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EDITORIAL
A perfect choice
California Governor Gavin Newsom is to be congratulated – and thanked -- for making a perfect choice in appointing Assemblyman Rob Bonta as the Golden State’s next Attorney General.
While it is a certainty that the governor had several equally qualifi ed candidates in mind for the key post, FilAm Bonta was the best pick by far.
We have high expectations of Bonta, but we are certain he is more than able to meet those expectations.
His history as a public servant tells us so.
The appointment is not yet fi nal, however, as the Legislature still needs to confi rm Bonta’s appointment. He is expected to fi ll out the remaining term of Xavier Becerra, who has joined the Biden administration as Health and Human Services secretary.
His term will be short, as Bonta has to seek election for a full term in the 2022 elections. But hopefully, he will deliver the goods for the people of California much the same way he did as assemblyman.
He will have his challengers within the Democratic Party next year, as can be expected for such an important political posting. And yes, the Republicans will do their best to block his appointment, but they do not have the numbers to succeed. At best, they will resort to name-calling and innuendo to sully Bonta’s excellent reputation as a lawmaker.
As for the challenges that lie ahead, we know that Bonta thrives on meeting, and overcoming, any and all problems that will come his way as AG.
Bonta’s job will not be easy as there has been a dramatic rise in hate crimes against Asian-Americans. As the state’s top lawyer, he will have to make sure that those who perpetrated such crimes are held accountable for their actions.
Then there is the rash of shootings of unarmed civilians by the police.
It is no secret that Bonta has had some policy diff erences with the police, but he is an able enough politician to know when to take a fi rm stand, and when to resort to necessary compromises.
For as long as his heart is in the right place, we see no reason why Rob Bonta will not succeed.
This, despite the fact that he only has little more than a year and a half to show that he can be as good as anyone who has ever handled the post of California AG.
It may be too early to say, but Bonta could well follow in the footsteps of Vice President Kamala Harris who went from AG to senator to the second highest position in the land.
He is certainly young enough to seek whatever higher post he aspires for in the years to come.
For now, we expect Bonta to work well with Gov. Newsom, who is facing what we consider an ill-advised, politically motivated recall action.
Newsom has done so much good for the great state of California, and appointing Rob Bonta as Attorney General must rank as one of his best acts.
We say Mabuhay Governor Newsom, Mabuhay Attorney General Bonta.
South San Francisco...
(From page 1)
Nagales and Flor Nicolas, the fi rst-ever elected Council Members from their ethnic sector. Bulos ally and ex-SSF Council Member then Assembly Member Gene Mullin had fi rst recommended renaming the center for his constant collaborator. Ad hoc City Council naming committee member Flor Nicolas concurred, citing the “long list of accomplishments... working tirelessly for equal rights in employment, housing, crime prevention, and service for our youth” that Upside merits Bulos’ memorialization by the town. “She was a staunch champion of women’s issues CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENOand women in the workplace,” Nicolas praised her “Tita Alice.”
“If it wasn’t for Tita Alice, Flor and I would not be here,” Nagales reminded at the meeting prior to the affi rmative vote.
The commendation befi ts her grandmother, Charity Ramilo, told Inquirer.net.
Her “Mami” and Alice’s sister Ludy Peña Reyes encouraged their progeny to “exercise and de-stress” at the center that will now carry her name, Ramilo said in response to Council passage of the motion. That site’s new name “symbolizes the two things that meant the most to her - family (her home nearby) and the center (the community) that she passionately advocated for.”
Like her grandmother the former chair of the department of sociology at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Charity Ramilo is a teacher of Filipino FLES (foreign language in the elementary school) at the historic Filipino Education Center. Flor Nicolas (fourth in gallery), fi rst FilAm woman elected to the South San Francisco City Council, makes a mo� on to memorialize the leader who inspired her to serve the community and run for offi ce. Charity’s brother Charles Ramilo sees his engagement in community as a consequence of witnessing their grandmother’s work.
“It is important for Filipinos to see ourselves refl ected in our community, and having ‘Mami’ Alice memorialized at the rec center will ensure that her contributions to our community will always be remembered,” the community health worker shared with Inquirer.net. “It would keep us inspired to empower ourselves and make meaningful changes in our society.”
Charles would tell his own children that their greatgrandmother “had a big heart for the community, spending over four decades dedicating her life helping others and encouraging those including myself to do the same.”
“These values that Mami Alice passed on are important to (Continued on page 27)
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Should President Duterte be impeahed and convicted for constitutional violations?
