August 5-8 2017 Volume 27 - No. 63 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
PH open to discussing human rights concerns with the US by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
THE Philippine government is open to discussing the human rights situation in the country should the United States’ top diplomat raise the issue during his upcoming visit to Manila.
In a statement released Friday, August 4, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed the visit of U.S. Secretary of the State Rex Tillerson to Manila as he is one of the participants for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related meetings next
USA
DATELINE Pres. Trump backs proposal to cut legal immigration programs FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Trump, GOP senators rally behind bill that would eliminate family-based petitioning
ACTING on a crucial campaign goal, President Donald Trump on Wednesday, August 2 backed proposed legislation that would eliminate the current family-based immigration system into a more “merit-based” one that favors applicants’ skills and employability. Trump stood with the bill’s co-authors, Republican Sens. Tom Cotton (Ark.) and David Perdue (Ga.), at the White House to announce a bill that would judge applicants for legal
week. While pointing out that “no country has a perfect human rights situation,” the department said discussions on the human rights issue are always included in its engagements with foreign governments.
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President backs police behind Ozamiz raids by CATHERINE
VALENTE ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is standing by the policemen who conducted the bloody raid that killed Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and 14 others on Sunday, July 30. At the sidelines of the 113th founding anniversary of the Bureau of Internal Revenue Wednesday, the President told reporters policemen have the right to protect themselves when suspects resist. “The police and the military should make sure that their enemies are dead. Otherwise, if the other guy can still pull the trigger, you will end up with a dead police or a dead soldier,” Duterte told reporters. The President noted that the Parojinogs were “running the city as if it was a feudal state of the family.” “[We don’t] pick one enemy at a time. You are up against an organization. Parojinog has been there and you can ask the ordinary citizen of Ozamiz,” the
by REINA LEANNE
TOLENTINO ManilaTimes.net
Former Vice President Jejomar Binay Sr
FORMER Vice President Jejomar Binay Sr. will seek a reinvestigation after the Office of the Ombudsman indicted him, his son former Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. and 19 others for graft and falsification over the alleged rigging of the contracts to build the P1.3-billion Makati Science High School Building. In a statement on Friday, Aug.
4, the former vice president’s camp said the Ombudsman violated Binay’s constitutional rights and due process, as he was not given the chance to refute the charges. “In her haste to indict (the former vice president), the Ombudsman committed the unforgivable act of denying him his right to answer the allegations against him,” Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado said.
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US says South China Sea conflict remains a core issue in ASEAN meet
PWC, domestic workers group rally against home care firm accused of wage theft
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Binay blasts Ombudsman for violating due process
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THE Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and other members of the California Domestic Workers Coalition (CDWC) gathered outside of Fairwinds, an upscale senior living facility in West Hills, California, to reveal to the facility and its residents of Health Alliance Nurses Corporation’s (Health Alliance) alleged exploitation of its workers. “We are here as part of our campaign to
BACK IN MARAWI. President Rodrigo Duterte is surrounded by government troops in Marawi on Friday, Aug. 4, during his second visit to the war-torn city. Duterte visited the Joint Special Operation Task Force Trident in Camp Kilala, where he reiterated his pledge to put up a P50-billion trust fund for soldiers. Duterte also lashed out at his predecessor, former President Benigno Aquino III, for alleging that nothing happened in the ongoing drug war, pointing out that it had claimed the lives of uniformed men. Malacañang photo
Images released by the PNP show mugshots of Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog- Echavez (left) and her brother Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. taken during booking procedures at Camp Crame last Tuesday, Aug. 1.
THE United States said that the conflict in South China Sea remains among the major issues to be discussed in Washington’s upcoming meetings with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other countries. For the first time, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit the Philippines next week to participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asian Summit, the US-ASEAN ministerial meet-
Duterte signs bill granting free tuition to state colleges nationwide by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the bill granting free tuition for students of state universities and colleges (SUCs) nationwide on Thursday, August 3, despite concerns raised by his economic team in connection with the funding of the program. “Free tuition in tertiary education in SUCs is a pillar of the President’s social development policy,” Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a forum on Friday, August VICTORY FOR THE YOUTH. Students and militant lawmakers rejoice upon receiving news that 4. The Republic Act 10931 or the president has signed a bill granting free tuition in state universities and colleges in the Philippines. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan “Universal Access to Quality Ter-
tiary Education Act” was ratified by Congress in May. It was sent to the Office of the President on July 5 and was supposed to lapse into law on August 5 if not signed by Duterte. R.A. 10931 aims to provide subsidies to students at SUCs, local tertiary schools, as well as institutions accredited with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). It also covers other charges, such as “library fees, computer fees, laboratory fees, school ID fees, athletic fees, admission fees, development fees, guidance fees, handbook fees, entrance fees, registration fees, medical
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ing, and the Lower Mekong Initiative meeting. Tillerson is expected to meet with his ASEAN counterparts and discuss a range of issues, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, maritime security, and counterterrorism. In a press briefing on Wednesday, August 2, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs dismissed concerns that the South China Sea dispute has dropped
off as a major issue in ASEAN meetings. “I definitely would not agree that the South China Sea has in any way dropped off. It’ll certainly be a focus of the discussion also in Manila… it certainly hasn’t been knocked out of the front of our minds and it will be a focus at the upcoming meetings,” the department’s Acting Assistant Secretary Susan Thornton said. According to her, the U.S.
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Duterte signs bill granting free tuition to state...
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and dental fees, cultural and other similar or related fees.” In Friday’s forum, Guevarra said Duterte signed the measure despite opposition from his economic team, believing benefits of the bill outweigh its hefty cost. “Before signing the measure, the President had to weigh the issues raised by his advisers and
arrived at the conclusion that the long-term benefits of the free tuition will outweigh the short-term budgetary challenges,” Guevarra remarked. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier claimed that the policy would require a funding of P100 billion, which he said the government “cannot af-
ford” for the moment. Several lawmakers, however, argued that the free tuition law would cost only around P14 billion. Guevarra also said that Diokno’s previous P100-billion estimate may have been based on the assumption that all aspects of the free tuition bill would be implemented simultaneously. Citing data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), he said the initial cost of mandatory provisions of the law pegged at a “manageable” P16 billion. “Whether we need to convince the economic managers, that won’t be necessary at all,” Guevarra added. “This is now a law and everyone has to look forward to implement this law, whether or not you were originally opposed to it, that is now beside the point.” Following the announcement of the bill’s signing, Diokno said the free tuition policy will take effect next year. “The law will be prospective, not retroactive, since academic year 2017-2018 is already ongoing,’ the budget secretary said. He said the department will first have to “estimate the cost of the program’s implementation in the first semester of school year 2018-2019 to determine how
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This December 2016 photo shows U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim when he presented his credentials to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang. In a television interview on Thursday, August 3, Kim underscored the strong relationship between Manila and Washington despite Duterte constantly issuing seemingly anti-U.S. sentiments. Malacañang photo by Rene Lumawag
PH open to discussing human rights... PAGE A1 t Washington has repeatedly expressed concerns over the human rights situation in Manila in connection with reports of alleged summary killings and rights violations linked to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. “We share the belief that no country has a perfect human rights situation. We welcome the opportunity to address their
concerns and correct the perceptions they may have gleaned from exaggerated media reports,” the DFA said. The department noted that it also “understands” that it is the duty of U.S. officials “to talk about human rights” with the Philippines and other foreign governments because they are “accountable to their Congress and their press as they advance their values and interests.” “The Philippines is the oldest democracy in Asia and respect for human rights is a shared valued especially with our treaty ally, the United States,” the DFA added. Tillerson is expected to meet with his counterparts and participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asian Summit, the US-ASEAN ministerial meeting, and the Lower Mekong Initiative meeting. At the sidelines of the ASEANrelated meetings, the U.S. diplomat is also expected to discuss a range of issues with Philippine officials, including the security situation in Marawi City, addressing the global threat of terrorism, and increasing Philippine-U.S. economic and peopleto-people engagement. The DFA further emphasized that all its discussions with Washington are “aimed at strengthening the old friendship between the two countries.”
In a television interview on Thursday, August 3, U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim underscored the strong relationship between Manila and Washington despite Duterte constantly issuing seemingly anti-U.S. sentiments. “[The] Philippines only has one ally and that’s us, that hasn’t changed and will not change,” Kim told GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation.” Duterte has repeatedly expressed crude and controversial remarks against the U.S. government for criticizing his drug war. Kim, however, reiterated his confidence that the two countries’ ties remain strong, highlighting that activities on the ground should be stressed more than Duterte’s controversial pronouncements. “What I focus on is the strength of U.S.-Philippines relationship. For me what’s more important than public statements is what’s actually happening in the relationship,” the U.S. envoy remarked. He went on to say, “President Duterte has been very supportive in doing whatever we can to strengthen our lines and you know making sure that our economic engagement remains strong, and then we continue to have this robust flow of traffic between our two countries.” n
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Binay blasts Ombudsman for violating... PAGE A1 t
Salgado noted that the Ombudsman conducted a preliminary investigation against Binay during his term as vice president despite a constitutional prohibition, and that even after his term ended in 2016, the agency “did not bother to get his official reply.” Binay “will definitely ask for a reinvestigation,” Salgado said. “This is a clear denial of due process and a violation of constitutional rights. The Ombudsman cannot claim to speak for rights and due process when she herself observes them selectively,” he added. ‘Yellow playbook’ Salgado said the denial of due process proved the Binay camp’s contention that “even after the Liberal Party has ended its reign, the Ombudsman continues to pursue the game plan against [the former vice president]contained in the yellow playbook.” Salgado was referring to the color of the erstwhile ruling party led by ex-president Benigno Aquino 3rd, who handpicked former Supreme Court justice Conchita Carpio-Morales to become the Ombudsman in 2011. “We would also like to stress that the resolutions issued by the Ombudsman Thursday did not find any evidence of alleged
overpricing in the construction of Makati Science High School,” Salgado said. “The indictments merely found alleged violations in the bidding process. These allegations, however, have been answered extensively by former mayor Junjun Binay but the Ombudsman chose to disregard them,” he said. Also indicted are Makati City Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairmen Marjorie de Veyra and Eleno Mendoza Jr.; BAC members Pio Kenneth Dasal, Lorenza Amores, Ulysess Orienza, Gerardo San Gabriel and Mario Badillo; BAC Secretariat members Giovanni Condes, Manolito Uyaco, Norman Flores and Ralph Liberato; Rodel Nayve who was then of the BAC Technical Working Group; city accountants Leonila Querijero, Cecilio Lim 3rd and Raydes Pestaño; and city cashier Nelia Barlis. Virginia Garcia of Infiniti Architectural Works, as well as Efren Canlas and Julius Ramos of Hilmarc’s Construction Corp., were likewise indicted. According to city officials, seven companies were invited to submit proposals for architectural and engineering consultancy services during a negotiation conference on Sept. 18, 2007. But witnesses from two archi-
tectural firms that supposedly participated in the negotiation conference denied that they joined the bid negotiations and submitted proposals, the Ombudsman said. The chief operating officer of JBros Construction submitted an affidavit “disowning the signatures appearing above the name on the bid documents” he purportedly submitted for the first construction phase. Investigators also found that the publications of the invitations to bid in phases 1, 2, 4, and 5 were fake. According to the Ombudsman’s statement, certified true copies of Balita newspaper obtained from the National Library “confirmed” that no such invitations were published. “Hilmarc’s was placed on higher footing than any potential bidders who, by lack of publication of the [invitation]in newspapers of general circulation and by the limited time of posting in the PhilGEPS (Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System), City’s website or conspicuous places, were deprived of sufficient chance to participate in the biddings. In fact, no other bidder participated in the public biddings for phases 2, 4, 5 and 6,” the Ombudsman alleged. ■
US says South China Sea...
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government will “continue to press for language” that makes Washington’s “dedication to protect and defend the freedom of navigation and overflight” in the South China Sea “clear.” She cited that Washington also made a “number of conversations with allies and partners in the region about their concerns over latent tensions and continued concerns” over the disputes in the area. “We’ll press for due regard for legal processes, dispute resolution mechanisms, and upholding, certainly, international law and the UN (United Nations) Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Thornton added. While the U.S. government welcomes the framework on the code of conduct in South China Sea, which has been discussed and agreed among the ASEAN states and China, Washington said will also continue “to call for the rapid adoption of an effective [COC].” The ASEAN foreign ministers
are expected to adopt the COC framework during the ASEANChina Ministerial Meeting on Sunday, August 6. “The framework is really just the outline of what would be the content of the agreement and the agreement still needs to be negotiated, and we would like to see it negotiated expeditiously and we would also like to see the eventual code of conduct contain effective measures to — for restraint and for dispute resolution, and also that the — whatever the agreement eventually contains, that the content be considered by all parties to be legally binding,” Thornton said. In what appeared to be a “soft” stance in the maritime issue, the ASEAN ministers, in its leaked draft statement, only “took note” of its concerns over the developments in South China Sea. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) did not verify the accuracy of the leaked joint communique but said “there is every likelihood that it could still evolve.”
Secretary Susan Thornton, Acting Secretary for the U.S. Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
“The views, the concerns of all ASEAN member states will be expressed in the joint communique and it will be adopted by consensus as different from the chairman statement where the chairman is free to reflect whatever he or she believes is an accurate representation of the discussions on the floor of that meeting,” DFA Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar told reporters on Thursday, August 3. (Dana Sioson/AJPress)
A demonstrator holds a sign aimed at Health Alliace Nurses Corporation owner Emelyn Nishi, also known by many as Emelyn Entino. The sign reads in Tagalog and English, “Entino. Remember, walang forever na pandaraya! (‘Remember, cheating will not last forever’).” The agency has allegedly employed over 200 immigrants between 2013 and 2016. AJPress photos by Rae Ann Varona
PWC, domestic workers group rally against... PAGE A1 t let everyone know that something is very wrong in the domestic work industry, with a special focus today on the home care industry,” said PWC Executive Director Aquilina Versoza at the rally on Wednesday, August 2. The demonstration was part of a public campaign launched on December 1, 2015 towards the caregiver agency which has been accused of exploiting and abusing its employees through unfair wages and intimidation. Former Health Alliance employee Rufina Tubo shared her experience of working with the agency in 2015. “I was paid for $150 a day for my live-in, 24-hour stay job. If you calculate it, that’s only $5 an hour, even if there is already a law that provides protection for caregivers,” shared Tubo in her speech referring to the 2016 Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, which was recently approved by CA legislature and signed by Governor Jerry Brown. She added that the company was supposed to pay its workers $330 a day for $10 an hour. “From all caregivers past or present, we demand that they [Health Alliance] pay us the correct wages outlined for us,” Tubo said. Upon the start of accusations and investigations, the company’s owner Emelyn Nishi Entino, known to many as Emelyn Nishi, closed Health Alliance
Pilipino Workers Center Executive Director Aquilina Versoza leads a rally aimed at exposing caregiver agency Health Alliance Nurses Corporation for allegedly exploiting its employees through wage theft. The rally took place on August 2, 2017 at the Fairwinds assisted living facility in West Hills, California. The demonstration is part of a public campaign launched on December 1, 2015.
and opened under a new name, Hand Homecare Provider. “It’s the same people and same corporation,” said Versoza. PWC and CDWC have reached out to Health Alliance, inviting the company to sit down and talk about the concerns, issues, and violations, and to try and work with them and bring them into compliance. Nishi and her company have yet to do so, as of this writing. Investigations launched Legal action has been taken against the agency. The California Labor Commissioner’s Office and its Bureau of Field Enforcement (BOFE) launched an investigation against Health Alliance, as the company refused to hand over documents throughout the ongoing legal
process. In May of this year, L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer filed suit against the corporation for repeatedly failing to pay workers minimum wage or overtime earned. “The LA City Attorney’s Office did a lot of evidence gathering and found enough evidence to file case against Emelyn and her corporations,” said Versoza. In a previous report by Asian Journal, Feuer expressed his concerns during a press conference at City Hall back on May 11. “Stealing wages from hardworking people just trying to make ends meet is reprehensible,” said Feuer. “No worker should be forced into poverty because their employer denies them a wage to which the law
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US conducting talks with PH gov’t to address ISIS threats by dana
SioSon AJPress
Covered California expects 12.5% average rate rise in 2018 by Emily
CoveReD California health insurance premiums will jump by a statewide average of 12.5 percent next year, amid continuing uncertainty over the future of the Affordable Care Act, the state’s obamacare exchange said Tuesday, August 1. Some plans may also see an additional increase, averaging 12.4 percent, if President Donald Trump stops funding critical subsidies that help reduce some consumers’ out-of-pocket expenses — or if uncertainty over their fate persists. Covered California also said that one of its largest insurers, Anthem Blue Cross, would pull out of the exchange and the overall individual market in 16 of the 19 regions it currently serves, forcing 153,000 consumers to find new health plans. “We’ve prepared these rates in the midst of great uncertainty,� said Covered California executive Director Peter Lee. “We are doing our best to protect consumers. We hope to get clarity from the federal government before we make a decision by the end of August� on whether to include the additional premium increase. That increase would apply only to silver-level plans, the second-least expensive among the exchange’s four tiers of coverage. That’s because only people enrolled in silver plans can benefit from the so-called costsharing subsidies that Trump may end. Lee said the exchange hopes not to tack on the surcharge because “it will cause unnecessary confusion and ultimately cost the federal government billions of dollars more than they would have spent by making the [subsidy] payments directly to health plans.� Covered California’s proposed premium increases, though large, are dwarfed by some in other states. In Iowa, for example, the sole carrier remaining on the exchange — Medica — has proposed a 43 percent increase for next year. And the company said it would
Bazar and anna Gorman Kaiser Health News
propose another increase of 12 to 20 percent on top of that if Trump decides to eliminate the cost-reduction subsidies. Some states, however, will see more moderate rate hikes than California’s. In Minnesota, which has been hit in the past with large increases, some consumers could see their premiums shrink by as much as 15 percent, while others could pay 11 percent more. Covered California’s rate increases affect Californians who purchase their own coverage in the individual market, not the majority who get their health insurance from their employers or government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The expected average 2018 rate hike is down from 13.2 percent in 2017, and it includes a one-time bump due to the end of a tax “holiday� in which health plans haven’t had to pay a tax required by the ACA. Without that one-time bump, the average statewide premium increase would have been under 10 percent. But the statewide average doesn’t tell the whole story for consumers. health plan prices vary across the state’s 19 pricing regions, and within them. how much consumers pay depends on a variety of factors: where they live, how much money they make, what level of coverage they want and which insurer they choose. For instance, consumers in a part of the Central valley that includes San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced and other counties will face an average increase of 24 percent next year. San Francisco residents will see a 6.6 percent average premium hike. Consumers can limit their rate hikes to less than 3.3 percent on average if they switch to the lowest price plan at the same level of coverage they currently have, Lee said. But switching plans adds more paperwork and could require them to find new doctors. Consumers are getting tired
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of a system that requires them to shop around each year and potentially change plans, said Shana Alex Charles, assistant professor in the health science department at California State University-Fullerton. “even under the best the Affordable Care Act can do ‌ we still have to deal with this on an annual basis,â€? she said. “It is very exhausting.â€? The 87 percent of Covered California enrollees who receive tax credits to help defray the cost of their premiums will not bear the full impact of the rate hikes because the amount of financial assistance they get will grow as premiums rise, Lee noted. All 11 of Covered California’s insurers will return next year, though not all participate in every region — and Anthem is dramatically ratcheting down its operations in reaction to the uncertainty over federal policy. Karen Kory, 59, of Studio City, California, said her husband is on an Anthem plan and she worries he will have to pay more when he switches to a new carrier. “Any increase would be dangerous for us,â€? said Kory, who has no income while she cares for a daughter with developmental disabilities. her husband is freelancing while he looks for more stable work. Despite Anthem’s sharp retrenchment, Covered California said that more than 80 percent of its consumers will have three or more insurers from which to choose. In some states, there are only one or two insurers left. Charles Bacchi, president and chief executive officer of the California Association of health Plans, said he was pleased Californians will have multiple choices. But he noted that insurers are worried about what will happen to cost-sharing subsidies. “It has been a roller-coaster ride,â€? Bacchi said. “Unfortunately, we are getting close to
The United States has been collaborating with the government of the Philippines and other countries within Asia-Pacific to address threats posed by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in the region. In a press briefing, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson noted that the terror group has gained a foothold in the Philippines, referring to the IS-linked rebels’ attack in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur in Mindanao. “We already see elements of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) in the Philippines, as you’re aware, gaining a foothold. Some of these fighters have gone to the Philippines from Syria and Iraq,� Tillerson told reporters on Tuesday, August 1. Apart from the Philippines, Tillerson said the U.S. is also conducting talks for cooperation with the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia to address the threats.
