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DFA to Beijing: ‘Pag-asa Island is ours’ by JAIME
R. PILAPIL ManilaTiames.net
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, May 2, issued a strong statement dismissing the claim of Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua that the Philippines’ planned improvement works at Pag-asa Island would be illegal. “Pag-asa Island and the larger Kalayaan Island Group are a municipality of Palawan,” DFA spokesman Robespierre Bolivar told reporters.
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“Any visit or activity we undertake there are part and parcel of our constitutional mandate to ensure the safety, well-being, and livelihood of our citizens living in this municipality,” he asserted. China’s envoy Zhao said Monday, May 1 that “we view the occupation by the Philippine side of those islands as illegal. And so the buildings on it are also illegal.” Pag-asa Island is the largest of the islands under the municipality of Kalayaan, which was created in 1978.
The town, which has 180 residents, has a complete political structure. The town center is on Pag-asa Island, which China calls “Thitu.” Zhao, in response to questions from reporters, uttered the controversial statement while President Rodrigo Duterte was touring three Chinese warships that visited Davao City on Monday, May 1. “It’s common practice. In our position, we have the ownership of those islands and reefs. And whichever airplanes or aircraft intrude, we will give
them warnings,” said Zhao. It was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, during his visit to Pag-asa Island last month with military generals, who announced that the government had earmarked at least P1 billion to improve facilities on Pag-asa Island, including the repair of an airstrip. Lorenzana had pointed to China’s extensive development of Subi Reef. Satellite images have shown anti-aircraft guns and weapons systems on the reef, which is being claimed by
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Pulse Asia: Filipinos trust US most
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Filipina murdered in Walnut Creek, Calif.
A FILIPINA was fatally shot in the East Bay on Thursday, April 27 by a man she was dating for the past two years, according to police. Roselyn Policarpio, 47, was walking near the Lindsey Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek, California around 1:30 p.m. before she was shot four times by Gregory Prokopowicz. The 38-year-old suspect fled the scene but was found hours later in the city of Martinez sitting in the passenger’s seat of a Mercedes, wherein he barricaded himself. The driver of the vehicle was briefly detained, but was released after being interviewed. Prokopowicz was arrested on Friday afternoon, April 28, following a 19-hour standoff with a police SWAT team. He was in possession of a gun and knives and was high on drugs, various reports said. Policarpio reportedly had plans to see her 25-year-old son, Don, on Thursday afternoon, according to the East Bay Times. When Don called her cellphone about 10 minutes after the shooting, Prokopowicz answered. “You’ll never be able to speak to your mom again. I killed her,” the suspect said, as re-
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Senators urge Trump to continue Filipino WWII Vets Parole program
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto AJPress file photo by Robert Macabagdal
A GROUP of Democratic senators is calling for the continuation of a program that allows Filipino World War II veterans to be reunited with their families in the United States, amid reports that the Trump administration is reviewing immigration
parole policies. In a letter addressed to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, April 26, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mazie K. Hirono (DHawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said that less than 6,000 Filipinos World War II veterans — of the 260,000 who fought — are living in the United States today and are increasingly in need of assistance from their
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DFA spokesman Robespierre Bolivar
China, Russia earn lowest scores by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
CHINESE SHIPS IN DAVAO. President Rodrigo Duterte (center) returns a salute from a Chinese naval officer (left) as Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (right) looks on. Duterte visited the guided missile frigate Changchun berthed at the Davao international port on Monday, May 1. AFP Photo
Cayetano to lead drug war defense before UN by AJPRESS THE administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to defend its drug war and human rights record before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) next week. The Philippine delegation to the Third Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council will be co-headed by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who is notably among Duterte’s staunchest allies. “[We will be] presenting the human rights report for their [UN’s] 3rd review, which is every three years,” Cayetano told reporters in an interview on Tuesday, May 2. The senator will be joined by Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Undersecretary Severo Catura, head of the presidential human rights committee. “Well, we’re always ready to defend our country, the president’s intentions, what’s happening in our country,” Cayetano said. The team is set to defend the Duterte administration on Monday, May 8 in Geneva, Switzerland but according to the senator, they are to leave Manila
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by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte said he’s still unsure if he will accept United States President Donald Trump’s invitation to visit the White House. In a chance interview on Monday, May 1, Duterte said he’s hesitant to make commitments because he is “tied up” with a busy schedule. “I cannot make any definite promise,” Duterte told reporters in Davao City. “I’m supposed to go to Russia, supposed to go to Israel.” Duterte is scheduled to visit Russia at the end of May to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Information about his Israel trip, meanwhile, has yet to be released. During a “friendly” phone call
Earlier in February, Lopez ordered the closure of 23 companies and the suspension of five others. She also ordered the THE Commission on Appointments cancellation of 75 mineral production shar(CA) rejected the ad interim appointment ing agreements (MPSAs) in watersheds of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez on and the banning of “prospective” open-pit mines in the country. Wednesday, May 3. In a media briefing shortly after the anLopez’s rejection came after three confirmation hearings questioning the legali- nouncement of her appointment’s rejecties of her orders, particularly against min- tion, Lopez grieved at how business intering companies. u PAGE A3
SIOSON AJPress
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Duterte ‘can’t promise’ he’ll accept Trump’s White House invitation
CA rejects Gina Lopez appointment as DENR chief by DANA
THE United States remains to be one of the most trusted countries by Filipinos, according to a recent survey by Pulse Asia. Figures from the poll show that 79 percent of Filipinos said they trust the U.S. while 20 percent expressed distrust — a relatively better score compared to the 76 percent trust and 20 percent distrust rates in December last year. Next to the U.S., Filipinos expressed trust towards Japan, Australia, and Great Britain (United Kingdom), earning trust rates of 75 percent, 69 percent, and 53 percent respectively. China and Russia, meanwhile, ranked lowest in the survey, with distrust rates of 63
WHITE HOUSE CALLING. President Duterte talks to US President Trump on the phone while acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (right) listens in. Photo courtesy of Secretary Christopher “Bong” Go
on Saturday, April 29‚—after the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit’s closing ceremonies—Trump invited Duterte to the White House and reiterated his commitment to the PH-U.S. alliance.
The American president reportedly extended his invitation to Duterte to discuss the importance of the two countries’ relationship, which the White House said is “heading in a very positive
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From the Front Page
DFA to Beijing: ‘Pag-asa Island is… PAGE A1 t
Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. China has sparked regional concern by turning reefs and shoals in contested areas into artificial islands, installing military facilities and airstrips on some of them. Duterte, elected last year, has distanced himself from traditional longtime ally the United States. He has played down the country’s territorial dispute with China in favor of seeking greater economic aid and investment from Beijing. A statement issued after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Manila merely took note of “concerns expressed by some leaders over recent developments in the area.” It also ignored last year’s international ruling outlawing China’s sweeping claims to the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Asean members the Philip-
pines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts of the waterway, but China insists it has sovereign rights over nearly all of it. Foreign Affairs Executive Director Zaldy Patron said not one of the Asean leaders “strongly pushed” against China’s militarization and reclamation activities. He said the Asean chairman’s statement was also silent on the ruling of the United Nationsbacked arbitral tribunal that favored the Philippines in its case against China because there was no consensus among members of the bloc. “There is no mention of arbitration because last year, even last year in Vientiane, there was no consensus to have it reflected in any of the Asean statements,” Patron said. “During the Plenary and Summit, there was no leader that mentioned inclusion or made reference to land reclamation, militarization and arbitration. So that was what we are trying to reflect
in the Chairman’s statement,” he added. What the leaders highlighted, he said, were the efforts of the Asean and China to strengthen cooperation and repair ties that have been frayed by the sea row. ‘Harassment reports unverified’ Zhao downplayed reports from Filipino fishermen about being harassed by Chinese vessels in March over the disputed waters, particularly in the Union Banks of the Kalayaan group. “I think the reports of harassment have never been verified. It is only reports. I haven’t seen any hard evidence supporting that allegation,” Zhao said. Sino-Philippine relations remain strong as shown by multimillion dollar infrastructure projects, Zhao said. “I don’t think that the small issues will affect the overall direction of our bilateral relationship,” the Chinese ambassador said. (With AFP)
Duterte ‘can’t promise’ he’ll accept Trump’s… PAGE A1 t
direction.” Malacañang also confirmed the invitation in a statement. “The ambit of the conversation between the two leaders includes the expression of commitment of U.S. President Trump to the PHU.S. alliance and his interest in developing a warm, working relationship with President Duterte,” Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella disclosed on Sunday, April 30. Abella said Trump also expressed his “understanding and
appreciation of the challenges facing the Philippine president, especially on the matter of dangerous drugs.” No further details regarding the date of the visit, however, have been released. According to the White House, the two leaders tackled the ASEAN’s concerns regarding regional security, including the rising tension in Korean Peninsula. “They also discussed the fact that the Philippine government is fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs, a scourge that af-
fects many countries throughout the world,” the White House said in a statement. It said Trump is also “looking forward” to the upcoming East Asia Summit and the U.S.ASEAN Summit, which will be held in November in the Philippines. Asked for more details about his recent phone call with Trump, Duterte, who is also the chairperson of this year’s ASEAN, said he told the U.S. leader about the Philippines and the Southeast Asian region’s concerns over the rising tension in Korean Peninsula. “It’s the concern of everybody. Not only with us, both the ASEAN guys. The heads of states also expressed their fear of an outbreak of the threat of a nuclear warhead,” Duterte said. Tensions have been rising in the area amid fears of North Korea’s further possible missile or nuclear activities, with the U.S. threatening to stage a military attack against Pyongyang over its weapons tests. While Duterte agreed that the U.S. has a “persuasive power,” he still urged Washington to
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SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH. Senator Risa Hontiveros (third from left) is flanked by supporters of the mental health bill, actress Antoinette Taus, Miss International Kylie Versoza and Jerika Ejercito. The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill that would protect, among others, the rights of individuals suffering from mental health condition. Inquirer photo by Christine Avendano
Pulse Asia: Filipinos trust US most …
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percent and 56 percent respectively. Only 37 percent of the respondents said they trust China. On the other hand, Russia got 42 percent trust rate, jumping from the previous score of 38 percent. The poll, with an error margin of plus or minus three, was conducted from March 15 to 20 among a total of 1,200 respondents. On Tuesday, May 2, Malaca-
ñang said China and Russia’s low trust rates are not surprising at all. “That’s par for the course,” Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement. According to Abella, people have been taught to think poorly of China and Russia for such a long time. “After all these years, we’ve been programmed to think these are the enemies,” he said.
Abella, however, pointed out that the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is “breaking free” from such negative thinking against China and Russia. In a stunning diplomatic turnaround, Duterte, who assumed the presidency in June last year, has been exerting efforts to pursue warmer ties with China and Beijing while blasting the U.S. for criticizing his campaign against illegal drugs. n
Cayetano to lead drug war defense before… PAGE A1 t
earlier on Thursday, May 4 to attend “side events.” Asked about the team’s objective, Cayetano responded: “Tell the truth. Tell the real numbers and tell the facts.” “We believe after the presentation the wrong facts on the campaign against drugs will be clarified,” Cayetano said. The UN has repeatedly raised concerns over the alleged spate of summary killings linked with Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, which has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at
least 7,000 Filipinos from both legitimate police operations and vigilante-style or unexplained killings since he took office last June. Recently, the UN-linked International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) condemned anew the supposed extrajudicial killings in the country, saying that “extrajudicial action, purportedly taken in pursuit of drug control objectives, is fundamentally contrary to the provisions and objectives” of international drug conventions. The INCB previously called on
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano
Inquirer.net photo
the Philippine government to put an “immediate stop” to the killings in August last year. Duterte, in response, has repeatedly lambasted the UN for allegedly interfering with the internal affairs of the Philippines. While Cayetano said they would not deny that there are indeed human rights violations, he maintained, however, that those are not state-sponsored. “We’re also honest that there are human rights violation[s], but [they are] not state-sponsored. We have to be careful to communicate to the world what’s really happening but to properly assign blame. Kailan pulis [ang] may kasalanan, kailan pusher ang may kasalanan (When is the police is at fault, when is the pusher at fault),” Cayetano explained. He further added, “Huwag natin sabihin na walang pagkakamali ang pulis (Let’s not say that the police have not done anything wrong) but let’s not blame everything on the police or uniformed personnel, when it’s the drug lords pulling the strings.” n
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Filipina murdered in Walnut Creek…
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layed by Don to the news outlet. Policarpio, who migrated from the Philippines in 2008 with her then-husband, daughter and three sons, was described as having a “gentle and quiet spirit,” according to McAfee’s chief human resources officer, Chatelle Lynch. The Filipina was employed at the software company for a year about six years ago. She subsequently worked at the American College of Nursing in Concord, California, where she met Prokopowicz, who was a stu-
dent there. The two entered into a romantic relationship, and family members began to notice behavioral changes in Policarpio. The couple eventually moved to Anchorage, Alaska in January 2016. However, Policarpio told her children that the relationship turned violent and fled back to California in July. According to interviews with family members, Prokopowicz returned to Walnut Creek soon after and Policarpio went back to him. She had planned to break up with Prokopowicz the day she
was murdered, according to her son Don. Policarpio’s family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her funeral expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/ roselyn-policarpio-funeral. As of this writing, the page has raised nearly half of the $8,000 goal. “Justice will come soon,” the page says. “The aim of the campaign is to raise funds to give Roselyn the decent and proper last rites she deserves.” (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)
Senators urge Trump to continue Filipino…
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TECHNOLOGY NEUTRAL. Shown in photo is Ambuklao Dam in the Benguet province, one of the clean sources of energy in the country. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said his agency was pursuing a “technology neutral” program for developing more power facilities, to increase supply without raising the cost of electricity. “Technology neutral” means that the Department of Energy has no preferred technology when it approves new power plant projects. Inquirer photo by EV Espiritu
Duterte ‘can’t promise’ he’ll accept Trump’s… PAGE A2 t
show restraint in dealing with North Korea. “I just said, ‘We’re concerned. I suppose you have your persuasive power. There has to be sense somewhere, Mr. President (Trump). I don’t think you can scare (North Korean Leader) Kim Jong-un with firepower,’” Duterte recalled telling Trump. Recognizing that China can serve as a mediator between Washington and Pyongyang, the Philippine president added: “Our greatest chance there of getting some dialogue with America and North Korea would be through the intercession of China.” Condemn, not invite While Duterte has yet to officially accept Trump’s invitation to visit the White House, international critics have expressed alarm over the reported offer, saying that Washington should instead condemn the Philippine leader’s war against illegal drugs that resulted in thousands of deaths. “Countries with bilateral ties to the Philippines, particularly the United States, have an obligation to urge accountability for the victims of Duterte’s abusive drug war, rather than offer to roll out the red carpet for official state visits by its mastermind,” Human Rights Watch Deputy Director Phelim Kine said in a statement. Duterte has been accused of committing “crime[s] against humanity” by different local and international groups, such as the United Nations and Amnesty International, over the alleged spate of summary killings linked in his drug war since assuming the presidency last June. The Philippine government, for its part, has repeatedly denied that the over 8,000 deaths are state sanctioned. Former U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby also criticized the invite, saying that it caused Washington to miss its chance to raise concerns about the “manner in which Duterte is running his own country.”
