June 28-30, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 52 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages
Palace: Pres. Duterte made most foreign DATELINE USA Supreme Court allows trips, investments among PH presidents parts of Trump’s FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
travel ban to proceed
THIS week brought forth a slight victory for the Trump administration as the U.S. Supreme Court said that parts of the controversial travel ban can take effect. In a 9-0 decision, the high court on Monday, June 26 said that President Donald Trump’s order can continue to bar entry to foreign nationals “who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States.” Examples of the relationships include “a close familial” one, students accepted to U.S. universities, or an individual who accepted an employment offer from an American company, according to the court. The decision added that it leaves “the injunctions entered by the lower courts in place with respect to respondents and those similar situated.” The court said it will hear oral arguments for the order, which blocks travelers from six predominantly Muslim nations and refugees, during its next term in October. The president hailed the ruling on Monday as “a clear victory for our national security.” “As President, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm. I want people who can love the United States and all of its citizens, and who will be hardworking and productive,” he said in a statement. The executive order, which was signed a week after Trump took office in January, initially called for denying individuals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the U.S. for 90 days. Meanwhile,
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by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
COMPARED to other Philippine presidents, President Rodrigo Duterte made the most number of foreign trips during his first year in office — and at the same time, brought home the most foreign investments, according to Malacañang.
Since assuming the presidency in June of last year, Duterte made 21 trips to 18 countries. This is nearly three times the number of trips his predecessor, former President Benigno Aquino III, made during the same time frame. Aquino’s travels totaled to eight, which was also the same number as former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph
Estrada. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, meanwhile, made the second most number of visits in her first year of presidency, totaling to 11—but it’s still less than half of Duterte’s. Because of this, Duterte also has the highest foreign travel expenditures compared to his predecessors.
According to a Rappler report, Duterte’s travel expenses have amounted to about P386 million ($7.72 million) since assuming the presidency, with the exclusion of his recent trips to Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, and Russia. Last year, Duterte traveled to Laos and Indonesia (P29 million), and Viet-
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Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV
Inquirer.net photo
Trillanes to BBC: News about planning to sue untrue by JENNIFER
SORIANO
AJPress
SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, clarified in a letter dated June 23 to British EID’L FITR CELEBRATION AT THE PALACE. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte greets Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Murad Ebrahim during the Eid’L Fitr Broadcasting Corp’s (BBC) DiCelebration at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, June 27. Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante rector-General Tony Hall that he is not going to sue the network, contrary to recent “fake news” reports circulating. This happened a week after by DANA SIOSON Trillanes was interviewed via satAJPress ellite by “Hardtalk,” BBC’s interview program known for throw“I WILL be going home as world champion.” ing hard-hitting questions at its This is what a bold and confident Filipino boxing guests. icon Manny Pacquiao declared as he left for Australia The interview drew flak as supjust a couple of days before his match against the unporters of Duterte were quick to defeated Jeff Horn. lash out at the senator for his re“In all my years of boxing, I have never been as moplies when the host tried to pose tivated and fired up as this fight,” Pacquiao told AFP questions and comments that as he thanked the large entourage that welcomed him seemed to be in favor of the conafter arriving in his opponent’s turf. troversial president. The 38-year-old Pacquiao is set to defend his World Used to being the target of his Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against political foe, Trillanes, however, Horn this coming Sunday, July 2, at the 50,000-seater brushed off the dissenting reSuncorp Stadium in Brisbane. marks thrown at him. “I think this is one of the biggest crowds that I’m “It is what it is. People who going to fight to. I love the fans shouting and cheering Manny Pacquiao smiles as he talks to the press before a workout at a gym inside Suncorp
CBO deals blow to Senate health bill with estimate of Pacquiao in Brisbane vows to come home a champion 22M more uninsured
SENATE Republicans’ legislation to overhaul the Affordable Care Act would leave an additional 22 million people without health care coverage over the next decade and cut the federal deficit by $321 billion, according to a Congressional Budget Office analysis released late Monday. By 2026, an estimated 49 million people would be uninsured, compared with about 28 million who would lack coverage under current law. The Senate’s bill — the Better Health Care Act, which GOP leaders hope to put to a vote later this week — comes nearly two months after the House passed its plan to overhaul the Affordable Care Act. That measure would cut
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Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on Tuesday, June 27. Philstar.com photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea
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PH gov’t rejects Maute hostage-swap deal UN official criticizes Duterte, Trump for ‘breaking taboos’ by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
(L-R) Fr. Teresito Suganob, Cayamora Maute and Farhana Maute
nabbed by authorities. The report cited an unnamed THE Philippine government on source who supposedly went Tuesday, June 27, turned down with fellow emissaries and talked the reported offer from Maute to the extremists amid the ‘huterrorists to release their hostag- manitarian pause’ on Sunday, es in exchange for the detained June 25. While Malacañang said that parents of the pro-Islamic State it has yet to verify the offer, it (IS) group’s leaders. Earlier this week, a local media maintained that the government outlet reported that one of the will not make any deals with terMaute terrorist group leaders, rorists. “Government’s policy not Abdullah Maute, is offering the release of Catholic priest Father to negotiate with terrorists reChito Suganob and other ab- mains,” Presidential Spokesperducted civilians in exchange for son Ernesto Abella told reporters Inquirer.net photos his parents who were recently u PAGE A2
A HIGH ranking human rights official at the United Nations (UN) has condemned controversial world leaders for “undermining the (UN Convention against Torture) with their words.” Speaking before an audience in London on Monday, June 26, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein pointed out U.S. President Donald Trump’s “persistent flirtation” with torture and said
that the American public has become far more accepting of torture over the last 10 years. In January, Trump admitted that he believes waterboarding is an effective way of interrogation. Waterboarding is a form of torture that simulates the sensation of drowning. As for the Philippine president, Zeid cited the 9,000 people who have allegedly been killed since Pres. Rodrigo Duterte took of-
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A June 28-30, 2017 • LA MIDWeeK ASIAn JOuRnAL
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From the Front Page
Palace: Pres. Duterte made most...
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nam (P14 million) in September; Brunei and China (P45 million), and Japan (28 million) in October; Thailand and Malaysia (P24 million), and Peru and New Zealand (P87 million) in November; and Cambodia and Singapore (P50 million) in December. This year, Duterte flew to Myanmar (P2 million) and Thailand (P29 million) in March; Saudi Arabia (P10 million), Bahrain (P5 million), and Qatar (P64 million) in April; and Cambodia, Hong Kong, China, and Russia in May. Duterte’s trip to Russia was originally scheduled from May
22 to 26 but was cut short in the wake of a terrorist crisis that erupted on May 23 in Marawi City, Mindanao. MalacaĂąang, however, downplayed the “costlyâ€? foreign trips, underscoring how good returns surpass the expenses. On Monday, June 26, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Duterte’s foreign trips brought in at least $35 billion worth of investments into the country. “We can see in terms of costbenefit analysis that, as the Department of Finance said, for every peso spent, [the] government
was able to bring home P1,000,� Andanar said. He noted that Duterte was able to bring in $24 billion-worth of investments from China, $11 billion from Japan, and $1.9 billion from Qatar. “So, the reports coming out in newspapers that the president is the most traveled president in his first year here in the Philippines are true,� Andanar said. He added, “But it is also true that as the president who is the most traveled during his first year, he is also the one who got the most investments from other countries. That is also true.� n
Trillanes to BBC: News about planning... PAGE A1 watched the full interview (not the spliced one) are entitled to their own opinions. The haters will hate; the believers will believe,� the senator said in a state-
ment. He added, “This propaganda machine is also being used to swarm various media organizations and personalities to create an impression that there is an overwhelming support for
President Duterte’s deadly war on drugs.� Along with the letter, Trillanes attached a transcript of the said interview and a list of fake news websites proliferating his alleged PAGE A7
ON THEIR TOES. Members of the anti-terrorism unit of the Philippine National Police make their presence felt at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The police have been making random checks of vital installations as part of its campaign to prevent terror attacks. ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger RaĂąada
Pacquiao in Brisbane vows... PAGE A1 for me, or for Horn. I like that, it’s exciting,� he added. Pacquiao, the crowd’s favorite, has been a professional boxer for more than three decades, earning eight world titles in different weight classes. He has a ring record of 59 wins, six losses and two draws. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Horn has a record of 16 wins and one draw, making a total number of matches to 17 since his profes-
sional debut in 2013. Despite being nine years older, Pacquiao is confident that the age disparity won’t be a hindrance. But at the same time, he said he’s not underestimating the less experienced Horn. “I consider him a tough opponent,� Pacquiao said. “I never underestimate my opponent. He’s undefeated, he’s young. I like aggressive fighters.� Horn’s camp, meanwhile, is confident that the Australian
challenger will dominate the ring and create a never-before-seen upset that will shock the Filipino defender. “I have no doubt this is going to be a much better fight than we’ve seen against (Floyd) Mayweather, even (Jessie) Vargas and (Timothy) Bradley,� Horn’s trainer, Glenn Rushton, said. “I think we’ve eliminated all of the problems that a lot of these fighters have had,� he added. Rushton took note they had a ten-point plan that will surely topple down the majority’s PAGE A4
PH gov’t rejects Maute hostage... PAGE A1 in a press briefing. Abella also echoed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s earlier statement that the military has no knowledge of the negotiation. “Hence, the local religious leader-led talks with the terrorists last Sunday is one of that was not sanctioned by government, the military and our political leaders. Any demands made inside, therefore, hold no basis,� Abella added.
:D\V ,PPLJUDQWV &DQ 3URWHFW 7KHLU 5LJKWV Across California, immigrant families are taking action to protect their rights. They are staying informed, seeking help from trusted legal services providers, and learning what their immigration options are. Despite recent changes to immigration policy, immigrant communities in California are not giving in to fear. +HUH DUH ÂżYH ZD\V WR PDNH VXUH \RX DQG \RXU IDPLO\ÂśV ULJKWV DUH SURWHFWHG 1. Know your rights. Everyone in the United States has certain rights under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of immigration status. These include the right to remain silent, the right to not open the door to agents without a warrant signed by a judge, the right to speak to a lawyer and make a phone call, and to not sign anything before talking to a lawyer. 2. Make a plan. All families should have a plan in case of an emergency. Have a plan for who would WDNH FDUH RI \RXU FKLOGUHQ RU \RXU HOGHUV LI \RX DUH XQDEOH WR DQG ZKR ZRXOG KDQGOH \RXU ÂżQDQFHV Talk to your children about this plan. The plan should include emergency numbers, a list of important FRQWDFW LQIRUPDWLRQ DQG D ÂżOH ZLWK LPSRUWDQW GRFXPHQWV &KHFN ZLWK \RXU FRQVXODWH DERXW UHJLVWHULQJ \RXU FKLOGUHQÂśV ELUWKV LI WKH\ ZHUH ERUQ LQ WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV /HW \RXU FKLOGUHQÂśV VFKRRO NQRZ ZKR LV DOORZHG WR SLFN WKHP XS DQG NHHS PHGLFDO DQG HPHUJHQF\ FRQWDFW LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ ÂżOH VR \RXU IDPLO\ FDQ DFFHVV WKHP .HHS WKH QXPEHU RI D TXDOLÂżHG LPPLJUDWLRQ DWWRUQH\ ZLWK \RX )LQG RXW ZKDW \RXU RSWLRQV DUH *HW DQ LPPLJUDWLRQ FRQVXOWDWLRQ ZLWK D TXDOLÂżHG LPPLJUDWLRQ DWWRUQH\ This will help you understand your legal options and see if you might be eligible for a more permanent LPPLJUDWLRQ EHQHÂżW 7R DYRLG IUDXGXOHQW VHUYLFH SURYLGHUV JR WR D WUXVWHG FRPPXQLW\ RUJDQL]DWLRQ PDNH VXUH \RX FRQÂżUP WKH DWWRUQH\ÂśV FUHGHQWLDOV DQG DVN IRU D ZULWWHQ FRQWUDFW DQG D UHFHLSW IRU DQ\ SD\PHQWV 5HPHPEHU WKDW QRWDULRV DUH QRW ODZ\HUV DQG DUH QRW TXDOLÂżHG WR JLYH \RX OHJDO DGYLFH
4. Take action. No matter what your status is, there is likely something you can do. Undocumented LPPLJUDQWV FDQ ÂżQG RXW ZKDW IRUPV RI UHOLHI WKH\ TXDOLI\ IRU 6RPH SHRSOH DOUHDG\ TXDOLI\ IRU D YLVD DQG GRQÂśW NQRZ LW (OLJLEOH JUHHQ FDUG KROGHUV FDQ DSSO\ IRU 8 6 FLWL]HQVKLS 7KRVH ZLWK D FULPLQDO FRQYLFWLRQ FDQ ÂżQG RXW LI WKHUH LV D ZD\ WR HUDVH LW IURP WKHLU UHFRUG :KDWHYHU \RX DUH FRQVLGHULQJ DSSO\LQJ IRU MXVW make sure that you go through a trusted legal services provider. 6WD\ FRQQHFWHG &RQQHFW ZLWK \RXU FRPPXQLW\ JHW LQYROYHG DQG VWD\ LQIRUPHG /RFDO QRQ SURÂżW FRPPXQLW\ RUJDQL]DWLRQV DUH ZRUNLQJ WR PDNH VXUH \RX KDYH WKH LQIRUPDWLRQ DQG OHJDO KHOS \RX QHHG &RPH LQ IRU D YLVLW RU JLYH WKHP D FDOO WR ÂżQG RXW ZKDW \RX PLJKW TXDOLI\ IRU 7R ÂżQG RXW ZKDW \RXU LPPLJUDWLRQ RSWLRQV DUH DQG JHW PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ DERXW \RXU ULJKWV YLVLW $VLDQ $PHULFDQV $GYDQFLQJ -XVWLFH /RV $QJHOHV (PDLO LPPUHOLHI#DGYDQFLQJMXVWLFH OD RUJ RU FDOO WROO IUHH LQ ODQJXDJH KHOSOLQHV 7DJDORJ _ (QJOLVK &DOOHUV VKRXOG OHDYH D PHVVDJH LI XQDEOH WR VSHDN GLUHFWO\ WR D FRPPXQLW\ DGYRFDWH $OO FDOOV DUH UHWXUQHG ZLWKLQ RQH EXVLQHVV GD\ 7KLV FROXPQ ZDV VSRQVRUHG E\ 5HDG\ &DOLIRUQLD D FRDOLWLRQ ZRUNLQJ WR VXSSRUW &DOLIRUQLD RUJDQL]DWLRQV to get information and legal services out to immigrant community members.
