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From the Front Page
CDC approves COVID-19 boosters... PAGE 1 and Moderna to clear the booster doses for all fully vaccinated adults 18 and older. “Authorizing the use of a single booster dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older helps to provide continued protection against COVID-19, including the serious consequences that can
occur, such as hospitalization and death,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock. According to the FDA, streamlining the eligibility criteria and making booster doses available to all adults “will also help to eliminate confusion about who may receive a booster dose and ensure booster doses are available to all who may need
one.” In October, the CDC and FDA approved the mixing and matching of booster shots, allowing vaccinated adults to get a different brand as a booster than was used for an initial vaccination. Based on the latest numbers from the CDC, more than 35 million people in the U.S. have received a booster shot. n
US eyes reinforced defense ties... PAGE 1
Last November 16, three Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannon to turn back two civilian boats resupplying Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Philippine Navy ship in the Ayungin Shoal that has been converted into a Philippine Marines outpost. Price agreed that the actions of the Chinese vessels directly threatened peace and stability in the region and infringed on the freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law. Lacson, chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation said diplomacy must still reign in dealing with issues concerning the WPS. Citing his own observations following his visit to Pag-asa Island over the weekend, he said one of the best ways for the Philippines to defend its territorial integrity is to create a “balance of power” in the region. The Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer recognizes that China is a force to reckon with in terms of its military might and economic influence. “A direct confrontation, therefore, would only put our country at the losing end so we need to build a strong alliance with other nations that could rival China’s strength,” Lacson said. By aligning with other nations that support freedom of navigation in the disputed waters, he believes the country could deter China from bullying its weaker neighbors, which are trying to maintain maritime rights in their own exclusive
economic zones (EEZs). Lacson indicated plans to increase the defensive capabilities of Philippine troops guarding outlying islands and territorial waters, as well as providing livelihood, housing and education to Pag-asa residents. With Lacson were Partido Reporma president and former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, secretary general and Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib, senatorial candidate and former Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, spokesperson Ashley Acedillo, and former Interior Secretary and National Unity Party chairman Ronaldo Puno. In an online message to reporters on Sunday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said China has no right to harass Filipino ships within the country’s EEZ. Lorenzana and Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Andres Centino ordered the resumption of resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the action of the Chinese coast guard vessels, saying the Philippine boats “trespassed” Chinese waters. Zhao Lijian, the ministry’s spokesman, said the coast guard ships “performed official duties in accordance with the law and upheld China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime order.” Lorenzana stressed it was China who has been violating the Philippines’ sovereign rights. He said the 200-nautical-mile EEZ was established by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
China was among the nations that ratified the Unclos, Lorenzana said. “Therefore, they have no right to impede, prevent or harass our ships within our EEZ whether we are fishing or bringing supplies to our detachment in [BRP] Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” he said. He said he has been in talks with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian since the night of November 16, when the incident transpired until November 20. He said Huang had assured him the Chinese “will not interfere” with supply missions to Ayungin Shoal. “We will see if they are true to their word as our navy will proceed with the resupply this week,” Lorenzana said. Vice Admiral Ramil Roberto Enriquez, commander of the military’s Western Command which covers the West Philippine Sea, said the supply boats involved in the incident were still under repair after incurring damage. Even after the repairs are completed, the boats still have to undergo sea trials before being deployed again, Enriquez said. He said bigger ships from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources cannot be used for supply missions because of the shallow approaches to Ayungin Shoal. “One wrong move can lead to the ship running aground,” he said. “What I want to assure our fellow Filipinos is that we will not stop securing our seas,” Enriquez said. n
PARU-PARO FEST. Colorful butterfly lanterns adorn the light posts along Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Sunday, November 21. The city will celebrate its founding anniversary on November 26 with the staging of the Paru-Paro Festival to symbolize the city’s transformation through the years. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
DOJ: No special treatment for... PAGE 1 “If granted, and the judgment (of the Philippine court) became final, the respondent (Quiboloy) may then be physically turned over to the requesting state for further legal proceedings,” he added. Last week, U.S. prosecutors charged Quiboloy and two other top church officials for participating in a conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. In a 74-page indictment, the three church leaders were alleged to have recruited females ranging from approximately 12 to 25 years of age to work as personal
assistants or “pastorals” for Quiboloy. “The victims prepared Quiboloy’s meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages, and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called ‘night duty,’” it added. Five females allegedly fell victim to this, three of whom were minors when the supposed sex trafficking began. For its part, the camp of Quiboloy maintained that their leader and his church, the Philippine-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC), will not be
brought down over the issue. “People may have tried to silence Pastor Quiboloy, but they cannot put down the Kingdom nation. They will never detract from the mission and the ministry of The Kingdom. It will never stop. It will go on forever,” Quiboloy’s camp said in a statement on Friday, Nov. 19. “We are confident and ready to face whatever is hurled against Pastor Quiboloy and the Kingdom leaders. We trust the process of justice and we certainly expect the truth to prevail, and the Kingdom ministry will continue to prosper,” it added. n
Lawyer defending Apollo Quiboloy confident... PAGE 1 always triumphs over evil,” the KJC said.?The religious group, now with churches around the world, started in 1985 with only 15 members. The KJC believes that the people who hurled accusations against Quiboloy in California are the same people trying to drag Quiboloy into the case in Hawaii, where its leader Salinas was charged with currency smuggling. The U.S. District Court of Hawaii dismissed the case
against Salinas and reduced her sentence to about a month’s detention and a small fine for allegedly lying about a suitcase with hidden cash found in Quiboloy’s plane flying back to the Philippines in 2018. In a related development, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra told reporters in a Viber message that the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) will perform its mandate under the law, regardless of the persons
involved in the case. “We have an existing extradition treaty with the US. We also have an existing agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters with that country,” Guevarra said when asked if they received an extradition request from their US counterpart. He said that in the event their US counterpart requests for Quiboloy’s extradition, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) would step in. n
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COVID-19 vaccine-or-test requirements increase work and costs for governments by AmAndA
michelle Gomez And Phil GAlewitz Kaiser Health News
MORE TIME OUTDOORS. A girl poses at a Christmas display inside a mall in Quezon City on Sunday, November 21. As quarantine restrictions have been relaxed in Metro Manila, children get to enjoy more time outside their homes so long as they continue to adhere to the health protocols. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Attorney General Bonta co-leads multistate... PAGE 1
deportation and extended work authorization to approximately 825,000 individuals who grew up in this country, most of whom have known no home other than the United States. California is home to more DACA recipients than any other state in the country. “From defending DACA in court to supporting new federal efforts to fortify it, California will continue to lead the way in standing up for our nation’s Dreamers,” said Bonta. “DACA is critical, it is needed, and it’s important we get these updated regulations done. DACA recipients — many of whom are on the front lines of this pandemic — deserve to have peace of mind about their status. Bottom line: For hundreds of thousands of Dreamers across the country, home is here. They continue to show up for our communities and we’re going to keep showing up for them.” The DACA program has allowed recipients to live, study, and work across the United States free from the fear of being forcibly separated from their families and communities. DACA has enabled hundreds of thousands of grantees to enroll in colleges and universities, complete their education, start businesses that help improve
our economy, and give back to our communities as teachers, medical professionals, engineers, and entrepreneurs — all on the books. These contributions became especially evident as the deadly coronavirus pandemic began to sweep through the nation and thousands of DACA recipients stood, and continue to stand, on the frontlines as essential workers. As of April 2020, an estimated 27,000 healthcare workers and support staff depend on DACA for their authorization to work in the United States, including nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physician assistants, home health aides, technicians, and others. DACA has also advanced public health and societal interests in another way: by giving its recipients the opportunity to procure employerprovided health insurance, which has been particularly critical as the states fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In the comment letter, the coalition asserts, among other things: • DACA has public safety and public health benefits for the states; • The states benefit economically from DACA and DACA recipients; • DACA and DACA recipients are important to the states’ higher education institutions;
Attorney General Rob Bonta
• The states have adopted laws, regulations, and programs in reliance on DACA; and • Opponents of DACA are unable to substantiate any alleged harms. In filing the comment letter, Attorney General Bonta is joined by the attorneys general of New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. n
AMANDA Kostroski, a 911 dispatcher in Madison, Wisconsin, leaves her busy job once a week to go to a county health clinic to be tested for COVID-19. She’s been making the 15-minute drive from work since late September, when Dane County mandated all employees get vaccinated or tested weekly. The testing is free, and she is typically back to work within an hour. Kostroski is among 10% of county employees who are unvaccinated and get weekly tests. She chose not to get immunized because she thinks the vaccines are too new and she fears side effects. Kostroski said she doesn’t understand the need for the shots or why vaccinated people are not tested, since they can sometimes also transmit the virus. “I think it’s pointless,” said Kostroski, 34, who has always tested negative. She’s been told by vaccinated colleagues that they feel burdened filling in for people getting tested. Dane is one of several dozen counties, cities and states that require workers to get a covid vaccine or get tested regularly. While some employees complained about the policy, county officials say, it helps keep the workplace safe with modest interruptions. They also say vaccinated workers don’t need testing because they are less likely to get infected and, if they do, are less likely to contract a severe case of covid. But it has been costly, often requiring governments to use federal covid relief dollars they would rather have spent elsewhere. Some private employers have adopted similar policies. And starting Jan. 4, the Biden administration will require private employers with 100 or more workers to insist on shots or weekly testing. But opposition to those mandates runs deep among some workers, unions and conservative leaders. More than two dozen Republican state attorneys general sued the administration, arguing the federal government lacks the authority. A federal appeals court agreed with them and temporarily blocked the order, and the case might end up
