July 22-25 2017 Volume 27 - No. 59 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
Palace on US Congress hearing: Filipinos are the ‘real’ judges by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
UNFAZED by the criticism coming from the government of the United States, Malacañang on Friday, July 21 said the ‘real judge’ of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war is no one else but the Filipino people. In a press conference hours after a U.S. Congress hearing on
Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano
the Philippines’ anti-illegal drug campaign, Duterte’s spokesperson, Ernesto Abella, said that only Filipinos could evaluate whether the administration’s crackdown on narcotics is a success or a failure. “As the President [Duterte] would say, the real judge of the actions of the administration would be not so much these opinions, but people actually,
Malacañang spokesperson Ernesto Abella Philstar.com photos
USA
DATELINE DFA to name PH envoy to US soon FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will soon have his highest-ranking representative in Washington to serve as the Philippine ambassador to the United States, replacing the previous envoy who stepped down from his post more than a year ago. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in a television interview revealed that the department is eyeing someone to take the position. “Soon, soon, we will have [a Philippine ambassador]. I was told we’re vetting one person. I can’t say yet until I submit the papers…” Cayetano said in an interview with ABS-CBN. However, he did not confirm if it would be Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, who was reappointed by Duterte to be the special envoy to the U.S. on July 10. “I cannot say yet until I submit the papers
the people of the Philippines, the citizens here who find that... it’s safer in the streets, the crime index has dropped,” Abella said. On Thursday, July 20, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. House of Representatives conducted an inquiry into Duterte’s anti-illegal drug policy. During the hearing, several U.S. lawmakers and representatives of human rights groups slammed the alleged killings and human rights abuses linked to the crackdown. But amid the backlash, Malacañang said it believes the majority of the Filipino people acknowledge the “better side” of the campaign. “The real judge of the situation would be the people and who have given him overwhelming support and overwhelming approval. And so, we trust that the
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MORALE BOOST. President Rodrigo Duterte visits troops engaged in the battle with Maute terrorists in Marawi City and gave out food packs and other assistance when he set foot at Camp Ranao on Thursday, July 20. The president’s visit, despite an ongoing gun battle near the camp, boosted the morale of the soldiers. Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante
Malacañang: PH gov’t uses ‘whole system’ approach vs terrorism
on Thursday, July 20, following the release of a United States report claiming that the Philippines is among the THE Philippine government is ad- top five countries with the highest dressing terrorism threats seriously recorded number of terror attacks in and has been expanding its anti-terror 2016. campaign by using a ‘whole systems’ The U.S. report came amid the onapproach, Malacañang said. going firefight between the Philippine Malacañang issued the statement military and pro-Islamic State (IS) miliby DANA
SIOSON AJPress
Top court rules against Trump’s request to expand the controversial travel policy
THE United States Supreme Court this week ruled in favor of a lower court opinion that temporarily banned extended family members of American citizens from six Muslim-majority nations. The highest court in the U.S. on Wednesday, July 19 voted to allow a ruling by a federal judge in Hawaii who argued that grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and siblings-in-law should be added to the list of close family members who
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hand-in-hand with poverty — the problem he referred to as the root of terrorism. “We recognize that poverty in Mindanao and the sense of hopelessness it brings spawns terrorism. It is for this reason that while we are fighting terrorism, we are also fighting poverty,”
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Pres. Duterte to deliver Aquino formally files appeal on a ‘direct to the point’ indictment over Mamasapano massacre 50-min speech for SONA by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
FORMER Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III submitted a motion for reconsideration over the charges filed against him in connection with the botched Mamasapano operation that led to the deaths of 44 police commandos two years ago. Aquino filed his appeal before the Office the Ombudsman on Wednesday, July 19, calling his indictment a “misappreciation of facts and specious application of the law” that warrants its outright dismissal. This comes days after Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales indicted Aquino over his alleged role in the tragic operation dubbed as “Oplan Exodus” on January
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Supreme Court broadens family exceptions of Pres. Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’
tants in Marawi City, Mindanao, which erupted two months ago. “What we are doing is we really confronting it, engaging the situation with the whole systems approach,” Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing. He then took note that the government has been fighting terrorism
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President Rodrigo Duterte rehearses his speech for his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 24. Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Duterte will deliver a speech that will last no more than 50 minutes. Malacañang photo by JENNIFER
SORIANO
AJPress
FOR his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to deliver a “direct to the point” speech that will run for about 50 minutes, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar disclosed on Friday, July 21. Andanar, who was present during Duterte’s rehearsal at the presidential guest house in Davao City on Thursday night, July 20, said the original 38-page
speech was reduced by almost half. The revised 18-page speech includes the administration’s accomplishments during the first year as well as the pressing issues like the illegal drug problem and terrorism in Marawi City. “He wants it direct to the point. I’m estimating the final draft to be between 15 and 18 pages,” Andanar said in a text message to reporters on Thursday night. Earlier, Andanar said the public should expect a “longer but
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Former Pres. Benigno Aquino III Philstar.com photo
Ahead of martial law expiration, Duterte visits Marawi to rally troops AFTER a couple of failed attempts over the past two months, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was finally able to set foot in the conflict-zone area of Marawi City on Thursday, July 20. Malacañang confirmed the president’s arrival, saying Duterte reached the besieged city past noon and left before the evening of the same day. The visit took place “amid the sound of gun and artillery fires on the background,” according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Edu-
ardo Año, who was with the president in Marawi. Año said the president was also given the latest situation update on the ongoing operations in the area. Speaking to reporters, Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, spokesperson of Joint Task Force Marawi, said the president’s arrival helped in boosting the morale of embattled troops amid the ongoing firefight against the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute group. He described Duterte’s visit as “intimate,” likening it to a “father visiting his
children.” “The soldiers and police are very happy over his visit because this proves that the president is very firm, very dedicated in supporting most specially the operations here,” the spokesperson said. Herrera said the president thanked the troops for their “heroism and sacrifices” while facing challenges and hardships in quelling terrorism in the area. He added that the president also gave personal supplies to troops and checked
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A JULY 22-25 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page Ahead of martial law expiration... PAGE A1 t other firearms recovered from the rebels. The chief executive previously attempted to fly to Marawi last June 8 and July 7, but both trips were canceled due to bad weather. With the clashes now on their the ninth week, officials have recorded a death toll of 565
– of which 99 were government troops, 421 were from the rebel group, and 45 were civilians. ‘We want to go home’ Thousands of Marawi residents have had to stay in evacuation camps since the Maute group launched an attack on the city on May 23, prompting Duterte to impose military rule in the entire Mindanao region on
Palace on US Congress hearing...
the same day. Earlier this week, Duterte re- PAGE A1 t quested Congress to extend the people understand that they are martial proclamation until the really getting the better side of end of the year, saying that the this deal,” Abella added. “existing rebellion in Mindanao” In a separate statement, the will “not be quelled completely” Philippines’ top diplomat said by its legal expiration date on he has ordered the submission Saturday, July 22. of documents earlier presented But for the affected Marawi before the United Nations “for residents, extending martial law those who want to be fair, for means being away from home those who are real human rights longer. advocates who have due pro“It’s difficult on our part. We cess.” cannot go to Marawi anymore,” “I have instructed our post in Jalal Dipatuan, 49, a Marawi res- the U.S. to submit to them the ident staying in an evacuation Universal Periodic Review that center, told Inquirer. we submitted to the UN Hu“It’s cold here in the evacua- man Rights Council so that our tion center. Please, Mr. Presi- friends in the U.S. Senate would dent, don’t extend martial law not be fooled by advocates who anymore, we want to go home,” were politicizing human rights,” said Asliah Bandrang, 34, anoth- Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan er evacuee and mother of seven Peter Cayetano told ANC. children. During the third cycle of the The House and Senate were Universal Periodic Review (UPR) scheduled to convene in a Spe- on the status of the human rights cial Joint Session to discuss the record in the country last May, military rule’s possible exten- the Philippine delegation, cou PAGE A4 led by then-Senator Cayetano,
refuted the alleged existence of state-sponsored killings of drug suspects and criminals in the country, asserting the government’s high regard for human rights and rule of law. Cayetano reaffirmed that the U.S. Congress did not ask the Duterte administration to send any representatives to its drug war hearing, which aims “to determine the funds that they will give to the Philippines or their attitude towards the Philippines.” The top diplomat, however, maintained that Washington has no right to summon a delegation from Manila to attend the hearing. ‘No regard for human rights’ During the hearing on Thursday, Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts was among the lawmakers who heavily criticized Duterte’s drug war. “Duterte, by all accounts, seems to not have a high regard for human rights,” said McGovern, who is also the co-chair of
the House’s Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Pointing out the “explosion of killings” over the past year, the lawmaker stressed that Duterte’s statements “inciting and justifying” these murders “have rightly drawn attention and indignation.” He insisted that the U.S. government “cannot afford any degree of complicity with the kinds of human rights violations that are occurring.” He went on to say, “No other country — I repeat that, ‘no other country’ — comes to mind where people are assassinated on the streets in the name of fighting drugs, and leaders brag about it as a good thing.” Also “troubled” by Duterte’ drug war was Rep. Jackie Speier of California’s 14th district. “We need to call this deranged policy out for its state-sanctioned vigilantism that contravenes the rule of law and damages the international standing of the Philippines,” Speier said. She also slammed U.S. President Trump for previously inviting Duterte to visit the White House. “Mr Duterte’s murderous extrajudicial campaign has drawn condemnation from around the world – except from President Trump, who has had a ‘very friendly’ conversation with the man who once said, ‘I don’t care about human rights,’ and who called President Obama a ‘son of a whore’ for speaking out against atrocities President Duterte has committed against his own people,” she said. Speier further emphasized that it is “critical” that both the U.S. Congress and Trump administration “condemn President Duterte’s unacceptable human rights abuses in the strongest possible terms and to take concrete action to ensure that the United States is not enabling these practices.” In its hearing, the U.S. Congress invited panelists to “analyze the implementation of the ‘war on drugs’ and its consequences for the human rights situation in the Philippines.” Among the panelists invited include In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement
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DFA to name PH envoy... PAGE A1 t but Babe is our special envoy and he continues to represent the country and continues to build bridges with the U.S. so we’re not counting him out,” Cayetano said. The secretary also stressed that not having a Philippine envoy to foreign countries was “bad” for the country. “First we have to put our ambassadors,” Cayetano said. “Having said that, national treasures pa rin naman yung iba, yung sa past administration regardless if we agree with their views or not. (Ambassadors from past administrations are
still national treasures.)” Cayetano, who was Duterte’s running mate in the 2016 national elections, explained that political differences should not hinder the efforts of putting the best interests of the country first. “Hindi tayo pwedeng mag Duterte, anti-Duterte, oppositionadministration. (We cannot be prDuterte, anti-Duterte, oppositionadministration anymore),” said Cayetano. Last year, prior to the reappointment of Romualdez, Duterte initially tapped Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to replace former PH ambassador to the U.S., Jose Cuisia, Jr.
Aquino formally files appeal... PAGE A1 t 25, 2015 in Mamasapano, Mindanao, where 44 Special Action Force (SAF) were slain in an ambush. In his appeal, Aquino lamented that he was not given the opportunity “to adequately address and refute the charges… prior to the issuance of the Assailed Resolution.” “Worse, the Assailed Resolution was not only premised on highly inaccurate and flawed facts, but the legal conclusions drawn from these facts were patently erroneous and bereft of any merit,” he added. The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of graft and usurpation of authority charges against Aquino, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Alan Purisima and former PNP-SAF head Getulio Napeñas.
While Aquino was cleared of homicide charges, the Ombudsman said he should still be held liable for allowing then-suspended Purisima to play a major role in the operation, citing a record of text messages between Aquino and Purisima discussing the operation. Aquino, however, claimed that no law prohibits from using Purisima as a “resource person.” “There is nothing irregular, much less illegal, about my act of utilizing all the resources available at my disposal, including sourcing information and inputs from anyone — whether they are in active service or not,” the former president said. He noted that he ordered Purisima and Napeñas to coordinate with the military about operation in cases of the need for deployment. Aquino went on to say, “Puri-
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 22-25, 2017
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Lorenzana, however, turned down the offer. Duterte then said he would name his protocol chief Marciano Paynor to the post but Paynor’s appointment did not materialize as he was tasked to help in preparing for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila. In February of this year, Duterte said in a speech that he was not keen on sending a Philippine ambassador to America due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, such as a travel ban on several countries, though the Philippines was not included. He explained that he respects the decision of Trump and that he “would not lift a finger” in case undocumented Filipinos were caught in the U.S. (AJPress)
sima’s involvement as a resource DISTRESSED OFWs FINALLY HOME. A total 293 undocumented overseas Filipino workers from Jeddah arrive via flight PR663 at the Terminal person and his act of forwarding 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on Thursday, July 20. The group is part of the several batches of undocumented to me the messages of Napeñas OFWs who have availed of the Kingdom’s amnesty program — facilitated by President Duterte during his visit to the Middle East. cannot be construed as dischargPNA photo by Avito C. Dalan ing official functions and thereby violating the order of preventive suspension.” He also pointed out that the reckless imprudence complaint against him did not cite his liabil- PAGE A1 t resettlement program in the U.S. relationship” with a relative or ity for usurpation and graft. organization in the U.S. would can get visas to travel to the U.S. will not be admitted. Aquino further stressed that The travel ban — colloquially be exempt from the ban. The ruling is a loss for the the indictment for offenses he Trump administration, which has called the “Muslim ban” — repThe Supreme Court ruled that was not charged for “does not looked to expand the scope of the resents the strict immigration that should be up to 9th Circuit only go against the rudiments of travel ban, an executive order on reform promised by President Court of Appeals to make the defair play, but it is also the height immigration first introduced on Donald Trump, who affirms the cision. of inequity and injustice.” The scaled-down version of January 31. The mission of the temporary ban is for national se“In blatant disregard and vio- ban was to provide a temporary curity purposes. the travel ban was put into effect lation of my constitutionally pro- halt in immigration from Iran, Since its introduction in Janu- last month following the June 26 tected right to be informed of the Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and ary, several courts have ruled ruling by the Supreme Court. As nature and cause of accusation Yemen. that many stipulations of the ban of press time, travel to the U.S. against me, the Assailed resoluHowever, Wednesday’s Su- violated the Constitution, includ- is banned from the six nations tion charged me with offenses preme Court decision did block ing providing preferential treat- for 90 days, and the refugee prothat are totally separate, distinct requests from the Hawaii court ment of religions. gram is temporarily suspended and different from the charges that included refugees; the HaLower courts have blocked for 120 days. levelled against me in the con- waii court argued that refugees certain aspects of the ban. The Supreme Court is schedsolidated complaints,” the for- that made arrangements with a On June 26, a Hawaii declared uled to rule on the legality of the mer president said. ■ humanitarian aid organization in that the list of exempted indi- ban as a whole in the fall, but the U.S. should be exempt from viduals was too restrictive in its travelers may bypass the ban if allowance of only parents, par- they can prove that claim of an the ban. This means that, unless the ents-in-law, spouses, fiances, established “bona fide relationappeals court rules otherwise, children, and children-in-law. ship” with a relative or orgaof several hostages in April and the nearly 24,000 refugees who He ruled that people “who have nization. (Klarize Medenilla/AJ June, and the November siege have already been assigned to a a credible claim of a bona fide Press) of Butig town in Lanao del Sur by IS-linked fighters, among others. The agency also said that the government’s “focus” on Duterte’s campaign against ille- PAGE A1 t nigno Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Maweekend. gal drugs has “increased work- more meaningful” speech from Meanwhile, Presidential nila Mayor Joseph Estrada, and load and operational tempo for the president for his SONA on Spokesperson Ernesto Abella Pampanga 2nd District Represecurity forces.” pointed out that is Duterte, who sentative Gloria Macapagal-ArMonday, July 24. “Duterte’s focus on anti-nar“Let’s expect that this will be will decide how long his speech royo were all invited to attend cotics and counterterrorism a really meaningful SONA be- would run. and witness the prestigious event operations slowed progress cause it is not technical, unlike The president’s first SONA on Monday. towards shifting internal secu- the last SONA. This time, the ran for 1 hour and 33 minutes, In a Rappler interview, Aquino rity functions from the Armed projects that the beneficiaries with his ad libs dominating the revealed that he will not attend Forces of the Philippines to the felt will be mentioned in the speech. the event to avoid “comments” Philippine National Police,” the SONA,” Andanar disclosed durWith respect to tradition and from those he might be seated report read. ■ ing a radio interview over the protocol, former Presidents Be- with. ■
Supreme Court broadens family...
Palace on US report: PH gov’t uses...
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Abella said. Abella added that it is also the reason why Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Comprehensive Peace Roadmap, which aims to “provide peace and development by addressing the issue on the Bangsamoro.” Hundreds of peace agreements can be signed, however, “if those on the ground do not immediately feel the dividends of peace, those agreements will [not] be sustainable,” he continued. Earlier on Wednesday, July 19, the U.S. State Department released its “Country Reports on
Terrorism 2016,” tagging Iraq, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, as countries with the highest occurrence of terror attacks last year. “Philippine military and police counterterrorism efforts kept up pressure on terrorist organizations, but were unable to prevent numerous attacks against government, public, and private facilities, primarily in central and western Mindanao,” the agency said. It cited several “notable incidents” in its report, which include the September bombing in Davao City’s night market, the Abu Sayyaf terrorists’ beheading
Pres. Duterte to deliver a ‘direct...
A JULY 22-25 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Former US Secretary of State visits PH, tells importance of sticking to ‘rule of law’ by Jennifer
Soriano
AJPress
Speaking at a forum in Manila where she was invited, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine albright explained the value of abiding by the law to attract investors. albright, who is also a bestselling author and a business leader, was invited to speak during the “Forum on global governance and World economy� organized by aBS-CBn which was held in pasay City on Wednesday, July 19. “One of the things that i think people need to understand in the philippines (is) that investors do not want to go into a place where the rule of law is under question,� said albright, 80, who runs a private investment firm. “Therefore government institutions and the rule of law are very important because despite the fact that investing in its nature is risky, it is better for countries
themselves to make it less risky as possible,� she added. The former secretary also stressed other economic and governance factors a country could consider in order to “attract investors.� “The greatest thing a country can have is not oil, minerals...it’s a combination of first class bankers, professional bureaucrats.� “a country that runs its finances with transparency and accountability is going to attract investments,� she added. albright, who throughout her diplomatic career wore pins and brooches to indicate her mood or stand for certain international issues and personalities, was asked to describe what she would wear should she meet philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. “i think i’ll wear the pin of a very active man with a loudspeaker,� albright replied, referring to president. The philippines, which is currently led by a president
who is known for defying the country’s rule of law was quoted to have said earlier that the rule of law is sometimes a “stupid proposition,� in the light of his brutal campaign against illegal drugs. at least 3,200 people were killed in serving the anti-drug operations while thousands of people, some of them described by the authorities as “drug users,� have been killed by unknown attackers. an article by inquirer on June 16, citing philippine Statistics authority (pSa) report, revealed that foreign investment pledges consistently went down during first three quarters of the Duterte administration. However, this is in contrast Filipino super featherweight prospect Recky Dulay who climbed at lightweight to fight as a B-side against Golden Boy Promotions’s undefeated with the approved foreign in- prospect Jaime Arboleda of Panama, shocked everyone at The Forum in Inglewood, California on Saturday, July 15, when he knocked out Photos by Jhay Otamias vestments which rose from “11.5 Arboleda in the 3rd round. percent to p40.4 billion during the second quarter of 2016 as well as jumped 19.2 percent to FiLipinO super featherweight boleda absorbed his first loss and time world champion who now p26 billion in the first quarter,� prospect Recky Dulay who climbed dropped to 10 wins and one loss. makes Freddie Roach’s Wildcard the Inquirer report said. The arboleda-Dulay matchup gym in Los angeles as his training at lightweight to fight as a B-side against golden Boy promotions’s was originally scheduled as one ground, mentored aston palicte to undefeated prospect Jaime ar- of the undercards of golden Boy’s victory against undefeated Texan boleda of panama, shocked every- Fight Club event Friday at the Be- prospect Oscar Cantu on Dec. 17, one at The Forum in inglewood, lasco Theatre in downtown Los 2016; He trained Romero Duno to California on Saturday, July 15, angeles but was transferred to the knock out another golden Boy unwhen he knocked out arboleda in undercard of the Miguel Berchelt defeated prospect Christian gonvs Takashi Miura WBC world su- zalez on March 10, 2017 that enthe 3rd round. The taller arboleda was hit by per featherweight championship ticed golden Boy to signup Duno; Dulay with a counter right cross fight at The Forum perhaps to give he was in the corner of Michael who turned around and dropped a wider exposure to arboleda but Farenas’s comeback knockout win like a sack of potato face first to the instead showcased Dulay punch- against Martin angel Martinez of canvas. He tried to get up but his ing power. Mexico on June 1, 2017; and now The Dulay victory continued this scintillating victory by Dulay legs could not support him thus the referee waived off the contest. neophyte Filipino trainer Rodel against highly regarded panamian Mayol’s winning streak after he en- arboleda. (By Dong Secuya/PhilTime: 2:03 of the third round. Dulay improved his record to gineered other Filipino underdogs boxing.com, with a report by Dr 10 wins with two losses while ar- to victory. Mayol, the former two- Ed de la Vega at ringside.)
