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Volume 23 - No. 1 • 12 Pages

T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER

Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136, Burlingame, CA 94010 • Tel: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 • www.asianjournal.com

JANUARY 5-11, 2024

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

Marcos vows to ‘build better, more’ in 2024 DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

California is poised to protect workers from extreme heat — indoors

THE stifling heat inside some warehouses where workers might spend 10-hour days isn’t just a summer problem. In Southern California, it can feel like summer all year.

It’s easy to break into a sweat and grow tired, workers say. The ventilation feels inconsistent, they say, and workers have testified in a public hearing about nosebleeds, nausea, and dizziness. In some warehouses, the walk to find a place to cool down is at least half a mile.

“We are in constant motion. Throughout the day, my shirt is soaked in sweat three to four times,” said Sara Fee, a former worker at an Amazon warehouse in San Bernardino, California, who testified before a state workplace safety board in May. “I have been nauseous, dizzy.”

As the climate warms and the threat of extreme heat spreads, California is poised to protect people who work in poorly ventilated warehouses, steamy restaurant kitchens, and  PAGE 4

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed that the government will “build better and more” this year.

In a pre-recorded New Year’s message, the president said that he looks back on 2023 “pleased” with the administration’s accomplishments.

“Your government’s New Year’s resolution is to fully work towards giving efficient and devoted service, which will be the key to improving life for us all,” Marcos said. “We look forward to the new year

with a pledge to build better and more. We have set high hopes for the days ahead, and we know that these can only be achieved with hard work.”

The president also promised to keep the nation united in the face of new challenges.

“No doubt the coming year will bring its fair share of new challenges. But these we have weathered before, like the great tribulations our forefathers defeated, and as a proud inheritors of this indefatigable spirit, we, too, shall overcome,” he said.

He reported that in 2023, his administration

No Filipino hurt in magnitude 7.5 quake in Japan - envoy

by BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO ManilaTimes.net

States expand health coverage for immigrants as GOP hits Biden over border crossings A GROWING number of states are opening taxpayer-funded health insurance programs to immigrants, including those living in the U.S. without authorization, even as Republicans assail President Joe Biden over a dramatic increase in illegal crossings of the southern border.

Eleven states and Washington, D.C., together provide full health insurance coverage to more than 1 million lowincome immigrants regardless of their legal status, according to state data compiled by KFF Health News. Most aren’t authorized to live in the U.S., state officials say.

Enrollment in these programs could nearly double by 2025 as at least seven states initiate or expand coverage. In January, Republican-controlled Utah will start covering children regardless of immigration status, while New York and California will widen eligibility to cover more adults.  PAGE 3

built 33 specialty centers, over 2,000 classrooms, and seven additional co-chain facilities.

The government also facilitated investments in renewable energy with a total potential capacity of around 121,000 megawatts and completed eight water supply projects, Marcos said.

“We also completed eight water supply projects, with 147 additional water projects being implemented in preparation for next year,” Marcos said, referring to the threat of El Niño.

He cited government assistance programs,  PAGE 2

BLESSING OF BLACK NAZARENE REPLICAS. Devotees line up replicas of the Black Nazarene along Carriedo Street in Quiapo, Manila on Wednesday, Jan. 3 for the blessing of the images. The devotees came from various parts of Manila and neighboring provinces, such as Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

MANILA - No Filipinos were hurt during the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that hit the Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan on New Year’s Day although some of them sought shelter in evacuation shelters, Philippine Ambassador to Tokyo Mylene Garcia-Albano said.

Garcia-Albano on Tuesday, January 2 gave an update on the situation of Filipinos in Ishikawa during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon television interview.

“We have not received any report of Filipinnos there who have been harmed because of the earthquake that occured yesterday (Monday, January 1) afternoon,” Albano said in Filipino and English.

She said there are about 1,300 Filipinos in Ishikawa Prefecture, which is in the western part of Japan and near the sea, which prompted officials to issue a tsunami warning.

“There were about 35 of them who [were] transferred to the city hall because of the evacuation alert that was given out last night,” Garcia-Albano said.  PAGE 2

DOT sets 7.7 million target international arrivals for 2024 MANILA — After surpassing its conservative target of international visitors in 2023, the Department of Tourism is increasing its target number of international arrivals to 7.7 million in 2024 — the highest target it has set since the COVID-19 pandemic paused global tourism.

In a release, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said that the country is aiming to reach at least 7.7 million international visitors in 2024, which is just half a million lower than the country’s pre-pandemic arrivals of 8.2 million in 2019.

In 2023, the Philippines recorded a total

of 5.45 million international visitors, higher than the projected 4.8 million it set for the year.

South Korea remained the country’s main source of international visitors, making up 26% or over one out of four foreign arrivals.

This is followed by the United States (17%), Japan (6%) and Australia (5%).

Other foreigners who visited the country from other top source markets after China were from Canada, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Malaysia.

Concluding her presentation of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Accomplishments on December Lockdowns due to the COVID-19 12, 2023, Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco shared the baseline target of 7.7 million international DOT photo  PAGE 2 visitor arrivals next year.

More countries eye joint patrols with Philippines Pacquiao ‘ready’ to fight

by GHIO ONG Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is firm on its stand in asserting Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea over China, as the former engages with more countries for further capacity-building.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) last Thursday, December 28 by Global Times, “China’s national English language newspaper, under the People’s Daily,” Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian reacted to a “French plan to hold joint Filipino fishermen fetch MV Kapitan Felix Oca at a designated rendezvous point in the West patrols with the Philippines in the Philippine Sea on December 11, 2023.

Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas South China Sea and a joint drill

between the Philippines and India in the region.”

“The China-Philippines maritime dispute is an issue between the two countries, and no third party has any right to interfere,” Wu said.

In response, PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela defended the Philippines’ plans to involve other countries in military capacitybuilding.

“By engaging in military collaborations with other countries that support the rulesbased order, the Philippines can not only prevent China’s domination, but also deter its illegal bullying and aggressive  PAGE 4

Mayweather again in 2024

by LANCE AGCAOILI Inquirer.net

MANILA — Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao seeks to face rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a rematch in 2024.

The former eight-division world champion on New Year’s Eve announced during the Rizin 45 mixed martial arts event in Saitama that he will have a “big fight” in Japan this year.

Rizin chief executive Nobuyuki Sakakibara revealed that Pacquiao will be facing Mayweather nine years after

last facing each other in what was dubbed the “Fight of the Century.”

Sakakibara asked the Filipino boxer if he could fight Mayweather this year and the latter answered: “I’m ready.”

“Thank you so much for inviting me here again. I’m sorry for the last time that we promised that we were going to fight this year, but like Sakakibara-san explained,” said Pacquiao, who had promised to have an exhibition match against a Japanese fighter during his 2022  PAGE 2

2

JANUARY 5-11, 2024 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

From the Front Page

Marcos vows to ‘build better..

PAGE 1 including college scholarships and livelihood grants, as well as welfare programs that are meant to help people “graduate” from poverty.

The president said these programs serve as government support for Filipino skilled and talented workers that will serve as ladders to fulfilling their dreams.

“This is the reason why we continue to give support to our farmers, from seedlings to fertilizers to fuel, because their

sweat alone should not nurture the crops they grow in feeding the nation,” Marcos said.

“We will continue to purge the government of rules that slow the delivery of public services because when projects get delayed, progress is denied our people,” Marcos said.

“And this commitment to efficiency and service will extend to documents and licenses, because service delayed is also service denied,” he added.