he pointed out that the next step to defeat the terrorist group is to recognize it as a global issue. “We are in conversations with the Philippine government, with Indonesia, with Malaysia, with Singapore, with Australia, as partners to recognize this threat, try to get ahead of this threat, and help them with training — training their own law enforcement capabilities, sharing of intelligence, and provide them wherewithal to anticipate what may be coming their direction,� Tillerson said. For its part, the Philippine government is also eyeing a “closer regional cooperation� with its neighboring countries. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte spoke of “new� and “serious� terrorism threats in the Mindanao provinces during the latter’s meeting with Senate and house leaders on Tuesday. “he briefed us on intelligence information of new threats posed by the ISIS in the south
and he is looking for a closer regional cooperation in the neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia,� Drilon disclosed to reporters the following day. According to the senator, the threat discussed by Duterte is not just the threat posed by Maute rebels that attacked Marawi City. he said the president “was referring to the ISIS.� Asked how serious it was, Drilon responded, “in the president’s briefing, it appears to be serious. That’s what he said.� “he informed us of that renewed threat because the secretary of national defense has requested for additional manpower, and, therefore, that would require budgetary allocation,� he added. The attack in Marawi City on May 23 prompted Duterte to impose martial law in the entire Mindanao. With the local government’s fight to quell the extremists in the area still ongoing, the strict security measure has been extended until December 31 of this year. n
PWC, domestic workers group rally against... PAGE A1 t
entitles them.� According to the lawsuit, which goes to hearing soon, health Alliance has employed over 200 immigrants between 2013 and 2016. versoza shared that the lawsuit can result in over $9 million of restitution for the workers — majority of whom are Filipino — making this a multimillion-dollar case. This does not include extra penalties and damages, she adds. The suit claims clients (“i. e., families seeking a caregiver for a loved one�) were charged between $170 to $250 per day for 24-hour in-home domestic care. employees were allegedly paid only $100 to $125 per shift, equating to as little as $5.50 per hour or less. Minimum wage in the state of California is $10.00 per hour for businesses with 25 employees or less, and $10.50 per hour for those with 26 employees or more. Caregivers at the home care provider were also allegedly pressured to falsify time records to avoid overtime payments; refusing often meant termination. The lawsuit adds that the company routinely fired employees who voiced any discontent and threatened them with blacklisting within the industry. The suit further alleged that caregivers were wrongly classified as independent contractors in order to maximize company profits, avoid paying federal and state payroll taxes, refrain from obtaining workers’ compensation insurance among other employee protection laws, and to avoid government investigations. As stated in the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking an injuncu PAGE A6 tion against unlawful business
Former Health Alliance Nurses Corporation employee, Rufina Tubo, shares her experience with supporters and demonstrators after reportedly having experienced wage theft while employed in 2015. A lawsuit was recently made against the agency by the LA City Attorney’s Office in May of this year. The agency is accused of paying about half of the legal per hour minimum wage. AJPress photo by Rae Ann Varona
operations in addition to restitution for those victimized by wage theft during their employment. The defendants may be required to pay up to $2,500 per wage violation. Wage theft in the domestic and home care industry is a big problem with its effects impacting both the hiring parties and employees. As the senior population grows, so does the demand for qualified health aides, and PWC has seen an increasing awareness of their protection needs. Legislative initiatives towards protecting caregivers and other domestic workers have encouraged many to come forward. “A lot of workers have just been fed up and have seen the success of others building up the courage to demand their rights,� said versoza. “We’ve seen workers able to take the laws and information and raise their wages and establish over-
time in their agencies.� however, issues like wage theft remain problematic, which is why organizations like PWC and CDWC are using large collective campaigns to help educate and encourage families, individuals, and facilities to make sure caregivers are receiving the money and compensation expected. “This is about changing the standards in the industry of how it operates,� said versoza. Fairwinds’ administrator has told PWC and CDWC that they would respond within a week. Until then, no public actions will be made by the organizations. If not followed through, PWC and CDWC plans to continue their public campaign of exposing the agency. The Asian Journal has reached out to hand homecare Provider, but the company has not returned the calls. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)
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Mayor Garcetti names Nina Hachigian Deputy Mayor for International Affairs
HEARING ON TAX REFORM. Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, shares a light moment with Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Nancy Binay as they field questions to officials from the Department of Finance during the latest hearing on the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bills on Wednesday, Aug. 2. The TRAIN bills are among the priority legislative measures being pushed for enactment into law by the Duterte administration within the 17th Congress. Senate photo by Albert Calvelo
Pres. Trump backs proposal to cut legal... PAGE A1 t
residency based on what they can offer to the U.S. as workers. This bill is a modified version of a bill first introduced in April that proposed to slash immigration by half from more than 1 million green cards issued per year and judge applicants based on their skills. Called the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act, the bill promises economic growth and a raise in American workers’ wages. Trump’s support for the bill comes from concern over lowincome and minority American workers, who he believes have suffered from the hiring of lowwage migrant workers. “This competitive application will favor applicants who can speak English, financially support themselves and their families and demonstrate skills that will contribute to our economy,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday. “It has not been fair to our people, to our citizens, to our workers.” If passed into law, the RAISE Act would drop the amount of new immigrants to about half a million. What is the RAISE Act? The bill would get rid of the diversity visa lottery which issues 55,000 Permanent Resident cards (aka green cards) annually to people from countries historically underrepresented in employment and family-based categories. It would also look to strictly enforce existing law that would require green card holders to reimburse the federal government for any public benefits received to encourage them to stay off welfare. Under the RAISE Act, applicants earn points based on education, ability to speak English, high-paying job offers, age, achievement record and “entrepreneurial initiatives.” Since a merit-based program would generally allow immigrants to pursue higher levels of education to earn higher-paying jobs, they would be less likely to seek welfare programs. However, the bill does not bar children, pregnant mothers and refugees access to federal assistance who legally immigrate via a program other than a merit-based system. The bill would also retain immigration preferences for the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (LPRs), but it would eliminate the existing preferences for particular categories of extended and adult family members. It would also put a limit on the number of refugees welcomed in the country, dropping it from the Obama administration’s cap of 85,000 to 50,000 per year. Calling it a “historic and very vital proposal”, Trump acknowledged that this bill would mark a significant reform to the immigration system and could be the start of reforms to come. “This legislation will not only restore our competitive edge in the 21st century, but it will restore the sacred bonds of trust between America and its citizens,” Trump asserted. “This legislation demonstrates our compassion for struggling American families who deserve an immigration that puts their needs first and puts America first.” Although the bill is framed as a solution to many of the country’s economic pitfalls, experts say that the decrease in immigration would actually do more harm than good. Theresa Cardinal Brown, director of Immigration and Cross-border Policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, noted that shrinking the labor force — which immigrants occupy roughly 17 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — would hinder economic growth. “A growing labor force — aided by immigration — not only helps to shore up Social Security’s finances, but it also results in greater demand for goods and services, contributes to economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, creates jobs and improves the long-term U.S. economic outlook,” Brown said in a statement. Todd Schulte, president of
STEM-based immigration lobbying group FWD.us, noted immigrant workers’ role in increasing wages for American workers in all industries and proposed a modernization of the current system rather than eliminating programs altogether. “Not only do immigrants help grow the economy overall, but immigrants drive up wages for the overwhelming majority of Americans, and significantly so in areas and industries with more immigrants, where wage growth has outpaced the country overall,” Schulte said. “We call on Congress to fix those parts of our broken immigration system that clearly need reform – but we should create a modern legal visa system for the 21st century, not enact the largest cuts to legal immigration in modern history.” How does this affect Asian communities? Despite the president’s support, experts say the bill is unlikely to pass given that many centrist Republicans in Congress represent some of the country’s richest immigrant and ethnic communities. However, the announcement has outraged organizations that believe that the legislation would hurt many ethnic communities that boast rich undocumented communities. “This is a radical and alarming departure from America’s longstanding history of welcoming and embracing the diversity and family reunification values that give us our moral and economic advantage in the world,” Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, said in a statement. “An emphasis on so-called ‘merit-based’ immigration is a manipulative and misleading ploy that inaccurately suggests less legal immigration means more jobs for American workers. Economists from both sides of the political spectrum clearly and consistently reject this. The economic consequences and impact on American families would be devastating,” Hincapié continued, adding that the bill is “another move made to dismantle our national identity.” The RAISE Act has the potential to affect the way in which most Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) migrate to the U.S. Two-thirds of AAPIs are immigrants, and a vast majority of Asian immigrants migrate to the U.S. through family-based petitioning, according to national legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Moreover, many of those who enter the U.S. with employmentbased visas typically utilize familybased programs to petition family members to the U.S. Anthony Ng, policy advocate for immigrant rights at Advancing Justice - Los Angeles Advancing Justice - LA, described the RAISE Act as “an attack on families” and a “step back for the country.” “This is really devastating to a lot of Asian families as well as Latino families,” Ng told the Asian Journal on Friday, August 4. “[Advancing Justice - LA] definitely feels the RAISE Act is a wrong step for the [AAPI] community. It’s not strengthening our community, and it really presents this dichotomy where immigration is almost seen as a zero-sum game.” Ng also mentioned that volumes of research have been conducted that debunked the myth that immigration negatively affects the “wage depression” argued by the bill’s sponsors. He added that the RAISE Act is a drastic step back from the 1965 Immigration Act, which lifted immigration quotas, allowing families to reunite and strengthen various ethnic communities. “The RAISE Act is a reminder of the exclusion that Asian Americans felt in the past,” Ng said. “Moving forward, we have to think, what would this look like for the nation? If we’re really changing the way our immigration system works, it really goes against the values we have in this country for family and strengthening the communities we’ve built here in the U.S.” In its current form, the RAISE Act only proposes changes to family-based petitioning, the diversity visa lottery, and the refu-
gee program. It does not indicate changes to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which provides a number of benefits for undocumented youth. It also doesn’t refer to the historic Filipino WWII Veterans Parole program, a family-based program that reunites the families of Filipino WWII veterans. To families who fear that the RAISE Act will affect their prospects of citizenship, Ng encourages all undocumented individuals and families to seek legal counsel to determine what steps to take. To call Advancing Justice - LA for assistance, call (888) 349-9695 for English or (855) 300-2552 for Tagalog. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
LOS ANGELES—Mayor portunity Mayor Garcetti Eric Garcetti on Friday, Aug. has given me to serve the 4 announced the appointpeople of our city,” said ment of Ambassador Nina Hachigian. “Los Angeles is Hachigian as Deputy Mayor already a worldwide beafor International Affairs. con of hope, opportunity, Hachigian, an L.A. residiversity and innovation dent who served as U.S. — and the Mayor’s Office Ambassador to the Associaof International Affairs will tion of Southeast Asian Nawork tirelessly to build on tions (ASEAN) in the Obama that standing in a way that Administration, will lead results in new opportunities the newly-created Mayor’s for all Angelenos.” Office of International AfHachigian was appointed fairs. The office will work U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN to broaden the city’s global by former President Obama, engagement on matters and served in the post from ranging from trade, invest2014 to 2017 with the rank ment, culture, and tourism and status of Ambassador to preparations for the 2028 Extraordinary and PleniOlympic and Paralympic potentiary. During her tenAmbassador Nina Hachigian, Deputy Mayor for International Affairs ure, the U.S. established Games. “Los Angeles is a leader a strategic partnership on the world stage — we’re bringing the Olympics with ASEAN, held the first Leaders’ Summit in the back to America, and Angelenos deserve the wealth United States, launched a presidential initiative on of jobs and other new opportunities that come with economic cooperation, established the U.S.-ASEAN increased international trade, more foreign invest- Women’s Leadership Academy, and grew the youth ment, and heightened cultural exchange,” said program to over 100,000 members. She had preMayor Garcetti. “Nina will be an outstanding leader viously served as director of the RAND Center for for my Office of International Affairs — an Angele- Asia Pacific Policy for four years, been Senior Vice no with the right experience, and who understands President at the Center for American Progress, and how deeper engagement with the world can lift up was on the staff of the National Security Council in all of our communities.” the Clinton White House from 1998 to 1999. The office headed by Hachigian will oversee and A founder of Women Ambassadors Serving coordinate all of the city’s international affairs — in- America (WASA), Ambassador Hachigian holds cluding advising the Mayor on trade policy and op- a B.S. from Yale University and is a graduate of portunities, attracting global investment, assisting Stanford Law School. She is the editor of “Debating the Host Committee with preparations for the 2028 China: The U.S. – China Relationship in Ten ConOlympic and Paralympic Games, and managing re- versations” (Oxford University Press, 2014), and lationships with global leaders. She will assume the co-author of “The Next American Century: How the post on Sept. 6. U.S. Can Thrive as Other Powers Rise” (Simon & “I am deeply honored and grateful for the op- Schuster, 2008). n
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‘Wiki warriors’ fighting Marcos myths on Wikipedia by Mikas
Matsuzawa Philstar.com
A HANDFUL of Wikipedia editors in the Philippines are battling in “edit wars” to rid the site of persistent Marcos myths, spending hours to purge untruths and historical revisionism, UK-based news agency The Guardian reported. On average, there are 376.9 edits yearly on the Ferdinand Marcos page with changes done every day. The highest number of edits at 1,328 were done in 2016, when the younger Marcos ran for vice presidency and the late dictator was given a controversial hero’s burial upon orders of President Rodrigo Duterte. “It’s basically like playing in the sandbox. You build a sandcastle and then another kid comes along and just kicks it over,” Carlos Nazareno, a computer programmer on the frontlines of the information warfare, said in the story written by Southeast Asiabased journalist Kate Lamb. “It’s emotionally draining,” he added. Anyone with internet access can make changes on Wikipedia, an open-source encyclope-
dia read by 500 million people a month. And they can do so using their real identity or anonymously through a pseudonym. The Guardian reported that out of 500 Filipino Wikipedia editors, only a few work on factchecking the Marcos pages. “They’re mostly low-profile computer programmers, web developers and young professionals, those old enough to remember the days of martial law and young enough to understand the Wikipedia mainframe,” it said. Deleted words One crucial tussle was on the use of the word “kleptocrat,” which was previously erased in the opening line of the Ferdinand Marcos Wikipedia page. Word usage at the starting line of the Wikipedia page is particularly important as it appears as a short excerpt in the results of a Google search. The word “stolen” was also deleted from the term “stolen wealth.” The Marcoses has plundered an estimated $10 billion from the country. Wikipedia pages on martial law and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. also showed changes
attempting to portray the Marcoses positively. “When it comes to the Marcos family, the reshaping of history is a widespread enterprise. It is evident in school textbooks, historical websites, and in a series of slick YouTube videos, usually with the same lines of attack: vilification of opposition figures, exaggeration of Marcos family achievements and propagation of unverified fact,” The Guardian report said. The 39-year-old Nazareno started editing Wikipedia a decade ago, working on pages about martial arts and sci-fi movies. His focus, however, shifted to pages on Philippine history such as the turbulent time under Marcos, especially with the return to power of the late dictator’s fam- SUBMERGED. Residents of Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City wade through floodwaters spawned by Tropical Storm Gorio on Thursday, July 27. Malacañang suspended work in government offices and classes at all levels of public schools in Metro Manila in the afternoon. It said suspension ily years after their ignominious of work in private companies and classes in private schools was up to their respective heads. Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos exile in Hawaii in 1986. The late strongman’s wife Imelda is currently 2nd District representative of Ilocos Norte while his daughter Imee is Ilocos Norte governor. Defeated vice presidential candidate Bongbong, however,protested the refrom Pacquiao. quiao last month in Brisbane, by Dino Maragay sults of the 2016 elections. n “Well, I don’t know right now Australia, is eager to defend the Philstar.com [what will happen with Jeff Horn]. WBO welterweight championMANNY Pacquiao’s longtime You got the rematch being dis- ship. promoter is ready to move on cussed between Jeff Horn and The 29-year-old Australian is with plans for its latest champion, Manny Pacquiao, so depending likewise looking at a rematch Jeff Horn, in case the Filipino icon on what happens with that deci- with Pacquiao, but if that doesn’t OVER 17 YEARS calls it quits. sion, it could impact Crawford in materialize, he is ready to move While the company is expect- some ways or it could not,” said on. ing a rematch between Pacquiao Moretti. Earlier this week on social meand Horn, it is also willing to pit There has been no word from dia, Horn called out IBF champithe Australian against another Pacquiao’s camp regarding his on Errol Spence for a unification star in its stable — the undefeat- next plans, other than the fight- bout, stressing he only wants big ed Terence Crawford. ing senator previously stating he fights from now on. In an interview with On The wants the chance to get back at But Top Rank is more inclined Ropes Boxing Radio, Top Rank Horn. to match Horn with Crawford, the Vice President Carl Moretti said For his part, Horn, who shocked unbeaten WBC and WBO super they are eagerly awaiting word the world when he defeated Pac- lightweight champion who was once also considered for Pacquiao. “If Manny decides to retire, then Jeff Horn could look at a Darrick V. Tan, Esq. fight with Terence Crawford if Licensed in California for that made sense for everybody,” over 17 years Moretti added. Licensed in Nevada for But first, Crawford has to get over 12 years* past Julius Indongo on August UCLA, Bachelor of Arts, Political 19, then Pacquiao has to anScience with Cum Laude honors nounce he is leaving the sport Southwestern University Law – which is unlikely for now, as the School, Juris Doctor Filipino icon had said he will conAdmitted to U.S. District Court, Central District of California tinue fighting “until the passion Member, American Immigration is gone.” Lawyers Association For now, Top Rank is on a waitMember, Consumers Attorney and-see mode. Association of Los Angeles “But like anything else, it’s Former Member, Board of tough to predict now what’s going Governors, Philippine American to be the case four months from Bar Association now. You just have to play it out on *Inactive Manny Pacquiao, Jeff Horn and Terence Crawford Philstar.com photos every angle,” said Moretti. n
Top Rank to consider Horn vs Crawford if Pacquiao retires
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President backs police behind Ozamiz... PAGE A1 t
President said. “And so my order to the military and the police and rightly so: to destroy the organization, the supplier, the users and everybody connected with the organization because they keep alive the trade,” he added. On Sunday, Parojinog, his wife Susan, Misamis Occidental Board member Octavio Parojinog Jr., and others were killed in a series of raids conducted by the Criminal Investigation and
Detection Group. Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog and her brother Reynaldo Parojinog Jr., children of the mayor, survived the bloody raids. The two are detained in Camp Crame in Quezon City. Police said they were met with fire from the Parojinogs’ security men, prompting the lawmen to retaliate. The Parojinogs were earlier tagged by President Duterte as “narco-politicians.” Also on Wednesday, the Vol-
unteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) asked the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel investigation into the police operation in Ozamiz City. VACC founding Chairman Dante Jimenez made the request after the vice mayor, Nova Princess, sought the assistance of the group. The vice mayor insists the raids were illegal, even claiming that authorities planted evidence to frame her for crimes she did not commit. n
Duterte signs bill granting free tuition to state... PAGE A2 t
much can be funded from the 2018 budget. “We may have to consider disallowing use of income by SUCs. If worse comes to worst, we may consider asking for supplemental budget,” Diokno added. In a statement, Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate finance committee, assured that the new law would be funded under next year’s budget. The proposed 2018 budget, which has already been sub-
mitted by the DBM last month, does not include the needed appropriation for the newly signed law. “The President’s enactment of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act is a manifestation of his commitment to provide access to higher education and better opportunities for the poor,” added the senator, who is also the co-author and co-sponsor of the measure. The law, she further noted, “addresses the concerns of poor
families who have no means to [send] their children to college.” House Appropriations Committee Chair and Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles also expressed optimism that Congress could make adjustments to fund the law next year. “We have already reviewed the possible financial implications and complications of this proposal and I can safely say that there is enough money to jump-start this and sustain it in the long term,” he added. n
Covered California expects 12.5%... PAGE A4 t
the end of the ride when we have to decide what products we are going to roll out for open enrollment.” About 650,000 Covered California enrollees — nearly half of the exchange’s total enrollment — benefit from cost-sharing subsidies, which lower their copays, deductibles and coinsurance. The subsidies, paid directly to insurers, are separate from the tax credits that reduce consumers’ monthly premium payments. They’re available only to silver-plan enrollees whose annual income falls between 139 percent and 250 percent of the federal poverty level — about $34,200 to $61,500 for a family of four. An announcement on whether the Trump administration will continue to fund them, at least for another month, had been expected as early as this week. So far, Trump has let the subsidies continue on a month-to-month basis. But after Senate efforts to pass a repeal of the Afford-
able Care Act failed last week, he suggested in a tweet that he might pull the plug on them. A federal appeals court decision late Tuesday, however, cast doubt on the president’s ability to do that on his own. Lee said Covered California will decide by the end of August whether to apply the surcharge for cost-sharing subsidies next year. State regulators need at least 60 days to review the rates and obtain public comment, and Covered California and health plans also need time to prepare for open enrollment, which begins Nov. 1. Current enrollees will have the option to start renewing their plans sometime in October. If a decision is made to add the surcharge, there’s no going back for 2018, even if the federal government later decides to fund the subsidies, Lee said. If the surcharge is applied, affected consumers wouldn’t bear the full brunt of the increase be-
cause their premium tax credits would increase as well. Covered California plans to create a new silver plan to be sold outside the exchange for individuals and families who make too much money to qualify for tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. The surcharge will not be applied to that plan. Lee also said Tuesday that the Covered California board will consider a proposal later this month that would allow participating health insurers to have a higher profit margin in the future should federal policy changes cause them to lose money next year. Pauline Bartolone and Chad Terhune contributed to this report. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. KHN’s coverage in California is funded in part by Blue Shield of California Foundation. n
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A
Duterte calls ‘chubby-faced’ Kim Jong Un ‘crazy, fool’ over nuclear tests by Dana
SioSon AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, August 2, slammed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over Pyongyang’s nuclear activities that may endanger the region, calling him a “fool” and “crazy.” In a speech peppered with expletives, Duterte further described Kim as a “chubbyfaced” man and “son of a b****” who must be stopped for “playing with dangerous toys.” “Itong si Kim Jong Un, itong tarantado (this fool), you know if that guy — I do not think he is ready, but he is playing with dangerous toys, iyang buang na iyan (this crazy man),” Duterte said in his speech at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) anniversary in Quezon City. Duterte’s remarks came days ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum (ARF) hosted by the Philippines. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong is expected to attend the ARF on Monday, August 7, which is considered as among the region’s largest security forums. “That chubby face that looks kind. That son of a b****. If he commits a mistake, the Far East will become an arid land. It must be stopped, this nuclear
war,” Duterte remarked. He further said, “A limited confrontation and it blows up here, I will tell you, the fallout can deplete the soil, the resources and I don’t know what will happen to us.” This is not the first time Duterte spoke against the North Korean leader. In April, the Philippine president questioned Kim’s sanity, calling him a “madman.” Following his colorful remarks, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the chief executive’s comments only meant to express the country’s “very serious concern” over the dangers that may caused by Pyongyang’s nuclear activities. In a press conference, DFA Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said the president is particularly concerned at the welfare of Filipinos that may be affected by the rising tension in Korean Peninsula. He pointed out that the Philippines is geographically near North Korea, and is likely within reach of a missile. He added that Duterte is also concerned regarding the safety of overflights in the Philippine area of responsibility. “It is an expression of concern on the part of the Philippines over the developments on the Korean Peninsula. We have
DAVAO CITY – President Duterte on Friday, Aug. 4 visited Marawi City anew to boost the morale of hundreds of soldiers assigned in the area, more than two months since the siege by the Islamic Statelinked Maute militant group started. Duterte, who first went to the city on July 21, visited soldiers at Camp Ranaw as the death toll in the siege rose to over 700. The President’s visit to Marawi was again unannounced for security reasons. Details of his trip to Marawi were reportedly compartmentalized so that no one would know where he would be. He left Davao early on Friday afternoon and proceeded to Cagayan de Oro City where he took
the presidential helicopter to Marawi. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Presidential Military Adviser retired general Arthur Tabaquero were among those who accompanied him. Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go also joined the group in meeting the troops. Duterte left Marawi after a 45minute visit to the camp, during which he posed for selfies with the troops. He arrived on Thursday night, Aug. 3 to attend the reunion of his Ateneo de Davao University High School 1961 at a Chinese restaurant in Barangay Lanang. (Edith Regalado/Philstar.com)
Duterte visits Marawi anew
50,000 plus Filipinos in the Republic of Korea. We are very close to the Korean Peninsula in terms of geography,” Bolivar said. Earlier this week, a delegation from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), headed by its by Vice Foreign Minister Choe Hui Chol, visited
Manila and met with Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. North Koreans were reportedly worried that the ASEAN may issue a strongly-worded statement against them in the upcoming ARF in connection with the tense situation in the Korean Peninsula, and pres-
sure North Korea to abandon its planned missile tests. The regional bloc previously expressed “grave concern” over the rising tension in Korean Peninsula. It also expressed support for denuclearization in the area. A leaked draft communique
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Pres. Rodrigo Duterte
Inquirer.net photo
A8 AUGUST 5-8, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
FEATURES
Free education for Filipinos DESPITE concerns raised by his economic team, President Duterte signed the other night a law mandating free tuition in all state universities and colleges. Republic Act 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, is expected to be implemented in 112 SUCs in the next school year in 2018.