“Well, he got a call this weekend from President Trump, which on the face of it isn’t a bad thing. There’s a lot to talk about. Except the president doesn’t appear to have used this opportunity to raise any concerns about the manner in which Duterte is running his own country, violating the human rights of his own citizens or treating his best ally, the United States,” Kirby wrote in an opinion piece published by CNN. He also argued that giving Duterte the chance of a White House meeting is equal to “denigrat[ing] the rule of law and to spit in the face of the thousands of innocent Filipinos who have suffered under Duterte’s jackboot.” At the same time, Trump reportedly didn’t inform the U.S. State Department beforehand about the invite, which is likely a breaking of diplomatic protocol. “[I]t is a little unusual that this kind of invitation wouldn’t have been prepared ahead of time as part of his talking points. The reports indicate that it came as a surprise, not only to the State Department but to some people on the National Security Council and the White House as well,” said David Kramer, who served as former assistant secretary of state for human rights during the George W. Bush administration. Defending Trump’s invitation to Duterte, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus said that the cooperation of the Philippines is greatly needed in countering North Korea. “There is nothing right now facing this country and facing the region that is a bigger threat than what’s happening in North Korea,” White House chief of staff Reince Priebus told ABC’s “This Week.” Priebus clarified that reaching out to Duterte “doesn’t mean that human rights don’t matter.” “But what it does mean is that the issues facing us developing out of North Korea are so seri-
CA rejects Gina Lopez appointment… PAGE A1 t ests supposedly affected the CA’s decision. According to her, 16 CA members voted against her while only eight voted in her favor. “It’s very sad that in the Commission on Appointments, clearly, business interest have run the day. And I think that needs to be reevaluated because how can a body, which is mandated to make decisions based on the common good, make decisions based on business interests?” Lopez said. For her, such officials influenced by business interests have “lost the moral ascendancy to rule the government.” “Who suffers if you kill the environment? It’s the poor. And whose duty is it to protect our people? It’s the government and when you make decisions based on business interests, you have shirked your responsibility,” Lopez stressed. “You have lost the moral ascendancy to rule the government because to you, business and money is more important than the welfare of the people,” she further added. In jest, Lopez even suggested that President Rodrigo Duterte himself should replace her as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) chief. “My choice for DENR Secretary is President Duterte,” she said. “I can’t think of any other person. One, it needs guts, it needs tapang because you have to step on business interests…” Lopez is Duterte’s second cabinet official rejected by the CA. The bicameral body earlier rejected Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. over citizenship issues. She was also bypassed by the CA last month but Duterte reappointed her. Senator Manny Pacquiao, who led the confirmation hear-
Secretary Gina Lopez
ings, expressed admiration for Lopez’s “passion and love for the environment.” “I believe in my heart that no matter how several big people may be against Gina, she will always stand by what she believes is morally and environmentally right and righteous,” he said. Following Lopez’s rejection, Malacañang expressed ‘deep concern’ over the the bicameral body’s decision. “She has contributed a lot of meaningful insights into the environment and Philippine environmental situation. It is of course — it is with deep concern that the CA has seen fit to reject her appointment,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement. Abella, however, clarified, that Malacañang respects the CA’s judgment. “On the other hand, it is a democratic process and we respect their decision. At this stage, we will leave it at that,” he added. Asked about a possible replacement for the DENR chief post, Abella said the Office of the President has yet to make an announcement. n
ous that we need cooperation at some level with as many partners in the area as we can get to make sure we have our ducks in a row,” the chief of staff explained. Following the U.S. official’s statement, the United Nations (UN) expressed hope that Trump would remind Duterte his duty of promoting human rights. “So one hopes the message will be very clear and undiluted from the President of United States to the President of the Philippines,” U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said in a press briefing. n
relatives. Some of the veterans have petitioned family members from the Philippines to join them in the United States; however, wait times can last years, often times exceeding 20 years, due to statutory visa caps. Under the administration of former President Barack Obama, the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole (FWVP) program was introduced in July 2015, which states that on a case-by-case basis, certain family members could be eligible to come to the U.S. to provide support and care for aging Filipino veterans who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Once in the country, the beneficiaries could apply for work authorization. An executive order signed by Trump in late January directed the review of various parole and asylum programs that are supposedly “used to prevent the
lawful removal of removable aliens.” The senators, however, argued that the case-by-case consideration, the bar on those with criminal backgrounds, and the eligibility requirements “safeguard the program from abuse.” “We know you understand the contributions and sacrifices that these veterans and their families have made to our country,” the letter continued. “Therefore, we hope that [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)] will continue its full implementation of the FWVP policy uninterrupted and that you work to address the needs of these veterans.” The FWVP program began taking applications in June of last year. Individuals are generally granted parole in the U.S. for three years, according to USCIS. After four years of the program, the agency will assess whether the policy should continue.
There are 282 applications for the program currently, the senators said, citing USCIS data. “These applications should be highly prioritized, as it is critical for family members to be reunited with their aging parents in need,” the letter concluded. Gaspar Milla, the son of Filipino World War II veteran Jesus Milla, said that the program has been “a relief for the family.” The Millas were the first beneficiaries in Hawaii, Hirono’s office said, after a six-month application process. “The Milla family gladly complied with the strict requirements of the FWVP program so that they would have one last chance at being reunited with their 93-yearold mother and grandmother from whom they had been separated for more than 20 years,” Maile Hirota, the Milla family’s attorney said in a statement. “This program is the only way for the
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California judge blocks part of sanctuary cities executive order by Christina
M. Oriel
AJPress
A FEDERAL judge in San Francisco on Tuesday, April 25 blocked a portion of President Donald Trump’s executive order that called for denying funds to areas that defy U.S. immigration authorities. U.S. District Judge William Orrick ruled that the Trump administration could not impose restrictions on the so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that have policies to protect undocumented immigrants, given that the president does not have the authority to dictate new federal spending policies. “Federal funding that bears no meaningful relationship to immigration enforcement cannot be threatened merely because a jurisdiction chooses an immigration enforcement strategy of which the president disapproves,” Orrick wrote in his decision to the lawsuit filed by the City and County of San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which argued that over $2 billion in federal funding was in question. On January 25, Trump signed an executive order — “Enhancing the Public Safety in the Interior of the United States” — that directed the stripping of federal funds for areas that do not cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies and do not hand
over undocumented immigrants who are subject to deportation. Those who do not comply “are not eligible to receive federal grants, except as deemed necessary for law enforcement purposes by the Attorney General or the Secretary,” the order read. The injunction will remain as it moves through court, according to The Associated Press. The White House called the ruling “yet one more example of egregious overreach by a single, unelected district judge.” “San Francisco, and cities like it, are putting the well-being of criminal aliens before the safety of our citizens, and those city officials who authored these policies have the blood of dead Americans on their hands,” the White House’s statement also said. The president took to his Twitter account to express his reaction to another executive order that is facing a legal setback. “First the Ninth Circuit rules against the ban & now it hits again on sanctuary cities — both ridiculous rulings. See you in the Supreme Court!” he wrote. While it was not the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that issued Tuesday’s decision, the court will hear the White House’s appeal to the ruling. Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) sent letters to nine areas across the country
FOLLOWING HIS FATHER. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s only son, Rock de la Rosa, 22 (left), shown taking part in initiation rites on Monday, May 1, joined the PNP Academy (PNPA) to follow in his father’s footsteps. The youngest of three siblings and named after his father’s nickname, is among the 451 applicants who successfully passed the PNPA Cadet Admission Test last October. Photo from Facebook
— which were identified by the DOJ’s inspector general last May as having laws that potentially violate federal law — reminding them that in order to obtain funding this year, they have until June 30 to provide proof that they are cooperating and sharing information with federal immigration enforcement. Among the recipients were the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and officials in Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Miami, Milwaukee, and Cook County, Illinois. Various elected officials and immigration advocates across the country hailed the court’s ruling. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said it was “good news and reminds us that people’s rights transcend political stunts.” “It is time for the federal government to stop attacking cities and scapegoating immigrants, and begin focusing on the hard work of comprehensive immigration reform,” he further said in his statement. The LA mayor has repeatedly vowed that the city’s police department would not serve “as a federal immigration force.” San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said the city would remain a sanctuary jurisdiction, arguing that such areas “are safer, healthier, more productive places to live.” “San Francisco’s sanctuary city laws are in compliance with federal law. If the federal government believes there is a need to detain a serious criminal they can obtain a criminal warrant, which we will honor, as we always have,” he said in a statement. A day after the ruling, on Wednesday, April 26, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office devoted to helping victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. “The president’s callous exploitation of isolated tragedies for political and ideological gain is profoundly irresponsible,” a coalition of immigrant and civil rights groups in California said in a statement, adding that the administration is “trying to demonize millions of people who are a vital part of our communities.” n
WAITING FOR RESULTS. A crowd waits patiently for results of the bar exams in the Supreme Court grounds on Tuesday, May 2. For the first time, not a single Metro Manila-based school had been in the 10 successful bar examinees. Inquirer photo by Lyn Rillon
Calif. senate unveil new post 2020 Cap and Trade program SB 775 will add financial stability to system, reduce volatility, and provide consumer rebates SACRAMENTO — State Senators Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) and Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León recently announced a new and improved Cap and Trade program to take effect in 2021 and maintain California’s global leadership in the fight against climate change. SB 775, which will be heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on May 10, eliminates some of the key weaknesses of the existing system and puts Cap and Trade on solid ground through 2030. The bill requires two-thirds support in the Legislature. “SB 775 shows that we are listening carefully to those who have concerns about the current system and we are targeting those weak points to build a better, more predictable and more stable program to enable California to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals and stay in the forefront on climate change issues,” said Wieckowski, chair of the Environmental Quality Committee. “This new, post-2020 program puts money back into
consumers’ pockets through climate rebates, and includes a price floor and ceiling at quarterly auctions to eliminate the wild fluctuations we’ve experienced in the past. It puts a cap on the price of carbon and limits it by law. While others may be retreating on climate change, this bill is a clear statement that California will continue to lead the way on clean energy issues.” SB 775 also creates an Economic Competitiveness Assurance Program to protect California manufacturers covered by Cap and Trade. It ensures that every business that sells carbonintensive products in the state is treated fairly and competes on a level playing field. “We’ve already decided as a Legislature and as a state that we want to dramatically reduce pollution and move toward a clean energy future,” De León said. “That debate is over. Now we’re deciding how we get there. And our best bet is to stay the course we’re on with some adjustments to make sure we protect consumers, keep the market stable and
reach our targets.” The existing Cap and Trade system is a rule adopted by state regulators to help reduce heat-trapping gases that cause global warming. Putting a price on carbon is seen by experts as key to reducing its production and driving investment and innovation into new, lower polluting technologies. Passing a new program beyond 2020 with twothirds support would help insulate Cap and Trade from legal challenges. SB 775 directs revenue to three newly created funds: California Climate Infrastructure Fund, California Climate and Clean Energy Research Fund, and the California Climate Dividend Fund. By simplifying carbon pricing, the post2020 Cap and Trade program would be more easily replicated by other states or countries seeking to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions. Wieckowski chairs the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and served as a Senate delegate to the Paris Climate Conference. n