Meanwhile, the president reminded Filipinos “that great

things are always possible so long as we keep the faith in each other, in our nation, and in God.” “I am one with those of you who are fervently praying that the coming days will be filled with hope brought by prosperity for all,” Marcos said.

“And as long as values that bind us keep us united in our collective pursuit of shared progress, we will succeed.

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas,” he added. g

DOT sets 7.7 million target international...

PAGE 1

pandemic in 2020 had put a brake in the tourism industry worldwide, and it was only in 2022 that the tourism department in the Philippines resumed setting their target number of foreign arrivals for the year.

According to the DOT, the Philippines has recovered 66% of its record number of international arrivals in 2019.

The local tourism industry is also “recovering faster than expected,” according to the DOT, which noted that international tourism receipts have “surged”

at an estimated P482 billion in 2023. This is 124% higher than the previous year.

Frasco previously said that the Philippines may once again breach the 8 million mark in terms of the number of tourists by 2025. (Cristina Chi/Philstar. com)

DEVOTION. The Catholic faithful greet the new year by attending Masses at Quiapo Church in Manila on Monday, Jan. 1. The church will be brimming with activities leading to the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9.

PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Pacquiao ‘ready’ to fight Mayweather...

PAGE 1

New Year’s Eve appearance but it didn’t push through.

But the 45-year-old retired professional boxer promised something bigger to the Japanese crowd. “[This] year I hope to see you here in Japan again with a big fight against …” said Pacquiao before Sakakibara quipped: “Floyd Mayweather.”

“Floyd Mayweather, yeah. I thought you didn’t want me to say that. But I’m excited for that.

Thank you for always supporting Rizin, and thank you Sakakibarasan,” he added.

Both Pacquiao and Rizin didn’t disclose the full details of their possible rematch as Mayweather’s camp has yet to respond to the announcement as of posting time.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather’s bout was held in May 2015, which broke the pay-per-view records.

Mayweather beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision and unified the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, and World Boxing Organization welterweight championships.

The American boxer hung his glove unbeaten in 50 bouts

in 2017, while Pacquiao retired three years ago when he decided to run as president in the May 9, 2022 elections but he lost.

Pacquiao last fought against South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in his first exhibition match by unanimous decision in six rounds last December 2022.

The former senator has another exhibition set in April against Thai Buakaw Banchamek.

Mayweather already saw action in 10 exhibition matches but his last in June against John Gotti III ended up with an in-ring brawl. g

No Filipino hurt in magnitude 7.5 quake...

PAGE 1

The embassy received reports that some Filipinos have transferred to temporary shelters. However, she said that due to damaged roads and bridges other Filipinos have opted to stay in their homes rather than transfer to evacuation centers.

The ambassador said the earthquake was also felt in Tokyo “but it is quite a distance” from Ishikawa because Tokyo is in central Japan.

The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Osaka and Nagoya also reported that no Filipinos were hurt during the strong earthquake.

Garcia-Albano said the embassy and the PCGs are “in constant touch” with Filipino community leaders in different parts of Japan “throughout the year to prepare ourselves for this kind of event” and they “in turn inform us of their situation.”

“Our Assistance to Nationals Unit and our Migrants

Workers Office are active in monitoring the condition of our countrymen,” she said.

Asked what advice she can give to Filipinos in Japan, GarciaAlbano said, “We are here to help. Please visit our website in case you need something.”

“Our [telephone] hotline is there. Please reach out to us if we can provide help. We will try to respond as quickly as we can. We are also following Japan government sources [for any updates],” she said. g

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline USa

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 5-11, 2024

3

Cancer patients face frightening delays in treatment approvals

by Lauren SauSSer KFF Health News

MARINE Corps veteran Ron Winters clearly recalls his doctor’s sobering assessment of his bladder cancer diagnosis in August 2022.

“This is bad,” the 66-yearold Durant, Oklahoma, resident remembered his urologist saying.

Winters braced for the fight of his life.

Little did he anticipate, however, that he wouldn’t be waging war only against cancer.

He also was up against the Department of Veterans Affairs, which Winters blames for dragging its feet and setting up obstacles that have delayed his treatments.

Winters didn’t undergo cancer treatment at a VA facility. Instead, he sought care from a specialist through the Veterans Health Administration’s Community Care Program, established in 2018 to enhance veterans’ choices and reduce their wait times. But he said the prior authorization process was a prolonged nightmare.

“For them to take weeks — up to months — to provide an authorization is ridiculous,” Winters said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s cancer or not.”

After his initial diagnosis, Winters said, he waited four weeks for the VA to approve the procedure that allowed his urologic oncologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas to remove some of the cancer. Then, when he finished chemotherapy in March, he was forced to wait another month while the VA considered approving surgery to remove his bladder. Even routine imaging scans that Winters needs every 90 days to track progress require preapproval.

In a written response, VA press secretary Terrence Hayes acknowledged that a “delay in care is never acceptable.” After KFF Health News inquired about Winters’ case, the VA began working with him to get his ongoing care authorized.

“We will also urgently review this matter and take steps to ensure that it does not happen again,” Hayes told KFF Health News.

Prior authorization isn’t unique to the VA. Most private

and federal health insurance programs require patients to secure preapprovals for certain treatments, tests, or prescription medications. The process is intended to reduce spending and avoid unnecessary, ineffective, or duplicative care, although the degree to which companies and agencies set these rules varies.

Insurers argue prior authorization makes the U.S. health care system more efficient by cutting waste — theoretically a win for patients who may be harmed by excessive or futile treatment. But critics say prior authorization has become a tool that insurers use to restrict or delay expensive care. It’s an especially alarming issue for people diagnosed with cancer, for whom prompt treatment can mean the difference between life and death.

“I’m interested in value and affordability,” said Fumiko Chino, a member of the Affordability Working Group for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

But the way prior authorization is used now allows insurers to implement “denial by delay,” she said.

Cancer is one of the most expensive categories of disease to treat in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And, in 2019, patients spent more than $16 billion out-of-pocket on their cancer treatment, a report by the National Cancer Institute found.

To make matters worse, many cancer patients have had oncology care delayed because of prior authorization hurdles, with some facing delays of more than two weeks, according to research Chino and colleagues published in JAMA in October. Another recent study found that major insurers issued “unnecessary” initial denials in response to imaging requests, most often in endocrine and gastrointestinal cancer cases.

The federal government is weighing new rules designed to improve prior authorization for millions of people covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and federal marketplace plans. The reforms, if implemented, would shorten the period insurers are permitted to consider prior authorization requests and would also require companies to provide more information when they issue a

denial.

In the meantime, patients — many of whom are facing the worst diagnosis of their lives — must navigate a system marked by roadblocks, red tape, and appeals.

“This is cruel and unusual,” said Chino, a radiation oncologist.

A two-week delay could be deadly, and that it continues to happen is “unconscionable,” she said.

Chino’s research has also shown that prior authorization is directly related to increased anxiety among cancer patients, eroding their trust in the health care system and wasting both the provider’s and the patient’s time.

Leslie Fisk, 62, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, was diagnosed in 2021 with lung and brain cancer. After seven rounds of chemotherapy last year, her insurance company denied radiation treatment recommended by her doctors, deeming it medically unnecessary.

“I remember losing my mind. I need this radiation for my lungs,” Fisk said. After fighting Florida Health Care Plans’ denial “tooth and nail,” Fisk said, the insurance company relented. The insurer did not respond to requests for comment.

Fisk called the whole process “horribly traumatic.”

