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Duterte invites UN, EU to probe PH killings Probers challenged to debate on rights by ALEXIS
ROMERO Philstar.com
MANILA - Come on over, let’s have a debate. President Duterte on Thursday, Sept. 22 continued his word war with international bodies as he challenged the United Nations and the European Union to come to the Philippines for a debate on human rights and extrajudicial killings. “I’m inviting the United Nations (secretary-general) Ban Ki‌what’s the name of that devil again? Ban Ki-moon, Ban Ki-sun. President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, Sept. 22 continued his word war with I am inviting the EU. Send the best player international bodies as he challenged the United Nations and the European Union to come to the Philippines for a debate on human rights and extrajudicial of your town. Even the rapporteurs, come killings.
MalacaĂąang photo by Ace Moradante
USA
DATELINE Number of Asian American voters more than doubles FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
WASHINGTON, DC –The number of identified registered Asian Americans more than doubled from 3.2 to 7.2 million after the most extensive ethnicity modeling was provided by the AAPI Victory Fund in partnership with VEDA Data Solutions. “Our biggest national databases are missing crucial details and do not provide a clear picture of voters,� said Shekar Narasimhan, chairman and founder of the AAPI Victory Fund. “When voter files list ‘unknown,’ it becomes challenging to engage with voters
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Palace: Oust Duterte drive hatched in New York by GIOVANNI
NILLES
Philstar.com
MANILA - Some Filipino-Americans in New York are hatching a plan to oust President Duterte by January 2017, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar claimed. He said a Cabinet member, who is in New York and whom he refused to identify, was told of the plan by another Fil-Am who attended the same function. Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. and presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella are both in New York. “I was just talking to somebody in New York now who is also a member of the Cabinet – I won’t mention his name. But he also heard of the FilAms in New York who are planning. They are hatching a plan to oust the President by January 2017. There is this kind of report,� Andanar said PAGE A3 Communications Secretary Martin Andanar
De Lima seeks SC protection by PAOLO
ROMERO Philstar.com
PAGE A2
MANILA - Embattled Sen. Leila de Lima intends to seek protection and help from the Supreme Court (SC) as the Duterte administration’s continued persecution has put her life in danger. De Lima said she intends to file petitions for writs of amparo and habeas data before the SC once she has sorted things out, as attacks against her are coming from all directions, including the ongoing inquiry at the House of Representatives on
Coalition of nonprofits encourages AAPI immigrants to naturalize ABOUT 150 aspiring Americans found help overcoming language, legal and clerical barriers at the Pan Asian Citizenship Event held on Saturday, September 17 in Los Angeles. Volunteers and staffers representing a coalition of 12 nonprofit organizations serving the city’s immigrant community performed consultations at the East Los Angeles Community Center in at least seven different languages with residents who hope to become American citizens. The event was part of a larger campaign titled Citizenship Now! that is reaching out to the roughly 165,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in Los Angeles who are eligible for naturalization. “I was due in 1996 to apply for citizenship,� said Welhelmina Concepcion while going over forms during a session at Saturday’s workshop. “I wasn’t earning enough for the filing fee, so I had to wait.� Many people who need immigration services cannot afford them, according to Jennifer Ganata, a staff attorney for the inner city law center who was volunteering on Saturday on behalf
PACMAN VS HITMAN. Senator Manny Pacquiao (right) talks to confessed ‘Davao Death Squad’ hit man Edgar Matobato at the resumption of a Senate inquiry on alleged summary killings on Thursday, Sept. 22. Pacquiao was among those who grilled the former militiaman who claims President Rodrigo Duterte was behind the killings of 1,000 people between 1988 and 2013. ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo Jr.
Sen. Leila de Lima
the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) when she was justice secretary. “I’m now a subject of persecution and I am no longer safe, I don’t feel safe. The truth is, I’m not safe,� De Lima said in a press conference at the Senate. “They’re (administration) violating my rights – my right to security and privacy,� she said. She doubted if she could trust the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau PAGE A2
OUST DUTERTE PLOT BEING HATCHED IN NEW YORK?
Sec. Yasay denies he is source of Andanar info by MOMAR
G. VISAYA
AJPress
“I DO not know whether those reports are true, I deny having said those things and I am sure Sec. Ernie Abella would not say those things,� said Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. when asked at the Town Hall meeting with the Filipino-American community in New York Wednesday, Sept. 21 if he knew about the alleged plot to oust President Duterte from power. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on Monday that they have a list of Filipino-Americans in New York who are planning to oust President Duterte from power come January PAGE A4
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. delivers his speech at the Town Hall meeting with the Filipino community held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 21. AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya
Sec. Pernia: Duterte administration will target more inclusive growth by MOMAR
G. VISAYA
AJPress
SOCIOECONOMIC Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia met with members of the community Tuesday, Sept. 20 in an informal round-table meeting to discuss the Duterte administration’s economic agenda. “We have had high economic growth for the past six years averaging 6.2% from 2010 to 2015, resulting in credit upgrades from Moody’s, Fitch and Standard and Poor’s,� Pernia said. PAGE A3 “The Aquino administration was re-
sponsible for this good macro-economic performance. New administrations tend to criticize the previous administration. Not us, because we credit the previous administration’s economic policies that resulted in a sharp upward growth trajectory,� he added. The country’s GDP grew 6.8 percent in the first quarter of 2016 and 7.0 percent in the second quarter and remains one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. The average growth rate of 6.2 percent in the last six years has been PAGE A4
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia - in photo here with Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. - explains that the Philippines with its second quarter GDP growth of 7.0 percent makes it the fastestgrowing economy in Asia. AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya
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september 23-29, 2016 • OC/Ie AsIAN JOUrNAL
From the Front Page
Duterte invites UN, EU to... PAGE A1 to the Philippines,” the President said during the inauguration of a power plant in Misamis Oriental. “I’ll write them a letter to invite them for an investigation but in keeping with the timehonored principle of the right
to be heard, after they ask me questions, I’ll ask them one by one,” he added. Duterte said he asked Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to draft the letter of invitation to the UN and the EU. Duterte also said he would ask the UN special rapporteur
the name of his supposed first victim, the reason for the killing, time of execution and how it was done. “(It will be an) open forum. You can use the Senate, Folk Arts Theater, everybody will be invited,” the Chief Executive said. “Manood kayo. Tingnan niyo kung paano ko lampasuhin iyang mga yawang ’yan (You watch. See how I demolish these devils),” the President said. Duterte maintained security forces were not behind the torture and extralegal killings of drug personalities. “I asked the police to go after them and if they present a violent resistance, kill them. With those words, many were killed but they were the ones who fought,” Duterte said. “With regard to those who were killed with their hands tied, those were the handiwork of co-conspirators in the drug trade,” the President added, noting that he had urged drug personalities to report their companions to authorities. Duterte also lambasted the US and Europe anew for lecturing about human rights despite their past atrocities. The President slammed US President Barack Obama for his supposed failure to stop the killing of African-Americans. He also chided the US for using weapons of mass destruction as an excuse to invade Iraq. Duterte criticized European nations for allegedly oppressing Arabs and Muslims, calling the Middle East “a destroyed part of the planet.” He also assailed the EU for “pretending to be imbued with humanity” while closing its doors to migrants. “Now, the EU is issuing warnings on killing criminals. I told them ‘f**k you.’ Why are you threatening me?” Duterte said. “Even the rapporteur of the (UN), why are you complaining so much about me threatening the criminals of the drug syndicates if you consider the fact that we have now three million and 700,000 drug addicts?” he PAGE A4
Gang leaders at the New Bilibid Prison testify against Sen. De Lima on the second day of a House inquiry on Wednesday, Sept. 22.
PAGE A1
De Lima seeks SC protection
of Investigation and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect her. She said she was considering the suggestion of some of her colleagues to seek protection from the Senate security. The senator confirmed that she has found a temporary residence
after she found herself unable to go home on Tuesday after the House inquiry publicly disclosed her address in Parañaque City and her mobile phone number. She lamented that her neighbors are now being inconvenienced. She also had cut off the phone line after receiving calls and
2,000 obscene and angry text messages from “trolls and fanatics” of President Duterte. De Lima also dismissed calls from allies of Duterte in the House for her to resign. “Why should I resign? I’m the one being persecuted here,” she said. “This is getting to be outrageous and laughable.”
Number of Asian American voters more... PAGE A1 on issues that will resonate with them. This data will allow us to meet our goal of increased engagement with the growing Asian American community,” he added. “Micro-targeting at this level changes the outcome of elections. The system can more effectively target, research and communicate with over 7.2 million Asian American voters, including 1.4 million potential new voters,” explained Narasimha. Through data modeling, more than 7.2 million Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, South Asian and Vietnamese Americans were identified nationally, including over 1.4 million potential new voters. Prior to this model, organizations had ethnicity information on fewer than 3.2 million of the 18.5 million Asian Americans in the United States.
“Increased naturalization rates and increased civic engagement have resulted in an unprecedented growth of new Asian American voters,” said Varun Nikore, AAPI Victory Fund vice chair of strategy & operations. “Our goal is to ensure that all eligible Asian American voters are registered and exercise their right to vote in this critical election.” The Asian American electorate is the fastest growing demographic group. The primary tool used by unions, progressive groups and even the national parties to target and engage voters — the national databases known as “voter files” — fail to capture a critical data point for our community — ethnicity. At the state level, AAPI Victory Fund was able to model ethnicity for: - Over 250,000 in Virginia - Almost 200,000 in Georgia - Over 160,000 in Ohio
- Nearly 100,000 in North Carolina - Over 70,000 in Nevada “VEDA’s machine learningbacked models use thousands of inputs, including individuallevel, household-level, neighborhood-level and regionallevel data on demographics, consumer behavior, political interests and U.S. Census data, enabling us to understand the subtle differences between cultures and help the AAPI Victory Fund reach out to members of their community,” said Meghan Gaffney Buck, founder and CEO of VEDA Data Solutions. “Our patent-pending technologies help organizations like the AAPI Victory Fund to find fast and accurate ways to better connect with individuals and to use data to gain better insights about their constituencies or their customers,” she added. (Inquirer.net)
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Palace: Oust Duterte drive hatched... PAGE A1 on radio dzRH. He added that he even asked the official if he has evidence to prove it or if this is another hearsay. “There are stories, there are speculations. But at the same, the surveys will show otherwise because Filipinos in the Philippines are like what you said – more than 90 percent support our President. But then again, if you have all of this news going around internationally, it does not help,” Andanar said. He said any destabilization initiative would not help the government, considering that Duterte is also being criticized for the extrajudicial killings brought about by the anti-illegal drugs campaign. “We are not doing well when it comes to media exposure,” Andanar said in Filipino. Although the oust Duterte plan is unverified, Andanar said he has cautioned the official to check on it since that kind of story is not to be dismissed as a joke. “It’s really about the evidence that you have, isn’t it? (If there is) you let me know (because) it is the concern for the government and it should be a concern for the nation because it’s a destabilization talk,” Andanar said. “We will never condone any unlawful killings,” he said in reaction to a European Union statement criticizing the manner the war on drugs was being conducted. Earlier, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano talked of a Plan B of the Liberal Party that supposedly intended to oust Duterte and install Vice President Leni Robredo as the new president. He said it centers on discrediting the Duterte administration especially in relation to the number of killings that has reached more than 3,000 in the war against illegal drugs. Robredo and the LP described Cayetano’s disclosures as “farfetched.” Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque had warned about the possible plot of the United States to unseat Duterte. Roque cited Duterte’s scathing remarks against US President Barack Obama before they met in the ASEAN summit in Laos early this month, and the “coincidence” of a purported witness pinning down Duterte over alleged summary killings.
