesday. He said that if “it becomes a matter now between two states, then that is the time maybe the State Department or Trump and I will have to talk. And I will talk.” n
Another US senator backs colleagues, calls for De Lima release anew by Franco Luna Philstar.com
YET another United States senator has joined the call to free Sen. Leila De Lima, the opposition senator in detention for drug charges that she claims have no basis and are motivated by politics. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) on Friday, October 4, tweeted on his personal Twitter account that fellow senators Patrick Leahy (DVT) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) “are right to push for accountability in the Philippine [government].” This comes after Malacañang asserted that De Lima is getting a “fair public trial as due process requires.” Markey was among five senators who filed U.S. Senate Resolution 142 in April: “A resolution condemning the Government of the Philippines for its continued detention of Senator Leila De
SUPER WBA bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is coming to Manila for the final phase of training less than three weeks before his much-awaited duel with regular WBA/IBF unified titlist Naoya Inoue at the 36,500-seat Super Saitama Arena in Japan on Nov. 7. Donaire, 36, is arriving here with wife Rachel and their two sons on Oct. 20 and will train in Alabang. Donaire’s father Nonito Sr. will fly in from San Francisco to supervise his workouts. Chief trainer Kenny Adams will join the team in Saitama. Inoue, 26, is Japan’s latest ring sensation known as “The Monster.” The fight will decide the winner of the Muhammad Ali trophy in the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) final. Inoue knocked out the Dominican Republic’s Juan Carlos Payano in one round and Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel Rodriguez in two to reach the WBSS final while Donaire made it by halting Belfast’s Ryan Burnett in four and Missouri’s Stephon Young in six. Donaire said training camp has been “very good” with Adams in Las Vegas. “We’re ahead of schedule,” he said. “Right now, I’m walking around at 128 to 130 pounds. No problem to go down to 118 for the fight. I don’t count how many total rounds I’ve sparred so far. Last week, I went up to eight rounds and this week, I’ll move up to 10. Before I leave for Manila, I’ll go to 12.” Donaire said it’s a perfect situation to train in Manila ahead of the fight. “It gives me more than two weeks to adjust to the time zone,” he said. “We plan to go to Japan a week before the fight. It’s my first time to fight in Japan. I’ve made at least 10 trips to Japan and I’ve got a lot of Japanese fans. I love Japan and I’m extremely excited to perform there. Even if Inoue’s from Japan, I don’t consider it hostile territory.” Last August, Donaire flew to Japan to attend a press conference announcing the fight. It was a blitz two-day trip. “It’s the biggest boxing event in Japan,” he said. “Everyone’s talking about it. Inoue was very respectful during the press conference. He’s a real gentleman. They say he’s ‘The Monster’ but whatever it is they’re saying about Inoue is relevant only in the short-term. Once
we’re in the ring, we’ll find out if he’s stronger and more powerful than me because I don’t think he is. In boxing, fans tend to have short-term memory.” In Las Vegas, Donaire’s main sparmate is unbeaten Michigan superbantamweight Raeese Aleem whose record is 14-0, with 8 KOs. Donaire said Aleem has similarities with Inoue in terms of fighting style. In Manila, Donaire said his father will line up sparmates to keep him
sharp. “I’m more focused than ever before,” said Donaire. “I’ve fought in Puerto Rico, Belfast, Glasgow, Macau, Guam, the Philippines and in the US. It doesn’t matter to me where I fight.” Of Inoue’s 18 bouts, 13 were for the world title. Donaire is a lot more experienced with a record of 40-5, including 26 KOs and over 20 world championship fights. n
A october 5-8, 2019 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL
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D ateline PhiliPPines Imee Marcos files bill renaming San Juan Philstar.com
MANILA — Sen. Imee Marcos filed in mid-September a bill that would rename a state university in Ilocos Norte after her father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The explanatory note of Senate Bill (SB) 1044, filed on September 11 and passed on first reading on September 17, said it seeks foremost to remove the confusion resulting from Mariano Marcos State University’s (MMSU) name and the similar Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in La Union. “Hence, this Ilocos Norte SUC (state university and college) should instead be named after former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos, rather than his father, the Assemblyman, Mariano Marcos,” the bill read.
Mariano Marcos State University and Renaming the Same as the Ferdinand E. Marcos State University, Amending for this Purpose Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1279, and for Other Purposes.” MMSU was formed by the late dictator on Jan. 6, 1978, merging three former schools in Ilocos Norte. DMMMSU was also established by PD 1778 on Jan. 15, 1981, which merged five former schools in La Union. Imee is the eldest of the Marcos children. The late presiAn undated photo showing toppled dictator dent placed the entire country Ferdinand Marcos who placed the entire under Martial Law on Sept. 21, country under Martial Law on Sept. 21, 1972. 1972. Malacañang file photo Based on the estimates of AmThe bill is currently pending at nesty International, about 7,000 the Senate committee on Higher, were imprisoned, 34,000 were Technical and Vocational Educa- tortured and 3,240 were killed during Martial Law—considered tion. Its complete title is “An Act as one of the darkest times in the Modernizing the Charter of the Philippines. n
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FIGHT AGAINST CYBERBULLYING. San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes (center), signs a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Korean non-government organization Sunfull Foundation on the fight against cyberbullying, held at the Seda Hotel, Vertis North in Quezon City on Wednesday, October 2. Robes, who was recently named as ambassador of the Sunfull Internet Peace Movement, vowed to work harder to come up with “actionable” strategies that would pave the way for more constructive and nurturing experiences online among Filipinos. Also in photo are (from left) House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas, Sunfull Foundation’s Dr. Byoung-chul Min, South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong Man, and Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Ann K. Hofer. PNA photo by Ben Briones
CHR calls for prompt release of anti-hazing law guidelines by aJPress THE Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday, October 4, called for the implementation of the 2018 Anti-Hazing Act so “cruel and inhumane” hazing-related incidents would end. “It is clear that the longer strict criminalization is delayed the more danger our students are in,” lawyer Jacqueline de Guia, CHR spokesperson, said. Initiation rites drew public outrage once again after Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet Darwin Dormitorio succumbed to his injuries caused by hazing.
According to De Guia, hazing has no place in academic institutions. “Over the years, [the] CHR probed hazing-related deaths because students, especially if they are minors, all belong to the youth sector and are considered a vulnerable sector in society,” she said. De Guia also pointed out that school administrations hold the duty to uphold and protect the rights of its students, stressing that hazing is a direct violation of their student’s right to safety, security, and a threat to their wellbeings. “We urge the government,
Sotelo Inquirer.net
SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan — A regional task force has filed two counts of murder and four counts of frustrated murder cases against 22 suspects in the ambush of former Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. here on Sept. 11. The cases were filed on Tuesday in the city prosecutor’s office based on “sufficient forensic examination and other pieces of evidence,” Police Brig. Gen. Joel Orduña, Ilocos regional police director, said at a press briefing here. Tagged in the ambush were Albert Palisoc, alias Alvin Pascaran; Armando Frias, alias Jong; Benjie Resultan; Joey Ferrer; Ronnie de los Santos; Gerry Pascua, alias Kagawad Guapo; Sherwin Diaz; Teofilo Ferrer, alias Pong; a certain Russel, alias Sel; Jewel Castro; John Paul Regalado; Alfred Pascaran; and 10 unidentified suspects. Espino and his security aides were on a two-car convoy when gunmen opened fire at them at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11. Espino was
wounded and his escort, Police Master Sergeant Richard Esguerra, and driver, Agapito Cuizo, were killed. Two other aides were wounded while the driver of his backup vehicle was unhurt. Hired guns Orduña, who heads the task force, said except for Castro and Regalado, the suspects are known members of a gun-forhire syndicate. Police said Castro and Regalado were the owners of two vehicles, a Ford Everest and a Hyundai Elantra, that were reportedly used by the suspects. The Ford Everest was found abandoned at Barangay Pasima in nearby Malasiqui town while the Hyundai Elantra was recovered in Barangay Cobol here. Found inside the two cars were two M14 rifles and a customized M16 rifle, a hand grenade and bullets, jackets and bonnets. According to investigators, Castro and Regalado failed to justify why their vehicles were used in the attack. Gunman identified Palisoc, who has a warrant of arrest for another murder case,
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ViRay
MANILA — Hundreds of thousands of college students face “forced vacations” after the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) suffered an P11.6-billion cut in its proposed budget for next year, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto announced. “Instead of diplomas, the government will be handing out dismissal slips. The budget cut for tertiary education is a ticket to a forced vacation for many public and private college students,” Recto said in a statement. “There are many kinds of leaves a student can avail himself of, but a government-imposed ‘tuitionsubsidy holiday’ should not be one of them,” he added. Recto said it would be OK if the students have yet to enter college, but most of the affected will be those who are already enrolled, prodded by a government guarantee that if they study hard and maintain good grades, they can keep the scholarship. The 2019 CHED budget is P52.43 billion but the government proposed a P40.78-billion allocation for next year, or a 23 percent cut amounting to P11.65 billion. The bulk of the CHED budget or about 80 percent is for the implementation of the program mandates of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE). For the current year, the UAQTE budget is P42.5 billion. The biggest component of this is the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), which, for this year, is P25.28 billion, to fund 708,993 beneficiaries in five major assis-
tance programs. But for 2020, the proposed UAQTE budget is P35.36 billion, a deep P7.12-billion cut. On top of this reduction is the obliteration of P2.6 billion for the Tulong Dunong Program. The CHED has appealed for the restoration of the P10.35-billion cut in its UAQTE budget. Otherwise, the continued schooling of 175,260 students under the Student Financial Assistance Program, 1,932 medical scholars and around 115,352 to 199,920 students who benefit from the TES will be in peril. The budget cut is just for the CHED. This is different from the case of the 111 state universities and colleges with proposed P64.86-billion funding, which is only one-fifth of one percent of their total allocation this year. “There are no easy solutions to this problem of underfunding. Congress is not a mint that can just print money. But by raising this issue, I hope that both houses will find ways on how to maintain the funding status quo,” Recto said. Pay hike for teachers Meanwhile, senators yesterday called for additional benefits and increases in the salaries of public school teachers. “This World Teachers’ Day, let us give our beloved educators the pay that they deserve,” Sen. Sonny Angara said in recognizing the critical role they play in the lives of children and in nation-building. Senate Bill 131 filed by Angara calls for an increase in the starting pay of public school teachers, from the present Salary Grade 11 (P20,754) to Salary Grade 19 (P45,269) based on the fourth
New activities planned for PH-US ‘Kamandag’ drills
DOH: Dengue cases in PH up to 300,000 from Jan-Sept
Students face ‘forced vacation’ due to budget cuts by PatRicia louRdeS
MANILA — Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Friday, Ocrober 4, refused to confirm or deny that the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), would likely vote 8-6 in favor of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and defeat Vice President Ma. Leonor Robredo in the vice presidential race in 2016. Bersamin was reacting to the column of Federico Pascual in The Star titled “It’s 8-6 for Marcos in PET first round,” wherein the columnist wrote that the tribunal is “likely to deliver to exSen. Bongbong Marcos.” “I do not know. You ask the columnist what her or his basis. I cannot confirm or deny that because he must know more than I do, that’s the bad part about it. There is no definite voting yet or In this Oct. 1, 2018 photo, U.S. Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, clear a simulated room during a anything that happened in that training exercise as part of Kamandag 2 in the Philippines. Photo by Lance Cpl. Matt Navarra/U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Matt Navarra particular case,” Bersamin said. In coming up with the possible PET vote turnout, Pascual considered those SC justices who In these activities, the partici- retired and would soon be retirPHILIPPINE and U.S. forces will run from October 9 to 18 at will perform new activities to- various sites in Luzon, including pants will exchange information ing. SC Associate Justice Francis gether for the third annual “Ka- Palawan. The exercises seek to on hygiene skills, life support, Jardeleza retired last Sept. 26, promote multinational military first response, safety protocols, while Bersamin would step down mandag” exercise next week. Kamandag stands for “Kaag- interoperability, readiness and religious ministry, primary edu- on Oct. 18 and SC Senior Assocication and athletic events. apay ng mga Mandirigma ng capabilities. ate Justice Antonio Carpio would “Humanitarian and civic assis“Together, these activities Dagat” or “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea,” which high- represent an increase in military tance activities enable our serlights the partnership between capability and a commitment to vice members to foster improved a free and open Indo-Pacific re- military to military ties and prothe two allies. According to the U.S. Embas- gion, and demonstrate the abil- vide support to local communisy, a joint assault amphibious ity to forward deploy forces in ties,” the statement read. The Kamandag exercise seeks vehicle training will be new for the event of a crisis or natural disaster,” the U.S. Embassy said to strengthen partnerships and this year’s drills. to increase counterterrorism, For the first time, the Kaman- in a release. Aside from the trainings, the humanitarian assistance and didag exercise will also include low-altitude air defense training exercise will also include coop- saster relief capabilities through and threat reaction training be- erative health engagements, civil military exchanges, the U.S. Emaffairs internations and commu- bassy said. (Patricia Lourdes Vitween the participants. ray/Philstar.com) The joint military exercise nity relations events.
CHED, and the security sector to ensure proper and complete implementation of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2008 and to practice vigilance in monitoring the country’s schools and universities,” she said. Despite signing the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11053) in June 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte said that it is impossible to stop hazing. “To be frank about it, you cannot eliminate [hazing]. Just don’t overdo it. I really can’t take it out. You, if you enter a fraternity and you get caught up in it, too bad for THE number of dengue cases you. You really can’t eliminate it,” from January 1 to September 14 he said on Tuesday, October 1. n of this year more than doubled from the same period in 2018, the Epidemiology Bureau of the Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday, October 4. The bureau said that a total of 307,704 cases were recorded nationwide over the last nine was one of the gunmen in the months compared with the ambush, Orduña said. 142,783 that was registered last The task force obtained evi- year. dence that included closed-cir- The bureau said dengue cuit television footage in the reached epidemic proportions areas and accounts of witnesses in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calawho identified them, he said. barzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, WestOrduña said they had yet to ern Visayas, Eastern Visayas, consider it a closed case since Zamboanga Peninsula, Northinvestigators were still trying to ern Mindanao, SOCSKSARGEN, identify the mastermind. National Capital Region (NCR) Death threats Earlier, Police Col. Redrico Maranan, Pangasinan police director, said Espino had requested for police security after getting death threats two weeks before the ambush. Espino also served as representative of Pangasinan’s fifth district. He lost in his reelection bid in the May 13 midterm elections. Police said they were looking into politics, business rivalry and personal grudge as the possible motives behind the attack. Espino thanked the police for filing the case against the suspects. In a statement, he said it was a “miracle” to survive the “heavy gunfire from powerful firearms that kept pounding on us for almost one minute.” n
22 suspects face murder, frustrated murder raps for Espino ambush by yolanda
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 5-8, 2019
A
Bersamin: No vote yet on VP protest
Ilocos Norte SUC after her late father by Ratziel
Dateline PhiliPPines
tranche of the Salary Standardization Law. A corresponding upgrade in the salaries of the rest of the teachers above the entry level will also be implemented. The upgrade in salaries will be done over a period of five years so that the Department of Budget and Management will be able to make the necessary budgetary adjustments, Angara said. “Without our teachers, parents would have to make great sacrifices to educate their children and many of them can’t afford to do this. That is why we should at the very least raise their salaries to a level that will recognize their value,” he said. The increase in the pay of the 800,000 public school teachers was something also promised by President Duterte. Over the years, the salaries of policemen and soldiers have gone up, but teachers’ pay remained the same, he said. Sen. Bong Revilla, chairman of the Senate committee on civil service, during a hearing last week asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to find funds to finances the salary hikes. Sen. Pia Cayetano also filed a bill seeking to raise the compensation for teachers by at least P10,000 that will be granted over three years in three tranches. The measure is being studied by Revilla’s committee. For his part, Sen. Joel Villanueva said that more than 600,000 college students are currently enrolled in educational institutions. The figure, he said, represents 20 percent of the 3.2 million students enrolled in universities and colleges nationwide. n
and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). A dengue alert was raised in Central Visayas and Davao. Of the current total, 1,247 were recorded, with 37 people dead from September 8 to 14. Calabarzon (Region 4-A) topped the list of regions with dengue cases at 49,661 with 152 deaths. Western Visayas was next with 49,068 cases with 214 deaths, and Metro Manila with 23,251 cases, including 122 deaths. Children aged 5 to 9 accounted for nearly a quarter of all reported cases and 38 percent of all recorded deaths. The DOH declared a national
dengue epidemic on August 6 when it recorded 271,480 dengue cases, with 1,107 deaths, from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2019. The DOH reminded the public to keep the environment clean and practice the 4 o’clock habit when breeding sites of the Aedes Aegypti or denguecarrying mosquitos were destroyed. The department also encourages parents to bring their children to the nearest health center or hospital if any of the following symptoms of dengue appear: sudden onset of fever, severe muscle and joint pains, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes. (Eva Casaljay/ManilaTimes.net)
Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin
end his term on Oct. 26. Pascual pointed out it will be President Duterte — who has reportedly “shown preference for Marcos over Robredo” — who would fill up these three vacancies. Bersamin said he has not yet checked if the PET case of Marcos vs. Robredo is scheduled for deliberation on Oct. 8. The Chief Justice, during the last few weeks before his scheduled retirement on Oct. 18, had
Philstar.com photo
to attend to official trips overseas and locally and admitted that he has not yet finished reading the report submitted by justice-incharge Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa. “I am still halfway through. I have had a busy schedule the past two weeks or so and I always make sure that I look at the entire report,” said Bersamin. When asked if the PET would issue a ruling on the case before
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A8 OCTOBER 5-8, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
Improving the judicial system
FEATURES
OpiniOn & Features
A LAW has been signed creating 150 positions for judges-at-large. The judges — 100 for regional trial courts and 50 for municipal trial courts that handle misdemeanors and other light offenses — will have no permanent salas or courtrooms. At the same time, a House committee has approved a consolidation of nine bills that seek to create nine new RTCs across the country. The moves aim to address the chronic case backlogs in courts, with judges saying the sheer number of cases they handle is simply overwhelming. As important as creating new positions is picking the right persons to fill them. The appointment system in the judiciary, unfortunately, is heavily politicized, with competence and integrity among the least of the requirements. The result is manifested in the quality of Philippine justice, which is notoriously slow, inefficient and prone to corruption. Philippine adjudication can compete for a world record in slowness, with cases taking from 10 to 20 years for final judgment to be rendered. The delay often leads to injustice and discontent that can drive people to embrace insurgencies or short cuts to obtaining justice. The lack of a meritocracy in Philippine society
is evident in the judiciary, where magistrates are appointed or promoted based on connections. Politicians, religious groups and other special interests wield influence over the appointment and promotion system in the judiciary, compromising the independence and integrity of the appointees. Republic Act 11459, which created the 150 new positions for judges, is a good step in easing court caseloads. The judges may be appointed by the Supreme Court as acting or assisting judges in courtrooms. After signing RA 11459, however, President Duterte will have to speed up the appointment of new judges. As of Aug. 27 this year, there were still nearly 750 unfilled positions for regular lower court judges nationwide. The SC and Malacañang must work closer together in the effort to improve the administration of justice. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Sen. Risa Hontiveros congratulates the newly-confirmed generals of the Philippine Army (PA), Navy (PN) and Air Force (PAF) immediately after their respective nominations were approved by the Commission on Appointments during the plenary session on Wednesday, October 2. Senate photo by Joseph Vidal
PhD thesis details Ninoy Aquino’s collaboration...
