Issuu

November 4-7, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 89 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

USA

DATELINE House Republicans release long-awaited tax reform plan FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Bill delivers major tax cuts to corporations and benefits top earners

AFTER months of outlining and delay, Republicans in the United States House of Representatives have finally released their first draft of their highly anticipated tax reform bill on Thursday, November 2. Introduced by the House Ways and Means Committee, the heavily detailed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a sweeping reform that seeks to simplify the current U.S. tax code. The $1.5trillion plan promises the kind of tax system favored by businesses, as it delivers a signifi-

Malacañang: PH’s low MCC scorecard based on old data by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

MALACAÑANG on Friday, November 3 downplayed the Philippines’ low score in terms of controlling corruption and ensuring the rule of law, as assessed by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). In a statement, incoming Palace

Spokesperson Harry Roque pointed out that the indicators considered by the foreign aid agency for the fiscal year 2018 were based on its methodologies in 2014, 2015 and 2016. With an assessment based on data that are not up-to-date, Roque claimed that the Philippines’ low scores may not reflect Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s reform initiatives, such as the

dismissal of corrupt officials, among others. “We have to understand that for this year’s scorecard, the ratings in the various indicators were based on their methodologies in 2014, 2015 and 2016,” Roque said. He added, “The findings, therefore, may not completely reflect the reform

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III cited “inherent time lags” in the third-party data used by the MCC in assessing the annual country scorecard for the Philippines.

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Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

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New York City bike path terror attack: What we know

PH Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and U.S. Pres. Donald Trump Philstar.com, White House photos

8 killed after driver plows through cyclists and pedestrians near World Trade Center

Trump to extend stay in PH for East Asia Summit by AJPRESS

A MAN driving a rental truck rammed through a bike path on Tuesday, October 31, killing eight people and injuring more than a dozen in the deadliest attack in the city since 9/11. At about 3:05 p.m., the suspect sped in a Home Depot flatbed pickup truck for nearly a mile down a popular bike path on West Houston Street in lower Manhattan just blocks away from the World Trade Center. “The Home Depot truck starting running people over,” said witness Nelson Arroyo, 58, according to various reports. “I heard a boom boom, a crushing noise from the bikes. People were sitting down crying. I saw two areas of blood.”

UNITED States President Donald Trump has decided to extend his Asia trip for one more day to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) in the Philippines. “We’re actually staying an extra day in the Philippines,” Trump announced prior to his departure on Friday, November 3. White House officials have confirmed that Trump will spend an extra day in the Philippines to attend the regional on Tuesday, November 14 after being criticized for initially deciding to skip the annual event. “I think we’re going to have great success,” Trump added. Trump’s original plan was to attend the

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SECURITY PRACTICE. Some members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) conduct rehearsals in preparation for the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit later this month. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it had not monitored any terror threat within Metro Manila. Col. Vic Tomas, deputy commander of Joint Task Group NCR, said the AFP had alerted its standby forces in supporting the PNP in security matters, including the preparations for the ASEAN meetings. ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo Jr.

PH calls for stronger int’l cooperation vs terrorism by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PH Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano Inquirer.net photo

New York that left 8 people dead and at least 11 others injured. “The terrorist attacks in New THE Philippine government on Thursday, November 2, called on York and other places abroad durthe international community to in- ing the past several weeks tell us tensify its cooperation in fighting the threat remains real,” Cayetano terrorism, particularly against the said in a statement. On Tuesday, October 31, a man militant Islamic State (IS) group. Philippine Foreign Affairs Secre- rammed a pickup truck through tary Alan Peter Cayetano made the several blocks of Lower Manhatcall days after the recent attack in tan before crashing into a school

bus—which U.S. authorities called an “act of terror.” The suspect, identified as 29year-old Uzbekistan native Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov who was living in New Jersey, reportedly told investigators that he executed the attack in the name of the IS terrorist group. The Philippines recently suf-

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2 Filipino youths named among Time’s most influential teens De Guzman shot to prominence last year after she was photographed joining a protest A FILIPINO high school stu- organized by her school slamdent who was criticized online ming the surreptitious burial of for protesting the clandestine Marcos at the Libingan ng mga burial of the late dictator Ferdi- Bayani (Hereos’ Cemetery) denand Marcos at the heroes’ cem- spite widespread human rights etery has been named by Time abuses during his rule from 1965 magazine as one of its 30 most to 1986. influential teenagers of 2017. Time cited the fate of people Time lauded Shibby De Guz- or institutions who dared to man, 14, for speaking against speak out against Duterte or his the policies of President Rodrigo policies. Duterte, who has conducted a The Philippine leader told relentless and bloody campaign politicians from the European against illegal drugs, despite the Union to go to hell for raising dangers this posed. u PAGE A3 by AUDREY

MORALLO Philstar.com

Shibby de Guzman

Beauty blogger Bretman Rock Philstar.com f by Ina Jacobe

Photo from Instagram/@bretmanrock

Newly-appointed Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque tells members of the media during a press brieﬁng in Malacañan on Thursday, Nov. 2, that he is bound to fulﬁll President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders which are to do what is best for the country and to tell the truth. Malacañang photo by Valerie Escalera

Palace upholds right to life, ‘continuing investigation’ against drug war killings by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

get killed in the so-called drug war. While admitting that there MALACAÑANG on Thursday, November 2, affirmed its “con- are collateral damages in the tinuing obligation” to investi- anti-illegal drugs campaign, gate killings in its crackdown incoming Palace Spokesperson on narcotics, following a recent Harry Roque maintained that survey indicating nearly half drug-related killings were not of Filipinos believe it was in- state sanctioned. evitable for innocent people to u PAGE A3

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From the Front Page

Malacañang: PH’s low MCC scorecard... PAGE A1 t initiatives of the Duterte administration in the area of fighting corruption and good governance.” In the MCC 2018 scorecard, the Philippines failed to meet the performance standard after scoring zero in controlling corruption and -0.01 in ensuring the rule of law. The country’s percentile

ranking in the low-income group category was 50 percent. Malacañang expressed optimism that the Washington-based poverty reduction agency would consider the Philippine government’s latest reforms to combat corruption and improve governance. Roque emphasized that

Duterte, who assumed the presidency last year, has “fired government officials from their posts, including those who were perceived to be close to him, due to reports of corruption.” He added that the president has also “moved towards restoring people’s faith and trust in the government by making government services accessible to the public.” Roque cited the implementation of the Freedom of Information order in the executive branch, cutting red tape and streamlining the delivery of frontline services, such as applying for business permits and licensing systems. Hotlines, such as 8888 for public complaints and 911 for emergencies as well as government centers to receive public concerns, were also established. Roque further pointed out that the government is likewise “serious in its revenue-collection efforts,” including running after big-time tax delinquents, such as Mighty Corporation, Sunvar Realty Development Corporation and Philippine Airlines. “We are hopeful that the MCC Board would take into account these initiatives and see our commitment to further reforms in the areas covered by the compact assistance,” he said. In December 2016, MCC deferred a vote on the re-selection of the Philippines, saying the organization withheld its second aid due to “significant concerns around rule of law and civil liberties.” The first grant, worth $434 million, was approved by the MCC in 2011. The Philippines is among the candidate countries to receive assistance for 2018. MCC said it will assess a country’s eligibility for the grant based on criteria, such as the country’s demonstrated commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in its people. While the Philippines scored low in controlling corruption and ensuring the rule of law, it met the performance standard in terms of democratic rights, with scores of 27 for political rights and 36 for civil liberties. It also passed in government effectiveness at 80 percent, and freedom of freedom of information at 77 percent.

GUNS AND DRUGS. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino examines an assault rifle seized during buy-bust operations at a hotel in Quezon City and in a house in Mandaluyong City. PDEA operatives also seized ecstasy, cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Behind Aquino were the persons arrested during the raids. ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

Trump to extend stay in PH... PAGE A1 t special gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and the ASEAN-U.S. meeting in Manila from November 12 to 13 as part of his Asia trip, which also includes visits to Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam. Trump is slated to have a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference. Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano previously disclosed that security and trade relations, as well as threats posed by terrorism and illegal drugs, are among the top issues to be discussed at the upcoming bilateral meeting between the two leaders. Earlier this week, Duterte said he will welcome the U.S. president “in the most righteous way.” “I would deal with President Trump in the most righteous way, welcome him as an impor-

tant leader,” Duterte said in a media briefing on Sunday, October 29. “I would have to also listen to him, what he has to say. I have not met him personally but I have noticed that we move our mouths in the same cadence,” the Philippine president added. Duterte has been known for his profanity-laced remarks against the U.S. for supposedly interfering with the domestic affairs of the Philippines. He has repeatedly launched tirades against officials, including former U.S. President Barack Obama, who expressed concern over the alleged human rights abuses allegedly associated with Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. However, during a phone call with Duterte in May, Trump hailed the Philippine president for doing an “unbelievable job on the drug problem” despite local and international human rights groups condemning on the cam-

In terms of economic freedom, the Philippines failed in access to credit (13 percent), gender in economy (13 percent), and business start-up (43 percent); but passed in fiscal policy (87 percent), regulatory quality

(87 percent), and trade policy (67 percent). The country also garnered a good score of 1.8 in terms of inflation. In the area of investing in its resources, the Philippines met the standards under the catego-

U.S. President Donald Trump looks forward to meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in a controversial move he sees as a success over the last administration. The two leaders are said to have a ‘warm rapport.’ White House photo

paign. Duterte — who previously bashed the U.S., especially during the term of former President Barack Obama — said he’s now adopting a friendlier stance with the Trump administration. n ries of natural resource protection (73 percent), child health (70 percent), and girls’ secondary education enrollment rate (55 percent); but scored below the standard in health expenditures (13 percent). n

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From the Front page

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 4-7, 2017

House Republicans release long-awaited... PAGE A1 t cant tax cut for corporations and more conservative savings for the middle-class. According to calculations by the Joint Committee on Taxation, the bill would garner about $1 trillion in net cuts. At its core, the bill is a win for corporations, which will see its corporate tax rate cut from 35 percent to 20 percent, a shift that is measured to decrease federal revenues by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. In general, the legislation promises major tax cuts for wealthy Americans who tend to benefit from corporate tax cuts than most Americans. Americans that earn between $400,000 to $1 million a year would face drastically lower top income tax rates. Moreover, Americans that tend to earn a profound share of their income from capital (i.e. stock sales, dividends, etc.) also benefit from the corporate tax cut. “With this plan, we are making pro-growth reforms, so that yes, America can compete with the rest of the world,” Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) said. In a statement delivered on Thursday, Trump applauded the House for sticking to tax reform priorities long desired by conservatives. “My tax reform priorities have been the same since day one: bringing tax cuts for hardworking, middle-income Americans; eliminating unfair loopholes and deductions; and slashing business taxes so employers can create jobs, raise wages, and dominate their competition around the world,” Trump said in a statement. Although the bill does cut taxes, it doesn’t do much for middle-income Americans whose incomes don’t qualify them to receive the significant tax cuts. The bill simplifies the sevenbracket tax system to just three tax brackets: 12, 25 and 35 per-

cent, which means that Americans are now subjected to different income tax rates. The threshold for the top 39.6 percent of individual income raises to $1 million for couples, an increase from $470,700. In other words, this bill shifts the definition of “wealthy American” because of its change in the consolidation of its tax brackets. For example, Americans who make $600,000 to $700,000 will get a sizeable cut in their income taxes because they are subjected to the 12 percent tax rate; before they would have been taxed at 15 or 25 percent. Due to the elimination of the state and local income/sales tax deduction, people residing in blue states would also pay higher taxes. Wealthier residents who benefit from these deductions would also see increases in income tax, but it could be counteracted by other tax cuts detailed in the bill. California, which has the highest state income tax rate, would see disproportionate damage. “[The bill is] really so punitive to certain states and, to California, it is devastating,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (DCalif.) said at a press conference on Thursday. “It removes over $100 billion of possible tax deductions against – over $100 billion for our state. Did they ever check with our economic or our finance department in our state to see what the impact would be on that state? No.” Additionally, the change in mortgage interest deductions in the housing sector would reduce the incentive to buy and build homes, which would deliver a significant blow to homeowners. The deduction would apply to home purchases and mortgages made after Nov. 2, which experts say would put homeowners and the housing industry at risk. “Contrary to their assertions,

2 Filipino youths named... PAGE A1 t concerns over the reported human rights violations attending his drug war. He also branded Oxford University, which is regularly included on the list of the world’s best educational institutions, as a “school for stupid people” following its release of a study showing that he was employing an army of trolls to suppress dis-

sent. Sen. Leila De Lima, one of the fiercest critics of the president since his time as Davao City mayor, is currently detained on drug-related charges she describes as concocted. “None of this has deterred de Guzman, who shot to prominence after she was photographed protesting the lionization of late Philippine dictator

the Republicans are picking winners and losers,” Chief Executive of the National Association of Homebuilders Jerry Howard told the New York Times. “They are picking rich Americans and corporations over small businesses and the middle class.” An unlikely passage As is the case with many major bills, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is likely not to stay in its current form and would need changes to satisfy lawmakers in high-tax states. The increase in budget deficient promised from its corporate tax slash would certainly raise the deficit over the next decade, an outcome which would guarantee strong challenge in the Senate. Per Senate rules, some legislation can pass with only 51 votes, so long as the bill doesn’t result in long-run deficit increases. Since this current draft violates that stipulation, it would need 60 votes, meaning unlikely profound support from the Democrats. But the bill was also met by reservations from Senate Republicans, who are looking to push for changes to the bill, specifically reducing the overall cost that the bill entails. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) hasn’t been shy about his criticisms of Trump and the Republican Party and on Thursday blasted the current version of the bill for increasing the overall deficit — a goal shared by all Republicans. “As I have made clear from the beginning of this debate, it is my hope that the final legislation — while allowing for current policy assumptions and reasonable dynamic scoring — will not add to the deficit, sets rates that are permanent in nature and closes a minimum of $4 trillion and loopholes and special interest deductions,” Corker said. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

BACK HOME. Some 105 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Wednesday, November 1. The government targets another batch of repatriation by December 2017. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Palace upholds right to life, ‘continuing... PAGE A1 t

“Well, in any war, unfortunately, there will be collateral damage. The goal of the government is to minimize the collateral damage,” Roque said in his first Palace briefing. He also assured the public that the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte remains committed in upholding the right to life. “The goal of the government is to uphold the right to life, which is to protect and promote the right to life,” Roque maintained. “As far as this obligation is concerned, there is a continuing obligation of the state to investigate, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of these killings,” he added. According to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, Ferdinand Marcos,” Time said in nearly half of Filipinos believe naming the Filipino teenager to that the deaths of the innocent the list. are unavoidable in the course In the photo, De Guzman was of Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs seen wearing a cardboard sign campaign. similar to those found near bodOut of the 1,500 respondents, ies of slain drug suspects. The 46 percent agreed with the cardboard read, “We all could be statement that: “It cannot be drug pushers,” an apparent dig avoided that there are innocent at usual police claims that many citizens who will die in order to of those killed in police opera- completely eradicate the illegal tions were peddlers of narcotics. drug problem in the country.” Some people on social media Of the 46 percent who said cried child abuse and said the deaths of the innocent were u PAGE A5 inevitable, 21 percent said

they “strongly agree” while 24 percent said they “somewhat agree.” On the other hand, 35 percent disagreed with the statement, of which 15 percent said they “somewhat disagree” and 20 percent said they “strongly disagree.” The remaining 19 percent were undecided, giving a net agreement score of +10 or “moderately strong” as classified by SWS. The survey was conducted from September 23 to 27 using face-to-face interviews and has a sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages. ‘Stop the killings’ Also on Thursday, families of enforced disappearances and victims of extrajudicial killings (EJK) victims gathered at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Memorial Center in Quezon City. Members of the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearances (FIND) lit thousands of candles and offered prayers for victims of drug war violence in the event dubbed as “Libong Kandila at Panalangin para sa Libu-libong Biktima ng Karahasan” (A thousand candles and prayers for thousands of victims of violence). The event, according to the

group, aims to remember victims, expose the real state of human rights situation in the country, and put a stop to violence and killings. “The families of victims of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings are one in holding the state accountable for these heinous and violent transgressions of human rights,” said Nilda Sevilla, FIND co-chairperson said. “Together, they must break their silence—demand truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-repetition—in order to break impunity,” she added. Duterte’s drug war has been heavily criticized by local human rights group and other international communities over the deaths of thousands of suspected drug pushers and users either in police operations or by vigilantes. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), there were 6,225 drug-related killings recorded from July 2016—when Duterte assumed presidency and launched the campaign— to September 2017. The PNP insisted that there has not been a single case of extrajudicial killing, and that the estimated 9,000 to 10,000 death toll by human rights organizations were bloated. n

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Filipino teachers in Louisiana to receive money from 2012 decision by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

ThE 350 Filipino teachers who were lured into teaching in Louisiana public schools will finally receive around $2,200 each from a 2012 federal class action lawsuit. “This is a bittersweet ending to a sad story of exploitation,” said Louisiana Federation of

Teachers (LFT) President Larry Carter in a news release on October 25. “While these teachers can never be properly compensated for their suffering, we have at least validated the rule of law and sent a strong message to those who would profit from such human trafficking.” The money being distributed to the 350 Filipino teachers comes from assets seized from

the agency’s owner. “The teachers are now splitting the proceeds from that sale,” Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) attorney Jim Knoepp told the Associated Press in an email. Universal Placement International of Los Angeles and its owner and president Lourdes Navarro, were sued in August of 2010 by the Louisiana Workforce Commission and were ordered to repay the Filipino teachers an estimated $1.8 million in illegally charged placement fees, a $500 fine, and $7,500 in attorney fees. The lawsuit, titled Nunag Taneda v. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, accused Navaro of orchestrating a “psychologically coercive and financially ruinous trafficking scheme that subjected the teachers to exorbitant debt and forced labor.” Teachers were said to have borrowed as much as $16,000 for fees to pay the agency before leaving the Philippines. Selected teachers were asked to quickly pay a $5,000 to $5,500 recruitment fee in cash — an investment “more than one and a half times the average annual household income in the Philippines,” as stated in the complaint. Once in the U.S., the teachers were further required by contract to pay a percentage of their monthly income to the agency. They were also referred to private lenders who charged three to five percent interest per month. Recruiters often confiscated passports and visas of the teachers until paid. After a two-week trial in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles in 2012, Navarro was ordered to pay the damages. Representing the teachers were SPLC, LFT, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the law firm of Covington & Burling LLP. “The jury sent a clear message that exploitive and abusive business practices involving federal guest workers will not be tolerated,” said SPLC Legal Director Mary Bauer following the court decision. “This decision puts unscrupulous recruitment agencies on notice that human beings — regardless of citizenship status — cannot be forced

A NAME FOR A GRAVE. A relative of one of the alleged desaparecidos (victims of enforced disappearances during during martial law imposed by then-President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972) light a candle at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City on Thursday, Nov. 2. The memorial contains the names of heroes and human rights victims. ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

into contracts that require them to pay illegal fees.” AFT President Randi Weingarten called the verdict “groundbreaking” in affirming equality for all teachers, “regardless of what country they may come from.” “The outrageous abuses provide dramatic examples of the extreme exploitation that can occur, even here in the United States, when there is not proper oversight of the professional recruitment industry,” said Weingarten. “The practice involved in this case — labor contracts signed under duress and other arrangements reminiscent of indentured servitude — are things that should have no place in 21st-century America.” SPLC said the teachers first came to the U.S. starting in 2007 as part of the popular h1B guestworker program under the U.S. Department of Labor. The h-1B has been a common track for certain skilled foreign nationals to work in the United States for up to six years, with renewal after three years. They were then hired in Caddo Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish, Jefferson Parish and the State Recovery School District in New Orleans. n

PH calls for stronger... PAGE A1 t

fered from the presence of the Islamic State when its followers, the Maute terrorist group, laid siege to Marawi City, located at the southern part of the country, for five months. Cayetano thanked United States, Australia, China, Russia and other countries for extending their assistance to the Philippines in its operations to liberate Marawi from terrorists. he said the government is looking forward to cooperating with other countries in countering terrorism, saying it is a key priority of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. “The Philippines is more than ready to do its share in helping make the world a safer place,” Cayetano said. he added that the fight against terrorism will also be among the issues to be discussed at the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings in Manila this November. The attack in Marawi City, which began on May 23, has been considered as the worst urban conflict the country has seen since the second World War. The death

toll breached more than 1,000, of which more than 800 were terrorists. On October 23, the government announced the Marawi conflict over and has begun laying down plans to rebuild the country’s only Islamic city. With Maute group defeated in Mindanao, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is verifying reports that members of terrorist group were in Manila. In a statement, PNP Deputy Spokesperson Supt. Vimelle Madrid assured the public that police force is implementing stricter security measures by increasing police visibility and checkpoints. “Pinapaigting natin lagi ang checkpoints natin. ‘Yan naman ang mandate natin, to provide security and protection to the public. (We are intensifying our checkpoints. To provide security and protection to the public has been always our mandate),” Madrid said. “Pero wala pa namang (But there are no) clear or confirmed reports regarding presence of the Maute in the area. Continuous naman ang monitoring natin,” he added. n

