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from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Filipino named president of DePaul University A fILIPINo was appointed the president of DePaul University in Chicago, considered the largest Catholic university in the United states. Dr. A Gabriel esteban, who is originally from the Philippines, will leave his current post as the head of seton hall University, a Catholic institution in south orange, Jersey. Dr. A Gabriel Esteban When he assumes office at DePaul on July 1, he will become the first non-ordained leader in the institution’s 119-year history. he succeeds the rev. Dennis h. holtschneider, C.m., who stepped down in June of last year. esteban said it was a “great privilege and
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Amnesty International blames Duterte, Trump for rights pushback releasing its 408-page annual report on rights abuses around the world in Paris Wednesday, february 22, the mANILA, Philippines — Amnesty watchdog group described 2016 as International (AI) says “toxic” fear- “the year when the cynical use of ‘us mongering by anti-establishment vs them’ narratives of blame, hate and politicians, among them President fear took on a global prominence to a Duterte, Us President Donald trump level not seen since the 1930s,” when and leaders of turkey and hungary, Adolf hitler rose to power in Germais contributing to a global pushback ny. against human rights. Amnesty named Duterte, trump, by ElizabEth
MarcElo Philstar.com
hungarian Prime minister Viktor orban and turkish President recep tayyip erdogan among leaders it said are “wielding a toxic agenda that hounds, scapegoats and dehumanizes entire groups of people.” the Philippines was among five countries mentioned in the report’s foreword as having serious human rights abuses. “Poisonous” rhetoric employed by
Philippine Senate to reopen investigation
Trump administration to move forward with immigration plans As promised during President Donald trump’s presidential campaign, the Department of homeland security (Dhs) announced on tuesday, february 21 plans to conduct a wide crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the United states. Dhs secretary John Kelly issued two memoranda to go forth with the president’s widely criticized executive orders which include strengthening security at the U.s.-mexico border, removing a policy that released people caught at the border on bail that they attend deportation hearings and detaining any undocumented immigrant convicted of any criminal activity, among other directives. “It implements new policies designed to stem illegal immigration and facilitate the detection, apprehension, detention, and removal of aliens who have no lawful basis to enter or remain in the United states,” Kelly wrote in
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by Dana
SioSon AJPress
Members of human rights group Karapatan hold a rally outside the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City where a forum titled “Protecting the People and State” was held on Tuesday, February 21. The group called on government to continue peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines/National Democratic Front. Manilatimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
Philippine Supreme Court affirms Janet Napoles indictment over pork barrel scam by AJPress the Philippine supreme Court (sC) upheld the charges filed against businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and two others in relation to the supposed anomalous distribution of the multi-million Priority Development Assistance fund (PDAf) from 2004 to 2010.
the high court also dismissed the petitions filed by Napoles and co-accused John raymund De Asis and National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCor) President Alan A. Javellana to junk the cases filed against them. the respondents are facing charges for malversation of public funds, corruption of public officials, and violation of the AntiGraft Law, for the alleged misuse
of over P25-million PDAf, also referred to as pork barrel, of former Agusan del sur representative rodolfo Plaza. “the court upheld the ombudsman’s determination of probable cause and reiterated its deference to the ombudsman performance of said duty,” sC spokesperson theodore te said in a press briefing on tuesday,
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SioSon AJPress
seNAtor Leila De Lima on monday, february 20, asked the courts to dismiss the three cases filed against her by the Department of Justice (DoJ) in relation to the alleged drug proliferation inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP). According to ferdie maglalang, De Lima’s chief media officer, the senator has filed motions before the courts in muntinlupa City to quash, hold in abeyance the issuance of a warrant of arrest against her, and for judicial determination of probable cause.
De Lima insisted that it is the office of the ombudsman, not the regional trial Court (rtC), that has jurisdiction over the cases against her. she said the cases filed by the DoJ were “procedurally wrong based on existing laws and jurisprudence.” “sinadya nila mapunta ‘yan sa court para makakuha agad ng (They purposely filed it on the court so they could easily get an) arrest warrant. It’s quite a stretch na non-bailable,” De Lima said in a television interview. the DoJ on friday, february 17 filed three complaints against De Lima at the office the Clerk
WhILe mayor of Davao City, President rodrigo Duterte ordered a “death squad” to carry out killings or other criminal acts in exchange for money, a former policeman revealed this week. Alleged Davao Death squad (DDs) leader and retired sPo3 Arturo Lascañas confessed on monday, february 20 that Duterte personally directed the group Retired SPO3 Arturo Lascañas to perform killings, usually of drug dealers and criminals, during his 22 years as the city’s mayor. “totoo po ang Davao Death squad (DDS is real),” Lascañas said during a press conference organized by senator Antonio trillanes IV and the free Legal Assistance Group (fLAG). this revelation contradicts the former death squad leader’s testimony during a senate probe on
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Yasay eyes dialogue with US Sec. of State Tillerson
De Lima files motion before court, seeks dismissal of drug cases by Dana
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Ex-Davao Death Squad leader: Pres. Duterte ordered killings
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DREAMers unaffected by deportation threats
trump in his election campaign exemplified “the global trend of angrier and more divisive politics,” Amnesty said. “the limits of what is acceptable have shifted. Politicians are shamelessly and actively legitimizing all sorts of hateful rhetoric and policies based on people’s identity: misogyny, racism and homophobia. the first tar-
to build a “closer relationship” with Washington. During the conclusion of the PhILIPPINe foreign Affairs Association of southeast Asian secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. is Nations (AseAN) foreign minisseeking a dialogue with United ters retreat on tuesday, februstates secretary of state rex til- ary 21, Yasay said he “personally lerson as part of manila’s efforts u PAGE A3 by Dana
SioSon AJPress
Senator Leila De Lima
of Court of the muntinlupa City rtC for supposedly violating the republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. the complaints were raffled to the muntinlupa rtC branches
204, under Judge Juantina Guerrero; 205, under Judge Amelia fabros Corpuz; and 206, Judge Patria manalastas de Leon. following the filing of complaints, De Lima said that she is
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From the Front Page
Amnesty International blames Duterte… PAGE A1 t get has been refugees and, if this continues in 2017, others will be in the crosshairs.” The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the report. Amnesty’s annual report, “The State of the World’s Human Rights,” documented what it called “grave violations of human rights” in 159 countries in 2016. It said governments “turned a blind eye to war crimes, pushed through deals that undermine the right to claim asylum, passed laws that violate free expression, incited murder of people simply because they are accused of using drugs, justified torture and mass surveillance and extended draconian police powers.” The report added that “the big question in 2017 will be how far the world lets atrocities go before doing something about them.” Exceptionally, London-based Amnesty chose to launch its report in Paris.
In top 5 In a press conference in Quezon City Wednesday, AI Philippines head of office Jose Noel Olano bared that out of the 159 countries included in the AI report, the Philippines was among five countries cited due to the gravity of human rights abuses, aside from extrajudicial killings. “Amnesty International, in relation to all other countries (in the report), is worried about the particular situation in the Philippines. In fact, (the) Philippines is mentioned as a country where there is possible crimes against humanity,” Olano said. The four other countries were the United States, Hungary, India and Turkey. Olano said it is the first time since the martial law years that the Philippines was cited in the foreword of the AI’s annual human rights report. In an interview after the briefing, AI Philippines campaign coordinator Wilnor Papa said the AI gave emphasis on the Philip-
pines in its worldwide report because “the situation here is getting alarming.” “The cases of summary killings continue to increase. And aside from being widespread, we have a previous report showing that the killings are systematic, planned and organized...It is very alarming. It is very concerning for Amnesty International,” Papa said. “If you will look (at) the report, Duterte is among those heads of state called out by the Amnesty International for dehumanizing certain groups and using them as scapegoats for their actions,” Olano said. The AI specifically cited the rising cases of summary killings in the Philippines in connection with Duterte’s war on drugs as well as the administration’s supposed lack of serious investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of these crimes. “However, the erosion of human rights values was perhaps
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AUSTERE. Workers from the Department of Public Works and Highways clean and replace the old Philippine flag at the People Power Monument on EDSA in Quezon City on Tuesday, February 21, in preparation for commemoration of a 1986 revolt that ousted then-President Ferdinand Marcos. The Duterte administration has opted for “simpler” rites to mark the uprising’s 31st anniversary. Manilatimes.net photo by Mike de Juan
Ex-Davao Death Squad leader: Pres…
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the extrajudicial killings (EJK) last year in which he dismissed the existence of the DDS, saying the claims were mere “media hype.” His denial came after self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato testified last October that Duterte directed the group to carry out the killings in Davao City. Matobato pointed out that Lascañas was the supposed “team leader” of the death squad, which the latter then denied. However, on Monday, Lascañas admitted that he was one of the “founders” of the group, adding that the members of the squad were paid from P20,000 to P100,000 by Duterte, depending on their targets. “I was one of those who started it,” he said, as reported by CNN. “We implemented the personal instructions of (then-Mayor) Duterte to us. All of the killings we did in Davao city, whether we buried or threw them out to sea.” He claimed that Duterte hired him to assassinate radio broadcaster Jun Pala, who was a known critic of the then-mayor, through SPO4 Sonny Buenaventura in 2003. Pala’s murder has yet to
be solved, according to various reports. Lascañas went on to reveal that the former mayor commanded the squad to bomb Davao mosques in 1993 to retaliate the bombing of San Pedro Cathedral. Around 1,400 killings have been supposedly linked to the death squad based on data from human rights groups. ‘Lascañas was paid to recant’ In a privilege speech on Wednesday, February 22, Senator Richard Gordon, who chaired the earlier probe into the alleged EJKs, lambasted Lascañas for lying before the Senate. Last year, the Senate Committee on Justice on Human Rights concluded that “there is no evidence sufficient to prove that a Davao Death Squad exists.” Gordon said the probe’s conclusion might have been different had Lascañas told the “truth” in the first place. He, however, insisted that Lascañas should not be given another chance to testify before the Senate. “We cannot allow the Senate to be a cockpit of lies. No one should be allowed to trifle with the Senate,” Gordon said. He also accused Lascañas get-
ting paid in exchange of retracting his earlier testimony. “And you want to believe this man? This man who lies frequently, who claims he is paid to murder? He is paid now to talk? Can I ask that question? No, I will not ask that question. I’m sure, I’ll say you are now paid that’s why you’re here and I don’t think you can blame me if I said that,” Gordon said. New Senate inquiry While the former policeman was warned of possible perjury cases for retracting a previous testimony under oath, Gordon said that the cop’s allegations can also be used as grounds for impeachment cases against Duterte. “Well yeah. Betrayal of public trust yan e, kung totoo (if it’s true),” Gordon told Inquirer. “[Because] it goes into character e. It goes into betrayal of public trust.” The Senate Public Order Committee, which is chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson, is expected to conduct a new hearing to investigate the alleged existence of the DDS. Lacson, however, clarified that the new Senate inquiry would not
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From the Front Page
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 24-MARCH 2, 2017
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Amnesty International blames Duterte… PAGE A2 t
ADB LOANS. President Rodrigo Duterte greets Asian Development Bank president Takehiko Nakao during the Bank’s 50th anniversary celebration on Tuesday, February 21 in Mandaluyong City. In his speech, Duterte acknowledged the Bank’s contribution to the country’s development. He said the Philippines has received more than $16 billion in loans and grants, adding that about a billion dollars more had been released as loans and investments in private Philippine companies. Manilatimes.net photo by Rusell Palma
De Lima files motion before court… PAGE A1 t
prepared to be a “political prisoner,” claiming that the charges against her were supposedly “politically motivated” by the present administration. The former justice secretary — who is vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte — accused him of masterminding the drug charges filed against her last week as an example to scare the critics of the present administration. “Maitim ang pakay ng rehimeng Duterte: ang gamitin akong halimbawa para takutin ang kanilang kritiko (The Duterte
regime has a dark plan: to use me as an example to scare its critics),” she said. ‘Unfit to lead’ She then called the Cabinet officials anew to declare Duterte “unfit” to lead the country, labeling him as the “the number one criminal in the Philippines, if not the world.” However, according to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, the RTC has the “original and exclusive jurisdiction over the three cases” against De Lima. “Trading in illegal drugs has no connection with the perfor-
Yasay eyes dialogue with…
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would like to see through a possibility of a dialogue” with Tillerson. “I hope that this can be done as soon as possible,” he added. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had been distancing the country from the United States under former President Barack Obama for the latter’s alleged ‘hypocrisy’ and criticisms of the intensified campaign against illegal drugs. Some analysts, on the other hand, expect warmer relations between the two countries given the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who took office last January. “It will be very important for us as I’m sure it will be important for the United States, in our desire to forge closer ties and closer relationships,” Yasay said.