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Why impeach Trump? Let the Founding Fathers and framers of the US Constitution count the whys and the ways
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS AS NEWS HEADLINES banner the contentious dealings President Donald Trump had with foreign countries to dig dirt against his political opponents for his personal gains just to win elections and stay in power, a lot of our Kababayans are asking what the 45th president of the United States did to deserve the threats of impeachment. Trump’s loyal fan base, including his cohorts in the Republican Party, parrot the talking points he has been hammering throughout his presidency, amid reports critical of his leadership, policies, character and performance as president. They echo Trump’s words that he is the victim here, that the Democrats, mainstream news media, our allies in democracy, and even our own national intelligence community, are all in a mission to unseat him to take away the power from the American people. The latest and most serious threat to his presidency is the latest developments about his call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which comes from the same playbook as his deal-
ings with Russia, Australia, and now even China, as well as his questionable relationships with Saudi Arabia and North Korea, among others. What did the president do, his followers ask, that the Democratic-lead House of Representatives has already launched and impeachment inquiry against Trump? The short and simple answer: THREATS TO NATIONAL SECURITY. Foreign countries interfering in our elections, especially at the behest or invitation of the president, compromises our security and national interest — a clear violation of the oath taken by Trump when he was sworn in. When we talk about national security, we as Americans need to look at this as a non-partisan issue because it involves all of us and the security of our nation. When partisan colors cloud the way we objectively assess what is happening now in America in the age of Trump and decide what should be done, we need to go back to the spirit of the law in the Constitution, as stated by the Founding Fathers against a corrupt government. As National Public Radio (NPR) reported, “The founders of American democracy could
not have anticipated the technology of the 21st century or many of the other changes that have redefined the republic they created. “But they clearly foresaw one challenge that faces the inheritors of their handiwork – the threat of foreign interference in our elections. The fear of foreign interference was a driving issue in the conversations of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787.” Quoting some of these statements in their discourse as they were drafting the US Constitution as reported by American Progress: George Washington, in his farewell address at the end of his presidency, said: “one of the greatest dangers to the United States involved the “insidious wiles” of foreign powers and their multiple avenues to improperly influence our political system. Washington urged Americans “to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.” Thomas Jefferson also sounded the alarm about “entanglements” between the United States and foreign governments, which he
The power, privileges and accountability of a communications man
Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA HAVING recently launched my book, “Confusions of a Communications Man” (recounting my experiences in over half a century as a communications practitioner) I was invited to speak before students of Mass Communications at St. Scholastica College in Manila. Before my talk, the students shared their perceptions of the media and communications profession. Their comments were liberally sprinkled with allusions to fake news. On the other hand, they all exuded idealism and missionary zeal in the way they plan to pursue their prospective careers. Rather than romanticize my life-long profession, I decided to discuss the harsh realities that communications men must face, including the challenges to our integrity and credibility: I would like to share excerpts of my talk and invite frank comments, like those made by the students during the open forum: I once had a neighbor who carried a press pass. No, he was not a journalist, and he couldn’t write a news story if it meant his life. He could well have been
working for a laundromat — you know, wash, dry and press. But for some reason, he had a press pass. And that identified him as a media man. The press pass gave him access to important social events, watch boxing matches and basketball games for free, hobnob with important people, even have selfies with movie stars. He also had a big sticker on his car that identified him as a member of media. That always persuaded cops to forgive traffic violations. Those are some of the relatively harmless examples of the power, privileges and prestige that come with being a media person. But some media folks have been known to do worse, brandishing their press passes in corrupt and illegal ways. Of course, some have been killed for doing that. But others have made money, lots of money. Those of you who are taking Mass Comm are surely aware of the so-called Power of the Press. Unfortunately, it is sometimes referred to as the Power to Repress, Depress and Oppress…or Suppress...
All these have, unfortunately, given media and media practitioners — and communications men in general — a bad reputation…and that has affected even the honorable ones. These have also tended to lend credence to the mantra of U.S. President Donald Trump about mainstream media being purveyors of fake news — ironically, an accusation made by Mr. Fake News himself. In fact, the Communications Profession is an honorable one. And many media practitioners are honorable individuals who work hard to do a good job. But it is true that it imbues the practitioner with power, prestige and privileges. And sometimes, these are misused and abused… At his best, a communications man is a bearer of good tidings, like the angels singing the first noel and like John the Baptist announcing the coming of the Lord. At his best, the communications man is a scribe, a wellspring of information, a fountain of knowledge. A teacher, a counselor and a valuable resource
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and other founders viewed with “perfect horror” due to the corruption that could result. Jefferson knew that a republic could not function if its chief executive would abuse his office—and the public trust—by soliciting personal political assistance from a foreign government. John Adams had similar beliefs, writing to Jefferson in 1787 that he understood Jefferson’s apprehension about “foreign Interference, Intrigue Influence.” Adams, too, was concerned about corruption in the political system, leading him to assert that America should not conduct elections too often. “As often as Elections happen,” Adams wrote, “the danger of foreign Influence recurs.” Alexander Hamilton warned specifically about a foreign power’s ability to cultivate a president or another top official. In Federalist Paper Number 68, published in 1788, Hamilton wrote: “These most deadly adversaries of republican government might naturally have been expected to make their approaches from more than one quarter, but chiefly from the desire in foreign powers to gain an improper ascendant in our councils. How could they better gratify this,
Commentary
RIGOBERTO D. TIGLAO THE Yellows’ martyr Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr. was crucial in the founding and growth of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). Aquino, until his arrest when martial was declared in 1972, supported the CPP-NPA as one of his weapons to topple his arch-enemy Ferdinand Marcos. This is among the many explosive conclusions and details of a 2017 PhD dissertation by Joseph Scalice at the University of California, Berkeley, entitled Crisis of Revolutionary Leadership: Martial Law and the Communist Parties of the Philippines, 19571974. The 800-page thesis is replete with encyclopedic information not just on the old pro-Soviet Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) and Jose Ma. Sison’s proChina Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). Scalice reveals surprising details on political figures of that era that would shock the Yellows and the Reds. Scalice appears to have spent years on his thesis, poring over nearly every written material on
than by raising a creature of their own to the chief magistry of the Union?” The framers of the U.S. Constitution, therefore, fearing that presidents or other executive officers might prove disloyal to the country and Constitution they were sworn to protect, drafted the Constitution to include clauses to protect the democracy of the nation. One such way was through the principle of checks and balances mandated by the Constitution among the three branches of government so that no one person or institution would abuse the power and public trust accorded to them by the government position they hold. The point of checks and balances was to make sure no one branch would be able to control too much power, and it created a separation of powers. Another guardrail was the Emoluments Clause, prohibiting any government officers from accepting a title or a gift from any foreign government. As PBS reported, “That part of the Constitution had come to seem antique, as the norms and presumptions of American politics long ago made it hard to imagine a sitting president actually being bribed by a foreign
power.” The report explained how in the present time, with Saudi Arabia and other foreign governments routinely spending lavishly for accommodations at Trump Organization properties in Washington and elsewhere, the word “emolument” has returned to the news. It cited how “two federal judges at the trial court level have refused to disallow lawsuits (one filed by the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland and another filed by about 200 members of Congress) charging that the Trump businesses are violating the Emoluments Clause. Both courts accepted the definition of emolument as “any profit, gain or advantage.” Then there is the impeachment clause. The PBS report further discussed how “the framers also feared that presidents or other executive officers might prove disloyal to the country and Constitution they were sworn to protect. The report stated that the impeachment clause, as originally written, singled out the crimes of treason and bribery as grounds for impeachment.” The phrase “high crimes and
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PhD thesis details Ninoy Aquino’s collaboration with Communist Party/NPA the insurgency as well as interviewing participants in the “revolutionary struggle” (or at least those willing to be interviewed). His native fluency in Tagalog (he spoke the language since he was five, he says in his CV) enabled him to read the mountain of papers in the so-called Radical Papers at the UP library, an archive of all materials on the revolutionary struggle. Hacienda Luisita On the thesis’ page 378, Scalice shows how crucial Aquino’s role was in the founding of the CPP and the NPA: “Aquino allowed [NPA head Kumander] Dante to move freely throughout his Hacienda Luisita, and Yap, on returning from a visit to China, had given Dante a copy of Mao’s Red Book.(RDT: Yap is the late congressman Jose Yap, Aquino’s close ally in Tarlac. Ironically perhaps, he was Cory Aquino’s peace negotiator with the CPP.) “Dante provided Aquino with an armed base of popular opposition to Marcos. Connecting Dante with Jose Ma. Sison and the CPP presented Aquino the possibility of expanding his base
of armed support to a national scale. In October 1968, Aquino and Sison met and discussed ‘how big a problem Marcos was,’ and Yap, Aquino and Rodolfo Salas [who would succeed Dante as NPA head] arranged a meeting between Sison and Dante. “The meeting took place in late January 1969 in Dante’s hometown of Talimundoc, Capas. Aquino later reported to his friends that he personally drove Sison to this meeting. Among the crucial conditions which facilitated both the discussions between Sison and Dante from January to March 1969, as well as the founding of the CPP at the end of March, was the demilitarization of Tarlac from Nov. 7, 1968 to April 10, 1969. “Dante and his men moved about in peace throughout the province, and Sison and his cohort traveled freely between Manila and Tarlac. The demilitarization, which effectively removed the massive military buildup of Task Force Lawin from the province, lasted precisely from the founding of the party to the establishment of the New People’s
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Army. The negotiated removal of the military was entirely the doing of Aquino and was referred to in the press as the ‘Ninoy Aquino peace plan’.” “Scalice in page 392 would report an interesting detail: “Dante and (his deputy Rodolfo) Salas became political instructors in a party training school set up within the Voice of America radio relay station compound, housed on Aquino’s Hacienda Luisita. Dante’s men worked as security guards there and they gave Dante and Salas, dressed in blue security guard uniforms, access to the compound.” Red Isabela Sison’s plan right after the NPA was founded in 1969 was to build the communist first base in Isabela in the thick of the Sierra Madre mountains. This was of course his attempt to replicate Mao’s famous Red base in Yan’an, where the Chinese communists built up its forces to eventually defeat the Kuomintang in China’s civil war. In his thesis’ page 292, Scalice reports how Sison’s fledgling band of former Huks like Dante and student drop-outs from Manila’s universities managed to build a base of sorts in Isabela, where an obscure fishing port there would be used as a landing site for Chinese-made rifles in May 1972): “Salas recounted that Faustino Dy, the mayor of Cauayan, Isabela, ‘was instrumental in en-
abling the NPA to develop a base in the province.’ Ninoy Aquino, Salas claimed, ‘introduced Dy to the NPA.. For some time Joma even stayed in Dy’s house. … He helped us a lot.’ Salas further reported that with the NPA’s help, Dy was elected governor of Isabela in 1971. “Dy broke with the NPA with the declaration of martial law and allied with Marcos, thus securing his hold as governor for the next twenty years. The NPA was friendly not only with the local political elite of Isabela but with logging corporations as well, and Sison recounted that ‘in the forest region of Isabela, we did united front work with logging businessmen’.” Aquino’s money (“from the coffers of his wife.” Scalice scoffed) as well as from antiMarcos oligarchs such as the Lopezes — whose plea for a rate increase for their Meralco electric distribution utility Marcos denied — funded the CPP’s front organizations, including their huge 1970 rallies romanticized as the “First Quarter Storm,” Scalice pointed out. Tipped Aquino The NPA was officially established in March 1969 in Capas, Tarlac by Dante and his eight lieutenants, along with Sison and four members of the CPP’s central committee. One of the eight was one Ruben Tuazon, known as Kumander Rubio and barrio captain of a town within
the Cojuangcos’ Hacienda Luisita. According to Scalice, Tuazon was Aquino’s employee until his death right after martial law was declared. Tuazon would be an intriguing protagonist in the CPP-Aquino saga. Scalice gave credence to an obscure and forgotten newspaper report in 1989 that it was Tuazon, then still a party central committee member, who tipped Aquino that the Liberal Party miting de avance on Aug. 21, 1971 would be bombed by CPP operatives and that he should delay his scheduled attendance in that rally. Up to the last weeks before martial law ended his political career, Aquino was plotting with the CPP to seize power for himself, Scalice explains in pages 746 to 748 of his thesis: “Aquino intended to seize power through an uprising led by the CPP in conjunction with a military coup and then immediately implement martial law. For this to succeed it was imperative that he have the support of Washington, and on September 12, Aquino held a private meeting with two political officers of the US Embassy.* “Aquino first made clear that he supported military dictatorship regardless of who implemented it. He stated that ‘Marcos must take strong actions in the near future and these will include martial law. If the PresiPAGE A10
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DILG probes PNP chief Albayalde Duterte backs Supreme Court ruling on LGU revenue hike by daRwin
PEsco
ManilaTimes.net
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday, October 3, confirmed that Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde is under investigation for his alleged attempt to meddle in a probe against rogue cops involved in drug recycling. “We support the PNP chief, but that doesn’t mean we will not make a fair and thorough investigation,” DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a chance interview. President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to conduct an investigation of the controversy involving Albayalde. “Therefore what we can promise the public is that the investigation will be fair and thorough,” Malaya said. The PNP is an attached agency of the DILG. Malaya, however, clarified that only Albayalde, not the 13 “ninja cops” involved in the recycling of seized shabu in November 2013 in Mexico, Pampanga, would be investigated. “The directive of the president was on the PNP chief. With regard to the ninja cops issue, that is part of the regular function of the PNP. They have their own internal cleansing program,” he said. Malaya refused to disclose the progress of the investigation. “I will just let Secretary Año make the necessary announcement when he returns from Russia.” Former PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier claimed that Albayalde had tried to meddle in the planned dismissal of the ninja cops. Albayalde was the Pampanga chief of police when some of his men conducted an alleged drug buy-bust in Mexico, Pampanga. The raiding team declared that it confiscated 36 kilos of shabu. But days later, rumors went around that they actually seized about 200 kilos. Magalong also earlier claimed that in 2016, Albayalde, then National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, called then Regional Police Office 3 director Aaron Aquino — now Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief — to follow up on the case of his former men.
Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde defends himself against allegations that he is part of a drug recycling scheme involving at least 13 policemen whom former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group head Benjamin Magalong named at a Senate investigation. ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia
Albayalde denied the allegation. The PNP chief rejected calls for him to resign. He said he would just await the decision of the president. “Trap ‘yan (It’s just a trap). Let’s just wait for the decision of the good Secretary Año,”the PNP chief, who is set to retire on November 8, said. Meanwhile, at the resumption of the Senate Committee on Justice’s probe of the ninja cops, Aquino confirmed that Albayalde had indeed phoned him to interfere in the resolution of the case of his subordinates. “I wish to explain that statement that Gen. Albayalde called me up on the status of the case of [Supt. Rodney Raymund Louie] Baloyo [IV] and the others is the truth,” he said. “But he also added during the same call-request and I quote [him], ‘Sir, baka p’wede ‘wag munang implement ‘yung naman order (Sir, is it possible not to implement the order?) Then I asked him, ‘Bakit Oca (Why, Oca [Albayalde])’? He answered, ‘Kasi mga tao ko sila (Because they are my men).’ Then I answered, ‘Oca, ipa-pa review ko itong case folder sa legal at ipapatapon ko lahat tao mo sa Mindanao (I will have my legal [department] review this case folder and I will assign all your men to Mindanao).” Aquino said his family is in danger after testifying on alleged ninja cops. He added that death threats against him and his family had “intensified.” In a prepared statement, Aquino said, “It was never my intention to malign the Philippine Na-
tional Police, the same agency which I served and protected for the past 36 years of my professional life. The PNP made me who I am today.” He added, “Few days ago I received a phone call from a friend who confirmed that some personalities are plotting against my family. The exact words are ‘Sir, pinaghahandaan nila ang pamilya mo (Sir, they are plotting against your family).” Meanwhile, lawmakers belonging to the Makabayan bloc have pressed for the resignation of Albayalde and others implicated in the ninja cops controversy. They filed House Resolution (HR) 416, calling on the resignation of Albayalde and other officials involved in the “drug recycling scheme,” or using the seized illegal drugs to plant evidence during narcotics operations. HR 416 also called on the House of Representative to urge the Ombudsman to file the appropriate charges against those involved in the controversy. The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights has cited in contempt one of the alleged ninja cops for being evasive in his answers to senators’ queries regarding his supposed link to the recycling of seized shabu. It was Sen. Panfilo Lacson who moved to have Police Maj. Rodney Raymund Louie Baloyo 4th cited in contempt after being inconsistent in his testimony. Baloyo had been accused of complicity in the recycling of seized shabu during the buy-bust in November 2013 in Mexico town in Pampanga. He was also the one who prepared the spot report that stated that the raiding team confiscated 36 kilos of shabu. But it turned out that over 200 kilos were seized. But retired police general Manuel Gaerlan, former chief of operations of Pampanga police, testified that Baloyo had “lied” in preparing the spot report. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon seconded Lacson’s motion. Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the justice panel, granted Lacson’s motion since no one objected to have Baloyo cited in contempt. Gordon said he does not want Baloyo to enjoy the “amenities” at the Senate. He ordered that Baloyo be detained at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. n
by Edith
REgalado Philstar.com
PRESIDENT Duterte has agreed with the Supreme Court that local government units deserve more internal revenue allotment (IRA) to further improve the delivery of services to their constituents. “Tama siguro talaga ang Supreme Court that you deserve more and from our sources ang inyong share,” the president said. SC’s decision favored the petition of Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas urging the national government to release this year the “just share” of local governments in all national taxes, thereby expanding the IRA for LGUs. “Tutal magamit ninyo for any-
thing. It is to your advantage na maski utang, wala naman talaga na...not strictly in a sense that it’s an obligation to everybody and a burden to the people or constituents,” Duterte said during the 69th National Executive Board Meeting of the League of Cities of the Philippines held here in Davao City over the weekend. The SC has affirmed its earlier ruling declaring that LGUs are entitled to their share from national revenue sources and not just from internal revenue. Duterte said the administration is keen on working toward other key reforms that would fulfill the government’s commitment to reduce poverty, promote infrastructure development, and maintain peace and order at the local level.
The president also expressed his full support for the city mayors who guaranteed the delivery of appropriate government services to their constituents. “With your dedication to serve your respective constituents, I am confident you can address the growing needs of our people and provide them the opportunity to lead meaningful lives,” he said. He also urged city mayors to work with the national government by crafting and implementing policies that will benefit their constituents. At the same time, he appreciated the league’s commitment to uphold good governance, serve with integrity and accountability, and strictly observe judicious spending of public funds. n
Why impeach Trump? Let the founding fathers... PAGE A8 misdemeanors” was added late in the convention process at the urging of Virginia delegate George Mason, who thought naming just two crimes too restrictive. The more general “high crimes and misdemeanors” was, as historian David O. Stewart has noted, “already archaic in 1787 and has grown more opaque in the years since.” TRUMP had been investigated in the Mueller probe for Russia’s interference in the 2016 elections — and he said he did not care about such interference. In fact, he sought it because Russia wanted to help him by digging dirt on Hillary Clinton to damage her campaign and help Trump win. In fact, Trump even sided
with President Vladimir Putin in his denial of Russia’s assault on our democracy, despite the findings of our own US intelligence community, including the Mueller probe. Now Trump is at it again. It is either he does not know our Constitution and the laws of the land, or he does know but thinks he is above the law, and will, therefore, doing anything and everything to win the election and stay in power, even if he sells the soul of America and the democracy that this nation has worked so hard for to win and protect, pursuant to the Constitution. If we are to be faithful to the Constitution, Trump needs to be impeached because our national security and interest are more
important than the personal political and financial interest of one man named Donald Trump. Trump has to go. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.
Bersamin: No vote yet on VP...
PAGE A7 he retires on Oct. 18, Bersamin said his retirement should not be used as a condition in determin-
ing when the tribunal should issue a ruling. “My retirement does not demand from the other justices
that we should act… any kind of case is bigger than any single justice,” he said. (Evelyn Macairan/Philstar.com)
PhD thesis details Ninoy Aquino’s collaboration... PAGE A9
dent follows this course, Aquino said that, ‘for the good of the country,’ he will support Marcos.’ Washington’s support Having established that Washington could rely on his support for martial law, Aquino then informed the Embassy political officers that he might in the near future attempt to seize power. ‘Aquino believes that the possibilities of his becoming head of government by legitimate means are quickly diminishing, and he is accordingly keeping open an option to lead an anti-Marcos revolution in alliance with the communists.’ “During the same meeting, Aquino informed the Embassy officers that he had recently held a secret meeting with Sison. Aquino and Sison discussed the
possibility of forming a broad united front in opposition to the Marcos administration. Aquino said that he had been offered and had declined as being premature and unwarranted by the present situation, the position of leading a revolutionary government ‘in the hills’ in alliance with the CPP. “In Aquino’s view, however, the internal security and socioeconomic situation in the Philippines was rapidly deteriorating. He believed that President Marcos intended to stay in power indefinitely and that his own chances of becoming head of the government by legitimate means were slight. He thus may be willing at some point in the future to ally himself with the communists as the leader of a revolution, if he is convinced that this is the best way for him
to realize his ultimate political ambition. “Aquino’s failed bid for dictatorship is one of the gross miscalculations in Philippine political history; it proved so slight, so insubstantial, that most are unaware that it was even attempted.” Are we sure we want our airport to be named after this man, and have his statues in prominent places as if he were a hero who opposed Marcos because of his democratic ideals? *Scalice’s source here: “Airgram From the Embassy in the Philippines to the Department of State,” chap. Document 257 in Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969-1976, Volume XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972 (Washington: United States Government Printing Office, 2006) n
The power, privileges and accountability of a...
PAGE A8 person… He unravels and untangles a confusion of information and makes sense of them for even the simple-minded to understand. He clarifies, enlightens and shines a beam of light on the truth amidst a plethora of misinformation and even outright disinformation. That is a communications man at his best. At his worst, he creates confusion, distorts facts, feeds lies and purveys fake news. At his worst, the communications specialist is Goebbels Incarnate, the epitome of Hitler’s propaganda czar, Joseph Goebbels, who theorized that a lie repeated often enough would be taken for the truth… A chapter in my book is titled, Communications Counsel or Media Mercenary?: “Defining my role in the scheme of things — particularly in business, marketing and politics — has often created some confusion in me, causing me to ask if I should be consciencestricken over giving advice, writing speeches or creating media messages for clients whom others may think are of dubious integrity. “In most cases, I have simply done my job to the best of my ability, like a lawyer, doctor or accountant, with little or no emotional attachment. But in some cases, as my involvements with the affairs of my client have become more intimate, I may have begun to act like a consigliere, a term associated with the Mafia mainly because of the movie, The Godfather. “In such a case, somewhere along the way, I have had to draw a line and have allowed my conscience to guide me. Looking back, I can say without any hesitation that I have done my best to walk a straight path and have not taken advantage of my positions of influence. I can also say with conviction that every cent I have fed my family with has been
earned with honest sweat.” But it is not easy walking a straight path. There are so many temptations confronting the media person. He is no different from a politician who holds the reins of power and is constantly being tempted to abuse that power… The culture of corruption is as old as Adam and Eve. Imee Marcos, daughter of Ferdinand and Imelda, once described Malacañang as a ‘snake pit.’ She could have applied that description to the rest of society. There are snakes all over. And not just in government. Media and the Advertising industry are snake pits as well. Indeed, where there are folks who wield the power of approval over millions of pesos in contracts, there will always be ‘entrepreneurs’ who will pay thousands to land those contracts… And, in the case of Media, where there are people who can build up political careers and business careers with praise releases or ruin them with exposes, there will always be individuals willing to pay the price of being praised or of the truth being suppressed. In the industry, they call it AC-DC… Attack and Collect, Defend and Collect. According to an acquaintance who is familiar with the dynamics of kickbacks, if you were in the shoes of the potential bribetaker, you can only resist the temptation of hundreds or even thousands but you will invariably succumb to the siren song of millions or billions. To spare myself from being tempted, as an ad agency president, I delegated the choice of media and the approval of media plans to the account service groups and the media department. As a TV director and producer, I delegated casting to my assistant director. As a columnist, I took pride in writing for Business World because of the impeccable reputation of its
editorial staff, led by the couple, Raul Locsin and Letty Martillo Locsin. I also had the advantage of residing in the United States where the virus of envelopmental journalism had not yet — and still hasn’t — infected FilipinoAmerican media. My family and I have lived in America for 33 years. We are not poor. But neither are we rich. We live a comfortable middle class existence. However, I could have become very rich if I had abused the power, the prestige and the privileges of my multiple positions in media. A friend once told me that the reason I had not become rich was because I refused to be corrupted. “At least I’m able to sleep soundly,” I said. And his riposte almost floored me: “Well, the bribe-takers and extortionists sleep soundly, too – in airconditioned comfort.” I had the last word, however. “At least my kids can speak proudly of their father and I can write about my life in a book… without any sense of shame.” In the final analysis, an untarnished reputation has been my best reward. And, at age 80, it’s worth all the money in the world. Many years ago, I created an anti-drug abuse campaign. I think that two of the ads I created can apply to the issue of corruption, ethics, principles and accountability. The first talks about setting an example for your children: “One dope deserves another. If you want your kid to stop doing his thing, you can begin by stopping yours.” Similarly — If you want your children to remain honest, be honest yourself. The other ad warns against the temporary joy of drugs…like the fleeting joy of dishonest wealth and the burden of a stricken conscience: “Para sa kaunting sarap, saksakan ng hirap.” Believe me, money is not everything. n
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SHOWBIZ&STYLE
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Journal Alice Dixon on the dark theme Iñigo says ‘Adios’ with a different tone
of reunion film with Aga: I also struggled with depression by
rito P. Asilo Inquirer.net
THE complex character Alice Dixson plays in Veronica Velasco’s “Nuuk” suffers from depression. The film, which marks the actress’ reunion project with Aga Muhlach, is set to open the fifth edition of the five-day Danish Film Festival at Shangri-La’s Red Carpet Theater. But the lovely star, who turned 50 last July 28, is really no stranger to the potentially debilitating condition. “It wasn’t hard for me to relate to my character Elaisa Svendsen, because I also struggled with depression at some point in my life,” Alice told Inquirer Entertainment before the press screening of the film recently. “I experienced depression when I first moved to Canada, whose climate is similar to that of Greenland. There’s lack of sun, and you’re vitamin D-deficient, which could sometimes lead to mild depression. Experts now have a medical term for it.” The actress is referring to a seasonal affective disorder called winter depression, which manifests itself when fall melancholy deepens, but often improves upon exposure to sunlight or a bright artificial light. It’s interesting to note that Greenland, as the movie states, has reportedly “the highest suicide rate in the world.” In fact, between 1985 and 2012, an average of 83 people in every 100,000 killed themselves. That is more than twice the rate of second placer Lithuania. “But depression was a temporary thing for me, thankfully. I felt that when the sun came back in the summer, I was fine.
Alice Dixson and Aga Muhlach
But during winter, I was really moody,” she added. “More than that, there were a lot of personal things in my life I was able to mine for the role, like the death of my father.” Alice got married in 1998 (to Ronnie Miranda), moved to Canada two years later, and lived there for 15 years before deciding to return home. “I did come back to the Philippines to do projects every now and then,” she recalled. In the film, Alice’s character Elaisa is a Filipina who was married to a Danish restaurateur. “She’s been living in Greenland since she was in her early 20s,” the actress disclosed. “The movie opens after the death of her husband, and she spirals downward into depression. “It doesn’t help that she has a volatile relationship with her troubled son, Karl (Warneq Fleischer, a Filipino theater actor who’s based in Denmark). But just as everything starts to fall apart, she meets businessman Mark Alvarez (Aga), who helps her cope with her woes.” To shoot the psychological thriller, Alice, Aga and Direk Roni’s skeletal crew of 20 flew
ABS-CBN photo
to Nuuk, the northernmost part of Denmark and the largest city in its autonomous territory in Greenland (population: 16,000). The subzero weather in Nuuk was the hardest part of the shoot, admitted Alice: “I’m used to very cold weather, but the crew was not. For some of them, it was their first time in such a cold country—hindi sila sanay. The temperature went as low as -11 degrees Celsius, but it felt chillier, like -20 degrees, because of the wind factor!” Compared to the 70 movie/TV projects in her filmography, Alice says that “Nuuk” is something unique—and she isn’t just talking about its “exotic, snow-capped and -covered location.” “It’s my first indie,” Alice declared with pride. “And I’d like to do more, if the right offer comes along. “In fact, when this was offered to me, I was so busy doing two TV shows. They said they wanted to meet me and pitch its story. But when I read the script, I told them yes na ako (laughs).” Another thing that made the PAGE B4
By Bot
Glorioso Philstar.com
THE music may be upbeat but the lyrics of Iñigo Pascual’s latest single, Adios, actually speak about withdrawing from a onesided love affair. One may instantly wonder if the song refers to anyone in particular in his life. But the Star Music artist said Adios was recorded last year “and we are just waiting for the right timing. It’s not intended for anything like that, hahaha.” Besides, Iñigo didn’t actually write the song. It was actually an original single by Singaporean artist Zadon written in Mandarin
and then given a local flavor by Star Records audio content head Jonathan Manalo. He put a new part with Iñigo doing a collaboration with Singaporean hip-hop and R&B artist Akasha, who is an alum of Academy of Rock. The collaboration follows Iñigo’s successful promotional tour in the US and Canada of his international single Catching Feelings, the launch of his song Options last July and other collaborations with international artists. It was only months ago when he partnered with Chinese-Australian YouTube star Wengie for Mr. Nice Guy. Jonathan shared, “Doing colPAGE B2
Iñigo Pascual Photo from Instagram/@inigopascual
EntErtainmEnt
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Flavors of Taiwan come to 99 Ranch Market
OrgAnIzed by 99 ranch Market, sponsored by the Taiwan external Trade development Council and Bureau of Foreign Trade, “Fantastic Flavors of Taiwan-2019 99 ranch Market Taiwan Food Festival� will officially kick off on Saturday, October 12. This special promotion will last for 16 days until October 27 for three consecutive weekends in SoCal, nevada, Texas, new Jersey, and Maryland stores. Customers will enjoy a variety of new and authentic Taiwanese food at the best prices! Taiwan has always been known to have some of the best food in the world. every year, a plentiful amount of high-quality, diverse products and flavors emerge in the marketplace. From local foods, refreshing desserts, beverages, casual snacks to delicious noodles, it successfully highlights the essence and charm of Taiwanese food culture. The Taiwan Food Festival brings together many outstanding Taiwanese brands and an exclusive variety of popular products, showcasing one of a kind Taiwanese authentic flavors. 2019 Taiwan Food Festival features products includes zUAng mung bean (green diamond) and is known to be one of the most authentic Taiwanese-style ice pop. Made with a traditional recipe, it preserves the naturally-sweet flavor with
the plump and firm texture of mung beans. KIMBO grass jelly and ai-yu jelly are two of Taiwan’s famous summer desserts, which are ultra juicy and fulfilling. Taiwanese pineapple cake and suncake are world-famous desserts - a tourist’s favorite baked delicacies all year round. MIzUHO and SUnBOOTH are the two must-try brands for these delightful confectionary. don’t miss the classic KUAng CHUAn Tea Time Milk Tea, HeYSOng Sarsaparilla drink and VITALOn Supao Sports drink among other countless classic products. dry noodles and Taiwanese pancakes are the two key items that have generated big buzz in the markets recently. We offer two popular celebrity brands CHIA YI SHI rI and KIKI with many unique flavors paired with premium noodles. UnCLe OnIOn carefully selects local, high-quality ingredients to bring the most original Taiwanese flavors. It has become one of the go-to Chinese pancake brands around the world. The 2019 Taiwan Food Festival offers various Taiwanese specialties, allowing customers to enjoy authentic Taiwanese cuisine. In addition to the special promotions, we will be hosting three special on-site promotional events at 99 ranch Market rowland Heights (10/12/19), Austin (10/19/19),
as well as edison (10/26/19) stores, where a great deal of Taiwanese food samplings including greenMAX cereals, WU-MU spicy noodles, Ve WOng porridge, KO-LA-KOU pea crackers, JAne-JAne prepared shredded squid, CHIMeI buns, and many other great products samples will be offered for free! Make sure to come by and get your fix of these popular Taiwanese eats. On the day of the event, there are exciting programs such as in-house dJ playing non-stop C-pop and K-pop remix and Taiwanese food edition kids cooking class. enjoy the “Buy, Play & Win� promotion, which with the purchase of three (3) selected Taiwanese items, customers can visit the redemption table to play a fun game and score some awesome gifts! This will be an event full of fun and good food for your family to enjoy. 99 ranch Market cordially invites you to join us to experience the fantastic flavors of Taiwan. For more information, please refer to the official page: www.99ranch.com/2019taiwan-food-festival. “Fantastic Flavors of Taiwan2019 99 ranch Market Taiwan Food Festival� will be held at 99 ranch Market rowland Heights on Saturday, October 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1015 S nogales St, rowland Heights, CA 91748.