Golden Boy card shocker: Dulay stops Arboleda in 3
Providence Little Company of Mary in Torrance receives $20 million donation by MoMar
G. ViSaya
AJPress
pROviDenCe Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance, California has received a $20 million donation from philanthropists priscilla Hunt and the late Donald g. Hunt, the hospital announced last week. it is the largest donation ever given to the Catholic not-forprofit hospital and will be used to support Little Company of Mary’s Cardiovascular Center of excellence Campaign, according to a press release. The philanthropic couple has made meaningful legacy donations to hospitals in the past, including a $13.5 million donation to Torrance Memorial Medical Center in 2011, the largest donation in the hospital’s history that time. “The Hunts believe that everyone in our community deserves access to the highest quality health care, and this generous gift ensures that South Bay residents will continue to receive world-class cardiovascular care right here in the community,� Sean armstrong, the hospital’s chairman, said in a statement. in previous interviews, Mrs. Hunt said that they give major donations to hospitals because they help all members of the community. For Torrance Memorial, she said that they had friends and family members who succumbed to cancer. “So it’s personal,� she told South Bay Magazine. “i would like them to find a cure for cancer.� The Cardiovascular Center of excellence Campaign is investing in a $35 million renovation and new patient care rooms. The hospital’s Heritage Tower
Priscilla Hunt and the late Donald G. Hunt
will be renamed the Donald & priscilla Hunt Tower as a result of the gift, Little Company of Mary said. “This extraordinary gift to providence Little Company of Mary is an inspiring demonstration of how donors throughout the years have transformed this hospital through their generosity,� armstrong added. aside from The Torrance Memorial Hospital and The Little Company of Mary, priscilla Hunt and husband Donald’s philanthropic efforts have benefited institutions such as The Salvation army, Feed the Children and the USC Marshall Business School, among others.
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The Donald and priscilla Hunt Cancer institute and the Donald and priscilla Hunt nuclear Medicine Center at Torrance Memorial Hospital were unveiled in September 2014, in recognition of the couple’s generosity, and are housed within the new patient Tower. Donald Hunt passed away last February at the age of 96. His wife priscilla, born to a political family in the philippines, is currently president/CeO Hunt enterprises, a company that develops and manages highquality residential communities, including commercial and industrial facilities throughout Southern California. n
Trainer Rodel Mayol (C) congratulates Recky Dulay as cutman Dr Ed de la Vega looks on.
Ahead of martial law expiration...
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sion on Saturday. House Speaker pantaleon alvarez earlier commented that Duterte’s request to extend martial law until December 31 of this year is likely to get approval from Congress without much difficulty. Senate president koko pimentel also expressed confidence that the Congress supermajority will ap-
prove Duterte’s extension request and area coverage, but its duration is likely to be questioned. in a statement on Wednesday, July 19, vice president Leni Robredo urged Congress to discuss the issue thoroughly. “pakinggan natin iyong dahilan kung bakit kailangan mag-extend (Let us listen to the reasons why it should be extended),� the vice president said.
She went on to say, “kung iga-grant ito, iga-grant dahil pinag-usapan nang maayos. kung ide-deny naman, ide-deny siya kasi napag-usapan nang maayos (If it will be granted, it must be granted because it was discussed thoroughly. If it would be denied, it would be denied because it was discussed thoroughly).� (With reports from Dana Sioson/AJPress)
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 22-25, 2017
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ICE crackdown hitting immigrants’ pocketbooks by Jun
nucum Inquirer.net
SAN FRANCISCO — More intense immigration enforcement conducted since President Donald Trump took office is greatly affecting the lives of immigrant families, not just in their homes, but also in workplaces, according to a national press briefing by Ready California and New America Media. With intensified enforcement “the number one way of identifying individuals for removal proceedings is still the very deep cooperation between federal immigration officials and local law enforcement,” according to Grisel Ruiz, staff attorney with Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), Conducting the press briefing (“How Anti-Immigrant Policies Are Draining Immigrant Pocketbooks”) with Ruiz were Cal Soto coordinator for National Day Labor Organizing Network (NDLON), Michael Young, legislative advocate with California Labor Federation and Mohan Kanungo, director of programs and engagement of Mission Asset Fund. House raids “Law enforcers continue to go to an individual’s home to pick him up and, unfortunately, in those circumstances they may pick up that individual’s loved ones as well,” Ruiz added Mohan Kanungo, director of programs and engagement at Mission Asset Fund (MAF), reported that due to the uncertainty posed by increased raids and deportations many immigrants are not buying homes or building their businesses. “The average national cost for a immigration-related bail bond is $10,000 and legal help at the bond hearing that would mean an additional $3,000-5,000 or more,”
Kanungo explained. “For transfer of guardianship just in case the family wants someone else to take care of a child in the hands usually of a family member, that another $2,000-4,000. And if somebody finds themselves in removal proceedings, and they are going through the process of changing their status, that attorney-related costs or fees could be between $5,000-25000 or more,” Kanungo added. Recently, the Mission Asset Fund released a Financial Emergency Action Plan for Immigrants, which gives families and business-owners practical tips on how to protect their assets in uncertain times. Practical tips Among the practical tips: - families should protect their money by opening or maintaining a checking account to have access to funds when needed; - set up online bill pay to make sure bills get paid on time, even if one is detained; - protect belongings, including car, property and business usually through powers of attorney that will give a trusted individual the ability to make decisions over their properties; - protect credit and create savings goals that can include putting aside enough money to pay for legal fees that one could incur in case of detention. “It’s not just about the burden of the immigration-related costs,” observed Kanungo, “but the dual burden that comes up with maintaining a household with a loss of income from a family member.” Unwelcome interactions Cal Soto, a national workers rights coordinator at National Day Labor Organizing Network (NDLON) confirmed that immigration agents or police officers have approached people on their
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Inquirer.net photo
Palace on US Congress hearing... PAGE A3 t (I-DEFEND) Philippines spokesperson Ellecer Carlos, Amnesty International Senior Crisis Advisor Matthew Wells, and Human Rights Watch Asia Division Deputy Director Phelim Kine. A survivor of an attempted extrajudicial killing in the Philippines also submitted a statement before the commission. “This case is a test for the Philippine judicial system and we will follow its progress with interest,” McGovern said. Efren Morillo, 29, is the lone survivor of five men shot by police in an alleged execution during a “tokhang” (drug war) operation on August 21 of last year in Quezon City. In a statement, he recounted how his friends were killed by policemen and how he survived by pretending to be dead after he was shot in the chest. “The whole time, the armed men kept accusing the five of us of being involved in illegal drugs. We piteously protested that we are innocent of any crime or wrongdoing,” Morillo said. According to him, the armed men, who were not able to find any contraband, insisted that a cigarette lighter and some shiny paper they found proved their involvement in drugs. “They alleged that a gunfight ensued between them and me and my companions. They accused us of being caught in the
act of using drugs, and being notorious drug suspects and even hold uppers,” Morillo said. In February, Morillo and the families of the four slain men filed a petition before the Philippine Supreme Court, marking the first legal challenge against the Duterte’s drug war. “I survived, but thousands did not. I owe it to them to speak out and join the quest for full justice for all the victims of the killings,” he added. ‘Lousy’ America In defense, Duterte said whoever expects him to fly in U.S. “must be dreaming.” “Somebody asked me if I’m going to America. Right? What was my response? You guys must be dreaming,” the president remarked. In a chance interview on Friday, July 21, Duterte said he has no plans to ever set foot in the U.S. again, calling it a ‘lousy’ country. “There will never be a time that I will go to America during my term or even thereafter,” Duterte told reporters in Davao City. He further suggested that the U.S. government to start investigating incidents of human rights violations in its own country. “I’ve seen America and it’s lousy... it would be good for the U.S. Congress to start with their own investigation of their own violations of the so many civilians killed in the prosecution of the wars in the Middle East,” he said. n
Officials and businessmen from Bacolod City and Long Beach gathered at One World Trade Center for the revival of the Sister Cities. Among those in photo are Bacolod City Administrator John Orola, Councilman Caesar Distrito, Councilwoman Em Legaspi-Ang, Albert Gamboa with the Philippine Office of Communications, Philippine Consulate General Cultural Officer Wilma Bautista, Tyler Curley, Legislative Aide for LB Mayor Robert Garcia, Dr. Mary Barton and Richard Madeira, Long Beach Sister Cities Officials, Seyed Jelali with the LB Economic and Property Development, Banker Peter Ramirez, Businessmen Alvin Carranza, and Jimmy Ancheta, Joe and Peggy Gamboa who initiated the revival of the sister cities. Inquirer.net photos
Long Beach and Bacolod City renew sister city ties
LONG BEACH, California – A delegation from Bacolod, led by city officials, recently visited One World Trade Center for the relaunching of the Long Beach-Bacolod Sister Cities Association. Bacolod City Administrator John Orola, Councilman Caesar Distrito and Councilwoman Em LegaspiAng met with Tyler Curley, legislative deputy of Mayor Robert Garcia, former Long Beach Sister Cities Inc. Chair Dr. Mary Barton and incoming Chair Richard Madeira, who formally welcomed the guests to the international city, home to one of the busiest ports in the United States. Cultural Officer Wilma Bautista from the Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles, Dianne Jacobus, former Port of Long Beach Protocol Officer and Seyed Jelali with the Long Beach Economic and Property Development were also in attendance.
Joe Gamboa, a local community leader and his wife, Peggy, together with Joey Montalvo who heads a Negros-based advocacy group, initiated the revival of the organization that has been dormant for some time. In April, the Bacolod City Council passed a resolution approving the re-activation of sister city relations with Long Beach, whose own legislative council endorsed the long-awaited revival through a similar process. Councilwoman Legaspi-Ang, who also chairs the Bacolod Tourism Committee, presented the city’s 10-year economic development plan, while Orola, on behalf of Mayor Evelio Leonardia, formally invited officials of Long Beach to the world-famous Masskara Festival in October. After the re-launching event, Bacolod businessman Alvin Carranza and his family, hosted a
Tyler Curley, Legislative Aide for Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia presents a Letter of Commendation on the revival of the LB Bacolod Sister Cities to Council Members Caesar Distrito and Em Legaspi-Ang of Bacolod.
luncheon at George’s Greek restaurant. The attendees included the Bacolod officials, Joe and Peggy Gamboa, Mary Barton, Jimmy and Joanna Ancheta,
Peter Ramirez, Ame and Angel Arambulo, Sandy Orola, Albert Gamboa, Alvin Denila and other members of the Sister Cities.
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A JULY 22-25 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline USa
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Long Beach and Bacolod City renew...
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Sister Cities of Long beach, Inc. (SCLb) promotes mutually beneficial cooperation between the citizens of Long beach and those cities of other nations through its affiliation with Sister Cities International. SCLb aims to promote peace
through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation through exchanges of people, ideas and information relating to issues of interest that may include economic, social, cultural, educational, municipal, environmental, professional, technical and youth concerns.
Long beach has been involved in the Sister City International Program since 1961. Today, the city enjoys active Sister Cities relations with Yokkaichi, Japan; Qingdao, China; Sochi, Russia; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Mombasa, Kenya and, once again, bacolod, Philippines. n
ICE crackdown hitting immigrants’...
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CSUN Matadors head coach Reggie Theus (right) and Kobe Paras.
Kobe Paras’ new coach high on prospect’s chance to succeed by Denison
Rey A. DAlupAng Philstar.com
KobE Paras’ new mentor believes the young Filipino’s ceiling for talent is high. And that’s going to be beneficial for both CalState University in Northridge and the prospect’s career. “I think Kobe’s going to push us to the top,” said CSUN Matadors head coach Reggie Theus on Thursday, July 20. “I expect
big things out of Kobe. As you all, too, right?” “There’s no pressure to him,” he said. “I just want him to be a great teammate.” Theus, who just wrapped a training session with Gatorade and NbA at the Hoops Center in Mandaluyong, is in town to grace the NbA 3X Philippines festivities set this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Music Hall. A former NbA player and coach, the California native will
be guiding Paras in the latter’s pursuit of an NbA dream. And while the 19-year-old son of PbA legend benjie is set to sit out the coming NCAA season in observance of a “red shirt” year, Theus stressed that the wait will be essential to the athlete’s grooming. “He has a whole year to sit out and work on his game, I think it’s gonna pay big dividends for him in the end,” Theus said. “I just want him to work hard every day and allow the game come to him. I won’t allow him to push or to try to take over, ‘cause he has to allow it to happen,” the tactician noted. “I think that’s the most important for him.” “Now he’s the youngest player in the FIbA 3x3, right? I want him to be one of the oldest players in our conference. by sitting now, he’s gonna gain another year of experience, another year to understand what he has to do,” Theus continued. Paras, who played for the Creighton University bluejays earlier this year, was once recruited by the UCLA bruins. He is now making the most out of his redshirt year, lending his services and showcasing his wares via the Philippine national team which is currently seeing action in the 39th William Jones Cup in Taipei. “[Kobe] has a chance to be anything he wants to be,” Theus declared. “[It all] depends on how hard he’s going to work for it.” n
way to church, school or even in courts and government offices to inquirer about their immigration status. These unwelcome interactions strike fear and restrict the movements of individuals, including workers who have benefit or wage claims to pursue. “These workers may decide ‘it’s not worth it for me (to be exposed) for it may make me lose my job, and I cannot afford to be deported for I am the only breadwinner for my family. If I am gone, my whole family would be facing this incredibly very precarious situation,’” Soto explained. Ruiz reiterated that constitutional rights protect everybody regardless of immigration status. “We must remember that we have the right to remain silent and the right not to allow ICE agents inside the home by keeping the door shut. They are required to have a judicial warrant, which they very rarely do, and it is also
important not to sign anything that you don’t understand, or sign anything before speaking with an immigration attorney first,” Ruiz insisted. Employers’ responsibility Since employees in business places are also being targeted, employers are also reminded that workplaces remain private properties, and employers could deny ICE access to the premises, if they want to protect their employees. “Around 2.6 million undocumented immigrants live in California and one in ten workers in the state are undocumented. Almost 45 percent of all agricultural workers are undocumented and 21 percent of construction workers are undocumented,” Michael Young, legislative advocate with the California Labor Federation, reported. “We can’t regulate federal immigration law. but we can regulate employer behavior. We can say that employers have an
obligation to protect their workers and they have to take certain actions to make sure those rights are protected,” Young added, explaining that Ab 450, the California Immigration Workers Protection Act, now making its way in the state legislature wants to do precisely that. Introduced by California State Assembly Member David Chiu and co-authored by five Assembly Members including Rob bonta, the lone Filipino American in the state assembly and State Senator Scott Wiener, Ab450 would require employers to ask for a warrant before they allow immigration enforcement agents into the worksite. Employers would also not be able to hand over any private information about workers, such as social security numbers, without a subpoena. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 5 to 2 recently and will go to Senate Appropriations Committee in late August. n
BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN. National Press Club (NPC) president Paul Gutierrez (2nd from left), together with NPC officers, hands over the plaque of appreciation to Elena Bautista Horn, vice president for corporate affairs of SM Prime, during the NPC Blood Donation Campaign to support troops in Marawi City held at SM North EDSA in Quezon City on Friday, July 21. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 22-25, 2017
Dateline PhiliPPines
A
Robredo: Respect better than fame PDP-Laban considers learning ideology, policy from China’s Communist Party
by aJPress Speaking among students on Wednesday, July 20, philippine Vice president Leni Robredo said she would rather choose respect over fame despite the initial hurdles that come with it. “it is always a choice between being liked and being respected. Sometimes, when you choose to be respected than be liked, you will have to undergo struggles first,” she told a forum with students of St. paul College in pasig City. “if you ask me, even if — again, even if it is unpopular — we always fight for what we think is right,” said Robredo. in an effort to teach the college students the value of righteousness over popularity, Robredo explained that choosing what they think is right pays in the end. “When you make difficult decisions, you may be unpopular, but later on, you will be respected because people know that you chose the more difficult but right path,” said Robredo, whose public satisfaction and trust ratings surged in the latest surveys after taking a plunge earlier this year. She lamented how some people would just choose to keep
by Jennifer
Soriano
AJPress
Vice Pres. Leni Robredo
quiet to avoid being “swarmed” on various social media platforms. “now, so many people opt to be quiet, because when they fight back, they are swarmed. i think you know what i mean. Most of you are in social media, and when you say some things that others take very personally, people swarm at you,” said the vice president, who is also an advocate against oppression. expressing how she experienced being on “receiving end“ of social media attacks, she stressed how the things have changed over the past few years.
Philstar.com photo
“What has become of us? if before, we could not tolerate certain things, but now there is so much that we tolerate already,” she said, referring to the rise of populism and growing culture of divisiveness over the internet. Recently, the vice president contended that she is unfazed amidst the impeachment threats from pro-administration lawyers for what they claim as “betraying the public trust” when she criticized the president’s brutal war on drugs at an international conference about drugs on March. Robredo, in her reply, said threats thrown against her are “nothing new.” n
NOW IT’S ONIONS. A Customs personnel unloads sacks of onions from China at the Manila International Container Terminal in Manila. The onions, worth P4.2 million, were declared as garlic. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
THe philippines’ ruling political party is open to the possibility of learning new ideologies, policies — this time, from China’s sole governing party. Speaking before visiting Filipino journalists in Fujian province in China, Communist party of China (CpC) officials said that in December 2016, the philippines’ ruling political party pDp-Laban entered into an agreement with CpC for its members to undergo “policy training” and to learn about the ways and ideology of the Chinese. “For instance, they want to know how the CpC was organized, how they make decisions, how they practice in the CpC, how they work,” a senior provincial official told reporters on Sunday, July 16. pimentel and 24 members of the philippine delegation were in Fuzhou, the capital of the province, for the BRiCS political parties, Think-tanks, and Civil Society Organizations Forum 2017. a press release from the philippine Department of Foreign affairs (DFa) said pimentel and his delegation were invited by the CpC municipal committee in Xiamen. The delegation led by pimentel reportedly met with pei Jinjiang, other senior officials, a member of the standing committee of the CpC Fujian provincial committee and secretary of the CpC Xiamen municipal committee. “We enhance our relationship. We use imagination on how to do it. Wala namang nakalista na specific activities (There are no specific activities listed),” pimentel said, referring to the December agreement with CpC. according to a Rappler article, pimentel said they needed to know more about the CpC’s program, expressing interest into it. “We are still negotiating with them. We need more details about the program but we are very open to availing of it,” pimentel reportedly said in a text message. He commended Fujians for doing a good job despite its background. “i am very impressed with [the] Fujian[s]. They are not at the cen-
ter of the country politically or economically, but they still managed to do very well,” he said. The pDp-Laban president further expressed his interest in studying the good practices employed by the Fujian province.