“The Constitution is a mere scrap of paper.” – President Elpidio Quirino, Liberal Party, 1949 “What are we in power for?” Senate President Jose Avelino, Liberal Party. 1949
History has a way of repeating itself. The reason is simple – most people never learn. This has been rendered a truism by George Santayana, the Spanish philosopher, when he wrote – “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In the same vein, Winston Churchill, the great British HOMOBONO A. ADAZA statesman also said – Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” 1949: It is not so long ago. It is only seven decades away. The leaders of the Liberal Party were on top of the waves. It is a year worth remembering because leaders made statements which will haunt us for all time. Their statements show our leaders of today are still made of the same rotten old stuff . They have never learned. They have not improved. They are still mired in the three desires – for wealth, power and sex. A few seeks ago, the House of Representatives passed a measure declaring those who are suspected of violating the illegal drugs law should be presumed guilty of the crime allegedly being committed. Anyone who is familiar with the Constitution should know that the legislation is unconstitutional. Legislators are supposed to know that. Obviously, they don’t. Under section 14, paragraph 2 of Article III of the Constitution on the Bill of Rights, it so provided that – “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved…” It takes someone so stupid or insane not to understand this provision. The legislation is obviously unconstitutional as it directly contradicts the said constitutional provision and it deprives the suspect of the constitutional presumption of innocence.. Similarly, this legislation also violates the due process and equal protection clause of the Constitution as provided in section 1, Article III of the Bill of Rights. Motive: What is the possible or imaginable motive in the passage of this legislation? It will provide safety for the drug enforcers, PDEA and PNP, in the continuing unconstitutional methods of killing illegal drug violators. It is obvious. It is an attempt to legalize criminality in the country for the drug enforces and their equally guilty masters. The government, according to various sources, has extrajudicially killed between twenty thousand (20,000) to thirty thousand (30,000) suspected illegal drug violators – most of them young and belonging to poor families. This legislation is obviously an eff ort to achieve the numbers that President Duterte promised to the Filipino people during the presidential campaign – to kill about a hundred thousand (100,000) Filipinos to clean the country of drugs. And this is the same man who said over and over that he does want Filipinos killed because he loves the people and the country. The killings happened in about four and a half ((4 ½) years since Rodrigo Rodrigo Roa Duterte aka Digong, Rudy, Mayor and Tatay, became President of the country in 2016 – numbing fi gure considering that the Marcos regime of twenty (21) years killed only a little over three thousand (3,000) citizens, young and not so young. Many of them come from public and private schools, including some of the best schools in the country – University of the Philippines to Ateneo de Manila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines to Lyceum of the Philippines. In the Marcos years, those who got killed were not suspected drug users. This measure will likely be an opening gambit to also pass legislation to presume critics of government, activists and rebels guilty of all imaginable crimes. Record violations: The Duterte administration is notorious for wanton violation of the Constitution. As head of
State and government, Duterte should observe his oath of offi ce in section 5, Article VII of the Constitution which states that as President of the Philippines, he “will faithfully and conscientiously fulfi ll my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Con- (Continue on page 27)
Diliman Way
Evangelist speaks in SF; free books and bible
As author, columnist and evangelist, I am delighted to announce that Edwin Bacani, anchor of the global Angel Radio and evangelist with the University Church of Christ in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was invited as guest preacher on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at the Golden Gate ART GABOT MADLAING Health & Wealth Church of Christ in San Francisco, California.
Through the internet and technology, Angel Radio now has listeners and viewers throughout the United States, Canada, Philippines, Mexico, Hongkong and Asia, Middle East, Italy and other European countries.
The Fil-Am Evangelist started his radio ministry way back in Baguio City, Philippines. He and his wife Diane, licensed physician in the Philippines, immigrated to the United States and are now residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Readers from the Filipino and Asian communities are cordially invited to attend the Bible classes (10:00 am) and Worship Services (11:00am) on Sunday, April 11, 2021, at the GGCC Fellowship Hall and Auditorium located at 7018th Avenue (corner Cabrillo, near Golden Gate Park) in San Francisco, California.
Through the BOOK MINISTRY, guests will be given autographed copies of the “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians” and “JESUS CHRIST” subtitled “The Final Days on Earth Before His Return to Heaven” written by yours truly and John Jeff rey respectively, while supplies last. Guests on Sunday will be given also a free complimentary copy of the Bible (while supplies last), World Bible School Study Edition, Large Print Edition of the ESV Bible with the following features: Section Headings, Textual Footnotes, Cross-Reference Footnotes, built-in Concordance, Map of the NEW TESTAMENT WORLD, Map of Israel in the NEW TESTAMENT and other useful features.
