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OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026 Volume 20 - No.42 • 16 Pages 611 North Brand Blvd., Suite 1300, Glendale, CA 91203 • Tel: (818) 9379981 • (818) 937-9982 • (213) 250-9797 • info@asianjournalinc.com
DATELINE USA
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
Trump to Attend ASEAN Summit in Manila in November Malacañang confirms U.S. president’s planned visit, his first to the Philippines since 2017 by AJPress
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
California bullet train faces new legal challenge over station move
MANILA — U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit the Philippines in November to attend a summit of Southeast Asian leaders and their international partners, Malacañang confirmed Wednesday, October 14, marking his first planned visit to the country since 2017. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed Trump's attendance at the
49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits but did not disclose his arrival and departure dates or other itinerary details. The Philippines, which holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year, is preparing to host the gathering in Metro Manila. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared November 16 to 18 special non-working days throughout the National Capital Region to ease traffic congestion and facilitate security arrangements for
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Currency's decline raises concerns over import costs and household spending amid global financial uncertainty MANILA — The Philippine peso fell to a record closing low of P63.06 against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, October 15, extending its decline amid global financial uncertainty and raising concerns about import costs as the country confronts elevated inflation. The currency weakened by 19 centavos from Wednesday’s close of P62.87, surpassing its previous record closing low of P62.90 on Octo-
u PAGE 2 President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lauds the timely completion of the US$80 million UPS Clark International Air Hub in Pampanga, highlighting new jobs and investments beyond Metro Manila. Photo courtesy of PCO
DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL | WEEKLY REPORT
Prosecutors Drop Three Charges, Pursue P818 Million Unexplained Wealth Case
Senate court narrows the case to financial allegations as Duterte's lawyers challenge the withdrawal and prepare for November hearings. by AJPress
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court approved the withdrawal of three of four charges against Vice President Sara Duterte on October 13, leaving allegations of unexplained wealth, incomplete asset disclosures and prohibited business interests as the sole basis of the prosecution's case. The decision followed the final
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Peso Hits Record Low of P63.06 Against Dollar as Inflation Pressures Mount
Lawsuit disputes proposed relocation from downtown Merced as state environmental exemption filing is marked withdrawn SACRAMENTO — California’s high-speed rail project faces a lawsuit over plans to move its proposed Merced station outside downtown, placing a potential cost-cutting measure under legal scrutiny as a state environmental exemption filing for the new site is listed as withdrawn. The Community Alliance for a Sustainable Economy announced the action Wednesday, October 14. The group says its complaint, dated October 8 and brought in Sacramento County Superior Court, alleges that the California High-Speed Rail Authority advanced the relocation without the legislative changes it requires and improperly exempted the al-
visiting delegations. Trump last visited the Philippines from November 12 to 14, 2017, when he attended the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila during his first presidential term and met then-President Rodrigo Duterte. U.S.–Philippines defense and regional security Trump's planned return follows continued diplomatic engagement between Washing-
testimony of a forensic accountant whose analysis identified approximately ₱817.87 million in allegedly unexplained assets and income associated with Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, from 2022 through 2025. Duterte denies wrongdoing and disputes the prosecution's evidence. Prosecutors narrow the case
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Inflation Tops Filipinos’ Concerns as Poll Shows Regional Divides in Marcos, Duterte Ratings
Pulse Asia finds widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s inflation response and divided views on impeachment allegations by AJPress
MANILA — Rising prices dominated Filipinos’ concerns in September, while separate findings from a Pulse Asia survey showed regional assessments of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte and uncertainty over allegations in Duterte’s impeachment case. Seventy-one percent named
Subic, San Diego Set to Formalize Port Cooperation
Planned sister-port agreement focuses on cargo opportunities, cruise operations and cleaner technology by AJPress
inflation among three urgent government priorities, up from 57 percent in July. Eighty-one percent disapproved of the administration’s performance in controlling prices. Fighting government corruption ranked second among urgent concerns at 39 percent, followed by raising workers’ pay at 36 percent.
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — The ports of Subic and San Diego are scheduled to formalize cooperation on shipping, cruise tourism and environmental management under an agreement set for signing October 15 in California, according to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). The planned agreement builds on an earlier relationship. SBMA said in February 2025 that the ports had proclaimed sister-port ties in 2018. That month, San Diego port representatives visited Subic to discuss automation, break-bulk cargo handling, shore power,
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OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 937-9981
From the Front Page
Trump to Attend ASEAN Summit... PAGE 1
ton and Manila. Marcos met Trump at the White House on July 22, 2025, for discussions covering bilateral relations, defense cooperation and trade. The two presidents also spoke by telephone on July 23, 2026, discussing economic developments and regional security concerns, including the South China Sea, according to the Philippine government. The Philippines and the United States maintain a defense alliance anchored in their 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. Their security relationship also includes the Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which establish frameworks for military cooperation and U.S. access to agreed Philippine facilities. The South China Sea remains a significant issue in bilateral and regional diplomacy. The Philippines and China have competing territorial and maritime claims, while disputes over maritime activities continue to affect relations between the two countries. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled that China's expansive claims to historic rights within its ninedash line had no legal basis insofar as they exceeded mar-
itime entitlements permitted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Beijing rejected the ruling, which did not determine sovereignty over disputed land features. The November ASEAN gathering is expected to bring together regional leaders and representatives of dialogue partner countries for discussions on political, economic and security concerns. The Philippines' chairmanship comes as Southeast Asian governments pursue closer economic integration while managing differences over maritime security and other regional issues. Technology investments and New Clark City Economic cooperation between Manila and Washington also extends to strategic technologies. The Philippine government is pursuing a proposed advanced manufacturing and innovation hub in New Clark City under Pax Silica, a U.S.-led initiative intended to strengthen supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals and related industries. On October 13, Malacañang said a framework agreement for the proposed development was being targeted for signing before the end of 2026.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has submitted a proposed legal framework through official channels for a planned 1,620-hectare advanced manufacturing park in New Clark City, Tarlac. According to the Palace, the authority and its U.S. development partner are continuing discussions on the terms of their proposed cooperation. The development is part of efforts under the Luzon Economic Corridor to attract high-technology manufacturing and investment to the Philippines. BCDA estimates that the project could attract $40 billion to $70 billion in investment and generate 130,000 to 190,000 direct jobs once fully developed. Those figures are government projections dependent on financing, agreements and implementation, not investments already secured or employment already created. Malacañang has not confirmed whether the proposed framework agreement will be signed during Trump's November visit. Castro said on October 13 that she had not established whether Marcos had received the proposed legal framework submitted through official channels.n
Peso Hits Record Low of P63.06... PAGE 1
ber 8, according to the Bankers Association of the Philippines. The peso opened at P62.83 and briefly touched P63.15 during trading, its weakest intraday level on record, before recovering slightly at the close. Trading volume reached $1.5 billion, up from $941 million the previous day. The depreciation adds pressure to an economy heavily dependent on imported petroleum, industrial materials and other dollar-priced commodities. A weaker peso increases the local-currency cost of imports, potentially contributing to higher production, transportation and consumer prices. Philippine inflation accelerated to 7.2 percent in September from 6.1 percent in August, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Higher annual price increases for food, transportation, housing and utilities contributed to the acceleration, further straining household budgets. Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion,
chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines, said expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would keep interest rates elevated for longer had supported the dollar and U.S. Treasury yields. Those conditions have reduced investor appetite for emerging-market currencies, including the peso, he said in comments reported by BusinessMirror. U.S. consumer prices rose 3.7 percent in September from a year earlier, compared with 3.4 percent in August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The figures renewed expectations that American monetary policy could remain restrictive. John Paolo R. Rivera, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, cautioned that breaching the P63 level did not necessarily indicate continued depreciation. He identified rising import costs, inflation and reduced household purchasing power as major concerns. The Bangko Sentral ng Pili-
pinas on Wednesday projected a $9.2 billion balance-of-payments deficit for 2026, narrowing to $8.5 billion in 2027, citing geopolitical tensions and elevated fuel and commodity prices. The central bank expects international reserves to remain above $100 billion in both years, providing a buffer against external pressures. For Filipino households receiving remittances, the weaker peso means more local currency for every dollar converted, although higher living costs could offset some of that benefit. Cash remittances from overseas Filipinos reached $3.03 billion in August, up 1.9 percent from a year earlier, according to BSP figures released Thursday. The United States remained the largest source of remittances. The BSP, which raised its benchmark interest rate to 5 percent in August, is scheduled to hold its next monetary policy meeting on October 22. n
ASEAN DIALOGUE. Finance Secretary Frederick Go joins IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and ASEAN authorities in Bangkok on Oct. 13, 2026, during the IMF Managing Director’s Strategic Dialogue with ASEAN. Photo courtesy of IMF
Inflation Tops Filipinos’ Concerns... PAGE 1 Inflation was the only issue cited by majorities in every geographic area, ranging from 60 percent in Metro Manila to 76 percent in the rest of Luzon. Meanwhile, 70 percent disapproved of the administration’s performance against corruption; 67 percent disapproved of its poverty-reduction efforts. Other concerns were criminality (24 percent), poverty (21 percent), jobs (18 percent) and illegal drugs (18 percent). Protecting overseas Filipino workers was the only government-performance category drawing majority approval, at 52 percent. The survey was conducted September 17–24 through face-to-face interviews with 2,400 adults. Pulse Asia reported a nationwide margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. Official data released afterward showed September inflation accelerating to 7.2 percent from 6.1 percent in August, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Food inflation reached 6.8 percent, with rice prices up 20.3 percent from a year earlier. Inflation for the lowest-income 30 percent of households reached 9 percent. A separate Social Weather Stations survey found 22.6
percent of families experienced involuntary hunger during the preceding three months, while 55 percent considered themselves poor and 44 percent food-poor. Those measures reflect households’ reported experiences and self-assessments, not the priorities measured by Pulse Asia. The Department of Social Welfare and Development said it was reviewing assistance programs in response to the SWS findings. It reported that 600,000 households were receiving monthly food credits of P3,000 under its Walang Gutom Program. In Pulse Asia’s leadership ratings, Duterte registered 54 percent approval and 55 percent trust, versus 30 percent approval and 29 percent trust for Marcos. Both officials’ national ratings were virtually unchanged from July, the polling firm said. Regional differences were pronounced. Duterte recorded 91 percent approval and 94 percent trust in Mindanao, compared with 10 percent approval and 8 percent trust for Marcos. Marcos’ highest regional trust rating was 43 percent in the rest of Luzon. On Duterte’s impeachment trial, 51 percent said she should testify personally, while 34 percent opposed it; 14 percent were undecided and 1 percent declined
to answer. The question did not ask whether she should be impeached or convicted. Support for her testimony reached 66 percent in Metro Manila, but 61 percent in Mindanao opposed her appearing. Although 59 percent reported little or almost no knowledge of the case, 55 percent expressed interest in the proceedings. Of the 71 percent aware of allegations concerning Duterte’s unexplained wealth, 29 percent believed them probably or definitely true, 30 percent believed them probably or definitely untrue, 39 percent could not judge, and 3 percent said they lacked sufficient information to offer an opinion. Totals reflect rounding. The interviews preceded the Senate impeachment court’s October 13 approval of prosecutors’ withdrawal of three of the four impeachment articles. The remaining Article II concerns allegations of unexplained wealth, inaccurate asset declarations and failure to divest business interests. Prosecutors said concentrating on it would expedite the trial and argued that their evidence warranted her removal; Duterte has denied wrongdoing, and her defense opposed the withdrawal, arguing she should be able to rebut accusations already aired.n
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Dateline USA
California bullet train faces new... PAGE 1
ternative station from further environmental review. The disputed site covers approximately 130 acres near Mission Avenue and Highway 99 in unincorporated Merced County, about four miles southeast of the city's center. The authority filed a Notice of Exemption on September 4 under the California Environmental Quality Act, citing an earlier environmental impact study and measures intended to limit potential harm. The state environmental registry now marks the notice “Withdrawn Per Lead,” indicating that the agency requested its withdrawal. The publicly accessible listing does not establish when or why the notice was withdrawn, or what effect the action may have on the lawsuit. The plaintiffs contend that the southern site does not satisfy the conditions for the exemption, including requirements tied to the geographic areas previously studied for environmental impacts. Those allegations have not been decided in court. A second dispute concerns Senate Bill 198, enacted in 2022. The law defines the 171-mile Merced-to-Bakersfield segment as including a station in downtown Merced with connections to Amtrak San Joaquins and Altamont