Last June 6, the patriarch, Cayamora Maute, was arrested in Davao City, while his wife, Ominta “Farhana,� was detained on June 9 in Masui, Lanao Del Sur. Some of their relatives were also arrested alongside with them. Both parents face rebellion charges. The Maute terrorists, lead by brothers Abdullah and Omar, laid siege of Marawi City on May 23, resulting in the displacement of at least 69,000 families and the deaths of about 27 civilians, according to authorities.
“Let us continue to remind the public that the gravity of theirs — of terrorists’ and their supporters’ offense is immense and they must all be held accountable for all their actions,� Abella further noted. ‘We are winning’ After more than a month since the conflict erupted, the Philippine military expressed confidence in its nearing victory against the Maute extremists in Mindanao. PAGE A5
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California ex-convicts get ‘second chances,’ thanks to Prop. 47 passage by Jun
nucum Inquirer.net
ALAMEDA – This city declared June as “Second Chances Month,” the first in the country to do so, in order to underscore the efforts to help former convicts to regain access to employment, housing, education and other necessities that would enable them to reintegrate into society. Alameda County Public Defender Brendan D. Woods, Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ), and the Justice Reinvestment Coalition sponsored Oakland Family Festival last Saturday June 24 at the Oakland’s Verdese Carter Park. Hundreds of people received pro bono legal assistance in reducing or expunging old criminal convictions under Proposition 47, aside from other second chance opportunities. The proclamation of the Second Chances Month was made at an earlier ethnic media briefing “Prop. 47–Alameda County Officials Back Safer Solutions,” presented by New America Media (NAM) and Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ) at the County Administration Building in Oakland. Various county and city officials and community advocates attended. Aid to reentry into society Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley (District 4) explained that Supervisors Keith Carson (District 5) and Richard Valle (District 2) initially launched 1,400 jobs as part of the county’s campaign to ensure that former inmates have responsibilities and opportunities as soon as they reenter society. “We also want continue to develop the capacity fund that we have available for community-based organizations to work with formerly incarcerated,” Miley explained. Proposition 47 was the measure approved by Californians three years ago to change six nonviolent drug and petty theft crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. It annually reallocates the prison savings to crime prevention, drug and mental health treatment, and trauma recovery services for crime victims. The law also provides Californians with a historic “second chance” opportunity – to reduce the barriers to stability that people with felony convictions face. Proposition 47 permits anyone in the state with a record for one of the six crimes that the measure changed to a misdemeanor to re-
Filipina director of communication for Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ) Stephanie Ong hails Prop. 47 as historic and very important to the Filipino community, “a community of second chances.” Inquirer.net photo by Jun Nucum
move that nonviolent felony from their record, no matter how old the conviction was. 6 crimes reclassified This retroactive measure reclassified six crimes — simple drug possession when possessed for personal use, petty theft, shoplifting, receipt of stolen property, forging a check and writing a bad check–if all the mentioned offenses are under $950. The measure also annually reallocates the prison savings to crime prevention, drug and mental health treatment, and trauma recovery services for crime victims. For 2017, the total Prop. 47 recommended funding by the Executive Steering Committee (ESC) from the measure’s savings fund is $103,651,000 (a marked improvement from the $68 million savings in the first year) of which $6 million is recommended for Alameda County, with at least ten other counties and health/human services agencies receiving differing amounts. The biggest was $20 million recommended for Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Office of Diversion and Reentry on top of another $6 million recommended amount for Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. Prop. 47 effects Speaking at length on the latest developments on Prop. 47, former San Francisco assistant district attorney and presently a staff attorney of CSJ Hillary Blout cited some of the gains and impacts of Prop. 47 as the measure enters its third year. “There are 3,300 fewer people going to prison and we’ve seen tremendous savings of around $103 million. Counties will be get-
ting grants to support communitybased crime prevention programs and treatment so people don’t end up incarcerated,” Blout reported. Other impacts of Prop. 47 so far include 280,001 petitions for resentencing or record change filed so far; 15,000 fewer incarcerated in California prisons and jails; daily jail population reduced by about 10,000 people in the first two months that resulted in better jail management by avoiding overcrowding; and more than 40,000 fewer felony convictions throughout the state, among others. According to the California Department of Justice, felony arrests decreased by 118,940, more than 90,000 of which accounted for decreased felony arrests for drug Photo by Bill Clark possession in just one year after Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Prop. 47 passed. Additionally, felony convictions fell by 55,406 in the first year. Many of those arrests and convictions are PAGE A1 icaid dollars to states. Currently, proposal did “devastating harm” now handled as misdemeanors, about $834 billion from Medicaid federal Medicaid matching pay- and would “seriously jeopardize which increased by 79,807 during and leave an additional 23 million ments to states are open-ended. the health of America.” the same period. people without coverage in 2026, By 2026, the budget office preCost and coverage Prison system conditions according to CBO. It would reduce dicted, 15 million fewer people The budget scorekeepers also Blout also enumerated condi- the federal deficit by $119 billion. would be enrolled in Medicaid concluded that, for the individual tions of the jail system that promptEarlier in the day, before the than projected under the ACA. insurance market, premium costs ed the introduction of Prop. 47 and nonpartisan budget office’s score Currently, more than 74 million would go down under the Senate these include the following: was released, Senate Majority low-income and disabled people plan, but so would the amount of • United States has the high- Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are Medicaid beneficiaries. coverage provided. est incarceration rate in the globe described the GOP plan as preHow Medicaid beneficiaries are Because these plans “would with California with the highest serving “access to care for patients affected by these caps depends on pay for a smaller average share incarceration rate in the country with preexisting conditions.” He how states respond to them, the of benefits under this legislation, criminalizing drug addiction, lon- also said it would “strengthen CBO notes. most people purchasing it would ger sentences with more laws on Medicaid,” give “Americans more “With less federal reimburse- have higher out-of-pocket spendthe books to send people to prison power to control and reduce their ment for Medicaid, states would ing on health care than under curor to jail; medical costs and out-of-pocket need to decide whether to commit rent law,” CBO said. • System is focused on punish- expenses” and give “states sig- more of their own resources to In 2017, an estimated 12 milment rather on rehabilitation for nificant new tools to drive down finance the program at current- lion people bought health coverdecades now; premiums.” law levels or to reduce spending age through the ACA’s market• 1 out of 108 people in the counYet it was unclear if Republi- by cutting payments to health places. Most bought silver-level try are in prison or in jail; 1 out of cans, who have a razor-thin Senate care providers and health plans, plans, which covered 70 percent 35 individuals are in some type of majority, could garner the 50 votes eliminating optional services, re- of health care costs. supervision whether parole, proba- necessary for the measure to pass. stricting eligibility for enrollment Under the Senate’s plan, the tion or other forms of supervision; The budget office’s findings added through work requirements and average premiums for an indi• California spends three times to this uncertainly. other changes,” according to the vidual in 2020 would be about 30 as much now than it did before Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), analysis. percent lower. But these policies on prisons; almost $50 billion are a moderate who has been on the The Medicaid funding provi- would cover about 58 percent of spent to operate the prison sys- fence about the bill, tweeted late sions are a key reason several costs on average. tem in the state (around $70,000/ this afternoon that she could not influential health groups say they According to the CBO, “a comyear for each person sent to pris- support the current bill based on cannot support the bill. bination of factors would lead to on, which is much more expen- the CBO score. “I want to work “Access to care for some of the that decrease – most important, sive than the tuition fee of about with my GOP and Democratic col- most vulnerable members of our the smaller share of benefits paid $43,000 per school year it Harvard leagues to fix the flaws in ACA. society — including those who for by the benchmark plans and without financial aid and scholar- CBO analysis shows Senate bill require treatment for opioid-use federal funds provided to directly ship grants); won’t do it. I will vote no” on bring- disorder — would be endangered reduce premiums.” • Since 1980, 22 new prisons ing the bill to the Senate floor, she by the Senate proposal’s arbitrary, The CBO also analyzed the Senwere built but only one new uni- announced. unsustainable, and shortsighted ate bill provision that would allow versity; and Senate Democrats were also formula for funding Medicaid,” states to use waivers to modify • There are 70 million people swift to react. David Barbe, president of the the health law’s essential health who have criminal convictions in “The CBO report should be the American Medical Association, benefits that include items like the country. end of the road for Trumpcare,” said in a statement posted on the prescription drugs, maternity Research has shown that in- tweeted Senate Minority Leader organization’s website. coverage, mental health and subcreased incarceration does not Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). And, in And even before the CBO re- stance abuse. In states where such PAGE A7 a statement, Sen. Ron Wyden (D- port was issued, the National As- waivers were granted, consumers Ore.) said it was “abundantly clear sociation of Medicaid Directors could experience substantial cost [Republicans] are going in the was on record with its concerns. increases for supplemental premiwrong direction.” “The Senate bill does formalize ums or out-of-pocket spending, or Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) several critical administrative and choose to forgo services. Nearly pointed to the analysis and said regulatory improvements, such as half the population, the CBO estithe GOP plan was “a cynical and giving Medicaid Directors a seat mates, would reside in states that immoral proposal.” at the table in the development of seek these waivers. Detailing the Medicaid num- regulations that impact how the In addition, the ACA’s ban on bers program is run, and the pathway lifetime and annual limits on covUnder the GOP measure, federal to permanency for certain waiver ered benefits would no longer apspending on Medicaid would drop programs,” the group said. “How- ply to health benefits not defined by 26 percent over current spend- ever, no amount of administrative as essential in a state (Mary Agnes ing projections, or $772 billion, or regulatory flexibility can com- Carey and Phil Galewitz/Kaiser over the next decade, according to pensate for the federal spending Health News) the analysis. reductions that would occur as a *** The drop in spending would result of this bill.” This story was produced by Kaioccur mainly because the Senate Other organizations, such as ser Health News, which publishes plan phases out federal funds for Families USA and the American California Healthline, an editorially states to expand Medicaid and it Public Health Association, said the independent service of the Califorputs annual caps on federal Med- CBO’s findings show the Senate nia Health Care Foundation.
CBO deals blow to Senate health bill...
Supreme Court allows parts... PAGE A1 the restriction was 120 days for refugees. It took effect immediately, causing hundreds of individuals to be detained at airports around the country, as well as deportations. After being blocked by the courts, the Trump administration revised the order in March that included the same countries except Iraq and did not apply to visa and green card holders. This version has seen its own set of legal challenges as well, including being blocked by federal
“Today we are deeply disappointed that the Supreme Court sided with fear while blindly igjudges in Hawaii and Maryland. noring the hardships faced by On Monday, June 12, the San refugees and visa seekers. Many Francisco-based United States Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Court of Appeals for the Ninth and South Asian communities Circuit had ruled that the presi- have suffered greatly since the dent was overstepping his au- first Muslim ban was issued,” the thority with this ban. Previously, organization said in a statement. the 4th Circuit upheld injunctions “The administration’s Muslim ban opposing the ban on the grounds foments disturbing trends of antithat the travel ban was driven by Muslim sentiments within the U.S. religious intolerance and discrim- and abroad. The Supreme Court ination toward Muslims. should not have allowed any part Civil rights organization Asian of the Muslim ban to move forAmericans Advancing Justice ex- ward while this executive order is pressed that it was “disappoint- under review.” (Christina M. Oriel ed” in the court’s ruling. / AJPress)
UN official criticizes Duterte...