As active Evangelist with the Golden Gate Church of Christ in San Francisco, California and columnist with the Philippine News Today, I am delighted to meet our readers from the Filipino and Asian communities during this special Sunday with Angel Radio anchor and fellow Evangelist Edwin Bacani. I’ll be ready to autograph copies of my book “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “”Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians.”
Here are some comments and reviews on the book: “This is special book which merits devoted attention. The devastation caused by COVID-19 and the following new strains reveals more than ever how desperately we need to fellowship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “wrote Henry T. Bravo, Elder, SURREY CHURCH OF CHRIST in Vancouver, Canada.
“I urge ownership of this book. For faith building and antidote to fear and worry everywhere, many benefi ts can result from reading this vital information under any circumstances and most doubtlessly now with the world in such a turmoil from diseases and uprisings and all manner of affl ictions,” said Darlene Gamble, an alumna of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, USA.
“I was blessed to meet and have prayer session with Evangelist Art Gabot Madlaing together with members of the WE CARE Ministries Team in our home in General Santos City in Mindanao last February 19, 2016. For reformation, moral and spiritual regeneration, I highly recommend this book to everyone most especially to Filipinos in our country and abroad, “echoed boxing legend and Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao, General Santos, City, Sarangani, Philippines.
“This timely book is a must read for agnostics, atheists, believers and Christians. I encourage my INC friends to purchase their own copies, read with an open mind and then share with others,” explained Felix L. Olidan, Jr, former INC member and now Evangelist and Minister, WANCHAI CHURCH OF CHRIST, Wanchai, Hongkong.
“I would like to have this book in the hands of everyone, particularly our Methodist friends and the listeners, viewers of the global Angel Radio,” said Edwin Bacani, former Methodist and now anchor of the global Angel Radio and Evangelist with the UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF CHRIST in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. (Continue on page 27)
Déjà vu all over again?
Last March 7, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that PerryScopemore than 200 vessels – believed to be manned by Chinese militia personnel – were observed moored in line formation at the Julian Felipe Reef within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. However, the reef, which is also called Whitsun Reef, is within the Spratly islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) or South China Sea, which is within the nine-dash line that delineates China’s disputed territorial claim. The reef is about 175 nautical miles from Palawan, clearly within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ, over which the Philippines “enjoys the exclusive right to exploit or conserve any resources, including fossil oil and natural gas.” An international tribunal had invalidated China’s claim to 90% of the South China Sea in 2016, but China does not recognize the ruling. Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and the Philippines are the other claimants to some parts of the South China Sea.
In 2014, China built seven artifi cial islands on reefs in the disputed waters, and constructed airfi elds and harbors on at least three of them. And guess where did the Chinese get the rocks and soil to build the artifi cial islands? From Mindanao, and the Philippine government didn’t do anything to stop it.
The PCG observed that the Chinese vessels did not show fi shing activities. So what were they doing there?
Retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio warned that the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels near Juan Felipe Reef could be a “prelude” to China’s occupying of another island in the WPS. He was particularly worried that China could be using the same strategy in the occupation of the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef in 1995.
“I think the President will just allow the DFA [Department of Foreign Aff airs] to protest, will allow our military to make noise, but he will not do anything,” Justice Carpio told CNN Philippines. “Because President Duterte doesn’t want to incur the ire of President Xi Jinping, because he loves [him],” he added. He also said that President Duterte considers President Xi Jinping as his best friend. “So how can President Duterte go against his idol?” he asked.
Justice Carpio reportedly said that President Duterte could have called and “berated” China’s ambassador to the country right away, saying that other heads of state do this if there are “encroachments” in their respective territories. “In situations like this, you immediately summon the ambassador of the other country. Here, we don’t do it,” Justice Carpio argued.
Duterte meets Chinese ambassador
Later on, Malacanang said that President Duterte has met with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, and that the two talked about the matter. The Chinese ambassador said they were fi shermen and they’re there only because they were seeking shelter. However, the vessels didn’t look like fi shing vessels.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila denied the alleged presence of Chinese maritime vessels in the WPS. In a statement, the embassy said that the area it called Niu’e Jiao is part of China’s Nansha Qundao, also known as Spratly Islands. Surmise it to say; since China claims it as its territory, China feels that it can enter the area freely without asking permission from anyone. China is using its old playbook again; that is, it claims sovereignty each time it intruded into an area.
