DECEMBER 7-10, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 96 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
Number of poor Filipinos down in 2018 Dennis Mapa said that in 2018, a family of five needed at least P10,727 per month to meet both THE number of poor Filipi- basic food and non-food needs. Mapa said poverty incidence nos decreased to 17.6 million in 2018 from 23.5 million in 2015, among Filipino families was estithe Philippine Statistics Author- mated at 12.1 percent from 17.9 ity (PSA) reported on Friday, De- percent in 2015. “This means that 121 out of cember 6. The PSA said the poverty inci- 1,000 families have incomes bedence among the population or low the amount needed to buy the proportion of poor Filipinos their basic food and non-food whose per capita income was not needs,” said Mapa. National Economic and Develsufficient to meet their basic food and non-food needs, was esti- opment Authority (NEDA) Undermated at 16.6 percent last year secretary and Officer in Charge Adoracion Navarro said that povfrom 23.3 percent in 2015. National Statistician Claire erty incidence further dropping by ANNA LEAH
E. GONZALES ManilaTimes.net
USA
DATELINE Philippine Consulate, US Dept. of Labor renew partnership to protect Filipino workers’ rights FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
THE Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles and the United States Dept. of Labor Wage and Hour Division (DOL WHD) Western Regional Office on Thursday, Dec. 5 reaffirmed their ongoing partnership to protect Filipino workers from exploitation. Renewing an agreement first established in 2017, Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz and Regional Administrator of the DOL WHD Western Region Ruben J. Rosalez signed another memorandum of understanding (MOU) as a way to expand resources and promote protective laws for Filipino workers. “We are delighted to renew our partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Labor Wage and Hour Division as we sign this very important document today,” Cruz said at the signing. The MOU signed in 2017 was a two-year commitment to this shared goal of “improving u PAGE A3
Poll: Filipinos see US as top ally, China as greatest threat poll WHILE the Duterte administration has maintained warmer ties with China, majority of Filipinos still consider the United States as the country’s top ally. A survey by Washington-based Pew Research Center found that 64% of Filipinos said they rely on the U.S. as a dependable ally in the future. Only 9% of Filipinos saw China as a dependable ally. The Filipinos’ rating on the U.S. as a dependable ally lowered by 19 points from 83% in 2014. The poll released on Thursday, December 5, also showed that 62% of Filipinos consider China as the greatest threat to the country in the future. Aside from the Philippines, other regional neighbors also saw China as a threat, including Japan (50%), Australia (40%), South Korea (32%) and Indonesia (21%). The same survey found that only 5% of u PAGE A3
showed that the government was on track in meeting the targets set under the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022. “With a poverty reduction rate of 2.23 percentage points per annum, we are not only on track to meet our PDP target of bringing down poverty incidence to 14 percent by 2022. We are also likely to meet the Sustainable Development Goal or SDG target of eradicating extreme poverty as defined by the international poverty line and cutting by half the proportion of the population DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. President Rodrigo Duterte holds a situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon Tisoy at the Legazpi City Convention living below the national poverty Center on Thursday, December 5. The president instructed local government units (LGUs) to submit their reports to the national government line by 2030,” said Navarro. ■ for the immediate release of money for the relief and rehabilitation efforts in affected areas. Malacañang photo by Alfred Frias
Environment chief: PH in the middle of ‘garbage crisis’ by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippines is “in the middle of a garbage crisis,” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu warned as he urged Filipinos to start being mindful of how their actions impact the environment. “If we continue to act only for our independent interests, continue to spoil our water bodies and fail to responsibly manage our wastes, we will not be able to sustain our efforts on this campaign,” he said during a forum in Taguig City on Thursday, December 5, “We and the following generations will Trash washed up on the shore in Manila Bay as heavy monsoon rains poured and caused floods in Metro Manila. Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales all suffer the consequences if we do not
change the way we behave as an organization and as individuals,” he added. According to Cimatu, the country’s problem with solid waste needs to be addressed immediately, noting that Metro Manila, with a population of 12.8 million, surpassed the baseline on the volume of solid waste generated this year. “By the first quarter, we have already produced 34,574.77 cubic meters or 59.45 percent of the total,” he revealed. “The 2019 second quarter estimated waste generation sums up to 32,221.17 cubic meters. This amounts to another 55.45 percent of the total. The target estimated u PAGE A3
No new drug czar after Robredo by CATHERINE
VALENTE ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, December 6, revealed that he would no longer appoint a new anti-drug czar as he learned his lesson from Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo’s alleged incompetence. In a television interview, the Chief Executive admitted that he fired Robredo “in my mind” shortly after she began serving as co-chairman of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD). “Nadala na ako. Hindi na ako mag-antidrug czar. ‘Wag na ‘yung czar-czar, that’s actually already adapted like a cliché. Parang cliché ‘yang czar, parang ‘Top Gun’ ng taas (I have had enough. I would no longer
appoint an anti-drug czar. No more czar, that’s actually, that’s already adapted like a cliché, like ‘Top Gun’),” Duterte told CNN Philippines. “Ngayon ko lang nalaman, sabi ko na nga ba, eh, hindi pwede itong si Leni. Ba’t kasi maingay (Now I knew it, Leni couldn’t do it. She makes a lot of noise),” he added. Robredo was appointed as ICAD cochairman on October 31, but was fired on November 24 due to her supposed failure to present anti-narcotics measures. The president said he had appointed Robredo in “good faith,” but the latter opted to use her position as anti-drug czar for “grandstanding.” Margielyn Didal shows her skills during the skateboarding competition at the Tagaytay “It was all in good faith. Sabi ko kasi, Convention Center. ManilaTimes.net photo by John Orven Verdote ganito ‘yun, ‘Kung ganoon ang pagtingin
PH House to give P10-million cash Palace: Poor reading comprehension of Filipino incentives for SEAG gold medalists students a ‘reality’ that must be recognized u PAGE A2
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
Among 79 participating countries, the Philippines scored the lowest in reading comprehension in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), according to the results released Dec. 3, 2019. Philstar.com photo by End Gumban
TO reward Filipino athletes who will take home gold medals at the TO improve the country’s edu- ongoing 30th Southeast Asian cational system, Malacañang on (SEA) Games, the House of RepThursday, December 5, said that resentatives has filed a measure the Filipino students’ poor reading that will reward them additional comprehension is a “reality”that cash incentives for bringing pride must be recognized. and honor to the country. Filipino students ranked last in Resolution 568, which grants at a global survey of reading com- least P10 million to Filipino gold prehension conducted by the medalists in the SEA Games, was Program for International Student filed last Wednesday, December Assessment (PISA) of the Organi- 4, by House leaders led by Speakzation for Economic Cooperation er Alan Peter Cayetano. and Development (OECD). The amount will be deducted In the survey, the students got a from the January 2020 salaries of u PAGE A2 all House members.
“As a concrete manifestation of the commonality of the goal to bring honor and pride to the country, the leaders and members of the House of Representatives deem it proper to deduct individual pledges from their salaries for January 2020 as additional incentives to Filipino gold medal winners in the 30th SEA Games,” the resolution read. “By winning gold medals in their respective sports in the 30th SEA Games and for bringing great honor and pride to the Filipino people, it is but fitting to grant these athletes the additional incentives from the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) and u PAGE A2
A december 7-10, 2019 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL
No new drug czar after... PAGE A1 t
stand you). You are there grandmo sa pag-padala sa amin sa standing, pero hinayaan kita (but gobyerno, eh ‘di sumali ka na I let you do that). Tapos (Then) lang (I said, ‘Just join the govern- you keep on taunting me, ‘I will ment if you think it is failing to continue, I will fight even if it will deliver its promises). Join us, I’m put so many roadblocks so that I giving you the position so that will not succeed,’” he added. The president claimed he had you will know,’” Duterte added. “Alam mo ano ka eh, hindi kita to fire Robredo because he could maintindihan (I cannot under- no longer stomach her “stupidi-
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From the Front Page
ty” for criticizing the government despite being appointed as antidrug czar. “Kung mag-salita ka ng ganoon nandiyan ka [sa ICAD] tapos ‘yun pala ang tingin mo sa akin… luku-luko ka pala eh. Eh ‘di paalisin na lang kita (You talk that way and think of me that way while you are there at ICAD. You are stupid so I fired you),” Duterte said. “I fired her in my mind. Noon pa. First day pa lang n’ung sabi niya punta siya sa U.S. Embassy (I fired her in my mind since the first day when she said she was going to the United States Embassy),” he added. The vice president has long been a vocal critic of the administration’s anti-illegal drug operations, which — according to government data — have resulted in the killing of at least 6,600 people since Duterte took office in 2016. At present, the anti-drug body is still headed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino. Meanwhile, Duterte insisted that the drug war is not a failure, saying it is a “never-ending war” against the transnational problem. “Anong palpak? Kailan naging palpak? Kayo ang palpak (What do you mean failure? When did it become a failure? The failure is you),” the president said. “All stupid remarks coming out from an empty head. Anong palpak (How does it become a failure)? The war on drugs is a continuing one in all countries, even in America. You know that. Do not pretend. If you are not stupid, do not pretend to be stupid. Alam ninyo iyan (You know that). It is a never-ending war,” he added. The president maintained that the drug war would remain relentless, as he acknowledged that there are still some narcopoliticians who are in connivance with drug syndicates operating in the country. “I did not know, when I arrive, when I got to look into the records sa (with regard to) drug cases, then I realized that I was fighting against my own government because the police, the Customs and everybody else was dipping their dirty fingers into it,” he said. PAGE A4
GYMNASTICS WINNERS. Carlos Edriel Yulo (middle) of the Philippines bags his second gold medal in the artistic gymnastics event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday, December 3. Yulo scored 14.700 points in his favorite event, the floor exercise, to beat Surintornta Tikumporn (left) of Thailand and Mat Asri Zul Bahrin (right) of Malaysia who tallied 13.833 and 13.767 points, respectively. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
PH House to give P10-million cash incentives... PAGE A1 t the House of Representatives,” it added. The House leaders also stressed that they support the Philippine athletes “in their quest to capture the gold medals in their respective sports and bring honor and pride to the Filipino people.” The gold medalists will also receive cash and other incentives provided under the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, which grants each SEA Games gold medalist P300,000 in cash, as well as incentives given by the POC. Joining Cayetano in filing the measure were Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Deputy Speakers Paolo Duterte and Prospero Pichay, committee on
accounts chairman and POC president Rep. Abraham Tolentino and committee on youth and sports development chairman Rep. Eric Martinez in filing the measure. Valenzuela Rep. Wes Gatchalian, meanwhile, called on the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to ensure that cash incentives will be given to all Filipino podium finishers as provided by the law. “Our record-breaking medal haul in the SEA Games is because of the hard work and dedication of our athletes. They have made our country proud and incentives provided to them by law is a token of our gratitude for the honor they brought us, and the PSC should ensure that the in-
PAGE A1 t
presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. Panelo noted that the Philippines joined the assessment as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Quality Basic Education Reform Plan, adding that the government is working to address gaps in the education sector. “Our education officials are on the right track as we address the issues and gaps in the basic
centives for our winning athletes are given in a timely manner,” he said. “Our winning athletes deserve every single peso that is due them. Some of them have even spent their own money just to be able to train for this competition. These athletes can use the cash incentives they will receive to train for future competitions and to further hone their craft,” he added. As of Friday, December 6, the Philippines maintained its lead in this year’s overall medal tally with 71 gold, 55 silver, and 50 bronze medals. With the SEA Games only halfway through, more Filipino athletes are set to fight for more gold medals in various sporting events. n
Palace: Poor reading comprehension of Filipino... rating of 340 points, which is lower than the average 487 points. The Palace views the abysmal result “constructively.” “[O]ur government’s joining in this assessment program signifies that this administration is unafraid to open the eyes of the Filipino people to the reality in order for us to ascertain what steps to undertake so we can perform better in the aspect of education,”
education sector. These include a continuing review of the K to 12 program, improving our students’ learning facilities and retooling the knowledge and skills of our teachers,” he said. Over 600,000 students around the age of 15 from 79 different countries joined PISA’s reading assessment in 2018. In the Philippines, majority of Filipinos who took part in the assessment are in Grade 9. n
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Dateline USa
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 7-10, 2019
A
Court drops sex assault charges against Quiboloy accuser in Hawaii
HONOLULU – A judge dismissed criminal sex assault charges against a woman who claimed she was a victim of sexual assault by the leader of a Filipino mega-church Apollo Quiboloy. Kristina Angeles, who was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage church member five years ago, claimed the accusation was part of a retaliatory campaign to punish and discredit her after she said she fled from abuse by the church led by Quiboloy, powerful pastor. The judge gave prosecutors six months to charge her again if they wish to do so, according to a Hawaii News Now report. Angeles became a key witness who claims she saw Quiboloy’s church members smuggling money back to the Philippines. Meanwhile, the federal government is continuing its prosecuThe partnership has so far strengthened workplace protections from employer exploitation by expanding resources for workers to file tion of Quiboloy’s local church manager, Felina Salinas, for atcomplains and further their understanding of their rights, according to Cruz and Rosalez. AJPress photos by Ding Carreon tempting to smuggle cash out of Hawaii on the pastor’s private jet. (Inquirer.net) Charges against Kristina Angeles were dropped.
Philippine Consulate, US Dept. of Labor renew... PAGE A1 t worker and employer awareness of workplace laws and regulations” in the western region of the U.S. Thursday’s renewal of the partnership extends it to three years. According to Rosalez, the partnership between the Philippine Consulate and the DOL WHD has resulted in “$11.8 million won in wage claims” for hundreds of Filipino workers. He added that the partnership has been “immensely successful” in gaining access to Filipino workers, helping Filipino workers feel comfortable communicating with the DOL and making sure they get paid in wage claims after the fact. Notably, this partnership has made it easier for Filipinos who may have moved from the U.S. to receive money won from the cases, Cruz said, referencing cases in which Filipinos who have flown back to the Philippines were able to get their money won from claims. “Going home would not be a deterrent in getting back what they truly deserve in terms of wages,” Cruz affirmed. As previously reported in the Asian Journal, the DOL WHD, along with the LA-based nonprofit organization Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), established EMPLEO Pinoy, an app for domestic workers to contact PWC staff to inquire about their rights and labor and immigration laws. In order to quell the fear of sharing sensitive information, users may ask questions anonymously. One of the most common fears that some workers face when coming forward with their complaints regards their citizenship status. Both Cruz and Rosalez emphasized that the partnership is meant to help Filipinos regardless of citizenship status. Additionally, information about their citizenship status will not be shared with any other government agency,
Philippine Consul General of LA Adelio Angelito S. Cruz and regional administrator of the U.S. DOL-WHD West Region Ruben Rosalez sign the memorandum of understanding establishing an official partnership to protect Filipino workers rights.
Rosalez assured. “One of the key points is that we don’t require that workers be citizens of the United States to enforce our law,” Rosalez explained. “Anyone that works in the United States has the protections of our laws so we don’t ask what their status is, and having that level of comfort with the Philippine Consulate helps us as well so we can access them and talk with them.” Rosalez added, “We don’t ask [about citizenship status] and it’s not one of our issues to police because we’re looking at the labor situation and the law applies to them and they have rights just like everyone else.” The 2017 agreement was motivated by a joint declaration between the Philippine Dept. of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Dept. of Labor made in 2012. “This signing of this arrangement is in keeping with the consulate’s programs in pursuit of the third pillar of Philippine foreign policy which is the protection of the rights, well-being and interest of the Filipinos overseas,” Cruz said. The partnership works as a collaboration, Rosalez explained in 2017, and as a continuing dialogue on how best both parties can fulfill this shared goal within their respective jurisdictions. The Philippine Consulate Gen-
Environment chief: PH in... PAGE A1 t waste generation baseline for 2019 of 58,112.31 cubic meters has already been surpassed,” he added. Cimatu also said that the Philippines was ranked by published environmental studies as the third highest source of ocean plastic pollution, with an estimated 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste leakage annually, following China and Indonesia. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is currently completing the agency’s order banning the use of single-use plastic nationwide. Aside from this, DENR also plans on taking the task of cleaning and rehabilitating Manila Bay. Cimatu said that 13,212 establishments around Manila Bay
have been inspected. “Of these, 2,684 establishments have been issued with notices of violation of environment regulations, while 1,910 more will be issued,” he said. “Addressing the large-scale challenge of rehabilitating Manila Bay requires attention and probing from a micro-level perspective. Hence, the DENR programs for Manila Bay rehabilitation are strategically defined to attend to the issues stemming from the identified sources of wastes,” he added. Cimatu also dismissed the doubts on the viability of Manila Bay’s rehabilitation. “Rather than voicing criticisms without providing concrete solutions, let us transform these sentiments into positive action that can spur positive change to our environment,” he said. n
Poll: Filipinos see US as top... PAGE A1 t Filipinos considered the U.S. as a threat while 4% named Russia and 3% answered Japan as the country’s greatest threat. Pluralities or majorities of the 17 countries surveyed named Washington as their most dependable ally. Among the countries that named the U.S. as their top ally are Israel (82%), South Korea (71%), Japan (63%), Canada (46%) and Australia (38%).
In the Philippines, the survey was conducted from May 25 to June 22 using face-to-face interviews among 1,035 adults. “For results based on the full sample in a given country, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus the margin of error. The margin of error is larger for results based on subsamples in the survey,” Pew said. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)
eral - LA covers southern California, southern Nevada and the entire State of Arizona; and the DOL WHD Western Regional Office covers the entire states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
California Surprise-Billing Law protects patients but aggravates many doctors MORE than two years after California’s surprise-billing law took effect, there’s one thing on which consumer advocates, doctors and insurers all agree: The law has been effective at protecting many people from bills they might have been saddled with from doctors who aren’t in their insurance network. But the consensus stops there. “In general, the law is working as intended,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a patient advocacy group that pushed for the measure, AB-72. “Patients are protected and the providers are getting paid.” Physicians beg to differ. They say the law’s constraints on what
insurers now pay has given the companies an unfair advantage in negotiations with doctors, which is leading to major changes in the industry that may affect patients. Recent analyses by some researchers, however, cast doubt on some of the doctors’ dire warnings. “The problem is that AB-72 is creating imbalances in the health care marketplace that are decreasing access to care,” said Dr. Antonio Hernandez Conte, an anesthesiologist whose specialty is among those most affected by the law. The California law, which took effect in July 2017, protects consumers who use an in-network
hospital or other facility from being hit with surprise bills when cared for by a doctor who has not contracted with their insurer. If that happens, consumers are responsible only for the copayment or other cost sharing that they would have owed if they had been seen by an in-network doctor. Federal lawmakers are eyeing the California law as a possible model as they debate legislative proposals that would address surprise billing at the national level. The California law applies to nonemergency services, since most state consumers were already protected for emergency
u PAGE A4
A december 7-10, 2019 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL
No new drug czar after...
