September 6-8, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 71 • 3 Sections - 24 Pages
USA
DATELINE Trump ends DACA, recipients brace themselves for next six months FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Over 4,500 Filipino beneficiaries
THE Trump administration has decided to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) on Tuesday, September 5, an action that will affect nearly 800,000 people brought to the United States illegally as children. “I do not favor punishing children, most of whom are now adults, for the action of their parents,” said President Donald Trump in a
SC upholds integrity of 2016 polls, junks Marcos’ motion by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
THE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the authenticity of the Automated Election System (AES) in the 2016 elections, dismissing former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first cause of action in his poll protest against Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo.
In his first cause of action, Marcos called on the SC, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to declare all the certificates of canvass used to proclaim Robredo’s victory as “authentic.” Questioning the “flawed” AES, the former senator also claimed that the Smartmatic vote-counting machines (VCM) used for the automated polls lack “demonstrated capability.”
But in a resolution dated August 29, the high court junked Marcos’ first cause of action, deeming the hope to nullify the integrity of the 2016 polls as “meaningless and pointless.” “Allowing the First Cause of Action to continue would be an exercise in futility and would have no practical effect,” the PET said in its decision made public on Tuesday, September 5. “Even if [the] protestant succeeds
in proving his first cause of action, this will not mean that he has already won the position of vice president as this can only be determined by a manual recount of all votes in all precincts,” it added. Several SC justices previously expressed apprehension over the possibility that the former senator’s electoral protest may put the entire nation’s elec-
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US pledges $14.3 million for Marawi relief THE United States has donated P730 million ($14.3 million) for the ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation of Marawi City, according to U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim. In a press briefing on Tuesday, September 5, Kim announced that Washington will provide humanitarian aid to the victims of the besieged city in Mindanao through its Agency for International Development (USAID). “This money will focus on restoring basic public services, including health care, water, and electricity, jumpstarting livelihoods, and promoting community reconciliation and alternatives to violent extremism,” Kim said. According to him, P153 million of the U.S.
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Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption founding chair Dante Jimenez, who filed the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, is joined by the first endorser, Lanao del Sur 2nd Dist. Rep. Jun Papandayan. Inquirer.net photo by Vince F. Nonato
CABINET MEETING. President Rodrigo Duterte presides over the 18th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, Sept. 4. Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol briefed the president on the recent bird flu outbreak while Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta discussed the status of the Legal Assistance Fund and other assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) facing legal and court cases abroad. The Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda 2017-2022 and an update briefing on the management of the Philippine Rise were also tackled during the meeting. Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante
Gordon files ethics complaint vs Trillanes by PAOLO
ROMERO
AND EDU PUNAY Philstar.com
Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday, Sept. 5 followed through on his threat to file an ethics complaint against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for his “unparliamentary behavior” during the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee last week. Senate photo by Alexis Nuevaespaña
MANILA — Sen. Richard Gordon made good on Tuesday, Sept. 5 his threat to file an ethics complaint against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for his “unparliamentary behavior” during the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee last week. Gordon filed before the committee, chaired by Senate Major-
ity Leader Vicente Sotto III, a 23page complaint against Trillanes for “unparliamentary acts, language and conduct.” “The complaint against the continuous, unabated, unparliamentary acts, language, and conduct of Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV, which is causing damage to the Senate and the people and therefore, is of primordial concern,” Gordon said in his prefatory statement. He said the complaint was
2nd impeachment complaint vs Chief Justice gains steam by MA.
REINA LEANNE TOLENTINO ManilaTimes.net
“about maintaining the dignity of the Senate because all senators owe the public a public institution that, among others, deserves their respect.” Gordon, who chairs the Blue Ribbon committee, and Trillanes quarreled last week after the latter accused members of the panel of protecting some members of President Duterte’s family accused of being leaders of the socalled Davao group that engages
ANOTHER impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has gained traction, after 16 lawmakers endorsed it on Monday, Sept. 4. The formal verification of the complaint, filed by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chief Dante Jimenez and Eligio Mallari of the Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution, followed that of lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, which was endorsed by 25 members of the House of Representatives last week. An impeachment complaint is deemed filed only when “verified” or endorsed by at least one House member. Jimenez and Mallari accused Sereno of undermining the powers of the full Supreme Court or en banc in the approval of foreign trips and
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PNP chief: ‘Unfair’ to accuse police Horn moves on from rematch with of executing drug suspects Pacquiao, starts talks with Vargas by AUDREY
MORALLO Philstar.com
PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa
Inquirer.net photo by Grig C. Montegrande
by DINO
MARAGAY Philstar.com
MANILA — The burly chief of the Philippine National Police, Ronald Dela Rosa, broke down in tears in the Senate again following intense questioning on cops being involved in summary executions of suspects. Dela Rosa’s tears came as a Senate panel continued its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 17-year-old teenager in Caloocan City more than two weeks ago. The hearing also touched on the death of Carl Arnaiz, a 19-year-old whom Caloocan police said shot it out with them after allegedly robbing a taxi driver.
WITH Manny Pacquiao turning down a November 12 rematch with Jeff Horn, the Australian’s camp has reportedly started negotiations to fight a different opponent. According to a report by Brisbane-based 7 News, Horn’s side has began efforts to seal a deal with the camp of former champion Jessie Vargas, who interestingly previously fought Pacquiao.
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Jeff Horn and Manny Pacquiao
Philstar.com photos
A september 6-8, 2017 • LA mIDWeeK AsIAN JOUrNAL
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From the Front Page
SC upholds integrity of 2016 polls... PAGE A1 tion result last year into question. In June 2016, Marcos filed an electoral protest against Robredo before the SC after she won the seat only by a slim margin. Robredo won the position by only around 263,000 votes more than Marcos. Marcos filed three causes of action in his protest. In his second cause of action, the former senator asked for the manual recount of votes in 36,465 clustered precincts in 22 provinces and five cities. Areas include Cebu, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Masbate, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Del Norte, Bukidnon, Iloilo, Bohol, Quezon, Batangas, Western Samar, Misamis Oriental, Camarines Sur, 2nd District of Northern Samar, Palawan, Sibugay, Misamis Occidental, Pangasinan, Isabela, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City and Zamboanga City. In his third cause of action, Marcos also sought the nullification of
the vice presidential votes in Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Maguindanao due to alleged occurrence of “traditional” modes of cheating, such as vote buying, pre-shading, intimidation and failure of elections, among others. The PET, in its resolution, gave Marcos five non-extendible days to provide at least three witnesses per clustered precincts on the three questioned provinces. “The Tribunal reiterates its directive to protestant [Marcos] to submit a new list of witnesses for the third cause of action by limiting the number of witnesses to three per clustered precinct and already identifying the concerned clustered precinct, within non-extendible period of five days from receipt,” the PET said. “Protestant’s failure to do so will be deemed a waiver of his right to name and identify his witnesses and to present them during the reception of evidence,” it added. In a statement, Marcos’ camp said it respects the PET’s decision.
“We respect the Tribunal’s decision and we will abide by it. We are glad that the Tribunal share in our desire to expedite the disposition of this case the soonest possible time in interest of all the Filipino people especially those whose votes were not counted,” said Lawyer Victor Rodriguez, spokesman of Marcos. Rodriguez, however, added that they preferred if the PET probed into the alleged anomalies of the automated election system. “(W)e have the case exactly where we wanted it to be, the conduct of manual recount and judicial revision and annulment of election result in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Basilan,” he said. Robredo’s camp, meanwhile, BLOOD FOR PEACE. Military and police personnel join “Dugo para sa Kapayapaan” — a blood-letting activity held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. PNA photo by Joey Razon welcomed the PET’s ruling. “The ruling’s effect is that the integrity and credibility of the automated election system has been purchase of a bullet-proof Toyota upheld by the Supreme Court,” Land Cruiser. Atty. Romulo Macalintal, lead PAGE A1 Council that appoints judges, Among those who endorsed counsel for Robredo, said in a appointments to various offices, misdeclaring her statement of the complaint were Rep. Fredenil statement. n assets, liabilities and net worth, Castro of Capiz Rep. Sharon Gaamong others. Gadon rapped Sereno for ma- and using public funds to finance rin of AAMBIS-OWA party-list, nipulating the Judicial and Bar “a lavish lifestyle,” such as the both deputy speakers. n
2nd impeachment complaint... Gordon files ethics complaint... PAGE A1 in smuggling at the Bureau of Customs. Gordon said it was about time Trillanes be taught a lesson as he had previous run-ins with other senators or has called his colleagues names. He said Trillanes would apologize but later commit the same acts against fellow senators. Earlier in the day, he said at least 14 senators are backing his move to have Trillanes investigated by the ethics panel. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III led 16 members of the majority bloc in a closeddoor caucus to discuss, among others, Gordon’s plan to file a complaint. “He just keeps on doing the same thing. A man like that does not belong in a Senate of august gentlemen. You do not do that to a chairman, you do not do that to your fellow senators and say they are a bunch of puppets or that they cannot do anything. The Senate is already a damaged institution,” Gordon told reporters after the four-hour
caucus that started at 11 a.m. “At the rate things are going, the Senate is being maligned by this guy, rules going out of the window,” he said. Some senators who attended the meeting said Gordon spoke at length about Trillanes’ habit of disparaging his colleagues. Pimentel said it was unfortunate that the incident had to reach the ethics panel but “we can’t do anything about it because what happened wasn’t good so this must be resolved.” Sotto said he would set a meeting on Monday to discuss the matter. He said the procedure will be that each member of the panel will be given a copy of the complaint, after which, he will write Trillanes to formally respond to the letter. After some hearings, the committee will come up with its recommendations to be approved in a plenary. Sanctions, if any, will range from reprimand, suspension to expulsion, senators said. Trillanes earlier told reporters
that he was getting “impatient” that Gordon had not yet filed his complaint. “It will be a long process and I am confident — as I’ve said, I have not done anything improper or unparliamentary,” he said, adding it was premature for Gordon to claim that he has support for the complaint. Trillanes accused of ‘pork’ graft As this developed, an antipork barrel coalition accused Trillanes of corruption involving multimillion-peso pork barrel funds he received during the previous administration. The Coalition for Investigation and Prosecution, led by former Manila councilor Greco Belgica and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption founding chairman Dante Jimenez, cited records from the Department of Budget and Management showing questionable expenditures from the opposition senator’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds. The documents, which were submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ), showed that PAGE A4
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American wanted for stepdad’s murder nabbed in Leyte by TeTch
Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net
ing arrest warrant that was issued against the latter by a U.S. district court in harris County, Texas. The Bureau of Immigration “his passport was already can(BI) is preparing the deportation celed by the US government, thus of an American national wanted he will be deported for being an in his country for murdering his undocumented and undesirable stepfather seven years ago. alien,” the BI chief added. Tipton Shea McMahon, 30, was McMahon was charged with arrested by members of the BI’s murder for stabbing to death his Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) last stepfather Peter O’Shea at his Tuesday at his home in Barangay home in Cypress, Texas on Aug. (village) Balinsasayaw, Abuyog, 2, 2010. Leyte. Police arrested the then 23BI Commissioner Jaime Mor- year-old McMahon after the ente on Friday, Sept. 1 said the incident. his mother told police U.S. embassy in Manila sought that he saw her son holding a McMahon’s capture from a pend- knife while standing above the
lifeless body of the 52-year-old victim. Apparently, the suspect went into hiding after he was freed on bail, prompting the court to order his arrest. BI intelligence officer Bobby Raquepo, BI-FSU acting chief, said McMahon arrived in Manila on Oct. 2 last year and did not leave the country since then. Raquepo said McMahon eluded arrest in the U.S. for six years before he fled to the Philippines. “We will put him in our blacklist to prevent him from re-entering our country,” the BI official added. n
US pledges $14.3 million...
PAGE A1 donation will be used for humanitarian assistance to deliver supplies including drinking water, hygiene kits, and shelter materials for evacuation centers. Meanwhile, P577 million will be allocated for the rehabilitation of the city and affected surrounding areas. This includes the restoration of basic public services like health care, water and electricity. Washington also vowed to provide 6,500 tablet arm chairs for schools in Mindanao. Additionally, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. embassy in Manila will also provide P22 million for educational programs for students and women leaders. “The United States is deeply committed to this relationship and remains ready to support our friend and ally as we face the challenges and opportunities,” the ambassador said. he also reiterated Washington’s continuous support for the Philippine government in its ef-
PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
California, other states to extend Obamacare sign-up beyond federal limit by pauline BarTolone and carmen heredia rodriguez California Healthline
This general view shows destroyed buildings as seen from a government position on the frontline in Marawi. ManilaTimes.net photo
forts to combat terrorism. Since the Marawi crisis broke out on May 23 following the attack of Islamic State-inspired extremists, the U.S. Army has been providing technical assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Gordon files ethics complaint... PAGE A2 Trillanes has received a total of P245 million in DAP funds in three tranches (P100 million, P50 million and P95 million). The group’s investigation showed that the senator donated P10 million from his DAP funds to a non-government organization that allegedly turned out to be a donor and not recipient of donations. “he had so many ghost projects that we discovered,” Bel-
FILIPINO ARTISTRY. A woman with her daughter views artworks made from scrap metals and cow skin during the opening of “My City, My SM, My Art Exhibit at SM City San Mateo. The exhibit, which runs from Sept. 1-5, features artworks of artists from Rizal province.
gica alleged. he further bared that Trillanes used a “very unique scheme” where he distributed his DAP funds to smaller projects. “These (pieces of) evidence against Sen. Trillanes are enough to pursue cases against him. But we want the DOJ to further investigate and validate and it would be up to them if they would pursue separate cases against him,” he explained to reporters in the DOJ.
“We all look forward to the end of the crisis, and the end of the fighting and suffering. We have been and will continue to support the Philippine government’s efforts to deal with the crisis,” Kim added. (Dana Sioson/AJPress) Jimenez, for his part, slammed Trillanes for claiming he was never involved in corruption. “he said he is not corrupt, but this evidence shows he is,” Jimenez alleged, referring to Trillanes. The coalition submitted the records to the DOJ and asked the department to conduct factfinding probe and pursue possible cases against authors of the DAP, particularly former president Benigno Aquino III and former budget secretary Florencio Abad. n
CALIFORnIA and several other states will exempt themselves this year from a new Trump administration rule that cuts in half the amount of time consumers have to buy individual health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. In California, lawmakers are contemplating legislation that would circumvent the rule in future years, too. The Trump administration’s rule gives people shopping for 2018 coverage on the federal exchange 45 days to sign up, from nov. 1 through Dec. 15. But in California and some of the other states that run their own exchanges — Colorado, Minnesota, Washington and Massachusetts, as well as the District of Columbia — consumers purchasing insurance for themselves this year will have extra time to make decisions. In Colorado, for example, the sign-up period is from nov. 1 to Jan. 12. In Minnesota, it will start nov. 1 and run through Jan. 14. In Washington state, it is nov. 1 through Jan. 15. Consumers shopping for coverage in California’s exchange, Covered California, will still have the full three months they’ve had in recent years, starting on nov. 1 and ending Jan. 31. Californians shopping for individual market plans outside the exchange will have those same three months to make up their minds. “We want to make sure our consumers have the time they need to find the best plan that fits their needs,” said James Scullary, a spokesman for Covered
California. The rule that truncated the enrollment period for the federal exchange, published in April by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), gives statebased exchanges the ability to extend the amount of time allowed by tacking a “special” enrollment period onto the 45 days set by the federal government. Because that flexibility is limited to 2018 coverage, California legislators are taking an extra step to keep the three-month enrollment period for 2019 and beyond. Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-healdsburg) introduced legislation last week that would ensure a three-month enrollment window for consumers seeking coverage in 2019 and subsequent years. “When the Trump administration issued its new … rules cutting the ACA’s open enrollment period in half, we knew we had to act,” Wood said. “Californians have enjoyed a three-month enrollment period for years, and this change could catch people off guard and not allow them to sign up in time. That would be a travesty.” health policy experts say the federal rule is a political attempt to undermine the viability of the Obamacare insurance exchanges. “It’s no big secret that the Trump administration isn’t a big fan of the Affordable Care Act or the individual market that it created,” said Dylan Roby, associate professor of health Services Administration at the University of Maryland. “There’s just this general intent of the administration to reduce enrollment, reduce … subsidies and make it a little bit harder for people to enroll.”