Corridor Express trains. The plaintiffs argue that relocating the station without legislative authorization conflicts with that requirement. The state’s high-speed rail inspector general reached a related conclusion in July, finding that the proposed move was inconsistent with the statutory definition of the segment. An October 7 oversight report said lawmakers should receive clearer cost and schedule comparisons and information about local impacts before considering changes to the route. The rail authority has maintained that the southern site could reduce expensive elevated construction and lessen disruption downtown. Its 2026 business plan also identifies possible access advantages for the University of California, Merced, the regional airport and planned development near Highway 99. The inspector general calculated that changes to the Merced extension, chiefly relocating its station, reduced projected costs by approximately $757 million. The figure largely reflects a shorter railway alignment and a ground-level station, rather than construction of equivalent facilities for less money. Local officials have not offered unconditional approval. Merced officials considered
conceptual support for the alternative site earlier this year, subject to negotiations. In an August letter described by the inspector general, city and county representatives said participation in talks should not be taken as endorsement of the move or abandonment of commitments to downtown. The broader project's finances remain under pressure. The authority estimates $35.7 billion for a reduced-scope Merced-to-Bakersfield segment; the inspector general warned October 7 that financing and other expenses could add $7.3 billion to $10.3 billion to that estimate. Community organizations argue that a station outside downtown could weaken transfers between train services and shift anticipated business activity away from the city center. The authority has presented the alternative as a way to begin service at lower upfront cost. In a September 30 statement, issued before the lawsuit was announced, the authority said no final location decision had been made. It said a priced downtown-station option remains part of its procurement, allowing that site to be pursued if agreement on a relocation cannot be reached with local officials and state lawmakers. n
Business Group Urges Faster Action on Luzon Economic Corridor by AJPress MANILA — The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has urged the government to accelerate projects under the Luzon Economic Corridor and help Filipino businesses secure opportunities associated with new investments. The appeal appears in a 75-page set of resolutions presented at the chamber’s 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo on October 14. PCCI proposed 10 reforms for action within 12 months, targeting logistics bottlenecks, customs processing, power-grid connections and coordination among government agencies. Projects and local suppliers The group wants a monitoring dashboard to track project milestones and iden-
tify obstacles. It also called for progress on the proposed Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas freight railway and port improvements along the corridor. To increase participation by domestic enterprises, PCCI proposed mapping supply chains and matching suppliers with prospective buyers in semiconductors, electronics and advanced manufacturing. Its agenda also seeks better agricultural storage, processing and access to markets. The chamber also proposed a faster approval process for contractors in good standing, subject to further stakeholder review before any changes are adopted. International support, project status Launched in April 2024 by the Philippines, United States and Japan, the corridor is intended to connect major in-
dustrial and transport centers in Subic Bay, Clark, Metro Manila and Batangas. Eight additional countries joined the partnership in May 2026. A September investment forum attracted more than 650 participants and promoted 40 near-term opportunities, according to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. Those opportunities were presented to potential investors; they should not be mistaken for projects with secured financing or awarded construction contracts. The freight railway remains under development. The Department of Transportation expects its feasibility study to be completed between late 2027 and early 2028, according to a September briefing reported by transport publication PortCalls. Detailed engineering work is expected to follow, and no construction
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026
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Justice Department sues California as election litigation widens
Federal complaint seeks to withhold ballots linked to more than 20,000 flagged voters as courts weigh other voting restrictions by AJPress
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department sued California on Thursday, October 15, seeking to prevent election officials from counting mail ballots associated with more than 20,000 registered voters whom federal authorities suspect are not U.S. citizens. The case adds to legal disputes over the Trump administration’s election policies ahead of the November 3 midterms. The complaint, filed in federal court in Los Angeles, asks that ballots linked to the flagged registrations be withheld from tabulation until citizenship can be verified. It does not establish that those identified are noncitizens or that they have voted illegally. The Justice Department says federal immigration authorities compared voter registration information with government records and identified people they consider likely noncitizens. California officials dispute the reliability of the findings and say the government has not provided enough evidence to evaluate its claims. Experts warn that outdated immigration records can incorrectly identify naturalized U.S. citizens as noncitizens. The lawsuit followed an October 13 letter from acting Deputy Attorney General R. Trent McCotter giving state officials 48 hours to investigate the list and segregate ballots from voters whose citizenship could
not be confirmed. The department also sought to prevent ballots from being issued to listed voters who had not yet received them. Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan said his office had received the list on a password-protected thumb drive but had not accessed it because the device did not meet its information-security protocols. Secretary of State Shirley Weber said her office had not received the list directly or an explanation of the federal methodology. California Attorney General Rob Bonta rejected the federal demand and questioned why the list contained about 20,000 names when Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin had previously suggested that 190,000 noncitizens might be registered in California. The administration has not publicly reconciled the figures. Federal law bars noncitizens from voting in federal elections. It also generally requires states to complete systematic voter-roll removal programs at least 90 days before a federal election, subject to exceptions. Whether those protections limit the ballot-counting restrictions sought in California is contested. The California suit follows an October 9 ruling by U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan in Washington, who vacated a separate Ju-
stice Department policy of obtaining state voter rolls, checking them against federal records and urging removals. The judge found that the policy exceeded federal authority and violated privacy and procedural requirements. That decision did not resolve the California allegations. The department has also sued 30 states and the District of Columbia seeking voter information, losing 26 cases, according to Reuters. The administration maintains that access to records is necessary to enforce election laws; state officials have raised privacy and accuracy concerns. In another dispute, the Supreme Court on September 14 declined to let the Postal Service enforce new mail-ballot requirements for this election. The blocked rule called for approved envelopes, individual barcodes and voter information supplied to the agency. The justices left a preliminary injunction in place without finally deciding the rule’s legality. Postmaster General David Steiner said Thursday that the Postal Service was prepared to handle election mail and would begin additional pickups and expedited ballot processing on October 24. California counties began mailing ballots by October 5. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 3 and received by November 10 to be counted. n
Lacson says Senate may restore billions cut from 2027 budget
Senators flag changes to foreign-funded rail projects, disaster reserves and preventive health programs by AJPress
MANILA — Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Thursday the Senate could restore billions of pesos in funding reduced by the House of Representatives in the proposed P7.2-trillion budget for 2027, with foreign-assisted infrastructure and flood-control items drawing particular scrutiny. Senate finance committee chairman JV Ejercito said an initial comparison of the House bill with the executive branch’s spending proposal identified approximately P206
billion in funding changes. The figure is his preliminary estimate of adjustments within the budget, not additional expenditure. The House approved House Bill No. 10858 on October 12, describing about P116 billion in amendments intended to strengthen public services. The figures describe different accounts of budget changes and cannot be compared directly without a line-by-line reconciliation. Ejercito reported a P130-billion reduction in appropriations for foreign-assisted
projects, some of which are supported by development loans. He also identified a P40.4-billion reduction in the Department of Transportation's budget, including P19.7 billion for the Metro Manila Subway and P15 billion for the North-South Commuter Railway. Lacson warned that inadequate appropriations for projects governed by international financing agreements could slow construction and expose the government to costs such as commitment
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OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 937-9981
Palace Says No Replacement Discussions PCCI seeks faster reforms and greater role for local suppliers as Duterte Trial Moves to Defense Business chamber proposes 10 economic priorities and a 12-month action plan by AJPress
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not discussed a possible replacement for Vice President Sara Duterte if her impeachment trial ends in conviction and removal, Malacañang said Thursday, October 15. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said speculation about a successor was premature because the Senate impeachment court has not issued a verdict and Duterte's defense has yet to present evidence. She said Marcos respected the office of the vice president and would allow the proceedings to take their course. Castro was responding to
reports identifying House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III as a potential successor. She said no replacement had been discussed. The remarks followed the impeachment court's October 13 decision to allow House prosecutors to withdraw three of four impeachment articles against Duterte. The trial will proceed on Article II, alleging unexplained wealth, incomplete asset disclosures and failure to divest business interests. The withdrawn articles concerned alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery and grave threats. The court allowed withdrawal of the confidential-funds and threats articles
with prejudice and the bribery article without prejudice. House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro said the remaining evidence was sufficient to seek Duterte's removal. Duterte has denied wrongdoing. Her lawyers objected that allegations already aired publicly would not receive a full rebuttal during the trial. The court lifted restrictions on public discussion of the withdrawn articles, allowing responses outside the proceedings. Under Article VII, Section 9 of the Constitution, a vice presidential vacancy would be filled by a presidential nominee chosen from sitting senators or House members. Each
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Prosecutors Drop Three Charges...
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House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro withdrew Article I, covering alleged misuse of confidential funds; Article III, involving bribery; and Article IV, concerning alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Luistro said prosecutors believed Article II alone provided grounds for removal from office. Dropping the other articles would spare the court testimony from 32 additional witnesses, she said, as senators balance the trial with legislative work on the 2027 national budget. Presiding Sen. Francis Escudero accepted the withdrawals. Articles I and IV were withdrawn with prejudice, preventing their revival on the same grounds during the current congressional period. Article III, on which the prosecution had not presented evidence, was withdrawn without prejudice. None of the three will be submitted for a verdict in this trial. Their withdrawal neither establishes the allegations nor resolves potential liability in separate legal proceedings. Financial evidence under scrutiny Forensic accountant Alexander Cabrera completed his cross-examination on October 12, concluding the House panel's presentation of witnesses. His P817.87 million estimate, initially presented on October 9, drew on bank, tax and corporate records and comparisons with Dute-
rte's Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, or SALNs. At an October 14 briefing, House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon said the prosecution was concentrating on that analysis, while referring to a higher calculation of approximately P1.5 billion. The amounts represent differing assessments of the evidence, not two sums to be added together. Prosecutors allege that the financial records reveal assets or income inadequately accounted for in Duterte's declarations, along with questions about business interests associated with the couple. The defense has questioned the completeness and interpretation of the financial documents. Account balances and corporate transactions alone do not establish illicit wealth or violations attributable to Duterte; those conclusions remain for the impeachment court to assess. Defense contests withdrawal Duterte's lawyers objected to the prosecution's decision, arguing that allegations aired during public hearings would now go unanswered in court. Lead defense counsel Sheila Sison called the move unfair because the prosecution had already introduced evidence on two withdrawn articles. Escudero ruled that the defense would present evidence only on Article II. The court lifted restrictions on public discussion of the abandoned articles so Duterte and the other parties could respond outside the trial, subject to
other applicable legal limits. Duterte said on October 13 that withdrawing the bribery charge reinforced her view that prosecutors lacked evidence. Her criticism followed remarks on October 12 accusing the prosecution of fabricating evidence, an allegation that has not been established. House prosecutors maintained that concentrating on Article II reflected their confidence in the financial case rather than a concession about the other allegations. Next hearings and political stakes The defense is scheduled to begin presenting evidence on November 9. Additional hearings are set for November 10–13, 19–20 and 23, under a revised Senate calendar that accommodates budget deliberations and other legislative commitments. Duterte and Marcos won election as running mates in 2022 but have since become political rivals. Duterte has said she intends to seek the presidency in 2028. A conviction in the impeachment court could remove her from office and disqualify her from holding public office. The Constitution requires a two-thirds vote to convict, although the court has adopted a contested approach to determining which senator-judges count toward that threshold. Before the November hearings, the prosecution and defense must complete the remaining documentary-evidence procedures, including submissions and objections that will determine which records the court considers..n
targeting infrastructure, power, trade and workforce skills
by AJPress MANILA — The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration to accelerate reforms in 10 economic priority areas, seeking to ensure that major investments generate more opportunities for Filipino suppliers and workers. The recommendations were approved Wednesday, October 14, at the close of the 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the Manila Ho-
tel. Pablo Gancayco, chairman of the chamber’s resolutions committee, presented the proposals, which the group plans to submit to Marcos. The agenda addresses infrastructure and economic corridors, energy security, domestic supplier development, agricultural modernization, trade, taxation and regulation, product standards, workforce capabilities and regional business opportunities. It also emphasizes transparent implementation of public investments. Alongside the broad policy
agenda, the chamber proposed 10 near-term reforms for government agencies to pursue within 12 months. The measures include a public dashboard tracking infrastructure milestones, an assessment of supply-chain opportunities for Philippine manufacturers and a program connecting domestic suppliers with major investors. The PCCI also wants the Department of Public Works and Highways to consider expedited administrative processing for contractors in good stan-
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Lacson says Senate may restore...