“The Senate testimony came immediately after the President confirmed he wanted to pursue an independent foreign policy,” Roque observed, referring to Sen. Leila de Lima’s witness, alleged self-confessed Davao death squad member Edgar Matobato. “It is too much of a coincidence that the testimony intended to pave the way for his ouster came immediately after President Duterte declared his independent stance,” said Roque. Another factor Roque raised was the background of US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, who has not yet been replaced despite Duterte’s bias against him when he criticized him over the rape-slay of a female Australian missionary in the Davao jail 1988, which was made during the campaign period. “Remember that US Ambassador Goldberg was kicked out of Bolivia for stirring a coup,” Roque disclosed, noting that “Bolivian President Evo Morales expelled Goldberg out of the country in 2008.” The Bolivian government likewise declared Goldberg “persona non grata for conspiring against democracy and seeking the division of Bolivia.” The US State Department and the US-based Human Rights Watch have expressed grave concern over the spate of extrajudicial killings in the nearly three-month-old Duterte administration. Both said an inquiry is necessary to determine if human rights of innocent persons have been violated, and they also commended the investigation conducted by De Lima, chairperson of the Senate committee on human rights. DFA appeals to Europe The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) urged the European Parliament to obtain official data on the Philippine situation and the intensified anti-crime and anti-illegal drugs campaign for the sake of “fair” and “accurate” representation. The DFA said the European Union is an important partner of the Philippines and the group’s role in the region is also becoming more prominent, especially for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and various regional and international issues. The European Parliament condemned on Thursday the current
DATELINE USA
OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2016
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wave of extrajudicial executions and killings in the Philippines and urged the government to put an end to this. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed concern over the “extraordinarily high numbers killed during police operations in the context of an intensified anti-crime and anti-drug campaign.” “The European Parliament is the only directly elected institution among the EU institutions, representing the democratic ideals of the EU,” Foreign Affairs Photo shows the inside of the East Los Angeles Community Center on Saturday, Sept. 17 for the Pan Asian Citizenship Event, where 12 nonprofit spokesman Charles Jose said. organizations conducted consultations for aspiring American citizens. “In the same spirit, we urge the members of the EU Parliament to obtain official data as to what is happening in the Philip- PAGE A1 pines, for the sake of fair and ac- of the Pilipino Workers Center curate representation,” he said. (PWC). She told the Asian Journal Jose said the Philippines wel- that the citizenship event and simicomes the sharing of best prac- lar immigration workshops hosted tices of the EU in order to combat year-round by organizations like illegal drugs in the Philippines. Asian Americans Advancing JusHe assured the international tice–LA (Advancing Justice–LA) community that the Philippine allow eligible applicants to get angovernment remains firmly com- swers to important questions from mitted to upholding the inter- qualified attorneys. national conventions on human “Maganda na meron silang rights, labor rights, good gover- ganito, dahil ina-assist nila kami, nance and the protection of the natutulungan kami kung paenvironment. paano ang talagang pag fill-up During the Parliament Debate nang forms (It’s good they have in Brussels on Thursday, the [events] like this to assist us and MEPs noted that drug traffick- teach us how to properly fill out ing and drug abuse in the Philip- the forms),” said applicant PrisFilipino American Service Group Inc. (FASGI) Executive Director Yey Coronel pines remain a serious national cilla Mencia. “Sa tulong nila ... AJPress photos by Eric Anthony Licas and international concern. madali lang (With their help, the gether, making it harder for ap- with Advancing Justice–LA, FASThe MEPs understood that process is fast).” millions of people are hurt by the The intricacy of the paper- plicants to pass the citizenship GI, PWC, or one of many other non-profit organizations offerhigh level of drug addiction and work required for naturalization test,” said Eng on Saturday. Shih also warned of “unscru- ing free or low-cost immigration its consequences in the country, can make the process difficult but expressed alarm at a Philip- to approach alone for not just pulous individuals” who sought services in the Los Angeles area. pine National Police (PNP) report those learning English, but fluent to take advantage of the immi- Their efforts, including camthat a thousand suspected drug speakers of the language as well, grant community. He told the paigns like Citizenship Now!, pushers and users were killed according to Lawrence Shih, the Asian Journal that anyone who play a valuable role in maintainand more than 15,000 arrested assistant field deputy for County suspects that they might be the ing the transparency of, and acfrom July 1 to Sept. 4, 2016. Supervisor Hilda Solis. He re- victim of an imposter posing as cess to the citizenship process, “MEPs urge the Philippines called having an unexpectedly an immigration attorney should according to volunteers and acgovernment to put an end to the hard time filling out forms for request his or her bar number tivists at the event. “The most important thing for current wave of extrajudicial ex- a former patient when he was and cross reference it against us is to make sure that every cliecutions and killings, launch an working with the Department of state records. “Be careful of who you seek ent has an opportunity to meet ‘immediate investigation’ into Public Health. them and adopt specific, com“I needed to get help from help from for your application,” with an attorney, get their quesprehensive policies and pro- USCIS…it took me weeks to said Yey Coronel, the executive tions answered, and make sure grams, in full compliance with figure out who to contact,” said director of the Filipino American their applications are free of ernational and international obli- Shih during a press event amidst Service Group Inc. (FASGI). “The ror,” said Nasim Khansari, citigations and respect for human Saturday’s workshop. “If it took information requested is very zenship project director at Advancing Justice–LA. “We’re not rights,” according to a statement me that much time to figure out, specific.” She recalled a past client who turning anyone away.” released following the debate. imagine what it must be like for had been helped by a paralegal Even if issues regarding an apThe European Parliament is other people.” an important forum for politiIn the past, members of the im- before coming to FASGI. She plicant’s travel history or criminal cal debate and decision-making migrant community were known said the client was encouraged to record make their case too comat the EU level. The MEPs are to face covert discrimination from submit unnecessary information plicated to handle at a workshop, directly elected by voters in all authorities, according to the Los that wound up complicating the they can still get help by contactmember-states to represent the Angeles Community College process and raising questions ing one of the nonprofit partners from immigration officials. sponsoring the Citizenship Now! people’s interests with regard to Board Vice President Mike Eng. Coronel encourages people campaign. (Eric Anthony Licas / EU lawmaking and to make sure “Immigration officials colPAGE A4 luded to muffle their words to- seeking citizenship to consult AJPress)
Coalition of nonprofits encourages AAPI...
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september 23-29, 2016 • OC/Ie AsIAN JOUrNAL
CA to develop model curriculum for ethnic studies by Klarize
Medenilla
AJPress
IN a historic move to expand high school curricula, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bipartisan-supported bill that would create a model curriculum in ethnic studies for high schools, charter schools and public colleges. Authored by Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo, AB 2016 would encourage high school districts and charter schools to include more comprehensive history about Asian Americans, African Americans and Latinos in ethnic studies courses. “The development of a comprehensive ethnic studies curriculum acknowledges the diversity of California, which has the most ethnically diverse public school student body in the nation,� Alejo said in a statement. The bill would require the state’s Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) and the State Board of Education (SBE) to collaborate with high school and college instructors specializing in ethnic studies to establish model curricula. Schools can then use that model as a guide to revise their lesson plans and coursework.
The bill won’t be in effect until the 2020-2021 school year which allows more time for schools to adjust their curricula. Earlier this year, the Stanford Graduate School of Education released a study that found that having comprehensive ethnic studies improved classroom performance and engagement among students of color. A group of students in San Francisco took an ethnic studies class that focused on race, nationality and cultural identity. Researchers found that these students performed better academically and showcased more enthusiasm than students who did not take them. “Schools have tried a number of approaches to support struggling students, and few have been this effective,� Emily Penner, a Stanford researcher involved in the study, said in a statement. “It’s a novel approach that suggests that making school relevant and engaging to struggling students can really pay off.� School districts in California have already made it a requirement to incorporate comprehensive ethnic studies in their curricula (or are moving toward it), like Los Angeles Unified School
District (LAUSD), El Rancho Unified School District (ERUSD) in Pico Rivera and Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Last year, Brown vetoed a similar bill that required schools to develop ethnic studies curricula. AB 2016 merely encourages schools to take the initiative, but it’s a monumental step for all students, Alejo said. “Ethnic studies are not just for students of color. We should give all students the opportunity to prepare for a diverse global economy, diverse university campuses and diverse workplaces,� Alejo said. In July, the SBE approved recommendations made to incorporate Filipinos’ roles in World War II in high school U.S. history courses. As the Asian Journal previously reported, the Bataan Legacy Historical Society (BLHS) pushed for the recommendation to tell a side of the war that has previously been ignored. “The curriculum is deviating from a Eurocentric history and moving more towards the Pacific to accurately reflect the diversity of the population here in California,� BLHS Executive Director Cecilia Gaerlan told the Asian Journal.
Sec. Pernia: Duterte administration will target... PAGE A1 the highest since the 1970s. However, despite the high growth rate, the Philippines still has the highest poverty incidence in the Asean region at 26.2 percent as of 2014. Myanmar (25.6%) and Laos (23.2%) are the two other Asean countries with more than 20 percent poverty incidence rates. The Duterte administration has come up with a 0 to 10 point socioeconomic agenda designed to address this quandary. “We have an impatient president, he wants action agad. He is results-oriented. He demands action and speed in the delivery of results,� Pernia said. In order to provide a significantly better investment climate for potential investors, the gov-
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Duterte invites UN, EU to... PAGE A2
added. Duterte said the issue of extrajudicial killings had been used by his political rivals to discredit him. The President maintained he did not have links to the so-called Davao death squad, the vigilante group accused of executing several criminals while he was mayor of Davao City. Other foreign critics can come too Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar also said foreign critics of the administration could come to the Philippines and observe whatever was being done in the campaign against illegal drugs. “Oo. Kaya naman. Kung sinong mga kritiko, ‘di lumabas tayo kahit saan‌sasamahan ko kahit sino. New York Times, New Yorker, sino pa‌lalo na ’yung foreign media (Yes, we can. Whoever are those critics, we can go anywhere‌ I will accompany whoever they are. New York Times, New Yorker, who else‌especially the foreign media),â€? Andanar said in a press briefing in MalacaĂąang. He said he was previously a police beat reporter who would know the peaceful and the troubled places in Metro Manila. Andanar added he asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to accompany all foreign media representatives who contacted his office and expose them to places where the illegal drug trade was reportedly rampant.