before the Supreme Court. Still, these early efforts by state and local governments offer insights into what Biden’s rule might mean for the wider private sector as companies deal with setting up and paying for testing and then monitoring the results. The regimen adds more work for government managers even in localities like Dane County, where nearly 90% of adults are at least partly vaccinated. Nationally, about 81% of adults are at least partly vaccinated against covid, although rates vary widely among states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jurisdictions run by conservative officials tend to have lower vaccination rates and are unlikely to require vaccinations or testing for workers — meaning experiences to date don’t reflect areas that have had strong opposition to vaccines and other covid requirements. Local and state governments that have embraced the testing option have done so because it straddles the line between creating a safe work environment and giving reluctant employees a way to opt out of the vaccine without losing their job. Blaire Bryant, associate legislative director for health at the National Association of Counties, said, “It’s too early to give a definitive answer on how well it’s going, but so far [we have] not heard any major issues.” Counties are relying on free covid testing in their communities, paying for it through federal covid relief dollars, or having their health insurance companies foot the bill. Local governments have a smorgasbord of policies on who is subject to the vaccine-or-test requirement and how it’s enforced. For example, all unvaccinated employees of San Diego County, California, who do not work in a health care setting need to provide proof of weekly testing to their supervisor, said spokesperson Michael Workman. Miami-Dade County’s policy applies only to nonunion workers, or about 9% of its 29,000 employees. About 380 undergo weekly testing. The Florida county is still negotiating with unions about adding the requirement. Virginia’s Department of Cor-
rections requires unvaccinated employees who work in crowded settings to get tested every three days, and the rest, every seven days. And the expense? It cost the department nearly $7,000 to test 442 staff members over two days in October. The state is tapping federal covid relief funds to pay for the testing. Securing scarce testing supplies can be difficult. The Virginia State Police had to wait more than a month to start a testing program in part because of delays in delivery. While the Biden administration hoped its rule would motivate more people to get vaccinated, counties have had mixed results. Officials in Fairfax County, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C., said they have not seen a significant increase in employees submitting vaccination verification since its mandatory shot policy took effect in October. More than 80% of county employees are vaccinated. The county distributes and pays for self-administered tests for its 2,300 employees who need them, said spokesperson Dawn Nieters. The cost ranges from $35 for a rapid test to $53 for a PCR test, considered the gold standard for detecting covid. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, which includes Charlotte, did see the needle move. Employees there are responsible for getting their own tests. The vaccination rate jumped from 62% to 85% one month after the requirement was implemented in early September. George Dunlap, chairman of Mecklenburg’s Board of County Commissioners, said he prefers the vaccine-or-test requirement to a vaccine-only mandate because “you have to allow for human behavior that might be different than yours.” But he isn’t sure the policy will encourage any more workers to get vaccinated. “The people that I know personally who decided to do the testing are still getting testing. They didn’t change their mind about the vaccination,” he said. Some health experts question the value of testing as a backup and instead favor mandating the shots. PAGE 4
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PH starts rollout of COVID-19 booster shots... PAGE 1
• dialysis patients Those not in the list would be part of the rollout’s second phase, the health official added. But as the country begins giving out booster and third doses, Vergeire stressed the focus should remain on administering the primary series on the unvaccinated. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. has sought to assure that the Philippines’s vaccine stockpile is enough for the two efforts. “We have enough doses of vaccine brands,” he said during the ceremonial booster rollout. “We have allocated six to eight million [doses] for senior citizens and with comorbidities, excluding the 1.6 million we have for health workers.” The Food and Drug Administration has cleared four vaccine brands as booster shots and third doses, namely: Sinovac, Astrazeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna.
WAITING FOR VAX. Adults and teenagers wait for their second dose against COVID-19 at the Commonwealth General Hospital and Medical Center in Fairview, Quezon City on Monday, November 22. As of November 20, the National Task Force against COVID-19 said the Philippines has administered 73,921,542 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with 32,993,083 Filipinos now fully vaccinated. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
There are now 33.57 million Filipinos fully vaccinated for COVID-19, latest data showed. The figure is out of the 77.13 million the government targets
to inoculate this year to meet “population protection.” Some 41.99 million, meanwhile, have received a first dose. n
Why you can’t find cheap at-home COVID... PAGE 3 Experts say the paucity of tests and their high prices undermine efforts in the U.S. to return to normal life. Some experts say the FDA’s approach to clearing rapid tests has been onerous and overly focused on exceptional accuracy to detect positive results, rather than on what would really benefit people en masse: speedy results. The main use of rapid tests is to screen people so they can safely attend work, school, meetings or gatherings. This screening can then be followed up with a more sensitive, lab-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for diagnosis. The FDA has authorized just 12 over-the-counter options for rapid tests. But the problems go beyond that agency: The Biden administration recently put $3 billion toward boosting the supply of rapid tests, but public health and industry experts say the government didn’t move quickly enough early in the pandemic to support development and manufacturing. “Should we have had an equivalent of Operation Warp Speed for testing?” asked Mara Aspinall, a co-founder of life sciences fund BlueStone Venture Partners and a board member for OraSure Technologies, which received FDA authorization for an over-the-counter rapid test. “Absolutely. … For too long, people thought of testing as an extra and not the core, and it needs to be thought of as the core.” During the pandemic, the FDA has received more than 4,500 emergency use authorization and related requests for covid tests, according to FDA spokesperson Jim McKinney. The agency says it is prioritizing reviews of at-home and point-of-care tests that can be produced in high volumes. Two recently authorized tests alone could boost availability by as much as 13 million tests a day, McKinney said, adding that it would “efficiently review the submissions that will have the biggest impact on the nation’s testing needs.” In addition to the slow pace of approvals, manufacturing bottlenecks created by materials and labor shortages are keeping prices high. Prices of rapid tests range from $14 for a two-pack to well over $50 a test, far from affordable for regular use. The FDA says it can’t move more quickly as it balances ensuring that safe and useful devices reach the marketplace with the urgent need to deliver options for widespread daily testing. “The FDA carefully weighs the known and potential risks and … benefits of emergency use authorization for COVID-19 diagnostic tests based on sound science,” McKinney said in response to questions. But he noted many submissions “are incomplete or contain insufficient information.” Startups said navigating the ins and outs of this regulatory apparatus is daunting. E25Bio of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is developing a low-cost antigen test, which detects covid by
identifying proteins called antigens. Since July 2020, the company has repeatedly adjusted its FDA application as the agency updates its recommendations. The requirement that test results be reported directly to federal health authorities has added to delays. “As a smaller company, we didn’t have the capabilities to develop that technology at first,” said Bobby Brooke Herrera, co-founder and chief science officer. E25Bio now has a mobile app that verifies results and sends the anonymized data to public health authorities. Another speed bump: The FDA requires U.S. clinical trials, making the company’s data from Latin America unusable. Herrera hopes to sell the overthe-counter rapid test in the U.S. for less than $5, cheaper than anything currently on the market. Hendrix said Blink Science is considering a different path to FDA approval. Known as de novo, it can be used to bring novel, low-risk medical devices to market. For now, he said, the company is likely to prioritize approval in developing countries where vaccination rates are much lower than in the U.S. Steradian Technologies, which hopes to launch a 30-second breath test, says it was told by regulatory consultants and others who ran into snags in the EUA process that it “might not be worth it” because the agency is so backed up, according to Tra Tran, the company’s director of development and clinical affairs. The FDA’s regular approval process might be the best option. “We don’t have the budget to spend on doing an EUA and then being told, ‘Well, actually you wasted six months and hundreds of thousands of dollars,’” she said. “Only certain people have the capital to be able to afford staying in this FDA regulatory process for forever.” The companies’ view Several public health experts and people in the testing industry said that the Biden administration’s recent moves will help supply but that meeting demand will take time. Australian test-maker Ellume received $232 million in federal funds in February to boost U.S. manufacturing of its rapid athome test, but the company says its new plant in Frederick, Maryland, won’t start production until December. It could eventually manufacture 15 million tests a month. The FDA authorized Ellume’s over-the-counter covid test in December 2020, but the road has been rocky: The company recalled 2.2 million tests in the U.S. because of “higher-thanacceptable false positive” results, the FDA said, and the FDA warned that their use “may cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” All came from Ellume’s Australian facility. IHealth Labs, which received FDA authorization Nov. 5 for a test priced at $14 for a two-pack, says that by January it will be able to make 200 million tests a
month. OraSure aims to make 4 million covid tests a month by January and 8 million a month by June. It plans to scale up to 200 million covid tests annually — but not until 2024. Scott Gleason, OraSure’s interim chief financial officer, said the company faces headwinds at its plant in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. “We’re having some challenges with hiring enough people to work in our factories to meet the demand,” he said. A two-pack has recently retailed between $14 and $24, and that price won’t drop anytime soon, Gleason said. Ellume has faced shortages of swabs, steel for its facility and electronics components for the tests. The view from the FDA The FDA has authorized more than 400 covid tests, including at-home options and those processed by a medical provider or a lab. The FDA is still getting more than 100 EUA submissions for covid tests per month, many from overseas. But, McKinney said, the vast majority are not for the type most needed now: tests for over-the-counter use. The FDA may be reluctant to ease its scrutiny. The pandemic’s first-iteration rapid tests, like Abbott Laboratories’ ID Now, raised safety and accuracy concerns, and the FDA has sent warning letters to at least six companies selling bogus rapid tests and has issued numerous recalls. Separately, the agency put over 260 tests that detect covid antibodies on a “do not use” list. “If we did to antigen tests what happened with antibody tests, we would completely destroy the credibility of the test,” said Aspinall, the venture capitalist. “As frustrating as this is, I have to respect the FDA for ensuring that we continue to have quality tests.” The agency’s review times for covid test EUA applications have improved, according to an assessment by consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. Approvals were generally cleared faster than denials. As of March, the median time for the FDA to grant authorization was seven days and 38 days for denials. When the country isn’t in a national emergency, getting through the FDA’s reviews might take months or years. Nonetheless, the bottlenecks are felt by Americans trying to keep their employees and families safe. LabCentral — a biotech coworking facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that was part of E25Bio’s testing study — requires participating startups to test workers twice a week. That’s a costly safety measure for a nonprofit, said Celina Chang, LabCentral’s vice president, so it recently bought rapid tests from Germany for $1.50 each. “In order to test people twice a week on a regular basis for months on end,” she said, “we need it to be, just the same as anyone, affordable.” (By Rachana Pradhan and Hannah Norman/Kaiser Health News)