“i think that we should look closely at how they were able to develop their economy despite their distance from the capital Beijing, while at the same remaining environment-friendly,” he said. n
A8 JULY 22-25, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
FEATURES
Recalibration
EVEN the most optimistic person should be having doubts about this peace effort. President Rodrigo Duterte has taken every opportunity to ask communist rebels, as part of confidence-building in the peace process, to stop their extortion activities as well as violent attacks on private businesses and especially against government forces. Several times the rebels have responded to the request with intensified attacks, even as their leaders who are enjoying the comforts of exile in liberal societies continue to discuss peace with the Duterte administration and rebels negotiators enjoy immunity from arrest. The other day, with backchannel talks being held in the Netherlands, New People’s Army rebels attacked another government convoy, this time in North Cotabato. And it was no ordinary convoy, but one belonging to the Presidential Security Group. The main van was peppered with bullets, but fortunately, no one was killed although at least five PSG members were wounded. In Palawan hours later, however, NPA rebels also launched an attack, killing two Marines. The attacks prompted government negotiators, reportedly on orders of the President himself, to stop the backchannel discussions. It also revived suspicions from defense and military officials that communist rebels were simply using the peace
process to recruit members and build up their arsenals. Another suspicion is that the exiled communists no longer have control over NPA fighters, in the same way that young members of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front are reportedly unimpressed with the peace process and are ignoring the MILF leadership’s commitments to the government. The MILF leaders have already seen many of their members breaking away and forming the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, although the two groups teamed up in January 2015 to protect international terrorist Zulkfli bin Hir or Marwan from being captured by police Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. The latest NPA attacks, with more reportedly planned in the President’s home turf of Davao If communist leaders cannot guarantee control before his second State of the Nation Address, should revive the question of whether the gov- over their fighters in the Philippines, what’s the ernment is discussing peace with the right peo- use of discussing peace? President Duterte’s appeals for an end to the rebels’ armed attacks have ple.
Guest Editorial
Philstar.com photo
been ignored so many times by the NPA that he should seriously consider a recalibration of his approach in working for an enduring peace. (Philstar.com)
Taxi, Uber or Lyft? What is your choice, kababayans in the US? This mode of IN the Philippines, transportation has many Pinoys do not The Fil-Am gained traction in have a car. If they do the Philippines but — it is one car per fam- Perspective has recently been ily. There are jeeps, triregulated so that cycles, taxis (calesas in unaccredited ridethe olden days), pedisharing drivers are cab, etc. to help us go GEL SANTOS-RELOS prohibited from opfrom Point A to Point erating. Here in the B. But here in the U.S., that can be a problem especially if you United States, the same debate has live in the suburbs or rural America been brewing, and many states are where there is limited public transpor- considering enacting rules and regulations on ride-sharing. tation. The Filipino Channel’s daily newsHowever, lately, even those with cars are experiencing a new way of cast “Balitang America” aired on Fricommuting — and that is through the day, July 21 a story by our Senior Corride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft. respondent Henni Espinosa about this Unlike taxis, these ride sharing op- issue. Espinosa rode with and interviewed tions allow riders to contract services of a driver in a private car whereby the a driver from Lyft, and a cab driver to pick-up and drop-off times and place get their perspectives on the issue. She talked to taxi driver Rick Manarrangements, even payments are ansala who expressed his gripe about done through an app.
Uber and Lyft. Manansala has been a taxi driver in the San Francisco Bay area for seven years and told Espinosa that Uber and Lyft have caused a drastic loss of his income. Before the coming of transit network companies like Uber and Lyft, he said he could earn up to $300 a day, but now he said he is lucky to earn half of that amount. Manansala said there are only 5,000 taxis in the area, while Uber and Lyft have as much as 60,000. He contended that it is not a fair playing field. Espinosa quoted a recent Northeastern University report which shows that on an average weekday, rideshare drivers average about 170,000 pick-ups in San Francisco. Espinosa also talked to Lyft driver Ryan Cayabyab (not the music Maestro), who explained the growing popularity of Lyft and Uber. He told Espinosa that passengers prefer ride sharing over taxis because of convenience. He
How to ruin a country with presidential abuse of power
Rhizomes
Instead, run it for the public good
PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “BUT I digress from the point of our discussion, which is that there is no greater vice than greed, especially among those governing our country. For to use public office for personal gain is not only immoral, but also criminal and just plain wicked… For those who wish to gain the favor of the public, there is no better way than selfrestraint and honesty…For years, we have watched in silence while all the wealth of the world is gathered into the hands of a few men. Our willingness to let this happen is all the more evident because none of these men even bothers to pretend he is not doing wrong or tries to conceal his greed.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero, “How To Run a Country,” translated by Philip Freeman from Latin Texts. “Marcus Cicero, Rome’s greatest statesman and orator, was elected to the Roman Republic’s highest office at a time when his beloved country was threatened by power-hungry politicians, dire economic troubles, foreign turmoil, and political parties that refused to work together,” Philip Freeman wrote on his book jacket. He served in 63 B.C., advocating for the return to traditional republican government, after many civil wars. “How to Run A Country” can easily be How to Ruin A Country if one inserts “I” into the equation. By deleting the “I,” a president can instead, be a running a country. America’s 45th and 43rd presidents and the free press America’s executive branch of the government is not in an actual skirmish with its citizens in
terms of a civil war, yet the news headlines in the last six months portray a president at odds with the free press, calling them daily with a brand he hopes would stick: “Fake News.” It got me wondering where did that concept of fake news come from? Do you recall, readers? In my research, I came across Mary Mapes’ book on “Truth: The Press, The President, and the Privilege of Power 2005,” where she tells the tale of George W. Bush’s presidency and the lies which surrounded the wars and weaknesses, including the story of Abu Ghraib and the abuse of the Iraqi detainees at the hands of American soldiers. That during that time, “the president’s allies had worked hard to keep the story [Pres. Bush’s powerful family connections had won him a coveted spot in the National Guard, protecting him from being one of the more than two and half million Americans sent to Vietnam War] suppressed for decades. The suppression of truth around Bush’s National Guard record has been sustained by GW Bush’s allies for decades,” according to Mapes. It was a presidency she contends that was used to lying -- a presidency made emboldened by FOX News. On page 222, she wrote about how they were being pursued by a local FOX television crew that showed up at Dallas – Fort Worth International. Alleged fake news Question: “Dan [Rather], you broadcast those fake memos. Do
explained that Uber and Lyft drivers use advanced smartphone technology to help riders find drivers fast. “Whoever orders it, whoever is closest, we can get there in three to four minutes. With taxis, they say it’s 30 minutes, sometimes longer,” Cayabyab told Espinosa. Cayabyab also pointed out that they offer a much lower rate compared to taxi cabs, and claims they are safer for passengers. “It is safer, at least you know who your driver is,” he said, explaining that the driver information is on the ride sharing app system. The taxi driver argued against this point, contending that passengers are better off riding taxi cabs because drivers are more experienced and follow particular guidelines. Manansala explained in the Balitang America report that compared to ridesharing drivers, they go through rigor-
Opinion
RICARDO SALUDO
you feel duped?” Reply: Well, you work for FOX News. Do you feel duped?” That was right after the airing of the Bush-Guard story on CBS on Sept. 8, 2004. Thirteen years later, we have 45th President Donald Trump who tweets incessantly about FAKE NEWS, creating a swampy, suspicious environment for media reporters to be instantly discredited for their stories. Yet, it is not the press that is on the skewers; it is really the revelations, day in and day out, of the involvement of Russian hackers in America’s 2016 presidential election and now, moneyed launderers in dubious businesses that were set up by a Russian operative in American banks to the tune of billion dollars. It is a dragnet of many potential criminal violations being exposed in the free press and even by Donald Trump Jr.’s emails. It is a methodical investigation led by Robert Mueller, appointed as special counsel, who has assembled his team of now at 13 lawyers, as of June 16, 2017, according to CNN.com. Politico’s Garrett Graff has described “Robert Mueller might just be America’s straightest arrow—a respected, nonpartisan and fiercely apolitical public servant whose only lifetime motivation has been the search for justice. He was the most influential and longest-serving FBI director since J. Edgar Hoover himself, and someone who has settled since his retirement from government in 2013 into being that
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is right. The case to be filed against his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales is bound to fail. Aquino can easily beat the charge of usurpation of authority in letting then-suspended Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima direct the botched January 2015 police commando raid in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. In his defense, Aquino can claim that he didn’t order his friend to exercise authority or issue orders. Rather, Purisima merely relayed presidential commands. So, no usurpation of authority, case dismissed. And no more charges allowed over the death of 44 PNP Special Action Force troopers. That a retired Supreme Court justice like Morales can come up with such a “silly” and easily beaten charge, as President Duterte said, makes many suspect that she was out to let Aquino off the hook. Of course, many who have followed how Morales has acted since Aquino named her to head the anti-graft Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) in July 2011, have long concluded that she favors him and his camp. To cite some of the key roles Morales played in Aquino’s political schemes, she presented grossly inflated dollar deposits allegedly held by the late Chief Justice Renato Corona in his 2012 impeachment trial. When former President Gloria Arroyo was granted bail in a weak election case, Morales promptly u PAGE A9 filed a plunder charge to again
ous background checks before being issued taxi driving permits. He also pointed out that taxi cabs can provide up to a million dollars of commercial insurance coverage for passengers who get into an accident, compared to ride sharing drivers’ coverage of up to $35,000 only with their private insurance. Having weighed in both sides’ points, Espinosa rightly said that the real winners here will be us — the passengers, who now have more options to choose, depending on the type of driving service that truly matches our needs, budgets and lifestyles. What is your choice? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
The Ombudsman: Letting Noynoy Aquino off the hook detain the ailing grandmother sans bail, even if OMB lawyers found zero evidence of Arroyo or her co-accused pocketing state funds — a minimum requirement in plunder cases. People, of course, remember how Morales, then-Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, and thenCommission on Audit chairman Grace Tan targeted three opposition senators in pork barrel cases, but spared countless stalwarts in Aquino’s camp, who are only now being probed by current Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre. Even as the Aquino regime wound down in its final years, Morales continued going after his adversaries. Her high-profile investigations of then-Vice President Jejomar Binay brought down the erstwhile election frontrunner. The largest malversation But the real value of Morales to Aquino and his ilk lies in her omissions: the scams she never investigated or prosecuted. From the largest spate of smuggling in Philippine history and probably the biggest malversation in Asia ever, to the bloodiest debacle in the annals of the PNP, Morales missed gross violations of law so easy to spot, and even easier to probe and prosecute. If she only paid attention to even just one of those offenses, she would not have said about Aquino last December: “You have to give it to him. He is corrupt-free.” Take the P157-billion Disbursement Acceleration Program, probably the largest malversation in Philippine, if not Asian history. No less than Morales’s former Supreme Court colleagues
unanimously declared in their July 2014 decision voiding DAP that based on “seven packets of evidence” its funds “were allocated to PAPs [programs and projects]not covered by any appropriations.” Last time we checked, officials who cause state funds to be spent in ways not covered by budgetary appropriations, commit malversation if expenditures benefited them, or technical malversation if money went to public use. To investigate, Morales should have given the list of DAP allotments, and asked Aquino and his Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to show which budget provisions authorized the spending. Yet Morales never did that. And when she finally released her DAP investigation in April, two years and 10 months after the Supreme Court ordered her to run after DAP’s “authors,” Abad was charged with — wait for it — usurpation of authority, and Aquino was declared guiltfree. The worst smuggling Turning to contraband, it soared to unprecedented levels under Aquino, trebling to $26.6 billion in 2014, from $7.9 billion five years before, based on International Monetary Fund trade data. Aquino could have prevented that smuggling surge by bringing Ramos-era Bureau of Customs commissioner Guillermo Parayno back to the BoC, where his sterling performance spurred the IMF to hire him as customs reform consultant. But Aquino named another BoC head, under whose watch some 2,500 cargo containers dis-
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The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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OpiniOn & Features
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 22-25, 2017
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How to ruin a country with presidential... PAGE A8 t
rare voice-beyond-reproach that companies and organizations recruit to lead investigations when they need to tell shareholders or the public that they’ve hired the most seasoned and respected person they can find, someone who will pursue a case wherever it leads without fear or favor.� On Friday, July 21, the Washington Post reported that “Pres. Trump is now exploring how he might give presidential pardon to those who will be implicated by Mueller’s investigation. “Trump has asked his advisers about his power to pardon aides, family members and even himself in connection with the probe, according to one of those people. A second person said Trump’s lawyers have been discussing the president’s pardoning powers among themselves. “Bloomberg News is reporting that the Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller is zeroing in on President Trump’s business transactions. The report quoted an anonymous source as saying that Trump’s financial ties to Russia are the focus: “FBI investigators and others are looking at Russian purchases of apartments in Trump buildings, Trump’s involvement in a controversial SoHo development with Russian associates, the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow and Trump’s sale of a Florida mansion to a Russian oligarch in 2008.� The Washington Post has
not independently confirmed Bloomberg’s report, in today’s news reports. Bloomberg and the Washington Post have now reported that the investigations will zero in on the president’s tax returns, which he refused to reveal, since he ran for office in 2016 and a public expectation and trust that each president has kept since running for office, but for Trump. Where would this political drama amongst the White House and the Special Counsel’s investigations, including the revelations made by the free press take us, the American public? Will this force the president to fire Robert Mueller the same way he did for James Comey? If the president were the president of a private company, he can dispose of any employee, provided he has just cause, a misconduct of an employee, that leads to his termination. But, as president of the USA, he is bound by constraints on his power, as well as what would potentially be criminal violations reminiscent of Watergate. Here, Robert Mueller is simply doing his duty to pursue without fear or favor an investigation into the 2016 Presidential elections, that has now spilled over into global money laundering. As the 82nd U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder tweeted today, “Trump cannot define or constrain Mueller investigation. If he tries to do so this creates issues of constitutional and
criminal dimension.� Having had no experience of being employed in government, but for the last six months in office, Trump will be pleasantly surprised that his conduct is governed not just by the ethics of his public position, but the criminal sanctions, should he abuse his executive powers. Basis of public policy and public conduct of presidents On April 30, 1789, George Washington delivered an inaugural address, as the unanimously elected chief executive in the Senate Chamber of Federal Hall in New York City, exhorting how he would approach making national policy, “In these honorable qualifications, I behold the surest pledges, that as on one side, no local prejudices, or attachments; no separate views, nor party animosities, will misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch over this great assemblage of communities and interests: so, on another, the foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; and the pre-eminence of free government, be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens, and command the respect of the world.� Then Pres. George Washington articulated the “pursuit of the public good, a reverence for the characteristics rights of freemen, and a regard for public
u PAGE A11
The Ombudsman: Letting Aquino off... PAGE A8 t
appeared in 2011 while in transit between the Manila and Batangas ports — the biggest spate of smuggling in the country ever. Like DAP, that unprecedented flood of contraband could have been easily probed just by checking who kept releasing containers after, say, 50 or 100 had gone missing. Grill those careless, if not conniving bureaucrats, and they will almost surely point to higher-ups masterminding the sleaze. Now, how hard is it to check a few hundred BoC release papers and query the signatories? Not much harder, surely, than asking the man who initialed fund release papers in seven packets of DAP evidence to show which budget stipulations authorized the disbursements.
West Coast
But Morales didn’t bother with all that. The bloodiest bungle For sure, investigating a bungled police commando raid with no paper trail is much harder than documentary sleuthing to uncover DAP and BoC anomalies. But even in this wireless, paperless age, there are electronic records, like cellphone logs of key players in the Mamasapano massacre. Suspended PNP Chief Purisima provided the Senate and PNP investigations his SMS exchange with Aquino, which began early morning, purportedly stopped around 10 a.m., then resumed about 6 p.m. after all the SAF 44 were dead. Fellow columnist Rigoberto Tiglao doubted that Aquino and
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Purisima stopped texting for eight hours at the worst of the debacle. So, he urged the Senate to subpoena their texting logs, to see if the messaging continued all day. Morales didn’t look into the phone records, or invite Aquino for questioning. Indeed, she never cared to interrogate those in the thick of the country’s worst malversation, smuggling and police carnage in years, if not ever. These inquiries were bound to fail. The previous Ombudsman was ousted for supposedly favoring the President who appointed her. Morales has done far, far worse. Thankfully, she steps down next July. Then Benigno Aquino III will finally face truth and justice. (ManilaTimes.net)
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A10 JUly 22-25, 2017 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAl
Dateline PhiliPPines
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Supt. Marcos, 18 others have yet to serve suspension, says PNP chief by Jennifer
Soriano
in Eastern Visayas (CIDG-8), and his co-accused men filed their The alleged police-suspects ac- motion for reconsideration on the cused of killing a drug lord and an suspension order for their alleged inmate have not yet served their involvement on the killing of Alsuspension orders, Philippine Na- buera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espitional Police (PNP) chief Ronald nosa while they were out on bail. Dela Rosa revealed on Monday, “So meantime, they are on duty July 17. status, since their leave of absence Dela Rosa said Supt. Marvin was automatically terminated Marcos, head of the Criminal In- when they posted bail bond,” the vestigation and Detection Group PNP chief explained. AJPress
PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa
Dela Rosa added that Marcos is back at “full duty status” and that “he can be assigned anywhere.” A Manila Bulletin article on Friday, July 14 reported that Marcos has been named chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of Region 12, located in south-central Mindanao. Earlier, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Senate recommended that Marcos and the18 other policemen shall be charged with murder. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ), which has supervision over NBI downgraded the charges to homicide, further allowing the accused police officers to post bail. Last week, Dela Rosa announced the reinstatement of Marcos following the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to release the alleged suspects for killing the Albuera, Leyte mayor and an inmate, Raul Yap Following Dela Rosa’s announcement, Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is also the chair of Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said he would conduct a hearing when the session resumes on July 24. Espinosa and Yap were shot dead after they allegedly attempted to fire their guns to the policemen conducting a search warrant inside the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Baybay City on November 5 of last year. Along with Marcos, the others who were similarly charged were Supt. Santi Noel Matira, Senior Insp. Fritz Blanco, Senior Insp. Doegracias Diaz,Insp Lucredito Candilosas, SPO4 Melvin Cayubit, PO3 Johnny Ibañez, SPO4 Juanito Duarte, PO1 Lloyd Ortigueza, PO1 Bhernard Orpilla, SPO2 Benjamin Dacallos, PO3 Norman Abellanosa, PO1 Jerlans Cabiyaan, PO1 Clixto Canillas Jr., SPO1 Mark Christian Cadilo, PO2 John Ruel Doculan and PO2 Jaime Dacsal. n
ITALY’S PRESTIGIOUS ORDER OF MERIT. The President of the Republic of Italy, thru His Excellency Ambassador Massimo Roscigno, bestowed upon Senator Loren Legarda the award of Cavaliere nell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (Knight in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic) during ceremonies held in Makati City. The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic is awarded for merit acquired by the nation in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers. Legarda was bestowed the “Cavaliere” award for her efforts to bring back the Philippines in the Venice Biennale. Senate photo
3 entertainers appointed gov’t posts PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed three more members of the entertainment industry to government, including actor former Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno. Mr. Duterte appointed Moreno, Francisco Moreno Domagoso in real life, as a member of
the board of directors of the North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail) on July 12, replacing Jose Martin Orosa Aliling. His term ends on June 30, 2018. Mr. Duterte also appointed on July 12 Marco Antonio M. Ho, popularly known as Bog-
art the Explorer, as a member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board; and theater veteran Chris Millado to the Cinema Evaluation Board of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. (Philip C. Tubeza/ Inquirer)
European Parliament: Let De Lima do her duties THE European Parliament’s (EU) subcommittee on human rights on Thursday, July 20 urged the government to let Sen. Leila de Lima do her duties including her participation in legislative proposals. The four-member DROI delegation that visited the Philippines last July 18 to 20 was led by Soraya Post (S&D, SE) and composed of Ádám Kósa (EPP, HU), Josef Weidenholzer (S&D, AT) and Rikke Karlsson (ECR, DK). “(We) called on the authorities of the Philippines to guarantee a fair trial to the senator let her fulfill a senator’s duties including voting in the Senate,” it said in a statement. De Lima was detained last February after being accused of receiving payoffs from convicted drug lords at the New Bilibid Prison. Meanwhile, an international political group will visit Sen. Leila de Lima at Camp Crame to check on her condition. “Liberal International Presi-
European lawmakers arrive at the PNP detention center in Camp Crame to visit Sen. Leila de Lima on Wednesday, July 19. Inquirer.net photo by Richard A. Reyes
dent Dr. Juli Minoves Triquell and LI Human Rights Committee Chairman Markus Loning will visit Sen. Leila de Lima on Saturday at Camp Crame Custodial Center,” an advisory from the senator said. They will be joined by the representatives of the Friedrich
Naumann Foundation—Philippines including FNF-PH President Wolfgang Heinze. The visitors will look into the condition and situation of the senator as well as the status of the cases file against her, the advisory read. (Frances Mangosing/Inquirer.net)
Congress to work on Cha-cha next year by JeSS
Diaz Philstar.com
MANILA - Congressmen and senators will work on Charter change (Cha-cha) early next year to shift the nation to the federal system, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said. He said in a radio interview that he and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel lll have agreed to convene their two chambers as a constituent assembly (con-ass) either in January or February. He said work on Cha-cha has been delayed by the failure of President Duterte to appoint members of the constitutional commission created in December to draft a new Constitution outlining a federal system of government. “Our plan with the Senate president is for us to name the members and for the commission to serve as our technical working group, which would come up with a draft that would change the form of government,” he added.