During the press briefing, Yasay also disclosed that ASEAN foreign ministers discussed Trump’s new policies during the retreat. “The ministers had expressed their views on what they see is an evolving, still evolving policy, of the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump,” said Yasay, who chaired the event. He also related that the ministers are “hopeful” that the new policies under the Trump administration “will be positive for everyone and will contribute toward peace and progress in the region.” Earlier in December, Duterte extended Trump an invitation to attend the ASEAN summit later this year. The 2017 summit, chaired by the Philippines, will be held in November in Clark, Pampanga. n
Philippine Supreme Court…
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February 21. The SC ruled that it has found no abuse of discretion when Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales filed criminal charges at the Sandiganbayan. The high court also dismissed the claims of Napoles and De Asis that they should not be charged with graft since they were not government officials. “Petitioners’ contentions that the absence of the elements of the crimes they were charged with is a matter of defense to be ventilated at the trial as these are evidentiary matters requiring a full-blown and not during [the] preliminary investigation,” the high court said. Last week, Solicitor General Jose Calida recommended the acquittal of Napoles, claiming that the Regional Trial Court wrongly convicted her guilty of detaining her cousin and principal scam
Janet Napoles
whistleblower, Benhur Luy. Calida, however, clarified that the Office of the Solicitor General’s move in Napoles’ serious illegal detention case will have no implications for her PDAF cases. In 2013, the Supreme Court declared the PDAF, a discretionary fund for lawmakers, unconstitutional. n
Ex-Davao Death Squad…
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be a reopening of the previous hearings conducted by the Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Instead, it will be based on the new revelations brought forth by the former policeman. “I’m coordinating with the office of the proponent, Sen. (Antonio) Trillanes, for the submission of Lascañas’ sworn statement and thereafter, find out who we will invite as resource persons then I will schedule a hearing,” Lacson said in a statement. ‘Political drama’ Malacañang, meanwhile, dismissed Lascañas’ recent statement as “political drama.” In a statement on Monday, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the press conference was another attempt to “destroy the president and to topple his administration.” Andanar suggested that the “character assassination” against the president is nothing but “vicious politics orchestrated by sectors affected by the reforms initiated by the Duterte administration.” He also pointed out that the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Senate Committee on Justice, had already cleared the president of the allegations surrounding the extrajudicial killings. “Bringing change is not an easy task. The Duterte administration has disturbed and disrupted the
establishment. However, we remain undistracted in delivering goods and services to serve the people, not just the interest of the few,” Andanar added. Meanwhile, responding to Andanar’s comments, the CHR denied the claims that it has cleared Duterte of his alleged involvement in the DDS and extrajudicial killings. “It is clear from the quoted portions of the resolution that deaths have occurred in significant numbers and no investigations were conducted by the local government. Deaths continued to occur with impunity during the term of the former mayor,” the commission said, citing a 2012 resolution that calls the Ombudsman to investigate Duterte’s supposed connection to the group. The Office of the Ombudsman earlier rejected the complaint but the case was reopened following Matobato’s testimonies last year. The CHR said Lascañas’ revelations would be considered in its on-going probe. In various instances, Duterte has denied his leadership role in the extrajudicial killings and the existence of the death squad as mayor. Since taking office last June, over 7,700 individuals have been killed in relation to the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs — 2,500 of which were from police operations. n
mance of her duties as secretary of justice,” Aguirre added. He also denied De Lima’s accusations that the criminal charges against her are politically motivated. “Cases filed against Senator De Lima are all criminal in nature. Some of these cases involved illegal drugs. They are not politically motivated,” Aguirre said in the statement. He further went to say, “It is wrong for Senator de Lima to refer to herself as a political prisoner. Drug cases do not involve one’s political beliefs. It involves one’s choice to be involved in illegal drugs.” n
most pernicious when officials blamed a specific ‘other’ for real or perceived social problems in order to justify their repressive actions... One variant of this was demonstrated by the escalation, with enormous loss of life, of President Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’ in the Philippines,” the foreword read. “State-sanctioned violence and mass killings by vigilantes claimed more than 6,000 lives following repeated public endorsements by the President for those allegedly involved in drug-related crimes to be killed,” it added. The group also hit the excessive use of force by the military and the police in suppressing activism such as the violent dispersal of protesters holding a rally at the US embassy in November last year. The protesters belonging to indigenous organizations were at that time calling for the end of militarization and encroachment of their ancestral lands, when a van driven by a police officer ran
over them. Another instance of human rights abuse cited by the AI was the shooting and violent dispersal of farmers holding a rally in Kidapawan City in April last year, under the Aquino administration, who were calling for agricultural assistance from the local government. “If there is no serious investigation from the government, the prosecutors of the International Criminal Court must make preliminary investigation,” Olano said, citing the recommendatory portion of the report. Earlier this month, the AI also released a report on summary killings in the Philippines in connection with Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. In its report, the group said police officials and some enlisted personnel are getting instructions from “the very top of government” to kill suspected drug offenders in exchange for financial incentives. Malacañang and the Philippine National Police denied the
report, noting that extrajudicial killings are not state-sanctioned. Emergency powers Salil Shetty, the group’s secretary-general, said France has used emergency powers introduced in 2015 in the wake of terror attacks in an abusive and “deeply discriminatory” manner, confining more than 600 people, mostly Muslims, under house arrest and banning more than 140 protests. “Even states that once claimed to champion rights abroad are now too busy rolling back human rights at home to hold others to account,” Amnesty said. “The more countries backtrack on fundamental human rights commitments, the more we risk a domino effect of leaders emboldened to knock back established human rights protections.” France’s government has repeatedly defended the emergency powers as a necessary safeguard against the severe terror threat it says is facing the country, and parliament has repeatedly voted to extend those powers. n
Filipino named president of DePaul…
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honor” to have served as the president of Seton Hall since 2011 and that it was a “difficult decision” to leave. “DePaul University has an excellent academic reputation, and I am honored to have the opportunity to shape its future in partnership with the university community,” he said in a statement
released on Thursday, February 16. He added that the university’s mission and values align with his “personal beliefs.” During his tenure — also as the first lay leader in its history — Seton Hall created a new School of Medicine in partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health, a new health and medical sciences
campus, and a new College of Communication and the Arts. Additionally, fundraising reportedly reached “all-time highs,” with more than $40 million raised in the last year and a half alone. Seton Hall Board of Regents Chairman Patrick Murray noted how under Esteban’s leadership,
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Linda McMahon confirmed by Senate as SBA Administrator WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate confirmed on Tuesday, February 14, President Donald Trump’s nomination of Linda E. McMahon as the 25th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. “Small businesses are the engine of our national economy,” McMahon said upon her confirmation. “I will work to revitalize a spirit of entrepreneurship in
America. Small businesses want to feel they can take a risk on an expansion or a new hire without fearing onerous new regulations or unexpected taxes, fees and fines that will make such growth unaffordable. We want to renew optimism in our economy.” “I want to thank President Trump for this opportunity to join his Administration and to advocate for our nation’s small busi-
ness owners and entrepreneurs,” McMahon said. “I would also like to express my appreciation to Joe Loddo for his leadership as Acting Administrator during this transition, along with everyone at the SBA for the hard work they are doing to support America’s small businesses.” In testimony on January 24 before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, McMahon discussed her hands-on experience managing and helping to grow small businesses. “As an entrepreneur myself, I have shared the experiences of our nation’s small business owners. My husband and I built our business from scratch. We started out sharing a desk. Over decades of hard work and strategic growth, we built it into a publicly traded global enterprise with more than 800 employees. I am proud of our success – I know every bit of the hard work it took to create that success.” “I believe in leadership by example. As a CEO, I never expect employees to do anything I am not willing to do myself. I believe in setting expectations and holding people accountable, but trusting them to do the job for which they were hired. I look forward to working with the SBA staff. I am eager to learn from their experience and expertise. I
SSS INCREASE SOON. President Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign “anytime soon” the order on the pension increase for the two million retirees of the Social Security System (SSS), Malacañang said Tuesday, February 21. The president has agreed to raise the SSS pension by P1,000 to provide social protection to retirees. SSS Chairman Amado Valdez had said the increase would take effect last February 15 but it was delayed because Malacañang has yet to sign the order that would implement it. Philstar.com file photo
will listen, and their ideas, concerns and recommendations will be taken seriously.” As Administrator of the SBA, McMahon will direct a federal agency with more than 2,000 full-time employees, with a leading role in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs secure financing, technical assistance and training, and federal contracts. SBA also plays a leading role in disaster recovery by making low interest loans. McMahon is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Women’s Leadership LIVE, as well as
the co-founder and former CEO of WWE. She was the Republican nominee to represent Connecticut in the U.S. Senate in 2010 and 2012. McMahon is an advocate for small business and continues to promote entrepreneurship, particularly among women. McMahon is a graduate of East Carolina University. She and her husband, Vince, have two adult children and six grandchildren. About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13,
2012, has served as a Cabinetlevel agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. n
Trump administration to move forward with immigration…
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one memorandum. The new, stricter immigration policies are a remarkable departure from former President Barack Obama’s immigration policies which were far more lenient and focussed more on assimilating the undocumented community into the American economic system. Previously, under Obama, only those convicted of serious crimes were automatically detained. Moreover, the “expedited removals” of those who have only been in the country for 14 days was only implemented within 100 miles of the border. Under Trump, that will now include those that had been in the country for two years and located anywhere in the U.S. The documented released on Tuesday also detailed that the DHS is planning to expand U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by hiring 10,000 new immigration agents and creating more detention facilities across the nation. The motions would also reintroduce a Customs and Border Protection program that will draft local law enforcement officers to assist in the identifying and removal of suspected criminals who are undocumented. DHS officials told reporters that none of the orders will affect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has provided more than 750,000 DREAMers — undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children — protection from deportation, work authorization and driver’s licenses. However, Washington may see a battle with so-called sanctuary cities, which have directed their police forces to not help the federal government in the crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Los Angeles — in which approximately one in 10 residents are undocumented immigrants, according to 2013 USC study — declared itself a sanctuary city shortly after Trump was elected. The LAPD, along with the California State University and University of California school systems, have vowed not to assist in the identification and detention of unauthorized immigrants. “We have built relationships by effective law enforcement that doesn’t focus on where a person was born or the color of their skin. And we don’t intend to change that,” LAPD Chief Charlie Beck told reporters in November. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti has also been adamant about the city’s stance in refusing to assist in the crackdown with respect to the federal government’s policies. “Immigration is the responsibility of our federal government. We’ve been very clear it’s not the responsibility of LAPD,” Garcetti told reporters in January. “We participate all the time with our federal immigration authorities and we will continue to do so. We just require, as the courts have decided, that there be a warrant.” In response to the hundreds of counties and cities that have declared themselves sanctuary cities, the White House has warned them to abide by the law or face consequences. Washington has threatened to
“Not my President’s Day” Rally. Thousands of Americans across the country marked President Day on Monday, February 20 by holding rallies against President Donald Trump. In New York — along with dozens of other cities like Los Angeles and Chicago — hundreds of anti-Trump demonstrators trooped to Columbus Circle, in front of the Trump International Tower and Hotel.
A Trump supporter holds a “Build a Wall” sign, referencing the president’s promise to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico border in an effort to prevent undocumented immigration.
Kathy Robinson waves her “Not My President” placard beside Trump supporter Tim, who did not give his last name. He was among the Trump supporters — most of whom were wearing the red “Make America Great Again” caps — who showed up at the rally in New York. AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya
withdraw federal funds from Los Angeles, but Garcetti warned that such a move would be detrimental to the nation’s economy. “It would be a folly for any administration to take away funds
to protect America’s port or take away vouchers that help veterans who have fought for our country off the street,” Garcetti said at a news conference in January. (Klarize Medenilla/AJ Press)
Filipino named president of DePaul… PAGE A3 t
the university “made tremendous progress and growth.” “Working closely with Dr. Esteban for these past years has been a blessing,” Murray said. “His love for learning and his dedication to making higher education available to individuals from all walks of life is unparalleled.” Previously, Esteban served as interim president for six months and had the roles of provost and chief academic officer, in which he oversaw eight colleges and schools, university libraries and enrollment services. In a statement, DePaul’s Board of Trustees chair William E. Bennett touted Esteban’s “extensive experience in higher education and strategic planning.” Added James T. Ryan, chair of the search committee and vicechair of the board, “In the search for DePaul’s next president, our
committee sought a proven academic leader and strategic thinker with a deep personal commitment to DePaul’s Vincentian and Catholic identity. Dr. Esteban not only shares the values that reside at the heart of our community, he also has the vision and compassion to champion DePaul’s distinct educational mission.” The university’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted in favor of Esteban’s appointment on February 6. According to his biography, Esteban holds a bachelor’s in mathematics and an MBA from the University of the Philippines. He was the first Philippine recipient of the Fujitsu Scholarship, taking him to Chaminade University in Hawaii, where he earned a master’s in Japanese business studies. He holds a doctorate in business administration from University of California, Irvine.
He has received multiple accolades, including “Great Immigrant” from the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2015 and one of New Jersey’s 100 most powerful state leaders by NJBIZ. Esteban is a board member and former vice chairman of the Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education, a national organization established to address issues affecting Asian American students, faculty and staff. He also serves as a commissioner on the Commission on Inclusion of the American Council on Education. His past experience also includes senior-level leadership and faculty positions at high education institutions in Arkansas, Texas and the Philippines. He and his wife, Josephine, have one daughter who is a medical resident at the University of Chicago. (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)
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ASEAN ministers call for continuous South China Sea dialogue by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com
Viray
MANILA — Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) noted the importance of sustaining the momentum of dialogue in easing the tensions in the disputed South China Sea, the Philippines’ top diplomat said on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said that a number of his counterparts expressed concern over the possible militarization of some areas in the region during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Boracay. “On the South China Sea, a number of ministers expressed concern over recent developments and escalation of activity in the area which may further raise tensions and erode trust and confidence in the region,” Yasay said in a televised media briefing. The foreign ministers affirmed the importance of pursuing peaceful resolution of disputes without resorting to use of force and in accordance with the international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Yasay said. Yasay noted that the ministers reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and exercising selfrestraint in the conduct of activities in the region to avoid complicating the situation in the region.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. hold a press conference after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers Retreat in Boracay. DFA photo
“The ministers underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea or the DOC in its entirety and efforts within the ASEAN-Chinese process to complete a framework of the code of conduct by mid this year,” the Foreign Affairs secretary said. The ministers noted that the code of conduct must be legally binding and must cover areas of how disputes will be resolved for it to be effective. Yasay added that the ASEAN foreign ministers expressed themselves with respect to the July 12, 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on
the Philippines’ protest against China’s nine-dash line claim over the disputed waters. The Foreign Secretary, however, clarified that the Philippines will pursue its bilateral talks with China to resolve the maritime dispute. The retreat in Boracay was the first gathering of the ASEAN foreign ministers under the Philippines’ chairmanship. During the retreat, the ministers discussed the organization’s six priorities: a people-oriented ASEAN, peace and stability, maritime security and cooperation, inclusive innovation-led growth, resiliency, and the ASEAN as a model of regionalism and a global player.