COVID-19 vaccine-or-test requirements... PAGE 3 “A vaccine-and/or-testing policy is second best,” said Jeffrey Levi, a professor of health management and policy at George Washington University. “A testing policy catches a problem early. It doesn’t prevent a problem, whereas the vaccination requirement helps to prevent it.” Marc Elrich, the executive in Montgomery County, Maryland, in suburban Washington, supports a vaccine-only mandate in theory but worries imposing it would result in workers leaving for jobs in neighboring jurisdic-
tions without similar requirements. “I wish the federal government would impose a [vaccineonly] mandate, because if the feds were to do it, there wouldn’t be any job portability,” said Elrich. “I wouldn’t have to deal with an employee’s ability to go from, particularly in this region, Montgomery County Police Department to pretty much every other police department around here.” Robb Pitts, who chairs the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in Atlanta, would also like to do away with the testing
option. “But I don’t think my colleagues would necessarily go along with that,” he said. About a third of county employees have opted for testing instead of vaccination. “Why did I compromise? Because I felt, well, we had to do something,” Pitts said. “A lot of times, politics is the art of compromise.” According to Pitts’ office, Fulton County saw its largest increase in vaccinations since May in September, when the vaccineor-test policy was implemented. The vaccination rate now hovers around 72%. n
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DATELINE PHILIPPINES
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PAL reroutes more flights to alternative gateways by Richmond
meRcURio Philstar.com
MANILA — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is rerouting flights to alternative gateways outside Manila to accommodate the high demand this holiday season and prevent greater inconvenience. “We are utilizing new ports of entry to accommodate more returning Filipinos and prevent cancellations of flights due to arrival limit at NAIA,” PAL said. “Our top priority is to help more of you fly home for the holidays,” the airline said. International arrivals to Manila are currently limited to 4,000 passengers daily, which are shared by all international airlines. Given this existing cap at
NAIA, PAL has recently rerouted flights from Bangkok to Panglao, Los Angeles and San Francisco to Cebu, Kuala Lumpur to Laoag, Doha to Subic, and Dubai to Subic, Davao or Cebu, among others. “We realize that any change of routing affects your travel plans and regret the inconvenience. However, we believe this is better than scaling back on flights that would make it harder for Filipinos to proceed with their homecoming plans,” PAL said. “With December just around the corner, we recognize that more and more of you need to find a way to fly home and reunite with your families. With the help of enlightened government intervention to open up alternative airports and liberalize
health and quarantine protocols, we will do our best to adjust our network so that we can fly more people home and support the revival of our local economy,” it said. PAL said passengers whose flights are rerouted to a new gateway may complete their quarantine at their port of entry in any accredited hotel. They can also fly onward to their final booked destination with PAL at no extra cost. “Philippine Airlines welcomes the latest government decision to increase the strict limits on DIFFERENT VAX. Jennifer Alejos (left), a nurse of the Dasmariñas City Health Office, administers free measles, rubella, and tetanus-diphtheria flying overseas passengers into vaccines for children aged six and seven and 12 and 13 at the Molino Homes 2 covered court in Barangay Salitran 3 in Cavite on Saturday, Manila. We continue to appeal November 21. The Department of Health and local governments are spearheading the supplemental immunization activity. PNA photo by Gil Calinga for further increases that will help us add more flights on more routes from Asia, the Middle East, Australia and North America,” the airline said. ■
ICC suspends probe on Duterte drug war
‘There are things I have to do before retiring’- Duterte MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he ditched his plan to retire from politics after his term ends in June next year because there are still goals he wants to achieve. “There are just things that I have to do before retiring. But not really staying for something na (that) it’s no longer our time,” Duterte said in a speech in General Santos City. He did not elaborate what these goals are but reiterated that “there’s always a time for everything.” “A time to be great, a time to be small, a time to be a shining star, but a time to fade and just maghanap ka na lang ng kanto kung saan magkakasya. Ganoon ang tingin namin sa buhay namin (look for a place to fit in. That’s what we think about life),” he added. Duterte said it does not really matter if his administration was remembered for their accomplishments because it is their job to serve the country and people. “We do not really care if we are remembered or not. That’s something na (that’s) irrelevant kasi (because) as I have said trabaho namin ‘yan (it’s our job)
and we are just doing what we are supposed to do,” he said. On October 2, Duterte announced that he will retire from politics. He, however, surprised many when he filed his candidacy for senator via a representative in the 2022 elections. His certificate of candidacy was filed by representative Melchor Aranas during the last day of the filing of statements of withdrawal and substitution at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila on November 15. He substituted a certain Mona Liza Visorde, who withdrew her certificate of candidacy for senator. Duterte, who chairs the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino– Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), is running for senator under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), an allied party of the PDP-Laban. The PDP-Laban earlier planned to field Duterte as vice president with his long-time aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as president. He later withdrew his vice presidential bid in consideration
President Rodrigo Duterte Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante
of public sentiment that his intent to seek the second top post violates the Constitution. He was referring to the June 23 to 26 polls conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), which showed that 60 percent of 1,200 adult Filipinos believed that his vice-presidential run could violate the intention of the Constitution, “which should be amended first before he may run for office again.” (Azer Parrocha/ PNA)
by cAtheRine
VAlente ManilaTimes.net
THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended its investigation into suspected rights abuses committed under President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” following a request from Manila. The Hague-based court in September authorized an inquiry into the campaign that has left thousands of people dead, saying it resembled an illegitimate and systematic attack on civilians. According to court documents, Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Malaya requested a deferral. “The prosecution has temporarily suspended its investigative activities while it assesses the scope and effect of the deferral request,” ICC prosecutor Karim Khan wrote in a court notification dated November 18. He said the prosecution would request additional information from the Philippines. Despite the reprieve, Acting Malacañang spokesman Karlo Alexei Nograles, in a statement, reiterated the Philippine government’s position that the ICC “has no jurisdiction over it.” Nograles clarified that this, however, “does not preclude the government from communicating with the ICC, and it should be
stressed that the government’s communication to the ICC was conditioned on the fact that in making that communication the Philippine government was not waiving its position regarding the ICC’s lack of jurisdiction.” “In any event, we welcome the judiciousness of the new ICC prosecutor, who has deemed it fit to give the matter a fresh look and we trust that the matter will be resolved in favor of the exoneration of our government and the recognition of the vibrancy of our justice system,” Nograles said. Duterte was elected in 2016 on a campaign promise to get rid of the Philippines’ drug problem, openly ordering police to kill drug suspects if officers’ lives were in danger. At least 6,181 people have died in more than 200,000 antidrug operations conducted since July 2016, according to the latest official data released by the Philippines. ICC prosecutors in court papers estimate the figure to be between 12,000 and 30,000 dead. Due process Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate and former senator Antonio Trillanes 4th said the decision was part of “ICC procedure to afford due process to the
Philippine government.” “It is the same due process that was denied to thousands of ordinary Filipinos who were slaughtered in Duterte’s war on drugs,” said Zarate. This is why, Zarate said, “those responsible for this bloody crime against humanity should not rejoice just yet.” In a separate statement, Trillanes said “this is just part of the ICC’s due process to determine if the government’s EJK (extrajudicial killings) investigation is genuine, but we all know that it is not.” Both Zarate and Trillanes are confident that the ICC will eventually see that the Duterte administration’s so-called investigation is but a “complete fraud” and “cover-up.” Trillanes said this was why “in a few months” he expects the ICC to resume its investigation. “Those responsible may have delayed the proceedings now, but they cannot forever avoid the long arms of justice from catching up with them,” Zarate said. Deferral request In his letter requesting a deferral, Ambassador Malaya said the Philippine government was investigating the alleged crimes against humanity committed u PAGE 7
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OPINION
Preventing a resurgence
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FEATURES
AFTER jumping to 2,227 new cases on Sunday, COVID infections again fell below 1,000 yesterday for the first time in a week. The daily tally of 984 did not include data from five laboratories, according to the Department of Health. DOH officials have repeatedly warned the public against complacency as pandemic restrictions are eased to revive the economy in the final quarter of the year and allow people to have some cheer during the Christmas season. In Europe, restrictions are being reimposed in several countries amid a fresh surge in COVID cases attributed to the highly contagious Delta strain and its subvariant that is said to be even more infectious. Beginning Nov. 22, Austria became the first European country to reimpose a full COVID lockdown, with Germany saying it might do the same, sending jitters through financial markets. The Netherlands has been under partial lockdown since Nov. 13. Beginning Feb. 1 next year, vaccination will also be required for all Austrians. Even with new infections slowing in the Philippines, health experts have also pointed out that COVID deaths remain high. Last Sunday, 175 deaths were recorded; 99 were added yesterday, bringing the total
to 45,808. The numbers do not include the people who die after recovering from the illness but suffer from postCOVID complications such as cardiac and respiratory problems. As restrictions on minors are lifted, there is also growing concern about pediatric infections, since most children are not yet vaccinated against COVID. Tracking infection trends, the OCTA Research Group says daily cases could go down to as low as 500 by December, allowing Metro Manila to be eased to the lowest Alert Level 1 – but only if people continue strictly observing COVID safety protocols. Tossing out those protocols is one of the reasons being cited for the resurgence of COVID in Europe. Masking and physical distancing have been junked even as vaccine hesitancy persists in many areas, while efficacy of the jabs has also started waning among the first groups to be inoculated. The world is now seeing the consequences of all these factors. If Filipinos want to avoid a return to lockdowns, there must be no room for complacency. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THANKSGIVING is a very special holiday, very much like Christmas minus the tree and decorations, gift giving, carols, and festive parties. But like Christmas, such love and beauty of the season makes our hearts sing praises of joy and thanksgiving, especially when our family gather together, hold hands in prayer before our Thanksgiving feast, acknowledging the pure solemnity of the moment that we have everything within our reach all that are essential and important — our life, our family, our faith. However, when there are dark clouds hovering over us, when times are so difficult and the pain becomes excruciatingly hard to bear, when the toxicity of lies and deception cause us to be blind to what is real and what is important, when the hurdles of sickness, loneliness, lack cause us to lose hope, it becomes so hard to pray to offer praise and thanksgiving.