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Flavors to celebrate Filipino American History Month include Sans Rival, Green Mango, and Kalamansi Pie Photo courtesy of Wanderlust Creamery
Artisanal ice cream Wanderlust Creamery returns with 11 Filipino flavors for Fil-Am History Month by AJPress
WITH October as Filipino American History Month, you’ll find dozens of events commemorating the history and contributions of Fil-Ams across industries. The food scene, of course, takes part in this with specialty menus and pop-ups highlighting the range of Filipino flavors and culinary talent. One of the celebrations we look forward to here in Southern California is Fil-Am owned artisanal ice cream concept Wanderlust Creamery’s special menu of 11 flavors inspired by Filipino desserts. The month-long menu started in 2018 when Wanderlust Creamery’s co-founder and creative partner Adrienne Borlongan introduced 12 custom flavors based on desserts like sans rival or ingredients like pandan. In fact, the art of ice cream making is in her lineage as her grandfather was a flavor chemist for Magnolia Ice Cream back in the Philippines. “The overwhelmingly positive response last year was unexpected, and reassurance that these flavors resonate deeply with a lot of Fil-Ams,â€? Borlongan told the Asian Journal. “We decided (Advertising Supplement) we needed to make this a yearly thing.â€? With Wanderlust Creamery’s roots in global travels, these FilAm flavors allow us to transport back to childhood memories or for other customers, give a glimpse of the Philippines and exposure to other Filipino ingredients beyond the classic ube. The flavors that return for the full month are: • Sans Rival: buttercream ice cream with pieces of crispy cashew dacquoise • Kalamansi Pie: meringue ice cream, housemade kalamansi lime curd and graham crumble • Kapampangan Halo Halo: a mixture of condensed milk ice cream, flecked with jackfruit sherbet, swirls of saba bananadulce de leche, and studded with coconut sport + crispy pinipig rice. (The base is like leftover condensed milk at the bottom of the halo halo bowl; think of a Fil-Am version of Momofuku PAGE B4
Filipino wins 2019 US Professional Tennis Association Star Award
LAS VEGAS – The United States Professional Tennis Association held its Awards Lunch this past Wednesday during the 2019 USPTA World Conference presented by Havana Bob’s at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Alex Marcial of West Covina, Calif., was presented with the 2019 USPTA Star Award. The USPTA Star Award is presented annually to members who have dedicated many years to volunteering in grassroots tennis initiatives that incorporate multiculturalism and promote tennis and sportsmanship to the players they touch. Marcial founded Friends of Philippine Tennis in 2012. Since Throughout the month of October, Wanderlust Creamery has a special menu with six flavors then, he’s worked to collect used inspired by Filipino desserts and five limited run flavors introduced each week. tennis equipment, including racPhoto courtesy of Wanderlust Creamery quets, shoes, balls and nets, and donate them to his native Philippines, where tennis equipment is expensive. In 2018, FOPT delivered over 750 racquets, 1,200 pairs of shoes, 5,000 tennis balls and 50 nets. (left) USPTA President Gary Trost, (right) Alex Marcial (credit Gustavo Reyes, USPTA)
It’s Nothing To Sneeze At! Foods That Fight Allergies By Grace O
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ATCHARA PICKLE Serves 8-10
Ingredients 8 cups coarsely grated green papaya (or cucumber # Ÿ < 1/4 cup coarse salt 8-10 cloves of garlic ; <? 1/2 cup pearl onions, peeled 1/2 cup red bell pepper strips 1/2 cup green bell pepper strips 1/2 cup carrot florets or strips 1/2 cup jicama strips
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1. Place the papaya shreds in a colander and sprinkle with the coarse salt. Allow to sit for 15 minutes.
ABOUT GRACE O
The art of ice cream making is in Wanderlust Creamery co-founder Adrienne Borlongan’s lineage as her grandfather, “Lolo Eli,� was a flavor chemist for Magnolia Ice Cream back in the Philippines. Photo by Max Milla
1/4 cup julienned fresh ginger
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Pickling solution 3 cups white balsamic vinegar (champagne or seasoned rice < 2 tsp. salt 3/4 cup white sugar (for a sweet-and-sour pickle, double the <
Procedure
2. Make the pickling solution by combining ingredients in a ; # < for 10 minutes or until all the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. 3. Squeeze any remaining water out of the papaya shreds. Toss together with the remaining vegetables and place into wide-mouth pickling jars. 4. Pour the cooled pickling solution over the vegetables. If the solution is too warm, the vegetables will cook. Top off the jars with water if necessary so that the vegetables are completely covered. Close jars tightly and put in the refrigerator overnight to cure.
GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks — The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won Gourmand’s ‘Best in the World’ Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com
Wanderlust Creamery’s Tita’s Fruit Salad — mascarpone ice cream studded with cubes of Manila mango sherbet, maraschino cherries, peaches and pineapple. Photo courtesy of Wanderlust Creamery
Popular limited run flavor Salted Duck Egg Yema uses salted duck egg custard ice cream with pieces of hard-cured candied duck yolk. Photo courtesy of Wanderlust Creamery
IĂąigo says ‘Adios’ with a different tone... PAGE B1 laborations is among the initiatives of Star Music this year. We want to expand outside the Philippines through collaborations and IĂąigo is at the forefront of that initiative and at the same time we are looking for good collabs from different countries and we have good relationship with Academy of rock. Sila ang nagbigay ng Adios and I adapted the lyrics and added a new part with Akasha.â€? Its music video, produced by Academy of rock, already has 31,000 views on Star Music YouTube channel. IĂąigo didn’t deny about feeling scared for being the first Kapamilya singer chosen to promote in the US yet at the same time he realized that not everyone was given the same opportunity that came his way.
AFTER NEARLY 25 YEARS, THIS FAMILY’S AMERICAN DREAM IS FINALLY REALIZED. Jean (center) was petitioned by her sister in 1994. Life in America had always appealed to Jean and her family. Eventually, in 2013, she came to the U.S. as a tourist with her daughter. The trip was a graduation gift for her daughter who was an honor student. They risked everything and decided to overstay, along with Jean’s husband, Milo (left). When the petition became current, leading U.S. immigration lawyer Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) pursued Adjustment of Status for the family. Based on their eligibility, Jean’s petition was transferred from the Philippines to the U.S., where she and her family was interviewed. Watch how after almost 25 years of waiting, Jean and her family are now living the American Dream with no fear nor worries, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy� – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
“Being someone who was (initially) known as Piolo Pascual’s son, the challenge was there. Honestly, I’m starting from scratch nandun yung challenge and I will do everything to really see one day na nagawa ko ito.â€? getting out of the shadow of his dad through music, IĂąigo cleared, is not his primary agenda. “I see it more as a blessing that I love music. I’m happy that I don’t have to compete with my own father because this is something that I am passionate about. Well, it was fun in the beginning na obviously ganun ang isip ng tao but with the help of music, I’m happy that I’m slowly changing; I was able to really in a way make improv on myself. It’s not the main goal naman; my main goal is to just share my music.â€?
On doing collaborations, IĂąigo said he has learned a lot. “It’s not about limiting yourself to a certain sound but expanding and really growing as an artist and allowing yourself to do different things not just in your own comfort zone.â€? He considered the dancing part as the toughest in doing the music video of Adios. Working with other artists from different countries also allows him to learn more about different sounds and styles. That’s why he looks forward to doing more collaborations with foreign artists like Bruno Mars and Chris Brown on top of his list. “Of course, I also want to collaborate with many more Asian acts to promote our music in different parts of the world,â€? he concluded.
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Artisanal ice cream Wanderlust... PAGE B1 Milk Bar’s Cereal Milk). • Pandan Tres Leches: sweet cream ice cream with ribbons of condensed milk + pieces of pandan sponge cake • Barako Coffee: barako coffee beans infused into grass fed ice cream sweeted with dark muscovado sugar • Sapin Sapin: A Neapolitan of the signature Ube Malted Crunch®, jackfruit, and sticky rice ice creams.
Borlongan also asked several Fil-Ams what childhood food they would turn into an ice cream flavor. Responses included White Rabbit candy (suggested by Reach Guinto of Foodbeast), which was introduced earlier this February, creating a lot of online buzz and inspiring replicas all over the world. It has since become a fixture on the signature menu. Another response she received was Filipino fruit salad
— a potluck staple typically composed of fruit cocktail, sweetened condensed milk and cream — thus inspiring Tita’s Fruit Salad flavor, which is a limited run from October 18-24. It uses mascarpone ice cream studded with cubes of Manila mango sherbet, maraschino cherries, peaches and pineapple. [Editor’s note: the flavor was inspired during a previous conversation Borlongan had with Asian Journal’s managing editor Christina Oriel.] On select dates (and not available in pints), other limited run flavors are: • Salted Duck Egg Yema (October 4-10): Salted duck egg custard ice cream with pieces of hard-cured candied duck yolk • Green Mango (October 4-10): Sorbet of green unripe mangoes (vegan and dairy free) • Biko (October 11-17): Banana leaf-infused sticky rice ice cream with caramelized coconut milk (vegan and dairy free) • Keso De Bola (October 25-31): aged edam cheese ice cream The salted duck egg yema attracted a lot of attention and discussion last year, especially after an Insider Food video of the flavor’s creation process went viral. “This [flavor] seemed to be a hit last year but also at the same time very controversial. On one hand, we had Filipinos saying it’s not a Filipino flavor, so we renamed it with ‘yema’ to give context,” Borlongan explained. “On the other hand we had nonFilipinos repulsed at the idea and name of the flavor. Whatever the case, it was undoubtedly our fastest selling flavor last year (although it was a limited run).” In addition to storefronts in Tarzana, Atwater Village and Venice, and a weekly residency at Smorgasburg in downtown, Wanderlust recently landed in Pasadena. Wanderlust offers ube and pandan cones also to complete the experience. Ube Malted Crunch® — ube with crunchy malted milk pieces — inspired by Borlongan’s upbringing as a second-generation Fil-Am remains a mainstay and best-seller on the menu. To check which flavors are available at each store this month, visit https://www.wanderlustcreamery.com/.
MOONLIGHTING
Tomorrow is another day
by MYLAH DE
LEON
I BELIEVE that good is manifested from every experience that comes into our lives. Cancer is not a death sentence and I’ve been battling it for ten years, six months and twenty-nine days in the only way I know— living one day at a time. It was supposed to be a quick scene, a satisfying interlude that HMO, a prepaid health plan, whose protocol legislated the length of time that a doctor would spend with the patient visit, ruled. There was a soft knock on the door and the oncologist entered. She greeted me and then spent a few minutes sitting quietly and reading the lab results and x-rays I had brought with me. Then she leaned toward me and said “Tell me, why you’ve come.” A fleeting moment can paralyze ones capacity to think and feel. I looked into her face and saw a genuine concern. I began telling her all the things I was experiencing, from the most commonplace and finally to strange feelings that often woke me from my sleep. My voice shook as I started telling her that in my illness, I discovered a basic truth: There are only two kinds of people in this whole world, those who are alive and those who are afraid — and one of the attending doctors had ordered that I cannot be afraid for the next two weeks, as I undergo more comprehensive tests, that I have to think of a second response after fear. Can Carl Jung, founder of psychoanalysis give me an answer? Can you think when you’re filled with resentment, self-pity and a sense of victimhood? She continued to listen and I began to review my life — looking at the many important relations, experiences as I could remember, thinking of the people I loved; realizing that while I was certain that I have disappointed and even hurt people in the course of my
The author with her constant little caregiver.
life, I could not remember deliberately causing pain or harm, hating anyone or even telling a significant lie. I didn’t forget to mention that I had that special blessing of someone to love. Life’s elegance that far exceeds anything we might device, and all the sickness, pain, love, loss and triumph only deepened my capacity for compassion and loving kindness. I have even learned to forgive those that had mercilessly hurt me, even if it lowered my standards. Eventually I said, “But why doctor, I suffer unseen and alone?” And then I just cried, my eyes stung with tears! I felt profoundly diminished, different and even ashamed, my heart a storm of loss. It took me nine or ten minutes to tell my whole story. The doctor said nothing to interrupt and just listened closely. When I finished, she asked a few questions that showed me she had heard and fully understood. Then she reached for my hand and told me that she realized how hard things were. She validated my concerns. She reminded me that my lab studies had ruled out
any life-threatening possibilities. My affliction assured and declared more clearly when they did a surgical solution, radiation and chemotherapy. In the mean time, back to my heart companion, as I relayed the events; he looked at me and smiled. “We will wait together,” he assured me. He had no diagnosis, unlike the others. What he offered me was his care and companionship, his willingness to face the unknown with me. He assured me I had no expiration date. In those moments, he had lifted the loneliness that had separated me from others and my own strength. In some way that I did not understand then, this made all the difference. Someone else knew. Someone else cared. And because of these, I found I had the greater courage to deal with what ever was going to happen, even gratitude…until tomorrow comes. The only sure thing about tomorrow is that it will arrive. And I’ll be alive to greet it. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com.
Part III: One mistake erases all the good one has done A sad reality on being judgmental and unforgiving
Life Coaching in a Different Perspective STARGAZER ERRATUM: Pinoy Vibes was aired on Sept 16, 2007, instead of Sept. 16, 2017 As shared with you in the last article about how I was also misjudged by some people in the past, all of us may have gone through similar circumstances. False impressions based on our appearance is quite rampant and it even borders on discrimination in some cases. It also seems that the culture of bashing is very imminent on social media nowadays. Good manners and right conduct have altogether vanished into thin air, leaving us with people who hurl negativities left and right and crushing the dignities of people who made mistakes. Some even believe stories that were not even an inch close to the truth even if they have not even experienced or witnessed a thing. But what really are the factors that make people quick to pass judgment and eventually become so unforgiving? It is probably because of several reasons. Lack of love When we have very little love for ourselves, we do not believe in what we can do. Little belief in self leads to insecurity. Insecurity makes you jealous and always envious of the achievements of others because you have none yourself. Like watching a telenovela, you look at what your “kapitbahay” (neighbor) buys and acquires. Simple things like the clothes they wear and where they take vacations become your obsession. Like an eagle, you keenly observe what goes on with them. You are always there to watch their lives instead of minding your own.