suring full, rapid and sustained implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law to promoting science and technology and creative arts for self-sustaining inclusive growth and increasing the country’s participation in the global knowledge economy. Sec. Pernia also discussed the Philippine Development Plan for 2017 to 2022, currently being crafted with the administration laying down the foundation for inclusive growth looking at a more long-term plan. “This is our plan for the next PAGE A1 generation of Filipinos and we 2017. can start by achieving 6.5 to Andanar didn’t name his 7.5% growth in 2017 and stabi- source but he said his informalizing with a growth rate of 7 to tion came from a cabinet sec8% from 2018 to 2022,� Pernia retary who is currently in New said. York. He told radio station DZRH, “I was just talking to somebody in New York now who is also a member of the Cabinet – I member-states of the enlarged racy, human rights, freedom of won’t mention his name. But EU. It sees its role not only in speech and fair elections across he also heard of the Fil-Ams in promoting democratic decision- the globe. (With reports from New York who are planning. making in Europe but also in Pia Lee-Brago, Delon Porcalla, They are hatching a plan to supporting the fight for democ- Christina Mendez) oust the President by January ernment is ramping up its programs on peace and order, massive infrastructure upgrades, cut red tape and ease constitutional restrictions on foreign direct investments. To respond to the uneven growth among the cities and regions, Pernia said that the administration hopes to push for regional and rural development in order to come up with more pro-poor economic growth and building up socio-economic resiliency. “We have just recently approved nine infrastructure projects covering the first two months of the Duterte administration, a record speed in terms of project approval,� Pernia said. Plans are also in place, from raising farm productivity to en-
Duterte, who once threatened to pull the Philippines out of the UN but later on dismissed his statement as a joke, said he would not obey “unreasonable mandates.� On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the EU refused to comment on Duterte’s recent statement ridiculing the regional bloc. The EU and the Philippines enjoy good relations but the EU said it would continue to discuss this issue of extrajudicial killings and human rights among many others in the bilateral contacts with the authorities. For the period from July 1 to Sept. 17, the PNP reported conducting a total of 18,382 operations where 1,138 were killed after allegedly putting up a fight. The PNP also reported the arrest of 17,319 people and the surrender of 714,217. Last week, Duterte asked for another six months to get rid of the drug menace, saying he was not aware of the gravity of the illegal drug problem until people surrendered and after intelligence reports were submitted to him. The reports contained names of politicians, policemen, judges and other individuals allegedly involved in the illicit drug trade in the country. At the Senate, there is an ongoing inquiry into extrajudicial killings while the House of Representatives is investigating the reported drug trade and other irregularities inside the New Bilibid Prison while Sen. Leila de Lima was justice secretary. De Lima initiated the hearings on extrajudicial killings at the Senate.
Sec. Yasay denies he is source of...
Palace: Oust Duterte drive hatched... PAGE A1 other EU institutions are working democratically. The parliament is made up of 751 members elected in the 28
Foreign engagement The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also cited the need to explain to the international community the drug situation in the Philippines and the measures being undertaken by the government to address the problem. DFA spokesman Charles Jose said it was important to engage with and present to the international community, including the UN and the EU, the Philippine narrative. He added Duterte won in the last elections by promising to end criminality in the country. “It should also be emphasized that we don’t condone these so-called extrajudicial killings and that President Duterte is having them investigated,� Jose said. “That should be a continuing process, our embassies should explain to their host governments and explain what really is happening here,� he said. In the campaign against illegal drugs, Jose stressed that the government was strictly adhering to the established human rights principles and the rule of law. The UN and the EU have raised concerns over Duterte’s brutal war on illegal drugs, which has so far claimed the lives of over 3,000 suspected drug offenders. The UN has criticized the President for his supposed lack of understanding of human rights institutions and principles, while the European Parliament asked Duterte to investigate and to put an end to the “current wave of extrajudicial executions and killings.�
2017. There is this kind of report.� “I’m glad you asked that because I heard about it, too,� Sec. Yasay said, addressing the Asian Journal. “The information allegedly came from two Cabinet secretaries who are now presently in the United States, particularly in New York, and these cabinet secretaries are Secretary Yasay and Secretary Abella, who is right in front of me.� Yasay expounded that while he heard about the Oust Duterte Movement from Manila, “the ru-
mors about the assassination attempt certainly to me is a part of a bigger conspiracy to discredit our president.� According to the Manila Bulletin, operatives of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) arrested a veterinarian last month in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City on charges of arms smuggling after retrieving from him a balikbayan box containing weapon parts shipped from the United States worth P4.5 million.
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D ateline PhiliPPines EU mum on Duterte’s tirades,
A
notes‘good relations’ with PH by Yuji
Vincent GonzAles Inquirer.net
The european Union (eU) on Wednesday, Sept. 21 kept mum on the fresh tirades of President Rodrigo Duterte, who lashed out the international body after it called for a stop to alleged extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in the country. In a brief statement, the eU said: “We don’t comment on comments.” Duterte on Tuesday, Sept. 20 used the “F” word against the eU and called members of the union hypocrites, saying they had become strict on human rights owing to the “guilt feelings” over atrocities they had previously committed. But despite Duterte’s remarks, the eU said it enjoys “good relations” with the Philippines. “The european Union and the Philippines enjoy good relations, and we will continue to discuss this issue, among many others,
pres. Rodrigo Duterte
in our bilateral contacts with the authorities,” the statement read. In a five-page resolution passed last week, eU lawmakers expressed concern over the increasing body count of drug suspects killed by police and vigilantes since Duterte started his crack-
down on illegal drugs. The parliament directed its delegation in the Philippines and embassies here to monitor rights abuses following Duterte’s declaration of state of national emergency on account of lawless violence.
Abu Sayyaf Group releases hostages over the weekend More expected to be freed, ASG breaks into smaller groups by KlARize
medenillA AJPress
JIhADIST group the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has released at least six hostages over the weekend with more expected to be freed. The first who was freed was Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Norwegian who had been held captive for a year. he was released on Saturday, September 17 after the ASG reportedly received $638,000 (P30 million) in ransom. One day later, the ASG released three Indonesian hostages identified as Lorence Koten, Theorus Kopong and emanuel Arakain, whom were abducted from the Sabah state in Malaysia in July. They also released two Filipino captives, Daniela Taruc and Levy Gonzalez that evening. Chief of Western Mindanao Command Lt. General Mayoralgo dela Cruz told Inquirer that operations in regions with ASG presence have pressured the group to release more hostages. “We are not stopping until they are destroyed. We have a strong mandate to destroy these bandits and more hostages are released,” dela Cruz said. Abducted for ransom On September 21, 2015, the
ASG — who has been linked to the Islamic State (IS) —abducted Sekkingstad, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert hall and Filipina Tess Flor while from a resort on Samal Island in Mindanao. Media reports said that ASG demanded $6.3 million ransom by April 25 for each hostage. Ridsdel was murdered in April, hall was beheaded in June and Flor was released on June 24. Sekkingstad, 56, said that he was “always kept in the dark and given misinformation, like, not reliable information” and was subject to “psychological pressure” with threats to behead him. he described the past year as “devastating” and added that he was treated “like a slave.”’ “I am very happy to be alive and free. It’s a beautiful feeling,” Sekkingstad said in a press conference, where President Rodrigo Duterte was in attendance. The Indonesian hostages were abducted from the Sabah state of Malaysia in July. The two Filipino captives — who are subcontractors for a Telecom company — were taken from the town of Patikul in the Sulu province on August 6. A resident recovered them and brought them to a military hospital in Jolo. The Moro National Libera-
tion Front (MNLF) rebel group, which is undergoing peace talks with the government, confirmed that they assisted in the release of Sekkingstad and three Indonesians. ASG breaks up into smaller groups To avoid pressure from increasing government operations, the ASG has made moves to deflect the offensives, according to a spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “The groups have separated into smaller groups and many of the kidnap victims are held by the smaller groups, and we hope to bring fruition to our efforts by a more intense and more focused operation that is still in the offing,” Brigade Gen. Restituto Padilla told the media. Padilla added that more hostages are expected to be freed soon due to mounting pressure from government troops. Still in captivity are 12 foreign hostages and four “locals.” “Based on our monitoring and our feedback from the field, we believe that most of these hostages are still in good condition and that’s what we are aiming to accomplish, to rescue them or recover them safely,” Padilla said.
Bilibid inmates: ‘We raised money for campaign’ by cAtheRine
s. VAlente
ManilaTimes
GANG leaders at the New Bilibid Prison claimed to have raised campaign funds for Sen. Leila de Lima on the second day of a house inquiry into the illegal drug trade at the national penitentiary, but none were able to confirm that money went straight to the lawmaker. Instead, convicts Noel Martinez, Jaime Patcho and Jojo Baligad said they transacted directly with the feared “Commando” gang chieftain Jaybee Sebastian, who they claimed collected the money for de Lima when she was Justice secretary in the previous Aquino administration. The three, accompanied by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, appeared before the house justice committee on Wednesday, Sept. 21, following the testimonies on Tuesday of inmates herbert Colanggo and Rodolfo Magleo as well as de Lima’s former subordinates at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Rafael Ragos and Jovencio Ablen Jr. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, Colanggco and Magleo claimed they paid de Lima to let them run “sin city-type” businesses at the Bilibid in Muntinlupa City, but through one of her security aides, Presidential Security Group member Joenel Sanchez. Ragos and Ablen claimed to have delivered money to de Lima in her Parañaque City home in 2012 in separate sworn affidavits, highlights of which were published by The Manila Times on Tuesday. Jaybee’s words are ‘the law’ On Wednesday, Sebastian and his alleged close ties to de Lima became the object of lawmakers’ scrutiny. Martinez, leader of a 2,200member Bilibid pack called the “Genuine Ilocano Group,” claimed Sebastian asked him in 2013 to raise drug money for de Lima’s Senate bid, an instruction that Sebastian also allegedly gave to Patcho and Baligad. “Jaybee talked to me, asked
for my help to sell drugs to fund the campaign of Secretary de Lima. Jaybee is our leader. he is in Secretary de Lima’s inner circle. his words are the law,” Martinez said in Filipino when quizzed by Kabayan party-list Rep. harry Roque. Sebastian, Martinez claimed, also revealed a plan to centralize drug operations inside the prison through alliances with gang leaders. “We were able to transact 200 kilos of drugs from 2013 to October 2014 … at that time, my relationship with Jaybee turned cold. I have remitted the money [raised]to Sebastian,” Martinez added. Martinez claimed that he, along with other gang leaders, personally met de Lima in January 2013 through Sebastian. Sebastian, who has refused to testify before the house, was said to have been used by de Lima as a mole in a bid to rid the Bilibid of drug syndicates. “even [prison]employees follow him (Sebastian). Who are we to defy him when he was the one in power?” Martinez said. ‘Very influential’ Patcho, head of the “Batman” gang, said he was convinced that Sebastian was raising funds for de Lima’s election campaign because she paid a visit to Sebastian’s luxurious Bilibid cell at least twice. Patcho also claimed he referred a person to Sebastian who received five kilos of drugs worth P4.35 million from the Commando leader. The payment was remitted to a bank account whose number was provided by Sebastian, he said. Patcho admitted that Sebastian never introduced him to de Lima. “I wasn’t introduced by Jaybee to de Lima, but I know that he (Jaybee) is very influential to de Lima because there are a lot of inmates and yet she is only talking to Jaybee,” Patcho said. Murder convict Jojo Baligad, a “Batang City Jail” member, claimed he remitted a total of P3.8 million not just to de Lima
but also to other former officials of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) from January 2013 to September 2014. In 2014 alone, inmate herbert Colanggo thrice asked him for P500,000, to be remitted allegedly to de Lima, Baligad claimed. Despite the payoffs, Baligad said, de Lima ordered his transfer along with other inmates like Colanggo in the so-called “Bilibid 19” group to the NBI Detention Center in Manila that had tighter security. “Based on what I have heard, Secretary de Lima ordered our transfer [out of Bilibid]because Jaybee gave her the list of our names,” Baligad said. Former BuCor Director Franklin Bucayu got P1.7 million, while Rafael Ragos, then BuCor officer in charge, received P600,000, Baligad claimed. All witnesses were granted immunity from suit with the approval of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. The house justice committee also moved to subpoena Sebastian, whose Bilibid exploits were the subject of a Discovery Channel documentary shown at the house on Tuesday. PSG probing Joenel On Wednesday, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) said de Lima’s alleged bagman and former security aide Joenel Sanchez, a sergeant, had been placed under investigation and restricted to barracks. “Upon hearing [of]his [involvement in]the house inquiry regarding Senator de Lima, the command immediately conducted investigation effective 18 September 2016,” PSG spokesman Lt. Col. Michael Aquino said in a news conference. Sanchez is a member of the PSG who was recently assigned to executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Aquino said. Sanchez was detailed to de Lima when she was Justice secretary. Aquino said the PSG was willing to present Sanchez at the house inquiry. The PSG spokesman refused to disclose other details of their investigation.