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fice and launched his war on drugs. “The president of the Philippines has spoken openly about extra-judicial killings. And the president of the United States of America has said that torture could be necessary in certain circumstances. There is no longer any pretense. They are breaking long-held taboos,” Zeid said. PH votes to extend Callamard Meanwhile, the Philippines, along with other countries, supported the move to extend the
term of Agnes Callamard for another three years as the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions. The Human Rights Council adopted the four-page resolution to extend Callamard’s term extension as initiated by the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the U.N. in Geneva, Switzerland on June 22. In addition to the term extension of Callamard, the resolution also acknowledged the importance of relevant procedures and mechanism in addressing extrajudicial killings around the
Pacquiao in Brisbane vows... boss Bob Arum, said the result of Sunday’s match—whether expectations. Pacquiao will be able to pull out “I’ve got a 10-point plan and an impressive victory against Jeff is the only person who has Horn or not—plays a great role that 10-point plan. I said to him, in determining his next oppofollow the plan and we win the nent. fight, simple as that,” Rushton On Tuesday, June 27, Pacsaid. quiao’s coach, Freddie Roach, Regarding Pacquiao’s next said the Filipino boxing icon is match in November, Top Rank still looking forward to a rematch PAGE A2
world. The Philippine government earlier slammed Callamard for criticizing Duterte’s bloody war against illegal drugs. The special rapporteur was given an invitation to the country to conduct an investigation, but the Philippine government imposed pre-conditions, such as engaging Duterte in a public debate and to disclose her whereabouts during her investigation to help ensure her safety. Callamard said she could not agree to the conditions as these were against the terms of reference governing special rapporteurs. (AJPress with reports from Reuters and Philstar.com) against Floyd Mayweather Jr. In what seemed to be one of the most lucrative events in boxing history, Mayweather was declared the winner by a unanimous decision during their match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas two years ago. “To get Mayweather, you have to look good against Jeff Horn. He has to look good, he has to be impressive,” Roach told reporters in Brisbane. “The thing is, if it happens, it happens.” n
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Numbers that matter PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has maintained excellent trust and approval ratings among top government officials in his first year in office. This is a feat considering how negatively he was portrayed by media around the world for his unrelenting initiatives to rid the country of illegal drugs, crime and corruption. Despite his critics, 80 percent of Filipinos had “much trust” for the president, while 10 percent expressed “little trust” and 11 percent were “undecided,” according to the latest poll conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS). By being the most traveled Philippine president in his first year, Duterte fostered strong relationships with various world leaders, which also resulted in people-to-people relationships. Not to mention, he was named the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). While he almost severed ties with the U.S. and the European Union (EU) — by initiating an independent foreign policy — the president still managed to make unlikely allies in China and Russia. More than the improved ties with other nations, Duterte has also brought home P35 billion in his sojourns. These are not just investments pledges because the actual signings of purchase orders are already taking place. Preparations are already underway for his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) next month, where he is expected to list all of his administration’s achievements after just one year in office. In past administrations, Filipinos were gener-
ally disappointed when most promises comprised in the past leaders’ SONA, never saw the light. However, in this current government, Filipinos are witnessing a growing economy that is benefiting from reforms in governance and transparency. The nation also achieved gains in terms of reducing prospects for corruption, improved public service, decreasing crime rate, among others. Because of these changes, Senate Pres. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III believes that the president has fulfilled his campaign promise that “change is coming,” particularly in the areas of foreign relations and peace and order. “We’ve felt so many changes... The world believes that we have an independent foreign policy. We are no longer being dictated by other countries. We determine our own course in international affairs,” he said. Pimentel gave the president a grade of 8.5 to nine for his performance in his first year. “To our President, keep on doing what you have been doing. Surveys have been saying that the people appreciate what you have been doing. There are also negative statements, but this is a democracy,” he said. Duterte is expected by every Filipino — and even foreign observers — to give a more coher-
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
ent and appropriate address befitting the current socio-economic and political situation in the country. And because ordinary citizens offer limited interest in statistics, the president must also draw a clear outline of how he wants to achieve
the nation’s goals, while working with his constituents to move forward. With still five years left in office, more tangible and reliable results of what his leadership is all about are yet to be seen. (AJPress)
Bill that aims to repeal and replace Obamacare hangs in the balance (again) for lack of support IT’S DÉJÁ VU all over again as the The Fil-Am much-anticipated vote for another ver- Perspective sion of the health care bill—which President Donald Trump and the Republicans wish to pass to repeal and Gel SantoS-ReloS replace Obamacare —has been delayed once again because of lack of support even among GOPs in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been pushing for a vote before the Fourth of July break but Republicans won’t all get on board to pass the bill that has been a revision of the first bill that the House of Representatives could not pass the first time around.
With the Democrats totally against any effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act that has helped cover millions of uninsured Americans, the Trump’s party could only afford to lose two votes among Republicans. But as of Tuesday, about five Republican senators have signified their stances to NOT support the bill, either because it was not too conservative enough in fighting against entitlements, or that it would cause their constituents who are already being helped by Obamacare to lose the health care benefits they are now enjoying. The recently released report by the
nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) did not help the Republicans’ cause as much as they thought it would in selling their health care bill to their constituents. The CBO estimates that by the year 2026, 46 million Americans would be uninsured compared to 28 million who are uninsured under Obamacare. Those who would be most vulnerable under the Republican Senate health care bill would be adults under 65, the elderly, the working poor on Medicaid, the middle class, women, those who use mental health services, and those with disabilities and pre-existing conditions. Those who would benefit most are wealthy Americans who would enjoy about $563 billion in tax cuts over 10 years.
The CBO report further reveals that the Senate plan would lead to an estimated $321 billion in deficit reduction from 2017-2026. However, the savings would be coming mostly from Medicaid, which the CBO estimates to fall by 26 percent by 2026 as compared to Obamacare. While Obamacare may have features that would have to be improved or modified, why throw away the Affordable Care Act if it has been helping so many? Why rush the Republican health care bill to a vote when it does not have the support of most Americans? According to the latest Quinnipiac University poll, only 17 percent of Americans approve of the bill, which includes less than half of Republicans. To repeal Obamacare has been the
obsession and the campaign promise of Republicans since the day it was signed into law. Yet, up to now, the party of Trump has not offered a viable solution to the health care problem that can and will benefit most Americans. Shouldn’t the Republicans just keep Obamacare and work with Democrats to address the problems of the current health care law? Or are they just motivated by the goal to erase the landmark legacy of the first African American president? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos
One year after: The Duterte phenomenon continues
Babe’s Eye View BaBe Romualdez IT’S unbelievable that time has quickly gone by. After one year in office, President Duterte continues to enjoy the highest trust and confidence rating ever given by Filipinos to a president. Despite his colorful, off-the-cuff remarks which often drive criticism from his detractors here and abroad, no one can argue that his popularity continues to be high. When the president briefly disappeared from public view, it triggered speculations about his state of health and spawned rumors that he was either comatose or dying. Informal surveys nonetheless showed that Duterte’s popularity spiked even more with so many expressing concern about the president – although the nature of such “concern” from certain opposing groups certainly had less to do with the desire for his well-being and more like “wishful thinking.” A Financial Times article the other day sums it up very well with its headline that said, “Scandals fail to hurt Duterte ‘the Punisher’ after year in office.” The European news outlet noted that Duterte’s popularity “appears resistant to the tumult that has defined his tenure since his June 30 inauguration. Indeed, the claims and chaos have often played to the tough guy image of the man known as the ‘Trump of Asia.’ The resilient fortunes of the surprise winner of the race for Ma-
nila’s Malacañang presidential palace might be the envy of the US White House. Mr Duterte’s success in neutralizing criticism shows the power of framing problems simplistically and cleaving to the logic that ends justify means.” All the efforts of the “yellow group” especially those based in the US to make a dent on the popularity of Duterte seem to be fruitless. As BBC’s HARDtalk TV host Stephen Sackur described it during a 24-minute interview with Senator Sonny Trillanes that has since gone viral on social media, the opponents of the man chosen by Filipino voters to “clean up” the country seem to be “bashing their head against a brick wall.” The TV host also cited the high approval/satisfaction rating of the president and the appreciation of ordinary Filipinos who feel that Duterte’s “iron fist” approach to solving criminality and ridding the country of illegal drugs has made the streets safer today. The BBC host also laughed off Trillanes’ argument that Duterte’s numbers have since gone down to 75 percent, saying that getting such a high approval rating would be enough to make Western politicians regard it as “the happiest day of their life.” The irony of it all is that Rody Duterte seems unimpressed by the trappings of power as evidenced by such vignettes recounted to me by Executive Secretary Bingbong Medialdea. Every so often, the BSP needs to change the old money in circulation so they needed to get the
specimen signature of the president for the new peso bills which had to be to issued in December last year. President Rody found it “corny,” but Secretary Medialdea told the President that if he didn’t sign, there would be no money in circulation for government projects (or something to that effect). The president finally relented. It is this sense of authenticity that has endeared the president to the people. His common touch and the aura of sincerity he emanates whenever he talks and jokes with soldiers, condoles with the bereaved family of slain troops or brings wounded soldiers with him on the presidential plane to airlift them resonates strongly with a huge number of ordinary Filipinos. They chose him to be their leader despite frenzied efforts by opponents to bombard him with negative issues during the presidential campaign. Duterte once said, “They laugh at me because I’m different; I laugh at them because they’re all the same.” A reliable source told us that a high Comelec official went to see President Duterte to apologize and ask for “forgiveness” because some five million votes cast for Duterte were not counted in the May 2016 polls – which means that the 16 million-plus votes credited to Duterte should have been over 21 million. Many detractors have characterized him as someone who keeps crying wolf about the problem of drugs and terrorism in the country, even calling his declaration of martial law in Mindanao as an “over reaction.”
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, 2016.
But recent developments prove the connection between drugs and terrorism – a fact confirmed by foreign intelligence agents working with the Philippine government to combat transnational crimes. During clearing operations in Marawi City a few days ago, police authorities seized 2 kilos of shabu worth P10 million from the house of Omar Ali, an ex-mayor of Marawi who was in the president’s list of suspected narco-politicians. Even the international community has realized the seriousness behind President Duterte’s
warnings about the presence of ISIS terrorists in Mindanao. Indonesia and Malaysia have partnered with the Philippines to form a trilateral group for enhanced counter-terrorism efforts and implement strategies to prevent ISIS militants from gaining foothold in the region. Australia will also send high-tech AP-3C Orion aircraft to provide surveillance support in the fight against terrorism – something that our closest ally the United States has been consistently providing despite a few bumps in our relations. All these developments sim-
Philstar.com photo
ply underscore the credibility of the president’s claims regarding drugs and the terrorist menace – and why he continues to be popular among majority of Filipinos. Some however are still dumbfounded about why Duterte continues to be popular especially those from the upper crust of society or the so-called “branded name peninsulares.” One of them aptly described the President’s popularity in Spanish: “Este hombre es fenomenal, como nunca (This man is phenomenal, like never before). (Philstar.com)
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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 28-30, 2017
Dateline PhiliPPines
DOJ starts pork barrel reinvestigation ‘There will be no selective justice this time’
by Dana
SioSon AJPress
THE Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially started its reinvestigation into the multimillion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) anomaly, also referred to as the pork barrel scam. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said the department has already formed a new task force to correct the “miscarriage of justice” in the previous inquiry during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino. The past investigation, under then-Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, has led to the indictment of plunder, graft, and malversation charges against former Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr, and Jinggoy Estrada. “I have already ordered the reorganization of the Task Force on PDAF cases for the purpose of reinvestigation. I designated undersecretary Antonio ‘Richie’ Kho as
head of the task force,” Aguirre said in a message to reporters. Aguirre said the new team — composed of prosecutors and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents — would start by validating the statements and evidence to be submitted by detained businesswoman Janet LimNapoles, the alleged brains of the pork barrel scam. “Just like in the previous investigation, the statements and evidence will be validated through records from relevant implementing agencies and the Commission on Audit (COA),” Aguirre said. Pointing out that only the opposition members were charged in the previous investigation, Aguirre vowed that “no selective justice” would occur in the fresh probe. Aguirre previously revealed that among the senators whom Napoles implicated in the scam were Senators de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV, and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon. Former Budget Secretary Butch Abad was
California ex-convicts... PAGE A4 lead to greater public safety. States that have reduced imprisonment the most, including California, enjoy greater crime declines than the states that continue to increase their prison populations. Despite reducing its prison population by more than 30,000 inmates over the past half- decade, California’s violent and property crime rates are lower today than in 2010, before Prop. 47. Prop. 47 opponents argue that incidents of crimes have increased with the measure’s implementation. Woods, however, cited a study of the Public Policy Institute of California showing no increase in crime in relation to Prop 47. Hysteria “There was hysteria that getting all these gang people out of jail increased crimes. That is not the case, and I can say not even close. Everyone released because of Prop. 47 were not committing these crimes,” Woods contends. Blout echoed Woods argument by mentioning that even if there is 65% recidivism rate for people leaving the prisons, people released under Prop 47 only has less
than 5% recidivism rate. Stephanie Ong, a Filipina director of communication for Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ) hailed Prop. 47 as historic and very important to the Filipino community because “we are a community of second chances.” “We come to immigrate to the United States to have a second chance in life. And what Prop. 47 does is that we’re not only changing records and changing lives, but we are also giving second chance,” Ong stated.Hysteria “There was hysteria that getting all these gang people out of jail increased crimes. That is not the case, and I can say not even close. Everyone released because of Prop. 47 were not committing these crimes,” Woods contends. Blout echoed Woods argument by mentioning that even if there is 65% recidivism rate for people leaving the prisons, people released under Prop 47 only has less than 5% recidivism rate. Stephanie Ong, a Filipina director of communication for Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ) hailed Prop. 47 as historic and very important to the Filipino community because “we are a community
also included. Trillanes and De Lima are notably among President Rodrigo Duterte’s staunchest critics, while Drilon is currently the Senate minority leader. All denied claims of their involvement in the scam. Aguirre also suggested turning Napoles into a state witness, though he clarified that it will not affect her pending cases in connection with the PDAF anomalies before the Sandiganbayan. The Office of the Ombudsman, however, dismissed the idea, stressing that Napoles is one of the principal alleged malefactors. While the DOJ has the discretion to conduct a new probe into the PDAF case, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales maintained that it is her office, not the DOJ, which has the final say on whether or not to recommend Napoles as a state witness. She further noted that her office is not bound by the DOJ’s findings. n of second chances.” “We come to immigrate to the United States to have a second chance in life. And what Prop. 47 does is that we’re not only changing records and changing lives, but we are also giving second chance,” Ong stated. Important to Filipino community “In the Filipino community, we also don’t talk about being a felon or even misdemeanor offender. Someone with a felony conviction is too ashamed to admit that. They are not aware that there is a way to change their record and change their life,” Ong added. “That is why public information and education on measures like Prop. 47 are very important.” She said further that the large Filipino community in Alameda will surely benefit from the $6 million allocated from the prison system savings. Alameda Public Defender Brendan Woods, together with Californians for Safety and Justice and the Justice Reinvestment Coalition, hosted the Oakland Family Festival to give hundreds of Alamedans a chance to receive pro bono legal assistance in reducing or expunging old criminal convictions under Proposition 47. n
A
Trillanes to BBC: News about planning...