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fees. Whether any such charges would arise depends on the relevant loan terms and implementation schedules. Other changes cited by Ejercito included a P9.5-billion cut to the calamity fund and reductions of approximately P4.45 billion for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program, P4 billion for immunization and P2 billion for health promotion. The House separately listed P23.97 billion for medical assistance in its health-related amendments. Ejercito questioned the emphasis on direct patient assistance when programs intended to prevent illness and strengthen public health facilities were facing reductions. The two senators also raised questions about flood-control
funding. Ejercito identified an P8.04-billion increase for certain flood-mitigation structures alongside a P4.6-billion reduction for work within major river basins. Lacson cited previous investigations into alleged irregularities in flood-control projects as a reason for heightened scrutiny of new allocations. Ejercito said the Senate would ask the Department of Public Works and Highways to justify the projects and give priority to unfinished flood-control works in highrisk areas. House appropriations committee chairperson Mikaela Angela Suansing has said the chamber's changes were designed to address urgent needs, including health care and preparations for potential
El Niño conditions. The House also announced P10 billion for assistance to farmers and fisherfolk and P1.8 billion for nationally procured commodities to combat communicable diseases. House Speaker Faustino Dy III defended the chamber's budget process, emphasizing public oversight and spending directed toward services. The House-approved bill has not become law, and the Senate has not yet passed its own version. The Senate finance committee has set October 23 for subcommittee reports and October 26 for consultations with civil society groups. Plenary debate is expected in November, before any differences between the chambers' bills are resolved. n
Subic, San Diego Set to Formalize... PAGE 1
cruise facilities and ship repair. SBMA has not explained how the proposed agreement differs from the earlier arrangement. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the partnership would provide a framework for exploring potential cargo routes, logistics initiatives and other commercial opportunities linking Subic Bay with California. The agency's October 14 announcement identified no new shipping service, operator or investment commitment. Cruise Tourism and Port Development Cruise cooperation would involve exchanges on passenger handling, terminal man-
agement, port services and tourism facilities. SBMA said the goal is to improve Subic's ability to serve visiting cruise ships. The Port of San Diego expects 183 cruise voyages during its 2026–2027 season, its busiest in more than 15 years, according to a September announcement. SBMA's announcement did not identify a new cruise service connecting the two ports. Environmental cooperation would focus on energy efficiency, emissions reduction and cleaner port equipment. San Diego put two all-electric mobile harbor cranes into operation at its Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in 2024, replacing an older diesel-powered crane. Its Maritime
Clean Air Strategy includes a goal of transitioning all cargo-handling equipment to zero emissions by 2030. Wider International Partnerships SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao said the arrangement would also encourage exchanges among port officials and representatives of shipping, logistics and tourism businesses. Subic signed a sister-port agreement with Taiwan's Port of Kaohsiung on February 25, 2026, a signing also documented by Taiwan International Ports Corporation. SBMA has announced plans for a similar agreement with Belgium's Port of Antwerp-Bruges in May 2027.n
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PCCI seeks faster reforms...
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ding, subject to stakeholder review. Other proposals call for closer monitoring of delayed projects and stronger accountability for infrastructure spending. The group identified the Luzon Economic Corridor and the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative as opportunities to develop advanced manufacturing and technology industries. Its recommendations emphasize linking new investments to local enterprises, logistics networks and agricultural production areas rather than treating industrial projects as isolated developments. The proposed framework for an advanced manufacturing park in New Clark City remained under discussion as of October 13. Malacañang said the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and its U.S. development partner
were negotiating the details, with an agreement targeted for signing before the end of 2026. In energy, the chamber called for more reliable and competitively priced electricity and quicker action on grid and interconnection constraints. Its agricultural proposals include additional cold-storage and processing facilities, improved food certification and stronger links among producers, institutional buyers and export markets. The chamber also urged the government to resolve customs-processing problems, improve data coordination between the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and manage the transition to electronic invoicing. It proposed a workforce training agreement among government, employers and workers tailored to industries
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026
seeking skilled employees. Legislative recommendations include proposed changes affecting maritime trade, tax and customs amnesties, small-business support, quality standards, apprenticeship programs, freedom of information and political dynasties. Those proposals would require separate consideration by Congress. In a related but separate development Thursday, Marcos instructed the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry to report opening dates for unfinished investments in Clark. During the inauguration of a new UPS air hub, he cited logistics costs reaching up to 27 percent of sales and identified congested ports, inadequate roads and insufficient cold-chain facilities as obstacles to moving goods. n
Palace Says No Replacement... PAGE 4 chamber must confirm the nominee by majority vote, voting separately.
Prosecutors have until October 23 to submit their formal offer of evidence. The defense has ten days from receipt to
file comments and objections. Duterte's defense is scheduled to begin presenting its case November 9. n
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Marcos names SSS chief De Claro as new DICT secretary New secretary pledges review of projects and spending amid investigation into internet contracts by AJPress MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Social Security System (SSS) chief Robert Joseph Montes de Claro as secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), which is under scrutiny over alleged irregularities in publicly funded internet projects. Marcos announced the ad interim appointment on Oct. 13, citing De Claro’s experience in the digital economy. De Claro took his oath that day, replacing Henry Aguda, whose resignation Marcos confirmed on Oct. 11 without giving a reason. The Office of the Ombudsman opened a fact-finding inquiry in September into possible payments for undelivered internet connections and the suspected use of substandard or improperly priced software. Assistant Om-
NEW DICT CHIEF. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (left) and new Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Robert Joseph De Claro during his oath-taking at Malacañang Photo courtesy of PCO
budsman Mico Clavano said investigators were checking whether contracted Wi-Fi sites operate and whether public money was properly spent. No wrongdoing has been established. The DICT said it would cooperate with investigators, providing records and technical information, and
cited stricter contract monitoring and internal audits. Aguda’s departure also followed criticism of the DICT’s brief blocking of Discord, a communications platform, over online safety concerns. The restriction began Sept. 23 and was lifted Sept. 24 PAGE 8
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Opinion
Features
Filipino American Achievement Is More Than a List of Firsts Filipino Americans have earned recognition in some of the nation's most influential institutions, from Congress and business to major entertainment productions and acclaimed restaurants. Their achievements reflect generations of effort to build careers, establish communities and gain opportunities that were not always readily available. These accomplishments deserve recognition during Filipino American History Month. Yet the occasion also calls for a broader examination of progress. The story of Filipino Americans in the United States cannot be adequately told through the lives of prominent individuals alone. It must account for the millions whose work and contributions have helped shape American society. The Filipino American National Historical Society has designated “Beyond the Margins: Centering Intersectional Filipino American His-
tories” as its theme for 2026. It draws attention to experiences often overlooked in historical narratives, including those of women, LGBTQ+ Filipino Americans, Indigenous and Moro/Muslim Filipinos, people with disabilities, multiracial Filipino Americans and other underrepresented groups. The distinction between history and celebration is important. Filipino American History Month is an opportunity not only to recognize individual success but also to examine how people of Filipino descent participated in the nation's development, the barriers they encountered and the institutions they helped build. On October 18, 1587, Filipinos aboard a Spanish galleon came ashore near present-day Morro Bay, California, marking the first documented Filipino presence in the continental United States. The landing occurred on Indig-
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Editorial
babe’s eye view Babe Romualdez
My recent visit to Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, provided a welcome opportunity to discuss a question that matters deeply to the Philippines: how can economic cooperation between the United States and China help preserve peace in our region? I was invited as the guest speaker by Ambassador Nicholas Burns, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and Interna-
Economic cooperation and the road to peace tional Relations and former US Ambassador to China – first at the Harvard faculty club for dinner then on to the Harvard Kennedy School the next morning with students, where we had a lively discussion on the current US-Philippine relations vis-a-vis our relationship with China. At the dinner discussion with faculty members, we had specialists on China and US-China relations, special guests and international studies students engaging in an exchange that
enous land, long before the United States was founded. In later centuries, Filipinos worked on Ha-
breakthrough Elfren S. Cruz
explored challenges facing the Indo-Pacific and countries like ours. Ambassador Burns moderated the discussion with the larger group of students the next day on Philippine relations with the United States, particularly in the context of China. I emphasized a conviction that has become increasingly clear throughout my work in Washington: economic relations must be a central part of our
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AFTER the People Power Revolution of 1986, democracy was restored to the Philippines. At that time, we all thought this would be a permanent fixture in our society. For most of us, we began to take democracy for granted in the Philippines. However, during the past two or three decades, concerns about democracy’s future in the Philippines have become the center of political debate. The political environment in
ManilaTimes.net photo
waii's sugar plantations, in Alaska's salmon canneries and on farms along the Pacific Coast.