Editorial
Economic managers had cautioned the President about the amount needed to finance the law, which also exempts students from paying miscellaneous fees in SUCs. Budget officials placed the funding requirement at a hefty P100 billion. But the Commission on Higher Education placed the initial amount at a more manageable P16 billion, which probably helped persuade the President to sign RA 10931 into law. The funding concern, however, cannot be ignored. Economic managers have stressed that the war in Marawi and other expenditures in national defense and
law enforcement have been a significant drain on public funds. The government is also providing free kindergarten and two more years of basic education under the K to 12 program. Both Malacañang and Congress must make sure there will be enough funds to support the free tertiary education program. For many years now, other Asian countries have invested heavily in education to boost national competitiveness and productivity. The amounts appropriated for education in the Philippines pale in comparison, despite the constitutional provision requiring the allocation of the largest chunk of the
national budget to education. K to 12 and now RA 10931 are among the measures to help the nation catch up. Providing sufficient funds is not enough; the government must give meaning to the title of the new law, which is the provision of “quality” tertiary education. This program is an investment in the nation’s most precious resource. Quality education empowers people and levels the playing field; it is one of the best tools for poverty alleviation, social equity and inclusive growth. There should be no compromise on the quality of the services provided under RA 10931. Free must not mean substandard. (Philstar.com)
Philstar.com photo
Why Trump’s Filipino supporters continue to defend him
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s job approval rating dips further south to a new historic low of 33 percent, with 61 percent disapproving of how he is doing his job as president, according to the latest Quinnipiac University Poll. The right-leaning Rasmussen Poll reports a 39 percent approval rating. Meanwhile, a majority of Americans (62 percent) say Trump is “not honest,” the Quinnipiac poll also reveals. I have been getting a lot of questions from our readers and among Filipinos in different parts of the world: How can Filipinos defend Pres. Trump for all
Rhizomes
PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “EVERY time a chant is offered, you have to think of the chant as a form of praising—it is the form of prayer. That’s first because the spiritual essence, the mana gives us the power to chant. Personal mana. The concept of mana is the recognition that there is an omnipotent force that‘s the first source.” - John Lake, chanter, via MJ Harden’s “Voices of Wisdom: Hawaiian Elders Speak” (1999). Would you have known that the production of “Melé Murals” at Kanu o ka ‘Aina, a public charter school in Waimea, Hawaii could move communities to transcend their skepticism and to trust the collaborative process, initiated by artists and teachers, so their Hawaiian community stories are told, using murals? Would you have known that graffiti is writing, a tool for identity formation and finding one’s self? That after writing one’s signature, the artist desires to go beyond ego and to consider doing more for his culture and helping others in their journey? That was a revelation to me, for I have looked at graffiti as simply “wall etchings,” and for enforcement officials, vandalism. Who would have thought that Kanoa Castro, who invited Estria Miyashiro and John “Prime” Hina, renowned for their “tagging” work in the early 1980s to the 1990s, would unleash a public art movement?
his lies? Lies about the calls of praise and accolades from the Boy Scout Leadership and from Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto Trump himself said he got which were debunked by both; Lies about the campaign not meeting with Russia, even under oath, only to change the story when exposés come out; lies, fabrication of stories of conspiracy about Obama not being born in the U.S. and Obama and British spies wiretapping and surveilling him; Lies in saying he did not have anything to do with Donald Jr.’s misleading statement regarding the latter’s June 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer along with other Russian key figures? The aforementioned falsehoods spoken by the president himself, many of which were captured on video coming from his mouth, were just a few of
the many times Trump lied, as reported by vetted mainstream news media (MSM) like the Washington Post, New York Times, National Public Radio, Reuters, Associated Press, ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, etc. Many of Trump’s critics cannot fathom how his FilipinoAmerican supporters can defend his blatant acts to conceal the truth and not be transparent to the American people and the world? I spoke online with Trump supporters via the Facebook group “Fil-Am Voter” and my Facebook page to get their perspectives on these nagging questions from among those who are not big fans of Trump. I asked respondents to focus on what is it about Trump that compels them to continue believing in him despite the lies as reported by the mainstream
‘Melé Murals’: Show kids who they are and they will make letters dance It is a movement started by 400 schoolchildren who participated at all grade levels, to now art murals throughout Hawaii using many community partners and schools’ participation. “Melé Murals” was shown on PBS in Los Angeles on May 16, in KCET and KCLS. At the recent Visual Communications’ 33rd Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May 2017, “Melé Murals” won the best editing award. The film was directed by Tadashi Nakamura, whose first feature film was “Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings.” Tad described to the audience that he felt the challenge to use Jake’s music in editing this film, “using the beats of music to match the different scenes – a new way of presenting the traditional.” Deconstructing a part of their creative process Who would have known that Hawaiian storytelling could combine with hip-hop infused graffiti art? Estria Foundation describes “Melé Murals” as “a youth development, arts education, cultural preservation, and community-building project. Local artists, youth, and other members of communities spanning the eight major islands of Hawai`i create a series of largescale outdoor murals focusing on Hawaiian lyrics (mele) that explore mo`olelo `aina (stories of place) and cultural and historical heritage.” The murals used songs as the foundation for telling their
stories on school building walls, as songs perhaps are languages of the souls. A chant appears in the top part of one of the panels. By chanting, “it enables our identity to thrive through language.” It kept them, “grounded in their culture.” I learned from a FilipinoAmerican artist based in California, Annie Nepomuceno, that “Indigenous sounds are both praise and worship, something very human and sacred — communicating with her soul, communicating her spirituality and her needs. The patterns are not fixed, but based on their emotions, with a melodic theme that is repeating. What she thinks and feels all refer to God.” With good intentions of capturing the voices of the indigenous Hawaiian community, the students of Kanoa Castro’s class got involved in an art-inclusive process. Followed by group dynamics, meditation, a climb to the mountains with a visit to the beaches by these schoolchildren, the invited artists led to their consultation with the Native Hawaiian elders. First, it is about finding oneself, “Me, Me, Me” and with the artists finding themselves, no longer lost, but with knowing their identities, they sing their own songs and write about their own identities. But, after that, what then? They discovered their own culture, “making their letters dance,” and graffiti art was
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news media. I requested respondents not to zoom in to what they are against (Obama, Clinton, Democrats, etc.) primarily because these people are not the president — Trump is and he is now accountable to the American people. A good friend who is a community leader in Alaska, Fil-Am Jesse Vizcocho, expressed his concern saying, “I think the question you raised Ms. Gel is problematic and controversial. We all know [the word] ‘lying’ has a negative connotation, and defending or supporting it will create negative implications. I can understand how others feel. Responding can mean bringing yourself deliberately to the ‘slaughterhouse’...or setting yourself up. Rephrasing the question or changing it might elicit a rational response from the ‘audience’ you are
seeking…” I did not rephrase the question because as far as I know, a statement bearing falsehood is a lie, but Vizcocho had a point there. Indeed, the initial reaction I got from very loyal Trump followers was that of resistance because to their mind, Trump did NOT lie. Rachel Gunther, who The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” even featured as she campaigned for Trump in California, declined to be quoted and said she would rather be interviewed by “alternative media.” Another vocal Trump supporter, Frank Wenceslao, commented, “If you’d condemn President Trump for what you consider ‘lies’ he’s uttered which haven’t yet caused damage to the national interest, how did you treat in your col-
umn policy lies such as ‘If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep your plan...’” But I also got very impassioned substantive replies from those who shared their perspectives on the issue with such fervent conviction because of their love for the country: “The starting premise of your argument is absolutely unacceptable, because you are accusing the POTUS, who was elected by maybe more than half of America if the votes were all legal, and is respected & honored by this same group of Americans, of lying, just because your sources, the liberal MSMedia says so??!! Time & time again, issue by issue they have been proven wrong, they have been thwarted with true facts coming straight from the White House’s Press Secretary
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Duterte and Fil-Ams can work on a common cause
Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA DURING the Philippine revolution against Spain, the Katipunan had two mutually-hostile factions: the Magdiwang of Andres Bonifacio, and the Magdalo, which was identified with Emilio Aguinaldo. While they literally went at each other’s throat, the two groups continued to fight alongside each other, acknowledging that they were struggling for a common cause against a common enemy. There may now be a similar situation, marked by distrust and hostility, but bound by common Philippine national interests. The most prominent FilipinoAmerican community leaders in the U.S. have been very vocal in their condemnation of the alleged extrajudicial killings that have characterized Duterte’s war on drugs. Some have even brought the issue before the U.S. Congress and the International Criminal Court. In turn, Duterte and his supporters have accused the Fil-Ams of trying to destabilize his administration, ignoring the fact that most Filipinos approve of his governance. It is doubtful that the two contending factions can arrive at a common ground on the issue of Duterte’s anti-drug war. But there are two causes that I believe both groups can – and should – agree to cooperate on, for the sake of the country. The first is the recovery of the bells of Balangiga. The second has to do with the US Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino World War II veterans. Two bells, said to be war booty from Balangiga, Samar, are on
display at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. A third bell is said to be at a U.S. Army base in South Korea. Scholars do not completely agree on the number of authentic Balangiga bells. Some say that only one was taken from the church of Balangiga and that the other two may have been from other churches in Samar which were burned down by U.S. troops. At any rate, American war veterans and members of the U.S. Congress who have opposed returning the bells to the Philippines insist that they are a painful memorial to the massacre of 48 troopers of the 9th U.S. Infantry Regiment by Filipino guerillas in a treacherous attack on the U.S. camp on September 28, 1901. The incident evokes visions of the route of Gen. Armstrong Custer and his men at Little Bighorn, during the Indian wars. On the other hand, for Filipinos, the bells are a testament to the tactical skill of Samar fighters, armed mainly with bolos, who overwhelmed the superior American forces. They liken it to the surprise attack by Gen. George Washington on the Hessian allies of the British at Trenton, New Jersey during the American revolution. But what is generally conceded is that the bells are symbols of the horrors of war, epitomized by the order given by Brig. Gen, Jacob Smith to make Samar “a howling wilderness,” as retaliation for the loss of American lives at Balangiga. Declared Smith, “I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn the better it will please me. I want all persons killed who are capable of
bearing arms in actual hostilities against the United States.” In the course of his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), Duterte demanded, “Give us back those Balangiga bells. They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage... Isauli naman ninyo. Masakit ‘yan sa amin (Please return the bells. That was painful for us).” U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim was in the audience, listening impassively to Duterte’s harangue. In a subsequent official statement, the U.S. Embassy acknowledged that the bells have a “deep significance for a number of people, both in the United States and in the Philippines” and that the Embassy would ”continue to work with our Filipino partners to find a resolution.” That reassurance, however, is just one more diplomatic effort to raise the hopes of the Philippines about recovering the bells. In fact, more influential intercessions have been made in the past but have failed. During the incumbency of President Fidel V. Ramos and of Philippine Ambassador to Washington Raul Rabe, they appealed directly to President Bill Clinton and suggested a compromise: replicas of the two bells would be cast and both the U.S. and the Philippines would take possession of one original and one replica. Recalls Ramos, in a media account, “President Clinton favored the sharing proposal, but was stymied by an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to ‘prohibit the return of veterans’ memorial objects to a foreign nation without specific authorization
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OpiniOn & Features
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 5-8, 2017
A
ADDITIONAL FIREPOWER. A trailer truck carries an armored car at the Iligan port after it was unloaded from the Philippine Navy’s BRP Davao del Sur on Friday, Aug. 4. The military says more hardware is coming as operations against the Daesh-inspired terrorist group in Marawi City enters its third month. PNA photo courtesy of Divina M. Suson
Duterte and Fil-Ams can work on a... PAGE A8 t
in law’ The rider was introduced a few weeks before by Senator Craig Thomas, a former congressman from Wyoming, who intoned, ‘History brought the bells to Wyoming, and there they should stay.� Thomas is now dead and the provision he inserted in the Pentagon spending bill is reportedly expiring in September. Thomas’ former congressional seat is now occupied by Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. When Ramos was Secretary of National Defense under President Cory Aquino, he also made representations for the return of the bells through then Defense Secretary Cheney, but to no avail. Former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Frank Wisner is said to have recently written to Rep. Cheney about helping arrange the return of the bells. U.S. war veterans have also been supportive of the return, with one of them writing to Senator John McCain for his intercession. Whether any of these can soften the intransigence of the Wyoming war vets is anybody’s guess, but the assistance and support of every single group should be considered.
West Coast
The Fil-Am community would certainly be one such group, having successfully lobbied Capitol Hill in the long struggle for benefits for Filipino soldiers who fought under the U.S. flag in World War II. The same group also succeeded in securing passage of the bill authorizing the conferment of the Congressional Gold Medal on the old Filipino soldiers. The effort to recover the bells may also be a good opportunity for the newly-designated Philippine Ambassador to Washington DC., Jose Manuel “Babe� Romualdez, to broker a rapprochement between Duterte and the Fil-Am leaders for the sake of the country which both groups claim to love. Perhaps, Romualdez, who has many friends in the Fil-Am community, can work with the leaders to lobby the U.S. Congress for the lifting of the prohibition inserted by Thomas. Among the Fil-Am leaders is Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (U.S. Army, retired), the general who blew the lid off U.S. military atrocities in Abu Ghraib, Iraq. Taguba is chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, which worked diligently for passage of the bill that would
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grant Filipino veterans the highest civilian honor conferred by the U.S. The bill was one of the last signed into law by President Barack Obama. At the same time, Romualdez could be of great help to Taguba’s group. The original Congressional Gold Medal will be on permanent display at the Smithsonian, but the FVREP would like to give a replica of the medal to every deserving veteran. That requires funds, which the group is currently raising. The support of the Philippine government is very important in this effort. And Romualdez, who also happens to be an old hand in the advertising and marketing business (I believe he owns an advertising agency), can help tap corporate sponsors in Manila for this worthy cause. Duterte and some of the FilAm leaders may never get along on certain issues, but these two causes — the return of the bells and raising funds for the Congressional Gold Medal — should be reason enough to work with each other. Para sa Inang Bayan. *** (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)
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Why Trump’s Filipino supporters continue... PAGE A8 t
& reported only by reliable news outlets like Fox News, FoxBusinessNews, & the conservative radio commentators like Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage & all other conservative reporters & writers all over the country, to which of course you have no knowledge of, because you only subscribe to the liberal sources of the news! P.S. we have to wait for all the investigation by the assigned prosecutors’ decision, the decision that
he lied is not in our hands!”— Nimfa Gamez “I take the position that unless these releases significantly affect a substantial part of a policy or issue, I let it be at that. Why? I won’t waste my time arguing or debating the truthfulness of a statement and lose sight of the important issues at hand. After all, aside from Washington (?), who among the politicians could rightfully claim he/she doesn’t lie? If Trump or Obama assert they don’t lie, I’ll
take it with a grain of salt and move on.” — Sal Partible “I give value to President Donald J. Trump’s accomplishments than mistakes. No one is perfect. Your mistakes [are] more than Trump. You disrespect his works. You are not contributing to the recovery of my country, not yours.” — Necita Udarbe “There’s no comparison. Compare to your furious leader Obama or Hillary I’d take Da Donald anytime, any day. He’s more supportive of our military, our # 1 and only real guardian angels.” — Sam Mante “Why discuss lies? Today’s market proves the administration is succeeding .... are you not tired of Trump bashing? Celebrate the accomplishments ... there is always the next election, after all.” — Malou C. Mariano “Trump is experientially a marketing guy. (Given my college educational and business [including sales & marketing] backgrounds, I can relate to him.) He’s been one since he was young. It has become his habit and old habits are hard to, if not never, die. The difference between a lie and hyperbole is that a lie is uttered with a malicious intent whereas hyperbole isn’t. I’d say most, if not all, U.S. Presidents (heck, all of us) have lied or have at least [bent] the truth. Only God is impeccable. IMO, the key question is: Has the lie affected U.S. policy or security. If not, then I’d simply dismiss it as being “no big deal” and charge it to human nature. I’m much more interested in Trump’s RESULTS that genuinely benefit Americans and the rest of the U.S.—overall.” — Manuel Tuazon “Trump is not a liar…A lot of fake news out there. This is not what OAN [One America News] reported…they [at OAN] go against all the fake news out there. Like they said, they [in OAN] are biased to the truth and the Constitution of the United States. I will always defend my president because you Democrats and liberals cannot see through his good intentions for our country…” — Pamela Concon ***
BLUE RIBBON HEARING. Senator Richard Gordon (center), chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, talks to Senators Sonny Angara and (left) and Sherwin Gatchalian (right) during an inquiry on Monday, July 31, on the P6.25-billion worth of illegal drugs recently smuggled to the country from China. The probe was prompted by the seizure of over 600 kilos of shabu or metamphetamine hydrochloride from separate warehouses in Valenzuela City last May 26. The drugs were reportedly concealed in cylindrical roller printers that were allegedly cleared by the Bureau of Customs. Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo
Faeldon urged to name lawmakers meddling in BOC
SENATOR Francis “Chiz” Escudero challenged Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon to reveal the identities of the alleged lawmakers who tried to influence the appointment and promotion of the agency’s officials. The senator remarked that Faeldon should “name names” instead of issuing a “shotgun accusation.” “If indeed it is corruption, then he should name them and file cases against them if he is indeed serious in cleaning up his bureau,” Escudero said. On Wednesday, August 2, Faeldon lashed out at some whom he called “shameless” members of the Congress for supposedly contributing to the culture of corruption in the bureau by exerting pressuring against him. “They want me to influence the promotion board so that their people here would be promoted. And I tell them right in their face I will never lift a finger to influence promotions here. That is a form of corruption,” the commisGel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s sioner said in a press briefing. “Balitang America.” Views and opinions Faeldon did not name any expressed by the author in this column are particular member of the Consolely those of the author and not of Asian gress but he said there are Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go “less than 10” lawmakers who to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// made “unreasonable” requests www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos to the agency, such as endorsing promotion, designation, and reassignment of Customs officials. “Their people are here to protect the interests of their bosses,” he added.