“You have to navigate the most complicated system on the planet,” she said. “If you’re just sitting there waiting for them to take care of you, they won’t.”

A new KFF report found that patients who are covered by Medicaid appear to be particularly impacted by prior authorization, regardless of their health concerns. About 1 in 5 adults on Medicaid reported that their insurer had denied or delayed prior approval for a treatment, service, visit, or drug — double the rate of adults with Medicare.

“Consumers with prior authorization problems tend to face other insurance problems,” such as trouble finding an innetwork provider or reaching the limit on covered services, the report noted. They are also “far more likely to experience serious health and financial consequences compared to people whose problems did not involve prior authorization.”

In some cases, patients are u PAGE 4

NEW YEAR BABY. Medical personnel raises the baby boy of Ronalyn Concepcion, 23, who gave birth at 12:00:05 a.m. on Monday, January 1 at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz Manila amid the cheer and applause of other medical staff who assisted in the delivery.

Concepcion and her partner, Michael Dizon, 22, named their first child Jhaiden Railey.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

States expand health coverage for immigrants...

PAGE 1

“These are kids, and we have a heart,” said Utah state Rep. Jim Dunnigan, a Republican who initially opposed his state’s plan to cover children lacking legal status but relented after compromises including a cap on enrollment.

There are more than 10 million people living in the U.S. without authorization, according to estimates by the Pew Research Center.

Immigrant advocates and academic experts point to two factors behind state leaders’ rising interest in providing health care to this population: The pandemic highlighted the importance of insurance coverage to control the spread of infectious diseases; and some states are focusing on people without legal status to further drive down the country’s record-low uninsured rate.

States have also expanded coverage in response to pleas from hospitals, lawmakers say, to reduce the financial burden of treating uninsured patients.

All states pay hospitals to provide emergency services to some unauthorized residents in emergency rooms, a program known as Emergency Medicaid.

About a dozen states have extended coverage for only prenatal care for such people.

Full state-provided health insurance coverage is much

less common, but increasing.

An estimated half of the people living in the U.S. without authorization are uninsured, according to a KFF-Los Angeles Times survey. That’s more than five times the uninsured rate for U.S. citizens. Immigrants lacking authorization are ineligible for federal health programs. But states can use their own money to provide coverage through Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program for low-income people.

California was the first state to begin covering immigrants regardless of their legal status, starting with children in 2016.

“This is a real reflection of the conflict we have in the country and how states are realizing we cannot ignore immigrant communities simply because of their immigration status,” said Adriana Cadena, director of the advocacy group Protecting Immigrant Families. Many of the millions of people without permanent legal residency have been in the United States for decades and have no path to citizenship, she said.

These state extensions of health coverage come against a backdrop of rising hostility toward migrants among Republicans. The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended nearly 1.5 million people in fiscal year 2023 after they crossed the

southern border, a record.

GOP presidential candidates have portrayed the border as in crisis under Biden, and dangers of illegal immigration, like increasing crime, as the nation’s top domestic concern.

Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow specializing in immigration issues with the conservative Heritage Foundation, said states would regret expanding coverage to immigrants lacking permanent legal residency because of the cost. Illinois, he noted, recently paused enrollment in its program over financial concerns.

“We need to share resources with people who contribute to society and not have people take benefits for those who have not contributed, as I don’t see how the math would work in the long run,” Hankinson said. “Otherwise, you create an incentive for people to come and get free stuff.”

Most adults lacking authorization work, accounting for about 5% of the U.S. labor force, according to the Pew Research Center. The state with the most unauthorized residents with state-provided health insurance is California, which currently covers about 655,000 immigrants without regard for their legal status.

In January, it will expand u PAGE 4

4

JANUARY 5-11, 2024 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

These are the top New Year’s resolutions for 2024, according to a survey

LOS ANGELES – For many Americans, the start of the new year brings an opportunity to set new goals and make positive changes.

Statista’s Consumer Insights survey shows that planning to save more money takes the top spot on the list of Americans’ resolutions for 2024.

Protecting their wallets is now more important for Americans than exercising more, eating healthier and losing weight, which were the most commonly cited resolutions in previous years.

This shift in priorities does not come as a surprise, given that millions of households in the United States are facing rising costs of living.

Slightly further down the list are goals of reducing stress from work and spending less time on social media (both 19 percent), while less popular resolutions included cutting down on alcohol (13 percent) and becoming a vegetarian or a vegan (3 percent).

Here are the top eight New Year’s resolutions: • To save more money – 59 percent • To exercise more – 50 percent

• To eat healthier – 47 percent • To spend more time with family/friends – 40 percent • To lose weight – 35 percent • To reduce spendings on living expenses (e.g., food, energy) – 26 percent • To spend less time on social media – 19 percent • To reduce stress on the job – 19 percent.

The survey also shows that one in four U.S. adults said they wanted to reduce their spendings on living expenses such as food and energy in the coming year.

Looking further into U.S. savings habits, data from an earlier Statista survey found that in 2022, the three areas most commonly cut back on in times of high inflation and rising energy costs were contracts and subscriptions (66 percent), purchasing clothes (42 percent) and visiting bars, cafes and restaurants (39 percent).

The survey was conducted among 417 respondents of age group 18-64 years, from Oct. 19 to 29, 2023. (Inquirer.net)

States expand health coverage for immigrants...

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

NO TRAFFIC. Motorists cruise along traffic-free Quezon Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan. 2, the first working day of the year. Government agencies and private firms are back in business as Malacañang did not declare a holiday, unlike last year.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

More countries eye joint patrols with...

PAGE 1

behavior,” Tarriela wrote on X. “France’s intention to conduct PAGE 3 Without coverage, many state program, she doesn’t pay joint patrols not only demonstrates coverage to people ages 26-49 children use emergency rooms a monthly premium due to her its support for the Philippines, regardless of their immigration for primary care and have low income, with a $40 copay but also reinforces our claim that status, benefiting an estimated little ability to afford drugs, for specialist visits. an increasing number of states “I was really happy, right? believe in our legal backing 700,000 additional Californians. specialists, or hospital care, she Connecticut, Maine, Mas- said. “I am not sure if this will Because I was able to get it. But sachusetts, New York, Rhode open the door to adults having I know a lot of people who also Island, Vermont, Washington, coverage, but it is a good step have a lot of need couldn’t get it,” she said.

D.C., and Washington state also forward,” Alvarez Valle said.

PAGE 3 OmniSalud covers only a small Colorado also limits provide full coverage to some for subsidized fraction of the more than 200,000 pushing back. people living in the U.S. with- enrollment In November, USA Today out authorization. New York coverage in its program, people living in Colorado without and Washington state are ex- capping it at 10,000 people in authorization, said Adam Fox, reported that Cigna admitted 2023 and 11,000 in 2024. The deputy director of the Colorado to making an error when it panding eligibility next year.

Oregon, Colorado, and New 2024 discounted slots were Consumer Health Initiative. But denied coverage to a 47-yearJersey in recent years began booked up within two days starting in 2025, all low-income old Tennessee woman as she covering more than 100,000 of enrollment beginning in children will be able to be prepared to undergo a doublecovered by the state’s Medicaid lung transplant to treat lung people in total regardless of November.

Adriana Miranda was able to or the related Children’s Health cancer. In Michigan, a former legal status. Minnesota will Insurance Program regardless of health insurance executive told follow in 2025, covering an secure coverage both years.

ProPublica that the company had “You feel so much more at immigration status. estimated 40,000 people.