Crimes covered by death penalty bill down to four by deLon
PorcaLLa Philstar.com
MANILA - From a high of 21 offenses covered by the bill reviving the death penalty, House leaders have agreed to limit coverage to only four—drug trafficking, plunder, treason and rape with homicide—for now. Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said the super-majority coalition members agreed to whittle the number of offenses to the first three after considering “compelling reasons” and “challenging global situation,” but opposition Rep. Tomas Villarin of partylist Akbayan said rape was also agreed upon. “I think they approved four. It included rape with homicide, especially if the victim is 10 years
old and below,” Villarin, who was absent during the caucus, told reporters. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he is determined to retain plunder in the list of crimes punishable by death under House Bill 4727, which seeks to re-impose the death penalty in the country. Like those who commit heinous crimes, plunderers of government coffers—either elected or appointed officials—should be meted the maximum punishment of death, the House leaders argued. Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, chairman of the committee on games and amusement, agreed. “If our consciences are clear, then we (politicians) have nothing
to worry about. This would also fit well with the administration’s thrust to battle graft and corruption in government. The money shouldn’t end up in someone’s pocket for his personal benefit,” Tambunting stressed. President Duterte wanted death by hanging imposed on criminals convicted of heinous crimes. Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro predicts a landslide win for the bill, explaining that at least 220 administration lawmakers will vote for its revival. “If the House has 293 members, it is possible that they (prolife lawmakers) would reach 60 or 70 as against the 200-plus members of the majority,” the lawmaker from Capiz said in a dzBB interview over the weekend.
FINAL JOURNEY. Local residents crowd around the wreckage of the Panda Coach Tours and Transport bus that lost its brakes and rammed into an electric post at Barangay Sampaloc in Tanay Rizal. At least 13 students of Bestlink College of the Philippines were killed in the accident on Monday morning, Feb. 20. The students were on their way to a camping activity. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan
Only 54 rogue cops showed up for deployment in Basilan by roeL
Pareño Philstar.com
ZAMBOANGA CITY - Only 54 of the more than 300 “rogue” cops arrived om Zamboanga City on Tuesday, Feb. 21 aboard Air Force C-130 plane from Manila and were deployed to Basilan province. Chief Superintendent Theodore Sindac, police director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), welcomed the 54 policemen as they reached the Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB). The cops, most of them were only facing administrative cases for misbehavior, were later escorted to the Naval Force Western Mindanao (NFWM) and transported to Basilan aboard the naval Landing Ship Transport (LST). Sindac said he was no idea why majority of those 300 erring members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) did not show up for deployment. “I cannot say, I have no idea,” Sindac told the people from the press while conducting the headcount and accounting of the firearms which the police personnel brought with them.
In this Feb. 7, 2017 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte addresses alleged erring cops from National Capital Region Police Office. Malacañang photo
He said he cannot answer categorically on the failure of most of those sanctioned police personnel, citing that they were only the receiving end. “‘Yung mga hindi nakarating, sisimulan na namin silang bilangan for the subsequent filing of the absence without leave (AWOL),” Sindac said. Based on his initial appraisal, 30 of the cops came from Nation-
al Capital Region, ten from Police Regional Office (PRO) 2, eight from PRO 3 and two from Cordillera region. Sindac said the processing will be done in Basilan where the said erring cops will undergo drug testing and briefing of their assignment. The police director said that as organic members of the PNP, the PAGE A7
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AS Filipinos commemorate the 31st anniversary of the EDSA (People Power) revolution this year, they are not called to dramatize the wrongdoings of the past. Instead, they should do so with a critical understanding of the aspirations and the historical realities that made this movement the catalyst for a democracy that most Filipinos enjoy today. Malacañang is marking its first EDSA anniversary under President Rodrigo Duterte this weekend. It earlier announced that this year’s commemoration will be simple, quiet and focused on moving forward — three months after Duterte allowed the burial of former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). “It’s time to move on from just celebrating the past, remembering the past, and to move on to the whole aspect of nation building to give it a more positive outlook and give it a more positive understanding,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said. “The whole nation is evolving. We can’t get stuck in the past.” The 1986 EDSA revolution is not just a mere political event in Philippine history. It will be forever remembered—and taught in schools—as the pivotal moment when Filipinos dared to challenge and determine their own destiny despite hostility and dictatorship. It seems like a lifetime ago when former Pres. Marcos declared martial law in the Philippines on Sept. 21, 1972. Forty-five years have passed, but the wretched moments of the martial law era have continued to linger on, especially for the people who had
to endure it. It was on February 25, 1986, that Filipinos to finally refuse to submit to oppression and degradation. They were not aiming for utopia, they fought for a society in which liberty and justice are treated as complementary. Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos joined the nationwide protest that brought People Power revolution to life. In this historic uprising, the voice of the people resonated through the country and has been forever etched in the pantheon of Philippine democracy. The People Power revolution continues to this day, as a reminder to Filipinos of how supporting a common stand can turn them to a formidable moral power. The People Power revolution ignited the people’s longing for genuine democracy. It is empowered by the will of the people. It gives the citizenry the power to overturn the culture of corruption, unethical conduct, and self-serving antics of politics. While the EDSA revolution is just a story of the past, it serves as a reminder for all generations to come: that as ordinary citizens, we are still capable of inciting change in our day-to-day existence. Each of us should remain vigilant in guarding the democracy that Filipinos before us have worked so hard for. We are called to embody the values that sparked this political movement, to celebrate the ideals of democracy, and to pursue happiness and freedom for every Filipino. (AJPress)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Trump’s new guidelines and executive orders: Nail-biter week for the undocumented THIS may be one of the most unsettling weeks for kababayans who are living and working in the United States without legal status as the Trump administration unveiled new guidelines to be implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These provisions make good on Pres. Donald Trump’s campaign promise to deport the almost 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Trump is also to expected to sign a new executive order this week, in lieu of the executive order that had been frozen by the federal court and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. As the Washington Post first reported, the new guidelines signed by DHS Secretary John Kelly is expected to “aggressively detain and deport illegal immigrants inside the United States and at the border.” USA Today reports that new guidelines call for the hiring of thousands of additional enforcement agents and
AS Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV tell it, President Rodrigo Duterte is out to silence the former with trumped-up charges, and evade accusations of illicit wealth by denying the latter access to his and his family’s bank accounts. For his part, President Duterte asserts that Senator De Lima is evading justice for her involvement in drug trafficking at the New Bilibid Prisons, under her oversight as justice secretary. And Senator Trillanes is rehashing baseless claims of sleazy bank funds. The good news is there are long-established ways to impartially verify what’s true and what’s false. Senator Trillanes can file charges at the Office of the Ombudsman, backed by his alleged bank records. He can also use the findings of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, which the President has instructed to probe his accounts. Now, it remains to be seen if he can get banks to set aside secrecy and validate his claimed documents. Any institution affirming the papers would face questions, if not sanctions, over the leaking of its depositors’ records. For fairness, Trillanes can
ing the outcomes of their deportation hearings. They would no longer be detained in the U.S., an effort that would reportedly save detention space and other resources. The guidelines also aim to stop the pouring in of the growing wave of 155,000 unaccompanied minors who have come from Mexico and Central America over the past three years. Under the new guidelines, their parents in the United States could be prosecuted if they are found to have paid smugglers to bring the children across the border. The new guidelines also give the go signal for Trump’s promised border wall to begin construction, mandating the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to “immediately begin planning, design, construction and maintenance of a wall, including the attendant lighting, technology (including sensors), as well as patrol and access roads.” Funding for the wall’s construction and maintenance, however, would still
need approval by Congress. While the new guidelines failed to make good Trump’s campaign promise to overturn the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that has provided work permits to more than 750,000 immigrants who came to the country illegally as children, the Trump administration clarified that these DACA recipients would be spared for now, temporarily. IF YOU THINK these guidelines and Trump’s soon to be released new executive order on immigration could make you and your family vulnerable, then you better consult a reputable immigration attorney to know your rights and options as provided for by law. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
The real score in the De Lima-Trillanes show
Commentary
RicaRdo Saludo
This means that increasing the number ICE agents have the of immigration judges, The Fil-Am prerogative to inexpanding the pool of clude an apprehenimmigrants prioritized Perspective sion for a reason for removal, enlisting like a DUI or just local law enforcement being in the country to help with arrests illegally as reasons and speeding up deenough to deport portation hearings. Gel SantoS-ReloS the undocumented. They also propose According to the Washington Post, prosecuting parents and family members in the U.S. who pay smugglers to the new guidelines would now allow authorities to seek expedited deporbring over unaccompanied minors. Whereas former President Barack tation proceedings. Currently, this Obama focused his administration’s procedure is limited to undocumentdeportations exclusively on hardened ed immigrants who have been in the criminals and those with terrorist ties, country for two weeks or less. The the Trump administration’s deporta- new order will be expanded to cover tion efforts dramatically expand the anyone who has been in the country scope of enforcement operations, giv- for up to two years. The Post further stated that under ing ICE agents the power to determine the operational definition of the word the new guidelines, Mexican immi“criminal record” or “crime” commit- grants who are apprehended at the ted by those in the U.S. without legal border would now be ordered to immediately return back home, pendstatus.