US replaces lost Purple Heart medal of Filipino war hero THE United States government has awarded a replica of a Purple Heart medal to the family of a Philippine Scout who fought in World War II. The US Embassy in Manila said in a statement that Gen. Robert B. Brown, Commanding General of the United States Army Pacific, presented the replica to the daughter of Private First Class Adriano Alagon. Alagon was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart but it was lost in the aftermath of the World War II, the Embassy said. His daughter, Elisea Alagon Jamoralin, received the replica in behalf of the family. The statement said the formal turnover of the medal was held at Fort Shafter headquarters in Honolulu, “a building used during World War II to plan for the liberation of the Philippines in 1944.” Brown, who presented the medal, said “Through the horrors and terror of this period, we can take what endures over the years: the freedom and sacrifices made for our two nations by soldiers like Pfc. Alagon.” Alagon, a member of the 14th Engineer Battalion of the Philippine Scouts, served with Ameri-
Gen. Robert B. Brown (left), Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific, presents a replacement Purple Heart medal to Elisea Alagon Jamoralin (center), whose father Pfc. Adriano Alagon died while serving with the Philippine Scouts during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Looking on is Philippine Consul General in Honolulu Gina A. Jamoralin, the granddaughter of Pfc. Alagon. Photo from US Embassy in the Philippines website / U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher McCullough
can forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. He was captured by the Japanese on his birthday and was forced to participate in the infamous Bataan Death March. He was killed after two years of being a prisoner of war. Alagon’s granddaughter Philippine Consul General in Honolulu Gina Jamoralin was the one
who contacted the US Army for the replacement medal. “Today’s event is the culmination of my search for answers in what might have been forgotten by succeeding generations,” she said. “While we miss our grandfather, we are consoled by the fact he died for his country and we are deeply proud of him.” (Inquirer.net)
Healthy California Act wins support from Senate Health Committee in push for universal healthcare CALIFORNIA took a major step toward universal health coverage on Wednesday, April 26, when the state’s Senate Health Committee approved the Healthy California Act (Senate Bill 562). The final vote is pending but a majority of members approved. Sens. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) have proposed to cover all California residents with a publicly run plan. “With today’s vote we are closer to being able to say, once and for all, that healthcare is not a privilege, it’s a human right,” said state Senator Ricardo Lara. “Every family, every child, every senior deserves healthcare that costs less and covers more, and California has a chance to lead the rest of the nation toward universal care.” Hours before the vote, nearly 1,000 people rallied in support of the Healthy California Act at the Sacramento Convention Center and marched to the Capitol for
the hearing at the Senate Health Committee. The Healthy California Act will be heard next by the Appropriations Committee, which Sen. Lara chairs. A fiscal study is underway. Highlights of the Healthy California Act: • Covers Californians for all medical care, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency care, dental, vision, mental health, and nursing home care. • Eliminates co-pays and insurance deductibles • Californians can choose their doctor from a full list of health care providers, not a narrow network chosen by insurance companies. • Referrals are not required for a member to see any eligible provider. • Californians are covered when they travel. • Physicians and nurses will make decisions about care, and have the ability to override computers or clinical practice guide-
lines in the best interest of the patient. • Healthy California will be governed by a nine-member, unpaid board appointed by the governor and Legislature and a public advisory committee of doctors, nurses, other health care providers, and consumers. n
Senators urge…
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families of Filipino veterans finally to see justice for their aged mothers and fathers who served our country during WWII.” In addition to the parole program, another recognition under the Obama administration for these veterans was his signing of a bill last December that awards them with the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor to those whose service had been largely dismissed by prior acts of Congress. The awarding ceremony has yet to be conducted. (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)
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Senate Minority visits De Lima in detention by AJPress
MeMberS of the Senate Minority bloc visited Senator Leila De Lima at the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center in Camp Crame on Monday, May 1. The minority bloc said it discussed its stances on various proposed measures and the legislative agenda with De Lima, as the Congress resumed its session on Tuesday, May 2, after a month-long break. “We sought her views on the various bills pending in the Senate so that we can carry these views to the floor during the debate,” Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said in an interview after the visit. Apart from Drilon, among the senators who visited De Lima included Senators risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Antonio Trillanes IV. Only Senator Paolo benigno “bam” Aquino IV was not present. De Lima was arrested on February 24 for allegedly violating the republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 20. She was accused of profiting from the illegal drug trade at New bilibid Prison (NbP) when she was a
Senate minority members led by Sen. Franklin Drilon visit detained Sen. Leila de Lima at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center. Facebook/Kiko Pangilinan
justice secretary. She has denied the allegations. According to Drilon, the minority bloc will file a petition before the Muntinlupa regional Trial Court (rTC) seeking permission to allow De Lima to attend ‘critical’ sessions, such as deliberations on the death penalty bill, on lowering the age of criminal responsibility, and on the postponement of barangay elections. “[T]o regularly participate is a little ambitious, baka hindi maka-
ya (it may be unattainable). So, only in critical matters that will be discussed on the floor or in the committee, we will ask if she will be allowed,” Drilon said. In a statement, De Lima said she wants to join Senate discussions even behind bars. “I have work to do as a senator and I will continue to do so because I owe it to the more than 14 million Filipino people who voted me in office and represent them in the Senate. I hope I can participate in important debates PAGE A7
ASEAN’s final statement mum on China island-construction THe Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASeAN) wrapped up its 30th summit over the weekend by releasing a final statement that failed to mention Manila’s historic arbitral victory against beijing in the South China Sea. The 25-paged statement issued on Saturday, April 29 by Philippine President rodrigo Duterte as this year’s ASeAN chair was also silent regarding China’s “militarization” in the disputed waters. In July 2016, the UN-backed arbitral tribunal in The Hague invalidated China’s expansive territorial claim in the sea. It also ruled that Chinese artificial islands along the Spratlys violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China, for its part, has repeatedly refused to honor the ruling. Although it did not directly mentioned the ruling, ASeAN, however, seemingly made a
vague reference to China’s reclamation and installation of military facilities in the South China Sea as “recent developments in the area.” The statement said that it “took note of concerns” that leaders have expressed. It further added, “We reaffirmed the importance of the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoiding actions that may further complicate the situation, and pursuing peaceful resolution of disputes, without resorting to the threat or use of force.” The drop of the arbitral court ruling is apparently expected. Days before the summit, Duterte said that the topic will not be discussed in the summit since the matter is “only between Manila and beijing.” While saying that the ruling is a non-issue at the ASeAN summit,
the Philippine president, however, highlighted the importance of finishing a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. Apart from the Philippines, ASeAN member-countries Vietnam, brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia also have competing maritime claims with China. The 10-member regional bloc, together with beijing, is expected to finish this year a framework for a COC aimed to address issues concerning the disputed sea. In its final statement, ASeAN took note of its “improving cooperation [with] China.” ASeAN also “recognized the long-term benefits that would be gained from having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and sustainable development.” Following Tuesday, May 2, China said it welcomed ASeAN’s softer stance on the controversial waters. (AJPress)
HARD LABOR. Workers create a steel pillar for the Skyway Stage 3 project along Araneta Ave. in Quezon City. The project that will connect the North and South Luzon expressways is expected to be finished in 2019. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan
PNP-IAS reveals ‘secret jail’ existed for more than 5 years by Dana
SioSon AJPress
THe so-called “secret jail” that sparked the rage of human rights advocates has been in existence for more than five years, according to the initial investigation conducted by the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS). Last month, a team from the Commission on Human rights (CHr) conducted a surprise jail inspection at the Manila Police District Station (MPD) 1 in Tondo, Manila, which led to the discovery of around 12 men and women allegedly detained illegally in a cell hidden behind a bookshelf. PNP-IAS said former police officers who were assigned at MPD Station 1 admitted that the “secret jail” has been long used to keep detainees. It also said a police personnel claimed that the controversial cell was actually used to decongest the crowded police facilities. According to Chief Superintendent Leo Angelo Leuterio, Deputy Inspector General of the PNP-IAS, they are still gathering
HIDDEN CELL. Detainees huddle in a makeshift detention cell hidden behind a shelf in the Manila Police District’s Drug Enforcement Unit office on Thursday, April 27. Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and MPD officials clashed over the allegedly secret cell at the station in Tondo. The 1987 Constitution, which created the CHR, grants the agency the power to exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons or detention facilities. Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman
more information about the cell’s real purpose since they have been encountering contradicting claims. “Statements ng mga taong previously nandoon tapos wala na doon. Yung mga information na pumapasok sa amin, coming from other people, like retired na mga pulis na dating nandon na nakukunan pa rin namin ng information (We are still gathering statements from people who were previously worked there like retired police officers),” Leuterio said. Describing the “secret jail” as
smelly and hot, Leuterio added that the PNP-IAS observed that the facility is not an ideal place for detainees. PNP-IAS, however, admitted that most detention facilities are also in similar unhealthy conditions, citing “a tremendous increase in the number of people detained” in connection with the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs. Leuterio also blamed the slow arrival of the court’s commitment orders for the congestion of detention facilities. PAGE A7
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may 5-11, 2017 • NORCaL aSIaN JOURNaL
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OpiniOn
Features
Unified
OVER the weekend, leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened in Manila for the 30th ASEAN Summit with the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.” The 10-member countries also marked the regional bloc’s 50th anniversary, from starting as a loosely constructed regional association at the height of the Cold War to becoming a stable organization that has overcome a myriad of challenges that have come its way. Perhaps the biggest prize for ASEAN has been the preservation of peace, stability, prosperity and close relations among its members, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This stable bond has propelled ASEAN’s economic growth and boost its international profile. As it continues its international organization, ASEAN envisions an integrated, peaceful, stable and resilient community that actively takes a leading role as a regional and global player in advancing political-security cooperation, sustainable economic growth and sociocultural development in its region and in the world. Under the chairmanship of the Philippines, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte led this year’s ASEAN Summit wherein he also engaged his fellow leaders in a dialogue to call for a united response against the illegal drug menace, which he said could destroy their societies as well.
“We must also be resolute in realizing a drug-free ASEAN. The scourge of illegal drugs threatens our gains in community building,” Dutere said in his opening remarks. Some ASEAN leaders expressed their support for Duterte’s war on drugs. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam said he shares the Philippines’ concerns on the devastating effects of drugs upon society, while Indonesian President Joko Widodo also supported the Philippine president’s resolve. Duterte also discussed other security threats facing the region including violent extremism, terrorism, piracy and armed robbery which he said were hampering regional growth and development. Despite these achievements, some political pundits have challenged the organization to grow economically and politically, to have a more dynamic ASEAN Code of Conduct and a facilitation of a deeper and more meaningful dialogue and consultation. However, in its Manila summit, there was no mention in the chairman’s statement of militarization or China’s vigorous island-building activities in the disputed waters. China asserts sovereignty on almost the entire South China Sea and has been aggressive over is-
Editorial
Street Talk GreG B. MacaBenta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has been invited by President Donald Trump to the United States. I seem to have seen this scene before. A case of déjà vu. In September 1982, President Ferdinand Marcos made a state visit to the US, during the incumbency President Ronald Reagan, amid circumstances uncomfortably similar in many ways to that of Duterte’s forthcoming trip. Marcos had declared martial law ten years earlier, had full control of the government, and was routinely ass-licked by a compliant press. But he could do nothing about the international media that merrily broiled Marcos and the Philippines over hot coals. Here is what the New York Times wrote about the Marcos visit: “MANILA, Sept. 14— President Ferdinand E. Marcos left tonight for his first official visit in 16 years to the United States, the Philippines’ chief economic partner and military ally…. “Diplomatic and opposition
AS far as public perception is concerned, President Rodrigo Duterte scored big when US President Donald Trump called last week to invite him to come to the White House for talks on the future of U.S.-Philippine relations. He was clearly the big winner. No timetable was set for the visit, but it could happen before Trump comes to Manila for the East Asia Summit and the US-Asean Leaders Summit in November and after DU30 visits Beijing and Moscow this month. Trump also invited the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Singapore to come, but it’s his invitation to DU30 that has attracted the most reaction in Washington. The U.S. press was incredulous. They had been bashing DU30 for his brutal war on drugs, which was reported to have already killed some 8,000 drug suspects, without any documentation. Last December, the New York Times ran several pages of photographs
