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October 31 - November 6, 2024 Volume 35 - No. 44 • 14 Pages
T h e F i l i p i n o A m e r i ca n C o m mu n i t y N e ws pa p e r
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The Filipino American vote in Nevada: DATELINE USA Language access a A decisive force in the 2024 election barrier to elections for from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
communities nationwide
Nearly 70 million Americans speak a language other than English at home. With election day less than two weeks out, this population — nearly one in four Americans — continues to face significant barriers to voting. That’s the conclusion of a new report, Language Access and Voting Rights: An Overview of Federal, State and Local Policies, published Oct. 23 by the think tank Demos. “While a patchwork of federal, state, and local laws provides for some language assistance in elections, thousands of voters who prefer a language other than English remain without a real opportunity to cast a ballot,” the study notes. Latinos and Asian Americans, two of the nation’s fastest growing demographic groups with high rates of Limited English Proficiency (LEP), are among those most impacted, though other groups — including Native Americans and U.S. born Latinos — are also affected, according to the report.
by AJPress
AS the 2024 presidential election enters the final leg, Filipino American voters in Nevada have become a focal point for both Republicans and Democrats, who recognize this community’s significant potential
to influence outcomes in this crucial swing state. The Asian American population in the Silver State represents nearly 12% of the electorate, and over 109,000 Filipino Americans are eligible voters, solidifying their importance in a state often decided by narrow margins. A recent Washington Post article underscores this
Duterte admits death squad by Cecille Suerte Felipe, Marc Jayson Cayabyab Philstar.com
u PAGE 4
Presidential election puts Affordable Care Act back in the bull’s-eye Health care is suddenly front and center in the final sprint to the presidential election, and the outcome will shape the Affordable Care Act and the coverage it gives to more than 40 million people. Besides reproductive rights, health care for most of the campaign has been an in-theshadows issue. However, recent comments from former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, about possible changes to the ACA have opened Republicans up to heavier scrutiny. More than 1,500 doctors across the country recently released a letter calling on Trump to reveal details about how he would alter the ACA, saying the information is needed so voters can make an informed decision. The letter came from the Committee to Protect Health Care, a national advocacy group of physicians. “It’s remarkable that a decade and a half after the ACA passed, we are still debating these fundamental issues,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. “Democrats want to protect people with preexisting conditions, which
demographic's growing influence, while recent surveys reveal a complex and evolving political stance within the community. According to the Asian American Voter Survey released on Sept. 24 by research groups AAPI Data and Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAu PAGE 2
PRE-SELLING. A vendor sells candles and flowers outside St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pulang Lupa, Las Piñas City on Monday, October 28. Cemeteries are bound to get busy this week, leading to the observance of All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
MANILA — In an expletive-laced defense of his bloody war on drugs, former President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, October 28 admitted having organized a death squad against criminals, but claimed it was composed not of police officers but of “gangsters” and wealthy persons who liked killing. Aided by a walking cane, Duterte attended the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee investigation wherein he also admitted “full, moral and legal responsibility” for the killings in his brutal crackdown on the drug scourge. “Thousands were killed when I was mayor, but they are criminals. I can make a confession now, if you want. I have a death squad. But they are not composed of police. They are gangsters,” Duterte, 79, said in his rambling and profanity-laden answers to senators who questioned his alleged state policy of ordering deadly operations against low-level drug pushers and users. His alleged death squad was composed of “gangsters” and not police officers, Duterte said, because he did not want his officers to risk suspension if they killed a drug suspect. “Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies or excuses. I did what I had to do. I did it for my country. The war on illegal drugs is not u PAGE 2
Palace: Philippines safer under Marcos by Helen Flores
In defense of his bloody war on drugs, the former president claimed at the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on Monday that MANILA — The Philippines is safer and criminal activities had soared since Marcos the people are more secure than ever under took over. “There has been a widespread decline President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malacañang asserted on Monday, October 28, contrary to in crime across the board,” Bersamin said. claims by former President Rodrigo Duterte at a “Moreover, we have achieved stability and Senate hearing that crime has become rampant maintained peace and order in our country without forgoing due process nor setting aside in the country. “With due respect to former President the basic human rights of any Filipino.” This was the first time Duterte attended Rodrigo Duterte – there is no truth to his statement that crime remains rampant in the an inquiry into the bloody drug war after he country,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stepped down. He had begged off from a similar investigation by the quad committee said in a statement. Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Senate probe into his administration’s bloody war Bersamin said statistics from the Philippine of the House of Representatives. on drugs on Monday, October 28. Senate photo National Police show “the complete opposite.” u PAGE 4 Philstar.com
on Duterte’s drug Pope prays for Kristine victims in Philippines Solons war revelations: He must u PAGE 3
by Evelyn Macairan Philstar.com
MANILA — Pope Francis has offered prayers for Filipinos affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. At Sunday’s (October 27) Angelus address at the Vatican, the 87-year-old pontiff reportedly mentioned praying for the victims of Kristine. “I am close to the population of the Philippines, struck by a powerful cyclone. May the Lord support those people, so full of faith,” the pope said, from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. At Sunday’s (October 27) Angelus address at the Vatican, 87-year-old Pope Francis reportedly Floods and landslides led to mentioned praying for the victims of Kristine. Screengrab from The Vatican news Youtube channel 116 casualties, 109 injured and
39 missing people, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Monday, October 28. Kristine affected 6.7 million people or 1.6 million families in 10,147 barangays nationwide. It also displaced 980,355 people in 6,286 evacuation centers. Damage to agriculture and infrastructure was estimated at P2.5 billion and P1.5 billion, respectively. Two more areas were placed under a state of calamity, bringing to 160 the total number of cities and municipalities that declared a state of calamity. Caritas Philippines has appealed for food donations, potable water, u PAGE 4
be held accountable by Gabriel Pabico Lalu Inquirer.net
MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte should face the full brunt of the law after he said he is taking full responsibility for the drug war and confirmed the existence of a death squad, several members of the House of Representatives said on Monday, October 28. In a statement, lawmakers from the House’s “young guns” said Duterte’s admission should prompt government agencies to file cases against the former
president. During the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, Duterte said that he takes “full legal, moral responsibility” for the drug war. Later on, he also admitted that police chiefs during his term used to be heads of death squads, adding that he created a death squad in Davao made up of gangsters that would go after criminals. “The former president has publicly accepted responsibility for these deaths. If we truly stand by our principles of justice and u PAGE 10