“There is a growing “crossed the line” in denying While states are expanding ease knowing that you’re not coverage to people living in going to owe so much to the acknowledgement that people treatment for a man with the U.S. potentially without hospitals,” said Miranda, 46, regardless of their immigration lymphoma. And Blue Cross and authorization, some are who is enrolled in a private status are part of the community Blue Shield of Louisiana “met imposing enrollment limits to plan through OmniSalud, a and should have access to its match” when the company program similar to the state’s health care in a regular, reliable denied a Texas trial lawyer’s control spending.

The cost of Utah’s program Obamacare marketplace in manner,” Fox said. “If they cancer treatment, ProPublica is capped at $4.5 million a year, which low-income Coloradans don’t, it adds costs and trauma reported in November.

Countless others have turned limiting enrollment to about without legal residency can to the health systems and 2,000 children. Premiums will shop for plans with discounted communities.” (Phil Galewitz/ KFF Health News) vary based on income but cost premiums.

KFF Health News senior audio Miranda left Mexico in 1999 no more than $300 a year, with preventive services covered in to follow her two brothers to the producer Zach Dyer contributed PAGE 1 United States. She now works to this report. full. other indoor job sites where temKFF Health News is a national peratures can soar to potentially “The pandemic highlighted at Lamar Unidos, a nonprofit newsroom that produces in- dangerous levels. The state has the need to have coverage for immigrant rights group.

Before she had health depth journalism about health had heat standards on the books everybody,” said Ciriac Alvarez Valle, senior policy analyst for insurance, she struggled to issues and is one of the core for outdoor workers since 2005, Voices for Utah Children, an pay for care for her diabetes operating programs at KFF—an and indoor workplaces are next. advocacy group. “It will make and racked up thousands of independent source of health Only two other states, Minnea huge impact on the lives of dollars of debt following foot policy research, polling, and sota and Oregon, have adopted surgery, she said. Under the journalism. these kids.” heat rules for indoor workers, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Nationally, legislation has stalled in Congress, and even though the Biden administration has initiated the long process of establishing national heat standards for outdoor and indoor work, the rules are likely to take years to finalize.

If California adopts its proposal in the spring, businesses would be required to cool worksites below LEGAL IMMIGRATION is a BIG ISSUE these days. MANY in our community NEED 87 degrees Fahrenheit when emyour services. There are thousands who may want to expedite their residency or ployees are present and below 82 pursue full citizenship but don’t know how to begin and where to go. degrees in places where workers wear protective clothing or are exposed to radiant heat, such as furnaces. If businesses are unable to lower the temperatures, they must provide workers with waASIAN JOURNAL’S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY, will now be ter, breaks, areas where they can running weekly, every Friday of Northern California Edition. cool down, cooling vests, or other means to keep employees from overheating.

“It is only getting hotter every AJ’s PSD can help YOU reach out to them affordably and effectively. year,” said Alice Berliner, director of the Worker Health & Safety Program at the University of California-Merced. “Having protections for both indoor and outdoor workers, it empowers someone to feel like they can ask for access to drinking water, and access to a Ask about our PROMOTIONAL INTRODUCTORY PACKAGE PRICING which runs break when they feel like they’re your ad weekly for maximum exposure at truly affordable rates. hot.”

Neither workers nor businesses are satisfied with the plan. Some businesses fear they won’t be able Our print editions run in tandem with AJ’s Print Edition Online. to meet the requirements, even Online: http://issuu.com/asianjournaldigitaledition with the flexibility the regulation offers. Workers argue buildings should be kept even cooler.

Heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, cardiac arrest, and kidney failure. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,600 heat-related deaths, which is likely an undercount because health care providers are not required to report them. It’s not clear how many of these deaths are related to work, either indoors or outdoors.

In California, 20 workers died from heat between 2010 and 2017, seven of them because of indoor heat, according to the Rand Corp., which analyzed the state’s proposed indoor heat rules.

After a record-breaking heat wave in the Pacific Northwest in 2021, Oregon in 2022 adopted protections for indoor workers that trigger when temperatures hit 80 degrees. Minnesota’s threshold temperatures range from 77 degrees to 86 degrees, depending on the type of work. The sheer size of California’s workforce, estimated at about 18 million, could usher in changes for the rest of country, said Juanita Constible, senior climate and health advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

in asserting sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea compared with the baseless 10-dash line claim of (China),” he added.

In a separate statement, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the agency

“recognized the significance of stronger partnerships with foreign counterparts, including the United States, Japan, Australia, Republic of Korea and Germany, in developing the PCG and becoming an organization of world-class guardians of the sea.” g

Cancer patients face frightening delays... to social media to shame their health insurance companies into approving prior authorization requests. Legislation has been introduced in at least 30 states — from California to North Carolina — to address the problem.

Back in Oklahoma, Ron Winters is still fighting.

According to his wife, Teresa, the surgeon said if Ron could have undergone his operation sooner, they might have avoided removing his bladder.

In many ways, his story echoes the national VA scandal from nearly a decade ago, in which veterans across the country were languishing — some even dying — as they waited for care.

In 2014, for example, CNN

reported on veteran Thomas Breen, who was kept waiting for months to be seen by a doctor at the VA in Phoenix. He died of stage 4 bladder cancer before the appointment was scheduled.

Winters’ cancer has spread to his lungs. His diagnosis has advanced to stage 4.

“Really, nothing has changed,” Teresa Winters said. “The VA’s processes are still broken.”

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

California is poised to protect workers from...

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“As California goes, so goes the nation on so many things,” she said.

California regulators have crafted the indoor rules to complement the state’s protections for outdoor workers. Those say that when temperatures exceed 80 degrees, employers must provide shade and observe workers for signs of heat illness. At or above 95 degrees, they must come up with ways to prevent heat illness, such as reducing work hours or providing additional breaks. Colorado, Oregon, and Washington also have rules for outdoor workers.

The California Occupational Safety and Standards Board, which is charged with setting worker protections, is weighing the regulation that would require employers to cool their buildings with air conditioning, fans, misters, and other methods when the temperature or the heat index hits 82 or 87. Some employees would be exempt from the rule, including employees who work remotely and those involved in emergency operations.

The board is expected to vote on the rules in March, and they would take effect by this summer, board Chief Counsel Autumn Gonzalez said.

Workers say buildings should be cooler than the proposed temperatures, especially in warehouses, food-processing plants, and other places where employees routinely move and lift.

These temperature thresholds “are too high,” said Robert Moreno, a UPS driver in San Diego who told the board in May that he has spent most of his life working in warehouses. At the proposed temperatures, it’s too hot to sit outside and eat lunch, let alone work inside a building that’s been baking in the sun all day, he said.

“Most of these warehouses are sheet metal, zero to no airflow.”

At the Amazon facility in San Bernardino where Fee worked, company spokesperson Steve Kelly said the building is air-conditioned and outfitted with ceiling fans, and workers are encouraged to take cooldown breaks anytime they need to.

“We’ve seen the positive impacts of an effective heat-mitigation program and believe all employers should be held to the same standard,” said Kelly, who declined to say whether the company supports the California proposal.

The temperature inside the 658,000-square-foot building hasn’t risen above 78 degrees, Kelly said.

Regulators have acknowledged that some businesses won’t be able to cool their workplaces, such as laundries or restaurant kitchens, where commercial boilers, ovens, and fryers operate, and have offered them the option of giving workers cooldown areas and other relief.