It’s interesting to note that about the time the Chinese vessels entered Philippine territory, China donated one million doses of vaccines to the Philippines, which makes one wonder: Was the donation made to soften the Philippines’ resistance to the incursion? Hmm…
PERRY DIAZ
US support
As the standoff progresses, a US State Department spokesman issued a statement, saying: “The U.S. stands with our ally, the Philippines, regarding concerns about the gathering of PRC maritime militia vessels near Whitsun Reef. We call on Beijing to stop using its maritime militia to intimidate and provoke others, which undermines peace and security.”
But the Chinese Embassy in Manila reacted by criticizing the support of the US in the Philippines’ protest against the Chinese incursion. It said it (Continue on page 27)
Prayer for the Filipino people
This Holy Week, much like last year, will see the majority of the residents of Metro Manila and four adjoining provinces virtually locked up at home, their movements further stifl ed by a 6 pm to 5 am curfew.
Ordinarily, this would have been the one week in the year when Filipinos spend more time in prayer and introspection, with a trip to the beach thrown in to appease the kids.
The entire metropolis becomes a ghost town because families head for their home provinces. The National Capital Region is still mostly traffi c-free now because of the government’s latest lockdown, which goes by a variety of names but which mostly forces everyone to stay home except to buy food and medicine.
Allow me to take this opportunity to share a prayer that I say every time I visit the Don Bosco chapel, which is just one block away from my place.
While I pray that my family always be kept safe, the very fi rst thing I ask the Lord is to save the Philippines.
I ask that the country be spared from further harm caused by the Duterte regime, which has badly mishandled the pandemic, sold out the country to China, and turned graft and corruption into an industry that enriches the president and his cronies, while keeping millions of Filipinos dirt poor.
Most of all, I pray that the country elect a sensible, honest, competent, and patriotic president next year, one who devotes his or her presidency to undoing all the intentional mistakes committed by the present regime.
My greatest fear is that massive cheating will result in the candidate anointed by Duterte winning the presidency, sending the Philippines deeper into the mess the former Davao mayor leaves behind.
A few of my friends have discussed this possibility, and we agreed that another six years of a Duterte-style presidency will cause so much damage to the country that it may never be able to recover. We fear that our motherland will become another Myanmar.
I am no religious fanatic, folks. I can’t even call myself a good Catholic, just a fairly recent returnee to the church where I was born into and grew up in.
For all his attacks on my church, including the pope, but most importantly the Lord, I have concluded long ago that Rodrigo Roa Duterte is either demon-possessed, or is a demon himself. It’s worth adding that he claims to be a follower of the “church” established by one Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is now one of the richest men in Mindanao and whose problems with US Customs are well known.
Among others, Quiboloy’s church has been charged with money laundering as well as human traffi cking. Some of the church’s senior leaders are either in prison, or charged with the serious crimes that will eventually land them behind bars for a very long time.
Every so often, Duterte speaks of his eventual end. He claims that he is ready to go to hell, and has nothing to atone for. Offline
BETING DOLOR
Psychologists and psychiatrists have tried to explain why he acts and talks the way he does. The conclusion is – in simple terms – he is sick in the head and there is no cure for what ails him.
I do not enjoy attacking the old man who celebrated his 76th birthday this week. But he and his cabal are constantly asking for it. They pretend he is well enough to continue serving as president, but there is too much proof that he is no longer functioning normally.
Consider that for the past many months, he only appears to the public in edited videos. He never speaks to the press. And his televised presscons show a man slurring and talking gibberish, rarely talking sense.
Some will say that we should all pray for him, but in my view he is beyond salvation.
In social media, netizens were asked what their wish was for Duterte, and a common desire was for him to resign and retire in peace in Davao. Now, not later.
This will not happen, of course. He is made to appear to be functioning by the very people who have everything to gain if he remains in Malacanang until a new president is elected next year. (Continue on page 27)
A FilAm Republican addendum to the #StopAsianHate Campaign: #SupportOurPolice ‘New president, new era’
Before moving to the topic of this column, I want to send a SUPER BIG CONGRATULATIONS to ROB BONTA and his team. Many FilAm Republicans join me in this sentiment. This appointment is a big boon to our community. This makes two FilAm state-level attorneys general. Sean Reyes, a Republican, has been serving as Utah’s attorney general since 2013. Two out of fi fty states, we are!