Alvarez pointed out that once the group submits a draft, the con-ass would have to conduct exhaustive deliberations on it and eventually approve its version of a new Constitution. “After that, we will have to do a massive nationwide information campaign to inform the people of the contents of the new Charter before the holding of a plebiscite for them to ratify it,” he said. “So we will have a lot of work to do next year. Aside from our sessions as a lawmaking body, we will function as a Charter-writing assembly,” he said. During the election campaign and his early months in office, President Duterte had repeatedly advocated a shift to the federal system as the solution to the underdevelopment and lack of powers of regions and local government units. However, in recent months, he has failed to mention such advocacy. He has also failed to push his congressional allies to work
on the federalism shift. Originally, Alvarez had envisioned that a draft of a new Charter would be ready by next year and a change in the system of government would be effected by 2019. That is obviously no longer possible. It is not even clear if the House and the Senate, assembled as a con-ass, could finish working on a new Constitution next year, since lawmakers would already be preparing and campaigning for the May 2019 midterm elections. Both Alvarez and Pimentel are up for re-election. Thus, the Speaker’s original timetable for a switch to federalism would be set back by at least three years. Under his new timeline, the earliest the nation could shift to the federal system would be 2022, when President Duterte’s term ends. Federalism advocates among congressmen have proposed several variations of the envisioned new form of government. n
DOH: Nationwide public smoking ban starts this weekend by Sheila
CriSoStomo Philstar.com
MANILA - Starting on Sunday, July 23, Executive Order 26 or the nationwide ban on public smoking takes effect. “It has already been set that 60 days after publication, EO 26 is implementable and that will be on Sunday, July 23. There will be no extension,” Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial announced. Ubial said some 1.5 million Filipinos will be spared from developing tobacco-related illnesses in the next five years as the ban is expected to reinforce other anti-cigarette policies like sin taxes and the graphic health warning. Ubial added the projection in the next five years is that smoking prevalence in the country would be reduced by eight percent or more or less 1.5 million Filipinos will “stop smoking or will not start smoking.” The Department of Health on Friday, July 21 conducted an information drive in the communities surrounding its central office in Tayuman, Manila. Mascots have gone around the area to show the ill effects of smoking.
Covered by the ban are public and private transportation utilities, schools, government facilities, children activity centers, food establishments, street or walkway, waiting shed areas, markets, health care facilities, parking lots and transportation terminals, church grounds, markets and parks, among others. Philstar.com photo
Health spokesman Eric Tayag said the EO gave local government units the task of implementing the ban by creating their respective smoke-free task forces. He said LGUs could accept volunteers to participate in the task forces to scale up the monitoring of compliance. Covered by the ban are public and private transportation
utilities, schools, government facilities, children activity centers, food establishments, street or walkway, waiting shed areas, markets, health care facilities, parking lots and transportation terminals, church grounds, markets and parks, among others. Tayag added establishments should have a designated smoking area with proper ventilation. (With Roel Pareño)
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 22-25, 2017
A11
‘Former Vice Pres. Binay a changed man’ by Edu
Punay Philstar.com
MAniLA - An evangelical prelate lauded former vice president Jejomar Binay for being a “changed man” after actively participating in church. Bishop noel Pantoja, national director of the Philippine Council of evangelical Churches, confirmed that Binay, who has been charged for the alleged overpriced construction of a Makati City Hall parking building, has been actively attending Bible studies after his term ended last year. “God’s word is alive, powerful and sharper than any two edged sword penetrating a person’s soul, spirit and heart. Any person who hears and applies the truth
of God’s word will experience renewal and powerful life change,” said Pantoja, also the head of the Philippine Bible society. Pantoja said one of their pastors informed him about the regular attendance of Binay in their church’s Bible study sessions. Asked if Binay has indeed become a “changed man” after joining the church, he said that “only God can attest to true personal and spiritual transformation after reading the Bible.” still, Pantoj believes that such changes will be evident through a person’s “deeds and actions” and will be noticed by people around him. As to the charges against the former vice president, Pantoja said he is sure that Binay, like all accused, will be given a chance
to answer the charges against him. “Former VP Binay will be given his day in the courts of the land to answer all charges against him. if he is guilty of any charges or not guilty of anything, then justice or vindication will be afforded to him,” he said. in a recent television interview, Binay said he is now closer to God. the Binay family has been reportedly attending regular tuesday Bible meetings at don Bosco Center in Makati. they also went on a pilgrimage in israel last May. Binay served as Makati mayor from 1988 to 1998 and 2001 to 2010. He was elected vice president in 2010 before losing in the presidential elections last year. n
No barangay polls in October; Cabinet a millionaires’ club with 1 billionaire government to name OICs President Rodrigo Duterte and members of the Cabinet pray prior to the start of the 12th Cabinet Meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañang. Malacañang photo by Marcelino Pascua
President rodrigo duterte’s Cabinet is a gathering of millionaires and a billionaire with the exception of two officials, their disclosed statements reveal. duterte, seen as an outsider among political and economic elites when he won the May 2016 elections, is aided by relatively wealthy Cabinet members with a combined wealth of more than P3 billion. Public Works secretary Mark Villar, the heir of real estate magnate and former sen. Manuel Villar, tops the list with P1.4 billion. Villar held top positions at family-owned publicly listed Crown Asia Corp. and Vista Land. Finance secretary Carlos dominguez, a former chief ex-
ecutive of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, reported a net worth of P351 million. information and technology secretary rodolfo salalima, a lawyer who served as Globe telecom’s chief counsel, had a wealth of P304 million as of december last year. Fourth on the list is Gina Lopez, who as duterte’s first chosen environment secretary was unable to successfully hurdle the appointments body. Lopez, with disclosed wealth of P266 million, is a member of an influential family with interests in media conglomerate ABs-CBn Corp. and power firm First Philippine Holdings Corp. energy secretary Alfonso Cusi, who was general manager
of the Philippine Ports Authority prior to being appointed to the Cabinet, had P162 million, while broadcast personality Martin Andanar, now serving as presidential communications secretary, had P152 million. ernesto Pernia, a longtime economist and professor, revealed a net worth of P105 million. Among the poorest Cabinet officials are defense secretary delfin Lorenzana with P3.6 million, social Welfare secretary Judy taguiwalo with P1.9 million, national Anti-Poverty Commission chief Liza Maza with P730,716 and Agrarian reform secretary rafael Mariano with P273,000. (Camille Diola/Philstar.com)
by ding
CErvantEs Philstar.com
AnGeLes CitY – there will be no barangay elections this October and the government will designate officers-in-charge, the League of City Mayors of the Philippines (LCMP) said. LCMP president and this city’s Mayor edgardo Pamintuan bared this during the launch of an emergency and disaster command center at the city hall. Pamintuan said that while there is no law allowing the ap-
pointment of local officials, the department of the interior and Local Government (diLG) will be tasked to name officers-in-charge for barangays nationwide. “the diLG is expected to consult the mayors and other executives regarding barangay officials who may be retained as OiCs,” Pamintuan said. in May, senate Majority Leader Vicente sotto iii filed a bill postponing the barangay and sangguniang Kabataan elections to October 2018. A pending bill at the House of
representatives seeks to move the barangay elections to May 2020. sotto filed senate Bill 1469 on May 23, rescheduling the polls from the fourth Monday of October this year to the same day of October next year. President duterte earlier alleged that 40 percent of the country’s barangay chairmen are involved in illegal drugs. He said he was considering appointing barangay captains instead of pushing through with the elections. n
How to ruin a country with presidential... PAGE A9 t
harmony.” He further shared his conviction, “From this resolution i have in no instance departed. And being still under the impressions which produced it, i must decline as inapplicable to myself, any share in the personal emoluments, which may be indispensably included in a permanent provision for the executive department ; and must accordingly pray that the pecuniary estimates for the station in which i am placed, may, during my continuance in it, be limited
to such actual expenditures as the public good may be thought to require.” As with any presidency, short lived or not, may trump’s predecessors and advisors lead him into a footpath of nobility and public morality, and not by an ill-chosen conduct of immorality, wickedness and worst, criminal as Marcus Cicero has articulated in 63 B.C. in “How to run a Country.” *** 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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MATH WIZARDS. Filipino elementary students bagged four awards at the 20th Po Leung Kuk Primary Mathematics World Contest (PMWC) held from July 16 to 20 in Hong Kong. Members of the Philippine team, together with their coaches, attended the PMWC awarding ceremony in Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of Mathematics Trainers Guild Philippines)
A12 JUly 22-25, 2017 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAl
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 22-25, 2017
SHOWBIZ&STYLE
B
Journal
Marlon Stockinger on unfollowing Pia Wurtzbach Fil-Am Angelica Hale earns Golden by Deni
Rose A. BeRnARDo Philstar.com
In today’s terms, when someone “unfriendsâ€? or “unfollowsâ€? you, that could mean your “friendshipâ€? or relationship is over. But in the case of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and beau Marlon Stockinger, “unfollowingâ€? each other on social media does not mean anything and does not affect their relationship, the race car driver told the media during his recent launch as an ambassador of The Body Shop’s Forever Against Animal Testing campaign. “We’re just keeping it private. Marlon Stockinger’s Instagram post showing him and girlfriend Pia Wurtzbach with the caption: PAGE B4 “Nothing’s changed.â€?Â
Christian Bables not pressured to star in ‘Die Beautiful’ sequel by iRis
Vicente
AJPress
BreAkoUT star Christian Bables admits not getting pressured starring in the “Die Besequel “Born Beautiful� amidst people’s possible expectation from the success of “Die Beautiful,� which also starred Paolo Ballesteros. ever wonder what happened to Barbs (Bables) after Trisha’s (Ballesteros) death? Fans of the internationally-acclaimed comedy-drama is up for a big treat as Bables, a scene stealer in “Die Beautiful,� will soon tell the rest of Barbs’ story in Cignal entertainment’s “Born Beautiful.� Bables said he is not worried if the TV series will be compared to the movie. “na-excite. But I’m actually not pressured kasi sobrang ineenjoy ko siya. na-excite ako doon sa fact na gagampanan ko ulit ‘yung character na sobrang mahal ko. kasi si Barbs ang somehow bumuo ng pangalan ni Christian Bables� the actor said in an inter-
Paolo Ballesteros (right) and Christian Bables of “Die Beautiful� won as Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively at the 40th Gawad Urian held in ABS-CBN on Thursday, July 20.  Philstar.com photo by Christopher Toledo IV
view with Pep.ph.� (I’m excited. But I’m actually not pressured because I’m enjoying it. I’m excited about the fact that I get to play the character that I love so much coz Barbs somehow made the name Christian Bables) With the massive success of the movie, it’s not surprising how peo-
ple would expect the same for the sequel series. When asked about whether Bables is pressured, “Wala akong maisip na ganon. Ang siguro, hindi naman nakakakaba, ang ikina-oC ko ngayon as an actor ay kung paano, kasi ngayon po sabay-sabay yung mga pelikulang ginagawa ko so iba’tPAGE B4
Buzzer on ‘America’s Got Talent’
by JoAnnA
estoRque AJPress
THe extraordinary voice of 9-year-old Filipina-American singer Angelica Hale continues to prevail on “America’s Got Talent� as she incredibly performed “Girl on Fire,� convincing guest judge Chris Hardwick to bestow her the coveted Golden Buzzer on Tuesday, July 18. The Golden Buzzer automatically advances contestants to the live shows, the later round of the contest. “I’m so blown away because you walk out and you’ve got
these sneakers on, and you look like this adorable little child. And then you open your mouth and it’s like, ‘How do those pipes fit in that tiny body?’ You are unbelievable!� Hardwick said before pushing the Golden Buzzer. He continuously praised the singer by saying, “Angelica, I feel you’re the chosen one.� Aside from Hardwick, the rest of the judging panel, which includes Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi klum, and Simon Cowell were also impressed by the Fil-Am’s rendition of the Alica Angelica Hale performing Alicia Keys’ “Girl On PAGE B5 Fire� Photo courtesy of NBC
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B2 JULY 22-25, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
MOONLIGHTING
Come fly with me
Solenn Heussaff commends Filipino soldiers after Marawi visit
by MYLAH DE
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LEON
By KRISSY
AGUILAR AJPRESS
WHENEVER I see glossy posters of folks waving happily as they hop on a plane, I realize what a lying society we live in today. Nobody is happy, hanging 35,000 feet in the sky, cocooned inside the belly of a heavy metal container because it does funny things to one’s guts. Yet every flight begins at the airport. It starts as the ramp agent carefully loads the luggage on the plane to the customer agent helping you out at the ticket counter to the flight attendant giving the flight safety briefing. They all have one thing in common: classified as the celebrated, hardworking toilers behind the scene, trained in excellence and experienced to design, delivering measure in service amid a team of employees of any airline. They are the backrooms of change and development that brainstorm ideas to impress service experience and reduce costs that go back to customers, among other things. A couple of decades ago, I viewed the airplane as a country club of the clouds — a place where you can unwind and not have an air of worry in the world. People will get their flight insurance in the lobby, go through security and have all their belongings X-
SOLENN Heussaff couldn’t help but be teary-eyed after she visited soldiers stationed in Marawi City. She said she didn’t know what to expect when she was invited by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to visit the Philippine Health Service Command in the war-stricken city. “As I went from bed to bed, I came across men who were smiling, but whose souls were crying out,” she said on her blog, Solenn.ph. The soldiers are currently battling the Maute group and other Islamic State (IS)-inspired mili- Solenn Heussaff tants who have brought violent described the physical injuries attacks to the city. of the soldiers who fought in the “My tears welled up and I felt battle: my heart pounding in my throat “Many were missing a finger, as I held their hands one by one,” a leg, an arm. Some of them were Heussaff said. smiling through pain and some The 32-year-old artist also had smiles I couldn’t even see due
Interview with Captain Doyle Hill and 1st officer Darren Murphy of Southwest Airlines
rayed for guns and knives before they board the plane. After the attendants have given them the evacuation procedures in the event of the loss of air pressures and demonstrated how to use the life jackets in the event they ditch over water, we were free to relax. Most of us have a love/hate relationship with airlines. We love them when they are on time; we hate them the rest of the time.
AJ Ads 95 July 2017_Layout 1 7/20/17 12:40 PM Page 1
But the fact that we climb on and off of them proves that we have not lost our cavalier spirits and we are willing to forget them for just about anything. I’ve been on a planet where the doors were secured, announcements were made and someone was left, and an important celebrity was left out, inebriated by the VIP lounge. In another incident, the plane could not take off because we’re helplessly stuck on the jettiport and hours later, it would have to be surgically removed from one another. There’s the important little paper — barf bags on the seat pocket with instructions on how to throw up in two languages. You know how it is — traveling can be difficult and stressful. There are not two people on an airplane who have paid the same price for a ticket. Think about it and it will drive you crazy. Some are relatives of airline employees who pay nothing, some are traveling amassed mileage comps, and some are super savers. But one’s class distinction has remained. In first class are people who are divided from the peasants by a limp blue curtain. I have always wondered when I could write a story when the little people in economy and super savers stormed the limp curtain to protest inequality. How long would they sit there and watch that little curtain being snapped
The writer in Lake Tahoe
PAGE B5
to severe burns.” Heussaff also described the experience as if being in a movie set because it’s a place “you cannot imagine to be real.” “We can’t say, I can imagine what you’re going through, because we can’t. We can’t say, Things will be fine, because their memories of what happened aren’t,” she lamented. The visit nor the blog post wasn’t for charity, but she urged people to acknowledge these unsung heroes by helping them and their families. “So whether you choose to give letters, food, clothes, or anything that can bring a smile to their face or hope in their hearts while they recover, please do give it,” she said. Her first-hand experience of meeting the wounded soldiers even inspired Heussaff to create a new art piece that she posted on her Instagram.
KC Concepcion shares her journey to ‘Best Body Ever’ By KRISSY
AGUILAR AJPRESS
ACTRESS and host KC Concepcion share about going through weight loss struggle caused by recent events in her life. On her Instagram account, Concepcion said that suffering from dengue fever, pneumonia and chronic fatigue in the past two years made her “gain more weight.” Being sensitive to chemicals, supplements and sugar also added more challenge to her fitness journey. Nonetheless, the 32-year-old is determined to get her “best body ever” the natural way. “I’m focusing on that healthy #LifestyleChange with eating, exercise, resting, stress management and being good to your mind and body every single day!” she said. In her recent Instagram posts, she has been attending Georcelle Dapat-Sy’s G-Force’s White Shirt Love dance classes. Concepcion’s fitness routine also includes hot yoga and pilates, a workout routine that improves physical strength, flexibility and posture.
KC Concepcion
“Each body is different. Get to know yourself and understand what your body went through first and helping it the right way will follow,” she reminded her followers. Aside from getting in shape, she is also focused on being a
Photo from her Instagram account
National Ambassador for United Nations’ World Food Programme (UNWFP). By selling secondhand luxury items through her online shop, KC’s Closet, she raises funds for children’s school meals in Central Mindanao.
age gracefully
Running Wild With Grilled Kebabs
Wild Boar Kebabs BY GRACE O
Serves 4
When I think back to my most pleasant summer memories, I think about cooking outside. Most of the time that means grilling. Whether you use a traditional charcoal barbecue or a gas barbecue (my preference because you can control the heat more precisely), foods come out tasting delicious— almost magically so. And while most of us think of protein on the grill, fruits and vegetables come out brilliantly — the direct heat caramelizes whatever produce you’re grilling, deepening the flavor.
1 lb. wild boar medallions or pork tenderloin 1/2 cup each cubed white onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper
3. Add the boar, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours. 4. Remove the meat from the marinade and alternately thread the meat and vegetables onto metal or wooden skewers. 5. Grill the skewers over medium heat, turning frequently, for 10–15 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
U.S. CASIN ST O BE
PE CH
GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks — The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won Gourmand’s ‘Best in the World’ Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com
NO
* Chef’s Note: To make the onion juice, run two whole onions through a juicer to get the amount you need. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least half an hour before threading.
A
NG
SI
Wild boar (and therefore pork) has protein and lysine for building muscle, bone, and blood. It also contains phosphorus for nerve and muscle function and vitamin B12 for protecting nerves and brain cells.
2. Make the marinade: Mix all the marinade ingredients in a bowl.
A
Wild boar has more flavor than tame pork. It has to be tenderized a bit, but that’s easily accomplished with an onion-juice marinade. You can use pork or beef medallions instead of boar and any type of cubed vegetables. This recipe makes about 6 skewers.
1. Cut the medallions into 1-inch cubes.
© 2017 by FoodTrients.com
So fire up the backyard or patio grill! See what a little open flame can do to make already healthy, age-defying foods even more delicious. Here is one of my favorite grilling recipes from my latest cookbook, The Age Beautifully Cookbook.
Marinade 1/3 cup xylitol (or coconut sugar or brown sugar) 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari 1/4 cup onion juice* 3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice 1 Tbs. minced garlic 1/2 tsp. rock salt 1/4 tsp. white pepper
& AR ES O RT
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Sitting in front of a large glass window By Sean
Shono
A BUILDING with large glass windows and walls are becoming popular because of the fancy design and appearance. However, it is not desirable for executives with beauty responsibilities to sit with large windows behind them. They might lose support or be isolated from inside or outside of their organizations and face troubles in their human relationships. *All of our items have been purified by authentic process of Feng Shui way. *** Feng Shui master Sean Shono owns Dragon God, a Feng Shui store in Gardena, California. He is the U.S. Chief of the
International Feng Shui Association. For more information, please call Sean Shono at
(310) 787-1891. Dragon God is located at 1580 W. Artesia SQ. Suite A, Gardena, CA 90248.