Faeldon stays In a statement, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Faeldon still enjoys President Rodrigo Duterte’s “full confidence.” Dominguez issued the statement following the president’s meeting with the Customs commissioner on Tuesday afternoon, August 1. “The president has met Bureau of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon this afternoon. The Chief Executive has expressed his full confidence in Commissioner Faeldon and told him to focus on serving the country,” Dominguez said. Some lawmakers requested Faeldon’s resignation over a shabu smuggling issue. The commissioner maintained that he would not resign but noted that Duterte could fire him. The Congress is currently investigating the alleged involvement of BOC officials in the 600-kilogram shipment of shabu worth P6.4 billion (US$126 million) that slipped through the agency’s express lane last May. In an interview with reporters, Duterte said he would wait for the results of the investigation before making any decision on Faeldon’s appointment. “I want the report, final. Then I will review it and I will be fair,” the chief executive said when asked if he would keep Faeldon amid the smuggling issue. ‘Look who’s talking’ Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert
“Ace” Barbers criticized Faeldon for hiring alleged “incompetent” Customs officials. “Look who’s talking! Faeldon tarnished the reputation of the entire House of Representatives by insinuating that lawmakers are endorsing promotions or employment to the bureau of certain personnel. Yet, it turned out he has employed sports people with dubious qualifications for their position,” Barbers said. During a hearing, Deputy Speaker and Batangas Representative Raneo Abu claimed that Faeldon hired nearly 30 sports personalities as technical assistants of BOC. “Are these people qualified for their positions? How much are they paid? What kind of service they are performing for the BOC? Are they actually reporting for work? We will find out the real score in our next hearing,” Barbers said, citing a Customs Special Order dated Sept. 27, 2016. According to the list, athletes, including former PBA stars like Kenneth Duremdes, Marlou Aquino, Dave Arguelles, and Edward Joseph Fiehl, and volleyball star Alyssa Valdez, among others, were hired by the bureau. “How many of these people are really qualified for intelligence work? No wonder Customs bungled the handling of evidence in the seizure of the P6.4 billion worth of shabu smuggled right though their noses,” Barbers added. (Dana Sioson/AJPress)
‘Melé Murals’: Show kids who they... PAGE A8 t
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born. From four kids, intending simply to show them how to do it, many more kids showed interest in graffiti art, that “Prime” attracted 187 kids to join. Prime set up wood panels in his backyard, the kids started to paint art with paint cans and he mentored them on how to make paint cans reveal that letters can dance. They had no idea about Hawaiian culture. So, “they meditated, they connected to heaven and earth, they connected to the land, and asked – how do I put that in the canvas?” Reverence to a rock which unleashes rain: Taking care of the place What does it mean to be one with Hawaiian culture? It is to go deeper into the culture, into spirituality, grounding one into connecting with one’s heart. It means connecting with Poli’ahu, the sacred goddess – “speaking what we see with our eyes – that our story has a visual place in our community – to take care of what is around us so it can take care of us.” The murals depicted on three walls and a chant illustrate where the rain resounds and resonates. But more than that, it shows how a community has prioritized its own stories and centers the Hawaiian audience to notice who they truly are from within, and not from without: “main Kuliana is to take care of the place.” Nanaua is a “sacred rock whose spirit it is believed brings the rain.” It is believed by the native Hawaiians to have stopped the drought. In 1979, there was a severe drought and a local Auntie Pua went to the rock and put her arms around it. She made a vow that if the rains come to save her people, as crops were dying and cattle did not have water to drink, she vowed that her family, including her children and their children, will protect the rock and of course, the place. Auntie Pua Case became a bridge to what the indigenous culture has to offer and to what modern day graffiti artists had
to recognize, ”if you are going to honor her, the focus should not be her, but the water, the bigger picture.” One artist revealed that from “what you feel, you are bringing what you are, [into the] painting, you begin to know their stories.” It becomes the spirit of Manaua’s way of putting herself on the wall, as fully depicted when it rained the first day they were working on the murals. To a 7th or 8th grader on a meditation journey in the mountains, she described her vision as a goddess holding a fetus with both hands, and this young lady’s vision became the centerpiece of the mural, as water cascades down from the goddess’ hands. To me, it also suggested how we must know our own glory, that we too, are own goddesses in the making, to connect to Mother Earth. As with any spiritual endeavor, a challenge comes about, unexpected and an artist’s inner conviction drives that artist to move forward, to express what is in his/her heart, to serve the Higher Being in the manner the group previously intended. Without transcending this spiritual challenge, one’s faith remains shallow and one is yet to feel the “transcendence” or the “transformative effect” of one’s deeper connection to that Higher Universe, whether it is God, Allah or the spirit within this sacred rock. Consider a hotel on the water, and when it is constructed, it killed the cycle of water and it killed the fish around it. No longer is graffiti art regarded as vandalism, but instead, the focus is drawn to the vandalism of the land, how Native Hawaiians were displaced and how Hawaii continues to be occupied by the U.S. government. By liberating these walls to speak about the Native Hawaiian stories, they too become liberated in not just elevating themselves, not deifying themselves on a pedestal, but they too become part of everyone, a
part of what created the community’s landmark. Much like the 210-foot-tall Glines Canyon Dam on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, which killed the flow of fishes in these areas. It was a movement initiated by Patagonia which led to the movement and the cry to remove to the dam. By 2014, the dam was removed and the Elwha River’s circulatory system is now unblocked, free to flow where the fishes are back to propagate, unimpeded. That is who we become, fishes that flow through Life’s rivers, unimpeded, unblocked and free to get our sustenance from Mother Earth, but do so we must with reverence. Not just us, but other beings, including the fishes, that we may also get the rains as needed to care for the crops and the cattle or we all perish. That is the heart-imprinted lesson I got from Melé Murals, which I considered so welldone by Tad Nakamura and his team, that we must center ourselves in a Higher Being, express ourselves through our chosen art, and in this documentary, graffiti art and murals that spoke to respecting themselves and their places in the Universe, and in particular, Hawaii. In the process of producing this public mural, all got transformed by the democratic, inclusive process. Bravo! *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 9 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.
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More local execs testify against Revilla by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
BANGON MARAWI. OfďŹ ce of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima (left), Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra (middle), and AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla (left) listen as a Lumad boy performs (background) at the opening ceremonies of the Bangon Marawi Forum at the ASEAN International Media Center (IMC) held at Conrad Hotel, Pasay City on Friday, Aug. 4. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
SC urged: Release documents to bolster Chief Justice Sereno impeach complaint by EDU
PUNAY Philstar.com
MANILA - Groups seeking the ouster of Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno on Friday, Aug. 4 sought records from the Supreme Court (SC) to bolster their impeachment complaint filed against her before the House of Representatives. In a two-page letter, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and the Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. (VPCI) asked for certified copies of at least seven documents of the high court that will prove the allegations in their complaint filed last Wednesday, Aug. 2. The request is seen to test the clout of Sereno among her colleagues in the 15-member court, which should decide on the matter collegially. The letter signed by VACC founding chair Dante Jimenez and VPCI president was addressed to the full court, through SC clerk of court Felipa Anama. Among the documents requested by the two groups is the memorandum of Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro questioning Sereno’s orders that supposedly lacked necessary approval of the collegial court as provided under the rules, includ-
and with the office of Senator Revilla‌ I automatically said no, especially pertaining to the NGO. We had no dealings or transactions,â€? Calimlim said, referring to a 2013 interview by graft investigators on the pork barrel projects. Tumauini, Isabela Mayor Arnold Bautista also denied his signature on the acknowledgment receipts. Piat, Cagayan Vice Mayor Leonel Guzman, likewise, denied receiving P3.9 million worth of power sprayers and other farm implements from the senator’s office when he was the mayor. According to lead prosecutor Joefferson Toribio, the local officials’ testimonies corroborate with the claims of Benhur Luy and other pork scam whistleblowers that Revilla’s projects were never implemented and the documents were falsified. “The testimony of Benhur Luy and the other whistleblowers perfectly jibe with what we are presenting now,â€? Toribio said. He added, “All of the liquidation reports and documents that were allegedly executed
THREE more local Philippine government officials testified before the Sandiganbayan against former Senator Ramon “Bongâ€? Revilla Jr. in connection with his alleged involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) anomalies or “pork barrelâ€? scam. During the continuation of the senator’s plunder trial on Thursday, August 3, three former mayors denied that they received any pork barrel projects from Revilla’s office despite their municipalities being named as among beneficiaries of farm implements and livelihood kits. In his testimony, former Mayor of Mapandan municipality and current Pangasinan Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim denied signing the delivery reports and the certificate of acceptance from the PDAF projects. He claimed that the signatures appearing in the questioned non-government organization (NGO) documents were forged. “I was asked questions‌ if we had transactions with the NGO
by officials and alleged beneficiaries were not really signed by these persons, that’s why we are now presenting these persons themselves.â€? For its part, Revilla’s camp dismissed the witnesses’ testimonies as “voidâ€? and “hearsay.â€? Former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza said that the plunder information only alleges Revilla’s mere “endorsementâ€? and failed to confirm that the senator’s “funds...were given to anybody.â€? “All of these interviews are invalid. They are made on a false premise. These interviews were derogatory to Senator Revilla. All of these interviews are void based on a false premise,â€? Mendoza added. Revilla is accused of receiving P224-million ($5.1 million) in kickbacks from ghost projects using the PDAF. The PDAF was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013 because it allowed lawmakers “to wield, in varying gradations, non-oversight, post-enactment authority in vital areas of budget executions.â€? â–
PCGG exceeds annual P336-M target by NEIL
ALCOBER ManilaTimes.net
DESPITE proposals to abolish the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), the agency said it has exceeded this year’s P336 million target by remitting to the Bureau of Treasury more than P357 million or an output of 106 percent with still ‘BETRAYAL OF PUBLIC TRUST’ Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption Chairman Dante Jimenez five months to go. “The PCGG expects to recover (second from left), Eligio Mallari of the Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution (left), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Martin DiĂąo (third from left) and lawyer Larry Gadon (right) show their impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to the media on Wednesday, Aug. 2. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
ing the appointment of a Philippine Judicial Academy (Philja) official and provision for travel allowances of her staff. De Castro’s internal memorandum, which was reported by The Star earlier, specifically assailed the appointment of lawyer Brenda Jay Mendoza as Philja chief of office for the Philippine Mediation Center. De Castro said the memorandum violated their Administrative Order No. 33-2008 that required the appointment for the post to be approved by the SC collegially.
The magistrate also assailed Sereno’s grant of foreign travel allowance to members of her staff without required approval from the full court. She revealed that the Chief Justice’s staff were being given travel allowances even when their trips abroad were on “official time,â€? which should not involve expenditure of public funds. De Castro has also questioned the “long delayâ€? in the appointment of vacant key positions in the SC pending before Sereno’s office, “which is prejudicial to the best interest of service.â€? â–
more than P100 million by the end of the year, for a total recovery of almost half a billion pesos, despite a modest 2017 budget of just P114 million. For the last six years, PCGG has been able to remit a yearly recovery average of more than P12 billion, notwithstanding its modest annual average budget of P103 million, producing an average cost to recovery ratio of P1:130.19,� the
PCGG said in a statement. PCGG Commissioners Reynold Munsayac, Rey Bulay and John Agbayani said the commission is pleased to be able to contribute money that will be used for the programs of the Duterte administration, especially those intended for the farmers since P260 million of the funds collected this year will go directly to the Agrarian Reform programs. â–
Duterte calls ‘chubby-faced’ Kim Jong Un... PAGE A7 t reveals that ASEAN maintains its stance over the escalating tensions in the area. “We continue to express grave concerns over the developments in the Korean peninsula, including the most recent test by the [DPRK] of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on 4 July 2017 on top of its previous nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches,� the draft read. The United States reportedly
called for the suspension of North Korea from participating in the ARF as part of broad efforts to diplomatically isolate Pyongyang and force it to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The Philippine government, however, dismissed Washington’s call, saying that the ARF serves as the only venue where ASEAN and other international communities could discuss its concerns with the the government of North Korea. “It is the only venue thus far
that we have to promote candid and faithful dialog and to actually express our concerns to the DPRK side in a face-toface manner shying away from what Secretary Cayetano calls megaphone diplomacy through press releases,â€? Bolivar said. He also took note that ARF, as a forum “do not have expulsion provisions.â€? He added that it is up to North Korea if it would leave the forum, as it does not have “hard and fast rulesâ€? on members’ exits. â–
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JOURNAL Vilma Santos fulfills bedridden fan’s wish by JOANNA
ESTORQUE AJPress
THE 54th birthday celebration of Evangeline MuĂąoz was made more special by the surprise appearance of Rep. Vilma Santos. The Vilma Santos Solid International (VSSI), a group composed of long-time avid fans of the ‘Star for All Seasons,’ planned a surprise birthday celebration for MuĂąoz on July 29. The celebration was a response to the request of Faye Galang, the sister of MuĂąoz, to grant the wish of her sister to meet the former Batangas governor before she dies. VSSI responded as soon as Galang’s Facebook post reached its president, Jojo Lim, according to a report by PEP.ph. MuĂąoz, who has Down syndrome, has been bedridden for two years due to her gout and rheumatism. According to Galang, her sister’s room was filled with pictures of Santos to help relieve her pain. MuĂąoz inherited her admira-
tion of the 63-year-old actresspolitician from her deceased mother Gloria. During the 1970s, the two watched Ate V’s movies together. They also cut pictures of the actress from magazines and newspapers. “I cannot explain the feeling,â€? Rep. Santos said. “You do not know where the admiration and love are coming from.â€? “It’s a fulfillment that there are people who love you like this [Evangeline]. Maybe this is why I reached this far in the industry,â€? the congresswoman added. According to her, people like MuĂąoz serves as an inspiration. The fulfilled dream of MuĂąoz was featured on “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Sohoâ€? last Sunday, July 30. Relationship deeper than show business Despite the Batangas representative’s break from entertainment, she remains caring to her VSSI family. Rep. Vilma also said she val-
ues her deep relationship with her fans. “Our relationship cannot be considered as only show business. Now that I’m in public service, they are still with me. If I serve, they also serve and I have projects wherein they participate,� she said. The actress-politician also mentioned the communication and coordination they have. Aside from strengthening her relationship with her fans, Vilma also focuses on giving financial assistance to the members of the group who are sick or in need. According to VSSI President Lim, the actress donated initial funds to support the members. Vilma expressed her joy that VSSI has become a bridge in helping their fellow members. “In my long years in the industry, this [helping others] is just a small thing,� she said. She further mentioned Vilmanians who are sick and old but continue to love her.
Aljur Abrenica transfers to ABS-CBN
Aljur Abrenica
U.S. CASIN ST O BE
PE
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ACTOR Aljur Abrenica confirmed that he is now part of the Kapamilya Network. ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer Cory Vidanes, Business Unit Head Laurenti Dyogi, and Dreamscape production head Deo Endrinal officially welcomed the former GMA Network actor on Monday, July 31. In an Instagram post, Aljur posted a photo with the ABS-CBN executives and wrote that he was “speechless and honored� for the opportunity and warm welcome given by his new home. The actor further expressed his gratitude to the greetings given by Dreamscape, a production unit of ABS-CBN. “Thank you Sir Erick, Sir Rondel and Ms. Danica for the warm welcome,� he said.
Even before the said photo was posted, Abrenica’s followers had a hint of a big change in his life. He first shared a picture of his feet with a caption, “moving forward.� According to ABS-CBN publicist Eric John Salut, the 27-year-old actor has upcoming projects and TV appearances on different shows on the Kapamilya network. Abrenica’s five-year contract with GMA Network — where he was first discovered when he won as “Starstruck Season 4 Ultimate Hunk� — expired last March. In 2014, the actor and GMA Network had a dispute that was brought to court. The network allegedly mishandled his career, pushing him to demand a contract nullification. The conflict was then settled and the actor further pursued projects Inquirer.net photo with the network.
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On her 54th birthday, Evangeline MuĂąoz was visited by Vilma Santos. MuĂąoz has Down syndrome and has been bedridden for two years. Photo from the Facebook page of Vilma Santos Solid International (VSSI)
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Kaila Estrada’s independent Live & Dine LA event is a foodie’s delight journey to her modeling career by JOANNA
ESTORQUE AJPress
DESPITE being the daughter of actors Janice de Belen and John Estrada, Kaila Estrada is proud of making it in the modeling industry on her own, not being reliant on the influence of her parents. Although the “Estrada/De Belen” surname affixed to her has its advantages, the 21-year old model did her best to achieve her dream. “I’d like to think I worked hard for it, to deviate from that kind of industry because you know, modelling is something that I’ve always wanted to do ever since I was 16,” Kaila told PEP in an interview. Her love for fashion became deeper over time. She shared, “And then I realized na parang, ‘Oh I like this! I like being in fashion, I like styling myself, I like styling my sisters.’” “Eventually, I decided na I want to model because I like to play around with different characters when I’m in a shoot. Or wear different kinds of clothes for different personalities on the runway so I really love it,” she continued. She credits Rihanna and Australian fashion blogger Margaret Zhang as her style idols. She first attempted to enter the modeling industry when she was 17, taking the runway for fashion designer Randy Ortiz. Her modeling career continued to blossom after she signed with Mercator Models and Talent Management. “I also joined the SM Youth Go-
Kaila Estrada Photo her Instagram account
See competition and then when me and my partner, Kyle [Perry], won the competition, it really opened a lot of doors for me,” narrated Estrada. “So I feel like, it’s really just about taking the opportunity as it comes, no matter how big or how small and then really working hard for it,” she added. Even though she’s been in the industry for four years now, Estrada believes she still has a lot to learn. According to her, the unique style on the runway would be an edge given the industry’s strong competition. Estrada became popular after a stunning photo of her on Instagram went viral. She is now a certified Instagram star with more than 116,000 followers, as of press time. MEGAStyle.ph titled her as the “Most Beautiful Digital Influencer.” (With reports from PEP.ph)
LOS ANGELES is not just the City of Angels — it’s the City of Food Angels who were out in force on Sunday, July 30 to support the Los Angeles Mission and to offer the over 1,700 people attending the event sample tastings. Angeleno Magazine’s annual Live & Dine LA event, which was held at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica, honors the city’s most distinguished chefs and restaurants that help shape and evolve Los Angeles’ culinary scene, and the dishes they served were delicious proof of it. FoodTrients®, the cookbooks and website created by Grace O and dedicated to the foods that promote longevity and vitality, was one of the featured partners for the event. The FoodTrients booth was part of the Wellness Lounge, which consisted of companies and products that promote health. Grace O and her FoodTrients team offered some of their favorite recipes for attendees to taste. They included her innovative Green Tea Noodles with Edamame, Wild Rice & Quinoa Salad (with age-defying golden berries), Prune Walnut Bars (an audience favorite), and Baobab Bars (even better than lemon bars if you ask Grace O). Drinks included Grace O’s Pomegranate Iced Tea and her Mint-Agave Tonic. The FoodTrients booth attracted a lot of attention at the event as guests tasted the food and learned that the flavorful dishes can also help people look and feel better
as they age. Guests were excited to learn that Grace O has collected her longevity “secrets” from around the world in her newest cookbook – “THE AGE BEAUTIFULLY COOKBOOK,” which is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Her cookbook was recently honored with Gourmand’s (L-R) FoodTrients Chefs Roy Valarao & Polo Dellosa (back), Caterer Wendy Rhodes, Editor and “Best in the World” award for In- Brand Manager Barbara Weller, and FoodTrients creator Grace O. novation. Guests were treated to culinary delights from more than 40 LA restaurants, and to drinks and cocktails from over 20 different vendors. Some of the participating restaurants included The Bazaar by José Andrés, The Butcher’s Daughter, Crateful, The District by Hannah An, Eataly, FIG Restaurant, Georgie, Obica Mozzarella Bar, Salazar, The Polo Lounge, Zen Craft, and more. Caffe Luxxe, Accomplice Bar, Cosa Salvaje Tequila, Lillet, Miraval, Red Bull, and Kevita were among the drink vendors. Wendy Rhodes & Barbara Weller in Foodtrients booth Photos by Matthew Fried All proceeds from the event went to the Los Angeles Mission, which exists to provide help, hope and opportunity to men, women and children in need. The LA Mission also strives to be a world leader among Missions that provide for the poor, restore the addicted and eliminate homelessness.
Nadine Lustre deactivates her Twitter, IG reportedly due to bashing
Nadine Lustre
“I’M sorry, but SERIOUSLY. WTF are you all...” This, according to Twitter’s records, is how Nadine Lustre Crowd at Live & Dine LA began one of her last status posts on the social media site before deactivating her account reportedly on Friday, August 4. Fans also discovered she likewise deactivated her Instagram account. Another dead Twitter link to a post read, “Yeah dont say anything bad if you guys dont know what the real story is Mika is nice and always stands up for her family.” A comment to one of her posts, Philstar.com photo PAGE B3 Attendees taste Foodtrients’ dishes at the booth.
(Advertising Supplement)
Exotic fruits & drinks
“The Age Beautifully Cookbook” on display with Green Tea Noodles with Edamame, Wild Rice & Quinoa Salad, Prune Walnut Bars, and Baobab Bars.
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Alex Gonzaga co-authors next book with sister by Christina
alpad ManilaTimes.net
Myx TV General Manager Miguel Santos (rightmost), shown here with Steve Angeles of TFC’s BA and ABS-CBN International Lifestyle Network Executive Producer Beverly Desuasido at last February’s NAMIC’s announcement rites in Beverly Hills, California where ABS-CBN International received four nominations at NAMIC’s Vision Awards.
Myx TV GM Miguel Santos named among NAMIC’s 10 emerging executives of color Diversity organization to honor emerging media executives of color during awards luncheon at the 31st Annual NAMIC Conference on Sept. 27 LOS ANGELES - The National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) announced recently the winners of its 2017 Next Generation Leaders Awards, recognizing emerging business leaders of color in the media and entertainment industry for their career successes and commitment to fostering diversity in the workplace. Myx TV General Manager Miguel Santos was named among the 10 emerging executives of color in NAMIC’s 2017 Luminaries Class. Santos oversees Myx TV network’s strategy, programming, production, marketing, ad sales and business development, with the goal of elevating the narratives of one of the most under-represented minority groups in media. Myx TV is owned and operated by ABS-CBN International. The 2017 Next Generation Leaders Awards will be presented in four categories to the following honorees: • Cable MSO: Ebonne Ruffins, VP, Local Media Development, Comcast Cable • Cable Programmer: Daniel Eilemberg, President & Chief Content Officer, FUSION TV
• Tech Company/Discipline: Linda Pan, SVP, New Digital Business, AMC Networks • Creative Discipline: Romina Rosado, SVP & Editor-in-Chief, E! News & Online, NBCUniversal In addition to honoring the four Next Generation Leaders, NAMIC will also honor 10 emerging executives of color in its 2017 Luminaries Class: • Charlotte Castillo, SVP, International Brand Management & Creative, Viacom International Media Networks • Twyla Huang-DiSimone, VP, News Content Partnerships, Turner Ignite • P. Sean Gupta, VP, Strategy and Operations, BET Networks • Navin Kamath, VP, Account Management, Global Distribution, HBO • Stephanie Jackson, VP, Ad Sales, Western Region, Food Network & Cooking Channel, Scripps Networks Interactive • Sameel Osuri, SVP, Global Content Operations, Discovery Communications • Miguel Santos, General Manager, Myx TV • Tony Song, VP, Ad Sales, AMC Networks • Holly Tang, Chief Financial
Officer, Bravo and Oxygen Media, NBCUniversal • Janet Han Vissering, SVP, Development & Production, Nat Geo WILD In partnership with Multichannel News, the 2017 Next Generation Leaders will be honored at the 31st Annual NAMIC Conference during the NAMIC Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. ET at the New York Marriott Marquis. NAMIC (National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications) is the premier organization focusing on multi-cultural diversity, equity and inclusion in the communications industry. More than 3,000 professionals belong to a network of 18 chapters nationwide. Through initiatives that target leadership development, advocacy and empowerment, NAMIC collaborates with industry partners to grow and nurture a workforce that reflects the cultural richness of the populations served. For more information on NAMIC, the 31st NAMIC Annual Conference and the NAMIC Annual Awards Luncheon, please visit www.namic.com.
WHILE fans miss seeing her acting in teleseryes, Alex Gonzaga remains just as visible these days. For besides hosting reality and variety shows for her home network ABS-CBN, the younger of the Gonzaga sisters has been a favorite product endorser for her brand of quirk. It was this same quirkiness that the actress-host and comedienne brought when she hosted the opening salvo of “Oishi Snacktacular�—an annual event of the popular snack brand, which Gonzaga also endorses —on July 28 at Festival Mall in Alabang. With her trademark high energy, she led a mob of young mallgoers around the activity area and willingly gave in to requests of selfies and greetings all while keeping a big smile on her face. Catching up with younger Gonzaga at the sidelines of the event, The Manila Times asked, what keeps her happy all the time? “I don’t think there’s any secret in that—it’s just that I choose to have a happier and more positive outlook in life. I choose to enjoy it,� the 29-year-old gamely answered. Besides obviously getting the glow from a satisfying relationship with her non-showbiz boyfriend Mikee Morada—the two remain inseparable, as seen on her Instagram account @cathygonzaga—among other great things happening in her life, Gonzaga singled out her close ties with her Ate Toni as her happy pill. For, while some sisters drift apart when one of them gets married and starts a family, the Gonzaga siblings are as tight as ever.