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Democracy in crisis the country started becoming polluted with talks about restoring totalitarian rule. This discussion reached its apex during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. The media became increasingly subordinate to government intervention. The climax was the deliberate political decision not to renew the broadcast license of ABSCBN. There was also constant persecution of independent publications like Rappler. This concern about democracy’s future has become the center of political debates not
only in the Philippines but also in many countries around the world which were considered bastions of democracy. In the United States for example, its president Donald Trump has publicly expressed admiration for totalitarian rulers like Vladimir Putin of Russia. According to the think tank Varieties of Democracy, internal divisions, political dissatisfaction and institutional dysfunction have become so severe that the United States is backsliding much faster than any other de-
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Filipino American Achievement... PAGE 6 Filipino immigrants and their descendants established businesses, served in the military, entered the professions and took part in movements for labor and civil rights. One defining episode was the Delano grape strike of 1965. Filipino farmworkers affiliated with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, led by Larry Itliong and other organizers, began the walkout. Their subsequent collaboration with Mexican American farmworkers, including those organized by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, helped build a national movement for agricultural labor rights. These events belong not only in Filipino American history but also in the broader American accounts of immigration, labor and civic participation. Today's achievers are adding new chapters across the country. In national politics, Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott of Virginia became the first American with Filipino ancestry to serve as a voting member of Congress after his election in 1992. His career is one example of representation at the highest levels of federal government. In business, Philippine-born Josie Natori founded a New York-based fashion company that became an internationally recognized brand. In Chicago, chef Tim Flores and his wife and business partner, Genie Kwon, established Kasama, which became the world's first Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant. In music, Honolulu-born Bruno Mars, whose mother was Filipino, has won 16 Grammy Awards. Fellow Grammy winners Olivia Rodrigo and H.E.R. have also reached international audiences. In film, DreamWorks Animation's
Forgotten Island, released in September 2026 and co-directed by Filipino American filmmaker Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, brought a story inspired by Philippine mythology to mainstream theaters. These names are examples, not an exhaustive account. Many other Filipino Americans have distinguished themselves in government, business, medicine, science, technology, education, sports, entertainment and the arts. Their achievements span local, national and international institutions and are far too numerous to recognize individually in one editorial. Naming a few should not diminish those who are not mentioned or suggest that public recognition is the only measure of accomplishment. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates reported by the Pew Research Center, about 4.6 million people in the United States identified as Filipino in 2023. They live in communities across the country, including Hawaii, California, Washington, Nevada, Texas, Illinois, Florida, New York and Virginia. They differ in generation, income, immigration history, occupation and personal experience. No individual story can represent that diversity. Filipino American nurses and other health care workers contribute to hospitals, clinics and care facilities. Small-business owners sustain local economies, educators prepare future generations, and workers in a wide range of occupations support their households and neighborhoods. Many receive little public recognition, but their contributions are no less a part of the historical record. This distinction matters because visibility and opportunity are not interchangeable. The election of a public official or the international success of an artist can expand perceptions of what Filipino Americans can achieve. Neither accomplish-
ment, by itself, demonstrates that access to education, economic security or professional advancement is equally available to all. Nor should Filipino Americans need exceptional wealth, fame or professional distinction to establish the value of their contributions to American society. Filipino American History Month should therefore involve more than ceremonies, proclamations and awards. Schools and universities can give Filipino American contributions a more substantial place in the teaching of American history. Community organizations can preserve oral histories and family archives. Businesses and professional associations can provide mentorship and support career development. Public institutions can be judged by the fairness and effectiveness of their policies as well as the diversity of their leadership. Journalism has a responsibility, too. Coverage of historic firsts and prominent personalities matters, but a fuller account also requires reporting on working families, educational aspirations, economic pressures, civic participation and the experiences of communities beyond the largest population centers. Filipino American progress should not be measured solely by the number of celebrities, elected officials or business leaders the community produces. It should also be measured by whether Filipino American history is taught accurately, whether working families have opportunities for economic advancement, and whether the next generation can enter institutions and professions where their predecessors struggled for recognition. The greater achievement will be ensuring that the doors opened by one generation remain open and open wider for those who follow. (AJPress) n
Economic cooperation and the... PAGE 6 efforts to prevent conflict. The Philippines has a direct interest in a stable relationship between Washington and Beijing. The US is our treaty ally, while our neighbor China is an important economic partner with whom we must continue to engage. We want both relationships to contribute to the security and prosperity of our people. The recent meeting between
President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping is therefore welcome, as well as their intended participation in the upcoming APEC and G20 summits. China will host APEC in November, while the US will host the G20 in December. These gatherings offer further opportunities for dialogue and practical cooperation. Meetings between leaders do not erase disagreements overnight. Yet when the leaders of the world’s two largest
economies meet, they create space for negotiations that would otherwise be difficult to pursue amid escalating hostility. The task is to translate that engagement into agreements that businesses and ordinary citizens can rely on. For a Filipino exporter, an American manufacturer or a Chinese entrepreneur, uncertainty has a real cost. Delayed investments mean jobs that are not created. Disrupted supply chains can raise prices
ICC TRIAL. Former President Rodrigo Duterte appears again before ICC Trial Chamber III during the fourth status conference in his crime against humanity case on Tuesday (Oct. 13, 2026). The ICC is set to open his trial on Nov. 30, 2026. (Photo courtesy of ICC)
for families already struggling with household budgets. Economic tensions between major powers are felt far beyond their borders. The advent of new technology makes cooperation even more consequential. Artificial intelligence, advances in medicine, cleaner energy and improved agricultural systems offer possibilities to address problems affecting all of humanity. The US and China have the resources and expertise to contribute enormously to these efforts, even as they compete. There will inevitably be sensitive areas where national security considerations require safeguards. But we should also identify fields where responsible cooperation can serve a common interest. Dialogue on the safe use of AI, for example, can help governments understand emerging risks while preserving opportunities for innovation and economic growth. For the Philippines, the practical question is how our people can benefit. We need investments that develop skills, improve infrastructure and connect Filipino enterprises to wider markets. Technology should help our farmers become more productive, enable smaller businesses to reach customers and give our young people access to better opportunities at home. ASEAN is at the center of these considerations. Our region is connected to both the American and Chinese economies, and its future cannot be separated from the quality of
their relationship. As ASEAN chair this year, the Philippines has an opportunity to encourage engagement that recognizes the entire region’s interests. ASEAN countries have their own priorities and perspectives, yet we share a powerful interest in keeping our region peaceful and economically open. By strengthening cooperation among us and engaging our partners, we can help create an environment in which differences are managed through diplomacy, and countries continue to invest in one another’s future. Economic engagement must proceed alongside respect for sovereignty and international law. Our position on the West Philippine Sea remains anchored on our rights and our responsibility to protect our people. Pursuing cooperation with China does not require us to set aside those principles. It requires the patience and confidence to address disagreements while keeping dialogue open. Equally, our alliance with the United States supports our efforts to maintain a peaceful and stable region. A strong alliance and constructive economic engagement can serve the same objective: ensuring that Filipinos can live securely, earn a decent living and look to the future with confidence. My conclusion from the Harvard discussions is straightforward. If these two economic giants can work together where their interests converge, particularly in the responsible
development of new technology, they can strengthen the foundations for peaceful resolutions of conflict. Shared prosperity gives governments and communities more reasons to preserve peace. We must therefore encourage agreements that produce tangible benefits and remain fair to all participants. Cooperation will be more durable when people can see its value in their daily lives and trust that their interests are protected. Students who joined our discussions will inherit the consequences of decisions made today. They deserve a world where talent and ambition can flourish without the constant fear of conflict. For those of us entrusted with diplomatic responsibilities, helping make that world possible is an obligation I take seriously. I left Harvard convinced that the road to peace requires sustained effort, principled dialogue and the willingness to recognize common interests. If Washington and Beijing can turn economic cooperation into lasting progress, the benefits will reach well beyond their shores, including the homes and communities of millions of Filipinos. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff *** Email: babeseyeview@gmail. com n
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OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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NBI to Examine Paolo Duterte’s SALN in Samal Property Inquiry by AJPress MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation plans to examine the asset declarations of Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte as investigators seek to establish ownership of a Samal Island property that the agency has linked to the lawmaker, an assertion he disputes. NBI Director Melvin Matibag announced the planned review Thursday, October 15. During an October 12 briefing, the agency displayed aerial images of a large property on Samal Island, Davao del Norte, that Matibag suggested was associated with Duterte. The congressman challenged Matibag to present land records or other verifiable evidence of ownership, saying photographs alone were insufficient to support the allegation. No conclusive ownership determination has been made public. Resort ownership clarified Matibag clarified Thursday that the property investiga-
tors were discussing was not Casas Con Vistas Resort, but a neighboring property. The resort said Wednesday that its owners were private citizens with no ownership ties to Duterte or other public officials. The property inquiry emerged from a broader investigation into allegations by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he delivered cash to members of the Duterte family on instructions from former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. The Dutertes have denied the cash-delivery allegations, and Velasco’s camp has rejected Gracioso’s claims. Matibag has said the NBI is tracing the alleged movement of funds and examining whether any of the money was used to acquire real estate. Investigators have not publicly established such a connection. Separate referral to Ombudsman In a separate development, the NBI submitted its fact-finding report on Vice President
Sara Duterte’s 2024 and 2025 Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth to the Office of the Ombudsman on October 13. The agency said its review covered 22 land titles associated with 14 properties and compared the vice president’s declarations with records from the Land Registration Authority. Matibag alleged discrepancies involving some property descriptions and valuations, citing land records and site inspections. Sara Duterte has denied owning at least one lot shown during the NBI’s presentation. The Civil Service Commission’s disclosure rules distinguish acquisition cost, assessed value and fair market value, and differences among those figures do not alone establish an improper declaration. On October 15, the Ombudsman confirmed receiving the referral and said the materials would undergo an initial evaluation to determine whether further investigation was warranted. n
UPS Opens $80 Million-Plus Air Cargo Hub at Clark Airport New facility expands international shipping capacity and creates nearly 600 jobs by AJPress CLARK, Pampanga — United Parcel Service (UPS) opened a new air cargo hub at Clark International Airport on Thursday, October 15, after investing more than $80 million, its largest investment in the Philippines, according to the company. The 30,000-square-meter facility is 15 times larger than UPS's previous Clark hub. Its
maximum processing capacity has increased to 15,000 packages per hour from 1,250. The company expects average daily volume to reach 46,000 packages, compared with about 5,000 at the former facility. UPS said the expansion has created nearly 600 jobs, many filled by residents of Pampanga and nearby communities. The company operates 170 flight segments each week
into and out of Clark, with service improvements covering more than 1,100 international trade lanes. Clark is within three to four hours by air of many Asian manufacturing centers. The expanded network is expected to cut delivery times by as much as two days on selected routes linking eastern China and other Asia-Pacific markets, as well as some
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Marcos names SSS chief... PAGE 5 after talks with Discord representatives. Officials said the company had committed to additional child protection measures. De Claro said he would examine the department’s projects, budget and procurement and set out a three-month plan. De Claro has said preventing misuse of social media should take precedence over suspending platforms. He has
also identified stronger cybersecurity, dependable public Wi-Fi and a framework for artificial intelligence as early priorities. Before leading DICT, De Claro had served on the Social Security Commission since January 2023 and became SSS president and chief executive officer in December 2024. He holds a computer science degree from De La Salle University. His earlier management roles included positions in
technology and business-services companies, according to his official SSS biography. SSS reported assets of 1.35 trillion pesos as of June 2026 and credited De Claro’s tenure with implementing pension increases and expanding member loan programs. At DICT headquarters in Quezon City on Oct. 14, he met senior officials and employees as the administration began its leadership transition. n
Witness Alleges P1-B Cash Deliveries in Romualdez Plunder Case
Former Co aide describes more than 100 suitcases during Sandiganbayan bail hearing; defense questions prosecution evidence by AJPress
MANILA — A former security aide of ex-congressman Zaldy Co testified before the Sandiganbayan on Thursday, October 15, that more than 100 suitcases were transported to an address associated with former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, part of alleged cash deliveries he estimated at approximately P1 billion. Rodante Orbillo gave the testimony during the third day of hearings on Romualdez’s petition for bail in a P7.44-bil-
lion plunder case involving alleged kickbacks from government-funded infrastructure projects. Prosecutors also presented a black plastic storage box that Orbillo said had been used to transport money before suitcases became part of the alleged delivery operation. He testified that he subsequently obtained the container for personal use. Orbillo said the suitcase deliveries to a property on McKinley Road in Makati occurred between 2023 and 2024. He also identified addresses on
Narra Avenue in Forbes Park and Aguado Street in Manila as destinations for other alleged shipments. The witness said he associated one of the properties with Romualdez after seeing the lawmaker’s personal driver there. The identification of the delivery locations and their connection to Romualdez formed part of his testimony, rather than independently established findings. Orbillo testified that money was counted at Co’s residence
in our political system. Modern democracies are actually representative, whereby the people do not govern themselves directly but elect politicians to govern on their behalf. Many definitions of democracy therefore focus on elections. The famous Austrian economist, Joseph Schumpeter, defined democracy as “an institutional arrangement for arriving at political decisions in which individuals acquire the power to decide by means of a competitive struggle for a people’s vote.” This electoral process is precisely the problem. In the Philippines, elections are at the center of politics and bound to fail because elections create a professional political class that is unsuited to genuine democratic rule. One reason is that elections seek power and are prone to be corrupted by it. According to political scientist Landemore, those who seek power are usually “… alpha types, the charismatic, the daring, the entitled, the arrogant, even those with no shame whatsoever and sometimes, even the downright psychopathic. “ Landemore further says elections deny meaningful influence to ordinary citizens, especially “… the unambitious, the selfless and the unaccommodating.” The election process filters out many of the citizens least attracted to power but best disposed to exercise it responsibly. This is the attraction to the general public about a person like Leni Robredo who is reluctant to play the “political power game.” One critical method that has
been identified that might be part of reinvigorating democracy is civic education. This is spreading the knowledge of how democracies work and how citizens can shape it. The targets here should be the public schools because they form the overwhelming majority of the population. Expanding and improving civic education in schools and elsewhere could help people be more informed in making political choices, become more active participants in public life and be better prepared to avoid misinformation, disinformation and efforts by foreign and domestic powers to manipulate political preferences. Democracy depends on a sense of shared community and solidarity. There is a need for people to gain a sense of nationhood and avoid the strong regionalism that pervades the present politics. There is no question that democracy is in trouble in the Philippines. The solution cannot depend on electing the right president. It must include institutional innovations like rebuilding the social fabric and the foundations of democratic life. This includes ending the dominance of family dynasties once and for all. This is only one of the many reforms that will be necessary if democracy will really improve the lives of the common people. (Philstar. com)
Democracy in crisis...