Now on to the subject of antiAsian crimes. I have been ingesting the same media threads as you and have been pondering this #StopAsianHate campaign since the incoming emails started hitting my inbox in mid-March. Social media, particularly on the West Coast, where there are very few Republicans, has questioned the Republican silence on the matter. In order to write this column, I had a conversation with Mayor Ron Falconi, a FilAm Republican of Brunswick, Ohio.
We support the narrative that crimes have been propagated against Asians and have accelerated during the pandemic. Indeed, early on during the lock down, I recollect incidents in Italy in which locals attacked Asians over the spread of the virus. Over the last few days, two videos have emerged that would infuriate anyone who has seen them—one is an assault of an Asian boy on a subway and another is the knocking down and beating of a 65-year old Filipina woman as she exited a Manhattan building. The woman was subsequently identifi ed by the New York Times as Vilma Kari. She has apparently been hospitalized with a fractured pelvis.
“It seems like the most horrifi c attacks against AsianAmericans are in cities like San Francisco, Oakland, and New York,” says Mayor Falconi. (The mass shooting in Atlanta is deliberately omitted from this list as the authorities conduct their investigation into the motives of the shooter).
These very cities are precisely where police forces faced substantial vilifi cation and forced woke-efi cation of their practices. As a result of the #DefundThePolice movement, police forces were not only demoralized but downsized. New York City accepted a 60% surge in retirements in the six months ending on September of 2020. That in a year in which no new cadets were graduated into service. As a result, street violence has surged.
“Some of the people who want to stop AAPI hate are also the same people who wanted to defund the police. I don’t think you can be on both sides of this. You have to pick one,” explains Mayor Falconi.
In the fl urry of articles and retweets echoing the message of the Stop AAPI Hate organization, which tracks anti-Asian incidents, there has been a dearth of proposed solutions. Protests will not solve the problem—they will just spread the hashtag. Articles point out the inaction of bystanders. Andrew Yang, former candidate for US President and current candidate for New York City Mayor, suggested Asians venture out in twos. Where is the call for a stronger, more empowered police force and the law that will allow them to stop these aggressors?
As Republicans, we urge these cities to reconsider their failed policies of de-fanging their police forces and relaxing their laws against crime. These are criminals sending our elders to the hospital, not people whose hearts will be turned if we call them out on their acts of hate. Empower the police in our communities so that our elderly Asians can walk safely down city streets, possibly the very same streets where, last year, rioters looted and roared in the name of racial justice. #SupportOurPolice and #KeepAsiansSafe are one and the same. We have not even reached mid-2021, the presidential election in the Philippines is more than a year away, but supporters and die-hard Duterte followers are already campaigning for Sara Duterte to succeed her father. We also hear that another loyal Duterte lieutenant, Bong Go, might also run for president. Many have voiced their ATTY. JOJO LIANGCO Immigrant’sStory concerns that if Sara Duterte or Bong Go will be elected president in 2022, the Filipino people can expect no meaningful change from the government that they have at present. The Duterte administration is already under fi re for its drug war that resulted in the death of many small-time drug peddlers and users while big-time drug importers remain free and do business as usual. Then there’s the issue of China’s illegal presence in the WPS, the PhilHealth Scandal, and lately, the government’s failure to have a concrete plan of action in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The failure of the Duterte administration to fulfi ll many of its promises that were made in 2016 resulted in the clamor for VP Leni Robredo to run for president in 2022. Many believe that the current situation in the country requires new leadership, a leadership that will usher a new era for the Philippines. * * *
An era is a span of time marked by character, events, changes, and in the case of a nation, a distinct period that is identifi ed by a particular feature or characteristic. The term of offi ce of a president may not necessarily be the equivalent of an era, but usually a particular president’s administration or term of offi ce may be incorporated in a certain era.
If we review the periodization of the history of the Philippines as a nation from the history textbooks and how students are taught at school, the historical markers are usually political eras or periods--- i.e. Pre-Colonial or Pre-Hispanic, Spanish, American Occupation, Japanese, Post-War, Martial Law, Post-EDSA Revolt.