Alex and Toni Gonzaga
“Yes, I was afraid that we would drift apart when she got married but we actually became closer, especially with the arrival of Baby Seve,� Alex enthused, pertaining to Toni and husband Paul Soriano’s first born. She shared how voice and video calls have been more frequent between them with the arrival of Seve. She would also accompany her sister and her nephew whenever her brother-in-law is away for work. “Just like now, I’ve been sleeping in their house for two straight nights to keep them company,� Alex shared. With this strengthened relationship, Alex revealed to The Manila Times that she and her sister are currently at the end stage of pub-
ManilaTimes.net photo
lishing a new book. A title under ABS-CBN Publishing—the same publishing house she has worked with for her two best-selling relationship guide books “Dear Alex, Break Na Kami. Paano?! Love, Catherine� and “Dear Alex, We’re Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love, Catherine�—the Gonzaga sisters are expected to launch their first collaboration on print before the year ends. “Of course this is different and special because it’s with my sister. So we tackle sisterhood but not solely on the basis of blood relations like what we have. In a nutshell, we are sending out the message that sisterhood can be shared with your mom, your sister of course, or your best friend.�
Nadine Lustre deactivates her... PAGE B12
also said: “yeah kasi when she’s starting alam nating lahat na she’s not like that diba? I mean nagbago na sya no offense I’m just saying I’m a fan too.� Netizens now are speculating if the singer-actress shut down her social media accounts because she cannot take the bashing anymore. Nadine has over four million Instagram fans, while her Twitter has 1.6 million followers. (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/Philcoming up. I guested in GGV, star.com) I guested with Boy Abunda),� Ramsay said. “So hindi na ako banned sa ABS (So I’m not banned in ABS-CBN anymore),� he added. When asked if there’s a possibility for him to return to the Kapamilya network, the former ABS-CBN talent said, “TV5 is my priority.� He said that TV5 considers his interest when they offer him a project that’s why he accepts them. “I was never forced to do a project in TV5,� Ramsay added. Right now, they are conceptualizing a new program Derek Ramsay Philstar.com photo which will tackle the stories and lives of young athletes. Ramsay is almost six years However, Ramsay already made it clear that he’s already in under TV5 and he expressed how he doesn’t have any regrets for good terms with ABS-CBN. “Nag-movie na nga kami ni transferring. “When we sat and we talked, Coleen. May project kaming nakaline-up ni Bea. Nag-guesting na they said ‘hey, we’re very happy ko sa GGV, nag-guesting na ko with what you’ve done and we kay Kuya Boy [Abunda] (I made want you to sign on for another a movie with Coleen Garcia. Bea three years.’ No hesitation, I said Alonzo and I have a new project yes,� the actor said.
Derek Ramsay clarifies rumors on network transfers By Krissy
aguilar AJPress
ACTOR Derek Ramsay dismissed rumors about him transferring to another television station. “Wala, wala pa (None, there’s none yet),� he told Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), denying that he already talked to another network. “I think it would be very disrespectful for me to entertain other offers,� the 40-year-old model said. Nonetheless, he thought these offers were not serious. Ramsay transferred to TV5 in 2012 after being with ABS-CBN for six years. Although there was no announcement that he was banned from the station after leaving, ABS-CBN allegedly have had bad blood with the actor. During the promotion of the movie “A Secret Affair� with Anne Curtis on the same year he left, Derek’s name was not mentioned while promoting the movie on ABS-CBN shows.
Angel Locsin named Best Supporting Actress at the 57th Asia Pacific Film Festival By Krissy
aguilar AJPress
KAPAMILYA actress Angel Locsin bagged the Best Supporting Actress award at the 57th Asia-Pacific Film Festival held at Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Locsin won the award for her 2016 comedy-drama film “Everything About Her� with multi-awarded actress Vilma
Santos and Xian Lim. In the movie, the 32-yearold actress played the role of a nurse who took care of a cancer-stricken career woman. “Thank you very, very much for this incredible honor,� she wrote in an Instagram repost of the trophy from the international film festival shot by Star Cinema’s Mico Del Rosario.
Locsin was not present during the awarding ceremony so Filipino director Will Fredo accepted the award on her behalf. The dramatic film also won Locsin her first Best Supporting Actress at the Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards for Movies (EDDYs) by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd).
Richard Gutierrez, Sarah Lahbati now engaged “THE stars aligned in the universe and this happened. I’m marrying my best friend,� Sarah Lahbati wrote in her social media posts that announced her engagement to fellow actor Richard Gutierrez on Monday, July 31. The couple’s engagement photos show Richard proposed at the Swiss Alps in Sarah’s other home country, Switzerland, where she also spent her pregnancy with her first born with Richard, Zion, who is now four years old. In previous interviews with Philstar.com, the couple said they were not on a rush to get hitched as they wanted to maximize the opportunities they have in showbiz. The two met on the set of a soap opera on GMA, but they are now working on projects with ABS-CBN. In other interviews with the press, Sarah relayed that she wanted to marry in Europe. Family and friends, such as Richard’s niece, Janine Gutierrez, sister, Ruffa and mom, Annabelle, congratulated the pair on social media. In this Instagram post, actor Richard Gutierrez wrote to his fiancee Sarah Lahbati: (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar. “I love you and I can’t wait to start this new chapter of our lives together.� com)
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B4 AUGUST 5-8, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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More ‘firsts’ for Maine Mendoza on her second year in the biz TWO years into the business and Maine Mendoza continues to accomplish many firsts in her young but already successful career. Over the weekend, the 22-yearold conquered the “Eat Bulaga” stage with a challenging performance that may have put her at risk but nevertheless empowered her for she did it sans a trusty
partner. Mendoza was the safari queen for her performance in “#DabarkadsGoals: The Ultimate Battle,” which was part of the show’s 38th anniversary celebration on Saturday. Her lithe body was tossed and turned, and she hung on a bamboo pole for dear life for the duration of the performance all while keeping a huge
Alfie Lorenzo
Maine Mendoza
In memory of my good friend, Alfie Lorenzo
ManilaTimes.net photo
smile on her face. But behind her seemingly perky disposition, one-half of the phenomenal love team AlDub had to battle fear and pessimism before hitting the stage. As she wrote on her Instagram account @mainedcm, she almost gave up when her co-host Ryan Agoncillo—whom she had performed with earlier in the week for the same number—could not make it on the big day because of health reasons. Thankfully for her fans, Mendoza’s determination prevailed and she hit the stage for an epic noontime show performance. “This performance is a big deal for me because I rarely put my whole self in the things I do. Like I have said, I’m always “just enough but this #DabarkadsGoals competition is an exception. I did not expect this! This is one of the few moments I feel proud and satisfied for doing something ‘great.’ Thank you for this memorable experience, dabarkads!” Mendoza wrote. Outside television, Mendoza continues to be a fashion cover girl, but this time for a title different from the established magazines she has worked with in the past. She was chosen as the maiden cover girl of an independent lifestyle magazine named Rank, which will also be done very differently. On Tuesday, Aug. 1, Rank revealed that Mendoza will have three covers: a classic one wearing a rose gold Mark Bumgarner dress; the second, an avant-garde PAGE B5
BY MONET
LU
THIRTY years ago, I would never have imagined such a beautiful soul fleeting out of existence; let alone write a tribute for him in my column. He is one of those friends who you’ll either hate or love but could never live without. He gives the best advice and the most helpful criticism. You feel all sorts of emotions when you are with him. But throughout those thirty years of being his friend, today was the saddest that Alfie has ever made me feel. This day could’ve been one of those days when I’d get a call from him saying he’s flying to LA and would love to stay at my apartment. Or one of those times when I’d visit Manila and my itinerary would always include coming by to his humble abode. But instead, today, I learned that none of those things will ever happen again. I remember writing about him back in 2013. I talked about how he and I met in the 80s through a common friend and went to the Halloween Parade in West Hollywood. It is through him that I became fascinated with the world that he lives in — and has become his fortress. He is one of the reasons why Judy Ann Santos is one of the most celebrated box-office stars
Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS WHAT is “sore eyes”? Sore eyes, medically known as conjunctivitis, is a highly contagious infection of the eyes, commonly cause by an adenovirus. There are several serotypes of adenoviruses. The incubation period (from time of exposure to appearance of symptoms) is 5 to 12 days. The conjunctiva (thin lining of upper and lowers eyelids that extends to the rim of eyeballs) becomes irritated, inflamed, red, stinging, with watery discharge, and the eyelids could get stuck to each other following sleep. This usually starts with one eye and spreads to the other eye by eye-to-hand-to-eye contamination. The lymph glands (body’s defense filter) behind the ears could be sore and enlarged in many cases. How is “sore eyes” transmitted? Acute viral conjunctivitis spreads very fast, from one eye to the other of the same person, and to other persons the patient comes near to. It is transferred from one person to another by droplet (air environment in the same room or house), fomites (items touched by the patient’s contaminated hands), and by direct hand-to-eye inoculation. Indeed, this is a very contagious disease. This condition can also be due to allergies or to irritants like dust, wind, smoke, fumes, intense sunlight, ultraviolet light of sunlamps, electric arcs, etc. Obviously this type of conjunctivitis is not contagious like the adenoviral ones. Does this cause photophobia? Yes, temporary photophobia (“fear,” oversensitivity to light) is present in many patients with acute viral conjunctivitis, together with the feeling that there is a foreign body in the affected eye. There could also be some residual corneal scarring following the conjunctivitis, which could even last up to a couple of years. Occasionally, this scarring might even affect visual acuity and result in glaring. Fortunately, this does not happen too often, but, nonetheless, care should be taken to avoid exposure to persons with conjunctivitis. How about secondary bacterial infection? Secondary bacterial contamination, which is very rare, can also happen to those with viral
of all time. Alfie’s Midas touch in turning newbies into superstars has made him a legend in Philippine showbiz, such as Sunshine Cruz, Gretchen Barretto, Richard Gomez, Ruffa Gutierrez and many more. Alfie knows showbiz-career management like the back of his hand. He was also a well-known columnist and TV host. He has worked on almost all networks, either as a host or a guest or judge in various TV star search competitions in different networks. As a manager, Alfie is known to be a fighter, never surrendering unless he really has his back against the wall. When he believes in a talent and really sees potential in him or her, he would go above and beyond to make it happen for that person. He’s stubbornly persistent, that man. He will be remembered as a very colorful personality, sporting a long beard and wearing hats. I admit it’s still hard to imagine him gone. Back in 2010, it was reported that he suffered a heart seizure, or a mild heart attack. He was then treated through an emergency angioplasty and was under medication. Judy Ann was the one who assisted him to St. Luke’s Medical Center, after he was emergency treated at Capitol Medical Center. He may have taken it slow since then, but death caught up with him still. At 78, he left this world
accomplished and fulfilled. I remember the last time Alfie and I saw each other was last year at the ABS-CBN building in Quezon City when I was on vacation. If I knew that was the last time, I would’ve spent more time with him like we used to. But that’s just how life is. Regrets come in the end and all you could do is be grateful that you met someone who has made a colorful impact in your life. Alfie has survived the pains and gains of the business for 60 long years. And now the world has lost a really hardworking, generous and sensitive person. To the friends, family and acquaintances of Alfie Lorenzo, I send my condolences. We all grieve the loss of a wonderful man, at the same time, we celebrate the life that he lived and the joy that he has brought all of us. To my good friend Alfie, you will be missed but never forgotten. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
Beware of ‘sore eyes’ conjunctivitis. In this contaminated case, the eyes will have purulent (pus) discharge and bacterial cultures can be done to identify the bacteria and the antibiotic most effective for it. This is viral infection with superimposed bacteria infection. Can sex transmit conjunctivitis? Yes, if one of the partners has conjunctivitis. But another type of conjunctivitis, known as Adult Gonorrheal Conjunctivitis, which is not very common, is caused by contamination (by finger-to-eye contamination) from a person with the venereal disease called Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted illness. As a rule, only one eye is involved here, but the condition is very severe. Both sexual partners must be treated without delay. Can conjunctivitis be caused by bacteria also? Yes, this is called nongonococcal bacterial conjunctivitis, meaning the bacteria causing it is not of the gonorrhea variety. These bacteria are usually staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pneumoniae and hemophilus influenzae. To prevent further transmission of any type of conjunctivitis, the examining physician must wash his/her hands well, and so with the patient. Touching the infected eye, or the area around it, or the secretion from it, contaminates that hand, and this can spread the disease to other persons. Family members in the same household as the patient should all wash their hands very well, several times a day, and should stay away from the one with conjunctivitis, in order to minimize catching the disease. Does one catch “sore eyes” from peeping? Peeping toms have been scared by a myth that they will catch stye (kuliti), not conjunctivitis. However, if a person with viral conjunctivitis had looked through the same hole, the subsequent peeping tom could be inoculated with the virus also and get the disease. What is seasonal conjunctivitis? Seasonal conjunctivitis is also known as hay fever conjunctivitis, usually due to allergy to airborne pollens, and the peak season is spring, late summer and early fall. Besides the itchy red eyes, the person also has rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa---inner lining of the nose) with tendency to sneeze a lot and have clear watery nasal discharge (sipon). Another form
that is due to allergy is called perennial allergic conjunctivitis or atopic conjunctivitis, where the irritants are dust mite dander or animal dander. This is a chronic form, with symptoms round the year, and usually these persons also have eczema, asthma and other allergic conditions. Can the condition be prevented? Yes, most definitely, in majority of cases. Careful avoidance of the known modes of transmission discussed above is the best way to prevent catching the disease, even some of those secondary to allergies. Eliminating dust, dust mite and dander at home of office by good housecleaning, abstinence from food or items one is allergic to, good personal hygiene (washing hands often, especially if someone with conjunctivitis is in the same room), care in handling items touched by the patient) and the usual common sense approach to a contagious disease. What are dust mites? Dust mites are real, and not just a metaphor. They are scarylooking, live, crawling, beetlelike micro “insect” with fangs and spiky legs. They are the components in dust that cause allergic reactions when inhaled, causing red, itchy eyes, stuffy, runny nose, and nasal discharge. Daily vacuum cleaning and dusting (furniture, etc) is the best way to eliminate dust and dust mites. What is the treatment for “sore eyes”? Since the cause of conjunctivitis varies, the prudent action is to consult your physician right away for prompt diagnosis and treatment. This medical evaluation is vital because conjunctivitis could be as trivial as those due to allergies, or as serious and those caused by a venereal disease or other eye condition that could lead to blindness. There is no substitute for early diagnosis and prompt treatment, just like in any other medical conditions. Obviously, even better than this is prevention! *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
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EntErtainmEnt
FAKE TOURIST VISA RESULTED IN BEING SENT BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES “A TO A”, AND LATER JEOPARDIZED HIS IMMIGRANT VISA DUE TO FRAUD -- ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY! Johnnatan (second from left) got a tourist visa through a newspaper ad that advertised “NonAppearance” Visas for $2500. He entered the US in 2002 without any problems, but when he returned in 2003, he was held at the airport and sent back to the Philippines, after US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) accused him of using a fake or counterfeit tourist visa. That meant a possible lifetime ban. Years later, his mother’s petition became current, and he was afraid how his fake tourist visa would affect his and his daughter’s chances of immigrating to the US. Watch how a family was able to overcome a fraud charge and be reunited, on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – this Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.
Introducing Jake Zyrus in concert by Tessa
Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net
ThIS artist may have performed on concert stages across the Philippines and the international arena many times before, but as Jake Zyrus, the artist formerly known as Charice Pempengco needs to be introduced to the music world anew. As such October 6 will be a very special day for Zyrus, the date of the artist’s first concert at the Music Museum using the new screen name, reflecting a male gender identity. “I am so excited about this concert because I will be able to finally express my real self. Another thing that gets me pumped is the kind of music I will be performing,” said
the singer. “This concert will also be ‘perfect’ for those who want to ‘celebrate themselves’.” Reactions have been varied following Zyrus’ coming out as a transgender. even fans overseas expressed a mix of comments—some of hate but mostly of support—especially when major music and entertainment outlets like People.com, RollingStone.com, USA Today and e! Online picked up the story. Nevertheless, the artist persists on singing for those who continue to show their love, respect and support. The forthcoming concert aptly titled “I Am Jake Zyrus” will showcase songs the artist has been longing to perform on stage. Moreover, Zyrus will share with the audience stories and songs that
Jake Zyrus
ManilaTimes.net photo
would best describe “my journey to ‘freedom’ and those that will represent my dreams.” Zyrus’ latest single, “hiling” under Star Music, will also be part of the repertoire. Also supporting Zyrus in the concert are surprise guests from the local music industry.
More ‘firsts’ for Maine Mendoza on her...
PAGE B4 themed cover wearing a silver embroidered Michael Cinco dress; and lastly most unconventional of which; in her trademark wacky face, which is not an industry standard for magazine covers. Finally, the sought-after endorser—now dubbed as the “endorsement queen” for her numerous works with consumer brands—has also taken a first in her endorsement deals. Mendoza was the additional lucky charm of Jolly, the canned vegetables and fruit manufac-
turer, for their 20th anniversary when they revealed her as their first celebrity endorser. It was also a first for Mendoza for even if she has been the face of other food and beverage brands, she had yet to endorse ready-touse cooking ingredients until Jolly came along. “I am super happy to endorse a brand I’ve been using since I’ve been in culinary school,” the hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management degree holder from De La Salle-College of St. Benilde revealed.
Indeed, because of her many achievements in her showbiz career, many have forgotten that Mendoza’s first profession was in the hotel and Restaurant industry and thus also has a talent for cooking. But while tinkering in the kitchen with her favorite canned mushroom is not a first for the “phenomenal star,” it looks like this smart and gifted girl has many more surprises up her sleeve as she forges on toward her third year in the spotlight. (Christina Alpad/ManilaTimes.net)
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 5-8, 2017
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PHENOMENAL DIVA. Photo shows Jessa Zaragoza, also known as the Philippines’ Phenomenal Diva, with husband Dingdong Avanzado, known as the Original Prince of Pinoy Pop after her highly successful concert at Cache Creek Casino.
Jessa Zaragoza wows Cache Creek concert crowd
The Philippines’ Phenomenal Diva, Jessa Zaragoza, made history at Cache Creek Casino by staging a sold-out concert that casino regulars have described as the “best show they’ve ever seen” in that venue. Jessa Zaragoza’s I AM Me concert at Cache Creek Casino in Sacramento last July 29 kicked off her US.. tour, with two more shows scheduled on August 12, 2017 at Aratani Theater in Los Angeles and on August 13 at Morongo Casino in Cabazon, California. The Cache Creek casino crowd was treated to an evening of surprises in the form of unexpected numbers that allowed Jessa to interact continuously with her audience who kept clamoring for more. It will be the same exciting and innovative format that the audiences in Los Angeles and Cabazon can expect from the Phenomenal Diva when her show hits two more cities on August 12 and 13. Produced by Mendrei and Cecile Leelin of Rosy Cheeks entertainment Group, Inc., the I AM Me: Jessa Zaragoza concert at Aratani Theatre in Los Angeles on August 12 (and at Morongo Casino in Cabazon on August 13) will feature all three musical artists together in one venue as Dingdong and Jayda join Jessa for a tour de force performance that will showcase the best in Philippine entertainment. Tickets to the I AM Me: Jessa Zaragoza concert at the Aratani Theatre on August 12 are still available. To get your tickets, call Cecile Leelin at 562.577.2254 or visit any Leelin Bakery and Café location or Seafood City Supermarkets in Los Angeles County. The concert features Jessa’s wide musical repertoire and includes collaborative numbers with her husband, the “Original Prince of Pinoy Pop”, Dingdong Avanzado, together with their daughter, the up and coming artist Jayda Avanzado. The high production value concert marks Jessa’s 20th year in the music and entertainment industry, a career marked by extraordinary professional success and her significant influence on an entire generation of Filipino music lovers all over the world. The I AM Me: Jessa Zaragoza concept show
Photo shows the couple’s daughter, Jayda Avanzado, an up-and-coming singer and songwriter. Dingdong and Jayda are Jessa’s special guests for her I AM ME concert — her first very solo concert tour in the U.S. — to celebrate her 20th anniversary in show business. The next I AM ME concert is on August 12 at the Aratani Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets, call Cecile Leelin at (562) 577-2254.
has received outstanding reviews capped by several nominations during the 29th Aliw Awards: Best Female Performance in a Concert for Jessa Zaragoza; Best New Female Artist for Jayda Avanzado and Best Concert Stage Direction for Dingdong Avanzado. Jessa eventually went on to garner the top award as Best Female Performance in a Concert during Aliw Awards night. For more information or ticket sales, please call Cecile Leelin /Rosy Cheeks entertainment Group, Inc.) at 562.577.2254.Tickets are also available at Leelin Bakery and Café in Cerritos, eagle Rock, Vermont, West Covina, North hills and Panorama; Seafood City Supermarkets in Los Angeles County and Aratani Theatre at 244 S. San Pedro S., Los Angeles, CA 90012. (Advertising Supplement)
B august 5-8, 2017 • La WEEKEND asIaN JOuRNaL
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Iloilo Business Park is rising to be Western Visayas’ newest central business district (CBD).
Investing in properties in Iloilo and Boracay Properties in Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park and Boracay Newcoast appreciate by as much as 20% yearly
I
Restaurants, cafes and ‘pasalubong’ center line up the newly-opened Festive Walk Parade.
The 72-hectare township in Mandurriao, Iloilo is now home to the iconic Iloilo Convention Center, Richmonde Hotel, Marriott Courtyard Hotel and state-of-the-art BPO office towers.
The Ocean Garden Villas (left) and the Oceanway Residences (right) are two condominium developments in Boracay Newcoast offering panoramic views of the beach.