The shortened enrollment window was part of a so-called market stabilization rule rolled out by the Trump administration that also offers insurance companies concessions, including the flexibility to sell some health plans that cover less of the enrollees’ cost of care than currently required by the ACA. California’s insurance commissioner, Dave Jones, expressed concern about the impact of a shortened enrollment period in a letter to the federal government in March, before the rule was finalized. Jones’ letter cited research that shows younger people tend to sign up for health insurance toward the end of open enrollment, and that putting up barriers to their enrollment could reduce the number of healthy people in the insurance pool. That would “needlessly destabilize the market” and would “result in increased premiums for those who do enroll in coverage,” the insurance commissioner said. Shana Alex Charles, an assistant professor of health sciences at California State UniversityFullerton, said the pushback by California lawmakers against federal attempts to shorten the enrollment period underscores the state’s commitment to having a marketplace that “actually makes sense.” “If you want to maximize enrollment, you need to make sure people can get their paperwork together, and have the mindset and the time for people to complete the application,” she said. *** This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of theKaiser Family Foundation.
Trump ends DACA, recipients...
PAGE A1 Tuesday statement. “But we must also recognize that we are [a] nation of opportunity because we are a nation of laws.” Attorney General Jeff Sessions made an official announcement early Tuesday that the Trump administration has decided to end the DACA program that gave protection to “DReAMers” who came to the country illegally from being deported. In the formal statement, Sessions called the Obama-era program an executive overreach and said that through DACA, the executive branch “deliberately sought to achieve what the legislative branch specifically refused to authorize on multiple occasions. Such an open-ended circumvention of immigration laws was an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the executive Branch.” Sessions explained that the program had “denied jobs to hundreds and thousands of Americans by allowing those same jobs to go to illegal aliens.” “We cannot admit everyone who would like to come here,” said Sessions. “That is an open border policy and the American people have rightly rejected it.” “This does not mean they are bad people, or that our nation disrespects or demeans them in any way. It means we are properly enforcing our laws as Congress has passed them,” he added. The program’s roll back is set to happen in six months, according to homeland Security Acting Secretary elaine Duke, who called the decision the “least disruptive option.” Duke said that no DACA beneficiaries will be affected before March 5, 2018, but made clear that “no new initial requests or associated applications filed after today will be acted on.” As the program winds down, current DACA holders will be allowed to retain their DACA benefits until they expire — DACA benefits are valid for two years
from issuance. Those whose benefits expire before March 5 of next year, will be eligible to renew their DACA status if applications are received before October 5, 2017. According to the Department of homeland Security (DhS), roughly 201,000 individuals are set to have their DACAs and accompanied employment authorization documents (eAD) expire this year. Of those individuals, over 55,000 have already submitted renewal requests. Over 800,000 individuals have been protected under DACA. According to the nonprofit organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Advancing Justice - LA), over 16,000 DACA recipients are of Asian descent from South Korea, the Philippines, India, and Pakistan. Over 4,500 recipients came from the Philippines. The Trump administration was put under pressure in late June as 10 Republican state attorneys general, led by Texas’ Ken Paxton, threatened to sue the administration if it did not phase out DACA by a set Sept. 5 deadline. Tennessee left the coalition last Friday, leaving Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, nebraska, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia. Advocates of DACA have been actively vocal leading up to the final decision. Social media tags #DefendDACA and #hereToStay shared concerns and personal stories of undocumented immigrants. hundreds of DACA supporters and recipients rallied in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 4 in support of continuing the program. Last Thursday, over 400 chief executives from companies including Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google urged Trump and his administration to preserve DACA in an open letter. “As entrepreneurs and business leaders, we are concerned about new developments in immigration policy that threaten
the future of young undocumented immigrants brought to America as children,” read the letter. DACA recipient and AAJC-LA policy advocate on immigrant rights, Anthony ng, told Asian Journal prior to the decision that the organization would continue protecting the immigrant community and “preparing for anything our community needs.” Reviving the DREAM Act As Trump ends DACA, many advocates are looking to push Congress into passing immigration reform that would continue to protect immigrants like DACA recipients. “It is incumbent upon our Senators and Representatives to enact a permanent legislative solution that would once and for all protect our DACA recipients and place them on a pathway to citizenship,” Advancing Justice - LA said in a press release, urging Congress to pass the DReAM Act. Former President Barack Obama introduced the DACA program after Congress failed to pass the “Development, Relief, and education for Alien Minors Act” (DReAM Act). On Tuesday, Obama published a lengthy Facebook post about the move to end his landmark program, calling it “a political decision, and a moral question.” “To target these young people is wrong – because they have done nothing wrong,” the former president wrote. “It is selfdefeating – because they want to start new businesses, staff our labs, serve in our military, and otherwise contribute to the country we love. And it is cruel.” Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.), introduced the latest version of the DReAM Act in July of this year after the bill failed to get enough votes in 2010. Durbin and Republican Senator Orrin hatch first introduced the bill in 2001. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)
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Dateline PhiliPPines
House to study move granting Duterte talks with Marcos over ‘ill-gotten’ wealth by Dana
SioSon AJPress
The house of Representatives is going to study the request to grant Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte the authority to start negotiations with the Marcos family on their offer to return their alleged ill-gotten wealth to the government. house Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday, September 5, said that Congress should first into the specifics of the planned proposal of the family of late President Ferdinand Marcos. Last week, Duterte said that the Marcoses expressed willingness to return a portion of their wealth—including few gold bars—which was accumulated during the two-decade rule of the late dictator. Alvarez, however, expressed doubt on the sincerity of the Marcoses to return their ill-gotten wealth to the national government. “Yun namang proposed negotiation doon sa ano ito—Marcos loot? Loot, kasi nakaw di ba? Matagal nang pinag-uusapan. Tignan muna natin ano ba, seryoso ba kayo o hindi? (Regarding the proposed negotiation with the Marcos loot? Loot, because it’s ill-gotten, right? It has been being discussed for so long now. Let’s look at it first, are they serious or not?),” the speaker said in a press briefing. he added that it is also a “good question” whether or not Congress has the power to authorize the president to negotiate with the Marcoses on the retrieval of plundered cash and assets.
“Ngayon lang kasi nangyari yan so mabuti na yung tignan nating yung legalities (This is the first time this happened that is why we still need to check the legalities),” Alvarez said. A day before, Malacañang urged Congress to grant Duterte authority to start the negotiation with the Marcoses. “The president has promised the negotiation on the Marcoses’ wealth would be done legally, with full accounting to the people as well as authority from Congress,” Duterte’s spokesperson ernesto Abella said. he went on to say, “We urge Congress to authorize the president to proceed with the negotiation and set parameters, taking into account the concerns raised by critics and the citizenry. It would be best if we all work together for final justice, closure and national reconciliation.” But Albay Rep. edcel Lagman said the president does not need approval from Congress for the Marcos wealth talks, citing the creation of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) during the administration of the late President Cory Aquino. The PCGG, Lagman noted, is “charged with the task of assisting the president” in “the recovery of all ill-gotten wealth accumulated by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, his immediate family, relatives, subordinates and close associates, whether located in the Philippines or abroad.” “The president even on his own accord can negotiate the surrender of the ill-gotten hoard
in the same manner that he can negotiate for the surrender of a high-profile suspected criminal without any act of the Congress,” the lawmaker said. he, however, urged Duterte to proceed with the negotiation with “transparency, accountability and no conditionality.” Lagman also expressed uncertainty on the reported proposal, saying, “Why involve the Congress in a negotiation where the Marcos heirs are at best ambivalent and which may not even prosper beyond propaganda?” “I don’t think Congress should do that, granting him the authority to exchange the criminal responsibility of the Marcoses for a few pieces of gold bars,” he added. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, September 3, Duterte clarified that he has not made any deal yet with the Marcoses. “It was like this: The Marcoses are ready to return [assets]. I said I accepted the explanation because there’s no other explanation. I do not know anything, I cannot debate with them so I accepted the explanation. It’s about time that this thing is finally settled,” the president explained. But in making the offer, Duterte said that the Marcoses were not admitting that the wealth they are willing to return was stolen. “[Imee] is not ready to announce that it had been stolen. But she said whatever was under suspicion should be discussed and that I accepted,” he said, referring to the late dictator’s eldest daughter and Ilocos Gov. Imee Marcos. n
NO MORE BIRD FLU. THE bird flu crisis that affected three towns in Central Luzon is over, the Department of Agriculture announced on Monday, Sept. 4. This means all poultry products from those areas are safe for human consumption, officials said. Facing a budget hearing at the Senate, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the quarantine that covered a 7-kilometer “controlled area radius” in the towns of San Luis, Pampanga and Jaen and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija had been lifted. ManilaTimes.net photo
Horn moves on from Pacquiao... PAGE A1 And the 29-year-old horn likes the match-up so far. “I feel like I’ve got the moves to take Jessie down,” horn told 7 News. Vargas used to be the WBO welterweight champion until Pacquiao routed him last year in Las Vegas. The same title didn’t stay long on Pacquiao’s waist as horn
stunned the Filipino icon in their well-attended bout at the Suncorp Stadium last July 2. Pacquiao and horn was supposedly headed to a rematch this November, but the former wanted to stage it in the Philippines. This, according to Top Rank Inc. chief Bob Arum, is impossible because they are contractually obliged to do it again in Australia.
The fighting senator then decided that he’ll just face horn again next year. horn, for his part, wants to sustain the momentum of his massive upset of Pacquiao and fight someone else. he believes Vargas will be a worthy alternative. “he’s a former world champion so he’ll definitely be a hard fight,” said horn. n
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OPINION
Political bickering
FEATURES
SOME say that in any political landscape, opposition is good. Opposition is more prevalent in a democracy as it keeps current leaders on their toes, and makes sure that no one has absolute power. While democracy allows the people to put into power leaders who will represent their interests, the opposition is present to avoid any form of tyranny. The Philippines is no stranger to a polarized political environment. The country has been molded— and tested by—constant political bickering between the ruling party and the opposition, administration after administration. When asked how he would grade the first year of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the president’s staunchest critics, said he would describe it as a “massive failure.” Trillanes said that the president has failed to fulfill many of his campaign promises and has yet to improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos under his leadership. The senator is particularly scathing when criticizing Duterte’s bloody anti-drug campaign. Trillanes believes that drug-related killings during police operations were state-sponsored and that the president has ordered police officers to kill drug suspects. “Remember, his war on drugs has already killed more than 10,000 people. And that’s even higher than the 9/11 casualties,” Trillanes said during an
interview with ANC’s Headstart, referring to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. “Remember, he is the president of the republic and he launched this policy against illegal drugs and the policemen are being ordered to randomly kill Filipinos based on mere suspicion,” he claimed. The Philippine National Police (PNP) only accounts 3,451 drugs personalities who were killed in the government’s anti-drugs campaign from July 1, 2016 to July 26, 2017. The number does not include 1,398 cases that were drug-related but not statesanctioned; 828 deaths that were not connected to drugs; and 3,785 other killings that are under investigation. Over the weekend, Duterte called Trillanes a “political ISIS.” The president made this remark after Trillanes made fresh accusations against Duterte’s son Paolo and son-in-law Manase Carpio for their alleged involvement in smuggling. “He (Trillanes) does not have any talent. He does not even know the difference between a democrat and a member of a party. How can you expect [him to do good] when he lacked a knowledge of life?” the president said. “Bira nang bira, akala niya tama siya. (Trillanes is the political ISIS. He is ignorant, he just attacks and attacks,
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
thinking he is right).” While political mudslinging may seem typical in a democratic setting, the continuous trading of barbs between the president and the senator attracts scaremongers, ones who are pushing into this emotionally polarized atmosphere to convince people on their side rather than ignite political aspirations
and ideals. It is highly unlikely that these two will reach a compromise and decide to set aside their differences to fight together—instead of each other—for the good of the people. If this narrative continues, the ones who will lose are the Filipinos. (AJPress)
Are the ’Dreamers’ now being held hostage for Congress to fund Trump’s wall and end family-based petitions? THEY are more than nation’s just statistics — these broken 800,000 people brought The Fil-Am immiinto the United States as Perspective gration kids by their parents or system. grandparents grew up in T h e this country not knowing legal that they did not have all basis the required immigra- GEL SANTOS-RELOS for this tion documents to live execuin America legally until they had tive order was the “prosecutoto apply for a driver’s license or rial” discretion exercised by for college. They may have been both Republican and Democratic our kids’ classmates, or a volun- past presidents. DACA’s intent is teer helping out during times of to make “Dreamers” low priority calamity, or a soldier willing to in the use of the government’s make the ultimate sacrifice of of- limited resources so that those fering their lives for the freedom undocumented immigrants with and security of the United States. criminal records will be given top They are the “Dreamers,” who, priority in moving forward with for the longest time, had to live deportation cases. under the shadows for fear of beDACA is NOT amnesty as this ing deported out of the only coun- program only gives qualified try they know as “home.” That “Dreamers” a renewable twowas until former President Barack year period of deferred action Obama signed an executive order from deportation and eligibilin June 2012 called the Deferred ity for a work permit. Meantime, Action for Childhood Arrivals pro- many of these undocumented gram (DACA), which was meant youth have come out and have to help these qualified “Dream- become responsible, producers” who have not committed any tive members of society who pay crimes and do not pose harm and taxes, and aspire to serve their danger to America to come out of adoptive country in the academe, the shadows. This program was work force, and the military. meant to be a temporary solution However, on Tuesday, Sepas they waited for Congress to fi- tember 5, President Donald nally pass a comprehensive immi- Trump delivered a “gift” to these gration reform bill that will fix the “Dreamers” he claims he loves,
through an announcement made by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Trump is rescinding DACA and has passed the “porcupine” of the job of “fixing” the “Dreamers’” problem onto Congress within six months. After this period and without any new legislation that will protect their status, these more than 800,000 men and women will have to be deported, including 5,050 Filipinos. As Balitang America reported, there are 22,000 undocumented Filipino youths who qualify for DACA. The Trump administration defends its decision contending that DACA is “unconstitutional”, an overreach of Obama’s use of executive power, even if it had been used by no less than Presidents Reagan, Clinton, and Bush before Obama. Even Trump’s own party was divided in its support of the president, with many siding with the Democrats that the decision to rescind DACA is cruel and inhumane, and was made by the president to make his followers who make up about 30-40 percent of Americans, happy and loyal. More than anything else, they argue that this is a politically motivated move that will do more harm than good to America. Former President Barack
Obama breaks his silence and issued a statement for the first time saying that “to target hopeful young strivers who grew up here is wrong, because they’ve done nothing wrong. “The action taken today isn’t required legally. It’s a political decision, and a moral question. Whatever concerns or complaints Americans may have about immigration in general, we shouldn’t threaten the future of this group of young people who are here through no fault of their own, who pose no threat, who are not taking away anything from the rest of us.” “It is precisely because this action is contrary to our spirit, and to common sense, that business leaders, faith leaders, economists, and Americans of all political stripes called on the administration not to do what it did today. And now that the White House has shifted its responsibility for these young people to Congress, it’s up to Members of Congress to protect these young people and our future. I’m heartened by those who’ve suggested that they should. And I join my voice with the majority of Americans who hope they step up and do it with a sense of moral urgency that matches the urgency these
young people feel. “Ultimately, this is about basic decency. This is about whether we are a people who kick hopeful young strivers out of America, or whether we treat them the way we’d want our own kids to be treated. It’s about who we are as a people – and who we want to be. What makes us American is not a question of what we look like, or where our names come from, or the way we pray. What makes us American is our fidelity to a set of ideals – that all of us are created equal; that all of us deserve the chance to make of our lives what we will; that all of us share an obligation to stand up, speak out, and secure our most cherished values for the next generation. That’s how America has traveled this far. That’s how, if we keep at it, we will ultimately reach that more perfect union.” WATCHING THE NEWS on Tuesday, however, revealed how some conservative Republicans with a hardline stance on immigration want to proceed with that “legislative fix” that may spare the “Dreamers” from deportation. On CNN’s “The Situation Room,” a Republican lawmaker told Wolf Blitzer that he would reconsider voting to give legal
status to these “Dreamers” if Congress would pass a bill in six months that will strengthen our borders, which should include a downpayment for the border wall, and that the “Merit based” bill which hopes to cut down LEGAL immigration by 50 percent by slashing visas for family based petitions to prioritize high skilled workers should also be part of the mix, among others. Are the “Dreamers” now being used as bargaining chips or hostages for Trump to get the funding for his border wall that he promised Mexico would be paying? Are the Dreamers’ life being used as leverage for the bill that will cut legal immigration which kills our dream of family reunification? WHATEVER YOUR POSITION IS, tell your senators and representatives your stand on this issue. Do you want to save the “Dreamers” or do you think they should be deported? CALL NOW: 1-866-834-8040. Time is running out. *** 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
A unique Republic of Impeachments?