Philstar.com photo
Thanksgiving reflections: Offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God even before He answers our prayers It is easy to offer praise and thanksgiving when times are great, when people get along in harmony, when our plans go well, when we get what we want, but what if these are not real in our life? It does not require much faith to praise and thank God when the good times are rolling. But what about in the bad times? This is when the test of our faith comes in. The Bible says “bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 33:11). It is thought provoking why the word “sacrifice” was used in this verse. But this is what God asks of us — to offer praise and thanksgiving even in the midst of our pains, suffering, hopelessness as our sacrifice, because a sacrifice is something that is hard to do , especially under these circumstances. But we do them anyway — to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving because of our
strong faith in God that He will answer our prayers, that He will make everything work together for our good. This Thanksgiving Day, let me share with you some messages of hope that we can hold on to. Whatever it is we are going through as a person, as a family, as a nation, remember to keep the faith that this, too, shall pass. Weeping may endure for the night but joys comes in the morning. God promises beauty for ashes. But let us do our part — pray, believe, offer praise and thanksgiving, and God will reward us. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Phil 4:6 “Being thankful is not always experienced as a natural state of existence, we must work at it, akin to a type of strength training for the heart.” - Larissa Gomez See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another
and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” - Brene Brown “…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” Isaiah 61:3 “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” - Melody Beattie “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Col. 2:7 “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” - Willie Nelson “The Lord is my strength and
my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.” Ps. 28:7 “I looked around and thought about my life. I felt grateful. I noticed every detail. That is the key to time travel. You can only move if you are actually in the moment. You have to be where you are to get to where you need to go.” - Amy Poehler “I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.” Ps. 69:30 “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” - Gilbert K. Chesterton Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. -James 1:2-4 “If you concentrate on find-
ing whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” - Epictetus Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. -Psalm 107:1 Happy blessed meaningful Thanksgiving! *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos. Relos.
BSD: A vision for US-PH relations in the coming decade
Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ OUR two-day meeting with officials of the Pentagon and the Department of State for the 9th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) between the Philippines and the United States went extremely well with our signing of a “Joint Vision Statement for a 21st Century United StatesPhilippines Partnership” that outlines the areas of cooperation that would definitely boost and strengthen our military and economic ties. I have attended three of these dialogues but I must say this is probably the most significant one that will clearly define our relationship with the United States. The US delegation was headed by Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner, along with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Oceans and Inter-
national Environmental and Scientific Affairs Valda VikmanisKeller, Assistant Legal Adviser for the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau Robert Harris and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Craig Hart. I headed the Philippine delegation with Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Asst. Secretary for American Affairs Kira Azucena, along with Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Justice Undersecretary Adrian Ferdinand Sugay, Defense Assistant Secretary Teodoro Cirilo Torralba and experts from the Departments of Agriculture, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Justice, National Defense and Trade and Industry, as well as the Office of the President, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. Our discussions were pretty much straightforward on a wide range of issues that include mutual security and defense, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, maritime issues, emerging common threats such as cybercrimes, transnational crimes
and terrorist networks, trafficking in persons, the pandemic, clean energy, climate change and other mutual concerns. With so many challenges we faced compounded by the pandemic, we at the embassy in Washington, DC had to double up in extensively making the relationship stronger and more stable and, most especially, more meaningful because we are marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 70 years of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. These are the key pillars in our bilateral defense and security relations. Shortly following President Biden’s victory in the Nov. 3 US presidential elections last year, we immediately reached out to Biden’s key advisers so as not to lose time in building our relationship. The BSD is an annual consultative mechanism to discuss the full range of political, security and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the United States and, as I said, this is probably the best of the lot with the joint vision statement clearly cut in terms of the direction where the partnership is headed, and the commitments made by our two coun-
tries given the changing geopolitical landscape and emerging challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Obviously, one of the key challenges that both nations face today involves the situation in the South China Sea. In the joint vision statement, both nations recognized the importance of diplomatic efforts in “building an international coalition that supports the international law-based maritime order” and share the view that “China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea are inconsistent with the international law of the sea” as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the unanimous July 12, 2016 arbitral award that the Philippines asserted once again during the virtual 11th ASEAN Maritime Forum last Tuesday. The recent incident in Ayungin Shoal where Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked and water sprayed Philippine Coast Guard boats on a resupply mission is a clear example of why the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty is critical, particularly the Article IV obligations to respond to an armed attack on either the US or the Philippines
in the Pacific area. Certainly, we welcome the position of the US as articulated in a July 13, 2020 statement that the Pacific area includes the South China Sea. Not surprisingly, the latest act of aggression displayed by the Chinese has sparked outrage and condemnation not only from legislators and Cabinet officials that include Secretary Locsin, who told the Chinese to “back off,” and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles who said, “We will continue to assert our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over our territory,” but also local leaders in the municipality of Kalayaan who denounced the bullying as “a gross infringement of our sovereignty and a grave intrusion of our waters.” Many Fil-Ams are outraged, even going so far as to say that the filing of diplomatic protests is “not enough,” considering the continued aggression displayed by China, claiming almost all of the South China Sea – which is simply preposterous. We proposed that the BSD working groups continue working together regularly to address current realities and
challenges, and that frank exchanges and regular interactions between both sides must be sustained to keep our momentum. Obviously, we must also continue efforts to enhance the defense capabilities of our Armed Forces given the current geopolitical tensions. To this end, avenues will be pursued, including funding arrangements, to strengthen the alliance. After all, it is in the best interest of both nations to have a strong and capable Philippine military that can significantly contribute to the partnership in the area of defense and security. Together with Secretary Locsin and Secretary Lorenzana, we are confident the work we have done in reinforcing the special relationship between the United States and the Philippines will meet common challenges we will face in the next decade and beyond. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
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PNP defers to Comelec on drug testing for candidates
Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson and vice presidential running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III undergo a drug test at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) headquarters. Photo from Sotto’s office
Lacson, Sotto take multi-drug test by chRiStiA
mARie Inquirer.net
RAmoS
MANILA — Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson and vice presidential running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III underwent a voluntary drug test on Monday, November 22. Lacson and Sotto went to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) headquarters to take the test. “Magkaalaman na kung sino matatapang,” Sotto said. (Let’s see who’s brave enough.) According to Sotto, PDEA used
a multi-drug testing kit on him and Lacson. “What we underwent was not the ordinary testing. PDEA uses a MULTI DRUG testing kit. It can check all types of illegal drugs. Encompassing holistic drug tests,” Sotto said. “Ordinary testing only checks marijuana and shabu,” he added. The tandem decided to be drug tested after President Rodrigo Duterte last week accused a presidential aspirant of using cocaine. While he did not give the person’s name, Duterte hinted that
the aspirant comes from a wellknown and rich clan, whose family name means “strong” and is known for its patriarch. Earlier, Lacson said he is “1,000%” certain that the President was not referring to him. “I have never been addicted to drugs all my life, so I have no problem with that. In fact, we should all undergo random testing to make it more credible. I understand drug toxins may dissipate after 72 hours,” Lacson said in a previous statement. Other presidential bets have likewise said they are willing to be drug tested. ■
ICC suspends probe on Duterte...