Only in Boracay Newcoast where you can own a titled land – either a village lot where you can build a house or a commercial lot where you can build a business – all with the refreshing views of the seas and mountains of Boracay.
f there are two places in the Philippines where property developments are booming, look outside of Metro Manila or even Luzon. Iloilo City and the paradise island of Boracay in the Visayas region are now among the hottest areas for real estate investment in the Philippines. Real estate giant Megaworld Corporation of tycoon Dr. Andrew L. Tan, who became popular for property developments like Eastwood City in Quezon City and Newport City in front of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, noted that their property prices in these two areas have an annual appreciation of around 20 percent. “For every $100,000 that you invest in a property in Iloilo and Boracay, you gain $20,000 every year,” explains Jennifer Palmares-Fong, vice president for sales and marketing of Megaworld, who handles their company’s projects in Iloilo and Boracay. Megaworld builds integrated urban townships across the Philippines, a concept that they have been known for the last 28 years as a real estate developer. Today, the company has 22 townships and integrated lifestyle communities across the Philippines with over 350 residential, office, malls, hotels and commercial built through the years. Iloilo Business Park Rising to be Iloilo’s new central business district (CBD), the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao District, has changed the business and tourism landscape of the city during the last three years. Today, the former location of the old Iloilo Airport hosts some of the country’s biggest business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, two award-winning hotels (Richmonde Hotel and Marriott Courtyard Hotel), the 1.1-kilometer Festive Walk Parade which is touted to be the longest dining and retail strip in the Visayas, the Festive Walk Mall, residential condominium towers, and a commercial district where entrepreneurs, banks, car and furniture dealers, and boutique hotel owners can own titled lots to build their businesses. “The entire township is now gaining population. Aside from the condo residents, there are thousands of BPO workers employed in office towers and guests in our hotels. People also come to dine in the various restaurants and cafes. We envision Iloilo Business Park to be the ‘big thing’ in Iloilo,” explains Palmares-Fong. Since 2013, residential properties in the township have appreciated on a faster rate with an annual average of 18.6 to 20 percent. This upward trajectory will continue to remain as more and more projects are nearing its completion. The first tower of One Madison Place was sold out in just one month, prompting the company to build two more towers which were also sold fast in just seven months. The second condominium project, Lafayette Park Square, was then launched in early 2014 and was sold out in just eight months. The following year, the company launched the next project, The Palladium, with each of the two residential wings sold out in just seven to eight months. Saint Honore, likewise, was sold out in just four months. Following the thread of success, Megaworld launched last month its 7th residential tower in Iloilo Business Park called Saint Dominique. The 10-storey residential enclave is a Parisian-inspired home with 152 units on eight residential floors ranging from Studio (up to 35 square meters); One-bedroom with balcony (up to 50 square meters); Two-bedroom (up to 79 square meters); and exclusive Loft Units (38.5
square meters). Linked to Saint Honore, Saint Dominique will have shared recreational amenities with the adjacent tower that include a landscaped atrium, fitness center, indoor spa, game room, day care center, children’s playground, Jacuzzi, swimming pool and pool lounge and a kiddie pool The ground level will still be dedicated to retail shops as the tower becomes part of the stretch of Festive Walk Parade, the envisioned longest dining and retail in the entire Visayas and Mindanao areas. The new tower is expected to be completed in 2022. Boracay Newcoast International travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler has named Boracay as the ‘Top Island in the World’ last year. This is the reason why every year, tourist arrivals in this paradise island have gone up consistently. American tourists are among the top foreign visitors to the island during the last five years. With the influx of more local and foreign tourists into the island, Megaworld, through its subsidiary Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), is currently transforming 150-hectares of land in the northeastern part of the island into a sustainable beachside tourism township. Envisioned to be the next new side of Boracay, Boracay Newcoast will have its own white sand beach, rows of shophouses and boutique hotels, resorts, residential village, and condominiums. The expansive property will be surrounded by a golf course and will become an environment-friendly community when completed. Sixty percent of the entire township will be dedicated to green and open spaces. The township will also use electric jeepneys and solar-powered LED streetlights. The community will also have its own Material Recovery Facility, or a recycling plant for solid wastes and a Rainwater Collection Facility. Only in Boracay Newcoast where one can own a titled land in the Boracay Island. Titled lots in the Newcoast Village and the Shophouse and Boutique Hotel District are being offered, which is a first-of-its-kind offering in the island since most land in Boracay are only for lease. Soon to rise is another condominium property called Ocean Garden Villas, which is a three-tower residential that offers refreshing views of the beaches and mountains of Boracay Island. This new residential development will have close access to Newcoast’s private beach and natural coves facing the morning sunlight. Future residents will have a new and refreshing take of living in one of the world’s best islands. The six-storey villa-inspired residential cluster will have 225 units ranging from one-bedroom to two-bedroom resort-type suites. It features its own private lap pool, outdoor lounge deck, in-pool lounge, wading pool, outdoor spa and a pavilion, The project is due for completion in 2021. With that, beach lovers at Boracay Newcoast will continue to enjoy the sand, sea, sun and nature altogether with others who want to have a good time in every manner that the world’s best beach getaways could offer. For more information: Call (626) 665-2530 / (951) 522-0665 For Boracay Newcoast: E-mail customerrelations@megaworldcorp.com or visit www.boracaynewcoast.com.ph For Iloilo Business Park: Visit http://www.facebook.com/IBPofficial and http://www.iloilobusinesspark.ph
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JOURNAL
Your Immigration Solution LORELLA T. HESS AND NANCY MILLER ICE raids are in the news frequently as the agency ramps up enforcement efforts against aliens who may be removable from the4 United States. Although official publicity emphasizes efforts to round up non-citizens with criminal records, ICE also makes “collateral arrests� of many otherwise law-abiding residents without proper immigration status. A raid that originally targeted one person could result in the arrests of many others who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The new enforcement priorities emphasize arrest and removal of anyone not legally authorized to remain in the United States, rather than focusing on people who pose a threat to public safety. The Trump administration plans to dramatically increase the numbers of people held in ICE detention and ultimately deported, over and above the record high levels reached for both categories during the Obama years. This has led to grave concern among non-citizens and their loved ones throughout the country. Anyone who is out-of-status for any reason (or whose continued status is endangered—for example, by a criminal charge), is vulnerable to arrest and deportation. Those who have already been ordered removed by an immigration judge, and those who have been in the U.S. for less than two years, are likely to go into expedited removal proceedings that could have them deported within days or even hours of their arrest. For most people, however, the legal process takes much longer. In these cases, whether a non-citizen is held in ICE detention or released on bond can make a big difference in their family’s life for months or even years. While some non-citizens are subject to mandatory detention,
Ins and outs of immigration detention
a knowledgeable immigration attorney will analyze whether one is entitled to a bond hearing and, if so, pursue that relief to help non-citizens either avoid detention or get released as soon as possible. The goal will be to prove that they do not pose a danger to society and will appear in court for their future hearings. These are the same issues an Immigration Judge will consider at a formal bond hearing on whether to release an alien who is already detained. Even if your loved one is already in custody, an experienced immigration attorney may be able to help secure their release. The alternatives to detention for which non-citizens may qualify will vary with their current immigration status and the reasons why they are deportable. In almost every case, avoiding detention has important advantages: it keeps the non-citizen’s family together while awaiting their day in court, protects the non-citizen from the physical and psychological hazards of ICE detention, and enables the non-citizen to more effectively help with their defense against removal from the United States. Most non-citizens held by ICE in California are entitled to a bond hearing after six months in detention. However, if someone is transferred outside the Ninth Federal Judicial Circuit, that protection could be lost. Regularly visiting a detainee may help to keep the person held locally, because it shows ICE that the noncitizen has friends or family in the area. State lawmakers have acted to ensure that, whatever happens with construction and expansion of detention centers at the federal level—and big spending increases for that purpose are planned––California’s ICE detention capacity will not be allowed to grow. This could lead to more Californians being detained out of state. However, the state’s goal is to encourage alternatives
to detention for more California residents. For some detainees, unfortunately, there is no alternative to detention. Federal law requires that non-citizens whose criminal histories meet certain criteria must be detained by ICE pending the outcome of their removal proceedings. These detainees, who may include green card holders as well as other non-citizens, are simply not eligible for release until the final resolution of their case. The courts try to expedite hearing schedules for an alien who is detained, but someone— even someone who has already won a decision in court—could still be held in ICE detention for months or even years without any hope of release until all appeals are exhausted. People subject to mandatory detention are those who: • Committed certain crimes; and Were taken into ICE custody when they were released from criminal custody. • Not all crimes which can make an alien deportable also require mandatory detention. It is best to consult a knowledgeable immigration attorney as soon as possible if your loved one is taken into ICE custody, even if you are told there can be no bond because they are subject to mandatory detention. â–
*** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration ďŹ rms in the United States with ofďŹ ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila. For more Information please call (800) 795-8009 or visit www. rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
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C AUGUST 5-8, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Minding Your Finances atty. Raymond Bulaon IF you are searching for debt reduction solutions, no doubt you’ve been inundated with advertisements for various debt management programs, companies and solutions. The choices seem confusing to the average consumer. The truth is that every situation is different and what may work perfectly for others is not necessarily going to work the same way for you. So what do you do before your debt problems get worse? If you know your finances are a mess and you’re struggling with a mountain of debt, then you need to create a plan of attack to help you get rid of your debt properly. If you’ve ignored your debt problems for a while and you are now at a point where creditors have taken legal action to collect what you owe, self-help debt reduction may be out of the question and you may need to immediately take the legal steps necessary to protect what you have. Many times, people come to our office with wage garnishments, bank levies or a lien filed by a creditor against their home and they don’t know what to do to stop it. These are the situations where filing bankruptcy
To Live With Faith ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas MY spiritual director and I were talking about the image of a “tent” during the past few days of my silent retreat. “Yeah, I feel like dwelling in God’s tent, like Moses in this week’s Scripture Readings,” I told him, referring to the days of my intimate moments with God. “Well, I think it’s more like God pitching a tent in your heart,” he responded. “Wow, I never thought about it that way,” I answered. It’s true. The quiet days that I spent with God in silence were really about God pitching a tent in my heart. In fact, he has always been in my heart the entire time; I was just not aware of it.
Community Journal
What’s the best solution to your debt problems? may be the only way to get out of debt as quickly as possible and to protect yourself from further creditor actions. It is important for you to have an accurate picture of your current financial situation before you embark on implementing a solution. This means understanding exactly how much income is coming in and how much you pay out in expenses. As a starting point, you should also write down your outstanding balances on all your current debts and add up the totals. The total figure might shock you at first but it’s important for you to know where you’re starting in order to create a plan of attack. Alongside each debt balance, write down the amount of interest you’re being charged and how much you’re paying each month on that debt. Sadly, most people who are buried in a mountain of debt have lost track of what they owe. And because they have stopped paying their creditors, the bill collectors are now demanding the full amount which, of course, makes it even harder for the person to catch up on their delinquent debts. If you’re on a very tight budget or if your income is not even enough to cover your living expenses, it may be impossible for
you to get out of debt without having to file bankruptcy in order to wipe out what you can no longer afford to pay. For many people, this may be the only realistic way to get rid of debts hanging over their head instead of trying to pay their creditors slowly or even worse- not paying them and having to face the legal consequences later on. Working out the right debt elimination or debt reduction plan to help you get out of debt can be tricky. Everyone seems to have all kinds of advice and they’re all convinced that their solution is the best. How can you know which one is the right one to help you? I’ve been helping families and business owners get out of debt since 1997. I would like to help you find the best solution for your situation. For a free office consultation, please call TollFree 1-866-477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. n ***
None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
On sacred silence
So during these past days of the retreat, I allowed his presence and his love to surface and to experience him dwelling in my heart through deep moments of silence. It’s an awesome experience — one that is incomparable to any mundane leisure or material things. It’s to be one with God. After all, as Martin Laird posits in his book,”Into the Silent Land,” “Communion with God in the silence of the heart is a God-given capacity.” I would add that it’s the “hidden treasure,” the “pearl of great price” that we can find in our hearts. Laird explicates: “The grace of salvation, the grace of Christian wholeness that flowers in silence, dispels the illusion of separation. For when the mind is brought to stillness, and all our strategies of acquisition have dropped, a deeper truth presents itself: we are and we have been one with
God and we are all one in God (John 17:21).” This gift of sacred silence is not only for a few people; it’s not only for an elite group of monks, nuns, and priests. It’s a gift that God offers to everyone. It’s the rare commodity that we need nowadays in these crazy noises of social media. Those of us who long for it must do everything to acquire it even for a few minutes of the day. “Our greatest need is to be silent before this great God…for the only language he hears is the silent language of love,” St. John of the Cross says in his Maxims on Love. Laird echoes his words: “Silence is an urgent necessity for us; silence is necessary if we are to hear God speaking in eternal silence; our own silence is necessary if God is to hear us.” It’s consequential that the Gospel reading this Sunday on the
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Tax Tips victoR sy, cPa, mBa
IF you are not satisfied with the results of your IRS audit, go to Appeals. You have a choice of either ending your misery by paying up or by continuing to fight at the Appeals Office. The appeals process is an administrative means to resolve your problems without resorting to legal action. It’s a good way to resolve disputes. It is less strenuous than the audit process and is less costly than Tax Court. You also have better odds of settling your case. Let’s discuss basics of the appeals process: 1. If an IRS agent with an attitude had just put you through a treadmill, go to appeals. If you feel that there were mistakes in handling your case or that you were not adequately represented, go to appeals. It is faster, cheaper, and more equitable. You go before an experienced Appeals Officer who has a better understanding of life, one who has a broader mind than the agent who put you through a ringer. 2. You have a fairly good advantage. The Appeals Officer acts like a mediator. You have another advantage: your opponent is not there. It is just you and the Appeals Officer. It frees you from adversarial feelings against the prior agent and creates an atmosphere that is conducive to settlement. 3. Remember that your objec-
Estate Corner
Atty. BriAn Lerner QUESTION: Can I use an office based in my home and/or garage for the L-1? Answer: No. You must have an ‘actual office’. The reality might be that you can run your business from a computer or your garage. However, for immigration purposes, there must be a brick and mortar office and you must be paying rent. Question: Do I have to sign a lease? What if I don’t get the L-1 or it is not approved? Answer: You can do a lease where the deposit made and you can make it contingent upon issuance of the visa. Therefore, if denied, you would get the deposit back and you would not have to pay months of rent without ever having the visa. However, there is the issue of whether or not the landlord would accept this type of lease, which is separate and apart from what is acceptable to U.S. immigration. Question: Is it difficult to get an L-1 for a new office? Answer: Yes, the reality is that it
10 basics of IRS appeals process tive is to settle, not to triumph. Your goal is to rectify something wrong. And if a broadminded tax veteran can see it your way, your chance to settle increases. 4. Of course, bear in mind that this Appeals Officer is a CPA, lawyer, or both, who may find critical issues that may have been overlooked by the prior agent. If this is your case, stay away from appeals. 5. After the audit of your returns, you receive a notice from the exam division asking you to agree or disagree. They send a 30-day letter. This is your ticket to appeals. 6. Your first step is to prepare a written protest. Be persuasive. Maximize issues in your favor. Counter arguments on issues that are not in your favor. 7. The protest will be forwarded to the original agent who will file a response. Get a copy of that response from either the Appeals Officer or through FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) so you can prepare for rebuttal. 8. Prepare well for the conference. Read our separate article that is loaded with tips on how to prepare for the conference. We also have tips on how to behave during the conference. 9. Again, the appeals conference is one of negotiation. It is not a place to bully your way into a win. If this is your attitude, skip it and go to court. (Up to this point, your forum has been an informal proceeding, one of
mediation. It remains as a nondocketed case). 10. If a settlement cannot be reached, the Appeals Office sends a Notice of Deficiency (also referred to as a 90-day letter). Your case becomes a docketed case. The chief Counsel of the IRS becomes involved. It becomes more expensive to defend as your case moves from informal mediation to the formal jurisdiction of a court where lawyers and CPAs battle in trial before a judge. A word of caution: unless you know what you doing, do not represent yourself in Appeals. With all due respect to your courage, you are no match for the experienced officers. You might be trying to save a few hundred dollars in fees only to lose thousands in potential savings of tax, penalties, and interests. n *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.
(Advertising Supplement)
Opening up a new office? Get an L-1 is somewhat difficult. However, it can certainly be done. If you happen to have the option, however, to get an office that has more than one year of doing business, it would be easier to get approved. Question: Can you give some pointers to help on the duties? Answer: Well, one thing you must do is to distinguish between functional manager vs. area manager. Be sure to make clear if you are ‘managing’ the new office whether you are managing a ‘function’ of the office such as ‘all accounting’ or managing all the people in some fashion. Question: Do I need a business plan? Answer: Yes, normally you will need a five-year business plan. However, if the new office is basically a branch of a successful business outside the U.S., you may not need to do the business plan, especially if the same type of business. Question: What if I have no help in the U.S. to help get it started? How can I get things setup? Answer: You can come on a B-1 visa to get the L-1 started. Question: When should I say the new company will begin?
Answer: Do not pick a certain date as you will lose valuable time if it is approved afterward. Pick when the petition is approved. Question: What if I have had business operations for more than one year? Answer: Then, you do not file the ‘new office L-1A’. You will need to file a normal L-1A. Be sure to show how the foreign company has control over the employee here (the manager or executive) and to show what staff in the U.S. will support manager/executive in the country. There is a good case called Matter of Z-A-2013 in which you can use overseas staff in determining whether a position is managerial in the U.S. n *** Atty. B r i a n D. Le r n e r h a s b e e n a n Immigration Attorney for nearly a quarter of a century. He is married to a Filipina and has helped thousands of Filipino families all over the country. In addition to his offices in Southern California in Long Beach and Carson, he has an office in Quezon City. He is a certified specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Legal Board of Specialization, California State Bar. The initial consultation is free. Call (562) 4950554 and/or send an e-mail to blerner@ californiaimmigration.us. (Advertising Supplement)
Will incorporating a separate property business during marriage make it community property? YOU own a successful business, as a sole proprietor, prior to marriage. You later meet the love of your life and decide to marry her. Years into the marriage, you decide to incorporate the business. A common question when the couple later divorces becomes 1) did your separate property business become community property by virtue of incorporating it during the marriage? 2) Was your separate property business “transmuted” to community property by incorporating it during the marriage? No Community Property Presumption Family Code §760 defines “Community property” as “Except as otherwise provided by statute, all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property. However under Marriage of Koester, the Court held that the community does not “acquire” a separate property business simply because the business is incorporated during the marriage. The mere incorporation of a business operated by spouse is not a change in its character, for purposes of division of community estate following divorce. In Koester, the Court stated that he incorporation simply effects a change in the legal form under which the business is conducted and property does not change its character merely because of a change in form or identity. Marriage of Koester (1999) 73 CA4th 1032, 1035, 1038, 87 CR2d 76, 79, 81. The Court in Koester also stated that “In contrast with the way title is taken when a married
Barrister’s Corner atty. Kenneth uRsua Reyes couple own residential property, the incorporation of a sole proprietorship business is typically done for reasons extrinsic to the marital relationship. To say ... that an asset was ‘acquired’ by the community ... because some aspect of corporate formation took place during the marriage is to elevate semantics over substance” No Transmutation Incorporation of a sole proprietorship business during the marriage can trigger a family code § 2640 tracing right of reimbursement only when it is also accompanied by an unambiguous express written transmutation of the business to community property as required by Family Code § 852. Marriage of Koester, supra, 73 CA4th at 1036–1037, 87 CR2d at 79–80 & fn. 5. Under Family Code §852, a transmutation of real or personal property is not valid unless made in writing by an express declaration that is made, joined in, consented to, or accepted by the spouse whose interest in the property is adversely affected. In Koester, the act of changing the legal form under which a business is conducted does not meet the requirements of family code § 852 for a valid transmutation. Marriage of Koester (1999) 73 CA4th 1032, 1037, 87 CR2d 76,
80 & fn. 5. Incorporation of a sole proprietorship business is typically done for reasons extrinsic to the marital relationship. Although the mere act of incorporating a separate business during the marriage does not change the character of the business to community property, the community may still acquire an apportionment interest if the value of the business substantially appreciated during the marriage due to the labor and hard work of the managing spouse during the marriage. The apportionment calculation is done using the formula in the Pereira or Van Camp case where the contributions of effort and return on capital are separated from the value of the business. n ***
Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. ***
Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 3881611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
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Community Journal
How one employee can make a difference through collective action Q. My former employer did not pay me for overtime hours and missed breaks. Many fellow employees experienced the same thing but they are afraid because they think if they complain, they’ll be fired. I understand their fears and want to help them. Is there a way that I can claim wages on their behalf so they don’t have to? A. Yes, there is. You can file a class action, and/or make a claim under the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA). Class actions and PAGA claims are collective actions where one employee can make a claim not only for him- or herself, but also on behalf of fellow employees who experienced the same employment violations. Filing a collective action minimizes the risk of retaliation against an employee member of the class. The employee who sued may stand for other employees who are not named in the lawsuit so that they can also recover their wages. A collective action is also a relatively inexpensive way to resolve wage claims that may be prohibitive if pursued only as an individual action. Employees or class members do not pay out-of-pocket fees to attorneys. It is only upon the resolution of the class action and after court approval that the attorneys are paid for their work. A PAGA claim is especially unique to California. This law was enacted to maximize com-
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. c. Joe SAyAS, Jr. pliance with California’s labor laws. Instead of the State of California pursuing penalties against an employer, the law gives a private citizen the right to recover these penalties. It allows a private citizen to act as an attorney general and seek to stop violations that other current or former employees suffered. This is shown in the story of Michael Williams below: Williams worked for Marshalls, a retail chain, at its Costa Mesa store for about a year. Williams sued Marshalls under PAGA, alleging that the store failed to provide him and other employees meal and rest breaks and failed to pay them for these missed breaks. Williams alleged that managers are directed to erase meal break violations from its time records so that missed breaks did not have to be paid. Under PAGA, Williams asked for the violations to stop and that Marshalls pay civil penalties, to be shared between Williams, the other employees, and the State of California. During the litigation, Williams asked Marshalls to supply the name, address, and telephone number of employees in its oth-
er stores. Marshalls admitted there are 16,500 employees throughout the state, but refused to provide their information. The dispute reached the California Supreme Court. The high court ruled that Williams was entitled to the names and contact information of other employees to enable him to gather evidence to support their claims. The employees’ privacy interest can be protected by giving them a chance to opt out of the disclosure of their information. Private attorney general cases and class actions can be complicated and should be handled by experienced attorneys. Despite the challenges, filing these cases can stop employment violations and help employees obtain just compensation under the law. n *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.] (Advertising Supplement)
Client with bank account levy seeks Chapter 7 relief Client receives notice of default on house, tries Chapter 13 relief
CLIENT is 60 & wife is 58. He issued his check to pay rent of $1200 but the check was dishonored for insufficient funds. Landlord called him to tell him that his rent check bounced. Client was surprised that his check bounced because he had at least $5K in the checking account. He went to the bank and asked why his check bounced when he still had $5K in the account. Teller informed him that there was no money in his account because bank received a notice of levy from his judgment creditor for $11K and so the sheriff took all the money in his bank account. Client explains that he had consolidated his credit card loans of about $30K through a business providing that service and he had been paying on monthly installments and was surprised to find out that his account was levied and all his money taken. He said he only owed creditor $3K so how come the judgment is $11K? Well, if you add interest and attorney fees and some time, it $3K of debt can become $11K of judgment. It’s not unusual. Can he get his $5K that was levied back? Yes he can, how? By filing a claim for exemption in the court that issued the judgment and levy, on the ground that the funds taken are necessary for his basic necessities. He must also attach a declaration and financial statement showing his gross and net income for the household vs. monthly living expenses and conclude that the funds taken are required for his basic necessities. He must file the claim in with the supporting documents, get a hearing date and time form the clerk of court, then serve the claim of exemption on the creditor and file in the proof of service to creditor. Creditor is given the opportunity to object to the claim of exemption and appear at the hearing. The hearing will be set at least 30 days after the claim of exemption is filed but the claim of exemption and all supporting documents must be filed within 10 days of the levy date. If the judge agrees with client, judge will issue an order to have
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Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng
the $5K returned to client. Client has also decided to file for Chapter 7 relief as he and wife still owe about $25K of credit card debt and he wants all of those discharged once and for all to avoid another levy or wage garnishment situation. If the judge denies the claim of exemption, then client has lost the $5K for good. He doesn’t feel good losing the $5K because he only owed $3K and says it is unjust that he now owes $11K for a $3K debt. Can he keep the $5K in Chapter 7 if the judge orders the refund? Yes. He can keep the $5K because in his case, he can exempt the entire 5K under 703.140(b)(5) of the California Code of Civil Procedure. So, with Chapter 7, he and his wife get a fresh start in life without the burden of any debt while keeping all their assets, all their retirement accounts, all their cards, and all their cash. No worries any more and they don’t have to keep paying installments on a consolidation through a business service that probably keeps the money in their pocket. That’s why client’s bank account was levied despite the consolidation because who knows where the installment payments are going. It’s not like a Chapter 13 where the court appointed trustee distributes the plan payments to all creditors and there is a court order that prohibits further collection efforts against the debtor while the Chapter 13 is still in effect. Next client is 52. He doesn’t work. His wife makes about $88K a year as a registered nurse. They own a house but the mortgage has not been paid for 8 months. Mortgage is $2500 a month so he owes about $20K in arrears. He received by certified a notice of default with a recording date of June 27, 2017, informing him
that the bank has decided to commence foreclosure proceedings and that he has 90 days to pay the arrears in full plus all legal fees and penalties otherwise a foreclosure sale date will be set approximately 21 days after the 90 days expires. So client is worried that he may lose the house to foreclosure after September 27, 2017. Well, I think he should worry more about his wife asking him to explain why the mortgage is 8 months past due when she has been giving him her net income of $6K a month? That’s a perfectly valid and legitimate question to ask don’t you think so? At any rate, client now needs to file for Chapter 13 to save his house from foreclosure. Chapter 13 will freeze the default at $20K and allow client to pay that off in 60 months, that’s about $340 a month. In addition, he has to resume the current mortgage payment a month after the case is filed. The foreclosure process stops immediately upon filing of the Chapter 13 case. I told him that it may help if he actually got a job to help with the additional expense of the plan payment for the arrears because wife’s income is good at net $6K but the mortgage has not been paid for 8 months, so something else must be going on that is draining the funds, right? I mean, we weren’t born yesterday, money doesn’t just disappear, its going off somewhere where its not supposed to. The math doesn’t add up. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. “GLORY IN HIS HOLY NAME; LET THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO SEEK THE LORD REJOICE!” PSALM 105:3 n ***
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.