petition Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to recuse herself, being aunt to Duterte’s son-in-law. The OMB may decide, however, that charges against the President are not a priority, since he is immune from prosecution until he steps down in mid-2022. As for investigations in aid of impeachment, Trillanes’s charges don’t qualify, since an official cannot be impeached for alleged offenses before he took office. Which may be one reason the senator is going to media. The other reason, critics contend, is his real wish for grandstanding, to erode support for the administration and project himself as graftbuster. Whatever his motives, impartial media and informed Filipinos might not indulge Senator Trillanes. Indeed, many wonder why President Duterte bothers to publicly joust with him, gifting him the publicity he craves. But then, Digong isn’t one to back down from a fight, especially one over not just his integrity, but his family honor. The wheels of justice and injustice For her part, De Lima has stirred public and media anticipation for her arrest, calling herself Duterte’s first political prisoner. But it is a judge whom Senator De Lima must win over in three drug-trafficking charges filed at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court by the
Department of Justice she once headed. Her supporters complain that she cannot obtain justice under this administration. And she has constantly portrayed herself as an innocent victim of political persecution for denouncing killings in Duterte’s anti-drug war. The cases may take years, when she may be incarcerated, since the charges are non-bailable if evidence is strong. Fortunately for her, the Muntinlupa court, not the DOJ, will decide if the prosecution’s material warrants trial, first of all, and whether there is strong evidence of guilt, for which bail may be denied. Jail sans bail may cramp De Lima’s advocacy, but that is no big loss for the campaign against EJKs. There are more influential entities taking up this righteous cause, like the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, foreign business chambers, and the United Nations. These entities are not seen as partisan or in cahoots with narco-syndicates. Now, if the CBCP, global business, and the UN can’t budge the government on the killings, neither can De Lima. So, allowing the wheels of justice to turn for or against her won’t derail anti-EJK protests. But letting her off the hook just to keep her talking against killings would be unjust, unlawful, and immoral. De Lima fears what Arroyo
suffered What about the courts? Won’t judges buckle under presidential pressure and rush to convict her? De Lima also fears she may be killed in detention, just like accused drug trafficker and murdered Albuera, Leyte, mayor Rolando Espinosa. Those fears are real, judging from what happened in the past regime. In November 2011, days after then-Secretary De Lima disobeyed a Supreme Court order allowing former President Gloria Arroyo to go abroad for treatment, a Pasay judge issued within hours of receiving reams of charge documents, an arrest warrant and a hold-departure order against the hospitalized congresswoman. That was after the Commission on Elections itself, under then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd’s former poll lawyer Sixto Brilliantes Jr., took just two days to order election sabotage charges against Arroyo, even if it had nil documents demonstrating electoral fraud in the 2007 senatorial race. That absent documentation eventually led the judge to grant Arroyo bail. So did the dubious testimony of the lone witness in the case, who was promised immunity from prosecution for claiming he overheard Arroyo order vote cheating. After Arroyo got bail in July 2012, Ombudsman Morales
Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Leila De Lima
filed a plunder case over alleged misspending of intelligence funds at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office— even if OMB lawyers advised against the charge, since none of the accused got PCSO money. Plunder requires that offenders amass at least P50 million in illicit gains. The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court denied bail, purportedly after Aquino called the judges. It ordered the trial to proceed, arguing that there could be plunder even if no one got state funds illegally. That ruling contravened the plunder law itself. The court also detained Arroyo even after exonerating or granting bail to nearly all her co-accused. No wonder the UN declared that her rights had been violated, and the Supreme Court or-
dered the case dismissed. She walked free last July. Arroyo also faced the peril of death in detention. A misaligned titanium implant in her neck could cause food to be caught in her throat, stopping breathing. Yet the Sandiganbayan refused to let her get corrective treatment abroad, as she rightly wanted after three unsuccessful operations by topnotch doctors at St. Luke’s Global Medical Center, one of the country’s leading hospitals. So, judging from what happened to Representative Arroyo, Sen. De Lima could indeed suffer injustice in court and danger to her life in detention. But she won’t, because the President is Duterte, not Aquino. (ManilaTimes.net)
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Gov’t on ceasefire: NPA must first stop attacks by Alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA - The government will resume peace talks with communist rebels if they stop their attacks on soldiers, extortion activities and the burning of properties, Malacañang said. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said there should be “compelling reasons” to continue the negotiations, which were terminated by President Duterte this month after the rebels staged a series of attacks against government forces. “While it is understandable that suspicions linger about the motives of the parties on opposite sides of the ideological spectrum, some ‘compelling reasons’ need to be provided for talks to resume,” Abella said in a statement. “Considering the unprecedented goodwill the President has shown, these actions from NDF (National Democratic Front) may provide compelling reason and could put at ease, to some extent, the apprehension of the military and the administration. After all, when guns are silent we can better listen to each other,” he added. The NDF represents the communist rebels in the peace negotiations with the government. Abella said the communists should agree to a bilateral ceasefire and stop the collection of the so-called revolutionary tax, the ambushes on military personnel, the burning of properties and other provocative and hostile actions. “We need to take in good faith the President’s vision for a peaceful, just and inclusively prosperous Philippines. He has already taken the first steps forward. We wait for the NDF to respond,” he said. The peace negotiations between the government and the NDF were scrapped after the communists insisted on their demand to free 400 rebels whom they claim to be po-
litical prisoners. Duterte rejected the demand, saying it is similar to the grant of amnesty. The disagreement prompted the communists and subsequently the government to call off their respective unilateral ceasefire orders. On Feb. 4, Duterte announced that he is terminating the peace talks and ordered the security forces to arrest the NDF consultants who joined the negotiations. He has also described the NDF, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and their armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) as “terrorists.” The CPP ordered the NPA to free the six soldiers and policemen they are holding captive as a “positive gesture” for the resumption of the peace talks. The group also reiterated its support for a bilateral ceasefire agreement. “The revolutionary forces are encouraged by the previous statements of President Duterte that all political prisoners will be released within 48 hours once the bilateral ceasefire agreement is signed,” the CPP said in a statement. “We anticipate that negotiations concerning the terms of reference of a bilateral ceasefire agreement will be most difficult. The revolutionary forces are bound by principle to assert the withdrawal of the AFP’s operating troops from areas under the sway of the revolutionary government,” it added. The disagreement over jailed communist rebels was also the contentious issue that led to the collapse of the peace talks during the previous administration. Release troops The military called on the NPA to release the soldiers and policemen without conditions to show the sincerity of the CPP to resume the peace talks. “The NPA should prove and substantiate their announcements with clear and sincere actions, not
propaganda,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla. Among those to be freed are Pfc. Edwin Salan who was captured in Alegria, Surigao del Norte on Jan. 29; Sgt. Solaiman Calucop and Pfc. Samuel Garay who were captured in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat on Feb. 2; Police Officer 2 Jerome Natividad captured in Talakag, Bukidnon on Feb. 9; and militiamen Rene Doller and Carl Mark who were captured in Lupon, Davao Oriental on Feb. 14. In its statement, the CPP said the release of the six “prisoners of war” is their positive gesture to continue peace negotiations with the government. Padilla welcomed the move by the communist rebels, whom the military earlier said had been suffering tactical defeat since the government lifted its unilateral ceasefire declaration on Feb. 4. “Doing so (freeing the soldiers without condition) would lessen the seriousness of their continuing crimes and add to any goodwill they wish to convey,” he said. Presidential adviser on the peace process Jesus Dureza said the government would take the necessary steps for the resumption of peace talks if the CPP/ NPA/NDF rebels are willing to proceed with the negotiation for a bilateral ceasefire agreement. “On the part of the Philippine government, we share the same commitment to work for just and lasting peace in the land. When compelling reasons, as President Duterte earlier announced, are present, then we in government shall take the next necessary steps,” Dureza added. The NDF also directed the NPA to work closely with third party facilitators for the release of the six captives before the scheduled peace negotiations in the Netherlands next week.
UPHEAVAL. A visitor looks at framed photos of militant activism in the country at Art Fair Philippines 2017—reminders of the events that led to the 1986 ‘People Power’ revolt whose 31st anniversary will be marked this week. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan
Gov’t spent P277M for Duterte’s trips, says Palace by Alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA — The government spent a total of P277 million for President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to a total of 12 countries, Malacañang said on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the country gained from the visits because they paved way to agreements and investment pledges that can generate thousands of jobs. “We’re glad to report the windfall of President Duterte’s official foreign visits last year. The President made a total of seven foreign trips, visiting a total of 12 countries since he took office. These visits incurred a total of about P277 million in expenses, which included airfare, charter lease and others,” Abella said at a press briefing. “These official trips are part of the President’s obligation to maintain and strengthen diplomatic ties with neighboring countries and has clinched numerous economic investments and commitments amounting to billions of pesos and generate thousands of jobs in the PAGE A5 augmented to fight against the training to join operations side- following years,” he added. Abella did not provide a breakby-side with the local police and involved cops will be utilized to Abu Sayyaf,” he said. down of the expenses. Sindac, however, declined to military troops. the best of their abilities. Tuesday’s briefing marked the “Dito masusubukan ang tapang There will be no particular elaborate the particular deployprograms prepared by the PRO- ment of the cops, citing such as at galing nila. As you know ARMM first time the Duterte administrais the home of the brave police- tion issued information about the ARMM in the transformation of operational matters. But he assured the police per- men. Sa Basilan at sa south nang- expenses incurred during foreign the members of the erring police sonnel of their security and pro- gagaling ang maraming Medal of trips. During the previous adminpersonnel. “There will be no retraining, tection. He said they will undergo Valor award. Dito nanggagaling istration, Malacañang would reno transformation. They will be orientation like cultural sensitiv- ang naging AFP at PNP chief at lease the cost of foreign trips on considered as one of us. Lalaban ity since they will be assigned in dito rin umaangat ang ranggo da- the same day of the president’s hil dito nasusubukan ang galing departure. sila side-by-side with the PNP of- a Muslim-dominated area. The president’s first foreign trip Sindac said the involved cops at tapang ng mga na-assign,” the ficers and men of PRO-ARMM was in Laos, where he attended and the police in Basilan will be are prepared even without re- PNP official said.
Only 54 rogue cops showed up...
In this Sept. 5, 2016 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte chats with his Cabinet Secretaries inside the plane bound for Vientiane, Laos to attend the ASEAN Summit. Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez
the Association of Southeast Asian Nation summit last September. He also went to Peru last November to participate in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meet. Other countries he visited include China, Japan, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia. Duterte also had two brief stopovers last November. He passed through Thailand to honor the late Thai King Bhumibol before visiting Malaysia. He also had a layover in New Zealand after attending the APEC summit in Peru. 12 countries, 7 trips Overall, the president visited a dozen countries in seven foreign trips. This means that the average expenditure for each foreign trip was P39.57 million. “The visit to China, however, resulted in more than 20 agreements with an estimated value, total value
of $4 billion and will generate over a 100,000 jobs,” Abella said. The agreements include a 50 million Renminbi grant for drug rehabilitation facilities and another 50 million Renminbi million grant for law enforcement-related equipment, he added. The trip to Japan, Abella said, yielded about $1.85 billion worth of investment commitments that would generate about 250,000 jobs in the next few years. “There were also about five government-to-government agreements signed, including the exchange of note and agreements up to $184 million,” he said. “Moreover, 15 pipeline loans were acquired by several national agencies during the visit in Japan, which includes the construction of a subway from North Avenue to Taguig and a high-speed railway from Manila to Clark.”
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february 24-March 2, 2017 • NOrcaL aSIaN JOurNaL
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COMMUNITY Journal
Your Immigration Solution Brittany Milliasseau and nancy Miller EXACTLY one week after his inauguration, President Trump signed an executive order which banned entry of noncitizens from seven Muslim-majority countries, halted U.S. refugee admissions, and suspended the nonimmigrant visa interview waiver program. Signed on January 27, 2017, the executive order seeks to protect the nation from entry of foreign terrorists, but consequently led to a series of nationwide protests, Constitutional challenges, and agency confusion at ports of entry and with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). One week later, a District Court judge issued a nationwide temporary restraining order which halted enforcement of certain provisions of the executive order, namely parts related to the travel ban on refugees and noncitizens from Muslim-majority countries. Subsequently, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the District Court judge’s ruling and allowed the temporary restraining order to remain in place. While no immediate next steps have been confirmed, President Trump has expressed plans to challenge the ruling, potentially at the Supreme Court level, and has also not ruled out the possibility of issuing an entirely new executive order. Meanwhile, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began enforcement raids in several states across the nation aimed at apprehending undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records. ICE has reported that 680 people were taken into custody nationwide. 161 people were taken into custody in Southern California. As legal challenges ensue, expanded enforcement begins, and uncertainty continues to loom, it is now more important than ever to consult with an immigration attorney if you have questions
Trump, the executive orders and you about how to obtain legal immigration status. Frequently Asked Questions I am from one of the seven restricted countries. Is it safe for me to travel outside of the U.S.? If you are a citizen or national of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen and are not a U.S. citizen, you will not be permitted to enter the U.S. if the temporary restraining order is lifted. If the travel ban resumes, lawful permanent residents, as well as dual nationals from one of the restricted countries possessing a valid U.S. visa in a passport of an unrestricted country, should be permitted to enter the U.S., but should still carefully consider the risks of travel. I am not from a restricted country. Is it safe for me to travel outside of the U.S.? Due to the fluidity and changes taking place without much advance warning, you may want to limit non-essential travel outside of the U.S., especially if you are from an area that may be of particular concern to U.S. national security. If you do travel abroad, please be cautious when returning to the U.S. as there have been unconfirmed reports of individuals being asked to sign documents to relinquish their green cards. I have a pending case with USCIS. Will the Executive Order impact my case? USCIS has confirmed that the executive order does not affect adjudication of applications and petitions filed for or on behalf of individuals in the U.S., regardless of their country of nationality. It is important however to consider that there could be delays in processing times due to the change in directives. It is recommended that you seek a licensed attorney for assistance with preparation of any application submitted to USCIS not only to ensure that a proper legal analysis is performed, but also to ensure that the application is prepared accu-
rately in order to minimize additional requests from immigration that could result in further delays in processing. I think I may be eligible for a certain immigration benefit such as a green card or citizenship. What should I do? Due to the numerous anticipated changes to the immigration program as a whole, if you believe that you may be eligible for a certain immigration benefit, you should consult with an immigration attorney as quickly as possible. Changes may happen without much advance notice and a benefit you may currently be eligible for may no longer be available. What should I do if I am stopped by an Immigration Officer? If you are stopped by an officer and questioned, you may politely let the officer know that you do not wish you speak with him or answer any questions until you have spoken with a lawyer. You may also let the officer know that you do not consent to a search of your person or property. How can I find out if my family member has been arrested in an immigration raid? If the individual is over 18 years old, you may search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System. If your family member has been detained, you should consult with an immigration attorney immediately. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila. For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 24-MARCH 2, 2017