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California leaders launch The Capital Corps, LLC LOS ANGELES - Founders Steven Sugarman and Faith Bautista announced on Friday, Nov. 3 the launch of The Capital Corps, LLC (“The Capital Corps”), a California based financial institution focused on providing access to capital to diverse homeowners and small businesses, including those with non-traditional prime credit needs currently unserved by banks and traditional financial institutions. Mr. Sugarman and Ms. Bautista will be joined by co-Founder Jeffrey Seabold and an experienced team of bankers and lenders to serve this marketplace. Additionally, The Capital Corps made the following announcements on Friday, Nov. 3: • The Capital Corps has formed strategic partnerships with the National Diversity Coalition and the National Asian American Coalition to expand the reach of its programs and ensure the programs are appropriately tailored to the needs of their members. •The Capital Corps has appointed Faith Bautista as Chair of its Community Advisory Board and named Jin Sung, Jeff Lim, Pastor Mark Whitlock and Gil Vasquez founding members. “The launch of The Capital Corps is the realization of acommitment I was proud to announce alongside President Clinton, Mayor Villaraigosa, and the California Reinvestment Coalition in 2015. We pledged to collaborate with community leaders to create a lending platform focused on providing access to capital to credit-worthy borrowers who need it most. Our goal was to reshape lending under the Community Reinvestment Act to be more impactful to underserved communities with better risk adjusted returns for banks. It gives me great pride today to make

good on that commitment.” Said Mr. Sugarman. Mr. Seabold stated, “The Capital Corps will focus on ensuring its lending platform is scalable, financially strong and the leader in non-traditional prime lending. We seek to meaningfully expand access to capital to the over $100 billion of diverse borrowers that are currently unserved by banks.” To ensure The Capital Corps has robust financial strength and stability, we will seek certification as a community development financial institution by the U.S. Department of Treasury and membership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Mr. Sugarman continued, “Employees, borrowers, and the diverse communities we serve must know that their lenders will be there to finance their homes and businesses during all seasons and all cycles, and will not cut and run over short term pressures. The Capital Corps team has demonstrated their commitment to the communities we serve over the long haul. We have set up our governance and structure to maximize our ability to serve all borrowers safely and soundly for decades to come. We couldn’t be more excited to be recruiting partners – capital, community, employee, and strategic – who are authentic, passionate, and mission-driven.” Founder Faith Bautista, Chief Executive Officer of the National Diversity Coalition, remarked: “I have worked for years to find ways to encourage hundreds of banks to expand their community development efforts to low income and minority communities that are left out of the system. Steven Sugarman was

2 Filipino youths named... PAGE A3 t teenagers, including De Guzman, were “brainwashed.” To which the gritty teenager replied, “Please do not underestimate the youth. We completely know and understand the injustice we are protesting against.” Time said that De Guzman, now a ninth-grade student at St. Scholastica’s College, hoped that more young Filipinos would take action in the Philippines. “It’s so important that [they] know their own rights and when authorities abuse them,” she was quoted by the American magazine as saying. “There are values that aren’t up for debate.” Aside from De Guzman, Filipino beauty vlogger Bretman Rock Sacayanan, 19, was also included on the list of 30 influential teenagers. The American news magazine said that Sacayanan was popular online because of his “largerthan-life personality” as shown by the musings he posted alongside his demonstrations. Among his favorite topics are his haters, his appearance and his family and friends about whom he has posted witty reflections. “There is nobody on the In-

ternet more fabulous than Rock. Just ask him. The Hawaii-based Filipino beauty vlogger shot to fame for demonstrating makeup skills—fierce contouring, flawless eyebrows—that could give the Kardashians a run for their money,” Time said. Sacayanan is now building a career off that “cheeky candor,” Time noted, as he hosted the Miss Universe red-carpet preshow and kicked off a national tour in September to meet his biggest fans. “I think the universe is taking quite good care of [me],” he was quoted as saying. Aside from De Guzman and Sacayanan, also included in this year’s most influential teenagers are Millie Bobby Brown, Mikaila Ulmer, Moziah Bridges, Salvador Gomez Colon, Maddie Ziegler, Rayouf Alhumedhi, Auli’i Cravalho, Kaia Gerber, Han Hyun Min, Wang Yuan, Noah Cyrus, Ethan and Grayson Dolan, Chloe Kim, Krtin Nithiyanandam, Yara Shahidi, Willow Smith, Brooklyn Beckham, Sydney McLaughlin, Hu Ranran, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Muzoon Almellehan, Elle Fanning, Khalid, Steve Lacy, Shawn Mendes, Christian Pulisic and Jaden Smith. n

the rare bank CEO who found innovative ways to help our members while ensuring his bank was protected and profitable. That is why he was the first banker who earned the National Diversity Coalition’s highest honor: The Giraffe Award. The award is given to the person willing to stick their neck out for the benefit of doing the right thing for the community. He has the integrity, community commitment, and financial experience that we need. We are grateful to partner with Steven and his team for the benefit of the diverse borrowers who are currently left underserved by traditional banks.” Jeff Lim, CEO of Island Pacific Supermarkets and Co-Chair of NAAC, stated “Mr. Sugarman and Mr. Seabold helped me grow Island Pacific into the second largest Filipino supermarket in the country through their lending, advise and support. I am thrilled to partner with them to expand

WARM WELCOME. Marines pulled out from Sultan Kudarat a year ago are back in the province after helping in the fight against terrorism in Marawi City. Members of the inter-agency peace and order council in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat said on Thursday, Nov. 2 that they are glad the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 has been redeployed to the town. Residents of Kalamansig gave the returning Marines a rousing welcome as the Navy ship that brought them back from Lanao del Sur arrived at their municipal port. Philstar.com photo by John Unson

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New York City bike path... PAGE A1 t The truck then rammed into a school bus on Chambers Street, injuring two adults and two children inside. He then exited the truck, wielding pellet and paintball guns as panicked bystanders began fleeing the scene. The suspect began shouting, “Allahu Akhbar (God is great)” as a uniformed police officer chased him down and fired at least five shots at the suspect. The suspect

fell to the ground, but did not die. The attack resulted in six people dying immediately on the scene and two dying later in hospitals. Victims that have been identified include six Argentinian high school students, two young American men and a Belgian mother, according to the NYPD. Several knives were found in and around the truck used in the attack. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio immediately classified the attack as an

“act of terror” in a press conference held later that day. “This was a cowardly act of terror. It was intended to break our spirit. But New Yorkers are resilient. We will be undeterred,” de Blasio tweeted on Tuesday. Ties to the Islamic State The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov, a native of Uzbekistan who came to the U.S. in 2010 through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, a program that distributes nearly 50,000 visas to countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.,

the Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Wednesday. On Wednesday afternoon, the federal government has filed terrorism charges against Saipov. Specifically, he is being charged for providing material support to the Islamic State (IS), violence and destruction of motor vehicles. Investigators spoke with Saipov from his hospital bed, where he was getting treated for a gunshot wound, and confirmed that he was inspired by truck attacks from IS videos. He said he rented a truck

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A november 4-7, 2017 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

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5 things to know about ACA at year 5 by Julie

RovneR and Julie appleby Kaiser Health News

OPEN enrollment for people who buy their own health insurance starts Wednesday, November 1 and ends Dec. 15 this year. That’s 45 days, six weeks shorter than last year — and only one of the big changes consumers need to consider. The Trump administration has cut back on marketing and funding for navigators to help people through the process. Here are five important factors to keep in mind if you plan to sign up for 2018 coverage under the Affordable Care Act. 1. The health law has NOT been repealed. Despite the efforts of President Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress, the Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land. That means if you don’t get insurance through your job or a government program, you will still be able to get coverage for a set of comprehensive benefits regardless of whether you have preexisting conditions. It also means that if you meet income eligibility requirements, you will be able to

get help from the federal government to afford your premiums, and, possibly, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. Those “cost-sharing reduction” subsidies help hold down out-ofpocket costs for people with incomes under 250 percent of poverty (a little more than $30,000 a year for an individual). They will be available despite Trump’s decision to stop the federal government from reimbursing insurers for the required discounts. Most insurers are making up the difference by raising premiums. Meanwhile, if you get premium assistance in the form of tax credits, what you pay for coverage is not likely to be much higher, either. That’s because as premiums go up, so do federal premium subsidies. (More about this below.) 2. The requirement for most people to have insurance — and most employers to offer it — is also still in effect. Under the law, most households that earn enough to owe federal income tax are required either to have health insurance or pay a fine

due with their taxes. The fine for not having insurance in 2017 (and 2018) is the greater of $695 or 2.5 percent of the taxpayer’s income. You can claim an exemption from the fine if you demonstrate that you cannot afford insurance offered in your area. The IRS has said it will start rejecting returns filed in 2018 that do not indicate whether the taxpayer had health insurance. Larger employers (those with 50 or more full-time workers) are also mostly required to offer coverage to their workers or pay a penalty. That coverage must be comprehensive and affordable. 3. Like your mama said, you better shop around. While it’s always been important to compare options, this year it’s more crucial than ever. For starters, you want to shop and pick a plan yourself so that the marketplace doesn’t automatically enroll you for 2018 coverage. That’s because the auto-renewal date this year is expected to be Dec. 16, the day after the openenrollment period ends. So, if you are assigned a plan you don’t like, you won’t be able to change it until the 2019 open-enrollment season.

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Shopping allows you to compare plans, including which doctors and hospitals are in-network, as well as premiums and copayments, which can vary. 4. Cost will be a factor. This year, premiums are going up, in some areas by double digits, due in part to the Trump administration’s mid-October decision to cut off cost-sharing subsidies to insurers. But the premium increases may not affect all plans and “metal levels” — which is why you should compare prices. Some states, for example, instructed insurers to load those additional costs only onto the “silver-level” plans, which are midlevel plans that cover about 70 percent of an average person’s medical costs. The policyholder picks up the rest of the cost in deductibles and copayments. As a result of the state’s pricing decisions, though, “gold-level” plans, which cover an average of 80 percent of costs, might in some cases have lower premiums than silver plans. Of course, if you get a costsharing reduction — meaning lower copayments and deduct-

ibles — because your individual income is below $30,150, you will need to stay in a silver plan. Another factor to consider, however, is that the increased prices for silver plans may drive up a different subsidy — the tax credits that help people pay premiums. Those remain in place for people earning up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. They could rise because they are tied to the cost of a benchmark silver plan in each region. In some cases, the tax credit increase could be enough to make a “bronze” or gold plan have a very low or even zero monthly premium, according to a Congressional Budget Office analysis done before the administration took action. But, of course, consumers not getting either type of subsidy could be looking at higher costs. That gives them all the more reason to comparison-shop. Some experts suggest looking beyond the official federal and state marketplaces — whether directly checking out an insurer’s website, working through a broker or consulting a private online website — because some states ordered insurers to load addi-

New York City bike path... PAGE A5 t on October 22 to “practice making turns” and specifically chose Halloween for the attack “because he believed there would be more civilians on the street for the holiday.” He told investigators that “he felt good about what he had done” and even asked permission to hang the IS flag in his hospital room, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court on Wednesday. John Miller, NYPD deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism, said that Saipov, a resident of New Jersey, had been planning the attack for weeks and “did this in the name of ISIS,” as evident from a note written in Arabic found near the scene. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday morning that Saipov had been “radicalized domestically,” and that “the evidence shows — and again, it’s only several hours, and the investigation is ongoing — but that after he came to the United States is when he started to become informed about ISIS and radical Islamic tactics.” Immediate response and aftermath As Americans attempt to grapple with yet another terrorist attack, the White House has announced several initiatives to prevent another attack. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States must “come up with punishment that is far quicker and far greater than the punishment these animals are getting right now.” He added: “We need quick justice and we need strong justice much quicker and much stronger than we have right now. Because what we have right now is a joke and it’s a laughing stock.” During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the president announced plans to bring a proposal to Congress asking to eliminate the Diversity Visa Lottery, which

was signed into law in 1990 to promote immigration from countries which have little representation in the U.S. “I am going to ask Congress to immediately initiate work to get rid of this program, diversity lottery, diversity lottery,” Trump said at the meeting. “Sounds nice, it is not nice, it is not good. It hasn’t been good and we have been against it.” Trump has also announced that he’s considering sending Saipov to the U.S.-run Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba, a move that many critics disagree with. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was quick to condemn the president’s “rushed” response to send the suspect to the controversial Guantanamo Bay as well as his “reactionary” proposal to impose major changes to the country’s immigration standards. “Sending Saipov to Guantanamo or treating him as an ‘enemy combatant’ would violate due process and the rule of law,” Anthony D Romero, executor director of the ACLU, said in a statement on Wednesday. “It’s a shame that Trump is using this attack as a platform for pushing his anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim agenda.” Wade McMullen, an attorney at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center, said that “it’s not even worth reacting to whether the president’s suggestion of sending this suspect to [Guantanamo] is legal or even effective - it’s clearly neither.” McMullen cited the president’s universally panned response to the attack at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in August which resulted in the death of counter-protester Heather Heyer. He criticized the president’s hurried response to the New York attack in comparison to his lukewarm response to the Charlottesville attack.

tional costs resulting from the Trump order only onto marketplace plans. Therefore, plans off the marketplace might cost less. 5. Buyers should also beware. Outside of the official marketplaces there may be more insurers selling lower-cost, “short-term policies.” Sabrina Corlette, who studies the marketplace for Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute, said that such plans, while less expensive, may not cover all benefits and might exclude coverage of preexisting conditions. Those plans also don’t meet ACA requirements for “minimum essential coverage,” so policyholders would still be liable for paying a tax penalty. “There are going to be some folks out there taking advantage of consumer confusion,” warned Corlette, adding that shoppers who buy outside of state or federal marketplaces “should go to a reputable broker.” Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit health newsroom whose stories appear in news outlets nationwide, is an editorially independent part of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

“What we should be asking is why is this president is quick to use such radical, extreme language in the wake of the tragedy in New York, but after the terror attack in Charlottesville, could only muster something about how ‘there were very fine people on both sides’,” McMullen said. “Racism and Islamophobia will never result in sound, legal or effective counterterrorism policy.” On Thursday, the president acknowledged that sending Saipov to Guantanamo Bay would be a process that “takes much longer than going through the Federal system,” he said on Twitter. He offered an alternative option in sending the suspect to death row, tweeting, “There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!” While many are criticizing the president’s quick response to propose the death penalty, U.S. Attorney for the southern district of New York Joon Kim said that the government has full authority to carry out the death penalty if it chooses to seek it, given the charges Saipov faces. However, the president’s tweet calling for the death penalty before Saipov even had the chance to enter a plea for the charges he faces could be an advantage for the defense lawyers, who may see the president’s proposal as “unfair” and could affect potential jurors in the case. When asked by reporters whether he thought the suspect deserved a death sentence, Mayor de Blasio said, no matter what, he opposes the death penalty. “I’m not someone who believes in the death penalty in general, I just don’t,” the NY mayor said in a news conference on Thursday near the site of the attack. “I believe this is an individual who should rot in prison for the rest of his life.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

California leaders launch The Capital... PAGE A5 t access to capital to the next generation of minority owned businesses and entrepreneurs, and to attract capital and build operations in a sound, scalable way.” In order to ensure that The Capital Corps appropriately meets the evolving needs of the diverse borrowers and communities it serves, it has launched a Community Advisory Board that will provide oversight and advice relating to portfolio lending pro-

grams, servicing strategies, and client acquisition and outreach. The Capital Corps will serve non-traditional prime borrowers by returning to more traditional methods of underwriting residential real estate focusing on the 5-C’s of credit – including a borrower’s character. In its credit decisions, The Capital Corps will place special emphasis on the borrower’s character as opposed to narrow servicebureau-driven credit analytics

deployed by banks during the recent credit crisis. The Capital Corps will partner with banks who wish to promote community development goals through lending to underserved communities including low income individuals and communities, borrowers with limited access to capital including African-Americans, Hispanics, underserved Asian populations, women-only borrowers, and borrowers with limited relevant credit histories. n

OPERATION SMILE. Dr. Marpheo Marasigan (left), Chief of Hospital II, Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital (OMPH) checks the cleft palate of 10-month old Airiel Jay Villa (center) at the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Health Office during the Libreng Operasyon Para sa Bingot at Ngongo, in cooperation with Real Foundation and Philippine Band of Mercy (PBM). Assisting them is Michelle Orbe, PBM coordinator. PNA photos by Ben Briones

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 4-7, 2017

D ateline PhiliPPines Duterte hopeful China to keep word on South China Sea Filipino lawyers challenge Duterte on his ‘war on drugs’ by Dana

SioSon AJPress

PhiliPPine President Rodrigo on Tuesday, October 31 said he is counting on China to keep its promise not to build structures in a bid to occupy parts of the disputed South China Sea. Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Davao from a two-day official visit in Japan, Duterte expressed optimism that China is seeking a peaceful resolution to the dispute as well. “China has put it on record, that near the Pag-asa, where we also have our bay there, the Scarborough islands, China has committed to us not to build anything there and i hope that they would honor that commitment to us,” the president said. Also referred to as Tithu island, Pag-asa island is located 480 kilometers off the coast of Palawan. it is the largest Philippine-controlled island among the Kalayaan island Group (KiG) in the disputed Spratlys region. Duterte in August claimed that China told him they were not building anything on Sandy Cay — which was near the Pag-asa island — amid the reported pres-

ence of Chinese vessels in the area. in February, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. also said that China has promised the Philippine government that it would not build structures on the Scarborough Shoal, which is located 230 (140 miles) kilometers west of Zambales. Asked if China will decide to not honor its promise, Duterte said the question should be answered by the Chinese government and not him. “it’s not for me to say. it’s them. That question should be answered by them. not by me. Klaro na ako dito. Wala naman akong inagaw, basta ito akin (I’m clear with this. I did not take away anything, because this is mine),” he said. in a separate statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson hua Chunying said Manila and Beijing “have reached important consensus on managing differences on maritime affairs and the cooperation in various fields progressed smoothly.” Beijing also expressed confidence in maintaining and improving its relationship with

Manila, as Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping “have established very smooth and effective channels of communication and dialogue.” On Thursday, november 2, hua said the country is “fully confident” about China-Philippines relations. “We stand ready to continue to maintain close communication with the Philippine government under the leadership of President Duterte for stronger across-the-board cooperation and healthy development of China-Philippine relations,” she added. in July 2016, the arbitration tribunal at The hague ruled in favor of the Philippines and concluded that China’s massive claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea had no legal basis. The Chinese government, however, refused to acknowledge the ruling. Duterte opted to set aside the ruling “for now” amid efforts to build a stronger relationship with China and a more peaceful resolution to the dispute, but assured that the Philippines will continue to assert its territorial claims. n

De Lima receives int’l ‘Prize for Freedom’ award by Dana

SioSon AJPress

in recognition for her human rights advocacy, liberal international (li) has awarded Philippine Senator leila De lima its “highest human rights honor.” in a statement released Tuesday, October 31, li said the senator was chosen to become this year’s recipient of the Prize for Freedom award during its 199th executive Committee meeting earlier this week in Johannesburg, South Africa. This made De lima—whom the organization described as a “political prisoner” and a critic of “authoritarian” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte—the second Filipino to receive the same award after the late Philippine President Corazon Aquino in 1987. According to li, the Prize for Freedom is awarded to “a wellknown personality of liberal conviction who has made outstanding efforts for the defence of freedom

Senator Leila De Lima

and human rights.” li’s human Rights Committee Chair Markus löning, who met with the senator in detention in July this year, tagged her as a “flag-bearer” for human rights in the country and beyond “leila De lima has been a flagbearer for human rights in the Philippines and beyond, setting a shining example for other human rights defenders,” löning said. he added, “even from inside the prison she keeps fighting for the rule of law and the dignity of individuals. She should immedi-

Inquirer.net photo

ately be released from pre-trial detention.” De lima, a member of the liberal Party (lP), has been highly critical of the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs” over its alleged human rights abuses and state-sanctioned killings. She has been detained at the Philippine national Police (PnP) custodial center in Quezon City since February over drug-related charges but her camp and supporters claimed the accusations against her were “politically-mo-

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by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

An alliance of Philippine lawyers announced Thursday, november 2, their intent to challenge Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over his 16month war on drugs that has resulted in thousands of deaths. Mga Manananggol laban sa extrajudicial Killings (Manlaban), as the group is called, looks to bring together those of the legal profession in joining what they described as the “ever-growing voices of protest against rampant killings”. “Thousands of victims who are poor and powerless have been targeted and brutally, nay mercilessly, executed by the state, its agents and proxies with blatant contempt and disregard of due process,” the group said in a statement on Thursday in Quezon City, Philippines. “extrajudicial killings have not worked before and will never work now,” added the group. edre Olalia, president of the national Union of People’s lawyers (nAPl) and one of the people behind the alliance said at the launch, ”it is the duty of all lawyers to consistently, uncompromisingly uphold and defend human rights.” “We believe that lawyers… the duty of lawyers is not to apologize, is not to deodorize, it is not to rationalize violations of rights and due process,” said Olalia. “human rights are for everyone,” said former Ateneo School of Government Dean Antonio la Viña, also one of the group’s backers. Police and the Duterte administration have repeatedly denied extrajudicial killing accusations, by saying killings were made in self-defense. Among the most recent events strengthening the accusations against the administration were the August murders of Kian delos Santos, 17, and Carl Arnaiz, 19 by Caloocan police two days apart. investigators said Delos Santos was kneeling when killed, and Arnaiz handcuffed. While human rights groups, including Manlaban, hold the drug war-related death count at over 12,000, the Duterte administration has insisted that the count is over exaggerated, and

holds the count close to 4,000 as of October 25, 2017. Duterte’s new spokesman harry Roque, a congressman and human rights lawyer who started his position in november of this year, welcomed the group’s launch but denied the accusations on behalf of the president. “Unless we can come up with actual evidence that there are

extra-legal killings, then we cannot overcome the presumption [of regularity in the discharge of one’s official duties and functions],” Roque told reporters. “he will not tolerate murders. he will only tolerate killings when it is in line with duty and when the engagement is legal,” he added, referring to Duterte.