FORUm ON FEDERALISm. Senate president Aquilino “Koko” pimentel III (4th from left), was the keynote speaker in a forum entitled “From Decentralization to Federalism: the Next Stage of philippine Democracy?” held at the City Garden Grand Hotel in makati City, September 22, 2016. posing for a souvenir photo with pimentel are guest speakers (from left) paul Hutchcroft, Governance Specialist, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and trade, Julio teehankee, Dean, De La sale University College of Liberal Arts, Senator mian Raza Rabbani, Chairman of the Senate, Government of pakistan, Rupak Chattopadhyay and Georg milbradt, president and Chairman of the board of the Forum of Federations, respectively, Edmund tayao, Executive Director, Local Government Development Foundation, Jonathan malaya, Executive Director, pDp-Laban Federalism Institute, and Francis manglapus, event facilitator. Senate photo by Ariel Cagadas
Duterte on S&P rating: China, Russia are waiting for me by Alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
They are waiting for me,” the president told police officers in MANILA – I don’t care. Cagayan de Oro City on ThursThis was President Rodrigo day, Sept. 22. Duterte’s reaction to credit rater “Wala akong pakialam sa inyo Standard & Poor’s assessment (I don’t care about you),” he that predictability in policymak- added. ing—one of the considerations in Cabinet members also disputmaking investment decisions— ed S&P’s assessment but were diminished under his adminis- more diplomatic about it. tration. S&P, a US-based financial services firm that rates the abilities of companies and governments to pay their obligations, affirmed on Wednesday the Philippines’ long-term credit rating of ‘BBB’ and short-term credit rating of ‘A-2,’ with a stable outlook. Standard and Poor’s is accredited as a rater by the US Securities and exchange Commission but is not a government agency. While the rating is a notch above investment grade, the credit watchdog said the stability and predictability of policymaking in the country has “diminished somewhat” in light of Duterte’s policy pronouncements on foreign policy and national security. Duterte shrugged off the assessment, saying the Philippines is formulating “a new foreign policy.” “Go away. We’ll start on our own. I can go to China, Russia.
“I think the policymaking has not changed,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a press briefing in Malacañang. “We have investment protection, that will give peace of mind to our investors. Our FTA (free trade agreements), they are all being honored,” he added. PAGE A7
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OpiniOn
Features
Denouncement
OVER the past three months, more than 3,000 suspected drug dealers and traffickers have been killed amidst the Philippine government’s current bloody war against drugs. More than 600,00 others—mostly drug users—have surrendered to authorities for fear that they might be next on the “Kill List.” Officials said there are about 3.7 million drug addicts in the country, a figure that they said reflects a problem of “epidemic proportions.” “I didn’t realize how severe and how serious the problem of drug menace in this republic (was) until I became president,” President Rodrigo Duterte said. Shocked by the extent of the drug menace in the country, Duterte pleaded for six more months to fulfill his earlier promise to end the drug problem and criminality in the country. Of this staggering death toll, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has only accounted for 1,167 deaths after 18,814 operations from July 1 to September 20. The others—alleged to be involved also in drug-related crimes—were killed in summary executions by vigilantes. To strengthen the accountability of law enforcers and to institute corrective legislative measures to ensure full respect for basic human rights, Sen. Leila De Lima filed Senate Resolution 9 to seek an inquiry into the rising number of extrajudicial killings and summary executions of suspected criminals. “Extrajudicial or summary killing is homicide. Carried out premeditatedly and in conspiracy with other public authorities, it becomes mass murder, which, if left unabated and unchecked, can escalate into a crime against humanity under international law,” De Lima said in her resolution. During a Senate hearing last week, a witness
who claimed to be a former member of the vigilante Davao Death Squad, accused then-Davao City Mayor Duterte of ordering his criminals and enemies killed. Edgar Matobato also revealed that Duterte ordered to ambush De Lima in 2009, when the latter was still the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights. Because of her apparent opposition to the current administration and, De Lima has stumbled upon a legal quagmire of acrimony and fingerpointing. On Monday, Sept. 19, De Lima was accused by fellow Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano of “destroying the integrity and reputation” of the Senate by being supposedly biased against Duterte. She was then ousted as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, which is investigating the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug criminals. In her privilege speech on Tuesday, Sept. 20, De Lima defended herself and maintained that she was only doing her job as a senator. “Mr. President, I am not the problem. I am not the one giving a bad image to this country before the international media, contrary to the accusation and belief of Senator Cayetano. The problem of this country and this administration is the extra-judicial killing of more than 3,000 of our countrymen in the past three months, or more than a thousand per month,” De Lima said. No matter what side Filipinos are on, they must not miss the point. There are more than 2,000
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
unaccounted deaths since the recent drug war was launched. There were lives that were wasted and were deprived of their human rights only because of their alleged connection with drugs. Though it may also seem as a continuous ar-
gument, this political travail will contribute to a more forthright national consciousness. Every riveting detail that will be exposed for the public to absorb will bring Filipinos to a deeper level of political sophistication. (AJPress)
De Lima should have inhibited herself in Senate Justice Committee probe SENATOR Leila de Lima should not The Fil-Am have been ousted, but instead, should Perspective have inhibited herself from being chairman of the Senate Justice Gel SantoS-ReloS Committee even before any hearing started. After all, she has also been accused of being part of the drug syndicate while she was still justice secretary during Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s term. This writer presents this opinion not because of what the pro-Duterte senators who voted to strip De Lima of that power, which she allegedly used to smear President Rodrigo Duterte’s name and leadership. De Lima should have inhibited herself from presiding
over any hearings and investigations in the Senate Justice Committee because of delicadeza. Even before the presentation of the star witness Edgar Matobato — a self-confessed hitman who testified last week that Duterte ordered death squad killings when the latter was still Davao mayor — there were already doubts about De Lima’s impartiality in presiding over drug-related cases in the Senate. Especially so, since she could be the subject of the investigation because of her alleged involvement in the drug cartels inside New Bilibid Prison while she was DOJ chief. De Lima’s inhibiting herself in presiding over these cases would not
mean she was guilty of the accusations fired against her by no less than Pres. Duterte himself, as she had been among the most outspoken critics of the president. She was, after all, the one who initiated the probe into Duterte’s savage campaign to kill drug users and drug dealers with little, if any, due process. De Lima should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, a principle stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — which she has been fighting for on behalf of those 3,000+ people who could have been killed without due process and in violation of the rule of law. But this writer believes the integrity of the Senate should supersede De Lima’s right to be chairman, if only to keep the Filipino people’s faith in it as an august body investigating
these cases. This would even earn the respect of doubters who think she is already guilty. However, on the flip side of this issue, critics of the Duterte administration believe this move of “demoting” De Lima could have just robbed the Senate of its independence in objectively hearing cases against Duterte’s alleged human rights violations in his war against drugs. An international human rights group already spoke out against the ouster of Lima. As ABS-CBN News reported, New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the Senate should seek de Lima’s reinstatement as chair of the committee on Justice and Human Rights. “The Senate vote to remove the chair of the Committee on Justice and
Human Rights is a craven attempt to derail accountability for the appalling death toll from President Duterte’s abusive ‘war on drugs,’” said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at HRW. Kine contended that the Senate “is imperiling the Philippine public by covering up allegations of state-sanctioned murder rather than exposing them.” THE BOTTOM LINE IS: the truth should come out of the hearings for the good of the Filipino people. Should De Lima be reinstated as chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights? *** Gel santos relos is the anchor of tFC’s “balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and Abs-CbN-tFC. For comments, go to www.
Does President Duterte want to unfriend the United States?
Analysis and Commentary Yen Macabenta I USE “unfriend” in the title of this column for two reasons: First, because it helps to make my point more easily comprehensible by readers, who are mostly Facebook members and internet users, and; Second, because it could jolt people into the realization that turning US-Philippines relations on its head is a big deal, and not the sole prerogative of President Duterte. Oxford Dictionary picked “unfriend” as the word of the year in 2009. The alternative term, “defriend,” has not enjoyed as much prestige and popularity; but it is widely accepted as a substitute. Oxford defines the verb as: “To remove someone as a ‘friend’ on a social networking site such as Facebook.” I realized how serious is the act of “unfriending” when a member of my extended family unfriended her brother some months back, and it became some kind of family issue. Unfriending or defriending creates an awkward situation.
Social networks offer one click to remove a friend, but it doesn’t make the decision any easier or reasonable. Who is better off – the unfriended one, or the unfriending party? Significantly, “re-friending” has become an in-word in social network terminology. You can restore or be restored to friendly status in this society. A smoke-and-mirrors exercise Applying the concept of unfriending then to the real world of Filipino-American relations, I was startled to discover that what we are dealing with here is all just a smoke-and-mirrors exercise, and not a serious effort to recast the relationship. The sentiment of going independent is delivered with much emotion, sometimes with expletives; but when the talk turns serious toward seeing the US cease to be our friend, members of the Duterte administration, including the President himself, recoil from the prospect. President Duterte’s gestures of unfriending have consisted chiefly of the following overt acts: 1. Savaging President Barack Obama on the eve of the Asean Summit and East Asia Summit in Laos by calling him “a son of a-whore” for announcing in
advance that he planned to take up the human rights issue with President Duterte in Vientiane. 2. Exposing the massacre of some 900 Moros (men, women and children) in Bud Dajo, Sulu in March 2006, at the start of the American colonization of the Philippine islands. 3. Declaring on the eve of his inauguration as the Philippines’ 16th President that he would chart an independent foreign policy and not rely on the US. 4. Declaring that he wanted US special forces, who were advising the Philippine military, to get out of Mindanao. 5. Announcing that the Philippines would depend less on US military assistance, and would consider buying its military equipment from China and Russia. Focus on posture, not reality Within a day of delivering these major policy flaps and initiatives, top Filipino officials, and sometimes President Duterte himself, were walking back his words or waving them away. As my colleague Kit Tatad has pointed out in a perspicacious column on the “independent policy” theme, DU30 is hardput to define what he means by an independent foreign policy.