Opinion
FRANCISCO TATAD IMPEACHMENT complaints have been filed in the House of Representatives against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on different grounds, while certain other parties are talking of filing similar complaints against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and Vice President Leni Robredo on various grounds. Not all of them may prosper. But should more than one of them mature into triable cases, we would be seeing something unprecedented in the whole storybook of impeachment. Ours could become the first Republic of Impeachments. Impeachment is a politico-judicial process by means of which certain officials, who may not under the Constitution be charged with any criminal offense while in office, may be removed for culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corrup-
tion, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. The House has “the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment,” and the Senate “the sole power to try and decide all such cases”. Other than the President, the Vice President, the members of the Supreme Court, the Comelec, the Civil Service Commission, and the Commission on Audit, and the Ombudsman, no one else may be subjected to impeachment. Our impeachment experience Noble and high-minded as its original purpose may be, the impeachment process has been subverted and misused since 2000-2001. At President Joseph Estrada’s impeachment trial, at least eight of the 21 senator-judges, who had taken an oath to render “impartial justice,” publicly called for the respondent’s resignation while the trial was going on. Many of the senator-judges conducted themselves as prosecutors, without being restrained by the Supreme Court Chief Justice, who presided over the proceedings. When the prosecutors walked out after they failed to introduce
into the proceedings an envelope which outside parties had volunteered without need of a court subpoena, Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. not only failed to summon them back to court, but even joined the protest crowd at EDSA and swore in Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as acting President, without the presidency having been first vacated. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., who had threatened an empty resignation (“as soon as my successor is elected”) after 11 of the senator judges denied the prosecutors’ motion, ended holding the microphone for Mrs. Arroyo during her oath-taking, while her military aide, who might have done a less conspicuous job, stood by. The eventual filing of non-bailable charges against Estrada, his consequent prolonged detention at the Veterans Medical Center, and Arroyo’s controversial electoral victory over the immensely popular Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004, which gave her a chance to pardon Estrada upon his conviction of plunder by the Sandiganbayan, put everything about the botched impeachment trial behind the new
political reality, but the impeachment process as such remained scarred. The Supreme Court strikes In June 2003, Estrada filed an impeachment complaint against Davide. On October 22, 2003, the House committee on justice threw it out. The next day, Representatives Gilbert Teodoro Jr. of Tarlac and Felix William “Wimpy” Fuentebella of Camarines Sur filed a new complaint against Davide for his alleged misuse of the Judiciary Development Fund. It was a welldocumented complaint, and very quickly, it was endorsed by more than one-third of the members of the House—the minimum number required to transmit the articles of impeachment from the House to the Senate for trial, without floor debates. But the Supreme Court, acting in defense of its Chief Justice, struck down the impeachment complaint as “unconstitutional,” on the ground that under Section 3, paragraph 5, Article XI of the Constitution, “no impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one
year.” The ruling, penned by then Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, now Ombudsman, held that after the Estrada abortive complaint, Davide could no longer be subjected to an impeachment proceeding for a period of one year. This struck some constitutional experts as a deliberate misreading of the Constitution. As written in the law, the House alone “initiates” all impeachment proceedings. This happens when it transmits a verified impeachment complaint to the Senate for trial. Estrada’s complaint failed to develop into an impeachment case or proceeding against Davide, so the court could not say by trying Davide on the TeodoroFuentebellacomplaint, he would be subjected to two impeachment “proceedings” within one year. But the Carpio-Morales ponencia not only saved Davide from an open-and-shut case, which could have cut short his judicial career, and prevented him from occupying the position of Permanent Representative to the UN later, in violation of the Foreign Service Act and without being confirmed by the Commission on Appoint-
ments. It also damaged the law on impeachment. GMA uses the SC ruling This would become manifest during GMA’s elected term. In 2005, Arroyo’s supporters helped her overcome the first impeachment threat against her by filing an insufficient complaint which the House committee on justice was certain to dismiss; as soon as this happened, no serious impeachment complaint could be filed against her for a period of one year. This allowed her to beat the recurring impeachment threats against her until 2009. In 2010, B. S. Aquino 3rd became the nation’s first “machine-elected” president. He had grievances against the Arroyo administration, and he swiftly set out to settle them by having Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez impeached by his allies in the House for betrayal of public trust on March 22, 2011. Fearing a one-sided Senate impeachment trial, Gutierrez resigned on April 29, 2011, thereby allowing Aquino to appoint Justice Carpio-Morales as the new Ombudsman. Morales
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEMbER 6-8, 2017
A
DND: NKorea nuke test affects security in Asia by LLanesca
T. PanTi ManilaTimes.net
NORTH Korea’s testing of a hydrogen bomb increases the tension not just in the Korean peninsula but in the whole of Asia, the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Monday, Sept. 4. “The proliferation of this weapon increases the tension not only in the Korean peninsula but also adversely affects the peace and security of the whole of Asia as well,” DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said in a statement. He added that Manila is “greatly concerned” over Pyongyang’s recent testing of a hydrogen bomb over the weekend. AFP public affairs chief Col. Edgard Arevalo agreed that North Korea’s actions is a “cause of concern.” “That being the case, we are preparing our contingencies although this is an NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) matter,” Arevalo said in a news
briefing. He added that the military will prepare for the possible repatriation of Filipinos in Korea. “All that we can do is prepare for this contingency. What is important is that we have agencies of government preparing for this matter,” he said. On Sunday, Sept. 3, North Korea said it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb more powerful than the other atomic weapons it earlier tested. AFP chief Eduardo Año gave assurances that the Philippines is prepared for any possible fallout from the H-bomb testing. “It’s really very dangerous, but we in the AFP can only act when there is a real threat and there’s already a need for operational decisions to make,” he said in an ambush interview at the sidelines of the Northern Luzon Command leadership turn-over at Camp Servillano Aquino, Tarlac City. “We are one with the whole world in persuading North Korea to go to the road of peace,”
Año noted. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said it will launch a campaign to teach the public what to do in case a missile is launched. “We will have an information campaign so that the public would know what to do. This is part prevention, part remedial. We will make sure our assets and contingency plans are in place,” Purisima told reporters. “We already have contingency and response plans set, and we are just going to adjust it per scenario. We have to find out first where the missile could possibly hit our country, but we do not anticipate that we will be at the direct trajectory of any launch,” he added. Purisima said evacuation shelters will be set up. “We are preparing and we would be ready when that time comes. Our regional directors, regional offices, and our regional councils will make sure that all the local government units under them are preparing accordingly,” he added. n
PNP chief: ‘Unfair’ to accuse police... PAGE A1 naman sabihin niyo na may policy The death of Kian Loyd Delos na malawakang pagpatay,” a crySantos in a rundown neighbor- ing Dela Rosa said. He also warned Hontiveros and hood in Caloocan City on Aug. 16 sparked widespread condemna- critics against insinuating that tion as witnesses and a CCTV foot- there is a police policy to kill susage showed that the senior high pects. “I’m willing to go back to Davao school student may have been ‘pag na-prove mo ‘yan. Masama executed by cops. Police contend that Delos na sabihin mo na ganun. Dapat Santos violently resisted arrest you should be careful,” he said. Hontiveros retorted that there and fired upon them, a claim debunked by the autopsy of the was no need to issue any warning Public Attorneys’ Office and the as everybody working in governprobe of the National Bureau In- ment wants to uncover the truth in the cases. vestigation. ‘Duterte gave orders to kill’ Citing the case of Delos Santos, Dela Rosa also defended PresiSen. Risa Hontiveros, a member of the minority bloc in the cham- dent Rodrigo Duterte and said ber, said that there seemed to be a that the president, who is known “pattern” of killing drug suspects. for talking about killing drug lords and other criminals in his speech‘Ang sakit, ang sakit’ Dela Rosa did not like this and es, did not give orders to kill indisdefended his organization from criminately. “Wala, sinabi si presidente sa insinuations that there was a policy of killing suspected drug akin na pumatay kayo ng pumatay,” said Dela Rosa, accusing criminals. The PNP chief, nicknamed Hontiveros of having a closed “Bato” for his muscular build, said mind on the issue. The tough-talking Duterte has that the quest for justice should also include cops who had been been criticized in the past for statements that seemingly gave killed in action. “I am grieving for the major- his cops order to indiscriminately ity of my men yung buhay nila kill suspects. His supporters say that his pronaka…tapos i-accuse niyo kami ng pulisiya na ganun. Ang sakit, nouncements do not necessarily ang sakit. Magpakatamay kami translate to policy and his suborpara sa inosenteng tao. Mahirap dinates and spokespersons have
often walked back or “clarified” his comments. No protection for abusive cops, Duterte says However, the death of Delos Santos has forced Duterte, known for his expletive-laden, long-winding and often desultory speeches, to tone down his rhetoric accused of inciting cops to kill drug suspects. In recent weeks, he clarified that he had not ordered police to kill suspects already kneeling and begging for their lives. “What I reminded again the military and the police is that it should be in the performance of your duty. You are not allowed to kill a person who is kneeling down begging for his life. That is murder,” he said. The president reminded police that any abuses would not be condoned as he reassured them that they would be protected if they killed suspects in the regular performance of their duty. He also ordered them to kill “idiots” who would violently resist arrest. Dela Rosa, who was picked by Duterte to lead the PNP over more senior police officers, told Hontiveros that she should refrain from conditioning the mind of the public that there was a policy to kills drug criminals. n
CASE FILED. Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption Chairman Dante Jimenez (second from right) presents a 13-year-old girl (hooded, third from left) allegedly abused by a Catholic priest to the Department of Justice in Manila. The minor and her mother filed the criminal charges against Msgr. Arnel Lagarejos of the Diocese of Antipolo, assisted by Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta. Lagarejos, 55, is a monsignor, bestowed the honorific for exceptional services to the Church. Following his arrest by Marikina police, he was sacked as parish priest of St. John the Baptist Parish in Taytay and as president of the Cainta Catholic College. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
A unique Republic of...
PAGE A6 had earlier gained public notice when Aquino chose her to swear him into office on June 30, 2010, in lieu of the Chief Justice, who traditionally swore in the President. Aquino’s turn On December 12,2011, 188 congressmen, after meeting with Aquino, who had expressed his displeasure against Chief Justice Renato Corona, signed an impeachment complaint against the latter, without perusing the document. It contained eight articles of impeachment and was transmitted to the Senate the next day for trial. The trial began on January 16, 2012, with the prosecution excluding five of the eight charges for lack of evidence, leaving only three, but ultimately concentrating on only one. The trial concluded on May 29, 2012, after Malacañang released P50 million or more to each, except one, of the 20 senator-judges, who ultimately voted to convict Corona. The bribery was revealed in a privilege speech by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in September 2013 and confirmed by then Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, who said P1.107 billion was released to the senators from Aquino’s socalled Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), which the Supreme Court later struck down as “unconstitutional”. Senators Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and the late Senators Joker Arroyo and Miriam Defensor Santiago all voted to acquit Corona and received nothing; Sen. PanfiloLacson was the only senator who voted to convict, but also got nothing. Corona’s trial invalidated The admitted bribery should
have invalidated the Senate ruling, and provided sufficient ground to reinstate Corona. But Aquino quickly appointed Sereno, a Supreme Court newcomer, to Corona’s position, and Corona died on April 29, 2016, before his lawyers could come up with the appropriate petition. Many of the 19 senators who had taken bribes to convict Corona are still in the Senate, without having been formally charged with any crime. In case any of the impeachment complaints prospers into a Senate proceeding, they will once again be acting as “senator-judges”. How long can this travesty go on? Except for Robredo whose legitimacy remains under question before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, but who, aside from that, has not, in the view of many, committed any impeachable offense, the others who are now the subject of an actual or impending impeachment complaint deserve to be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations against them, without the President weighing in. But who can assure them this? Hands-off policy? Malacañang continues to announce a “hands-off” policy on the impeachment complaints, but the best-known secret is that DU30 had reportedly given his imprimatur before any of the complaints were filed. On the Ombudsman’s proposed impeachment, it was earlier reported that DU30 had some misgivings, because Carpio Morales’ nephew Maneses is married to DU30’s daughter Sara, who is the mayor of Davao City. But he wants to appoint his own Om-
budsman, and she claims she is entitled to a full seven-year term, not just the unexpired portion of her predecessor’s term. She says this is what the law says, but DU30 points out, the Constitution does not agree with her. In the end, whatever DU30 wants, as in his war on drugs, will decide who will be impeached and who will be spared. For he remains in control of all the variables. Just look at what happened to the Magdalo impeachment complaint against him. DU30 has committed all the impeachable offenses which should prompt an independent and impartial House to transmit the appropriate articles to the Senate for trial. But the Magdalo complaint was summarily thrown out of the House justice committee without a full hearing. The only thing I see that could prevent the simultaneous or serial impeachment and trial of Comelec Chairman Bautista, Chief Justice Sereno and Ombudsman Carpio Morales is the Senate’s capability as an impeachment court to try three or even just two cases at the same time. If the Senate could bear this load, doing so would have the singular benefit of keeping the senators out of the obscene and deranged business of monkeying around with “inverted federalism,” which DU30 and his sycophants seem so eager to railroad through this puppet Congress without any real effort to make the people at their level understand the serious issues involved. But knowing the carrying capacity of our mediocre institutions and their members, my real fear is that it would be imposing upon the Senate and its members a burden far beyond their capacity to bear. (ManilaTimes.net)
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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 6-8, 2017
BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY OURNAL
B1
Higher food, fuel prices pushed August’s inflation to 3-month high of 3.1%
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia
BSP to ‘back the talk’ on peso – Espenilla
Photo by Joan Bondoc/Inquirer.net
in May. In a statement, the state planning agency National EconomInflation rose 3.1 percent ic and Development Authority in August, the fastest in three (Neda) said food inflation inmonths, partly due to higher creased 3.7 percent in August food, fuel and power prices from July’s 3.4 percent “mainly coupled with a weaker peso, due to faster price increases the government reported Tues- in vegetables, fish, corn, flour, bread, and other cereals.” day, Sept. 5. “One cause is Typhoon JoThe latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data lina last month, which affected showed that headline inflation agriculture in Central Luzon, last month jumped from 1.8 particularly in Aurora,” Sociopercent a year ago and 2.8 per- economic Planning Secretary and Neda chief Ernesto M. Percent in July. The rate of increase in pric- nia explained. Non-food inflation also es of basic goods last August matched the 3.1 percent posted u PAGE B2 by BEN
O. DE VERA Inquirer.net
More flights needed to boost PH MICE market
told The STAR in an interview. Reichenbach emphasized that the Metro Manila hotel The Philippines needs more market already has infrastrucflights from American and Euro- ture needed to cater to more pean cities to be able to further international MICE clients, esgrow the meetings, incentives, pecially with the entrance of a conventions and exhibition number of global hotel chains. (MICE) market for international At present, the MICE market clients, a hotelier said. accounts for around 20 percent “I think if we have a few more of Marco Polo Ortigas’ busiEuropean, American airlines fly- ness, Reichenbach said. ing in, that will definitely help,” He added that a lot of the Marco Polo Ortigas general demand is coming from the manager Frank Reichenbach by CATHERINE
TALAVERA Philstar.com
u PAGE B4
by MAYVELIN
U. CARABALLO ManilaTimes.net
MONETARY authorities will “back the talk” by using regulatory tools to curb speculative activities in the foreign exchange market, central bank Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said on Monday, Sept. 4. “The BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) stands ready to intervene and neutralize the activity of speculators so they don’t define the market,” Espenilla told reporters. “We have resources and regulatory powers to back the talk. The BSP has both ca-
pacity and resolve to act,” he added. The Bangko Sentral chief also reminded the public that monetary authorities craft “rational and transparent rules” that would be implemented “effectively and fairly” to promote order in the foreign exchange market. “There is natural volatility in this price discovery process because of timing and other uncertainties,” Espenilla noted. “Don’t expect the peso to stand still. We are in a floating exchange rate regime. This makes sense for a relatively small open economy. If one wants more certainty to in-
sulate a transaction from exchange rate volatility, then invest in a hedge,” he added. Espenilla said the Bangko Sentral had to practice self-restraint to allow the market to process information, operate efficiently, and determine market-clearing prices. He said the depreciation of the peso in recent months — described as gradual and modest — was a reflection of the price discovery process where factors such sustained imports growth and the normalization of interest rates in the US and other advanced economies are also being considered by players.