PAGE 5 during the drug war. He said the Philippine government “has undertaken, and continues to undertake, thorough investigations of all reported deaths during anti-narcotic operations in the country.” Human Rights Watch dismissed the claim that the Philippines’ existing domestic mechanisms afford citizens justice as “absurd” and an attempt to stave off the ICC probe. “Only 52 out of thousands of killings are in early stages of investigation. Despite many clearcut cases of murder, no charges have even been filed,” the rights group’s Asia director Brad Adams tweeted on Saturday. “The reality is that impunity
is the norm under President Duterte, which is why the ICC needs to investigate. Let’s hope the ICC sees through the ruse that it is.” Duterte pulled Manila out of the ICC in 2019 after it launched a preliminary probe, but the court says it has jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member. After long refusing to admit the court had any power to intervene and refusing to cooperate, Duterte backtracked in October to say he would prepare his defense. ICC jurisdiction Despite the Philippines ‘ withdrawal from ICC, its prosecutor Karim Khan had said his office “retains jurisdiction” with re-
spect to alleged crimes that happened in the Philippines while it was a state party from Nov. 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019. The probe will cover the conduct of the drug war in the Philippines under Duterte’s watch, as well as the supposed killings in Davao City between 2011 and 2016 when he was still the mayor. But Duterte has repeatedly said that he would not allow “white people” at ICC to have jurisdiction over him, stressing that he would only face a Filipino judge in the country and be detained in a Philippine prison. The President also emphasized his drug campaign was meant to protect the country from the scourge of illegal drugs. ■
MANILA — The Philippine National Police said it would take the cue from the Commission on Elections on procedural guidelines on the possibility of mandatory drug testing for national candidates after President Rodrigo Duterte’s nallegation that an unnamed presidential aspirant uses cocaine renewed talk of drug tests for candidates. Comelec said the Supreme Court has long ruled that a proposal to make drug tests mandatory is unconstitutional. “The most that we can do is to support the suggestion for political aspirants to submit themselves to a voluntary drug test to prove to their followers and supporters that they are clean,” Police Gen. Dionardo Carlos, the chief of the PNP, told reporters in a press briefing on Monday, November 22. “We will be ready to facilitate, and we can use our PNP Forensic Group, but let us cross the bridge when we get there,” he said, pointing out that there are no orders for that at the moment. “Once the result is out, the PNP will immediately submit it to the requesting body. An investigation will follow if someone will test positive for drug use,” he said of potential drug tests. Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III — candidates for president and vice president — have undergone voluntary drug tests. Most candidates have indicated they are willing to take drug tests. No timeline for ‘fact-finding’ review so far Carlos earlier said that Duterte’s public accusations prompted “fact-finding” by the PNP’s anti-drug unit, though he was quick to clarify that no formal investigation had actually been launched yet. The chief executive made the allegation in a speech last week, a move reminiscent of the campaign period of the 2019 mid-term elections. Duterte, whose administration’s flagship “drug war” has killed thousands according to police data, did not name the candidate nor provide evidence to support his allegation. Speaking in an interview aired over CNN Philippines’ “The Source” on Monday morning, Carlos also said that the possible probe is purely an initiative of
the PNP and is not a result of a direct order from the president. He could not directly answer whether or not the PNP investigators would have to consult the president in order to investigate the claim, or whether the information would have to come from the commander-in-chief. “That can be undertaken [but] that’s presidential information. We’ll take action; if the president will give us the name, then we will work on it,” he said. “We’re going back to the lists
and data...I can’t say who it is specifically, but at the end of the day, we have an effort to identify the person.” Asked if the PNP has a timeline on its fact-finding on the president’s allegation, Carlos said: “Well, why put a timeline? It’s a daily thing that we do to accomplish the task. They are professional enough to work on it. I don’t think I have to tell them to finish it in a week. We will work on it.” (Franco Luna/ Philstar.com)
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SUPPORT. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy director, Eleanor Rachel Angeles (2nd from right), receives a check worth P8.82 million from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma (2nd from left) in a ceremony at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City on Monday, November 22. The amount represents the bureau’s share from PCSO’s STL earnings for the second quarter of 2021. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
‘PH raised Ayungin incident at ASEAN-China summit’ MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte, speaking at a regional summit with China, has raised the issue of Chinese ships blocking efforts to resupply Philippine troops on Ayungin Shoal, the Palace said Monday, November 22. According to a Palace statement, Duterte raised the South China Sea issue at the ASEANChina Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Dialogue Relations, where he stressed that the dispute cannot be solved by force. Manila calls parts of the South China within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone the West Philippine Sea. “We abhor the recent event in the Ayungin Shoal and view with grave concern other similar developments. This does not speak well of the relations between our nations and our partnership,”
Duterte said, referring to Chinese coast guard vessels blocking and water-cannoning two supply boats headed to Ayungin Shoal last week. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, some of the Chinese ships have left Ayungin Shoal — where a Philippine Navy ship is grounded and serves as an outpost — leaving only two Chinese coast guard vessels in the area as of Sunday. Duterte stressed that the UN Covenant on the Law of the Sea and a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating China’s sweeping nine-dash-line claim over the South China Sea “provide legal clarity…pointing us to a just and fair solution to our disputes,” the Palace also said. The Palace said the president urged China to remain committed to working towards “the
conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea”, a goal that ASEAN and China have been working on for decades. Absent a binding code of conduct among claimants in the South China Sea, the Philippines and China have put in place the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea. The mechanism, established in 2016, is meant as a venue for parties to address differences and ease tensions. “There is simply no other way out of this colossal problem but the rule of law,” the Palace quotes Duterte as saying. The president has repeatedly said that the Philippines does not stand a chance against China and has cautioned against escalating tension between the two nations over the South China Sea. (Philstar.com)
All regions in PH now minimal to low risk for COVID-19 – DOH MANILA — All regions in the Philippines are now minimal to low risk for COVID-19, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire announced on Monday November 22,. “All regions are now at minimal to low risk case classification with negative two-week growth rates and average daily attack rates less than seven per 100,000 population. Region 2 shows a positive two-week growth rate in the recent week,” Vergeire said during the Depart-
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ment of Health media forum. “Majority of the regions have a total COVID-19 bed and ICU (intensive care unit) utilization at low risk. Region 9 has its ICU utilization at moderate risk at 54 percent utilization,” she added. For the country’s capital region, Vergeire pointed out that Metro Manila is at “low risk case classification with a negative two-week growth rate and an average daily attack rate of 2.69 per 100,000 individuals” which is higher than the previous 1.48.
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Metro Manila’s total bed and ICU are at low risk, she said. Moreover, the Philippines as a whole remains at low risk for the coronavirus, according to Vergeire. “Nationally, we remain at low risk case classification with a negative two-week growth rate at negative 49 percent and moderate risk average daily attack rate at 1.55 cases for every 100,000 individuals. The national health systems capacity is at low risk,” she said. (Inquirer.net)
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Saweetie makes ‘Saturday Night Live’ debut by AJPress
BLACK and Filipina American hip-hop darling Saweetie performed a brand new single as she made her musical debut on “Saturday Night Live” over the weeked. The 28-year-old rapper on Saturday, November 20, performed new single “Icy Chain” in front of massive lit-up block letters spelling out “ICY.” She also performed a medley of her hits such as “Tap In” and “Best Friend,” which originally featured Doja Cat. Released on Friday, Nov. 19, ahead of her SNL guest appearance, “Icy Chain” will be included on Saweetie’s longawaited debut album, “Pretty Bitch Music,” which has been pushed to 2022. “Pretty Bitch Music was supposed to come out this month, but I was really living with it,” she said during an interview with Big Tigger in June. “And one of my goals is for people to really feel something with every song, so I had to go back and reconstruct some songs. Just know that I’m a perfectionist, and it’s on the way,” she added. In a separate interview, Saweetie told Billboard: “This album needs to have feelings, it needs to have soul, it needs to have spirit. And I have a lot of room for improvement, so I’m gonna work on that.” Saweetie, whose real name is Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, was born to an African
From left: Olivia Rodrigo, BTS and Bruno Mars at the American Music Awards 2021 in Microsoft Theater on November 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. AFP / Getty Images / ABC / Amy Sussman, Kevin Winter, Shaun Hoffman
Saweetie, whose mother is Filipina, made her SNL debut on Saturday, November 20, performing a new single and a medley of her famous tracks including “Best Friend.” Photo from Instagram_@saweetie
American father and FilipinaChinese mother. In September this year, she put her Filipino and Black heritage on display at the 2021 Met Gala, where the theme was “American Independence.” She wore a rose-colored Christian Cowan gown with an iridescent train split in two panels. One panel had the colors black and red to represent the Black American heritage flag, while the other
panel had red, yellow, blue, and white for the Philippine flag. In a previous interview with the Asian Journal, Saweetie said her mother reminded her to speak up about her background and culture. “I remember my mom telling me that it’s important for me to share my heritage, to share my culture. So anytime that it makes sense, I do let people know that I am halfFilipina,” she said.
Fil-Am artists Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars win big with BTS at AMAs 2021 By Deni Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com
WITH seven nominations, Filipino-American singersongwriter Olivia Rodrigo was the most nominated artist at this year’s American Music Awards broadcast live from Los Angeles earlier today. The 18-year-old “Good 4 U” singer was slated to break records as a first-time nominee with the most wins if she bagged five of her seven nominations. She has so far won as New Artist of the Year.