ASEAN will set precedents for creating solutions to global challenges. Despite obstacles set by other nations, ASEAN is moving forward to pursue higher goals, ones that will withstand the test of time, and assure regional peace and stability for its people. (AJPress)
The Duterte and Marcos US trips, a case of déjà vu
sources here said they expected that President Reagan might sound out Mr. Marcos on how he could insure a stable political transition from his authoritarian rule (writer’s note: Read that to mean “cut and cut clean.”). “Shortly before the Philippine leader’s departure, a demonstration against his rule was staged by some 2,000 people - workers, students and religious activists who gathered in front of Manila’s Roman Catholic cathedral in the Old City. “For three hours, the demonstrators chanted, prayed and otherwise voiced protests, charging that arrests of labor and youth leaders were continuing. Huge red banners branded the visit to the United States as ‘A National Betrayal’ and urged Filipinos to ‘Dismantle the U.S.-Marcos Dictatorship.’’’ And here’s what the same New York Daily wrote about Trump’s invitation to Duterte: “WASHINGTON — President Trump on Saturday invited the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, to the White House, embracing an authoritarian leader who is accused of ordering extrajudicial killings of drug suspects and who crudely
disparaged Mr. Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama... “In fact, Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs has resulted in the deaths of several thousand people suspected of using or selling narcotics, as well as others who may have had no involvement with drugs. Human rights groups and many Western governments have condemned Mr. Duterte for the bloody campaign.” With the imposition of martial law, Marcos had dismantled the media, particularly the Manila Times and the media empire of the Lopezes, consisting of the Manila Chronicle, ABS-CBN TV and a network of radio stations across the country. Is it déjà vu that Duterte has now declared that he will not renew the franchise of ABS-CBN? And doesn’t it seem familiar that the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a daily that Duterte considers antagonistic to him, is currently on his crosshairs? But, like Marcos, Duterte has no control over the Western media which has also been routinely broiling him over hot coals. The most that Duterte and his apologists could do about a recent New York Times article critical of the government was to label it “a
well-paid hack job for well-heeled clients with shady motives.” But the current anti-Duterte reportage is benign compared to how the US media—particularly late night TV—will go to town on Duterte once he sets foot on American soil. In the first place, Duterte’s host, Trump, has become a virtual pin cushion for such late night show hosts as Stephen Colbert, as well as “Saturday Night Live.” Alec Baldwin’s riotous impersonation of Trump may yet be overshadowed by a Duterte look-alike and curse-alike. In a demented sense, Duterte may actually relish his international fame—nay, notoriety—but I frankly do not welcome the prospect of the president of the Philippines—and, by extension, the Philippines and the Filipino people—being the butt of jokes on international media. It’s one thing being portrayed as a human rights violator in the execution of his war on drugs. Pinoys can actually feel a sense of pride in being associated with a local version of Dirty Harry. But to become an international laughing stock is an entirely different thing. I don’t think any self-respect-
ing Filipino will feel any pride in that. I certainly won’t. Even Donald Trump, as thickfaced and shameless as he is, bristles at the TV parodies, especially those of Baldwin and Colbert. But there’s nothing Trump can do but to call media “fake” and find comfort in the cheers of his hardcore supporters. Unless Duterte’s communications specialists and apologists have resigned themselves to just brazening it (lilipas din ang kahihiyan—meaning, shame will pass), they will have to figure out how to, at least, balance or even just partly neutralize the inevitable tar-and-feather ordeal that Duterte will undergo – an ordeal that will rub off on Filipinos around the world. During the Marcos regime, there was no Facebook and no YouTube to spread the trashing, worldwide in an instant. Duterte’s formidable army of trolls and his loyal supporters may find themselves overwhelmed. Like Trump, the best that Duterte’s defenders can do is to shore up the spirits of the hardcore. But in those countries where Pinoys proliferate, the mischievous looks that they will get from others, as well as the snick-
ers over private Duterte jokes, will not be funny. They could attribute the attacks to the “yellows” and label them “a well-paid hack job for well-heeled clients with shady motives,” but that will be like shooting pellets at bazookas. Did I say this could be a case of déjà vu? Well, it is for me, personally. I was one of several advertising and PR executives conscripted by the late Greg Cendaña, Marcos’ Minister of Public Information, to act as advance party for the Marcos state visit and to field questions from the US media. The others were Leni Hontiveros, Joe Santamaria, Oscar Villadolid, Virgilio Pantaleon, Max Edralin, Charlie Agatep, Louie Morales, Greg Garcia, Tom Banguis, Quentin Pastrana and Emil Misa. It was the bright idea of then Philippine Ambassador to Washington Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez to have ad agency and PR men face the Western media, believing that we were more charming than the usual press brigade that accompanied official trips of the president. Romualdez was not necessarily right, but back then, if you were conscriptPAGE A7
Despite hostile media, DU30 wins over Trump
Commentary
Francisco s. tatad
ManilaTimes.net photo
sues on the territorial disputes. It has continuously rejected other nations’ claims (including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei) on the oiland gas-rich waters. Allies not only by common interests, but by shared values and aspirations among its people,
showing 57 victims of this drug war, under the headline, “They Are Slaughtering Us Like Animals.” These pictures just won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news photography for Daniel Berelhulak, a free-lance photographer. After the Mindanao lawyer Jude Josue Sabio filed a 77page “communication” before the International Criminal Court at The Hague accusing DU30 of killing 9,400 victims from 1988 up to the present, the NY Times suggested in an editorial that DU30 should be stopped, and that the ICC should act swiftly on the complaint. Bad news turns good Had Trump been listening to the U.S. press, he would have considered DU30 the last person on earth to invite to the White House. He was simply bad news. But Trump delights in never paying much attention to what the press says about him; in fact, his latest famous act visa-vis the Washington press has been to accuse it of fake news and to snub the annual White House correspondents’ dinner, where the U.S. President was the traditional honored guest. Trump must have an extremely
important reason for wanting to talk to DU30 before their November meeting for him to risk all negative reactions to it. The tone of the Times reporting was clearly condemnatory. It described Trump’s invitation as an “embrace” with a “murderous” president, who has killed thousands, and suggested that Trump brace himself not only for “an avalanche of criticism” from human rights groups, but even for some “internal” dissent from within his own government, notably the State Department and the National Security Council. It quoted John Sifton, Asia Advocacy Director of Human Rights Watch, as saying, “By essentially endorsing Duterte’s murderous war on drugs, Trump is now morally complicit in future killings. Although the traits of his personality likely make it impossible, Trump should be ashamed of himself.” It also quoted Democratic Senator Christopher Murphy of Connecticut, a member of the Senate foreign relations committee, as saying on Twitter, “We are watching in real time as the American human rights bully pulpit disintegrates into
ash.” The report sought to point out that “embracing” DU30 was part of Trump’s policy of getting close to questionable political characters like President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, whom he had congratulated earlier for winning in a disputed referendum, Egyptian leader Abdel Fattach el-Sisi, who had come to power through a coup, and of course Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bonded by adversity Clearly, the proposed meeting of the two Presidents will not make either of them any more “acceptable” to the American media than they are right now. But their common attitude towards the American media could be the starting point of a political bonding, which could be most helpful in constructing better security and economic ties between their two countries and, especially, in dealing with China. Closer and stronger ties between the US and China have become indispensable in the face of the troublesome nuclear threat posed by North Korea. After DU30 decided to go easy on China on the South China Sea issue during the just-concluded
ASEAN summit, Trump might have seen an opportunity to pursue a more vigorous modus vivendi with Beijing, through DU30’s good offices. This would allow him to continue whatever initiative he had wanted to pursue during his summit meeting with President Xi Jinping in Florida, which came under the shadow of his missile strike on Syria. DU30 as diplomat This could create a new role for DU30. Instead of chasing drug suspects and warding off charges of extra-judicial killing wherever he goes, he would now be shoehorned into the hitherto unfamiliar world of bigpower diplomacy. This is probably the break he really needs. It would certainly require a new presidential demeanor and a new presidential discourse; but the just-concluded Asean summit showed that he is capable of making the necessary adjustments, if and whenever needed. He even managed to dress right during the summit. In fact, without his apparently being aware of it, he may have already begun his long-intended metamorphosis. He raised
some eyebrows among the Asean heads when he decided to squeeze two state visits—one for the Sultan of Brunei and another for the President of Indonesia—into the run-up to the summit; but he calmly took it in stride when the Prime Minister of Singapore skipped the final Asean dinner and official picture-taking before the summit formally ended. Which means he’s learning fast on his feet. So far, he has said the right things about North Korea. He had sought to caution Trump not to threaten Kim Jong-un with nuclear firepower and risk an unpredictable response. These were among the most reasonable words coming from Asean, and Trump is probably right to exploit the possibility of cementing a deal with China and North Korea through DU30’s good offices. If that is indeed the real plan, it is hoped it finally works out. The play at sea The US is an old and tested ally, but it may have some catching up to do with DU30 as far as foreign and security relations are concerned. Ever since he PAGE A7
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Senate Minority visits De Lima... PAGE A5 in the Senate,� De Lima said. She cited the case of former Senator Justiniano Montano, who was charged with the nonbailable offense of multiple murders but was allowed to post bail to perform his senatorial duties in the 1950s. She also mentioned that in 2008, then-detained Senator Trillanes was allowed to participate in Senate proceedings
through teleconferencing. “I have an electoral mandate to fulfill and it is my right to attend and participate in the proceedings in the Senate,� De Lima said. She further added, “Apart from my rights as a duly-elected senator, I have to invoke my rights as a political prisoner as provided and protected under Philippine laws and jurisprudence as well as the Internation-
al Convention on Civil and Political Rights.� De Lima, who is notably among the fiercest critics of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, also asserted that she did not discuss any ouster plot when fellow opposition senators visited her. “Absolutely no (destabilization) plan tackled as there is no such thing. Sorry to disappoint the paranoids among the Duterte sycophants,� De Lima said.
PNP-IAS reveals ‘secret jail’ existed... PAGE A5 Regarding their investigation, the PNP-IAS affirmed that they will remain objective and fair to both parties. “IAS will never be influenced by outside elements. We will remain objective and impartial while trying to hear the sides of the human rights [advocates] o kung sino ang complainant nila (or whoever is their complainant.) And then trying to get the statements sa pulis na na-andun (of the police),� Leuterio said. According to National Capital Region (NCR) CHR Director Gilbert Boisner, the lock-up cell does not go in line with the international standard for jails. “Detainees claim the lock-up cell does not have any source of light and ventilation,� he said. “The two urinals inside do not function, forcing many of them to urinate and [do] bowel movement in plastic bags.� ‘Illegal but necessary’ PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato� Dela Rosa, on the other hand, admitted that the “secret jail� may be “illegal� but said he understands the cops’ intentions. In an interview in Camp Aguinaldo, Dela Rosa explained that
the cops are only trying to maximize the available space since the regular cells are already highly congested. “Legally, may pananagutan sila kasi hindi ‘yun talaga authorized but ano ngayon? Isaksak nila ipilit doon hanggang mamatay sa suffocation yung mga nasa presuhan? (Legally, the cops are liable because it was not authorized but so what? Should they let detainees suffocate and die in the detention facilities?),� Dela Rosa argued. He said detainees told him that they were not abused and that the cops were not extorting them, contrary to earlier claims. The police chief, however, denied that he was condoning his officers. “Hindi ko sila kunukunsinti. Sinasabi ko lang na walang ginawa na masama dahil di nangotong, di nananakit, at di lumagpas reglementary period ‘yung kanilang pagkakakulong so anong masama doon? (I’m not condoning them. I’m just saying they did nothing wrong because they did not extort, hurt people, nor exceed the reglementary period of detention of a person, so what’s wrong with that?),� he stressed. Dela Rosa also questioned the timing of the CHR inspection.
“Ano ang motibo niyo sa pag inspect sa panahon ng ASEAN (What is your motive for inspecting during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ summit)?� he asked. Backing up Dela Rosa, NCR Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde said that the police chief “did not say that he tolerates the actions of the station commander.� “The chief said it’s just a matter of improvising. Maybe the chief of police, during his term, he saw that thing as probably the proper way to improvise. But then again, maybe the intentions were good but the manner was wrong so this will all come out in the investigation,� Albayalde told ANC. Albayalde also noted that it is important to wait for the investigation results of the investigation before jumping to any conclusions. “There’s no judgment yet that these detainees were really asked for P40,000 to P200,000 in exchange for their liberties and there’s no findings yet that these detainees were really detained there for several days already. We have to wait for the investigation here before we make any judgment,� he added.