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DOE eyes 100% electrification by 2022 by JORDEENE
SHEEX LAGARE ManilTimes.net
DAVAO CITY — President Rohe Duterte administration is targeting to achieve 100 percent electrification by the end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term in 2022. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said during a seminar in Nasugbu, Batangas last week the DoE is working to provide quality energy service not only in business districts but also in rural areas. The Philippine government is pursuing its thrust to promote energy efficiency, sustainability, and total electrification, the department said in a statement.
FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS
( Mt Carmel, Mt Beatitude, Mt.Tabor, Cana, Capernum, Nazareth, Mt. of Olives, Old & New Jerusalem, Bethlehem Qumran, Masada, Jericho )
Dec 3 to 14, 2017
Spiritual Director: Rev. Fr. Alvin Cachola
The DoE, the European Union and the World Bank held a joint seminar-workshop on Access to Sustainable Energy Program or ASEP. The goal is to bolster sustainable power generation and meet increasing demand of a growing economy by providing energy access to the marginalized in line with the Philippine Development Plan. “With all the program’s key players gathered in one venue, we aim to seek each other’s concerns, insights and suggestions to be more synergized in our approach towards carrying out the ASEP”, Cusi added.
Under the DoE’s household electrification drive, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) aims to energize 2.58 million households in the country, mostly in Mindanao. The NEA proposed a P4.9-billion budget for 2018, of which P1.7 billion would finance loans for capital expenditures of electric cooperatives (ECs) and other electrification projects. Approved by the House of Representative appropriations committee last month, the NEA budget will now go through deliberations by the Senate finance committee.■ Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi
DOE photo
Havan�, Cub� May 22 to 29, 2018
May 22, 2018 (Tuesday - Day 1) Los Angeles to Havana, Cuba Depart from LAX to Havana, Cuba. Upon arrival in Havana, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel for dinner. May 23, 2018 (Wednesday - Day 2) Havana, Cuba Our day will begin with mass at the Cathedral of Havana located in the center of Old Havana. After On board meals are served mass, proceed for a city tour of Old Havana with an experienced local tour guide. The tour will take 4 DEC-Day 2 - (Mon) - Arrive at Ben Gurion airport Tel-Aviv/Tiberias place on foot and you will visit all the squares of Old Havana. Take in the astonishing beauty of the After you have finished Immigration, collect Luggage then Meet our guide and driver. Transfer to Tiberias , Dinner /overnight Gai Beach Hotel historical buildings, sculptures, and monuments. After lunch you will have free time to bargain at the 5 DEC-Day 3 - (Tues) Cesarea /Haifa San Jose Craft Market. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 3 DEC-Day 1 - (Sun) LAX/TLV
There was a certain man in Caesarea” Drive north to the sparkling port city of Haifa, viewing Caesarea en route, the city built by Herod. In Haifa, we will ascend Mt. Carmel; home of the two prophets Elijah and Elisha, Visit the Stella Maris Church celebrate Holy Mass in the main Altar, after enjoy the panoramic view of the Mediterranean, continue to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Gai Beach Hotel (BB,D)
May 24, 2018 (Thursday – Day 3) Havana, Cuba This morning, we will visit the Convent and Church of Our Lady of Bethlehem. This religious complex is the most extensive of those surviving in Old Havana. Here you will attend mass. After mass, you will meet with the 6 DEC-Day 4 - (Wed) - Tiberias/ Cana/ Nazareth Holy Eucharist at the Church of annunciation “And Mary said, Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your nuns and assist with projects of the day. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. In the evening you will assist word” We head to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle – changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we’ll a Cuban cultural demonstration. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Continue to Nazareth, Celebrate Holy Eucharist at the Church of Annunciation, visit St Joseph workshop. We return to Gai Beach Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (BB/D)
07 Dec-Day 5 - (Thurs) Mt Tabor/Mt Beatitude/Capernum/ Sea of Galilee/Tabgha
We drive to Mount Tabor, celebrate Holy Eucharist at the church of Transfiguration, Visit Mt. of Beatitudes the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people. enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Gai Beach Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (BB/D)
May 25, 2018 (Friday – Day 4) Havana, Cuba You will have mass at the Convent and Church of Our Lady of Bethlehem. After mass, you will continue to assist the nuns. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. This evening in Havana, we will plan an exciting tour of the historical complex of Castillo del and La Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana. If the timing and weather conditions permitted, you will witness the special nightly cannon at the fortress. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
08 DEC-Day 6 - (FRI)-Jordan valley/Jericho/Bethany/Jerusalem
May 26, 2018 (Saturday – Day 5) Havana, Cuba Start the morning off with mass at a local church in Havana. After, you will visit the Abel Santamaria School for the blind, located on the grounds of an old military base. The school aims to integrate the children into mainstream schools as soon as the child is ready through an outreach program which continues to support children at their secondary schools. You will spend time meeting the students 09 DEC-Day 7 - (Sat) - Jerusalem (old City) - Via Dolorosa and teachers. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Cintio Vitier Community Project Center, where arts Holy Sepulcher Church “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place of a skull, which was called in Hebrew Golgotha” Enter the old city of Jerusalem, Sing a hymn in the Church of St Anne and view the pool of Bethesda. Visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Programs of all types including painting, ceramic and dance hosted. You will learn about this community project and hear from Lithostrotos, where the soldiers played the Game of Kings, and Arch of the “Ecce Homo”. Follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the the director of the program, Pedro Pulido. End your day with a panoramic drive through Modern Havana riding in old classic cars holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visit Golgotha and the tomb of Our Lord. This afternoon drive to Mount Zion, from the 1950’s. Be sure to have your camera ready for this unique experience. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Drive the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world. View the Mount of temptation, where Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert. Visit the ancient ruins of the wall. Drive through Wadi Welt to view St George’s Monastery. Continue to Bethany celebrate Holy Eucharist, and then visit the tomb of Lazarus. Arrive in Mount Scopus; enjoy the first view of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at Notre DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB,D)
to visit the upper room, revered as the site of the last supper. Then survey the Dormition Abbey’s, St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Jesus three times. Dinner and overnight at NOTRE DAME Vatican Hotel (BB.D)
10 DEC-Day 8 - (SUN) - Mount of Olives/Gethesemane/Bethlehem/New City
Holy Eucharist celebration at the Church of all nations Main altar Arrive at the Mount of Olives and enjoy the beautiful view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the Dominus Flevit Church”God wept “& walk the Palm Sunday road to the Garden of Gethesemane and the Church of all Nations. This Afternoon drive to Bethlehem, a city whose name the whole world recognizes ,visit the Church of Nativity, the manger, Church of St Catherine, The Grotto of St Jerome, and the shepherds fields. Dinner and overnight at NOTRE DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB ,D).
May 27, 2018 (Sunday – Day 6) Havana – Las Terrazas – Vinales Valley Start the morning off with mass at a local church in Havana. Then you will be transferred to Las Terrazas for a tour of the community. Visit the neighborhoods, their schools, artists and community projects in the area. You will then continue to Vinales. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check in and rest. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
May 28, 2018 (Monday – Day 7) Vinales Valley Start the morning off with mass at a local church in Vinales. Then you will have a sightseeing Visit the Western Wall , the only part of the Herodian temple still standing and the most sacred place in the world for Jews. We drive to Dead tour. There is an opportunity to visit a Tobacco Farm and learn how to expertly roll a cigar. You will Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herod’s also have the chance to visit an interesting site called the Prehistoric Wall and to take a Boat Ride fortress and the Jew’s last stronghold against the Roman. Return to Jerusalem Overnight Notre Dame Vatican Hotel (BB,D) through underground caves known as The Indian Caves. Then visit Finca Agroecolgica El Paraiso 12 DEC-Day10 - (TUE) Jerusalem New City where you will have lunch. After you will visit the gardens with the breath-taking views. Return to the hotel where you will have Return to the new City, Including the Temple Model to see a scale model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus. Here we will have a dinner. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 11 DEC-Day 9 - ( MON) - Jerusalem/Dead Sea/Qumran/Masada
better understanding between old and New Jerusalem. Next to Ein Karem, birthplace of St John the Baptist, visit the Visitation church where Mary proclaimed her famous “Magnificat Overnight NOTRE DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB,D)
13 Dec-Day 11 - (WED) Jerusalem/TLV/LAX
Breakfast rest of the morning Free time early PM dinner has to check out from the hotel, around 8:30 PM flight from TLV/ LAX in the 13 Dec flight depart TLV at 1:00 Am Dec 14,2017 ( end of Service )
May 29, 2018 (Tuesday – Day 8) Vinales – Havana – Los Angeles Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home as your trip comes to an end. (Meal: Breakfast)
B SEPTEMBER 6-8 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
Business news
Duterte tax reforms get broad support
by Daxim
L. Lucas
Inquirer.net
THE proposed revenue package of the Duterte administration —dubbed the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (Train)—has gained “overwhelming support” both locally and abroad because of its provisions that will make the tax system simpler and more efficient, the Department of Finance said. In a statement, the DOF said that it has so far conducted some 400 briefings with various sectors and economic reform advocates on the “pro-poor, progressive measures” of the proposed
chambers, farmers’ groups, private sector individuals, and members of the academe and the media. Since September last year when the original version of Train was endorsed by the DOF to the House of Representatives, a total of 400 tax briefings were spearheaded by Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua and other finance officials to inform the public about the details and benefits of this proposal, which is the first of President Duterte’s tax package. It’s main provisions include series of tax reform packages. Finance Secretary Carlos exempting from personal income taxes all employees earning Dominguez III also attended P250,000 a year or less, while several hearings of the House compensating for this through Committee on Ways and Means higher levies on luxury items like chaired by Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua high-end vehicles as well as ev- to personally call on lawmakers eryday consumables like sugar to support tax reform. Train was approved by the and petroleum. With the Senate now holding House last May 31 as House Bill extensive deliberations on the 5636, which consolidated the Train, the DOF said the tax re- measure authored by Cua—HB form proposal has so far gained 4774—with 54 other tax-related 199 statements of support from bills. The Senate is now tackling former and current government HB 5636 along with SB 1408 that officials, multilateral institu- was filed by Senate President Aqtions and development partners, uilino Pimentel III and which is labor organizations, business the original DOF version. n
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PH showing signs of overheating — ING
Joey Cuyegkeng, senior economist at ING Bank Manila, said the level of liquidity and bank lendDUTCH financial giant ING ing in end-July continued to indiBank said the Philippines is cate a relatively strong economic showing signs of overheating activity. An economy is overheating with the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growing be- when supply cannot keep up tween six and seven percent over with demand due to growth at an unsustainable rate, driving up the next five years. prices and causing inflation. The inflated prices in turn reduce consumption leading to a slowdown in growth. Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed money supply or liquidity in the financial system rose 13.5 percent to P9.97 trillion while bank loans grew 19.7 percent to P6.48 trillion in end-July. He said the undersubscribed weekly term deposit auction facility (TDF) indicates that banks would rather utilize its excess liquidity for lending not only for balance sheet and tax position adjustments but in raising profitability as well. The undersubscription has prompted the BSP to slash the volume of the TDF for the first time since it was introduced in June last year. The size was reduced to P150 billion from P180 billion starting Sept. 6. The volume of the 28-day term deposits was reduced to P110 billion from P140 billion while the size of the seven-day term deposits was retained at P40 billion. The country’s GDP growth climbed to 6.5 percent in the second quarter from 6.4 percent in the first quarter, bringing the first half expansion to 6.4 percent. Economic managers through by Laurence
agcaoiLi Inquirer.net
the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) maintained the growth target of between 6.5 and 7.5 percent this year from 6.9 percent last year. Cuyegkeng said current liquidity condition is unlikely a major source of the peso weakness that has been dragged down by the deterioration of trade and current account balances. “Market concerns of a current account deficit this year seemed to have now been largely discounted pushing markets to focus on incoming inflows. However, market talk of bringing in more liquidity into the system either through a cut in reserve requirement ratio and a significant drop in TDF offerings may contribute to some weakness,” he added. According to Cuyegkeng, the trade fundamentals would likely remain the main driver of weakness of the local currency. “This weakening tendency is mitigated by official view of the appropriateness of the current monetary policy settings, BSP and economic team’s warnings and anticipated acquisition-related inflows,” the economist said. Cuyegkeng pointed out monetary authorities would raise interest rates by 25 basis points in December followed by a 50-basis point increase in 2018 to avoid a full blown overheating. Monetary authorities have reiterated there is no overheating as inflation is seen to settle within the two to four percent target set by the BSP over the medium term. n
Higher food, fuel... PAGE B1 t inched up 2.7 percent from 2.4 percent a month ago “due to faster price adjustments in transport, housing, recreation and culture, communication, restaurants, water, and electricity and gas,” Neda said. “Higher domestic petrol prices, particularly unleaded gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas, mainly caused higher inflation in the transport sector,” Neda added. According to Pernia, “the continuing surge in domestic petrol prices, coupled with depreciation in the peso-dollar rate, may exert upward pressures on inflation, leading to increases in the cost of electricity, gas, and other fuels in the near term.” The peso further slid to 11-year low levels last month, breaching the 51:$1 mark. Also, “the disruption of economic activities in the United States triggered by Hurricane Harvey might also temporarily impact global economic activity, dampen supplies of energy, and push world oil prices up,” according to Neda. “The impact of Hurricane Harvey on US oil production could exert upward pressures on world oil prices and could translate to higher domestic prices of petroleum. Any significant increases in domestic oil prices could push up transport and electricity inflation in the country in the near term,” Pernia said. But Pernia said upward pressures to inflation “could still be offset by higher domestic productivity in agriculture and stable commodity prices with favorable weather conditions.” For Pernia, “inflation is still expected to remain well within government’s target for the year despite accelerating for the second time in a row” although “we should continue to closely monitor upside and downside risks.” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. said the BSP “continues to see
a manageable inflation outlook over the policy horizon after taking into consideration the latest inflation reading in August.” As of end-August, inflation averaged 3.1 percent, still within the government’s 2-4 percent target for 2017, as Espenilla maintained that the full-year rate will “settle near the midpoint” of the range. “The inflation path will be supported by favorable outlook for domestic economic activity with appropriate liquidity conditions and well-anchored inflation expectations. The within-target path of inflation over the policy horizon provides the BSP with the flexibility to assess our monetary tools to enhance further our responsiveness to the evolving requirements of the economy,” Espenilla said. Standard Chartered Bank economist for Asia Chidu Narayanan said they share the BSP’s expectations that inflation will edge up this year due to the proposed first package of the Duterte administration’s comprehensive tax reform program, which will slap new or additional taxes on consumption. “We think that the BSP should still be comfortable enough with inflation, to keep rates on hold through this year,” Narayanan said. As for Metrobank research analyst Pauline May Ann E. Revillas, “push and pull factors will continue to influence average inflation this year.” “The expectation that the agriculture sector will continue its rebound might offset any upside pressure on domestic consumer prices. Nevertheless, upside risks will still come from base effects, weaker peso, higher imports, and the volatile global crude oil prices,” Revillas said. “With average inflation for the year seen to remain manageable, the BSP is no longer expected to tweak its policy rates until yearend,” Revillas added.n
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BUSINESS NEWS
Senior wants Chapter 13 to stop foreclosure by 2nd mortgagee for $50K and annul judgment lien of $60K
Calendar of Events across
Company receives $200K lawsuit by landlord and files for Chapter 7