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february 24-MarCH 2, 2017 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
The CTV Files Atty. Dennis ChuA, esq. ONE advantage in filing a fiancé visa petition is that the fiancé beneficiary will be able to enter the United States faster compared to a spousal immigrant petition to be filed for the fiance. Once the fiancé beneficiary enters the United States, he or she must marry the U.S. citizen petitioner within ninety (90) days. After the marriage, the fiancé beneficiary must file for an application to adjust his or her status to that of a permanent resident alien. Since the purpose in the issuance of a fiancé visa is for the beneficiary to enter the United States to marry the U.S. citizen petitioner, there are certain restrictions imposed on the fiancé visa. The fiancé beneficiary can only adjust status based on marriage to the U.S. citizen petitioner who filed the fiancé petition. Neither can the fiancé beneficiary change status to another
Community Journal
Failed relationships of fiance visa beneficiaries
type of nonimmigrant visa (such as a student visa, working visa, investor’s visa) nor extend the fiancé visa. Two different case scenarios will best illustrate the implications on the fiancé beneficiary’s failure to marry the US citizen petitioner or adjust her status after marriage to the US citizen petitioner. • Jose filed a fiancé visa petition for Gilda. Upon Gilda’s entry into the United States, both of them discovered that they were not meant for each other. Since Gilda was already here in the United States, she decided to remain in the country and stayed with her relatives. After a few years, Gilda met Mario and the two fell in love. Gilda and Mario eventually got married. Thinking that she was now married to a U.S. citizen, Gilda filed for an application for adjustment of status based on her marriage to Mario. After their interview, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denied Gilda’s application for adjustment of status because Gilda entered
the U.S. using a fiancé visa and she was not adjusting her status based on her marriage to the person who filed the fiancé visa petition for her. Gilda may still be allowed to stay in the country and fix her status if she has been in the country for at least ten years. Gilda has the option to exit the country and undergo visa processing and to file for a waiver before the US Embassy so that the government could waive her unlawful presence if she has been in the United States unlawfully for more than 180 days. The option of filing a stateside waiver is also available to her where she could file the waiver here in the United States first before going back to her home country. • Norman filed a fiancé visa petition for Daisy. Norman and Daisy got married within 90 days upon Daisy’s entry into the United States. Daisy then filed for her application for adjustment of status with the USCIS. During the early stages of their marriage, Daisy discovered that
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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette ADevA MAglAyA THE world we live in is conditioned to emulate extremes. We delight in the most beautiful, the tallest, the largest, the richest, the brightest, the fastest and anything else you can think of, as well as pay attention to extremes at the opposite end of the spectrum: the ugliest, the shortest, the smallest, the poorest, the darkest, the slowest. You get the idea. We’re conditioned to pay no mind to the ordinary, the middle ground, the average run-of-themill, the shades of gray, the humdrum of everyday life or the predictably dull and boring. The heroes and heroines made immortal in books and movies were extraordinary characters. We do not particularly care for bland characters who live lives of quiet desperation. We want to live vicariously through the lives of characters who are defiantly shaking their fists at the gods and beating all odds. We are tempted to look at movie stars, fat cats and other luminaries who dare defy conventions basking in the public limelight pursued by TMZ cameras as people worthy of awe and respect. And if you let it, a tiny tinge of envy gnaws at our souls when you see their images commanding megabucks. They appear as titans walking among ants. Granted a select few of them deserve the attention we give them but most can be reduced to fodder for the gristmill of entertainment. The truth is, those who deserve our awe and respect are the ones who orbit our daily
Health@Heart PhiliP s. ChuA, MD, FACs, FPCs THE body is a wonderful natural chemical factory. Whatever we eat, drink or apply to our body is absorbed and automatically transformed to energy (fuel) or to various hormones and substances that control our total bodily function, including thought processes, mental state, behavior, and cellular responses and reactions. Medications and drugs we take are likewise metabolized and utilized by the body to effect specific chemical reactions to fight infection or cure or achieve certain conditions that will help normalize our health. Our body also has a built-in self-protective ability to heal itself, mediated by our immune system. To a certain degree, our body can protect itself from harm, self-inflicted or caused by our environment. When the dose of the insult or trauma overwhelms our immune system, dis-ease, or disease, develops. What is that insult? One such insult is called inflammation, which all of us have constantly, in varying degrees, depending on our lifestyle, which includes behavior and habits. We normally associate inflammation with painful swollen joints of arthritis or back pains. But in reality, most diseases, from obesity, to diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, infection in general, and even cancer, are preceded by, and even aggravated by, inflammation, acute and chronic.Actually, inflammation is not the cause
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Hail to the ordinary “… but some sage once pointed out quite rightly that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” life. Perhaps we need to look at another firmament to gain a genuine and lifelong perspective of celebrating what is ordinary, of celebrating you and I and everyone of us, mere mortals cut from the average cloth, who have to get up every single day to slay our dragons with our rusty sword and trusty steed, that is, after we’ve gulped down our java and said our prayers. Look to the stars in the true celestial firmament, to gain a soul-searing appreciation and even love and respect for our tiny place in the universe. Nature is a great teacher. A layman’s appreciation of astronomy and cosmology teaches us that there is every reason to celebrate the ordinary. Our own sun is an ordinary, average, ho-hum star shining steadily in the suburbs of the center of the Milky Way (what Sagan termed as the boondocks, from the Tagalog word “bundok” meaning mountain but extended to mean far from the core). In the hierarchy of stars, our own sun is a lowly commoner and it is located a third of the way from the center where a black hole exists, according to educated guesses by scientists. This black hole is sucking in, like the drain in your kitchen sink, all the brightest stars within its vicinity. The biggest, brightest stars in our galaxy are energy guzzlers and therefore, have short lives, about half the life span of our solar system, and thus cannot support planets that need a lon-
ger span of time to support the existence and development of thinking, feeling beings such as our home planet. Our sun, according to scientists, is approaching middle age and has enough fire in its belly to support life for another 4 to 5 billion years before it goes into its death throes and gets recycled back as dust and gas to repeat the process of giving birth to a new star, possibly with one special planet supporting intelligent life all over again. The universe is the ultimate recycling bin after all. This is probably what it means by the phrase “world without end.” Consider that the Milky Way is only one ordinary spiral galaxy out of billions of others in a universe that according to evidence gathered by Edwin Hubble in the 1920’s is still expanding with billions of galaxies moving away from each other at a furious pace. To simplify the imagery, perhaps we may be given license to view the universe in its near incomprehensible vastness, as a single mega structure in infinite space. The entire cosmos could be one unit composed of galaxies as its building blocks like cells and molecules of a human body but with gravity and plasma collectively emitted by the energy of countless stars, functioning as its cosmic lifeblood holding everything together. Whew! The cosmos, according to evidence so far gathered by probes and the Hubble Space Telescope
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Our self-destruct lifestyle but a reaction to insults to our body, from our self-abuse, unhealthy lifestyle and behavior, and from our harsh environment, like over-exposure to the sun, air-water-noise-pollution, etc. These factors are cumulative and build up over time from childhood, where the initial subtle damages to the DNA occur. After 3 or 4 decades later, the individuals begin to develop the so-called “expected diseases that naturally come with age,” which are really not expected, nor natural, and actually mostly preventable. There are hundreds of millions of people in their 70s and 90s walking around without high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s or cancer, because their lifestyle and habits have minimized the onset of “inflammation.” What inflammation? The common inflammation we see in a wound, with redness, swelling, pain, irritation, and warmth is the same inflammation we are talking about, except it is one that is happening to the inner lining of our arteries and organs in the body, which is usually subtle and subclinical (not obvious). And this type of inflammation may not be from bacterial/viral/fungal infection. The cause may vary from the foods we eat or liquids we drink, lack of exercise, harmful lifestyle, and stressors and other precipitants in our environment. Some people (one out of 49) may have genetic predisposition to be more prone to have this type of inflammatory reaction. But the rest of us have caused this ourselves, in a self-destruct manner, unwittingly. Who has this bodily reaction?
Almost without exception, all of us have this inflammatory reaction in our body, in one form or the other, in various stages and severity, every second of our life. When it is aggravated by what we do or not do, by environmental factors and become severe enough, then any of those illnesses listed above, and others, may develop, all depending on which organ the insult has affected most. Does infection play a role? Some believe that the germs we are exposed to 24/7 in public places and even in our own homes may be one of the causes of this inflammation in our system. I have heard of people taking a couple of antibiotic pills once a month “to fight this inflammation.” There is no medical basis for this and this practice could be dangerous. It could lead to bacterial resistance, and render antibiotics ineffective and useless when an actual infection occurs. What test can confirm this? The blood test for CRP (C-reactive protein) level can reveal the presence of systemic inflammation. Some cases will be obvious but others may be so mild and subclinical they may be overt and undetectable. Those with pains, like joint and muscles aches, and those with autoimmune diseases, would be the more apparent ones. These are the individuals who may be on pain medications like NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), or even steroids, acupuncture, etc. But there are natural ways to fight inflammation, like foods. Some food items cause or aggravate pain and inflammation, and others act as anti-inflammatory, pain-
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PG&E creates new California External Affairs organization as part of broader realignment of the company’s strategy, policy and outreach efforts SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced on Thursday, February 16, the restructuring of its state external affairs functions in order to more effectively engage with stakeholders to meet the needs of customers and the state. Effective March 1, Vice President Travis Kiyota will lead the newly formed California External Affairs organization, which will consolidate the existing functions of state government relations, state agency relations, local public affairs and community relations as well as a new functional area responsible for external affairs and strategic initiatives. Kiyota will report to Steve Malnight, senior vice president of the newly constituted Strategy and Policy organization. As previously announced, Malnight’s new organization comprises strategy, policy, grid integration and innovation, energy procurement, local, state
and federal affairs and community relations. This organizational structure is intended to ensure that stakeholder outreach and engagement are fully integrated with strategy and policy. “In his expanded position, Travis will play a key role in ensuring that we are collaborating effectively with policymakers and our partners as we work together to meet California’s clean energy goals,” Malnight said. “At PG&E, ‘Together, Building a Better California’ isn’t just a tagline. It’s a guiding principle and we are honored to have the opportunity to work in partnership with California stakeholders and policymakers to help build and sustain a state that leads the country in energy technology, innovation and policy,” Kiyota said. Reporting to Kiyota will be: • Senior Director Brandon Hernandez, who will lead External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, with responsibility for supporting PG&E’s advocacy and education efforts within the state
capitol, state agencies, and statewide organizations. • Senior Director Kent Kauss, who will lead state legislative policy development, tracking and analysis. • Senior Director Ananda Baron, who leads community relations and the PG&E Foundation. • Directors Mary Ellen Ittner and Papia Gambelin, who will lead local public affairs throughout the service territory. About PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/ newsroom/index.page. n
Community Journal
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Immigration Corner
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. The priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: ***
The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
May 1, 2006
December 15, 2005
First Preference
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
Second Preference
(2A) Spouse and minor children (below November 22, 21 years old) of green 2015 card holder
May 8, 2015
(2b) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
February 1, 2007
May 1, 2006
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
January 1, 1995
September 8, 1994
Fourth Preference
brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
April 1, 1994
August 1, 1993
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Application Filing Date
Second Preference
Advanced Degree (Masters)
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty,
Visa Issuance Date
Current
Current
September 1, 2013
March 15, 2012
September 1, 2013
March 15, 2912
guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
How will President Trump’s ‘Enforcement Priorities’ affect you? – On Citizen Pinoy ON January 25, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order on who is now considered an “enforcement priority.” On February 20, 2017, the Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly, issued two memos to Homeland Security agencies on how they are to carry out the
president’s executive orders for both border security and interior enforcement. These memos serve as a guide to federal officials on how to implement President Trump’s immigration executive orders. Leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel
explains the DHS memos and President Trump’s enforcement priorities, and how these could affect you, on a brand – new episode of Citizen Pinoy – this Sunday, 6:15 PM PST/EST (9:15 PM EST through selected cable/ satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Failed relationships of fiance visa…
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Norman was not the person she fell in love with. Norman had a temper and he began abusing her verbally and physically. Since Daisy could no longer stand the abuses of Norman, she left their home and went to a shelter. This angered Norman who then withdrew the affidavit of support he submitted for Daisy in her adjustment of status application. Daisy’s adjustment application
was eventually denied. Under this factual scenario, Daisy can file for a battered spouse petition and adjust her status without Norman’s participation. It is important to note that the factual antecedents of each case are different and it is essential to assess various reliefs that may be available depending on the circumstances of each case. ***
of Chua Tinsay and Vega (CTV), a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego and Manila. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (415) 495-8088; (619) 955-6277; Dchua@ctvattys.com. The CTV Attorneys will be at Max’s Restaurant in Vallejo on October 19, 2009 from 5pm to 7pm to hold a FREE legal clinic.
Atty. Dennis E. Chua is a partner in The Law Firm
(Advertising Supplement)
Hail to the…
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(HST), is so inconceivably vast with more stars than there are grains of sand on earth, it strains the limits of human imagination. It is more than likely, there are other forms of intelligent life in places where there is water, complete with soul and spirit, following the laws of nature and teeming in wild abundance in the cosmos. We may never have any evidence of what sounds like science fiction, but some sage once pointed out quite rightly that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Yet for all this awesome gran-
deur, consider the glorious ordinariness of the earth in the celestial heavens. It’s like Goldilocks gravitating to the porridge in the middle. Neither too hot nor too cold, earth is the only place in the solar system with a slim ecosphere that allows life to not only survive, but to thrive with astonishing tenacity, as long as the sun shines steadily while it faithfully orbits the center of the Milky Way every quarter of a million years. The earth’s size, its tilt, its distance from the sun, its companion moon, the presence of water in various states all conspire to
Our self-destruct…
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reducing, substances. What food items cause inflammation? The usual American and Filipino diets are both too high in red meat, fat, sugars, “junk foods,” and dangerous processed foods, all of which increase inflammation. The healthier diets are the Chinese, Japanese, and especially the Mediterranean diet, all of which consist of many anti-inflammatory foods, which reduce joint and muscle pains and blood clot formation. The food items that cause inflammation are red meat, high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, carbohydrates with tons of sugar, all soft drinks (including diet and uncola), rice, fast foods, pasta, vegetable oil and corn oils, and the other factors are lack of exercise, overweight, alcohol abuse, use of tobacco, lack of sleep, stress, and use of illegal drugs. I would like to emphasize that a diet totally eliminating carbohydrates, or at least reducing cooked rice to one cup a day (or to one cup of pasta or 3 slices of bread) would tremendously reduce the risk for the development of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s, or even cancer, because obesity and diabetes increase the risk for cancer.