BIGGEST SALAD BOWL. Twenty chefs of MTC Colleges under the supervision of Chef Minor Delmundo prepare Western Visayas’ biggest salad bowl during the opening of the Weekend Tienda sa Iloilo at the Atria Park District in Mandurriao, April 28. Photo from pia.gov.ph
The Duterte and Marcos... PAGE A6 ed, you could only “cooperate.â€? But how to handle the expected barrage of punitive questions that the U.S. media would fire at us? On our first day in Washington DC, we were herded into a briefing room by the late Rod Reyes, who acted as Western press liaison for MalacaĂąang, and we went through what PR practitioners call “confrontation training.â€? Anticipating every possible question from left field, we debated how to properly answer it. I recall that the most difficult question to dodge and parry had to do with
Why not have Trump visit Malacaùang instead? After all, wasn’t it Trump who first broached the then First Lady Imelda Marcos’s idea of a visit to the Philippines? legendary extravagance and profIn Manila, Duterte will have the ligacy. The mischievous ones in support of his army of trolls and our group actually suggested just apologists, and he will not be the throwing Imelda under the bus. only one that the media will parody Even the Philippine embassy staff (if they still dare). There’s Leila de thought that was funny. Lima, Noynoy Aquino, Pantaleon But the best laid plans of mice Alvarez and Antonio Trillanes, to and communications men were mention a few—and maybe, just not enough to neutralize the hos- maybe, in the Filipino tradition of tile media reportage, made worse hospitality and politeness when by the unbelievable ignorance of there are guests, Duterte’s media the U.S. press about the Philip- nemesis, ABS-CBN and Philippine pines. Daily Inquirer, will be on their best This brings me back to the sub- behavior. ject of Duterte’s visit to the White (gregmacabenta@hotmail. House. Why not do it in reverse. com)
Despite hostile media... PAGE A6 announced his economic and military “separation� from Washington during his state visit to China last October, he has taken no concrete steps to implement that separation. The Mutual Defense Treaty, the Visiting Forces Agreement, and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement—the three treaties that define the Philippines’ defense and security ties with the U.S.—all remain undisturbed, and the regular Balikatan joint military exercises also continue. But the rhetoric and the symbolic environment have changed, while Russia and China have tried to develop closer military ties with the Philippines. Out at sea, the USS Carl Vinson, the U.S. Navy’s third Nimitzclass super carrier, accompanied by Carrier Air Wing Seventeen, Destroyer Squadron 1 and guided missile carrier Bunker Hill, represents a superior naval pres1&$B$VLDQ-RXUQDOB(1*
commander of the vessel exercises superior authority over all ence in the area. But its coming on board, and that by boarding and going is hardly celebrated by the vessel, the President of the the friendly media. In May 2011, Philippines placed himself under when Carl Vinson visited Manila, the commander’s authority. it elicited some mild concern afThe visit of the Russian large ter then President B.S. Aquino anti-submarine ship Admiral 3rd, together with most of his Tributs in January, and that of senior Cabinet members and the guided missile cruiser Varythe Armed Forces chief of staff, ag this month both made quite &DWKD\ %DQN 5(9,6,21 ,668( '$7( &OLHQW boarded the aircraft carrier from a splash in the friendly media 'DWH a U.S.'HVFULSWLRQ military helicopter before without igniting any controversy. -RE 1R 6) 6) 6PDUW 0LFUR /RDQ it entered Philippine territorial The same with the current visit ´ : [ ´ + 6FUHHQ waters, without the /3, nation know- of the Chinese naval flotilla. The 6L]H ing anything about&%B60/B$VLDQ-RXUQDOB(1* 43 1&$B it. Chinese flotilla was originally &RORXU & )LOH This happened after the execu- scheduled to hold a reception tion of3URRI Osama bin Laden and the in3URRI Manila, but had to cancel and 306 U.S Navy buried his body from relocate everything to Davao, 1RWH the deck of Carl Vinson into the where it was welcomed by the Indian Sea. The question some President’s daughter, Mayor 3/($6( FKHFN DUWZRUN SURRIV FDUHIXOO\ IRU HUURUV DQG RPLVVLRQV )D[ observers raised then had to do Sara Duterte Carpio. On board &RS\ULJKW UHVHUYHG $OO GHVLJQ V VKRZ RQ WKLV SDJH DUH DW DOO WLPHV UHPDLQ WKH H[FOXVLYH SURSHUW\ RI ,5,; 'HVLJQ *URXS ,QF DQG PD\ QRW EH XVHG RU with the propriety of the Presi- the Tributs, the Varyag and the dent UHSURGXFHG ZLWKRXW FRQVHQW and his Cabinet members Chinese flotilla, DU30 posed for boarding the foreign aircraft car- photos without anyone raising 6LJQHG E\ rier while at sea, and its implica- any question of protocolar protions to the nation’s sovereignty priety. What Malacaùang has and territorial integrity. Some sought to underscore is DU30’s pointed out that on board a for- personal diplomacy. (ManilaTeign military vessel at sea, the imes.net)
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may 5-11, 2017 • NORCaL aSIaN JOURNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 5-11, 2017
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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal
Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller BECOMING an American citizen is the culmination of the American dream. A citizen can shape American politics through voting. Citizens have greater ability to convey immigration benefits to family members. In fact, in some circumstances, children automatically gain citizenship when their parent naturalizes. Unforeseen circumstances which cause one to be out of the United States for extended periods of time can result in charges of abandonment of immigrant status — but not of citizenship. It is also important to remember that non-citizens, even those who have lived here for decades, can be deported for violating American laws. U.S. citizens cannot be deported unless they lied to get earlier immigration benefits or they give up their citizenship. To be eligible for naturalization, the immigrant must be a lawful permanent resident; be at least 18 years of age; have continuously resided in the United States as a green card holder for 5 years (3 years if married to and living in marital union with a U.S. citizen spouse or if green card was obtained because of battering or extreme cruelty); be physically present in the U.S. for at least one-half of the residency period; and be a person of good moral character. The immigrant must also demonstrate an ability to read, write and speak English and knowledge of American history and government (civics). Absences from the U.S. as a result of military commitments or because of work for the U.S. government may not count against the residency or physical presence requirement. In addition, waivers are possible for some who are unable to learn English or civics. Upon taking the oath of allegiance, the new citizen’s lawful permanent resident children under the age of 18 automatically
Why become a US citizen? Some of the many good reasons
become citizens as well. Citizens can file petitions for a parent, spouse, or unmarried child under the age of 21 without dealing with visa backlogs. These immediate relative categories allow the beneficiary to complete their immigration processing in the United States, even if they are currently out of status as long as they entered with inspection. In addition, citizens can file petitions to immigrate their siblings and their married sons and daughters. These categories have long been targets of those who would like to narrow immigration benefits. One who has family members in these categories should file for them while they can. Some immigrants delay filing for citizenship under the mistaken belief that their unmarried adult children will face a longer visa waiting period as an unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen than if the parent had remained a lawful permanent resident. This belief is erroneous because the unmarried sons and daughters may elect to “opt-out” of the U.S. citizen category to take advantage of the shorter waiting period. This “opt-out” benefit is only available where the parent filed the original petition before naturalizing. Delaying an application for citizenship can have adverse consequences. A green card is not a permanent benefit. It can be lost. A green card holder who has spent more time out of the U.S. than in it can be denied admission for having abandoned their immigration status. They may have to fight in immigration court to keep their green card. However, U.S. citizens cannot be accused of abandonment. Not everyone who has had their green card for 5 years and has lived here for more than half that time should apply for citizenship. Certain criminal convictions result in a loss of green card and deportation. An immigrant with
a criminal record may invite deportation by filing for naturalization. However, waivers may be available in some circumstances that would allow the immigrant to either remain a green card holder or even obtain citizenship. An immigrant who is convicted of an aggravated felony before November 29, 1990 and obtains a waiver may qualify for citizenship. Someone who misrepresented a material fact to get a green card is not a lawful permanent resident for naturalization purposes. Continuing the misrepresentation in the naturalization process can result in more serious complications. Here again, waivers of the misrepresentation are possible. One granted such a waiver may be able to both keep their green card and become a citizen. Many questions arise when deciding to file for citizenship. Is a conditional resident a resident for naturalization purposes? Does one who has spent much time out of the U.S. on business meet the residency and physical presence requirement? How do past actions affect the good moral character requirement? Will applying for citizenship lead to being placed in removal proceedings? One should consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney to learn the answer to these questions, and more, before applying for citizenship. *** 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)
by Raadee
S. SauSa ManilaTimes.net
EXPANDING connectivity between ports in the Southern Philippines and Indonesia with the recent inauguration of the Davao-General Santos-Bitung, Indonesia shipping route will open links for tourism and trade to countries such as Brunei and Malaysia, Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said on Tuesday, May 2. On Sunday, April 30, President Rodrigo Duterte hosted Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the inauguration of the roll-onroll-off (RoRo) shipping route, which links the seaports of Davao City and Gen. Santos City to Bi-
tung, Indonesia. “After launching the RoRo trips between the Davao and Gen. Santos City seaports and Bitung, Indonesia, RoRo trips between Mindanao and Palawan seaports and those of Malaysia and Brunei will follow,” Teo said. “Creating a network of sea routes between the country’s sea gateways and those of Asian neighbors is a must to boost up the country’s tourism,” she added. “Linking the seaports of Mindanao and Palawan with those of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei will boost the tourism exchange and cruise ship industry, as well as trade and maritime relations between the Southeast Asian nations.” The new shipping route,
which is within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), is the Philippine government’s maiden accomplishment under its Asean chairmanship this year. Teo also said that the Duterte administration has mapped out plans for joint naval operations with Indonesia and Malaysia to secure the maritime borders to protect the RoRo vessels and cruise ship passengers. In a joint declaration on establishing direct sea connectivity, President Duterte and President Widodo agreed to provide naval escorts to the RoRo ships within their respective jurisdiction. (With Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio)
Digital transformation next frontier for PH biz by abeRon
VoltaiRe Palaña ManilaTimes.net
THE rapid convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) is ushering an age of digital industrial transformation, which is the next frontier for Philippine businesses, according to a top executive of General Electric Philippines. “In the Philippines, majority of our sectors and industries are still brick-and-mortar and this presents different challenges compared to younger, more digitally focused companies,” said Jocot de Dios, CEO of GE Philippines, during the GE Digital Advantage Forum held recently at Seda Hotel in Bonifacio
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Community Journal
MAY 5-11, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
California divorce frequently asked questions
The CTV Files atty. lilli B. BaCuli I JUST moved to California last month, and I’d like to file for divorce. Can I file now? To file for divorce in the State of California, the person filing (called the “Petitioner”) must first meet the jurisdictional requirements: (i) residence in the state of California from the past 6 months; and (ii) residence in the county where that person is filing (e.g., San Diego County) for the past 3 months. Residence – put simply, where the Petitioner lives – also determines which courthouse the Petition for Divorce should be filed. “What if my husband/wife does not want to sign the divorce?” or “My husband/wife does not want to sign the divorce papers, what can I do.” California is a no-fault divorce state. A party filing for divorce does not need the consent of the other in order to file a Petition for Dissolution (Divorce) or, in some instances, to get a judgment of divorce. What is “Service of Process?”
Can I just mail the divorce papers to my ex-spouse? Service of Process is a crucial procedural step in the divorce proceedings, because the law reserves for the ex-spouse (called the “Respondent”) the right to respond and appear in court, if s/he wants to. In proceeding in an action for divorce, there are procedural requirements dictated by law that must be followed to ensure that the other party has notice of the action (that is, that s/he is being brought to court for an action of divorce) and that s/he is given time to respond. However, there is no requirement for the other party to respond. There is no requirement that s/he sign any document at all. All that needs to happen is that s/he is properly served with process according to the rules. Note that “proper service” is defined in the Family Code and must be followed, and the validity of any Judgment for Divorce rests on the proper service of the Respondent. “What? I have to share my retirement earnings? This is mine, I worked hard for it!” Cali-
fornia is a community property state and so once you get married, all property acquired during marriage is community property. Separate property are “all property acquired before marriage; all gifts, bequests, devise, or descents. All property acquired or exchanged with traceable separate property; and all property acquired after separation.” However, if anything out of the community property is used towards separate property, the community might have a claim on part(s) of separate property. “I don’t want to pay spousal support.” Whether you like it or not, spousal support will be ordered if the other party makes a request, and the court deems that the circumstances call for it. Some of the factors that the Court will look at to determine whether there is basis for support, and if so, in what amount, are – length of marriage, age of parties, if there are minor children in the marriage, income of both parties. “Why do I need an attorney?”
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http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Time
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette aDeva Maglaya OKAY Jim Croce, that is really sweet. I guarantee most women and some men would swoon over this sentiment. Here’s the downer. On a more mundane, prosaic and utterly unromantic note, have you had the experience of setting confirmed appointments with people only to find yourself waiting in vain for the person to show up? I am sure most people have been in this situation. All kinds of dire scenarios come to mind when a simple phone call or text message could have saved time and tamped down feelings of angst or concern about the other person’s silence and absence. During this era of cellphones and instant communication, there seems to be no excuse for such disrespect. The least you expect is to receive a call or text message just to let you know the person you are waiting for is running late or unable to show up for any reason. It’s common courtesy, something that is sadly not so common these days in this multi-culti hodge-podge society that has too many opposing and resistant elements to allow for integration and assimilation. BIG SIGH … The worse part is getting the
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.
— Jim Croce Time in a bottle
same kind of treatment from the same person repeatedly. If so, ditch that contact, delete details from your phone and vow to never again let that person waste your time. A true friend will not do this to you. Perhaps, a casual acquaintance will. But a person who does this repeatedly with no apology is someone who is disrespectful of your time or at the very least, an airhead that constantly misplaces his phone. More than likely, this is someone you should not allow to waste any more of your precious time. You can’t bottle time. Once time is lost, it is lost forever. It is like trying to put back toothpaste in its tube. You can try making up for lost time by increasing your speed, multitasking and having too much to juggle in so little time. But right there is your formula for an accident. Too much stress could lead to a stroke or cardiac arrest. No wonder so many just drop down dead due to
the breakneck pace of life in the cities, places where time seems to be in short supply. It has often been said that time is more than money for time is actually the measure of life. All of us have a finite number of minutes allotted to our individual life spans. If you’re lucky, you get a new lease on life after a neardeath experience. But like all leases, it expires as well. Money lost can still be recovered in some way but once time is wasted, it is gone for good. So chuck off your dealings or associations from time wasters. These people are up to no good. Choose the people you want in your immediate orbit wisely and well. Life is just too short. Oftentimes though, the worst time wasters are not other people but ourselves. How we use our time, and therefore our lives, depends on our value systems, priorities or what we think and feel are important to us or give
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Is CPAP for you?
Health@Heart
ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ
“ If I could save time in a bottle, the first thing that I’d like to do is to save every day ‘til eternity passes away just to spend them with you.”
What is CPAP? CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, the best treatment, the accepted evidence-based standard of care, for persons with confirmed Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). What is OSA? OSA is a condition where the individual takes very shallow (ineffective breaths during sleep, or even holds his/her breaths for an abnormally prolonged period of time (apnea) for dozens of times during the night, depriving the person of oxygen, which could lead to arrhythmias (heart irregularity) and in some cases, heart attack and even death. Unfortunately, not every healthcare provider, even today in the United States, recognizes OSA as a significant factor in the causation of metabolic (diabetes-T2 and other endocrine) illnesses, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and alarmingly, even of various cancers. What causes OSA? There are some individuals whose anatomy of the throat allows the soft palate (roof of mouth at the back) to fall back and block the upper airway passage while asleep. This obstruction is commonly seen among those who snore, but not all who snore has OSA. This obstruction makes the diaphragm and the chest muscles work a lot harder
to bring air into the lungs, momentarily waking up the person, on and off, jerking, choking, and gasping for breath several times during sleep. What are the dangers of OSA? Besides the arrhythmias and possible heart attack, OSA also deprives the person of a restful, satisfying sleep. As alluded to above, OSA has been linked to increased risk for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and to elevated risk for cancer. Lack of sleep also decreases the sense of well-being, mental acuity, concentration, work performance, and all these expose other people, society in general, to the danger of driving accidents. Those with untreated OSA are also less efficient, more forgetful, and cranky members of the work force. They are always tired, have excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and doze off frequently. They lack stamina and their sex life is also affected. Almost all of these individuals do not realize OSA is the cause of their problem. Actually, even among physicians, OSA, while common, is still an underrecognized and under diagnosed medical entity. How common is OSA? One in five Americans, or about 60 million, have obstructive sleep apnea, 4 percent among males and 2 percent among females. Extrapolated figure for the Philippines would place the incidence at about 4-5 million Filipinos suffering from OSA. In Hong Kong, the prevalence is about 7 percent, in India, 13.7 percent. Its
only in the past 2 decades or so that physicians have been more aware of OSA and CPAP therapy and have been referring more and more patients to Pulmonologists for Sleep Studies. The “epidemic” of OSA is more common than we think. What are the associated predictors? The typical associated predictors for those who are prone to develop OSA are: male more than female, older age group, usually above 40, greater BMI (Body Mass Index, obesity), larger neck circumference and waist to hip ration, smoking, snoring, high blood pressure, longer time to fall asleep, and higher Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. To some extent, family history of OSA. How is the diagnosis confirmed? When the physician suspects a person to have OSA, the diagnosis is confirmed by a Sleep Study (Polysomnography). This study, which requires sleeping overnight in a sleep clinic or hospital, where the person is connected to various devices to monitor, among others, the brain activity, oxygen level, EKG, heart rate and breathing rate, while a video records movements and snoring, etc., while asleep. When positive for OSA, the diagnosis is confirmed, and a second night needs to be spent in the sleep clinic to titrate the CPAP parameters needed for actual CPAP therapy, like how much pressure is needed to keep the airway open (which differs per person), etc.