CLIENT is 72 and appears to be a widow. She previously op- Debt erated a business, which closed Relief down in 2006. She borrowed $50K from her friend in 2004 secured by a 2nd mortgage on her residence for the business. Unfortunately, business failed in 2006 ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG and it stopped operating. Client did not pay the monthly payment and invalidate the judgment lien of $500 monthly plus interest of $60K. Can she do this? My first impression was that on the $50K. Friend did not collect the monthly installments for paying off the $50K while at the several years. This month, client same time avoiding the judgreceived a recorded notice of de- ment lien of $60K was going to fault to foreclose her residence, be impossible given the fact that if the $50K was not paid in full in residential values today are sky the next 90 days. The notice of high. But lo and behold, after dedefault (NOD) is the first step to termining the current fair market foreclose the house. It gives ho- value of the house and what is meowners 90 days to pay the de- owed by client on the first mortfault before the foreclosure sale gage even though she was on date can be set. The foreclosure loan modified mortgage where sale date cannot be set earlier $200K was deferred but neverthan 21 days from the expira- theless owed, plus the 2nd morttion of the 90 days from date of gage of $50K, there was zero equity left to support the judgment recording of the NOD. Client shows me the NOD and lien, meaning on a Chapter 13, a I verify that there is a recording motion to avoid the third lien of date. The recording date means $60K while paying off the second that this notice has been record- of $50K through the chapter 13 ed with the recorder of deeds, plan would be successful indeed. and thus the 90 days pre-foreclo- She would not have to pay any sure has commenced. Without part of the $60K judgment lien this date of recording, the fore- that would just be invalidated beclosure does not begin. So any cause her plan would be a zero other document that you receive percent plan to unsecured credithat says you are in default on tors. Upon granting of the moyour mortgage and giving you tion to avoid the judgment lien, a computation of what you owe the $60K becomes unsecured, is not the formal recorded docu- thus it does not have to be paid ment required to start the fore- a single cent. The only problem is that cliclosure process. For instance, you are 3 months in arrears on ent’s social security is only $1K your mortgage. You receive a a month. However, she says that letter from the bank entitled de- her son is a doctor and he will fault with intent to foreclose. The help her pay the first mortgage letter does not have a recording and the plan. So that takes care date. Four months from your of the shortage of funds because date of receipt of that letter, can son can participate as a family bank foreclose your house? NO, contributor to make the plan feabecause the official recorded sible. Her son takes care of her. That’s good. NOD does not exist. The next client is a California Client says she wants to save her house from foreclosure by company doing business out of the 2nd trust deed holder, her state. It was in the import distrifriend who is no longer her bution business, which was good friend. Or, let’s just say, her until last year. The company friend wants her house because leased a large warehouse out of she did not pay her back the state. Business became so bad $50K. The problem is that her that it could not pay the lease of house is worth $600K. It doesn’t the warehouse. Company closed seem fair. Further, client says its doors recently and stopped that there is also a judgment lien doing business. However, it still of $60K on her house. I ask her, owed the landlord two years of which came first, the $50K sec- future lease at $100K a year. So ond, or the $60K judgment lien. it owed the landlord $200K for According to her, the judgment next two years lease. Is this corlien came later. Therefore the rect? Company still owes the fujudgment lien is the third lien on ture rent of $200K even though her house. She wants to prevent it has stopped operating and has the foreclosure by the 2nd trust moved out of the leased premisdeed, and she wants to get rid of es. Yes, it is correct because cli-
ent-company signed a lease contract that is still valid for two more years. Landlord has the right to demand that the future lease of $200K be paid. Nonpayment of the lease is a breach of the lease contract; therefore, landlord can sue client-company for $200K of future lease payments. Client just received an out of state lawsuit for $200K for unpaid commercial lease. It decides to file for Chapter 7. What happens to the lawsuit for $200K? The lawsuit stops and plaintiff can file a claim in the Chapter 7 case. The Chapter 7 trustee administers the case. If there are assets, the trustee liquidates those assets into cash and the cash is distributed to all creditors of the bankrupt company pro rata. If there are no assets, creditors collect nothing and an order of NO ASSET is entered. With the bankruptcy filing, the out of state lawsuit stops and the landlord is required to file its claim in the bankruptcy. The company bankruptcy does not affect the officers or stockholders in any way. Fortunately for the president of the company, he only signed the commercial lease as an officer of the company. He did not execute any personal guaranty of the lease. Best news for him. Landlord cannot sue the president for the $200K as an individual guarantor, therefore, he has no liability whatsoever for the lease. As I said many times before, do not personally guarantee commercial leases or promissory notes of the company, just sign as an officer of the company. This is very important for your financial well being in the future in case your company fails. Your company’s business failure should not affect your personal assets in any way. Follow this principle and never forget it. Otherwise, you will have to see me twice, once for the company bankruptcy and a second time, for the personal bankruptcy. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. “HUMBLE YOURSELVES, THEREFORE, UNDER GOD’S MIGHTY HAND, THAT HE MAY LIFT YOU UP IN DUE TIME.” 1 PETER 5:6
*** 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.
Can a divorcing couple agree to pay for their adult children’s college expenses in their divorce judgment? DIVORCING couples with children sometimes worry about who is going to pay for their children’s college education after the divorce once their children graduates high school. They want a guarantee that their soon to be ex-spouse will share in the college expenses of their children. This is specially the case when the other spouse has moved on with a new family. The old family becomes less of a priority. In California, there is no legal basis for a spouse to request the family court to order the other spouse to pay for their adult children’s college expenses. However, the divorcing couple can agree to pay for their adult children’s college education as part of a marital settlement agreement. Family Code section 3587; In re Marriage of Rosenfeld and Gross, 225 Cal. App. 4th 478 (2014). Pursuant to statute and court cases, college expense payment provision in a stipulated marital settlement agreement, as incorporated into a Court’s judgment, constitutes adult child support such that court had jurisdiction to modify the provision in light of the settlement’s failure to specifically provide that adult child support was not subject to modification. In re Marriage of Rosenfeld and Gross, 225 Cal. App. 4th at 488 (2014). Providing
you want this provision to be non-modifiable or not. In the abBarrister’s sence of a specific provision limCorner iting adult child support as nonmodifiable and non-terminable, the default is that child support is modifiable. Sometimes, leavATTY. KENNETH ing the adult child support proURSUA REYES vision as modifiable protects the spouses from unforeseen future for payment of adult children’s events such as a disability or recollege expenses is recognized tirement which limits the earning more of an “add on” to adult child capacity of a spouse and ability support. Family Code 4062(b)(1). to comply with the adult child However, the parties may “opt support provision in the MSA. *** out” or restrict the court’s jurisdiction to modify an adult child Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified support order (including college Family Law Specialist. He was President of expenses) but the parties must the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and expressly and specifically state Immigration law section of the Los Angeles in their marital settlement agree- County Bar Association. He has extensive ment that any resulting adult CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW child support order will not be OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located subject to modification or ter- at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, mination by the Court because CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail the adult child support order kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at is rooted in the parent’s con- Kenreyeslaw.com. *** tractual agreement. Cal. FamPlease note that this article is not legal ily Code Section 3587, 3651(a). advice and is not intended as legal advice. So if you are concerned about The article is intended to provide only your spouse sharing for the col- general, non-specific legal information. This lege tuition and expenses of article is not intended to cover all the issues your children after the divorce, related to the topic discussed. The specific you should negotiate a provi- facts that apply to your matter may make the sion in your marital agreement outcome different than would be anticipated that both of you will share on the by you. This article does create any attorney college tuition and expenses of client relationship between you and the Law your children. In doing so, you Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article should also think about whether is not a solicitation. (Advertising Supplement)
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 6-8, 2017
America
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Liliwenos reunion in Las Vegas, NV Calling all Liliwenos living all around the world! There will be a three-day reunion in Las Vegas, NV starting with a picnic on Friday, Sept. 15 at Silverado Ranch Park. On Saturday, Sept. 16, it is a dinner/dance party at the Palace Station (2411 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89102) at 5 p.m. The attire is semi-formal and costs $50 / person. Souvenir t-shirts cost $10 regardless of size. Deadline of payment for both the reunion and t-shirt cost is August 31 to be sent to Ms. Nerri Monteagudo at 9252 Bronze River, Las Vegas, Nevada 89149. On Sept. 17, participants are free to explore the Strip and other Vegas activities. For more information, please contact Bob and Nerri Monteagudo at (702) 339-3838; Carmen P. Manguin (702) 526-8005; Loida Borgonos at (201) 654-5482; or Fred Polistico at (818) 527-3476.
O C TO B E R 1 4
26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in Echo Park Save the date! The 26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) hosted by Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is back at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, October 14. Expect a whole day filled with art exhibits, entertainment, and Fil-Am vendors. More details and special guests to be announced. For more information, please visit: http://www.filamarts.org/.
18th annual Asian Small Business Expo in Alhambra, CA On Saturday, Oct. 14, the 18th annual Asian Small Business Expo will be held at the Almansor Court Conference Center (700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801), featuring free workshops, exhibitors, networking opportunities, and more! Jonny Hwang, founder of 626 Night Market, is the featured guest speaker with special guest, Jerome Horton, chairman of the California Board of Equalization. It is FREE to attend! The Asian Small Business Expo is the only business-to-business expo that engages the Asian business community and brings this growing economic force into the mainstream to connect and utilize your company and its services. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives. For more information, please visit http://www.apisbp.org/expo.html.
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26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in Echo Park Save the date! The 26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) hosted by Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is back at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, October 14. Expect a whole day filled with art exhibits, entertainment, and Fil-Am vendors. More details and special guests to be announced. For more information, please visit: http://www.filamarts.org/.
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NaFFAA to celebrate 20th anniversary in Washington, DC The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) turns 20 years old this year. This October, several events are being planned to celebrate this milestone, which coincides with the national observance of Filipino American History Month. They will culminate with NaFFAA’s 20th Anniversary Gala, to be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 21. With its theme “NaFFAA 2.0: One Voice, Four Million Strong,” NaFFAA will recognize the legacy and accomplishments of the organization over the past 20 years, and highlight its comprehensive vision to unite and amplify the voices of the four million Filipinos living in the United States. “NaFFAA 2.0” represents how NaFFAA is honoring its past while forging a new forward-thinking and balanced approach in uniting, engaging, and empowering diverse Filipino American individuals and community organizations through leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy. To learn more about NaFFAA or to purchase tickets for the 20th Anniversary Gala, please visit www. naffaa.org.
D EC E M B E R 27-29
Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates 50th anniversary in Naga City The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni members. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50th Anniversary Yearbook, a coffee table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo. ezequiel0977@gma
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
What’s New ARLENE AL-OS, CPA, MBA
DO not get scammed. Scammers may impersonate in person, through phone call, or email, and pretend themselves as IRS agent or representative. Remember that the IRS: • Will first mail a bill if you owe any taxes using United States Postal Service. • Will not call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. • Directs to make payment to PAGE B1 t Over the weekend, London- to the dollar from P51.17:$1 last the United States Treasury and “These have consequences for based research firm Capital Eco- Thursday despite news of a hy- gives guidelines on how you can dollar supply and demand. The nomics said the peso’s weakness drogen bomb test by North Ko- make payment at irs.gov/payexchange rate needs to adjust in was not a major threat to the rea. The currency slipped into ments. search of equilibrium. At its cur- economy given subdued inflation P51:$1 territory last month on • Will give you the opporturent zone, the peso has achieved and the country’s relatively low heightened fears of war on the nity to question and appeal the Korean peninsula. healthy correction based on pre- foreign currency debts. amount owed. Some analysts expect the peso The peso gained half a centavo vailing economic fundamentals,” • Will not threaten that you on Monday, closing at P51.165 to end the year at P52 per dollar.■ will be arrested, bring in immiEspenilla claimed.
BSP to ‘back the talk’on...
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Consumer alert tips: The IRS is calling or at your door gration officers, or other law-enforcement for not paying. • Cannot revoke your driver’s license, business licenses, or immigration status. • At all times will provide two forms of official credentials 1) pocket commission, and 2) HSPD-12 card, if an IRS representative visits you. HSPD-12 is a government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification for Federal employees and contractors. It is your right to see these credentials. • May call or visits to a home or business unannounced to collect a tax debt after sending several IRS notices. • Will assign certain cases to private debt collectors after a written notice sent to the taxpayer and representative. The
private collection agencies will not ask for payment on a prepaid debit card or gift card. These are the four selected Private Collection Agencies: CBE, P.O. Box 2217Waterloo, IA 50704 1-800910-5837 / ConServe, P.O. Box 307 Fairport, NY 14450-0307 1-844-853-4875 / Performant, P.O. Box 9045 Pleasanton CA 94566-9045 1-844-807-9367 / Pioneer, PO Box 500 Horseheads, NY 14845 1-800-448-3531. To report misconduct of private collection agency, you may: 1) call TIGTA hotline at 800-3664484 or visit www.tigta.gov ; or 2) write to: Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Hotline, Post Office Box 589, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044-0589
u PAGE B6
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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA DO you believe in angels? I do. Most people do. The strong presence of angels in the various books of the Bible, especially during the birth of Jesus Christ attests to the role of angels in human history. The Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bring forth a son. Zechariah received a message from an angel. It was an angel that told Joseph to take Mary for his wife. It was a multitude of angels that told the shepherds where to find the newborn child while angels hovered above the stable during that wondrous night. It was also an angel that warned Joseph of a clear and present danger to the child Jesus. Herod, the unhinged, murderous king descended from a long line of power-mad monarchs, wanted to make sure no one stood between him and his throne. In haste, Joseph left with Mary and the child during the night after the Magi had left for a long and arduous trek to a town in
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Angels among us
“I think that someone is watching out for me, God, my guardian angel, I’m not sure who that is, but they really work hard.” — Mattie Stepanek Egypt some scholars estimate to be 200 miles away where Herod had no authority to commit mass murder. You can bet a host of angels guided them in seeking refuge. Herod’s murderous rampage began when he realized that the Magi had tricked him and had taken a different route home ignoring his sly request to tell him of the child’s location. It is believed 14,000 innocent male babies from the age of two and below were killed in Herod’s most cruel, preemptive strike against this perceived threat to his kingdom. The holy family stayed safely away for years until the king died and the danger had passed. Did these holy innocents become cherubs, angels without wings? Do the millions of the unborn of our time the world over cut down by murderous abortionists become cherubs?
Does God repurpose innocent souls upon their deaths to become angels themselves? There is a belief that souls are indestructible. If so, do souls get recycled back to be born at another time and place? Only God knows for certain. Angels were strong proactive characters when the story of humanity unfolded during biblical times. And while today, cynics, atheists and those on the dark side might argue that angels are figments of the human imagination, there are countless people who will brave the scorn of scoffers, fight back vehemently and attest to the very real presence of angels in their lives. (To be continued …) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, I n c . To se n d co m m e n t s, e - m a i l monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
More flights needed to boost...