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The March 2017 priority dates FAMILY CATEGORY:
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 24-MARCH 2, 2017
Which foods are anti-inflammatory? The anti-inflammatory foods, which reduce pains, include fish, bright multi-colored vegetables, old fashioned oat meal, whole grain, nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc), fresh whole fruits, spices (pepper, onions, gingers, scallions, curry, turmeric, etc), green tea, and olive oil. They are anti-oxidants that counteract and minimize free radicals, which harm the body, weaken the immune system, and hasten aging. Unlike the marketed antioxidants in pills and potions, which could have long-term harmful side effects, these natural foods are healthier, safer, and cheaper. Are we on a slow-suicide mode? We are being a bit dramatic here, if only to put the message across more effectively for the protection and benefit of our readers their family and, but the medical fact is that our self-abusive practices that go against healthy lifestyle have literally set in motion factors that tend to make us more prone to diseases and to aging faster. We have emphasized this and other evidence-based medical information in our health book, Let’s Stop “Killing” Our Children, published in the USA (carried by amazon.com and barnesand-
make it and its inhabitants the crowning glory of creation as far as human life is concerned. Our blue marbled dot is a place so wonderfully made that of all the eight orbs of different sizes and makes, revolving around that ordinary star we call the sun, it is the only one uniquely qualified to sustain life, as we know it, in our tiny neck of the cosmic woods. Value the ordinary. Value your life. The sun, the earth and the stars at night remind us daily. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
noble.com) and whose Philippine edition was released in Metro Manila and available at Central Books Supply Stores in Cebu, Manila, Quezon City. The book details are accessible atwww.philipSchua.com. In this guide, we have given practical tips and pointers on how to protect our DNA, especially those of the children, in order for them to ward off and escape having those wrongly-called “expected natural diseases of aging,” like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, heart diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer, all of which are actually preventable to a very significant degree. This health manual also discusses how we, adults, can minimize the conditions or infirmities we currently have and how to avoid health risks that lurk in public places and in our own homes. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
WILL PRESIDENT TRUMP’S “ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES” AFFECT YOU, ON A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” After President Trump signed the Executive Order on “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the U.S.” on January 25, 2017, (listing those who are “enforcement priorities,”) the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, John Kelly, issued two memos to DHS agencies on how to carry out the President’s executive orders. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel explains the Homeland security memos and enforcement priorities and how they could affect you, on a brand new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – this Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.
Calendar of Events across
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Anniversary of People Power Revolution remembered in Los Angeles, CA Join members of the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 25 for the 31st anniversary of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines, which led to the fall of Ferdinand Marcos’s presidency. The event will be held at the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) at 153 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA from 4 to 7 p.m. To RSVP, please call (213) 318-9065 or (657) 215-1212. Sponsored by individuals who were active in the antimartial law movement (1972-1986), as well as organizations including the following: Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), Filipino American Human Rights Alliance-Los Angeles (FAHRA-LA), AF3IRM, Kabataang maka-Bayan(KmB) Pro People Youth, Justice For Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Knights of Rizal- Historic Filipinotown Chapter.
MARCH 6
Talk and book signing with Susan Quimpo, author of “Subversive Lives” in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey Come see Susan Quimpo, one of the authors of “Subversive Lives” on Monday, March 6 at the Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights from 6 to 8 p.m. “Subversive Lives” is a memoir by eight siblings (plus one by marriage) who dedicated themselves to the anti-Marcos resistance in the Philippines. Quimpo will talk about her personal experience during the Marcos years. Books will be available for sale. A book signing will follow after the talk. The Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights is located at 320 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604.
MARCH 9
Talk and book signing with Susan Quimpo, author of “Subversive Lives” in New York Come see Susan Quimpo, one of the authors of “Subversive Lives” on Thursday, March 9 at the 67th Street New York Public Library from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. “Subversive Lives” is a memoir by eight siblings (plus one by marriage) who dedicated themselves to the anti-Marcos resistance in the Philippines. Quimpo will talk about her personal experience during the Marcos years. A book signing will follow after the talk. The New York Public Library is located at 328 E 67th St. (between 1st and 2nd Ave.), New York, NY 10065.
M A R C H 9 -1 8
CAAMFEST35 in San Francisco & Oakland Come to the 35th anniversary of CAAMFest from March 9-19 and immerse yourself in expansive and diverse programs celebrating the best in Asian American film, music and food. The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. The annual CAAMFest is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films. It presents approximately 125 works in San Francisco and Oakland over the course of 11 days. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. For more information, please visit http://caamfest.com.
MARCH 11
CSFLU to hold dinner-dance in Brea, CA The City of San Fernando La Union Association (CSFLU) will hold its annual dinnerdance at the Embassy Suites in Brea, CA on March 11. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. For more information, please call Vangie So, president of the association at (626) 485-3110.
MARCH 18
FASO’s “Swing the Night Away” in Glendale, CA Swing the night away with Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) on Saturday, March 18 at the Glendale Hilton! Bring your dancing shoes for an evening of swing, two-step, rumba, cha-cha, tango and waltz! Dance Instructors will be available on the floor. You can feel free to sit back, relax and enjoy the music! No host cocktails at 6:00 p.m, with dinner at 7:00 p.m. Tickets (dinner included) are $125. You can also contact Arlene Ferrolino (213) 248-9850, Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936 or JL Garcia (310) 936-2988 for tickets and sponsorship opportunities information. FASO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Proceeds will be used to sustain the orchestra, and to fund its education and outreach programs. More information is available on the FASO website at http://www.fasofoundation.org.
M A R C H 25
National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Region 10 Empowerment Conference in San Diego, CA You are cordially invited to the “RISE UP” Regional Empowerment Conference of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), sponsored by AARP Real Possibilities on Saturday, March 25. Registration is $40 per person, which can be done online or at the door. The conference will be held at Clarion Hotel National City, 700 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950. To register online, please visit http://www.NaFFAASDEmpowermentconference.eventbrite.com.
Golf tournament for a cause in Escondido, CA St. Joseph College (Olongapo City)’s High School Class of 1987 will be holding a golf tournament for a cause at the Vineyard at Escondido Golf Club on Saturday, March 25. It is $109/person to register, which includes rounds of golf and a BBQ buffet. Registration is at 11:30 a.m., with shotgun at 1 p.m. and dinner and prizes at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Gemma Gutierrez Hornilla at (949) 861-1732 or Miguel Uson at (760) 7158216. The Vineyard at Escondido Golf Club is located at 925 San Pasqual Rd., Escondido, CA 92025.
APRIL 20
CAUSE’s annual gala in Los Angeles , CA Join Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) for its annual gala on Thursday, April 20. It will be held at LA Hotel’s California Ballroom at 333 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a VIP reception. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact kim@causeusa.org or visit www.causeusa.org.
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
CJ
february 24-MarCH 2, 2017 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Business News
DoT sees 6.5-M tourism workforce by 2022 ABS-CBN files $8-M lawsuit vs drama site by LoueLLa
D. DesiDerio Philstar.com
by raaDee
s. sausa ManilaTimes.net
THE Department of Tourism (DoT) expects about 6.5 million workers will fuel the tourism sector by 2022, the DoT secretary said. Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo disclosed DoT’s projections as she addressed global leaders and tourism industry stakeholders during the World Tourism Forum — Global Meeting in Istanbul, Turkey on February 16 to 18. “About 6.5 million workers will fuel the tourism sector by the end of President Rodrigo Duterte administration in 2022,” Teo said. She announced that the DoT has just completed its National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), which will serve as the roadmap of the department through 2022. “Poor people in dire need of jobs and income to support their families are the focus of DoT’s inclusive and sustainable program under the NTDP, which aims to create employment and livelihood,” Teo said.
EMPLOYMENT
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo
Conversely, the master plan targets to double the number of inbound visitors to 12 million and triple inbound expenditure to $20 billion by the year 2022. “As Tourism Ministers, we have the responsibility not only to promote our destinations but make sure communities benefit and harness their potentials as entrepreneurs,” Teo said. The Tourism chief urged the delegates to share and exchange consumer insights, information and knowledge to allow the de-
velopment of diversified tourism activities and tour packages. Among the community-based tourism initiatives undertaken by the DoT include the provision of technical assistance to small and micro local ventures, training of local tour guides and development of tour programs. The tourism industry in the Philippines accounts for 8.2 percent of the country’s gross domestic product valued at P24 billion and employs over five million people. n
EMPLOYMENT
MANILA, Philippines — ABSCBN Corp. has filed a lawsuit against drama site kissasian. com in the U.S. for infringement of trademarks and registered copyrights of the media and entertainment firm’s 27 television shows and movies, with damages amounting to over $8 million. In a statement, ABS-CBN said it filed the case before the US Federal District Court as the website was carrying television shows and movies including “Be My Lady,” “Born for You,” “Dolce Amore,” “You’re Still the One,” “Etiquette for Mistresses,” and “Ex with Benefits,” without permission. The filing of a lawsuit against the drama site is in line with ABS-CBN’s intention to beef up efforts in fighting piracy. “We are stepping up our antipiracy enforcement in 2017. These pirate sites often victimize our fans when they access these sites and are later attacked by malware which steals their financial and personal data,” Elisha
Lawrence, ABS-CBN’s assistant vice president of Global Anti-Piracy said. Apart from filing a lawsuit against kissasian.com, ABS-CBN was also awarded this week, an amended default judgment of nearly $11 million against 11 online streaming websites regularly showing pirated versions of the media and entertainment firm’s programs. U.S. District Judge William Dimitrouleas, in his amended default judgment, ordered the
FOR RENT
PSYCHIC
defendants to pay at least $1 million each in statutory damages to ABS-CBN. Those ordered to pay statutory damages include Freepinoychannel.com, Pnoytambayantv.com, Lambingan.to, Pinoynetwork. to Tambaytayo.com and Pinoymovie.to. The company had requested at least $2 million in statutory damages per counterfeit trademark used, as well as triple the defendants’ profits from the alleged infringement. n
Business
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CJ
PH to remain attractive to US BPO firms – Megaworld Bishop of Oakland calls for unity in response to executive orders regarding refugees and immigrants
By Kristyn Nika M. Lazo Manilatimes.net
THE Philippines will still attract U.S. business process outsourcing (BPO) firms despite President Donald Trump’s protectionist stance because BPO firms locating here and the U.S. leader’s rhetoric are not necessarily contradictory to each other, a property sector executive said. Jericho Go, senior vice president of Megaworld Corp., said the Philippines will still see a large presence of U.S. BPO firms because international BPO firms see their Philippine operations as “complementing” their whole business while allowing them large savings and value for money ventures due to the quality workers they get here. “Trump bringing back jobs to the U.S., it’s not contradictory to us. When Trump listed the industries where they wanted jobs to go back to them, BPO is not one of them… We don’t steal their jobs; we complement them. We say: ‘If you don’t want to do certain types of jobs, let us do it’,” Go told reporters Friday, February 17. Megaworld is a leading developer of office towers in the country with about 99 percent occupancy rate in its office buildings, mostly from the BPO sector. Go said that like the U.S., the
Philippines also wants to bring back its workers to the country by offering them quality jobs such as the ones offered by BPO firms. He said American BPO firms that up offices in the country are able to save as much as “80 percent” of costs compared to putting up operations in the U.S., given the disparity in wages of American and Filipino workers. He said an average BPO worker in the U.S. gets paid $1,500 to $2,000 monthly, which compares to the P15,000 starting pay of a Filipino BPO agent that equates to about only $300 per month. Even if the savings derived from the cheaper labor cost here is reduced, depending on how much the Trump administration taxes U.S. firms locating outside the country, American firms
opening BPO offices still stand to make substantial cost savings, according to Go. Property developer Megaworld specializes in office space development but also has residential, malls, industrial estates and township developments. From 2015 to 2019, the company has programmed P285.8 billion for capital expenditures. Megaworld is owned and operated by businessman Andrew Tan under umbrella holding firm Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI), which holds Tan’s various businesses in spirits and brandy making (Emperador Inc.), McDonald’s local franchise (Golden Arches Development Corp.) and resorts and casino operations (Resorts World Manila operator Travellers International Hotel Group Inc.). n
PH seen as upper middle-income economy by 2022 by Richmond
S. meRcuRio
Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) is pushing for key reforms which it sees essential in transforming the Philippines into an upper middle-income economy by 2022. Among the reforms include the implementation of the comprehensive tax reform program, increasing investments in infrastructure, easing restrictions on foreign investments, reducing the cost of doing business, and strengthening agro-industrial linkages. Philexport president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said these initiatives are key for supporting growth, as the country is one of the fastest-growing economies
Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.
in Asia, accelerating even faster than China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. He said such reforms are also consistent with the Philippine Export Development Plan 20152017 which outlines the strategies towards a more robust ex-
port industry. “With all these going for us, the vision of transforming the Philippines into an upper middleincome economy by 2022 and close to becoming high-income by 2040 should be within reach,” the Philexport official said. Projections from major local and multilateral international institutions on the country’s growth this year confirm the government’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent. Philippine GDP last year accelerated to 6.8 percent, its strongest in three years. “Exports is likewise expected to contribute to this overall growth, noting the gradual pick-up in global growth and commodity prices,” Ortiz-Luis said. n
OAKLAND, CA – Bishop Michael Barber, SJ, Bishop of the Diocese of Oakland, has issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s executive orders on immigrants and refugees and responses to those orders: “With all the rancor and division circulating in the media recently, I think it is good to remind ourselves who we are as Catholics and Christians. We are Christ-centered, not politician-centered. We are Gospel-centered, not political-agenda centered. We desire unity, not division. Christ and His teachings must come before our favorite political party, not the other way around. Therefore, as a Catholic, I am grateful for the support given by the new U.S. President to Life and protecting children in the womb. There have been 58 million abortions in our country since Roe v. Wade was passed in 1973. That was a sad day for America. As a Catholic, and a disciple of Jesus Christ, I also believe that the decision to build a wall between Mexico and the USA is very disturbing. Every country has a right to protect its borders. But Communists build walls, not Americans. Remember President Reagan’s words to President Gorbachev at the Berlin Wall in 1987. I urge you to read the recent executive decisions by the President regarding immigration alongside Pope Francis’ 2015 address to the US Congress. In that memorable “worldpulpit” Pope Francis stressed the “transcendent dignity of the human being.” Francis stressed we are human beings first. The Holy Father went on to say that the duty of government is “to protect, by means of the law, the image and likeness fashioned by God on every human face.”