On sacred...
Feast of Transfiguration fits well into this need for silence in our lives—God pitching a tent in our hearts. After experiencing the awesomeness of Jesus’ Transfiguration, Peter told Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter and the other disciples felt the wonder of silent communion with God. This is why they did not want to leave the mountain. The sages and saints of the Church call us to nurture sacred
silence so we can listen to God and feel his love throbbing in our hearts. St. Augustine is one of these great saints who clamored for this necessity. In his Sermon on the Third Commandments, he says: “The Third Commandment enjoins quietness of heart, tranquility of mind. This is holiness. Because here is the Spirit of God. This what a true holiday means, quietness and rest.” May we long for and cultivate this quietness of the heart where we can hear God saying, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46). May we listen to our hearts’
desires to be in communion with God in silence! n
*** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1991-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 5-8, 2017
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Permanent residence for crewmen DEAR Attorney Tan, I entered the US in 1998 as a crewman. I have recently married a US citizen and would like to get a green card. However, I have heard that since I entered as a crewman, I cannot adjust my status to a permanent resident. Is this true? -Lost on Land Dear Lost on Land, Under INA Section 245(c)(1), a person who enters the US as a “crewman” is generally barred from adjusting his status to permanent residence. However, analysis of this issue must begin with determining whether you are actually a “crewman,” who is barred from adjustment. A “crewman” is defined as a person “serving… in a capacity required for normal operation and service on board a vessel, …or aircraft, who intends to land temporarily and solely in pursuit of his calling as a crewman and to depart from the United States with the vessel or aircraft on which he arrived or some other vessel or aircraft.” INA Section 101(a)(15(D). A “crewman” under this definition is assigned a “D” visa classification, but is often issued a dual C-1 transit/ D crewman visa. Because of this, a common misperception exists that a C-1 visa cl assification is designated for crewmen, and that a person who entered the US under a C-1 classification is by definition a “crewman,” therefore barred from adjusting his status to permanent resident. However, it is important to keep in mind that if a person entered on a C-1 transit visa, he may not be a “crewman” and may be eligible to adjust status. Further, the facts of a particular case regardless of letter classification of one’s visa upon entry may also be considered. If you entered on a C-1 transit visa, or under circumstances that do not fit the definition of a “crewman,” you may be eligible to adjust status. If you are considered a “crewman” under the above definition, you can still file for adjustment of status to permanent residence and get a green card in the US if you are covered by INA Section 245(i). To be covered under INA Section 245(i), one must be the beneficiary of a visa petition or labor certification filed on or before April 30, 2001. If the petition was filed between January 14, 1998 and April 30, 2001, physical presence
in the US on December 21, 2000 is also required. If you are not covered under INA Section 245(i), and are considered a “crewman” under the above definition, you would need to obtain your immigrant visa at a foreign consular post. Traditionally, persons who were unlawfully present in the US for more than 1 year, and who had to obtain their immigrant visa at an overseas US consulate were subject to an unlawful presence bar from returning to the US for 10 years. That person would be able to seek a waiver of the unlawful presence bar after leaving the US, but if denied, he would be left outside of the US, and away from his family for 10 years. However, under the Provisional Waiver program, you can apply for and get a decision on the waiver of the unlawful presence bar without leaving the US. If the waiver is approved, you can leave the US with some assurance that you will obtain your immigrant visa at the US consulate post and quickly return. Spouses and minor children of US citizens are eligible for provisional waiver relief.
“A person who enters the US as a crewman is generally barred from adjusting his status to permanent residence. However, analysis of the issue must begin with determining whether you are actually a crewman who is barred from adjustment.”
***
Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. ***
LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
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People & Events
Consul General Adelio Cruz to keynote UP Alumni Association Induction Ball
CONSUL General Adelio Angelito Cruz will be the keynote speaker and inducting officer of the 19th Induction Ball and Gala of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA). It will be held on Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton - Whittier. Mutch Carino will be sworn in as president of UPAAGLA for 2017-2019, together with the newly-elected officers and board of directors of the UP Alumni Association. The officers are Ethel Rubio (President-Elect), Nati Matitu (1st VP), Evelyn Andamo (2nd VP), Joy Angeles (Recording Secretary), Yvee Tadeo-Guevara (Corresponding Secretary), Gil Guinto (Treasurer), Melette Lampino (Assistant Treasurer), Dick Cu (Auditor), Benny Uy (PRO) and Bobby Canseco (IT Officer). The board of directors are Ivy Manalang, Atty. Mary Lyn Sanga, Ellery Atienza, Mary Trinidad, Sonny Gancayco, Annie Nepomuceno, Mary Drees, Jess Espanola, Bob Shroder, Carina Slepian, Ivy CosioBautista, Ellen Gomez, Relson Banas, and Angie Alvarez. The advisers of UPAAGLA are
America
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Silliman University Alumni Association of Southern California’s annual picnic in El Monte, CA The Silliman University Alumni Association of Southern California invites alumni, their family and friends, to its annual picnic and membership meeting on Saturday, August 12, at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Picnic Area D #9 ((near Legg Lake area with free parking for the early birds). The address: 750 S. Santa Anita Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733, 10 a.m. to sundown. For more information call: Jessie Mario Duran 626.715.2525, Joji Amparo 909.991.8919, and Zeny Duran Bennett 626.824.3595.
AU G U ST 1 3 Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz (right) with Mutch Carino after a meeting at the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles.
Dr. Arnel Joaquin, Vicky Gancayco, Jazz Gaite, Alma Onrubia, Frank Mamaril, Doris Maligalig, and Sonja Menor. Top-rate entertainers starring two-time Aliw Awardee Christine Love, Grammy Award nominee Louise Marie Cornillez, and Spotlight Award’s Best Young Artist Michael Keith will be featured for everyone’s enjoyment, along with UP Madz alums.
The Asian Journal, CalStar Motors, The Filipino Channel and RJB Law Offices are event sponsors of UPAAGLA. Red carpet arrivals and nohost cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m.; program and dinner will start at 7:00 p.m., and the AMFM Band will provide dance music from the 70s to 2000s. For tickets, please call Dick Cu at (562) 547-0560.
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University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) Induction Ball in Whittier, CA The Univeristy of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) will hold its Induction Ball on August 13, 2017 Sunday at the Double Tree by Hilton - Whittier on 7320 Greenleaf Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602. Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz will swear in Mutch Carino as President of UPAAGLA for 2017-2019, together with the newly elected officers composed of Ethel Rubio (President-Elect), Nati Matitu Mercado (1st VP), Evelyn Andamo (2nd VP), Joy Angeles (Recording Secretary), Yvee Tadeo-Guevara (Corresponding Secretary), Gil Guinto (Treasurer), Melette Lampino (Assistant Treasurer), Dick Cu (Auditor), Benny Uy (PRO) and Bobby Canseco (IT Officer). The 2017-2019 UPAAGLA Board of Directors are Ivy Manalang, Atty. Mary Lyn Sanga, Ellery Atienza, Mary Trinidad, Sonny Gancayco, Annie Nepomuceno, Mary Drees, Jess Espanola, Bob Shroder, Carina Slepian, Ivy Cosio-Bautista, Ellen Gomez, Relson Banas, and Angie Alvarez. The advisers of UPAAGLA are Dr. Arnel Joaquin, Vicky Gancayco, Jazmin Gaite, Alma Onrubia, Frank Mamaril, Doris Maligalig, and Sonja Menor. Red carpet arrivals and No Host Cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m. Program and dinner start at 7:00 p.m. For tickets, sponsorships and souvenir program advertisements, please call Dick Cu (562) 547-0560.
AU G U ST 1 2-1 3
24th annual Pistahan Parade and Festival in San Francisco, CA The Pistahan Parade and Festival is an international celebration of Filipino community, culture and cuisine. Experience the best of Filipino art, dance, music and cuisine at the Yerba Buena Gardens. On Saturday, August 12, the Pistahan Parade will feature elaborate floats, marching bands and colorful contingents as it marches down Market from Civic Center to 4th St. The festival will include live entertainment, popular balut eating contest, delectable Filipino cuisine, cultural exhibits, hands-on workshops for kids and adults. It will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. Admission is free. For more information, please call 415. 625. 3976 or visit http://www.pistahan.net.
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Philippine Madrigal Singers to perform in Northridge, CA
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.
The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.
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Philippine Madrigal Singers in Concert on Saturday, August 19 is the long-awaited return to Los Angeles of the world-renowned prize-winning choir. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at the Plaza Del Sol Performance Hall at the Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC) located at 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330. The theatre is part of CSUN, and tickets are $70, $55, and $40 online anytime at www.ticketmaster.com. Special student pricing is available only in-person at the VPAC box office, call or visit (818) 677-3000 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Tour information at www.musicartsevents.com.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
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Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I just received a jury summon from the County Courthouse, but I am in illegal status (TNT). How did they get my name and address? Do I have to serve on a jury? Will Immigration be able to track me down? Will I be reported to Immigration? How can I get out of serving on a jury? Should I just ignore or throw away the jury summons? I am really worried about this and have not been able to sleep since I received the jury summons in the mail. Very truly yours, A.S. Dear A.S.: County Courthouses (or the County Office of Jury Commissioner) typically select potential jurors from voter registration lists or DMV records. Since you have not registered to vote (and cannot vote since you are not a US Citizen, and this includes green card holders), it is likely that your name was selected from DMV records. Therefore, as long as a person has driver’s license, his name will be listed on DMV records, and his name could come up for jury selection. In order to be eligible to serve as a juror, a person must be at least 18 years of age or older, and a US citizen. Non-citizens (including green card holders, non-immigrants, and TNTs) would therefore not be eligible to serve as a juror. Typically, the jury summons has a number of questions about a person’s eligibility to serve as a juror. One of the questions
&
Green card holders and other non-citizens: What to do when you receive a jury summons
is, “Are you a US citizen?” Obviously, you would have to answer that question as “No.” Once the Jury Commissioner’s office sees that response, they typically would not pursue the matter further. Some of the questionnaires also ask that if the person is not a US citizen, that the person provide his “alien number.” If the person is a non-immigrant or is in illegal status, that person may not have an alien number. So, you should probably write “not applicable” or “none.” I have seen some situations where the Jury Commissioner’s Office wants even more “proof” that a person truly is not a citizen (i.e. they want to make sure that a citizen is not trying to get out of jury duty, by claiming that he is not a citizen). So, even if the “No” box is checked (that the person is not a citizen), the clerk still wants more proof. In that situation, you may want to include the picturepage of your Philippine passport, which would indicate that you are still a Philippine citizen. Furthermore, the Office of Jury Commissioner does not report anyone to the Department of Homeland Security. The Office of Jury Commissioner is a county office, not a “federal” agency, and all they’re interested in is getting enough US citizens to sit on juries. They are not in the business of enforcing immigration laws. Under no circumstance should you ignore a jury summons, because if you do, you could face possible fines and penalties through the county court system. But, the bottom line is if you are in illegal status, you
Gokongweis embark on ‘fintech’ venture by DORIS
DUMLAO-ABADILLA Inquirer.net
A UNIT of conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. has set up a financial technology (fintech) venture that offers a digital credit marketplace for Filipinos with immediate funding needs, including payments for tuition, unexpected medical expenses or even small business financing. JG Summit’s subsidiary Express Holdings Inc. has inked an exclusive partnership with Greater China-based Oriente to create a peer-to-peer lending solution for “underbanked” consumers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines. The joint venture is in the preoperating and developmental stage, the parties announced in a joint press statement. The platform is expected to be launched in early 2018. “Leveraging its experience building internet giants LU.com and Skype, Oriente is using technology and data science to tap into JG Summit’s resources to enable online peer-to-peer lending and
JG Summit president Lance Gokongwei Philstar.com photo
wealth management at attractive interest rates,” said JG Summit president Lance Gokongwei. Under this peer-to-peer set-up, a lender will be matched with individuals or businesses in need of financing using a digital marketplace, thus bypassing traditional financial intermediaries like banks. PAGE D2
PH considers borrowing P140-B from China for infrastructure projects by JOANNA
ESTORQUE AJPress
DEPARTMENT of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez said the Philippine government plans to borrow P140 billion from China for the county’s infrastructure projects. The Official Development Assistance (ODA) will finance three infrastructure projects with a total cost of P164.9 billion, including the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project (P2.7 billion), the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project (P10.9 billion), and the Philippine National Railway South Commuter Line (P151.3 billion). According to Dominguez, they were negotiating with the Chinese government to grant the loan with
D1
an annual interest rate of lower than 2 percent. The finance secretary added that the government will sell $200 million in panda bonds in China by October or November. Panda bonds are yuan-denominated bonds issued in China by international issuers composed of foreign governments and companies. Negotiations include grants that China would provide to two bridge projects along the Pasig River: Binondo-Intramuros bridge (4.6 billion) and Estrella-Pantaleon bridge (1.4 billion). Despite the news of sub standard Chinese-built projects in Africa, Domingez assured that the matter was discussed already with PAGE D4
Business Quote of the Week “If you build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful.” - Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon
should really think about doing something so that you could get in legal status, get a green card, eventually become a US citizen, and then you could possibly serve on a jury. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
MOBBED. President Rodrigo Duterte interacts with Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) employees upon his arrival at the BIR national office in Quezon City on Wednesday, Aug. 2, for the agency’s 113th Founding Anniversary celebration. Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez
BIR tax take in Duterte’s first year up to P1.643-T THE taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue in the first year of the Duterte administration reached P1.643 trillion on the back of tax administration reforms introduced by the country’s biggest revenue agency. In a statement released by the BIR Wednesday, Aug. 2 on the occasion of its 113th anniversary, the agency said its collections from July last year to June this
year rose 8.6 percent compared with the same 12-month period a year ago. The BIR attributed the higher tax take to “ongoing tax administration reforms with three principal objectives: attain collection targets, improve taxpayer satisfaction, and protect revenues and recapture public trust.” In 2016, the BIR’s collection rose 9 percent to P1.567 trillion,
although it failed to hit its P1.62trillion target. Meanwhile, the BIR’s first-half tax take grew 8 percent yearon-year to P848 billion, albeit 4-percent lower than the P881.7billion goal. According to the BIR, “a 5percent increase in taxpayer base or 882,615 new registered individuals and 32,306 new registered PAGE D2
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Court: There’s no reason to stop PH real estate companies remain bullish Jeane Napoles tax evasion trial by conrad
M. cariño ManilaTimes.net
by Vince
F. nonato
Inquirer.net
ACTION taken by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) concerning a Los Angeles City property is not enough basis to stop the tax evasion trial of the daughter of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles. That is according to the Court of Tax Appeals that is hearing the case against Jeane Catherine Napoles for alleged failure to pay taxes on her Ritz Carlton condo unit in Los Angeles. Thus, in a June 29 resolution released only this week, the CTA Third Division denied the motion of Jeane to quash criminal charges O-452 and O-453 filed against her for alleged tax evasion on the property. Jeane argued the corpus delicti (facts and circumstances constituting a breach of law) of the case was extinguished after the BIR issued on Nov. 29, 2016, a preliminary assessment notice (PAN) imposing a tax on her controversial mother for the Ritz condo. According to her, this jibed with her claim that she was just a student who had no taxable income and who only received the property as a gift from her parents. The tax court acknowledged that the Ritz Carlton indeed fell under Investments in the USA section of Janet’s PAN. But, it said this sole argument was not a basis to stop her ongoing trial for tax evasion.
“The Court finds no justifiable reason to dismiss the case based merely on the PAN received by Janet Lim-Napoles,” read the three-page resolution. “This does not go into whether accused failed to pay or paid less than the amount of taxes legally due; and whether the facts charged constitute an offense,” it explained. While Jeane argued that the PAN signed by BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay meant the ownership of the condo was being charged against her mother, the CTA said the prosecution’s allegations against her continue to be supported by documents. “As provided in the Grant Deed… dated July 20, 2011, and the Property Profile, the Ritz Carlton condominium unit is under the name of accused,” the resolution read. Associate Justice Lovell R. Bautista penned the resolution with the concurrence of Associate Justice Ma. Belen M. Ringpis-Liban. A check with the CTA division showed a motion for reconsideration has yet to be filed as of press time. The June 2 motion to quash was not the first time Jeane tried to secure a favorable ruling by invoking the moves of the Duterte administration, which has floated the possibility of using her mother as a state witness to target politicians “overlooked” by the Aquino administration in the pork barrel scam. Jeane had separately filed a
Jeane Catherine Napoles Philstar.com photo
REAL estate firms are expected to accelerate the building of new projects but will make sure that quality is not sacrificed, according to a report on the industry. In its report “Flight to Economy and Efficiency—Market Insight Q2 2017,” Pinnacle Research said real estate developers have been aggressively capturing the demand of buyers and renters in the past years, and there is no sign of the trend slowing down. “The big players have been innovating and blending their product offerings to maximize their margins in every location to put a flag on,” it noted. It estimated that in Metro Manila alone, residential condominium projects would reach a total of 240,000 units by the end of 2017. For vertical socialized projects, the report said small and medium players are waiting for approval of the implementing rules and regulations for their segment. “Pinnacle Research expects this steady flight to continue, although this continued growth should be taken with a grain of salt. Consumers are looking for high quality products for the most attractive rates,” it added. “Extra diligence should be put into new products to avoid com-
petition for review questioning the BIR’s P40.03-million income tax assessment for the years 2011 and 2012 that served as basis for the tax evasion charges. That civil case, numbered 9354, was dismissed by the CTA Second Division, after her lawyer Ian Encarnacion missed the Feb. 16 pretrial hearing. Jeane sought the reopening of the civil case for a new trial partly by invoking the PAN issued by Dulay. The Second Division on June 21 denied the said motion, saying that since the case did not even reach the trial stage, it could not entertain the new piece of evidence. Napoles was cast into the limelight after her lavish lifestyle was publicized during the height of the controversy faced by her by iris Vicente mother, who allegedly facilitated AJPress the misuse of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas allocations through bogus non- (BSP) Governor Nestor Espenilla government organizations. Jr. announced during the Philip-
pressing margins later on due to competition. Most people love flying, and flying in economy class, especially those purchased very early are quite popular among Filipinos. Philippine real estate market will experience this ‘flight to economy’ without sacrificing quality in the coming months,” the report said. Pinnacle Research cited some factors that will fuel real estate growth in the country, like the infrastructure spending of the Duterte administration. “More important, these infrastructure developments are spread all over the country that would boost the countryside. The National Economic and Development Authority [NEDA] Board’s Investment Coordination Committee has approved P541.58 billion worth of rail and other infrastructure projects,” the report said. At the macro level, the Pinnacle report added that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.4 percent during the first quarter, which is slightly lower than the 6.8 percent growth for the entire of 2016. But, NEDA is projecting 7-percent growth for this year with the annual target pegged between 6.5-7.5 percent. When it comes to foreign direct investments, the report said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
figures show FDI reached $2.434 billion in the first four months of the year. While this is slightly lower compared to the same period last year, Pinnacle believes this year’s total FDI can breach the $7-billion mark like in 2016. The total FDI does not include investments by the business process outsourcing companies. The report also cited the country’s top developers spearheading the real estate surge in the country: Ayala Land Group that will launch approximately P100 billion worth of projects this year, or an increase of 64 percent from 2016; SM Prime Holdings Inc. that became the first Philippine company to reach P1 trillion in market capitalization; Megaworld Corp. that is third in market capitalization with P146.36 billion and said to be biggest lessor of office spaces and urban township developer; Vista Land Group that recently increased its target offering to the property market from P30 billion to P42 billion this year; Robinsons Land Group that intends to grow its revenues from malls and offices as well as residential sales; and the Filinvest Land Group that recently started the construction of its “One Filinvest,” a 34-story tower that will replace the former Philcomcen building in Ortigas, Pasig City.