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A8 NOVEMBER 4-7, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

In the lower half

FEATURES

THE methodology was revised so comparisons of rankings from the previous year would be inaccurate. Still, the Philippines remained in the lower half of the latest annual rankings for ease of doing business in 190 economies. In the Doing Business 2018 report prepared by the World Bank Group, the Philippines ranked 113th, from 99th place in last year’s study. The National Competitiveness Council stressed that the country in fact saw its score improve “marginally,” reflecting “a more efficient business environment and stronger legal institutions.” The problem is that other economies registered greater improvements than the Philippines. The country ranked 16th among 25 economies in East Asia and the Pacific and seventh among 11 in Southeast Asia. Singapore as usual was the top performer in the region, ranking second overall, behind only the world’s easiest place for doing business, New Zealand. Malaysia ranked 24th overall; Thailand was 26th; Brunei, 56th; Vietnam, 68th, and Indonesia, 72nd. That’s a long way from 113th place. The Philippines ranked ahead only of Cambodia (135th), Laos (141st), Myanmar (171st) and Timor-Leste (178th). In the global rankings, Denmark ranked third followed by South Korea, Hong Kong, the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Georgia and Swe-

den. The World Bank Group cited reforms implemented to make doing business easier in the Philippines, notably the introduction of an electronic system for paying taxes and contributions to a housing development fund. There are also continuing efforts to improve the country’s ranking in ease of doing business. As the rankings indicate, however, other economies are faster at implementing reforms in the 10 indicators: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, obtaining credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. The rankings tend to reflect the level of economic development in each economy. This should give more urgency to speeding up reforms in the Philippines, whose competitiveness in attracting investment is hobbled by restrictions on foreign ownership in the Constitution. Investments mean jobs and livelihoods and alleviation of poverty. Every nation must create an environment that makes doing business easy. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Despite ‘lies’, poll reveals: A majority of Americans approve of Trump-Russia probe, almost half think Trump committed a crime

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS WE hear this a lot: Just keep repeating a lie, over and over, and people will believe it. A falsehood being told, people will still believe, if the lie if it’s repeated enough. Apparently, this has some scientific backing as evidenced by a 2015 Vanderbilt University study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. This scientific study was the basis of the article written by University of Sheffield Psychology and Cognitive Science Professor Tom Stafford in BBC Future that the “illusion of truth” is created from frequently hearing a statement repeated. In the Vanderbilt University experiment, 80 participants were asked to judge whether or not a statement was true. In the first study, 40 participants were told to rate how true a statement was on a six-point scale. In the second study, a different set of

40 participants were asked to simply state whether the statement was true or false. The results found that in both cases, repetition made a statement more likely to be categorized as true. One example given was the case even for statements that contradict well-known facts, such as “Oslo is the capital of Finland.” (The fact: Helsinki is the capital of Finland). Another earlier study, among others, was published in the Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior in 1977. The findings of this experiment led to the conclusion that “for both true and false statements, there was a significant increase in the validity judgments for the repeated statements and no change in the validity judgments for the non-repeated statements. The frequency of occurrence is apparently a criterion used to establish the referential validity of plausible statements.”

This knowledge has been used many times in history for propaganda purposes, and could have been the rationale for the constant bombardment of fake news being spread through the podium of the White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders and by President Trump himself, that the independent investigation into the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections is folding for lack of evidence. THE FACT IS: The case against the Trump campaign has moved forward with the indictment by Special Counsel Robert Mueller of Trump’s former campaign chief Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates. As reported by the New York Times, “prosecutors contend that Mr. Manafort and Mr. Gates violated a law that requires Americans to register and disclose activities undertaken as agents

of a foreign power, and then that they took steps to launder tens of millions of dollars in income from that work and to evade paying taxes on it.” THE FACT IS: Former Foreign Policy Adviser to the Trump Campaign George Papadopoulos, has pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators about meetings in March and April 2016 with a Russian agent who promised “dirt” on Hillary Clinton. DESPITE President Trump’s incessant demonization of the legitimate news media — branding them as “fake news” for investigating and reporting on facts about his campaign and his administration — the “watchdog of the government” and the “fourth estate” continued to do their role and obligation to the nation, and have been following the probe on the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to undermine our democratic process and the integrity

of the U.S. election process. A new Washington Post/ABC News poll finds “that the conservative effort to discredit the probe has fallen flat as the case has progressed toward its first public charges.” And we see optimism about how most Americans may have not been victims of Trump’s “illusion of truth” aka “alternative fact” propaganda. Findings of the study: “A 58 percent majority say they approve of Mueller’s handling of the investigation, while 28 percent say they disapprove, the Post-ABC poll finds. People’s views depend in large part on their political leanings, but overall, Americans are generally inclined to trust Mueller and the case he has made so far. Fewer than 4 in 10 Americans say they believe Trump is cooperating with Mueller’s investigation, while about half believe he is not. 49 percent think it is likely

Trump himself committed a crime in connection with possible Russian attempts to influence the election, although more say this view is based on suspicion rather than on hard evidence.” THIS IS WHY responsible legitimate news media should not be intimidated by the president, his administration, and his followers/fans base. If the government spews lies, the news media should detoxify falsehoods by calling them out and report on facts over and over again. The Mueller investigation isn’t over. We, the people, should follow where the truth and the fact take it it because our democracy is at stake. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Who will be the guardians of US democracy?

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “The greatest gift that our founders gave to us is the freedom to chase our individual dreams through our sweat and toil and imagination, and the imperative to strive together, as well, to achieve a common good, a greater good. For 240 years, our nation’s call to citizenship has given work and purpose to each new generation. It’s what led patriots to choose republic over tyranny, pioneers to trek west, slaves to brave that makeshift railroad to freedom. It’s what pulled immigrants and refugees across oceans and the Rio Grande. It’s what pushed women to reach for the ballot. It’s what powered workers to organize. It’s why GIs gave their lives at Omaha Beach and Iwo Jima, Iraq and Afghanistan. And why men and women from Selma to Stonewall were prepared to give theirs, as well. So that’s what we mean when we say America is exceptional—not that our nation has been flawless from the start, but that we have shown the capacity to change and make life better for those who follow. Yes, our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard. It’s always been contentious. Sometimes it’s been bloody. For every two

steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all and not just some.” – Excerpt from former Pres. Barack Obama’s farewell speech. Headlines on Halloween 2017, October 31, read: ”Former Trump aides charged as prosecutors reveal new campaign ties with Russia”(New York Times), “ExTrump adviser pleads guilty to making false statement” (CNN), “In Russia probe, Mueller’s first charges a show of force” (U.S. News World & Report), “Trump finds Russia investigation ‘very distracting’, says John Kelly (The Guardian), “Forget Paul Manafort – these are the men who are cooperating with the FBI who Trump should be really afraid of.” Three days later, the headlines were: “Paul Manafort has three passports, is a ‘serious’ flight risk, Robert Mueller says,” (The Independent), “Ex-Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort, deputy indicted on 12 charges in Russia probe” (Chicago Channel 5). Further, Chicago Channel 5 reported that Manafort and Gates pleaded not guilty in federal court in Washington on Monday, October 30 to accusations. Both men funneled more than $75 million in payments to foreign companies and bank ac-

counts, with Manafort laundering more than $18 million and Gates transferring more than $3 million from the accounts to ones he controlled. “Manafort used his hidden overseas wealth to enjoy a lavish lifestyle in the United States, without paying taxes on that income,” Special Counsel Robert Mueller alleges in the indictment. These are serious charges, which were reviewed by a grand jury panel, and the charges were affirmed. Paul Manafort was granted bail at $10 million. Readers, would you happen to have 10 homes to your name, worth $1 million each, or two mansions worth $5 million each? There lies the inequality gap, as this alleged defendant would enjoy the comfort of his own home, while someone from the working class, if similarly situated, would be in jail. Just imagine what it took to have $10 million to afford this privilege of a house arrest? To pro-Trump supporters, they dismissed it as fake news and called on their fellow colleagues to read Rush Limbaugh and deflect the blame to Hillary Clinton. Except, she did not run Trump’s campaign nor was she elected president, and was disfavored by the hackers in Russia. Trump’s foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos, secretly pleaded guilty. His settlement was unsealed, charging him with

lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian, during the 2016 presidential campaign, as reported by Vox’s Ella Nilsen on October 30. Mueller’s team unsealed the documents. It remained sealed for about three weeks, as there was a concern that Papadopoulos who agreed to be a “proactive cooperator” meaning, wired in his conversations, might be hampered. In an interview with CNN, Nada Bakos, a former CIA analyst whose former assignment was to cultivate targets, informed the television audience about her agency’s practice of identifying targets, with traits of malleability. She said that Manafort is a perfect target, given his contacts, and so was Papadopoulos, who was malleable. According to the prosecutor’s statement of facts, Papadopoulos met with a Kremlin-linked professor in London and introduced him to a woman possibly close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He continued to meet with Russian operatives and Papadopoulos aggressively sought meetings for Kremlin with the Trump administration, including an admonition from Manafort that Donald Trump be spared from the meeting, so as not to create “signals.” Papadopoulos’ supervisor supposedly complimented him in his efforts. News sources are now reporting that Papadopoulos’ su-

pervisor is Jeff Sessions, the current U.S. Attorney General, who recused himself from the investigation. Steve Hall, a CNN panelist, offered a likely cover response from the Trump’s circle, to provide deniability: perhaps to downplay the indictments, and to categorize Papadopoulos as a volunteer campaign staffer. Predictably, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders described Papadopoulos as an unpaid volunteer to the campaign. News sources disputed her claim by showing a photo of a March meeting attended by Sessions, Papadopoulos, and Trump. As these events unfold, a Gallup presidential approval poll, based on interviews with 1,500 individuals, registered the disapproval rating of Trump from 47 percent on January 9, 2017, to now at 60 percent, after 282 days in office. Other news sources put it at 65 percent, since the indictments were announced. Comparatively, Richard Nixon had a 5 percent disapproval rating on January 23, 1969 and 66 percent on August 2, 1974, when he resigned from the presidency. Trump’s disapproval rating is inching toward Nixon’s at the time of the latter’s resignation. And as to Barack Obama, whose quotes I cited above, his disapproval rating was at 13 percent on January 19, 2009 and

after the end of his term of eight years, it was at 37 percent on January 16, 2017. As to how this process will fare out, it will now be up to our American justice system and its process of enforcement. This justice system, I believe, is currently staffed by enforcement and judicial professionals who swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution and who serve the public, cognizant of the rule of law and the need to establish what is true, what is fair, using credible evidence. They, I believe, will ultimately be the guardians of U.S. democracy. The last time America self-corrected its democracy, which was tainted by the White House’s Watergate activities, Pres. Richard Nixon resigned from his office. When the truth of the 2016 presidential election is fully revealed, we will move two steps forward, even if our nation had been taken several steps backwards, with these indictments of the presidents’ men, and with fake news from Russian sources, affecting 120 million people according to Facebook, close to half of America’s population. May both houses of Congress have the political will to right what’s wrong, including convening another presidential election if need be, to reflect the genuine will of the American voters. This, I believe, will constitute another

u PAGE A10

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DFA: Immigration authorized ‘allegiance fee’ for dual citizens by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

THE collection of €45 or $50 from Filipinos who want to reacquire their Philippine citizenship is for processing by the Bureau of Immigration, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday, Nov. 3. The DFA, however, clarified that the collection of €45 from applicants who are seeking to retain or reacquire their Philippine citizenship does not correspond AFTERMATH. Policemen secure perimeters as trusted inmates clean Quezon City Jail after a riot broke out early Friday, Nov. 3. Jail warden to an “allegiance fee.” Supt. Emelito Moral said the riot started when BNG members accidentally spilled water on the sleeping detainees from the Sputnik Gang. The collection of such fee reManilaTimes.net photo by Micah Sebastian fers to the “one time fee for the processing of the application and issuance of the corresponding Identification Certificate” of the applicants. “The collection of the USD 50 from applicants for ‘dual citizenby LLanesca Panti About P5,000 worth of cash Mindanao last May 23 after the ship’ is authorized under MemoManilaTimes.net assistance, on top of relief goods IS-inspired Maute group staged randum Circular No. MCL-08-006 that include rice and food packs a “rebellion” in a bid to declare a 2008 and Circular No. AFF-04-01 AT LEAST 6,400 evacuees from good for 17 days, as well as hy- separatist state in Mindanao, with promulgated by the Bureau of nine villages (barangay) returned giene and kitchen kits, were also the late Abu Sayyaf Group leader Immigration in order to impleto their homes in Marawi, an of- distributed by the Department Isnilon Hapilon as its “emir”. ment the provisions of Republic ficial from the Office of Civil De- of Social Welfare and DevelopCongress voted to extend mar- Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship fense (OCD) said on Friday, No- ment (DSWD) and the Marawi tial law until the end of December Retention and Re-Acquisition Act vember 3 more than a week after City government to the returning as the fighting between governPresident Rodrigo declared that residents. ment troops and Maute forces the five-month war in the city was “Rolling stores and markets escalated, leaving over 100 solover. will be established to provide ba- diers, 47 civilians and 800 terrorAssistant Secretary Kristof- sic needs, while means of trans- ists dead and displacing at least PAGE A7 t fer Purisima said that the 6,462 portation within the areas will 500,000 residents. Roque, though new in position, evacuees would be home by No- also be made available to provide The death of Hapilon, Omar has known Duterte for a while vember 4, Saturday, and assured mobility,” Purisima added. Maute, one of the founders of and recently indicated his qualithem that the government would Purisima also said that to deter- the extremist group that bears fication to represent Duterte at provide for their immediate mine whether the returning IDPs his family name, and financier the International Criminal Court needs. were legitimate residents, identi- Mahmud Ahmad, in separate (ICC), as he is the only Philippine “The return of IDPs (internally fication cards were being issued military assaults, weakened the lawyer authorized to practice law displaced persons) in nine identi- based on the rolls of census and organization considerably as re- at the ICC. fied barangay in Marawi City will voters’ registration. maining members tried to flee On his website, Roque exbe completed tomorrow. Utilities There is no semblance of nor- from the main battle area. presses his belief in the govsuch as water and electricity, and malcy yet, however, as only evacIn its latest offensive, the mili- ernment’s responsibility to health services are already acces- uees from nine out of 96 villages tary killed two more Maute strag- investigate the rising numsible in the identified barangay,” were able to return home. glers, including the alleged “right ber of drug-related killings, Purisima said. Duterte declared martial law in hand” of Hapilon. n and states that he is against “any and all forms of unjustified violence, especially those committed by state forces”. He also maintains that he will PAGE A7 t no the same recognition “for her pling of human dignity to my last “always support” Duterte and world-renowned advocacy of de- breath, especially because I am “wish him success as our chief tivated and trumped-up.” LI also noted that it was one of mocracy, peace, and the empow- not alone in my fight,” the sena- executive”. tor added. the first international organiza- erment of women.” In criticizing the president’s Her political party, likewise, approach to the drug problem De Lima then vowed to “contions to campaign for the senatinue opposing this murderous hailed the international organi- which has often victimized those tor’s release. In a statement, De Lima said regime,” citing the recognition as zation’s recognition of her advo- of poor communities, Manlaban cacy. she is “humbled and honored to her inspiration. argued that tackling the issue “The prize is a testament must include probing at the fed“More than a recognition, I rebe chosen as the recipient of this prestigious Human Rights Prize, gard this award as an inspiration that no walls or prison bars can eral level. which was also bestowed to for- that strengthens my resolve to weaken the spirit of any freedom “The effective solution to the mer President and democracy continue opposing this murder- fighter. Democratic change is a drug problem in the Philippines ous regime, its outright disre- legitimate and rightful dream,” is cleaning up government of oficon Corazon Aquino.” In 1987, LI has conferred Aqui- gard for human rights and tram- the LP said in a statement. n ficials, including the police and

6,400 Marawi evacuees return home, says civil defense official

Sen. Franklin Drilon had asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to stop collecting allegiance fees from Filipinos who want to reacquire their Philippine citizenship. Philstar.com photo

of 2003 and Administrative Order No. 091,” DFA spokesperson Rob Bolivar said. The DFA issued the statement following the call of Sen. Franklin Drilon for the DFA to stop collecting the so-called allegiance fees from Filipinos. The collection of the allegiance fee was raised when Drilon met with the Filipino community in Spain. “The DFA is not an income-

generating institution. It exists for the service of Filipinos abroad,” Drilon said in a statement. Drilon authored Republic Act 9225 which states that naturalborn Filipinos who lost their citizenship through naturalization in a foreign country may reacquire their Philippine citizenship by taking an oath of allegiance to the country before a duly appointed Philippine official. n

Filipino lawyers challenge Duterte on his ‘war...

De Lima receives int’l ‘Prize for Freedom...

politicians, who protect drug syndicates, effective prosecution of all involved, especially big drug lords, to dry up the supply chain, and inclusive economic development to uplift the people from penury and thus stem the demand for antisocial vices like drugs,” said Manlaban. Just last month, Duterte ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to take over the anti-drug campaign that was previously handled by the Philippine National Police (PNP). This comes after his net satisfaction ratings dropped 18 points, the lowest he’s received during his term. In addition to Olalia and La Viña, other high profile individuals behind Manlaban are: University of the Philippines College of Law Dean Pacifico Agabin; Attorney Minerva Ambrosio; Professor Victoria Avena; Attorney Roberto Eugenio Cadiz, Human Rights Commissioner; Attorney Neri Colmenares, NUPL chairperson; De La Salle University College of Law founding Dean Jose Manuel Diokno; Attorney Rachel Pastores, president of

the Public Interest Law Center; Professor Roberto Rafael Pulido; former Senator Rene Saguisag; former congressman Attorney Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III; Attorney Evalyn Ursua; and Honor Cleto Villacorta III. Student groups backing the alliance are Association of Law Students in the Philippines (ALSP), Paralegal Volunteers Organization-UP Diliman, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers-UP Diliman Chapter, and UP Diliman College of Law Student Government. In addition to holding forums and issuing statements to familiarize others on extrajudicial killings, Manlaban said they would use their legal skills “to provide concrete legal assistance to victims and help in putting a stop to extrajudicial killing and rampant human rights violations engulfing the country today.” “We actually think that the legal aspects, legal strategies to stop EJKs have not yet been maximized, so that’s the very important contribution this group would like to make,” said La Viña. n

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Andanar: Abella to get new place in Duterte administration by Kristine Joy

Patag

istration.” “Si Ernie will stay with the adMANILA — Outgoing Presiden- ministration. Wherever he may tial Spokesperson Ernesto Abella be assigned by the President, it will have a new place in the ad- will be his prerogative,” Andanar ministration of President Rodrigo added in a mix of Filipino and Duterte, Presidential Communi- English. Duterte confirmed on Octocations Secretary Martin Andanar ber 27 that Kabayan Rep. Harry said on Friday, Nov. 3. In a radio interview, Andan- Roque is his new spokesperson. The firebrand leader said ar said that Abella “will have a place under the Duterte admin- that Roque, known for his acid Philstar.com

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar Philstar.com photo

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ŉ æĲįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíßßĽæÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽĲĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

tongue, “fits” the position as they both have “playful mouths.” Duterte said that it was his “personal” decision to get Roque as the new face of the Malacañang. He however declined to elaborate on the rationale behind his decision. Roque will officially assume the position vacated by Abella on November 6. The solon also has yet to leave his post at the Congress as one of the representatives of the Kabayan party-list. Abella, a soft-spoken former pastor, served as Duterte’s spokesperson since the first month of his administration. He has earlier said in a statement that he believes Roque “will be more than adequate for the occasion and will deliver the right support needed for PRRD’s program of government.” n

Who will be the guardians... PAGE A8 t form of guardianship over America’s democracy. May God bless America and may this be the beginning of a new chapter based on truth, justice and righteousness! *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 9 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.