I notice that Lyft, the ridesharing alternate-taxi service, just donated $1 million dollars to the ACLU to support refugee resettlement in the USA. We’ve been doing that in our diocese for a year. Over half our parishes have volunteered to sponsor refugees, once vetted and cleared by the U.S. State Department. I hope we will continue to be able to perform that act of compassion under the new regulations. If you feel strongly about the President’s recent decisions, why not join us in acts of mercy, rather than join the public fray of hate and division? In closing, I wish to make my own the excellent statement crafted and released by our diocesan Catholic Charities of the East Bay. I would only change one thing. Instead of saying ‘Catholic Charities of the East Bay stands with the immigrant, refugee, and migrant community.’ I would change it to ‘The Catholic Church.’ “stands with the immigrant, refugee, and migrant community. We oppose actions that promote fear and hostility towards people of all faiths and nationalities. We remain committed to our mission of welcoming the stranger through legal services, refugee resettlement, education, and community outreach. Toward this end, our legal team is resolved to continue filing applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) as long as the program exists. Our country has welcomed people fleeing religious or political persecution, war, poverty or violence since its founding. The spirit and tenacity of our shared immigrant ancestry has shaped and defined our nation. As a faith community, the Catholic Church is an immigrant church with a long history of embracing newcomers and caring for migrants. We know the stories of persecution, violence, and op-
A UNQUE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
AT MONTEMARIA ESTATES, BATANGAS CITY, PHILIPPINES
WINDING ITS WAY SOON
A PROJECT OF
pression that drive people – including children — from their homelands seeking safe haven in the United States. Despite the rhetoric of fear, we believe that people of good will and conscience understand that for many this is a life or death situation, and choose to be on the side of life. We will continue to provide our services and seek justice for immigrants, refugees and migrants. As an experienced leader with a long history serving the immigrant, refugee and migrant community in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, we join the US Conference of Catholic Bishops in supporting comprehensive and compassionate Congressional reform and repair of our broken immigration system. This includes providing a path to permanent legal status for youth eligible for the Department of Homeland Security’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This is a time where our solidarity with one another becomes more important than ever. Most important, we stand together to Act Justly, Love Kindness, and Walk Humbly with God (Micah 6:6-8). Since 1935, Catholic Charities of the East Bay has provided hope and healing to the vulnerable through compassionate services that transform lives. Ever responsive to evolving social needs, our services have progressed through the decades. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and service people in need regardless of religion, race, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. Last year, Catholic Charities of the East Bay served over 26,113 residents in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and helped close to 1000 people enter the pathway to citizenship. We resettled 63 refugee families (total 173 people) from around the world.” n
CJ
february 24-MarCH 2, 2017 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Friday, February 24, 2017
Photos by Michael le Poer trench and Matthew MurPhy
SF2
cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 24, 2017
Eva NoblEzada aNd HEr JourNEy from CHarlottE to WEst ENd to broadWay by MoMar
FILIPINO-American theater fans in the tri-state area are counting down the days, as Miss Saigon – the musical that has cast most Filipinos than any other musical in history – makes its return to the Broadway stage this spring. Previews begin on March 1 and the official opening is March 23. The musical will run until January next year and a national tour will follow in October 2018. Eva Noblezada was barely 18 years old when she was thrust into the limelight and cast as Kim in the West End revival of the musical back in May 2014. She was then a high school student at the Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina. We chatted with Eva a couple of weeks ago at the Times Square office of legendary theater producer Cameron Mackintosh, the man behind Broadway hits such as “Cats,” “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Mary Poppins” and “Miss Saigon.” First, I asked her about her upcoming Broadway debut. “I’m ready. I’ve been preparing myself—not just for Broadway—but just in general. I just want to always be prepared and I feel like I’m ready to start again,” Eva shared. “I’m excited to see what changes I can make to make my performance better.” The Broadway production reunites Eva with some of her castmates from West End: Jonjon Briones as The Engineer, Alistair Brammer as Chris and Rachelle Ann Go as Gigi. This makes Eva giddy in anticipation as she has built a strong relationship with them when they were
G. Visaya/AJPress
still in London. “I love them, I am a very lucky girl. I don’t think people realize how lucky I am. My relationship with Jonjon, he’s like the older brother I never had. I consider his family my family. Alistair, I get along with him really well, along with his lovely wife. We have a good chemistry and we laugh together. Shin is my sis, I could tell her everything. I’m grateful for her and I’m glad that all four of us are making our Broadway debuts together,” she mused. Her journey so far Eva Maria Noblezada was born in San Diego, California and their family moved to Charlotte when she was six years old. They have lived there since. “Charlotte wasn’t really me but I made the most out of the time I had there and it was great. But I was really eager to leave and start doing what I love because I did not have the opportunities that I needed there,” she related. “So when it was time to leave, it was bittersweet to leave my family but I was so excited to go to London and start my life.” Despite the major adjustments, Eva fell in love with London and what the city had to offer. It was her home for nearly three years. She admits missing it so much but she is looking forward to living in New York. “London had its arms wide open for me. It was a special time of my life when I moved and lived there, alone as an independent woman. It was amazing,” she said. “I didn’t know how to imagine my life there because I didn’t move, I never left the country before so it was such a
Eva Noblezada
AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya
Photo by Adam Bayjou
new experience and it was worth everything. Every new experience I just grabbed on to and clinged on to. I’ll never forget those first few months.” Eva spoke with a certain level of maturity in her voice, particularly when she talked about her family. She will turn 21 on March 18. Her leaving them in North Carolina was sad, but it was expected she said. She had to act like an adult and accept the responsibilities that came with accepting the role that would change her life forever. “I got family-sick all the time. I wanted to see them but I had to work. You can’t always have everything you want,” she said matter-of-factly. She found a cure to being family-sick and home-sick when she made new friends. “I made a living for myself, that’s a huge thing, not having to depend on anybody. Learning to do things that I never had to learn when I was at home. It was growing up really quickly and I really loved it,” she added. Born to do it Eva vividly remembers the moment she knew she wanted to be a performer. She was around four or five and she sang in front of a church where she wore “this hideous orange and pink skirt with white buttons”. She felt that everyone in the family knew that it was something she was going to do. “I was always singing, always the loudest one. I loved putting on costumes,” she reminisced laughing. “I (even) tried to make a stage in my Lola’s and Papa’s backyard with wood and I failed epically. “
At the age of nine, she watched her first Broadway musical, “Lion King” at the Minskoff Theater. “I remember everything. I got emotional in the beginning. I was like ‘This is so beautiful!’ and I want to do it so bad,” she shared. “I wanted to do what they were doing. It makes perfect sense now, it is what I want to do.” Nearly ten years later, she was back in the same theater, not as an audience member but as a performer on that theater’s stage singing her heart out. It was for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards or more famously known in the industry as The Jimmys, named after Broadway producer James Nederlander. She earned the right to go to New York when she won at The Blumeys, Charlotte’s regional competition. Eva sang “With You,” a ballad from Ghost, The Musical. “I was initially like, ‘Meh, Ghost’ I’ve seen it and it’s sad. Then, I listened to it again and wow, it is a beautiful song. It spoke to me in ways I didn’t think a song could,” she said. Broadway casting agent Tara Rubin was inside that theater that day. She fell in love with Eva’s rendition and recommended Eva to Miss Saigon’s director Laurence Connor and eventually, Cameron Mackintosh. “It was luck and it was a God thing, it was crazy. She was in the audience and it was crazy coincidental. I was just very lucky,” she said. The family went back home to North Carolina and a month later, she got a call to audition for “Miss Saigon.”
They drove back to New York to do it, then drove back down. A few weeks later, they drove back again for two more auditions. Her final audition was at the Majestic Theater in front of Cameron Mackintosh himself. She sang “I’d Give My Life” for You’ and after her performance, Mackintosh offered the role to her. “Three auditions in all and he told me I got the part,” she said wistfully. “I just couldn’t stop repeating what he said – ‘Would you like to move to London? Would you like to move to London?’ I couldn’t think of anything else, it was so overwhelming. It didn’t really hit me until we got home
and I was screaming with my family. It was amazing,” Eva added. As we closed the interview, I asked her how Miss Saigon changed her life. She paused a bit and reflected. Then she replied, “It forced me to grow up and [it] made me realize how to understand who I am as a person and as an actor and it really ignited my passion to act and perform and tell a story. It taught me as a young woman how to live my life. It taught me a lot of things and I am grateful that I get to do this with this elite group of people and that I get to work with them.”
Since its London premiere in 1989, Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s epic musical MIss Saigon has become one of the most successful musicals in history. The original Broadway production of Miss Saigon opened on April 11, 1991 with what was the largest advance sale in Broadway history ($37 million). The show went on to play for nearly ten years and 4,063 performances seen by more than 5.9 million people. Miss Saigon has been performed in 28 countries, over 300 cities in 15 different languages, has won over 40 awards including 2 Olivier Awards, 3 Tony Awards, and 4 Drama Desk Awards and been seen by over 35 million people worldwide.
Scenes from the London production of ‘Miss Saigon.’
Photos by Michael Le Poer Trench and Matthew Murphy
entertainment SF3
Sunshine Dizon chooses to channel her energy wisely
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – February 24, 2017
President Trump’s first 28 days: A poll survey
by Nathalie
tomada Philstar.com
JusT a coincidence. That’s how sunshine Dizon responds to comments that her reel life seems to mirror what’s going on in her real life. sunshine is the lead star of the GMA 7 afternoon drama “Ika-6 na utos” (taking after the sixth Commandment: “Thou shall not commit adultery”). It’s another take on the favorite teleserye and movie theme — marital infidelity — a subject that viewers naturally think sunshine knows only too well. “As they say, they thought it was patterned after (what happened to me). But no, it’s not. It’s similar in a way in that it’s the same situation, but it’s totally different from what happened to me,” the 33-year-old Kapuso star told The Star. sunshine’s shocking separation from her husband of six years, which stemmed from cheating allegations, played out in the news and tabloids last year. With her Ika-6 na utos role as the betrayed wife Emma Fuentabella, there’s really no escaping the comparisons. In the series, her character has already shed her martyr self and is in fight mode, as she seeks custody of her child being kept away from her by her husband, airline pilot Jerome Fuentabella (Gabby Concepcion) who is now living with the other woman Georgia Ferrer (Ryza Cenon). In real life, sunshine has become less “combative,” dropping her charges (one for the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, and the other for concubinage) against husband Timothy Tan, who had also issued a public apology in December. “It was a very hard and painful decision that I had to make, dropping the cases against my ex-husband but more than anything else I’m a mother. I still have two kids who need their father. I had to make that choice for them,” explained the mother of two, ages five and four. sunshine, however, added, that “my fight doesn’t end there. I’m still planning other things. I just don’t want to talk about it.”
By Monet
Nevertheless, the drama actress was surprised by the amount of messages she received via social media about her situation. “(I received) a lot. I get personal messages telling me that they love watching the show, or saying that they’ve gone through similar situations, or their parents went through similar situations, and then they also tell me, they look up to me.” sunshine continued, “sometimes, it’s heartbreaking also to read their stories. There are so many women who are suffering silently. Parang they look up to me, in some ways like, ‘she fought for something.’ I actually don’t understand it, why I’m being put in that kind of pedestal, if you might say. But if my story helps them in any way, if it gives them hope, then I’m OK with that.” Amidst all the upheavals in her personal life, sunshine considers her career as her saving grace. “It keeps me focused, it keeps me busy. Work has really been my salvation, especially with all the crazy things happening in my life. “It’s good that I’m able to focus my energy on doing something good. I’ve always loved my craft so, you know, just do good and be better at it,” she said, adding that she has always been drawn to challenging, unconventional projects, never mind if the storyline might be a little too close to home. “It’s work for me, a job that I have to do. I just do Continued on Page SF5
Lu
IT was said to be one of the most ambitious agendas ever laid out by a president in years. During President Donald Trump’s first few days at the White House, he took several actions: from motioning to repeal Obama’s signature health care law to renegotiating trade deals to suspending immigration from terror-prone regions. As far-reaching as his agenda may be, Trump did come through with some of his goals, among them: an executive order to advance the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, an Inauguration Day proclamation and a waiver that allowed his nominee for defense secretary to serve. And while all of this is happening, the women’s March was also ongoing. For my column this week, I put together survey on what people, specifically the immigrants feel or think about the president’s first month as leader of this nation. (Note: I changed the names for anonymity). “For me, he is doing so great! He is a wonderful leader who is just fulfilling what he promised during the campaign. Even with all the oppositions of the prideful liberals, he still manages to work so well every single day. His direct communication with the people via social media is really one great way of communicating to the people. I love how focused he is in reaching the goals of his movement - to make America great again! Significantly, I love that he is working so intensively on the border wall that includes the areas both illegal immigration issues and business coming back in the country by setting the tax lower for the businesses here and making the tax higher for importing products in the USA. I strongly believe that if we buy
American products, it should be made here in America. It is unfair for Americans to spend money while their economy is going down and many are losing jobs. On the issues of illegal immigration, aside from security in the US, it is also fair that people respect the law and order of the country under the Constitution. I myself, as legal immigrant believes that we are to respect immigration policies. On the refugees, I believe we are to help them in their country. Well, it would have been ok to help them coming in here if they are not causing trouble but very clearly, that is not the situation with these refugees. They are demanding and making troubles. Making it not safe for the citizens to live in their own country. What we can see from Europe are enough evidence.” - Grace (Chicago) “It’s a little chaotic. But I voted for him … so I’ll stick with my vote. Some have asked why I did and I’d tell them America needs change. Plus, I support the republican ideologies. Regarding the travel ban.