She also reaped nominations for Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Pop Artist, Favorite Pop Album for “Sour;” and Favorite Pop Song, Favorite Trending Song and Favorite Music Video for “Drivers License.” Fellow FilipinoAmerican singer Bruno Mars, together with Anderson .Paak, was also nominated under Favorite Music Video for “Leave The Door Open.” Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, who form the duo Silk Sonic, also got the Favorite
R&B Song nod for “Leave The Door Open.” Other Filipino-American artists who bagged nominations included Saweetie (Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist) and H.E.R. (Favorite Female R&B Artist, Favorite R&B Album for “Back of My Mind” and Favorite R&B Song for “Damage”). Korean superstars BTS swept three AMAs, including Artist of the Year, Favorite Pop Duo or Group, and Favorite Pop Song for “Butter.”
entertainment Two magical words
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 24, 2021
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” - Jean Baptiste Massieu
By Dana
Cruz Inquirer.net
John Lloyd Cruz
GMA photo
Soho. “Nagsisimula at natatapos sa anak namin ‘yung aking masasabi patungkol sa kanya o sa buhay niya.” (What I say about her or her life starts and ends with our child.) Cruz then wished Adarna and Ramsay a “strong and fun” marriage. He believes
the union between the two is important for his son with Adarna, Elias. “Sincerely, I wish her all the happiness in the world. I wish them both a strong and fun marriage kasi vital ‘yon sa welfare at sa growth ng anak ko (because it’s vital to the welfare and growth of my son),” the actor explained. Aside from his thoughts on Adarna’s wedding, Cruz also opened up on his relationship with his son. “I try my best to lead without imposing. As much as possible, I try to bring him closer to nature,” he said. Cruz added that he considers El Nido, Palawan his second home, and his son also enjoys staying there. Cruz and Adarna dated in 2017 and welcomed Elias in 2018. They eventually parted ways the following year. They have since been co-parenting their child, as Adarna explained that she did not want to involve her son in her “issues.”
BEING an accomplished singer, it is quite ironic that JK Labajo does not enjoy receiving awards and recognition. This he revealed in an online press conference for Janine Berdin’s latest single, “Pagod Na Ako,” last Monday, Nov. 15. Labajo is the arranger and producer of Berdin’s song. “It feels nice but at the same time I don’t like it. [It’s like] if you try to compare me to all of the actual legends in the OPM industry, I’ve made nothing but a dot in this vast circle,” Labajo revealed. While he feels elated each time he receives an award, Labajo feels he’s not really into
JK Labajo
“accolades and names.” “Marami akong awards na hindi tinanggap, actually. Because back then da-drama-drama ako, so feeling ko napaka-cool kapag hindi mo tanggapin ‘yung awards,” he said. (There were a lot of awards I did not accept in the past, actually. Because back then, I was having this sort of drama, so I felt like it’s cook not to accept awards.) But he is clear in his decision to shun away receiving awards. His reason? “I wasn’t doing it for any of those things.” “I wasn’t making music for the sole purpose of being called Asia’s next singing guy or the next total performer or the next whatever. I’m not after
Photo from Instagram/@jk_labajo
Liza Soberano
Photo from Instagram/@lizasoberano
In one of my conversations with Enrique, he also mentioned that they are seriously talking about settling down. But they are taking things step by step. They both know marriage is a lifelong commitment. “It’s what actually I really appreciate about him because ever since the beginning, he would always tell me like, ‘You know, I’m not getting into this relationship just to have a girlfriend. I really like this (relationship) to go somewhere.’ I was a bit young when I got into this relationship and very immature, and, so we would argue over the slightest mistake. And me, I would wanna give up in the relationship but he’d say why do you just give up because of some small things? That made me realize that if you really love someone, you have to accept some of the smaller things you don’t agree on and you just have to learn together. You have to be able to get through the storm together.” Embracing each other’s strengths and weaknesses yields amazing results. In LizQuen’s case, their love for each other becomes deeper. But do they still argue? “We don’t quarrel that often and when we do, it’s actually still about really small things like when I’m about to get my period and I’m just like ultrasensitive, that’s when we, more like, tend to argue but that’s probably once a month (laughs).” I asked Liza if Quen is the jealous type and she stressed that there is no reason for him to be jealous since she’s at home all the time. She described him as “very protective. He’s always been like that, (he’s) also very protective of his mom, his sister, (and) my sister.”
What ‘Christmas in Our Hearts’ means during this pandemic By Charmie Joy
Pagulong Philstar.com
AS the month of December begins next week, Jose Mari Chan has reminded us of what his iconic Christmas songs mean as we celebrate holidays in these extraordinary times. Also known as Joe Mari, the singer-songwriter has always been associated with the season, starting off with the “ber” months, because of his timeless classics Christmas in Our Hearts, A Perfect Christmas, A Wish on Christmas Night, and many more. But he refused to be dubbed as the country’s “King of Christmas Carols.” “I am just one of the many artists who wrote songs and carols. It just so happens that Christmas in Our Hearts has remained a favorite for the past 31 years, but that does not make me the King of Christmas Carols,” he told The STAR. Nevertheless, the song “reminds us that the reason for this season is to celebrate the birth of Jesus,” he said. It also means that “As a Christian, we need those things,” Labajo said. to have a grateful heart for all For him, doing music is the blessings we have been “really all about again being showered with and at the same able to execute the ideas” and “being able to put out the thing time, be cheerful givers because the spirit of Christmas is giving that [he wants] to put out and and sharing.” share with the people.” In the lyrics, “May the spirit “Once I release something, of Christmas be always in our once I put [out] the song in hearts,” is “saying to be prayerpublic, that’s not my song ful, be grateful, and be thankful anymore. That’s the people’s for all the blessings. It reminds song,” he explained. “For example, ‘Buwan’ is the Filipino us to be a cheerful giver, share our blessings with those in people’s song. It’s everyone’s need, for those who’ve been song. And that’s what makes blessed with sufficiency, there me happy… when I look back are many Filipinos who are hunand I see how peoples are consuming, listening to ‘Buwan’ gry and without jobs who we can reach out to and help,” he and some songs that I make. added. That’s what makes me happy, And the Christmas season is not the awards.” “perfect opportunity to do so,” As he arranged and produced Berdin’s single, does this said the Ilonggo musician and businessman. mean he’s now on a comeback He considered Christmas in trail in music? Our Hearts as “God’s reward” “No, actually,” he insistto him. ed. “I’m just really enjoying “In my 54 years of recordmy time. I don’t know. I guess ing career, I have written many marami lang iba’t ibang bagay songs and produced many hits (there’s just so many different over the years. Many of those things), there’s so many things songs have been forgotten, going on internally that has to but I feel that Christmas in Our be taken cared of especially Hearts is God’s reward to me,” when it comes to paper and he recalled. everything like that, like con“You see, music is God’s gift tracts and what not.” to man and how I use this gift is “I don’t have any specific comeback, ganito, ganyan (this my gift back to God. God has and that) or ‘JK is back.’” Laba- rewarded me with this song I’ve written to celebrate His birth, jo added. “Wala naman akong and it has become a hit all these planong gano’n. So, hindi.” (I don’t have such plans. So, years because of Him,” shared Joe Mari. no.)
Why JK isn’t into accepting awards Brosas Inquirer.net
aBunDa Philstar.com
LIZA Soberano talks freely and honestly about anything. She also uses her social media as a platform for social change and awareness. “Honestly, for me, social media is such a scary place and that’s why before the pandemic, I was always very cautious about sharing my opinions on certain issues but I guess during the pandemic, when I couldn’t just sit back and watch everything happen like my mother being attacked, dealing with court-appointed other people being attacked also, I kinda gained visits. They juggle schedules, the courage and the strength to start speaking shuttling children in two up and to start being vocal,” said Liza during our locations and in cases of virtual chat on Kumu’s The Best Talk. bitter, acrimonious divorces, She continued, “And when I started getting compete for their children’s support from my supporters and from the people affections while complicating who were, maybe, just happy with what I had things further by starting up shared, that’s when I realized that words are really new relationships. All these powerful. I mean, I know this ever since before, are piled on top of broken, but I didn’t know with my own strength until then disappointed, cynical lives. and now I don’t wanna stop as long as I know They are left to deal that I’m helping a lot of people benefit from what with what I call the BIG it is that I’m saying or what it is that I’m doing, D’s – the doldrums of then, I’m willing to risk it all as long as I am helpdoubt, darkness, disease, ing someone.” depression, desperation, No topic is seemingly off-limits to her because dejection, disappointment, Liza is even ready to let everyone know what her discouragement and response would be if her boyfriend Enrique Gil disillusionment. You just wish pops the question on bended knees. you can DELETE all these ugly “I can answer that so easily, yes!” declared D’s from your life. Some go to Liza in a jovial tone that made netizens (tuned in the deep end. Sadly, tragically to the show) ecstatic. some of these cases end in Liza and Enrique recently celebrated their death. seventh anniversary at The Farm At San Benito in Love has died. Nothing Batangas with the former sharing how the special matters. Yet love, according occasion once again became a perfect moment to the “Desiderata” is as for them to reminisce about the past and talk perennial as the grass. While about the future. there is life, hope springs “It was great. It was a huge milestone for us. eternal. Those who are not put I mean, every year is a huge milestone. We were off by a disastrous relationship really reflecting on our younger days, I would think that the “right one” is just say (laughs). We were reminiscing about Forevaround the corner. Perhaps. ermore, where we got to first meet each other. But if they do not learn from And we were just thinking about how much we their previous mistakes, they have grown individually and together. It’s such a are doomed to repeat them. beautiful thing to think about.” There’s that D again. They It is said that in any relationship, consistent will cycle in and out of one communication is vital to building a lasting life disastrous relationship after the together. And that’s one thing Liza and Enrique other. exactly do to keep a healthy relationship. Liza Single parenthood is no said they also got to talk about their goals. cakewalk in most cases. Ask “I think it was more about what we want to around. Do not believe the do in the future, like in the years to come. It was distortion of truth in movies more about planning on what’s in store for next Continued on Page 13 year or what we wish or hope for in our relationship like in the next five years. We had a lot of reflections.” When it comes to marriage, the Kapamilya actress said that they talk about it “even not on our anniversary.”