PAGE A2 t Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Saturday that through a recalibrated drug war, more high-value targets (HVTs) would be arrested with seizure of more drugs in the coming days. “Yes, we expect more arrests of high-value targets and seizures of more drugs,” PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac told The Manila Times in a text message. Banac added that the PNP was now shifting to the supply side and running after HVTs and drug syndicates. “After a three-year successful campaign to reduce the demand for drugs, we now shift the focus to the supply side, running after high value targets and drug syndicates,” he said. Banac added that targeting the big-time drug peddlers is part of the Philippine Anti-Drug Strategy for 2016 to 2022. Complimenting the drug war shift, the PNP will pursue campaign for community-based drug prevention and rehabilitation programs “so that all those who stopped using drugs will not
be fall back again as users and pushers,” Banac explained. Also, National Capital Region Police Office chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas on Friday said the drug war in Metro Manila was also shifting to HVTs. “We focus more on the pushers talaga kung ‘yung mga tao magsimula sa maliliit, then we develop it find the source (We really focus on pushers, if we get the small drug suspects, then we develop it and find the source),” Sinas told reporters. But Sinas clarified that he did not encourage policemen to not target the small time drug suspects, despite new strategy. The Metro police chief also said transparency would be a priority in the drug war, particularly in the seizure of the drugs. Sinas also cited the significance of the participation of the community in catching the drug suspects. On Saturday, P455 million worth of shabu was seized in Las Piñas City, while on Tuesday the PNP-Drug Enforcement Agency (PNP-DEG) seized P2.5 billion worth of shabu in Las Piñas and Makati City from Liu Chao and
Dateline USa
his three cohorts. The haul is dubbed as one of the biggest in the three-year drug war. Such operation would affect the supply of drugs in the country, Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Catalino Cuy said. Earlier, PNP Officer in Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said a recalibration of drug war was being eyed to track HVTs. “’Yung sinabi kong calibrated, ibig sabihin i-revisit ‘yung campaign kasi three years na rin siya eh (The calibrated I mentioned means to revisit the campaign because it has been three years since the drug war started),” he added. Gamboa pointed out the vagueness in defining HVTs as part of the components of possible drug war renewal. The PNP acting chief also said he would ask policemen on the ground for any suggestion on the reassessment of their campaign against illegal drugs. Nationwide, based on the PNP data from July 2016 to July 2019, 6,600 drug suspects were killed in anti-illegal drug operations with a total of 256, 227 arrested. n
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De Lima among Financial Times readers’ ‘most influential’ women of 2019 SENATOR Leila De Lima has been included in the list of most influential women of 2019 by a London-based business newspaper. The detained lawmaker is among the most influential women from across the globe, according to readers of the Financial Times. The business newspaper said it received more than 100 nominations but only 16 women “stood out.” “The Filipino senator remains detained over drugs allegations that she and her supporters say were fabricated. De Lima had led a human rights investigation against Rodrigo Duterte into alleged extrajudicial killings that took place while he was a mayor of Davao City,” the description provided by Instagram user hcamp_spacesption to Financial Times read. “Her handwritten dispatches from her cell are incisive missives and commentary on the issues the Philippines faces,” it added. Financial Times readers also named climate activist Greta Thunberg, New Zealand Prime
Sen. Leila De Lima
Minister Jacinda Ardern, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge as trailblazers of the year. De Lima was previously recognized as one of the world’s greatest leaders by Fortune Magazine, one of the 100 Most Influential People by TIME Magazine, one of the leading Global Thinkers in 2016 and 2017 by Foreign Policy Maga-
Philstar.com photo
zine and one of Southeast Asia’s Women to Watch by the Diplomat Magazine. De Lima is facing conspiracy to commit drug trading charges before Muntinlupa courts and has been detained inside the police headquarters in Quezon City since Feb. 24, 2017. She said the “trumped-up” drug chargest against her were part of a presidential vendetta. (Gaea Katreena CabicoPhilstar.com)
PH reelected to IMO, vows to keep shipping ‘safe, secure, environment friendly’ THE Philippines had been reelected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as it vowed to make shipping safe, secure, and environment friendly. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the Philippines was re-elected to the IMO Council on November 29 during the 31st session of the IMO’s general assembly. The DFA said the Philippines retained its seat in the IMO Council at a “highly competitive election which saw 24 countries vie for 20 available seats under Category C, which comprises of States which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.” Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Antonio Lagdameo, the country’s Permanent Representative to the IMO, said
during the general assembly that the Philippines “actively pursues initiatives and policies that focus on the human element in shipping.” “The Philippine candidature is predicated on the unstinting commitment of the country to work closely with the IMO and all member-states to achieve the goal of making shipping safe, secure, and environment-friendly,” he said. Lagdameo added that the Philippines “puts a premium on the skills, competency, and wellbeing of Filipino seafarers who play a vital role in ensuring safe operations on board the ship and on the sea.” The Philippines, the DFA said, has the “largest number of maritime crew serving the international merchant fleet and has a growing shipbuilding sector, making it the fifth largest shipbuilding nation in the world.” The Council to which the Phil-
ippines has been re-elected is the executive organ of the IMO and is responsible for supervising the work of the organization. The Philippines joins Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey in the list of member-states elected under Category C. The members of the Council under Category A are 10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services, while those in Category B are 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. The 31st IMO general assembly was held in London at the IMO headquarters from November 24 to December 4. (Bernadette Tamayo/ManilaTimes.net)
California Surprise-Billing Law protects... PAGE A3 t care through an earlier court ruling. It’s not unusual for patients who visit a hospital or ambulatory surgical center that is covered by their insurance to encounter specialists who aren’t, even in nonemergency situations. For example, someone who has knee replacement surgery with an in-network surgeon at an in-network hospital may not realize that the anesthesiologist and assistant surgeon also scrubbing in on the operation are not. Or a couple may be surprised to learn that the neonatologist caring for their baby in intensive care is outside their insurance network, even though the hospital where they gave birth is inside it. Diagnostic specialists like radiologists and pathologists whom patients rarely see may be out-ofnetwork at an in-network hospital as well. Under the California law, the doctor’s payment from an insurer in those situations is based on either the average contracted rate for similar services in the area or 125% of what Medicare would have paid, whichever is greater. In a California Medical Association online survey released last month in which 855 physician practices responded nearly 90% of the doctors said that the law allowed insurers to shrink physician networks, thus limiting patients’ access to in-network doctors. Physicians blame the new law’s reimbursement rates for surprise out-of-network care. The payment standard made insurers less inclined to negotiate payments and reduced doctors’ bargaining power, the physicians say. Those surveyed said they faced insurer payment rate cuts, refusal to renew their contracts and contract termination, among other problems. This has led some physicians to try to gain leverage by consolidating practices, a move that can drive up health care costs significantly, the doctors warn. The medical association did not respond to calls for comment on the survey. Hernandez Conte, who chairs the legislative and practice affairs division of the California Society of Anesthesiologists, also pointed to data from the California Department of Managed Health Care showing that consumer complaints about access to care have risen from 415 in 2016 to 614 in 2018, a 48% jump.
Those complaints represent a minuscule number of consumers in the context of the more than 30 million Californians covered by commercial insurance or Medi-Cal, said Loren Adler, associate director at the University of Southern California-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy. Adler noted that there’s no way to know if the complaints had anything to do with the surprise-billing law. Hernandez Conte also pointed to a study published in August by the research firm Rand Corp. that he said showed the law is eroding doctors’ leverage with insurers. But that study a series of 28 interviews with doctors and others about their experiences in the first year after the law took effect wasn’t definitive, said author Erin Duffy, an adjunct policy researcher at Rand and postdoctoral fellow at the Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics at USC. “It’s more a reflection of what are some of the potential things we should look at down the road,” she said. Aside from individual examples of contracting problems cited by the physician group, researchers cite little evidence that patients are losing access to doctors who accept their insurance because of dwindling insurance networks. The opposite appears to be true. USC-Brookings researchers published an analysis in September examining more than 17 million specialty claims by California physicians affected by the law. They found the share of services that specialty physicians delivered out-of-network at hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers declined by 17% after the law took effect. When the law went into effect, there was a “precipitous” movement by affected physicians into insurance networks, said Adler, a co-author of the study. Similarly, when the trade group America’s Health Insurance Plans surveyed 11 large California health insurers about in-network providers during the two years after the law took effect, it found that the numbers grew or remained flat across specialties. There was a 16% increase in the number of in-network physicians overall, including a 26% rise in diagnostic radiologists and an 18% bump in anesthesiologists. The plight of consumers who go to an in-network facility and, unbeknownst to them, receive
treatment from out-of-network doctors has garnered plenty of attention in recent months. In a typical scenario, the doctor charges the insurance company for services, then turns around and bills the patient for whatever amount the insurance company doesn’t pay, a practice called balance billing. With no contract between the insurer and the doctor to set payment rates, the amounts billed by physicians are often higher than market rates, and the balance bills that patients face are many times higher than the regular copayment they would owe for in-network care. Federal lawmakers are debating a number of measures that would address the issues at the federal level. The leading House and Senate bills would set minimum payment standards based on insurers’ median in-network rate for a service for applicable out-of-network care, similar to the California law. A federal law is key to broadening the surprise-billing protections provided by California’s law, Wright said. More than half of states now provide some level of consumer protection against surprise bills, and the efforts vary. But state surprise-billing laws protect only people insured by state-regulated plans. In California, that means 5.5 million consumers whose employers self-fund workers’ health claims directly, rather than through an insurance plan, aren’t covered by the law. Since AB-72 was implemented, the Department of Managed Health Care hasn’t taken any enforcement actions against physicians for balance-billing patients in nonemergency situations, according to agency spokeswoman Rachel Arrezola. It has pursued a handful of cases against doctors for out-of-network balance billing in emergency situations, however. As doctors and patient advocates wrangle over AB-72, lawmakers are pressing new protections for consumers. A state law recently barred balance billing by air ambulance services. Starting in January, California consumers who are airlifted by an out-of-network air ambulance won’t be responsible for any more than their regular cost sharing for in-network providers. This KHN story first published on California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation. n
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 7-10, 2019
A
WHO: Fewer countries have health care strategies vs climate change by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com
FLOODWAY GATES. Six of the eight gates of the Flood Control Operating System at the Manggahan Floodway in Pasig City remain open to accommodate floodwater from the Marikina and Pasig Rivers on Wednesday, December 4. Some 90,749 families or 362,538 persons were affected by Typhoon “Tisoy” (Kammuri) are now being aided in Central Luzon, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
PH among countries worst hit by extreme weather in 2018 by gaea
Katreena Philstar.com
CaBiCo
THE Philippines—a country regularly exposed to tropical cyclones—placed second in the list of nations most affected by extreme weather events in 2018, according to a report of an environmental think tank. The Philippines took the second place in the Global Climate Risk Index published by Bonn-based Germanwatch. The annual ranking measures the damage done by storms, floods and heatwaves to humans and economies. Last year, the Philippines was hit by the Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut). The powerful typhoon tore across Northern Luzon in September 2018, triggering deadly landslides and displacing a quarter of the country’s population. In 2017, the Philippines ranked 20th. Japan was identified as the most weather-affected country in 2018. The East Asian nation was hit by torrential rains, an intense tropical cyclone and severe heatwave last year. Germany, also affected by extreme heat, placed third. Completing the list of most affected countries by extreme weather in 2018 were Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Rwanda, Canada and Fiji.
Long-term climate-impacted countries The 15th edition of the Global Climate Risk Index also identified the Philippines as among the nations most impacted by extraordinary catastrophes from 1999 to 2018. The country ranked fourth. Puerto Rico once again topped the index, followed by Myanmar and Haiti. Other countries most affected by extreme weather events in the last two decades include Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand, Nepal and Dominica. “Countries like Haiti, Philippines and Pakistan are repeatedly hit by extreme weather events and have no time to fully recover. That underlines the importance of reliable financial support mechanisms for poor countries like these not only in climate change adaptation, but also for dealing with climate-induced loss and damage,” David Eckstein, Germanwatch policy advisor on climate finance and investments, said. The annual index was presented in the 2019 UN Climate Conference—known as COP25—in Madrid, Spain. The crucial climate conference aims to finalize the rules for the 2015 Paris Agreement, which calls for blocking global warming at well below 2 degrees Celsius and 1.5 degrees Celsius, if pos-
sible. ‘Urgent action needed’ The Global Climate risk report should prompt the Philippine government to acknowledge that the Philippines is in a climate emergency and act with utmost urgency, environmental group Greenpeace said. “We have been in a state of climate emergency for decades now and the situation is not getting any better—and it will not get any better unless the world leaders gathering for the COP25 in Madrid show concrete commitments toward the promises they made in Paris,” Yeb Saño, Greenpeace Southeast Asia executive director, said. Greenpeace is one of the organizations urging President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a climate emergency in the Philippines and hold the fossil fuel companies accountable for the harms they cause. “We need urgent action if we are to address the root causes of the climate crisis and achieve climate justice for our people,” Saño said. He added: “This would only be possible if tackling climate change and its impact on the lives of Filipino people is given top priority by government and placed at the center of policyand decision-making on local and national levels.” n
PROTECTING people’s health from dangers such as heat, stress, storms and tsunamis has never been more important, yet only one in five countries has a health care strategy to deal with climate change, according to a research of the United Nations health agency. In its first global review of more than 100 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that while around half of them have developed a strategy on the issue, fewer than one in five is spending enough to implement all of their commitments. The WHO said most countries are doing too little about it. “Climate change is not only racking up a bill for future generations to pay, it’s a price that people are paying for now with their health,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “It is a moral imperative that countries have the resources they need to act against climate change and safeguard health now and in the future.” Of the countries that conducted an assessment of climate risks to people’s health, the most common risks were heat stress, injury or death from extreme weather events. Food and water security issues, along with vector-borne diseases such as cholera, dengue or malaria, also emerged. Despite the countries’ findings, about 60 percent reported that the data had “little or no influence” on the allocation of human or financial resources to make the changes needed to protect people’s health. Mainstreaming health in national and international climate processes could help access the necessary funds, the WHO suggested. It noted that while twothirds of nationally determined contributions to the 2015 Paris Agreement mention health as part of efforts to combat climate change and accelerate actions needed for a sustainable low carbon future, “this has not resulted in the neces-
sary level of implementation and support.” Previous research from WHO has found that reducing carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement could save about a million lives a year worldwide by 2050 through reductions in air pollution alone. Many countries, however,
are not able to take advantage of this potential, the UN agency insisted, based on data showing that fewer than one in four can demonstrate collaborations between health and the key sectors driving climate change and air pollution, namely transport, electricity generation and household energy. n
A december 7-10, 2019 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL
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D ateline PhiliPPines PH ‘fake news’ farms thrive due to politicians, industry players — report by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com
Viray
THE complicity of politicians and industry players in the political consultancy business, advertising and PR firms and digital influencer industry make way for the fake news industry in the Philippines, according to a report. Latvia-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (StratCom) looked into the industry of political trolling in the Philippines as “an everexpanding and financially lucrative industry.” The report co-authored by University of Massachusetts Amherst associate professor Jonathan Corpus Ong and De La Salle University associate professor Jason Vincent Cabañes noted that trolls are ready to expand their services glob-
ally that may possibly influence Western democratic elections. “The typical troll in the Philippines is not the sad nerdy guy living in his parents’ basement, but the savvy entrepreneur hyping their digital skills and seeking both political and corporate clients,” Ong said. The NATO StratCom report found four models of “fake news” factories in the Philippines: the in-house staff model, the advertising and public relations model, the clickbait model and the state-sponsored model. “The emergence of four disinformation work models across the spectrum of the politics-profit mix powerfully signals that fake news production is becoming ever more entrenched into the very fiber of contemporary politics,” the report read.
In the in-house model, veterans of political campaigning and chiefs of staff usually lead this model by maintaining at least a couple of fake Facebook accounts to bolster the image of their political principals on social media. They also use these accounts to troll their political opponents. As a consequence, digital disinformation work also becomes necessary for junior staff. “Because a chief of staff knows how dirty campaigns in traditional media can be, he has no compunction about wallowing in the dirty tactics of social media politicking—it’s just the latest iteration of what has always been done,” Ong and Cabañes wrote. THE MAGIC REMAINS. Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes shows why he was dubbed ‘The Magician’ as he played against Thailand’s Thongchai Punyawee. He The advertising and public won, 100-37. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina relations model involve politicians or their private donor
u PAGE A7
ICC junks ex-Philippines execs’ complaint vs China’s Xi by Pia Lee-BraGo Philstar.com
MANILA — Citing lack of jurisdiction, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has junked the case filed by two former Philippine government officials against China’s leader.In March, former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario and former ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales filed a complaint against Chinese President Xi Jinping over China’s environmentally destructive activities in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), particularly its building of artificial islands. Del Rosario and Morales filed
the communication before the ICC for “atrocious” actions in the South China Sea and in Philippine waters, saying China’s actions constitute a crime against humanity. “The Office concluded that the crimes allegedly committed do not fall within the territorial or otherwise personal jurisdiction of the Court,” ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in a report released on Thursday, December 5. The communication alleged that “China has intentionally and forcibly excluded Philippine nationals from making use of the resources in certain relevant areas of the sea (such as blocking
Filipino fishermen’s access to traditional fishing grounds at Scarborough Shoal); engaged in massive illegal reclamation and artificial island-building in the Spratly Islands, causing significant damage to the marine life in the area; and tolerated and actively supported illegal and harmful fishing practices by Chinese Chinese nationals, which has caused serious environmental damage.” It added that such conduct not only violates the law of sea but gives rise to crimes against humanity, namely other inhumane acts and persecution. n
Heirs of Marcos cronies lose wealth case by Patricia
denise Inquirer.net
chiu
THE Sandiganbayan has finally ruled in favor of the government in a civil forfeiture case involving the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth. In a 142-page ruling released Thursday night, the Sandiganbayan’s Special Third Division declared that the shares of stock in three sequestered companies—Eastern Telecommunication Philippines, Polygon Investors and Managers Inc. and Aerocom Investors and Managers Inc.—rightfully belong to the government because they were part of the Marcos family’s illgotten wealth. “Wherefore, judgment is hereby rendered declaring the shares … are ill-gotten wealth of defendant Ferdinand Marcos; hence should be reverted/reconveyed to the Republic of the Philippines,” it said. Based on a list released earlier by the Presidential Commission on Good Government, which contained a summary of disputed assets sought from the Marcos family, the government hopes to recover P2.758 billion under Civil
Case No. 0009. The decision, which ended 32 years of legal battle, covered shares of stock under the names of Marcos cronies Jose L. Africa and Manuel H. Nieto Jr., as well as small individual shareholders Victor Africa, Lourdes Africa, Rosario Songco, Raquel Dinglasan, Manuel Nieto III, Ramon Nieto, Victoria Legarda, Ma. Rita de los Reyes, Rosario Arellano, Angelo Lobregat, Benito Nieto, Carlos Nieto, Carmen Tuazon and Rafael Valdes. The Sandiganbayan ordered the heirs of Jose Africa and Manuel Nieto Jr. to return their shares of Eastern Telecom, as well as Polygon Investors and Managers and Aerocom Investors and Managers to the government, “including all the stock, cash dividends received and deposited and interests that may have accrued and may still accrue thereto.” It also ordered Nieto’s heirs to pay the government some P68.167 million, equivalent to the value of the original shares of Eastern Telecom that were transferred to ISM Communications Corp. in 2005. The court, however, dismissed
the cases against defendants Marcos, his wife, Imelda, and former Senate president and Marcos’ defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile for failure of the government to establish “preponderance of evidence against them.” Meanwhile, the legal heirs of Africa and Nieto were also ordered to “jointly and severally” pay the government P1 million in exemplary damages. The Sandiganbayan said the exemplary damages should serve as a deterrent to “deleterious actions.” “Ill-gotten wealth cases are hornbook demonstrations where damages by way of example or correction for the public good should be awarded. Fewer causes of action deserve the stigma left by exemplary damages,” the court said in the decision written by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and concurred in by Associate Justices Bernelito Fernandez and Sarah Jane Fernandez. The monetary awards , the court said, are subject to a 6 percent interest annually, from the date of the decision until they are fully paid. n
Declare climate crisis, Duterte urged by eireene Jairee
Gomez
ManilaTimes.net
ENVIRONMENT group Greenpeace has called on President Rodrigo Duterte to issue a “climate emergency” declaration following the pounding suffered by the Bicol Region from Typhoon “Tisoy” (international name: “Kammuri”). Along with other activists and youth climate strikers, Greenpeace members marched on Thursday to Mendiola in Manila to deliver an open letter asking Duterte to immediately issue an executive order declaring a climate emergency that would address the climate crisis and its impact on the lives of Filipinos. The group urged the government to put climate urgency at the center of all policy decisionmaking from the local to national level; hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in driving climate change; ensure the country’s rapid and just transition to a low-carbon pathway through a massive uptake of renewable energy solutions, phase-out coal; and stop all plans for future coal and fossil fuel investments. “By declaring a climate emergency, the Philippine administration acknowledges that resolving this global crisis should be a priority by the national government and the international community,” said Jefferson Estela, co-founder of Youth Strike for Climate Philippines. “However, the government must show clear efforts in addressing the factors contributing
Environment activists joined the protest on climate crisis at Mendiola in Manila on Thursday, December 5. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
to this crisis after declaring a climate emergency and we, the Filipino youth, are striking for climate because we are not just talking about our future here but the future of the next generation,” he added. Mitzi Jonelle Tan, convenor of the Youth Advocates for Climate Action in the Philippines, said the Filipino youth want “climate justice.” “We are fed up with the willful ignorance of multinational companies and world leaders of countries that are contributing the most to environmental degradation and the climate crisis. We will not stay in our classrooms when the threats to our country and to Filipinos are so clear and apparent,” she added.
The environmental activists also demanded that other countries, particularly industrialized nations, should enhance their emissions reduction ambitions in order to meet the Paris Agreement’s aim to limit global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius. Nearly 500,000 people in the Bicol Region were forced to flee their homes because of the destructive force of Typhoon Tisoy, whose high winds and heavy rains have triggered flash floods and landslides in some areas, with the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon among the hardest hit. The Department of Agriculture pegged damage to agriculture at P1.93 billion. n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 7-10, 2019
A
House OKs free freight services for relief goods Journalists ask Congress to pass by nova Joy
Dela ManilaTimes.net
ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill
Cruz
THE House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the “Relief Goods Free Transportation Act” right after the onslaught of Typhoon “Tisoy” in the country. House Bill 5070 seeks to provide for free freight cost in the delivery of relief goods to calamity-stricken areas. It was passed with 170 affirmative votes. The measure aims to ensure the timely delivery of relief assistance to victims of disasters or calamities. Under the bill, the Office of Civil Defense, in coordination with the Philippine Postal Corp. and all freight companies, common carriers, private carriers, freight forwarders and other companies providing logistic services in the Philippines will provide free freight “to duly registered relief organizations in the transportation of emergency relief goods and donated articles to areas declared to be in a state of calamity by the President or local government unit concerned.” The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will provide security and traffic management assistance to the re-
by Gaea
Philippine Coast Guards personnel prepare and pack relief goods at the warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Pasay City. ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili
sponse cluster’s operations to ensure the speedy transport of people, goods and equipment to the calamity-stricken communities. Free freight services for relief goods apply to common carriers or persons, corporations, firms or associations offering their services to the public engaged in the business of carrying or transporting passengers or goods or both by land, water, or air for compensation. The measure was principally authored by Rep. Florida Robes of San Jose del Monte City’s lone
district. The other authors of the bill are Representatives Lucy Torres Gomez (Fourth District, Leyte), Romeo Momo Sr. (Construction Workers Solidarity party-list), Afred Vargas (Fifth District, Quezon City), John Reynald Tiangco (lone district, Navotas City), Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer (Fourth District, Negros Occidental), Ansarrudin Abdul Malik Adiong (First District, Lanao del Sur), Micaela Violago (Second District, Nueva Ecija) and Vicente Veloso (Third District, Leyte). n
PH ‘fake news’ farms thrive due to politicians... PAGE A6 outsourcing trolling jobs. The outsourced consultants can also work simultaneously for opposite political camps. They form a team of political producers who work together in disinformation campaigns on a per project basis for corporate or celebrity campaigns. “The cross-political and ad hoc nature of the disinformation projects enables these producers to claim that they are first and foremost corporate marketing professionals or digital workers just doing their jobs,” the report read. The authors labelled the clickbait model as the “most politically agnostic and commercially driven” model of digital disinformation. “These digital infrastructures financially reward content publishers based on ever-changing metrics of web traffic and user engagement, usually measured by platforms, third-party intermediaries, and advertisers in terms of ‘impressions’ and ‘cost
stantly exposed to the risk of per click,’” they said. The state-sponsored model, being pulled in the digital unmeanwhile, resorts to tech- derground,” they said. n niques of formal intimidation and digital bullying. This leads to “silencing, selfcensorship and chilling effects among dissenters and the public at large.” “State-sponsored propaganda has chilling, far-reaching effects that come about through official intimidation as well as online trolling and harassment,” the report read. In conclusion, Ong and Cabañes suggested global initiatives to address the problem of digital disinformation such as creating oversight committees for transparency and accountability of social media content. For the Philippines, the authors said process-oriented would be more effective than content-oriented policy responses. “Policy should also focus on putting social safety nets in place for the many precarious digital workers who are con-
Katreena Philstar.com
CabiCo
MANILA — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines on Friday called on Congress to pass the legislative franchise renewal of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN. President Rodrigo Duterte’s vow of blocking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise has become “more than another idle threat,” which puts the ball clearly in Congress’ court, NUJP said. “The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines urges the legislature to uphold its independence and pass the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN,” the organization said. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano—who earlier said he has a “personal complaint” against the television network—said the lower chamber would not be deliberating bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise for the rest of 2019. Cayetano, an ally of the president, said legislators have “more than enough time” to tackle the proposed measure in January and February of next year. ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise expires on March 30, 2020, at which point their radio and broadcast operations
will have to shut down if no renewal is approved. Early this week, Duterte, who has the power to veto bills that Congress approves, said the franchise will not be renewed. NUJP said between 10,000 and 11,000 who depend on ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries or sister companies for their
bread and butter will lose their jobs or will indirectly be dislocated once the company’s franchise is denied. “Do not allow one man’s vindictiveness displace thousands of workers, including journalists and artists, and spell the end for freedom of the press and of expression,” the organization said. n
A8 DECEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
Poor performance
FEATURES
SCHOOL curricula have been redesigned for greater emphasis on mathematics and the sciences. Yet the latest Program for International Student Assessment or PISA showed Filipino 15-year-olds in ninth grade scoring near the bottom not only in math and science but also in reading. PISA, administered by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, was launched in 2000. Countries must request for inclusion in the test. This is the first time that the Philippines has sought inclusion, to assess the capabilities of Filipino students. The results have been dismal although, according to education officials, not unexpected: of 79 countries in the PISA, the Philippines ranked the worst in terms of reading comprehension and 78th in mathematics and science. Education officials say they suspected that this could happen, based on the results of the National Achievement Test among senior high school. The NAT results were among the reasons why the government sought inclusion in the PISA. Out of the dismal test outcome, something good must emerge. Education officials recognize the problem areas and stress that these are being addressed. Curricula in public schools are being redesigned and teachers are getting more skills upgrading and chances for increased pay and promotion.