Loving yourself doesn’t mean you are full of yourself. When you love yourself, you don’t compare others to you. You give dignity to who you are and are proud of what you have achieved. When we enjoy persecuting people, it reflects another LACK OF LOVE. Having very little love in our hearts and lacking in compassion for others, we then become cold-hearted and become insensitive to the feelings of people. We simply would not care if they get hurt with the words and judgment that come from us. This world has become colder, pathetic and unforgiving. We have become very insensitive, cold and unmindful of what people may feel. The ‘I, me, and myself’ syndrome In short, it’s selfishness. This person wants to be the center of attention. S/he enjoys being powerful and in the company of powerful people. Everything is about how s/he feels, thinks and only his/her opinion matters. Here, the illusions of grandeur come in. These kinds of people believe they are the only ones who are entitled and capable. They believe that they are someone to look up to and that they must come first. The green-eyed monster They envy the success of another and will do everything to put the other person down. Those who cry wolf have more hideous traits than the ones they are actually trying to destroy. Attention seeker themselves, they view others as competitors and find the success of others as repelling. It must be only him or her in the end. False sense of righteousness This person feels and acts as if s/he is infallible. S/he sets standards for him/herself and expects others to follow. This person will find faults in anything and everything other people do. Furthermore, s/he compares the moral values of every person s/he meets to his/her own. If it does not
conform to his/her sense of morality, the other person is doomed. What then should you do when you meet these kinds of people? Practice the art of ‘dedma.’ Dedma is a Filipino slang term, which means “not pay attention to.” Never react nor respond to anyone or any situation that encourages a negative attitude towards others. Simply let things go. Let it flow. Always remind yourself that we all make boo-boos. The vulnerability of human frailty will always be there and we will always have the tendency to make mistakes. If we view life in this manner, we then can be more understanding and more forgiving. Putting ourselves in other people’s shoes and trying to understand where they are coming from will make things easier to comprehend. People who judge are people who need the help most. It means they are undergoing some crisis themselves that they need to feel more superior or morally right than others. Those who hurl negative remarks toward others are actually wanting to be praised and assured. Reach out to people who are judgmental. Somehow you may be a catalyst for their change if you try to understand where their emotions are emanating from. Sow love, and be kind, helpful, understanding and open. Simply love. *** Stargazer is a life coach, aura reader, psychic/clairvoyant, and lecturer on the paranormal. She uses the aura, energies & vibrations as focal points of her psychic readings. Using several techniques involving the psychological, spiritual, paranormal and her own experience of the intricacies of life, Stargazer makes one get in touch with his inner and understand life in a positive manner. Faith in God and belief in self is what Stargazer emphasizes on. Currently, Stargazer is a radio anchor of DZMM Teleradyo, the radio arm of ABS-CBN. Her show “Pinoy Vibes” has been airing every Sunday morning since Sept. 2007. She can be reached at stargazerphils@ gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://stargazer.ph/.
Alice on the dark theme of... PAGE B1 shoot more satisfying for the actress was her much-delayed reunion and time-honed rapport with Aga, whom she acted with in Maryo J. delos Reyes’ “Joey Boy Munti: 15 Anyos Ka sa Muntinlupa” (1991) and
Mel Chionglo’s “Hot Summer” (1989). Asked how it felt to reunite with Aga after 28 years, Alice quipped, “We were barely in our teens when we first worked together (laughs)! He was very young then, but it was easy
to see how gifted he was as a performer. “Aga was the actor to reckon with—he still is. He was also one of my favorite actors then, so to reconnect with him after 20odd years was truly an amazing experience!”
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COMMUNITY Journal
20th annual Asian Small Business Expo returns on October 19 ELECTED officials, U.S. Bank representatives and many community members gathered on Wednesday, October 2 to announce the upcoming 20th Annual Asian Small Business Expo. The Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (API SBP) is hosting the Expo, which will be held on Saturday, October 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California. U.S. Bank is the Title Sponsor of the Expo, being the key supporter along with over a dozen other sponsors of the Expo. Edison Huang, owner of German Piano City, welcomed attendees to his store where the expo kick-off event was held on Wednesday. He thanked API SBP and its collaborative partner, Chinatown Service Center, for their business assistance services, helping his store to thrive for several years in Temple City. Anthony Vazquez, Board of Equalization member for the 3rd District, was on hand to present a Commendation to API SBP in recognition of API SBP’s 20th annual event. A Certificate of Congressional Recognition was presented to API SBP by Cindy Lee, field representative for the Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu. A Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly was also presented by Abigail Marquez, a field representative. “Our theme is about ‘sustaining your business in a strong economy.’ We have a lot of clients that are concerned about rising rents and spend more to keep staff so we want to provide business owners with information on how to access capital or marketing tips on how to grow their business,” Ron Fong, executive director of API SBP, said. Jill McCullough, vice president of Corporate Responsibility/Community Relations Manager for U.S. Bank, noted her remarks that U.S. Bank was “honored to support the work of API SBP and proud to be the Title Sponsor of the Expo for 10 straight years.” Vazquez expressed his support for small businesses as a Mem-
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 5-8, 2019
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(L-R) Board of Equalization Member (3rd District) Anthony Vazquez; Becky Cheng, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu; Edison Huang, German City Piano owner; API SBP Executive Director Ron Fong; Ann Lieu, VP, Union Bank; Abigail Marquez, field representative for the Office of Assemblyman Ed Chau; Cindy Lee, field Representative for the Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu; Jill McCullough, VP of Corporate Responsibility/Community Relations Manager for U.S. Bank.
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API SBP Executive Director Ron Fong (middle) with representatives from the Chinatown Service Center, Koreatown Youth & Community Center, Little Tokyo Service Center CDC, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, Thai Community Development Center and United Cambodian Community.
ber of the Board of Equalization, and noted his effort to increase accessibility to BOE services for the constituents in his diverse district. Now on its 20th year, the API SBP’s annual expo is a free event that promotes networking, business to business opportunities and workshops. This year’s workshops include topics on accessing capital, marketing, loans and franchising. There will also be a Women Entrepreneurs Panel featuring Trisha Murakawa, Principal and Chief Problem Solver, Murakawa Communications; Patricia Perez, Cofounder, Pho Show and Cofounder & CEO, Genever Bar; and Lindy Huang Werges, Founder, Integritas Resources, Inc. and Cofounder, Zen Yoga Strap, Inc.
“We have a growing number of immigrants from Asia and this has heightened in California. There are a lot of people who are looking to learn how to start a new business here in the U.S., whether they’re originally from China, the Philippines or Korea. We’re able to provide counseling in-language and that’s a big advantage we can provide,” Fong added. API SBP is a collaboration of: Chinatown Service Center, Koreatown Youth & Community Center, Little Tokyo Service Center CDC, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, Thai Community Development Center and United Cambodian Community. For more information and to register, visit http://www.apisbp. org/expo.n
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Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon ARE your growing debts starting to cause you sleepless nights? Are you trying hard to pay what you can every month but feel like you’re just running on a treadmill and not getting anywhere? Do you worry about your finances all the time and never have enough no matter how hard you work? If it’s any consolation, you are not alone. According to a recent survey, about one-third of households in this country are either just barely making it or are having trouble paying their debts each month. The Federal Reserve Board reports that the American consumer debt is now at a record $3 trillion! For the first time in history, average Americans owe more than they make. ABC News reported that in the last decade, credit card debt has increased 81 percent while the average family’s income grew only by 9%. This is scary. If you are like the rest of the population and your debts are growing a lot faster than your income is, how can you avoid debt from creeping up on you? The banks and the credit card companies know that when income is short, most people will resort to loans and credit cards to make
The Prophetic Voice ReVeRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAS DID you wake up this morning saying to yourself, “I will do everything for the greater glory of God”! If so, then you are on the right track. You recognize that all that you are and have and come from God. You claim his lordship and power over your life. You know that you are nothing without God! Hence, you live with overwhelming gratitude to God. And so you say, “With all your blessings, how can I return the favor, my God?” October is a stewardship month at Incarnation Church! We begin with the fundamental belief in God as the Author of life and the Giver
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Here’s why some people will Basics of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF) Tax & remain stuck in debt forever Stock Tips
up for the shortage in income. So now you know why consumer credit card debt is steadily increasing. Unless you get a handle on your finances and control your borrowing, before you know it, you would be buried in debt and it would be difficult for you to get out. A lot of people owe so much in credit card debt that they will never pay off their debts in this lifetime. What’s sad is that because these people are just so used to being in debt, they have reached a point where they don’t even realize what their debts are actually costing them. So, like robots, they just continue to work long hours, sometimes 2-3 jobs just so they could continue to make the banks richer with the interest that they are paying on their debts. These people have zero savings and no money for unexpected emergencies. Any unexpected disruption of income can turn into a major catastrophe. Financial planners tell us that we should try to keep our debtto-income ratio below 36% (about 28% for housing and 8% for other recurring debt payments). To calculate your own ratio, divide your total monthly debt payments by your total monthly gross income. In your monthly debt payments, include your mortgage, car, loan and
credit card payments. What do you get? What I usually find is that some people are way above this amount, sometimes as much as 70-80%!!!! And then they wonder why they never have enough money for food, utilities and other basic living expenses. If your debts are out of control and you need help in figuring out what your options are, we can help you explore all your non-bankruptcy and bankruptcy alternatives. Bankruptcy is not always the solution to debt problems. If it is, I will explain to you how this may be your best option in getting a fresh financial start so you can start rebuilding your credit. If you have other options available, I will point them out to you as well if they are worth considering. Bankruptcy should be your last option, not the first. To schedule a free consultation, please call my office at TollFree 1-866-477-7772 and I will meet with you personally. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos, and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
On giving from a place of gratitude “You claim his lordship and power over your life. You know that you are nothing without God!”
of all gifts. This belief urges us to worship Him, along with other parishioners, and to offer the gift of ourselves, including our talents, treasures, and time. We can’t help but return to our Church a portion of God’s blessings so that the Church can continue her mission of bearing our “share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.” (2 Timothy 1:8) For us, Christians, our greatest blessing is our faith in Jesus Christ. This faith strengthens us, allowing us to “move mountains and uproot a tree.” It makes miracles and leads us to eternal life. It is a faith that began in our baptism and grew in time. As Catholic Christians, a vital part of our faith in Jesus Christ is
our love and the care for the treasures that Christ left the Church: the Eucharist and the other Sacraments. Through the Sacraments, we receive sanctifying and redeeming graces. And so, we share our material treasures with our Church as our way of reciprocating God’s love to us. We do this with joy, keeping in mind what St. Paul tells us: “Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (1 Corinthians10:6-7). May we all respond to God’s graces with profound gratitude! Amen.
WHAT is an ETF? An ETF is a basket of securities that you can buy or sell through a brokerage firm on a stock exchange. Just like a stock, an ETF has a ticker symbol and intraday price data can be easily obtained during the course of the trading day. It allows you to access a bundle of stocks that you wouldn’t be able to buy with your own limited funds. Can you trade ETFs? Yes, you can. ETFs trade like stocks. You can buy or sell shares at any time during the trading day. This unlike mutual funds when your order to buy or sell shares is processed at the end of the day. What do you do if you haven’t decided what stock to buy? Buy ETF. If you plan to invest in stocks but have not yet decided what particular stocks to buy, get an ETF that holds the stocks that you want to buy. When are ETFs a good fit? ETFs can be useful investments, but it’s important to know whether they’re right for you. Here are some guidelines for deciding whether to consider ETFs, and to help you understand when an ETF isn’t the right fit. If you’re trying to get market
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRSuA ReyeS THE purpose of spousal support is not defined by the legislature in that its purpose varies according to the facts and circumstances of each case. The facts and circumstances of a particular case may be such which call for no spousal support, or for support for a very limited period of time, with the purpose to assist the supported spouse to “get back on his or her feet” as a single person, or until community property is distributed. On the other hand, the facts and circumstances of another case may call for support for an extended period of time, perhaps until death of the supported spouse, the purpose for which to provide assistance to one who cannot support himself. The two situations mentioned hereinabove are extreme cases, on opposite ends of the spec-
VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA
returns and you’re investing a large amount of money at one time, traditional ETFs might be a good choice because of their low cost and broad diversification. When are ETFs not a good fit? ETFs may not fit well if you’re trying to beat the market or if you’re making small, regular investments. Buying an ETF means that you won’t have the chance of performing any better than the market the ETF tracks, since you’ll only get the returns of that market index (with the exception of the very few actively managed ETFs that currently exist). Conversely, an actively managed fund aims to beat its market (though it has the potential to lag that market). Because you generally pay a commission for each ETF trade, small investments are usually better made in a no-load, no-transaction-fee mutual fund.
That said, some ETFs are available commission-free at some brokerages—these ETFs may be suitable for small, regular investments. If you’re trying to round out your portfolio’s asset allocation, a traditional or niche ETF could be a good fit. If you generally like to pick individual stocks but you don’t know much about a certain sector or region, you could use an ETF to complement your stock allocation so that you’re more broadly diversified. Again, be sure to consider the cost of commissions and whether you want active management before choosing an ETF over a mutual fund. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.
What factors will the court look at in awarding spousal support? trum. Quite obviously, the facts and circumstances in a particular case may be such which call for some amount of support for some period of time, though not until death of the supported spouse. For example, the court may order support for that period of time required for the supported spouse to obtain or complete an education, to allow the supported spouse to take care of the children until they reach an age where a return to employment would be more feasible, or to become self-supporting within a reasonable time. Although the use of standard guidelines based on income is encouraged in the award of temporary support, such guidelines cannot be used in awarding permanent spousal support. As indicated hereinabove, the award of support is in large part based on the facts and circumstances of the particular case. In determining spousal support, the court considers numerous
factors, set forth in Family Code Sec. 4320. They include: 1) The extent to which the earning capacity of each party is sufficient to maintain the standard of living established during the marriage, 2) The extent to which the supported party contributed to the attainment of an education, training, a career position, or a license by the supporting party, 3) The ability of the supporting party to pay spousal support, taking into account the supporting party’s earning capacity, earned and unearned income, assets, and standard of living, 4) The needs of each party based on the standard of living established during the marriage, 5)The obligations and assets, including the separate property, of each party, 6) The duration of the marriage, 7) The ability of the supported party to engage in gainful employment without unduly interfering with the interests of dependent children in the
Community Journal
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 5-8, 2019
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Signing contract with independent Can I get a green card if I had a previous contractor label does not make you one marriage denied based on fraud? and you may be entitled to more wages Legal
NICHELLE Duffey worked as an in-home caregiver for Tender Heart Home Care Agency, LLC, a placement agency for caregivers. Duffey signed an agreement with Tender Heart stating that she is an “independent contractor” and “is in the business of providing care giving services in dwellings...” Rate sheets attached to the contract between Duffey and Tender Heart state the standard hourly rate for all shifts, but the rate charged to clients varied depending on each client’s needs. As a caregiver, Duffey’s main tasks were to provide companionship, care, hygiene assistance, medication, housekeeping, meal preparations, transportation and other services to clients. Clients pay Tender Heart for the caregiver’s services. Tender Heart then pays the caregiver with monies received from its clients, minus Tender Heart’s fees. Tender Heart emailed work opportunities to Duffey, who was free to reject offers, and which she sometimes did. Duffey was also free to contract with other agencies, and she in fact was working for others. The contract also provided that the relationship between a caregiver and client could be terminated only by those parties, not Tender Heart. Duffey’s contract with Tender Heart, however, could be terminated by either party with notice or in the event of a material breach by Duffey. Duffey terminated her contract and sued Tender Heart for unpaid overtime wages under the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights (“DWBR“). This law en-
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. titles domestic work employees to overtime wages for all hours worked over nine hours per day or 45 hours per week. Tender Heart asked the court to dismiss Duffey’s claims arguing that Duffey was not entitled to overtime pay because she was an independent contractor. After the trial court’s dismissal, the case reached the Court of Appeal, which explained that the DWBR law contains two alternative definitions of employment: (1) when the hiring entity exercises control over the wages, hours, or working conditions of a domestic worker; or (2) when a common law employment relationship has been formed. On whether Tender Heart “exercises control over the wages, hours, or working conditions of a domestic worker”—the court concluded that a material dispute of fact existed because Tender Heart potentially exercised control over Duffey’s wages as it seemed up to Tender Heart to decide how much caregivers are paid. The court also noted that a common law employment relationship existed because Tender Heart contracted clients, assessed clients’ needs, matched caregivers and clients, and negotiated rates charged to clients. This constitute substantial control over the details of the caregiving business. Tender Heart
argued that it was not in the business of caregiving and was instead a referral agency. However, the court disagreed, reasoning that without caregivers, Tender Heart would not be able to perform its contracts with clients and carry out its business operations. Duffey’s employee status seems to be supported by the facts that 1) her duties as a caregiver did not require special skills or training; 2) Tender Heart’s ability to decline to make additional referrals to caregivers is similar to the ability to terminate at will; and 3) there was no evidence that Duffey “held herself out in business”; 4) that caregiving required “specialized tools,” or 5) that Duffey had “an opportunity for profit or loss.” Workers are better protected if employers classify them as employees. It is in this light that courts, and most recently, the Legislature, with Assembly Bill 5 as discussed in our prior article, have strengthened this protection. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit HYPERLINK “http://www.joesayaslaw.com” www. joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2018.] (Advertising Supplement)
Does Godzilla live in your house?