PAGE A2 plan to sue BBC. The websites that published the fake story include Our Daily Revelations PH and The Adobo Chronicles. The senator also expressed that having a BBC interview was a privilege. “Let me just say that it was an honour to be invited as a resource person on BBC World’s ‘Hardtalk’ program,” Trillanes wrote. “So, please be assured that I have no plans of suing your company. On the contrary, I am very satisfied
with how the interview was conducted by Mr. Stephen Sackur, as I was given a chance to give my insights about the real situation in our country.” He went on to say that the appearance was “one of the proudest moments in my public life.” Stephen Sackur, “Hardtalk’s” host, laid down the idea that Duterte is “well-liked” by most of the Filipinos, citing the president’s “high satisfaction ratings” amidst various allegations against him.
“The bulk of the Filipino people are not really aware on the ground. The propaganda machine is very, very effective. The bulk of the Filipino public are busy with their day-to-day living. They don’t really get to know the magnitude of the damage Duterte has done,” Trillanes said during the interview. After Trillanes gave his explanation, Sackur said that the senator’s remarks were “out of tune” and inharmonious” with the sentiments of many Filipinos. n
PH gov’t rejects Maute hostage... PAGE A2 “The Armed Forces of the Philippines is winning and that victory is irreversible,” Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, the spokesperson of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said in a press briefing on Monday, June 26. He went on to say, “Troops continue to get deeper into
once enemy-held positions as evidenced by the recovery of cadavers of terrorists and their firearms, computers and peripherals as well as communication equipment and accessories.” Despite this, Herrera admitted that the government forces are still not free from challenges, citing bombs found in houses or
buildings being cleared by the military. He also asked for the public’s continued support and prayers for the government’s victory against the extremists. “Troop morale remains very high and we appeal to everyone to continue to support and pray for our troops,” Herrera said. n
A June 28-30, 2017 • LA MIDWeeK ASIAn JOuRnAL
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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 28-30, 2017
BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal
B
BSP to pursue reforms under new leadership
needs and requirements,” he said. Espenilla, who is scheduled MANILA, Philippines - The to succeed outgoing BSP GovBangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ernor Amando Tetangco Jr. on (BSP) is committed to pursue July 2, said the banking system liberalization initiatives as well continued to be a source of as capital market reforms amid strength and is well-positioned the scheduled changing of the to further support the growing guards in the central bank next u PAGE B2 week. Incoming BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said in his speech during the cocktail reception hosted by the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) his leadership would continue with reforms that have helped improved the ability of banks to absorb shocks and certain imbalances. “We have strengthened gov- Incoming BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla ernance and risk management Jr. said in his speech during the cocktail reception hosted by the Bankers Association standards as benchmarks for of the Philippines (BAP) his leadership good banking. We have ad- would continue with reforms that have opted global reforms and stan- helped improved the ability of banks to dards and made sure these are absorb shocks and certain imbalances. Philstar file photo by Mike Amoroso in tune with our own domestic by Lawrence
agcoiLLi Philstar.com
Cyberhacking incidents seen too costly for banks by
Daxim L. Lucas Inquirer.net
A bank whose services are interrupted by cybersecurity threats will have to shell out a substantial sum to recover from an incident such as a malware attack, and will likely suffer double this remediation amount in terms of business losses. This was the finding of IT security firm Kaspersky Lab in a recent study it published on the dangers posed by hackers on financial institutions amid a wave of security breaches that have plagued banks around the world. In a statement, the Russiabased firm—known primarily for its anti-virus services—said that “an accident involving a bank’s online banking services costs
the organization $1,754,000 (or P88 million at current exchange rate) on average.” This, it said, was double the price of recovering from a malware incident, which cost an average of $825,000. “The study shows that 61 percent of cybersecurity incidents affecting online banking come with additional costs for the institution targeted—including data loss, the loss of brand/ company reputation, confidential information becoming leaked, and more,” the firm added. The report comes as the Philippine Senate is probing the recent disruption in services of Bank of the Philippine Islands where thousands of depositors saw their account balances mistakenly debited
u PAGE B2
Lower VAT rate possible after tax overhaul - DOF by mary
grace Philstar.com
PaDin
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Finance (DOF) said over the weekend it is possibile to lower the value-added tax (VAT) rate in the Philippines from the current 12 percent once the government is able to clean up the tax system and plug leakages caused by the numerous VAT exemption privileges under the law. “Our proposal really is to clean up the VAT system. Over time, once we have addressed the exemptions, we may reduce the
VAT rate. We will do it step by step,” Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said in a statement. “Our strong belief is that the moment we have exemptions and a multitude of exemptions, it multiplies the opportunity for discretion, and therefore corruption and tax evasion,” he said. In an earlier statement, the DOF said the 59 lines of VAT exemptions and the 84 special VAT-related laws provided in the tax code have resulted in an estimated P90.7 billion annual losses for the government. The DOF seeks to overhaul this system
and broaden the VAT base through the removal of these exemptions through the first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), as contained in House Bill 5636 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN). According to Chua, Thailand collects the same amount of revenues from VAT as the Philippines despite imposing a lower rate of seven percent due to fewer exemptions. Thailand, he said, only has 35 lines of exemptions as compared to the Philippines. Chua said the share of Thailand’s VAT
u PAGE B3
Villar expanding retail business by iris
gonzaLes Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines - Tycoon Manuel Villar Jr. is expanding his retail business this year with more malls and new concepts, bullish on the steady growth of the retail industry, strong consumer spending and rising per capita income. All Value Holdings Corp., the retail arm of the Villar Group, will
open more branches of its existing brands and will introduce new retail concepts, Villar said on Friday, June 23. The growth of the retail business will go hand in hand with the opening of more malls by Vista Land & Lifescapes’as well as stand-alone outlets particularly for AllDay Convenience Stores and The Coffee Project. “Prospects for retail businesses are very good because I
am very bullish about the Duterte administration,” Villar said. He said with the group’s different retail concepts, it is able to create the ideal landscape of Vista Land’s malls. Filipino consumers are getting more discriminatory in taste because of rising per capita income, which makes it necessary to have more upscale retail concepts. “I’m looking at a significant
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Manuel Villar Jr.
B JUNE 28-30, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
Business news
Moody’s affirms Philippines minimum investment grade
Government sees sustained public spending growth by Mary
GraCe Philstar.com
by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net
CREDIT rating agency Moody’s Investors Service affirmed on Tuesday, June 27, the Philippines’ “Baa2” minimum investment grade rating and a stable outlook, saying the domestic economy would remain strong. But it warned of political risks and cited indications of overheating in the economy. “The affirmation of the Baa2 rating and the assignment of a stable outlook balances positive and negative factors,” Moody’s said in a statement released on Tuesday. Moody’s said it expected the Philippines’ strong economic performance and debt consolidation to continue, and converge with the key metrics of its peers. “The Philippines’ real GDP [gross domestic product]growth averaged 6.4 percent per year between 2014 and 2016, more than twice the corresponding median for Baa2-rated countries. We expect growth to be sustained at above 6 percent per year over the next two years, driven largely by the private sector,” it said. The credit rater noted that the Philippines’ unconsolidated general government debt, which includes the holdings of social security institutions, fell to 38.3 percent of GDP in 2016 from a peak of 47.8 percent in 2009, supported by rapid nominal GDP growth and tighter fiscal policy. “In contrast, the corresponding peer median for Baa2-rated countries has trended higher in recent years and is now higher than in the Philippines,” it said. Consequently, the Philippines’ debt affordability continued to improve as interest payments as a share of revenue, excluding privatization receipts, fell to 13.9 percent in 2016, more than 40 percent lower than the 24.4 percent recorded in 2010, albeit still above the 8.5-percent median ratio among Baa2-rated sovereigns. Risks The debt watcher however said domestic political developments could potentially undermine institutional strength and economic performance. Recent events such as the conflict in Marawi and the imposition of martial law in Mindanao are examples of escalating domestic political risks that could – should they multiply and escalate – undermine institutional
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strength and, ultimately, economic growth, it said. “[D]ownside risks include a worsening of the Islamist insurgency that could lead to an expansion of martial law, undermine domestic business confidence, and disrupt economic activity including in economically significant regions,” it stressed. Moody’s said these events did not appear to have weighed on economic growth, or derail the government’s economic reform agenda. The first package of the administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Package passed through the lower house of Congress in May, in part due to the intervention of President Rodrigo Duterte, it said. “However, the confrontational nature of the administration’s political agenda could potentially reduce the effectiveness of governance, or negatively affect investment and growth,” it said. On external risks, the credit ratings agency said any further shock to the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council region could reduce remittance inflows, and US policies that could encourage on-shoring of jobs could have a negative impact on business process outsourcing, a key industry. Overheating Moody’s also noted that while broad macroeconomic stability
had been maintained, a number of metrics indicated material capacity constraints that signal a risk of overheating in the economy. “[T]he prolonged period of robust growth has led to emerging capacity constraints, as represented by rising inflation and the re-emergence of a current account deficit. High credit growth in excess of nominal GDP growth since 2014 also exposes the banking system to unseasoned risk,” it pointed out. Policy response has been effective, and mitigating measures exist, it said, but managing the risk of overheating still depended on the government’s capabilities. The central bank, though, has maintained the scope for policy tightening, including a more strident application of macroprudential measures, it noted, given Philippine banks’ considerable capital and liquidity buffers. Moody’s also noted that the stock of foreign exchange reserves remained well above the country’s cross-border debt servicing requirements, as well as the entire amount of external debt. “However, looking ahead, the government’s ability to continue to contain these rising pressures will depend in part on its efforts to raise investment in order to enhance infrastructure and address economic bottlenecks,” said.n
Padin
MANILA, Philippines - The government sees sustained growth in public spending in the coming months after a recovery in its disbursement performance last May, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said. In an interview last Friday, June 23, National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon said the government is confident it would be able to maintain the improvement in its spending performance exhibited last May until the rest of 2017. “Yeah (we are confident). In June also we are seeing that the preliminary results are very good. In fact, we see the improvements in terms of the trajectory in the agencies’ (spending) will be sustained,” De Leon told reporters. Data from the Treasury showed the national government’s spending last May jumped 20 percent to P261.7 billion from the P217.4 billion recorded a year ago. This was a reversal from the disbursement performance posted in April, which declined four percent to P183.1 billion from P191.6 billion in April 2016. It was also the fastest growth in spending recorded this year. “This reflects the typical project cycle which is like an S-curve,
slow at first then it accelerates as the projects progress. Also the mid-year bonus was supposed to be paid for not earlier than May 15th,” Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno told The STAR earlier when asked about the recovery in spending growth. Furthermore, Diokno said the growth of disbursements had also started to normalize as the impact of higher government spending in 2016 due to the elections had already started to taper off. De Leon, for her part, also attributed the growth in disbursement to efforts to expedite the procurement process, the release of the mid-year bonuses of government personnel, and a “big spike” in capital expenditures of agencies. She said these factors, particularly the measures initiated to plug loopholes in the procurement process, make the government confident that it would be able to meet its expenditure target for the year, thereby, raising the budget deficit to three percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) from the previous two percent. The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) recently approved a revised disbursement program of P2.91
In an interview last Friday, June 23, National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon said the government is confident it would be able to maintain the improvement in its spending performance exhibited last May until the rest of 2017. Philstar file photo
trillion for 2017, or equivalent of 18.3 percent of the GDP. This is below the P2.96 trillion originally programmed by the inter-agency committee. The Duterte administration is planning to embark on a massive public spending program, particularly on infrastructure, human capital development and social protection, to sustain economic growth, create jobs and reduce the poverty rate in the country. Its infrastructure program, dubbed as “Build Build Build” would need P8.4 trillion in total investments over the mediumterm, with infrastructure spending projected to reach 7.4 percent of GDP by 2022. n
Biometric credentials for all bank clients eyed BSP to issue next month enhanced information security guidelines by ronnel
W. doMinGo
Inquirer.net
THE Duterte administration’s economic team is keen on having Malacañang order banks to require from their clients credentials backed by biometrics amid rising concern about security in financial services. “I have attended a meeting of economic managers where there was a consensus that perhaps an executive order will be sufficient to institutionalize such an industry practice,” Nestor A. Espenilla Jr., deputy governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, said Tuesday, June 27. Espenilla spoke at a meeting of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex) where he was asked whether a law was needed to require biometrics from bank clients. “This is being discussed in
Congress and there’s a draft bill related to it,” Espenilla said. “But beyond legislation, I have also been in discussion with the Bankers Association of the Philippines. Perhaps the industry can come up with a commercial solution where a cooperative venture may be established.” The incoming BSP governor, however, said that he would place his biggest bet on an EO to make this a required practice for banks. “But I do hope that once we create [a resultant] identity data base, we would be mindful that this itself is creating a security risk,” Espenilla said. “It could be a target of cybercrime and may be compromised.” He added that by next month, the BSP was set to issue a set of enhanced information security guidelines. The official said this would be an update of BSP
Circular 808 incorporating the latest standards on information security. Issued in 2013, Circular 808 prescribes the requirements in safeguarding customers’ information and fraud management, among others, in relation to the offering of e-banking products and services. Also, Espenilla warned industry players that they would soon have to face penalties for nonimplementation of required security measures. “I would suggest that, more than [getting worried about] regulatory penalties, that industry should consider the market consequences of a cyber attack simply because the customers [are put at risk] because of the non-implementation of [security standards],” he said. “There is no substitute to being prepared.”n
Cyberhacking incidents... PAGE B1 t or credited with unauthorized transactions. Some clients saw their balances rise sharply due to deposits they did not make, but most saw their funds diminished by “double withdrawals.” BPI—the country’s third largest bank — stopped ATM and internet banking services for two days before the errors were corrected.