Other government offices, however, must also step in. Students need an environment conducive to learning, including buildings that are sturdy enough to withstand the typhoons and earthquakes that hit the country regularly. Policymakers must also consider proposals to increase funding for education. The top performers in PISA are students from countries that allocate a much higher percentage of gross domestic product to education than the Philippines. Public investment in education is a critical factor in national competitiveness, innovation and economic progress. Civil society also plays a role in encouraging youths’ interest in reading, math and the sciences, in improving English proficiency — the language in which the PISA was administered to Filipino students — and in encouraging analytical thinking rather than rote learning. The PISA results indicate a national problem. Addressing it will require a concerted national effort.
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Hard lessons from the Southeast Asian Games
Commentary
RICARDO SALUDO WITH the stirring, spectacular opening ceremonies last Saturday, and then the massive medal haul by Filipino athletes, one may seem uncharitable in tempering cheers for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with a few admonitions. Indeed, since the November 30 kickoff, right on the birth anniversary of founding Katipunero Andres Bonifacio, the SEA Games’ critics have fallen silent, as if their carping in recent weeks were not just drowned out, but also debunked by the ecstatic chorus of the Hotdog band’s “Manila” at the packed Philippine Arena. Many people, brimming with patriotic joy, may then take umbrage if Congress, the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB), and the Commission on Audit (CoA) proceed to look into the P55-million Olympic flame cauldron in New Clark City, as well as the channeling of P1.5 billion in SEA Games funds to the private Philippine Southeast Games Organizing Committee, headed by stalwarts of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. Expose those tarnishing the nation Why investigate and spoil the immense boost to national pride and unity from the Games? Can’t we just bask in the glow of the impressive display of what Filipinos can do for the nation and the region, plus world sport and international harmony? Answer: Because sweeping
SEA Games anomalies under the rug would erode the very pride, excellence, unity and sportsmanship among our neighbors felt by Filipinos over the SEA Games celebration and competition. Let us extol the nation’s achievement, and hold accountable those who would tarnish it — by exposing any fake news claiming corruption, as well as real crooks profiting at the nation’s expense. To repeat, the nation and our integrity institutions OMB and CoA, along with responsible, impartial media, should probe claims of anomaly and incompetence to debunk lies that shamed Filipinos in our moment of triumph before the region, and to censure and punish traitorous Filipinos who use their position and influence in corrupt schemes fleecing and shaming the country. Whether fake news to shame the administration, or graft-ridden deals exploiting it, the end-result is the exact antithesis of what international sports, from the Olympics and the world championships to the SEA Games, stand for: excellence, fairness and friendship in competition. False accusations are patently unfair and dishonest, destroying the very basis of fair play in sport. Take the claim that foreign athletes had to sleep on the hotel floor, and Muslim ones were served pork. In fact, the former arrived earlier than their scheduled check-in, and elected to sleep on the holding room floor while waiting for their rooms. And the hotel hosting the Muslim group said all religious dietary rules were followed. Corruption too opposes honesty as well as patriotism, and
its schemers now want to avoid accountability for dishonesty by hiding behind nationalist pride. Don’t expose our graft, they seem to be saying, to spare the nation shame. Well, the only way to dissuade similar brazen profiteering at the people’s expense is to probe and punish it. Period. Plainly, if grafters will not spare even international showcases of national pride and prowess, what will they not taint with corruption? Sportsmanship for nationbuilding Tarring international sports events are particularly damaging to the Republic’s values and reputation. Being largely free from fractious political issues, games among nations attract the most attention and adulation from the global populace, especially the youth making up the participants or aspiring to be among them. Fake news and corrupt schemes alienate this massive sport-loving segment of the world community. Sports also give the youth the rare opportunity to bring honor and pride to the country without having to, say, wage war, invent amazing devices, create billion-dollar enterprises, or make blockbuster films or chart-topping records. Hence, when great sporting events are slashed by sleaze, among the ideals bloodied is the youth’s heroic drive to serve and elevate the nation. Sportsmanship also builds unity and peace by allowing athletes in fierce competition, even among nations that have fought wars or are still in conflict, to shake hands after the matches. Recall the Christmas truce 105
No read, no write
Commentary
MICHAEL L. TAN I RECENTLY had to go to the office of a publishing firm to look for books I couldn’t find in our more mainstream shops. “Can you please write out the titles?” the security guard asked me in Tagalog, which I did. She looked at the piece of paper for a few seconds then looked at me apologetically, admitting she could not read what I had written down. Now, I pride myself with my handwriting—I feel that a badly handwritten note can be insulting—but then I thought maybe the guard had difficulties because it was in cursive penmanship, so I redid it in block letters.
No luck for the guard, who actually asked me to read it out, which I did, while still trying to rationalize that maybe she had difficulty because the titles were in English. She then picked up their phone-intercom to call their salespeople. When someone answered on the other end of the line, she looked at me again with despair and I realized, she could not read. I was shocked. She was young, in her 20s, and to be a security guard you have to have finished at least high school. But then I reminded myself about my constant struggles with many people having difficulties reading and writing. One of my drivers, also a high school graduate, sends these exasperating texts that you need a few minutes to decipher because
of the spelling, grammar and just plain lack of logic.Let’s not fool ourselves anymore, declaring we have one of the highest literacy rates in the world. In the 21st century, it is not enough to know your ABCs (and I wonder even then, looking at the spelling of young people). It’s being able to grasp what you read, and to be able to use that comprehension to make important decisions, whether choosing from several brands of a food product or signing a consent form for a particular medical procedure or one of the many contracts that characterize modern life.Conversely, it also means being able to communicate, in written form, to request for, or to complain about something from the water or electric company, or from the SSS or GSIS, to follow up on that request, or, simply, to write a let-
SEA GAMES 2019. Filipino athletes make their entrance as they join the parade during the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on Saturday, November 30. Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet
years ago this month, when German and British troops facing off in the trenches stopped shooting and played football, despite orders from the British high command not to fraternize with the enemy. Now, what happens when politicking and graft invade the Games? Unsavory comments and sentiments replace the celebration of harmony and unity among disparate peoples. That cannot but rob the Games of goodwill. Hence, one would not be surprised if Broadway star Lea Salonga backed out of the SEA Games opening due to concerns over integrity and fractiousness. Of course, the essence of sports is winning and excelling. Every athlete wants to take the crown fair and square, with
the best man or woman prevailing. Nothing fair and square, of course, when falsehoods shame the Games, and what gets projects are not the best companies, but the most connected. Time to take sports seriously Sadly, despite the foregoing arguments, the liars and schemers who besmirched the SEA Games may escape exposé and accountability. National leaders and policy makers have long given little value to sports as a tool in nation building. “It’s just a game,” goes the disdaining refrain. That is not how other nations, especially the global sporting giants, treat sports. Indeed, most members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have Cabinet-level ministries handling sports, unlike the Philippines.
If there is any leader who should punch hard for taking sports seriously, it is Sen. Manny Pacquiao. Our national icon of global sports excellence should light a fire bigger than the cauldron blaze he ignited at the SEA Games opening, and make our leaders and our people treat games as, well, not just games. That means, first and foremost, bringing the rules and practices of various national sports in line with global norms. These standards include not just anti-doping and anti-fixing regimes, but also safeguards for the welfare of athletes, like insurance for racing — required abroad, but forcibly waived hereabouts, with tragic results. Let’s stop treating sports as kid stuff. (ManilaTimes.net)
ter of thanks, or a love letter. There’s a vicious cycle here. People who are not comfortably literate end up with an inferiority complex, ever fearful of having to deal with the written word, especially when they are part of government bureaucracies. My driver gave up on a disability claim some years back because he just couldn’t deal with the SSS bureaucracy, even when I assigned someone to go with him. Whenever he has to deal with government, and, lately, even private utility companies, he gets around to asking if we can use a fixer. I say no and assign the housekeeper to go with him, or even call the office to find out what’s going on. Red tape lives in both the public and private sectors, and is a scourge for our barely literate Filipinos. So I was not surprised to see the results of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD)’s Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa). In the latest 2018 Pisa, involving 15year-old students in 79 countries, the Philippines ranked last in reading, and second to the last in mathematics and science. The top-ranking countries were China (and, separately, Macau and Hong Kong, both part of China), Singapore, Estonia and Canada. The country report gave other findings on Philippine high schools, underscoring the problems of deficits in the learning environment. The Department of Education responded quickly after the Pisa report was released, promising to take action. We’ve been trying to fix our schools for years, even as we work harder around curriculum development, textbook production and teacher training. Meanwhile though, what do we do with the millions of barely lit-
erate Filipinos who lose out every day by making bad choices, getting fooled by marketing and advertising scams, and, most importantly, are left unable to tutor their children? The problems will worsen with cell phone texting and social media blogs, where all that matters are emoticons and ranting. Throw in YouTube and cable TV and you can see why our bookstores are closing down. We will lag further behind our neighbors, who are upgrading the literacy skills of their citizens to make them creative and discerning while we are content with producing a labor force with just about enough literacy to take orders (and even there, I wonder). Worse, as automation intensifies, it will be these barely literate Filipinos who will lose their jobs first, and who will find it more and more difficult to get new work. (Inquirer.net)
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 7-10, 2019
A
SC gives green light for trial of Lapid by JomAR
CAnlAs
ManilaTimes.net
QUARTERFINALIST. Nathaniel Perez (right) of the Philippines gets another point to blank Srisawat Phattanapho of Thailand, 5-0, in the men’s foil event of the 30th SEA Games fencing competition at World Trade Center in Pasay City on Wednesday, December 4. Nathaniel advanced to the quarterfinals against Xing Han Cheng of Malaysia. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
Duterte: Water concessionaires liable for graft, plunder by Alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA — Water concessionaires who profited from lopsided contracts are liable for plunder and graft, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday, December 5, as he declared that he won’t heed arbitration rulings that ordered the government to pay billions in damages to the water firms. Duterte said water concessionaires have been “fooling” Filipinos since they signed contracts that he said violated the law. “Huwag mo ako bolahin, l**** ka (Don’t fool me b****), don’t f*** with me. Linaro niyo Pilipino sa pera. Sabi ko (You tricked Filipinos with money. I said) I will pursue this if this is the only thing I can achieve in this administration. Birahin ko talaga (I will really run after them), economic plunder,” the president said during a briefing on the effects of Typhoon Tisoy in Albay. “This is a classic case of economic plunder. Wala lang nakasilip dito (Nobody saw it). I can only assume money really talks,” he added. Duterte said Filipinos have been shouldering the corporate income tax of the water utilities. “It is money of the entire Republic of the Philippines. They are your constituents. Government money was used to pay your income tax. How can you say that only Metro Manila was affected? We paid for your tax-
es,” he said. “I said, well, there’s always a time for everything. The Bible says there is a time to be comfortable with what you have stolen money, there is a time to wallow in filth, in riches, but there is also time for reckoning, to explain to the people how it came about. Talagang yayariin ko sila dito (I will really hit them here),” he added. Duterte said he won’t comply with an arbitration ruling ordering the government to pay Manila Water P7.39 billion in damages. “The lawyers knew that when they were crafting the contract... all provisions at that time until now...they knew it was all in violation of law – the diminution of our sovereignty, that we have to pay for their losses. Son of a b****, that’s against the anti-graft (law). If you put that together, the money we have to absorb, we have to pay for their income tax,” he said. “You are lawyers. Right (from) the start, it was a contract that was all in contravention of the anti-graft law. Over a period of time, that’s plunder... over a period of time for so many years, and then you will collect P7 billion from me? I’m not satisfied, I’m pissed off with the services,” he added. Duterte reminded the Ayalas, the owner of Manila Water, that plunder is a non-bailable offense, adding that he wanted to see billionaires in jail.
He vowed to solve the problem involving water concessionaires before he steps down: “The next president will have a lot of problems. But I will finish these two. If I can’t finish this in a peaceful way, I will just lock their office buildings and burn them. That’s easy to do. So I go to prison? I am old. At my age, death is the least of my concern.” New deals Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Thursday that while the Department of Justice is willing to talk to Manila Water and Maynilad, the DOJ’s priority is to get a new deal with the concessionaires. This was Guevarra’s reaction to statements made by the two water concessionaires that they are willing to talk so that they can come up with a “workable solution” with the government on the PCA ruling. More than reaching a compromise with the two water firms, however, Guevarra said they are more interested in removing the provisions onerous to the government, such as the one extending their contract from the original expiration year of 2022 to 2037. The extension was reportedly done 12 or 13 years before the contracts expire in year 2022 without any changes in the terms and conditions from the original contract. “The government is more interested in getting a new deal PAGE A10
THE Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday, December 5, allowed the Sandiganbayan to proceed with the trial of Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid and three others in connection with the P728-million fertilizer fund scam. In a 13-page ruling penned by Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr. dated August 19, but released just recently, Sandiganbayan’s Second Division set aside the resolution issued by the anti-graft court on Sept. 30, 2016 and Dec. 13, 2016 which dismissed the graft charges against Lapid. The Supreme Court ruled that the Sandiganbayan abused its discretion in dropping the case. Lapid had argued there was inordinate delay on the part of the Office of the Ombudsman in launching a fact-finding investigation against him. The case stemmed from the questionable purchase of liquid fertilizer using P728 million drawn from the Department of Agriculture’s Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Program. Lapid was governor of Pampanga at the time. The high court also ordered the
prosecution and continuous trial of Malayan Pacific Trading Corporation (MPTC) officials Ma. Victoria Aquino Abubakar and Leolita Aquino and Macro-Micro Fertilizer Resources proprietor Alexander SD Vasquez. The three were charged over the purchase of allegedly overpriced liquid fertilizer, which totaled to P4.76 million from MPTC. They were also charged over the lack of public bidding after Lapid certified there were no suitable substitutes to the Macro-Micro Foliar Fertilizer they offered, when in fact there was a suitable substitute available at a much lower price. The Sandiganbayan exonerated Lapid, saying he was denied the right to a speedy disposition of his cases. The case started on May 2011 when it reached the Field Investigation Office-Task Force Abono of the Ombudsman. But the antigraft court noticed that there was no proof that the Ombudsman conducted a fact-finding investigation as earlier as 2006. The Office of the Ombudsman found prima facie evidence to indict Lapid on Sept. 18, 2013, or two years and four months after the complaint was filed.
Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid ManilaTImes.net photo
“Thus, from the filing of the formal complaint until the Ombudsman’s approval of the resolution finding probable cause against Lapid, et al, the length of time consumed for the preliminary investigation was three years and one month,” the decision read. “In sum, delay becomes inordinate only in the presence of arbitrary, vexatious and oppressive actions or inactions that are discernible from the proceedings. No such delay attended the Ombudsman’s proceedings that would warrant the dismissal of the criminal case against herein respondents,” it added. n
A10 december 7-10, 2019 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL
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Eleazar pledges intensified drug war by Darwin
PesCo ManilaTimes.net
NEWLY promoted Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar vowed to intensify the drug war during his promotion ceremony at Camp Crame on Thursday, December 5. Eleazar, the chief of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Directorial Staff, is seen as one of the candidates for the next PNP chief. “Having seen the success of the President’s (Rodrigo Duterte) war against illegal drugs, I, in my personal and current official
capacity shall intensify my efforts to win as many battles in this bloody war,” Eleazar said in his speech. “Today, after decades of uncertainty, fear and terror, the Filipino is beginning to enjoy peace of mind, a priceless commodity, a constitutional right, a heavenly gift that has eluded us for a long, long time,” he added, stressing that he would also go after “narcocops” or police officers involved in the drug trade. Eleazar is an alumnus of the Philippine Military Academy’s Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar Hinirang Class of 1987. n ManilaTimes.net photo
Duterte orders Bello to resume talks with Sison by Catherine MODIFIED, COMMUNITY-BASED REHAB. Eighteen out of 48 persons completed the Modified Community-Based Rehabilitation Program and Drug Abuse Seminar held at James Ville Hotel and Resort San Jose, Antipolo City on Friday, December 6. In partnership with the Center for the Health Calabarzon, Antipolo City Government, and Family Wellness Center, the Modified Community-Based Rehabilitation Program was launched to help drug dependents healed and go back to the mainstream society. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
s. Valente ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, December 5, said he ordered Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to resume talks with exiled communist leader Jose Maria “Joma” Sison. During his visit to Legazpi, Albay, Duterte renewed his interest in reopening the peace talks as “my time was running out.” “Ang ano ko ngayon (My plan office said. It also held meetings and was now is), I cannot stop. Hindi ko in contact with stakeholders, pwedeng sabihin, ayoko nang including civil society organiza- makipag-usap (I can’t say that I tions, to address matters relevant don’t want to talk). That is not a to the preliminary examination statement of a leader, of a president. Alam mo ‘yung mga (You and seek further information. The Office of the Prosecutor know the) military, but you added it collected and assessed know, you should understand open source information on any that the quest for, the longrelevant national proceedings ing for peace is always there, conducted by Philippine author- and not for the military and ities as well as monitored pro- the police but for everybody. ceedings that appear to remain Kailangan (It is important that) the doors must be open always ongoing. “Open source information in- or there must be at least one dicates that a limited number of investigations and prosecutions have been initiated (and, in some cases, completed) at the national level in respect of direct perpetrators of certain criminal conduct that allegedly took place in the context of, or by Cathrine Gonzales connection to, the war on drug Inquirer.net campaign,” it said. Under the principle of compleMANILA — A total of 497 vilmentarity in the Rome Statute, the ICC only acts when national lages have been affected by the courts are unable or unwilling to African Swine Fever (ASF) virus but its spread in outbreak areas prosecute atrocities at home. The government said just over has leveled down for the last two 5,500 alleged dealers and users months, the chief of the Departwho fought back during arrest ment of Agriculture (DA) said on have been killed but watchdogs Wednesday, December 4 In a roundtable discussion say the true toll can be as high with the Inquirer, DA Secretary as 27,000. n William Dar said the 425 affected barangays are in Central Luzon, 46 in Calabarzon, 19 in Metro Manila, and seven in Ilocos Region. This figure covers up to No-
ICC prosecutor’s preliminary examination into ‘drug war’ seen done in 2020 by Gaea
Katreena Philstar.com
CabiCo
MANILA — The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court seeks to finalize the preliminary examination into President Rodrigo Duterte alleged crimes against humanity in 2020. ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said this is an annual report on the Hague-based tribunal’s preliminary examination activities. “During 2020, the Office will aim to finalize the preliminary examination in order to enable the prosecutor to reach a decision on whether to seek authorization to open an investigation into the situation in the Philippines,” Bensouda said in the report. A preliminary examination is not the same as a preliminary investigation in criminal proceedings. If Bensouda concludes that there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation, she will submit to the Pre-Trial Chamber a request for authorization of an investigation, together with any supporting material collected. In February 2018, Bensouda’s office announced it would open
preliminary examination into the alleged extrajudicial killings linked with the government’s anti-drug crackdown. This prompted the Philippine government to withdraw it ratification of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established ICC. The country’s withdrawal formally took effect in March 2019. Despite the withdrawal, the initial review continues. Prosecutor’s assessment The Office of the Prosecutor said it “significantly advanced” its assessment of whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation into crimes allegedly committed in the context of the war on drugs during the reporting period. It reviewed “hundreds” of media and academic articles, reports, databases, legal submissions, primary documents, press releases and public statements by intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations. “Consistent with standard practice, the Office has subjected such information to rigorous source evaluation, including an independent and thorough assessment of the reliability of sources and credibility of information received,” Bensouda’s
channel, if everything closes na pwede mong pakiusapan (that you can appeal to),” Duterte said. “Now this is the first time I will reveal it. I’m sending Secretary Bello. Komunista naman talaga ito siya (He is really a communist) so he should go there, talk to them… I cannot talk about it. Basta I’m sending him back to Sison and talk to him. Malaman lang ninyo iyang pagdating ng panahon (You will know when the time comes). If he agrees, ito ang sabi ko (this I said) is last card. When I say my last card, my time is running out,” he said. Duterte has been sending mixed signals with regard to the talks with communist rebels, who have been waging an armed struggle against the government for five decades. In 2017, Duterte issued Proclamation 360 declaring the termination of the talks with the communist rebels. In the proc-
lamation, the President said the insurgents failed to show their sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine peace negotiations because they had engaged in acts of violence and hostilities. In December 2018, the President issued Executive Order 70 forming a national task force to “end local communist armed conflict.” In February, Duterte expressed readiness to talk to the communists, even offering to shoulder their expenses if they come to Manila for the negotiations. The following month, the President announced what he described as the “permanent” termination of the talks with the insurgents. In May, Duterte said he may form a new panel to negotiate with communists. He said the panel would be composed of at least two civilians and three military officers. n
ASF affected 497 villages; outbreak eased off – DA chief vember 30. Affected barangays are those that have recorded positive cases of ASF and have conducted swine depopulation as part of disease control, explained Dar. “Even isa or dalawa may sakit sa isang area, outbreak area na ‘yan. Ngayon ay bumababa [na], not as much as prior to these last two months (Even one or two [hog/s] inflicted with ASF virus, that’s already an outbreak area. Now it’s been subsiding, not as much as prior to these last two months),” he said. According to Dar, this means the protocols set by DA are
working and that hog-raisers are now more cooperative with the government in controlling the disease. Dar said a total of 136,770 hogs have been depopulated. These pigs were broken down as follows: 96,575 in Central Luzon, 10,709 in Calabarzon, 4,046 in Metro Manila, and 1,059 in Ilocos Region. Of those, Dar added, 24,381 were actually affected by the virus while the remaining 112,389 pigs were healthy but nevertheless culled since the animals are situated within a kilometer from ASF virus’ ground zero. n
Duterte: Water concessionaires liable for... PAGE A7 t than in compromising the arbitral award,” Guevarra said. Asked if going to court is the option that the government is exploring, he answered, “Both sides are willing to talk. We would just prioritize this first.” Duterte has instructed the DOJ to come up with an integrated solution, according to Guevarra. “We are still studying our legal options, but we’ll probably start with the drafting of a new version that excises all provisions in the concession agreement that we believe are contrary to law and public policy as well as those that are highly prejudicial to the interest of the consuming public,” Guevarra said. The justice chief added that they are still studying their legal options. The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is contemplating judicial remedies that can be done locally or abroad, while some Cabinet members are suggesting the overhaul of the existing concession agreements with Manila Water and Maynilad. The Duterte administration is not inclined to pay damages to water concessionaires for the losses they incurred from the deferred implementation of rate hikes, insisting that their concession deals are unfair and “against public policy.” The government has suffered setbacks in the arbitration cases involving the supposed breach of its obligations with Manila Water and Maynilad, and has been ordered by a Singapore court to pay more than P10 billion to the water firms. Last year, a Singapore-based court ordered the government to pay P3.42 billion in damages to the Pangilinan-owned Maynilad for the company’s losses that stemmed from water regulators’ refusal to implement an upward tariff adjustment for 2013 to 2017. Earlier this week, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in Singapore ruled that the government should pay P7.39 billion in compensation to Manila Water for losses incurred from the delayed water rate increases since 2015. Malacañang, however, insisted that the concession agree-
ments with the water firms are “onerous.” “The contracts are onerous. They are disadvantageous to the government,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo told radio station dzXL on Thursday. The deals could be rescinded if they go against public interest, according to Panelo. “Under the Constitution, the President has the duty to serve and protect the people. So on the basis of that, the President can do things that can either annul, rescind contracts that are against the interest of the people or public policy,” he said. “These are the contracts that are against public policy. Once the court declares them to be such, they would be annulled,” he added. Last Tuesday, Duterte accused Manila Water and Maynilad of turning water distribution into a moneymaking scheme and threatened to file economic sabotage charges against everyone behind the agreements. Duterte particularly criticized a provision of the contracts that prevents the government from stopping rate increases. He ordered the finance department and the solicitor general to draft a new concession agreement that is favorable to the government and the public. Panelo claimed that the government officials who signed the contracts were controlled by the owners of the water concessionaires. “(Officials) would not have allowed (the signing of the contracts) if they were promoting the interest of the nation,” the Palace spokesman said. “If the government cannot provide the service, the private corporations can do it. But the provisions of the contract should be fair, not one-sided,” he added. House probe set Meanwhile, a resolution was filed at the House of Representatives that will set into motion an investigation on the PCA ruling. Dasmariñas City, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. filed House Resolution 572 that directs appropriate committees of the chamber to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the recent ruling.
“The right to water is a fundamental human right and is a key driver of economic and social development, and all efforts should be made to ensure that every Filipino has access to clean and potable water,” Barzaga stated in his two-page resolution. The Ayala-owned Manila Water earned the ire of Duterte, who accused them of tax evasion, even as they claimed they lost P7.3 billion borne out of forgone revenues as a result of government’s refusal to allow them to hike water rates from 2015 to this month. Barzaga, however, pointed out Manila Water, in fact, claimed it had a “gross income” of P6.5 billion, a “net income increase of six percent” from the previous year (2017). reported Maynilad likewise a net income of P7.3 billion in 2018, up from P6.8 billion in 2017. “As per its 2018 Annual Report, Maynilad’s core income increased by five percent due to the combined effect of a threepercent growth in billed volume and several rounds of tariff increases,” he said. What is more disappointing is that both water concessionaires have not even complied with the Supreme Court ruling, where they were both fined nearly P1 billion each for violating the Clean Water Act in 2009. “We have yet to see if these sanctions have been complied with,” Barzaga said, noting that Manila Water and Maynilad were also “penalized” by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for service interruptions early this year. “It is clear to every Filipino that Manila Water and Maynilad have failed to deliver efficient water services,” he said. No less than Guevarra revealed they found some onerous provisions in the government’s contracts with the two firms. “Unfortunately, despite Manila Water’s dismal performance in its Manila concession, it won 11 new projects in 2018 through its Manila Water Philippine Ventures,” Barzaga, president of the National Unity Party in Congress, lamented. n
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SHOWBIZ&STYLE Journal
Miss Universe unveils new diamond-studded $5-million crown By ratziel
San Juan Philstar.com
THE Miss Universe 2019 “Power of Unity” Crown was finally revealed at an exclusive press event in Atlanta Marriott Marquis on Thursday, December 5. The crown, composed of 18karat gold and more than 1,770 diamonds, was sponsored and designed by world-class jeweler Pascal Mouawad. It is valued at around $5 million (estimated P253.7 million), Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart said during the press event. Mouawad on its Facebook page said the Power of Unity Crown celebrates themes of modernity, achievement, journey, power and femininity. This marks the first time that
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray led the unveiling of the new Miss Universe Crown on Thursday, December 5. Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray
the family-owned luxury jeweler company Mouawad designed a crown for Miss Universe. The coronation night of the
68th Miss Universe will be held in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States on Sunday, December 8.
Mark cites advantages of having a nonshow biz life partner By Marinel
r. Cruz
Inquirer.net
“I’M sure about her,” said actor Mark Neumann when asked why he would often call long-time girlfriend, Maffy Villamor, his “fiancée,” even though he has yet to propose to her. The couple has been dating for four years now. The 25year-old actor confirmed that they are now living together at his family home in Lemery, Batangas. “I’m working on that proposal. I’m just getting all the papers ready,” Mark said during the 25th anniversary party of Bioessence that also coincided with the skin services brand’s relaunch of its “Caring Beyond Beauty” campaign. As it turned out, securing all the documents needed for their wedding is not that easy for the German-born actor.
Mark Neumann ABS-CBN photo
“I contacted the embassy here. It took months before they replied,” explained Mark. “They had to reopen my case because I haven’t been to Germany for more than 10 years. They had to track my records there to make sure that I didn’t get married anywhere in Germany. That took time, too.” Mark said it didn’t help that the agency in Germany he was
communicating with had only wanted hard copies of his documents from Manila. “I sent everything to them. Once they’re done checking the papers, they will send them back with the necessary adjustments. I hope I don’t need to resend anything to them anymore after that,” he shared with reporters. Mark, who holds a dual citizenship, has a Filipino father and a Croatian mother. His dad was adopted and later assumed a German surname. “I have to deal with both sides, the German and Philippine governments,” he pointed out. “I don’t want to call her just my girlfriend. To me, she’s more than that,” Mark said of Maffy, who is from Cebu. “She is special. We have a lot in common, especially our hobbies. She also understands my work as an actor.”
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EntErtainmEnt
Pops: Martin and I can now laugh at our mistakes in the past by
AllAn PolicArPio
Aiko on getting married again: It comes in 3’s ricky lo Philstar.com
by
Inquirer.net
POPS Fernandez was admittedly nervous prior to the opening leg of her recent U.S. tour with Martin Nievera. It had been quite a while since the ex-couple last performed together, and Pops was anxious about how things would unfold onstage. “What would we do? What should we say?” she thought. “I was anxious, anticipating what was going to happen.” But when the lights went on, it was like they have never been away. “It’s like riding a bike! Did that come out right?” Pops quipped, laughing in an interview. After many years of performing together, navigating a concert has become second nature to Pops and Martin. “We don’t really plan or talk about what we’re going to do. If you believe in chemistry, then that’s what we have,” she said. “Somehow,
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Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez
it all just comes out naturally.” This despite everything they have been through. “We managed to remain friends because we can now look at our past from a lighter standpoint. We can laugh at our mistakes,” she said. Revelers can expect a night of free-flowing beverages, fine
Inquirer.net photo
dining and music at “The Royal Affair,” with the quartet Fourtissimo and the showband Red Picasso ushering in Pops and Martin. There will also be a poolside after-party, with performances from 3rd Avenue, Arman Ferrer, Floyd Tena, Gian Magdangal, Shiela ValderramaPAGE B3
THE title of the Sarah Geronimo-John Lloyd Cruz starrer aptly describes Aiko Melendez’s current state of the heart — finally found someone which, incidentally, applies to Sarah (happily engaged to Matteo Guidicelli... wedding bells ringing middle of next year?) but not to JLC who is reported to have broken up with Ellen Adarna after barely three years of a relationship blessed with a son. Asked how long she has been going steady with Zambales Vice Gov. Jay Khonghun, Aiko replied with a sparkle in her eyes, “Two years and two months to be exact.” Are they bound for the altar to exchange vows for better or for worse ’till death do them part (just as Aiko did not just once but twice and sadly didn’t live up to the vows)? Keeping her fingers crossed, Aiko wished, “Sana, sana. That’s what I am praying for...hopefully.” Now lighter (33 pounds shed) with her blood pressure stabilized (from 150/100 to 110/70, all thanks, she claimed, to the F2N Theobroma Superfood she is endorsing), Aiko has survived two marriages, first to Jomari Yllana (with whom she has a son, Andre, 21) and then to Martin Jickain (they have a daughter, Martina), and she’s confident that her third, well, “attempt” will be successful. She and the vice governor are seriously planning to get married as soon as the legal blocks are cleared. Aiko’s two marriages were annulled while Khonghun’s case is pending in court. Jay has a
Aiko Melendez with her boyfriend Zambales Vice Gov. Jay Khonghun
seven-year-old son with his estranged wife. “Sabi nga nila, it comes in 3’s so I’m sure my third marriage will be for good, forever. Jay and I are in the same direction, alam namin pareho ang aming patutunguhan, so we really click.” Having been a public official (as councilor of Quezon City), Aiko proved to be an asset to Khonghun during last May’s elections. Also showbiz savvy, she shrugged off tsismis about her private life and even filed a case against their opponents. “Jay and I understand each other very well,” confessed Aiko (who is into a plant-based diet). “Give-and-take kami. We do fight but only over petty things; nothing serious. In the beginning, the trouble didn’t come from us but from outside forces, from people around us who thought na hindi seryoso ang relationship namin ni Jay, and they stopped when they realized kung gaano kami ka-seryoso. All is fine now.” Aiko showed up at the Theobroma event with her left arm in
Philstar.com photo
cast. Oh my, did she hurt herself during a fight with the vice governor? She was teased by Your Funfarer who was a ninong at Aiko and Martin’s wedding. “I fractured my forefinger during a boxing workout,” laughed Aiko who let loose a loud OUCH(!!!) when I accidentally touched the cast as I took a picture of it. “I’ve been boxing as workout for four years now. I also run. Jay doesn’t box or run. He plays basketball.” At the time of this interview, Jomari was in the news, accused by his girlfriend of “womanizing” and abandoning her and two little kids. (Jomari is welcome to air his side anytime he wants to.). Asked for comment, Aiko begged off. “I am friends with Martin and his wife but not to Jom. I haven’t seen him in three years. Ang daming nasa puso ko pero sa akin na lang yon. I have so many things to say but I’d rather not say them. I leave it to Andre kung may gusto siyang sabihin.”
Dimples opens up about family’s tragedies by
rAtziel SAn JuAn Philstar.com
ACTRESS Dimples Romana last week recalled family tragedies early in her life that forced her to grow up quickly and take care of her family. “Coming from a very simple family… nung mga bata pa kami, lumaki ako na ang papa ko ay postmaster. Namatay siya at 42 years old, aneurysm. Sa post office mismo siya namatay,” Dimples shared during the JuanLife Personal Accident Insurance media launch recently. (When we were young, I grew up with my dad working as a postmaster. He died from an aneurysm at 42 years old. He passed away at the post office itself.) Dimples was only 16 at that time. “And my mama had to make sure na ma-cover na lahat ng kailangan namin – tatlo kaming magkakapatid. Nu’ng namatay si papa, namatay na rin ‘yung kapatid ko no’n eh. Leukemia naman ang ikinamatay niya,” Dimples narrated. (My mom had to make sure that all three of her children’s needs were covered. A sibling of mine had also died by the time my father passed away. She died of Leukemia.) Dimples entered show business at only 12 years old to support her mom and take care of her sister Sarah who had Leukemia. She, like many household “panganays” (firstborns), became the breadwinner of her family and gave all her savings to her mom. The actress gained her first television break at a young age with the primetime Kapamilya hit series “Esperanza” in 1997. “So you can imagine lumaki ako sa isang pamilya na survivors kami.”
Dimples Romana
(So you can imagine I grew up in a family of survivors.) Recently, Dimples proudly surprised her mother, Virgie, and siblings Bam and Angeli. “We found a lovely, cozy home close to where I live, had rooms enough for my Mama and siblings, with a huge backyard and front yard. Sakto. The Lord made way,” the actress’ Oct. 28, 2018 Instagram post read. During the press con, Dimples also shared that her husband recently underwent a surgery to correct his sleep apnea before it becomes serious. Because of the tragedies she experienced in her family, the mom of two makes sure to
ABS-CBN photo
follow the adage “prevention is better than cure.” As such, she has invested in insurance plans. “Dimples is a relatable brand endorser for JuanLife because she represents our target market: family nurturers who are central in every Filipino family and will do anything to ensure their loved one’s security and success.” said Roselle C. Masirag, General Manager of Agile Insurance Agency and Business Technologies Inc. “They are resilient, problemsolvers, solution-seekers and entrepreneurial by heart, who lives day-by-day making decisions for their family.”
For Bianca, wedding vows are more ‘real’ after 5 years of marriage by
niñA V. Guno Inqurier.net
FOLLOWING their intimate renewal of vows on Wednesday, December 4, Bianca Gonzalez opened up on why she and husband JC Intal chose to do it after five years of marriage. The couple renewed their vows in their home through family friend Brother Hans Pe, and in the presence of their two daughters Lucia and Carmen. “Five years may seem a bit ‘soon’ to renew wedding vows, but for us, we felt it was the perfect time to be reminded of what marriage is and how we can continue to nurture our relationship JC Intal and Bianca Gonzalez reflected on five years of marriage in their wedding vow renewal. Photo from Instagram/@iamsuperbianca PAGE B3
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A CREWMAN TRIED TO FOLLOW THE LAW TO GAIN LEGAL STATUS, BUT FELL INTO A “FRAUD TRAP� AT THE U.S EMBASSY WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE PHILIPPINES ON A PROVISIONAL WAIVER. Albert (left) entered the U.S. and jumped ship in 2007. His U.S. citizen wife, Cherrie (center), petitioned him. Although the petition was approved, Albert was not eligible to adjust status in the U.S. because he did not have 245(i). However, he qualified for a provisional waiver, which was approved, thereby “forgiving� him for overstaying, waiving the 10-year bar. He went back to the Philippines, thinking that he would be able to obtain his immigrant visa from the Embassy, only to be shocked when he was charged with fraud based on violating their new 90 Day Rule for deciding to overstay back in 2007. His provisional waiver was considered void, and he was required to file a fraud waiver and a 10-year bar waiver while he waited in the Philippines. Watch how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel helped Albert—- on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy� – this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
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Crewman with approved provisional waiver charged with fraud on a brand new episode of ‘Citizen Pinoy’ ALBERT entered the U.S. on a crewman’s visa and jumped ship in 2007. His U.S. citizen w i fe pet it ioned h i m, wh ich was approved. However, since Albert lacked 245(i), he was not eligible to adjust status in the U.S., he applied for and was approved for a provisional waiver, so he would not be subject to the 10-year bar. With an approved provisional waiver, Albert went back to the Philippines for immigrant visa processing, expecting to obtain
h i s v i sa w it hout a ny pr ob lems, as there have been many crew men who were granted immigrant visas in Manila on approved provisional waiver. However, t he E m ba s s y charged Albert with fraud by imposing a new rule to his past conduct, by stating he committed fraud when be began working within 90 days of his arrival in 2007. He thus fell in a “fraud trap� and was required to file a fraud waiver and a new 10-year bar waiver. Suddenly,
everything seemed so complicated. Watch how the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to prepare a new waiver package for fraud and the 10-year bar, and how A lber t was able to reunite with his wife, Cherrie, back in the United States on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy� – this Sunday 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Elmo dedicates SEA Games opening performance to dad Francis M by
Nathalie tomada Philstar.com
ELMO Magalona was grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to his father, the late master rapper Francis Magalona, at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony last Nov. 30 at the Philippine Arena. The Philippines is the host country of the 30th edition of the biennial sports meet. Along with KZ Tandingan and IĂąigo Pascual, Elmo rapped to his Francis M’s famous songs Man From Manila, Mga Kababayan Ko and Tayo’y Mga Pinoy in a segment that easily stoked feelings of Filipino pride and patriotism. Their performance was backed by Upeepz and Vpeepz, stars of the dance community. “My initial reaction to being a part of the 30th SEA Games was wow — a national event where almost every Filipino is participating and is anticipating for, and I get to pay tribute to my father? (I thought), this is going to be massive and exciting,â€? he told The STAR. According to the 25-year-old actor-singer, they allotted three days of preparations for the SEA Games kick-off event, including the opening ceremony. The Francis M medley was part of Elmo Magalonga PAGE B4
ABS-CBN photo
Pops: Martin and I can now laugh... PAGE B2 Martinez, Carla Laforteza and Yanah Laurel. “I love doing New Year’s Eve shows because the people are always happy and in a party mode,� Pops said. “We will be doing a lot of our hits, of course, but we will transition to more upbeat tunes toward the end.� While she has been performing for more than 30 years now, Pops said she still gets butterflies in her stomach before her song numbers—and that’s actually a good thing. “I still get nervous—more excited, actually—and you just want to reach the halfway mark of the show, where you’re
already at ease or confident onstage. I think the nerves are important. If you’re so sure and confident about what you do, things won’t be as exciting anymore,� she said. Plus, you have to consider the fact that every gig is different. “You can be singing the same songs, but it’s never the same. The viewers are different, they react differently. And you will have to find ways to connect with them and touch their emotions,� Pops said, adding that she has been exercising her voice more these past couple of months. “The last big show I did was ‘Foursome’ (in 2013), so I have
been practicing at home a lot,� said the seasoned artist, dubbed the Concert Queen. “That’s very important.� Next year, Pops plans to perform more, but producing events and movies through her company DSL will still be the priority. “If there’s a good offer, why not? Let’s see,� Pops said. “But if ever, I just want something light and not so taxing, so I can still do production work.� She’s wary of taking in too many projects at the same time. “I don’t want to spread myself too thin. I believe in focus and doing things one at a time,� Pops stressed.
For Bianca, wedding vows are...
PAGE B2 as husband and wife,� the TV host explained in an Instagram post on the same day. She said, “JC and I aren’t really big on gift-giving, so we felt this was the best way for us to celebrate our fifth year.� Gonzalez reflected on how different it felt to make wedding vows as newlyweds, and then after being married and having kids. “Marriage is a daily choice to love your spouse. There are
days when you say or do hurtful things,� she said. “Marriage requires effort, and it is an unending series of mistakes and learnings.� “Our vows during our wedding day were idealistic and said through rose-tinted specs. Our vows today after 5 years and 2 kids were more rooted and real,� she said. She admitted getting emotional as they exchanged heartfelt vows which reassured each other of their love.
“We smiled at each other hearing each one’s vows, because we wrote them separately, but apparently we ended our vows saying the exact same thing,� she noted. Although the couple has preferred to be low-key about their personal life, Intal made a rare grand gesture when he proposed to Gonzalez in March 2014 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. They had an intimate wedding in Palawan in December of the same year.