John Lloyd wishes Ellen, Derek a ‘strong and fun marriage’
By alex
By Boy
Part 2 of 2
of time run rough shod over your physical appearance? Put (ConTInueD from last up a fight. There’s help out week’s issue…) there. Or do you nag him to Let’s do a reality check. death for every little thing? So okay, your partner is the Do you make him feel small consummate slob and you with your smartass barbs? Or have to pick up after him. He does he feel he can soar like thinks he has a maid living an eagle when you are around with him for free. He has this him? maddening habit of not putting Don’t buy into the modern the toothpaste cap back on. concept of the throwaway or That’s easy. Get one with a cap trade-up society that seems to that snaps back on. The point imply you can change partners is to find a way to work around every five years or so. Just an annoyance or when all else because you can doesn’t mean fails, accept the tiny irritations. you should. It may work for With time and patience, cars and appliances but falls things get easier. As you get flat for human relationships. Fix older and hopefully, wiser, your what can yet be fixed. Nurture eyes dim and your hearing what can grow into something goes for a reason. You become beautiful. Eat humble pie, if less critical as you see the you have to. There is no shame bigger picture more clearly and if you truly love. Ask a Higher the end game is within sight. Power to help you keep things You become aware of your own whole. mortality. When you value your The point is that you partner and are mindful of him can choose to look through or her, it shows that you are the lens of kindness and grateful for his part in your life forgiveness and instead see and that you are interested in if he still has those itty bitty, going the distance and making wonderful things about him the relationship work maybe that attracted you to him in the even till life beyond death. first place. His sense of humor Taking your husband, wife maybe or the way he still or partner for granted is the makes you laugh… biggest cause of so many Love is a two-way street. divorces these days. If alarming Note how you behave towards numbers are to be believed, him. How do you look to him? half the population already live Do you take the time and the in Splitsville. effort to look va-va-voom and There is a disproportionate give him that look that can number of single moms make his heartbeat race just a and single dads worldwide tad? Or did you let yourself go, struggling with severely letting gravity and the ravages diminished finances and
JOHN Lloyd Cruz has extended his well wishes to his ex-girlfriend Ellen Adarna and her husband, fellow actor Derek Ramsay, after their wedding earlier this month. Cruz talked about Adarna’s wedding to Ramsay, which took place last Nov. 11, in an exclusive interview with broadcaster Jessica Soho for her show “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” Sunday, Nov. 21. Soho brought up the subject when she asked the actor about his past relationships. Though Adarna was not named, the broadcaster asked Cruz how he feels about the recent marriage of his ex-girlfriend. “Finally, she found the one,” Cruz said, noting that he is being “very careful” when talking about his former girlfriend’s personal life. “I have to put it in context and I have to be very careful because that’s her life,” he told
How Liza gained courage to ‘start speaking up’
Jose Mari Chan
On the role of music at this stage of his life, he said, “Music relaxes me and takes me back to places and people in my past. It has the gift of reminding you of summer days, sunshine, and happy moments.” Seven years ago, the 76-year-old musician released a Christmas album titled Going Home to Christmas, which featured 22 brand-new songs. He hopes that “everyone can either stream online or buy copies of (it) so they can make it a part of their holiday celebrations.” The last song that he has written is a tribute to his parents. His father passed away in 1994 and his mother last February. “I wrote a special song to thank them for everything they’ve done. I have not released it as at the moment no one really buys CDs anymore so I’m still looking for an avenue or platform to sell my songs.” Apart from the glittering lights, the beautiful music and the joyful prayer time, what he loves about Christmas is that it is also the time for reflection. “Reflection on the months that have just passed and the year that has just passed. That’s the best for me. Time for reconciliation with those that we have hurt and time for strengthening our family ties. I always remember that the spirit of Christmas is giving and sharing. I’m very happy that Shopee made it
Philstar.com photo
meaningful for all of us.” Joe Mari, who has been the e-commerce platform’s celebrity ambassador for four years already, said he “feel blessed” to be part of the Shopee family and that his “songs are now associated with this most joyful season of the year.” With Joe Mari leading its Christmas campaign for annual 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, Shopee Philippines director Martin Yu reiterated how Christmas “holds a special place in Filipinos’ hearts.” “Shopee Philippines hopes to make this year’s festivities even more memorable for both our users and sellers. As the holidays approach, we aim to bring more joy to shoppers and help them save more on things they love by curating the best deals. We’ve also pioneered efforts to expand our digital ecosystem to help more consumers, businesses, and communities access and benefit from e-commerce,” he said in a statement. Meanwhile, Joe Mari’s Christmas wish this year is for this pandemic to end. “I am an optimistic person, so I am looking forward to a Merry Christmas for all my countrymen — that we all be free from COVID, Filipinos remain healthy, and for them to spend Christmas the way they used to spend Christmas in the past,” he shared.
SFIO officially signs $100-M agreement with Omnicor Industrial Estate & Realty Center to develop a resort condotel in Batangas, Philippines THE memorandum of agreement will see Omnicor Industrial Estate & Realty Center, Inc., a subsidiary of Filipino publicly listed company AbaCore Capital Holdings, contributing land by the bay of Batangas for SFIO to develop into a resort-like condotel property. The announcement of the project has been made official by offering further details to the public. In a recent announcement, SFIO revealed that they signed last October a memorandum of understanding with Omnicor Industrial Estate & Realty Center, Inc. to pursue a joint venture that would see a two-hectare, bayside property in Batangas, Philippines developed into a $100 million eco-friendly, tech village. SFIO said that the planned development, which is strategically located in Montemaria, Batangas City, just south of Metro Manila, will service residents looking for a new kind of work-life balance, with it being at the crossroads of breathtaking marine biodiversity, historical religious sites, and a suite of modern amenities fit for a better normal. Asset management company SFIO, recently named one of the “20 Promising Companies Everyone Should Know in 2021” by Global Business Leaders Magazine, will be
developing the 500-unit tech village as part of a 10-year development plan with Omnicor’s parent company, AbaCore Capital Holdings, Inc. This agreement establishes SFIO as the preferred developer of projects across AbaCore Capital Holdings’
over 200-hectares of real estate around Montemaria. As part of SFIO’s investment roadmap into future-oriented industries, this tech village blends residential luxuries with the hyperconnected amenities necessary for
community
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T h e As ian Jou r n al MDWK MAGAZ IN E - No ve mbe r 2 4 , 2 0 2 1
modern work. Ground floor office and retail spaces give way to resort-like recreational facilities and residential units, making it an ideal space for high-value firms and professionals to embrace remote work. Just a few miles from the Verde Island Passage, one of the most biologically diverse water ecosystems in the world, the tech village project will embrace eco-friendly development practices, such as solar roofing. An environmental compliance certificate has already been issued over the site, allowing immediate commencement of preliminary survey and design. The project also aims to cater to religious pilgrims looking to visit the Mother of All Asia Tower of Peace, a 316-foot tall statue of the Virgin Mary. Taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty, and nearly three times taller than Rio De Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer, this is the world’s tallest statue dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Intended for longer-term residents, the tech village will be designed as a timeshare concept, catering not only to working
professionals and tourists but also to expatriates and Filipinos from around the world looking for a vibrant community to spend a short vacation or their retirement years in. While SFIO and AbaCore Capital Holdings see this project as the first of many that will thrive in the coming post-pandemic economic boom, both companies see health and wellness as a continuing priority across all their future projects. Work is already underway at SFIO’s recently established Technology and Software Development Division on a suite of state-of-the-art, smart-building technologies designed to ensure the long-term, holistic well-being of communities. Set to be piloted in Montemaria, these technologies are expected to set a new gold-standard for community health systems across resorts and residential developments. SFIO, which has just filed their Q3 financial reports in line with their broader plans to uplist onto the Nasdaq Exchange, aims to complete this development project by 2024. Permits to commence pre-selling of
Why more and more seniors community are filing bankruptcy How to obtain custody and Minding Your Finances visitation rights for unmarried dads
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 24, 2021
clusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions Atty. Kenneth discussed below. A post 1996 UrsUA reyes voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of ESTABlISHIng parentage an order for child custody, visirights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmar- tation, or child support.” Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. ried Dads. Moms can establish v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th this by simply showing proof at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re of her having given birth to the J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, child. Family Code §7610. 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33. Establishing parentage Another way of establishing rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories problematic with unmarried listed (a) to (f) under family Dads because proving yourself code §7611: as the biological father does (a) He and the child’s natnot automatically make you ural mother are or have been the natural father of the child. married to each other and the Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after paternity which allows the non the marriage is terminated by biological father to be deemed death, annulment, declaration the natural father of the child. of invalidity, or divorce, or after A typical situation is when a judgment of separation is boyfriend gets girlfriend pregnant. girlfriend for some reason entered by a court. (b) Before the child’s birth, decides to exclude boyfriend he and the child’s natural from baby’s life so she breaks mother have attempted to up with boyfriend, does not marry each other by a marriage give the boyfriend any inforsolemnized in apparent commation about her delivery, and pliance with law, although the does not state the boyfriend as the father in the birth certificate attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either or decides to name someone of the following is true: else as the father. girlfriend (1) If the attempted mardoes this because her parents disapprove of the ex boyfriend. riage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born One way a presumption of during the attempted marriage, Paternity is created is by executing a voluntary declaration of or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulpaternity. A Voluntary declarations executed before 1997 give ment, declaration of invalidity, rise to a conclusive presumption or divorce. (2) If the attempted marof paternity and can be overriage is invalid without a court come only by blood or genetic tests ordered on noticed motion order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination by the mother or presumed father must be made within three of cohabitation. (c) After the child’s birth, he years of the date of execution and the child’s natural mother of the voluntary declaration have married, or attempted to Family.Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. marry, each other by a marriage v. Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th solemnized in apparent com1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 pliance with law, although the If the voluntary declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either it is not characterized as a con-