Turning your luck around with Dragon God Feng Shui GArry Prado felt hopeless. He was broke, struggling to maintain his personal relationships, and stressed out. But then an unexpected conversation with a stranger rekindled his fascination with the principles of Feng Shui. Fortune led Prado to Master Atsushi “Sean� Shono, the head of the International Feng Shui Association’s U.S. Branch and proprietor of Dragon God Feng Shui. The lifelong practitioner of the ancient tradition was a student of Grandmaster raymond Lo, and has evaluated major projects like the Tokyo Tower in Japan. With the aid of Shono’s expertise Kayoko Ogura and Master Atsushi “Sean� Shono and the specialty items from his shop designed to optimize the flow of energy throughout a person’s home, Prado started to see his luck turn around in just a few weeks.
ABUSED AND ACCUSED WOMAN GETS THE ULTIMATE REDEMPTION IN HER GREEN CARD ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF ‘CITIZEN PINOY.’ Imagine being broken on the inside by your husband’s constant verbal abuse and then getting a signed confession from him saying that yours was never a real marriage. That’s the hellish nightmare that Evelyn (center) suffered from her former husband. That same confession jeopardized the petition by her current spouse, Glenn (left), for her. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) proved the allegations wrong and eventually delivered Evelyn’s ultimate redemption in the form of her green card on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy� - on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising supplement)
Nadine Lustre’s take on live-in issue with James Reid: ‘I don’t filter what I say’ James reid are already living together. But the actress maintained that she was just being honest. NEGATIVE comments out“I don’t filter what I say. Why poured on social media over would I lie? This is me. If they Nadine Lustre’s vague statement don’t like it, then‌ but thank you on news that she and boyfriend to all those who support me, of by Joanna
eStorque AJPress
“It can work if you allow it to,� Prado said Shono’s guidance has said Prado, a clinical research co- helped frame his life with positivity ordinator. “It helped me find inner and left him better equipped to peace.� handle its challenges. Because circumstance and energy are always in flux, he regularly consults with Shono, and, over time, has gotten Throwback to JaDine’s wedding scene in “On The Wings of Love.� to know him. “Sometimes he’s so funny, but when it comes to giving advice he takes it very seriously,� said Prado. “They’re very genuine, They will really help you.� For more information visit Dragon God USA at 1580 W Artesia Sq. #A in Gardena, California, or its website at www.dragongodusa. com. you can also direct questions to dragongod4@gmail.com or dial (310) 787-1891.
Philstar.com photo
course,â€? Nadine said. The actress asserted that she and James dislike dishonesty and secrecy, but pointed out that there are things that do not need to be broadcasted. For Lustre, what matters is that she has peace of mind with her family and relatives. “I don’t hide anything from them. For them, if I’m okay, we’re okay.â€? Despite the issue, the actress said she remains “unaffected.â€? She also mentioned that it is normal to not please everyone and continued by saying, “Life goes on‌ Let’s just leave it at that.â€? The controversy rooted from the recent video of an interview with the actress while breaking her silence on the live-in rumor with her boyfriend that went viral. She said, “I mean if that was true, so what? It’s not new anymore. There are younger couples who are younger than me who... It’s already normal. Come on, guys. It’s 2017.â€? “Let’s all just be open-minded. That’s what we needed now,â€? Nadine answered when further asked on her advice to young and conservative supporters.
(Advertising Supplement)
Coldplay salutes US immigrants in new lyric video By KriSSy
aguilar AJPress
BrITISH rock band Coldplay celebrates the contributions of immigrants to the United States in their new lyric video titled “Miracles (Someone Special),� which also features Big Sean. The video also showcases America’s long history of welcoming immigrants from all over the world. It features photographs of immigrants arriving at New york City’s Ellis Island from 19th to 20th century slowly coming in to life through a live photo effect. Ellis Island is known as the country’s busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954, being a gateway for over 12 million immigrants to the United States. “My father said never give up, son,� the band’s frontman Chris Martin sings at the start of the song before mentioning famous icons like Muhammad Ali, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. They were born out of nothing, but eventually became some of the most influential people in history. The secret, as Martin sings, is that they are “not scared to be strong.� Later, the song names other inspiring figures such as Amelia
Earheart, Joan of Arc, rosa Parks and Mother Teresa. “you’ve got bright in your brains and lightning in your veins, you’ll go higher than they’ve ever gone,� Martin sings at the chorus. rapper Big Sean recalls the obstacles he faced while chasing his dreams and living in contemporary America such as overcoming financial debt and confronting the pressures of the society. “Prove it to them or you prove it to yourself, but honestly it’s better if you do it for yourself,� he raps. The song whispers some words of motivation, encouraging its audience to not only be like any of the great names mentioned, but exceed what they have reached. “Miracles (Someone Special)� is part of Coldplay’s new Kaleidoscope EP which also features “Hypnotised,� “All I Can Think About Is you,� the Brian Eno col-
laboration “Aliens� and a remix of their collaborative hit with the Chainsmokers, “Something Just Like This.� Coldplay has long been active on including humanitarian causes in their tracks and this is the second song to raise social issues from the same five-track EP. Earlier this month, Coldplay released the track “Aliens� and its proceeds will support Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS), a charity that rescues migrants in peril while trying to cross the Mediterranean. The five-track release follows the band’s 2015 LP “A Head Full of Dreams,� which the band had hinted could be its final full-length album. The band will be on the North American leg of their A Head Full Of Dreams Tour until November before heading to Brazil and Argentina.
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B4 JULY 22-25, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Maine Mendoza graces cover of Dubai-based magazine By ELIJAH
RODEROS AJPRESS
THE Philippines’ Dubsmash queen and “Eat Bulaga!” host, Maine Mendoza lands on the cover of the premier issue of Rank Magazine online this month. Rank pays homage to the other half of the phenomenal “AlDub” love team, marking their 2nd anniversary in the industry that paved way for record-breaking milestones both in social media and television.
Dubai-based international designer, Michael Cinco proudly told the news on his Instagram post, “The phenomenal star MAINE MENDOZA @mainedcm graces the amazing cover of the premiere issue of RANK Magazine wearing a couture silver embroidered Michael Cinco dress.” Meanwhile, Leo Balante, editor of the online Rank, expressed their excitement for the issue via his Instagram(@mrleoblnt): #TamangPanahon is here and
Sixth time’s the charm: 6th Miss Philippines USA, a roaring success BY MONET
Maine Mendoza is this month’s cover girl of Dubai-based Rank Magazine.
we are proud to present to you the premiere issue of Rank Magazine online with @mainedcm. Two years after her historic thrust in front of the camera, @rankmagazine decodes the phenomenon that is #MaineMendoza—her surge to superstar status, the magnitude of her unexpected celebrity, and her continuing relationship with the adoring public. In an article by Interaksyon, Mendoza thanked her fans for the overwhelming support she’s been receiving since the beginning. “I never dreamed of being in this position. Everything happened so fast for me and Alden. I still could not fathom what people saw in me. It’s a question that I honestly still could not answer,” Maine said. The young superstar insists that the price of AlDub’s success is hard work. “Some people think that what we do is easy, that’s it’s all glitz and glamour and everything is very relaxed. But the truth is, there’s a lot of downside to being an artist, a celebrity,” she said. At the moment, the magazine’s website is currently offline for further maintenance and fixes. The two-cover issue will also be including stories of Michael Cinco, fashion model and fitness enthusiast Tohid Ajdani, thespian Jay Gonzaga, and influencer Lharby Policarpio. Rank Magazine is a fashion magazine located based in Dubai, which also featured British supermodel Kate Moss and Spanish Muse, Bimba Bose.
LU
THE sixth installation of the Miss Philippines USA 2017 and Miss Young Philippines 2017 held last Sunday, July 16 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale proved to be one of the most successful Filipino-American pageants in Southern California. This year had the most number of contestants with 33 candidates vying for the crown. “This year we are proud to stage a production with a fusion of Filipino and American. We have more candidates this year, and have screened more than 100 hundred applicants since 2016. There are teens that are already interested in beauty pageants and Miss Young Philippines USA is their platform to prepare themselves for their career choice. We are amazed at how many young applicants sent their profile to us,” said CEO and founder Lou Razon. The evening’s co-hosts, broadcast personality Tony Cabrera and Cher Calvin, news anchor on KTLA 5 News, who have been co-hosting the pageant for six years, introduced the candidates as they opened the show with a dance number. “The most memorable was the opening dance performance of the candidates wearing contemporary national costumes designed by me. I was screaming for joy while watching the girls perform,” Razon continued. The swimsuit competition drew louder cheers from the crowd as 22 contestants competed in the Miss Philippines USA swimsuit category, while eleven competed for the Miss Young USA swimsuit round and was won by Jazlynn Dizon. Kayla Nadres won Best in Swimsuit for Miss Philippines USA 2017. The swim apparels were provided by Dylee & Lylee Active & Swimwear Apparel. More exciting announcements were made throughout the program which was attended by over 1,400 distinguished guests. Mrs. Cora Aragon Soriano, the first Mrs. Philippines USA, officially announced that Mrs. Philippines USA segment would be included in the competition category for next year’s pageant. The Long Gown category followed shortly and was won by April Rose Maniwang in the Miss Young Philippines USA category and by Nicole Guerrero for Miss Philippines USA. Seven semi-finalists were chosen from the 11 young contestants and 13 semi-finalists were chosen from the 22 Miss Philippines contestants to compete in the final question-and-answer portion. The Question-and-Answer
Miss Philippines USA 2017 winners
segment concluded with the following special awards: Alexandra Dalumpines won Miss Filipinotown; Jessica Cabanos won Miss Foodtrients World, Alyssa Sandra Guevara and April Rose Maniwang were appointed 2017 Ambassadors; Alyssa Sandra Guevara was the second runner-up and Sabrina Garcia was the first runner-up. The winners in all final categories for Miss Philippines USA 2017 were: Kayla Nadres who won World 2017; Gabby Pangan who won Filipinotown; Kristine Macalutas and Valerie Bondan who were appointed 2017 Ambassadors; Angelica Escandon who won third runner up, Andrea Valera as second runner up, and Angelica Escandon who emerged as the first runner up. The evening culminated with the joyous crowning of both Miss Philippines USA 2017 and Miss Young Philippines USA 2017. Nicole Guerrero emerged as the Miss Philippines USA 2017 and won Miss Philippines USA Top Model of the World and Miss Philippines USA Foodtrients World. The title Miss Young Philippines 2017 was awarded to Jazlynn Dizon! Amazing guest performances filled the night; Michael Keith, the Filipino “Michael Jackson,” performed two songs to get the show started, as well as an energetic performance by Bagyo, Eric G serenaded Miss World 2013 Megan Young, who was
Photos by Robert Khoi
also one of the 11 jurors, and Ding Dong Avanzado closed with an awesome song number. Aces and Queen Founder and Beauty Queen Maker Jonas Gaffud was also among the judges that night. He joined Young on stage as they crown the Miss Philippines USA and Miss Young Philippines 2017. He and Young functioned as mentors of the candidates during the pre-pageant season. He pledged his support for next year’s competition and said, “it will be bigger and better–if not best.” The Miss Philippines USA is co-produced by program and technical director Randy Trinidad. This year’s pageant was directed by John De La Vega. With such an amazing team behind her, Ms. Razon expresses her deepest gratitude to all who made this event a successful and worth trailing, six years and beyond. She said, “I feel blessed that we are in our 6th year. It is getting bigger and better and I feel like we need to move to a bigger location (laughs). This year, we wanted to come up with a more cultural show that shows the roots of Filipino-Americans. It took us three months to plan the theme and the costumes and the staging. Turnout was fabulous, the event was fun and exciting, it is a fusion of the Philippines and USA. I would like to thank all our sponsors, judges, candidates, parents, staff and crew and the audience for their support! I would like my candidates to know that they all looked beautiful. This year’s batch was one of the best. I do appreciate their hard work and dedication in making the pageant successful.” *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning 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
Jonas Gaffud (left) and Megan Young (right)
Christian Bables not pressured... PAGE B1
ibang characters, Kung paano ko po iaalign yung sarili ko sa mga yun” the actor explained. (I won’t think of it that way. Not really nerve-wracking, coz
right now i’m working on different movies simultaneously, I think as an actor, im OC about how to align myself with those characters) A teaser to the original series, which was created by “Die Beauti-
ful” director Jun Robles Lana, was released online last July 12. Bables won Best Supporting Actor in the 2016 Manila Film Festival for his performance as “Barbs” in “Die Beautiful.”
Marlon Stockinger on unfollowing Pia Wurtzbach PAGE B1
It’s not always good to show everything a lot. It was like that in the beginning, but you know, what matters is the two of us in the end. We don’t have to always show that,” he said as a response to rumors that either he or Pia “unfollowed” each other on Instagram, which sparked speculations that the two have split in the face of reports that Marlon has fathered twins with a former girlfriend. When asked if he has seen his alleged twins, he simply replied: “That’s private, sorry.” He, however, does not deny that “everyone in our circle knew” about the twins and it fact, “its already old news.” His relationship with Pia, he said, even became stronger after the issue came out. Likewise, though they did not have an agreement to unfollow each other on social media, he said keeping things “more private” have served them well. “It’s nice because it means more quality time for us. So, it’s
a great thing.” Though he is against unfollowing Pia on social media, he assured that following each other in their own private way is what matters most. He is aware that his girlfriend has been defending him against online bashers and that she refuses to answer media questions about him. “I really appreciate her for doing that. She’s been so supportive. And it really didn’t affect our relationship. If you love someone and they love you back, that’s the greatest thing,” he said. Although he did not confirm or deny unfollowing Pia or vice versa, he said that just because he is not on social media that often, does not mean he is hiding from the public. “People don’t have to know my thing always,” enthused the Filipino-Swiss race car driver, who spends most of his time nowadays on the racetracks of Singapore. As for Pia, he said: “Her movie (with Vice Ganda) keeps her busy.
I’m happy for her every project. I wish all the success for her in the end. It’s amazing that she’s continuing her reign, her popularity after Miss Universe.” They might have a lot going on in their individual lives, but whenever they have the chance, Marlon and Pia make sure to meet halfway. “I’m more out of the country. She’s working on a lot of projects, movies. It’s just hard to meet given our schedule. We just appreciate those moments we have alone together,” Marlon said. Does he have plans to join Pia in showbiz so they can be together more often? “I’d rather be behind the scenes than in front of the camera. I feel more comfortable and I can communicate myself better,” Marlon explained. He has accepted that scandals and controversies have been a part of loving a Miss Universe, and amid these issues, he thanks people for respecting them and their privacy.
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Christine Allado, acclaimed crossover singer sings in Los Angeles eVeRY Nightfall in Los angeles is saturated by a plethora of entertainment in live music, dance, dramatic arts or film. The task of choosing which art entertainment that will satisfy the public’s mind, emotional needs or curiosity belabours the mind continuously. “Voices By Nightfall” on saturday, July 29, 2017 at the Catalina Jazz Club, features guest artist: Christine allado an acclaimed classical Filipino cross over singer. The concert promises to be a memorable musical event for music aficionados. Christine allado: Christine allado is an emerging musical talent making a name for herself as a uniquely proficient artist and actress with a voice that fuses her classical soprano roots with a contemporary spin of Pop, Musical Theatre and Jazz. Recently, she had the great honor of singing the national anthem of the Philippines in the Battle of Brisbane, Pacquiao vs Horn. Christine joined the world renowned tenor andrea Bocelli as his featured artist in CINeMa
Christine Allado
World Tour around europe and asia. In the fall of 2017, she joins multi award winning musical HaMILTON. This Pulitzer Prize, Tony award and Grammy award winning musical will be performed at the West end in London at the end of this year. Christine will play a dual role of Peggy schuyler and Maria Reynolds. Christine has starred in the triple Olivier award winning musi-
cal “In The Heights” at the King’s Cross Theatre in London’s West end and performed in the Olivier awards at the Royal Opera House on ITV, broadcast worldwide. she also filmed for the BBC’s production of the 60th anniversary of “West side story” playing the lead role of Maria. at the Burnham stage she played Christine in “Phantom Of The Opera.” Christine allado will sing to benefit non profit organizations (501 C-3) Filipino american Business association of Glendale (FaBaG) and PB-Usa Inc. sponsors and patrons for “Voices By Nightfall are: IC Green Oil enhancer,Lowell and Vanderbilt Luxury Real estate,Cesar Melendrez, the Asian Journal, eC Ferrer Customs Broker Inc., american Pacific Container Line Inc., Filipino Veterans Foundation,Hollywood Piano Burbank, sunpower, Willie Guevarra, Pillars Tax & Financial services, Organique Ray and Joy Pilaro, Rick’s Lechon, It Works!, Glenn Zaragoza,CPa, and Bicol express. For inquiries reservations call: (323) 391 - 8500 | (323) 258 - 0776. (Advertising Supplement)
Come fly with...
PAGE B2 together leaving them suspicious and classless? It is the stuff of which revolutions are made. First class travel has been a mystique shrouded in fantasy for me when I was younger. I imagined it is a place on the plane where skirts and flight time are shorter, entertainment live, and the bathrooms are large enough to shut the door without standing on the seat. some people imagine women with tiaras, large bosoms, and lace fans throwing back their heads and laughing “Let them eat stale sheet cakes and green noodles back there.” But the irony is that the limp curtain dividing first class from economy was never to keep the tourists in the dark. It is for the first class passengers so that they won’t know that their cocktails service is longer so attendants can get the passengers in economy served first even if they are paying twice the fare. I am not minimizing security. It is a major concern of all airlines
and we take it as seriously as they do. We are all released of “weapons” — my needle point scissors that couldn’t cut hot butter taken from me for “self-keeping,” when my cosmetic case probably have more potentials for exploding. Pilots spend most of their time in the clouds, 35,000 feet above sea level. I had a sparkling conversation with Captain Doyle Hill and 1st officer Darren Murphy on a recent trip from Lake Tahoe. I would learn that airlines’ flexibility is a huge lifesaver. Instead of waiting and sifting at your gates for home, go for a walk thus burning calories and improves your mood and state of mind. He added that for more than two decades, the airline’s staff members have all been excellently trained for outstanding service and have celebrated a hard working, behind the scenes team, amidst a sea of employees. They have wonderful workshop groups of coordinators and schedules from various departments with one team with the purpose of col-
laborating company initiations that provide consistency in scheduling, that continuously improve their process building a community of best processes. Hill said, “It is the hospitable approach to ensure the ultimate training experience for customers…and this year, the airlines, sWa – U team got the ‘Heroes of the Heart award.’” Murphy said he “believes that a community is more than a place – it is the heart that brings us together, that takes care of people, that makes the airline different, in this are ways what brings us together.” Hill added “It is not enough, just to respect diversity, you have to embrace it. The Golden Rule drives our efforts: It is one unified voice…as we recognize others, earn best practices. We don’t just give back – it gives forward as we help each other, distance and difference shouldn’t keep us from our neighbors, and it starts on my plane.” Until the next plane ride.