BSP checks on use of artificial intelligence pine Bar Association’s lunch fellowship on Wednesday, July 26, that the central bank is attempting to tap into regular technology (regtech) to manage the financial services and the collection of consumer complaints filed before them through modern technology. Espenilla explained that the BSP uses slang terms like ‘FinTech,’ ‘RegTech,’ and ‘chatbots’ as it taps into artificial intelligence to boost its regulatory and consumer protection functions. “We are getting all kinds of unstructured data by way of complaints. It is very hard to evaluate
unstructured data so here we are using chatbots or artificial intelligence, BSP is also adopting financial technology (FinTech) method. Today, for example, the BSP has a pilot to be called RegTech,” Espenilla said. Regtech is a software or other technology that helps businesses providing financial services to comply with regulations efficiently and economically. This modernization is one of the first steps on Espenilla’s financial inclusion target since his appointment in May. Espenilla explained that the PAGE D4
BIR tax take in Duterte’s first... PAGE D1 corporations helped increase collection performance.” Also, “as of June 2017, a total of 1,463 new personal were hired to improve taxpayer service while documentary requirements and processes were streamlined—for example, for business registration, from 13 to five documents, and from seven to three steps.” The BIR added that it also meted out punishment against erring tax examiners. “In fact, 379 revenue officers were called to explain due to taxpayer complaints. This is after Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay suspended all BIR audit, which is said to be the source of corruption. Erring examiners were put under investigation after being asked to resign if they will not stop corrupt practices,” the BIR said. In his first day as BIR chief, Dulay suspended taxpayer audits and recalled letters of authority, the official document that empowers revenue officers to examine and scrutinize taxpayers’ books in order to determine their correct tax liabilities. “While Commissioner Dulay suspended all BIR audits during his first three months, he led an intensive tax enforcement generating P53 million from tax mapping operations of 169,351 establishments, P142 million from ‘Oplan Kandado’ wherein 55 establishments were closed, and at least P40-billion estimated liabilities fro 40 Run After Tax Evaders (Rate) cases filed to the Department of Justice,” according to the BIR. The agency padlocks tax-deficient establishments under its “Oplan Kandado” program, while it brings alleged tax evaders to court through Rate. The BIR had also filed before the DOJ three tax evasion cases against homegrown cigarette manufacturer Mighty Corp. and
its top executives for a total of P37.9 billion in unpaid excise taxes due to alleged use of fake tax stamps. In his recent State of the Nation Address, President Duterte ordered the BIR and the Department of Finance to accept Mighty’s tax settlement offer of P25 billion, under which the firm “will no longer engage in the tobacco business.” Mighty is the second biggest cigarette manufacturer in the country after PMFTC Inc., the joint venture of tycoon Lucio Tan and global giant Philip Morris International. “This will be the biggest tax settlement on record. It will produce a windfall for government, which is significant, since we face the unexpected costs of rebuilding Marawi and Ormoc,” President Duterte said in his Sona, referring to the two cities flattened by fighting between government forces and ISIS supporters as well as damaged by a recent earthquake, respectively. But the President said “the acceptance of the tax settlement offer does not preclude other criminal charges against the company that the BIR may decide to file.” The government decided to settle with Mighty as it wanted “to avoid a long court battle that, as we saw in previous cases, could take years to resolve,” the President explained. The tax settlement amount will be funded by the sale of Mighty’s assets and distribution network to the Philippine unit of Japan Tobacco International. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III had said the government expects to collect up to P30 billion, including value-added tax, from the settlement with Mighty. The government had already accepted an initial P3.44-billion payment from Mighty and JTI. (Inquirer.net)
Gokongweis embark... PAGE D1 Hubert Tai, chief executive officer of Oriente and co-founder of LU.com, said: “We are creating a digital infrastructure and social ecosystem to fuel financial inclusion, enabling credit and wealth accumulation.” Globally, LU.com is one of the highest valued fintech startups at $18.5 billion and boasts an active customer base exceeding seven million and annual transaction volume of $800 billion. Geoffrey Prentice, co-founder of Oriente and Skype, added Oriente would address a pressing social need by providing a “superior” option to informal lending. “Skype empowered affordable communications. In a similar manner, our partnership will empower Filipinos to access affordable credit by lever-
aging the latest technology.” Skype is one of the largest technology startups in Europe to date, and now makes up 40 percent of all international voice traffic. Oriente was founded in April 2016 to address a multitrillion-dollar problem in emerging markets— the lack of affordable credit, even for the salaried middle class. Citing data from the World Bank, the firms said close to 90 percent of adult Filipinos are not covered by a credit bureau and many people resort to informal means to borrow money. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has also reported that of the 43 percent of the population who save money, only 14 percent of households maintain a deposit account while 68 percent keep their savings in unsecured places.
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Longo Lexus 5000: Great Dealership with a heart for service at Longo Toyota deals for vehicle dreamers
WITH its goal to set a record of 5,000 vehicle sales until September 4, Longo Lexus, the largest Lexus dealership in Western United States, is having its largest sale. To maximize its business facets, Longo Lexus has been up to the challenge to sell 5,000 vehicles for a limited time while continuously providing its customers with excellent service. The sales include L/Certified Lexus, a collection of hand-selected, pre-owned vehicles with a six-year, unlimited mileage warranty, special financing, and lease deals. The over 1,000 huge selection of new Lexus vehicles are lined up and displayed in a temperature-cooled underground showroom. Longo Lexus started leading the industry with its excellence in sales, service, guest experience, and satisfaction in 1989. Its performance has been recognized, making it a recipient of the award “Elite of Lexus,” the most prestigious honor given to Lexus dealers for their excellence, three years after it was launched. The dealership claims to provide customers with a luxury
Francis Maragay
Victor Reyes
brand experience and fabulous quality cars. The company also strategically designed a first-class environment to take care of its guests’ needs, making buying vehicles a very easy experience for them. It claims to provide guests with sparkling facility and luxurious amenities and further equates waiting in the Longo Lexus as “waiting in a captain’s club” with its comfortable chairs. Aiming to build a family of loyal guests, Longo showers its customers with hospitality and good customer services and pays attention to every detail of their demands. One of the demands answered by the dealership is the various financial services and options for the buyers that provide them presales conveniences and noteworthy post-sales services. In addition, Longo Lexus claims to offer “low, no haggle prices” despite its financial success, which makes it a Lexus Circle of Excellence Awardee. Beyond its objective to provide good sales and services, the preeminent role of the company lies on its progressive leadership and triumph in highlighting the con-
cern of its team. The company established Penske College, an in-house training and development center to learn meaningful skills for its team members’ career advancement. Longo’s investment and benefits for its human capital are extended to their members’ health and well-being. An on-site Fitness Center, a full-time Wellness Coach and a comprehensive Wellness Program are made available for them. The efforts of the company to promote the wellness of its employees were recognized by the American Heart Association. It then awarded Longo Lexus as a National, Platinum Status, FitFriendly company. Aside from this, the dealership was named by Automotive News, the auto industry’s leading news and information source, and Best Companies Group as “Automotive News’ Best Dealerships To Work For in 2012” for providing quality workspaces for its employees. Sharing its success to people in need, Longo Lexus has not forgotten its commitment to offer event for the local communities of El Monte and Los Angeles. The company offers use of its dealership to local and nonprofit organizations to host events, sponsor charity runs, walks and triathlons. Among the activities it hosted are the City of Hope Blood Drive, February- Wear Red Fridays for Healthy Heart Month, Earth Day Celebration, and Children’s Hospital L.A. (CHLA) Beanie Drive. For more information, you may call (626) 539-2956 or visit them at 3530 North Peck Road, El Monte CA, 91731 US, or its website at www.longolexus.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Cesar Macalino
Butch Gabutina
Raymond Perez
LONGO 5000 is back. Longo Toyota, the world’s largest dealership, is having the world’s largest sale for new and used cars until September 4. Recognized for its drive to constantly set the bar high in every aspect of its business, Longo Toyota is set to sell 5,000 vehicles and continue to make history. In addition to its primary work selling and servicing cars, a large part of Longo’s success is fueled by its commitment to community involvement and quality customer service. For 50 years, Longo Toyota has been actively involved in local communities surrounding El Monte and Los Angeles areas, offering programs on education, human services and wellness. “Ninety-nine percent of what we do flies under the radar, but we think it’s important to give back to the community as it gives to us,” Brendan Harrington, Longo’s president and general manager told Edmunds.com. They host on and off-site events and sponsor charity runs, walks, triathlons, food, clothing and blood drives. A blood drive was conducted last May to benefit City of Hope, a cancer treatment and research center in Southern
California. 50 blood donors were able to give hope to 162 families. During the summer, Longo hosts movie series at the dealership on select Friday nights at sunset, and invites local schools and charities to sell concessions for fundraisers at the events. Longo Toyota has also been creating opportunities for local high schools and civic groups that build better futures and bring progress to the community. Established in March 2012, Longo Toyota Saturday Fundraiser helps high schools and the Fire Department Explorer programs raise funds to sustain their academic and athletic programs and community activities, while gaining hands-on work experience and earning money. Aside from giving back, great customer service along with a pleasant buying experience are always present as Longo Toyota goes several steps beyond what customers expect. Team Longo’s workforce consisting of various culture, races and languages provides comfort to its customers through sales process in their preferred language. With its 700 plus employees, closing the language barrier through representatives
from 21 countries who speak 40 languages and dialects is the reason for their exceptional guest experience. “It’s about creating an easy and memorable shopping experience that makes our guests want to come back to us again and again,” says Harrington. Longo has earned the Toyota President’s award for outstanding performance every year since 1986. In 2016, they also won their 15th consecutive Toyota President’s Cabinet award, an honor that recognizes excellent operations, high volume sales, and most importantly, outstanding guest satisfaction performance. And to make car-buying even more convenient, Longo offers a complimentary delivery service from Monday through Saturday within a 50mile radius of Longo Toyota without charge. Consumers looking to buy or lease a new vehicle may just want to look to Longo Toyota, not only to become a part of history, but to find a car buying experience at values that are beyond compare. The 50-acre Longo Toyota Campus is located at 3534 North Peck Road in El Monte. For more information, call (626) 539-2584 or visit www. longotoyota.com. (Advertising Supplement)
New 2017 Camry SE
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Sen. Poe tells LTFRB: Accredit Grab, BSP, 5 Asian banks keep interest rates steady Uber drivers with complete papers by Krissy
AguilAr AJPress
Six central banks in Asia, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), are keeping policy rates low in the middle of subdued inflationary pressures. This is according to a new report entitled “Economic Views (Asia Six): Why in No Hurry to Alter Monetary Policy?” by Washington-based Institute of International Finance (IIF). “While policy rates have largely bottomed out in the region, the ‘Asia Six’ central banks are likely to keep them around current low levels over an extended period,” the IIF’s chief economist for AsiaPacific Bejoy Das Gupta said in the report. Aside from the Philippines, the
by Audrey
MorAllo Philstar.com
MANILA — The government should accredit Grab and Uber applicants with complete documents and reconsider adjusting the flagdown rate of cabs while waiting for legislation to resolve the issues hounding ride-hailing services in the country, according to Sen. Grace Poe. Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services conducting hearings on ride-hailing service issues, said that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board should accredit vehicle owners with complete documents and with no violations while waiting for legislation that would regulate transport network companies such as Grab and Uber. In addition, the government agency should also consider raising the flag-down rate of taxis which was last adjusted eight years ago. “Halimbawa sila na rin ang nagsabi, kulang ang mga nagpoprovide ng service sa mga pasahero, e di i-accredit na nila lahat nung wala naman problema sa accreditation papers nila,” the senator said. “Dinggin na nila ang hinaing ng ating mga taxi drivers. Bigyan naman ninyo ng kaunting allowance ang kanilang pamasahe kasi walong taon nang hindi tinataas iyan so siguro naman dapat ma-review at madesisyunan na nila kaagad.” On July 11, the LTFRB issued an order directing TNCs Grab and Uber to deactivate their drivers who did not have permits or franchise before July 26, or they would be apprehended. The franchising agency also fined Grab and Uber P5 million each for accepting and allowing 50,000 units to operate without LTFRB authorization.
Sen. Grace Poe said that the LTFRB should accredit Uber and Grab applicants with complete documents. Philstar.com photos
This created a whirlwind of criticism especially from regular users of the two companies’ services as the order would deprive them of 90 percent of Grab and Uber vehicles on the road. Uber and Grab have appealed for the LTFRB to reconsider the order as it would ground more than 50,000 unlicensed drivers which could spike prices as customers would be forced to compete for few vehicles. “We appealed to the LTFRB to suspend the implementation of the July 11 order. We hope the LTFRB will respond favorably,” Catherine Avelino, Uber head of communications, said in a text message to The Star. Adjust taxi flag-down rates Poe said that the LTFRB had vowed to resolve the accreditation and flag-down rate issues of drivers by September. She added that taxi drivers should be given a chance to earn a decent living by adjusting their flag-down rate, which has been at P40 for the past eight years. “Tumaas na yung presyo ng kilo
ng bigas, tumaas na yung presyo ng ibang bilihin sila hindi pa naadjust,” she said. The senator also called on Uber and Grab to avoid accepting new applications while the issues on their operations had not yet been resolved. “Sabi ko naman sa LTFRB, resolbahin na natin kasi may mga tao na nag-invest na diyan, may mga kotse, may mga drivers na umaasa na hanggang ngayon ay hindi naman malinaw kung matutuloy ba yan o hindi,” Poe said. She said that she was open to suggestions to review taxi fares every two years which could be included in the legislation they would craft. “Itong mga drivers natin, may pamilya iyan. So natural kapag pinipigil mo sila halimbawa, hindi mo sila binibigyan ng patas na pagtrato ay gagawa at gagawa iyan ng dahilan para gumawa ng iligal na bagay. Kaya nga nagrereklamo tayo kasi ayaw tayong ihatid dahil traffic, papaano naman ang liit ng kinikita nila,” Poe told reporters.
PH considers borrowing P140-B from... PAGE D1 the Chinese government. “We have had assurances from them that they will make sure that the bridges they construct here will be of robust and international quality,” he said. Dominguez said the two governments were still in the process of “firming up the commitments” on a project-to-project basis.
The Monetary Board, the highest policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), approved the planned issuance of panda bonds, according to National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon. Meanwhile, the Philippine government is still waiting for the approval of the People’s Bank of China. “Normally, it takes some time
for feasibility studies to be completed. After the plans are in place, the loans will be negotiated. Financing always follows the plan,” said Dominguez. The finance secretary also mentioned that in October of last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping committed about $9 billion in ODA and commercial loan financing for the Philippines.
IIF also named five other Asian countries: India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand. Headline inflation averaged 3.1 percent for the Philippines by the end of June. The rate of increase in terms of basic goods was expected as it settled “near the midpoint of the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent in 2017 to 2019,” according to a report from the BSP. “Inflation is projected to peak in the third quarter of 2017, driven by positive base effects and the continued strength in domestic economic activity before reverting to the midpoint of the target range in 2018-2019,” the bank added. Meanwhile, as the six countries mentioned subdued inflationary
pressures, “central banks are looking through some temporary overshooting in Indonesia and Malaysia as well as substantially below-target inflation in India and Thailand.” Das Gupta also said that the region does not feel any pressures to follow the U.S. Federal Reserve after it raised its interest twice since there are “strong external positions, evident in current account surpluses or small deficits, appreciating currencies and some reserve addition.” “Equally, Asia Six central banks do not wish to further lower policy rates as they worry about financial stability while growth is receiving support from revived exports, fiscal programs and structural reforms,” Das Gupta added.
PH miners urged: Shape up or ship out by CAtherine
VAlente ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte met with top executives of mining companies a week after he threatened to “tax to death” those who do not rehabilitate areas damaged by their operations. In a news conference at Conrad Hotel in Pasay City on Friday, Aug. 4, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Duterte reiterated his administration’s policy to protect the environment from destructive effects of mining. “During that meeting with the miners, the President essentially said that, for as long as mining groups, whether big or small, follow the rules on mining and keep environmental laws in mind, then there would be no problem and they can continue with their operations,” Guevarra told reporters. When asked if Duterte announced a new mining policy during the meeting, he said, “I’m not privy to any new policy an-
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte
nouncement from the President except reiteration of what has been the policy of the government ever since.” Duterte, during his second State of the Nation Address last month, warned mining companies that he would tax them to death unless they restore the “virginity “ of exploited areas. “You have to come up with a substitute, either spend to restore the virginity of the source or I will tax you to death,” he said in his
Philstar.com photo
speech. The President demanded all mining companies to clean up adverse effects of their mining operations as his administration would make it a “non-negotiable” policy. “Reasonable and sustainable development is what we advocate and require,” he said. “The protection of the environment must be made a priority ahead of mining and all other activities that adversely affect one way or the other. This policy is non-negotiable.”
BSP checks on use of artificial... PAGE D2 BSP leads the experiment of an application program interface (API) system for its reporting process as well as studying the potential use of “chatbots” in handling consumer complaints. “What we hope to do is from the mass of data there has to be a way of evaluating unstructured data to give us indications of problems that are arising. We are
also adopting technologies even as we advocate the use of technology in the financial system. We have come to realization over the years, looking at the way our banking system has evolved, it became very strong but the brick and mortar just won’t catch it. The Philippines is an archipelago,” he said. According to Espenilla, the BSP has earned technical assistance and has tapped a technology partner to study the prospect
of adopting RegTech in its applications. “We evaluated the possibilities and our pain point is right now we want to come up with a more efficient way and more effective way to get data from reporting institutions that is why we are talking about API systems,” he added. BSP’s pilot testing phase is tentative yet they anticipate the experiment to wrap up within the year.
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The BSP issued 1,000 pieces of P100,000 bills featuring the glorious and triumphant scene of the proclamation of the Philippine independence by General Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898 and the “Sigaw ng Himagsikan.” Philstar.com photos
Demonetization of P100K, P2K commemorative notes begins by Lawrence
agcaoiLi Philstar.com
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has started the demonetization process of the P100,000 and P2,000 centennial commemorative bills after successfully retiring the old banknotes last June. The commemorative banknotes were issued during the country’s centennial celebration in 1998. The P100,000 Centennial Commemorative Note is the biggest legal tender denomination issued by the BSP, both in terms of face value and dimension, measuring 22cm by 33cm. The BSP issued 1,000 pieces of P100,000 bills featuring the glorious and triumphant scene of the proclamation of the Philippine independence by General Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898 and the “Sigaw ng Himagsikan.” The P2,000 banknote was also issued in 1998 depicting the oath-taking of then president Joseph Estrada and the re-enact-
ment of the declaration of independence by former president Fidel Ramos. The BSP issues commemorative banknotes to honor an event of historic significance to the country. Usually, these are in limited volume, set apart from the banknotes intended for circulation and overprinted with an emblem or text descriptive of the theme or occasion being celebrated. Numismatists or currency collectors often preserve commemorative or limited-release banknotes and coins for their numismatic value. The BSP said the demonetization process of both commemorative bills is in line with the provisions of Section 57 of Republic Act 7653, otherwise known as the New Central Bank Act, which authorizes the BSP to replace banknotes that are more than five years old. The central bank said the
centennial commemorative notes would remain legal tender until July 31 next year. “Thereafter, the said banknotes shall cease to be legal tender,” the BSP said. According to the BSP, the P100,000 and P2,000 centennial commemorative bills could still be exchanged with authorized agent banks and the BSP at par with the new generation currency (NGC) banknotes at full face value and without charge starting August 2018 and July 2019. Both banknotes, the BSP added, would lose their monetary values and would be considered demonetized on Aug. 1, 2019. Last July 1, the new design series (NDS) banknotes launched in 1985 were demonetized. The old banknotes denominated in P5, P10, P20, P50, P100, P200, P500, and P1,000. The NGC bills launched in 2010 replaced the demonetized NDS banknotes.
Duterte OKs free public internet access PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law Republic Act 10929 or an act establishing free internet access program in public places in the country. Under the new law, free Wi-Fi access should be established in all national and local government
offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries. “The State hereby recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology in nation-building, and declares its policy to promote an envi-
ronment for the development of structures that would ensure the availability and accessibility to reliable and secure internet access suitable to the needs and aspirations of the nation,” the new law read. (Catherine S. Valente/ManilaTimes.net)
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