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mocracy in modern times. In the Philippines, the 2028 presidential election is considered a test of whether democracy in the country will survive or fail. Most people assume that the structure of democracy is sound and the problems can be addressed by improving institutions and procedures through which it operates. There are those who believe that the crisis of democracy in the Philippines goes deeper. This belief is derived due to a belief that the political and economic system in our country is so rotten, so corrupt, unrepresentative and incompetent that it is beyond reform. There are those who think that contemporary democracy is fundamentally unworkable. There are different conclusions about what should replace the existing system. One such proposal comes from Helene Landemore, a professor of political science at Yale. She is not opposed to democracy but is in fact a defender of democracy, albeit an increasingly critical one. She argues that democracy could be improved if it allows ordinary citizens more direct influence and participation. Landemore’s solution is to reimagine democracy from the ground up, replacing representative institution with direct citizen rule. Although representative democracy is widely criticized, this form of government creates vital links between citizens and their government. Making governments more representative and responsive will require a wide variety of reforms. One critical reform is to remove the dominance of family dynasties
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*** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Email: elfrencruz@gmail.comn
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026
Supreme Court Says Seniors May Choose Better Discount but Cannot Combine Offers Ruling clears Bacolod hotel manager; Philippine residency requirements also affect senior citizens with dual citizenship by AJPress MANILA — Senior citizens in the Philippines may choose between a promotional discount and the mandatory 20 percent discount provided by law, whichever offers greater savings, but cannot combine the two reductions on the same purchase, the Supreme Court has ruled. The decision, announced Wednesday, October 14, overturned the conviction of Orville U. Ong, general manager of a Bacolod City hotel, in a dispute involving two senior citizens who sought an additional discount on accommodations booked at a negotiated group rate. The case involved lawyer Paul S. Alcazaren, 66, and Eric Gadiana, 70, both members of the Cebu Bikers Club. Ong argued that the hotel had already provided a 20 percent reduction through the club’s negotiated room rate. Although the discount was
not separately itemized on the receipt, he maintained that it had been incorporated into the amount charged. The Supreme Court found that the guests had already received the discount and that the hotel was not required to provide another 20 percent reduction. The decision reversed earlier rulings by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Regional Trial Court and Court of Appeals. The restriction against combining discounts is established under Republic Act No. 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, which amended Republic Act No. 7432. The law allows eligible senior citizens purchasing goods or services offered at promotional prices to select either the promotional discount or the statutory discount, whichever is more favorable. It continues to provide qualified Filipino residents aged 60 and older with a 20 percent discount on specified goods
and services, including medicines, medical care, hotel accommodations, restaurant purchases and domestic transportation. A separate exemption from value-added tax applies to qualifying transactions. The eligibility requirements are particularly relevant to Filipino Americans and other dual citizens who divide their time between the Philippines and their countries of residence. Under the implementing rules of Republic Act No. 9994, senior citizens holding dual citizenship may qualify for the benefits if they establish their Filipino citizenship and at least six months of residency in the Philippines. Dual citizenship and age alone do not automatically establish eligibility. Filipino Americans living primarily in the United States who return to the Philippines for vacations or occasional visits should not assume they qualify solely because they possess Philippine citizenship.
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UPS Opens $80 Million-Plus Air Cargo...
routes between Southeast Asia and India. UPS also says certain Philippine shipments will benefit from later pickup deadlines and earlier deliveries, changes relevant to exporters and smaller businesses. An automated sorting system, the first of its kind in UPS's Philippine operations, can handle up to 9,000 small packages an hour. Refrigeration, freezer and re-icing facilities, together with shipment-tracking technology, support the transport of temperature-sensitive medical products. Electric ground equipment is being used in
cargo operations. UPS Philippines managing director Russell Reed said the project builds on the company's first Clark hub, opened in 2002. It is part of a wider regional expansion that includes logistics investments in Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who attended the inauguration, cited the high cost of moving goods as an obstacle for Philippine businesses. He said logistics expenses can reach 27 percent of sales and identified port congestion, inadequate roads and limited cold-storage facilities as con-
tributing factors. Marcos directed the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry to submit target opening dates for unfinished investment projects in Clark. He also cited a proposed rail freight connection between Subic, Clark, Manila and Batangas. In August, the U.S. Department of Transportation authorized UPS to redirect six existing Hong Kong cargo-flight frequencies from services involving Warsaw and Hanoi toward Clark, permitting the carrier to adjust its international network. n
Those who regularly travel between the two countries must still satisfy the residency requirement. They may establish citizenship and age through a Philippine passport or other recognized documents, while proof of residency remains a separate consideration. Local Offices for Senior Citizens Affairs administer senior citizen identification and residency documentation. Qualified dual citizens are subject to the same restricti-
on on combining discounts as other eligible senior citizens. The Supreme Court emphasized that benefits for older consumers must be implemented without imposing unreasonable financial burdens on businesses. The ruling prompted senior citizens’ rights advocate Romulo Macalintal on Thursday, October 15, to seek clarification on how the restriction applies to commercial promotions.
Macalintal warned that businesses could characterize regular prices as promotional offers to avoid granting statutory discounts. He argued that the restriction should apply to legitimate promotions authorized by the Department of Trade and Industry, rather than automatically covering any price described as promotional. His interpretation was presented as a request for clarification, not as a requirement
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OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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Pope Leo XIV recovering after lung cancer surgery as doctors await further results
Vatican reports normal recovery following removal of part of pontiff’s right lung by AJPress VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV was recovering at a Rome hospital Thursday, October 15, two days after surgeons removed part of his right lung and confirmed a diagnosis of lung cancer, according to the Vatican. The 71-year-old pontiff spent a second night at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital without reported complications. He got out of bed and ate breakfast Thursday, the Holy See Press Office said. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung Tuesday after examinations revealed a small nodule. Tissue examined during the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small cell lung cancer. The surgery lasted approximately 90 minutes, and the pope spent about three hours in the operating room. In a Wednesday medical bulletin, Dr. Luigi Carbone and thoracic surgeon Stefano Margaritora said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed results consistent with expected postoperative recovery. Leo had started respiratory physiotherapy, resumed eating normally and begun walking around his room. He also concelebrated Mass at the
before the alleged deliveries. Asked how he knew the suitcases contained cash despite not opening them or witnessing them being opened, he cited his familiarity with the smell of newly printed banknotes. His estimate of approximately P1 billion has not been independently verified. It is also distinct from the P7.44 billion in alleged illicit proceeds covered by the broader plunder charge. Orbillo was the fifth former security aide to testify during the bail proceedings. Earlier witnesses described alleged deliveries to properties associated with Romualdez, while prosecutors presented photographs and a short video purportedly showing suitcases at one location. Romualdez’s lawyers challenged aspects of the testimony and objected to the presentation of the video, questioning whether the complete recording had been disclosed to the
Ambassador Jing Quan urges dialogue amid maritime tensions as Coast Guard reports Chinese vessels near Lawak Island by AJPress
Pope Leo XIV
hospital, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. The Vatican has not disclosed the cancer’s definitive stage, the tumor’s precise size or whether nearby lymph nodes were affected. Further examination of removed tissue is expected to help doctors determine whether additional treatment is needed. No chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other cancer treatment has been announced. Leo disclosed the nodule during his Sunday Angelus address on October 11, describing it as small and localized. The Vatican later said it had been discovered during routine medical examinations. That description does not establish the cancer’s final
File photo Vatican News
stage. Lung adenocarcinoma can develop in people who have never smoked. Treatment depends in part on the extent of the disease and results of pathological testing. Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, was elected in May 2025 as the first American-born pope. His public audiences have been canceled through October 20, and the Vatican has not changed its initial estimate of roughly one week in hospital. The Holy See has not announced a date for his discharge. A November 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains scheduled, although whether he can travel will depend on his recovery. n
Witness Alleges P1-B Cash Deliveries... PAGE 8
Philippines rebukes Chinese envoy over remarks on military force
defense beforehand. During earlier questioning, defense counsel also emphasized that witnesses had not personally handed the suitcases to Romualdez or seen him receive them. On Thursday, defense lawyers questioned Orbillo about his contacts with investigators and the preparation of his sworn statements. He acknowledged receiving assistance from lawyer Levito Baligod but maintained that the affidavits accurately reflected the witnesses’ accounts. Orbillo also alleged that offers reaching P20 million had been made to persuade witnesses to withdraw their accusations. The alleged payments have not been independently substantiated. Romualdez’s lawyer, Ade Fajardo, previously denied that the former Speaker’s camp had arranged or coerced witness recantations. The Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder charge
on September 7 against Romualdez, Co and two other defendants over an alleged scheme involving commissions and kickbacks from government projects, including flood-control infrastructure, between 2022 and 2025. Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s first congressional district, pleaded not guilty on September 16 and has denied wrongdoing. His defense maintains that the prosecution has not sufficiently established the contents of the alleged deliveries, the unlawful source of the funds or his knowing receipt of the money. Romualdez remains detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas while the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division considers whether the prosecution’s evidence is strong enough to deny bail. Bail hearings are scheduled to continue through November 12, with the presentation of evidence at trial set to begin November 23. n
MANILA — The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs criticized Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Thursday, October 15, over remarks suggesting that Beijing could prevail in a military confrontation with Manila, even as the envoy called for renewed dialogue to manage tensions in the West Philippine Sea. The department said the ambassador's comments appeared to convey a “thinly veiled threat of the use of force,” and cautioned that such language could undermine efforts to improve relations between the two countries. Jing made the remarks during an interview with journalists at the second Diliman Dialogues, a forum in Quezon City examining China-ASEAN relations and prospects for peace in the South China Sea. According to a statement published by the Chinese Embassy, Jing said China could easily prevail if the two countries became involved in a confrontation but maintained that Beijing would not resort to military force because it favored peace. The DFA responded later Thursday that the ambassador had used regrettable language in discussing an already sensitive bilateral relationship. The department urged foreign diplomats accredited to the Philippines to exercise greater care in their public statements, saying diplomacy requires restraint to preserve opportunities for dialogue and constructive engagement. Jing had used the forum to advocate direct discussions between Manila and Beijing, encouraging officials from both countries to meet more frequently and address disagreements through negotiation. He acknowledged the complexity of bilateral relations and argued that their maritime dispute should not determine the entirety of their relationship. He also encouraged the