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Join the Arbor Day Foundation in September, receive 10 trees
THROUGH Trees for America, everyone is encouraged to plant trees, which benefit the environment and improves quality of life. With nearly 1 million members and supporters, the Arbor Day Foundation is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. Everyone joining this month will receive one of the following tree packages based on their location: 10 Arizona Cypress, 10 Live Oak or 10 Mix trees including eastern redbud, white pine, sugar maple, white flowering dogwood, pine oak, red maple, river birch, silver maple, northern red oak, and Colorado blue spruce.
“These trees are carefully selected to yield year-round benefits, including beautiful spring flowers, cool summer shade, spectacular autumn colors, winter berries, and nesting sites for songbirds,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “These trees will also add to the proud heritage of your state’s Tree City USA communities.” Harris continued. “For the past 40 years, Tree City USA has supported effective urban forestry management across the country, and planting these trees will enhance this tree-planting tradition.” The trees will be shipped post-
paid at the right time for planting between October 15 and December 10. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Easy-to-follow planting instructions are enclosed with each shipment of trees. New members of the Arbor Day Foundation will also receive The Tree Book, which includes information about tree planting and care. To receive the 10 free trees, send a $10 membership contribution to Ten Trees, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City
No secret bank accounts to pay your bills ANOTHER day, another scam. Case in point: the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports that scammers are telling people they can pay their bills using so-called “secret accounts” or “Social Security trust accounts” and routing numbers at Federal Reserve Banks. In exchange for personal information, like Social pressed that having direct flights actually increased their flights. Security numbers, people get PAGE B1 t country’s medical pharmaceuti- between the Philippines and the And I think it’s a direct advan- what they think is a bank account cal market, which usually holds United Kingdom would also boost tage to come here,” Nelson said. number at a Federal Reserve The Department of Tourism Bank. But this really is just a way conventions in the Ortigas area. the tourism sector of both parties. “I think it’s a definite advan- (DOT) is upbeat on the country’s to get your personal information, British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) executive tage for Philippine Airlines to MICE market given its potential which scammers can then sell or chairman Chris Nelson earlier ex- fly directly to London. They’ve to cater to international clients. ■ use to commit fraud, like identity
theft. It’s good to keep in mind that people do not have accounts at Federal Reserve Banks. Only banks can bank at the Federal Reserve. But what happens if you try to use this “secret” account? Well, the Federal Reserve Bank will deny the payment, since you don’t really have an account there. Once the payment is rejected, you’ll be notified that you still owe the money – which is about when you might figure out that this was a scam. At that point, you may owe a late fee or penalty to the company you thought you
were paying. You also may owe fees to your bank for returned or rejected payments. If you see a video, text, email, phone call, flyer, or website that describes how you can pay bills using a Federal Reserve Bank routing number or account, report it to the FTC. It’s a scam. And remember: never give your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number to anyone who calls or emails and asks for it – no matter who they say they are. (Colleen Tressler/Consumer Education Specialist, FTC)
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Big Lincoln Park will again play host to overflow attendance at 43rd Bicol fiesta LOS ANGELES, California -The big Lincoln Park at 3529 N. Mission Road (cross st. Valley Blvd.), Los Angeles, CA 90031, will again be hosting an overflow of thousands of Bicolanos and their guests during the 43d “kafiestahan” (feast day) in LA in honor of their patroness, Our Lady of Penafrancia, this coming Sunday, September 16, 2017. The festivity is held yearly under the auspices of the United Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA), a local association of Bicolanos who originally hailed from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon, designated as Region V, in the Philippines. The whole day fiesta will be anchored at 10 a.m. by a solemn High Mass to be presided over by the Reverend Marinello Sagun, an associate pastor of Saint Mary Alacoque Church in Lomita, California, assisted by a coterie of local priests as concelebrants. In previous years
whenever available, the mass presider was a visiting prelate from the Philippines or a local bishop. Roger Cardinal Mahony has led the mass twice already. The children’s choir of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church will be in attendance. The religious solemnity will be just one aspect of the fiesta, usually overshadowed by the conviviality of the sights and sounds accented by Marian hymns, prayers and acclamations of “Viva la Virgen” and “Viva el Divino Rostro.” Banners and buntings flutter in the breeze all around the park. The day begins at 8 a.m. with the recitation of the 9th day novena, the last-day continuation of the previous 8 days of novena prayers. The next activity at 9 a.m. is a colorful number which many devotees come to participate in and experience every year. This is the fluvial parade (sakay) where the image of the Virgin is loaded on a gaily decorated pagoda-
barge which is rowed by “voyadores” (rivermen) around the lake while chanting their acclamations. At the same time, a foot procession of pilgrims praying the rosary follows the barge at the perimeter road around the lake. At 10 a.m. the presiding priest meets the Virgin in her barge at the landing and leads a small procession towards a big tent where an altar has been set up for the High Mass. Before the mass, the general public lays before the Virgin’s image an offering of flowers. 12 noon signals the much awaited free lunch to all comers. Everybody is welcome, including even some homeless who discovered the free lunch in yesteryears. No less than 20 independent Bicol support groups serve free food and drinks, Bicol delicacies, in their tents placed surrounding the big tent where the mass was held. A piece d’resistance will be ice cream cones served by the voyadores. After lunch, a “velada” of cul-
The Penafrancia fluvial parade showing the image of the Virgin on the pagoda barge being towed by the “ voyadores “ around the lake of Lincoln Park in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jun Teoxon)
tural and entertainment presentations will follow. Prepared and impromptu numbers of song and dance and skits will last until 4 or 5 in the afternoon.
This ends the whole-day fiesta. Though no longer a part of the Penafrancia festivities, a fellowship dance has been scheduled for Sunday, September
24, at the Stardancers Club in Altadena. Proceeds will go toward the UBLA medical-surgical mission sometime next year in the province of Albay.
Trash your toxics at EDCO in Signal Hill EDCO has just made it twice as easy for residents to dispose of their hazardous and e-waste items. Now, every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Lakewood residents can take their hazardous and e-waste to EDCO’s large transfer facility at 2755 California Avenue (between Spring Street and Willow Street) in Signal Hill. The facility is just a few miles from the Lakewood Civic Center. The next free events are Saturday, September 9 and Septem-
ber 23. Check out the video to see how quick and easy it is to drop off household toxics like paints, insecticides, chemicals, e-waste, sharps and used cooking and motor oil. Along with being a free option for hazardous and e-waste, the 68,000-sqare-foot facility is a traditional dump transfer station and, for a fee, takes large and oversized amounts of brick, used lumber and other material that can’t be put in residential trash carts, recycling carts or green waste cans. The facility can be phoned at (562) 997-1122.
Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. keynotes PH’s 11th Youth Congress
IRS consumer alert tips... PAGE B3 t
• Will not assign accounts to private collection agencies if the taxpayer is: 1) deceased, 2) under the age of 18, 3) in designated combat zones, 4) victims of taxrelated identity theft, 5) currently under examination, litigation, criminal investigation or levy, 6) subject to pending or active offers in compromise, 7) subject to an installment agreement, 8) subject to a right of appeal, 9) classified as innocent spouse cases, and 10) in presidentially Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq., 6th from left, keynote speaker at Philippine Heritage Institute International’s (PHII) 11th Youth Congress, joins PHII Trustees, from left: Adviser Mon’chito’ Mandap, Auditor Eddie Ronquillo, VP Arthur ‘Jojo’ Armada, PRO Lydia V. Solis, President Josie E. De declared disaster areas and reJesus, Atty. Sayas and wife Anna Sayas, Executive Director Anna Lourdes Armada-Chickey, M.D., Trustee Vicky de Leon, Adviser Ludy A. questing relief from collection. • Will notify first by mail of an auOngkeko, Ph.D., Asst. Treasurer Tessie Lightholder, Secretary Vangie So, and Trustee Rene Galano. The Congress was held on August 12 at the Garvey Community Center in Rosemead, California. (Photo by Lily Lara) dit. Only then the auditor may call
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.
discuss items related to the audit. • Criminal investigators might visit your home or business unannounced while conducting an investigation. But they will not demand any payment as federal law enforcement agents. Who to Contact to Report a Scam • Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report a phone scam. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page. You can also call 800-366-4484. • Federal Trade Commission to report a phone scam. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. • IRS at phishing@irs.gov to report an unsolicited email
claiming to be from the IRS, or an IRS-related component like the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. *** Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as a thorough, indepth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid tax-related penalties. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies. (Advertising Supplement)
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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 6, 2017
Chess grandmaster Wesley so
MaKing it to tHe top tHrougH sKiLLs, Hard worK and dediCation by
It all turns deadly after the first handshake. Silence all throughout, bowed heads and downcast eyes, not out of dismay, but out of concentration. Every piece is essential, every move, crucial. Under scrutiny, each motion is analyzed, and what comes next is highly anticipated. there is no room for even the slightest error in this game, as miscalculation screams defeat. And defeat is one’s end game. this is Wesley So’s environment. At 23, he is now the second best chess player in the world. Considered one of the youngest grandmasters on the planet, his position in the chess world proves that mastery and skillfulness lie not on age, but on dedication and ability. In the Philippines, So started playing chess when he was 6 years old. With an incredible skill at such a young age, he was normally seen roaming around the community daring people to play with him. “I started as a kid then kept working at it,” he told the Asian Journal. He did work — real hard. At age 9, he acquired his very first major tournament victory in the 2003 Philippine National Chess Championships. A win year after year During the 2004 6th Asian Age-Group Chess Championship, So received gold medals
Nathalie Robles / AJPress
for both standard and rapid chess under the individual category, and silver on the team category. He was also 13th place in the World Youth Chess Championship in Greece that same year. In 2005, So won gold awards in standard, rapid, and blitz chess under the individual category at the 7th ASEAN Age-Group Chess Championship in thailand. Aside from that, he also tied in first place at the World Youth Chess Championship in Greece. He also won ninth place in the 12th Nice Open International in France and was declared best among under — 12 players in Masters/ Challengers International Open tournament in Singapore. In 2006, he was awarded his first Grand Master (GM) norm, a title signifying a high level of performance in a chess tournament at the Offene Internationale Bayerische Schach Meisterschaft in Bad Wiessee, Germany. the following year, So gained his second GM norm during the World Junior Chess Championship, later that year, he achieved his third in the 3rd Pichay Cup International Open in the Philippines. So went on to became the youngest National Junior Open Chess Champion in 2007, wherein he was awarded with a gold medal on board one, at the World Under16 team Championships. Sacrifice, discipline and dedication When he was 14, Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) or World Chess Federation, the governing body for international chess competitions, labeled him Grandmaster, making him ninth youngest grandmaster in history and was then the strongest player in the world under 16. “to be on this level is a full time commitment, (it’s) not an easy ride,” he said. Adding that sacrifice and discipline are two key factors in his conditioning, he explained that unlike majority of people his
age, he rarely engages himself online. “I do not use social media and I stay off the internet,” he said. “I work every day on the board and have some form of physical exercise every day. I do not use social media and I stay off the internet. time is very precious and I have a lot to learn. the wise use of time is critical to being the best you can be.” the grandmaster also utilizes his schedule in the best way possible. “time is very precious and I have a lot to learn. the wise use of time is critical to being the best you can be.” In 2008, during the ASEAN Masters Chess Circuit Grandmaster tournament in Indonesia, So won fourth place this was followed by a Battle of Grandmasters in his home country, the Philippines of the same year. He also went to UAE for the 10th Dubai Open Chess Championship and 2008 JAPFA Chess Festival wherein he both got first place. Out of 73 players in the 2nd Philippine Open International Chess Championship, Wesley So was ranked 10. Also, he won second place in the 1st Subic Bay International Open Chess Championship. Despite his titles and achievements, humility still stems out of the chess grandmaster as he described the love he has for the sport. “they say this sort of work is not something you choose, it chooses you. I am grateful to be chosen,” he said. “It (chess) is my job and I am good at it and the people I work with treat me with respect. It is an arena I am comfortable in.” During the 37th Chess Olympiad in turin, Italy, So became the youngest Filipino International Master and the youngest member of the national men’s team. So acquired a gold medal during the World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad in the individual category, followed by a tie for second best in Vietnam’s
Hayden Kho, Vicki Belo seal the deal in the City of Love by Tessa
Mauricioa-arriola ManilaTimes.net
AFtER weeks of lavish wedding updates on social media, celebrity doctors Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho finally exchanged “I do’s” over the weekend in the ultra-expensive City of Love. On Friday, Sept. 1, the couple, who were civilly married in Manila some weeks before leaving for their grand Parisian wedding, held a welcome dinner for celebrity guests aboard a 70-meter cruise ship that sailed along the River Seine. “We formally welcome all our loved ones as we cruise along the River Seine to celebrate our once-in-a-lifetime kind of love,” Belo said on her Instagram account. On the morning of the wedding, the 61-year-old dermatologist who singlehandedly built the Belo Medical Beauty empire, posted her one and only Instagram photo for the entire day: her breath-taking blush pink Michael Cinco bridal gown made entirely of French lace and embroidered with Swarovski crystals, complete with a three-meter long train. With the church and reception venue kept secret from the public until Saturday, Instagram feeds in the Philippines were flooded with posts taken by the couple’s guests from the American Church in Paris for the ceremony, and the opulent Palais Garnier, also known as the Paris Opera, for the elaborate dinner party. the American Church in Paris is said to be the first Amer-
ican church established outside the United States. Belo and Kho, both renewed Christians, were wed by a pastor, with a complete bridal entourage, led by their daughter Scarlet Snow Belo as flower girl. But before the party went into full swing, Belo and Kho danced on the Grand Staircase to “take Me as I Am” from the Broadway musical “Jekyll and Hyde,” choreographed, accord-
1st Dragon Capital Chess Open or also known as 1st ASEAN Grand Prix all in 2008. Willpower and dedication strongly emanates from the Chinese-Filipino chess player. He frequently exercises calm and tranquility that even stress cannot tear down. “I am not a person who gets stressed easily. It rarely happens to me. I think prepare well and get your work done and no reason for stress,” he shared. In 2009, he won first place at the 71st Corus Chess in Netherlands wherein he was given the Beste Jone talente award. He also won the Battle of Grandmasters in the Philippines and became the top junior winner for Aeroflot Open in Russia both in 2009 and 2010. the following year, he won in NH Chess tournament Rising Stars vs Experience and he acquired silver medal for the team Philippines at the 16th Asian Games in China. It was in 2011 when he was awarded with a gold medal during the 26th Southeast Asian Games by finishing undefeated with 9 points in the Blitz chess competition. He was first place in Blitz chess and was undefeated in all 18 games during the 11th Asian Individual Open/ Blitz Chess Championships. He also became the 2012 champion in French League top 12 also undefeated in 10 games. He won first place in Canada for two separate meets: Quebec Open Chess Championship and toronto International Chess Championship. He also ranked first place in SPICE Blitz 2012. So had nine victories in 2013 alone. He was first place in the Reykjavik Open wherein he was the first player from the Philippines to ever participate and he was also the first player in the 67-year history of American Collegiate Chess to break the 2700 rating mark. From then on he was known as the no. 2 ranked junior chess player
in the world. Asked on how important the sport is to him, So described chess as something he holds dear. “It is my job. It has given me a present and a future. I feel God have given me a gift that I love and respect,” he said. More wins His other wins for the year include Final Four of College Chess and the Bill Wright Saint Louis Open both won also in 2014, Calgary International Chess Classic and Blitz Championship, Las Vegas International Chess Festival, 27th Summer Universiade, 2nd Noel Skelton Open, 17th Unive Chess tournament Hoogeven and Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championship. In 2014, So won first place in the following tournaments: Capablanca Memorial, National Open Blitz Sectionals Las Vegas International Chess Festival, ACP Golden Classic, 3rd Noel Skelton Open, Millionaire Chess and North American Open. 22nd Bunratty Chess Festival, Cez Chess trophy 4 Game Match, Bilbao Chess Masters were among the tournaments he won first place in during 2015. Last year, he won the Sinquefield Cup, 42nd Chess Olympiad, London Chess Classic and Grand Chess tour. “I am close to challenging for the world championship. It
Photos courtesy of Antonio Milesi for Wesleyso.com
brings me more support and I get better invitations to the biggest events. Plus you learn more when working with the top players and my ambition is always to expand my understanding,” he shared. He also urges those who aspire to excel in the field of chess to dedicate themselves to the sport and commit wholeheartedly. “If you love to work and study, this is the job for you. If you need more socialization, more hanging out, more party time, it is definitely not for you. Most importantly pray and ask God to guide your way.” At present, So plays for the United States. He migrated for a better opportunity abroad and was absorbed by the chess team. “If you are willing to work hard every door opens. they respect talent and hard work here. I have never felt discriminated against or disrespected,” he said. He also mentioned that he had to make an effort in order to be a Filipino athlete in the U.S. “I made an effort to learn what they want here and have already received so much in the way of encouragement and practical support and I am not even a U.S. citizen. I love to work hard here because there are rewards for your efforts,” he said.