Dingdong Avanzado and Jessa Zaragoza with their daughter Jayda
Jessa Zaragoza celebrates 20 years in showbiz with ‘I Am Me’ concert
Jessa Zaragoza, the Philippines’ “Phenomenal Diva”, celebrates her 20th year in the music industry with a concert entitled “I am Me: Jessa Zaragoza” on august 12, 2017 at the aratani Theatre in Los angeles, California. Featuring her husband Dingdong avanzado, also known as the Original Prince of Pop, and their daughter Jayda, an upcoming star who has shown extraordinary talent as a singer and songwriter, the “I am Me” concert is a must-see for all Jessa Zaragoza fans. The show features all of Jessa’s significant songs from all her albums, artistically woven to produce a highly entertaining and heart warming musical experience. During the show, Jessa will take the audience on a musical journey that showcases her life and profession as an entertainer/ musician, giving the audience
an insight into the factors that influenced her music and what propelled her into the limelight. since most of Jessa’s songs are popular sing-along pieces (such as “Bakit Pa,” “Di Ba’t Ikaw,” “Hindi na Bale,” “Ibigay Mo Na,” “Baliw na Puso,” to name a few) in most videoke bars, the show will have a “Videoke-like” feel to it, providing lots of interaction between the singer and her audience. While the concert celebrates Jessa’s 20th anniversary in the music business, it also celebrates Dingdong’s 30th year in the industry. according to Dingdong, the I aM Me concert was conceptualized based on the global influence of Jessa’s music on a generation of Filipinos (and non-Filipinos) from different walks of life. Initially staged at the Music Museum in Manila last year, The “I am Me: Jessa Zaragoza” show won for Jessa the “Best
Female Concert Performer of the Year award during the aliw awards in 2016. It also garnered nominations for Dingdong as Best Concert Director and for Jayda avanzado as Best New artist. Jessa and Dingdong recently launched their newest singles “Bakit Mo ako Iniwan” (Jessa) and “Iibigin” (Dingdong) which will form part of the anniversary album they will release towards the last quarter of this year. Both songs are available on spotify. Jessa continues to play the part of Dee Kho in the hit GMa TV sitcom “Pepito Manaloto.” Tickets to the “I am Me: Jessa Zaragoza” concert are available at all Leelin Bakery and Café and seafood City locations in Los angeles County. For more information or ticket sales, please call Mendrei or Cecile Leelin (Rosy Cheeks entertainment Group, Inc.) at (562) 577-2985. (Advertising Supplement)
Fil-Am Angelica Hale earns Golden Buzzer...
PAGE B1 Keys’ hit. The child wonder first impressed the judges with her astonishing performance of andra Days’ “Rise Up” on her audition. she further amazed viewers with her kind heart for using her voice
to sing on charity events. “I wanted to become like [popular singers], but instead of doing it for something else, I did it for raising money for the hospitals. I won’t forget my experience in my hospital because that is kind of like a centerpiece in my life,”
Hale said in a video. The experience she was pertaining to was the bacterium infection in her lungs that damaged her kidneys, requiring her to undergo a kidney transplant when she was just four years old.
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If at first you don’t succeed: Options after the denial of an application for a waiver THE already difficult process of immigrating to the United States can be greatly complicated and delayed when the government decides that the noncitizen is inadmissible – a finding which often necessitates the filing of an application for a waiver of inadmissibility. The most common grounds of inadmissibility (i.e., ineligibility to be admitted to the United States) which require a waiver include unlawful presence in the United States in excess of 180 days, the commission of fraud to gain an immigration benefit, and certain criminal convictions. Unfortunately, not all applications for a waiver of inadmissibility are granted. In fact, a significant percentage of such applications are denied. Fortunately, for many, the denial of an application for a waiver need not be the final word on an individual’s attempt to immigrate to the United States. For many, options still remain which keep alive their prospects of immigrating. Any review of the denial of an application for a waiver of inadmissibility begins with a basic question – is the applicant inadmissible to the United States? To put it simply, there are instances when an individual is found by the government to be inadmissible to the United States when in fact he is not. While an individual may have filed an application for a waiver because he or she was directed to do so by the government, in some instances the correct course of action would have been to legally and/or factual argue that no such application was required. Unfortunately, without competent representation, the basic mistake of failing to contest an initial finding of inadmissibility is more likely to occur. Where it can (and should) be argued that an application for a waiver never should have been requested in the first instance, an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney can pursue a variety of
Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller options to redress such an error. These options include the timely filing of a motion with the government to rectify such an error, or through the refiling of the case with a legal brief addressing the issue of inadmissibility. Both of these options often prove successful. In those instances in which an application for a waiver was properly requested by the government, a significant number of these applications are ultimately denied because they are inadequately prepared. Filing an application for a waiver of inadmissibility is complicated – the legal standard for the granting of the waiver must be met, and this must be accomplished through the presentation of legally sufficient supporting evidence. Even minor defects in an application can result in a denial. As a result, individuals who have a strong legal and factual basis for the granting of a waiver of inadmissibility often have their applications denied because their applications were not adequately prepared. However, the denial of an application for a waiver of inadmissibility does not preclude the filing of subsequent application. This point is extremely significant for those who have had their applications for a waiver denied – there is still hope even after a denial. As the preparation of an application for a waiver of inadmissibility is a complex endeavor, with little margin for error, the best chance an individual has to obtain an approval of his or her application is through retaining an experienced and
knowledgeable immigration attorney. While it is preferable to do so at the onset of the process, even once an application for a waiver is denied, an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney can prepare a superior subsequent application which will afford an applicant a much higher chance of obtaining an approval. The approval or denial of an application for a waiver of inadmissibility will in most instances decide whether an individual will immigrate to the United States. Too often, individuals receive denials of their applications; and many of these applications were not required in the first instance, or could have been approved if they had only been adequately prepared. Fortunately, most of these individuals have options regardless of when their waivers were denied – days, weeks, or even years ago. An experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney can advise an individual of his or her options, and pursue the appropriate course of action to overcome a prior denial. The process of immigrating to the United States seldom affords second chances. One of the few exceptions is for applicants seeking a waiver of inadmissibility. For waivers of inadmissibility, the old adage proves true – if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. n *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices 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.
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Aug 26 (Sat ) Day 1, Angeles, California/Krakow, Poland Our pilgrimage begins with a transatlantic journey from Los Angeles International $LUSRUW WR .UDNRZ 3RODQG 0HDOV VHUYHG LQ À LJKW Aug 27 (Sun) Day 2, Krakow :H ZLOO DUULYH LQ .UDNRZ LQ WKH HYHQLQJ 7KHUH ZH ZLOO PHHW RXU 7RXU 'LUHFWRU DQG GULYHU IRU D WUDQVIHU WR RXU KRWHO 'LQQHU DW WKH KRWHO %% '
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Sept 5 (Tues) Day 11, Zagreb / Medjugorje $IWHU EUHDNIDVW FHOHEUDWH KRO\ (XFKDULVW DQG WKHQ OHDYH IRU 0HGMXJRUMH 8SRQ DUULYDO LQ 0HGMXJRUMH ZLOO HPEDUN RQ DQ RULHQWDWLRQ WRXU RI 6W -DPHV &KXUFK DQG LWV VXUURXQGLQJ 'LQQHU DQG RYHUQLJKW 0HGMXJRUMH Sept 6,7,8 ( Wed,Thurs,Fri) Day 12 to 14, Medjugorje :H ZLOO KDYH GDLO\ EUHDNIDVW DQG GLQQHUV DW RXU +RWHO (YHU\ PRUQLQJ DW DP ZH ZLOO DVVHPEOH DW 6W -DPHV &KXUFK WR DWWHQG +RO\ (XFKDULVW FHOHEUDWHG LQ (QJOLVK :H ZLOO FOLPE WKH $SSDULWLRQV +LOO 0W 3RGEUGR WR VHH WKH SODFHV PDUNHG E\ WKH FURVVHV ZKHUH LQ -XQH 2XU /DG\ ZDV ¿ UVW UHSRUWHG WR DSSHDU WR WKH FKLOGUHQ 7KH QH[W PRUQLQJ ZH ZLOO FOLPE WKH VWHHS +RO\ &URVV 0RXQWDLQ 0W .UL]HYDF for devotions and take in the Panorama of Medjugorje EHORZ
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Thinking of bankruptcy but afraid Putative spouse status as a defense it might be the wrong move? to a petition for nullity of marriage DO you have debt problems that you don’t know how to handle? Are you considering filing for bankruptcy but are afraid that it will only make your situation worse? Have you recently been sued by creditors and are afraid of what they might do next? If you are struggling with debt problems and are starting to feel hopeless about your situation because you are not getting anywhere in spite of your efforts, at what point do you consider filing bankruptcy as an option? Bankruptcy scares a lot of people and that’s understandable because everything they’ve heard about it from friends, family and co-workers is negative. But is bankruptcy really all that bad? Well, most people don’t even understand it. The law says that bankruptcy is nothing more than a fresh financial start when you are no longer in a position to help yourself. Of course, this is not what the bill collectors want you to think. They want you to think that this is the ‘worst’ thing that you can ever do and that it will ruin your chances of ever buying a house or getting credit again. These are the lies that they
Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon want you to believe because they know that once you file bankruptcy, they can no longer get any of your money. From a legal standpoint, here are a few helpful questions you should be asking to help you assess whether it’s time for you to consider filing for bankruptcy: (1) Are you struggling to pay even the minimum payments on your credit cards? (2) Have you started borrowing money just to be able to cover your basic living expenses such as rent or mortgage, food, gas, etc? (3) Have you lost track of how much you owe? (4) Are bill collectors calling you because you have accounts in collection? (5) Have creditors taken legal action against you such as filing a lawsuit, obtained a judgment and threatening to garnish your wages or levy your
bank account? If you said “yes” to any or most of the above, you could be in a financial danger zone and I suggest that you take immediate action before your situation gets worse. If you own a home and have assets that may be at risk if you were sued by your creditors, it is in your best interest to find out how you can protect what you have from creditors who are trying to collect from you. A lawsuit can lead to a judgment against you- and it can attach as a lien to your home which makes the debt secured while also earning interest. The lien may stop you from refinancing your mortgage and could be a hindrance in trying to sell your home unless the underlying debt is paid in full. A judgment can also be enforced by garnishing your wages and attaching your bank accounts. This is not what you want, is it? So why wait for the worst to happen if there is something you can do right now to prevent all of the above from happening. Never ignore your debts because they could come back and haunt you when you least ex-
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On being kinder to ourselves RONALD Rolheiser, the author of “Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity,” puts it this way: “The struggle for maturity, to give our lives away in an even more generous way, is a lifelong endeavor. In this life, we never fully arrive. There is something always to be done, and God respects that.” Indeed, life is a constant invitation to change, to renew ourselves, to be great instead of just being good. God meets us at different stages of our lives and calls us to stretch our hearts and minds to deeper understanding, compassion, and generosity. Perhaps, we should look at this Sunday’s Gospel on the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds from the vantage point of compassion to one’s self than of God’s compassion to us. What do I mean by this? There are many times when can be so hard on ourselves: we can’t deal with
To Live With Faith ReveRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAs our personal imperfections; we become impatient with our inability to overcome our faults; we constantly blame ourselves. God, however, seems to treat us differently. He sees our desire to change and our hidden motives, and he is patient with us. He lets the “wheat” of our lives grow with the “weeds.” He is more tolerant and more compassion with us than we are with our own selves. Realizing this truth about God is liberating! We become more tender with ourselves and with other people. We shed off our perfectionist behaviors and ac-
cept the fact that we will never be “done” or we will never arrive at one’s ideal self. It is only God who will make each of us perfect! As we muse about our lives this summer, let’s not only take the time to relax and to pamper ourselves with rest and vacation days, but also to do the exercise of being kinder to ourselves. *** 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 (19912001). 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. n
ALL property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in California is community property. Family Code 760. However, there are situations in which the marriage may be held to be null and void. These situations include, but are not limited to entering into a bigamous marriage, fraud and misrepresentation in entering into a marriage, etc. The legal consequences of having your marriage annulled by your spouse is that it results to you not having any community property interest on property acquired by your spouse during the marriage. A nullity may also cut off your claim for spousal support. What options do you have if your spouse files a nullity against you? You may still have a claim to community property and support as a putative spouse. A party to a void or voidable marriage has “putative spouse” status only if he or she believed in good faith the marriage was valid. Family.Code. § 225; Marriage of Guo & Sun (2010) 186 CA4th 1491, 1493, 112 CR3d 906, 908; Marriage of Vryonis (1988) 202 CA3d 712, 721, 248 CR 807, 813. A party who has the requisite objectively reasonable “good faith” belief may be a putative spouse where any legal infirmity in formation of the marriage renders the marriage invalid. Domestic Partnership of Ellis & Arriaga (2008) 162 CA4th 1000, 1005, 76 CR3d 401, 404; Estate of DePasse (2002) 97 CA4th 92, 107, 118 CR2d 143, 155; see Marriage of Vryonis, supra, 202 CA3d at 718–719, 248 CR at 811–812. A party’s “good faith” belief in the validity of the marriage is not tested by whether he or she believed a “marriage” lawfully occurred under some private, secular or spiritual set of standards. A putative spouse must have had a good faith belief in the existence of a lawful California marriage. Estate of DePasse (2002)
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Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRsuA Reyes 97 CA4th 92, 107–108, 118 CR2d 143, 156; Welch v. State of Calif. (2000) 83 CA4th 1374, 1378– 1379, 100 CR2d 430, 432–433; Marriage of Vryonis (1988) 202 CA3d 712, 723, 248 CR 807, 814–815 “Good faith” belief is tested by an objective standard based on facts that would cause a reasonable person under the circumstances to harbor a good faith belief in the existence of a valid California marriage. Domestic Partnership of Ellis & Arriaga, supra, 162 CA4th at 1005, 76 CR3d
divided between the parties as if it were community. Family. Code. § 2251(a)(2); Marriage of Tejeda (2009) 179 CA4th 973, 983, 102 CR3d 361, 368; Quasimarital property divided pursuant to § 2251 is also liable for the parties’ debts to the same extent as if it had been community or quasi-community property. Family.Code. § 2252. In addition, “temporary” and “permanent” spousal support may also be awarded in a nullity proceeding in favor of a putative spouse “in the same manner as if the marriage had not been void or voidable” Family Code Section 2254. The court may also award attorney’s fees pursuant to family code section 2030 in favor of a party found to be “innocent of fraud or wrongdoing in inducing or entering into the marriage, and free from knowledge of the then existence of any prior marriage or other impediment to the contracting of the marriage for which a judgment of nullity is sought.” Family Code Section 2255. n
What options do you have if your spouse files a nullity against you? You may still have a claim to community property and support
*** 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.
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as a putative spouse.
at 404; Marriage of Guo & Sun (2010) 186 CA4th 1491, 1497, 112 CR3d 906, 911; Marriage of Ramirez & Llamas (2008) 165 CA4th 751, 756, 81 CR3d 180, 183. Whether a party had an objectively reasonable “good faith” belief is a question of fact to be determined in light of all the circumstances. Successfully proving putative spouse status or putative marriage status in court gives rise to certain property, support and attorney fees/costs rights, as well as certain other rights that ordinarily attach only between lawfully married persons. Property that would have been community or quasi-community property had the marriage been valid is deemed “quasi-marital property” and, in a proceeding to terminate the invalid marriage, “shall” be
*** 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)
Town mates and Friends:
Please join us in celebration of our
508/ '*&45" TU '06/%*/( "//*7&34"3: 0' #"4$ JO -"4 7&("4 /&7"%" When: Saturday, October 7, 2017 Where: Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, 400 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 Prepaid Dinner Buffet ticket only: $65 per person Please make check payable to: Aludiya Lagmay-Ganzon 8119 Mary E Ellen Avenue, North Hollywood, California 91605 - or Priscilla Castaneto-Ruedas 6851 Dale Street Apartment # 16, Buena Park, California 90621
Nazario Perlas: Precy Castaneto- Ruedas: Lito Tambo: Ludy Lagmay-Ganzon: Mila Tadina: Josie Dolor Etrata: Mary Ann Arichea–Caunan:
nazario.perlas@yahoo.com pcruedas@yahoo.com lito.tambo@sbcglobal.net lganzon@gmail.com mrtadina@yahoo.com wilpenn@yahoo.com macaunan@ha.ucla.edu
*Discounted Room rates available at Gold Coast Hotel & Casino until September 3, 2017: Code: ABA2017
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Community Journal
Who pays the cost of work uniforms? (Why employees are suing Nike)
OMRAN Hamid worked at a Nike store in San Clemente for 15 months. He filed a class action case against Nike, claiming, among other things, that Nike required its minimumwage employees to buy and pay for Nike-branded clothes as a condition of employment. Hamid alleged that they had to wear Nike attire during working hours. Because they were required to maintain “an upto-date apparel of each seasons’ product line,” they had to buy Nike clothes at least 4 times a year. Employees are not provided an allowance or are reimbursed for these purchases. Hamid claims this policy violates California law. Although the case is currently pending, it provides some food for thought to employees who are required to wear and spend for a uniform or a “dress code” at work. The term “uniform” is defined to include wearing clothing and accessories of distinctive design and color. When uniforms are required as a condition of employment, an issue may arise on who pays for the costs. Under California law, employers may prescribe the color, quality, or style of uniforms worn by their employees. However, employers who require uniforms must provide or pay for their costs. For example, if a restaurant requires its wait staff to wear a jacket that has the restaurant’s color and logo on it, then the
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. restaurant must pay for the jacket. If the restaurant simply requires wait staff to wear white shirts and dark pants of unspecified style or quality, this does not constitute a uniform. Thus, the cost of prescribing such an attire does not have to be paid by the employer. Who should pay for the costs of maintenance of the uniforms? In California, employers must pay these costs if the uniform requires special laundering due to heavy usage, or if the uniform requires dry-cleaning or repairs. If the uniforms are of a wash and wear material, then maintenance costs are not paid by the employer. Whether it be for uniforms, tools, or work cellphones, if employees incur necessary expenditures as a result of doing their job, the employer is required to reimburse the employee for these business expenses. Other expenses reimbursable to employees include: (1) transportation, living, mileage, and other travel expenses; (2) purchasing supplies, tools, materials, or equipment; (3) for “supper money” to cover the costs of supper when an employee is requested to work during the evening hours; and
(4) excess home-to-work travel expenses incurred by the employee due to extraordinary circumstances. An employer is allowed to pay employees a lump-sum amount sufficient to provide full reimbursement for actual expenses necessarily incurred. However, if an employee shows that the reimbursement amount is less than the actual expenses incurred, the employer must pay the difference. Employees must note that expense reimbursement is not taxable. There are other methods allowed by law for employers to reimburse employees for business expenses. If employees have questions regarding this issue, they would be smart to consult with an experienced employment attorney. 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)
Store manager needs bankruptcy relief Separated debtor seeks Chapter 7 relief CLIENT no. 1 is 50 years old and the manager of a big retail store. He’s been working there for 30 years. Spouse got into an accident and is now on disability. He owns a house with $200K of equity. He has believe it or not, 11 children from age 2 to 18. Just imagine his food expense every month! He owes $60K of credit card debt. Since his wife became disabled, he applied for a loan modification of his first mortgage. His first mortgage payment is $2800. His gross income is $80K. With wife’s disability pay, they gross $100K a year. But with 11 kids, and $60K of credit card debt, something has to give. He can’t pay the minimum credit card payments of $1800 anymore. So he wants a Chapter 7 to get rid of the $60K credit cards. But does he qualify for a Chapter 7 discharge? Well, in terms of the means test, there certainly is no presumption of abuse because he has 11 kids. But in a Chapter 7, there is going to be a problem with the residence. The homestead exemption for client is $100K but his equity is $130K. So, there is $30K of nonexempt equity. Theoretically, Chapter 7 could work for client because there is almost no viable nonexempt equity to speak of if you factor in the cost of sale of 6%. The house is current valued at $500K. 6% of $500K is $30K, which is the amount of nonexempt equity. A Chapter 7 trustee would have nothing to administer and theoretically client should be able to keep his house in Chapter 7. The problem is that real estate prices in Los Angeles are still going up. An aggressive Chapter 7 trustee can file an adversary proceeding to have the house sold because of the $30K nonexempt equity. The adversary case may take 18 months to reach trial. By that time, the house value could have increased by another $50K. The increase in value is justification in favor of the trustee’s argument that there is viable equity for him to administer. Nobody wants this kind of problem
Tax Tips ViCtor Sy, CPA, MBA
WHILE my audit tips usually focus on how you—the taxpayer—should conduct yourself, let’s look at how IRS agents are trained to conduct themselves when they interview you. Let’s change roles and learn how they work you over, I mean, work with you—from the agent’s perspective. IRS auditors are trained to: • Maintain a friendly and professional demeanor. • Maintain control of the interview. Establish pace and direction. • Establish rapport with you, the taxpayer. • Continually assess whether the taxpayer is giving relevant information or merely stalling.