THE Japanese created Godzilla a long time ago. It’s a gigantic T-Rex on steroids that destroys Tokyo and the rest of Japan until someone comes to the rescue and kills it with nukes. Mr. Honda, the author, created the concept of Godzilla as a metaphor for the atomic bombs in 1954 when Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which u PAGE C3 were the recipients of two atomic bombs from the United States, were still fresh in the minds of the Japanese. Now, of course, Kim Jung Un of North Korea has recently threatened to wipe Japan from the face of the earth with his nuclear bombs. So, I am sure that the spectre of Godzilla is now making the rounds again in Japan. No way that Godzilla can be living in your house, right? Well check again. Maybe you got your first credit card 10 years ago and that was Godzilla’s egg. Now, you have 10 credit cards and you have a mountain of credit card statements that you receive every month, each one of them requiring a minimum payment from you to keep them happy. What happens if you don’t make the minimum payment every month? Well, they will turn nasty and create a lot of trouble for you. This is the problem of
Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAmSon ANG green card ay maaaring makuha sa pamamagitan ng petition ng isang asawanag US citizen (USC). Subalit may mga pagkakataon na may karahasan na ginagawa ang USC sa kanyang asawang dayuhan at ang dayuhan ay nagtitiis at nananatili sa kasal dahil sa kanyang immigration status. Ang petition sa ilalim ng Violence Against Women Act o VAWA ang maaaring maging solusyon ng dayuhan. Ang dayuhan ay maaaring mag-VAWA self-petition kung kanyang maipapakita na siya ay may good faith marriage sa asawang USC, at noong kasal, siya ay napailalim sa mga pangaabuso o kalupitan sa kamay ng USC. Kinakailangan ding ipakita ng dayuhan na sila ng USC ay nagsama bilang mag-asawa, at ang dayuhan ay may good moral character. Ang dayuhan na may divorce decree na sa USC ay maaari pa ring mag-VAWA self petition kung itong self-petition ay kanyang ifile sa USCIS sa loob ng dalawang taon mula sa petsa ng divorce decree. Maipapakita ang kalupitan kung ang dayuhan ay biktima ng mga akto ng karahasan, pagbabanta ng karahasan, mga pisikal o mental na pinsala, sikologikal na pang-aabuso, abusong sekswal tulad ng panggagahasa, pagmomolestya o prostitusyon.
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrenCe yAng having Godzilla in your house. It’s very hard to kill Godzilla because it is a gigantic monster! You can’t kill it with a 50caliber machine gun. That’s not strong enough. Those 50-caliber bullets just slide off Godzilla’s tougher-than-steel skin. Five hundred-pound bunker buster bombs have been proven ineffective against this monster. He just shrugs them off like mosquito bites. The only way you can kill Godzilla in your house is to put a nuclear smart bomb through its navel and detonate it. Only a Chapter 7 petition has enough legal power to kill all your credit cards in one explosion. Wipe out all your dischargeable debts; keep all of your assets including your house, cars, furniture and retirement accounts, and start fresh in life without accumulated debt. Kill the Godzilla in your house, or it will destroy your life.
If you owe $30,000 of credit card debt now, next year, that debt will become $40,000, then $50,000. You need at least $1,000 of net income to make minimum payments on $30,000 of credit cards every month. For $40,000 of credit cards, you will need $1,200 of net income for minimum monthly payments. If you don’t have the $1,000 or $1,200 of net income, you will have to borrow $12,000 a year to make the $1,000 of monthly payments. This means that your $30,000 debt will become $42,000 in twelve months. If you gross $3,000 monthly, 40 percent of your net income of $2,400 will be used to service your $30,000 of credit card debt. You are being eaten alive by Godzilla even if you don’t know it. The client is 72. She has been a widow for three years. She used to be a caregiver until last year. Last year her patient, a 400-pound woman who is 6 feet tall, threw her to the floor. The patient had mental problems. The client thought she was going to die on the floor since she is only 5 feet and 130 pounds. She became unconscious and was brought to the hospital. Although she survived the fall,
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VAWA petition May mga pang-aabuso rin na maaaring isaalang-alang bilang karahasan tulad ng pang-aabusong emosyonal dahil ito ay parte ng kabuoang karahasan. Ang mga pang-aabuso, kalupitan o karahasan ay kailangang ginawa ng USC sa dayuhang asawa at ang mga ito ay dapat naganap noong sila ay kasal pa at nagsasama pa bilang mag-asawa. Ang VAWA self-petition ay kailangang may kasamang edidensya ng citizenship ng USC at ebidensya ng good faith marriage. Ang pangunahing ebidensya ng kasal ay ang marriage certificate. Ang good faith marriage ay maipapakita sa pamamagitan ng mga dokumento tulad ng insurance policies, lease agreements, tax returns, bank accounts, at mga testimonya tungkol sa panliligaw, kasal at pagsasama ng mag-asawa. Mabuti ring ebidensya ng good faith marriage ang birth certificate ng mga anak, mga dokumento galing sa police, doctor at korte at mga sinumpaang salaysay ng mga taong may kaalaman tungkol sa relasyon ng mag-asawa. *** One of the most common ways to get a green card is through a petition based on marriage to a US citizen (USC). Unfortunately, there are times when there is abuse perpetrated during the marriage by the USC spouse and the alien feels that he or she is forced to stay with the USC spouse because of immigration status. Under the provisions of
VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), there are legal remedies which permit victims of domestic violence to legalize their status independent of their USC abusers. An alien who is the spouse of a USC may self-petition for immigrant classification under VAWA if the alien demonstrates that he or she entered into the marriage with the USC spouse in good faith and that during the marriage, the alien was battered or subjected to extreme cruelty perpetrated by the USC spouse. In addition, the alien must show that he or she resided with the USC abusive spouse, and the alien is a person of good moral character. An alien who has divorced an abusive USC may still petition under VAWA within 2 years from the divorce. An alien may be considered as battered by or subject of extreme cruelty if the alien is victim of any act or threatened act of violence, including any forceful detention, which results or threatens to result in physical or mental injury. Psychological or sexual abuse or exploitation, including rape, molestation, or prostitution are also considered acts of violence. The qualifying abuse must have been committed by the USC spouse, must have been perpetrated against the self-petitioner and must have taken place during the self-petitioner’s marriage to the USC spouse abuser. A self-petition filed by the abused spouse must be accompanied by evidence of citizen-
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DEAR Attorney Tan, I recently married a US Citizen, who is my second husband. He has filed an immigrant visa petition and green card application for me. My husband recently received from USCIS a Notice of Intent to Deny the petition that he filed on my behalf. The Notice indicated that the immigrant visa petition could not be approved since the USCIS had determined that I previously entered into a fraudulent marriage to get a green card several years ago. My ex-husband previously filed an immigrant petition on my behalf several years ago, which was denied since USCIS determined that I only married him to get a green card. My second husband and I truly love each other. What are my options? -- In Love but Out of Status Dear In Love but Out of Status, Under INA Section 204(c), a person who “attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage” in order to receive permanent resident status in the US is prohibited from obtaining USCIS approval of an immigrant visa petition. Simply stated, Section 204(c) prohibits approval of any immigrant visa petition if there has been a finding of “marriage fraud” in a prior marriage-based petition. Based on the above law, your case seems at first glance like an “open-and-shut” case in favor of denial. However, you still have hope of getting a green card—a person can ap-
Advice
Atty. DArriCk tAn ply for and get his immigrant petition approved despite the prior finding of “marriage fraud” under certain circumstances. You may ask, how is this possible? Isn’t Section 204(c) straightforward? Not quite. The answer lies in the fact that USCIS must independently examine the prior finding of “marriage fraud” in considering the subsequently filed immigrant visa petition. Before invoking the Sec. 204(c) bar to approval of a subsequent visa petition, USCIS must make an independent determination of fraud based upon the record, including but not limited to any evidence gathered during adjudication of the prior visa petition, but may not parrot or rely on the conclusions made by other adjudicators. USCIS must have “substantial and probative” evidence of “marriage fraud.” Matter of Tawfik, 20 I. & N. Dec. 166, 168. The determination is to be made by the USCIS district director while adjudicating the subsequent visa petition. Matter of Samsen, 15 I. & N. Dec. 28, 1974 WL 29995 (B.I.A. 1974). The district director should not give conclusive effect to the determinations made in the prior proceedings, but should reach
his own independent conclusion based on the evidence actually before him. Matter of F-, 9 I. & N. Dec. 684 (BIA 1962). Therefore, in cases such as yours in which the USCIS has indicated it intends to deny the subsequent immigrant visa petition due to the prior finding of “marriage fraud,” new evidence can be submitted that demonstrates that the prior finding of “marriage fraud” was incorrect—i.e., evidence that shows that the prior marriage petition was based on a bona fide marriage, or that explains that the prior denial was based on an incomplete or inaccurate assessment of the facts. In cases in which the subsequent immigrant visa petition has already been denied, this new evidence should be submitted as part of a motion to reconsider. I recommend that you seek an experienced attorney to assist you in properly presenting the law and facts to the USCIS adjudicator to address the Section 204(c) bar. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw. com
What factors will the court look... PAGE C2 t
custody of the party, and 8) The age and health of the parties. The factors set forth hereinabove are only several of the many factors the court will consider in deciding the issue of spousal support. In that the amount and duration of an award is largely based on the facts and circumstances of the case, it is advised that one who is requesting support, or is opposing a request for support, obtain experienced counsel, who will be able to present the facts and circumstances in the best light possible.
*** 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, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was
President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail “mailto:kenneth@kenreyeslaw. com” kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
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Asian American Drug Abuse Program to host annual benefit in Los Angeles Back by popular demand, the legendary Kalapana and special guest Michael Paulo will be performing once again at the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP)’s annual benefit on Saturday, October 5. Kalapana emerged as one of the most popular bands on the Hawaiian music scene in the 70s, producing a steady stream of hits. Their 1975 debut album was hailed as one of the best of the mid-70s Hawaiian renaissance. Tracks like “Naturally,” “Nightbird,” “The Hurt,” “You Make It Hard,” and “When the Morning Comes” became household tunes and still enjoy frequent play on contemporary Hawaiian radio. Musical trends have come and gone, but Kalapana’s many hits have remained Island classics. This promises to be an unforgettable experience, as it pays tribute to the late Malani Bilyeu, founding member and Hoku Awardwinning artist. Performing as Kalapana will be: DJ Pratt (lead guitar, vocals), Gaylord Holomalia (keyboards, vocals), Kenji Sano (bass, vocals); accompanied by: Todd Yukumoto (saxophone & flute), Garin Poliahu (drums) and John Valentine (vocals, guitar); and special guest Michael Paulo (saxophone). Aratani Theatre is located at 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The program will begin at 6 p.m. with a VIP reception, followed by the concert at 7 p.m. and a dessert reception and meet-and-greet at 9 p.m. For more information, please visit www. showtime-AADAP.org.
Filipino American History Month celebration in Carson, CA The City of Carson, California will be holding its annual Filipino American History Month celebration on Saturday, October 5 from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. It will be at the Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center (801 E. Carson St. Carson, CA 90745). For more information, please call (310) 830-9991.
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Beatrock Music’s 10 year anniversary in Los Angeles Beatrock Music, an artist-driven, independent West Coast Hip Hop record label announced their entire lineup for their 10 Year Anniversary concert on Sunday October 6, 2019. Since 2009, the label has released a prolific catalog and has amassed a dedicated fanbase around the globe. To celebrate their 10 Year anniversary, Beatrock Music will host an all-day music festival, partnering with community organizations to produce programming fit for Hip Hop fans of all ages. Fans can expect a day of music and arts programming, with live performances from Beatrock Music artists including: Klassy, Ruby Ibarra, Bambu, Prometheus Brown, Rocky Rivera and more. Parents are welcome to bring kids and can enjoy the live-art activation led by artist Bodeck Luna. Attendees can also enjoy food and merchandise for purchase from local artisan vendors. The 10 Year Anniversary will also feature local community organizations, utilizing the event to amplify the work and increase the impact of each organization’s mission. As an added treat, the concert will feature a special guest performance from G. Yamazawa, a National Poetry Slam Champion, Cultural Diplomat for the Department of State and Kundiman Fellow. The Beatrock Music 10 Year Anniversary celebration takes place on Sunday October 6, 2019 (12 p.m.-8 p.m) at Bootleg Theater (2220 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90057). All ages are welcome. Tickets are available at BeatrockMusic.com.
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People and Events
San Diego event inspired by UCLA Pilipino Alumnus ON Saturday, September 14th, the San Diego Paralegal Association (SDPA) held its 3rd Annual Volunteer Legal & Community Fair (previously known as the Pro Bono Fair) at the San Diego Central Library in Downtown San Diego. Located in a spacious 9th floor room with large windows overlooking the beautiful skyline of Downtown San Diego, SDPA’s Volunteer Legal & Community Fair was an amazing event that was filled with attendees who were eager to learn about and assist the pro bono and community service organizations that were present. SDPA’s Volunteer Legal & Community Fair had many organizations that spoke to the crowd regarding what their organizations do, how they serve the community, and how attendees can get involved. SDPA President Julie Schwartz, ACP, introduced Mr. Bobby Rimas, Past President of the Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) and a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Pilipino Alumnus, to speak to the audience. Mr. Rimas gave a brief but formidable speech about the benefits of volunteering for pro bono and community service organizations. According to Mr. Rimas, volunteering for noble causes have multiple benefits, including assisting organizations that strive to help those who are most vulnerable in our society while simultaneously improving one’s chances of obtaining professional experience that can possi-
From left to right: Kristine Custodio, SDPA Past President, Julie Schwartz, SDPA President, Dion Sayles of Free to Thrive, and Bobby Rimas, LAPA Past President
bly lead to a passionate career and increasing one’s network base. Schwartz proclaimed to the attendees that the SDPA’s Volunteer Legal & Community Fair was inspired by LAPA’s Annual Pro Bono Fair when she and SDPA Past President Kristine Custodio, ACP, were invited to LAPA’s fair in Los Angeles in August 2013 by then LAPA President Bobby Rimas. For the past several years, several SDPA Board Members have attended LAPA’s Pro Bono Fair to see how LAPA organized and presented its annual event. Mr. Rimas was the former Chair and Scholarship Director of the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association and is currently a Board Member for the UCLA Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association (Lambda)
where he successfully chaired the UCLA Lambda Gala fundraising event in April 2019 at UCLA. A resident of the Beverly Grove district of Los Angeles for over 10 years, Mr. Rimas is also an Associate Professor at California State University, Los Angeles and a Paralegal for a bank in Pasadena. Representatives from pro bono and community service organizations who were present at the SDPA fair were from Big Brothers Big Sisters San Diego, San Diego Family Law Justice Center, Disability Rights California, Free to Thrive for Human Trafficking Survivors, Feeding San Diego, Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Serving Seniors, Rising Hearts Project, Stand Up for Kids, and Generate Hope. ■
Philippine Development Foundation hosts free summit at Google in Playa Vista, CA
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Palaris Colleges Alumni 4th International Reunion in Las Vegas, NV All alumni of the Palaris Colleges are invited to attend the 4th International Reunion to be held at the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 11 to October 13. Let us rekindle friendships, reminisce, renew acquaintances and create new memories! For more information, please contact Lumen Mendoza, executive chair, at (408) 718-9729 or send email to lumen_mendoza@yahoo.com; or Claver “Butch” Soriano, PCAA president, at (412) 805-1944 or send email to clasor@aol.com.