Getting to know more about Piolo Pascual by bianca
Gonzalez Philstar.com
ber taking a nap behind the Oscar statue because I was the graveyard shift. After that, I WItH his hair still wet from would go back to the hospital,” playing badminton, he comes says Piolo, who also worked as to the interview, not with an an admitting clerk in a hospital entourage of assistants, but with his son Iñigo. He sincerely ER. “What I realized back then was,tao rin pala sila! Some of apologized for being only them even looked smaller than five minutes late. “Just water, me. Even if they’re blown up please,” he tells the server. on the big screen, in person, He’s fasting. they’re also regular Joes.” He is idolized by millions “I knew for a fact that I for his looks, talent, and what wasn’t cut out for an 8 to 5 job. he has done in showbiz. But I was feeling, in my core, this is he is so much more than just not where I should be. I told my an actor. Here are 10 things you might want to know about mom that I wanted to go back to the Philippines (to try actPiolo Pascual, off-cam. ing.) that if I don’t do this now, 1. On the saying “Life begins at 40”: “I already know I’ll be 40 and look back and regret not doing what I wanted what I want in life.” to do.” “Life got more exciting. 3. On producing the film Because you’re wiser, you’re Kita Kita: “I’ve never seen any a better person, you’re more aware of your environment and of my films more times than I’ve seen this.” yourself,” says the matinee “We had FGDs, we went idol, who turned 40 this year. through a lot of editing and He describes his 20s as a cutting, we poured our heart time when he was “really hungry, struggling, and didn’t want and soul into it,” he says about “Kita Kita,” which is now the to stop.” In his 30s, he was highest grossing Filipino inde“slowly realizing and acceptpendent film of all time. ing” himself for who he was “the story there is… less and what he could do. risk for us was to do MMFF. But “For me, my ‘midlife’ hapPhotos from Hayden Kho’s Instagram account pened earlier, because I started the MMFF had a deadline last my life really early. I had to deal year, and we ended up rushing into editing and the final ing to Belo’s daughter Cristalle with professional and personal product. So at the last minute, Belo-Pitt, by Lala Movement. issues a couple of years back, we pulled out because we were the guests included Piolo so by the time I turned 40, I not quite sold on the film, to Pascual, Derek Ramsay, Alden was set.” make it more beautiful. We Richards, Richard Gomez, Lucy 2. Before going back to torres, Dingdong Dantes, Marthe Philippines to try his hand waited for a play date. then ‘Wonder Woman’ happened. ian Rivera and Lovi Poe. at acting, Piolo took on difthen all the summer movies At 37, Kho is younger than ferent jobs in the U.S., one Belo by 24 years. Belo was pre- of which was being a security came out. We were stuck with a play date wherein we were viously married to businessman guard at the Oscar Awards. sandwiched between Star Atom Henares, with whom she “that was the year of Cinema films and the Pista ng has two children, Cristalle and titanic. I saw all of them, the Pelikulang Pilipino. So we said, Quark. actors, the winners. I remem-
Piolo Pascual
ABS-CBN photo
as long as we have one week, then we’re good.” the film went from being shown in 60 cinemas and earning only P2 million on their opening day, to going to as high as 220 cinemas nationwide and earning P320 million in just four weeks. “the universe conspired for it to be the kind of film it is now,” Piolo says. 4. He would run from his home in Makati to work in Quezon City and back. Yes, run. “I wear a mask, to avoid the harsh effects of the sun,” he says smiling. “I run through Makati Bridge, then Mandaluyong, San Juan, then Quezon City. I swim at home, I bike in the village the moment I wake up, or I run. Even if I’m working, I bring my stuff to the set, even my trainers! I don’t believe in off days. It’s become part of my lifestyle, my daily routine. If I have an early call time, I’ll work out during lunch time. I’ll find a way. Sometimes, Continued on Page 4
Ryan Agoncillo and his life-changing motorcycle ride to the Himalayas by BianCa
Gonzalez
Philstar.com
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 6, 2017
Courtside reporter crowned Miss World Philippines by Christina
alpad ManilaTimes.net
EARLY pageant favorite Laura Lehmann did not disappoint supporters by winning the Miss World Philippines 2017 crown on Sunday night, Sept. 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena. The 24-year-old beauty bested 34 other hopefuls, and vowed to try her best to win the country its second Miss World title when she competes in China on November 18. Actress Megan Young was Philstar.com photo the only Filipina to be crowned post that went viral, Ryan Miss World, winning the title in posted a letter to his son Lucho: 2013. A decade earlier, actress “As the mighty Himalayas Ruffa Guttierez won second stripped me to my core, I found runner-up. the strongest pillar I could lean Besides Lehmann’s reon, the love of your mother gal looks and sophisticated Judy Ann. I’m coming home, catwalk, she won over judges little buddy.” with her answer to the quesRyan says it took him all of tion, “What would you say to five minutes to decide to go people who do not believe that on this trip. He bumped into a pageants are there to empower friend on the dirt track who told women?” him about the plan, and he inHer winning reply: “To stantly wanted in. “Talaga lang anyone who doesn’t believe ha,” was the first thing Juday in pageants, I would ask them said when he told her about it. to take a look at the girls we “How long?” “Three weeks.” have onstage tonight because “What?!” Ryan laughs. “She we have lawyers, architects, was very supportive, she knows we have women of substance I’ve always wanted to go to the who are here today not only Himalayas.” because of what they look like, 3. On how The Brap Pack but because of what’s in their started: “We were all chatting heart, what’s in their mind, and on WhatsApp, how to ease because what they’ve brought the wives into it,” he laughs. forth – beauty with a purpose What started as a message projects. They are here fightfrom commercial director Sid ing to represent the Philippines Maderazo to Ryan about his Instagram post on his Scrambler spread to a message to his triathlon buddy, TV host Drew Arellano, who at that time was eyeing a Scrambler, to a message to actor Jericho Rosales who then already owned a Scrambler — they’re now known as the seven-man Brap Pack. “We’re not reckless kids anymore. I think one other factor that eased the idea to the wives was because these people are athletes. They are in condition, they know how Continued on Page 5
Ryan Agoncillo
desert. Ride an hour and you’re in snow. Your distance could be just 200 kilometers, but it’s the most treacherous roads. So you’re always on. It’s mentally tiring.” 2. On lessons learned from his trip: “There’s a lot I take from my wife, she’s the strongest person I know.” “Yung sobrang lamig at pasuko ka na, are you gonna go nuts on yourself? Or the people you’re with? Or are you just gonna take it all in and be that inspiration for everyone to just push through? Yung part na yun, hinukay ko kay Juday. Matiisin ‘tong babaeng ‘to, eh. She was the inspiration that I held on to,” Ryan shares. “My spirituality was tested. I’m not exactly the most religious person, but I’ve never prayed so many times, thanking God that I made it through the day. I trained for six months, but what was more trying was the emotional countdown to the ride,” he pauses. “Coming up to the ride, I was spending time with my daughters, my son, my wife, my parents, my brother, my friends. It’s kinda morbid, but I wanted to go there with the attitude na, no regrets. And that was a weight to carry.” “You had to physically prepare for it, it was just a complete assault on the senses. And mentally, yun yung makikilala mo yung sarili mo. Nakakalabas siya ng totoong ugali.” In his June 28 Instagram
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MY husband loves riding his motorcycle. His friend is still convincing his wife to allow him to buy a motorcycle. His other friend had his wife tell him, “Kung bibili ka ng motor, ‘wag ka na lang umuwi!” Why are so many men crazy about motorcycles now? Is there something wives don’t know but should? Here are 10 things you should know about Ryan Agoncillo, his love of motorcycles, and his life-changing Himalayan ride. 1. On conquering the Himalayas on two wheels: “Hindi mo alam if you’re in heaven, or if you’re actually in hell.” In 2011, CNN dubbed the roads of Kashmir as among the 10 Most Dangerous Roads “that only the suicidal, insane, or paid-to-do-this should ever drive down,” with a “death rating” of 7/10. What?! Why would anyone dare to ride this? “I have no idea,” Ryan says with a laugh. “We were able to do the whole loop in 16 riding days. And for the length of time that we were riding from sunup to sundown, I have never been ripped apart — and put back together — before lunch so many times in my life,” Ryan confesses. “It’s the farthest from my comfort zone I’ve ever been. It’s difficult because you only have your camping gear, kung anong malalagay mo sa motor mo, yun lang. You’re stripped to your bare essentials. You start your day, sa batis ka magsisipilyo, nakakumot ka kasi ang lamig, pero yung hirap mo, you look up, and it’s the most beautiful mountains. While you’re riding, you make a turn and it reveals a beautiful rock face, but when you look down, it’s a bottomless pit, literally! It’s like heaven and hell converging in one feeling, every day. “You have to be alert from sunup to sundown. Distance is relative, and so is effort. One day you could be starting in the
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Photos from Miss World Facebook page
and become the best version of the Filipina and to me that’s something only to celebrate not protest.” An Ateneo de Manila University graduate, the new Miss World Philippines is a familiar face on TV, especially to those who follow University Athletic Association of the Philippines games. She served as courtside reporter during UAAP’s 77th and 78th seasons. She later hosted shows for ABS-CBN Sports and then took a spot in the travel show “Listed” on cable’s Lifestyle Network. Beauty contests are also nothing new to Lehmann. She previously competed in Binibining Pilipinas 2014, when MJ Lastimosa won the Miss Universe Philippines crown. Lehmann had a runner-up finish that year. On Monday morning, the newly crowned Miss World Phil-
ippines took to her Instagram account @iamlauralehmann to share her emotions. “Surreal, that’s the only word I can use to describe what I’m feeling right now. This is a dream to me and I feel like it’s going to end any moment. “I truly believe in everything it stands for. Miss World reminds us all that the greatest beauty is that in giving, and I am so proud to be part of it,” she said. Completing the Miss World Philippines winners were Winwyn Marquez, Miss Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas; Cynthia Tomalla, Miss Eco Philippines; Sophia Senoron, Miss Multinational; Glyssa Perez, First Princess; and Zara Carbonell, Second Princess. Save for the first and second princesses, the winners will represent the Philippines in the beauty pageants corresponding to their titles.
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entertainment
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 6, 2017
Singing champ Noven Belleza rape accuser drops case The woman who alleged that Noven Belleza sexually assaulted her has dropped the criminal lawsuit that was filed against him. According to Cebu-based publication The Freeman, the
19-year-old complainant executed a one-page affidavit of desistance on Tuesday, Sept. 5 before the sala of Regional Trial Court Judge James Stewart Ramon himalaloan of Branch 7 in Cebu City.
Getting to know more about Piolo... From Page 2
I go to the set from my house on foot. I’ll run.” Joining a marathon has been on his bucket list, and upon the prodding of the CFO of Sunlife who is turning 50, he is finally running his first full, 42-kilometer marathon in February next year. “I couldn’t say no because he’s 50, and I’m only 40!” 5. He once thought about becoming a pastor. “I’ve always been religious. I’ve always been curious about faith and spirituality,” he says about his short course on Theology in Oxford University last year. “I just wanted to know where I should be, if I could be a pastor or if I should continue Noven Belleza’s winning moment at the hit being in the business. That was singing contest “Tawag ng Tanghalan” of “It’s when I was going through a Showtime” noontime varierty program. ABS-CBN photo transition. “If there was anything else “After my sober and soulI would want to take up, it’s searching assessment and real estate. That is my other analysis of this case, I have business. All these years that realized that I have reached I’ve been working, I put aside the point that I am no longer money for that. You cannot rely interested in pursuing the case on entertainment all your life, due to inordinately adverse effects it brought to me and my I’m well aware of that.” 6. It was Rep. Vilma family,” the affidavit read. Santos-Recto who influenced “In my earnest desire to Piolo to get into real estate. achieve peace of mind, I am “When we were doing permanently withdrawing my Dekada ’70, I was just starting complaint against the acout in the industry. Mommy cused,” it added. Vi told me that she got into Belleza, the first chamfilm production and all sorts pion of the hit singing contest of things, but what saved “Tawag ng Tanghalan” was her were the properties she reportedly arrested on July bought. Since then, what I 16 after he performed in Vice would do, when I would get Ganda’s concert, for the ala big paycheck, I would buy a leged rape of a fellow contespiece of land. I never (take out tant in a condo in Lahug a day a) loan. I only did one time for before the concert in Mabolo, my car because I didn’t have Cebu City. enough. Then when the recesThe complainant, whose sion hit the States, we got into identity was withheld due to U.S. real estate,” Piolo recalls. the nature of the case, was “Now we’re in stage two, reportedly hurt when she we’re partnering with different declined to give in to the decompanies for commercial busimands of Belleza. Belleza and the victim were nesses. We’re building.” 7. On his son Iñigo joining said to be friends and “text showbiz: “I did everything I mates,” having met at “It’s Showtime” where both of them could to stop him from getting into the business.” were contestants. “I’ve always tried to brainFrom rape, the Cebu City wash him to not like the busiRTC has lowered the case to ness. Because it’s hard. And sexual assault. Belleza gained his temporary liberty after post- every Father’s Day he would give me a card, then ask me, ing bail. (Philstar.com)
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‘Pa, can I join showbiz? And I’d say no, ‘Give me a degree first.’ Until offers came, and I said to make sure he finishes school,” he shares. Piolo takes every chance to spend time with his son, including bringing him to school to enroll. “I like the fact that I am still able to send him to school, literally. I’d like him to value that. To make him feel that I’m there for him, no matter what.” 8. On his new home in Alabang: “I moved in with my mom, my sister, and my son has a room.” “I know it’s a bit odd. Usually at 40, you’re starting a family of your own, married, with kids,” he laughs. “My mom cooks for us, that is what I missed. I look forward to waking up and knowing that she’s there. how she joins us for breakfast even if she’s already eaten. When I would come home I would always go to her room and greet her even if she’s already asleep. “I wouldn’t be where I am right now if not for my mom,” says the youngest of six siblings. “My mom worked hard to make sure we had food on the table, that we had an education, even if she had a hard time. So I just want to do things that will make her happy. She forgot herself to be able to give us a better life. Now, I tell her to enjoy life, that she doesn’t have to think about us anymore.” 9. His mom Amy is not afraid to ask girls, “May boy-
Philstar.com photo
friend ka na ba? Etong anak ko, single pa.” “On the plane, to flight attendants, yeah,” Piolo reveals. “Or even in restaurants when she meets with her kumares. ‘O, the daughter of my kumare, she’s single, she’s a Christian, you wanna date her?’ Or she’d tell me, ‘Anak, magka-baby ka na,” he says laughing. “My pastor would always tell me, ‘The more you delay it, the more you enjoy being single,’ and that’s what’s happening right now. Not for anything, but I have my hands full. And I believe that it will happen in God’s perfect time,” Piolo says about settling down. 10. Piolo’s advice to those at the start of their own careers, in any industry: “Even if you want to be the best that you can be, you have to be compassionate and know there are other people who want to be successful as well. “It is never just about you. If you want to co-exist, you have to make sure that you can adjust. You have to learn to make way for other people to shine as well,” Piolo explains. “I grew up competing with myself. I never had any problem with peer pressure, or if somebody’s becoming more popular or getting more adulation. It’s applicable to all the things that I do. To advance in life, you compete with yourself. Because you’re bound to hurt yourself if you compare yourself with another person’s success.”