FIGHT EJK ALLIANCE. A group of lawyer-academicians who built their career on providing legal assistance to the poor have banded together to form an alliance amid the rising deaths under the government’s bloody drug war. Mga Manananggol Laban sa Extrajudicial Killings or Manlaban sa EJKs was launched on Thursday, November 2. The group wants to join what they call as “the ever-growing voices of protest against rampant killings” in the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. The alliance said that it will be conducting forums, releasing statements and legal opinions on human rights issues, and provide concrete legal assistance to kin of EJK victims. Philstar.com photo by Romina Cabrera

China confident of growing ties with Philippines by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA, Philippines — China remains confident in the prospect of maintaining and improving its relations with the Philippines as President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping have established communication. Asked for its comment on the developing Philippines-China relations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Beijing stands ready to continue to maintain close communication with the Philippine government under Duterte. “We are fully confident in the prospect of China-Philippines relations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a press briefing Thursday, November 2. Hua said that Duterte and Xi have established “very smooth and effective channels of communication and dialogue.” “The two sides have reached important consensus on managing differences on maritime affairs and the cooperation in various fields progressed smoothly,” Hua said. Duterte had made two visits to Beijing since taking office in July 2016 - the first in October 2016 where they signed several agreements and the second in May this year during the launch of the Belt

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, is greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping prior to their bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, May 15, 2017. Philstar.com file photo

and Road Forum. The Philippine leader had also met with Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit in Lima, Peru in November 2016. The two leaders are expected to meet again at the APEC Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam this month. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stressed that Beijing fully supports Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign and the government’s

anti-terrorism fight in Marawi City, as well as its rehabilitation. China had provided over P7.3 million worth of military assistance to the Philippines, including 3,000 rifles and 6 million pieces of ammunition. The Chinese government had also turned over $3 worth of construction equipment to be used for recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in war-torn Marawi. n

‘Duterte could make a difference in Korean Peninsula tension’ by aLexis

romero Philstar.com

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte should consider talking to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to help ease the tensions in the Korean Peninsula, his incoming spokesman said. Rep. Harry Roque (Kabayan party-list) thinks Duterte can “make a difference” on the issue as a “respected” leader in the region. “I will strongly advise him because I think he has the stature in the region. I think leaders respect him as a strong and able leader. And he could be the person to make a difference,” Roque told reporters last Tuesday here. Roque, a former professor of international law, believes Duterte will welcome an opportunity to engage with Kim. “I have not had the occasion to confer with him but now that you mentioned it, I will confer with him. And I would say that if there is an opportunity the President would welcome that opportunity,” he said. “Although I do not know how much influence we could exert over the North Korea, quite frankly. The perception is that bulk of their economic and military ties

is with China. China is still the most influential country as far as North Korea is concerned.” Asked how the Philippines could help address the threats posed by North Korea, Roque replied: “The President, in his departure speech, said countries should still try to engage and talk to North Korea. So I do not know if the President would be instrumental in this kind of communication. But that is one way.” North Korea missile tests North Korea has been conducting ballistic missile tests, worrying its neighbors who are concerned about their impact on peace and stability in the region. The totalitarian state stepped up its nuclear program under Kim’s leadership despite the economic sanctions slapped by the United Nations. Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have expressed concerns over the missile tests and have urged North Korea to comply with its obligations under all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Last August, Duterte described Kim as a “crazy man” and a “maniac” who is play-

ing with “dangerous toys.” He warned that the Far East would end up becoming an arid land if the North Korean dictator commits a mistake. Earlier this week, the Philippine leader said a nuclear war was “unacceptable” and called on stakeholders to negotiate with Kim to diffuse the tensions in the Korean Peninsula. Duterte and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the North Korea missile tests after holding a bilateral meeting last Monday here. “We need to address many issues confronting the region and threats to the stability and security (in the) Asia-Pacific. Foremost among our shared concern are developments in the Korean peninsula and the continuing missile launch tests of North Korea,” Duterte said. “We condemn these tests and call on all concerned stakeholders to return to the negotiating table to peacefully resolve the situation,” he added. Duterte and United States President Donald Trump are expected to discuss the North Korean threat when the American leader visits the Philippines this month. n

ASEAN SOLIDARITY: (From left) Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President Duterte, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith link arms during a group photo of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit Retreat at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City in April. Philstar.com file photo by Krizjohn Rosales

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Pro-Duterte group to file impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Morales by KRISTINE JOY

Philstar.com

TOUCHDOWN. A migratory bird lands as it searches for food at the Manila Bay near Freedom Island in Parañaque City on Thursday, Nov. 2. The island has a dense forest where birds of various species perch on tree branches or forage the swamps for ﬁsh. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Baguio is first Philippine city in UNESCO Creative Cities Network by ARTEMIO

DUMLAO Philstar.com

BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City, known as the country’s summer capital, is the first city in the Philippines chosen as one of 64 cities that UNESCO has included in the Creative Cities Network. The Creative Cities Network was created in 2004 and is “a global initiative to improve urban living standards by developing industries based on innovation and creativity” and “to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development,” the UN agency said on its website. It uses the framework of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which sets international priorities for economic, social and environmental development. “These new designations showcase an enhanced diversity in city profiles and geographical balance,” said UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network, formed by 116 members from 54 countries, aims to: • strengthen international cooperation between cities • strengthen the creation, production, distribution and dissemination of cultural activities, goods and services

A ﬂower-clad street dancer in Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival. Philstar.com ﬁle photo by Artemio A. Dumlao

• develop hubs of creativity and innovation • fully integrate culture and creativity into local development strategies and plans The network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music. Baguio City made it under the Crafts and Folk Arts category and was short-listed in September. Being a popular holiday destination for its chilly mountain climate and still abundant pine

trees, Baguio City is also recognized for its artistry, with the likes of Ben Cabrera and Kidlat Tahimik (Eric de Guia), among the distinguished members of the famed Baguio Arts Guild. It is also known for promoting Cordilleran woven art through Igorot hand weaving icon Narda Capuyan, who had kept the indigenous hand weaving tradition alive by training young women in creating handwoven products. Notable handicraft items, which are often sold as souvenir items, include hand weaving, wood carving and metalcraft. ■

PATAG

MANILA — The pro-Duterte group Volunteers against Crime and Corruption announced that they are readying an impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Conchita Caprio-Morales. An advanced copy of the complaint was sent to members of the media on Friday, Nov. 3. They intend to file the impeachment complaint on November 20, upon the opening of the House of Representatives. In early October, Duterte threat- An impeachment complaint is being readied against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales Philstar.com photo ened to file an impeachment com- from known supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte. plaint against Morales over the her trust, to the manifest injury out that Morales should be held alleged illegally obtained docu- of the Filipino people, including accountable for “spreading viments on his bank transactions. Government; hence, unworthy cious lies against the President The firebrand leader accused and undeserving of the office.” in order to undermine the presithe Ombudsman of being in a Signing as complainants are dency and the Anti-Money Laun“conspiracy” to oust him in the relatives of the “SAF 44,” Tang- dering Council (AMLC).” office, but Morales only replied gulang Demokrasya Inc., VanThey claimed that Morales bethat she will “stand her ground” guard of the Philippine Consti- trayed public trust for conspiring and will not be cowed since she tution Inc., provincial governor with Overall Deputy Ombudsman has “nothing to hide.” Roel Degamo, lawyer Al Vitang- Melchor Carandang when the latIn their 95-page complaint, the col, Juan Rana and lawyer Jacinto ter allegedly divulged information anti-crime group accused Morales “Jing” Paras. on the bank transaction records of acting “in a manner contrary to The complainants also pointed of President Rodrigo Duterte. ■

A12 november 4-7, 2017 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

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Aga Muhlach does not mind staying â€˜old schoolâ€™ John Lloyd Cruz changes endorsement rules by Maridol

ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

In many ways, filmmaking and television work is like life: the only constant thing is change. Six years after making his last film before the currently showing â€œSeven Sundays,â€? Aga Muhlach knows he is stepping into a new terrain whose peaks and valleys are so different from what he used to know so well. For one, technology is more advanced now. â€œIn terms of work, sige lang, ang daming pwedeng gawin. Hindi nagtitipid sa film. Pwede kahit take 100. Itâ€™s good for the producer,â€? Aga observed. But as an artist who loves his craft, the award-winning actor prefers the old way of doing things. â€œI prefer old school. Iba ang art of film. Bawat line, bawat scene, bawat angle, you prepare. Sa filmmaking, bawat shot, iba. no offense meant for TV or soap where they tape 30 to-40 sequences a day. When you tape (sequences), itâ€™s action, acting, acting. Wala nang preparation,â€? he explained. Then, there is the actorâ€™s mindset. Aga thinks there is nothing

In an exclusive interview with toilet bowl, which also went viral Philstar.com, an advertising agen- on social media. The expert is connected with cy executive offered an explanation on why actor John Lloyd Cruz establishments who hired Cruz as an endorser, but has requested is on leave from showbiz. The expert said the actor was not to be named because of reportedly dropped by some of his potential repercussions to his endorsements due to his tainted profession. The expertâ€™s claim has also wholesome image following the leak of videos showing him in a been verified by a showbiz insider seemingly drunken state, flash- in a separate interview. According ing a dirty finger and throwing to the showbiz pundit, who also requested anonymity, endorsecuss words. The videos were reportedly ments are the lifeblood of actors uploaded online by a friend of like John Lloyd Cruz, and they can Cruzâ€™s rumored girlfriend ellen only get such for as long as they keep their image wholesome. Adarna. Because of what happened to The expert said Cruzâ€™s image further plunged when the actor John Lloyd, the showbiz insider AgaÂ MuhlachÂ (center,Â standing)Â withÂ theÂ castÂ ofÂ â€œSevenÂ Sundays.â€?Â Â StarÂ CinemaÂ photo posted a picture of stools in a JohnÂ LloydÂ CruzÂ PAGE B5 wrong with working to get en- Wala na â€˜yan ngayon,â€? he said. Aga said he and his contemdorsements, in thinking about the big bucks it brings. It is normal, he poraries tried to outdo themsaid. But he feels the new genera- selves in their next projects to stay tion is forgetting something just as ahead of competition. So, they kept their eyes open for better important â€” their craft. Back then, Aga recalled, he and opportunities. It does not mean his batch mates longed for popular- Aga has lost his faith in the new ity and a better life. But once they breed of actors. -/( *VU]LU[PVUHS In fact, he talks to young actors got it, they aimed for something and likes what he sees. They know deeper. 7\YJOHZL 9LMPUHUJL â€œYou go back to your craft how to save. They can buy the â€” acting. You want to get awards. PAGE B3

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Winwyn Marquez top choice for Reina Hispanoamericana by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

The Philippines may be a newcomer in Reina hispanoamericana but flag-bearer Teresita Ssen â€œWinwynâ€? Marquez is showing a powerhouse performance in the pageant. Days before the grand coronation night in Bolivia, Marquezâ€” the countryâ€™s first representative to the 26-year-old pageantâ€”has bagged several awards in prepageant events. Most recent of which was the Miss Ipanema award she received during Gala de la Belleza (Gala of Beauty) event. Given by the famous sandals brand, Marquez won the special award WinwynÂ MarquezÂ Â PhotoÂ fromÂ Instagram/@wynmarquez after besting several other candi-

dates who also appeared for the brandâ€™s promotional video. earlier this week, the daughter of actors Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno proved her athleticism as she was among the Top 5 for Miss Deportas Patra (Sports). her mega-watt smile, also landed her at the Top 5 of Best Smile award. Then thereâ€™s her Top 3 finish for Best Traditional Costume. Marquez wore the creation of Filipino designer edwin Uy, which was inspired by the Pintados tattoos of the indigenous tribe of the Visayan Region. her physique and confidence in wearing a bikini did not go unnoticed as she landed in the Top PAGE B2

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A high-spirited trio by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

As she was when she represented the country in the 2017 Miss Universe pageant last January, Maxine Medina is getting bashed now that she has ventured into showbiz. Eat your hearts out, bashers, because Maxine is cool, unaffected by it all. since she and U.s.-bred Enrico Cuenca appeared in a Jollibee commercial, doors have opened for Ashley Ortega who is now a co-host in Willie Revillame’s consistently top-rating game GMA show “Wowowin.” The two newcomers are starring with Cristine Reyes (happily married to athlete-actor Ali Khatibi by whom she has a child) in “spirit of the Glass 2: The Haunted”, also directed by Joey Javier Reyes like the first one (shown at the 2004 Metro Filmfest), produced by OctoArts Films in association with T-Rex Entertainment and opening nationwide on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Maxine (with Benjamin Alves as leading man) plays a diva actress; Ashley (with Enrico), a commercial and actress-TV host; and Cristine (with Daniel Matsunaga), a stylist and fashion editor. How was your relationship on the set? Ashley: Working with everyone was so easy. At first, I got intimidated considering the fact that the people I was working with were veterans. But once I got to know them, they were very approachable and extremely fun to be around. Cristine: It was smooth and fun working with them. We had a lot of kuwentuhan and laughter. Maxine: Cristine was very nice to me. I was never intimidated by her. I know her because of my cousin Dianne (Medina, now engaged to Rodjun Cruz who recently proposed to her). What did you find interesting/intriguing about your character? Ashley: What I found intriguing about my character is how she’s game to play the Ouija board. I will never have the guts to play with supernatural beings. Cristine: I love how she keeps a balance among her friends. Maxine: My character is the opposite of what I am, so it was challenging playing her. she’s actually the cause of everything, the one who provoked the group into playing spirit of the Glass. What scene did you find most scary? Ashley: The ones that involved

At the presscon for “The Ghost Bride”: Director Chito Roño, Kim Chiu and Matteo Guidicelli. Produced by Star Cinema, the movie is opening nationwide on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Philstar.com photo

Chito Roño: The undisputed horror king by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

Ashley Ortega, Cristine Reyes and Maxine Medina.

the ghosts. They looked really, really scary! Cristine: When we first played the Ouija board, we didn’t know what was going to happen. If you were to connect to a deceased, who would he/she be and why? Ashley: I would choose Audrey Hepburn because not only was she an amazing actress, she was also a humanitarian. Hepburn was a trailblazer. What attracted me most to her was the fact that she used her fame to inspire, motivate, and help other people. she was an actor and a philanthropist who cared a whole lot for people in need. Cristine: Adam and Eve. Maxine: Maybe my grandfather because there are so many things I want to share with him. What were your favorite topics on the set? Ashley: I enjoyed all my conversations with my co-actors. Our topics were usually about food or current events. Most of the time, in between takes nag-kukulitan lang kaming lahat. Cristine: We were always engaged in kulitan. We were just having a good time. Maxine: We talked about food; that was how we bonded. Did you exchange any beauty tips (and what did you learn from each other)? Ashley: When it came to beauty tips, we told each other what makeup brands we often use and also recommended good brands! Cristine: Actually, mostly about food…and eating! Maxine: We did. What we had in common was our love for blushon. What’s your health regimen (how do you maintain your figure)?

Philstar.com photo

Ashley: I maintain my figure by working out whenever I have the time. I do Muay Thai at least once or twice a week but if I’m not busy, thrice a week. Cristine: None. I just don’t eat too much at night. Maxine: I exercise as often as I can when I’m free from work. I go to the beach at least once a month for some water sports and to recharge. I do “Insanity” (at home lang), a 45-minute workout that involves continuous cardio exercises. What kind of diet do you follow? Ashley: I eat mostly vegetables and fruits. I try to avoid white rice if I’m on a diet. I really love food, though! so it’s really hard to limit myself; it’s extremely hard for me to avoid sweets. Cristine: I love Japanese food, dimsum, steak and sinigang. I avoid sweets but I try to have a bit every now and then. No coffee for me. Maxine: I eat clean…no fried food, no junk food and no sweets. How do you cope with stress (music, movies or massage)? Ashley: I cope with stress by watching movies, shopping, listening to music, working out, playing with my pets and, most especially, by hearing Mass. Cristine: I just stay at home, watch my TV series on Netflix (or hard drive), listen to good old songs, and sometimes have homeservice massage by my favorite masahista. Also, I bond with family and friends at our home. Maxine: I go to the beach where I feel at ease and at peace with the world, ready to be back in the crazy world. Otherwise, I listen to music which is a great stress reliever, or a good massage.

THERE’s a fright night and there’s a fright season. The latter is upon us, and we are swamped with horror movies that scramble over one another in trying to scare the wits out of us. You have your own favorite horror movie or suspense-thriller, and I have mine. And what scares you may not necessarily scare me. Just the same, experts say that a little scare every once in a while is good for everybody. Because some tricks have been repeated over and over again, reinvented and dusted off as new, we shrug them off as, well, tama na, kumita na ‘yan, Because some tricks such as a black cat meowing in the dark with eyes burning like giant coals, a dog in a blood-curdling wail in the distance (yes, gabi ng lagim!!!), skeletons prowling an abandoned mansion…and what about the white lady along Balete Drive immortalized in a 1954 movie “Hiwaga sa Balete Drive” starring Rosita Noble (remember her?) and remade by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes in 1988 (with Zsa Zsa Padilla)? My all-time favorite is “The Innocents”, the 1961 psychological thriller based on Henry James’ story “The Turn of the screw” starring Deborah Kerr as a woman who takes a governess job for two orphans in a Victorian home where she begins to see what she

believes are ghosts and suspects the children’s bizarre behavior is the result of supernatural powers. The movie is scary without really trying to scare you, without showing anything scary at all, but you feel your hair raising and you feel goose bumps as the curtains gently swing on a windless night and strange figures as if floating to and fro. (Watch it and see for yourself what I mean.) I also enjoy watching Chito Roño’s suspense-thrillers (“Feng shui” 1 and 2, “sukob”, “The Healing”, etc.) and I’m curious how Chito will drive me to the edge of a (silent?) scream in his latest outing, star Cinema’s “The Ghost Bride” which opened on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Let’s hear it from Chito, the Horror King. Why are you so fascinated with suspense-thrillers? “I love suspense thrillers, both in movies and novels. since reading ‘The Godfather’ and ‘The Exorcist’ in the ‘70s and getting scared while enjoying the thrill I have never missed a thriller since then.” I understand that your movies are generally inspired by and based on long-held superstitions and traditions. What do you find intriguing about them? “My take of twisting the rather mundane practice of feng shui, the local superstition on sukob and the even the miracle healing fad of the ’80s were rather experiments that

worked. I was focused more on the need of the protagonists and how in moments of associated with joy an unexpected evil comes into (and ruins) their lives. “Ghost bride is an obscure tradition and is now banned in China. But even this has something fascinating behind it…to honor those unmarried departed by paying to have an imaginary partner for them to honor and pray for them as though they were real family. In my movie, the intention of the matchmaker is rather nefarious and, once again, something predatory.” How was it working with Kim Chiu (who is Chinese)? “Kim is not only pure Chinese but also of age for marriage. In the movie, her character believes that she is engaged to be married. Kim is one of those actors who turn out to be serious in their profession and is willing to take risky roles.” Your home province (Samar) is noted for stories about the netherworld. What are some of those you remember from your childhood? “I grew up during a time of no media in samar. Instead of all those devices we were instead told tales. Those stories were often not based on veracity and instead relied on its capacity to hold interest. Many of those stories were supernatural in nature. There was a time I read every stephen King novel, some Anne Rice and William Peter Blatty, stories by Edgar Alan Poe, and countless Pilipino komiks.”

Winwyn Marquez top choice for Reina... PAGE B1 3 of Miss silueta Philips (Miss silhouette Philips). Finally, the 25-year-old’s personality was made evident during Miss Personalidad Udabol where each candidate was presented and was required to answer a special jury’s ques-

tion. Marquez finished as first runner up. With these impressive performances, Marquez caught the eye of Bolivian newspaper El Deber where she was named among the early favorites of the ongoing pageant. Reina Hispanoamericana is an

annual beauty pageant celebrating Hispanic heritage, language and culture. The pageant began in 1991 and has been based ever since in santa Cruz de la sierra, Bolivia. There are 28 candidates from around the globe competing for the crown and title this year.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 4-7, 2017

Actress Isabel Granada’s current husband, former husband watching over her in Qatar JERICHO Genaskey Aguas, former husband of Isabel Granada, has joined Arnel Cowley, the actress’ husband, in Qatar to watch over the actress, who is still in coma and is said to be in life support. In a series of statements on Facebook, Aguas clarified that he has no other intention but to make

sure Isabel recover for the sake of their son, who is only 14. “I am in constant communication with Isabels current partner, Arnel, and told him for the record that I have no intention on stepping on his shoes (ifever he feels uncomfortable with me being there). I am there for my magLola (Hubert is only 14).. And of course

Left photo shows Isabel Granada and husband Arnel Cowley before the actress went on coma. Right photo shows Isabel’s ex, Jericho Genaskey Aguas, with Cowley in Qatar. Photos courtesy of Arnel Cowley and Chuckie Dreyfus

to contribute whatever I can for the revival and recovery of Isabel,” Aguas said. Aguas, who landed in Qatar on October 31, even took pictures with Arnel and thanked him for understanding. In another post on November 1, Jericho gave an update on the actress’ condition. “Bringing a Dr. From spain is not an option anymore. Mama and her sister in Spain now is requesting for another Drs opinion coping from the cuban hospital here in Qatar instead,” he said. Chuckie Dreyfus, Isabel’s good friend and former love team partner, explained in a Facebook post that Isabel’s family decided to seek second opinion from doctors from Spain through the help of Philippine and Spanish embassies. In another post, Aguas showed that it is not only him, Isabel’s husband, and the actress’ family who are looking after her now. The actress’ family and friends thank everyone for the support but also ask to continue their prayers. (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/ Philstar.com)

Rain postpones benefit concert for Marawi by ROSETTE

ADEL

Philstar.com

KOREAN pop star Rain has canceled the “Rise 2 Shine” benefit concert slated November 3, Friday. According to its organizers, the musical event titled “Rise 2 Shine” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum would be rescheduled but the date has yet to be announced. The organizers are yet to provide an explanation behind the postponement of the event. Korean actor and performer Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, was supposed to headline “Rise 2 Shine.” The concert would have been his return to the country after seven years. The concert is for the benefit of Marawi war victims, Make Your Nanay Proud Foundation and Ko-Ph World Foundation, which supports Filipino-Korean families and children. The organizers then apologized for the sudden rescheduling of the event and sought for the ticket holders’ understanding. “On behalf of the committee, we would like to apologize for

this unforeseen situation all the performers will be the same,” the organizers said in its official statement. “We will keep you posted for the new schedule,” it added. Despite the organizers’ assurance that the event would be rescheduled with the same line-up of artists, Rain’s company issued a separate statement, saying that the Korean star would not participate in the benefit concert due to a contract issue. “As the organizer; KO- Ph. has been dishonest in fulfilling the performance contract, we have come to the decision that it is impossible to go ahead with the performance. Our decision is therefore ‘not to participate in the performance’,” Rain’s company said in a statement. “We hope to have the understanding of our fans, and we will pay more attention and do our best to avoid such happenings in the future,” it added. Other artists who were supposed to perform in the concert were Sam Concepcion, Isabelle de Leon, Kris Lawrence, Jay-R, Loisa

Korean actor and performer Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, was supposed to headline the “Rise 2 Shine.” Photo from Facbeook/Rain Company

Andalio, Krissha Viaje, Bendeatha, Pinoy Boyband Superstar, Miko Juarez and Gab Umali, Cursebox, Dasuri Choi and Jinho Bae. The organizers said all tickets for the original show would still be honored for the rescheduled event but they also allow refund at the TicketNet.