Philippines to maintain balanced ties with China, the United States and other international partners. Former national security adviser Clarita Carlos called for an independent, multilateral foreign policy, while Rep. Antolin Oreta III, chairman of the House special committee on the West Philippine Sea, emphasized the importance of international law in resolving maritime disputes. Diliman College president Anna Dominique Coseteng cautioned that disagreements between governments should not foster prejudice against Filipino-Chinese communities. The diplomatic exchanges came as the Philippine Coast Guard reported another encounter with Chinese vessels near Lawak Island, a Philippine-administered feature in the Spratly Islands that forms part of Kalayaan municipality in Palawan. According to the Coast Guard, personnel stationed on the island approached Chinese fishing vessel Yuetaiyu 63168 on October 15 after finding it anchored within waters the Philippines considers the island's territorial sea. The Coast Guard said its personnel observed four smaller boats that appeared to have been deployed from the larger vessel and assessed that they were engaged in fishing activities. After repeated radio challenges went unanswered by the larger vessel, Coast Guard personnel moved to drive away the smaller boats. The fishing vessel subsequently raised anchor and departed with them, the agency said. No injuries or other untoward incidents were reported. Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, the Coast Guard's spokesman for West Philippine Sea matters, separately criticized Jing's comments on China's military capabilities, questioning whether such language was consistent with the ambassador's appeal for peaceful rela-
tions. The Chinese Embassy disputed Tarriela's interpretation, maintaining that Jing's remarks emphasized avoiding confrontation and resolving disagreements through direct engagement. The exchanges follow a separate disagreement over military communication channels between the two governments. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Wednesday that military-to-military communications with China had been suspended in 2023 because of security concerns and what he described as Beijing's misuse of established channels. He said restoring such contacts would require China to demonstrate sincerity through its conduct. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has supported the suspension. China, however, has argued that maintaining direct military communications is important to preventing misunderstandings and reducing the risk of confrontation. Despite those differences, Malacañang reaffirmed on October 13 that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. intends to continue diplomatic and economic engagement with Beijing, including trade and investment, without compromising Philippine sovereignty and maritime interests. The broader dispute remains governed by competing territorial claims and disagreements over maritime rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. A 2016 international arbitral tribunal ruled that China's claims to historic rights within its expansive nine-dash line had no legal basis where they exceeded the maritime entitlements permitted under the convention. The ruling is legally binding on China and the Philippines, although Beijing rejects it. The tribunal did not determine sovereignty over the disputed islands, including those in the Spratly archipelago. n
Supreme Court Says Seniors... PAGE 9 newly established by the Court. Macalintal also sought clarification of the continued availability of the statutory value-added tax exemption on
qualifying hotel transactions. Separately, the National Commission of Senior Citizens’ Cordillera regional office warned on October 13 that establishments refusing to ho-
nor legally required discounts could face penalties. It advised affected senior citizens to seek assistance from their local Offices for Senior Citizens Affairs. n
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people events arts culture entertainment
Barretto no longer sets Atasha Muhlach Says She Is Single, Has Never Julia a deadline for marriage Had a Boyfriend Actress says work remains her priority as she takes the lead in a Manila stage musical by AJPress MANILA — Actress and television host Atasha Muhlach said she has never had a boyfriend and is not currently in a relationship, explaining that her professional commitments remain her priority as she pursues her career in entertainment. Appearing on GMA Network's Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on October 12, Muhlach described herself as “Single po. Very, very single.” Asked whether she had ever had a boyfriend, she replied, “No, I have not.” Muhlach acknowledged that some people had expressed romantic interest in her. She said she was approachable but made clear to those interested in courting her that she intended to concentrate on her work. The daughter of actors Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales also discussed her parents' views on relationships. According to Muhlach, they
have encouraged her to make choices that bring her happiness, emphasizing kindness and good character in a prospective partner. Her remarks came amid speculation in Philippine entertainment media linking her to businessman Jacob Ang, son of San Miguel Corp. chairman Ramon Ang. The two have been photographed together at social and family gatherings, but a romantic relationship has not been publicly confirmed. In August 2025, Ramon Ang described his son and Muhlach as friends when reporters asked about their relationship. Muhlach's comments during the October interview were not a specific statement about Jacob Ang. The actress also discussed her decision to complete her education before pursuing entertainment work full time. She studied business in the United Kingdom and signed with Viva Artists Agency in 2023, fulfilling a commitment
Actress says finding the right partner now matters more than her former hope of marrying at 25 by AJPress
Image from Facebook/@iamatashamuhlach
she said she had made to her parents. Muhlach, who previously appeared in a 2011 Philippine production of The Sound of Music, has since pursued television and acting opportunities. She told Abunda that she has supported herself financially through her earnings since beginning work after college. She currently stars as Annie Batungbakal in Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batung-
bakal Musical, which opened September 18 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Featuring songs by the Filipino band Hotdog, the production also stars Sam Concepcion, KD Estrada, Jeff Moses and Anthony Rosaldo. Presented by Newport World Resorts in association with Viva Communications and The Philippine Star, and staged with PETA Plus, the musical is scheduled to run through October 31. n
Janice de Belen Puts Kaila’s Happiness First Amid Daniel Padilla Romance Reports
MANILA — Actress Julia Barretto says she no longer has a preferred age for marriage, setting aside an earlier hope of marrying at 25. The 29-year-old discussed the change during an appearance on “The B Side,” a Cinema One interview program hosted by Bianca Gonzalez. In the show's “Burning Questions” segment, Gonzalez revisited a vlog interview with photographer BJ Pascual in which Barretto had identified 25 as her ideal age to marry. “I just wanna be with the right person,” Barretto said. She explained that choosing the right partner had become more important than adhering to an earlier timetable. Barretto said she was grateful the marriage she once envisioned had not happened at 25. “I wouldn’t have been prepared for such a thing,” she said. The conversation also turned to her sisters, Dani and Claudia. Barretto said both had married at 25 and joked that perhaps she had been envisioning early marriage for them rather than herself. She added that she would be com-
fortable marrying in her 40s or 50s if that meant spending her life with the right person. Her remarks follow the public confirmation of her separation from actor Gerald Anderson in September 2025. Their respective talent agencies, Viva Artists Agency and Star Magic, described the decision as mutual. Viva also said speculation about the reasons for the breakup was unfounded. Neither agency disclosed a cause. Barretto is appearing opposite Joshua Garcia in “Always Yours, Never Mine,” a romantic drama directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana. The film follows Apollo, played by Garcia, and Luna, played by Barretto, through encounters and decisions spanning three decades. The Star Cinema production opened in Philippine theaters on September 30. It had earned more than 100 million pesos at the box office as of October 11, according to an October 12 announcement by ABS-CBN. International screenings are scheduled to begin October 22 in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Australia and New Zealand, followed by the United States, Canada and Guam on October 23. n
Actress speaks favorably of Padilla but declines to predict whether the two will remain together.
whether she believed Estrada and Padilla would eventually end up together. “Mahirap magsalita,” she replied, explaining that her own experiences had taught her that relationships do not always unfold as expected. De Belen described Padilla as someone who “seems to be a good kid” and said she had nothing negative to say about him. Although she occasionally sees the actor at special gatherings, she emp-
by AJPress MANILA — Actress Janice de Belen has reiterated that her daughter Kaila Estrada’s happiness matters more than predictions about her romantic future, speaking favorably of actor Daniel Padilla while declining to say whether the two will ultimately remain together. In an interview with entertainment host Ogie Diaz posted on YouTube on October 11, de Belen was asked
Photo from Instagram/@ super_janice
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Photo from Instagram/@juliabarretto
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OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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Thailand Wins Miss Asia Pacific Crown After breast cancer, these actresses find humor, hope, and ways to pay it in Cebu; Philippines Places Third forward Runner-Up Filipino American Sophia Mendiola, representing the United States, reaches Top 15 by AJPress LAPU-LAPU CITY — Thailand's Sasiwararin Atsawahirankarn was crowned Miss Asia Pacific International 2026 on October 10 at Mactan Expo in Cebu, emerging as the winner from a field of 38 contestants. Philippine representative Gabrielle Galapia finished third runner-up, while Filipino American Sophia Mendiola, representing the United States, advanced to the Top 15. The victory gave Thailand its fourth title in the competition and its first since 1997. Atsawahirankarn succeeded Brazil's Isabela Fernandes, the 2025 titleholder. Costa Rica's Gia Angelique Franceschi placed first runner-up, followed by South Africa's Nompumelelo Amandla Malindi as second runner-up. Mexico's Itzel Idolina Silva Borbon finished fourth runner-up. During the final question-and-answer round, Atsawahirankarn emphasized the importance of confidence and mutual respect in fostering connections among people from different cultural backgrounds. Galapia, asked how people could connect despite differences in language and traditions, cited music and dance as forms of expression that transcend language barriers. The Filipina contestant, who is also a musician, high-
Photo from Instagram/@missasiapacificintl
lighted the ability of shared experiences to bring people together. Galapia entered the coronation night with several preliminary distinctions. She won Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown during the October 6 competition at Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark Cebu. She was also named Darling of the Press during the September 26 media presentation and finished first runner-up in the September 27 national costume competition. Sri Lanka's Sandeepa Sewmini Don Samarasinghe Disanayake won the category. Mendiola, Miss Asia Pacific USA 2026, advanced to the Top 15 semifinal round. The Southern California-based Filipino American is a professional flamenco dancer and previously held the Miss
Young Philippines USA 2025 title in Glendale, California. She also received the Miss Missosology special recognition during the pageant's September 26 press presentation at NUSTAR Resort in Cebu City. Cebu hosted the competition for the second consecutive year, with contestants participating in cultural presentations, preliminary judging events and visits to destinations across the province. On October 13, Atsawahirankarn and the four runners-up paid a courtesy visit to Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro at the provincial Capitol. Accompanied by pageant representatives, the titleholders discussed their experiences visiting communities and tourist destinations across Cebu during the competition. n
Janice de Belen Puts Kaila’s...