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrenCe yAng
in bankruptcy but it happens. I have this exact situation with another client whose case was filed two years ago. The trustee filed an adversary complaint to get his house because the nonexempt portion, according to the trustee was $100K. Our defense was that there was no viable equity for the trustee to administer because there was a judgment lien for $97K. This adversary was due for trial on April 26, 2017. But a week before trial, trustee offered a settlement to enable client to keep his house. Trustee argued that the value of the house had increased “substantially” in the last 18 months resulting in viable nonexempt equity. So this kind of problem does happen in Chapter 7 although not often. To avoid this situation, it is the better part of caution to file for Chapter 13. Why? The Chapter 13 trustee, unlike the Chapter 7 trustee, does not have the power to sell debtor’s house. So, in Chapter 13, there is no risk of losing debtor’s house. But in Chapter 13, client must pay at least $30K over 60 months, or $500 a month. After 5 years, client would have paid the trustee $30K. Upon completion of the last payment, the court will discharge the other $30K. So, in 5 years, debtor will not owe any more credit cards as the entire $60K will be gone. Client no. 2 is 64 years old. He is married but separated. He does not have his own children but he helps his nephews and nieces who live abroad with money for the monthly expenses, which include college tuition abroad. He makes a gross of $90K a year as a scientist. He does not own a house. He owes $50K of credit card debt, which is using up $1500 a month of his net income. Client also likes
to gamble. He seems to be good at it because he had $40K of gambling winnings last year. Client wants a Chapter 7 discharge of his $50K of credit cards. Will he qualify for a Chapter 7 discharge given the fact that he is practically single with $90K of gross income a year? That’s a good question. After doing the means test analysis, it appears that there is no presumption of abuse with Chapter 7. On the other hand, if some deductions we claim are disputed by the trustee, there could be some disposable income that will indicate that client has the ability to pay off a portion of his $50K credit card debt. But note that this case is significantly different from the first case because in this case, client does not own a house. So, even if it’s a borderline case, i.e. client can file Chapter 7 or 13, client can file for Chapter 7 relief as long as the IRS deductions are kosher. Kosher means in this case that he can justify the money that he sends to his nephews and nieces abroad. If he can justify that expense, it can be argued that the nephews and nieces are his dependents even though they do not live with him. Under the worse case, he can convert his case to Chapter 13. However, he has very good chances of getting a Chapter 7 discharge. This is a no brainer for a gambler like client, so he opts for Chapter 7. If you need bankruptcy relief, please call my office for an appointment and I will analyze your case personally. n “BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND HE SHALL STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART, ALL OF YOU WHO HOPE IN THE LORD.” PSALM 31:24 *** 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. (Advertising Supplement)
How IRS agents interview you during an audit • Look for pertinent leads. Follow up any answer that is not to the point. • Concentrate more on the answer than on the next question. • Ask questions that require narrative answers. • Give some latitude while recognizing that an IRS audit is often once-in-a-lifetime experience for the taxpayer who may be may be tense. • Use an outline. Remember though that an outline should not keep you from spontaneous questioning. Provide enough leeway to cope with unexpected situations that may occur. • Develop leads that may arise—leads for more issues and mas dinero for the government.
There you are. This is how IRS head office trains their agents to interview you. Keep these 10 tips handy for your next audit. 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)
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 22-25, 2017
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Checklist - if immigration officers (ICE) knock on your door RECENTLY, our office has noticed growing concern in the community about the possibility of immigration (ICE) agents unexpectedly knocking on the door of your home. Our office has received a lot of inquiry as to what to do in such a situation. It is important to realize that all people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. Constitutional rights. If you are undocumented and immigration (ICE) agents knock on your door, know that you have the following rights: • You do not have to open the door. You do not have to open the door or let the officers into your home unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a judge. • An ICE deportation warrant is not the same as a search warrant. If this is the only document they have, they cannot legally come inside unless you verbally agree to let them in. • If the officers say they have a search warrant signed by a judge, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can see it. • If the warrant does not have your correct name and address on it and is not signed by a judge, you do not have to open the door or let them inside. • If at any point you decide to speak with the officers, you do not need to open the door to do so. You can speak to them through the door or step outside and close the door. • You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak to the immigration officers or answer any questions. • If you are asked where you were born or how you entered the United States, you may refuse to answer or remain silent. • If you choose to remain silent, say so out loud. • You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from. • Do not show any false documents and do not lie. • You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to immediately contact a lawyer. • Even if you do not have a lawyer, you may tell the immigration officers that you want to speak to one. • If you have a lawyer, you have the right to talk to them. If you have a signed Form G-28, which shows you have a lawyer, give it to an officer. • You can refuse to sign any/all paperwork until you have had the opportunity to speak to a lawyer. • If you choose to sign something without speaking to a lawyer, be sure you understand exactly what the document says and means before you sign it. n ***
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)
Thinking of bankruptcy... PAGE C2t pect them. I’ve seen this happen many, many times. At the very least, you should consult with an experienced attorney so you can plan in advance what you should do if your financial situation gets worse. I believe that bankruptcy should be a last resort and that you need to exhaust all debt relief options before resorting to it. But I also believe that a lot of people put off the decision to file bank-
ruptcy for too long that they needlessly suffer in debt when they could have acted sooner to rebuild their finances and their life. Since 1997, I have helped thousands of clients get out of debt in order to live more financially secure lives. Let me help you determine if bankruptcy is right for your situation or if other options are available in order for you to avoid it. Call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to
schedule a free office consultation. 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)
C4 JULY 22-25, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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People and Events
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The Filipino-Americans of Contra Costa County, Inc. hosts annual picnic in Hercules, CA The Filipino-Americans of Contra Costa County, Inc. (FACCC, Inc.) invites you to its annual potluck picnic on Saturday, July 29 at Foxboro Park in Hercules, CA. It will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your favorite dish to share. FACCC, Inc. will provide barbecued beef, chicken, hot dogs and water. For any inquiries, call Chairperson Roy de Leon at (510) 5655465 or Vice Chair Joe Medrano at (510) 417-0585.
Spotlight on Vets in Van Nuys, CA Together with and under the leadership of Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz, Mutch Carino of Maxx Promos is presenting a fundraiser show Spotlight on Vets, in support of the Filipino WWII Veterans. The benefit show was launched during a press conference that was hosted by Goldilocks Norwalk in Cerritos through the courtesy of Robert Yee and Ms. Jo Ann Kyle. The Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 was passed and was signed into law by President Obama on December 14, 2016. With this Act, our Filipino veterans will be honored by Congress with the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) for their service and sacrifice during World War II. Spotlight on Vets aims to raise funds in order to purchase and award Congressional Gold Medal replicas in bronze to living veterans and posthumously to surviving family members. It will be held on July 29, 2017 Saturday 7:00pm at the Envision Center - 15055 Oxnard Street in Van Nuys, California. For tickets and sponsorship information, please call (626) 716-5442.
AU G U ST 1 2
Philippine Heritage Institute International hosts 11th Annual Youth Congress in Rosemead, CA “Spreading Our Wings Towards Unity” is the theme of the 11th Annual Youth Congress to be presented by the Philippine Heritage Institute International (PHII) on August 12, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Garvey Community Center, 9108 E. Garvey Ave., Rosemead, CA 91770, (626) 569-2212. The Congress hopes to rekindle interest in the youth movement and its role in nation-building. “Our vision,” said the late PHII founder Naomi PalmaArmada, “is to improve the quality of life affecting Filipino American communities through research, education and recognition with the youth as its main focus.” Her legacy lives on. Speakers at the Youth Congress are: Charlene Bugais, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, L.A.; Louinn Lota, Chaminade College Preparatory, Teacher/Program Director, Speech/Debate; Aries Mladinov, Office Manager, Olive Branch Counseling Centers; Faith Nishimura, Team Captain, Speech/Debate, Claremont High School; and Charmaine Villacisneros-Tusjakova, CEO, ‘Iskaster Media.’ Admission is free; lunch and refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by July 31 to: Chair Vicky de Leon (818) 648-3493, Email: manvic13@yahoo.com; Pres. Josie E. de Jesus (714) 272-0300, Email: joestarisdejesus@gmail.com; Co-chair Anna A. Chickey, M.D. (562) 900-0379, Email: annachickeymd@yahoo.com, or Lydia V. Solis (626) 827-1036, Email: lvsolis@aol.com.
AU G U ST 1 3
Philippine Madrigal Singers return to Los Angeles in August PHILIPPINE Madrigal Singers in Concert on Saturday, August 19, at 7 p.m. is the long-awaited return to Los Angeles of the world-renowned prize-winning choir, to be staged at the Plaza Del Sol Performance Hall at the Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC) in at 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330. The theatre is part of California State University, Northridge, 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 11am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday. Tour information at www.musicartsevents. com. On Sunday, August 20, enjoy an evening with the MADZ at 7 p.m.! Hear the award-winning first-ever two-time European Grand Prix winning choir the Philippine Madrigal Singers at Campus Hill Church, 11057 Hill Dr., Loma Linda, CA 92354. $40 General Admission, $20 Child/Student. For tickets, call Ephraim Dela Cruz (909) 831-4225, Marjorie Ann Reyno-Huynh (909) 965-6936 or Nemuel Enriquez (323) 229-0506.
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. Mutch Carino will be inducted as President of UPAAGLA for 2017-2019, together with the newly elected officers composed of Ethel Rubio (President Elect), Nati Matitu (1st VP), Evelyn Andamo (2nd VP), Joy Angeles (Recording Secretary), Gil Guinto (Treasurer), Malette Lampino (Assitant 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, Luisa Lansingan, Ellery Atienza, Mary Drees, Jess Espanola, Bob Shroder, Carina Slepian, Ivy Cosio-Bautista, Ellen Gomez, Tina Escueta Martin, Angie Alvarez and Relson Banas. 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.
After winning big in Arezzo, Italy in 2016, the Philippine Madrigal Singers qualify for a third European Grand Prix competition in Tolosa, Spain in November 2017. The pride of the Philippines is the first in the world to win the coveted award twice. The world-renown choir performs in Los Angeles on August 19 at the Plaza Del Sol at CSUN, and Loma Linda on August 20 at Campus Hill Church. Visit www.musicartsevents. com for details.
SEPTEMBER 1-4
Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School international reunion in Las Vegas Come and celebrate with RMCHS alumni and guests for the third biannual international homecoming. Sing, dance, party, share precious memories and join the fun from Friday, September 1 to Monday, September 4 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103. Join the golf tournament in the morning of Saturday, Sept. 2 and then wear your best (black and white) for a dinner dance later that evening. Make this event an opportunity to reunite with your own batchmates, watch a show, visit tourist spots, and stroll along the Las Vegas Strip. For more information, visit the RMCHS 2017 INTL REUNION Facebook page.
O C TO B E R 1 4
26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in Echo Park Save the date! The 26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) hosted by Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is back at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, October 14. Expect a whole day filled with art exhibits, entertainment, and Fil-Am vendors. More details and special guests to be announced. For more information, please visit: http://www.filamarts.org/.
D EC E M B E R 27-29
Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates 50th anniversary in Naga City The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni members. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50th Anniversary Yearbook, a coffee table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo. ezequiel0977@gmail.com; cell: 09257200926; Antonio Sibulo, MD (email: assjrmd@gmail. 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
ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 22-25, 2017
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People and Events
Grand Luau for the Filipino Priests’ Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles by FR.
RODEL BALAGTAS - President of FPAA-LA
“YOU, our Filipino priests, have such joy in your lives and ministries, and your great sense of fraternity and community inspire me constantly,” Cardinal Roger Mahony conveyed to us, the Filipino priests of Los Angeles, during our Grand Luau on the evening of July 8, 2017, at the Glendale Civic Auditorium in Glendale, California. Bishop Joseph Sartoris, retired auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, who also graced the event with his presence, expressed the same sentiment, “Over the years, I have admired how well your Filipino Priests’ Association has succeeded in offering support and friendship to its members. Beyond achieving the goal, all of us have benefited from the presence of your Association and your living witness to the faith and devotion of the Filipino people.” There are at least 68 of us, Filipino priests, who are actively ministering in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles—most of us are working as pastors, administrators and associate pastors, while some of us are assuming leadership roles in archdiocesan offices, seminaries, and hospitals. Despite our busy lives, we are committed to meet monthly for fellowship and support. Our Grand Luau on the evening of July 8 highlighted our commitment to promote fraternity and mutual support, not only among ourselves as priests of Los Angeles, but also with the Filipino priests ministering across the United States. On November 7-10 2107, many of us will be attending the Third National Assembly of Filipino Priests-USA in Houston, Texas. It has been six years ago since we
hosted the First National Assembly here in Los Angeles in 2011 with the overwhelming support of many Filipino lay people. Our Grand Luau was a fundraiser to support our projects of continuing education and nurturing vocations, especially among Filipino priests and seminarians in the United States. To concretize these aims, we have set up the San Pedro Calungsod Fund with St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California for the education of Filipino seminarians. In the past two years, we have also sent seminarians and priests to the Philippines for immersion in Tagalog language, culture, and pastoral work to become effective ministers to FilipinoAmerican communities. Our association also hopes to provide help to seminaries in the Philippines and people in need, especially in times of natural disasters. The Grand Luau was a testament that we could achieve greater things for the benefit of the Church if we work together, not only among ourselves but also with our lay people who care for the wellbeing of priests and the increase of priestly vocations. The attendance of almost 900 people during our event showed that our Filipino Catholic communities care for priests and seminarians. We thank them for their overwhelming support.
The hard work, talents, sacrifices, and generosity of the committee members, volunteers, and entertainers brought huge success to the event. And, of course, the generosity of our sponsors and benefactors will help us achieve our goals as Filipino Priests’ Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Mahalo! ■
Over 800 attendees were present at the Grand Luau organized by the Filipino Priests’ Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on July 8
Cardinal Roger Mahony being welcomed by guests Filipino priests dancing the tinikling
Interpretative dance for the opening prayer
Msgr. Alex Aclan, Fr. Rodel Balagtas and Fr. Rey Matunog
Fr. Rodel Balagtas, the president of Filipino Priests’ Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Parade of lechon
The singing priests
Bishop Oscar Solis giving an inspirational message
C JULY 22-25, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 22-25, 2017
MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM
Immigration Corner
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Supreme Court makes it harder J.P. Morgan says PH in economic growth sweet spot for unwed mothers to transmit citizenship to their children by DAXIM LUCAS Inquirer.net
ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ ONE of the cornerstones of U.S. constitutional law is “equal protection”. That means people in similar situations should be treated the same. There should be no favoritism, such as on the basis of sex\gender. Men and women should be treated equally under the law. In a recent Supreme Court decision, Sessions vs. MoralesSantana, the Supreme Court held the different physical presence requirements for unwed mothers and unwed fathers to transmit U.S. citizenship to their children born outside the U.S. was unfair and unconstitutional. Instead, unwed mothers and fathers should not be treated differently in determining whether their children may claim U.S. citizenship. Under existing law, unwed mothers had a much easier time transmitting U.S. citizenship to their children. Basically, the mother should have lived in the U.S. (or a U.S. possession, such as the Philippines before 1946), for one year at any point in her life, prior to the child’s birth. Unwed fathers, on the other hand, had to live in the U.S. for a total of 10 years, five of which were after the age of 14. The law later changed, and now requires the father to be physically present in the U.S. (or U.S. possession) for five years before the child’s birth, two of which were after the father’s 14th birthday. In this case, Morales-Santana was the child of an unwed father. He came to the US when he was 13 and lived here for decades. He was convicted of robbery, attempted murder, and other crimes, which made him deportable. He tried to argue he was a US citizen, by his having been born to a U.S. citizen father. The law at the time required the father to have lived in the U.S. for 10 years before the child’s birth, five of which were after the father’s 14th birthday (or up to the father’s 19th birthday). In this case, Morales-Santana’s father left the U.S. a mere 20 days before his 19th birthday, and therefore did not meet the requirements for transmitting U.S. citizenship to his
out of wedlock child. Morales-Santana argued it was unfair (or a violation of equal protection under the law) that unwed mothers could live in the U.S. for only one year at any time in their life before their child’s birth, but unwed fathers had to live in the U.S. for 10 years before the child’s birth, five of which were after the father’s 14th birthday. Unwed fathers and unwed mothers should be treated the same. And if the same law that applied to unwed mothers was followed, then he was a U.S. citizen, and should not be deported. The Supreme Court agreed the law violated Morales-Santana’s equal protection rights, and that unwed mothers and unwed fathers should be treated the same. Unfortunately, rather than allowing unwed fathers to benefit from the same requirements as unwed mothers, the Supreme Court went the other way, and held that unwed mothers should now meet the same requirements as unwed fathers, which is they must have lived in the U.S. for at least five years before the child’s birth, two of which were after the mother’s 14th birthday. As a result of this decision, Morales-Santana was not a U.S. citizen, and was deportable. From now on, unwed mothers have to meet the same requirements as unwed fathers in order to transmit U.S. citizenship to their children, unless Congress later changes the law. Therefore, any unwed U.S. citizen mother who gave birth abroad can no longer transmit U.S. citizenship to their child unless they had lived in the U.S. for five years, two of which were after their 14th birthday. Also, bear in mind that there have been thousands of Filipinos born in the Philippines to a U.S. parent. It could be possible the parent satisfied the physical presence requirements of the law, such that their child could be a U.S. citizen. This could include children of unwed mothers, unwed fathers, or a married couple where one of the parents is a U.S. citizen. If your parent was a U.S. citi-
Peso falls anew nearly 11-year low of P50.77 vs dollar
Inquirer.net photo
Peso continues to weaken as other Asian currencies strengthen Peso falls anew to nearly 11-year low of P50.77 vs dollar by BEN
O. DE VERA Inquirer.net
MANILA — The peso fell on Tuesday, July 18, to a fresh almost 11-year low of 50.77:$1, the weakest since the close of 50.795:$1 on Aug. 31, 2006. At the Philippine Dealing System, the peso reached an intraday low of 50.83:$1 and a high of 50.7:$1 after opening at 50.73:$1.
It shed seven centavos from Monday’s close of 50.7:$1. The total volume traded jumped to $653 million from $255.95 million last Monday, July 17. In a note to clients Tuesday, ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said the Philippine peso “remained an under-performer” as it “weakened anew week-on-week and moved in PAGE D2
3 global firms assist coconut oil supply chain in Philippines by RONNEL
W. DOMINGO
Inquirer.net
THREE big names in the global household consumer goods industry have teamed up to boost the coconut oil market through initiatives focused on southern Mindanao and southern Leyte as well as North Sulawesi in Indonesia. Cargill, Procter & Gamble and
BASF would be working with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through a program dubbed develoPPP.de. Cargill, which owns and operates copra-buying stations and crushing plants, is providing training to smallholder farmers and setting up the structures for PAGE D2
Business Quote of the Week “Sustainability isn’t about the quick fix or the cheap solution. Generally, it means making a commitment and trying, as best we can, to honor it. In any worthwhile enterprise, from protecting the environment to preserving a relationship, we are going to encounter difficulties. The good life is not a problem-free life. In point of fact, the process of overcoming adversity often produces some of the most rewarding experiences we will ever have.” - Michael A. Schuler, author
zen, and you were born abroad, you may want to seek the advice of an attorney, who could evaluate your situation and determine whether or not you are an “instant citizen,” where you’re not required to be petitioned for a green card, wait five years, and then apply for naturalization. You go straight to U.S. passport, if eligible. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar 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 Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
“THIS is the best shot we’ve had for a while.” This is how the top regional economist of a global banking giant described the current economic situation, saying the Duterte administration has a unique opportunity—not seen in the Philippines since the mid-1990s—to put the country on a more equitable growth path. In an interview with the Inquirer, J.P. Morgan chief economist for Asean Sin Beng Ong expressed bullishness about the prospects of the economy for growth, addition that this is accentuated by the fact that the government’s economic managers recognize issues that need to be addressed and are focused on fixing structural weaknesses. In particular, he noted that the government’s thrust toward helping more small and medium enterprises thrive is a positive step toward narrowing the wide income gap between the country’s richest and poorest citizens. Ong pointed out that, apart from government policies, the local economy is also benefiting from favorable demographics, with more and more young people entering
J.P. Morgan chief economist for ASEAN Sin Beng Ong expressed bullishness about the prospects of the economy for growth, adding that this is accentuated by the fact that the government’s economic managers recognize issues that need to be addressed and are focused on fixing structural weaknesses. Inquirer.net photo
the workforce – a phenomenon that is also unfolding in Indonesia, Thailand and India. As more young people enter the workforce, spending capacity and consumption levels rise, resulting in a virtuous cycle of economic growth. This, he said, makes the Philippines an attractive investment proposition because baseline growth will occur independently of the state’s policies. Combined with the Duterte administration’s focus on the
proposed P9-trillion infrastructure buildup, conditions are ripe for the Philippines to experience more sustained top line growth of “closer to 7 percent”, even as the benefits of that growth are spread more evenly across all socioeconomic strata. Going forward, the J.P. Morgan official urged the government to open up the local economy to greater participation by foreign investors who can bring in more PAGE D2
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P76-M USAID-funded Bicol agriculture project completed CAMARINES SUR—The United States government, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation Inc. (UPLBFI), recently marked the completion of the P76-million Bicol Agri-Water Project (BAWP) during a Farmers’ Summit at the Macagang Business Center in Nabua, Camarines Sur. The five-year program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), introduced local farmers to new technologies and innovative rice farming practices to reduce the impact of natural calamities and improve food security in the region. As a result of the project’s Climate Field School Program,
more than 600 farmers are now using disaster-resilient practices, while local government partners have adopted the use of a seasonal climate forecast. At the Farmers’ Summit, USAID also presented the Department of Agriculture (DA) with a training manual for farmers on how natural disasters impact rice production and how they can use different farming techniques to improve harvests. “USAID is pleased to work with our partners to help rice farmers in the Bicol region gain new knowledge and skills that will help them be prepared and more resilient to the impacts of natural hazards,” said USAID Philippines Executive Office Acting Chief Timothy Marlowe.