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B4 DECEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Elmo dedicates SEA Games... PAGE B3 the second production number or suite that also showed to the international viewers the bayanihan spirit, as a bahay kubo was brought in to the stage while Christian Bautista and Aicelle Santos did a duet of the Kundiman song Minamahal Kita. Its woven nipa walls were then opened to reveal hip-hop dancers and celebrate Francis M music that never gets old.
Earlier, in a Facebook post, SEA Games opening creative director Floy Quintos described this segment as an expression of “good old Pinoy energy.” “In the joyful, intentionally mismatched costumes of a hundred hip-hop dancers of all genders and body types. There will be no special effects, no fabulous, hitherto unseen technological stage wizardry. Just good old Pinoy energy, talent and joy.
The very things we return to. The very qualities that enable us to survive.” For Elmo, the reaction to the production number and the rest of the program was a proud moment. He described the scene at the Philippine Arena as filled with “incredible energy.” “It was pure joy to see all my fellow Filipinos’ proud hearts that night. You can definitely feel the support of your country, not because of the fact that you’re a part of the event but because of what our country believes in and is standing for.” He praised his fellow artists, saying, “Iñigo and KZ and the rest of the artists who graced the moment were nothing short of incredible, with the energy they brought.” “I’m very grateful to have been a part of the 30th SEA Games, it’s my first time to join and that kind of makes it different from anything else I’ve done before,” he added. Netizens were impressed by his rap performance. A lot of the comments waxed nostalgic and noted how Elmo reminded them of his father. For Elmo, he just hopes his performance was heard by Francis M. “I’m honestly surprised people feel that way. Every time I do my dad’s songs, I try to let my performance be heard by my dad and no one else and hopefully he could hear what I’m saying.” Meanwhile, Pia Magalona congratulated the three KZ, Iñigo and Elmo for giving justice to Francis M’s songs in an Instagram post. She told Elmo, “So very proud of you, especially, son, for having been part of this monumental event. And, finally, it’s moments like this that remind us to please listen to Francis M! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.” Elmo joined a line-up of 11 performers to represent the 11 participating countries. These were Black Eyed Peas’ Apl. de.ap, Lani Misalucha, Robert Seña, Aicelle Santos, Anna Fegi, Christian Bautista, KZ, Jed Madela, the TNT Boys and Iñigo. They also sang the SEA Games theme song We Win As One, recorded by Lea Salonga, written by theater and TV veteran director Floy Quintos and composed by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.
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MOONLIGHTING by MYLAH DE
LEON
HOW could it have happened? Pearl Harbor and its awful treachery and death, is one of the worst defeat ever suffered by the U.S. It is a tragic story of how courage and ingenuity move upon the smoldering wreckage of towering explosion, monstrous ships moaning as they died, young sailors trapped in steel hulks. On a day that they thought more than usual about wartime sacrifices, the infamous attack happened so unexpectedly, so brutal and chaotic — and killed 2,400 Americans and drew the U.S. in World War II. That event still has an emotional grip on much of the American public, struggling to understand what happened — and no one wants to forget, almost 78 years later. When the Americans had cut of Japan’s oil supply, Admiral Yamamoto (Mako), a brilliant Harvard-educated warrior, saw no other recourse, but to launch a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor where more than 100 ships and about more than half of the entire Pacific fleet were anchored. On Sunday, December 7, 1941 at 7:55 a.m., the Japanese unleased 183 planes aimed not only at the ships on Pearl Harbor; but at all military installations at Oahu. Aged survivors interviewed in TV, drew sobs as they narrated the sneak bombing. It was not a drill as the place came high and came in waves in formation of twos and threes. Past the mist ringed purple mountains winging toward their targets, one after the other, in rapid succession, swooping through the clouds, as they drove, circled and hovered. They made run after run, delivering their loads, sucking life from the air, and creating nerve jangling cacophonies as they attacked, strafe pursuing manifest destiny with fanatical
December 7, 1941: The Pearl Harbor moment
Pearl Harbor
dedication. “On that day that will in live infamy…” President Roosevelt said. On any given time that a tribute to that nation’s military, nobody stands taller than WW II veterans. Feeling proud but forgotten, battle scarred, fi ghting age and illness; they embody poignant messages of duty, honor and undying love, heroism and sacrifice. They helped defi ne what it was to be an American — “not about race, or the color of ones skin, but about the manner you serve your country.” I was encouraged to expand my thoughts on WW II by reading the works of William Machester, Tom Brokaw, Ben Bradlee and Stewar Aesop. The soldier Kind people, soldiers are. He is respectful son, an affectionate father, a faithful husband, an honest citizen who loves his country; and accepts it as a duty to defend it. He wears his dog tag, with a religious medal, on his proud neck, carries a snap shot of his aging parents, or wife and his children, if not a sweetheart he left behind. To understand a soldier’s life is to find out what he’s looking for. When he kills another man, who would kill him in his turn, which makes it useless. Pity is a word that has no meaning in war, it is a simple as, “you’ve got a gun, he’s got a gun” and
“you shoot and he shoots.” The quicker one hits his target and when he kills you, it is as if you killed him. When reporters describe people dying in encounters, are you helping abolish war? What makes a man choose to be a soldier? Very often, he is young, looking for excitement, to shake him out of boredom or for a purpose that he did not have before. We see photographs of soldiers with faces blank with sadness and resignation convince themselves that they kill in the name of the justice and freedom. What justice, I’d like to ask young soldiers, with so much longer life to live. Instead of coming into the world, to die at twenty in an encounter; you come into this world to die in bed, when you’re old, where around there are green trees, clear rivers, and singing children. Instead, this cult of killing and being killed. Why has no one ever explained why killing to steal is a sin, but killing if you’re wearing a uniform is the height of glory? War, it is said, is basically something structured in which armed people shoot at armed people. But why do we accept war, like some inevitable evil? *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@ aol.com.
The ‘unkabogable’ love of Vice Ganda and Ion Perez
BY MONET
LU
WHAT could be more romantic than a reciprocated love? Is it a love that you proudly declare and show off for the whole world to know and see? Such is the example of the love that Ion Perez has for the “Unkabogable” star and TV host Vice Ganda. They have been all over the news lately, to put it succinctly, and for good reasons. For me, it’s refreshing to hear after getting barraged with news of family feuds, couples breaking up, and marriages falling apart. It’s nice to hear about stories such as theirs. I know it hasn’t been easy for them since it wasn’t too long ago when they both denied being in a relationship despite being spotted together several times. I wouldn’t blame them for keeping their relationship secret. I would’ve done the same thing. But there’s just no stopping such love that “deserves to be known.” As Vice Ganda said in his interview with Inquirer: “Kasi dati ‘yun yung iniinda kong sakit eh, na parang ‘ba’t parang hindi naman ako kayang ipagmalaki ng mga lalaking nakakarelasyon ko o minamahal ko,” Vice said. “Tapos sabi ko, ‘bakit ‘yung nararamdaman kong ganon dati, bakit ko ipaparamdam kay Ion?’ (Before, I was always hurt because the men I loved could not take pride in being with me. Then I asked myself, why would I let Ion feel the same way I felt?)” “Kasi siya nauna eh, siya ‘yung mga nagpo-post noon pa sa Instagram, ako bihira eh. Sabi ko, ‘deserve ni Ion ‘to, kasi mabuti naman siyang tao bakit ko siya ikahihiya?’ (He was the first one to show me off, he always posts about me on Instagram, while I rarely post about him. I said to myself, ‘Ion deserves this because he is a good person, why would I be ashamed of him?’)” he added. Vice Ganda revealed that he and Ion Perez have been in a relationship for one year, just a little over a week after confirming the long-running rumor that they are indeed a couple. Vice shared that it was ”liber-
Vice Ganda and Ion Perez
ating” to finally go public with his relationship with Perez in an interview posted last Tuesday, Nov. 5 on the Facebook page of “Tonight with Boy Abunda.” “Freedom is bliss. It’s liberating, mas masarap kumilos, hindi nakakangawit, wala kang iniisip mas na-eenjoy namin ang buhay,” the comedian said. Vice recently gave fans a snippet of Ion and him enjoying their Japan trip through his Instagram post also on Saturday, Nov. 2: “You start being happy the moment you stop giving a shit!” The couple exchanged ‘Ilove-yous’ during a segment in “It’s Showtime” last September, even before confirming their relationship to the public. But, who is Ion Perez? Apart and before he became Vice Ganda’s boyfriend, what was he doing and where has he been all this time when Vice Ganda’s heart is being torn into pieces one too many times? I did a little digging online and this is what I found out: Before Perez became known as “Kuya Escort” on “It’s Showtime,” Ion Perez made a mark in the male pageant scene. When Perez appeared on “It’s Showtime” in September 2018, he had mistakenly thought he was only scheduled to audition for the “Kuya Escort” role. He ended up on stage, interacting with the co-hosts including Vice Ganda. Prior to this, Perez had already met Vice Ganda a year earlier during a “Gandang Gabi Vice” taping. In October 2017, he and his fellow Misters of Filipinas winners were among the audience members, and Perez was handpicked by “Gigil Kid” Carlo for an on-the-spot interview. Perez hails from Concepcion, Tarlac. He was among the winners of the 2017 Misters of Filipinas pageant. He was
ABS-CBN photo
also crowned Mister Universe Tourism, thereby clinching him wider modeling opportunities. But even before that, Perez was already a rising fashion model. Among his notable stints is being part of the bachelor list of Cosmpolitan Philippines. He is the 11th of 15 siblings. His late father was a jeepney driver, while his mother worked for a time as a kakanin vendor. As a kid, Perez was bullied because of his lanky frame. He used this as motivation to get physically fit, which would lead him to modeling opportunities. He used to help his parents sell poultry at the wet market. One of his tactics to attract customers then, he said, was going shirtless. Due to the lack of confidence, Perez was initially hesitant to join pageants. However, after three years of convincing from his talent manager who saw his potential, Perez eventually tried out for Misters of Filipinas – and the rest is history. I like Ion for Vice. I think his feelings for Vice are real and given that he is not ashamed to show it and is proud of being in a relationship with him tell sus that his intentions are good. I wish them both success in their relationship and may they truly beat all the odds and remain undaunted, unbeatable and entirely “unkabogable.” To Vice and Ion, may you live happily ever after! *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces soldout fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com.
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Arts and Glamour Night a triumph for visual arts “I AM so impressed,” gushed Emerald Honoree Faith Bautista. “Filipino Americans should know of these globally awarded artists!” Thus, is the achievement of Emerald Lantern Group’s President Rosemarie De Vera, who embarked on this project to do such recognition for world-class fine artists, known in their field. Last Saturday, November 16, the elegant ballroom of the Long Beach Marriott was lined on one side with framed works of art by 14 exhibitors. Some were giclee prints, such as Eliseo Art Silva’s “Visayan Viajeros” which literally flew off the easel, purchased by a patron. A part of the proceeds was donated to Gabay, a parents’ group of children with autism and cerebral palsy in the Philippines. Other works were framed architectural drawings rendered by hand, and animation development sketches done by Orlan Gumatay, current Assistant Director for the longrunning primetime “Family Guy.” Gumatay had also worked on “Looney Tunes” and “The Simpsons.” Exhibitors received congratulatory certificates from Senator Shannon Grove and As-
sembly Member Mike Gipson. Exhibitors were Art Director Ron Tuanquin, Alberto Dulay, Roland Escalona, Rodolfo Mora, Nepoleon Merana, Orlan Gumatay, Butch Lara, Ganie Dino and Micah Javier. After opening the program with the National Anthems sung by Annie Nepomuceno, the statuesque former beauty queen, De Vera stood regally in front of the crowd comprised of the Awardees and Exhibitors, and the co-presenting group, Pangasinan Brotherhood USA, as she and her husband Giovanni presented three Excellence in Visual Arts Emerald Awards to Archie Gadon (world-class architect), Wilson Deomampo (multi-awarded architect and art exhibitor) and Eliseo Art Silva (famed Filipino American muralist). Cheers welcomed Trailblazer awardee Emmanuel ‘E-Man’ Coquia, who was excited about his first Filipino American community recognition, having been in the music and broadcasting industry for a while. Coquia is Director of Programming of several mainstream radio stations and a celebrity DJ who has worked with Mariah Carey and Trey Songz. Faith Bautista rounded out the awardee circle, honored as
(Left to right) Alfonso and Lourdes Co, Eddie and Rhenee Ferrer Rosemarie and Giovanni Javier Trailblazer honoree Emmanuel “E-Man” Coquia (holding certificate) is joined by his family onstage
Community Hero for her tireless work in retrieving $331 million dollars back into the California state housing fund, amongst her other non-profit efforts. Special Recognition was given to Henry Sadang, for his charitable work for “Gabay”, who brought in emcee Robbyn Kirmsse, grammy-winning singer and voice talent. She charmed the crowd with her pronunciation of Filipino names, and her exuberant vocals. The program was closed with Gabay’s theme song “Lean on Me” performed by Rosemarie De Vera (she did release several records in the Philippines) and
special guest Mat Ranillo III. Emerald Lantern Group acknowledged Pangasinan Brotherhood, Roger and Cora Oriel of Asian Journal, Eddie, Rhene and Jackie Ferrer of EC Ferrer Customs Broker and America Pacific Container Line, Mechanics Bank, Arsy Grindulo, CEO of Wealth Financial Life, Island Pacific Supermarket, CEO Nino Jefferson Lim, Henssa International, Ami Almerol of LA Autobody, Ellen Samson and Varsobia Enterprise. The event was managed and directed by Annie Nepomuceno for Music Arts Events Inc.
(Advertising Supplement)
Wilson Deomampo, international architect and Emerald Awardee for Excellence in Eliseo Art Silva, Emerald Awardee for Excellence in Visual Arts Visual Arts
Faith Bautista (third from left) is honored as a Community Hero, flanked by Giovanni Javier, Art Director Ron Tuanquin poses at the exhibit with Rosemarie De Vera and Joy Rayos Rosemarie De Vera and Consul General Adel Cruz
The Javier family: Krystal Micah Giovanni Rosemarie Zyde and Vanross
Mat Ranillo III joins Rosemarie De Vera and Robbyn Kirmsse (at podium) leading the crowd Giovanni Javier, Rosemarie De Vera, Emerald Awardee Archie Gadon and Consul General to sing “Lean on Me” Adel Cruz
B DECEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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COMMUNITY Journal
‘Big words demystified’: Creativity is a key skill
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 7-10, 2019
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DON'T FILE BANKRUPTCY
UP Alumni discuss Artificial Intelligence and sustainability INDEED there were big words, and indeed they were demystified by speakers Dr. Chris Liban and Elzar “Dodjie” Simon in a talk hosted by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) on Monday, November 25. Both gentlemen are U.P. Alumni themselves, so UPAAGLA President Ethel Rubio introduced them proudly to the attendees. The Echo Park Library was filled with curious individuals in rapt attention in a talk moderated by City of Los Angeles Deputy Mayor for Budget and Planning Miguel Sangalang. Speakers Elzar “Dodjie” Simon, and Dr. Chris Liban filled in the crowd about the seemingly doomsday notion of Artificial Intelligence, and the importance of sustainability in taking the path to the future. Simon, whose book “A.I. Hacked” is gaining mass attention, cautioned that robots may replace human jobs. Simon stresses that realize that this will replace clerical jobs, and those which are mechanical and repetitive. Humans must therefore retain, develop and focus on creativity, something that artificial intelligence (A.I.) cannot replace. He reminds us that A.I. is not human, and the future generation must train to me middle management of higher to thrive in the future. Empathy is a trait that only humans can have, and cannot be learned by A.I. Dr. Cris Liban oversees the LA Metro’s internationally recognized Environmental, Sustainability and Energy initiatives. As Executive Officer on Environmental Compliance and Sustainability, he mentioned that we must always consider the impact of technological advancement, and that that education system must catch up. He shared that upon learning that Finland, one of the most advanced countries in education, has one hour of instruction only in school, and the kids are sent to play outside. He says they implement this is meant to stimulate the natural curiosity of humans to learn about the surroundings that they experience, touch, feel and see. Attendees included Philippine
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Moderator and Speakers: Deputy Mayor Miguel Sangalang, A.I. Hacked author Elzar “Dodjie” Simon and Sustainability expert Dr. Cris Liban.
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From L-R: Cris Liban (LA Metro), Eric Elnar (Philippine Trade and Industry), UPAAGLA President Ethel Rubio, Elzar Simon (NYU), LA Deputy Mayor Miguel Sangalang, UPAASD President Joe Garbanzos and Eric Lachica (US Census Bureau)
Department of Trade and Industry Commissioner Eric Elnar, and UP Alumni Association of San Diego President Joe Garbanzos. It was a mixed crowd of common interest: some high school and college students, UP alumni, members of UPAAGLA, leaders of other Asian American organizations and the general public.. Simon personally signed “A.I. Hacked” books and donated part of the proceeds to UPAAGLA’s Endowment fund.
UPAAGLA President Rubio closed the program by thanking the event sponsors: Alliance Group, Global Legacy Ventures Group, LLC., Fiesta Fastfood and Global International Equipment. This event is part of a series of programs that will raise the profile of the UP alumni and the Filipino American contributions in different fields in the Greater Los Angeles community. For more information about UPAAGLA, visit www.upaagla.org. n
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C DECEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Tax & Stock Tips Victor Sy,
cPA, MBA (retired)
THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made significant changes to income tax rates and traditional deductions. Let’s look at 10 tips on how those changes affect tax plans for this year ending December 31, 2019. This is the second of a three-part series. 4. Convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA You can convert all or a portion of your assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are not subject to federal income taxes if your Roth IRA has been open at least five years and you have reached age 59½. And that’s probably you. Remember though that you’ll be required to pay income taxes on the amount you previously deducted as contributions plus any earnings. If you don’t convert, pay income taxes and take withdrawals from your traditional IRA when you retire. 5. Utilize stock losses to offset capital gains If you have capital gains from sale of stocks this year, consider
The Prophetic Voice reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS THE Old Testament Reading this Sunday is one of my favorite Scripture readings during Advent. It speaks so much of promises of hope, harmony, and peace. Its contrasting images capture God’s innermost desire for us: “Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors; together, their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s hair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.” Isn’t this also our wish for the world, our country, communities,
Year-end tax plan for 2019 Part 2 of 3 selling underperforming invest- plan account. You can make a ments to produce capital losses gift of up to $15,000 per benbefore the end of this year. This eficiary annually ($30,000 from move helps offset capital gains a married couple electing to with capital losses. You can also split gifts) without having to fill deduct up to $3,000 ($1,500 if out a federal gift tax form. You married and filing separately) of may also be able to contribute capital losses in excess of capi- up to five years’ worth of gifts tal gains per year from your or- ($150,000 from a married couple electing to split gifts) per dinary income. If your net capital losses ex- beneficiary in one year, if there ceed the yearly limit of $3,000 are no other gifts made during ($1,500 if married and filing a that year. Section 529 plans can be utiseparate return), you can carry over the unused losses to the fol- lized to pay up to $10,000 of tulowing year. Note that under the ition annually for the beneficianew law, investors will continue ry’s enrollment or attendance at to pay long-term capital gains a public, private or religious eletaxes at a rate of 0%, 15% or mentary, middle or high school, 20% depending on your overall free from federal income taxes. income. Married couples filing Lovely. *** jointly and earning $78,750 or less ($39,375 or less for singles) Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude will pay 0%. Married couples from UE with a BBA and from Indiana filing jointly earning between State University with an MBA. Vic that and $488,850 (or that and worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV $434,550 for singles) will pay - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young 15%, while married couples before establishing Sy Accountancy filing jointly and earning more Corporation. *** than $488,850 ($434,550 for He retired after 50 years of defending singles) will pay 20%. 6. Fund a 529 education sav- taxpayers audited by the IRS, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He ings plan You can give a tax-free gift to published a book on “How to Avoid or a beneficiary by placing money Survive IRS Audits.” Readers may email into a 529 education savings tax questions to vicsy@live.com.