PAGE 11 hasized that decisions about a relationship belong to those directly involved. The veteran actress said she trusted Kaila to make her own decisions, including recognizing when a relationship was no longer making her happy. She also observed that younger generations appeared less willing than their parents to remain in relationships that were not working. Her remarks followed earlier statements about respecting her adult children’s independence. During an April interview with Julius Babao,
she advised Kaila to “guard your heart.” In a May appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” she said her priority as a parent was seeing her daughter happy rather than interfering in her personal choices. Other family members have expressed similar sentiments. In September, de Belen’s sister, actress Gelli de Belen, said she hoped Estrada and Padilla would remain happy and bring out the best in each other. Estrada and Padilla worked together in the 2025 ABS-
CBN action-drama series “Incognito.” Their public appearances have since attracted attention, including Estrada’s attendance at Padilla’s birthday celebration in April, a photograph shared by Padilla in May and pictures from a group trip to Japan posted by Estrada in August. Although their appearances and family members’ comments have prompted widespread reports of a romance, GMA News reported in September that neither actor had explicitly confirmed the relationship. n
by Allan Policarpio Inquirer.net
THERE’S no single way to navigate breast cancer, and life afterward isn’t a simple story of triumph either. Some find humor in the ordeal. Others use an unexpected break to fulfill an old dream. Relief can coexist with anxiety, and staying positive is often easier said than done. Bibeth Orteza Before her mastectomy, Bibeth Orteza’s oncologist told her to get her teeth checked; she wouldn’t be able to have cavities filled once treatment started. On her way to the dentist, she inadvertently wore a thin shirt. Her husband, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, couldn’t help but point out: “I can see your two nipples.” “I told him, ‘Today is my last day with two nipples. I would rather show them off,’” the writer, actress, and director tells Lifestyle Inquirer. As daunting as her situation was, Orteza could still “find humor in the tumor.” Perhaps she got that from her Waray side, she says, from people “who laugh as if they have invented laughter.” But mostly, it’s because she never really saw cancer as a death sentence. If anything, it was a “front-row ticket to the first night of your own wake.” “People who hurt you ask for your forgiveness. And you can still ask people you hurt for forgiveness,” she says. It also didn’t hurt that humor runs in the family. While discussing what course of treatment to take after her mastectomy, her son Rafa, then 14, told her he was convinced she would get well. How could he
Timmy Cruz.
Bibeth Orteza and son Rafa Siguion-Reyna. Photo courtesy of ICanServe Foundation
be so sure? “The word mother is embedded in chemotherapy,” he replied. “It’s actually che-mother-apy.” Orteza has been in remission for more than two decades now, and she likens the prospect of recurrence to “true love”—“pwedeng andiyan, pwedeng hindi.” The best she can do is work not only for herself but for the community. Every so often, other women with breast cancer come up to her asking her to say a prayer for them. She obliges, paying it forward. “Marami ring gumawa nito para sa ‘kin nung nagsisimula pa lang ako sa aking cancer journey,” she
Photo from Timmy Cruz Facebook
says. “We’re wounded healers,” she adds. “Ang may sugat ang tutulong magpagaling sa may sugat. It’s not a journey we take alone.” Today, she continues to share her story every year, traveling to Baguio—and, when she was younger, Cebu and Davao—as part of her work with ICanServe Foundation. Onstage, Orteza sometimes recounts her journey while applying makeup. When all that’s left to apply is her lipstick, she asks who in the audience is undergoing treatment and invites someone to join her. Friendships form in many ways and usually take time, she says. But between cancer survivors, a new bond can begin with just a look. “Magtinginan lang tayo sa mata, alam na natin na pareho tayo ng pinagdaanan,” she says. “The shock of diagnosis… the worry about whether they will see their children graduate.” To demonstrate that connection, Orteza puts on her lipstick using the “eyes of the woman in front of me as a mirror.” By the end, her lipstick is all good—“walang lampas-lampas”—and everyone is crying.
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026
Vilma Santos open to film reunion with Edgar Mortiz
by AJPress MANILA — Veteran actress and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto has expressed interest in reuniting on the big screen with former acting partner Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz, more than five decades after their pairing became one of Philippine entertainment’s popular love teams. The possibility emerged following their reunion at Mortiz’s “Goin’ Standard: The Repeat” concert on October 10 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati, where the two performed their signature song, “Pledge of Love.” In an interview by The Philippine Star columnist Dolly Anne Carvajal, Santos said Mortiz had informed her that a producer was interested in bringing them together for a film.
Photo from Facebook/@vsrecto
Santos welcomed the proposal and suggested developing a lighthearted, feel-good story. She emphasized, however, that any project would have to accommodate her responsibilities as Batangas governor. The actress also disclosed that Mortiz had discussed the possibility of staging a concert together in Los Angeles, potentially extending their reunion to Filipino audiences in the United States. Neither the proposed film nor the Los Angeles performance has been formally announced. No production schedule, screenplay or release date has been confirmed. Santos and Mortiz, popularly known as “Vi and Bot,” rose to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their screen partnership produced numerous films, including
Young Love, Edgar Loves Vilma and My Pledge of Love, all released in 1970. Their professional collaboration also developed into a real-life romance before they eventually pursued separate personal and professional paths. Mortiz later established himself as a television director and producer while continuing to perform. His October concert followed an earlier presentation of “Goin’ Standard” in June, featuring his interpretations of classic popular songs. Santos, meanwhile, returned to the Batangas governorship in 2025 after previously holding the post from 2007 to 2016. Her continuing public service commitments remain a principal consideration in any prospective film collaboration. n
Vietnam named 2027 Miss Universe host, then rival group rejects announcement Competing statements raise questions over control of the global pageant and the eligibility of six Southeast Asian delegations. by AJPress MANILA — An announcement naming Vietnam host of the 2027 Miss Universe competition was rejected the same day by a rival group, revealing a dispute over who can make decisions for the global pageant. On October 8, missuniverse.com said Legacy Holding Group, S.A. de C.V., identified as MU East, had selected Vietnam for the 76th competition under a “Master Hemisphere Agreement.” It provided no host city, venue or dates. A statement on missuniverseorg.com disputed the selection, saying the host would be announced after the November 24, 2026, final in Puerto Rico. Both sides claim authority to communicate
publicly for Miss Universe. The dispute extends beyond scheduling. MU East says its agreements grant it franchise rights in 95 territories. It describes MU East and MU West as equal owners of JKN Legacy Inc., which it says is the sole member of JKN Universe LLC. The opposing group disputes MU East's authority. Neither side's legal interpretation is established by the published statements. The group issuing the denial also alleged that missuniverse.com and associated accounts were under unauthorized control. That accusation has not been independently established, and MU East disputes challenges to its communications. In September, a statement issued in the name of JKN Universe LLC declared dele-
gates from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore ineligible for the 2026 competition because it rejected their franchise arrangements. MU East and Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil, whom it identifies as chief executive of Miss Universe Eastern, disputed the decision. The delegates' participation remains contested. Philippine representative Bea Millan-Windorski was not among those named. Vietnam previously hosted in Nha Trang in 2008. The 2026 competition is scheduled in San Juan, with national costumes on November 21, preliminaries on November 22 and the final on November 24 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot. n
After breast cancer, these actresses...
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PAGE 12 Timmy Cruz While her breast cancer initially felt like a “block on the road,” Timmy Cruz said it unexpectedly created space to fulfill her longtime dream of making her own music. Known for the 1980s hits “Boy,” “Tingin,” and “Joke Lang,” the singer-actress had to leave the primetime series “Once Again” after her diagnosis in 2016. She opted to undergo a mastectomy—a moment she described as “super dramatic.” “As a woman, that’s really something,” she told us in 2023. “I had to say goodbye to one of my breasts.” During her hiatus, Cruz lived in Tagaytay, went “deep into self-care,” and practiced meditation. “It was my choice to sit back, relax, and enjoy what I should be enjoying.” Returning to showbiz was “far away from my mind” back then, she said. Still, she sang at retreats and seminars, and finally got around to songwriting. At one of her sessions, producers from FlipMusic heard her work and offered to bring her music to a wider audience. Before she knew it, her songs were on streaming platforms. “I fulfilled my dreams of becoming a composer,” she said. In 2023, Cruz felt it was time to come back—or rather, she felt God was telling her to. But this time, her goals were much simpler. “I’m not here because I want to do major things,” she said. “I just want to share the peace, happiness, zeal, and good vibes I have in me.” Kaye Abad When someone is sick, “Stay positive” is often one of the first things people say in the hopes of offering comfort. But Kaye Abad knows how hard it is to take those words to heart when you’re the one on the receiving end. “It’s easy to say, ‘Stay positive, everything’s going to be okay,’” the actress was quoted
Maritoni Fernandez.
Kaye Abad with sons Pio Joaquin and Iñigo Leon. Photo from @kaye_abad/Instagram
as saying on the Cebu Provincial Government’s Facebook page. She spoke at its recent Breast Cancer Awareness Month activity, where female government employees received free clinical breast exams. When you’re the one who’s sick, she added, it’s hard not to feel stressed or dwell on having cancer. In a YouTube vlog posted on her birthday last May 17, Abad revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025. She kept the news from her mother because she didn’t want her to worry. “I didn’t pretend I wasn’t sick. I just pretended to be well,” said Abad, who sought further consultations and treatment in Singapore. Her husband, Paul Jake Castillo, was a constant source of strength. Still, leaving their two sons back home in Cebu was difficult. “Ang hirap magpaalam na wala kang idea kung kailan ka babalik,” she said. She was nervous, but she held on to her faith. “Alam kong hindi ako pababayaan ni Lord because He’s always been there ever since.” Now cancer-free, Abad encourages other women facing breast cancer to find activities that keep them occupied. “Just try. Whatever keeps you
Photo from @maritoni.fernandez/ Instagram
busy, do it,” she said at the awareness activity. “I try not to stay at home as much as possible because when I’m just at home, I keep thinking about it.” Maritoni Fernandez Maritoni Fernandez once said that every breast cancer survivor has two birthdays: “the day they were born, and the day they found the strength to fight.” But while the actress has lived a full life since her “breast day”— March 26, 2001—the uncertainty hasn’t entirely disappeared, especially during her twice-yearly checkups. “It’s still nerve-wracking,” the actress wrote on Instagram after receiving an allclear at her Sept. 22 checkup. Thankfully, having her husband, Mon Dayrit, beside her makes it easier. Fernandez recalls being in the United States seeking a second opinion for her ailing mother when her uncle, a doctor, urged her to have a biopsy of the breast lump she had been feeling. During her treatment, her daughter Lexi became her inspiration. “I wanted to see her grow up, graduate, get married, have children,” she said in a testimonial published by ICanServe Foundation. Chemotherapy caused vomiting and mouth sores and left her unable to do much for weeks. She didn’t know if she would “survive and win the battle,” but her faith kept hope alive during the difficult days. As a breast cancer advocate, Fernandez hopes her story can reassure other women going through a similar ordeal. “I want people who are going through breast cancer now to see that there are survivors like me who have not only survived but are thriving after the battle,” she said. n
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OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
Health @Heart Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS The ongoing controversy, which started in 1970, fifty years ago, about men and transgender people in women’s sports appears to be a dilemma not only in the United States but around the world, including the Philippines. While brilliant leaders in society and in the government seem to be at a stalemate, and the equitable solution manifests as unattainable, I personally think, using common sense, the just remedy is simple and clear. I remember the days of decades past when there were only two sexes, female and male. There was no confusion, unlike today, where a woman candidate to the US Supreme Court did not even know her gender. For heaven’s sake, that is the highest judicial house, the pinnacle of brain power, whose members are supposed to be among the brightest minds in the country and who at least knew their sexual orientation lucidly; how this confused judge was able to join the other 8 was mind-boggling to me. A segment of modern society, seemingly oblivious of history, is even favoring socialism, Marxism, and communism over democracy. While victims of those oppressive and collapsing nations are escaping to the United States to run away from despotism and tyranny and enjoy freedom in a genuine American democracy, many mentally disjointed Americans, a majority of whom are Gen Zs and Millennials, are embracing idiocy to abolish the Police, ICE, national borders, and government, as we know it. This is the height of stupidity, to say the least. Thank God, we do not see this degree of lunacy in the Philippines. Going back to gender in sports. God created men and women to be equal, perhaps mentally, but not physiologically, emotionally, or physically. There is nothing fair or just about allowing men or transgender people to play in women’s sports. The results have been clear and one-sided. And expectedly so. As I said earlier, the solution is simple; it is staring us in the face, right under our noses. And common sense is magnifying it!