The BAWP is implemented by the UPLBFI in partnership with: DA Regional Field Office 5 (DARFO5); Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration; International Research Institute – Columbia University; Central Bicol State University; Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry; and the local governments of Camarines Sur, Albay, Nabua, Buhi, and Polangui. “Preparedness is much better and cheaper than response, and through the Bicol Agri-Water Project, farmers are now better prepared for the future,” DA-RFO5 Regional Executive Director Elena de Los Santos said. (ManilaTimes. net)
PH FRANCHISE ASIA 2017. President Rodrigo Duterte’s partner Honeylet Avanceña (2nd from right) looks at the native product displays during the opening of the three-day “Franchise Asia Philippines 2017 International Franchise Expo at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City on Friday, July 21. Ms. Avanceña was one of the guests during the event. PNA photo by Gil S. Calinga
US firms back PH tax reform plan LTFRB, Uber, Grab, urged to settle dispute by compromise pact by Lawrence
agcaoiLi Philstar.com
AMERICAN companies doing business in the Philippines are supporting the comprehensive tax reform program (CTRP) submitted by the Department of Finance (DOF) to Congress for approval. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said in a statement the American business community is strongly supporting the Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said in a first package of the CTRP aimed at statement the American business community helping the government maintain is strongly supporting the first package of fiscal stability, funding its ambithe CTRP aimed at helping the government maintain fiscal stability, funding its ambitious tious infrastructure program, and infrastructure program, and expanding the expanding the delivery of social delivery of social services to the people. services to the people. Dominguez told the American Malacañang King Rodriguez
Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. (AmCham) at its 7th General Membership Meeting that the tax reform package under House Bill 5636 approved by the House of Representatives last May 31 is vital to dramatically improving the country’s business environment and sharpening its global competitiveness in the medium term. HB 5636 is the consolidated version of HB 4774—the original version of the CTRP Package One endorsed by the DOF—with 54 other tax-related measures, and which the House had approved by a 246-9 vote with one abstention. This bill is now pending before
the Senate. “I thank the AmCham for the strong support you have expressed for the comprehensive tax reform package we presented to Congress,” Dominguez said. “This reform package is vital to dramatically improving the country’s business environment and increasing our competitiveness in the next few years,” he said. “The tax reform package is intended to achieve fiscal stability, fund the ambitious infra program the administration is pursuing and expand social services. We also intend in the medium term to achieve high middle-income
by iris
Vicente AJPress
SEN. Sonny Angara on Tuesday, July 18 encouraged Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Transportation Network Companies (TNC) such as, Grab and Uber, to urgently settle their disagreement. The rumpus that stemmed with LTFRB appealing Grab and Uber to cease operations has been a frequent subject of online strife PAGE D3 recently. Netizens has condemned the government agency for its eminent termination of ride-sharing companies. This pushed Sen. Angara to encourage both parties to resolve the issue. “We are concerned with the ongoing issue between the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and ride-sharing companies Grab and Uber. I hope that both parties would come up with a compromise pact at the soonest time possible,” Angara said in a statement. The senator abhors the country’s poor public transportation which, according to him, is the root of the
riding public’s frustration. “Ang mga Grab at Uber riders na ito ay ‘yung mga kababayan nating dismayado na sa kapalpakan ng mga tren ng MRT (Metro Rail Transit) at LRT (Light Rail Transit)” the Senator stressed. (These Grab and Uber riders are our fellow citizens who are disappointed with the malfunctions of MRT and LRT trains.) The distressed commuters, he said, are usually people who are victims of taxi drivers who refuse to give rides and demand extra payment. However, “this is not to say that anyone is exempted from following existing rules and regulations,” he added. Sen. Angara is concerned with the dispute that he persuaded both parties to sit down and talk for the sake of public commuters. He also prompted the government to speed up its pace on improving the country’s public transport system to provide commuters with better options. The LTFRB and Grab, Uber later met on Wednesday, July 19 PAGE D3
J.P. Morgan says PH... PAGE D1 expertise and capital – especially in the infrastructure sector – while helping lower project costs through greater competition. “A lot [of the current projects] are done by the local conglomerates,” he said. “We want to see more foreign participation. If you can bring in more foreign participants, it will cement the credibility of the country in terms of improving the investment climate.” Ong also urged the govern-
ment to pass the latest iteration of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program to give the administration the wherewithal to fund its ambitious plans for building new airports, seaports and highways that will help bridge the economic gaps between the countries island groups. “We need to see ‘quick wins’ and that’s where the CTRP comes in,” he said. “They have to pass this to improve the country’s credibility as an investment destination.”
Peso continues to weaken... PAGE D1 an opposite direction from other Asian currencies which exhibited week-on-week strength.” “We attribute the under-performance to the wider-than-expected trade deficit for May. The report comes after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas validated the market’s fear that this year could see the first full-year current-account deficit since 2003,” Cuyegkeng said. Last week, the government reported that the country’s balance of trade in goods remained at a deficit of $2.753 billion last May — the widest to date, as the year-on-year growth in imports outpaced the increase in mer-
chandise exports that month. The state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority expects the trade-ingoods deficit to be sustained until yearend as there would be more capital goods imports to be used as equipment for upcoming major construction projects, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia in a statement last week. For 2017, the BSP expects the current account to revert to a deficit of $600 million from last year’s $600-million surplus, as the projected 10-percent growth in imports would outpace the 5percent exports growth.
3 global firms assist coconut oil... PAGE D1 certification. The crude and refined oil produced by Cargill is then further processed by BASF and P&G for ingredients in the home and personal care and in the nutrition and health markets. BMZ, the commissioning arm of the German development agency (GIZ), contributes to the project through its expertise in capacity building as well as in implementing good agricultural practices (GAP) and sustainability standards. The German agency also steers the project and manages its implementation on the ground, working closely with government agencies including the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Agricultural Training Institute. Through the collaboration, the partners intend to create a sustainable, transparent and certified supply chain of coconut oil in the Philippines and Indonesia—the two largest producers of coconuts and both exporters of coconutbased products. “By working with the smallholder farmers and teaching them better practices, the main goal of the development partnership is to increase their incomes and economic self-sufficiency by improving the productivity of
their farms,” they said in a joint statement. “This will be achieved through trainings on GAP, intercropping and enhanced farm management skills, and the strengthening of farmer groups,” they added. About 3,000 smallholder farmers in the Philippines and 300 in Indonesia are seen to benefit from the program. In a related development, the United Coconut Association of the Philippines (Ucap) called out the American Heart Association (AHA) for reviving a “smear campaign” against coconut oil. “The 2017 AHA Presidential Advisory selectively cited old research that is supportive of their intent to correlate saturated fats with cardiovascular disease,” Ucap said in a statement. “It failed to distinguish medium-chain saturated fats and long-chain saturated fats,” the group said. “Coconut oil is mostly medium-chain saturated fats, which is the healthy type of fat.” Ucap said “(t)he smear campaign against coconut oil is a rehash of the anti-tropical oils campaign waged by the American Soybean Association in the 1980s.” “There is a motive behind the AHA Presidential Advisory and it is being used to misinform the general public,” Ucap said.
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NEDA considers San Miguel’s DOF to look into BIR chief’s plunder case proposed airport in Bulacan by iris
ViCente AJPress
by Joanna
estorque
AJPress
THE unsolicited proposal of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to build a P700-billion new international airport in Bulacan is still being considered by the National Economic Development and Authority (NEDA). Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said San Miguel’s airport project is now being reviewed by NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) to make sure no conditions will be set before going to the board. Once approved by the ICC Technical Board and NEDA Board, the proposal will then be subjected for a Swiss challenge. “As I said, we will consider whether or not there are conditions. If there are conditions,
then that will be a minus point,” Pernia said in an interview with Rappler. The NEDA chief added that the end of the review would vary depending on complexity. However, the government preferred to focus on projects that can be accomplished under Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s term. “So in other words, unsolicited proposals [are on the] back burner. [But] earlier, it was an announcement I think, the finance secretary said that we welcome unsolicited proposals, and so we want to honor that statement. But as I said, it will go through the process,” Pernia added. He also said that the airport in Bulacan could interest more the next administration rather than the present. For now, the
government decided to focus on improving the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Clark International Airport. In 2014, SMC first proposed to build a $10-billion airport in Metro Manila, and altered it with a new proposal, an airport covering 2, 000 hectares in Bulacan. Meanwhile, Henry Sy Sr.’s Belle Corporation, in partnership with Wilson Tieng’s All-Asia Resource & Reclamation Corporation (ARRC), also proposed to develop an international airport and economic zone in Sangley Point, Cavite. The unsolicited proposal of Sy and Tieng will undergo the same process that the SMC proposal has been taking, according to Pernia. (With reports from Manila Bulletin and Rappler)
ADB hikes PH growth forecast by Czeriza
ValenCia Philstar.com
MANILA - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) slightly raised its growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.5 percent from the 6.4 percent outlook in April as higher public investment, robust consumption and rising exports are seen to give the economy a boost. In a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook 2017, the multilateral development bank also raised its growth forecast in 2018 to 6.7 percent from 6.6 percent made in April. The domestic economy grew 6.4 percent in the first quarter of the year, moderating from 6.9 percent in the same period in 2016 in the absence of election-related spending that characterized the same quarter the previous year. ADB said investment and consumption remain the key drivers of growth. By sector, services and manufacturing remain the major contributors to growth. Merchandise exports have been steadily growing, although still not enough to outpace the growth in imports. The bank also noted good prospects for the agriculture sector this year after its strong performance in the first quarter of the year, an indication it has recovered from the destructive effects of El Nino last year. The sector grew 4.9 percent in the first quarter, reversing several quarters of contraction.
FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III vowed to investigate the plunder case filed against Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Caesar Dulay and 16 other officials in June. Dominguez announced that food and beverage firm Del Monte Philippines Inc., (DMPI) had not committed a criminal act even with the alleged cutback in their tax accountability from 2011 to 2013 amounting just P65.4 million instead of P29.6 billion. “The DOF will investigate the case; the charges are going to be examined by us… Our legal department will conduct the investigation.” Dominguez told reporters. Meanwhile, in a separate interview, Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin said all complaints against revenue officials have undergone that process. “It’s nothing special—if we have complaints like that, we just look at it; we don’t disregard it… It’s our task to investigate,However, the investigation would be limited only to the administrative–when
it comes to the criminal side of it, that’s outside our jurisdiction. depending on the findings, under the revised rule on administrative complaints issued by the Civil Service Commission, depending on what offense, then we have to match it with the appropriate penalty” He said. Earlier, House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez said he was preparing a resolution to probe on the plunder case filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against Internal Revenue Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay and other officials and personnel for the said anomalous tax reduction of Del Monte Philippines Inc. Apparently, the case is handled by the same personalities who administrates the cigarette manufacturer Mighty Corp. that purportedly used fake tax stamps to fend off billions in tariff when the congress proceeds heed on July 24. “I support Speaker Alvarez’s strong stance against corruption. We will study the matter thoroughly so that we can bring out the truth. The Bureau of Internal Revenue should make a clear ex-
US firms back PH tax... PAGE D2
In a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook 2017, the multilateral development bank also raised its growth forecast in 2018 to 6.7 percent from 6.6 percent made in April.
status through the fiscal and economic reforms we are pursuing,” Dominguez said. “The infra program is not only about large showcase projects. It also means irrigating 1.3 million more hectares of agricultural land and upgrading our rural road sys-
tem,” he said adding that “I hope the members of the AmCham will, as usual, be our strong partners in building broader based prosperity for our people.” President Duterte certified two months ago as urgent the measure for congressional approval of HB 5636—better known as the
planation on this. If not, they will be held liable.” House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman and PDP-Laban Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua of Quirino said. In a statement, the BIR said Dulay already ordered a review of the Del Monte case upon order to take appropriate action by the DOF acting on the endorsement of the Office of the President. “It appears that an investigation was already initiated by Aranas way before the Commissioner was told to take action on the letter of Danilo Lihayhay [the complainant to the Ombudsman]. Aranas issued show-cause orders to some of the employees implicated in the said letter. Aranas confirmed this in a press interview he gave to the Inquirer. In fact, his office through the national investigation division earlier received a copy of an anonymous letter complaint for which the Commissioner was never informed. Instead, Aranas took cognizance of the complaint and immediately issued show cause orders. The Commissioner was informed and came to know about this only from PAGE D5 Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN)—that is crucial to the financial sustainability of the government’s ambitious agenda to sustain the country’s growth momentum and accelerate poverty reduction via a massive spending on infrastructure, human capital and social protection for the poor and vulnerable sectors.
Philstar.com photo
ADB also sees sustained public spending growth this year in line with the government’s ambitious infrastructure development plan. “The government is making progress in ramping up infrastructure investment. In addition, tax reform likely to be approved in the second half of 2017 will unleash purchasing power in 2018 through lower personal income tax,” the bank said. ADB likewise upgraded its growth outlook for developing Asia from 5.7 percent to 5.9 percent in 2017 and from 5.7 percent to 5.8 percent in 2018 on the back of stronger-than-expected growth in export demand in the first quarter of the year. The smaller uptick in the 2018 rate reflects a cautious view on the sustainability of export growth.
“Developing Asia is off to a good start this year with improved exports pushing growth prospects for the rest of 2017,” said Yasuyuki Sawada, ADB’s chief economist. “Despite lingering uncertainties surrounding the strength of the global recovery, we feel that the region’s economies are wellplaced to face potential shocks to the outlook.” Growth forecast in East Asia was revised upwards from 5.8 percent to six percent this year and from 5.6 percent to 5.7 percent in 2018 on stronger-than-expected performances of China, South Korea, Taipei and Hong Kong in the first half of the year. “Exports have responded to a pick up in demand from developed and developing economies alone, PAGE D5
Public Services Committee Chair Sen. Grace Poe and Vice-Chair Sen. JV Ejercito with LTFRB officials shaking hands with Grab and Uber representatives after a meeting at the Senate to help resolve the transport issue affecting the sector and commuters. Senate photo
LTFRB, Uber, Grab, urged to settle dispute...
PAGE D2 and reached a compromise. In the order, the LTFRB had warned that it would seize “colorum” Grab and Uber cars starting July 26, citing as many as 50,000 unlicensed units. Sen. Grace Poe, the committee
chair, said the compromise would allow unregistered Grab and Uber cars to continue operating until the appeal is resolved. “Although the LTFRB will push through with executing their memorandum circular, they will allow
the TNCs to file their motion for reconsideration and pending the resolution of the latter, will allow existing ‘colorum’ TNVS (transport network vehicle service) to continue providing service,” Poe said in a statement.
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Ortigas readies P125-B for massive redevelopment plan by Richmond
meRcuRio Philstar.com
MANILA - Ortigas & Co., a pioneering Filipino real estate developer now co-owned by property giants SM Prime and Ayala Land, is preparing to spend at least P125 billion for the massive redevelopment of its three masterplanned estates within the Ortigas central business district. Ortigas & Co. president and chief executive officer Jaime Ysmael, outlined the company’s major expansion program that seeks to transform and move the company “to new levels and profitability.” Ysmael said the firm is pouring in P60 billion for Greenhills redevelopment, another P60 billion for Frontera Verde uplift, and an initial P5 billion for the first phase of the Capitol Commons expansion. For Greenhills, Ysmael said Ortigas & Co. would initially invest P10 billion for the first phase which will include the development of a new residential tower, a BPO office tower, and the expansion and modernization of the Greenhills Shopping Center. To be called Connor, the 55story residential tower will rise on the intersection of Club Filipino Ave. and Eisenhower St. It will be the company’s second foray in the
Ortigas & Co. president and chief executive officer Jaime Ysmael, outlined the company’s major expansion program that seeks to transform and move the company “to new levels and profitability.” Philstar.com photo
vertical residential development in Greenhills following the Viridian. “Connor is going to be our next focal project in Greenhills. We are tapping into the market of secondgeneration Greenhills residents and other Metro Manila residents who are looking for an investment or a home that is centrally located within the city as well as situated in a mixed-use setting,” Ysmael said. For the P60-billion Frontera Verde redevelopment, Ysmael said the company plans to launch early next year the first phase which will either be a residential or office component. The masterplan for
Frontera Verde includes a mall and hotel components aside from the residential and office portions “to make it a true business district on its own.” Ortigas & Co. is also preparing to invest P5 billion for the construction of a new BPO building and Estancia mall extension in Capitol Commons. Greenhills and Frontera Verde both span 16 hectares, while Capitol Commons measures 10 hectares. Ysmael said funding for the redevelopment and expansion projects would be sourced from cash from company operations to be supplemented by borrowings.
DOF to look into BIR chief’s... PAGE D3 media,” Dulay said in a statement on July 11. “The cases of Del Monte covering the subject taxable years did not reach the Office of the Commissioner as they did not require any action on the part of the Commissioner. The assessments made against Del Monte and payments thereof are within the delegated
vestigated by the DOF instead since he himself is mentioned as review and approval authority involved in the alleged anomaly. of the head of the [BIR’s] Large He also asked that the handling Taxpayers Service under existing of the complaint be separately revenue issuances issued way probed by the Department and back in 2007. Commissioner Dulay because of this he ordered DCIR had no personal knowledge of Aranas to desist from further the questioned assessments and investigating or acting on the letpayments made by Del Monte,” ter of Lihaylihay since according he added. to him, the complainant has a Dulay has recommended that history of filing baseless plunder the Lihaylihay complaint be in- complaints.
ADB hikes PH growth... PAGE D4 driven in part by the mild rebound in some commodity prices from their 2016 lows,” ADB said. In Southeast Asia, growth outlook was retained at 4.8 percent for 2017 and five percent for 2018. Robust domestic demand, particularly private consumption and investment, will continue to support economies in the region. “Higher public investment boosted first quarter growth in the
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range of our target. Our target for this year is 6.5 to 7.5 Philippines and Thailand, while percent. So that seems to be private investment was strong in logical and…international agenMalaysia and Vietnam,” said the cies, international organizations, private or government, tend report. “Exports rebounded in Indone- to be a bit more conservative sia, the Philippines, Malaysia and than our government itself,” Pernia said in a press briefing Vietnam,” it added. Meanwhile, Socioeconomic at Malacañang. “We are setting higher targets Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said he is optimistic that the because we want to exert more Philippines can exceed the ADB’s effort to achieve the targets,” he added. (With Alexis Romero, Delon growth forecasts. “Well, 6.5 percent is the lower Porcalla)
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