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Savor Santa Ana food festival Orange County’s premier all-ages sidewalk food festival featuring more than forty tastes from downtown Santa Ana restaurants, Savor Santa Ana, returns Saturday, October 12 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. At Savor Santa Ana, sample tastes from unique, local and Michelin-rated restaurants and bars throughout downtown Santa Ana. Live musicians and local youth performance groups will perform in pop-up shows along the sidewalks, and a trolley will provide free rides around downtown. The theme will be “Fall Food Carnival,” featuring fire dancers, mystique, and fall food flavors. This marks the seventh Savor Santa Ana festival for downtown Santa Ana, serving thousands of visitors since 2014. Organizers expect to sell the 150,000th tasting ticket this October, a milestone reminiscent of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the City of Santa Ana this year. Savor Santa Ana tickets are just $10 for 5 tasting tickets. Tickets are available online for pre-purchase at savorsantaana.com, and are available cash-only onsite at Savor Santa Ana.
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FACCGLA hosts immigration discussion in North Hollywood, CA The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) Panel Discussion and Mixer will be on Immigration and Business Law on Wednesday, October 16. Featured location for this month is the beautiful stone gallery of Stoneville USA. Event starts at 6:00-6:30 p.m. to tour the Stone Gallery, 6:30-7:15 p.m. Networking, 7:15-9:00 p.m. Speakers and more networking. Tickets are online; NO CASH payments will be accepted at the door. Visit www.faccgla.org for the EARLY BIRD Discount available until 10/11 11:00 p.m. Regular prices are $20 for Members and $30 Future Members. Stoneville USA is at 12906 Saticoy St, North Hollywood, CA 91605.
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West Ranch High School presents the Wildcat Classic in Valencia, CA West Ranch High School is proud to present the 11th annual Wildcat Classic, a daylong display of musical artistry on Saturday, October 19. More than 20 high school bands from the Santa Clarita Valley and around the region will gather for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra (SCSBOA) Marching Band Competition. The Wildcat Classic will take place at Valencia High School’s football stadium, located at 27801 Dickason Dr. in Valencia. Tickets are $12; parking is free. Each high school band will compete by division followed by an astounding showcase performance of the three-time state champion West Ranch Band and Colorguard. The day-long event culminates in an awards ceremony with trophies presented in each division as decided by a panel of SCSBOA judges. The performance schedule will be announced prior to the event. Vendors will be on site with plenty of delectable food and drink options as well as gifts and apparel for the music enthusiast. For additional information, please contact West Ranch Music Director Jason Marshall at 661-222-1220 x 646 or jmarshall@hartdistrict.org or visit www.westranchmusic.com.
Sikad cycling ride in Las Vegas Hosted by the Nevada Bicycle Club, in collaboration with charity institution Gawad Kalinga to give care, Sikad 2019 will be held on Saturday, October 19 at the River Mountain Trail Loop. The mission of the charity fun ride is to end homelessness through community building efforts in the Philippines. Gawad Kalinga is a nation building movement that hopes to end poverty for millions of Filipinos. Its template begins with restoration of dignity as a human being by bringing the poor out of their homelessness. But that is just the start.GK uses its resources to allow the poor access to basic services and opportunities that will turn them to productive citizens. It’s values formation component is a key element that promotes the effectiveness of all of its other programs. SIKAD NG BAYAN is an annual bike ride that supports GK program to include building schools, homes and community centers. This is the third annual SIKAD NG BAYAN - Las Vegas hosted by Nevada Bicycle Club. It will begin at the Railroad Pass Casino & Hotel at 2800 S. Boulder Hwy, Henderson, NV with the trail at the River Mountain Loop Trail & Acaia Park — course 1 is 9 miles; course 2 is 35 miles; course 3 is 50 miles. Register now at www.nevadabicycleclub.com/sikad2019. Free jersey & buffet w
49th anniversary of Federation of Rosary Groups rally in Burbank, CA On Saturday, October 19, devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary will come together to attend and celebrate the 49th year-anniversary of the Federation of Rosary Groups Annual Rosary Rally at St. Francis Xavier Church (3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA). In partnership with Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade in Glendale, people will assemble beginning at 9 a.m. to attend a talk to be given by the Most Reverend Alex Aclan, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles. This year’s theme is Mary In the Upper Room. The event is filled with activities that will enrich one’s faith. The afternoon speaker is Reverend Francis Mendoza, pastor of St. Finbar Church in Burbank. Procession and praying of the rosary will start at 3:30 p.m.; followed by a liturgy at 5:00 p.m. which will be concelebrated by Reverend Rodel Balagtas, Pastor of Incarnation Church/ Glendale and Reverend Sebastian Vettickal, Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church/ Burbank. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the event. For more information, please call: Rico Nosce (818) 331- 9111, Linda Gordon (818) 633-5600 or Rene Decena (818) 679- 7896.
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BEARINGg its core values of education, innovation and entrepreneurship, the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev) is back with a summit on Friday, October 18 with the theme “Shared Prosperity through Entrepreneurship.” This year’s FREE summit will be held at the Google Spruce Goose, Playa Vista, Los Angeles from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be a day full of full of meaningful connections, learning opportunities and inspiring stories from thought leaders, allies, visionaries, entrepreneurs, educators and change makers in the Filipino American community. Speakers include Paolo Malabuyo of Google; Priscilla Hunt of Hunt Enterprises; Michael Balaoing of Candlelion; Pulitzer Prizewinner, immigration advocate and author Jose Antonio Vargas; restaurateur and author Nicole Ponseca; PhilDev chairman Dado
Banatao; and Tony Alvarez of Alvarez & Marsal. PhilDev envisions a prosperous Philippines. With its mission of eradicating poverty through the benefits of science and technology, it builds and strengthens links for knowledge, capacities, and opportunity exchange. PhilDev’s mission planning began in the United States, and established our main office in the Philippines. In the Philippines, the organization responds to the vision by bringing together multi-sectoral partners to exchange ideas and share initiatives on the role of science and technology in national development; connect people and organizations in creating scalable and sustainable solutions to domestic needs; and advocate for innovative ideas and usher them to a global platform. In the United States, PhilDev mobilizes the Filipino diaspora to give back and support technol-
ogy-driven innovations and entrepreneurship in the Philippines. It develops links with private industry and universities to share resources, expertise and collaborate with counterparts in the Philippines, as well as granting scholarship opportunities. PhilDev was founded by Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, one of Silicon Valley’s most significant men, and together with like-minded Filipinos, committed to make a difference and give back to the Philippines in the way that they knew how. Through their combined efforts and influence, they have been able to initiate programs in education, start-ups and mentorship. Founded in 2011, PhilDev is a registered non-stock, nonprofit organization. For more information and to register for the summit, please visit http://www.phildev.org/summit-2019. ■
Does Godzilla live in your...
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she now has a lot of back pain, which makes her eligible to receive disability. She owes $40K of credit card debt. Her disability pay is $1,400 and her social security is $1,000. So, she gets monthly $2,400 from disability and social security. Her rent is $600. Her $40,000 of credit card debt requires 50 percent of her income for minimum payments. She has two sons who have offered to pay the minimum of $1,200 for her $40,000 of credit cards. But what is the logic in keeping these cards? Sons will pay $15,000 this year. Next year, they will pay another $15,000 and the year after next, another $15,000. In 3 years, sons will be
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$45,000 but client will still owe the same $40,000 of credit card debt after her sons aid $45,000 of minimum payments for three years! The client decides that she needs the full legal power of Chapter 7 to get rid of all of her $40,000 of credit cards now and to start a new and productive life again at 72! Chapter 7 is the “fresh start” law. You start life again without the burden of accumulated debt whether your are 72, 62, 52, 42 or 32, it doesn’t matter. You can start fresh again in life at any age! The sooner the better for you and your family, otherwise you will have a Godzilla living in your house. If you need debt relief, set an
appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. “A FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE RESTING ON THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH GOD, WHO DOES NOT LIE, PROMISED BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF TIME.” TITUS 1:2 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South-Lower Level Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.
about the relationship; and affidavits of persons with personal knowledge of the relationship. Evidence of abuse may include, but is not limited to, reports and affidavits from police, judges and other court officials, medical personnel, school officials, clergy, social workers, and other social service agency personnel. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW
FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others. Please visit our office: LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Call or text us: (213) 381.5710 Email us: attorneys@lindainsamsonlaw. com. (Advertising Supplement)
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VAWA petition
ship of the USC spouse abuser and evidence of the marriage. Evidence of good faith marriage may include, but is not limited to, proof that one spouse has been listed on insurance polies, property leases, income tax forms, or bank accounts; and testimonies or other evidence regarding courtship, wedding ceremony, shared residences and experiences. Other types of evidence include birth certificates of children born to the marriage, police, medical or court documents providing information
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Safeguarding your petition
Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ IN a previous article I discussed some tips, strategy, and suggestions to safeguard your family-based petition. Here are more suggestions and observations: 7. Notify NVC if your priority date is current but no notice was received from NVC. Usually, a few months before a person’s priority date is current, the NVC will send fee bills, forms, etc., in preparation for immigrant visa processing (if the person will be processed for their immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy). If your priority date is already current, but you have received no notices or forms from NVC, you may want to take immediate action to find out the status of your case. Were the notices sent to your correct address? Was the case ever approved and sent to the NVC? Don’t just sit on the case and do nothing for years after the priority date becomes current. You should perhaps have an attorney assist in making inquiries, especially if the priority date is current. 8. Watch out for Section 203(g) terminations. When a person’s priority date is current, the NVC sends out forms and notices to the applicant. The notices typically give the person one year to respond. If they fail to respond, they run the risk of the NVC terminating their case and shredding the file, resulting in the priority date being lost. As just mentioned, if
Part 3 the priority date is current and for your priority date to become you have received no notices from current. If you have issues with NVC, it could be possible those any of these items, you may want notices were sent to a different to seek the advice of an attorney address, and the one-year dead- now, rather than risk “losing” line would still apply. Also, either your petition. Also, when the priority date fithe U.S. Embassy or NVC may ask for additional documentation, and nally becomes current you may you are also given one year to re- also want to seek the assistance spond. If you do not, the case is of an attorney in connection with canceled. (A visa is like a reserva- either eligibility for adjustment tion on an airline. You might have of status or consular processing, booked your flight and reserved especially in this era of Trump, your seat, but if they are board- where the government is geting and you don’t check in, your ting very strict, looking at public reservation is canceled and your charge issues, and whether perseat is forfeited. In the same way, haps an elderly parent may beif a visa is available and the NVC is come dependent on the U.S. govcalling you to “check in,” but you ernment, thereby justifying a visa do not do so within one year, the refusal, etc. *** case is canceled. 9. Locate your records now, Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attoreven if the priority date is not ney for over 35 years and is licensed, yet current, and save them. Al- and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigrathough the priority date on your tion services are provided by, or under petition may be years away, it the supervision of, an active member of would still be a good idea to locate the State Bar of California. Each case all the relevant documents, such as is different and results may depend on the petition, the approval notice, the facts of the particular case. The etc. and put them in a safe place. information and opinions contained You can even scan them to PDF, herein (including testimonials, “Success so you can have a record of the Stories”, endorsements and re-enactdocuments in the cloud. I’ve en- ments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular countered many situations where case, and do not constitute a prediction, a person will come to my office, warranty, guarantee or legal advice restating that they had moved many garding the outcome of your legal mattimes, records were destroyed by ter. No attorney-client relationship is, or floods, termites, lahar, etc., and shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com they lost track of their documents. Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinWhile it is possible in some cases to retrieve the documents from kelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultathe government, it is better if you tion for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487just keep track of and save your 3465 (866) – GURFINKEL own documents. Four offices to serve you: These are only a few tips and LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW suggestions while you are waiting YORK · PHILIPPINES
Business Quote of the Week “Good leaders organize and align people around what the team needs to do. Great leaders motivate and inspire people with why they’re doing it. That’s purpose. And that’s the key to achieving something truly transformational.” — Marilyn Hewson, CEO of Lockheed Martin
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PH shares sink to 7,600 on disappointing US factory numbers by DORIS
DUMLAO-ABADILLA Inquirer.net
THE local stock barometer sank to the 7,600 mark on Wednesday as the disappointing U.S. factory gauge spooked global markets. The main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index tumbled by 129.18 points, or 1.67 percent, to close at 7,610.68, tracking a U.S. and regional downturn. Global growth concerns escalated as the latest U.S. manufacturing survey for September contracted for the second straight month and showed the worst reading in a decade. At the local market, the index
broke a strong support level at 7,620, which means that the next barrier would be at 7,475, the low seen last May, local stock brokerage Papa Securities said. All counters ended in the red. The financial, industrial, services, holding firm and property counters all tumbled by over 1 percent. Value turnover for the day amounted to P6.14 billion. Foreign investors mostly dumped local equities for the sixth straight session. Net foreign selling for the day amounted to P497.98 million. There were 110 decliners that edged out 80 advancers, while
46 stocks were unchanged. The market was weighed down most by local banking giant BDO, which lost 4.53 percent. URC, ICTSI and Meralco all tumbled by over 3 percent, while Ayala Land, Ayala Corp. and JG Summit all declined by over 2 percent. SM Prime, Globe Telecom and AGI all lost over 1 percent. SM Investments, BPI and Bloomberry also dipped. On the other hand, Security Bank and DMCI eked out gains of over 2 percent, while Megaworld added 1.14 percent. Jollibee and Puregold also firmed up. ■
Voice app experience in Philippines ranks among worst globally’ by RICHMOND
MERCURIO Philstar.com
VOICE app experience in the Philippines, or calls made with apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger, has been rated as “very poor” and ranked among the worst globally, according to a report from mobile analytics firm OpenSignal. In OpenSignal’s The State of Mobile App Experience report, the Philippines recorded a score of 62.9, putting it in the very poor classification where “most users are dissatisfied.” For the country’s score, OpenSignal found that most users experienced significant call quality impairments and occasional instances of distortion, clicking sounds or silence during the call. It can also be difficult to understand parts of the conversation without repetition. The Philippines’ voice app experience score also positioned it near the bottom of the 80-country ranking. Only Ghana, Cambodia, Kenya, Libya and Uzbekistan posted lower scores than the Philippines.