But those solutions aren’t always feasible, Katie Davey, former

legislative director of the California Restaurant Association, told the board in May. For instance, there isn’t room for a cooldown area in many small restaurants, she said.

And lowering temperatures in a kitchen could put restaurants in violation of food safety laws that require food to be heated to specific temperatures, she added.

“We are concerned that the proposed indoor-heat illness regulations may conflict with regulations which affect our ability to heat and hold food to the necessary temperatures to protect the public health from foodborne illness,” Davey said.

California regulators have spent years drafting their proposal, and it appears unlikely they will lower the threshold temperatures of 82 degrees and 87 degrees. Doing so would increase the number of businesses that have to comply and the cost, triggering a new review that would delay the regulation’s release, said Eric Berg, deputy chief of health and research and standards at California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, which would enforce the regulation.

“I think that the threshold should be lowered, in general,” said board member Laura Stock, at the May meeting. “But equally, if not, more importantly, is that we don’t hold the process up so that we can get a standard in place as quickly as possible.”

The urgency comes, in part, because of federal inaction. Legislation has stalled in Congress to require OSHA to publish an emergency rule to enact temporary standards for all workers while the agency pursues a permanent standard. The bill is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled House, which hasn’t favored regulations on business.

Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), a co-sponsor of that bill, said the situation has become dire in his state. In June, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law eliminating existing local ordinances in Austin, Dallas, and other cities that required employers to give outdoor construction workers water breaks.

“As the climate worsens, and as summers get hotter, we should be doing more to protect workers, rather than taking their rights away,” Casar told KFF Health News. “Too often, worker protection rules have been allowed to die a slow death in a prolonged rulemaking process, and we can’t let that happen here.” (Samantha Young/KFF Health News) This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

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SC approves procedural rules on anti-terror law MANILA — The Supreme Court on Monday, January 1 said it has finalized the set of procedural rules guiding all petitions and applications related to the AntiTerrorism Act of 2020, which will take effect on January 15.

In a statement, the High Court said that the approved rules will cover all petitions and applications related to detentions without judicial warrants of arrest, surveillance orders, freeze orders, travel restrictions, designations, proscriptions and other court issuances meted out in the implementation of the antiterrorism law.

These guidelines will apply to all individuals or groups who “seek to obtain judicial relief from their designation as terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) and the issuance of any freeze order by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) as a result of such designation.”

According to the rules, the CA (Court of Appeals) can only issue a preliminary order of proscription within 72 hours of receiving a verified petition if the petitioner has sufficiently

established probable cause that the order is necessary to prevent terrorism.

This order allows the AMLC to investigate and freeze the assets of the accused. The CA then holds hearings and decides on the petition within three months.

If clear and convincing evidence is presented, a permanent order of proscription is issued for three years.

Law enforcement personnel must also first obtain a written order from the CA before they can conduct surveillance on individuals associated with terrorism and secretly monitor and collect information related to their communication and activities. The rules specify the grounds, content, and effectiveness of such surveillance orders.

Under the rules, individuals suspected of terrorism can be arrested and detained without a warrant for a limited period as provided by the Revised Penal Code. The ATC can extend this period for up to 14 days, and a designated Regional Trial Court can approve an additional 10

days. The arrested individuals must be informed of their rights, and any form of torture or cruel treatment is prohibited.

Procedures for handling classified evidence related to national security and state secrets are also established under the guidelines. Additionally, when vulnerable groups like the elderly, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and children are involved, a guardian ad litem may be appointed to protect their rights.

Prior to its passage in 2020, the anti-terrorism law was widely contested by civil society and the government’s own human rights commission largely due to its loose definition of terrorism, which raised fears that peaceful dissent and legitimate expressions of opposition could be unjustly labeled as terrorist activities.

After several petitions to nullify the entire law, the High Court in 2021 struck down just two parts that included the overbroad definition of terrorism and the second mode of tagging individuals or groups as terrorists.

(Philstar.com)

War on drugs relentless – Palace THE government remains relentless in combating illegal drugs, insurgency, and various forms of criminality, Malacañang said.

Citing the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) year-end report, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the government's multi-sectoral engagements in promoting and ensuring the safety of communities continue.

"To meet the ever-evolving challenges faced by our nation and to fortify our mettle and grit as we contribute to nation-building, we initiated various efforts to fully realize the government's long-term vision of a ‘Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay for every Filipino’," the DILG said in its report.

"Similarly, we continued to align our actions to achieve the president's eight-point socioeconomic agenda as embedded in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and amplified in the Administration's 'Bagong Pilipinas' brand of governance," it add-

ed.

The DILG said one of the agency's key programs is the 'Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Iwasan (BIDA),' which stresses the government and private sector's shared responsibility in eradicating illegal drugs.

The agency partnered with companies to encourage the imposition of stricter measures and the conduct of random drug testing.

It also formed partnerships with major sports leagues and celebrities to feature public service announcements on combating drug abuse.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported an improvement in the crime-related statistics, with a 0.14 percent drop in overall crime incidences and a 1.38 percent rise in Crime Solution Efficiency from January to December this year compared to the same period in 2022.

"The volume of both index and non-index crimes decreased from January to November 2023, compared to the same period of the

previous year," the DILG said.

The index and non-index crime volumes also decreased by 8.44 percent and 7.32 percent, respectively. Improvements were also noted in seven of the eight focus index crimes.

The DILG also continued to fight extreme violence to support the peace-building efforts of local government units under the Campaign to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

As of November 2023, 1,119 former rebels were granted financial assistance amounting to P91.4 million under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

"DILG continued its commitment to fight violent extremism through the 'Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Program'. It has undertaken PCVE and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) awareness and readiness training to confront security concerns presented by terrorism and the use of weapons of mass destruction," it said. (ManilaTimes.net)

BACK ON THE ROAD. It’s still business as usual for a jeepney terminal at the corner of Agoncillo and Pedro Gil Streets in Malate, Manila on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Traditional jeepneys with unconsolidated franchises will be allowed to operate until Jan. 31 in routes where the consolidation rate under the modernization program is below 60 percent.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Cha-cha train to get going this year – lawmakers

by Delon Porcalla Philstar.com

MANILA — Regardless of what its bicameral partner, the Senate, wants, the House of Representatives is bent on pursuing this year its plan to revive moves to amend major provisions in the 1987 Constitution that have hindered the country’s economic growth.

“The task ahead is to pave the way for major, long-overdue structural economic reforms, including economic Charter change,” Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, senior vice chair of the House appropriations committee, said in support of Speaker Martin Romualdez’s pronouncements.

The Marikina second district congresswoman enumerated the sectors that have kept the Philippines a laggard among its ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) neighbors, ranking eighth among 10 member-nations, not just in foreign direct investments (FDI) but also in other crucial fields.

“In the case of education and health, a proper assessment is necessary to determine the required reforms,” Quimbo point-

ed out, citing as basis the recent PISA results where Filipino students scored dismal rankings in math, reading and science, ranking 77th among 81 countries in all areas. PISA stands for Program for International Student Assessment of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Health problems like the threeyear global pandemic COVID-19 should make the Philippines ready should such issues arise again, according to her. “A critical step towards this is to establish a robust and resilient health care infrastructure and develop sufficient human resources for health.”

“As our economy moves forward in 2024 and beyond, there is a growing consensus that reforms are needed in various areas to improve the state of our nation and to uplift the lives of the Filipino people,” Quimbo, a lawmaker-economist, stressed.

“In the case of economic liberalization, there is a consensus among economists and the business sector that the economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution should be liberalized,” she said, underscoring the need to lift very prohibitive eco-

nomic provisions in the Charter.