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Business News
PH escapes potential trade sanctions from US by Richmond
S. meRcuRio
Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has escaped a potential imposition of trade sanctions by the United States, while other major Asian economies have been put at risk. President Donald Trump, under Executive Order 13786, has ordered the US Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to come out with an Omnibus Report on Significant Trade Deficits that will identify US foreign trading partners with which it had a significant trade deficit in goods in 2016. In a notice released by the Office of the Federal Register, the Philippines was not included in the list despite the U.S. having a trade deficit in goods with the country last year. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed the U.S. trade deficit with the Philippines in 2016 reached $1.78 billion. U.S. trading partners on the list are Canada, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The U.S. will assess the major causes of the trade deficit with the identified countries, including differential tariffs, non-tariff barriers, injurious dumping, injurious government subsidization, intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, denial of worker rights and labor
President Donald Trump
standards, and other factors contributing to the deficit. The U.S. will also assess whether the trading partner is,“directly or indirectly imposing unequal burdens on, or unfairly discriminating in fact against, the commerce of the United States by law, regulation, or practice and thereby placing the commerce of the United States at an unfair disadvantage.” “It is good that we are not part of that list. I don’t know what the U.S. will do, probably (impose trade) sanctions,” Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said. “If [the] U.S. is going to impose certain remedial measures on what could allegedly be unfair measures that these countries are currently implementing, then in a relative sense, we will be
more competitive to the US market vis-à-vis these countries,” he added. Rodolfo said the potential imposition of trade sanctions into these countries may force manufacturing investments wanting to export their products to the U.S. to shift to new locations where no trade sanctions exist such as the Philippines. “For those countries identified, if ever they will be slapped with trade sanctions companies who are currently investing in them for manufacturing, using it as a base to export to the US, they will transfer. They will go south and that is where they will see us because countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand are also candidates for sanctions,” he said. n
Community Journal
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Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I came to the US under a different name on a visitor’s visa. The passport and visa had my picture, but somebody else’s name. I still have that passport. I recently married a US citizen for love, and hope to get a green card. Is there hope for me, since I entered the US under a different name? Very truly yours, ES Dear ES: Yes, there could be hope for you, despite having entered the US under a different name. (Please note I said there is “hope”, but as an attorney, I cannot, and do not, “guarantee” success or approvals.) In your case, you could be eligible to file for adjustment of status because you were “inspected,” meaning you presented yourself to an immigration officer who checked your visa or other papers, and admitted you to the US (or allowed you to enter). Even though you were inspected under a different name, that still constitutes “inspection.” The fact that you saved that passport provides evidence of your inspection. This is critical to a person’s ability to file for adjust-
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 5-11, 2017
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I came to the US under a different name; is there hope for me? ment in the US: proving you were “inspected.” Many people who entered the U.S. under a different name eventually wind up either losing or misplacing the passport they used to enter the U.S., or they mailed it back to the agency in the Philippines. If they don’t have proof of inspection, it could be considered that they entered the US without inspection (or are “EWI”), and would not be eligible to adjust status in the US, even through marriage to a citizen, unless they have the benefit of Section 245(i). This was a law allowing people who entered without inspection to still get a green card in the US, provided they were petitioned on or before April 30, 2001. However, in your case, you also committed fraud by entering the US under a different name. Therefore, you would be required to submit a fraud waiver, demonstrating “extreme hardship” to a “qualifying relative”, who would either be a spouse or parent who is a US citizen or immigrant (legal permanent resident). What would need to happen in your case is your citizen spouse could petition you, and you could also file for adjustment of status
Calendar of Events across
and fraud waiver. Of course no guarantees can be made, but there could be hope in your case, despite having entered the US under a different name. If this situation applies to you, you should seek the advice of an attorney, who can evaluate your situation and determine your eligibility, guide you through the process, and help prepare the documentation and represent you at your interview. *** 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, 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)
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FilAm ARTS and Philippine Expressions Bookshop to host art exhibit in San Pedro, CA The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) and Philippine Expressions Bookshop in partnership with the Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles proudly present BUKLOD: A Gathering of Filipino and Filipino-American Art and Artists from May 4 to 11. Over 50 works of art by Filipino and Filipino-American artists are featured in this exhibition, which aims to reassert the presence of Filipino-Americans in the Western canon. Although many Filipino-American artists have been recognized in the art world, their cultural heritage is rarely highlighted nor has there been a body of work categorized as Filipino-American masterpieces in the 600 years of the history of painting. The artists of BUKLOD strive to fill that void with works that instill culture, dignity, and imagination to a cultural landscape that seldom acknowledges and habitually denies them their shared humanity. This exhibition gathers contemporary LA-based artists who anchor their work with their heritage and have an active community involvement to further their respective passion projects as artists. The BUKLOD exhibit will be open to the public beginning on May 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., coinciding with the San Pedro’s First Thursdays Artwalk. The exhibit will run until Thursday, May 11 at the Croatian Cultural Center (510 W 7th St, San Pedro, CA 90731). The opening Reception will be held on Saturday, May 6 from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and will include live performances as well as food and artisan booths.
M AY 6
Philippine Consulate Outreach Mission in Carson, CA The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will have an outreach mission in Carson, California on Saturday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at the Carson Community Center Rm. 107 ABC at 801 E. Carson St., Carson, CA 90746. Services include passport applications (new and renewal), dual citizenship applications, notarization of legal documents, reports of marriage and reports of birth, and overseas voting registration. Please note that all services are by appointment only; walk-in applications will not be accepted. Please stay tuned for the official notice of online application and scheduling from April 6 to May 5 at www.philippineconsulatela.org. For more information, please contact Riezl Locsin-Pe Benito at (310) 952-1743 or rpebenito@carson.ca.us. This mission is done through the Philippine Consulate General Los Angeles in cooperation with Assemblymember Mike Gipson (64th assembly district), City of Carson Councilmember Elito M. Santarina, Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce—SouthBay Los Angeles Area, Farmers Insurance, Carson Adult Day Health Care Center, Dreams and Visionaries of South Bay, Inc., and the Philippine Independence Day Foundation, Inc.
IDENTITY LA music festival celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month in Los Angeles IDENTITY LA, the second annual free outdoor to celebrate Los Angeles’ Asian Pacific Heritage Month and the city’s vibrant Asian Pacific American community, will take place on Saturday, May 6 at Grand Park. Presented by Councilmember David Ryu (CD 4) and International Secret Agents (ISA), IDENTITY LA music festival is a free and open-to-the-public concert featuring live performances by internationally renowned APA artists and entertainers, food trucks and more. Folk Pop group, Us the Duo, and special guest, producer/electronic music artist Giraffage will fill out the closing part of the concert. The rest of the evening will consist of a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and pop artists of Korean, Filipino, Taiwanese, Japanese, South Asian, and Pacific Islander heritage. These performances from fan-favorites, Starro (soulection), Year of the Ox, Kronika (soulection), Doctors&Engineers, Tenelle, SAAY, and Dj Zo will celebrate APA’s dynamic culture in the heart of Los Angeles. Festival goers will have the exclusive opportunity to listen to these live, back-to-back performances at Grand Park. The festival will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. To RSVP and get more information, fans can visit http://isatv. com.
SHE TRIED TO COMPLY, BUT HER CASE WAS DENIED. A MOTHER’S DESPAIR AND AN ATTORNEY’S RESCUE ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Rowena and Mike came to the U.S. in 2010 to build a better life. Rowena was sponsored as a teacher. As she was filing her third extension for her H1-B visa in 2016, the shocking news hit her. She was denied! Then her adjustment (green card) application was denied because, according to the USCIS, she worked a mere 14 days without the necessary DHS authorization. Three lawyers tried handling her case, to no avail, and her family was urging her to “give up” and return to the Philippines. She finally decided to consult with “the attorney of last hope,” Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel, in a last-ditch effort to be able to provide a better life for her children. Watch how Atty. Gurfinkel was able to solve the problem in a record 43 days, turning a disastrous denial into green cards for the entire family, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.
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us joy or pleasure. The tech gadgets we have were meant to be tools to enhance living but like most time-saving tools, these are double-edged swords. Information is at our fingertips at light speed helping us navigate our way through the day. The downside —we can be so tethered, even obsessed with our tech toys for hours at a time that we become unaware of the huge blocks of time we have frittered away just by browsing the fake news of the day. Mea culpa! I am guilty of this myself. It is just so easy to let the comfort and ease of our tech toys to seduce us into wasting time and thereby do damage to our eyesight and our relationships. Do a self –check. Find out how much time we allot per day connecting with friends and the world via social media. Are you facebooking, linking, twittering, instagraming, gabbing and living in a virtual world long into the night while the real world takes a back seat? Does your garden need tending? Does your child need guidance? Does your marriage need work? Are you overwhelmed by the amount of junk you have to clear away to clear some space at home? Have you let yourself go
that you look like the Unabomber? Have you neglected some important part of your life because of all this time wasting activities that hog and fritter away the productive hours of your day? Go cold turkey and cut the cord, if you must. It is a major cause for concern when people think they are on camera 24/7. People are collecting on their “fifteen minutes of fame or shame” posting vignettes of their life on social media hoping to go viral and be famous, at least for 15 minutes. We seem to live in glass houses these days. In this extremely intrusive world we have today, PRIVACY AND ANONYMITY ARE AS PRECIOUS AS GOLD. You can’t take these to the bank but more than likely, if you are a normal, average person that has no use for being constantly in the public eye, you will find the PEACE that surpasses all understanding. A great majority of the technologically wired world today is preoccupied with the SELF and how they project THE IMAGE of themselves to the world. Even the deranged and unhinged among us depict murder, suicides, rapes and crimes against humanity loading horrifying scenes on the internet with neither shame nor apology.
I mention this only because our use of time these days have changed dramatically because of technology. Those who are trumpeting the rise and preponderance of robotics in the very near future may very well be predicting a future that bode eerily of machines taking over much of human activities. Frankly, I am not sure I am all in for this type of progress in robot technology. This could mean a drastic and negative change on the way humans live and how they use their time and spend their lives in the future. There has to be parameters. With a big sigh of relief, the baby boomer generations, perhaps, be gone by then. The millennials and the generations yet to come will have to deal with the inevitable battle between man and the machines they make. All that can be said for today or in the future is that IF we as human beings value our life on earth, we must take full charge of how we spend that one God-given, precious and easily wasted resource all humans still living have in various amounts. And that is TIME. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
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California divorce frequently asked…
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You don’t need an attorney. There is no requirement that you must have an attorney. However, in cases involving issues such as domestic violence, custody disputes, child support, spousal support, and division of community property assets it would be wise to seek advice from a licensed and experienced attorney so as not to waste your time and money, not to mention the court’s time and resources, especially when you have to keep going back to court because of incomplete or missing
documents that could have been addressed from the very beginning by a competent and knowledgeable attorney. Not all divorce cases are the same. It is important to be properly informed about your rights and responsibilities under California law in divorce proceedings. The wrong advice or information can and will hurt you, and waste your time and money. Consult a licensed and experienced family law attorney to help you navigate through your divorce. ***
Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. 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 (619) 955-6277; (415) 4958088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys. com. For general information visit www. chuatinsayvega.com.
