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Volume 24 - No. 41 • 12 Pages
T h e F i l i p i n o A m e r i ca n C o m mu n i t y N e ws pa p e r
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
October 10-16, 2025
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Shutdown 2025: what Filipino Americans DATELINE USA Shutdown fallout widens: need to know about stalled US services Air traffic stress deepens from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
but system holds steady
WASHINGTON, D.C. / LOS ANGELES – As the U.S. government shutdown stretched into its second week, the nation’s air transportation network remained under strain. Delays rippled across major airports, federal employees worked without pay, and pressure mounted on Congress to end the standoff. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the shutdown has “pushed an already strained workforce into crisis mode,” warning that fatigue and uncertainty among air traffic controllers could soon affect operations. “They’re not just now thinking about the airspace,” Duffy said. “They’re thinking about how to pay the mortgage, keep the lights on, and feed their families.” Controllers on duty, paychecks frozen Under federal law, air traffic controllers are “excepted” employees required to work during a shutdown. More than 13,000 controllers have gone unpaid since October 1. The National Air Traffic Controllers Asu PAGE 4
by AJPress
LOS ANGELES — The United States entered a federal government shutdown on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass either annual appropriations or a short-term extension. For Filipino Americans across the nation, the lapse is more than a distant debate in Washington: it affects federal workers’ paychecks, immigration services, veterans’ care, and the everyday functions of govern-
ment that touch millions of families. Why shutdowns happen Each fiscal year begins on October 1. By law, Congress must pass 12 appropriations bills, or at least a continuing resolution, to keep agencies funded. Without them, the Antideficiency Act prohibits federal agencies from spending money they do not have. Shutdowns then force agencies to stop nonessential operations. Since 1980, there have been 14 shutdowns of
Marcos appoints Remulla as new Ombudsman of the Philippines by AJPress
US automakers struggle to stay on course as EV subsidies end WASHINGTON / DETROIT — America’s electric vehicle (EV) ambitions are facing a reality check. The federal $7,500 EV tax credit expired on September 30, ending a key incentive that had fueled sales and investment across the auto industry. The Trump administration’s decision to let the program lapse is part of its broader rollback of clean-energy subsidies. Industry leaders warn the shift could slow adoption and weaken U.S. competitiveness in the global EV market. GM drops lease workaround General Motors confirmed on October 8 that it abandoned a plan to capture remaining tax credits through dealer leases after criticism from lawmakers and legal experts. The company’s finance arm had planned to buy EVs from dealer inventory before the deadline, claim the credits, and pass savings on to customers. GM now says it will fund lease incentives internally through October. Ford has not disu PAGE 4
varying length. The longest, from December 2018 to January 2019, stretched 34 days and cost the economy billions. The 12 appropriations bills that matter The discretionary budget is divided into 12 bills. Together, they fund nearly all federal operations. If they are not passed, a shutdown begins. 1. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration – USDA, FDA, rural housing, u PAGE 2
ANOTHER DAY. Clear view from Navotas River as the sun sets on Wednesday, October 8. The weather bureau announced on October 7 the termination of the southwest monsoon (habagat) season, signaling the transition to the northeast monsoon (amihan) season and the end of the wet season in the western sections of Luzon and the Visayas. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla as the new Ombudsman of the Republic of the Philippines, following the completion of Hon. Samuel R. Martires’seven-year term in July. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed the appointment on October 7, 2025, in an official statement highlighting Remulla’s record in justice reform and public accountability. The announcement came a day after the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) transmitted its shortlist of seven nominees to Malacañang for the president’s consideration. “The administration remains firm in its commitment to fight corruption wherever it exists,” the Palace statement said. “As Ombudsman, Remulla is expected to uphold transparency, strengthen anti-corruption measures, and ensure that justice is administered fairly and efficiently.” A public servant’s journey Remulla, 64, has served as the 59th Secretary of Justice since June 2022, leading efforts to modernize the justice u PAGE 3
AFP chief Brawner denies coup rumors, warns destabilization would set nation back by AJPress
MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Friday, October 4, 2025, denied reports that the military was conspiring with retired generals and religious groups to unseat President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., calling the allegations baseless and potentially destabilizing. Speaking at a forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), Brawner said he was “surprised”
when he read an online article alleging a coup plot within the ranks. “The coup rumors are not true. I myself was surprised when I saw the article,” Brawner said. “The Armed Forces remains professional, united, and loyal to the Constitution.” Brawner cautioned that any attempt to overthrow a sitting president would reverse the country’s democratic gains and disrupt economic stability. “We have been through that before,” he said, referring to past uprisings that weakened investor confidence and u PAGE 2 Senator Panfilo Lacson
File photo courtesy of the Senate of the Philippines
Trump appoints Lee Lipton Romualdez, Escudero, 31 Ping Lacson steps down as as new ambassador to PH others under BI lookout order Senate Blue Ribbon Chair
Lipton serves as the interim permanent representative to The order requires the Bureau of Immigration to the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States closely monitor the travel movements of the subject Senator Panfilo Lacson announces his decision to step down as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon LOS ANGELES – President individuals. However, this does not prevent them Donald Trump has appointed Committee, citing colleagues’ dissatisfaction Lee Lipton, the interim permafrom leaving the country as only hold-departure as flood-control investigation continues under nent representative to the Unitorders mandated by a court can do so ed States Mission to the Organew executive and audit reviews
Lee Lipton Photo from the U.S. State Department
nization of American States, as the new U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, the White House announced Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). “Lee Lipton, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Philippines,” according to the White House announcement u PAGE 2
by Daphne Galvez, Rainier Allan Ronda Philstar.com
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has placed Sen. Francis Escudero, Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez and 31 others linked to anomalies in flood control projects under an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO). The DOJ issued the order
hours after it was requested by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is investigating the corruption issue. “The ILBO for all officials requested by the ICI has been signed by SOJ,” Assistant u PAGE 3
by AJPress MANILA — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson announced on Sunday, October 5, his decision to step down as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, saying he would relinquish the post once the Senate resumes session and he can formally submit his resignation in ple-
nary. Lacson said he is preparing his resignation letter after learning that several colleagues had expressed dissatisfaction with how he was handling the committee’s hearings on alleged irregularities in government flood-control projects. “Rightly or wrongly, when u PAGE 4