Does he mean renouncing our security alliance with the US? Will he serve notice on the US we will not allow nuclear-powered US vessels to enter Philippine waters? Would it mean waiving the equivalent of the $1.3 billion in economic and military assistance that the US extended the Philippines from 2010-2016? After declaring that US forces should get out of Mindanao, President Duterte said that the Philippines “will not cut our umbilical cord to countries we are allied with.” He was careful about the military aspect of alliances; but he insisted on the need to follow “an independent posture and independent foreign policy.” “Independent posture” is an unfortunate way of describing what is supposed to be a new era of Filipino statecraft. After the CPP/NDF called for the expulsion of all US forces throughout the Philippines, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana contradicted Duterte openly and declared that US forces would not be asked to leave Mindanao. For his part, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay contributed to the smoke and mirrors, by delivering a largely
meaningless speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. The most he could say was this circumlocution: “We cannot forever be the little brown brothers of America…. We have to grow and become the big brother of our own people.” Shaping the history of nations My substitution of the terms of social media for the big concerns of foreign and security policy is facetious. But the point is that “unfriend” gets to the heart of the matter quickly. We realize what should be the proper object of our foreign policy. It was the historian Leopold von Ranke who laid down the dictum that foreign relations were supreme among the influences that shape the history of nations. During the cold war, foreign relations were mainly shaped by the rivalry between two opposing ideologies and two antagonistic superpowers locked in quarrel. In the postwar era, the Filipino-American relationship was largely shaped by cold-war politics. But after 1989, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and international communism, his-
tory took a new turn and direction. Today, statecraft or statesmanship is governed by different challenges and opportunities. According to Margaret Thatcher, these can be summed up in the term “globalism.” For her, it comes down to this: “A world of mobile capital, of international integration of markets, of instant communication, of information available at the click of a mouse, and of fairly pen borders, is certainly a long way from the world favored by statists in the past. “It is nowadays, as a result, more difficult for governments to misrule their peoples and mismanage their resources without quickly running into problems. Unfortunately, though, it is still not impossible.” When President Duterte and his supporters in Congress and the media lament the interference of the US, the UN and the foreign media in the Philippine war on drugs, they pine for a time that is past. It was rough growing up and governing during the Cold War. It is just as rough growing up and governing in the age of globalism today. (ManilaTimes. net)
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Palace gags Cabinet execs by Catherine
S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
FROM now on, members of the Cabinet and heads of government agencies are no longer allowed to discuss with members of the media the official statements of President Rodrigo Duterte. In a memorandum dated September 20, 2016, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said that only Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella can speak on behalf of the President. “Please be advised that official statements of the President on significant national and international issues shall be coursed through and delivered only by the Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella or in his absence Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin M. Andanar,” the memorandum read. The order stems from “instructions of the President and in accordance with the consensus
reached during previous Cabinet Meetings,” it added. Under the memorandum, the PCOO will be the office authorized to respond to media queries relating to Duterte’s statements, policies, official activities and accomplishments. Cabinet members, agency heads, and heads of governmentowned or controlled corporations were ordered not to give statements to the media “except on matters directly concerning their office or unless clearance has been secured from the PCOO.” The memorandum came after conflicting statements from Palace officials drew criticism in recent weeks. During the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Laos, the PCOO announced that Duterte will be seated between US President Barack Obama and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon at a gala dinner, after Duterte called Obama a “son of a whore” and Ban criticized Duterte’s war on
adel
Philstar.com
MANILA – As the country commemorates the 44th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday, Sept. 21, advised Filipinos to remain vigilant against its return. Robredo urged Filipinos to “remember the 70, 000 who were imprisoned, the 34,000 who were tortured, the 3,240 who were killed, and the 390 who disappeared during one of the darkest periods of our history.” She called on those who serve in government to continue to be instrument of truth, justice and to maintain an unwavering commitment to the rule of law as she said it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that their stories are neither forgotten nor twisted for political purposes and ambitions. “Let us be safeguards of freedoms of life, liberty, speech, and due process.We must all remain vigilant against the return of Martial Law or any of its elements,” Robredo said in a statement. “Not in this lifetime, never again,” she concluded.
Tagle opens Church’s doors to help drug addicts recover
MANILA – Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has welcomed drug dependents to Church to help them recover from addiction. Tagle promoted the Manila archdiocese’s Restorative Justice Ministry, a community-based rehabilitation program to be set up in different parishes. He expressed hope that the program will be able to support anyone battling drug addiction as it designed to help anyone in need of spiritual, formation skills formation and livelihood support. “We are here for you. Let us not waste life. It is important and it has to be protected and nurtured,” Tagle said. The Restorative Justice Minis-
try has tied up with other organizations and concerned government agencies to provide drug dependents the treatment and recovery services they need. The partner agencies and groups include Center for Family Ministries, UST Graduate School Psycho-Trauma, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police. The community-based rehabilitation program started last Tuesday, September 13, at the San Roque de Manila Parish in Sta. Cruz, Manila to reach out to people who have been excluded by the church or severely judged. “We, in the Church failed to address the issue. We failed to
be a companion to these people. So now, we are trying what we can do given the urgency of the need,” parish priest Tony Navarette said. According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the archdioceses of Cebu and Cagayan de Oro have also offered help to drug dependents who are seeking rehabilitation and healing. Last month, the CBCP called on the faithful to unite against drugs but said sinners must be given hope and not dead. “Our weapon is love not vengeance. The blood of the Lord is enough,” CBCP president Socrates Villegas said. (Rosette Adel/Philstar.com)
Duterte on S&P rating: China, Russia are... PAGE A5 Vice pres. Leni Robredo
Prior to her vice presidency, Robredo openly voices out her opposition against the Martial Law period. During the campaign period, she questioned the human rights violation of Marcos. Late President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation 1081 on Sept. 21, 1972, placing the entire country under Martial Law. Dur-
ing the full implementation of martial law, several officials and citizens were arrested and activists were killed while a number of institutions and media outlets were also closed down Martial law officially ended Jan. 13, 1981 although Marcos remained in power until the historic EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the S&P assessment “gives the government greater resolve to make the economy growth robust, sustainable and inclusive.” “The president’s commitment in the anti-illegal drug campaign and criminality will enhance the country’s image to attract more foreign investments. Peace and order is a must for investors to
invest more in the country,” Andanar said. “As we all know, consumer optimism soared at the start of this presidency.” On Tuesday, Sept. 20, members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the war on drugs is good for business despite a rise in deaths attributed to the government’s drive against narcotics. “Many of us believe in the same thing, these are allega-
tions,” PCCI president George Barcelon said. “We would not want to jump to conclusion on this issue.” Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Federation Inc., also disputed reports that foreign investors have become wary of coming into the country because of the killings. “They don’t care if 50 percent of Filipinos kill each other so long as they are not affected,” he said.
FILIPINO PROGRAMMING
ONLYON LA18 All New “LolaBasyang.com” begins Sept.13th
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A
drugs for its human rights violations. It turned out Duterte was seated between Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo. The Official Gazette also received flak on social media for posting a birthday card on Facebook for former Ferdinand Marcos, whom the Gazette called the country’s “longest serving President” without mentioning Marcos’ declaration of martial law. The Gazette later edited the Facebook post after netizens accused it of revising history. Andanar has said he has taken such criticism to heart and has promised to streamline the Palace communication strategy. Prior to the memo, Cabinet members would speak to media about Duterte’s statements. These include Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo SEptEmbER SHOWERS. A boy living near the Golden mosque in Quiapo enjoys an instant shower from recent and Peace Process Adviser Jesus overcast skies. two typhoons early this week skipped metro manila but carried with them gusty winds and rain Dureza.
Robredo urges Filipinos to remain vigilant vs return of martial law by roSette
OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 23-29, 2016
Lola Basyang.com
Boots Anson-Roa comes to LA18 via TV5’s LolaBasyang.com , playing Lola Basyang , who shares classic stories
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na may modern-day twist for our viewers! In this modern-day version, Lola B is a tech-savvy grandma, and she shares her stories with children via blogs and a webcam.
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Aljur Abrenica’s redemption
absorb disapprovals not only of showbiz insiders but fans as well. “the criticisms really hurt. What the public mostly sees is I questioned myself [if I should his brawny physique, which earned carry on]. I went through different stages of sadness until I fell into this talent search winner the title depression,” abrenica elaborated. “Ultimate hunk” for “Starstruck” in Like any human being 2006. Over the years, his chiseled constantly on the receiving end body also became his ticket to of negative feedback, abrenica attract excited female fans via the allowed himself to wallow in annual Cosmo Bachelor Bash and misery but realized he had a his inclusion in the “sexiest men” choice. polls several times. “I woke up one day and But during his press conference decided I should deal with it. for the upcoming commercial I took a break and traveled— run of “ang hapis at himagsik basically devoted a lot time just ni hermano Puli” (“the agony to analyze my acting problem,” he and the Fury of hermano Puli”), continued. aljur abrenica chose to reveal his after undergoing denial, vulnerability, most especially when anger, bargaining, and more it comes to criticisms. the 26-year-old actor admitted depression, abrenica reached the acceptance stage and became he is not oblivious to critics’ fully aware that he lacked the takes on his performance. as he continued to pursue tV and movie knowledge and skills in acting. “Before, I couldn’t understand projects, sometimes lucky to what was going wrong because play the lead, he quietly chose to by christina
alpad ManilaTimes.net
I was doing my best. But when I exposed myself to more films and other cultures, I found that I had a shallow understanding of acting,” abrenica told the Manila times. he took it upon himself to study the history of film, the evolution of the acting industry, and learn about the lives of important personalities by watching endless biographies, among others. In the process, he was especially inspired by the story of american actor, film director and activist Marlon Brando, Jr. whom he now considers his hero. “By learning how these artists became actors, I was able to deepen my understanding of the acting process. and apparently, I was surprised that some of them had gone through what I have just experienced,” abrenica related. It was a eureka moment that encouraged him to return to acting.
Redemption as fate would have it, abrenica serendipitously came across the movie “hermano Puli” at this crossroads in his life and got the titular role. he gives life to historical figure apolinario de la Cruz who founded the Cofradia de San Jose religious brotherhood in tayabas (now Quezon) in 1831. Because of his quest for religious freedom, he was pronounced a heretic and sentenced to death by the Spanish colonial government. Now armed with more knowledge and inspiration—from his experience in doing independent films in between—abrenica is more confident and proud to present the movie directed by Gil Portes. “I am totally happy with the result of our hard work. Of course, as an actor, I did my best but more than that, what we truly hope is for the present
audience to meet hermano Puli and for the people to give him due acknowledgement,” he said. When asked for his takeaway from the experience, abrenica said that besides learning more about his craft, he also felt that there
2
were people who were genuinely concerned about him. “and for that I am very thankful. thankful for every one surrounding me, those who guided me—from my directors to my friends,” he concluded.
Michael Pangilinan’s love affair with music by Boy
aBunda Philstar.com
Spotted: Drew Barrymore visits a department store in Manila by Jacqueline
Inquirer.net
arias
DReW Barrymore is apparently in Manila and she was just spotted in a department store in Makati. according to her Instagram post, Drew is here for a branding trip for her cruelty-free makeup brand FLOWeR Beauty. She’s seen exploring the beauty section of
SM Makati. Maybe she’s thinking of bringing FLOWeR to the Philippines soon and we sure hope so! Before flying to Manila, Drew was in hong Kong where she attended a few meetings for FLOWeR. She also strolled around the city and visited the Man Mo temple.