Advent: a season of fierce hope! churches, and families? We long for peace, harmony, and justice for all, especially as we approach Christmas and New Year. We pray for the end of violence, war, and racial hatred. We don’t want another mass shooting; we’re tired of division in government, politics, and even in Church. Let’s not lose our hope for a better world and society. Let’s keep advocating for peace, justice, and harmony. In his book, The Liturgical Year, Adrien Nocent outrightly posts the question, Is there a Christian way of hoping? Then he explains: “The subject is a complicated one, but it is also of basic importance. For how is it possible to really live without looking forward to someone and something? Would it be possible to breathe without hope? Could Christians be prisoners turning around in a circle, knocking their heads on the walls of their cell, whether it be of legalism or of some ready-made affair called ‘spiritual life’? Does not the Christian, like every other person
(though perhaps more than any other), have the duty of cultivating a stern yet joyous discontent with the human condition? Perhaps that is what distinguishes the Christian’s hope: though it is fierce and implacable, stern and eager, it is also paradoxically, of joy.” For us, Christians, Advent, then is a joyous celebration of hope. Our hope lies in Jesus Christ, the promise of the deliverance of the past, the present, and the future. As Nocent says, in Advent, “the Christian relives in the present the Old Testament past, lives the incarnation as an event of today, and waits for the return of Christ and the breaking of the mirror on the last day.” Let’s not lose hope for the world and our lives. Let’s live with a fierce hope that marks the life of every Christian! A blessed and hope-filled Advent to all! *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
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Minding Your Finances Atty. rAyMond BulAon ARE you worried about not being able to take care of your family’s needs because of your debt problems? No one ever wants to be in this situation but I see it every day in my work as a bankruptcy attorney. When you are overwhelmed with debt problems, the situation becomes even more challenging when you have a family that are counting on you for financial support. Your paycheck may not even be enough to pay for basic living expenses like mortgage payments or rent, food, clothing, etc., let alone pay your monthly debt obligations. When you have to choose between paying your debts and meeting your family’s financial needs, that’s when you have a dilemma in your hands. You want to do the right thing by meeting your financial obligations but you
Are your debt problems putting your family’s welfare at risk? also realize that you need to put family first before anything else. A lot of people wait too long to take action when they have bill collectors pursuing them. For a while, they ignore the phone calls and the letters, thinking that somehow their creditors will just give up and go away. Well, they may for a while but when collection efforts become more serious, you can get hit with a lawsuit. Once a lawsuit becomes a judgment, the creditor can then garnish your wages or levy on your bank accounts. I had a couple come to our office and this is exactly what happened. They were sued by American Express for $11,000 on a credit card account, which they ignored for a long time. They moved a couple of times since they fell behind on the debt so they thought that since the creditor no longer knew where they lived, they could just hide and ignore the bill. Lo and behold, checks that they wrote from their
bank account started bouncing and they didn’t know why. Their bank then told them that their account has been wiped out by a bank levy. Their paychecks and what little reserve they had in the bank (a total of about $9,000) all gone in one day! Now, they couldn’t even afford to pay their mortgage this month. Do you see how things can just easily snowball and get out of control unless you take action to stop problems from getting worse? Don’t let this happen to you. If you have debts in collection, don’t bury your head in the sand pretending that these debts don’t exist or you may be in for a rude awakening. I am not saying this to scare you into filing bankruptcy. In some cases, bankruptcy may not be your only solution. I am saying this so that you can at least find out what your options are before it’s too late if your debt problems are putting your family’s welfare at risk. You owe
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Humanitarian reinstatement of I-130 petition
KAPAG ang petitioner ng approved I-130 Petition ay namatay bago makuha ng principal beneficiary ang kanyang immigrant visa o green card, ang I-130 Petition ay magiging revoked na. May mga sitwasyon na maaaring humingi o humiling ng humanitarian reinstatement sa USCIS ang principal beneficiary. Ang humanitarian reinstatement relief ay hindi maibibigay kung ang petitioner ay namatay bago maaprubahan ang I-130 Petition. Kailangang aprubado na ang I130 Petition para sa humanitarian reinstatement request. Discretionary sa USCIS kung ang hiling ng principal beneficiary ay aaprubahan. Walang USCIS form o filing fee para sa humanitarian reinstatement request. Kailangang ipakita ng principal beneficiary na ang mga positibong kadahilanan para sa kanya ay mas mabigat sa mga negatibong kadahilanan upang ang kanyang humanitarian reinstatement request ay maaprubahan. Kailangang isama sa humanitarian reinstatement request ang kopya ng I-130 Approval Notice, Death Certificate ng petitioner, at Affidavit of Support ng substitute sponsor. Ang substitute sponsor ay kailangang: (1) U.S. citizen (USC) o lawful permanent
Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAMSon resident (LPR); (2) may 18 taon gulang; at (3) siya ay asawa, magulang, biyenan, kapatid, anak, manugang, hipag, bayaw, lolo, lola, apo, o legal guardian ng principal beneficiary. Ang substitute sponsor ay kailangang may sapat na kita at pag-aaari para suportahan ang principal beneficiary at ang kanyang mga kasama sa bahay. Kailangang ipakita na hindi magiging public charge ang principal beneficiary. Dahil isa sa mga adhikain ng mga U.S. Immigration Law ay pag-iisa at pagsama-sama ng pamilya, ang mga sumusunod ay maaaring ipakita para sa humanitarian reinstatement request: (1) hardship o paghihirap sa pamilyang USC at LPR na nakatira sa U.S.; (2) matandang edad at mga alalahanin sa kalusugan ng principal beneficiary; (3) ang matagal na pagtirang legal ng principal beneficiary sa U.S.; (4)
ang kawalan o kakulangan ng family ties ng principal beneficiary sa kanyang lupang sinilangan; (5) katagalan at kabagalan ng pagproseso ng petition; at (6) iba pang positibong mga kadahilanan para suportahan ang humanitarian reinstatement request. Mainam rin na nagbigay ng mga supporting documentation para sa humanitarian reinstatement request dahil hindi maaaring maapela ito kapag ang hiling ay hindi naaprubahan ng USCIS. *** When the Petitioner of an approved I-130 Petition dies before the principal beneficiary obtains an immigrant visa or gets his green card, the I-130 Petition is automatically revoked. In some cases, humanitarian reinstatement to the USCIS may be requested by the principal beneficiary of an approved I-130 Petition. Humanitarian reinstatement cannot be granted if the petitioner dies before the approval of the I-130 Petition. A written request has to be filed with the USCIS, which has discretion to determine whether to reinstate the approval of the I-130 Petition for humanitarian reasons. There is no form or fee for filing the
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 7-10, 2019
CA prohibits mandatory arbitration agreements at work
Q: I was recently hired for a job and was asked to sign an arbitration agreement. I was told that signing the agreement is “voluntary” but when I asked if I could just skip it, the HR person said “did you want to keep working for the company?” I took that to mean that I could not keep working there if I refused to sign. I was not allowed to take the agreement home with me to read. Since I wanted to keep my new job, I signed. Do I have a right to refuse to sign in the first place? A: The short answer to your questions is yes, you have a right to refuse to sign any agreement that you did not have a chance to review. This includes arbitration agreements at work. But what if you’ve reviewed the agreement - could you still refuse to sign it and not lose your job? Current law says mandatory arbitration agreements are generally okay (so yes, refusing to sign could make you lose your job and there will be little you can do about it). However, effective January 1, 2020, California has signed into law prohibiting mandatory arbitration agreements. To recap, arbitration is a procedure to resolve disputes without filing a complaint in court. The disputing parties refer the case to a third party (the arbitrator) who makes a decision that is legally binding on both sides. By signing an arbitration agreement, the employee agrees to resolve any claim against the employer before an arbitrator and not before a judge or a jury. This means the employee cannot file a lawsuit in court to resolve the claim. Court proceedings are public, with the case being heard either by an impartial judge or an independent jury. An arbitration
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrenCe yAng THERE’S a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to harvest. There’s a time for everything. So states Ecclesiastes 3: “For everything, there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven… A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up; a time to cry and a time to laugh…” The client is was 72. Three years ago, the client and his wife became my clients for a Chapter 13 case. They had a relatively small default on their residence, less than $20,000. And they owed about $18,000 to the IRS for back taxes, which were not yet dischargeable. The client and wife were still working, gainfully employed as members of a profession. But all of a sudden, the client’s kidneys start to fail. Diabetes is the culprit, and he needs to go for dialysis three times a week. He says he’s too old to wait for a kidney transplant as the wait is about 10 years. So, he’s decided to tough it out, just continue living with dialysis. It’s not hard to imagine that once you start needing dialysis, your whole life is now centered-around dialysis. Three times a week, each time four hours at least tethered to the machine to filter your blood. I wish God had not allowed diabe-
Barrister’s Corner Atty. kenneth UrSUA reyeS TO many people, the New Year signifies a chance to have a fresh beginning. People dispose of old personal items and clean out the closet in order to make room for the new. This is also the time of the year many people realize when a marriage is not working out and it may be time to start a new life as a single person whether or not you have children. You can decide to take action and file a divorce. Before you take any action, you need to think about your situation carefully. First, you should decide whether you should you move out of the family residence or not? If you and your spouse are communicating and have some type of respect left with one another, it may be more economical to continue residing in the same household until you resolve the issues in the divorce case. However, if your relationship is heated and riddled with conflict, then someone should to move out. If your spouse has threatened you, hurt you, or committed domestic violence, you may file a domestic violence temporary restraining order and
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. proceeding is a private process in which an arbitrator is hired by the parties to make a decision regarding the dispute. Arbitrations are paid by the hour, either by one or all of the parties. The process and its results are generally not disclosed to the public. The parties are bound by the arbitrator’s decision and the losing party cannot appeal. Many studies regarding arbitration outcomes show that they favor the defendants and defense firms that pay the bills. Arbitrators are not required to follow the law, and there is little opportunity to appeal an arbitrator’s ruling. The new law, Assembly Bill 51 (AB 51), prohibits employers from requiring employees, as a condition of employment, to waive any right, forum, or procedure when seeking redress for a violation of any California labor law. Employers also cannot require employees to agree to this waiver as a condition of continued employment, or to receive any employment-related benefit. Furthermore, employers are prohibited from threatening, retaliating or discriminating against, or terminating any employee because of the refusal to consent to the waiver of any right, forum, or procedure. In short, AB 51 prohibits mandatory arbitration agreements for any discrimination claims covered under FEHA and for any claims under the Labor Code, including wages and other employee protections).
The uncertainty with AB 51 is that courts may refuse to uphold it because it will likely contradict the federal law known as the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). The FAA was enacted in 1925 by Congress to ensure the validity and enforcement of arbitration agreements. State laws attempting to obstruct/prevent/discourage arbitration have been repeatedly struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. Even though AB 51 only targets “mandatory” arbitration agreements (suggesting voluntary agreements are okay), courts have a history of upholding forced arbitration agreements so long as they meet specific fairness criteria. Regardless of the uncertainty, arbitration agreements must still abide by the standards of mutuality and fairness. It must provide for a neutral mediator, and allow all forms of relief that would be available in court. The parties should have the opportunity to conduct reasonable fact-finding and that no additional costs are borne by the employee other than those accrued in bringing the claim in court. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit “http://www.joesayaslaw. com” www.joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2018.] (Advertising Supplement)
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Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases DEAR Attorney Tan, I was driving home and was at a complete stop when another driver rear ended my car. I was not feeling well after the accident, as my back seemed very tight and stiff. I took some days off from work. After a week, I contacted the other driver’s insurance to report the claim. The insurance adjuster for the other driver said they would fix my car, and offered me $500.00 for my injuries. Is that enough? I do not know where to go from here. –K.K. Dear K.K., The first step is to make sure that any injuries that you have suffered in the accident are examined and treated. You can recover treatment costs since they are considered “economic damages” that you suffered due to the accident. You can also recover for time away from work as “economic damages,” even if you used paid time off or sick leave. The term “economic damages” means “objectively verifiable monetary losses including medical expenses, loss of earnings, burial costs, loss of use of property, costs of repair or replacement, costs of obtaining substitute domestic services, loss of employment and loss of business or employment opportunities.” Civil Code Section 1431.2(b)(1). A person’s claim for economic damages apart from medical expenses are often overlooked and not pursued by persons who settle their accident cases on their own, or with the assistance of inexperienced counsel. Loss of earnings are often
Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings. To recover for past lost earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she has lost to date.
outlines the amount of time that one has lost as a result of his/her injury, the loss of benefits, and the rate of pay during the time of loss is evidence of the value of one’s loss of earnings claim. Other supporting documents include pay stubs, time cards, and tax returns. The monetary value of sick leave and vacation time that are used due to the injury are also recoverable. For those self-employed, earnings history as reflected by tax returns and profit and loss statements can help prove the value of lost earnings. Similar supporting documentation must be presented for future lost earnings. Apart from economic damages, you can recover “general damages,” which are damages for the pain, suffering, and inconvenience due to the accident. If you were suffered injury in an auto accident or someone’s premises, please contact our office to discuss your case. To maximize monetary recovery, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced attorney in presenting your personal injury claim. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw. com (Advertising Supplement)
“The first step is to make sure that any injuries that you have suffered in the accident are examined and treated.” To recover damages for future earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she will be reasonably certain to lose in the future as a result of the injury. CACI No. 3903C. How are past lost earnings proven? Medical records, which show the doctor authorizing a release from work or giving instructions to restrict work activities, can support the time taken off from work due to the injury. For those self-employed, medical providers typically do not provide a release from work; however, medical records should record work restrictions placed by the medical provider. After showing that the time off was justified, the next step is to value the lost earnings. A letter from a person’s employer that
Chapter 13 client with house Are your debt problems putting your family’s... default dies. What happens next? PAGE C2 t
tes to exist. So they fall behind on their mortgage since all of a sudden, their income gets substantially reduced from regular paychecks to social security. They owed about $14,000 of arrears in their mortgage, and they could no longer pay the $18,000 of income taxes that were due. Clients decided to file for Chapter 13. The plan allowed them to pay off the $14,000 owed on the mortgage over 60 months, and the $18,000 owed to the IRS over 60 months as well, without interest. The plan’s payment each month was about $650. Shortages were covered by family contributions by their children who are both adults and working. By year 3, the client died of a massive stroke at 72. The wife, who is a joint debtor, is now wondering what she will do. What are her options? Option no. 1: since the house has $200,000 of equity now, she can sell the house while in Chapter 13. We will need to file two motions. One is to suspend plan payments. Another is to ask for court permission to sell the house subject to comments by the Chapter 13 trustee. The right time to do these motions and when there is a firm offer for the purchase of the house. The motion to sell will tell the court how much the sale price is, the net proceeds and who the escrow agent is. From the sale proceeds,
the unpaid balance of the plan, since it has two more years to go, will be paid off. The balance will be given to the surviving spouse who happens to be the co-debtor’s wife. Let’s do the math. Net proceeds are $200,000. About $12,000 of this will be used to pay the balance of what is owed on the plan. $188,000, less whatever trustee expenses are, will be given to the wife. Option no. 2: Continue paying on the plan for another 24 months and complete all plan payments. On the 60th month, the wife will not have any arrears on the house, will be back on the current status with the lender, and will not owe anything to the IRS. And she will still own the house with equity of at least $200,000, and rising. Since she will still own the house, she can continue living in it, or rent it out and get rental income. Option no. 3: Ask the lender for a loan modification because her husband died to reduce mortgage payment. If this is approved, then the arrears will be added to the principal and she will be back to current status. The plan can be reduced by a motion to modify plan payments since only what is owed to the IRS will be left proportionately unpaid. These are three basic options available to the surviving co-debt spouse. Which is the best option to go for? Well, this all depends
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Starting the new year fresh with a divorce
request the court to order your spouse to move out of the house. In the same application, you may also request for custody, support, and attorney’s fees. If on the other hand you decide to be the one to move out, you should move somewhere close to your spouse if you have children to make it easier for both of you to co-parent with the children. Second, you should decide whether your spouse is the type who will disclose all the financial assets or not after you file for divorce. Although the family code (family code 2100 et seq.) imposes a duty to disclose all material facts and information, spouses’ are not always forthcoming in disclosing completely all assets, debts, income and expenses specially after a divorce case is commenced. What sometimes happens is once a divorce case is commenced, assets are either not disclosed, disappears, or documents/ bank statements are not produced even with formal discovery. You should gather and make copies of all financial documents before filing the divorce. Third, there is an automatic temporary restraining order (ATROS) in place once you file and serve your spouse with the di-
vorce papers. The four standard mutual restraining orders are 1) removing their minor children from the state without the prior written consent of the other party or a court order. family code Section 2040(a)(1) 2) restraint from transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community, or separate without the other party’s written consent or court order; fam code 2040(a)(2) 3) restraint from cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability held for the benefit of the parties and their child for whom support may be orders. Fam C 2040(a)(3). 4) restraint from creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer without the other party’s written consent or court order. fam c 2040(a)(4). There are exceptions to the above restrictions. One exception is for property transfers in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life. Examples would
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it to them and yourself to protect your income and everything that you’ve worked so hard for. A lot of families in debt are unable to save even a small amount of money every month because all of their disposable income is used to pay their debts. They zero savings which forces them to borrow even more just to meet any unexpected emergencies. Of course, this makes their situation
worse because they’re already overextended as it is and they just keep on piling more debt that they cannot repay. It’s a vicious cycle and at some point, they will no longer be able to borrow and will be forced to file bankruptcy. If any of the above speaks to your current situation and you don’t know what to do, I can help you figure out the best solution for your situation. For a free attorney consultation, please call
Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. I have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
C4 DECEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Chapter 13 client with house default... Humanitarian reinstatement of I-130...
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on how the wife feels about the house and what the children want to do with it. Right now, of course, the wife does not want to live in the house by herself, which is understandable. So she has quickly been able to rent the house. I feel bad for her but as stated by Ecclesiastes, there’s a time to be born and a time to die. There’s a time for everything. This is so true. All of us will be called by God one day and on that day; it will be our time to go. Even if you had all the money in the world, you can’t pay someone to die for
you. You can’t even pay someone to be sick for you. Because of the original sin by Adam and Eve, we now have these frail bodies that suck. We all succumb to sickness and death. In heaven, I understand we will have glorified bodies that last for eternity and will never get sick or die. So, the client now has a glorified body in heaven with Jesus and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit that will last him for eternity. Never again to need dialysis ever. Well, that’s a really sweet deal, right? So all you have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of the one true God who died
Calendar of Events across
for our sins that we may have a chance to enter heaven. If you need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than 5,000 clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement
America
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UPHPEIS-AANA fundraising event in Whittier, CA UPHPEIS-AANA (UP High Prep Elementary Integrated System- Alumni Association in North America) is hosting its annual fundraising event with the 8th Annual Grand Reunion on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 at the DoubleTree Hilton in Whittier (7320 Green Leaf Ave. Whittier, CA 90602) from 10:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Luncheon buffet includes entertainment, DJ music, dancing, raffle drawing and other fun surprises. Thereafter, guests are invited to more live dancing and fun music provided by the AM FM Band at Noypitz Bar & Grill at 333 S Alameda, LA 90013 in the evening. Funds raised will be use for needed building repairs, classroom and educational projects for UP Diliman students in Elementary and High School, and for the training of public school teachers in nearby communities. Tickets donations are $50.00 each which you can reserve on line through our website at www.uphpeisaana.org, or by calling for Bobby at (562) 607-8839 or Mabel at (562) 852-7116.
Kapayapaan Healing Festival in Los Angeles Kapayapaan Healing Festival will be held on Saturday, December 7 at the FASGI Bayanihan Center (135 N Park View St, Los Angeles, CA 90026) from 10am - 6pm. Come join for FREE healing services, health screenings, workshops, and one-on-one sessions from holistic healers and medical practitioners! Please wear comfortable clothing so that you can move freely during healing activities. Healthy food and drinks will be served. Everyone is urged to help save the environment - bring your own reusable/recyclable plates, bowls, utensils and beverage containers. Reserve your one-on-one healing session now by calling (213) 908-5050 and register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kapayapaan-healing-festival-tickets-84055868365.
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Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of Greater Pasadena holiday party in Pasadena, CA Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of Greater Pasadena is throwing a holiday bash on Thursday, December 12 to celebrate this festive season! Meet new friends, make connections, and get to know each other. Ugly sweater is optional. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at We Olive & Wine Bar (32 East Colorado Boulevard. Pasadena, CA 91105). $25 gets food and drinks and other fun goodies. For questions, please email Donina at donina@ohhevents.com.
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Holiday Parol Making Workshop in Eagle Rock, CA Make craft Filipino paper lanterns (parols) with SIPA for the holiday season on Saturday, December 14! It will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. at Eagle Rock Plaza (upper level center court) at 2700 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041. It is a FREE workshop with complimentary food and refreshments. Contact Maria Carmel Valendez at (213) 382-1819 ext. 107 or maria@sipacares.org for more info!
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FACCGLA Holiday Mixer in Sherman Oaks, CA The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA)’s holiday mixer will be held at Marie Callender’s Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, California (14743 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403). Come join in the spirit of the season with the FACCGLA. Early bird special for Members is $30 and $35 for future members. After December 15 tickets will be $35 and $40, respectively. Please purchase online at www.faccgla.org, select ‘Events’ and select December 18. Venue address is 14743 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. For inquiries email info@faccgla.org.
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SIPA’s holiday festival and toy distribution in LA During this season of giving, volunteer with Search to Involve Pilipino Americans on Saturday, December 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as they spread joy in Los Angeles. Join SIPA as they hand gifts out to over 250 youth in the Historic Filipinotown community, eat a delicious meal, and listen to some Christmas tunes! It will be held at 3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA. Contact Maria Carmel Valendez at maria@sipacares.org or (213) 382-1819 ext.107.
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UPAGGLA holiday celebration in LA Pasko Pa Sa UPAAGLA will be held on Saturday, December 28 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at the San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles. It is the annual Holiday party of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles. All are welcome, simply purchase online at www. upaagla.org/events/pasko-pa-sa-upaagla. There will be a silent auction and raffle drawing. Tickets are $28. Venue address is 737 Lamar St, Los Angeles, CA 90031. For inquires, connect with Monette Carranceja at (818) 585-1115 or upaagla.rsvp@gmail.com.