Fraud Waiver Denial turned around to Approval with No Fraud Waiver Required, on this Sunday’s CITIZEN PINOY! Wilma entered the U.S. on a C-1 “transit” visa, on her way to work in Guantanamo, Cuba. She remained in the U.S., married a U.S. citizen, and filed for adjustment of status. A “consultant” gave her hope and said he would take care of Wilma’s papers. Unfortunately, the consultant altered Wilma’s documents and put down false information (that she entered on a visitor’s visa), to cover up that she actually entered on a C-1 transit visa. Her case ended up being denied because of fraud! Wilma then consulted with the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel, who took over the case, and filed an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) in Washington, DC. Atty Gurfinkel convinced them that Wilma committed no fraud, and was eligible for a green card, despite her entry on a transit visa. Watch how Atty. Gurfinkel’s determination won the day for Wilma, when her name was cleared, and she got her green card with no fraud waiver required, on an all-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

Aga Muhlach does not mind staying... PAGE B1 things they like. “Now, mas maraming love teams, which is nice. Fans are enjoying. Stars are enjoying it, too. It’s fun. You work every day and you’re with your girlfriend. You get paid trips abroad,” added Aga. Aga is working with Enrique Gil, who plays his youngest brother in “Seven Sundays.” The award-winning actor loves co-star Dingdong Dantes’ humility. Aga is sure young actors will long to perfect their craft as they mature. “It will come with age,” he stated. That is why he hopes the new breed of actors will not stay complacent. He hopes they will not be contented with who and what they are. Aga also advised them to keep a good head on their shoulders. “Kalma lang kayo, huwag magpapadala sa sigawan. Focus on your talent,” he suggested. It has been the same discipline he develops in his children, twins Atasha and Andres. The loving father warns them against letting life’s comforts get the better of them. The self-confessed strict dad warns them that they will not get cars or a home from him. They will have to finish school and work

for it. Yes, he and wife Charlene will give them the best education they can afford, but the children must learn that life is not easy. “I won’t make It easy for them,” states Aga. “I tell them whatever they’re experiencing is the product

of hard work. I wasn’t born like this. So I tell them not to think they were born like this (comfortable and well provided for).” Aga has not forgotten good old values of hard work and humility. And it is paying off — handsomely.

B November 4-7, 2017 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL

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Binibining Pilipinas 2017 winners ready for Dreams come true for two ‘Global Tawag winning streak at international pageants ng Tanghalan’ North America champions Jing Wenghofer from Illinois and Steven Paysu from California will represent North America in the Grand Finals in the Philippines

By Monet

It’s GAME ON for the remaining Binibining Pilipinas winners who are set to compete for their respective titles. With Philippine candidate Elizabeth Clenci being the first to fly off to Vietnam, where she was named Miss Grand International Second Runner-up, the pressure is surely heating up for the remaining six candidates including Miss World Philippines 2017, Teresita Sean “WinWyn” Marquez. Joining her in their quest for back-to-back wins are Rachel Peters (Miss Universe Philippines 2017), Maria Angelica de Leon (Bb Pilipinas International 2017), Chanel Olive Thomas (Bb Pilipinas Supranational 2017), Katarina Sonja Rodriguez (Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017), and Nelda Ibe (Bb Pilipinas Globe 2017). Ibe is currently in Albania competing for Miss Globe 2017, while De Leon, Marquez and Peters are getting ready for Miss International, Miss World and Miss Universe, respectively. Miss International will be held on November 14 at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan, Miss World will be held on November 18 at the Sanya City Arena in China, while Miss Universe is on November 26 at The AXIS, Las Vegas, Nevada. As for Thomas, she will be flying to two countries, Poland and the Slovak Republic, where Miss Supranational 2017 will be taking place. Finals will be held on December 1, 2017 in the spa resort city of Krynica Zdroj, Poland. Rodriguez, on the other hand, will be vying for Miss Intercontinental 2017 to be held in Sri Lanka on December 21. The Philippines has consistently been in the top 5 of each of these beauty pageants over the last six years, rendering the country as a strong contender, like a force to reckon with. That might be proven true again this year because our line-up of candidates is pretty solid. In fact, our 24-year-old pilot

beauty queen Nelda Ibe from Tarlac came out like a vision when she was decked out in a Sampaguita-inspired national costume. Ibe was clad in a white and grass green mermaid Filipiniana gown designed by Fredrick Berches. Before winning Bb. Pilipinas Globe, she was 2014 Miss World Philippines second Princess. Gearing up for the upcoming Miss International and also aiming for a back-to-back victory is Mariel De Leon. The reigning Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza would be very happy to crown Mariel as her successor as they have set their eyes on achieving the first back-to-back victory in the said pageant. De Leon is 23 years old and is from Las Pinas. She is an opera singer. She was a Bb Pilipinas semifinalist in 2013 and the daughter of veteran actor Christopher De Leon and actress Sandy Andolong whom she definitely got her looks and charm from. Speaking of Miss International, one of the candidates and Miss International UK Ashley Powell has recently returned from the Philippines as part of her preparation for the Miss pageant. You heard that right! She actually went to the Philippines for pageant training and collect her evening gown that was designed by none other than world-renowned Filipino designer Leo Almodal. Almodal is famous for his creations for Miss Universe candidates especially Miss Great

Britain and Miss US Virgin Island. Looks like our country is becoming famous not just in producing “pageant-winners” but “winnergowns.” Going back to our candidates who are dead set on winning the crown: one of them is actress WinWyn Marquez. Marquez joined Binibining Pilipinas in the same year Pia Wurtzbach won the title and, eventually, the Miss Universe crown. And this time, upon winning Miss Philippines-World, it is Marquez’s turn to bring pride to our country, starting with her celebrity parents Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno who have been very supportive of her journey. Among her achievements as a beauty queen was being crowned Reina Hispanoamerica 2017. She is the first Filipina to compete in the said pageant. It was held in Bolivia. With just weeks away from the pageant, Miss Philippines-Universe Rachel Peters could not wait to get out there and show the ‘Universe’ that the Philippines has still got it! Peters is 25 years old and is from Camarines Sur. She is a graduate of La Trobe University in Australia. She won Best in Swimsuit, She’s so Jag, and Miss Photogenic in Binibining Pilipinas 2017. Her flawless performance, energy and fierceness got are her best assets. Watch out Universe, you may witness another “Pia Wurtzbach” PAGE B5

LAS VEGAS - After a rigorous round of auditions that had judges listen to 147 hopefuls across the U.S. and Canada, narrowing it down to 20 semi-finalists, and eventually just 10 finalists, two winners have been declared. As the house lights dimmed, the spotlight shone on the stage, and ten finalists waited with bated breath, hosts Ginger Conejero and Eric Nicolas announced the champions for the night: Jing Wenghofer from Chicago, Illinois and Steven Paysu from Fontana, California. Wenghofer could not believe the announcement. She was emotional when she recounted that “I wasn’t sure if I really heard my name, but someone in the audience shouted my name. I immediately looked up and said my thanks to God. My eyes were teary and my heart was overflowing with happiness.” When Paysu saw that Global Events Marketing and AdSales Head Ricky Resurreccion was holding a bouquet of flowers after calling the first winner, the former already assumed that the second champion would also be female. He was surprised when host Nicolas called his name. “It was a feeling of fulfillment and excitement at the same time. I thanked God right away quietly.” Paysu’s winning entry was “Everything I Own” by Bread, while Wenghofer performed “Hinanakit” (Resentment) by Imelda Papin. “Global Tawag ng Tanghalan” judges Pop Rock Superstar Yeng Constantino, King of Teleserye and Movie Theme Songs Erik Santos, and OPM Icon Rey Valera all said that it was a challenge judging the 10 finalists. There was a certain pressure being in Las Vegas, as expressed by Valera. He said, “Mahirap i-entertain mga tao dito dahil nakita niyo na lahat ng entertainer. Iba talaga ang Vegas.” (It is very difficult to entertain the people here in Vegas because they have already seen all sorts of entertainment. Vegas is truly special.) Both North America champions just wanted to sing and share their talents as singers, but life got

Steven Paysu and Jing Wenghofer will represent North America in the Tawag ng Tanghalan Global Cluster Finals in Manila, December 11-16. Photo courtesy of Haphi Llaneza

in the way. Now, they have this opportunity to shine and share their gifts with the rest of the world. Paysu shares that he put a hold on his dreams because he prioritized his family first. He then confides, “Now, I feel that it is never too late to pursue your dreams. At my age, right now, I would have not imagined that this time would still come but thanks be to God and Tawag ng Tanghalan for the blessing and opportunity I have been given. I will be forever thankful for allowing me to shine again on stage and believing in the talent that God has given me.” Wenghofer is a music teacher so she can impart wise words to her students. She tells them to “Never stop pursuing your dreams. Keep practicing, follow your heart and keep trying. And most importantly, pray. His answer might not be the one you are asking for, but believe that everything will come at the right time.” This seems like the right time for Wenghofer as she gets to represent North America, together with Paysu, in the Tawag ng Tanghalan Global Cluster Finals that will be held in the Philippines from December 11-16 this year.

Global Tawag ng Tanghalan “Hurados” (Judges) (L-R) Erik Santos, Yeng Constantino, and Mr. Rey Valera, with comedian/host Eric Nicolas, entertain the crowd during the Meet and Greet at Seafood City. Photo courtesy of Haphi Llaneza

The remarkable evening ended with all 10 finalists sharing the stage with judges Constantino, Santos, and Valera in performing “The Winner Takes It All.” Photo courtesy of Ricky Resurreccion

They will be competing with other regional champions from Region 2–Europe, Region 3–Middle East, Region 4–Hong Kong/Singapore/ Malaysia, Region 5–Japan/Taiwan/South Korea, and Region 6-Australia/New Zealand/Papua New Guinea/Guam/Saipan. The finalists take over Vegas Prior to competing at the “Global Tawag ng Tanghalan” North America Region Finals at the Ed W. Clark High School, the 10 finalists had a day to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Entertainment Capital of the World. It was a good chance for the 10 contestants to get to know one another while playing tourist, since it was the first time for some of them to see Las Vegas. The finalists also had a closeddoor performance for the judges the day before the Region Finals, and a meet and greet at the Vegas branch of Seafood City. All the finalists enjoyed their time out on the town, and the overall experience. Elizabeth Sooy from New Jersey expressed how she “love these people and the experience.” Danielle Jade Laganson from Edmonton, Alberta shared that she was “glad to call the other nine incredibly talented singers my new friends.” Laganson also added that even if they came from different parts of the U.S. and Canada, they still connected as one through their “love and passion for singing and for music.” Marie Joy Amaro of Texas said that it “did not feel like a competition. We helped each other and we encouraged each other like we were a team, a family.” ABS-CBN Global Head of Events Ricky Resurreccion also soaked in the overall atmosphere of family. Resurreccion admitted that this region finals was “the most intimate event TFC Live has ever mounted.” He added that it was “a welcome respite from doing huge venues. The talent was raw and pure, and the energy was palpable. One could also sense the genuine affection that immediately clicked among the finalists. It was a blast!” Next stop: Manila, Philippines Wenghofer and Paysu will be going to Manila, Philippines for the Global Cluster Finals that will take place from December 11-16.During that whole week, all global finalists from the six different regions will compete against each other. Of these, only two winners will be chosen, and these two will then move on to join the Tawag ng Tanghalan “Huling Tapatan” (Grand Finals) in March 2018. (Advertising Supplement)

Miss Earth 2017 bets share advocacies for Mother Nature A few days before the finals night on November 4, some Miss Earth 2017 candidates shared their advocacies and passions for Mother Earth. Miss Earth Nigeria 2017 Eucharia Akani wants to focus on education and awareness for the eradication and safe management of active gas flows in her community. The 19 year-old Theater Arts student is also working hard in partnering with the World Bank to help halt dangerous gas flows by 2030. A registered nurse, Miss Earth Canada 2017 Jacqueline Marsh is no stranger to the need to be active in preserving life. As a Miss Earth candidate, Marsh already has her advocacy on water consumption as top priority to focus on during her reign. “I live next to the largest freshwater lake in the world so it’s an issue that’s close to my heart. We need to preserve this resource for the future generation,” added Marsh. Her first steps? Educating people, starting from her community

Miss Earth 2017 candidates

and eventually people outside her town and making them aware of the importance and ways of water consumption and conservation. For Miss Earth Colombia 2017 Juliana Franco, reducing consumption and waste are essential in lessening people’s negative impact to nature. She envisions an emission-less (or free) world and to keep this advocacy rolling, she is set on spreading awareness and informing people to be mindful of

whatever they buy and consume and the process it undergoes before it hits the market and leaves pollution and damage to the planet. Ultimately, her goal is to inspire people change their habits little by little so they can all contribute for a greener environment. Reducing carbon footprint can easily be done at the comfort of your own home. Take it from Miss Earth England 2017 Charloce PAGE B5

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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS At the 103rd Annual Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) last week in San Diego, California, I met several surgeons from the Philippines who flew in to attend congress. As a Fil-Am surgeon, I always enjoy and savor meeting my colleagues from my native land. One of them happened to be an old friend, Dr. Enrique t. Ona, former Secretary of Health of the Philippines. this yearly continuing surgical education event attracts hundreds of surgeons from all over the world. One of the hot topics at this international convention was Antibiotic Stewardship, a vital global program ACS is spearheading that could save humanity as a whole from deadly superbugs that could wipe out civilization, if not prevented or contained, an issue I have discussed in a previous column. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “antibiotic resistance is one of the major threats to human health, especially because some bacteria have developed resistance to all known classes of antibiotics.” Improper use the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that “30 percent to 50 percent of prescribed antibiotics in hospitals are administered in settings where an antibiotic is unnecessary or is ineffective against the pathogenic organisms…. Increased and inappropriate antibiotic use leads to increased risks of antibiotic resistance, as well as contributing to clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections.” Pandemic of superbugs While terrorism is holding peace hostage around the world today, a more rampant but under the radar killer is on the loose and becoming more widespread, wiping out lives, as the medical community helplessly battles this pandemic situation of super bugs resistant to all drugs we currently have. Being at the mercy of these powerful and defiant microorganisms is a most scary situation. And they seem to be ahead of us. Pneumonia and wound infections killed hundred of millions of people globally before penicillin was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, Professor of Bacteriology at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. today, these conditions and hundreds of other infections respond well to penicillin and the other more sophisticated antibiotics, savings hundreds of million of lives every century...until now, with the explosion of super bugs! Scary statistics At least 2 million Americans develop drug resistant infections a year and more than 23,000 of them die, 10 million deaths a year worldwide. this translates to $100 trillion sacrificed gross national products. Most of these scary infections occur in hospital settings, but they are also noted in the general community. these could be the commonly known conditions, like pneumonia or wound infection, but this time

Features

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Antibiotic stewardship Binibining Pilipinas 2017 ready for winning...

caused by drug-resistant bacteria, and hence, deadly. It is like retrotransporting us back to the early 1900, the pre-penicillin era. Lessons from the past While two of the most devastating outbreaks of the Black Death (plague) that wiped out more than half of the population of Europe in the 14th century killing about 75 million, leading to the final demise of the Roman Empire, was caused by two different strains of infectious agents from the black rats, one drug resistant infection today could kill much more around the globe. Just like us, humans, bacteria are active living microorganisms, with survival “instinct,” and when exposed to the drugs that aim to kill them, have the capacity to adapt by mutation and replication to become resistant to the drugs, When they become super bugs, they are untouchable killers, unless we develop new drugs effective against them. Who to blame We cannot blame the bacteria, who simply want to survive just like all living things. We, humans, healthcare providers and lay people, who abuse antibiotics, are to blame. Whether prescribed indiscriminately or purchased over the counter by self-medicating individuals, the widespread abuse of antibiotics make the bacteria mutate and grow resistance to them. Currently, there are at least six common pathogens that are drugresistant, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. Coli, and MRSA, and 3 global diseases: HIV, tB and malaria. there are many others. Unless science discovers fast ways to fight and kill these resistant superbugs with new drugs or methodology and we, the people, do not abuse their use, any and all of them will continue to kill humans and other animals with impunity around the world. Bacteria are on ALL surfaces these microorganisms are on our skin, on our entire body. they are also all around us, in all surfaces, in our kitchen (which has more bacteria than our bathroom), all over our home, and in all public areas, like escalator hand rails, door knobs, cabinets, microwave oven door handle, countertops, tables, chairs, etc.. Paper money and coins are loaded with bacteria. If bacteria are on our skin and everywhere, why do we not always get infected? the reasons are factors like our skin integrity. If our skin is intact, the bacteria cannot invade us, except though our mucus linings (in our eyes, nose, mouth, ears, anus). this is where personal hygiene is essential. touching our face contaminates it with bacteria. the other factor is the type and dose (number) of bacteria. Even if we have a skin abrasion or cut, if we thoroughly wash the affected area right away, the dose of bacteria will be so reduced our immune system can handle them to prevent infection. If the dose is not reduced, then we get skin infection. this is why all wounds must be washed clean immediately after sustaining them. Simple handwashing On the prophylactic side, the

simple habit of washing our hands religiously, at least 8 times a day (after going to the bathroom, before and after eating or working around the house or outside) can prevent contamination and infections, eliminating the need for antibiotics. this practice can also prevent viral infections, like common cold, for which some misinformed or uninformed individuals might opt to take antibiotics. Viral infections do NOt respond to antibiotics. this is just a waste of money, and worse, it will “encourage” bacteria in our body to develop antibiotic resistance. When treated longer than necessary, even bacterial infections commonly sensitive to specific antibiotics will increase the risk of the bacteria developing resistance. Skin sanitizers, preferably with skin moisturizer, in liquid, gel or foam, are helpful in minimizing infection. those with sixty to 95 percent alcohol are most effective Antibiotic Stewardship is also our individual responsibility as a member of society. Let’s all help prevent a super bug pandemic that could wipe us out of this wonderful world. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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this year. Christmas may even come early this year because come December, our Miss Supranational and Miss Intercontinental 2017 candidates are off to Poland and Sri Lanka to compete – and boy, are they fixed on bringing home the crown. Chanel Olive thomas is competing for Miss Supranational 2017 and is determined to sweep the judges off their feet with her confidence, spontaneity and great runway skills. the 26year-old from Nueva Ecija won 2015 Miss Philippines Earth-air and might just get lucky again this year. Last but not the least is our

24-year-old Davao beauty and a top 3 finalist during the “Asia’s Next top Model” cycle 2. Katarina Sonja Rodriguez is oozing with personality and would no doubt win over the judges the moment she walked on stage. Rodriquez is set to leave for Sri Lanka next month for the Miss Intercontinental 2017 on December 21. My heart leaps in excitement as I write about our beauty queens. All of them have what it takes to achieve that winning streak that we seem to be quite known for in the past couple of years. And though I say “Good luck” to all of them, I know that luck has nothing to do with it. they have the potential to put our

Miss Earth 2017 bets share... PAGE B4 Brooke, a vegan and animal-lover, who strongly advocates reducing footprints by being conscious of what one eats. For her, most of the food people eat, especially meat and dairy, undergoes processes that leave a heavy impact to the environment. She hopes to encourage more people to try a greener lifestyle and to empower everyone that no matter where they are, there will always be little and big ways to care for the surroundings. School instructor and Miss Earth Philippines 2017 Karen Ibasco is in a prime situation to make more people listen and consider her urban advocacy. Fighting for reusable, sustainable energy to reduce dependence on fossil

fuels for years now, Ibasco has travelled all over the Philippines to make more people aware about the benefits of reducing emissions in the atmosphere and about lessening global warming. Ibasco also promotes walking or cycling when going around any city. this way, the need to use vehicles and potential emissions is reduced while doing your body a favor by exercising. “We can walk if the distance is near or just use bikes (bicycles),” says Ibasco, who was sporting the new Merrell 1SIX8 Heathered from the 1SIXC8 line, which has is made more comfy with the addition of the Air Cushion + technology that secures heel-to-toe comfort for effortless walking around town. (Philstar.com)

name — the Philippines — as the ‘strongest’ contender that beauty pageants ever encountered. to our gorgeous candidates: Have a safe trip and remember to have fun! We will be cheering for you with pride and optimism! *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

John Lloyd Cruz changes... PAGE B1 said companies seeking endorsers are now stricter in their criteria. Not only must the actor’s image must be “wholesome.” to make sure that it is really “wholesome,” the contract for endorsers now allegedly includes “pages” of “morality clause.” In a press statement issued by ABS-CBN on October 6, the tV network announced that “ABSCBN and John Lloyd Cruz have agreed for him to take an indefinite leave of absence to attend to personal matters.” Cruz has been last spotted in Europe with Ellen. (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar.com)