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MAY 5-11, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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‘Dinosaur’ jeepney belongs in Robredo urges Asean business leaders: Include poor in progress museum, Finance chief says by JulliAne love
by Audrey
MorAllo Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said that jeepneys plying Philippine streets and avenues should now be “relegated to the museum” as he signed an agreement that would help drivers and operators purchase new and more energy-friendly vehicles. During the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOU) on the program to replace the country’s entire fleet of public utility jeepneys (PUJs), Dominguez said that the “wellloved” mode of public transportation has already become an “inefficient dinosaur” that must be “relegated to the museum,” adding that it should now be replaced with “cleaner, healthier, safer and more fuel-efficient” means of public conveyance. Dominguez admitted though that convincing PUJ drivers and operators to shift to a better mode of transportation would be “politically challenging.” The Finance secretary said that to overcome possible opposition
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de Jesus
Inquirer.net
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the plan to modernize the country’s transportation system. DOF Released photo
to the government’s modernization plan it would need to engage in better public diplomacy. “There will be political resistance, no doubt, from those who do not wish change. We will have to conduct effective public diplomacy to raise the acceptance of this program. We must convince the jeepney drivers and operators that this is the way to go. They must understand the financing package will make the shift affordable,” Dominguez said. Dominguez recalled that past
EMPLOYMENT
able but not curable, one has to use CPAP for life. But as I have alluded to, once one is used to it, CPAP use could be “addicting” (reassuring is the more appropriate term) because of its life-saver reputation and all the benefits CPAP provides, including a satisfying restful sleep. Are other gadgets any good? Countless “non-CPAP” gadgets advertised on various media are useless and not scientifically based. They market the items to stop snoring, but snoring is not the cause of OSA. The CPAP stops snoring also. Snoring is only a symptom. Even if you stop snoring, the blocked airway is still there. The treatment should be directed to the collapsing airway passage, by “filling it up” with continuous high pressure (enough to keep the airway open for effective respiration) so oxygen can get into the lungs. Without exception, all those “non-CPAP” marketed items are useless and a waste of money. They are also dangerous because they provide a false sense of security,
Vice President Leni Robredo delivers a speech during the ASEAN Prosperity for All Summit held at the City of Dreams in Pasay City last April 28, 2017. OVP photo
efforts to modernize the country’s public transport system were shelved because of stiff resistance, pointing at the plan 10 years ago of the Development Bank of the Philippines to replace buses along EDSA with new ones running on liquefied natural gas. “Today we embark on something more ambitious and politically challenging. We will try to PAGE CJ1 t replace 220,000 aging and inef- Global City in Taguig. The forum gathered thought ficient jeepneys nationwide with u PAGE CJ5 leaders from the public and private sector such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Microsoft Philippines, which could delay or preclude Endeavor, IdeaSpace Foundaproper and prompt medical tion, and Business Profiles, consultation and avoid a medi- Inc., to assess the value and pocal disaster. tential of digital transformation More and more physicians, to the country. other healthcare providers, and According to the World Ecothe public are becoming aware nomic Forum, the Philippines and acutely conscious about OSA, ranks 76th out of 143 countries its diagnosis, and the wonderful in terms of readiness for InforCPAP treatment. This trend is mation Communications Techgratifying because the earlier the nologies (ICT)—trailing behind diagnosis is confirmed and the Malaysia (32), Thailand (67) and CPAP therapy is instituted, the ahead of India (89) and Indonesooner the incidence of all OSA- sia (79). linked diseases listed above will “The country’s ICT infrastrucbe minimized through preven- ture still has plenty of room to tion around the world. improve in terms of readiness, policies, people, and economic *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac impact,” said De Dios. “Similar Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and challenges are consistent for chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to local companies on a smaller 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, scale.” As an example, De Dios cited where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. scheduled maintenance routines He is a Fellow of the American College of for power plants as a source of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, unnecessary downtimes, which and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular is critical to provide the country Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the a stable supply of power. Armed Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) with state-of-the-art digital inhumanitarian foundation in the United States. frastructure, these facilities can For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: monitor equipment more efficiently, and foresee other potenscalpelpen@gmail.com
“(T)he problem is that prosperity has not trickled down. While the number of Asian billionaires is growing, Asean is still home to many of the world’s poor,” Robredo said a speech at a business
forum dubbed the “Prosperity for All” Summit held in the grand ballroom of City of Dreams Manila. Robredo stressed the impor-
tial problems even before they arise—ultimately preventing unscheduled downtime. For the next years, the challenge for Philippine companies is adapting to a market that will be disrupted by the introduction of new technologies. “Digital transformation is the what, but the how is the more difficult question to answer,” added De Dios. The difference of 1 percent efficiency For heavy industries, digital transformation entails extending automation to the cloud—enabling machines to make more accurate decisions to optimize performance. De Dios described it as a “universal cruise control” for operations. Based on estimates from GE, a mere 1 percent improvement in efficiency through machine-tomachine communications could save up to $276 billion in just 15 years across five industries: rail, healthcare, power, and oil and gas. With the introduction of software platforms, like GE’s Predix for the Industrial Internet, such possibilities are no longer as farfetched as they were a decade ago. “In this day and age, every company needs to be—in some way—a software company,” stated Alvin Ng, GE Digital’s General Manager in Asean. One of the many applications
based on Predix is Asset Performance Management for predictive maintenance. The software analyzes data from machines to identify early-warning signals of damage, prompting repair and maintenance before they break down. “The software can revolutionize how power plants work, finetuning gas turbines and wind turbines,” described Ng. “Companies who install advanced sensor technology, and the analysis apps and software available today, will better predict the performance of their machinery to reduce downtime, and maximize efficiencies, productivity, environmental gains and major cost savings.” With the addition of its digital division, GE has expanded its portfolio from domain expertise in manufacturing and electronics to software development. “The ‘Industrial Internet of Things’ is the next frontier for the country, spurring greater demand for flexible operating systems that optimize how machines connect and perform with one another. And its possibilities, for Philippine businesses and industrial operations, are game changing,” concludes Ng. GE executives from the United States estimate that the Industrial Internet of Things will reach $225 billion in value by 2020. n
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Digital transformation next frontier for…
Is CPAP for…
These parameters are used when prescribing the CPAP therapy. The machine will be calibrated and set according to the person’s needs for an effective use every sleeping hour each day. How comfortable is CPAP use? Contrary to what might think as “obvious,” the use of CPAP mask or nasal pillows (depending on the user’s preference after trying them) at bedtime is surprisingly comfortable. After getting used to it within a week or so, the user might even miss it or might not feel secure without it. The CPAP machine has a controlled water heater reservoir which provides warm humidified air. Using it religiously provides a sense of safety from lack of oxygen and from developing a heart attack. CPAP use among those with OSA assures them a more restful and satisfying sleep every day. Many prefer the nasal pillow, but if one is a mouth-breather, the mask is recommended. Is CPAP use for life? Yes, since OSA is only treat-
VICE President Leni Robredo on Friday, April 28, urged international leaders and businessmen to include the poor in their efforts to bolster the economic progress of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries. This as the Vice President noted that while the Asean is now moving towards becoming a big economic bloc, most countries in Southeast Asia is still home to many of the poor in the world. Speaking before international delegates and businessmen, Robredo then hit “politically and economically powerful” public officials for creating institutions in the government that were “extractive, rather than inclusive, so that they could remain in power.”
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PH sustains good record in USTR watch list for 4 yrs Pledge to THE Philippines was able to sustain its good record in United States’ intellectual property rights (IPR) watch list for four consecutive years. In its US Trade Representative (USTR) 2017 Special 301 Report, the Philippines is not in the Priority Watch List nor in the Watch List, maintaining a clean record since 2014. It was in 2014 when USTR lifted the country’s name in the watch list, after being listed in the report for 25 years since 1989. The Special 301 Report is an annual review of the US on IPR protection and enforcement among US’ trading partners to protect the state’s inventors, creators, brands, manufacturers, and service providers. Twelve countries were under the Priority Watch List this year which include Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Russia, Thailand,
ride on bike to work day on May 11
PLEDGE to ride on Bike to Work Day! By riding together, we’ll show our East Bay cities and counties that bikes count. Take the pledge and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a Bike East Bay Beautiful Machine t-shirt. Join our email list and we’ll also send you a map of Energizer Stations where you can Ukraine, and Venezuela. Switzerland, Turkey, Turkmeni- get your free Bike to Work Day Twenty-five countries were stan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. bag. identified in the Watch List cateMoreover, the USTR report For more info: https://bigory, including Barbados, Bolivia, identified that the Philippines keeastbay.org/civicrm/event/ Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colom- has adopted laws and enforce- register?reset=1&id=921 n bia, Costa Rica, Dominican Re- ment practices designed to prepublic, Ecuador, Egypt, Greece, vent unauthorized camcoding, to Guatemala, Jamaica, Lebanon, avoid online piracy and broadMexico, Pakistan, Peru, Romania, cast piracy. (PNA)
Credit watchdogs still bullish on PH
Robredo urges Asean business… PAGE CJ4 t
tance of addressing poverty, which she said had become her advocacy throughout her career, first before coming up with ways to achieve economic growth. But she nevertheless lauded the Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean BAC) for putting the welfare of the micro- to small- to medium-scale entrepreneurs at the center of the agenda of the summit. “There is only good that can come out of deepening the conversation on how to create prosperity for all, not just a select few,” she said. The meeting is a side session at the 30th Asean Summit, which
started on Wednesday, April 26. It was organized by the Asean BAC chaired by Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion. But the vice president said she believes that “unless progress reaches the farthest, poorest barangays (villages), our job is not yet done.” As the business leaders craft inclusive business models, Robredo said that still, the “final scorecard is what happens to the last, the least, and the lost.” She then said that her office has been spending few days in a week with poverty-stricken communities in the country because “we are passionate about inclusive growth because to us, the
poor should be more than just statistics.” The Office of the Vice President has been facilitating an anti-poverty program called “Angat Buhay,” linking public and private entities to poor communities to provide support for the latter. Also present in the summit were Pampanga Representative and former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senator Bam Aquino, Robredo’s campaign manager in the elections last May, and other economic leaders. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gave a keynote address to formally open the prosperity forum. n
‘Dinosaur’ jeepney belongs in museum…
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new vehicles. The replacement vehicles will help clear the air literally, make commuting safer for the public and contribute to a more rational public transport system,” Dominguez said during the signing ceremony at Davao City. Aside from Dominguez, the agreement was also signed by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and was witnessed by LandBank president Alex Buenaventura and Land Transporta-
tion Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III. Credit available for 650 new PUJs According to Buenaventura, the LandBank has put up a P1billion credit facility for the initial project to replace a first batch of 650 PUJs at P1.4 million to P1.6 million per unit. The Finance secretary said that he is confident that government agencies that would implement this program would have the po-
litical will to pursue the project, which he said is meant to bring the country’s transportation system to the 21st century. He added that the modernization program would help clean the air and decongest roads in the country. “It will be an important contribution to fighting climate change. It will help decongest our exhausted roads. It will make commuting a more pleasant activity for our bedraggled commuters,” Dominguez said. n
by Ben
O. de Vera Inquirer.net
CREDIT-rating agencies remained “impressed” with the Philippine economy’s solid fundamentals that are seen to attract more foreign direct investment even as they urged the government to ramp up revenues as well as focus on reducing poverty and income inequality, the country’s chief economist said. “The general sentiment was very positive, suggesting inward investments,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told the Inquirer last Friday when asked about the economic managers’ meetings with debt watchers, multilateral lenders as well as businessmen on the sidelines of last week’s spring meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund. In the case of credit-ratings agencies, “Moody’s and S&P (Fitch was not there) seemed impressed with what we told them about the Philippine economy,” said Pernia, who heads state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority. The Philippines currently enjoys investment-grade credit ratings from the top three global debt watchers. “What we need to work hard on are expanding our revenue base—thus, the comprehensive tax reform program is a must—
and raising our GDP (gross domestic product) per capita,” Pernia said. The Duterte administration’s comprehensive tax reform program, with the first package pending in Congress, is aimed at easing the burden on income earners while imposing additional or new taxes on consumption to raise funds for the massive infrastructure buildup over the next six years. The first package under House Bill No. 4774 contained the proposal to lower personal income taxes, broaden the value-added tax base by cutting down on exemptions, increase excise taxes on petroleum and automobiles as well as reduce the estate and donors’ tax rates. Specifically, the bill will adjust personal income tax brackets to correct “income bracket creeping;” reduce the maximum personal income tax rate to 25 percent over time, save for the “ultra-rich” who would be slapped a higher 35 percent, and shift to a simpler modified gross system. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III earlier said comprehensive tax reform was the key link in the grand effort to break out from the cycle of low growth and build a dynamic and inclusive economy for the people. “The tax reform package will support investments in our hu-
man capital, upgrading the educational system and providing quality health care. It is a proactive and propoor measure that supports the expansionary fiscal posture of the present administration,” Dominguez said. “The comprehensive tax reform package is an indispensable component of the Duterte administration’s economic strategy. It is an audacious strategy that seeks to lift our country to upper middle-income status by 2022 and high-income status by 2040,” according to Dominguez, referring to the government’s medium-term development program and long-term vision. The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, which serves as the Duterte administration’s socioeconomic blueprint, targets 7 to 8 percent GDP growth in the medium term by pursuing the 10point agenda ultimately aimed at reducing the poverty incidence to 14 percent by 2022 from 21.6 percent in 2015. The AmBisyon Natin 2040, meanwhile, which had been adopted by the Duterte administration as the long-term vision for the Philippines, is aimed at tripling Filipinos’ per capita income to $11,000 in 24 years’ time by sustaining at least 6.5percent annual GDP growth alongside the implementation of policies that would make the Philippines a high-income country by 2040. n
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MAY 5-11, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - May 5, 2017
National Nurses Week: Celebrating Filipino nurses’ contributions to the US By AJPress
THE United States will observe National Nurses Week in the coming week with festivities beginning on Saturday, May 6 through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Back in the 1980s, the celebration for nurses was only limited to a day on May 6, known as National Nurses Day. But in 1990, the American Nurses Association (ANA) created the week-long observance. By 1994, the organization moved to commemorate the entire week annually as a way to recognize the contributions the 3.1 million registered nurses (RNs) continue to make to American society. This year, the ANA has designated the week’s theme as “Nursing: the Balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit,” which is meant to encourage nurses to focus on their own physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, personal and professional wellbeing. By taking care of themselves, they, in turn, will be able to provide an extraordinary level of care to others. Leading up to National Nurses Week, we dedicate this issue of the Asian Journal to Filipino and Filipino-American nurses in the United States, given the sheer number of those who have gravitated
toward the field. “Nurses are highly valued by patients. After all, in hospitals, nursing homes, managed long-term facilities, and other care centers, the nurses provide most of the medical care and direct, personal and face-to-face provision of care, interventions and bundles of care towards patient recovery and rehabilitation. Nurses are the ones who spend 90 percent of their time with patients who get to know their nurses much more so than most of the doctors. And, the patients are always very grateful to the nurses,” said Edmund Mercado, a board member of Philippine Nurses Association of New York. The history of Filipinos migrating to the United States to be trained as nurses stems back to the 1900s. Some stayed in the country, while others returned to the Philippines to put their expertise to practice and set up nursing schools and programs. “The Philippines has sent nurses to America since it was a U.S. colony in the early 1900s; today, nearly one out of every five Filipino women in the U.S. works as a nurse,” according to a report by Quartz. (In California alone, 20.3 percent of nurses identify as Filipino.) What draws Filipinos and
Inquirer.net photo
Fil-Am nurse Menchu de Luna Samchez was recognized by then President Barack Obama in 2013 during his State of the Union address in Washington D.C., and sat alongside First Lady Michelle Obama.
Fil-Ams to nursing? Is it because caring for others, especially those who are sick and aging, is innate in Filipino culture? “Filipino nurses excel in the United States because caring for others — especially our elderly and family — is already a quintessential part of our culture,” shared Kathleen Reyes, a registered nurse in Southern California. “Having a dynamic with our own families that includes extended relatives and our elderly has formed our nursing skills of caring even before we pass our NCLEX. Filipino nurses are important because we do give that unique and deeply authentic [tender loving care].” For Reyes — as is the case for many Filipino families that have multi-generations of nurses — caring for others “was a family business.” “My family has a medical background and growing up I witnessed my parents share their stories of working in the hospital. It was always interesting hearing stories about my dad working night shifts and my mom loving her job in the NICU,” she said. “I also grew up seeing my mom develop her residential care facilities and I was able to visit the grandmas and grandpas at the houses.”