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#HashtagLunchbag/SIPA food drive in LA The Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and #Hashtag Lunchbag are joining forces to create positive changes in Historic Filipinotown on Sunday, December 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. SIPA will be hosting a Food Drive with #HashtagLunchbag to create letters of encouragement, decorate lunch bags, and assemble sandwiches for those in need in Historic Filipinotown. When finished, they will be giving out lunch bags to homeless youth, women, and families. Registration contact and link: Maria Carmel Valendez at maria@sipacares.org or (213) 382-1819 ext. 107
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FACCGLA’s gala in Woodland Hills, CA The ‘Shining Shimmering Splendid Gala’ is the annual fundraising event of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) on January 12, 2020 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Woodland Hills. Everyone is welcome to attend to enjoy good food, music and dancing plus raffle prizes and other entertainment. Installation of the new President and Board precedes the merriment. Tickets are only $75 for all this enjoyment ($85 after Jan. 5), available online at www.faccgla.org, select ‘Events’ and select the Jan12 event. Sponsorships available. Venue address is 6360 Canoga Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. Email info@faccgla. org for inquiries.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
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humanitarian reinstatement request. When the positive factors outweigh the negative factors, the request may be approved by the USCIS. A request for humanitarian reinstatement must include a copy of the Approval Notice of the revoked I-130 Petition, the Death Certificate of the Petitioner, and an Affidavit of Support by a substitute sponsor. The substitute sponsor must be: (1) a U.S. citizen (USC) or lawful permanent resident (LPR); (2) at least 18 years old; and (3) is the spouse, parent, mother-in-law, father-inlaw, sibling, child, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, or legal guardian of the principal beneficiary. The substitute sponsor must have sufficient income and assets to support the principal
beneficiary and his own household, in order to show that the principal beneficiary will not become a public charge. Since one of the goals of U.S. Immigration Laws is family unification, the following factors may be considered to show that a favorable exercise of discretion is warranted: (1) hardships to family members who are US citizens and permanent residents living in the U.S.; (2) advanced age or health concerns of the principal beneficiary; (3) lawful residence of the principal beneficiary in the US for a lengthy period; (4) lack of ties of the principal beneficiary to his home country; (5) undue delays in processing the petition; and (6) other positive factors that support a reinstatement of the petition. Supporting documentation has to be submitted with the humanitarian reinstatement request as a denial of a humani-
tarian reinstatement request cannot be appealed. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others. Please visit our office: LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Call or text us: (213) 381.5710 Email us: attorneys@lindainsamsonlaw. com. (Advertising Supplement)
Starting the new year fresh... PAGE C3 t
be property transfers as part of your usual business operations or to pay for usual household living expenses. Another exception is payment of reasonable attorney’s fees. fam c. 2040(a)(2). If you need to do any transactions that may violate the ATROS, it is best to do it prior to filing and serving the divorce petition provided you do not breach your fiduciary duty to your spouse. If you are thinking of filing a divorce, it is best to consult an experienced family law attorney before taking any action.
*** 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 of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
People and Events
Simbang Gabi 2019: ‘Come and celebrate as we encounter Christ; For we are one body’ LOS ANGELES: The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is now preparing for its annual Simbang Gabi celebration, which will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 6:30 PM. The liturgy will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, located at 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This year’s theme,”Halina’t Magdiwang sa Ating Pakikipagtagpo kay Kristo; Dahil Tayo ay Isang Katawan” (“Come and Celebrate as We Encounter Christ; For We are One Body”) was selected and agreed upon by parish representatives from the all over the San Fernando Pastoral Region. The Mass will be concelebrated by the bishops and priests of our archdiocese with the principal celebrant, his Excellency, Most Rev. Jose H. Gomez, D.D., Archbishop of Los Angeles. The San Fernando Region
is leading and organizing this year’s event. Chairperson Raymond De Guzman and ViceChair Patty Santiago are coordinating the preparations with the advice and support of Rev. Fr. Albert H. Avenido, Chaplain and Moderator of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The celebration will again include the procession of Parols (star lanterns) which is a tradition that Filipino faithful from different parishes, Catholic organizations, civic, government and non-governmental organizations throughout Los Angeles continue to observe and enjoy. The parols will be blessed at the conclusion of the Mass and sent forth to the different parishes that will be celebrating Simbang Gabi for the next nine mornings or eight evenings leading to Christmas. All participating parishes will have its in-parish coordina-
tor submit their Simbang Gabi schedule for publication. Attendees to our Simbang Gabi are encouraged to wear Filipiniana to signify the beauty of our cultural tradition. We encourage Kababayans to attend and bring the youth, the next generation of faithful! Simbang Gabi is one of the longest and most powerful celebrations in the lives of Filipinos and Americans of Filipino descent. We invite everyone to this joyous event, to prepare ourselves spiritually for Christmas and experience community solidarity. Mabuhay! For more information, please call or send an e-mail to: Raymond De Guzman, Chairperson of Simbang Gabi 2019, Phone: (818) 634-8664, E-mail: rdeguzman1317@verizon.net or Patty Santiago- Vice- Chair, Phone: (818) 472-4288, E-mail: piesan@ hotmail.com ■
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Fatima, Portugal: ‘A window onto a new inner world with the light of Heaven within’ by PROSY ABARQUEZ-DELACRUZ, J.D. AJPress
not adore, do not hope and do not love You. Then, rising, he said, ‘Pray thus. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications.” (Source: “Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words,” 22nd edition October 2018). For the first apparition, “He was holding a chalice in his left hand, with a Host suspended above it, from which some drops of blood fell into the chalice. Leaving the chalice and host suspended in the air, the Angel prostrated beside the little shepherds and gave the Host to Lucia and the contents of the chalice to Francisco and Jacinta, saying ‘Take and drink the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, horribly outraged by ungrateful men. Make reparation for their crimes and console your God,” Lucia wrote in her own words. Six months later, the heavens opened up again and Our Lady of Fatima appeared on the 13th of May, 13th of June, 13th of July, 19th of August, 13th of September and 13th of October in 1917, six apparitions in all. On the first apparition, they were asked by Our Lady to come successively for six months on the 13th day at this same hour. She asked them if they were willing to make sacrifices as acts of reparation for the the conversion of sinners, after all, we all were endowed with free will. Lucia continued in her memoirs, “Pray the Rosary every day, in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war [World War I when Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire were pitted against Great Britain, United States, France, Russia, Italy, and Japan.] Lucia described how “Our Lady began to rise serenely, going up towards the east, until she finally disappeared in the immensity of space. The light that surrounded her seemed to open up a path before her in the firmament.” In the second apparition, Our Lady promised to take Francisco and Jacinta to heaven soon and Lucia had to stay much longer to establish devotion to her Immaculate Heart and to make Jesus known. When she opened her hands, in front of the palm of Our Lady’s right hand, Lucia wrote, “was a heart encircled by thorns which pierced it.” In 1917 in Portugal, for every 100,000 inhabitants, 87% of the males died and 62 % of the females perished from pneumonia. (Source: Ourem Museum). Like other young children who
of Peace in 1916 three times, preparing them to spread Our “Each thing becomes a Lady’s message, the Good News window onto a whole new world, of the Gospel. Six months later, an inner world, composed Our Lady of Fátima made six of the light of Heaven within apparitions. She also requested everything.” – A Course in Lucia to go to school; the young girl learned fast, enabling her to Miracles I joined two pilgrimages this write her memoirs about Fatima. Another grace came from year, both of which took me to Fatima, Portugal. On Sept. 22, meeting Lucia’s niece, Maria 2019, I got to Fatima Square, dos Anjos, 99 years old, whom an hour before rosary began at I gave the “mano po,” a form of 9:30 p.m. inside the Chapel of Filipino respectful greeting of Apparitions, and a procession taking her hand to my forehead, after. I would come back five first on Sept. 22, 2019, and a more times in two days, as if second time on Nov. 10, 2019. drawn to it by a magnet, and When I took her hand — she had three other times on Nov. 10, a rosary in another — I could 2019. It has been a tiring 20 smell the fragrance, hinting at hours of travel from the USA, a bouquet of flowers. She gave me a nose to nose greeting in one way. We had barely slept. Yet, the response. I handed her a small lure of thousands with lit candles token of my appreciation. The next day, Sept. 23, a praying the rosary together was too inviting, despite the blustery nun docent of the museum night and the cold rains. The exhibition, Fatima Light and warmth of a united humanity, Peace, told us that we do not speaking multiple languages choose to go to Fatima. Instead, kept us all cozy and secure. the Virgin of Fatima chooses us. True enough, months later, It was even inspiring to see a Franciscan priest in front of Fr. Bugas celebrated two masses my pew, who brought his stool, in his parish church on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2019, as an associate priest of Santa Maria de la Real Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico with the traveling statue of Our Lady of Fatima. The statue is described as “a traveling symbol of miracles that occurred in 1917 when the Virgin Mary appeared to three children to impart what is known as the Peace Plan from Heaven,” according to the Knights of Columbus Santa Fe Council 10517’s Facebook post on Dec. 1, 2019. Our Lady of Fatima chooses us, just like my co-pilgrim who visited the Light and Peace exhibition Fr. Joel O. Bugas with the Traveling Fatima Statue that on her special day. The Sriwas housed inside Santa Maria de la Real Church in Lankan nun docent gave her a necklace of hearts. In Santa Fe, New Mexico on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2019. Contributed photo unison, our tears flowed as the nun warmly welcomed only to sacrifice and offered it us with an open heart and a to another pilgrim. I wondered loving prayer to love even more. if that is what life’s purpose is She showed us the rosary of – offer your gifts and graces for diamonds given by Philippines’ First Lady Imelda Marcos on others’ welfare? Fr. Joel O. Bugas, our spiritual Sept. 19, 1970. Knowing Imelda director, had confided his wish Marcos’ affinity for numerology, to pray part of the rosary and was it a coincidence that she wondered aloud if he might gave the rosary two days and get it. Christina Vives, a much two years before martial law was sought-after seasoned travel declared on Sept. 21, 1972? Or guide of 50 years, persuaded the did it just arrive on that date? It was a sparkling gift, but was it chapel staff to include him. We were a 25-member sparkling enough? Fatima’s 8,000 residents pilgrimage that flew in from New Mexico, Denver, Maryland, welcome millions of pilgrims Philadelphia, California, Florida, Idaho, and Texas. He encouraged us to pray for each other’s good health, 12 prayers, 12 days of intentions, and to ask for the Holy Spirit to guide our experiences. We were seated on wooden benches inside the Chapel of the Apparitions. The chapel has walls on three sides, and in the altar, the encased statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Now awake, we held our lighted candles and prayed the rosary in several languages. After, a replica of Our Lady of Fatima statue was taken out for the procession, which started AJPress photo with a 10-foot lighted Statue of the Angel of Peace giving Communion to the three shepherds cross leading us to walk past the Basilica of Our Lady each year with open hearts and had pneumonia at that time, Jacinta and Francisco died. of the Rosary, past the Divine thoughtful giving of services. Lucia was present when The story of Our Lady’s Mercy Statue, past the fountains Pope John Paul II beatified her where blessed holy waters flow, apparitions “Whenever we look to Mary, cousins, Francisco and Jacinta and then back to the Chapel of the Apparitions. It made for an we long to believe in the on May 13, 2000, while Lucia at uplifting feeling, recalling that revolutionary nature of love and age 98 died in 2005 just as Our we just prayed for those needing tenderness.” – Pope Francis, Lady said she would. The third apparition’s message May 13, 2017. conversion around the world. The Angel of Peace appeared was to continue to pray the Holy “Enjoy every minute of this blessing, as even the mother of once in spring, summer and Rosary daily and Our Lady taught Jacinta and Francisco were not again in autumn of 1916. Recall them a prayer, “O Jesus it is for keen on believing,” Fr. Bugas that in 1916, there was chaos, Love of You, for the conversion violence, and it was Europe’s of sinners and in reparation for continued. He was referring to 7-year-old darkest moments of atheism, the sins committed against the Jacinta, her 9-year-old brother hatred, the rise of fascism and Immaculate Heart of Mary.” Francisco and their 10-year-old a year after, the Bolshevik When Our Lady opened her cousin Lucia, who saw the Angel Revolution broke out in Russia. hands, Lucia told us, “that the L u c i a little shepherds beheld a most d e s c r i b e d terrifying vision of hell and seeing the the souls of the demon and the Angel of Peace, damned.” In the local parish church “It was whiter than snow, in Fatima where Jacinta and transparent as Francisco were baptized, a crystal when painting illustrates a vision of the sun shines hell and next to it is Our Lady through it and of of Fatima providing solace to great beauty. He pilgrims. In another local church, known drew closer and said, ‘Do not be for miracles, local pilgrims go afraid! I am the to Our Lady of Ortega Church. Angel of Peace. The narrative goes that a mute Pray with me. My shepherd was approached to God, I believe, I give her lamb to Our Lady. She adore, I hope and consented but conditioned it on Heart Sculpture in front of Ourem’s office in Portugal to I love You. I ask her father’s approval. When her commemorate the sainthood of Francisco and Jacinta in 2017, father saw the miracle, where announced by Pope Francis to over 500,000 gathered in Fatima pardon of You for those who do for years she could not speak, he Square. Photo by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. not believe, do agreed. Ever since then, locals Part I of II
make a yearly pilgrimage and stay all day in this church. I too felt the grace of receiving the Holy Eucharist, guided to be more conscious of not becoming background noise and to stay mindful and considerate in assisting other pilgrims, while seeking solitude to process the daily infusion of richly divine experiences. Back home in America, I recalled a statement told to me by a former non-believer, describing a journey from once an atheist, to an agnostic, to a believer of spirits embedded in nature and to one that prays Our Father Prayer at night. The all-inclusive flow of love from Group pilgrimage arranged by QTS Tours and Travel, headed by Fr. Joel O. Bugas in Sept. 2019 the Immaculate Heart of Mary Contributed photo goes out to anyone needing conversion. In our pilgrimage, we all witnessed a reluctant pilgrim change to become more conscientious in prayers and during mass. Google Mary and you will get a National Geographic Magazine displaying 500 years of Virgin Mary sightings in one map, since A.D. 40 to 2015, from Guadalupe to Medjugorje, Bosnia, including an article by Maureen Orth describing Mary as “the most powerful woman in the world. Mary draws millions each year to shrines such as Fatima, in Portugal and Knock, in Ireland sustaining religious tourism estimated to be worth writer attending the procession at the billions of dollars a year and The enclosed statue of Our Lady of Fatima The square of the Sanctuary of Fátima. Photo by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. providing thousands of jobs.” AJPress photo ‘My future is already in my past’ Portugal enjoys 28 million tourists, 20 million of whom go to Fatima each year, according to Manuela Diaz, a seasoned travel guide of 45 years, independently contracted by the Association of Commerce, Industry and Services (ACISO) of Ourem, Portugal to guide the November 2019 pilgrimage. It is a country of over 10,000,000. She was quite knowledgeable and ready to answer our questions. And why not? She has a willing attitude, positive professionalism, and is one Pilgrims pray the rosary and attend the nightly procession at the square of the Sanctuary of Fátima. AJPress photo who enjoys her job, including anticipating sunshine even if olive oil, a higher value product. crucifixes with a lean body. with gray skies, plus an instant Without this cooperative, we It includes a 9.8 foot-image appreciation of how beautiful were told their olive oil industry of Virgin of Fatima in Carrara Portugal is, as soon as the would disappear. marble, with Francisco and sun gilded the sand-colored These verdant fields have Jacinta in front of Our Lady and buildings. She was dressed been partially displaced by a Lucia in the back of Our Lady. impeccably each day in her cemented sprawling square Both Francisco and Jacinta are fashionable sweater, silk, and with a 500,000 person capacity, now saints, announced by Pope a silk scarf tastefully adorned with these pilgrims’ stations: Francis during his visit in 2017. with the palette of pastels or High Cross, Basilica of Our Opposite that Basilica is the fall colors, outer jacket and Lady of the Rosary, Chapel of Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary leather boots, ready to assist the Apparitions, Chapel of the where the graves of Francisco the pilgrims with a well-paced Blessed Sacrament, Basilica and Jacinta lie on the left and on schedule. of the Most Holy Trinity with the right of the altar, Lucia’s. Wise and profound, she said: several chapels and a museum Today, Portugal enjoys its “My future is already in my underneath. wealth from wineries, from past.” Could it be that she has Southeast of the Fatima square crops exported to the European seen a glimpse of an inner world is a commanding with the light of Heaven within, High Cross, inviting through manifested miracles in folks to linger and her life? to see what is far Was it because she has seen beyond. three popes who visited Fatima Just a few yards and with that, the belief in from it is a sculpture special indulgences and grace: of Pope John Paul II, 1) Pope Francis in 2017 when who visited on May he announced to a crowd of 13, 1982, 1991 and nearly 500,000 pilgrims, the in 2000, announced canonization of Francisco and the beatification Jacinta, after the miracles of Jacinta and attributed to them were verified, Francisco. now St. Francisco and St. To its right is the Jacinta; 2) Pope Benedict in 2010 Main Door of the who accepted the challenge Basilica of the Most of constructing the pilgrim Holy Trinity whose church and gave the Sanctuary façade includes of Fatima a golden rose whose messages inscribed center is the Immaculate Heart on the glass door This writer met Maria dos Anjos, the 98-year-old niece of of Mary, encircled by the thorns of not demeaning Sister Lucia, Fatima visionary. of the rose and framed by a anyone as God is in rosary which ends with the them, in 26 languages. The first Union, including hosting crucifix, and 3) Pope John Paul stone was blessed and donated international conferences II who visited Fatima three times by Pope John Paul II, which on chemistry, information on May 13, 1982, 1984 and 2000 came from a marble fragment technology, sustainable energies and who gave many gifts to Our of Apostle Peter’s tomb located for smart cities, art, architecture Lady of Fatima, including a under the basilica in Rome. and environment sustainability bullet, in gratitude from being In a pilgrimage to Rome, as well as religious tourism saved from the assassin’s four because of an unintentional and pilgrimages. As a result bullets in Rome. chapel displacement, Fr. Bugas of globalization, younger folks Fatima was once with had the honor, usually reserved have gone abroad to secure their sprawling green farm fields, for bishops and cardinals only, future. where shepherds went with to say mass in front of Apostle Did Manuela mean she has their grazing animals for water Peter’s tomb under the basilica seen visions of heaven in her and grass. in Rome, another grace he past and that now her past is her In September, fig-trees had prayed for. future? bountiful green fruits, some Part II will be on the three The Christ crucifix inside the had turned purple ready to be Basilica of the Holy Trinity has more apparitions and the third picked, and some fell to the open eyes, heavy human body secret revealed and its relevance ground, crushed by countless looking at us unlike traditional to the present. pilgrims, visiting the house of Sister Lucia in Aljustrel. In November, the olive trees were full of black olives, once green fruits that are now ripe for harvest. Portugal’s wealth was once derived from farmers, but now aging and unable to do the back-breaking harvest and production of olive oil. Nine hundred families are currently members of an olive oil cooperative that run the Olive Oil Museum Inside the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica in the Sanctuary and a factory displaying of Fátima equipment for extracting AJPress photo
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Explaining attorney New CITIRA bill version to be filed in Senate fees and charges
Immigration Corner
by LOUELLA
DESIDERIO Philstar.com
ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ MANY people want to retain an attorney to assist them with their immigration case, represent them at hearings or interviews, etc., especially during this era of Pres. Trump, where USCIS is taking a very hard line on immigration. People understand now, more than ever, it is helpful to have attorney representation, rather than trying to handle their case on their own. But there is mystery and confusion with people about attorney fees: how will they be charged? Do they have to pay all cash up front? Can payments be spread out? There are two main ways attorneys charge for their services: hourly and flat fee. For hourly, the attorney charges the client based on the amount of time the attorney spends on the case, at the attorney’s hourly rate. This type of billing can be problematic for some people, if they want to budget, plan, or save for the attorney fees. With an hourly rate, it’s hard to know how much the attorney fees will be because they don’t know how much time the attorney will spend on their case.