This was followed a few days later by a voluntary notice by the Philippines’ largest financial institution, BDO Unibank, that it would suspend access of some ATM cards which it had determined to have been compromised. Most recently, Security Bank also announced a minor disruption in services due to a so-called “glitch.”
Kaspersky urged financial institutions to consider the cost implications of cybersecurity threats and put appropriate measures in place to protect themselves and their customers from incidents involving online banking—particularly from so-called Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which can threaten online banking services. n
BSP to pursue reforms under...
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needs of the domestic economy. “Governor Tetangco, my mentor, is leaving a legacy of excellence. He is instrumental in transforming the Philippines from being the economic laggard in Asia to one of the region’s best performing economies. While I am delighted to succeed him, I know I have very big shoes to fill,” Espenilla said. Espenilla said the central bank would continue to move toward more market-based execution of monetary policy particularly with the shift to the interest rate corridor (IRC) system in June last year. He added the BSP would also continue to pursue capital market reforms to provide a viable al-
ternative source of financing for long-term investments, including the development of the necessary financial market infrastructures. Monetary authorities would pursue liberalization initiatives to achieve more risk-based, transparent, and market determined policy framework, according to Espenilla. “With respect to liberalization initiatives, we intend to further liberalize the provision of financial products and services, including our existing rules on foreign exchange transactions,” he said. Espenilla said the BSP would push through with the reshaping of the financial system by providing an efficient retail payment system under the National Retail
Payment System (NRPS) to be fully responsive to the needs of the country’s growing economy. “This would entail providing for efficient retail payments under the NRPS project and an enabling regulatory environment for financial technology and for digital finance to develop without sacrificing prudent credit underwriting and information security standards,” he said. Tetangco, for his part, urged members of the BAP to extend their full support to Espenilla who vowed continuity. “Our banking industry is undoubtedly on solid footing but there continue to be critical challenges ahead,” he said. n
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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA A FRIEND emailed me the prayer below. I had to do some fact-checking with some websites that do the digging about the veracity of email content that does the rounds in Cyberville. The internet is rife with rumors and it is always good policy to verify and dig deeper. This prayer of repentance has gone viral and despite its longevity in cyberspace, refuses to die a natural death. My guess is that the prayer resonates with many in the country. The truth, as they said, will make us free. This prayer is probably worth amplifying and passing to others during a time when political correctness marginalizes the truth. American society has been conditioned by popular culture to play nice to the extent that we are afraid to confront what must be addressed. Calling a spade a spade is risky in a time when we have strayed as far away as we could from the core values that held this country for more than 2 centuries. Fifteen years ago on January 23, 1s996, in Topeka, Kansas, Pastor Joe Wright of the Central Christian Church in Wichita led a prayer in the Kansas House that stirred controversy and continues to stir a hornet’s nest to this day. It’s a prayer that made legislators, particularly those of the liberal persuasion, very uncomfortable. Pastor Wright said a prayer written by Bob Russell, a Pastor of another Christian
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immediately after.”- Slovenian Proverb
church in Kentucky. A member of the legislative body walked out and others were vocal in their criticism of the prayer. Later that year, a lawmaker in Colorado repeated the prayer and some of his colleagues became angry and walked out in protest. A radio personality, Paul Harvey, picked it up and aired the story and the prayer with some frequency. The response to the prayer is so overwhelmingly in favor of it, his phone system could not handle it. Are you curious as to why a simple prayer can rile some lawmakers and make them uncomfortable? Are you curious as to why a simple prayer can be so controversial? Here it is in its entirety. Judge for yourself. A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION Heavenly Father, We come before You today to ask Your Forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘’Woe to those who call evil good,’’ but that’s exactly what we have done. We have lost our Spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that; we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We have exploited the poor
and called it the lottery. We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of this state and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state of Kansas. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your Will. I ask in in the name of your Son, The Living Savior, Jesus Christ. n *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes out-of-state community property is community property for all purposes, including intraspousal management and control fiduciary obligations. It does not matter if the property is located in another state or another country. For the same reason, the parties to a divorce case is required to disclose all property, separate and community, including those outside the state. During the marriage, the parties’ fiduciary duties require full and accurate disclosure of true and full information affecting community property transactions. FamilyCode. §§ 721(b), 1100(e). In addition, disclosure duties arise upon separation in anticipation of dissolution, nullity or legal separation. The post-separation disclosure duties extend to all assets and liabilities in which either party has or may have an interest or obligation, regardless of community or separate property characterization, and to current earnings, accumulations and expenses. These duties “arise without reference to any wrongdoing.” Family.Code. §§ 721(b), 2100(c), 2102(a)(1); Marriage of Feldman (2007) 153 CA4th 1470,
1475–1476, 64 CR3d 29, 33; Marriage of Brewer & Federici (2001) 93 CA4th 1334, 1342–1344, 113 CR2d 849, 854–855. Parties to a divorce case has a duty to provide full and accurate disclosure of all assets and debts including those in other states and other countries. Failure to disclose could result to certain legal consequences to the non-disclosing parties including sanctions and attorney’s fees. If you are contemplating a divorce and you own assets and properties outside the state or country, its best to retain the representation of an experience family law attorney. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Villar expanding retail... PAGE B1 t improvement in the lifestyle of Filipinos,” Villar said. All Value’s retail portfolio includes the AllHome one-stopshop home improvement depot; the supermarket under AllDay Supermarket; convenience stores under the AllDay Convenience Store brand; AllToys toy stores, AllShoppe department stores; The Coffee Project coffee shops and the latest one, Bake my Day bakeshop. These retail concepts are usually near the Villar Group’s residential communities as they serve the needs of the residents.
“Our buyers have needs. Theyneed commercial centers, coffee shops, etc. It’s just a matter of filling the blanks,” he said. In the next three to five years, the target is to put up malls filled with All Value retail concepts in all 200 cities and municipalities where there will be Vista Land residential projects. Among the different concepts, AllHome is usually the anchor tenant of Vista Malls, Villar said. “Right now there are only 13 branches. We paused for a while but we are set to resume the opening of stores and we will ramp it to 25 by next year,” he said.
Among the newer concepts is The Coffee Project, which Villar said is doing well. “We’re very bullish with coffee. We’re going to expand The Coffee Project. It’s a very successful venture and we want to expand very quickly,” he said. This year, Coffee Project will have 25 branches and for next year, this will double to 50. “Wewillbecomingup withavery aggressive growth rate,” he said. AllDay Supermarkets are also gaining ground and the company plans to have 10 branches by the end of the year from four at present. n
Lower VAT rate possible...
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revenue in its gross domestic product (GDP) is the same as the country’s 4.2 percent despite the latter’s higher tax rate. “Thailand can afford this because it has done the basics many years ago, but we have not,” Chua said. “We have a dual system, we have high tax rates for half of the population and half of the population pay very little (because) of incentives and exemptions. So our tax system really is very inequitable in that sense. What we want to do with the VAT is really to broaden the base,” he said.
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Calling a spade a spade Calendar of Events across America “Speak the truth, but leave
Disclosure and characterization of overseas assets in divorce
IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even think that since an asset or property is situated in a different country or state, that property is not community property and not subject to division in California family court. One has to understand the general community property presumption in California. Property acquired before marriage is the acquiring spouse’s separate property, as is property obtained during marriage that can be traced to a premarital acquisition. Family. Code. § 770(a). Rents, issues and profits” of separate property are separate property. All property acquired during marriage and before separation, other than by gift or inheritance, is presumptively community property. Family Code §§ 760, 771(a), 772; Marriage of Bonds (2000) 24 C4th 1, 12, 99 CR2d 252, 258; Marriage of Lehman (1998) 18 C4th 169, 177, 74 CR2d 825, 828. Pursuant to Family.Code. § 760, community personal or real property is consistently defined no matter where situated. Family Code §760 defines “Community property” as “Except as otherwise provided by statute, all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” As such,
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 28-30, 2017
Chua also said the Philippines remains behind Thailand in terms of gross national income per capita because fundamentals, including good governance, adequate infrastructure and public service efficiency, remain lacking in the country. “And that is I think, very linked to the fact that as of today, we have only collected 13.8 percent of our GDP in taxes while in Thailand, its 17 percent,” he said. House Bill 5636 or TRAIN aims to make the country’s tax system simpler and more efficient by lowering personal income tax
rates, unifying estate and donor’s taxes at a flat rate of six percent, and broadening the tax base by removing VAT exemptions. It also seeks to adjust the excise taxes on petroleum products and automobile, and impose excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. According to the DOF’s estimates, House Bill 5636 is seen to bring in P133.8 billion in additional revenue for the government in its first year of implementation. The Senate version of the bill is currently being deliberated. n
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS J U N E 29
APALA’s fundraising awards dinner in San Francisco The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)’s San Francisco Chapter will hold a “fundraising awards dinner” on June 29 at 5:30-10 p.m. at Fort McKinley Restaurant (101 Brentwood Drive, South San Francisco, CA 94080). APALA will honor individuals who have dedicated their lives to advocating and defending worker and immigrant rights and promoting economic justice. For more information, please call Celia Rivera of APALA-SF at (650) 296-9623.
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Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in concert in Las Vegas Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS) will hold a concert at the Flamingo Theatre of the Clark County Library at 7 p.m., with touring guest Annie Nepomuceno and special guest tenor Edward Granadosin. Front acts are Michael Perez and Esmeralda Padilla. Please call Dr. Mike Santa Juana at (516) 669-5834, Art Jerus (702) 738-8029 or Randolph Umali (702) 985-5724 for inquiries.
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United Batanguenos of Southern California Induction in Los Angeles The United Batanguenos of Southern California will hold its induction of officers on Saturday, July 8 at Casa Italiana in Los Angeles. Millie Moncada will be inducted as new governor. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For other related questions please call Millie at (818) 322-9429; Cely Anuran (805) 630-3377 or Willie Manacsa at (818) 400-7391. Casa Italiana is located at 1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
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11th Ambassadors’ Tour to Manila & Davao The 11th Ambassadors’ Tour will take place in the Philippines from July 11 to 16. Led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Promotions Board and Rajah Tours, the itinerary for the 11th Ambassadors’ Tour combines the best of Metropolitan Manila up North and the sprawling city of Davao in the South into one adventure-packed and enriching vacation experience. The four-day stay in Davao, the King City of the South and current seat of power in the Philippines, is a special highlight of this year’s event. Participants in this year’s tour will be presented with an opportunity to experience Davao up-close. It is a chance for the participants to revel in Davao’s picturesque landscapes through its nature parks, agricultural farms, and resorts, experience the diversity of its people through a series of courtesy calls with Philippine government officials, and feel the harmony of its culture through its heritage and cultural museums. Tailor-fit to tell the narrative of a new, safer, more beautiful Philippines, the tour will provide its participants with enough experience to engage their respective communities and leverage goodwill towards Filipinos and generate interest in the Philippines. Delegates who will be part of the program become “Filipino ambassadors” in their own right, carrying a fresh perspective and the message of a new and improved Philippines when they go back to the United States. As “Filipino Ambassadors,” this year’s delegates will be well-capable of showcasing the strides made in tourism, economic development, and public safety in the Philippines to the larger international community. For more information and to register, please visit http://www. acgtdt.com.
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Money Smart for Small Business in El Monte, CA Come to an introductory two-day business course designed for newer business owners, self-employed individuals, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Course topics include: startup planning, organizational types, risk management, credit reporting, business insurance, time & financial management, selling & succession planning, banking services for small businesses, recordkeeping, and tax & business planning. The curriculum is developed jointly by the FDIC and the SBA. It will be held on Saturday, July 15 and July 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cathay Bank (9650 Flair Dr., El Monte, CA 91731). The fee is $20 payable to Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (API SBP). Breakfast, lunch and course materials will be provided by Cathay Bank. There will be limited seating so advance registration is required. To register, please contact Colleen Seto at (213) 373-1605 or cseto@ltsc.org. Participants will be eligible for free business counseling by API SBP.
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LEAP’s 35th anniversary celebration in Los Angeles Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP) is proud to celebrate 35 years of ”Growing Leaders” on Thursday, July 20 and the leadership of individuals that exemplify LEAP’s mission to achieve full participation and equality for Asian and Pacific Islanders through leadership, empowerment, and policy. Proceeds from the event will be used to develop LEAP’s innovative leadership programs, cutting-edge public policy research, and nationwide community building. This year’s 35th Anniversary Celebration will be like no other gala that LEAP has had in the past. LEAP’s 35th Anniversary Celebration will be an eventful evening that will be both interactive and experiential. With an abundance of food and friends, LEAP will celebrate those who have shaped the organization, those who have been impacted by the organization, and those who continue to grow as Asian and Pacific Islander leaders and dream big. Honores for the individual leadership award include Fatima Bustos-Choy, Phd, founder of Gaia Flow Consulting and CEO And owner of Body & Brain Holistic Wellness Center; Kenneth Kasamatsu, advisor to the CEO, E-Central Credit Union / The Pacific Bridge Companies, and founder of Pacific Commerce Bank ; Geri Mannion, program director, U.S. Democracy and Special Opportunities Fund at Carnegie Corporation of New York; and Paul Ong, director of the Center for Neighborhood Knowledge at UCLA. The David R. Barclay Alumni Leadership Award will be presented to Scott Chan, program director for the Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement and Patricia A. Neilson, director of Asian American Student Success at University of Massachusetts Boston. The VIP & general reception will begin at 5 p.m., while the program is from 7 to 10 p.m. It will be held at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (244 South San Pedro Street Los Angeles, CA 90012). Attire is business. To RSVP, visit www.leap.org/celebration_tickets. For more information about registration, contact Mayta Lor at (213) 485-1422 x 4105 or mlor@leap.org.