Mike A., a dialysis nurse in California’s Bay Area, added that his inspiration to become a nurse was from “[his] innate desire to help people and care for them in times of sickness.” For Mercado, his career as a nurse came later in life after being motivated and living among other Filipino in the profession. “In 2009, I became a nurse — a noble, heroic, and according to some annual polls, the most trustworthy profession in America, more trustworthy than a priest,” he shared. Overall, Filipino nurses have reputations for being hardworking, hospitable, and compassionate. “Such is the importance of nurses in the Philippines, as well as in America and all over the world, because without caring, without all the compassion in a largely unaware world, then all is worth nothing,” Mercado said. Visit any hospital or medical facility in the U.S., and it’s seldom that you will not encounter a Filipino nurse. “Nurses are the backbone of medical field. They are the first line of defense. Filipino nurses usually are doing the hardest and [most] challenging work in the hospital (i.e., telemContinued on Page SF3
Interesting facts about nursing:
• THE word “nurse” means many things to many different people. However, AllNurses.com traces the origins of the word back to the 13th century from the Latin “nurtrire,” referring to one who nourishes, and the French “nourrice,” which refers to a wet nurse (or a breast-feeding woman). During the 16th Century the word “nurse” evolved to describe “a woman who waited upon or tended to the sick”. Today, Webster Dictionary defines nurses as “a person who is trained to care for sick or injured people and who usually works in a hospital or doctor’s office,” although we know nurses can work in many different health care environments (i.e., nursing homes, health clinics, schools, hospitals, etc.). • Linda Richards (July 27, 1841 - April 16, 1930) of West Potsdam, New York became the first nurse to earn a nursing diploma in the United States in 1873. The first professionally trained American nurse, she established nursing training programs in the U.S. and Japan, and created the first system for keeping individual medical records for hospitalized patients. • In October of 1902, Lina Rogers Struthers became the first school nurse in the United States. • Florence Nightingale, the most famous nurse in modern history, was only a nurse for three years of her life. Florence is considered a pioneer in nursing for her work during the Crimean War, which ranged from 1853 to 1856. According to the Registered Nursing Association of Ontario, in Canada, Florence was called the “Lady with the Lamp”, tirelessly tending to wounded soldiers in various hospitals during the night. Florence’s compassion, commitment, and patient care is considered a model for the modern nursing profession. • In the U.S. military, approximately one-third of all nurses are male. • Only three out of five nurses work in hospitals. Nurses also work in schools, correctional facilities, private companies, home health, nursing homes, government agencies, social assistance agencies, and research labs. • Researchers at the University of Maryland’s School of Nursing found that 55 percent of 2,103 nurses surveyed were obese. Job stress and the effect of irregular work hours was cited as the cause. Irregular breaks to eat (if any at all) also has to be some sort of contributing factor. • Nurses may be called the “backbone of health care” in Canada and the U.S., but surprisingly it’s at the risk of their own back health. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that nurses report roughly 35,000 back injuries annually. Nursing back strain stems from diligent, hands on patient care—including pushing and pulling patient beds and wheelchairs, as well as lifting, rolling, bending over, and moving patients frequently. • The largest demand for licensed practical nurses through 2110 will be in nursing homes. (AJPress)
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entertainment SF3 The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – May 5, 2017
Fil-Am Eva Noblezada, ‘Miss Saigon’ nab Tony Award nominations By MoMar
G. Visaya
AJPress
IT’S awards season on Broadway! The 2017 Tony Award nominations were revealed Tuesday, May 2 weeks ahead of Broadway’s biggest night, which is set to happen on June 11 at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. Filipino-American Eva Noblezada nabbed a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for “Miss Saigon.” She is up against Broadway legends and veterans Bette Midler (“Hello, Dolly!”), Patti LuPone (“War Paint”), Christine Ebersole (“War Paint”) and Denee Benton (“Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Continued on Page SF4 Eva Noblezada in a scene from the London production of “Miss Saigon.” Photo by Matthew Murphy
National Nurses Week: Celebrating... From Page SF2
etry, ICU, rehab),” nurse Ellen M., 41, said. Menchu de Luna Sanchez, a nurse who has been working at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York for 20 years, said that Filipino nurses remain to be “an integral part of the health care system in the U.S.” “Health care professionals still look for the Filipino nurses to be in their department. Filipino nurses are hardworking, patient, and always tendering the trademark of Filipinos: ‘tender, loving and caring,’” she shared. Sanchez, especially, displayed those traits during Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012. The Filipina nurse was part of the transport unit of the hospital that helped intensive care nurses carry critically ill premature babies down nine flights of stairs to safety after a water surge knocked out the hospital’s electrical supply and backup generators. For her heroic efforts, she was honored by former President Barack Obama in his 2013 State of the Union address, in which we said “we should follow the example” of Sanchez. Given the long hours and Infrographics by AJPress
stressful conditions that nurses endure, the ANA has several ideas to mark National Nurses Week so that they may be rightfully recognized, including encouraging nurses to wear an “RN pin” or holding special celebrations to honor nurses in the community for their heroic acts, years of service, and commitment to the profession. However, for many nurses, a simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way. “Helping a nurse get some rest and relaxation would be a thoughtful gesture. We are on our feet, we are pulled in
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every direction during our shifts so some time to relax would be appreciated. But really, a meaningful greeting card or a sweet and simple ‘thank you’ when you see us is enough,” Reyes said. Tess Dela Cruz, an RN for over three decades and a current nurse care manager in New York, further added, however, that commemorating nurses shouldn’t just stop on May 12. “People and communities should honor [and] pay tribute to nurses [all] year long. Not only on Nurses Week, but every day,” she said.
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - May 5, 2017
celebrity world By Ferdie Villar There’s some talk going around that actress Liza soberano, one of the most beautiful faces in the Kapamilya network, is being considered to play Darna, in a movie to be directed by erik Matti. In a report by PeP.ph, Liza’s manager, Ogie Diaz, confirmed last March that the young actress was indeed being considered for the role of the Mars ravelo superheroine. “Isa siya sa mga choices,” Diaz said in an interview with PeP.ph. he also added that should the role be offered to Liza, she would definitely accept it. Many famous Filipino actresses have played the role of Darna in the past five decades on the big screen. The very first was rosa del rosario in 1953, followed by Liza Moreno, eva Montes, Gina Pareno, Vilma santos (recto), rio Locsin, Anjanette Abayari and Nanette Medved. On TV, Darna has been played by Lorna Tolentino, Angel Locsin and Marian rivera. The new “Darna” movie was offered to Angel in 2013, but it was only in 2015 when the actress announced that she could no longer do the role
due to a spine problem. Last year, star Cinema announced that they still wanted Angel to play Darna, so the actress underwent surgery and rehab, along with regular gym training. But just last March, ABsCBN issued a formal statement that the network and Angel had “mutually arrived at a final decision that she will no longer pursue the ‘Darna’ movie due to her medical condition.” It was open game after the announcement, and Darna rumors circulated. Among the names that were dropped were Jessy Mendiola, Nadine Lustre and former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach. *** Veteran actors Christopher De Leon and sandy Andolong must be feeling so proud and happy for their daughter, Mariel, who was recently crowned as the new Binibining Pilipinas International 2017. Born Maria Angelica De Leon, Mariel also won Best in Long Gown. she is a classical singer and is part of the group The Opera Belles. she is also an aspiring beauty guru. *** Veteran actor romeo
Actress Aiko Melendez is now portraying the role of a villain in TFC’s teleserye, “Wildflower.”
Actress Liza Soberano being considered as the next Darna
Liza Soberano, one of the most beautiful faces in Philippine showbiz today, is being considered to play the role of Darna.
Matinee idol Coco Martin is shown in photo with Dorie Paniza, President of the Fil-Am Democratic Club of San Mateo County, during the inauguration of The Filipino Channel/ABS-CBN new office in Daly City.
Johnny and Jelai Duya celebrated their son Johnly’s first birthday at their residence in Milpitas. Among those in the photo are the celebrant, his parents Johnny and Jelai, Athena, AJ, Larcy, Abella and Roxie.
Vasquez passed away on Tuesday, May 2 at the age of 78. This was confirmed by his
Actor Raymond Bagatsing is the lead star in the newest afternoon teleserye on TFC, “Pusong
Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa passing her Binibining Pilipinas International crown to 2017 winner Mariel De Leon. Mariel is the daughter of veteran actors Christopher De Leon and Sandy Andolong. Photo courtesy of Philstar/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV
granddaughter Alyanna Martinez on Wednesday, May 3. she posted photos of her holding her grandfather’s hand while he was confined at Kaiser Permanente hospital here in the U.s. Vasquez was married to actress Amalia Fuentes. Together, they were parents to Alyanna’s mother, Liezl, who passed away due to cancer. The late actor starred with
San Francisco religious leaders Rading and Julie Daniel along with their sons Danny, Jessie and Ernie, are hosting a dinner and dance for Kuya Rading’s 82nd birthday on Saturday, May 13 at the Hilton Hotel in Burlingame.
his former wife in movies like “Lydia” (1956), “Pretty Boy” (1957), and “sapagkat Ikaw Ay Akin” (1965). he was known for his work in movies like
“Maruja” (1967) and “Bakit Kailangan Kita” (1978), among others. Our sympathies to the family.
Kim Chiu shares the benefits of duahtlon training Gerald Anderson, Matteo Guidicelli & Paulo Avelino: Sound advice from newly minted ‘fitspirations’ by Mylene
Mendoza-dayrIt Philstar.com
FeB. 18 in subic, I ran into Kim Chiu who was so focused on her duathlon training. Kim has always been a consistent gym goer starting one year after her “PBB Teen edition.” But these past few months, I started noticing her cycling and running activities. she still trains at the gym with fitness couple Boyet and susan Trinidad and also runs with them outside the gym. This week, her new ABs-CBN teleserye “Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin” started to unfold the story of two triathletes who will strive to reach for their dreams and fight for their true love. This is the most-awaited television reunion of Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson. Kim Chiu had to prepare well to play the role of an elite athlete. Thankfully, she enjoyed the process. “Kim really enjoys training and she is very committed,” says her fitness coach susan Trinidad.
susan adds, “she is disciplined to train even by herself. For example, for a recent 21k run, though she was abroad for work, we constantly messaged each other regarding how to continue her training. In short, her program, designed by Boyet, was remotely supervised.”
she joined her first duathlon at the Pilipinas Duathlon series last March 5. she was invited to join by her good friend Jake Cuenca. she only had one month to prepare for the competition, but she pulled through and finished strong. Just recently she finished her first 21k in the NatGeo 2017 run.
Kim holding her first 21k medal with fitness couple and coaches Boyet and Susan Trinidad.
by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net
ABs-CBN stars Gerald Anderson, Matteo Guidicelli and Paulo Avelino are considered three of the most versatile actors in the country today. They have effectively transformed themselves into different characters be it on television or the movies, and are going from strength to strength in their respective careers. Anderson, who started out in showbiz as “Third Big Placer” in the first season of “Pinoy Big Brother: Teen edition” (2006), proved his acting mettle in the acclaimed film “On The Job” (2013). This was after a string TV series and romantic movies, which honed his skills one after another. Guidicelli, on the other hand, entered showbiz in earnest, attending drama and performing arts school in the United states to pursue his love for acting, following a decorated stint in the fast lane as a karting racer. Finally, Avelino, who made a name as “The Prince of Teleseryes,” already has a coveted Gawad Urian Best Actor award on his shelf for the indie movie release “sayaw Ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” (2011). Undoubtedly equipped with acting chops, the handsome
Gerald Anderson, Paulo Avelino and Matteo Guidicelli
trio agrees that with their fame come many responsibilities. Besides being professional in every project they take, they also have to stay fit and healthy in order to get through their grueling work schedule, and of course, look good, as actors should. In doing so, Anderson, Guidicelli and Avelino have each earned for themselves the millennial tag of “fitspiration”—that is, an individual who encourages or inspires other people to attain their fitness goals. Asked how they feel about this particular part of their fame, the three actors confessed at their endorsement launch for Century Tuna’s “My recipe to sexy” campaign that they actually battle with insecurities about their form like everyone else. “There were a lot of times that I’d feel insecure about my
Fil-Am eva Noblezada... From Page SF3
Kim Chiu had to prepare well to play her recent role as an elite athlete.
of 1812”). This is Noblezada’s first Tony nomination. Miss saigon’s other nomination is for Best revival of a Musical and it is up against “Falsettos” and “hello, Dolly!” Both the musical and eva Noblezada also received nominations from
the Drama League Awards. The Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading role in a Musical category is a toss-up among Christian Borle (“Falsettos”), Josh Groban (“Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812”), David hyde Pierce (“hello, Dolly!”), Andy Karl (“Groundhog Day”) and Ben Platt (“Dear
body,” Avelino went first. “But I what chose to focus on is just to stay healthy because that’s when everything follows.” elaborating, he said, “I mean being fit doesn’t really mean you have to have six-pack abs or that you’re ripped. Being fit is being healthy—which also means eating properly and exercise. Doing all that, I boosted my confidence too.” Truly embracing their “fitspiration” status, the three actors also took time to blow off the notion that people should double up on getting fit during the summer. For them, the goal of staying healthy and lean should be yearlong. “I don’t believe in the ‘summer body.’ We only have one body so we should always take care of it, summer or not,” Anderson insisted.
evan hansen”). Jon Jon Briones, who plays the role of the engineer in “Miss saigon,” did not receive a Tony nod but he received a nomination from the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. The musical also received a nomination from the Outer Critics Circle for Outstanding revival of a Musical.
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - May 5, 2017
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