MIChaeL Pangilinan, as a solo artist, has parlayed his brief stint in the “X Factor Philippines” into a successful music career with the help of his manager Jobert Sucaldito. he’s also a member of the boy band harana alongside Bryan Santos, Joseph Marco and Marlo Mortel. While Michael admits he prefers flying solo, he also enjoys performing with his bandmates whenever they have shows together. Michael enjoys singing and welcomes any opportunity whether by himself or with his bandmates. “I am comfortable as a solo performer as much as I am with my group. We won’t be this far if we are not comfortable with each other,” Michael explains. Michael’s love affair with music
began when he was eight years old. “and the first song I learned was ‘Stupid Love’ by Salbakuta. It was then the most popular song when I was a kid. People who knew me would tell me that I have a talent for music.” Michael’s father became his first mentor, and he says he really benefitted from his father’s mentoring. according to Michael, his father also loves to sing but is not a stage father who forced him to follow in his own footsteps. he let his son find his way to music largely on his own. that was probably why Michael enjoys singing so much. “It was my dad who really encouraged me to pursue music. My dad also sings. he told me as a kid that if I wanted to sing when I grow up, it is okay with him. So, here I am.” Michael has a platinum-selling
self-titled solo eP, an album and sold-out show at the Music Museum with harana, and a hit movie (last summer’s “Pare Mahal Mo Raw ako”, in which Michael plays a straight guy whom edgar allan Guzman’s character falls for) tucked under his belt. Michael’s acting was wellreceived by critics and fans alike, but he says it will take a while before he steps in front of a camera again. “I am a singer not an actor. an actor’s job is not easy. You have to create a character, memorize lines and study scripts. as a singer, when you need to study a song, you can listen to it once, and after a day or two, you’ve mastered it.” Michael has already wrapped up work on a new album under Star Music. It will be released soon, preceded by a lovely R&B ditty titled “hanggang Kailan,” which was written by Cynthia Roque and Rox
Michael Pangilinan: I am comfortable as a solo performer as much as I am
Santos. Michael premiered the song to a packed Music Museum when he guested in Morissette’s concert. there is no doubt that Michael’s sophomore album will be a worthy follow-up to his debut album.
The things worth aspiring for, according to Megan by nathalie
tomada Philstar.com
which she’s endorsing. Megan is solely being ALMOST every day this managed by Miss World even month, Megan Young gets three years after her reign. This reminded about that special means she continues to fly in and time three years ago, when she out of the country doing projects competed and then made the for Miss World around the world. country proud by winning the Recently, she returned to england first-ever Miss World crown for the to do Mister World. “So, from Philippines. time to time, they get me to “It feels like it was just host for them, which is a great yesterday, to be honest. Although opportunity I think — (because it has already been three years, it’s an) international stage. And it’s whenever things pop up on my nice because you’re outside your facebook memories, sometimes usual working environment and pictures, it’s like, wow, I can’t I’m so used to working in the local believe that it was this time industry, but it’s nice to see how of the year. Because it was things go about in like england, September when I competed, or when we’re in China, I got to so every day this month I’ve see how they work there, or when been getting memories of when we were in Indonesia…it’s good I was competing. It’s just been to see the working environments a nice throwback reminder for of other places.” me,” Megan told The Star on the frequent flying could sidelines of her shoot for the spring up some surprises like #Aspire campaign of the tech permanent and irresistible work brand opportunities overseas. “I can’t Acer, say for sure (if I’m open to that), but I do enjoy my time here in the Philippines and I mean, it’s my home country, the first country I truly love so I think for now, I’ll be here, but who knows there could be opportunities. I’m always open to opportunities,” said Megan. Keeping her busy here are the charity efforts she does for Miss World and Miss World Philippines. “As of now, we’re still pushing for support for the onco/ pediatrics wing of the Philippine General hospital. That one is funded by Miss World and Miss World Philippines. But we still need equipment for that.” As a host and actress, her hands are full as the leading lady of Dingdong Dantes in the GMA 7 primetime series Alyas Robin hood premiering tonight. She’s also starring with Ai-Ai delas Alas in the family-driven comedy Mighty Yaya under Regal films. She Philstar.com photos by Ver Paulino continues to be sought out
for product endorsements, and to be the face of Acer’s new #Aspire campaign, which is about “breaking barriers between people and technology,” along with life coach francis Kong, couldn’t be any more fitting. “I’m really happy. No. 1, because I’ve always been a techie girl. I didn’t have any sports growing up and if there was such a sport as technology, I would have considered that (laughs). Nowadays, you have kids doing online games and then eventually making it a sport, you can see that in the future happening. I’m like wow, why can’t I be a teenager now? Bakit nung time namin walang ganyan? So I mean, I’m happy that they thought of me to represent its new line of laptops,” she said. Megan is a certified gamer, in case this piece of info hasn’t reached you yet. “Once you’re a gamer, always a gamer. I hate to use the word bisyo because medyo pangit siya na word, but I think it’s more of a vice, there you go, it’s the only vice that I have and will ever have — games... But now that I’m older, I’m learning how to control my gaming habits because of my work. for me, it’s not about being very particular with what kind of game, it’s more of, oh, I enjoy this game, I’m going to spend time and effort to try and complete it. And that’s me, that’s where my fulfillment is — the child in me coming out and also getting things done.” Right now, she’s into mobile games and has caught on the Pokemon craze. “Girl, that was my childhood! We don’t need to discuss that; that is a given (laughs),” Megan readily admitted. “As of now, I just do whatever is on my mobile or in my tablet. That’s easier for me because I’m not home all the time. Actually, all my game consoles naka-stuck nalang dun (sa house). The only time we really have time for that is when we have family get-togethers.” Megan, however, has laid down some personal rules for her gaming as well as other tech-related activities. “I guess for games, as long as I finish my work for the day, I’m free to play. Continued on Page 4
september 23-29, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
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Gwen Zamora finds her niche in indie movies by Christina alpad
appeared in “Boy Pick-Up,” “My Kontrabida Girl” and other light She still looks as fresh faced as hearted films. when she first started her showbiz As with most movie stars, career in her teens, but Gwen Zamora is also active on TV. She Zamora has matured in so many is part of the longest running gag ways in the last six years. show, “Bubble Gang,” and landed Gwenaelle Tasha Mae Agnese different roles in such soaps as in real life, Zamora was lured into “Grazilda,” “Machete,” “Inamorata,” the world of performing arts since “Indio,” “Aso Ni San Roque” and “My childhood. As a little girl, spare Mother’s Secret,” among others. time meant enjoying the ropes One of her career milestones of various dance forms such as arrived when she landed the lead ballet, jazz, belly dancing and even role in the 2012 Indonesian movie flamenco. Loving the spotlight, “The Witness,” which was shown she was naturally enticed to try her in Malaysia, Singapore and the hand at acting and at the age of 13 Philippines. started out in school plays, which Independent foray laid the foundation for her interest ever the thriving artist, her in show business. accomplishments in mainstream Affirming her acting prowess, media never rendered Zamora to she was nominated Best be lax. Impressed by the growth Newcomer and Supporting Actress of independent cinema in the for her debut movie. She reprised country, she branched out in the her role for two more “enterng g enre with the award-winning Kabisote” outings, namely, “enteng Mario Cornejo film Apocalypse Ng Ina Mo” and “Si Agimat, Si Child. enteng At Si Ako.” The indie movie is hinged on Outside the franchise, she also the premise that “Apocalypse Now” ManilaTimes.net
Gwen Zamora
director francis ford Coppola— who shot parts of the 1979 American epic war adventure film movie in Baler—left an illegitimate Continued on Page 5
Janice de Belen will not be a stage mother by lhar
santiago ManilaTimes.net
If Janice De Belen has her way, she wants her daughter Inah De Belen to discover everything that showbiz can offer on her own. The former teen star of the ‘80s and soap opera queen of the iconic “flor de Luna,” believes that this way, her eldest daughter will be tougher as the latter follows her footsteps. “Let her experience everything. I believe that experience is always the best teacher. When she decided that she wanted to give showbiz a try, I didn’t say no, but I also did not give her tips on what to do. Anyway, she grew up with both parents in the industry so she is already familiar with it,” Janice enthused. Inah’s dad is John estrada, whom Janice was married to until 2004. Inah considers herself fortunate because her parents are very supportive of her decision to make a career out of acting. She’s also thankful that her dad understood
Janice de Belen
why she had to drop “estrada” for her screen name and use her mom’s last name instead. “At first, I felt he was disappointed but I explained to him that just because I’m not using estrada as my screen name, it doesn’t mean I’m turning my back on him. I told him I will always be proud to carry his name. I just needed to use De Belen because there are only two De Belens in showbiz, my mom and my Tita Gelli, while there are already a lot
of estradas. I’m so happy my dad understood me,” Inah said of her practical decision. Inah’s star is ready to rise as GMA Network airs beginning September 19, the afternoon drama “Oh My Mama” where she plays the lead. The soap is a remake of a Maricel Soriano hit movie in the ‘80s. With Inah in the series are Kapuso young leading men Jake Vargas and Jeric Gonzales. She said of her co-actors, “I’m so happy that they’re very nice. Most of my scenes right now are with Tito epi (Quizon). I have known him since I was young so I feel more relaxed working with him.” Inah looks forward to doing more projects with GMA and meeting other actors from the network. I’m already here in showbiz so I want to give it my best shot. I’m open to all challenges. At the same time, I want to enjoy this moment—this big opportunity that was given to me,” said Janice’s lovely daughter.
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september 23-29, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
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Authentic Cantonese dim sum finally hits the Inland Empire DIm sum enthusiasts in the Inland Empire, long gone are the days in which you’d have to travel far and wide for quality Cantonese dining. Opened over the summer, China Republic in Rancho Cucamonga promises an intermingling of authentic Cantonese cuisine served in a modern setting. upon walking to the restaurant, customers may be awestruck at the beauty of the interior decoration, which can be best described as a take on traditional Chinese decor with a contemporary feel. The friendly, attentive staff are there to provide recommendations tailored to each customer’s unique appetite. Of the high-quality dim sum pickings, some of the highlights include the shrimp Har Gow, BBQ Pork Buns and the ever-popular Pork shu mai. Packed with flavor and presented with generous portions, the dim sum options at China Republic will surely impress its customer base from dim sum novices to the pickiest of enthusiasts.
Customers will enjoy a diverse menu that also includes vegetarian options like the Vegetarian dumpling and Vegetarian roll, a meatless take on the egg roll. many dim sum experts base
their opinion of the restaurant by the quality of the dim sum staple Pork Xiao Long Bao, and China Republic does not disappoint. It’s served with vinegar and garlic pieces which act as perfect complements. But don’t stay limited to just the dim sum menu! China Republic offers a wide array of appetizers, soups and chef specials as well as an abundance of chicken, pork, beef, vegetables and seafood options. Not to miss are the Hong Kong style BBQ options like the Peking Duck, Hong Kong style Roasted Duck and Crispy Fried Chicken. Whether you’re new to Cantonese cuisine or you’re an experienced connoisseur, China Republic will not disappoint. China Republic also offers takeout and catering. To order for takeout or to inquire about catering, call (909) 899-5245. To access their menu, visit http://www. eatchinarepublic.com/. China Republic is opened seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is conveniently located near the 15 freeway at 12806 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739.