In looking at the history of the Philippines through the nation’s leaders (the “panguluhan” or “presidents”), we see the formation of the early republics that were based on the struggle of the people against tyranny, oppression, and colonialism. That’s why during the fi ght for freedom and liberation against Spain and the United States, the Tagalog (Sangkatagalugan) Republic of Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan were formed and organized. Then came Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s First Republic and the Malolos Constitution, then the the Philippine Commonwealth and the 1935 Constitution from 1935 to 1946 under President Manuel Quezon. Quezon was succeeded by Sergio Osmena after his death, followed by Manuel Roxas as president of the Philippines.
The post-war Philippine republics can be subdivided into the post-world war republics following the 1935 Constitution, a constitution that remained in eff ect after the U.S. recognized the sovereignty of the Philippines as an independent nation on July 4, 1946.
From that point in 1946, we see the continuity of the political period from President Manuel Roxas and VP Elpidio Quirino in 1946, then President Quirino and VP Fernando Lopez in 1949, President Ramon Magsaysay and VP Carlos P. Garcia in 1953, President Carlos P. Garcia and VP Diosdado Macapagal in 1957, President Diosdado Macapagal and VP Emmanuel Pelaez in 1961, and President Ferdinand Marcos and VP Fernando Lopez in 1965 and 1969.
Then there was the Martial Law regime and the 1973 Constitution by Marcos that temporarily strengthened and bolstered his dictatorship until he was toppled by the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolt and was replaced by the postEDSA republics and the 1987 Constitution. * * *
There was no so-called president and VP tandem during the Martial Law era of Marcos because his was an autocratic rule. After Marcos was toppled and democracy was restored, the old elite-dominated Philippine politics again.
Post-EDSA and 1987 Constitution leaders included President Fidel Ramos and VP Joseph Estrada in 1992 who succeeded President Cory Aquino and VP Salvador Laurel, President Joseph Estrada and VP Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 1998, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and VP Noli de Castro in 2004, then President (Continue on page 27)
Will my retirement income be enough?
If you are near your retirement age, you must act now or else you will fi nd yourself miserable during your “golden years” or retirement period. Consider Bankruptcy as a great fi nancial planning tool for those who are within a few years from retirement. You must prepare a fi nancial plan for a debt free retirement so that you will enjoy your golden years. Ask yourself these questions: 1. Will my retirement income be enough to cover my daily expenses and medical bills? 2. Will I be carrying a mortgage that I cannot pay during my retirement? 3. Will my long term care cost and medicines be covered by my pension? 4. Will increases in cost of living and medicines be covered by my pension?
On the average, retirement income for seniors range from $800 to $1500 a month. This income does not increase to cover the ever increasing cost of living and medicines. Long term care cost and medicines will not be covered by the monthly pensions of seniors if they do not have any savings or 401K pension plan. There are seniors who are still carrying a mortgage and putting all their money on it in anticipation of an increase in value of real estate. This is the worst kind of money management.
It is unimaginable that you will be depending on your monthly pension and still owing a lot of debts. The best time to plan for retirement is now. If you have no way of supporting your daily expenses because of debts then it is time to consider fi ling for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. You can discharge most of your unsecured debts by fi ling Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Many people especially those close to retirement are stressed out because of all their fi nancial obligations. You do not have to put yourself in this very miserable situation because of debts. You worked hard for so many years to have a comfortable retirement and you deserved it. You can retire debt free if you want. There is nothing to be ashamed of in fi ling bankruptcy. It is made into law to give people a chance to start fresh and be free from past obligations. Many millionaires are also fi ling for bankruptcy for many reasons since bankruptcy law is created.
Question: Will the creditors take away my social security pension and retirement accounts if I fi le bankruptcy?
Answer: No. Social security checks and retirement accounts such as IRA and 401K are exempt from creditors up to $1.1 million. Seniors who fi le bankruptcy will come with fresh start without seeing a big percentage of their retirement income to be paid to creditors. Any penny saved from paying creditors goes into your retirement.
Note: This is not a legal advice and you need to speak to an attorney. The Law Offi ces of Crispin C. Lozano has 20 years of experience in bankruptcy cases.
Bankruptcy Basics
Bankruptcy will actually improve your credit within one year because your unsecured debts are discharged. Although the bankruptcy will be in your records for 10 years, not fi ling bankruptcy will make your credit even worse until most of your debts are paid in full.
If you are being sued by your creditors, most money judgment can be eliminated in bankruptcy.
Collection actions continue and you can be sued if you are in debt settlement.
Chapter 7 will eliminate all unsecured debts. If you are near retirement age, you must eliminate most of your debts.
Bankruptcy will stop foreclosure actions. If your trustee sale date is 10 days before, you can still fi le for bankruptcy.