B November 4-7, 2017 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL

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COMMUNITY Journal

‘I came to the US with my undocumented family, and am being charged with alien smuggling’ THE phrase “alien smuggling” often conjures images that Hollywood has dramatized. Movies depict unsavory people paid to sneak people into the country, as well as armed henchmen playing cards and hired to play a part in a major international human trafficking ring. Recently, a truck driver in Texas was caught transporting at least 100 undocumented Mexican nationals in the back of his tractor-trailer. Sadly, ten died, and about 30 were hospitalized for heat stroke and dehydration. What many people do not realize, however, is that alien smuggling can be charged against those who travel with family members who are entering the country unlawfully. It can also charge those who pay and arrange for the smuggler to help people enter the U.S. illegally, regardless of whether the smuggler was physically present at the time of planning the entry. There is no requirement of monetary exchange or ill-intention before the individual is charged. On February 20, 2017, an executive memo was released directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take action against parents, family members, and others who have directly or indirectly facilitated the illegal smuggling or trafficking of an alien child into the US. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may ask questions about undocumented family members or travel companions, and find that a person is a smuggler even if the person does not admit to it. ICE has confirmed that it has begun to target individuals in the US who may have paid to smuggle family members into the U.S. The definition of alien smuggling for immigration purposes is broad. It includes any person who has knowingly encouraged, induced, assisted, abetted, or aided any other person to enter, or try to enter, the U.S. illegally. Case law explains that the person must have knowingly and affirmatively acted in order for the conduct to constitute alien

Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller aNd aMaNda KwoNg smuggling. The key is that the assistance must have been given knowingly that the person was entering unlawfully. For example, if money remittances were sent to help with finances, and a portion was saved by the recipient who then used that money to pay to enter into the country illegal, there may be no alien smuggling if there was no knowledge. Depending on the facts of the case, there is a thin line between being charged with alien smuggling and fraud—which could open the door to different problems and potential avenues of relief. Once found to be an alien smuggler, the individual is not only inadmissible, or alternately deportable, from the United States, but she can also be barred from certain forms of relief that require good moral character for the statutory period required. Good moral character is a requirement to apply for citizenship, self-petitioning and cancellation under the Violence Against Women Act, and cancellation of removal for nonpermanent residents before an immigration judge. Additionally, a smuggler can be charged criminally for that offense and, if convicted, will be an aggravated felon and subject to removal from the United States. Clearly, the consequences of alien smuggling are serious. Nevertheless, there may be hope for relief through a discretionary waiver. The waiver for inadmissibility requires that the person be either a lawful permanent resident who temporarily and voluntarily traveled outside of the U.S., and is otherwise admissible, or someone who is applying for permanent residence based on certain family-based

petitions. The person must also have smuggled only her spouse, parent, son, or daughter. Additionally, the person must show that the waiver is warranted for humanitarian purposes, for family unity, or for reasons that are otherwise in the public interest. Other waivers available for alien smuggling are the general waivers for those who are applying for U or T nonimmigrant status, as well as for special immigrant juveniles, aslyees, and refugees applying for adjustment of status. The rules differ if the person is charged under deportation grounds. The person is deportable if she committed alien smuggling before, during, or within five years of any entry into the United States. There is defense to this charge if the person engaged in the conduct over five years after her last entry. Similarly, if charged under this ground, the person may request the discretionary waiver if the smuggling was only of her parent, spouse, son, or daughter, who had that family status at the time of the smuggling. Alien smuggling is extremely complex area of law; the ramifications of being charged can be devastating. Additionally, each fact changes the possible outcome of the case. Therefore, anyone who believes she may be subject to this charge should consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration lawyer as soon as possible. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)

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C NOVEMBER 4-7, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon JUST a mention of the word “bankruptcy” is enough to scare some people to death. Their minds are immediately filled with horror pictures of creditors taking away their home, business, savings, retirement plans and everything that they have worked so hard for. They imagine themselves hiding in shame from everyone or being put in a situation where they have to explain themselves. What will their family and friends think once they find out about the bankruptcy filing? The good news is that all these fears are completely unfounded. First of all, although your bankruptcy filing is public record, no one but your creditors and your attorney will know about your bankruptcy filing unless someone deliberately searches court records to find out about you. But who will do that? Secondly, almost 100 percent of my clients who file for bankruptcy lose nothing and keep everything. No, creditors will not go to your house to take what you own. As a matter of fact, the purpose of filing bankruptcy is

Tax Tips VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA

YOU have seen businesses with “LLC” after their names. That LLC refers to Limited Liability Company which is a hybrid that combines the pass-through attributes of a partnership with the limited liability of a corporation. Fortunately, it combines the best of worlds of partnerships and corporations. The owners are called “members” who hold “interests” and are governed by an “operating agreement.” An LLC with more than one member is taxed as a partnership. This is a relatively new form of doing business. Let’s explore the plus and minuses of LLCs. A. Benefits: 1. Liabilities of members are limited to their investments in the LLC. 2. No double income tax. No

Community Journal

What scares people about bankruptcy? usually to protect what you have will applying for debt relief from the court at the same time. I think that the loss of property and assets is what people fear most when filing bankruptcy. But as I stated above, most Chapter 7 cases are no asset cases. And if you are filing for Chapter 13 debt consolidation, no assets are ever taken and sold in that type of bankruptcy. The other usual concern is whether they will be able to get credit again. First of all, most people in debt no longer have good credit. They either owe too much that no one will loan them a penny or their credit has already suffered because of late payments. But even if your credit is outstanding at the moment, yes, filing bankruptcy can stay on your record for 7-10 years depending on what type of bankruptcy you file (10 years for a Chapter 7 and 7 years for a Chapter 13 — both from the date of filing). However, with a Chapter 7, it normally only takes about three years to rebuild credit. Why? Because after three years, you will have zero debt and your bankruptcy will be a few years old. Potential creditors will not care as much as what

happened three years ago as they would if the negative information was recent. I have seen clients file Chapter 7 and purchase a home just three years later. It is possible if you understand the steps needed to do it. With a Chapter 13, the bankruptcy stays on your record for seven years from the date of filing so if you were in a regular five-year repayment plan, it will automatically be erased just two years after you pay off your plan. I am not saying that bankruptcy is for everyone. But if it is your only option, do not lose hope because it is not the end of the world. You can look at the next few years after bankruptcy in a more positive way by telling yourself that it is exactly what you need to rebuild your finances again. To schedule a free consultation, please call Toll-Free 1-866477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia.

The Prophetic Voice ReVeRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAS

IN the midst of the hype of the Dodgers games this past week, I felt a deep longing for my parents’ presence. Perhaps it’s because it’s that time of the year in the Church when we especially remember our deceased family members and friends. And so, on my day-off last Monday, I went to my parents’ tomb, laid flowers there, and prayed the Rosary. I put my hand on their tombstone to connect with them in some way. I felt good, but I still longed to see them and feel their presence. For many of us, there will always be a profound desire to see our deceased parents again. It’s natural to experience this because, after all, we came from them and their DNA will always be a part of us. They were the ones who nourished us with love and sacrificed their lives to give *** None of the information herein is intended us a better life. No matter how to give legal advice for any specific situ- imperfect they were, we still long ation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully for their presence, love, and care. What if we feel the same way helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of for God, our common Father? your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law What if we also have a deep Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. longing to be with God in the life (Advertising Supplement) hereafter? Isn’t this what all the saints wanted, to seek the face of God? Isn’t this what all of us want, to be in heaven along with

Should you form a Limited Liability Company (LLC)? double tax on liquidation. 3. A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) for professionals allows protection from claims involving the wrongful acts of other partners (vicarious liability). 4. Can specially allocate profits and losses. 5. A member contributing appreciated assets to an LLC in exchange for membership interest is not required to recognize gain on that exchange. 6. Distributions of appreciated property from an LLC are generally received without gain. 7. Receipt of an interest in an LLC for a profit interest is generally not taxable. 8. It is not subject to accumulated earnings tax, personal holdings tax, or alternative minimum tax. 9. It is not required to maintain certain formalities such as corporate minutes.

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10. The basis of a member’s interest can be increased by the member’s share of LLC debts. B. Drawbacks: 1. Each state has its own regulations. For example, California LLCs pay additional annual fee based on gross receipts. This is the main reason why I seldom recommend LLCs for small estates. The annual fee increased every year and has doubled since its introduction until entities challenged the Golden State’s anti-business stance. Others fled the state to other business-friendly neighboring states. It is now permanently set at $900/2,500/6,000/11,790 for gross receipts of $250K, $500K, $1M, and $5M. 2. A member’s net earnings are subject to self-employment tax, whether distributed or not. 3. Loss from the sale of LLC interest is a capital loss (limited

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Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRSuA ReyeS IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even think that since an asset or property is situated in a different country or state, that property is not community property and not subject to division in California family court. One has to understand the general community property presumption in California. Property acquired before marriage is the acquiring spouse’s separate property, as is property obtained during marriage that can be traced to a premarital acquisition. Family.

Our deep longing our loved ones? However unpleasant it is, the month of November makes us remember our mortality. But for us Christians, this fact should not make us sad or afraid, but instead, it should allow us to yearn for that time to finally return to our Creator, our Father. “Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven,” Jesus tell us in the Gospel this Sunday. It’s because he wants us to know that our final destiny is to be with His Father in heaven. We may enjoy a good life here on earth with our parents, family, and friends, but Jesus also wants to cultivate in our hearts a deep longing to be with God, particularly at the end of our earthly lives. If heaven is our ultimate home, so what do we do on earth to inherit it? First of all, it’s not just through the things we do, but through the attitudes, we manifest to God and others. The best attitude to have as we live here on earth is humility. It’s the humility to know that we are not gods, that nothing here on earth will satisfy or complete us. It’s the humility to know that we are not the center of the universe, that our fulfillment on earth is humble service to God and our brothers and sisters. It’s the spirit of gratitude that everything we are and everything comes from God. For indeed, God, our Father, is the

Author of life and the sources of all blessings, and so He deserves our utmost honor and praise. Yes, it is the humility to know that all material things will not last, including our bodies. And so we must yearn for the things that will forever be etched in our hearts and those of others—our relationships, our aspirations for a better world, and our right intentions for everyone on earth. It is no wonder that Jesus put the two greatest commandments together: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. These two commandments keep us humble and grounded on our right purpose as children of God. So, let’s be like the saints whose sole desire is to see the face of God. Let’s hope for that time when we can face Him and tell Him humbly as his faithful servant that “we have only done what was our duty” (Luke 17:10). Amen. *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1991-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

Disclosure and characterization of overseas assets in divorce

Code. § 770(a). Rents, issues and profits” of separate property are separate property. All property acquired during marriage and before separation, other than by gift or inheritance, is presumptively community property. Family Code §§ 760, 771(a), 772; Marriage of Bonds (2000) 24 C4th 1, 12, 99 CR2d 252, 258; Marriage of Lehman (1998) 18 C4th 169, 177, 74 CR2d 825, 828. Pursuant to Family.Code. § 760, community personal or real property is consistently defined no matter where situated. Family Code §760 defines “Community property” as “Except as otherwise provided by statute, all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” As such, out-of-state community

property is community property for all purposes, including intraspousal management and control fiduciary obligations. It does not matter if the property is located in another state or another country. For the same reason, the parties to a divorce case is required to disclose all property, separate and community, including those outside the state. During the marriage, the parties’ fiduciary duties require full and accurate disclosure of true and full information affecting community property transactions. FamilyCode. §§ 721(b), 1100(e). In addition, disclosure duties arise upon separation in anticipation of dissolution, nullity or legal separation. The post-separation disclosure duties extend to all assets

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Community Journal

When employer gives dishonest reasons to cover up discriminatory firing CESAR Astorga worked as a maintenance supervisor at Snap-On Logistics Co., a power tools manufacturer. In 2002, while working, Cesar’s knees were injured when he fell from a scissor lift. He was absent from work a total of 9 1/2 months. In 2009, a 100-pound motor at work fell on him, further aggravating his knee injuries. He again went on a leave of absence from April 2009 through February 2011. He underwent a total of four right-knee surgeries and 3 left-knee surgeries. At first, the company accommodated Cesar’s work restrictions and provided him a golf cart to use to get around the large facility. However, the employer later changed its policy and no longer allowed employees to return to work if they have medical work restrictions. When Cesar returned to work from his recent leave, he was demoted from his supervisor position and placed under the supervision of the employee hired to replace him during his medical leave. However, since Cesar knew more about the machines at the facility, the new supervisor often asked him about the work. Cesar claimed that when he asked for a full paycheck, his supervisor had told him that Snap-On did not want to pay him a full paycheck when he was only “half a man.” In the spring of 2011, he told his employer that he was going to need another surgery and a leave of absence beginning in April. Two weeks later employer fired Cesar for allegedly accepting money from contractors. Cesar sued the employer for

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. wrongful termination based on disability discrimination, among others. During the litigation, the employer provided an additional reason for Cesar’s firing - that Snap-On had conducted an investigation without Cesar’s knowledge and allegedly found that Cesar was soliciting bribes from vendors. However, the vendor denied this. The only “evidence” the employer had of Cesar accepting a bribe was the testimony of the supervisor and the company comptroller, who said the vendor had admitted the bribery to them. During trial, the supervisor and the comptroller gave several different versions of the alleged bribery. Because of inconsistent stories, neither witness seemed credible. It was obvious that the employer wanted to get rid of Cesar and had to come up with an excuse to fire him. However, the facts surrounding the firing seem to point to employer’s reason as simply pretext. A “pretext” is an alleged purpose or motive that an employer adopts in order to hide its real intention. In most discrimination cases, one of the most important hurdles an employee needs to overcome is to show that the employer’s stated reason for the firing is false. The employer’s pretext is merely to hide its real motive, which is discrimination.

There are several methods to prove pretext. One is to show that the employee was treated differently compared with other employees who had a similar issue (e.g. employees were not usually fired for this reason). Another is to show how the employer reacted to the employee’s situation (e.g. employer was upset when employee asked for leave). Or the employee can show how the employer treated her/him in relation to their disability (e.g. employer assigned employee to harder tasks, unusual schedules, or made derogatory comments about the employee’s condition). Where an employee successfully shows that the employer’s reason for the firing is pretext, the employee comes one step closer to showing that the termination was illegal. In Cesar’s case, after a threeweek trial, the jury found in favor of Cesar and awarded him $5 million in compensatory damages, and $10 million in punitive damages, for a total award of $15 million. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.] (Advertising Supplement)

SB 833: Protected assets held in a living trust or in joint tenancy from Medi-Cal estate recovery SIGNED by California Governor Jerry Brown on June 27, 2016, SB 833 in its Section 22 amended Section 14009.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code by exempting assets held in a living trust or in joint tenancy from Medi-Cal recovery. Assets held in a living trust, revocable or irrevocable, of decedents dying after January 1, 2017, are now immune from Medi-Cal recipient’s estate recovery. This is so because “Estate” is now defined as meaning “all real and personal property and other assets in the individual’s probate estate that are required to be subject to a claim of recovery,” under Section 22 of SB 833, which amended Section 14009.5(f)(3) of the Welfare and Institutions Code. If a decedent dies with a will or without a will, he or her estate undergoes probate proceedings in the Probate Court. If he or she dies with the assets held in a living trust, there is no probate proceedings. So, living trust avoids probate and exempts assets held in a Medi-Cal recipient’s living trust from Medi-Cal estate recovery. Do you have a living trust? If not, do one right away. Other Exemptions From Medi-Cal Recovery: A Med-Cal recipient’s estate or any recipient of the decedent’s property by distribution is subject to Medi-Cal recovery in a

AmericAn DreAm Allison Aquino-silvA, Esq THE USCIS announced another policy change on October 23, 2017, in its ongoing efforts to tighten immigration to the United States. The new policy directs USCIS officers to process petitions for extensions of nonimmigrant visas under the same manner and scrutiny as initial petitions for nonimmigrant status. The new USCIS policy specifically cancels two USCIS policies issued in 2004 and 2015 regarding the processing of a petition to extend a nonimmigrant visa, such as an H-1B work visa, L-1 work visa, E treaty visa, etc. Under the previous policies, USCIS officers were instructed to give deference to the prior approvals when processing petitions for extensions that involved the same parties and underlying facts. In other words, the policy stated that USCIS officers should generally grant extensions when the Petitioner, Beneficiary and job details were all the same as the previous petition. In rescinding this policy, USCIS officers are now specifically instructed to process petitions for an extension in the same manner and level of scrutiny as

Legal Commentary Atty. romAn P. moSquedA amount equal to the payments for health care services received or the value of the property received by any recipient from the decedent, whichever is less, only in either of the following circumstances. • Against the real property of a Medi-Cal member of any age who meets the criteria and who was or is an inpatient in a nursing facility; or • The decedent was 55 years of age or older when the individual received health care services. Moreover, the California Department of Health Care Services shall not claim when there is any of the following: (i) a surviving spouse or surviving registered domestic partner; (ii) a surviving child who is under 21 years of age; or (iii) a surviving child who is blind or disabled under the federal Social Security Act. Exemption of Substantial Hardship To Other Dependents, Heirs, or Survivors: Lastly, the Department shall waive its claim, in whole or in part, if it determines that en-

forcement of the Medi-Cal claim would result in substantial hardship to other dependents, heirs, or survivors of the individual against whose estate the claim exists, under Section 14009.5(c)(1) of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The Department shall also, subject to federal approval, waive its claim when the estate subject to recovery is homestead of modest value, which means a home whose fair market value is 50 percent or less of the average price of homes in the county where the homestead is located, as of the date of the decedent’s death. Indeed, the Department is required to notify individuals of this waiver provision and the opportunity for a hearing to establish that a waiver should be granted. *** The Author practices in estate planning and living trust. Presentation of a copy of this article would merit a complimentary discount on the attorney’s fee for a living trust. *** The Author, Roman P. Mosqueda, has practiced Real Estate law for over 20 years. He has been a licensed Real Estate Broker in California since 1999. Send comments toinfo@mosquedalaw. com or call (213) 252-9481 for free consultation appointment. Visit Mosquedalaw.com and EzineArticles. com to read his other articles. (Advertising Supplement)

USCIS initiates tougher policy on extension petitions an initial petition for classification for nonimmigrant status. As such, a previous approval for a nonimmigrant status, such as an H-1B or L-1 visa, no longer signals that an extension will likely be granted even when the petition involves the exact same parties and situation as the prior petition. The new policy states that “[i]n adjudicating petitions for immigration benefits, including nonimmigrant petition extensions, adjudicators must, in all cases, thoroughly review the petition and supporting evidence to determine eligibility for the benefit sought. The burden of proof in establishing eligibility is, at all times, on the petitioner…even where an extension of nonimmigrant status is sought.” USCIS Policy Memorandum, “Rescission of Guidance Regarding Deference to Prior Determinations of Eligibility in the Adjudication of Petitions for Nonimmigrant Status” (Oct. 23, 2017). This heightened approach to processing extension petitions certainly means that applicants must now more fully document and prove their continued eligibility for their nonimmigrant status. The policy specifically notifies USCIS officers that “…they should not feel constrained in

requesting additional documentation in the course of adjudicating a petition extension….” Id. It is therefore anticipated that petition processing times will be longer and more cumbersome as this policy will likely increase the number of Requests for Evidence in the processing of extension petitions. This new policy is in line with the President’s agenda of restricting immigration to the US under the guise of protecting the interests of US workers. It demonstrates that individuals must ensure that they have competent legal counsel that is familiar with the intricacies of the immigration laws because this restrictionist policy could lead to a denial even when there has been a previous approval.

*** For further information, please schedule an appointment with an attorney at Aquino & Loew, Certified Immigration Law Specialists; (888) 797-1140 or (626) 799-3089; info@aquinoloew. com. Please also visit Aquino & Loew at www.aquinoloew.com, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, and read about us on Yelp. Aquino & Loew also handles family law and criminal matters. Providing Personalized Service Nationwide & Abroad Since 1996. (Advertising Supplement)

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 4-7, 2017

Permanent resident based on same-sex marriage IN United States vs. Windsor, 570 U.S. ___ (2013) (Docket No. 12-307), the Supreme Court held that Federal restrictions of the terms “marriage” and “spouse” to marriages between a man and a woman were unconstitutional. The Court invalidated Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which did not allow Federal Government recognition of same-sex marriages under Federal laws, or for Federal programs. After the Court’s decision in the Windsor case, the USCIS has considered same-sex, marriage-based immigrant petitions in the same way as those involving marriage with the opposite sex. As a result, a US citizen or permanent resident can now petition his/her spouse or fiancé(e) to get a green card. As with marriages between persons of the opposite sex, a valid marriage between a samesex couple is required. The law of the place in which the marriage took place determines whether the marriage is valid for immigration purposes. The same-sex couple does not need to be residents of the state or foreign country in which the marriage took place. A civil union or domestic partnership cannot be the basis for a same-sex, marriagebased immigrant petition; a relationship legally considered to be a marriage where it took place establishes eligibility. If the marriage occurred in a state or foreign country in which same-sex marriages are recognized, then the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse can file an I-130 petition and adjustment of status application (if the non-US citizen/permanent resident spouse is in the US) or immigrant visa application (if the non-US citizen/permanent resident spouse is outside the U.S). As with marriages between the opposite sex, the same-sex couple will need to demonstrate that the marriage is a real marriage and not merely for immigration purposes. But what if the marriage has yet to occur, and the non-US citizen/permanent resident person in the relationship resides in a foreign country that does not recognize same-sex marriages, and cannot travel to the U.S.? In such a case, a U.S. citizen can file an I129f petition for alien fiancé(e), which would allow his/her foreign national fiancé(e) to travel to the US under a K-1 visa to get married. The

couple would have to get married in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages within 90 days of the foreign national’s arrival. After marriage, an I-130 petition and I-485 adjustment of status (changing status from K-1 to permanent resident) would need to be filed. Filing an I-129f fiancé(e) petition is only available to a Darrick V. Tan, Esq. U.S. Citizen and not a permanent resident. For cases involving a permanent resident petitioner, the couple would need to find a foreign nation to which they can both travel and that recognizes same-sex marriages, and get married there. Thereafter, the permanent resident petitioner can file an I-130 petition on behalf of his/her spouse, who would undergo consular processing for an immigrant visa in the country of residency when available. Certain other requirements exist to obtain permanent residence. It is also worth noting that eligibility for other immigration benefits are now available to a same-sex spouse. It is therefore recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced attorney. ***

“As with marriages between persons of the opposite sex, a valid marriage between a same-sex couple is required. The law of the place in which the marriage took place determines whether the marriage is valid for immigration purposes. The same-sex couple does not need to be a residents of the state or foreign country in which the marriage took place.”

Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** 3LA�� LA�� OFFICES OF DARRIC�� V. TAN, 3580 ��ilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

C NOVEMBER 4-7, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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AAPA’s achievement awards & graduation gala in San Gabriel, CA Celebrate the 2017 class of Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) Mentorship and Board Leadership Program participants, and this year’s Achievement Awardees on Monday, Nov. 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy a banquet dinner, entertainment, and keynote speech from Brigadier General Mark Toy! It will be held at the San Gabriel Hilton (225 W. Valley Blvd. San Gabriel, CA). For more information, please visit https://aapagala2017.org/.

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Filipino indie film “1st Semester” screening in Los Angeles Catch the Hollywood premiere screening of the award-winning Filipino indie film, “1st Semester” on Wednesday, November 8. “1st Semester” is a Filipino coming-of-age comedy movie about a young boy who is sent to college by his mother with their entire clan but goes home immediately after experiencing separation anxiety. It explores a boy’s rite of passage to manhood and a mother’s strong will and determination to uphold the best for her family. “1st Semester” stars Allan Paule, Darwin Yu and award-winning actress Lotlot de Leon. It is written and directed by Dexter Paglinawan Hemedez and Allan Michael Ibanez. The Hollywood Premiere will be held on Wednesday, November 8 at the American Film Institute (AFI), 2021 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA. Showtimes are at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Come and meet the writers and directors of this internationally-acclaimed film. Parking is free For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please email 1stSemAFI@gmail.com.

PWC 20th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles The Pilipino Workers Center will have its 20th anniversary celebration on Wednesday, November 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Pico House and Courtyard (424 N Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Attire is smart casual or Filipino-inspired fashion. Honorees include Sen. Connie M. Leyva, Jose Antonio Vargas, and PWC Council of Leaders. The program will be hosted by Giselle “G” Tongi. There will also be special performances and a feast of Filipino delicacies. Tickets are $100 each. For tickets and sponsorship details, call (213) 2504353 or visit www.pwcsc.org. com.

N OV E M B E R 1 1

Diva 2 Diva concert in Pasadena, CA The Philippines’ Pop Diva, Kuh Ledesma, and the Divine Diva, Zsa Zsa Padilla, are back in Southern California with DIVA 2 DIVA on Saturday, November 11! They will be joined with comediennes Nanette Inventor and Mitch Valdez. The show will begin at 7 p.m. at the “PazNaz” First Church of the Nazarene (3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, California). For tickets, you may purchase them online at diva2diva2.eventbrite.com or you may call Henry at (818) 612 4500 for more details. com.

N OV E M B E R 29

13th annual mayor’s luncheon in Woodland Hills, CA The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley presents the 13th annual mayor’s luncheon with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday, November 29 at the Warner Center Marriott - Grand Ballroom (21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367). Registration opens at 11 a.m. and the program is from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be complimentary self-parking, while valet is $16. For questions or sponsorship opportunities, please call (818) 981-4491 or email marian@unitedchambers.org.

D EC E M B E R 1

Historic Filipinotown parol parade and festival in Los Angeles The Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC) announced that the annual parade and festival will be on Friday, December 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will start with the assembly of parols and vehicles at 250 N. Union St. at the Our Lady of Lorreto Catholic Church courtyard. The parade will start at 5 p.m. and will go westward from Union to Beverly, and will eventually end up at the FCC/FACLA compound at 1740 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026. The HFNC is calling for volunteers who will serve as security, ushers, for registration and monitors for the parade. To volunteer, please call Art at (213)318-9065. For more information, please contact Cecile at (213) 503-8176.

D EC E M B E R 2

Pasko Na Naman in Glendale, CA The Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups will sponsor a fundraiser entitled “Pasko Na Naman 2” on Saturday, December 2 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium (1401 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208) starting at 4 p.m. The presentation’s theme is Salo-salo at Pagdiriwang” which means “getting together joyfully.” The show will provide a glimpse on how Filipinos celebrate Christmas in the Philippines, which will be depicted through choral singing and folk dancing. The performers are Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Choir, Monique Magpayo and Kurt Winterhalter. Benefactors of proceeds include but are not limited to: Channel of Charity, Filipino Priests Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, feeding programs and FFRG faith formation events. Come one! Come All! Feel the scents and sights of Filipino Christmas. The audience will also enjoy “merienda cena” during the intermission. Ticket donation is $45.00 per person. For souvenir ad and ticket information, please contact Tess Domingo at (909) 855-2208 or Carol Evangelista at (909) 969-3316.

D EC E M B E R 3

Arnel Pineda in Los Angeles Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed rock band JOURNEY, will be in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 3 at the famed Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The show begins at 6 p.m. VIP ticket ($200) includes CD, concert tour shirt, meet & greet. Other ticket prices are $150, $100, $75 or $50. For sponsorship and tickets, please call or text: Trini Foliente at (626) 818-7147; Cora Soriano at (213) 999-1993 or Andy Tecson at (323) 467-5096.

D EC E M B E R 27-29

Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates 50th anniversary in Naga City The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni members. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50thAnniversary Yearbook, a coffee table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo. ezequiel0977@gmail.com; cell: 09257200926; Antonio Sibulo, MD (email: assjrmd@gmail. com).

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

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Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng

ACCUMULATING debt is the easiest thing you can do in America. Even your dog can get credit cards with a fake social security number. If you are an immigrant and just arrived, you will have no history of credit here. Chances are that in your country of origin, you probably had no credit card debt, or if you did, maybe you had an insignificant amount of credit card debt. In other countries, most people are on a “cash” basis. In other words, you buy everything in cash, not credit. If you buy a house abroad, you either paid cash for it, or you put a substantial cash down payment and have a small mortgage on it. In other countries, the objective in life is to accumulate cash and assets but have no debt. But here in America, Mastercard, Visa and other credit card companies, sell you the American lifestyle, which is to bury yourself in debt to get all the things you want. Want a brand new 80-inch flat and thin high definition TV, the one that curves on both ends of the screen to let you watch it clearly from almost any angle? It’s only $3,000. Don’t have the $$3,000? No problem. Just charge the $3,000 on your credit card. Bring the TV home today for your whole family to enjoy! You don’t have to pay $3,000 up front. Next month, just set aside $90 to make a minimum monthly payment on the $3,000. Instant gratification! This is the American way. Want to bring the family to Hawaii for Christmas? Let’s see. It’s $1,500 for a week’s stay at one of the five-star resorts in Waikiki, including round-trip plane fare and hotel per head. Since you are a family of that would be a grand total of $6,000 for a oneweek family Christmas and New Year vacation in paradise. Even LA gets cold in winter even if it doesn’t snow but the climate in Hawaii is a comfortable and breezy 80 degrees. “Mele Kalikimaka” that’s how they say “Merry Christmas” in Hawaii, as you probably know. And the food, the Luaus are terrific. The scenery is spectacular. Plan on riding a helicopter to look at the Big Island Volcano, which only adds another $1K to your vacation budget for your family of four. So, the one-week Christmas vacation will cost about $8,000, all expenses accounted for, with first-class accommodations. There’s only one problem. You didn’t have $3,000 for the big screen TV that looks so good in your family room, so where will you get the $8,000 for your Christmas vacation? No problem. In America, the credit cards keep on giving and giving. They are perennial Santa Clauses. The wife wants to go. The kids want to go. You want to go. So go. I mean, Pres. Obama spent a lot of his vacations in Oahu where he was born, so why can’t you bring your family to paradise this Christmas? By all means, go and give the family a great time this Christmas. With the brand new TV at $3,000 and the Hawaii Christmas vacation at $8,000, you will owe $11,000 at the end of this year. So what? You got the TV and you’ll still have your Hawaii tan for a couple of weeks when you get back right after New Year. Your co-workers will envy you when you say you just got back from paradise and you feel totally relaxed and ready to face the challenges of 2018 head-on. Yes, that’s right, everything is still status quo but then, at the end of January 2018, you will have to take $330 out of your takehome pay and pay the minimum for the TV and Hawaii. At the end of 2018, you will have paid

Avoid the bondage of debt, especially seniors “It’s easy to get into debt in America. But it’s really hard to get out of debt in America. That’s why you need the full legal power of Chapter 7 to get out of debt and get a fresh start.” your credit card masters $4,000, but you would still owe them the same $11,000. But the reality of life here in America is that you will buy a lot more good stuff on credit. Maybe two brand new computers for the kids? A brand new leather sofa set? Maybe you need a new fridge? Or, even a new roof because the roof leaks. There is a high probability that in 2018, you will add another $10,000 of credit cards because you don’t really feel the pain when you buy stuff on credit, isn’t this true? It’s not like you have $10,000 of cash in the bank and you have to take $8,000 from it to pay for Hawaii, right? That would be painful. On the other hand, charging $8,000 on credit cards is practically painless. You just have to take the card out of your wallet and swipe it. It’s so easy to spend money that you don’t have here in America. One can easily get addicted to credit cards the same way that a person can get addicted to drugs. Just like cocaine and LSD, using credit cards gives the user a “high.” Just like drugs, it’s addicting. In a couple of short years, starting from a $3,000 for your TV, and $8,000 for your Hawaii Christmas vacation in 2017, you will owe $30,000! You would have added a trip to Europe, a trip to China, Japan, Thailand and Bali for the family. These trips do not even include the family trips back to your country of origin, which require a lot more money because as everyone knows, family back home expect to get a lot of expensive gifts from their “rich” now American relatives, not to mention paying the tab for all the restaurant food that you and your family back home will be enjoying. If all of this took place 10 years ago mark my words — you would now owe maybe $30,000 of credit cards. These now cost you $1,000 a month of minimum payments. For the next 12 months, you will pay $12,000 of minimum payments, but at the end of the 12 months, you will still owe $30,000. In 24 months, you will pay $24,000 of minimum payments, but you will still owe $30,000. Then, if you are objective enough to see your own financial situation, you will know that you are now in what is called “financial bondage.” You are now a debt slave. What’s worse than being a debt slave? Being a senior debt slave is the worse. Let’s say that you are now 62 and you owe $30,000 in credit cards. Social security and retirement are just around the corner. You’re looking at $1,800 of S.S., which is not too bad. But you’re also on the hook for $1,000 of minimum monthly credit card payments. This is more than half of your social security benefits. Imagine the hardship caused by having to fork over more than half of your social security to pay $1,000 to your credit card masters every month for the rest of your life during your golden years. It sucks! But as you have now learned, after paying your credit card masters $120,000 in the last 10 years, you still owe your masters the same $30,000 of credit card debt! Just like “Django Unchained”, it’s time to break free of credit card debt! What you need now is the full legal power of a Chapter 7 pe-

tition to give you a fresh start without the $30,000 of credit card debt. Break free from your credit card masters and live with freedom and joy and be productive again and start fresh again without accumulated debt. Turn your back on the $30,000 and nuke them with a bankruptcy discharge. Only the legal nuclear bomb of Chapter 7 has enough destructive force to wipe out all of your credit cards that keep you financially enslaved, month after month, year after year, decade after decade! You won’t regret it. It’s the right thing to do. Even Pres. Trump has said that Puerto Rico’s $70-B debt must be discharged. Well, he should know, the Trump companies filed for bankruptcy four times discharging hundreds of millions of debt. Even Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice before he became successful. Milton Hershey of Hershey chocolates, now a global multi-billion dollar business filed for Chapter 7 before he became successful. M.C. Hammer, Francis Ford Coppola, Kim Basinger and Mickey Rooney, these celebrities all filed for Chapter 7 to get a fresh start in life. It’s easy to get into debt in America. But it’s really hard to get out of debt in America. That’s why you need the full legal power of Chapter 7 to get out of debt and get a fresh start. It’s a federal right given by law to the debtor who needs relief from accumulated debt. Why be embarrassed to exercise a right given by law? Life after bankruptcy is great and very enjoyable, the grass is indeed greener after getting rid of debilitating debt. You still keep everything you own as long as you qualify for applicable exemptions. You will be able to save money again every month. Anyway, the cards have enabled you to bring your family around the world already and you still have the big screen TV in your family room. Have your cake and eat it too and get a fresh start with no debt. Only in America! Get back on solid financial footing, get rid of your accumulated debt with Chapter 7, and face your retirement years with peace of mind! Only in America can you get a fresh start using Chapter 7, which is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. In N. Korea, Kim Jung Un will blow your head off with a bazooka and give your torso to your creditors. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. “BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH! – PSALM 46:10

all remaining members consent to reinstate the entity. to $3000 per year). 4. An LLC will be construc*** tively terminated if 50% or more Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude of total interest is sold or ex- from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State changed within 12 months. University with an MBA. Vic worked with 5. Disassociation events such SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen as death, retirement or bank- Consulting) and Ernst & Young before ruptcy dissolve the LLC unless establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation

in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

***

Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader. There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. ***

Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

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Disclosure and characterization...

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and liabilities in which either party has or may have an interest or obligation, regardless of community or separate property characterization, and to current earnings, accumulations and expenses. These duties “arise without reference to any wrongdoing.” Family.Code. §§ 721(b), 2100(c), 2102(a)(1); Marriage of Feldman (2007) 153 CA4th 1470, 1475–1476, 64 CR3d 29, 33; Marriage of Brewer & Federici (2001) 93 CA4th 1334, 1342–1344, 113 CR2d 849, 854–855. Parties to a divorce case has a duty to provide full and accurate disclosure of all assets and debts including

those in other states and other countries. Failure to disclose could result to certain legal consequences to the non-disclosing parties including sanctions and attorney’s fees. If you are contemplating a divorce and you own assets and properties outside the state or country, its best to retain the representation of an experience family law attorney. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply

to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 3881611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

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People and Events

Memories of Philippine Christmas Meryl Maglaya’s bridal shower Pasko Na Naman 2 in Glendale, CA on Dec. 2

LOS ANGELES — The Philippine Christmas season is the longest in the world. In mid-October, Christmas carols, both religious and contemporary, fill the air-waves. Shops in big cities announce the pre-Christmas sale of items that will bring joy to each and every member of the family. Christmas is a time for gifting friends. Thus, much thought is given so that the receiver of a gift may find that there is a bigger message behind the gift. That message connects them to our Lord Jesus Christ as the best gift ever. In the Philippines, Christmas is the most celebrated time of the year. People set aside their differences and focus on the goodness of every person. In the midst of challenges and sufferings, people try to make peace with themselves, They become other-centered. By the first week of December, paroles (Christmas paper lanterns) make their grand appearance. Soon, they are seen in every window, in cars and jeepneys. Lantern contests are held everywhere, adding to the light and color of a city decorated for a joyful Christmas. “As we come to closer to Christmas, I would like to reflect on how my family will celebrate this year. I often think that challenges come to make us strong in the midst of a world that is filled with sorrow. Every time I turn on the television and listen to commentators, I feel exhausted emotionally at the end of a segment for there is always news of doom and gloom”, says Justine Bugarin, an international business student. “The only way we can face negativity is to simply choose what is joyful and life-giving and what is a better way to fight negativity is to focus on goodness of God,” she continues. “Our goal is to reach out to as many faith communities as possible for this show is about our cus-

toms and tradition that enrich our lives; that defines us as a people, We truly appreciate the generosity of Filipinos who care about others and take time to be a support for one another. Each one of us is a piece that completes a beautiful puzzle. What can be a better expression of such beauty is through making our cultural tradition visible and experienced,” says Carol Evangelista, acting president of the Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups. She continues, “We have a mission to evangelize by using our God-given gifts and we are accommodated by many talented artists.” As Advent season approaches, the Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups will bring Christmas in the Philippines through a music and dance presentation of “PASKO NA NAMAN 2/ Salo-salo at Pagdiriwang!” on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale, CA 91208. The show will start with “Panunuluyan” which will show the journey of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph searching for an inn to stay prior to the Birth of Our Lord. Main performers include: Monique Magpayo, Kurt Winterhalter, Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, Rondalla Club of Los Angeles and St Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Choir. A surprise number will be presented as well. Ticket price: $45 per person which include a show, merienda, and a raffle. The show promises to be fun and is family-oriented. Come and join us! Part of proceeds will go to Channel of Charity, feeding programs in Bataan and Manila, St. John Seminary Immersion Program and FFRG projects. For ticket and souvenir program information, please call Tess Domingo at (909) 855-2208 or Carol Evangelista at (909) 969-2216. (Contributed by Jo Solomonson). n

OH HAPPY DAY! Friends and family gathered together for a bridal shower for Meryl A. Maglaya on October 7, 2017 at the hip Alcove Café & Bakery in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. The event was just 36 days from Meryl and fiancé Tony Phay’s BIG DAY on November 12, 2017. The bridal shower was highlighted by tons of laughter and gobs of fun with games and prizes, great food superbly presented, cozy ambience, tasteful themed decor and wonderful company, organized by her closest friend, Christine Academia of Pasadena and ably assisted by Meryl’s sister-in-law, Elia Ortiz Maglaya of San Antonio, Texas. n

In the photo from left to right: Nancy Lu, Linh Chu-Alindogan, Amy Ip, Chan Cao, Rhoda Lorica, Kelly Ann Pepin, Desiree Ramirez, Nikki Ramirez, Cheryl Abejero, Christine Academia (Maid of Honor), Olga Galano, an aunt visiting from the Philippines, Meryl Beatrice Maglaya (Bride), Kathleen Ju, Beverly Schneider, Evelyn Jovellana, Tricia Jovellana, Monette Adeva Maglaya, Mother of the Bride and Denise Creencia.

The guys made an appearance. Another photo of the bridal shower, from left to right: Christine Academia, Maid of Honor, herself walking down the aisle in early December, Meryl Maglaya (Bride), Ren Maglaya (brother of the bride and groomsman), Elia Maglaya (Matron of Honor), Tony Phay (Groom) and Giane Reyes (Best Man). Giane will be a groom himself as he and Christine Academia tie the knot. Yes, it is one cozy and tight grouping of best buddies! Can anything be more serendipitous?

Some of the most important people in Meryl and Tony’s lives include: Top Row - Left to right: cousin, Tricia Jovellana, best friend, Christine Academia, Meryl Maglaya and another cousin, Denise Creencia. Bottom row, left to right: Elia Maglaya, Beverly Schneider and cousin, Katrina Bataclan. These comprise the bride’s tribe who will be standing behind the bride when she ties the knot with Tony Phay on November 12, 2017.