Jessica Sanchez makes waves for Clinton campaign By Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
JEssICA sanchez’s latest single “stronger Together” was a hit at this year’s Democratic National Convention, so much so that the song has become the unofficial anthem of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Legendary songwriters Carole Bayer sager, Bruce Roberts and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds wrote the song and asked the half-Filipina, half-mexican popstar to record it. Without hesitation, she agreed to it and the next day she recorded the catchy, upbeat pop song. Just days after recording, “stronger Together” premiered at the DNC. sanchez describes hearing her voice at the DNC as a “crazy experience” and is proud to contribute her talents to the campaign. “It was insane, and I still can’t believe I’m out here doing this stuff,” sanchez, 21, told the Asian Journal. “It’s a huge opportunity to be out here, and it’s so amazing to be a part of this campaign.” In addition to providing the voice for the campaign’s theme song, the American Idol alum has been on the ground campaigning for Clinton. Earlier this month, sanchez was at the university of Las Vegas (uNLV) with Hillary for Nevada registering voters and garnering support. sanchez feels that Clinton has the people’s interest on the
forefront. she added that a Clinton presidency would greatly benefit young Americans because of her plans to make college affordable and limit student debt. “I really feel like she’s for the people, and she’s really here to help our future and I feel like she will improve the country,” sanchez said. “I’m excited to be a part of this and support her and actually vote her this election, which is the first election where I’ll be able to
vote.” The campaign’s message also resonates with sanchez, who believes in uniting Americans together is the solution to many of the nation’s problems. “I don’t want to name names, but I feel like [Clinton’s] message is better than other people’s messages,” sanchez said with a laugh. “I think bringing the community together is really important.”
The things worth aspiring for... From Page 3
I always have a checklist for the things I need to complete within the day, and after I do all that, I can do whatever I want.” “As for social media use, I guess for me, whatever is out there, that’s me sharing it. I want people to know that it’s what I want to share with them. I can be an open book to the people that I talk to, but I think on a bigger scale, as social media is worldwide and everyone can access it from everywhere, it’s really up to you (Advertising Supplement) — up to what extent do you want
EMPLOYMENT
Photo from Jessica Sanchez’s official Facebook page
EMPLOYMENT
FOSTER HOMECARE
to share about your life. so, for me, whatever you see on my social media accounts, that’s what I (am willing to) share.” meanwhile, it’s beauty pageant season once again, and megan has to be asked for some winning tips for young ladies aspiring to bring home the crown. “I always say this, it’s a cliché but it worked for me and I think it has also worked for Pia (Wurtzbach, reigning miss universe): Just be yourself — in your most authentic way. I think
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it’s not nice if you pretend to be postura (poised) all the time, if you’re not really like that. People will see through that, so just be yourself. If you stumble, it’s OK. Or if you don’t look or feel your best that day, be honest to yourself and the people around you — in a nice way possible, of course.” Anything else she aspires to do in the future? “I aspire to be a successful businesswoman one day, so I hope it happens! Ayoko ma-jinx siya but there are stuff in the works.”
september 23-29, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
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Family-based green cards: Who is eligible? SKT Immigration
Eliot KriEgEr IF you are a United States citizen or green card holder, you may be able to petition for certain members of your family to come and live permanently in the United States (U.S.). Your relative’s eligibility and waiting time depends on your U.S. status and the familial relationship. Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens Immediate relatives have special immigration priority and do not have to wait in line for a visa number to become available for them to immigrate to the U.S. This means that as an immediate relative, you are eligible to receive a green card immediately. The definition includes “immediate relatives” include: • Spouses of U.S. citizens; and • Unmarried children under the age of 21 of U.S. citizens; and • Parents of U.S. citizens who are over the age of 21. Family Preference Category If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
(“LPR” or “green card holder”), then your other relatives may be eligible for sponsorship. These family members fit into various preference categories, which determine the waiting time for an available visa. Depending on the preference category, the waiting time may span several years. The family-sponsored preference categories are: • First Preference Category: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their minor children (if any) • Second Preference Category: Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) of LPRs • Third Preference Category: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children • Fourth Preference Category: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children, provided that U.S. citizens are at least 21 years of age The process starts with filing a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) demonstrating the familial relationship between the U.S. petitioner and the foreign beneficiary. The spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of the principal beneficiary may also apply for
permanent residence as derivative beneficiaries. Once the petition is approved, the beneficiary may apply for a visa at the United States Consulate or Embassy abroad where he or she resides. The last step will be an interview at the United States Embassy or Consulate at which point the visa will be approved and the beneficiary can travel to the United States. Beneficiaries, who are lawfully present in the U.S., may apply to adjust their immigration status to a green card holder without having to return to their home country. U.S. immigration law promotes family unity. However, obtaining a family-based green card can be lengthy and frustrating without the help of experienced attorneys and staff. Our seasoned team can assist and guide you through the family-based green card application process. *** Eliot Krieger is a Partner at Sullivan, Krieger, Truong, Spagnola, and Klausner, LLP. He is a former Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Department of Justice. He has a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Website: www.sullivankrieger.com Contact us at any of our offices: Long Beach + 1 (562) 597-7070 Irvine + 1 (949) 390-5270
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AAPA’s leadership symposium Join the Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) for an all-day event from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with exceptional and diverse keynote speakers and panelists, as well as multiple workshops on diversity and leadership topics. The symposium is open to everyone, and will be held at the Pacific Palms Hotel, 1 Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry, CA 91744. For more information, please visit http://aapamentoring.com/.
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PASCPA-Los Angeles dinner dance event Philippine American Society of Certified Public Accountants (PASCPA) is celebrating 30 years of promoting excellence for the future leaders! Join PASCPA on Saturday, Sept. 24 as it installs officers & board members and inducts new members of the organization. Networking will begin at 4:30 until 6:15 p.m. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at Pickwick Gardens, 1001 Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 91506. Attire is formal and there will be no host bar. A donation of $65 is required. For more information, please visit http://pascpa.org/.
8th Regional Celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Region invites everyone to the 8th Regional Celebration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the First Filipino Saint. Festivities will be on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at this year’s host parish, Holy Family Church - Glendale (209 East Lomita Avenue, Glendale CA 91205). Procession starts at 4:30 PM , then Mass at 5:30 PM with Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, as Principal Celebrant. Reception , fellowship and program will immediately follow at the Holy Family Grade School Auditorium across the church. For more information, please contact Ping Bayani at(913) 558-4332 or bayani0950@yahoo.com.
Annual celebration of Sr.San Miguel Archangel The Association of Iligan City & Lanao del Norte of Southern California (AICLNSC) invites everyone, Iliganons, Lanaons and friends to come and celebrate the annual celebration in honor of Senior San Miguel de Archangel, Patron of Iligan City. The Diyandi 2016 Fiesta Celebration will be at Carson Park, 21411 South Orrick St., Carson, CA 90745 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be a Holy Mass at 11:00 a.m. and followed by Sinulog/ Procession at 11:30 a.m. On September 24, 2016, a Dinner Dance/Induction of new set of Officers 2016-2018 to be held at St. Philomena Parish Hall, 21900 South Main St., Carson, CA 90745 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For details, please call Lenard Castillo (310) 8869374 or Edna Cabreros (562) 316-9541.
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Virgen de los Remedios Festivities at the Los Angeles Cathedral
Sullivan, Krieger, Truong, Spagnola, & Klausner, LLP Exceptional team of immigration specialists to help you in the legal process THE United States immigration process is complicated and difficult. There are a multitude of immigration programs, each with its own set of requirements and procedures. Families struggle to determine the appropriate visa, the length of the process, and a flurry of other questions that accompany the decision to immigrate. Without proper guidance, you may face repeated delays and a potential denial. It is not going to be easy, but consulting the right legal experts may be the key to success. The outstanding international team of attorneys and paralegals at Sullivan, Krieger, Truong, Spagnola, & Klausner, LLP (SKT) can navigate you through the complex United States immigration system. They will help you select the best visa – suited to your personal circumstances – and guide you through all the steps. SKT can transform a complicated process into a simple experience for its clients. SKT has offices in Long Beach, California; Irvine, California; Manila, Philippines; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Each of SKT’s international offices is staffed with licensed attorneys, which allows their clients convenient access to legal advice. SKT is a firm with extensive experience with the EB-5 Immigration Investor Program. Under the EB-5 Program, foreign investors and their families can apply for green cards, allowing them to live and work in the United States and travel internationally, through an investment in an existing or new
business in the United States and the creation of 10 permanent, fulltime jobs. Once the EB-5 petition is approved, an individual can immediately begin the process to obtain a two-year conditional green card, which can later be converted to a full-fledged green card. The EB-5 Program is an especially great option for Filipinos as there is currently no wait time for Filipino nationals. Given the lengthy backlogs of other green card categories for Filipino nationals, the EB-5 program is a popular alternative. The process is intensive, but SKT’s exceptional team of immigration specialists has the expertise to achieve success. They have a 100 percent approval rate with EB-5 related petitions. Aside from immigration, SKT is a full-service law firm with attorneys who are uniquely qualified to advise clients with regards to all areas of law, including civil litigation, family law, criminal defense, business law, and international law. The collaboration and collective insight of the SKT attorneys enable them to view each case from various legal perspectives. SKT establishes bonds with their clients and provide quality
work at an affordable cost. Its experienced attorneys have tackled some of the toughest legal issues and are well-respected for their dedication, diligence, and exceptional client results. SKT also provides legal counsel in multiple languages to best serve its diverse clientele. To reach an office, call 877-877-1-LAW, or email info@ sullivankrieger.com. Locations: LONG BEACH 444 W. Ocean Blvd. Ste. 1700 Long Beach, CA 90274 Tel: +1 (562) 597-7070 Fax: + 1 (562) 597-7772 IRVINE 2 Park Plaza, Suite 900 Irvine, CA 92614 Tel: +1 (949) 390-5270 FAX: +1 (949) 208-7125 PHILIPPINES Dela Cruz Law (member firm of SKT) Unit B, 12th Floor, Marco Polo Hotel Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Road Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines 3937 Tel: +63 2 788 5196 VIETNAM Suite 1346, 13th Floor, Kumho Asiana Plaza 39 Le Duan Street District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: (84-8) 6288 6400 - Ext 1510 Fax: (84-8) 6288 8701 Mobile: (84) 936 889 336 (Advertising Supplement)
Gwen Zamora finds her niche in indie... From Page 3 child in the Philippines. The film was shot in 2015 and premiered in the same year at the Quezon City International Film Festival. Zamora plays the role of Serena, who—in her own words—is “the fire starter” of the plot. “My character is basically the cause of the fire. She kind of creates this feud among everyone,” Zamora related to The Manila Times during a pocket interview on September 14. The 26-year-old actress thoroughly expressed why she enjoyed her first experience on a indie set.
“The movie was the best experience–craft-wise and workwise–that I’ve had in my six years of being in the entertainment industry. One of the reasons why I enjoyed it so much was because of the treatment that the movie was given,” Zamora began. She explained it took director Cornejo and his co-writer Monster Jimenez five years to write the story to start with so that the flow and the script had no flaws. “They knew exactly how they wanted the story to go. The way we auditioned and the way we prepared for the movie was nothing like I’d ever done
before. We knew the script and had chemistry testing before we even got to the location. It was all planned out but once we started rolling, the movie became a collaborative work. If we felt that the scene could be improved we were allowed to make suggestions to the director or the co-actors,” Zamora shared. “The experience was really a breath of fresh air because in past movies that I’ve done—and I am not saying they’re bad—we paid close attention to every detail/ In other films, we just got the scrip and then it was, ‘Let’s see how it will go’,” she added.