I myself know firsthand how it was to be an undocumented worker, which is why I made sure I didn’t stay that way for long. Those countries are real hot on the list… And immigrants should do the right thing by going to the right process to be a documented immigrant.” - Mario (Delaware) “He’s ok I think. I mean even if he is notorious for strictly implementing the laws and making sure the government officials adhere to such laws; including police officers’ proper enforcement ng authority, then he cannot be faulted for that because that breeds stability more than anything. Unlike what’s happening to my home country (Philippines). The US government now may seem unstable because of the opposition against Trump, but not to the point that it affects the people directly. What I see instead is that the people are the ones who are causing political unrest.” - Daniel (California) “I didn’t like him as president before because of his “morals”, but because of his plan to “make America great
again, I voted Republican, mainly because of Pence. But I believe Trump’s keeping his promise and I like what’s happening with the ban and other things. I don’t believe in the media news anymore. I listen to Jay Sekulow more and Fox news. In a time, such as this, where differing opinions don’t necessarily divide a nation, but makes them accept the differences and make compromises, I want to keep a positive outlook. I want to believe that there is hope for America and that as our new president says, “[we] can make America great again.” - Lucia (Los Angeles) *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
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celebrityworld
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 24, 2017
celebrity world Of relationships, break ups and moving on
By Ferdie Villar
IN my column last week, we shared the bitter break up of actress Erich Gonzales and Japanese-Brazilian actor Daniel Matsunaga. What was supposed to be a matter between them became an issue with Daniel’s family as well, with the actor’s sister, Vanessa posting social media statements for Erich. This was all because of the rumors that the cause of their break up had to do with money. The actress, on the other hand, revealed last week that she “will tell everything” if she’s pushed to do so. After all drama, the excouple seem to have patch things up and moved on. After an initial talk made possible by their home network ABS-CBN 2, Erich and Daniel even looked sweet during their recent show here in the Bay Area. However, reconciliation seems to be out of the picture. In a message by Erich’s friend and make up artist RB Chanco, she shared that, “Together with
Star Magic, Erich and Daniel have arranged and settled things peacefully. Both are now starting to move on separate from each other’s lives.” RB also added that in spite of the sweetness their fans saw during their shows in the U.S., the couple is not getting back together. According to her, it was more of a request from the producers of the show, as well as to give appreciation to their fans. *** Another actress who said that she has long moved on is Maja Salvador. In a recent interview with PEP.ph, Maja shared that everything is good and well with here since her break up with actor Gerald Anderson in 2015. Her friend, actress Bea Alonzo, is now rumored to be Gerald’s new love. Hinting that it was something to do with “someone’s career” as a reason for their breakup, Maja added that she’s
Artists Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali is the newest and youngest love team in the Kapuso network.
Mayor Fidel Cimatu, Jr. of Bangui, Ilocos Norte will be the guest speaker of the Sons & Daughters of Bangui International, Inc. during their 4th year anniversary on Saturday, February 25, at the Sheraton Hotel in Cerritos, CA.
always able to balance her personal life with her work. “Ako kaya ko namang magbalanse. Pero parang yung mas ka-partner mo yung nagkakaroon ng problema,” she said. “Parang yun yung nagiging... Yung sa akin, ha, dun sa past ko.” The actress also said that the public shouldn’t make an issue between her and Bea, because she only wants happiness for her friend. “Sobrang gusto ko na maging masaya siya. At sana si Ge (Gerald) na talaga yung magpapasaya kay Bea. Or sana sila na sa isa’t isa,” she shared and then added, “Happiness lang ang gusto kong makita sa kaibigan ko and, of course, for Ge also.” *** Breaking up is never easy, especially for a relationship that has been kept a secret from the public. This is the case for comedian and host Vice Ganda, who shared his heartaches over
Commissioner Ray Satorre recently got back from his trip in the Philippines where he spent the Christmas holidays and also to watch the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Manila last January.
Handsome actor Aga Muhlach will be doing a movie with his former girlfriend and Miss Universe Dayanara Torres this March.
Comedian and TV host Vice Ganda recently shared his heartache about his hidden relationship with an ex-boyfriend during his Valentine concert, “Pusuan Mo.”
his ex-boyfriend that he loved for many years. During his Valentine concert “Pusuan Mo,” Vice Ganda dropped hints about his ex, whom he did not identify. The comedian used spoken word poetry to express his feelings about their hidden relationship. He addressed the guy: “Ikaw ang nagbigay sa ‘kin ng ganitong pakiramdam, kaya kahit paulit-ulit, ikaw lang ang bibigyan ko ng karapatan na sa akin ay manakit dahil mahal kita. Mahal kita habang buhay at hindi lang isang saglit. Oo, mahal kita, mahal na mahal kita kahit tayo lang ang nakakaalam dahil natatakot ka, natatakot ako, natatakot tayong dalawa na parehong mahusgahan.” Vice Ganda shared that they were in a relationship for several years and tearfully recalled the pain he felt when it all ended.
Actress Maja Salvador recently shared that she has long moved on with her break up with actor Gerald Anderson.
All seem well and civil between ex-couple Daniel Matsunaga and Erich Gonzales, as evident in this Instagram post at the airport in Manila prior to their flight to San Francisco for their show in the Bay Area Photo from @lovecapulong last weekend.
A tale of two Richards by Deni
Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com
#TeamChinoy: Richard Poon and Richard Yap
FIlIPINOS might have celebrated Valentine’s Day last February 14. But for the Chinese, Valentine’s Day does not happen until the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, which falls on August 28 this year. For the Filipino-Chinese community, who include singers Richard Yap and Richard Poon, Chinese Valentine’s Day is the most romantic celebration of the year, where the main participants are singles looking for their soulmates. Wishes for happiness, wealth, longevity and a good partner are done on this day. According to Yap and Poon, Filipino-Chinese weddings are a big market for the entertainment industry in the Philippines that are often overlooked. A lot of Filipino-Chinese couples get married each year and yet there are very few singers that can sing Chinese love songs, said
Poon. Thus, from a cook in their family restaurant, Poon followed his sister’s advice to join her in becoming a Chinese wedding singer since they virtually have no competition in this niche market in the Philippines. Recently, Poon also collaborated with his namesake, Yap, to provide novelty in addressing the entertainment needs of their community. From their team-up, Yap realized how big the Chinese community is in the Philippines. After Yap and Poon’s concert last year, their first collaboration album “The Chinito Crooners” got sold out after the concert. “Some artists, they need a plus one because they find it difficult with the pitch,” said Poon. “But Richard (Yap) is different.” According to Poon, his dad is a good critic when it comes
to singers. After the concert, his dad told him that Yap does not only sing well but can even carry a tune with strength. Yap also possesses a strong charisma on stage. Yap in reality was so nervous during the concert. “I was stressed so much…There were high expectations. Thankfully, I managed to have pulled it off.” While he has done a lot of shows with Poon, it was their first major concert wherein they had to belt out 12 songs each, unlike then when he only had to render three to four. When he forgets a line from a song, he makes the audience sing it for him. Yap began singing in high school as a tenor. He used to listen to “Bohemian Rhapsody” a lot. He was influenced by The Carpenters, Kenny Rogers, Barry Manilow and their mellow songs. Becoming a singer, he said, “just adds to your marketability as an actor, so you can sing in promos or mall shows.” But albums are hard to sell, so he barely earns from them. Besides acting and singing, he has to take care of his business. In time for Valentine’s this year, they launched their second album, “Richard x Richard,” a compilation of their favorite old love songs. According to Poon, it is always easy to work with Yap as their songs complement each other. Similarly, for Yap, it is always a pleasure to work with the other Richard.
Miss Universe can’t wait to come back to Manila by MJ
Marfori ManilaTimes.net
Barely a month in New york City, newly crowned Miss Universe Iris Mittinaere is homesick—not of France but of Manila. “I miss Manila, I miss the mangoes, I miss the people! I miss the fans—you guys are the best!” she told ManilaTimes.net in a web conversation. asked how she is doing adjusting to life in the Big apple where the Miss Universe Organization is based, the beauty queen said she is in constant communication with our very own Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and is excited to see her again to ask for tips and advice.” “I have Pia’s contact and we always talk. She will be here in a couple of months and I cannot wait for that. I have many, many questions to ask her.” Meanwhile, Iris will have her homecoming in Paris in March, and also hopes to have one in Manila sometime soon. If her schedule becomes too tight, she nevertheless promised to make sure to come visit the Philippines again before her reign ends. Getting more personal, Iris shared one of the biggest adjustments she has to make is learning to cope with her a longdistance relationship with her boyfriend, Matthieu Declercq, who is based in France. “It’s different but we always Viber and skype, he will always visit me.” Indeed, Matthieu flew to New york for Valentine’s Day to
my best to separate my real life from work.” When asked where she draws her strength to weather through her marital storms, Sunshine said, “Some people would say, hey you’re so strong. Honestly, I have my bad days… you know, it’s just a matter of deciding on what to do each
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 24, 2017
anne Curtis’ birthday wish by MJ
Marfori ManilaTimes.net
DOeS anne Curtis still have anything to wish for? Her life is pretty much a bed of roses, especially with her recent engagement to foodie blogger erwann Heussaff. Turning 32 on February 17, she confided that her birthday wish does have something to do with her forthcoming wedding. “My wish is for a hasslefree wedding planning talaga.” These days, anne is still tickled pink when questions about her engagement comes up. There is a part of her that is still in shock too even though the proposal happened three months ago in Connecticut, USa during her New york Marathon stint.
“I couldn’t think of anything else at that time… my whole mind was focused on the New york Marathon so it really didn’t cross my mind that he would propose there. If ever I thought he would, it’s if we were planning a trip together—parang dun pa yun that’s why ang galing niya eh. He knew I wouldn’t expect it and it was beautiful and charming that we were alone together there.” anne and erwann are still deciding if they want a private wedding or something open to the public considering her stature. She’s already feeling the pressure though. “It’s a bit hectic. Parang as soon you get engaged you don’t realize na parang huh!
Anne Curtis
Ten months to go na lang. Parang it keeps going by so fast, so I’m a little bit stressed but I know it’s going to be a love filled year.”
Janine Gutierrez leads ‘Legally Blind’ power cast GMa Network debuts its newest gripping afternoon Prime series, “legally Blind.” Based on true-to-life stories of women who have been victims of rape, the effects of drug abuse, pressure and rivalry within a household, it shows more importantly the unconditional Iris Mittinaere is living it up in the Big Apple as the 65th Miss Universe. love that binds families together and the resiliency of Filipinos in public is still not open to lGBT visit his Miss Universe. facing life’s challenges. relationships. “It was so romantic. We had Janine Gutierrez plays Grace “Camille laughed about it. a long stroll and a romantic dinevangelista, a beautiful, hardShe has a boyfriend; I have a ner,” Iris shared. boyfriend. But what is sad is that working, and responsible law She is glad the rumor that what if we really were together? I student who eventually passes Miss France 2015 Camille Cerf do not see the problem in that.” the board exam with flying is more than just her best friend We wish you the best Iris and colors. has been put to rest. But on However, in a dreadful turn au revoir! the flip side, she is sad how the of events, she gets raped by an unknown culprit, scarring her forever when the distress and trauma causes her to lose her eyesight. She nevertheless I just choose to be positive day. For example, today, I’m about it, and just push through chooses to pursue her pasfeeling depressed, so what will with my life. I do tomorrow? Will I just sleep sion for law and thus becomes “I’m no robot that doesn’t the whole day, or do nothing a blind lawyer amid the quest feel anything, but I just choose in finding her perpetrator and but cry? to channel my energy wisely... “Why would I waste what’s seeking justice she rightfully I acknowledge that yes, it’s left of my life, when it’s already deserves. painful, yes it’s bad, yes it’s there, you can’t do anything Mikael Daez plays edward ugly, but you know, I still have about it, it’s broken, you can’t Villareal, the handsome, rich, a choice to make it beautiful. piece it back together. So, and principled man who will That’s what I try to do every instead of dwelling on it, and help Grace in her search for time.” feeling sad and depressed,
Sunshine Dizon chooses to channel... From Page SF4
entertainment
Janine Gutierrez
justice and eventually fall in love with her. lauren young is Charie evangelista, the younger sister of Grace who’s deeply envious of her. She is forced to quit school after her parents decided to invest their money on Grace’s law education. Marc abaya is William Villareal, the older brother of edward. He is a successful businessman and married with a child on the way but easily gets tempted by his circle of friends. rodjun Cruz is Joel apostol,
Grace’s old love and boyfriend from law school. He will try to win back Grace’s heart again. also essaying pivotal roles are Chanda romero as the loving mother of the sisters and Therese Malvar as Nina, the youngest sibling of Grace and a thoughtful, compassionate bundle of joy who looks up to Grace and keeps her motivated in life. Completing the cast are lucho ayala, ashley rivera, and Camille Torres. (ManilaTimes. net)
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