Philstar.com file photo
It can also be difficult to understand parts of the conversation without repetition. The Philippines’ voice app experience score also positioned it near the bottom of the 80-country ranking. Only Ghana, Cambodia, Kenya, Libya and Uzbekistan posted lower scores than the Philippines. OpenSignal’s voice app experience measures the quality of experience for over-the-top
voice services —mobile voice apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger etc. — using a model derived from the International Telecommunication Union-based approach for quantifying overall voice call quality with a series of calibrated technical parameters. Simply, it seeks to determine how good or bad does a call on voice apps render on the user’s PAGE D2
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S&P slashes 2019 PH growth outlook to 6% PH pork output to drop in 2020 – Fitch Solutions by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo
Manilatimes.net
S&P Global Ratings again trimmed its Philippine growth forecast for 2019 to 6 percent from 6.1 percent after taking into account the lower expansion the country posted in the first half of the year. The debt watcher’s revised projection is its third this year from the initial 6.4 percent. It is also lower than last year’s actual gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.2 percent, and falls at the lower end of the government’s downwardly revised 6.07.0 percent target. “Sentiment in the private domestic economy appears to have taken a significant hit over the past two quarters, which, combined with a negative fiscal impulse in the first half, [produced] sub-6 percent year-on-year growth for the first two quarters,” S&P said in a report on Tuesday, October 1. The country’s GDP in the first half stood at 5.5 percent, well below the government’s target range. “The second half of this year could see some acceleration in growth to bring the overall figure to 6 percent for 2019, largely driven by a significant ramp-up in public investment as the government tries to catch up with its infrastructure plans,” the credit rater said. The government’s catch-up plan set an infrastructure spending target of P792.97 billion for the second to fourth quarters after actual infrastructure spending reached P207.2 billion in the first three months of 2019. Acting Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado earlier said the Department of Transportation had committed to spend about P53 billion from July to December, or about 56.5 percent of its full-year target. As for the Department of Public Works and Highways, it has programmed some P542.6 billion in disbursements, also in the second half, equivalent to 71.8 percent of the P755.6-billion spending commitment, he added. In the first seven months of the year, infrastructure spending reached P386.6 billion, 11.6 percent lower than a year ago. Growth pick-up Also on Tuesday, First Metro Investments Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and Union Bank
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Forever 21 won’t close stores in PH despite bankruptcy: ‘Business as usual’ by Katrina
Hallare Inquirer.net
Acting Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado
of the Philippines (UnionBank) expect GDP growth to pick up in the second half on the back of increased state spending and easing inflation. In the September issue of their “Market Call” report, FMIC and UA&P forecast economic growth to reach 6 percent in the third quarter and 6.5 percent in the fourth. The figures are higher than the 5.6 percent registered in the first quarter and 5.5 percent in the second, which was blamed on the four-and-a-half-month delay in the approval of this year’s national budget. According to the report, major factors that would contribute to the growth include easing inflation and signs of a resurgence in government spending, which will boost domestic demand. “Initial economic data for Q3 (third quarter) looked promising, especially the key items of a huge gain in employment and the unabated fall of inflation. The huge jump in employment, both on year-on-year and quarter-onquarter (q-o-q) basis, albeit due partly to election spending, and the approval of [the 2019] NG (national government) budget on April 15, augurs well for a solid rebound of consumer spending starting Q3,” said FMIC and UA&P. “The relentless fall of inflation to below 2 percent (y-o-y) in August, as we projected all along, and further to sub-1.5 percent by September, should provide support to consumer and investment spending in H2 (second half). NG spending finally returned to the
Manilatimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili
positive growth territory in July, albeit mildly. However, it suggests that the kinks introduced by the delayed budget approval are being fixed and we should start seeing double digit gains by August,” they added. With the possible second-half acceleration, FMIC and UA&P maintained their full-year GDP growth projection at 6.0-6.5 percent this year. In contrast, UnionBank said economic growth for 2019 could hit 5.9 percent. In a separate report, the Aboitiz-led lender’s Economic Research Unit (ERU) said that, after the delayed passage of this year’s budget, the anticipated economic-growth recovery in the second half hinged on how fast the government could catch up on its infrastructure spending. “If GDP growth numbers were to be released today, ERU sees Q3 GDP at 6.1 percent, Q4 GDP at 6.5 percent, and full-year 2019 GDP growth average at 5.9 percent,” said Ruben Carlo Asuncion, UnionBank chief economist of the Corporate Planning GroupEconomic Research Unit. According to him, economic growth could accelerate to 6.6 percent next year. “These economic growth forecasts are largely based on the potential recovery of domestic investment, particularly that of the public side. These expectations are premised on the continuous government expansionary fiscal policy reforms and accommodative monetary policies,” he explained. (With Anna Leah E. Gonzales) n
by eireene Jairee
GoMez
ManilaTimes.net
PORK production in the Philippines is forecast to fall by 1.5 percent to 1.615 million metric tons in 2020 on account of the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), which has hit more than a dozen areas in the country so far, according to Fitch Solutions. In its latest industry report, the Fitch Group’s research unit said “[f]armers are unlikely to begin rebuilding herds… while the epidemic is still ongoing, and even when monthly outbreaks subside, it can take up to a year for new animals to be ready for slaughter.” “Given that over 60 percent of the country’s pig population are…in backyard farms, where ASF has a tendency to spread quickly (as demonstrated by China), we believe there is a strong possibility that the disease could continue to spread over the coming quarters,” it added. The projected decrease is the first in four years made on Philip-
pine pork output, which is seen to recover and grow at 3 percent annually from 2021 to 2023, according to Fitch Solutions. Production reached 1.640 MMT last year, a 2.4-percent increase from 1.602 MMT in 2017, data from Fitch Solutions showed. With pork production in Asia expected to decline and Chinese meat imports seen to increase, the Fitch unit said “other diseasestricken Asian countries may have trouble importing meat as international prices have risen,” which could result in lower pork consumption. Fitch Solutions projects pork consumption in the Philippines to drop by 1 percent year-onyear; China, 2 percent; and Vietnam, 5 percent. Despite the bleak outlook, industry players in the country remain optimistic that they could meet local demand, citing a production increase in the first three quarters of the year. Rosendo So, president of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikul-
IT is still business as usual for Forever 21 as the retail chain said it will not close down its Philippine stores despite facing bankruptcy issues. “Forever 21 Philippines on Monday, September 30, assured the public that it remains business as usual and will continue its operations,” a statement read, which was released to the public on Tuesday, October 1. This comes after the Los Angeles-based privately held chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It also said it will close down 178 stores in the U.S. The first Philippine branch of Forever 21 opened in 2010 at SM Manilatimes.net file photo Megamall. tura (Sinag), told The Manila SM Retail Inc. President Chito Times that there had been a 4percent growth in output from January to June, and an 8-percent expansion from July to August. According to him, the 20,000 pigs that were culled since the first confirmed ASF case in Auby catHerine talavera gust represented only 0.15 perManilatimes.net cent of the 12.72-million heads of pigs in the country. ACCESS to data and economic For his part, Sinag Execu- and political stability are key factive Director Jayson Cainglet tors that developing countries said “[w]e have pork stock until such as the Philippines need in March, so there is no need to im- order to facilitate transformation port.” into the Fourth Industrial Revo“We see lower pork consump- lution, according to German oftion of 5-6 percent for this year, ficials. so more surplus stocks are ex- “You need stability, economipected and more reason not to cally, socially and politically, and import,” he added. that hopefully gives the companies “We are not bothered by the the faith to go on with their innoprojections. We are concerned vations,” Lower Saxony Germany about the entry of ASF-laced Prime Minister Stephan Weils pork imports.” said in a pre-event media briefing Seventeen areas are now re- for the Industrial Transformation portedly hit by ASF, but only 14 Asia Pacific (ITAP) trade show. areas have been confirmed by The trade show, to be held the Agriculture department. They from Oct. 22 to 24 in Singapore, include villages in Pangasinan, is a Hannover Messe event, the Rizal and Bulacan provinces. n world’s leading trade show for industrial technology, which originated in Germany. “Looking into Germany, we see “Voice apps such as WhatsApp, that higher level of qualifications Skype and Facebook Messenger of the employees is one of the reaoffer an entirely new platform for sons why German industries have users to call each other, bypass- been so successful in the past,” ing the traditional cellular chan- Weil said nels and offering a true online “Secondly, I feel that the culture experience. Voice apps offer flex- of entrepreneur, who are innovaibility across a number of devices tors, helps enough,” he added. and networks, and have soared German Ambassador to Sinin popularity as smartphones gapore Ulrich Sante emphasized become more and more ubiqui- that access to data is essential in giving economies a chance to partous,” it said. n
Voice app experience in Philippines...
PAGE D1 t network. Of the 80 countries analyzed, 19 achieved a good rating, only six of which were from outside Europe. These six included Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. All the European markets along with the US and Canada ranked as acceptable or above for voice app experience. Nearly two-thirds of Latin
American countries, along with the vast majority of African and Middle Eastern markets, meanwhile, rated poor or below. “The insatiable growth in smartphone use along with the increasing ubiquity of data connections means that apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger are offering an entirely new platform for users to talk to each other,” OpenSignal said.
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PH banks ‘well-equipped’ vs corporate debts fallout
Inquirer.net file photo
Manalo Jr. assured the public that “full operations” will continue in all of 15 Forever 21 stores in the country. Forever 21 Philippines added that it is ready for the rise in demand from consumers as the
peak season in shopping commences in time for Christmas. “We will continue to offer upto-date merchandise and are gearing up our marketing investments for the Christmas season,” Manalo said. n
‘Economic, political stability key factors toward digital transformation’ ticipate in investing for the transformation toward Industry 4.0. “This is the speed at which data is produced, the speed at which developed industries are able to actually work with data,” he said. Sante said if this is not managed well, this could lead to the further separation of very developed countries and countries that are less and less developed. “I think somehow it’s making sure who has access to data talks about it at international levels to ensure that we will not have a new separation of the world,” Sante said. “I think that is a very important aspect and I think that Germany is one that will promote very, very strongly to give everyone a chance to take participate in that new industrial 4.0 revolution,” he said. In line with empowering economies move towards Industry 4.0, ITAP aims to provide attendees dynamic innovations and share insights that will help them fasttrack the transformation process by choosing solutions that address challenges in operations, sharpen competitive edge and drive bottom-line impact. Aloysius Arlando, CEO of ITAP organizer SingEX Holdings, said the trade event is designed to serve economies and enterprises at their full spectrum of under-
standing of Industry 4.0. “We don’t pretend to know everything — even our German counterparts want to look at how we can work together to really demystify Industry 4.0.,” Arlando said. “But more importantly, let’s begin on a journey of understanding – understand where we are and take baby steps,” he added. SingEX emphasized that the adoption of Industry 4.0 in the Asia Pacific region continues to be a journey, with some markets in the early stages of implementation of an Industry 4.0 framework, while some, such as the Philippines, as still in the planning phase. The second edition of the ITAP’s will provide attendees a showfloor with immersive experience ranging from a learning lab, a collaboration lab, a robotics experimental zone, a research and technology zone, sandboxes and conferences, guided tours and technical tours. The trade event brings together I4.0 practitioners, technology and solution providers, industrial companies, component manufacturers, software companies, manufacturing solutions suppliers, service companies and consultancies and start-ups. Last year’s ITAP featured 266 exhibitors from 23 countries and gathered 20,950 attendees. n
Manilatimes.net file photo by mayvelin
u. caraballo
ManilaTimes.net
CORPORATE debts in the Philippines are high but banks can handle if it escalates to any conglomerate fallout, International credit ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service said. In its Sector In-Depth report titled “Banks — Asia-Pacific: Risks from leveraged corporates grow as macroeconomic conditions worsen” released on Monday, the debt watcher noted high levels of corporate leverage
across Asia-Pacific, which were boosted by a prolonged period of low interest rates. Corporate debts in the Philippines are high but banks can handle if it escalates to any conglomerate fallout, International credit ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service said. In its Sector In-Depth report titled “Banks — Asia-Pacific: Risks from leveraged corporates grow as macroeconomic conditions worsen” released on Monday, September 30, the debt watcher noted high levels of cor-
porate leverage across Asia-Pacific, which were boosted by a prolonged period of low interest rates. The credit watchdog noted that its assessment was based on its stress test on the banking industry of the said countries. “Under our stress scenario, capital ratios will decline by 1 percentage point to 4 percentage points in most economies, which will still leave banks with sufficient buffers. Indian banks are the most vulnerable,” it concluded. n
PH firms flocked to cheap dollar loans in Q2 to fund growth higher by $676 million — from the end-March 2019 level of $16.8 billion. CHEAPER cost of funds couDuring this period, loan displed with the rather need for bursements by banks to Philipmore funds for business opera- pine borrowers exceeded princitions prompted local firms to take pal reflecting the healthy appetite out more foreign currency loans for dollar funding, the central in the second quarter of the year, bank said. the latest data from the Bangko “The growth in loans may be Sentral ng Pilipinas revealed on attributed to borrowing firms’ Tuesday, October 2. higher working capital requireIn a statement, BSP Governor ments as well as banks’ lower Benjamin Diokno said that as interest rates,” it added. of end-June 2019, outstanding Year-on-year, dollar loans loans granted by the Foreign granted by banks grew by 11.6 Currency Deposit Units of banks percent or $1.8 billion, from the stood at $17.5 billion, represent- end-June 2018 level of $15.7 biling a 4 percent increase — of lion. by Daxim
l. lucas
Inquirer.net
As of end-June 2019, the maturity profile of the banks’ dollar loan portfolios remained predominantly medium- to longterm debt — meaning those payable over a term of more than one year — which represented 78.1 percent of total. This was higher than the 75.6 percent level as of end-June 2018. According to the central bank, the bulk of outstanding loans went to the following local industries: towing, tanker, trucking and forwarding (23.7 percent); merchandise and service exporters (16.4 percent); public utility firms (8.3 percent); and producPAGE D5
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Government mulls scrapping US sugar quota EMPLOYMENT
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THE Philippines is looking at the possibility of scrapping sugar allocation to the U.S. amid the challenges being faced by local producers for this crop year. The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said the Board would study the possibility of diverting “A” sugar amid an expected relatively flat output. The move was also raised by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, but SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica warned of the repercussions of proceeding with such deci0 “He (Zubiri) does not understand why we are shipping out when we are also importing. His stand is that instead of shipping out, why not sell it directly to beverage companies for that allocation instead of importing,” Serafica told The STAR Tuesday, October 1. “If we scrap that, regaining
access will not be that easy. Once we give that up, US will reallocate this to other exporting countries. What happens if we lose that, it might be indefinite (to have it back),” he said. Bases on the latest sugar order, 95 percent of the sugar production will be for the domestic market, while the remaining five percent will be for the US market. The SRA classifies sugar into “A” for sugar for export to the US, “B” for domestic consumption, “C” for reserves, “D” for export to countries other than the US and “E” for local food processors. “We have the same quota given by the US. The problem is our domestic supply is going down and the mill gate price of A sugar is lower than B sugar,” SRA board member for planters side Emilio Yulo told The STAR. The Philippines is one of the select countries given an annual allocation of sugar export to the
U.S. market at a premium. “But we will have to study this. The board will look into this and we assured the senator that this wiould be taken up,” Serafica said. “There are lots of things that we have to consider, it’s not only about figures, balances by end of the crop year, but also how profitable it will be for the farmers and the consumers,” he said. Serafica explained that converting all “A” to “B” would mean excess raw sugar supply. For the new crop year which started last month and will end in August next year, the Philippines expects to produce 2.096 million MT of sugar. This is a measly 1.1 percent increase from this year’s 2.072 million MT production. The lower production will likely prompt more sugar imports this crop year as the country needs to maintain at least 2.2 million MT in supply to meet local demand. n
PH firms flocked to cheap dollar... PAGE D3 t ers/manufacturers, including oil companies (4.3 percent). Gross disbursements in the second quarter of 2019 reached $16.7 billion and were 6.5 percent higher than the first quarter of 2019’s figure due to borrowing firms’ higher working capital requirements and availment of loan by a government corpora-
tion in the power sector. Similarly, loan repayments were higher by 3.5 percent, thus, resulting in overall net disbursements. FCDU deposit liabilities for the period stood at $41.3 billion, which was higher by US$1.4 billion (3.4 percent) from $40 billion as of end-March 2019, with the bulk (97 percent) continuing
to be held by residents — a situation that the central bank said “essentially constitutes an additional buffer to the country’s gross international reserves.” Meanwhile, dollar deposits held by local banks increased by $3.4 billion, representing a 9 percent hike from the previous year’s $37.9 billion level, the data showed. n
Lewis Community developer The Resort
RANCHO CUCAMONGA CA) – Welcome to The Resort, a bright new master-planned community in Rancho Cucamonga that’s designed to bring out the best of everything. With new detached bungalows and contemporary flats for singlelevel living now selling—plus modern amenities, beautiful green belts, paseos and sustainable, style-forward home designs—The Resort offers a modern urban escape that will change the way you live. It’s a vibrant new living destination crafted for you to explore, discover and connect, featuring shared gathering spaces throughout and retail just around the corner. Visit today to discover the perfect home for you and come back Saturday, October 12 to explore the brand new clubhouse. At The Resort, distinctive new neighborhoods will feature beautiful construction, offering stunning single-family residences, townhomes and contemporary flats with elevators designed to innovate and stand the test of time. It all starts with the first neighborhood, Lumin by Van Daele Homes, with more neighborhoods coming soon.
Contact: Rachel Mullins (562) 499-6707
Now open, Lumin by Van Daele Homes brings new detached bungalows and contemporary flats for single-level living to The Resort. With flexible spaces, bonus rooms, private courtyards and a host of premium appointments, this home collection is perfectly suited for every lifestyle. Offering three exceptional designs to choose from, these stunning residences boast 1,448 to 1,934 square feet of quality design with up to four bedrooms and four bathrooms. With a name like The Resort, you know there will be the amenities to match. And it will begin with a forward-trending, resort-style recreational and fitness center made to kickstart and shape every action, connection and experience in your wellness journey. Find your stride at the swimming pool or your zen in the yoga room. Sit back and relax with newfound friends at the barbecue area. Here, there will be countless places to gather and connect—or even take to nature, with beautiful green belts, paseos and a bark park. Whether it’s downtime at the outdoor lounge or breaking a sweat at the fitness center, The Resort will redefine what it means to have an active and healthy lifestyle.
Your front door will be your gateway to everything when you live at The Resort. Take a short stroll to get a quick retail fix or hop in the car to find the perfect date-night restaurants and trendy shops to browse at Victoria Gardens and Ontario Mills. If you’re looking for some entertainment nearby, head to the Toyota Arena for a concert or hit the Auto Club Speedway for high-speed fun. Being in a prime location walking distance to the Metrolink train station and close to the 10 and 15 freeways, you’ll always have easy access to employment, recreation destinations and entertainment hotspots in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire and more. Plus, nearby business centers offer an abundance of opportunities. With all that and the Ontario International Airport close to your new home at The Resort, you’ll be surprised at just how convenient your life will be here. The Resort is located at 9301 The Resort Parkway, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. For more information on The Resort, please visit TheResortLiving. com or call (909) 270-4284. n (Advertising Supplement)
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