If your salary is being garnished, you have a court case about debts or you are being harassed by creditors, bankruptcy can stop garnishment, court cases, harassing creditors and eliminate the debt.
Bankruptcy is cheaper, faster and safer than debt settlement which has no guaranteed success.
Preserve your health, eliminate stress and live a happy life by eliminating your debts which is the root of all problems.
Crispin Caday Lozano is an active member of the State Bar of California, You can contact him at 1-877-456-9266. Email questions to info@ccllaw.net . Visit our website at www.crispinlozanolaw.com/
April 1-7, 2021 14 PHL’s agri trade down by -6.8% in Q4: PSA
QUEZON CITY – The country’s total agricultural trade in the fourth quarter of 2020, worth US$4.66 billion, went down at an annual rate of -6.8 percent.
“This was faster than the previous quarter’s annual decrease of -3.3 percent and the fourth quarter of 2019’s annual drop of -0.5 percent,” said Undersecretary and Philippine Statistics Authority head Dennis Mapa.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, agricultural exports were recorded at US$1.47 billion, accounting for 31.5 percent, and imports were at US$3.19 billion.
The total balance of trade in agricultural goods was negative US$1.72 billion.
Mapa said the data refl ects a defi cit, but with an annual increase of 0.1 percent as in the third quarter of 2020, the trade defi cit was recorded at 7.9 percent, while the annual rate of the trade defi cit in the fourth quarter of 2019 was at -12 percent.
The total value of agricultural exports of the top 10 commodity groups was US$1.41 billion or 95.9 percent of the total agricultural export revenue in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The combined export value of these top 10 commodity groups posted an annual decrease of -10.4 percent during the quarter.
Among the commodity groups, edible fruit, and nuts, as well as the peel of citrus fruit melons, valued at US$485.64 million, comprised the largest share of 33.1 percent of the total agricultural exports.
Malaysia, Netherlands top buyers
The country’s agricultural exports to Asean member countries in the fourth quarter of 2020 amounted to US$175.01 million, which accounted for 6 percent of the total exports to Asean member countries.
Malaysia was the top destination of the country’s agricultural exports among the Asean member countries.
It bought US$71.6 million or a share of 40.9 percent of the total agricultural exports to Asean member countries.
On the other hand, exports of agricultural goods to European Union member countries in the last quarter of 2020 were valued at US$213.31 million, which accounted for 11.5 percent of the country’s total exports to EU member countries.
Among the EU member countries, the Netherlands was the country’s top buyer of agricultural commodities, worth US$ 90.57 million or 42.5 percent of the total agricultural exports to EU member countries.
LA County Commission on Insurance re-elects Scott J. Svonkin as chairman and Ari Ruiz as vice chairman for 2021
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Commission on Insurance has unanimously re-elected Scott J. Svonkin, for the 19th consecutive year as its Chairman.
Chairman Svonkin was fi rst appointed to the Commission in November 1997 by former Third District Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and was re-appointed in 2017 by current Third District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl.
“My goal is to help our commission lead the fi ght in Los Angeles County against insurance fraud and educate consumers,” said Chairman Svonkin.
Appointed to the Commission in July 2017 by Board Chair Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, Vice Chairman Ari Ruiz was also re-elected Vice Chairman for his fourth consecutive year. Vice Chairman Ruiz has been noted as an infl uential civic and political activist who has devoted his life to community and civic engagement, particularly in the areas of immigrant rights, LGBT equality, youth empowerment, and education. He is a former member of the City of Los Angeles Commission for Children, Youth & Their Families and served as the second youngest Commissioner in the history of the City of Los Angeles.
In that capacity, he served as an advisor to the Mayor and City Council for policy regarding children, youth, and their families, including health insurance. Vice Chairman Ruiz serves as District Representative for Assemblywoman Autumn R. Burke, where he advises her on Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender issues and education, environment, and insurance issues.
Duties of the 10-member Commission include apprising the Board of Supervisors of signifi cant developments concerning consumer insurance matters, crafting recommendations for reducing the cost of insurance, improving public education, and community awareness regarding insurance issues.
The Commission holds annual press conferences during fi re season to inform the public of the importance of maintaining adequate homeowner’s insurance. Currently, the Commission is focused on the issues of insurance regarding rights and services, fraud, and consumer education.
If you would like to have more information about this topic, please call Commission on Insurance at (213) 974-1431 or email at lacic@bos.lacounty.gov.