Thousands of Marian devotees all over Los Angeles will gather at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the Diamond Jubilee of Virgen de los Remedios Canonical Coronation on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. The Glendale High School Band, conducted by Grammy nominee Amy Rangel, will lead the afternoon procession participated by both Filipinos and Latinos in their traditional costumes. This will be followed by a Solemn High Mass with the joint choirs of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, St. Columban, Couples for Christ and the award winning Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir accompanied by musical artists from the Filipino American community. Everyone is invited to come and bring their Marian images. Organizations are asked to bring their banners for the procession to begin at the Cathedral Plaza. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is located at 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2707.
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White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders community town hall The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) Southwest Regional Network is holding an Asian American & Pacific Islander community town hall on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Las Vegas. Officials from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), US Department of Labor (DOL), Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and Social Security Administration (SSA) will present their agency’s overviews and answer your questions. The event is hosted by the Asian Community Development Council at 2610 S. Jones Blvd., Suite 3, Las Vegas, NV 89146. To RSVP, please register at www.whiaapiroundlasvegas. eventbrite.com.
S E P T E M B E R 29
Bataan Legacy Historical Society multimedia presentation Bataan Legacy Historical Society, a non-profit educational 501(c)(3) organization, will hold a multimedia presentation at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, please visit www.bataanlegacy.org.
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Artisan Made Philippines’ pop-up event in Los Angeles Celebrate the start of Filipino-American Heritage Month with Artisan Made Philippines on Saturday, October 1, a pop-up event showcasing some of the best social enterprises emerging from the Philippines. The event will kick-off at 1 p.m. with an Eco Fashion Show featuring the beautiful pieces from each of the various collaborators such as Filip+Inna, Rags2Riches, and ANTHILL that are part of the Artisan Made Philippines Capsule Collection. After the fashion show, at 2 p.m., meet some of the founders at the Founders Fireside Chat and learn about the wonderful work that these organizations are doing in the Philippines to make a difference in the lives of artisans, indigenous tribes & women’s collectives. There will also be some surprise performances from various international artists during the event. Culminating the festivities is a VIP Kamayan Style Dinner with New York Timesfeatured Chef Yana Gilbuena, who will be creating a five-course meal using ingredients influenced by artisan-made and Indigenous Filipino tribes. The address of the venue in West Los Angeles (Marina Del Rey / Culver City / Venice area) will be provided to those who RSVP & revealed before the event. For general admission and VIP tickets, please visit: www.artisanmadeph.eventbrite.com.
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25th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is proud to announce the date & venue for the anticipated Silver Anniversary edition of its annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture. FPAC 25, the 25th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), will take place Saturday, October 8 at the beautiful Echo Park Lake. Admission is FREE. The popular festival, the City of Los Angeles’ Filipino American Event, is the longest-running Filipino cultural celebration in Southern California. Audiences can expect to enjoy traditional and contemporary Filipino food, music, dance, crafts and culture. This year’s theme, “Samu’t Sari: Showcasing the Diverse Creative Tapestry of the FilAm Community,” lends its meaning to the Tagalog phrase which loosely translates to “diversity.” While certainly a hot topic in today’s society, FilAm Arts focuses on the vast contributions of Filipino American artists to the creative tapestry of the City. For more information, please visit www.filamarts.org or call 2133803722. For sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please email info@filamarts.org.
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Screenwriting seminar with Ricky Lee at the International Film Festival Manhattan Filipino scriptwriter Ricky Lee is coming to NYC! Join him as he imparts his talent and shares his 50 years of experience. Mr. Lee’s legacy started way back 1966 as an aspiring high school student who has pushed on with hard work and determination to become the Ricky Lee we know now; recipient of numerous awards, including the CNN Asian Viewers’ Choice Award for his film “Himala” and this year’s honorable guest at the International Film Festival Manhattan as the Lifetime Achievement Awardee; with hundreds of produced scripts to his name; novelist, journalist, playwright and mentor of the most notable writers and directors of Philippine Cinema. Be part of his workshop series entitled, “Writing Your Story,” on Oct 17-19. Laugh with him, cry with him, reminisce with him, feel with him and most importantly, write with him by your side. Who knows you might even be watching the movie “Himala” with him during those nights. Please email LuisPedron@gmail.com (Ricky Lee Seminar on the subject line) to get more information.
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
september 23-29, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Part 1 of 2 parts)
ON a visit to my father’s grave site on a quiet, lush, manicured patch of Forest Lawn Glendale, my husband, daughter and I trudged along several tombstones of husbands and wives who lived in the 1850’s and died just before the mid-1900’s buried side by side. My daughter noted the pattern in the headstones of a generation ago. I commented that it is getting harder to find such longevity of devotion these days among younger married couples of the current generation. Call this the Age of Distraction for the “Selfies” generation. It seems we love ourselves far too much to the exclusion of others. Perhaps it is because society as a whole, is engaged in far too many distractions and mired in too much self-absorption. Social media enables and encourages a popular culture that fosters self-love to the worrisome point of extreme narcissism. It has become a struggle for many couples just to stay together. One might argue that the generations before us didn’t have the same challenges that we are
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Two magical words “…And I think about those people who mean so much to me And for so many years have made me so very happy And I count the times I have forgotten to say “thank you” And just how much I love them.”
— “Sometimes”, Richard & Karen Carpenter
having. True. It may have been a far simpler time compared to the complexities we are all faced with. And yet they leave behind lessons of love that result in devotion and fidelity. Surely, we can learn a lot about nurturing human relations from those who have gone before us. This I have learned from an older generation at an early age. Of all the powerful words in the English language, the words “Thank you” are like magic wands in helping transform human relationships, marriage in particular, happier. Not perfect … just happier. You don’t even have to say the words. You can acknowledge anything good done for you by your partner by a sweet gesture, a nod, a smile, a touch or anything else that works for you that says “thank you.” In short, don’t take your partner for granted. Whether you’ve been together 50 days or 50 years, those words never get old. If you want that most
powerful emotion called love to live on, treat your partner like a gardener takes care of a plant. Most plants cannot survive without water, light, soil and other optimum conditions kept at a consistent basis. The human heart is like that. It grows strong and beautiful with constant, devoted care. Saying “thank you” to your partner in life as often as you can, simply means you appreciate him. You are validating his worth as a person. Perhaps, being appreciated and shown respect, is next on the list of the most basic needs of a human being after the needs of food, clothing and shelter are met. The words may not come naturally to you and your partner may be stunned at first but go ahead. Give it a try and say “thank you.” Say it like you mean it. Look for the small gestures such as giving you a cup of coffee, opening your car door, doing housework, cleaning your car or filling up your gas tank. Just don’t take what he does for
you as a given. Or how about taking the initiative yourself? If you do it long enough and often enough, he just might mirror your behavior. What goes around comes around. If he brings home the paycheck that pays for your family life, then treat him like a king. Often, the goodhearted partner will treat you like his queen. There are exceptions, of course. It is only the jerks and the jackasses who abuse their positions of strength. That holds true for both sexes. If there is constant, sincere appreciation shifting back and forth between partners, you are, in effect, cementing a foundation for a relationship that would be tough to crack even if a threat to your marriage, like a pretty, young vixen with mile-long legs comes along making a play for your partner. Likewise, a smooth talking, slick Pepe Le Pew character with washboard abs would smell more like Brad’s sweaty armpit and would have no chance with a woman who already has a man at home she can canoodle with. The same is true for men. Paul Newman simply explained why he remained faithful to Joanne Woodward, “Why fool around with hamburger when you have steak at home?” What is good for the gander is good for the goose. There may be scores of women out there right
now who feel neglected by their spouses. Maybe there’s another woman or man waiting in the wings. But more often than not during this Age of Distraction, the disaffection is rooted in selfabsorption. And there lies the problem. Women need, want and crave appreciation just as much as men, if not more. Self-love takes many forms — whether it is playing video games or social networking on FB, Twitter or Instagram or some such platform on the internet for hours on end; binge drinking; gambling; watching or playing golf or any other sport; vain, self-obsession as a health nut or on becoming an Adonis bodybuilding hunk or going to the deep end of things, deviant sex and pornography. With few exceptions, obsession is unhealthy not only for the obsessed but also for those who live within his or her immediate orbit. Excessive time spent on these obsessions is time stolen from nurturing the love relationship. Watch out for these modern-day distractions and addictions that are just too many to list. Admit them if you have them and break the bonds with firm resolve. If you want true love and happiness, strive for balance and moderation. In all cases of neglect, love is left to wither and die. Women who feel neglected, if driven to their limits, may throw all
caution to the wind and look for love from the first opportunistic guy that comes along ready to engage in mild flirtation, an occasional dalliance or a full blown affair and gives them the attention and validation they crave. Such women can make disastrous, life-changing decisions that cause not only personal damage but also leave behind in the wake of a messy split, massive psychological, irreversible damage to children and other people involved in the couple’s life. Say “thank you” and mean it. Don’t just do it out of habit. Cut off the cellphone “umbilical cord” and make eye contact. Open your eyes and see the good in your partner. Wisdom, as they say, is knowing what to overlook. Rein in that critical sharp tongue. The tongue is a small yet powerful muscle that can lash out capable of slashing and burning a relationship forever. The effect is amplified a million times when you write it down or use the web to vent your fury. When you document your anger on paper and more frequently these days online, you have entered “scorched earth” territory. There is little chance of ever going back. (To be continued) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal P u b l i c a t i o n s , I n c . To s e n d c o m m e n t s , e - m a i l m o n e t te.
(Second row, L-R) Ed Agcaoili, Ding Maragay, Ed Acosta, Lito Borge, Jun Santos, Faustino Caigoy, Jaime Movida, Jesse Romero, Bayani Africa, Domy Bautista, Tony Antonio, Ed Arao, Rene Castillo, Blas Rivera, Romy Gloria, Romy Oriel, Tony Fajardo. (front, row, L-R) Larry Geronca, Thomas de Jesus, Romy’s granddaughter Jaycee, Esther Acosta, Digna Martinez, Tieda Darby, Susan Andrade, Jim
Filipino USPS retirees in Los Angeles celebrate 3rd anniversary reunion
IT is hard to believe it was the 3rd anniversary reunion for Filipino USPS retirees last September 17 in Chino Hills, California. Hosted by Romy and Tess Vidal, the group for retirees feels like a family. The number of retirees is increasing each year. It was such a great day to see their “former co-workers” again since 2013. They promised that they will continue to share their usual fun and laughter for as long as their health allows them to. They all wanted to preserve their personal remembrances, reaections and appreciation
for being a postal retiree in a historical context. It was wonderful to listen to the stories of what they remembered in their years of working as postal employees. Some stories were ones that had never been told and perhaps there were a few that never should have been told, but it was all great fun. Led by Lito Borge with solid support from Romy Vidal, Tony Antonio, Tony Fajardo, Jaime Movida, Bayani Africa, Thomas de Jesus and Jesse Romero. They feel pleased and are excited to see more retirees in the coming years.
“The Lovely Ladies” (L-R) Jessie Yoro, Susan Andrade, Tieda Daniels, Nerry Gloria, Digna Martinez, “Jaycee”, Esther Acosta, Gie Antonio, Elizabeth Regadio, Tess Vidal’s mommy Aurora, Tess Vidal and Mhabel Borge
(Sitting) Jun Santos, Faustino Caigoy, Ding Maragay, Blas Rivera, Renee Lamberte, Ed Arao, Ed Agcaoili, Romy Oriel, Romy Vidal, Domy Bautista, Lito Borge, Jesse Romero and (kneeling) Ed Acosta, Larry Geronca, Jim
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september 23-29, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
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september 23-29, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
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