features 5
Ryan Agoncillo and his life-changing motorcycle... From Page 3
to control a bike 70 kilometers downhill, they know what it takes and they know what will happen if they screw up,” Ryan explains. “The attitude of the group is everyone is a gentleman on the road. Plus, we get our kicks on the track. Dun mo lalabas lahat ng aggression mo. But out on the road when we commute on our motorcycles, at the end of the day we want to go home safely to our families, we’re not about to forget that.” 4. He bought his first motorcycle when he was 19. It was a Vespa, and he rode it from his home in Paranaque to school in Taft “on heavy traffic days.” “The big gig for me then was the Millennium New Year’s Eve countdown. I wanted to get myself a big bike because after hosting the countdown, I wanted to ride into the sunrise of the new millennium,” Ryan shares. At that time, I would already take my Vespa to Tagaytay and Batangas, I knew I wanted to get into riding. “A bit after that, a friend of mine who rode Harleys was transitioning to another motorcycle and sold it to me. At 19, I really couldn’t afford a Harley, but he was giving me easy pay terms. Game! That Harley stayed with me for a very long time.” 5. On his first long ride: “I went to Pagudpod on my Vespa. There were 25 of us.” “Sarap! But wow, my whole body ached,” Ryan recalls of his three-day long ride. “I have very specific memories of that ride. Ang init sa umpisa, tapos biglang buong NLEX bumabagyo, nilalamig ka na. Pagdating ng Tarlac, sabi ko, ‘Ayoko na! Baguio na lang tayo!’ I remember thinking, what did I get myself into?” “It was really something for me. To the left was the sea, the crashing waves, to my right were mountains and waterfalls, then the Quezon Bridge revealing itself, the Paoay Church. I remember we ate lunch near Cagayan, we ate curacha on bilaos,” he recalls. “I was in the middle of my college thesis, I was working at GMA, and I had
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 6, 2017
Pala Casino Spa & Resort announces plans for $170-million expansion and renovation 400 construction jobs to be created
stories to tell. I felt like, this is what I wanted to do!” 6. On the worst thing Pinoy motorists do: “We always fight for that one inch on the road. Dun tayo nagkakaipitan.” “Motorcycling for me makes life a lot more convenient. I don’t suffer the fate of three hours on the road.” Ryan takes his motorcycle to work every day and cuts his travel time to 30 minutes, from two hours, one way. “That’s time I can spend with my family, or do other more productive things. “Ako yung unang masasaktan kung may mangyari. Kung makasagasa ako ng kahit ano, ako yung babaliktad. I have to be considerate of my own safety because I want to get home to my family. I want to get to work without having to scream at the road every day. That’s opened my eyes and made me more emphatic to other road users.” 7. “Seven days a week I’m on a motorcycle. Monday to Saturday to go to work, then Sundays I do additional training, or ride for fun.” The motorcycles he currently uses: City bike: “My commuter right now is a dirt bike, but with street tires. It’s a SuperMoto. This one is a Yamaha. I have one other SuMos that I use for track.” Dirt bike: “I use a KTM 350 Free Ride, which I bought specifically to train for the Himalayas.” For long rides: “Recently I went with The Brap Pack to Tacloban on my Scrambler.
PALA, CA – Officials of Pala Casino Spa & Resort recently announced plans for an expansion and complete renovation of its AAA Four Diamond award winning property. Construction of the $170 Photo from Ryan Agoncillo’s Instagram account million project will begin in October 2017 and be comWe went through Bicol, took a pleted in May 2019. RoRo to Samar, then crossed The renovation and the San Juanico Bridge. We did expansion will include: the 1,800 kilometers in three days. addition of a new 349 room That was the start of my butt hotel tower; the conversion training,” he laughs. of the existing resort pool On the best bike he’s had: into a multi-pool and enter“Every bike I ride is just the tainment resort complex; the perfect bike all the time. Basta yung tama sa mood nung gising construction of an inventory of unique hotel suites that will ko.” 8. Ryan’s tip to new riders: overlook the Starlight Theater “Hindi dahil sa pwede, dapat.” event lawn and the new pool and entertainment complex; “First is, start small. The expanded gaming and casino route I took was a safer route. bar space; a parking garage Scooter around the village to expansion; a completely wherever you want. Get used to the feeling of moving around remodeled restaurant promenade; a complete refresh of on a motorized two-wheel the entire casino interior; a vehicle. complete refresh of the entire “Never shy away from further education. Read up. Ngay- existing hotel tower. “Our ability to exponenon, forums pa lang ang dami tially expand and refresh mo nang matututunan. There Pala Casino Spa & Resort is are superbike schools and the a true testament to, not only tracks are booming. Just this morning I went dirt training. At the growth of Pala, but also to the thriving economy and 18 years of experience, I’m still the continued strength of the a newbie at dirt riding. gaming industry in California,” “Always wear protective said Robert Smith, Chairman gear. I must confess, there was of the Pala Band of Mission one morning I felt macho, I Indians. “This is a significant wanted to buy my wife flowmilestone for our Tribe and ers in the mall. Nag jeans ako, we look forward to continuing boots, and a white shirt. I felt to exceed the expectations of so naked. And that was just a five-minute motorcycle ride! I’m our loyal patrons.” Once completed, Pala’s honever gonna do that again,” tel will offer 854 deluxe rooms Ryan recalls. “Helmet, at the and suites, beautifully appointvery least. Shoes, if not riding ed with the finest amenities. shoes, something that covers The hotel suites that will be your toes and ankles. Gloves. added will overlook the new And a proper jacket.” 9. On his dream bike: “The multi-pool and entertainment complex and the Starlight formula for motorcycles is N Theater, Pala’s custom built plus 1. Whatever number of bikes you have, its always plus outdoor entertainment venue, which offers outstanding head1,” Ryan laughs. Continued on Page 6 liner acts and state-of-the-art
sound and lighting. The project will increase Pala’s casino from its current 90,000 square feet to over 102,000 square feet of gaming space. The expansion will allow Pala Casino to increase its offering of slot and video machines to 2,500 and its offering of table games to 88. “We are very excited to engage in our third major expansion since our introduction to the Southern California gaming and hospitality market more than 16 years ago. As in the past, we expect elements of this expansion and upgrade to be unique to our property and to set new resort standards,” said Bill Bembenek, Chief Executive Officer of Pala Casino Spa & Resort. “This significant expansion project will complement our already luxurious resort offerings while providing our patrons with new world-class amenities.” Pala’s renovation and expansion project will create 400 construction jobs and, once complete, add over 200 new employment opportunities to Pala’s current team of 2,000 team members. The construction company selected for the renovation and expansion is Level 10 Construction with headquarters in San Francisco, CA, and offices in Sunnyvale and San Diego, CA. The architect is Klai Juba Wald of Las Vegas, NV. The contributing architect is Marks Architects of San Diego, CA. For more information on Pala Casino Spa & Resort, please visit: www.palacasino. com. Pala Casino Spa & Resort includes a Las Vegas-style casino with 2,000 slot machines, 80 table games and 15 poker tables; a 507-room hotel; a 10,000-square-foot, full-service spa and salon that
features 14 treatment rooms; a state-of-the-art fitness center; swimming pool with 12 private poolside cabanas, and dual-temperature outdoor whirlpool hot tub. Pala also offers 11 restaurants and 40,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Pala Casino Spa & Resort is an AAA Four-Diamond Award winner for 12 consecutive years. The new Pala RV Resort opened May 23, 2016, and offers 100 parking sites for RVs and trailers from 55 to 70 feet and full-service amenities for RVers. Pala RV Resort is rated a perfect 10/10*/10 by Good Sam, the national RV Resort rating publication. Trailer Life and Motorhome magazines awarded Pala RV Resort its Gold Awards for 2016 as Best RV Resort Casino and Best Campground Resort. Its stateof-the-art Pala Spa was named the number three spa in North America and the number one spa in the State of California and the entire casino industry for 2016. The ranking marked the eleventh consecutive year that Pala Spa has been ranked in the Top 100 and Top 10. Pala Casino Spa & Resort was voted Best Casino in San Diego by the public in the 10News.com annual A-List poll sponsored by KGTV-TV 10 News in San Diego. For more information, visit http://www. palacasino.com. The Pala Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized tribe whose reservation is located along the Palomar Mountain range approximately 30 miles northeast of San Diego. The majority of the over 900 tribal members live on the 12,000-acre reservation, established for Cupeño and Luiseño Indians, who consider themselves to be one proud people - Pala. (Advertising Supplement)
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Jamie Rivera copes with an empty nest
entertainment
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 6, 2017
JoshLia or RonLia? Julia Barretto makes her choice by kristel
dacuMos-lagorza Philstar.com
LOVe is truly in the air, and just like real-life love stories - it gets honest really fast! After making audiences fall in love with their characters - Chloe and Tupe - on the the successful teleserye, “A Love to Last” (ALTL), Julia Barretto and Ronnie Alonte reveal the true status of their relationship. Julia is currently linked to two dashing leading men - Ronnie and Joshua Garcia. Joshua is her real-life suitor and onscreen partner in her latest film, “Love You to the Stars and Back.” At the recent press conference for ALTL, Julia was asked who she would choose - Ronnie or Joshua? Due to the media’s insistence, Julia finally confessed: “Alam mo, I will have to pick Joshua, because Ronnie has a different ‘love to last’.”
JoshLia (Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto) in “Love You to the Stars and Back” or RonLia (Ronnie Alonte and Julia Barretto) in “A Love to Last”
It’s confirmed, and JoshLia fans can rejoice! Ronnie, who is reportedly dating actress Loisa Andalio, gamely laughed. What kind of love lasts a lifetime? Is this the kind of love shared by Anton (Ian Veneracion) and Andeng (Bea Alonzo)?
Find out in the last four weeks of “A Love To Last” as Anton and Andeng face the biggest and toughest challenges yet in their continuous fight for love. Fans are invited to watch the cast in “Love Goals: A Love to Last Concert” happening on September 8, 8 p.m. at the kia Theater.
Sam Milby, Iñigo Pascual bring joy to Pistahan Parade and Festival 2017 THe last event of summer in ABS-CBN North America’s “TFC SamaSaya” series—the 24th Pistahan Parade and Festival organized by the Filipino American Arts exposition (FAAe)—received strong support not only from Filipino-American media but from mainstream American media in the Bay Area. kQeD wittily called it a welcome “dose of Filipino culture… a soiree of Filipino food, art,
and music at the Yerba Buena Gardens” where the “marvelous aroma of adobo and lechon” drew people away from “the smell of coffee, weed, and other things in San Francisco.” Meanwhile, the Bay Area Reporter called the event as “entertaining as it is meaningful.” NBC Bay Area’s “Asian Pacific America with Robert Handa” featured FAAe Presi-
dent Al Perez who said that Pistahan has been successful because it is “a way to reconnect with Filipino roots, a place to meet new friends, reunite with old friends, enjoy the best of Philippine entertainment and experience Filipino arts, culture and food.” entertaining the crowd in this year’s festivity were singeractors Sam Milby and Iñigo Pascual. (ManilaTimes.net)
and privilege, Reine is a far cry from “spoiled brat” onlies. Philstar.com The girl inherited her mom’s LIke many 50-somethings heart for the needy. She also with young adult children, has Jamie’s musical talent. In Jamie Rivera learned to deal fact, Reine has managed to with the empty nest syndrome come up with a surprise number when her only child Reine, 21, with Jamie in the show even left home to study in the States if she’s studying in the U.S. two years ago. (except for saying that the audiLetting go was hard. But ence will see her daughter in a Jamie knew she had no choice. video, the mom wants to keep She wants her daughter to have the details under wraps). a better future. And since the concert date So, she went down on her happens to be the Blessed knees and prayed. Virgin Mary’s birthday, Jamie “I had to be strong,” she the Marian devotee is confident said after the press conference Our Lady will guide her every for her tribute album and Hey step of the way. A birthday It’s Me, Jamie!, her 30th annigreeting for Mama Mary on the versary show at Music Museum show is Jamie’s way of paying on Sept. 8. tribute to the heavenly CelebraJamie felt broken-hearted tor that day. when she left Reine in the Speaking of tributes, States to return to Manila. Like Jamie also seized the opportumost moms, she had so many nity to thank her ex-boyfriend, questions. Will her daughter be songwriter Jimmy Antiporda, safe? Will her unica hija be able for helping her career take off to adjust? What if she has prob- when she was still a new singer. lems that need urgent solutions It was Jimmy who wrote “Hey and mom is on the other side It’s Me,” the hit song that cataof the world? pulted her to fame decades ago. The prayerful Jamie knew He also wrote “Maybe,” “Say all she needed to do was to lift You’ll Never Go,” “Awit Para up her daughter to God. Sa ‘yo” and “kay Palad Mo” (all “You have to trust her,” included in Jamie’s 30th anniverJamie adds. “You must not be sary album under Star Music). afraid when you entrust everyJamie salutes Jimmy “for thing to the Lord, especially helping me achieve my dreams your loved ones. He’s always in my formative years in showthere.” biz.” So far so good. Reine is This was before her predoing fine in school, and Jamie ”Miss Saigon” days and before thinks her daughter chose the the tag Inspirational Diva made right guy for a boyfriend. Jamie a staple in milestone reliThey say you know how well gious events like Pope Francis’ your parents raised you by the visit to Manila, the Fourth World kind of person you turn out to Meeting of Families and others. be. If you go by the stereotypes Today, Jamie lives up to of only children born to wealth the Inspirational Diva tag (she by Maridol
rañoa-BisMark
Iñigo Pascual and his ‘Mobe Dance Challenge’.
Philstar.com photo
seems to have no fitting successor so far) by “praying for fellow Filipinos and singing for them.” She believes in St. Augustine when he said: “He who sings prays twice.” So she won’t mind singing her inspirational song Heal Our Land to remind everyone about the value of humility, and admitting mistakes, in the face of the country’s problems. “So many things are happening in our country,” Jamie sighs. “We don’t know that we’re already doing something wrong.” Once an Inspirational Diva, always an Inspirational Diva. In this day and age when social media magnifies issues, many of us need wisdom from someone who gives hope when we need it most. That’s why three decades after she hit the music scene, Jamie’s songs resonate even among millennials who give her music a new sound for their generation to pay close attention to.
Ryan Agoncillo and his life-changing motorcycle... From Page 5
Sam Milby continues to solidify his ‘Rockoustic King’ title at Pistahan.
Jamie Rivera
“I’m building one now. It’s sort of a dream bike, how I imagine my perfect motorcycle to be. I got a Ducati Hyperstrada because I love the way it rides and handles, but I wanted modifications done.” He’s talking about Benjie’s Café Racers, one of the top 10 builders in the world who happens to have his base in the Philippines.
“It’s been over a year na ginagawa yung bike. Some of the parts I bought, but Benjie, because he is a master crafter, hand-built everything. It’s probably gonna end up in my garage sitting there all day, I don’t know yet,” he laughs. 10. On what he has gained from his motorcycle lifestyle: “At this point in my life, sanity.”
“The perspective riding gives me is so different from when you are in an enclosed vehicle,” Ryan explains. “What it really does is it energizes me. When I get cranky, my wife tells me, ‘Go on a motorcycle ride,’” he laughs. “I’m just in equilibrium after a ride. When I take off my helmet, it’s probably the best time to talk to me. It’s the clearest my head will be.”
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 6, 2017
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