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Filipino Caucus Family Retreat in Lake Hughes, CA The Filipino Caucus of the California Pacific Annual Conference (CALPAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is inviting its members to a family retreat to be held from July 21 to 23. The venue will be the scenic Oak Camps and Conference Center (18651 Pine Canyon Road, Lake Hughes, California). The Rev. Dr. Bener Agtarap, Associate General Secretary of the UMC Board of Discipleship Ministry will be the resource person and guest speaker during the three- day gathering to be marked with group discussions and fellowship. “Rekindling the Flame” will be the theme of this retreat. According to Rev. Nelson Castorillo, the Filipino Caucus president, the goal of the retreat is re-igniting and rekindling the symbolic flame representing the spirit and unity of this growing group of Filipino-American Methodists and hoping this type of gathering will reenergize and revitalize the Church. The Rosewood UMC, headed by Ding Lapus, is coordinating the event. He is assisted by Noribel Taguba, Vicky Ignacio, Dennis Mañacop, Auring Garcia, John Umaguing, Revs. Manny Predas and Lisa Santiago. Food and lodging for three days is $148 and $103 for children 7-12 years old. Check is payable to the Filipino Caucus, PO Box 10435, Glendale, CA 91209. For more information please call Rev. Nelson (909) 538-7606 or email at nelsonpreacher@gmail.com.
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Community Journal
B JUNE 28-30, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
Ex-businessman with commercial lease judgment of $100K seeks Chapter 7 relief Senior seeks Chapter 7 for discharge of $50K credit card debt CLIENT is 50, divorced and used to own a business that had a commercial lease for retail space. He operated the business for 10 years. On the 11th year, sales started to plunge for unknown reason such that debtor could no longer pay the commercial lease of his retail space. He still had 2 years of lease to go at $4k per month. So for 24 months, he owed close to $100K of commercial lease. But since his business was not even able to generate enough sales to cover rent, he had to close shop and get his stuff out of the building. He cleaned out the space, thinking that if the landlord could easily rent it out, he would not sue him for unpaid rent of two years. Unfortunately, landlord sued client for unpaid rent of $100K. Eventually, landlord got a judgment for $100K against client. But client now is an ordinary employee making $4K a month of salary. There is a notice of bank levy on his bank accounts for $100K, and a notice of wage garnishment on his salary for $100K! In addition to this significant liability, client owes $20K of credit card debt. With a bank levy on his accounts and the prospect of losing 25% of his salary to wage garnishment for unpaid commercial lease of his old business that no longer exists, client decides to seek Chapter 7 relief. What will Chapter 7 do for him? With Chapter 7, he can keep all of his assets, and he can discharge or get rid of the $100K judgment, dissolve the bank levy and dissolve the wage garnishment. He can also wipe out the $20K of credit card debt. In other words, he can get a fresh start in life and be productive again. He can leave his old life behind him and forget about the $100K he owes his landlord as well as his $20K of credit cards. His credit score will improve yearly. At the end of this year, he will be close to 600. In year two, he will score 640, in year 3, 680, and on year 7, he will cross
Debt Relief
Atty. lAwrenCe yAng
730. In year ten, there will be no record of his Chapter 7 and his credit score will be over 800. Best of all, he can look forward to retiring by having the ability to start saving money now and not having to worry about paying a $100K judgment of $20K of credit cards. He will be able to get new credit cards in year one because there are credit card companies that specialize in giving credit to
Credit card minimum payments eat up more than 50% of their retirement income! “BAD” as Pres. Trump would tweet. In fact, “Bigly-Bad!!” What can Chapter 7 do for them? Chapter 7 will wipe out all of their $50K of credit card debt, thus saving them the headache of paying out $1500 a month to keep these cards current. This saves them $18K a year. In 3 years they save almost $60K. What can they do with $60K of savings? Well, they can invest it in equities and maybe get a decent return of 6% a year. That’s income of $3,600 a year, or $300 a month of extra money to spend. That’s not too bad considering they are just starting to save money now. If they filed for Chapter 7 ten years ago, they would have at least $200K now saved up and giving them $1K a month of income. Or, they can travel the world with their savings and additional income. No matter what your age is right now, if you have accumulated debt that has become burdensome for you and your family, seriously consider wiping out your debt now than waiting for 5 more or 10 more years when you retire. You will save a lot of money by getting rid of your accumulated now than later. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. “TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES, O PEOPLE; POUR OUT YOUR HEARTS TO HIM, FOR GOD IS OUR REFUGE.”PSALM 62:8 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.
people who have just filed bankruptcy. They are indeed good credit risks because they cannot file another Chapter 7 for 8 years. Next client is 66. He stopped working last year and now gets social security of $1,200 and a pension of $800. His wife is 68 and collects social security of $900. So they have $2900 a month of social security and pension. They don’t own a house so they rent for $800. Medicare standard and part D gets a portion of their income but they don’t have to pay for prescription drugs anymore as part D covers all of their medication. They are both in good health so that’s pretty good. The only problem is that they both owe a total of $50K of credit cards. They need $1500 a month of minimum payments to keep these cards current, and all of the cards are still current. Their son helps them pay for the cards. What a waste of money!
What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA
U.S. citizens are generally taxed on their worldwide income regardless of where the income is earned or received. A U.S. citizen who earns income in a foreign country may also be taxed on that income by a foreign host country thereby leading to double taxation. Below are the three tax provisions alleviating potential inequity: • Foreign-earned income exclusion • Housing cost exclusion (or deduction) • Foreign tax credit (or deduction) Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. U.S. citizens who work in a foreign country are allowed to exclude up to $101,300 of gross income earned in that country for 2016. To qualify for the foreignearned income exclusion, you must satisfy both requirements: • have a tax home in a foreign country for instance Philippines. Your regular place of business is the Philippines. Philippines is your tax home. • meet either the bona fide residence test, you must be a bona fide resident of a foreign country for an uninterrupted period which includes an entire tax year or the physical presence test, you must be physically present in the foreign country during at least 330 full days during 12 consecutive months. If you stay in the Philippines for an uninterrupted period which includes an entire tax year or if you are physically present in the Philippines during at least 330 full days during 12 consecutive months, you qualify for this requirement. A determination of whether you qualify is based on all the facts and circumstances including your intention, length of stay in the Philippines, nature and duration of employment, establishment of a home in the Philippines, and nature, extent and reasons for temporary absences from the foreign home. If you choose to exclude your foreign earned income, you cannot take a foreign tax credit or deduction for taxes on excluded income, an additional child tax credit and/or earned income credit. The foreign earned income exclusion is filed by completing the appropriate parts of Form 2555. Since it is voluntary, your choice to exclude foreign earned (Advertising Supplement) income remains in effect for that
“With Chapter 7, he can keep all of his assets and he can discharge or get rid of the $100K judgment, dissolve the bank levy and dissolve the wage garnishment. He can also wipe out the $50K of cresit card debt.”
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ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.
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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 28, 2017
Musikahan! with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab Raving gratitude to Maestro from his students by PROSY
ABARQUEZ-DELACRUZ, J.D. /AJPress
“I am not in awe of people per se, because we are all pilgrims, we are given everything. Why am I here? I am medium when it comes to talent. Supernatural talent comes from the Higher Being – bigger than all of us. I surrender my fate to Him, as He alone owns all of these. I am a human being still learning in life --how to be loving and how to be caring for others. It is important for me to teach as much as I can—it is up to you to spread it around.” – Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Asian Journal MDWK Magazine, October 2016. WHEN Geneva Cruz sang “Kailan” (kailan)/Kailan mo ba mapapansin ang aking lihim/ Kahit ano’ng aking gawin/di mo pinapansin (When? When will you discover my secret? Whatever I do you are not paying attention),” you could sense that she wants to live up to the highest quality of musicality that the audience has experienced from Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS), those who had performed before her, the likes of Becca Godinez, Annie Nepomuceno and Miguel Vera. At sound check, as the opening bars of “Kailan” played out, Yong Chavez of ABS-CBN whispered, “Asan si Geneva Cruz (Where is Geneva Cruz)?” Much like prescience, Cruz — dressed in her long blue gown with a ruffled bordered slit, á la Angelina Jolie — appeared, to the surprise of Maestro Ryan, and sang “Kailan.” “I was nervous, because Tito Ryan was my mentor. He discovered me when I was twelve,” Cruz told the audience at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California, after hugging the Maestro twice. “In both concerts, I saw with the Maestro and the RCS, a defining character of the show is it will make you feel proud you are a Filipino. His [Ryan]’s own narrations made me understood his genius, his compositions helped me appreciate more of
the treasure trove we have as a nation and having all these sang, and performed on stage by singers nurtured by him and to achieve this kind of excellence [is] one for the books. Truly, The Maestro. And yes the RCS are awesome. Though I would have loved more the stage, if the digital works were clearer. But then the intensity of the group was outstanding. I told my friend [to] never miss a Ryan Cayabyab and RCS concert for it never fails to set a benchmark of excellence. It was totally pure music, incredible singing prowess, very good repertoire and Geneva Cruz was a so pleasant surprise. Now you know a good show and The Maestro never ceases to amaze. Thank you Annie Nepomuceno! And why I was proud to be a Filipino? It is because Ryan made it so clear that we have our own world in the music universe, unparalleled,” Ed Rame wrote in his Facebook post. Cruz then sang “Paraiso,” a song written by Maestro Ryan, which won the grand prize at the 1993 Tokyo Music Festival. “I live in this land called paraiso/ In a house made of cardboard floors and walls/ I learned to be free in paraiso/Free to claim anything I see. Matching rags for my clothes/Plastic bags for the cold/And if empty cans were all I have/ what a joy/ I never fight to take someone else’s coins and live with fear like the rest of the boys/Paraiso,
Ryan Cayabyab
Annie Nepomuceno surrounded by Ryan Cayabyab Singers, Harana Menʼs Chorus, Henry and Monica Chen, and her fans. Behind her is Ryan Cayabyab (silver hair) with his fans and Rick Gavino with outstretched hands about to hug someone.
help me make a stand/Paraiso, take me by the hand/Paraiso, make the world understand that if I could see a single bird, what a joy/This tired and hungry land could expect/Some truth and hope and respect/From the rest of the world.” Her soulful rendition spoke volumes and the audience heard every word she sang, which touched many hearts, to call out bravos. After the concert, Maestro Ryan told this writer that local popular artists’ involvement is what made this concert much better than their last. Indeed, the local artists amazed the audience, as they too, “leveled up their performances,” accompanied by the Maestro on the piano. The Harana Men’s Chorus’ rendition of Annie Nepomuceno’s new arrangement of “Sa May Bintana,” an original composition of Maestro Ryan, was an audience hit. Each holding a microphone, the tenors — Jake Labado, Michael Zuniga, Don Sagarbarria, Kenneth Laurente, Dennis Jardiel and Erwin Andaya — gave their
The entire cast of Musikahan with Ryan Cayabyab: Becca Godinez, V.J. Caber, Annie Nepomuceno, Celine Beatrice Fabie, Anthony Castillo, Giselle TongiWalters, Nica Tupas, Poppert Bernadas and Ed Nepomuceno, singing a heartfelt rendition of “Sabihin mo Ikaw ay Pilipino/Kahit saang bansa ikaw ay magpunta/Sabihin mo ikaw ay Pilipino/Pilipino ka, yan ang totoo.” Other members of RCS include: Erwin Lasca and Katherine Tiuseco.
Jake Labado, Michael Zuñiga, Dennis Jardiel, Kenneth Laurente, Erwin Andaya and Don Sagarbarria, tenors of Harana Menʼs Chorus and the entire choral group interpreted Annie Nepomucenoʼs new arrangement of Ryan Cayabyabʼs song, “Sa May Bintana.”