Most immigration attorneys bill at a flat rate, including me. This is where the legal services are listed in a written retainer, and a total/flat rate is given for those services, regardless of how much time the attorney spends providing the services. The client is given a fixed amount, enabling them to better save and budget to pay the fees. They would also be advised of the estimated expenses outside the Retainer Agreement, such as filing fees, etc. Ordinarily, attorney fees are not paid all cash up front. (Of course, there could be exceptions where the client might have a deportation hearing the next day.) Usually, attorney fees require down payment and monthly payments. The monthly payments could be calculated based on the amount of time it would take the attorney to perform or complete the services. If the case will take three or more years (such as a labor certification or family petition case), the payments could be spread out for several months or years. Before signing the retainer, the client will know what services are included and how much the total cost will be. If they want to retain the attorney, they can do so. If they do not, they can walk away. I hope this has removed some
of the mystery about attorney fee or charges, and if you believe your case requires attorney representation, at least now you know it’s not all cash up front, and you could be billed at a flat rate. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-4873465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
Business Quote of the Week “Good leaders organize and align people around what the team needs to do. Great leaders motivate and inspire people with why they’re doing it. That’s purpose. And that’s the key to achieving something truly transformational.” — Marillyn Hewson, CEO of Lockheed Martin
A BILL is set to be filed at the Senate for the second package of the government’s tax reform program or the Comprehensive Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA) which the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hopes would address concerns raised by stakeholders on the version passed at the House of Representatives. Speaking at the Manufacturing Summit 2019 Tuesday Dec. 3, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said a new version of the CITIRA bill would be filed by Sen. Pia Cayetano. Lopez hopes the bill would integrate the positions put forward by stakeholders, as well as by DTI and the Department of Finance. “What stakeholders can expect is one that would address
the specific interests, needs of stakeholders,” he told reporters. Various groups such as the Philippine Ecozones Association, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc., Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines, Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines and the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) earlier raised concerns on the CITIRA, saying its implementation based on its current form would affect existing operations of firms, as well as the country’s attractiveness to new investments. In its position paper submitted to Cayetano, who serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, the JFC said fiscal incentives are important in attracting more foreign investments as they make up for the high costs
of operating in the country. JFC also said implementation of the CITIRA in the first year would lead to an estimated loss of 121,000 direct and 582,000 indirect jobs. Approved on third and final reading at the House of Representatives, the CITIRA bill aims to gradually cut the country’s corporate income tax rate to 20 percent from the current 30 percent, which is considered among the highest in Southeast Asia. In addition, the bill would rationalize fiscal incentives which includes the removal of the five percent tax on gross income earned (GIE) firms operating in economic zones pay in lieu of all national and local taxes after their income tax holiday period ends. Given the concerns of stakeholders, Lopez said the DTI has PAGE D2
Fitch Ratings sees loan growth recovery by MAYVELIN
U. CARABALLO ManilaTimes.net
LOAN growth in the Philippines is likely to regain its momentum as it will be supported by the government’s investment in infrastructure and sustained consumer demand, Fitch Ratings said. “We expect a pick-up in government infrastructure spending to spur broader investment activity, amid sustained consumer demand,” the credit ratings agency forecasted in a report titled “Fitch Ratings 2020 Outlook: Asia-Pacific Emerging Market Banks” released on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Earlier, the country’s economic managers expressed their optimism that the government will hit its spending target for this year. According to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the Department of Public Works and Highways is optimistic that it can deliver its P725-billion disbursement target for the full year of 2019.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III
He reported the Public Works department has, so far, disbursed 69 percent of its total commitment this year, totaling P503.4 billion. “Secretary Mark Villar assured that the remaining P221.6 billion target disbursements for the last two months of this year is attainable,” Dominguez added. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation’s actual disbursements reached P46.82 billion for
Manilatimes.net photo by J. Gerard Seguia
the period January to November 28, he added. The Finance chief noted that the Transportation department expects to disburse an additional P30.85 billion in the last month of the year to fulfill 94 percent of its commitment of P82.39 billion for 2019. That said, Fitch pointed out: “This should bode well for loan growth, especially after several PAGE D2
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DOTr bares plans on P102 billion NAIA upgrade PH likely to end year with a strong GDP growth by richmonD
mercurio Philstar.com
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has bared details of the conglomerates’ P102-billion plan for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), wherein the super consortium intends to make quick work of improving and expanding the country’s main international gateway. The DOTr said the NAIA rehabilitation project would be implemented in three phases from 2021 to 2024. Phase 1, which will be undertaken from 2021 to 2022, involves the immediate improvements and reconfiguration of the existing airport terminals with the aim of improving NAIA’s capacity from 31 million passengers per year to 47 million. The second phase from 2022 to 2023 will cover the development of a new passenger building (Terminal 2 Annex), the improvement of the corresponding apron area to nearly double the capacity to 21 million, and the reconfiguration and expansion of the Terminal 3 building and apron layout to increase terminal capacity to 24 million passengers per annum at the security control, baggage reclaim and boarding areas. It will also include improvement of airside facilities including the construction of a new
by Doris
Ninoy Aquino International Airport
taxiway, and installation and upgrading of communications, navigation and surveillance equipment, and upgrading works for general utilities, car park area, passenger connections and miscellaneous facilities required for airport operations. The third and final phase from 2023 to 2024 will see the construction of new terminals, and expansion of existing terminals as the operations and maintenance works are being carried out to increase NAIA’s capacity from 58 million passengers per year to 65 million. Phase 3 will also see the completion of a New Terminal Annex Building, an expanded capacity of Terminal 3, development of airside facilities and upgrading
Philstar.com file photo
works for general utilities, a car park area, passenger connection, and miscellaneous facilities corresponding to the increased capacity. Planning to undertake the project is the consortium of seven conglomerates namely, Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc., and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. The group’s unsolicited proposal for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the NAIA moved closer to reality after it secured last Friday, Nov. 29, the nod of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). n
AMLC pushes key laws to avoid sanctions by lawrence
agcaoili Philstar.com
THE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is pushing for the passage of key laws to help the Philippines dodge sanctions from the global anti-money laundering watchdog. The country’s financial intelligence unit is urging legislators to pass the proposed amendments to Republic Act 9160 or the AntiMoney Laundering Act (AMLA) of 2001, as well as RA 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007 (HSA) to address the shortcomings in the anti-money laundering/counterterrorism financing (AML/CFT) system by October next year. The Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) has given the Philippines 12 months to implement the recommendations under the mutual evaluation that was conducted and completed by the global watch-
Dumlao-abaDilla Inquirer.net
AFTER hitting a speed bump in the first half, the Philippine economy will likely grow at a faster pace of 6.6 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter to attain a full-year expansion of 6 percent despite global headwinds, an economist from Dutch financial giant ING said. In a research note, economist Nicholas Mapa said after the slump in the first six months, “growth momentum has returned in time for the economy to finish the year on a strong note” as a still sluggish capital formation was offset by a heavy dose of consumption and revamped government spending. “Fiscal spending working in tandem with additional easing from the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) will help the Philippines hit its growth targets for both 2019 and 2020, even as external headwinds threaten the global economy,” Mapa said in a research note issued on Wednesday, December 4. In the coming quarters, ING expects growth to accelerate on the back of double-headed stimulus from both the fiscal and monetary sectors, while household consumption is expected to remain vibrant as inflation remains well within BSP’s 2-4 percent target, Mapa said. After the delayed passage of the 2019 spending bill, government spending has come back with a vengeance with state expenditures helping salvage the third quarter growth print.
Economist Nicolas Mapa
Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.2 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, beating consensus forecast. This brought average growth in the first three quarters to 5.8 percent, still below the government’s 6-7 percent full-year growth. “With the 2020 P4.1-trillion budget set for early passage and the probable extension of the 2019 budget, the fiscal push in 2020 should be reminiscent of 2018,” Mapa said. Mapa added that the BSP’s monetary easing—having slashed the overnight borrowing rate by 75 basis points and reducing reserve requirements by 400 basis points this year—would also come into play in the coming year.With inflation still within target and given the higher growth aspirations of the government, ING expects BSP to remain “accommodative” with up to 50 basis points worth of overnight borrowing rate cuts and 200-basis point worth of reductions to the reserve requirement in 2020 to
Inquirer.net file photo
support growth momentum. Meanwhile, ING forecasts inflation to remain within the BSP’s 2-4 percent target throughout 2020 on improved supply conditions and due to new legislation that removed quotas on rice imports. “Recent flip-flopping from the president on rice importation is a cause of concern but the final decision was to carry on with rice importation with stricter implementation of sanitary conditions,” Mapa said. Mapa also said that after rebounding this year, the Philippine peso would likely face renewed headwinds as the current account deficit is expected to widen in 2020 on an acceleration in imports and with the BSP expected to continue cutting policy rates. ING expects the peso to settle at 51.68 against the US dollar by end-2019 on strong corporate demand for the dollar and eventually at 53.25 by end-2020 with the current account deficit story back in play. n
New CITIRA bill version to be filed...
PAGE D1 t submitted its position to the Senate to push for a five to 10year transition period under the CITIRA bill. This position is to provide a reasonable transition period and soften the landing for existing investors toward a time-bound
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor and AMLC chairman Benjamin Diokno Philstar.com file photo
dog in August. Failure to implement the key recommendations will result in the country’s automatic referral to the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) or inclusion in the grey list.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requires all countries to notify the financial institutions of grey-listed countries and to consider measures to effectively manage the risks PAGE D3
and performance-based incentive system. Under the CITIRA bill approved at the House of Representatives, there would be a two to five-year transition period which would depend on how long firms have been under the GIE regime.
Lopez said the DTI is hopeful the bill could be filed at the Senate soon, so deliberations could proceed and the final form of the proposed measure could be approved. The Congress will have sessions until Dec. 21 this year and resume on Jan.20 next year. n
Success of PH’s first ‘catastrophe’ bonds...
PAGE D1 t rounds of policy easing in recent months that partly reversed earlier tightening measures.” Latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data show that growth in bank lending continues to lose momentum amid acceleration in money supply.
Growth slowed to 7.5 percent in October from 9 percent a month ago. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, in a recent interview, said the decelerating growth of bank lending is one of the reasons behind the monetary policy easing of the central bank this year.
The Bangko Sentral’s policymaking Monetary Board has so far implemented a combined 75-basis-point interest rate cut in May, August and September. This brought overnight borrowing, lending and deposit rates to 4 percent, 4.50 percent and 3.50 percent, respectively. n
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PSA: Annual family income hits P313,000 in 2018 by AnnA LeAh
e. GonzALes
Manilatimes.net
FILIPINO families earned an average of P313,000 in 2018, results of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) 2018 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) showed. The PSA, in a report on Wednesday, Dec. 4, said Filipino families’ expenditure for the same year averaged P239,000. “These figures translate to an average annual savings of P75,000,” it added. PSA said that adjusting for inflation between 2015 and 2018, at 2012 prices, the average annual family income in 2018 would be valued at P267,000 while the average annual family expendi-
ture for the same year would be P203,000. “The 2018 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) is a nationwide survey of households undertaken every three years. It is the main source of data on family income and expenditure, which include among others, levels of consumption by item of expenditure as well as sources of income in cash and in kind,” PSA said. “The results of FIES provide information on the levels of living and disparities in income of Filipino families, as well as their spending patterns,” it added. PSA said the average family income ranged from P109,000 (for the lowest 10 percent income group) to P832,000 (for the highest 10 percent income group).
Across regions, families in the National Capital Region had the highest average annual family income at P460,000 while families in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had the lowest average annual income at P161,000. PSA said that in terms of the pattern of spending among Filipino families, the bottom 30 percent income group spent 59 percent on food, compared to those in the upper 70 percent income group with 40 percent. In 2015, the average family income was estimated at P268,000 while expenditure was at P216,000. PSA said this translates to an average savings of P52,000 in 2015. n
BIR peels off 1 layer in process to pay DPWH contractors in hope of speeding up ‘Build, Build, Build’ by Ben
o. de VerA Inquirer.net
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has peeled off one layer in the process for public works contractors to get paid, in a move that officials hoped would speed up the completion of infrastructure projects under President Rodrigo Duterte’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program. The BIR, in a memorandum order, removed an earlier requirement for contractors to submit two documents from the tax agency to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) before they are paid. The memo revoked a previous order issued by Revenue Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay which had required contractors to submit BIR Form No. 217, or application for a certificate of final payment, before payment was released. BIR Form 217 had allowed the agency to monitor withholding taxes paid by the DPWH which came from contractors’ payments, Dulay said. The BIR chief, however, said tax clearances from the BIR, including copies of contractors’ business and income tax returns, already served as sufficient proof
Philippines secures P1 trillion insurance cover vs calamities by MAry
GrAce Philstar.com
PAdin
IN another move to ensure the government’s financial protection against natural disasters, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) has secured a P1 trillion indemnity insurance policy to provide coverage for public assets in times of calamities. In an interview, National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon said the national government has tapped the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for its National Indemnity Insurance Program to provide protection to 25-disaster prone provinces in the eastern seaboard of the country. De Leon said the government paid a P2-billion premium for the insurance policy, which involves P1 trillion in total coverage. “Part of the protection from natural calamities that we’re providing would be the indemnity program with GSIS. We have a P2 billion budget and we’re going to use it to be able to provide insurance for what we call strategically important assets, like schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges,” she said. In a separate statement, the GSIS said its chairman and acting president, Rolando Macasaet and De Leon signed the memorandum of understanding for the insurance program last Nov. 14.
National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon
The GSIS said the program would ensure catastrophe risk insurance to roads and bridges constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and schools under the Department of Education (DepEd) for a period of one year. De Leon also clarified that this insurance policy is different from the P20.49 billion parametric insurance coverage purchased by the government last year. The government placed in December last year its Paramet-
Philstar.com photo
ric Insurance Policy, which will enable 25 catastrophe-vulnerable provinces and the national government to act faster and respond better in times of natural calamities. “The parametric (insurance) is quick disbursing. Once you hit the loss triggers, you get a payout immediately. For the indemnity (insurance), the (payout) is adjusted based on the loss. It would take some more time than the parametric,” the national treasurer said. n
AMLC pushes key laws to avoid...
Bureau of Internal Revenue
of correct and timely tax payments. The Government Procurement Act of 2016 provided that only tax clearance from the BIR was needed to “prove full and timely payment of taxes, especially of those contractors transacting with the government,” Dulay said. Dulay acknowledged that requiring both tax clearance and BIR Form 217 had been a “du-
Inquirer.net file photo
plication” that led to “undue convenience and additional burden to contractors.” “The concern raised is that this impedes the prompt disbursement of fund for final payment to contractors,” Dulay said. He added that it also ran counter to the Ease of Doing Business law which required simplified processes in business and nonbusiness transactions in the government. n
PAGE D2 t of transactions with individuals and entities from grey listed countries. The European Union, in particular, requires its members to apply enhanced due diligence on individuals and entities from listed countries. This includes additional inquiries before opening accounts or engaging in transactions, thus creating a mandatory barrier and increasing the cost of doing business in Europe for said individuals and entities. Often, listing results in debanking or refused transactions. It is the APG’s experience that the FATF listing has a significant financial impact on countries as a result of the EU requirements. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor and AMLC chairman Benjamin Diokno is optimistic the issues raised by the global
anti-money laundering watchdog would be addressed through the reinforced council and closer collaboration among government agencies concerned. The APG Joint Group will again review in the last quarter of 2020 if the Philippines has moved toward implementing the recommended actions. The Philippines has come a long way after the second mutual evaluation in 2009 as it was removed from the grey list of the FATF’s ICRG in 2013. AMLC pushed to the enactment of the proposed amendments to AMLA and the HSA to address deficiencies identified in the mutual evaluation review, thus raising the Philippines’ level of technical compliance with the FATF. AMLC added proposed amendments to AML would expand the list of covered persons
to include real estate developers, brokers, and sales agents to perform obligations of customer due diligence, recordkeeping, and suspicious transaction reporting as well as the inclusion of additional predicate offenses to money laundering, such as certain tax crimes and proliferation financing by managing the trade in strategic or dual-use goods that may be utilized in manufacturing nuclear weapons. This would also expand the investigative powers of the AMLC, inclusion of the authority to implement targeted financial sanctions related to terrorism, terrorism financing, proliferation, or proliferation financing on designated persons and entities identified in the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, and prohibit the issuance of injunctive relief against AMLC actions. n
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Stem article 3
One Global Academy
Understanding MBA tools people-product process
Jonathan oboza Petalver INTRO to MBA TOOLS These Entrepreneurial Leadership STEM Articles are like taking your Masterclass in Strategic Entrepreneurship that will serve as a strong business and entrepreneurial management learning framework for you and become a Strategic Entrepreneurial Manager by understanding the 3Ps (People-Process-Profit). It aims to enable you to understand the significance and relevance of Business Management and Entrepreneurship (Profitable Decision) in business creation and development amidst a disruptive world. The key take away is for you to always gain and sustain your competitive advantage. You will be guided through each P-topic that will be instrumental in your journey as an entrepreneur whether as corporate, start up or creating new strategies for your business. All these 3Ps are strategic in nature and will serve as a strategic management tool for you whether you are looking for new and innovative business strategies, the right business opportunity, starting to set up a business, looking for new products and services or looking for new strategies to expand its business. After reading the 3Ps, you are expected to: 1. Create a strong Brand Value that offers unique business propositions in gaining and sustaining your competitive advantage. 2. Continuously develop and strengthen PULL strategies in positioning your products and ser-
Part 1 definition, a system is a set of vices to the right market. 3. Strategically position things working together as parts yourself as a Strategic Entrepre- of a mechanism or an interconneur knowing both the seller and necting network. Applied in busibuyer process to build brand loy- ness, it is basically when people assigned to do a task deliver realty to customers. sults perfectly. PEOPLE Imagine a watch. A watch, There are 3 things I would like to share to you when it comes to whether ordinary or extraordiPeople or sometimes called your nary is composed of thousands Human Capital. When starting of mechanisms that have to work your own business enterprise together perfectly every second consider the people who will form to give the right time. It is the part of your organization. Over same in doing business. The bigthe years, I have the 3 important gest mistake you can do is to give “S� that you need to consider to job responsibilities to the wrong have a strong Business Founda- person in the organization. It is tion. And these are the following: the system that will determine the 1. Structure. Just like any oth- success of your business. Nowadays, it is just no longer a er building, whether it is low rise, mid rise or high rise, Structural question of how good your prodIntegrity or its basic foundation uct or service is but more so a comes first. Same with any busi- strategic positioning of the kind ness, big or small, its structure, of Business System which relies its people should come first. So heavily on how you match the the question is how do you build right system with your structure. a strong foundation? How would Wrong assignment of duties and you know this is the right team responsibilities to good people for your business? The answer. will ruin the whole system. So You need to match their WHY and better design a system that works your WHAT (Company Vision) so best with the kind of people you the HOW (you and them) would have. If dealing with people is not come easier and will just be the their strength, do not assign them to customer facing duties, else, it end result day in day out. During the interviews, ask them will look like a System Failure and directly as to WHY do they want you will not attract customers. In the next articles, I will be the job, what is their short term and long term objective? If they sharing with you the remaining 2 can answer this passionately and remaining Ps of the STEM Article it directly relates to your VISION, which are the 3 Potential Impact which is your WHAT, hire them Areas critical to your business and immediately. They are more than entrepreneurial journey. your employees. They are your *** generals who are willing to go the Jonathan Oboza Petalver is the Founder extra mile and make things better and CEO of Petalver Management everyday and serve your custom- Consultancy Services. He is also the ers with passion and integrity. President and Dean of One Global 2. System. What is a system? By Academy U.S.A.
First Panda Express in PH to open next week by Tyrone Jasper
C. piad
ManilaTimes.net
CHINESE-AMERICAN fast food chain Panda Express will open a branch in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City — its first in the country — on December 12, according to Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) In a statement on Monday, December 2, the fast food giant said the branch would offer the same menu items as those in the U.S., including Kung Pao Chicken, Broccoli Beef, Asian Grilled Chicken and Eggplant Tofu. The branch will be run by JBPX Foods Inc., the joint venture com-
pany that Jollibee formed with the Panda Restaurant Group last year. It has an authorized capital of $5 million. Jollibee earlier said the opening of Panda Express in the country was seen to boost its growth. “Based on the consumer enthusiasm for the upcoming opening, we’re encouraged that the local market will also love this food concept — a boost to JFC’s roster of restaurant chains,� JFC founder Tony Tan Caktiong said. Panda Express opened its first restaurant in Glendale, California. It now has a global store network of more than 2,200 res-
taurants across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, Guatemala, El Salvador, Aruba, Canada, Mexico, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Japan and Russia. Besides Panda Express, Jollibee has four other brands serving Chinese cuisine: Chowking, Tim Ho Wan, Yonghe King and Hong Zhuang Yuan. Jollibee saw its net income in the first nine months drop by 25.5 percent to P4.53 billion from the year-earlier P6.09 billion, blamed on losses from Smashburger and Red Ribbon. Jollibee shares rose by P5.90 or 2.98 percent to close at P192 each on Tuesday, December 3. n
ADB lends $400M to Philippines to narrow young Filipinos’ skills gap by Ben o. de
Vera
Inquirer.net
THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) expects the percentage of youth who were not in employment, education, and training (NEET) in the Philippines to fall to 17 percent or below the regional average by 2022 with the help of a $400-million loan aimed at bridging the prevailing skills gap among young Filipinos so they will land better jobs moving forward. The ADB Board on Tuesday approved the Facilitating Youth School-to-Work Transition Program Subprogram 2, which ADB Southeast Asia senior economist for public finance Cristina Lozano said would slash the NEET among Filipinos aged 15 to 24 by 5 percentage points three years from now from 22 percent in 2017. Lozano noted that while the NEET among the Filipino youth declined from 25 percent in 2012, the 2017 rate remained above the average of 18 percent across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Youth unemployment alone in the country was at 13.4 percent to date, double the national jobless rate, Lozano added. Youth NEET, income inequality and poverty in the Philippines remained relatively high despite the country’s robust economic growth averaging 6.3 percent from 2010 to 2018, Lozano noted,
such that the government needed to address labor market gaps, including unequal access to wage employment. ADB country director for the Philippines Kelly Bird said the policy-based loan extended by the Manila-based multilateral lender, which will serve as budgetary support for the Department of Labor and Employment’s (Dole) youth employment initiatives, will “help out-of-school youth better integrate into the labor market� to eventually “reduce income inequality and poverty.� In particular, the loan will assist young people belonging to families making up the bottom 40 percent in income distribution, Bird said. “Many young Filipinos today are anxious about their career prospects in a very competitive labor market. This program will enhance public employment services to help them transition from school to work,� said Jose Antonio Tan III, ADB Southeast Asia regional department director for public management, financial sector, and trade. “The new ADB loan supports the government’s efforts to expand and transform operations of the public employment services offices (Pesos) in local government units (LGUs) across the country into more professional processes with quality standards, broaden
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the coverage of the Jobstart Philippines program, and introduce skills development schemes targeting specific sectors,� Tan said. “The loan also supports labor policy reforms, such as the introduction of unemployment insurance as part of amendments to the Social Security Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act, which requires employers to comply with specific workplace standards,� Tan added. n
PH digital payments up, says UN report by MayVelin
U. CaraBallo Manilatimes.net
THE Philippines has made progress in digital payment transactions last year, according to a report from a United Nations (UN) agency commissioned by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). In the report titled “The State of Digital Payments in the Philippines,� the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA) estimated the share of digital payments to be 10 percent by volume and 20 percent by value in 2018. “This is nearly 20 times the estimated total monthly volume of digital transactions in 2013,� it said. In 2013, BTCA revealed electronic payment transactions in the country only stood at 1 percent of the total. The latest figure translates to
about 470 to 490 million payment transactions every month in the Philippines, the report added. “This phenomenal increase is driven by a surge in digital payments made by individuals. This increased significantly to 12 percent, up from less than 1 percent,� it added. Of the total volume of digital payments a month in 2018, BTCA said about 400 million are made by individuals, or 85 percent. Meanwhile, digital payments made by businesses and government contribute the rest at 12 percent and 3 percent, respectively. The report also disclosed that a 20-percent digitization of payments by value translates to about $2.124 billion in payments in 2018, about four times the value in 2013. “As you can see, both usage
and value have increased, indicating that it is not only being used more frequently, but also that it is trusted with bigger values,� BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a press briefing for the report held on Monday, December 2. “Notably, the study also revealed that women in the country are ahead of the men in adopting digital payment solutions,� he added. BTCA said a higher proportion of Filipino women hold financial accounts than men, with 39 percent of adult women holding such accounts as opposed to 30 percent of adult men. Filipino women are also more active savers and borrowers than men, through both formal and informal channels. Women save more (61 percent of all adult women) than men (57 percent of all adult men) through formal or informal channels. n
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D DECEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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