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& Extension requests to be

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ

thoroughly reviewed, despite prior petition approval

SINCE about 2004, USCIS had a policy that if an initial H-1B petition was approved, and the alien later applied for an extension, the officer adjudicating the extension was to show deference (respect for another person because of that person’s knowledge, experience, etc.), except in the limited circumstances where the officer processing the extension determined there was a “material error”, substantial change in circumstances, or there is new material information that would adversely impact the petitioner or beneficiary’s eligibility. In other words, if an H-1B petition had already been approved, ordinarily the extension should likewise be approved. However, on October 23, 2017, USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum rescinding (or canceling) that 2004 policy of requiring officers to defer to prior determinations in petitions for extensions of nonimmigrant status. Instead, for any extension request “adjudicators must, in all cases, thoroughly review the petition and supporting evidence to determine eligibility for the benefits sought.” Prior approval

of a petition should not be taken at face value, but instead the officer adjudicating the extension should thoroughly review the entire case and make his or her own independent determination of eligibility. Many people obtained approval of their non-immigrant H-1B (or L-1) petitions, and think that they will receive an automatic extension because “nothing has changed”. The officer will just rubber-stamp the extension. However, this new memo makes it clear that the prior approval of the petition does not automatically mean the extension will be approved. Maybe the first officer overlooked something. Maybe there have been changes in employment, or the person was not being paid the wage listed on the initial petition. Maybe the person worked for a different employer (or moonlighted) without proper work authorization for that second job. All of these items could affect a person’s eligibility for their working status and affect the approval of an extension. Therefore, if you have an H-1B visa that is expiring, you should

consult with an attorney who can advise and assist you in filing the extension, to make sure you meet all eligibility requirements, since under the Trump administration, USCIS will thoroughly review and investigate that extension request. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Jack Ma keen on pushing e-commerce in PH by MARY

GRACE Philstar.com

PADIN

of Finance. In a statement, Finance SecreMANILA — Chinese business tary Carlos Dominguez said the tycoon and Alibaba founder Jack DOF and the Bangko Sentral ng Ma is keen on assisting the Philip- Pilipinas (BSP) are set to meet Ma pine government in ensuring an in China next year to discuss more “enabling” regulatory environ- extensively ways to develop a ment for e-commerce in the coun- good financial regulatory environtry, according to the Department ment that would spur the growth

of e-commerce in the Philippines and empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “We are planning to visit him. He invited us to have further discussions in China. We will visit him probably in January with central bank (officials). We’ll review PAGE D2

Business Quote of the Week “Trust the young people; trust this generation’s innovation. They’re making things, changing innovation every day. And all the consumers are the same: they want new things, they want cheap things, they want good things, they want unique things. If we can create these kind of things for consumers, they will come.” — Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group

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VP of Player Development promoted to chief Philippine economy likely grew faster in Q3 marketing officer at Pechanga Resort & Casino by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

California’s largest resort/casino, Pechanga resort & Casino, has just named Bill anderson its chief marketing officer. Bill will be responsible for overseeing all marketing divisions and player development. He will now oversee a total of 165 team members. Bill anderson is a 27-year casino veteran with over 21 years of VP/Director experience in casino marketing. He started working at Pechanga in 2011 as the director of player development and has quickly worked his way up due to the outstanding growth of ViP and asian market guests brought in under his leadership. He also tremendously increased the satisfaction of his team internally as well as led the player development division to receive the best customer service results they’ve ever seen. Bill has held several casino positions, predominantly in leadership, with some of the most prestigious properties across the country. “Bill’s proven ability to take a vision from the concept stage and develop it into a plan and reality will help Pechanga to continue our proud history of innovation and success,” said General Manager lee Torres. “We are excited with the direction Bill is taking this new combined marketing division and can’t wait to see how these divisions will evolve as our resort expansion nears completion.” Pechanga is currently under a $285 million resort expansion

Bill Anderson – New Chief Marketing Officer at Pechanga Resort & Casino

set to open at the end of this year. it includes the addition of 568 rooms and suites, 70,000 additional square feet of event space, a luxury, two-story spa and salon, a 4 ½ -acre resort pool complex, and two new restaurants. Pechanga recently celebrated the grand opening of the brand new 2,400-space parking garage featuring 44 electric vehicle charging stations and three Tesla superchargers, marking the completion of the first phase of the expansion. Enough solar to power 100 homes along with a moving sidewalk to the casino entrance will be added to the new East Parking Garage this

fall. With the new and enhanced features and amenities, marketing will be crucial to the resort/ casino’s success, reinforcing Bill’s new position as the leader of the marketing division. Bill graduated from the University of nevada, with a degree in business management and a second major in casino management. His hobbies include golfing, gardening, watching arsenal soccer, and raising ducks and quail. Pechanga resort & Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experience anywhere in the United states. rated a four Diamond property by aaa since 2002, Pechanga resort & Casino provides an unparalleled getaway. offering more than 3,000 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of luiseño indians. for more information, call toll free 1-888-PECHanGa or visit www.Pechanga.com. follow Pechanga resort & Casino on facebook and on Twitter @ PechangaCasino. Pechanga resort & Casino is open 24-hours. Guests must be 21 and older to enter the casino.

(Advertising Supplement)

Padin

Manila — The economy likely grew faster in the third quarter on the back of strong exports, agricultural production and investments, the national Economic and Development authority (nEDa) said on Thursday, november 2. in an interview with reporters, socioeconomic Planning secretary Ernesto Pernia said the economy likely grew at a faster rate in the third quarter compared with the expansion recorded in the first two quarters. “a faster growth than first Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia Philstar.com photo quarter and second quarter is

something probably easier to say,” Pernia said on the sidelines of the Ease of Doing Business press conference in Makati on Thursday. The economy grew 6.4 percent and 6.5 percent in the first and second quarter, respectively. Meanwhile, agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier said he expects agriculture growth in the third quarter to be almost at same level as the second quarter. The agriculture sector grew 6.18 percent in the second quarter. Earlier, Pernia said the Philippines may not attain the upper limit of its economic growth target for 2017.

Philippine manufacturing recovers in October, leads growth in ASEAN by czeriza

Valencia Philstar.com

Manila — The local manufacturing sector recovered strongly in october after two months of marginal growth to lead the asEan region anew, according to the latest reading of the nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ index (PMi). The nikkei Philippine Manufacturing PMi rose to 53.7 in october from 50.8 in september, reflecting a pickup in the improvement of business conditions as a reading below 50 indicates worsening business conditions. iHs Markit, the firm that collected data for the index, said local manufacturers recorded faster increases in new orders,

prompting them to hike purchases of input and hire new workers to fulfill orders. Export sales grew moderately, leaving domestic demand the key source of growth. Matching the pickup in new orders, firms raised production volumes at the fastest rate since June, said iHs Markit. Manufacturers, however, continued to feel the pinch of cost inflation because of the weakness of the peso. Materials such as paper, fuel, and industrial metals were particularly expensive. To protect their margins, firms once again hiked selling prices. “after two months of marginal growth, there was a flurry of activity in the Philippines manufacturing sector at the start of the fourth quarter. Demand for filipino manufactured goods strengthened noticeably, with order book growth picking up to a five-month high. Greater demand lifted production volumes, which in turn prompted firms to hire more workers,” said iHs Markit economist Bernard aw. “further weakening of the peso poses a problem for manufacturers, especially those that rely on imported inputs for production. input cost inflation picked up sharply, which led firms to raise prices in order to preserve profit margins. Charges for filipino goods increased at the fastest rate on record. This signals that inflationary pressures are building in the Philippines, suggesting

that consumer inflation may trend above BsP’s inflation expectations. That will compel the central bank to consider tightening monetary policy as early as this year,” he added. Manufacturing conditions in asEan improved slightly in october as export sales rose at a faster pace. The headline nikkei asEan Manufacturing PMi rose slightly to 50.4 in october from 50.3 in september. Expansions on output and new orders were key drivers of the latest upturn. Most of the countries covered by the survey registered improvement in business conditions: Philippines, Vietnam, singapore, Myanmar, and indonesia. Manufacturing conditions in Thailand and Malaysia, meanwhile, slid to contraction territory. “PMi data indicated that strengthening demand from abroad was a key source of growth for the sector, contributing to a further rise in overall new business,” said aw. “asEan goods producers continued to face supply chain delays amid reports of raw material shortages rather than overwhelming demand. This raises concerns that further delays may impact future output. a side effect of supply chain pressures was higher prices. input cost inflation across the region remained sharp, driven also by weaker exchange rates and rising global commodity prices,” he added.

Jollibee shuts down China hotpot business by doris

duMlao-abadilla Inquirer.net

fasT-fooD giant Jollibee foods Corp. has shut down its hotpot dining business under the 12 sabu brand in mainland China, mostly to focus on its bigger brands in this part of the world. 12 Hotpot (shanghai) food and Beverage Management Co. ltd. — which was 48-percent owned by JfC — operated 16 stores under the 12 sabu brand, mostly in the shanghai area. This initiative continued the streamlining of JfC’s businesses in China, following its divestment of the 72-store noodle

restaurant chain san Pin Wang business at end-2016. “JfC will focus on building its larger and fast-growing businesses in China and other parts of the world,” the company disclosed to the Philippine stock Exchange on Thursday, november 2. The filipino fast-food operator’s flagship business in China is noodle house chain Yonghe King, one of the most wellknown non-Western restaurant chains in China. There are 305 stores under this business. JfC also owns congee restaurant chain Hong Zhuang Yuan with 44 stores and Dunkin Donuts with 18 stores.

Alibaba founder Jack Ma visited President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañang last Oct. 25.The Chinese billionaire was in the Philippines for a series of talks and to promote a mobile payment system. Malacañang photo

Jack Ma keen on pushing... PAGE D1 the regulatory environment here so that we don’t have regulations that choke the growth of e-commerce,” Dominguez said. Ma, during a recent meeting with Philippine officials, said he wants to assist in developing a digital market in the Philippines in order to create a “cashless” society and connect the country’s e-commerce platform to other markets, such as China, Europe and others countries. Ma also informed Dominguez that he intends to invest in the Philippines in the next five years, most likely in the service industry. “The Philippines has the best service and has the heart to become a key player in the industry,” Ma said. Dominguez said Ma also informed him about his “3-1-0”

initiative. Under the scheme, start-ups and budding entrepreneurs in China can borrow up to $5,000 online in a matter of minutes — three minutes to process the loan, one minute to transfer the money to the borrower’s bank account, all done with zero human contact. The finance chief said such innovations, along with measures to build a strong logistics backbone, are now being studied by the Dof to prepare MsMEs for a shift to e-commerce. in December 2015, the BsP and industry stakeholders jointly launched the national retail Payment system to create a safe, efficient and reliable electronic retail payment system in the country. “We must look at our (financial) regulations and ensure that it will not stymie the growth of our MsMEs,” Dominguez said.

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PH gov’t policies still Cebu Pacific has no plans to launch flights to US mainland worry EU businesses by reicelene Joy ignacio ManilaTimes.net

by richmonD

mercurio Philstar.com

mAnILA — Challenges in the country’s business climate continue to hound european companies in the Philippines, with some of the current administration’s policies seen as more worrying bottlenecks in the past year. In a recent assessment of its 2016 recommendations, the eUPhilippines Business network (ePBn) cited little progress or no action by the government toward achieving some of the group’s recommended policy reforms in the areas of competitive business environment, trade facilitation, tourism and healthcare. “Despite the efforts of the administration in promoting the Philippines as a safe destination, security concerns persist,” the ePBn said regarding its call to improve security at major tourism destinations in the country. the group said the weak enforcement of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act was also not helping the country’s business environment. It added that despite the positive reforms carried out by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the technical assistance program from the eU in support of better regulation and anti-counterfeit enforcement, cases of unregistered and fake medicines continue to increase. As far as intellectual property rights (IPR) protection is concerned, the ePBn said “while IPOPhil has moved to allow recognition and registration of geographical indicators, there is still no specific legislative or executive framework to establish their protection.” the ePBn said there has also been no progress in its recommendation to remove non-tariff barriers to trade in line with AseAn economic integration. “the AtA Carnet Convention was not applied in the tariff and Customs Code. Import restrictions and licenses under the tariff and Customs Code of 1978 Decree 1464 said imports of corn, rice and other products are restricted. the Philippines’

WtO waiver for rice imports already expired in June 30, 2017, while fish products may be imported only when the import is certified as necessary by the Department of Agriculture in observance of its food security policy,” the ePBn said. meanwhile, the group also identified “retrogressions” in some of its policy recommendations last year, particularly those in the sectors of energy and food and beverage. “the current administration has abandoned the 30-30-30-10 energy mix policy in favor of a 70-20-10 formula,” the ePBn said, referring to its recommendation last year to enforce a sustainable energy mix policy and review existing licenses for planned coal projects. the group said there is also a lack of interest in the new administration to approve additional installation targets for renewable energy. In addressing inefficiencies in the certificate of product registration process to facilitate product registration, the ePBn said its Food and Beverage Committee members have reported significant delays in the e-registration process with the FDA despite the computerization of the registration process. For its call to reduce the excise tax on champagne and sparkling wines, the group said the opposite is happening as excise tax is increased every year. “the Philippines has the opportunity to attract foreign companies that are willing to invest in southeast Asia. However, substantial reforms are needed in order to provide for the creation of a more competitive business environment that includes a level playing field and an appealing incentive scheme for foreign investors. Further reforms conducive to the ease of doing business in the country will contribute as well to create an attractive destination for foreign investment,” the ePBn said. the ePBn is a project cofunded by the european Union and implemented by a consortium of european business organizations based in the Philippines.

Cebu Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer Lance Gokongwei

Philstar.com photo

LOW-COst carrier Cebu Pacific said it had no immediate plans to launch direct flights to the U.s. mainland but was looking to tap the underserved market of India. “We have no immediate plans to fly to the U.s. mainland at this point. At least right now, we do fly to the territory of Guam,” Cebu Pacific President and Chief executive Officer Lance Gokongwei said in a chance interview. According to Gokongwei, they would need new aircraft if they decide to do direct flights to the U.s. mainland. However, he said the chances are higher that the company would launch flights to the U.s. than to europe. “there are no plans for eu-

rope. there is more chance for U.s. than europe,” Gokongwei said. Alexander Lao, president of Cebu Pacific subsidiary Cebgo, said the airline is seeking the reallocation of some entitlements to be able to operate flights to India. Currently, Cebu Pacific flights between the Philippines and India are connected via singapore. “the entitlements for India are limited so we assigned it to another carrier,” according to Lao. “We are seeking for reallocation of some entitlements,” he said. Gokongwei noted that air talks with Hong Kong and Indonesia are about to start soon and added: “We’d like more entitlements for most destinations but with these two particular routes, there’s already a pressing demand for more entitlements.”

Investment professionals urged to be more sensitive to needs of clients, communities by Doris

Dumlao-abaDilla Inquirer.net

Investment professionals must rethink their business models and fee structures to become more sensitive to the needs of investors especially in a period of slow global growth and relatively lower investment yields, a top official of CFA Institute said. In a speech delivered during the 20th anniversary of the CFA Chartered Financial Analyst society of the Philippines, CFA Institute managing director for Asia-Pacific nick Pollard reminded CFA charterholders that the CFA title was “more than just a designation.” He said it was also a commitment to align to the highest standards of investment knowledge, competence, professionalism and ethics. Best outcome Pollard urged CFA charterholders to dedicate themselves to the best outcome for clients but also work to serve for a greater purpose and the future of the profession and society at large. “Our profession is at an inflection,” Pollard said, noting some skepticism on how much value investment professionals could provide and how trustworthy they were. “Our challenge is to reclaim that trust and in doing so, we need to raise the professionalism of our

industry to a much higher level.” As such, Pollard said CFA Institute was focused, among others, on revising business models. “even after the (U.s.-led global) recession, even in this era of slow growth, investment professionals still enjoy high operating margins, so it’s no wonder that investors question the value we deliver, the fees that we charge,” Pollard said. Fair compensation more than just making a good living for themselves, Pollard said the investment profession would need people who were driven to serve, help clients reach their investment goals and ultimately make a difference in local communities and capital markets. “While we believe in fair compensation, we need people who are driven by purpose, rather than just by money,” he said. Likewise part of the roadmap to earn back trust is to be an advocate for candor and transparency, being honest about clients’ investment outcomes and prospects “even when it’s hard news to deliver,” he said. this will also require taking a clear stand against products and services that put investors at a disadvantage, Pollard said. Furthermore, Pollard said advocating transparency meant sitting at a table with regulators everywhere. “As a profession,

Trade Secretary and National Competitiveness Council chair Ramon Lopez

we must earn the right to drive the regulatory agenda and help protect investors… by doing so we reestablish the trust that’s so essential for the future of our business.” Pollard also urged CFA charterholders to recruit to this profession “the right kind of people” and change the demographics like how diversification was a core investment principle. If investment professionals would hire and collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds— such as in terms of gender, ethnicity and culture— Pollard said this would enhance and improve performance, in turn attracting new clients.

Inquirer.net photo

Poor track record He added that the investment management industry had a poor track record in attracting women but noted that in Asia, this trend was starting to be reversed. Pollard said new technologies provided an opportunity to expand the market for investment professionals. “We must complement and harness, not fight against these because our business is truly about people and relationships and no online platform can provide the value that you can,” he said. “technology can help you serve your client more efficiently.”

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Overseas Filipino Bank to start operations on Jan. 2, 2018

During a roundtable forum with reporters, ADB officials and economists said the government is now working harder to eliminate bottlenecks in project approval and preparation. Philstar.com file photo

ADB lauds reforms in infrastructure project preparation, approval in PH by Czeriza

ValenCia Philstar.com

MANILA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said the Duterte administration is sending a positive signal to development partners through recent reforms made in streamlining the approvals and project preparation for flagship infrastructure projects. During a roundtable forum with reporters, ADB officials and economists said the government is now working harder to eliminate bottlenecks in project approval and preparation. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) announced last week the creation of the Project Facilitation, Monitoring, and Innovation (PFMI) Task Force composed of major economic and infrastructure agencies that will institute policies and processes to address issues in the project cycle of key infrastructure projects. The PFMI Task Force’s Steering Committee consists of NEDA as chair, the Department of Finance as co-chair, Department of Budget and Management, Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. NEDA is also discussing with

EMPLOYMENT

oversight and key implementing agencies the enhancement of the NEDA Board and Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) Project Screening Guidelines. President Duterte also recently issued Administrative Order 8 that rationalizes the composition of the NEDA Board and the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) to streamline the decision-making process. As many as 11 agencies were removed from the board now only composed of the President as chair, socioeconomic planning secretary as vice-chair, and as members the executive secretary, cabinet secretary, secretaries of budget, finance, public works and highways, trade and industry, transportation, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority, and deputy governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The ICC was likewise reconstituted and will be composed only of the finance secretary as chair, socioeconomic planning secretary as co-chair, and as members the executive secretary, cabinet secretary, budget and management secretary, energy secretary, trade and industry secretary and the BSP governor. The NEDA Board is the highest policy-making and coordinating body of the executive branch.

ADB principal country specialist Joven Balbosa said the recent reforms would have a substantial impact on project preparation as it would address various issues affecting project planning and programming. “Even during the project preparation, the thinking process has started in the government. They’ve already organized themselves into a multi-agency that helps facilitate the preparation, identification and moving forward of projects, making it faster but not sacrificing the quality of those proposals,” he said. ADB country director for the Philippines Richard Bolt said this shows commitment on the part of the government that it is serious about pursuing its ambitious infrastructure and rural development agenda. “The government is working pretty hard this year. Right from the outset, even before the administration came in, they were already reaching out for ideas on how they can implement their 10-point agenda. So the level of engagement we’ve had with this administration is outstanding. That shows they are serious about development. Approvals are actually faster. They are pushing themselves hard to look for ways to do things faster,” he said.

EMPLOYMENT

MANILA - The proposed bank targeted for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) will commence operations on Jan. 2, 2018. Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) president and CEO Alex Buenaventura, in an interview by PNA Friday, said they resubmitted to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday, Nov. 2 their application to acquire Postal Bank. He said he was able to talk with BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. and was given an assurance that the policy-making Monetary Board (MB) “will fast track the approval before the year ends.” Landbank is seeking the Board’s approval for the pro-

posed Overseas Filipino Bank’s PHP1 billion authorized capital, PHP700 million of which will be classified into common shares while the balance of PHP300 million will be preferred shares. Buenaventura said the MB approval is needed for the OFW Bank to forward to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the proposed amendments of its Article of Incorporation and By-laws. He, however, said that sans the SEC approval the OF Bank can start its operations. “The amendment is not a prerequisite for the Overseas Filipino Bank,” he said. While operations will start on January 2 next year, Buenaven-

tura said formal launching will be held in April of the same year. President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed on Sept. 28, 2017 Executive Order (EO) 44, directing the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) to transfer their Postalbank shares to the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) at zero value. Under the EO, Landbank was ordered to ensure the capitalization of Overseas Filipino Bank, which will be headed by Landbank’s chairperson. Postalbank officials who will be affected by this transfer will be offered an early retirement incentive plan. (Joann Villanueva/PNA)

Peso gains vs. US dollar; PSEi ends 4-day rally MANILA - The Philippine peso finished the week 21 centavos higher against the U.S. dollar while the Philippine Stock Exchange index ended its four-day rally. The local currency ended the week at 51.21 from 51.42 on Thursday, Nov. 2, which a trader partly traced to investors appreciation for the nomination of Federal Reserve Board member Jerome H. Powell as successor of Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, whose term will end in February 2018. It opened the day at 51.36, a big improvement from the 51.58

a day ago. It traded between its opening level and 51.14, resulting to an average of 51.27. A total of USD690.2 million changed hands, up from the USD562.4 million on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Traders expect the currency pair to trade between 51.20 and 51.50 next week. On the other hand, the PSEi shed 1.64, or 139.89 points, to 8,376.13 points. Most of the other indices followed with the broader All Shares down by 1.17 percent, or 58.07

points to 4,898.90 points. Biggest drop among the sectors was posted by the Holding Firms after it declined by 2.12 percent followed by Services, 2.02 percent; Financials, 1.37 percent; Industrial, 1.00 percent; and Property, 0.29 percent. Only the Mining and Oil ended with gains after it rose 0.60 percent. Volume totaled to 1.03 billion shares amounting to PHP9.79 billion. Losers led gainers at 108 to 77 while 58 shares were unchanged. (Joann Villanueva/PNA)

Right man, computerization keys to solving corruption in PH Customs MANILA — Business groups are supporting President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to reject a proposal of his allies in the House of Representatives to take over the helm of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), saying that corruption in the agency will not be the addressed even with the nation’s top official in charge. For local and foreign business groups, fully computerizing the BOC remains the best chance of ridding the agency of graft. “We do not believe granting emergency powers is required nor recommended to address the reported issues at the Bureau of Customs. We also do not believe the President should be charged with operational responsibil-

ity for a specific department of government,” Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines president Bo Lundqvist told The Star. Lundqvist said competent leadership for the BOC could be found in the rich pool of talent in either the current or past administrations, or from the private sector. “The new leadership must be given a clear mandate and authority to reform the agency from ground up according to international standards, with transparency and accountability as the prime hallmarks of operation,” he said. Lundqvist said adopting internationally accepted and auditable standards in all processes at the BOC is the first step toward the

removal of red tape, graft and corruption. To enforce compliance, he said the agency must be fully computerized, including 100 percent electronic submission of all documents and declarations to Customs. “Furthermore, we recommend mandatory pre-shipment inspections of cargo at origin by recognized and certified inspection bureaus,” he said. The call for full computerization in the BOC is likewise supported by the country’s largest business organization, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), which called it as “a must and a priority” to take away graft in the agency. (Richmond Mercurio/Philstar.com)

EMPLOYMENT

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