15 April 1-7, 2021
IMMIGRATIONS Bangko Sentral hikes average inflation projections for 2021-2022
MANILA – The average infl ation for this year is now projected to exceed the government’s 2-4 percent target band due to supply-side pressures while the 2022 forecast was hiked on expected recovery of the global economy.
In a briefi ng via the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Facebook page, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said the latest 2021 rate of price increases projection is 4.2 percent while the 2022 projection is 2.8 percent.
These were at 4 percent and 2.7 percent for 2021 and 2022, respectively, during the rate-setting meeting of the BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) last Feb. 11, PNA’s Joann Villanueva reported.
Dakila cited two factors as the primary reasons for the projection adjustments.
One of these is the further acceleration of the February 2021 infl ation rate to 4.7 percent from month-ago’s 4.2 percent due to the impact of the African swine fever and the higher prices of oil in the international market.
He, however, maintained these factors are transitory. “And so we are actually seeing that (the) infl ation path will decelerate below the midpoint of the target range towards the fourth quarter of this year and continuing on (the) fi rst quarter of next year before settling close to the midpoint by the second half of next year,” he added.
The second factor for the upward adjustment in the BSP’s average infl ation forecasts for this and next year is the outlook for international oil prices. “As we know, the rollout of the vaccines globally has led to an improved outlook for global performance,” he said of the projection of higher oil prices.
Last February, the MB-approved 2021 average price of Dubai crude oil was US$54.65 per barrel but this has been changed to US$61.37 per barrel. For 2022, the previous forecast is US$51.90 per barrel but this is now at US$57.79 per barrel. “As the global economy recovers, the oil prices will also recover and this has an impact on infl ation,” Dakila said. He said central bank offi cials expect infl ation to stay above the upper end of the target band until the third quarter of the year but is not expected to hit 5 percent.
Dakila said they continue to monitor for any second-round eff ects, or if there would be petitions for electricity or fare hikes. “But as of the moment, there is really no evidence of any spillovers to other commodities apart from those that are subject to the supply shocks and these commodities are few key food items, including meat in particular,” he added.
P600-M swine repopulation program rolls out as ASF incidence tapering off
SEC. WILLIAM DAR
efi ciaries will each receive three to fi ve “sentinel” piglets — including feeds, veterinary drugs, biologics and anti-viral agents — during the six-month fattening period. The sentinel component entails an initial budget of P400 million under the INSPIRE program.
Another P200 million is allocated for the INSPIRE multiplier breeder component to ensure continuous source of piglets for the subsequent expansion of the swine repopulation program, said Medrano, who oversees the DA National Livestock Program.
PCCI president Benedicto Yujuico
QUEZON CITY - As the African Swine Fever (ASF) incidence is at its lowest level since August 2020, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to implement the government’s P600-million swine repopulation program, focusing initially on previously aff ected areas that are no longer under quarantine and now classifi ed as “pink” and “yellow” zones.
“We are heartened that the ASF incidence is waning, which as of March 26, 2021, has registered 253 cases, versus 358 cases in January 2021, 330 cases in February 2021, and the highest level at 1,773 cases in August 2020,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.
The favorable development was reported by Director Reildrin Morales of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), during a recent meeting presided by Secretary Dar with DA regional directors, Director Jocelyn Badiola of the DA-Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC) and President Jovy Bernabe of the DA-Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
“This piece of good news boosts the Duterte administration’s swine repopulation program — or the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion or INSPIRE — that will be implemented in ASF ‘pink’ and ‘yellow’ zones, and more extensively in ASF ‘green’ zones,” said Secretary Dar.
As per ASF color-coding scheme, Morales said “pink” zones serve as buffer, where ASF is not present but adjacent to an infected zone. It may also be an area previously infected but the ASF virus has not been detected for at least 90 days, and thus has recovered from infected status.
Other areas where the INSPIRE program will be implemented are the: “yellow” or surveillance zones, which are ASF-free but adjacent to “yellow” zones; and “light green” and “dark green” zones, which are free from ASF.
“We will implement INSPIRE through the ‘sentinel’ approach initially in the fi rst eight regions aff ected by ASF, benefi ting 8,000 backyard raisers, who will be grouped into 500 clusters,” said the DA chief. The eight regions are: 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5, 11, 12, and Cordillera.
The sentinel approach is the limited placement of pigs to ascertain if there is still ASF virus present in a test area.
DA Undersecretary for Livestock Dr. William Medrano said the project ben-