Quimbo pointed out, however, that “amending our Charter must go hand in hand with addressing other critical issues: the cost of power, the traffic problem, enforcing contracts, reliable internet speeds and the development of human capital.”

“The bottom line is we need to send a certain and predictable signal to the global investor community: the Philippines is ready, able and willing to accept FDIs,” she stated in her 2023 yearend report entitled “A Year of Economic Challenges and Steady Progress.”

Another senior administration stalwart, Rep. L-Ray Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, expressed optimism about this year’s performance of the House under the leadership of Romualdez and President Marcos as head of the government.

“I am looking forward to a fine year ahead for our people in 2024 on the back of expected bigger strides by President Marcos a year-and-a-half into office in his socio-economic reform agenda of ensuring better lives for Filipinos and a prosperous and peaceful Philippines on his watch,” he said. g

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Continuing challenges

THE year 2023 opened with bad news for the country: chaos at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Improving public infrastructure is a continuing challenge for the government. The inadequacy of infrastructure continues to be among the disincentives to investments, along with hindrances to ease of doing business. These are problems that cannot be cured by Charter change, which the House of Representatives wants to revive this year.

One bright spot for the year was the end of the COVID pandemic, as declared by the World Health Organization. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continued, however, and the war between Israel and Hamas is threatening to become a wider conflict. As in other countries, global developments have affected the Philippines in its continuing efforts to recover from the pandemic. Supply chain disruptions pushed up food and fuel costs, restraining economic growth.

Taming inflation – consistently seen as the weak point of the Marcos administration – remains a challenge for the government in the new year.

In November, President Marcos finally decided to drop his post as agriculture secretary and hand it over to fishing magnate Francisco Tiu-Laurel. With El Niño seen to intensify in the coming months, Laurel has his work cut out for him.

The past year also saw the creation of the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund.

Discussions continue on the exact nature of what is supposed to be a sovereign wealth fund – the country’s first – which is facing a legal challenge before the Supreme Court.

Education is in crisis, as indicated in the results of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment, in which Filipino 15-year-olds ranked in the bottom 10 in math, science and reading. The

secretary of education, meanwhile, is herself undergoing a crisis of sorts, with her loss of P650 million in secret funds for 2024 and a widening rift within the UniTeam.

The past year gave human rights groups some reasons to rejoice: Leila de Lima was freed, and the government is studying cooperation with the International Criminal Court in its probe of the bloody war on drugs launched by Rodrigo Duterte. Exploratory talks are on for the possible resumption of formal peace negotiations with communist rebels. But there is disagreement among civil libertarians on the use of state power against Duterte and his favored broadcasting network, SMNI. And impunity was again highlighted in March in the massacre of 10 people led by Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, with accused brains, expelled congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., still beyond the reach of the law.

Another continuing challenge for the government this year is dealing with the threat posed by China in the West Philippine Sea. Surveys have shown that most Filipinos support the Marcos administration’s response to Chinese aggression.

Despite the daunting challenges, surveys show that Filipinos are again greeting the new year with high optimism. A happy New Year to all!

(Philstar.com)

Editorial

Looking to a great 2024 for the Philippines

Go Negosyo Pilipinas Angat Lahat!

JOEY CONCEPCION IT is my opinion that one of the attributes of a successful businessman is a strong sense of ownership of the enterprise. They are hands-on when it comes to running their businesses. This is not to say that they micro-manage; that is counterproductive because it slows down the decision-making process and undermines the confidence of delegates. I am talking about the strong sense of responsibility they have for the future of their business.

I see the same thing in the country’s economic team. They have demonstrated throughout their careers the same devotion to government service a business owner shows to his own company. They have taken on the challenge of seeing to the turnaround of the country’s economic fortunes, to make sure that the Philippines is no longer the laggard of the Asian economies.

What gives me optimism is the fact that the president, like a good leader, knows how to delegate. He runs the country like a company. As the head of a company myself, I recognize

ManilaTimes.net photo

that I am no expert in all aspects of the business; that is why I hire people who are.

In the president’s case, he has assembled a very competent and well-respected economic team – among them Fred Pascual at the DTI, Arsenio Balisacan at the NEDA and Ben Diokno at the DOF. They are veterans of several administrations and various economic cycles. He has also wisely decided that he needed someone to align all the efforts and catalyze into action the plans for the country’s economic development. For this job, he chose Deck Go to become the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs. It will be Deck’s job to ensure the smooth integration and implementation of the government’s investment and economic policies and programs.

This comes at a good time because headwinds are tapering. At the height of the Russia-Ukraine war, the talk was all about the skyrocketing prices of commodities. But look at things now: commodity prices are down and consumer spending is up.

Forex remittances continue to be a driver toward the last quarter of 2023. OFWs are a formidable force and that is why

we at Go Negosyo pour so much effort into enticing them to put up businesses here. They, much like foreign investors, need to be reassured that competent people are at the helm, and that the Philippine economy remains resilient.

This is a valuable lesson we business veterans try to share with MSMEs. There will be headwinds, but those who are prepared will be able to sail through them. The winds blow different ways and at different times; one just needs to adjust the sails and ride it out. The important thing is to have the fortitude and the knowledge to power through the difficulties.

While there are things that are beyond our control, like the weather and war, things eventually return to normal and settle down. We saw that in the prices of wheat and sugar. We know this first-hand in RFM, when, after commodity prices skyrocketed, they reached a peak and started coming down – enough to restore our margins and improve our profits. With stable prices and a sense of stability restoring confidence, businesses can move on and even invest in expansion, creating jobs for more people.

With this confidence among the bigger companies, brisk

business among the MSMEs cannot be far behind. Sari-sari stores, for example, benefit from stronger consumer goods companies as a robust logistics system and competition among the big manufacturers benefit them in terms of more competitive prices and retailer incentives.

This is why big corporations keep a close eye on the men and women at the helm of the country’s economy.

When we feel that the president has chosen well, we are confident in the decisions they make.

I believe this also manifests in how well the PSAC (Private Sector Advisory Council) is working together. The PSAC was set up early in the president’s term to advise the president on jobs, health, digitalization, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism. Today we are seeing the synergy growing and maturing.

Our team in the jobs sector, all fellow top businessmen, have gotten into the groove of things and we are all fully engaged in the job at hand.

For some of us, the PSAC tasks go beyond recommendatory and extend into execution. I, for example, have Go Negosyo and the MSMED Council, and the PSAC Jobs recommended the creation of the Private Sector

Jobs & Skills Corp. (PCORP) to create a skilled workforce.

These are all initiatives of the private sector. Nobody told them to do it. But being in the private sector has taught us a lesson or two: every project must be seen to its completion. To get things done, you don’t stop at giving recommendations; instead, you have to be part of the solution.

And to make sure things are sustained, you build the structures that make it possible – even easy – to implement.

These are real-world solutions acquired through years of practice and even mistakes.

Proposals are only as good as the paper they’re written on; follow-through is the key.

And this is where that sense of ownership I mentioned earlier is so important. We must all feel that we have a stake in the country’s future. Perhaps businessmen feel it more acutely because every fluctuation and every disruption is magnified and is directly quantifiable in the daily reports that we receive.

Perhaps the policymakers feel the repercussions more deeply because they know where these come from and how they could have been headed off.

The PSAC will play a big part in how our economic policies move forward because they

will provide support and ensure that the recommendations are implemented. I work together with the secretaries of the DTI, the DepEd and the DAR and I can say that partnership with the government is important in making sure that the program implementation pulls through as envisioned. Without this cooperation, we will all be throwing punches in the air.