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Genders in Sports Since society has added one more gender, then, to be just and fair, we must add a new category for transgender athletes, since they, too, have a right to compete, but only against their fellow transgenders, not women. Therefore, I propose that transgender athletes (even subdivided into their true birth sex) have their own category: transgenders playing against their own kind, transgenders, men against men (only), and women against women (only). No intermixing. If transgenders want to split up, so be it: transgender women, transgender men, LGBTQ plus… I honestly do not understand why all the powers-that-be and experts in various pertinent fields are having a difficult time figuring out the solution to this, what they consider a “complex” dilemma, which to me is a simple problem, with the answer glaring at us. The question is, will our legislators have enough common sense, be pragmatic enough, and have the wisdom and courage to adopt this simple solution and finally achieve fairness and justice for women in sports? We must all respect and protect all women, not only in sports but in all other challenging arenas of life. Let’s revive chivalry. Hot drinks and cancer A large new study from the UK reveals that drinking hot beverages “was associated with a threefold higher risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) than consuming warm beverages.” If the link is causal, consuming beverages “hot” instead of “very hot” could prevent an estimated 14% of new ESCC cases, or 440 cancers each year in the UK, researchers reported. “The study of nearly 1 million people is consistent with previous research from countries such as Iran and China, where ESCC is much more common, and with the International Agency for Research on Cancer classification of beverages consumed above 65 °C (149 °F) as “probably carcinogenic” to humans based on limited epidemiologic and experimental evidence.” – MS Kratom: new killer Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), which contains more than 40 chemical compounds, alkaloids, is a trop-
ical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It was in the late 20th century (1980s, 1990s) that immigrants brought it to the United States and Europe. Kratom mimics opioids in larger doses and can cause severe, life-threatening adverse reactions, especially among children. Symptoms include seizures, severe agitation, tremors, hallucinations, tachycardia, spike in blood pressure, slowed breathing, and comas. This deadly “all-energy, all-natural booster,” as it is deceptively advertised, comes in bright, sweet-flavored packaging sold at gas stations, where adults and teens get them. Very dangerous to pregnant women and their babies. It might sound ridiculous, but at the national level in the United States, Kratom remains federally legal to possess and buy, and is not listed as a controlled substance. My question is: why? Killer substances with medicinal use must be completely banned in public and legally allowed only for medical use. We already have too many dangerous, deadly substances around; legislators do not have to approve more. Look at what happened to recreational marijuana. More and more clinical data and studies are showing various health hazards among users, their families, and the people around them. Drugs have been known to destroy empires, nations, and people. Let us learn from history; otherwise we shall be doomed to repeat it, and this time around, labelled “stupid” also on our tombstone. Diagnosing Dengue Recognizing and diagnosing dengue in the United States is not an easy task because it is rare and mimics other viral infections like Zika and chikungunya. Diagnostic tests help in the diagnosis. In the Philippines, even a medical intern could smell it miles away. Filipino physicians almost always clinch the diagnosis even before blood test confirmation arrives. There are now about 2,008 cases of dengue in the 40 jurisdictions of the United States, with Florida ranking first with a record-breaking outbreak. There is one confirmed death.
Jackie Lou Blanco reflects on marriage regrets, renewed ties with Ricky Davao
Actress recalls unresolved disagreements, their separation and the relationship they later rebuilt by AJPress MANILA — Jackie Lou Blanco says she regrets that she and her late husband, actor-director Ricky Davao, did not resolve their disagreements before separating, recalling prolonged silences and the difficulties their children experienced. In an interview on journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes’ Usapang Real with Luchi this month, Blanco said she usually sought discussions during disputes, while Davao, in her account, sometimes stopped speaking to her for as long as two weeks. “We played a big part in not fixing our marriage,” she said. Blanco added that they never sought marriage coun-
seling. “Love grows cold because you let it grow cold,” she said, describing their failure to work through conflicts together. The actors married in 1989 and had three children: Kenneth, Rikki Mae and Ara. Blanco said they continued sharing a house for a time after their relationship deteriorated, although they slept in separate rooms. One daughter sometimes passed messages between her parents when they were not speaking, she recalled. Blanco eventually moved to a nearby home. Over time, the former couple established a more cordial relationship. Blanco recalled inviting Davao and his then-girlfriend on a family trip to Boracay, an experience she acknowledged was initially
uncomfortable. They also resumed attending family occasions together. Blanco had previously expressed regret about the separation in a 2023 television interview, particularly its effect on their children. Asked about her comments later that year, Davao said the breakup was not planned and that they had to move forward. The actors also appeared together in GMA’s 2023 drama Love Before Sunrise. Davao died May 1, 2025, at 63, following complications related to cancer, according to his family. Speaking at his wake, Blanco recalled visiting him in the hospital before his death. She said she promised to care for their children and asked his forgiveness for anything she had done.. n
Bianca Manalo cites public duties in breakup with Win Gatchalian
Actress says she remains friends with Senate president and continues to support him despite their separation by AJPress MANILA — Actress and former beauty queen Bianca Manalo said her former partner, Senate President Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, devoted much of his attention to public service, which she cited as a factor in their separation. In an interview broadcast Thursday, October 15, on GMA Network’s Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, Manalo described Gatchalian as hardworking and said she understood his commitment to serving the country. She expressed continued support for him despite the end of their relationship. Manalo did not specify when they separated. The two began dating in 2018. Asked about their current While there is no specific direct treatment for dengue, the supportive management available today here and in the Philippines results in over 99.5 percent success and recovery with early diagnosis.. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial
relationship, Manalo said they remained friends and continued to share responsibility for their three dogs. She said she could still turn to Gatchalian for assistance and that they remained in contact. Questions about their relationship surfaced in 2025. Gatchalian attended the State of the Nation Address alone that July and declined to comment when asked about Manalo. During a January 2026 interview with broadcaster Korina Sanchez, he described his love life as “non-existent,” without mentioning Manalo. In June, Sparkle GMA Artist Center, Manalo’s talent management agency, stated that she was single and rejected rumors involving her and another couple. After
Gatchalian was elected Senate president on June 17, Manalo congratulated him publicly. Gatchalian thanked her during a radio interview two days later. Manalo also addressed speculation about her personal life during the television appearance. She said she was not ready to enter another relationship and was concentrating instead on spending time with her mother, sisters, nieces and nephews. She appeared on the program with fellow former beauty queens Ariella Arida and MJ Lastimosa to promote Red Crown, a GMA Pictures film set in the world of beauty pageants. Directed by Dominic Zapata, the satirical comedy-thriller is scheduled to open in Philippine cinemas on October 28.. n
board and staff.
then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, distinguished educators, renowned scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888. com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com. On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com n
*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by
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My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)
Rogelio Constantino Medina Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos joined U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and other first spouses at the “Fostering the Future Together” luncheon held on September 22, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City. “Fostering the Future Together” is an international coalition launched by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump to empower children worldwide through improved access to educational technology, artificial intelligence (AI), digital literacy and online safety. The initiative brings together governments and private-sector partners to expand educational opportunities and prepare children for an increasingly digital world. During the September 22 gathering, the coalition announced its expansion to 57 participating countries and new partnerships with leading technology companies. First Lady Trump welcomed leaders from around the world, including representatives from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Ukraine, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Panama, Canada and other nations. The U.S. First Lady remarked, “Together, we are a beautiful range of cultures, languages, histories, and traditions. And yet, we stand unified around one everlasting truth: the future of our world will be determined by what we do for our children today.” She also announced several “Fostering the Future Together” gatherings for 2026, including a G20-related event to be hosted by First Lady Trump and an ASEAN conference to be hosted by Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Other planned gatherings include a European regional meeting hosted by Polish First Lady Marta Nawrocka and a Caribbean regional meeting hosted by First Lady Diani Prince-Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis. “When nations speak with one voice, the world listens. Our collective influence is profound. Together, we can open doors, move markets, shape policy. And most importantly, we can change lives for the better,” First Lady Trump said. She also announced new private-sector technology partnerships with Adobe, Amazon,
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U.S. First Lady Melania Trump Hosts “Fostering the Future Together” Luncheon in New York
From left: Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Marc Beckman, senior adviser to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.
Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina with Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato’ Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino at Makati with U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. Shangri-La.
Filipino designer Tony Gonzales. Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (seated, fourth from right) joins other first spouses at the “Fostering the Future Together” luncheon in New York City.
U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.
Hendrik Garcia, deputy permanent representative of the Philippines to the Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook (left) United Nations, with Philippine First Lady with Philippine First Lady Liza AranetaLiza Araneta-Marcos. Marcos.
From left: Malaysian Embassy First Secretary Tan Foo Koeng, Connie Guanzon-Garcia, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina with Ramon Orlina (right), Castelino and Ambassador Victor Garcia. renowned as the “Father of Philippine Glass Sculpture.”
Intel, Starlink, Google and Zoom. Tim Cook, executive chairman of Apple, and Enrique Lores, chief executive officer of PayPal, also attended the luncheon. Calling on the assembled first spouses to take action, First Lady Trump emphasized the importance of encouraging young people to expand their imagination, explore new intellectual frontiers, take calculated risks and contribute to society's advancement. The coalition focuses on four key areas: AI in education, educational technology tools, online protection and digital skills. The U.S. Department of State has worked closely with the White House to advance public-private partnerships aimed at supporting children and equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the digital age. Malaysia Celebrates 69th Na-
the importance of strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation. The celebration also underscored the countries' shared commitment to regional stability, economic development and stronger people-to-people ties. Guests enjoyed an evening showcasing Malaysia's rich cultural heritage, traditions and distinctive cuisine. Manila FAME 2026 Showcases Filipino Creativity at World Trade Center Manila FAME 2026, running from October 15 to 17 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City, showcases Filipino creativity and craftsmanship through an impressive collection of furniture, fashion, home décor and lifestyle products. Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, the exhibition brings together Filipino manufacturers, arti-
tional Day at Makati Shangri-La The Embassy of Malaysia in Manila recently celebrated Malaysia's 69th National Day with a diplomatic reception at Makati Shangri-La. The celebration was hosted by His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Malaysia's ambassador to the Philippines. The event brought together distinguished guests, including government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business executives, tourism stakeholders and representatives of the Filipino and Malaysian communities. The gathering highlighted the longstanding friendship between Malaysia and the Philippines, particularly their cooperation in trade, investment and regional affairs under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Ambassador Castelino reaffirmed Malaysia's support for the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN chairmanship and emphasized
sans, designers and industry stakeholders. This year's event, themed “Bloom,” highlights the country's natural resources and creative heritage, with designs inspired by Philippine flora, fauna, landscapes and marine environments. The exhibition features products combining locally sourced materials, traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, demonstrating the ingenuity and artistic skills of Filipino makers. It also provides visitors and international buyers with opportunities to meet the artisans and designers behind the products, discover emerging trends and explore potential business partnerships. Special exhibitions and industry activities highlight innovation, sustainability and the growing international appeal of Philippine-made products. Manila FAME continues to serve as an important platform for promoting Filipino
craftsmanship, supporting local enterprises and strengthening the country's presence in global home, fashion and lifestyle markets. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Associate Professor lII Rogelio Constantino Medina is an award-winning Filipino international journalist, columnist, and academic. He is well-regarded for his extensive contributions to both local Philippine media and major international news publications. He has built a career spanning several decades across various domains, including news, business, travel, lifestyle, science, sports, and health. He has written for major global outlets like the Far Eastern Economic Review in Hong Kong, The Japan Times in Tokyo, and Gulf News in Dubai. Notably, he made history as the first Filipino journalist to interview Japan's first astronaut, Dr. Mamoru Mohri. He is a credentialed member of the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Press Centers in New York City and Washington, D.C. rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com n
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OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2026 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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