Barrister’s Corner
ACCOrDIng to a new report, the number of seniors filing bankruptcy is increasing rapidly. The average senior who files bankruptcy these days owes approximately of the following is true: $17,390 according to the report (1) With his consent, he is (although I have to say that named as the child’s father on most seniors who come to me the child’s birth certificate. for debt help actually owe a lot (2) He is obligated to supmore!). port the child under a written Some of the reasons voluntary promise or by court mentioned are increased order. financial risks during retirement (d) He receives the child into age, insufficient income (Social his home and openly holds out Security benefits are almost the child as his natural child. (e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child’s father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This subdivi- Ask the sion shall remain in effect only Realtor until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative. (f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and JAson AgcAoili the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied. IF you’re in this situation, An alleged biological your question is probably – “Do father who does not meet any I need to make repairs?” The of the § 7611 conditions for quick answer is “no, you don’t presumed father status has need to make any repairs.” The no constitutionally-protected real questions are – when do “liberty interest” in establishing you need to sell by and what a parentage relationship with is your home’s current market a child as against the rights of value? The time it takes for a a presumptive father who has property to close escrow, from an extant parentage relationthe moment a seller accepts ship with the child. Dawn D. v. an offer to the transfer of title, Super.Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 ranges from 21 days to 45 days. C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d However, this does not take 871, 876–877 account in preparing a property The facts get even more to list on the market prior to complicated if the girlfriend, receiving an offer. Once an whom boyfriend gets pregoffer is accepted, sometimes nant is married to another it can be as quick as 10 days man because the law provides with an all-cash buyer and a conclusive presumption of the buyer doesn’t require any paternity to the husband of contingencies on financing or the girlfriend. Under Family inspections. Code §7540, the child of a Who will buy my home? wife cohabiting at time of There are two types of real conception with her husband, estate buyers: 1) investors and who is not impotent or sterile, 2) homeowners. If you’re a is “conclusively” presumed to homeowner, you’re probably be a child of the marriage. This thinking that you consider conclusive presumption may yourself a real estate investor be challenged by showing that since homeownership is an the husband was sterile. It may investment itself. However, also be challenged by filing a there is a difference between Continued on Page 13 a real estate investor and a
Atty. rAymond BUlAon never enough to cover all personal living expenses unless seniors are getting financial help from family) and rising medical expenses. When seniors who are still working
lose their jobs, it is also difficult or impossible for them to seek new employment, as they often have to compete with much younger applicants. It is even more difficult for struggling seniors who have not stashed money away for retirement or a savings account because they usually have no other financial resources other than their Social Security benefits. So, a lot of them resort to bankruptcy to wipe out debts they can no longer pay Continued on Page 13
My house needs major repairs and I need to sell now homeowner. Investors seek out homes and properties that they can “fix and flip (resale)” or “buy and hold” for rental income. Most investors don’t live on the property they purchase. They purchase properties based on their return on investment (rOI) criteria. In comparison, homeowners purchase homes to live in as a primary residence. They seek out homes because of the neighborhoods, school districts, or actual type of home. A homeowner’s rOI is their lifestyle. real estate investors seek out homes that may need minor and major repairs. Additionally, investors will waive off repair or financing contingencies. Finding distressed homes is what they’re good at. If you need to sell immediately within a short period, within two weeks, finding an investor buyer is your best option. What if the buyer offers less than market value? Keep in mind that a home requiring repairs, requiring a buyer to purchase in as-is condition, and requiring a buyer to purchase within a short period, is valued under market value. The full market value of a home is based on the comparable of recent homes sold that don’t require any repairs. Most homes at full market value don’t require any renovations at all and are turnkey ready to move in. If you
are seeking to sell your home at full market value, then you will need to invest into the required repairs at minimum, and sometimes require renovations to update your property. An advantage to selling a distressed property at less than market value without making repairs, saves you the repair costs and the time required in making the repairs. What is your goal? When you need to sell your property, always ask yourself— what is your goal? Do you need to relocate immediately? Do you need the money from the equity? Is it time to reinvest the equity? Is it time to move on? Is it time to finally retire? There are things in life that can’t be bought or replenished, and that’s time.
Life’s Short, Love Where You Live. Call / Text 213-608-5837 for a complimentary initial consultation, property value assessment, or questions for Selling, Buying, or Investing in real estate. Connect with me @jasonarealtor on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. *** JASON AGCAOILI, REALTOR | Ca DRE #01947185 JASONAREALTOR.com | HomeSmart Realty Group. Your Realtor for the Los Angeles Metropolitan, South Bay, Beach Cities, and Long Beach. | Member - California Association of Realtors and the South Bay Association of Realtors | Member – Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (Advertising Supplement)
Two magical words... From Page 10 spun by Hollywood or this trend of celebrities adopting babies and the media glamorizing the lives of single parents. That is one tall tale of an ego on overdrive. There is no romantic or comedic element in going it alone. Single parenthood is more like the Theater of the Absurd. The honest truth: there is little glamour or fun in single parenthood – in far too many cases, just an endless, harrowing tale of one struggle after the next. There are exceptions of course. Unless you made a foolish or tragic fatal choice or fate played a dirty trick on you and you ended up meeting and marrying the partner from hell. He or she could be a sociopath, a psychopath, a criminal, a user, a liar, a pervert, a druggie, a murderer, a serial philanderer or just unfit to live in this planet with another human being. Perhaps, the best way to happiness would be to love, appreciate and say “thank you” to the one you’re with every single day of your life together. And while you’re at it, blow a kiss to the heavens for making you a winner in the love lottery stakes sending you someone you love or can learn to love AND (THE BLESSING of all blessings) who loves you back! Love is not a 50-50 proposition. It’s not even giving 110% of yourself to the other. It sounds sentimental, sappy and old fashioned but whether you like it or not, it is giving of yourself without counting the cost. It is the pure,
intrinsic nature of life’s greatest mystery - LOVE. Perhaps, a few of those couples buried six feet deep, side by side or stacked one on top of the other in a companion property at Forest Lawn probably understood what love and devotion meant in those days. Their souls may have fused. Their hearts in the life beyond beat as one. That is one story you can believe in. (Or if you’re in for a laugh and have a sly, dry, wicked sense of humor, you might say those savvy couples probably got a twofer from the cemetery plot sales rep! LOL ;) But then again, reality kicks in. There are probably many more couples who were and still are severely mismatched and should never have met in a million years. Pray hard that you choose wisely from the get-go if a married life is in the cards for you. How to find THE ONE if you’re on the hunt? Or how can you make THE ONE realize that you’re THE ONE for him or her without beating him or her over the head? That is one story for yet another day. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.
Why more and more seniors...
From Page 12 Unfortunately, by the time they file, a lot of them have also used up whatever savings they have, and they do not have enough years (unlike younger people) to be able to get back on their feet. Another common reason for seniors filing bankruptcy is medical debt. Unpaid medical bills can lead to lawsuits and eventually a judgment that the creditor can enforce by wage garnishment (Since COVID started, actually not just seniors- but everyone who got buried in medical bills have the same problem). In California for example, a judgment creditor can take up to 25% of the debtor’s disposable income. How would you survive if you were already struggling as it is and then lose 25% of your available income? Facing unscrupulous debt collectors, seniors worry about their future knowing that they can’t pay their bills. Of course, the debt collectors don’t care; they just want their money and seniors seem to be an easy target for collection harassment. If you’re a senior who owns your home, your home is likely your biggest and most important asset. Fortunately, in California, the law allows you to protect up to $600,000 of the equity in your primary residence depending on how long you’ve owned your home and the previous year’s home median value in your county. In most cases, this amount is more than sufficient to keep your home safe. If it’s not enough because you have more than that amount in equity, you should speak with an attorney who can help you explore other options to protect your home from creditors. A lot of seniors are unaware that their
retirement plan is exempt even if they file bankruptcy. Under federal law, most retirement plans including 401K/403b plans and IRA’s cannot be touched. So instead of taking money out of your retirement plan to pay debts that you cannot afford (and still possibly end up filing bankruptcy later on, anyway), it is better in most cases to file bankruptcy now and leave your retirement money untouched. If you are reading this article and can relate to what I am saying here, my advice to you is to seek help as soon as possible if you are in serious debt trouble. Do this before you deplete any retirement money or savings, not after. If you’ve tried your very best to repay your debts but nothing seems to be working, I can help you figure out all your options. If you have parents who are in this situation, I also encourage you to help them get the assistance that they need. I can do a thorough analysis of your debt situation and give you my best recommendations. Since 1997, I have helped more than 5,000 clients in finding the best solution to their financial problems. *** NOTE: Due to virus safety concerns, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE OR VIDEO to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
community How to obtain custody and...
T h e As ian Jou r n al MDWK MAGAZ IN E - No ve mbe r 2 4 , 2 0 2 1
From Page 12 motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612. Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute’s underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parent-child relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200–1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675. Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born. While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights. However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a
Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School
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of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)