There are so many opportunities for the Philippines. Organizations like the ADB, the World Bank and the IMF remain optimistic and expect the country’s economy to be among the fastest-growing in the region. The numbers show that we are experiencing broadbased growth, and a young, digital-savvy population will be our edge.

Opportunities are with us, but we have to stay confident and reject the pessimism. The government cannot do it alone.

We in the private sector must be there alongside them because we are all in this together.

With teamwork, 2024 will be a great year. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

2024: Marcos’ moment of truth?

Horizons

RICHARD HEYDARIAN THE Philippines is a land of extreme paradoxes, cutting across every major dimension of our collective lives. Ours is a nation that has had the deepest encounter with liberal republicanism among all Asian nations, dating back to the 1812 Cádiz Constitution. Yet, we have elected the most ruthlessly illiberal leaders into power.

We suffered over three centuries of subjugation under Western empires, yet we can’t help looking to the West as our proverbial knight in shining armor. Ours is arguably the most Westernized nation in Asia, yet our political and economic systems are positively pre-modern. We have had almost a century of education

in the global lingua franca, yet our nation suffers from one of the highest rates of functional illiteracy on earth.

We have been posting the fastest gross domestic product growth rates in the region, yet we suffer from one of the highest unemployment and poverty rates in Southeast Asia. Our folks often complain about corruption, the supposed mother of all evils, yet countless voters enthusiastically support rapacious political dynasties election after election.

The list is long, but one of the most perplexing paradoxes in our contemporary politics is this: We have a notoriously conflict-avoidant president, and yet our political landscape is riddled with intrigue and infighting at the highest levels.

By all indications, the muchvaunted “UniTeam,” which bulldozed its way through last year’s elections, is now history.

But what exactly comes next?

In his first year and a half in office, President Marcos confounded both his closest allies and vilest critics by adopting a distinctly “moderate” approach to governance. He dispensed with the worst aspects of his predecessor’s policies, while also shunning any genuinely progressive agenda.

Mr. Marcos has been as tough against China as he has been soft on fighting corruption.

He has been as vocal on the international stage as he has been relatively quiet in dealing with media and pressing questions at home. As historian Lisandro Claudio correctly pointed out early on, the current president is, ironically, a classic post-Marcosian Filipino leader: more politician than revolutionary, more traditional than populist, and more statesmanlike than demagogic.

But, dear reader, make no mistake, the coming year will likely be the most consequential year in Mr. Marcos’ reign.

Conflict avoidance has its own merits, especially on the heels of a populist catastrophe. But excessive caution invites chaos.

If anything, heedfulness is often a luxury.

To begin with, the president will have to make big decisions in the West Philippine Sea, where he faces stark choices. On one hand, he risks confrontation with a global superpower, which also happens to possess the world’s largest naval fleet.

At the same time, Mr. Marcos can’t ignore the sentiments of the supermajority of Filipinos, who want the country to take a tougher stance against China’s bullying in our own exclusive economic zone.

Mr. Marcos will need to finalize our next move on the Second Thomas Shoal, where

a major fortification effort is desperately needed to sustain our military presence, as well as in Reed Bank, where our decades-long energy exploration efforts have been thwarted by Chinese harassment. Both our territorial integrity and energy security are at stake.

On the domestic front, Mr. Marcos also faces hard choices, especially in dealing with the former president and his factotums. Barely two years into his administration, there have been multiple reshuffles at the highest echelons of the national security establishment and, more recently, even rumors of coup attempts against the sole son of the former dictator.

The UniTeam may be over, but Mr. Marcos will still have to deal with the powerful Duterte dynasty in one way or another.

The former president has made it clear that he won’t go gently

into the night. This brings us to the third important element, namely the upcoming 2025 elections, which may end up as a prelude to nothing less than a total overhaul of our political system.

There are growing indications that the ruling coalition is contemplating constitutional change. Mr. Marcos faces the historic choice of creating a new political order altogether should his coalition secure a clean sweep in the upcoming elections. Whatever choice he makes, there will be major consequences for him, his dynasty, and the Philippines.

(Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph

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Fil-Am human rights activist crowned Miss Earth USA

by NIMFA RUEDA Inquirer.net

LOS ANGELES – Beatrice “Bea” Millan-Windorski, a Filipino American university student who describes herself as a human rights activist, was crowned Miss Earth USA 2024 at the national pageant finals held at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida on Sunday.

Millan-Windorski, representing Wisconsin, became the first Fil-Am to hold the title.

She is from Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee County in Wisconsin. Her maternal grandmother Marcela Buenavista Millan lives in San Juan, San Fernando in La Union.

She went to Whitefish Bay High School in Whitefish Bay. She became interested in environmental advocacy as a young girl while visiting her family in the Philippines.

Millan-Windorski is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a double major in International Relations and History. She is set to graduate with honors in May this year.

“Education is incredibly important to me,” she said in a Miss Earth USA video. “My lola or grandmother was the first in her village to attend university.”

Millan-Windorski said everyone in her grandmother’s hometown thought her family was making a mistake by selling their farmland to support her education, she added.

Her grandmother earned a nursing degree and migrated to the United States.

“She made sure to emphasize to me from my young age that an education is never wasted on a woman,” she said.

The Fil-Am beauty queen has completed a fellowship with the Philippine Embassy and an in-

Angelica Panganiban and Gregg Homan

Photos from Instagram/@iamangelicap

Angelica Panganiban weds Gregg Homan in US

by IZA IGLESIAS ManilaTimes.net

Beatrice “Bea” Millan-Windorski, who describes herself as a human rights activist, was crowned Miss Earth USA 2024 last Sunday.

Photo from Instagram/@missearthusa

ternship at the East-West Center in Washington D.C. She has conducted research on the U.S.-ASEAN relations, translated articles from Tagalog to English and wrote articles about local connections between the U.S. and communities across Southeast Asia.

She often visited the Philippines and volunteered for Project CURMA or Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions in San Juan, La Union.

Project CURMA is a sea turtle conservation program that educates volunteers on avoiding plastic garbage, cleaning up

coastlines and saving turtle nests from poachers.

She has described her involvement with the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) as “the advocacy closest to my heart.”

IRAP helps ensure that people fleeing from climate-related disaster have a legal path to asylum and safety.

She was crowned Miss Wisconsin Earth in May 2023. Last Sunday, she competed against 52 other candidates at the Rosen Centre in Orlando.

She will represent the U.S. at Miss Earth 2024 in Vietnam.

Celebrating the multi-talented Ogie Diaz

by RONNIE CARRASCO III ManilaTimes.net

JANUARY 2 marks the 54th birthday of one of my very few closest friends this side of showbiz — Roger Pandaan in real life or more popularly known as Ogie Diaz.

No, this isn't a tribute of sorts but a bit of history how we crossed paths, well, as fate would have it.

It was sometime in 1990 when the morning edition of "Headline Manila," of which I was the entertainment editor, folded up. Since it was my first regular crack at showbiz, I felt I had to settle in another outlet with regular pay although times then were not as hard as they are today.

Compared to the tabloids, it was the fan magazines which were lording it over. Considered a behemoth chain of publications then was the Graphic Arts (GASI) which also churned out a good number of the now-extinct komiks.

Probably next to the GASI fan mags which produced some of the revered names in showbiz writing was the Mariposa Publications. It was owned by then-couple Loren Banag and Cristy Fermin who dared to thrown down the gauntlet, so to speak, in the highly competitive magazine business.