The most memorable night at Musikahan! with Maestro Ryan Behind the scenes, it was as amazing as it was onstage by ANNIE
“Kababayan Today” to air farewell show on Friday, June 30 MEDENILLA AJPRESS
AFTER 11 years of serving Los Angeles’ Filipino American community, daily talk show “Kababayan Today” will air its final show on Friday, June 30. Starting Saturday, July 1, all Chinese, Filipino, Spanish and Armenian programming on the multicultural independent television station KSCI (Channel 18) will be replaced with English infomercials due to a change in
direction by the leaders at the station. The decision to eliminate most foreign-language programming (some Korean programming will still air) has been seen a devastating blow to many ethnic communities, including the Filipino community, for whom LA-18 was a source of Philippine and U.S. news and entertainment. Since 2006, “Kababayan Today” was a platform of representation for the Filipino-Ameri-
can community in the greater LA area. It currently is the only television program that features in-depth stories and interviews with a wide variety of Filipinos from all over the globe. “Kababayan Today” is also the longest-running Filipino daily talk show outside of the Philippines. Host and producer Giselle “G” Tongi — who took over the show in late 2014 — was one of the first to know that it was ending. Initially, she was overcome with confusion, but she decided that she wanted to somehow continue the show, despite the station’s change in direction. “But after that initial reaction of ‘oh, no, what do we do now?’, I just wanted to be proactive about it and saw this as a challenge to reproduce the program because I know that there’s a need for it in the community,” Tongi told the Asian Journal on Monday, June 26. Now, Tongi has plans to Photos courtesy of G Tongi
NEPOMUCENO
AS I looked on during rehearsals, I kept thinking “what have I done?” But in a GOOD way. There in front of me stood a children’s choir and its able conductor, a dance troupe and its vivacious choreographer, a TV host, a singing group that flew in from Manila, and the most celebrated living composMiguel Vera singing a song from “El Filibusterer of the Philippines, who was ismo,” a musical original of Ryan Cayabyab, also my mentor. I kept asking with a photo collage of Jose Rizal and a dancing myself “why are we all here?” pair, by Eliseo Art Silva. Photos by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. As I looked on these groups rehearsing, I could see each best vocal sounds. the dedication to their craft, Even more impressive was whether fledgling or seasoned. their rendition of “Ikaw ang I could see how they knew Mahal Ko.” that they were one piece in a The opening bars quieted humungous jigsaw puzzle, that the audience which was so fowhen complete, delivers a stuncused and hung onto every lyric ning image. sung by this group, giving the The music of Ryan Caygroup a superior performance. abyab is what brought us But “Iniibig Kita” made us together, but it was the desire fall in love again, when these to represent Filipino culture in were sung: “Malaman mo lang, the best light that motivated Wala ng Iba, Mas Hihigit Pa, Sa us. When asked how I thought Pagibig Ko sa Iyo.” about putting this together, my It was as if they all read answer was simple: if the Maewhat the Maestro told the Asian stro comes to town, everyone Journal’s MDWK Magazine in his should not miss this opportu2016 interview, “We can’t turn nity to work with an artist of his out good musicians unless they caliber. have played with the literature I looked on these singers of orchestra. They must have and dancers and felt immense played with symphonic works, pride on how everyone knew they study pieces and do solo their part, moved quickly and pieces. They must have had a delivered. The Maestro was chance to sit at the end of the calm and collected, for when orchestra, for immersion.” his fingers touch the piano, No wonder Maestro Ryan one just knew that they were in introduced them as the premier the presence of genius. That, male choral group in the world my friends, is what we need, and the crowd went wild with and sometimes all we need—a applauses and hollers. good example. First songwriter and her Some artists rehearsed first gold award once, and bigger numbers But, truly, another gem that were rehearsed a couple of evening was Becca Godinez. She times. The pros like Becca Gorecalled how Ryan appeared on dinez and Miguel Vera needed “Happiness Is,” her first televiless than a half hour with the sion show at the age of 12. Maestro to go over what She then composed a song needed to be done. The always in English, Sam, which her game and enthusiastic G Tongi producer said would be a hit, if brought her equally game translated in Tagalog. George daughter Sake to join her, folCanseco translated it and “Bakit lowed by a bevy of kids from ba ganyan ang pag-ibig? (Why is Kayamanan Ng Lahi (KNL) who Love that Way?) became her first streamed behind her like the Continued on Page 3
What’s next for host/producer G Tongi By KLARIZE
AJPress photos by Andy Tecson
revamp “Kababayan Today” in a weekly format and is in talks with various platform providers. She has teamed up with the Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) and has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser (www. gofundme.com/KeepKababayanOnAir) to cover the initial fee for a year of broadcast. “There are multiple platforms for syndication, and now it just comes down to being an entrepreneur about it and that’s something I feel like I’m ready to do at this stage in my life, and that’s so exciting,” Tongi said, adding that the weekly incarnation of the show is slated to air in September. A platform for Fil-Am representation and discussion Hosting and producing a daily talk show lends itself to tackling a variety of issues. In addition to highlighting local artists and business owners in the G Tongi Continued on Page 4
cutest little ducklings in “Da Coconut Nut” which shaped up really quickly by the deft instructions of choreographer Barbs Ele. It is a sheer feat of determination to provide all the demo recordings, rehearsal tracks, music scores and the like, to all these individual artists to make a homogenous whole. The Los Angeles Young Ambassadors and the Harana Men’s Chorus rehearsed the new vocal arrangements, led by their respective conductors in separate rehearsals. The kulintang ensemble for “Street People” also rehearsed separately, meeting the Maestro and the Smokey Mountain tribute singers on the day of the show. It may sound crazy, but we do this all the time. Rehearsing a big number on the day of the show, mere hours before showtime. This is not for the faint of heart, and thoroughly nervewracking for the uninitiated. But how else will you learn? The Smokey Mountain tribute singers Josie Gonzalez, Michael Keith, Louisa Tampi and Edsel Sotiangco hardly knew each other a week before the show. By showtime, acclimatized to their surrounding artists like the phenomenal Ryan Cayabyab Singers, they basically whipped themselves into shape and delivered stellar performances, motivated to be at par with the other artists. It is all worthwhile when you hear the audience ask for “more!” in the middle of a segment. “Sa May Bintana,” a new vocal arrangement of mine of the Maestro’s song was premiered by the Harana in “Musikahan!” It simply was the perfect song for the group and arranged with the specific singers in mind. The Maestro surprised me by teaching Harana soloist Erwin Andaya a super high note, delivered flawlessly, which Maestro said was the originally intended melody. But there was a bigger Continued on Page 4
entertainment 3 Hayden Kho, Dr. Vicki Belo exchange vows in midsummer wedding Musikahan! with Maestro Ryan... The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 28, 2017
From Page 2
by RICKY LO Philstar.com
hit song, as predicted, and she bagged her first gold award. Godinez was the pioneering female songwriter and composer of pop music in the Philippines, preceding Odette Quesada, who was in the audience that night. Just like the multi-awarded Godinez, Maestro Ryan got an Awit Award for the Best Novelty Recording of his original, “Da Coconut Nut.” Giselle Tongi-Walters — also known as G — dressed in a luminous yellow dress, sang “Da Coconut Nut,” with a troop of children from the Kayamanan ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts, wearing The newlyweds Dr. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho with baby Scarlet Sow and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay. Photo from Hayden Khoʼs Instagram account bright colors of kimona. Right any invitations so the guessing beside her was her daughter, September in Paris. I supgame is…who is in, who is out? Sakura, who sang and danced. pose that only very few will be (Lolit Solis, are you in?) But for invited to what is predicted to She seemed to be as comfortsure, Scarlet will be part of the able onstage as her mom. be The Wedding of the Year. entourage as Flower Girl. So far, Vicki has not sent out Much to the audience’s delight, G sang quite well with lightness and joyful energies, as the children accompanied her while dancing. when he starred in a TV5 series. G posted on her Instagram, She also starred in the psycholog“We are all the colors of the rainical thriller “Puti” in 2013, besides bow, performing with children “Transit,” which was the Philipof KNLfolkarts and Sakura on pines’ entry to the 86th Oscars stage was so much fun! I love Best Foreign Language Film. my knlfolkarts family sooooooo She then acted opposite Sumuch!” perstar Nora Aunor in the horror As much as she enjoyed movie “Dementia,” and played herself, the audience mirrored Andrea in “Bonifacio: Ang Unang that joy as well. Pangulo” in 2014. El Filibusterismo, Ramahari, Just this year, she was in the Spoliarium excerpts cast of the indie romantic comedy All three were musicals writ“I’m Drunk I Love You” with ten by Maestro Ryan, 11 in total. Maja Salvador, Paulo Avelino and Jasmine Curtis-Smith El Filibusterismo’s song, Dominic Roco. We’re always joking around and “Awit ni Isagani” was sung by According to the young acoften get reminded of our time Miguel Vera. It was a beautiful, tress, however, it is the webisode restrictions for the day. As we heartfelt rendition evoking such “Forever Sucks” on TV5’s digital balance our time for the project, tenderness, with a visual collage channel D5Studio, which she finds it feels like home when I’m on the of Eliseo Art Silva’s commismost rewarding these days as an set,” she said. sioned painting for the Rizal Day artist. Now on its third season, the The actress revealed that she celebrations in Philadelphia. It show’s creators have allowed her has become very attached to her features Inang Bayan hovering to be more involved in the story character Izabel, the 170-year-old above the birthplace of Rizal in whether she shares her ideas dur- vampire pretending to be a norSilva’s hometown of Calamba, ing casual or inspiring conversamal 21-year-old who works in the Laguna. On the right of Rizal’s tions. graveyard shift of a call center. portrait are the main characters “Everyone of us on the “I love Izabel and her story of his novel “Noli Me Tangere”: set—the producers, production through and through. Her emoMaria Clara with Crisostomo staff, crewmen, our director Joel tions are so pure and her history Ibarra. Ferrer and the cast—are like a so heavy. I empathize with her so Had the projector fully ilclose knit of friends but at the much that I look forward to tapluminated these digital images, same time, very professional. Continued on Page 4 it would have had a more visual
ONLY seven people witnessed the exchange of vows between Dr. Vicki Belo and long-time home companion Dr. Hayden Kho at a civil ceremony held at Vicki’s house in Dasmariñas Village, Makati City, the other night — the couple’s close friend/confidante/adviser Joji Dingcong, Agnes Ballesteros Lopez and Eroica Mendoza. The innocent witness was Scarlet Snow, the couple’s two-year-old daughter who is a trend-setter on social media, whose activities are religiously monitored by millions of followers. “It was a very small and very private ceremony,” Vicki told Funfare, officiated by Makati City Mayor Abby Binay. The big wedding is set for
Jasmine Curtis-Smith makes a name for herself by ARLO
CUSTODIO ManilaTimes.net
HAD she decided to sign a contract with ABS-CBN, Jasmine Curtis-Smith may have well forever been tagged as the “younger sister of Anne Curtis.” For even out of the shadows of her ate, Curtis-Smith can’t shake off the familial strings. However, when it comes to career, she has been able to hold her own as TV5’s most important star. She first signed a threeyear exclusive contract with the Manuel Pangilinan-led network in 2010, renewed it in 2016, and maintained her stature as the one of the company’s Primetime Princesses up to this day. Now 23, the younger of the beautiful Filipino-Australian sisters has collected two acting awards to her name — as Best Actress in the 2016 Cinema One Originals Film Festival entry “Baka Bukas” and Best Supporting Actress in the 2013 Cinemalaya Festival OFWs in Israel-inspired movie “Transit.” In 2012, she was tapped as “American Idol Season 7” runnerup David Archuleta’s leading lady
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#1 FILIPINO HOST TEAM
Dolores Salvador
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AJPress photo by Andy Tecson
impact. Annie Nepomuceno sang “Iduyan mo,” a tribute to Basil Valdez, as if swinging the hammock, back and forth, and with such slowing down and pacing of her lyrics. “Iduyan mo ang duyan ko/unti-unti itulak mo. It did the trick for the audience. The “Rama Hari” song, “Magbalik Ka Na, Mahal,” was a hit as well. The audience’s favorites A retrospective journey to the 1950s, skip 60’s, to the 70’s, skip ‘80s, to the ‘90s created a stir. At some point, they were humming and joining in vocalizing the lyrics. The Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS) could not have been better. The “Galawgaw” song created a tease, but when “Waray Waray” was sung and danced to as well, the audience was primed for the picking. Then the sounds of “No money, no honey” accompanied by adept tap dancing wowed the crowds. And of course, the song, “O Ang Babae, pag iyong ini wan, hahabol-habol (Oh, a woman, when you leave her, she chases after),” and “Rock Baby Rock,” complete with twirls delighted the audience so much. By the time it was the tribute to Francis Magalona, RCS sang: “Mga kababayan ko, kaya mo, kaya ko, kaya natin,” our hearts and souls were ripe for picking. Then, the clincher songs “Sirena”, and “Sabihin Mo Ikaw ay Pilipino” resonated. During these two songs, no one was talking in the audience,
no one was moving, and everyone was hooked to the lyrics of “Sirena,” a rap song composed by Glock-9, about a gay son who lived with a hostile, harsh father. He is talking about his struggles, his sufferings and how all the siblings had left home. When the father was on his deathbed, he summoned his gay son to apologize for treating him so badly and said, “You gays are more men than men.” It touched us and made some folks cry. Since that weekend was about LGBT pride, the song was quite relevant those sectors of the audience, some of whom were quite vocal in expressing their appreciation for Maestro Ryan and the RCS. When the cast sang their final song, “Sabihin Mo Ikaw ay Pilipino,” you would think folks would be tired, as it was close to three hours by then, yet most stayed until the finale. These lyrics resonated with this writer, as much with the audience as it spoke to our collective truth: “Sabihin mo ikaw ay pilipino Kahit saang bansa ikaw ay mag punta Sabihin mo ikaw ay Pilipino Pilipino ka, yan ang totoo (Tell them you are Pilipino/Whatever nation you go/Tell them you are Pilipino/ That is the truth).” Asuncion Ferrer, a retiree, had this to say, “It was good to know that [Ryan’s] students [Annie Nepomuceno, Ed Nepomuceno] are now the ones teaching musicality to the new generation of musicians. Ryan is a genius of our lifetime and contributed Continued on Page 4
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features
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 28, 2017
Lee Torres, first-ever General Manager promoted from within Pechanga Resort & Casino
THE Pechanga Development Corporation’s Board of Directors has named the first-ever general manager to be promoted from within Pechanga Resort & Casino, voted the #1 casino in the country by the readers of USA Today. Mr. Lee Torres, with nearly 20 years of experience in the gaming industry, has been an integral part of our leadership team, serving Pechanga as Chief Marketing Officer since 2011. As of March 2017, Mr. Torres will now oversee the entire property’s overall performance across 11 divisions and departments as the new general manager, taking Pechanga and its new brand image to the next level. “I’m honored to be the first G Tongi with Sen. Manny Pacquiao general manager selected from within of such a premier property, rivaling even the most prestigious From Page 2 calling the show’s ending “digital of casino-resort properties in Las it’s a tough space to be in karma” for speaking out against Vegas, by the Pechanga DevelLA Fil-Am community, Tongi said because you’re in the middle opment Corporation’s Board of the president. of the pathway between these her favorite moments were the Of the backlash, Tongi want- Directors,” said Mr. Lee Torres, two cultures and understanding panels she hosted over the last ed to reassure everyone that she general manager at Pechanga your place in this world,” Tongi three years. Resort & Casino. “They’re trusting isn’t less inclined to voice her Every month, the show would remarked. “I felt if there was me with not only the responsibilanything that ‘Kababayan Today’ opinions on any platform. focus on a theme or a topical ity of overseeing all 11 divisions “This show going off the air provided was that space to issue such as race, immigration, and essentially all four thousand is not going to stop me from recognize who we are, not just gender, health care and others. team members on property, but critiquing, not just the Duterte in media but in society, discusTongi would then invite a wide also with leading the charge on administration, but all adminission and generations because variety of experts in the community to share diverse perspec- Filipino Americans have different trations. Many people say I have Pechanga’s $285 million expansion. This is a very exciting time no right to talk about politics, tives on the issues and challenge sensibilities according to their for Pechanga and I’m deeply but I do because it affects generation.” traditional points of view with humbled to be a part of the kababayans, and if there is anyRecently, Tongi has faced progressive ones. journey.” thing happening that will affect much backlash and cyberbullyShe also addressed the im“Play on Another Level” kababayans living in America, I ing from members of the comportance of the show to the FilTransformation to the Deluxe will have something to say about Am community. Her mission was munity for voicing her candor New Asian Brand it,” Tongi affirmed, adding that on Philippine President Rodrigo to “bridge the gap” between Pechanga Resort & Casino, once the weekly program is up Duterte, especially his rhetoric older generations of Filipinos to advancing with the rapidly changthe contemporary Fil-Ams as well and encouragement of extrajudi- and running, she plans to further ing trend and development, discussions on political news. cial killings. as between those living in the launched a new Asian brand idenThe final episode of Since the announcement of United States and Filipinos in the tity early this year that anticipates “Kababayan Today” will air on the show’s ending, Tongi said Philippines. the $285 Million resort expansion Friday on Channel 18 at 4:30 she received unpleasant mes“I always want to advocate scheduled to be completed at p.m. sages from Duterte supporters, for Filipino Americans because the end of 2017. As the largest Casino in California, located in the Temecula Valley Wine Country, Pechanga takes your experience to another level. With an exhilarating array of table games and slots, a 4-diamond hotel accommodation, rejuvenating spa, delicious dining options, thrilling live performances, and a world-class golf course, Pechanga is elevating into a broader landscape to better compete in the global and digital environments and with properties in Las Vegas. “Changing our brand is not something we’ve ventured into for more than 15 years,” said Kababayan Today often featured young local musicians, artists and innovators and gave them a platform to showcase their talents. Photos courtesy of G Tongi April Bouchard, Director of Advertising and Brand at Pechanga Resort & Casino. “It was scary for a lot of people, but look at all From Page 2 Cruz performed a second song, volunteers keep all areas of that’s happened in the world in the venue in order: backstage, “Paraiso” with LAYA, RCS and surprise! Pulled off stealthily by 15 years. The Internet and social front-of-house, the box office. the tribute singers in glorious the awesome team of Music media can drive business. Our Onstage the crew feverishly Arts Events and Arnel Dulay, the harmony. new brand lets us take the spirit gets numerous microphones set we know to be Pechanga into the Stage Manager Padsy original singer of the Maestro’s up, assigned and numbered, Padre ran the sound check on megahit “Kailan” glides and sponsor videos, artwork the dot, and associate Ditas onstage during the Smokey Labado, assistant Maan Co, and projections by Eliseo Silva and Mountain tribute. The Maestro Lyn Pacificar, and other preJane Mutiangpili along many grinned ear to ear as Geneva From Page 3 recorded announcements are lined up in a playlist by technical much to the OPM (Original Pilipino Music) we are now enjoystaff. ing. Sana ibalik ang “Musikahan” I got the most interesting to introduce our next generation question from a young choristo Filipino music.” ter who asked: “why are we Next generation of musihere?” Apparently, she just felt cians it was so awesome to be part “Ryan Ryan Musikahan” was of this show with this megacast, learning new songs, sharing the Maestro Ryan’s television show for years. It garnered 14 awards stage with seasoned performfrom various award-giving ers, that she could not help but bodies, such as Best Television wonder how she got to be a Musical Show and Best Show part of it. I felt the biggest vinHost for him. dication for pulling favors, from As Ryan narrated, the LA this child’s inquiry. She knew she version of Smokey Mountain has was a part of something that been discovered: Edsel Sotianghad an impact on her commuco, Michael Keith, Louisa Tampi nity. It was enriching for her to and Josie Gonzalez. Sotiangco do something important, with talented and dedicated people. had his modern style of singing “Street People,” backed by a Amidst all this flurry and Kulintang ensemble, while Gonsummer heat, the Maestro runs through the RCS repertoire: the zalez so tenderly sang “Can this be love I am feeling right now?” rap songs, the tap songs, the Tampi sang with such a Spoliarium opera excerpt. His hopeful, sensual style that it was script, a mere few key words so credible to hear the lyrics inserted between the song titles. After years with his own TV show, Maestro Ryan not only improvises with music. He is just as skilled in repartee. From Page 3 As for me, I held back the ings just so I could play Izzy again tears, rather unsuccessfully, for the day,” she enthused. when the whole cast rehearsed Would she change anything the encore “Sabihin Mo (Ikaw ay about her character if given the Pilipino)” as thoughts of “what have I done?” and “why are we chance to have an input in the direction of the story? here” raced through my mind. “I don’t think I’d change anyI simply could not believe the thing with her. It is evident that amount of contributing talent present that night. What I have even our audience has formed an attachment to her life and done was to ask them if they especially her personal life,” she wanted to join, and we were there because we needed to be. answered. She said her input comes in So how do you come when they do the scenes and up with a wonderful show? after speaking to their director. Everyone in it must be exactly “Sometimes ideas pop that—wonderful. Work with up while he tells me how he greatness, you get greatness. Maraming salamat po sa inyong interpreted the scene, and he’s always game to try our suggeslahat!
What’s next for host/producer G...
The most memorable night at Musikahan...
Lee Torres, Pechanga Resort & Casino general manager
reaches of the future. We’re so excited for it.” “This new logo is modern, elegant, and captures the essence of Pechanga Resort & Casino: laid back luxury,” said Edith Atwood, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “This exciting change comes just ahead of the ultimate change at Pechanga - the addition of 568 new rooms, a luxury spa, a spectacular pool complex, and more. This new look and feel is all about positioning Pechanga Resort & Casino for the future.” New Asian Brand - Auspicious “Pi Xiu” Logo Taking our current brand to the next level and reinforcing the commitment to the Asian Brand, the transformation of the Pi Xiu is now an elegant maturation of Pechanga’s original Asian logo. This auspicious symbol of wealth serves to carry good fortune to all guests. The overall theme and message is to wish everyone “Good Luck.” Pechanga Resort and Casino and iGraphix, their Asian advertising agency, designed the New Asian Brand logo together and is promoting this new trademark through different medias of digital and social platforms in the Asian market. Prepare to experience the satisfaction as the new brand and logo takes you to another level. Pechanga Resort & Casino expansion set to open at the end of the year The current $285 million resort expansion set to open at the end of the year includes the addition of 568 rooms and suites, 70,000 additional square feet of indoor/outdoor event space, a luxury, two-story spa and salon, a four-acre resort pool complex with three new pools and five spas, and two new restaurants. Pechanga just celebrated the
grand opening of the brand new 2,400-space parking garage featuring 44 electric vehicles charging stations and three Tesla Superchargers, marking the completion of the first phase of the expansion. Enough solar to power 100 homes along with a moving sidewalk to the casino entrance will be added to the new East Parking Garage this summer. The Pechanga Tribe also marked the mid-point to their massive expansion in April with a topping out ceremony of the new hotel wing. More updates will be unveiled soon! Pechanga Resort & Casino Pechanga Resort & Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the Number One casino in America by readers of USA TODAY and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort & Casino provides an unparalleled getaway. Offering more than 3,400 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free 1-888-PECHANGA or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort & Casino on Facebook <http://www. facebook.com/pechanga> and on Twitter @PechangaCasino <http://twitter.com/pechangacasino>. Pechanga Resort & Casino is open 24-hours. Guests must be 21 and older to enter the casino. (Advertising Supplement)
Musikahan! with Maestro Ryan... from her: “Together we will find a hideaway/where we can stay from day to day.” Michael Keith confided how nervous he was and that he was shaking coming onstage, yet, did not reveal those while he competently sang “Mama” and these lyrics: “Mom you were gone since I was five” got seared in our hearts, as any listener would. He sang with such abandonment that the crowd just quieted down on their own especially when he sang the list of jobs that distant moms do: governess, nurse and more. Bravo to these next generation singers who are strong academically but also, in musicality, ranging in age from 12 to 19 years old. Now, we all have been shown the light by Maestro Ryan and to the next generation of students, it is up to you to spread your wings and be the light, using your musicality!
Annie Nepomuceno, you produced with superior results, the venue had the best sound projection and acoustics. Not only did you excel as a producer, arranger, you did it too as a singer and inspirerin-action! What a seamless, impeccable show! This recent concert was phenomenal and if you were there, you would have witnessed history — our history — of quality, collective expressions of musicality, performance arts and mentoring. This writer is in fact coming back to see another show in San Diego just to relive these beautiful, joyful moments! Ryan Cayabyab is more than a musical genius. He elevates other singers, younger generations to exceed his musicality. This is the best of our FilipinoAmericans in the U.S., mentoring one another to perform at their soaring level best
tions. That always makes us feel involved more than we already are, a sense of really owning our characters, story, and the entire project.” The young actress added that she is not at all surprised with the solid, steady following of “Forever Sucks,” particularly with millennials that comprise much of its audience. “The concept of the show is refreshing for millennials. It’s neither heavy nor shallow. It’s symbolic and also easy on the mind,” she pointed out. “The timing is quicker than your regular series and so it doesn’t feel like a drag to watch. Everyone behind the show is
emotionally invested ensuring the authenticity of everything we do. I also think it’s the collective feeling we have on set that translates on the screen.” As for the prospects of returning for a fourth season or even a possible movie adaptation of the hit web series, Curtis-Smith said she and the rest of the cast and crew would be thrilled if it materializes. “I would definitely love a fourth season. A movie? It would be interesting. Given that the material flow would still justify all the characters and Forever Sucks in totality from its original beginnings, we would love that for sure.”
Jasmine Curtis-Smith makes a name...
features
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 28, 2017
MOONLIGHTING
Suddenly, it’s summer
by MYLAH DE
LEON
“SUMMER time and the living is easy,” says Gershwin. It is more mellow than autumn, more tender than spring and away from the inhospitable glare of spring. Summer has officially arrived and been felt. It’s that season when time stands still — when nothing bad can happen, when mornings with the sun buttering the tree tops represents a chance to start over, to begin again and everything seems possible, as it began to beguine. Poets describe summer as one metaphor after another. Summer is like a profusion of blossoms, a fiery weather of dreams, a fever of the mind, a blossom of conscience, a sweating of regret, a premonition of desire; the garden of the sprit that bestows an imagination’s respite in the knowledge that there was more in the world that one could understand. Name one masterpiece whose euphoria for July or August is equal to Wordsworth from his “Daffodils.” Summer is a high, candid definite time. Summer is the voyeur’s paradise, as the whole city is taking off its clothes just to torment the men — who just stare a lot, moronic with easy pleasure — at this all hang out, be just their true selves in sweet freedom, unburdened by cares; with only innocent responsibility. It is the great trek, the movement of life from indoor to outdoor, whole streets turned inside out, as if at every window people were shaking out the contents of shoe boxes, suitcases and closets. I’m hearing summer sounds again. I can hear the neighbors talking in their garden. Voices in the street day and night, ad-
mit you to intimacies through windows and thin walls. I can hear the sounds of the birds, the winds through the magnolias, and maple and elm trees as their leaves whispered. When it rained, the thunder seemed to enter the rooms. The sound of a car honking on Rexford Drive is inferior to that of a honking bird. It is after all, an arbitrary decision. But the saddest sound of summer are those two hearts breaking. Summer romance as a phrase, is something akin to “Summer Soldier.” The romance carries away and the summer soldiers run away from duty away from the reality of things. Sun-filled romance in summer is the dramatic background of much fiction. There’s the accident of the meeting and the unreasonable heightening of the season. Classically there is the imbalance of clan situation on hand, chilly truths swept away by the soft clouds, the fields, the petals in the breeze and the urgency of lotuses to burst open. Edith Wharton wrote a short novel called “Summer” about a poor girl and a clever young man. He is alone idling about in the sunshine and she is there as she has always been. In the way of these romances,
of course it is not to last, as the young man turns out to be engaged to someone of his sort. In Tess of the “D’Ubervilles,” the summer landscape that engulfs Tess and Angeles Clare leads to a despair of such magnitude that only the genius of Thomas Hardy could imagine it in the changing seasons. And in my favorite, Checkhov’s “The Lady with the Dog,” the lady and the man are both married, but they meet one summer, beginning a romance that flows along a pitiless tide. Without any possible ending except misery — when they believe the love will end at last, or the devastation will have a solution — the final line says, “No, it was only the beginning.” So in spite of the meadows and the picnics under the shade of copper beech tree, the days will be staged again next summer with other lovers in other places. The freedom of the endless summers remain in the memory like the summer of childhood that one remembers as having lasted forever. Summer is a high, candid, definite time. But beware of summer romance. ***
E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@ aol.com
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 28, 2017