Unlike the GASI mags, those published by Mariposa (Gossip, Scandals, Teenstars, Scandals, Rumors and later Bitchy) had to painstakingly make do with very little resources it had.

Made as mag covers were solo shots of celebrities on 3R, enlarged around which were graphics (from letter transfers or what we used to call "pulot") of direct quotes ascribed to them.

In stark contrast, GASI's mags had well-photographed windows with a stronger visual appeal any reader's eyes could feast on. I remember having spoken personally to Cristy the day I applied for a job as an editor. It was under a coconut tree beside where her van was parked.

Cristy took me to the second floor of the duplex office, made me edit a pile of manuscripts on the spot while she watched.

Having been used to newspaper work, I must confess magazine editing sounded Greek to me.

But it became a cushy job in no time. My fast learnings would not have been possible if it were not because of Ogie who mentored me as much as I taught him on matters he'd graciously ask my help for.

I got the job the day I applied. It was perfectly timed as the editor of the magazine (Scandals which was released every Tuesday) I got assigned to had left for good.

Ogie was already one of its regulars plus he wrote the "blind item" page using a catchy, funny pseudonym "Amy B. Yasis." Ogie maintained columns in all five mags.

His manuscripts were honestly any editor's delight. He made it easier for me as the moment I got hold of his Tuesday column, all I needed to do was to supply the head.

But wait, it wasn't exactly a blissful life at all.

While Ogie's manuscripts were untouched and

ANGELICA Panganiban welcomed the New Year as Mrs. Homan after marrying her non-showbiz partner Gregg in Los Angeles on December 31.

The 37-year-old shared the good news on her Instagram account showing photos of their simple garden wedding ceremony as captured by celebrity photographer Pat Dy. Also with them is their one-year-old daughter Amila Sabine.

"123123. Patuloy na ma-

nanalig at maniniwala sa pagibig. Sa kabila ng lahat. Ang pagmamahal pa rin ang kakapitan (Continue to trust and believe in love. Despite everything. We cling to love.) Maligayang bagong taon (Happy New Year) - Mrs Angelica Panganiban Homan [heart emoji]," Panganiban wrote.

The actress also reposted photos of her and Homan spending moments in fast-food restaurant In-N-Out Burger wearing her white knee-length wedding dress with sneakers, while her husband looked dapper wearing the same nude tux he put on during

the ceremony.

The post garnered congratulatory messages from her celebrity friends Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Bela Padilla, Glaiza De Castro, Luis Manzano and Iza Calzado, among many others.

It was in a YouTube vlog titled "So, This Happened...The Proposal" released on October 8, 2022 when Panganiban revealed how Homan proposed to her during a beach vacation.

The couple crossed paths in 2020 while Panganiban was working on a teleserye in Subic, where Homan lives.

Sharon shares separation, reconciliation with Kiko

by JAN MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

"MEGASTAR" Sharon Cuneta revealed that she and husband Kiko Pangilinan briefly got separated but they are back together.

During her New Year's Day Instagram Live, Sharon said that her family is just like any other.

“And for the record, ain’t nothing wrong with any our brains. We good, we normal, we just got some emotions cause we real people. I love you all!

Merry Christmas," she said.

Sharon admitted their past separation but mentioned they have reconciled and are now on good terms.

“Nag-away kami, naghiwalay kami tapos nagbati na kami, so okay na kami, okay?" she said.

“That’s the meaning of all the messages I posted but I’ll clarify, the quotes, all the other posts were for people close to me that I think needed those posts. So, you always assume," she added.

"Sharon and Kiko welcomed the New Year with their children, though KC Concepcion was not present.

“My Frankie is here, my pretty girls are here, no

The Pangilinan family

Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta

matter what you say, they are the most beautiful girls in the world. Each one with their own brand of beauty and that includes KC," Sharon said.

“Wherever you are KC, we remember you, we miss you Kristina. I love you and see you,” she added.

Frankie expressed, "I love you, Ate," followed by Kiko adding, "We love you."

Andrea reflects on solo Spain trip, grateful for ‘healing’ 2023

by KRISTOFER PURNELL Philstar.com

Ogie Diaz

Photo from Instagram/@ogie_diaz

clean, he'd flunk in the deadline department.

While all manuscripts must be strictly in by late afternoon unless there were important events or late breakers, Ogie's would arrive the next morning.

I understood it if only because he had so much on his plate.

Then, Ogie was already gracing the TV and movies as a newbie in comedy. He was also making a name as showbiz talk show host.

Ogie had also tried his luck at talent management. He was also running a VHS rental business shebang in his Loreto, Manila neighborhood.

I bore witness to Ogie's career goings-on in those five years of my Mariposa stint until I left.

While Ogie began charting his TV career in ABS-CBN, I was with a GMA weekend program as writer. There was hardly any issue despite our network affiliations.

In fact, Ogie and I would get reconnected more often — at ABS-CBN mediacons, parties, reunions, random gatherings and alike.

Regrettably, we barely keep tabs lately except on social media. But that is what Messenger was designed for — it keeps our communication lines open and easy to access.

I need not rub this in but Ogie knows how extremely proud I am of his achievements, but more so of his being able to weather life vicissitudes and vagaries. He knows he's one person I hold dear, and vice versa.

Happy New Year, 'teh. Happy 54th birthday!

Here's looking forward to seeing you cradle your first grandchild. Don't you think it's about time you became a lolo?

YOUNG actress Andrea Brillantes reflected on the loaded past year she had highlighted by solo soul-searching trip to Spain last May. Andrea uploaded her Spain trip vlog on the last day of 2023 though she had gone much earlier in the year, citing hours of footage that required voiceover narration instead for a faster edit.

The actress was initially going to be accompanied by her close friend Bea Borres but instead opted to travel on her own.

“Experiencing solo travel had always been a dream of mine so I decided this was the perfect time to do it. I needed this time to myself kasi nga may pinagdadaanan ako at that time,” Andrea said, referencing her break-up to basketball player Ricci Rivero on the same month.

Andrea had a tearful flight to Madrid (with a quick layover in Abu Dhabi) as she admitted to being afraid of planes, heights and turbulence, as well as experiencing nervousness in travelling alone.

The actress went on guided trips to Granada — her first time commuting alone — where she misplaced her passport and wallet (but managed to get them back), Seville, Toledo and Madrid.

On her free day in Madrid, Andrea visited the Bank of Spain, a nearby market, Mercado de San Miguel, and Plaza Mayor where she encountered several Filipinos, and at night partied at a famous club.

“I went home by myself — oo

Andrea Brillantes

na may mga naga-assume! — I didn’t bring anyone with me to my hotel,” Andrea adamantly clarified.

The clarification likely comes after fans pointed out that fellow Kapamilya Daniel Padilla had also visited Spain in the same areas and their individual photos went viral following Daniel’s break-up with longtime partner Kathryn Bernardo.

Andrea was tipped as the reason for the split, however it should be noted that Andrea and Daniel’s Spain trips were several weeks apart.

During another free night in Madrid Andrea managed to drop by the 360º Sky Bar without a reservation because a teenage Filipina invited her to join her table, spending the rest of the evening with her and a friend, and in another watched a flamenco show.

Towards the end of her trip while visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid, Andrea encountered a Filipino couple who offered to take photos of her as she was

Photo from Instagram/@blythe

alone, and at night met up with friends she learned were also in the Spanish capital.

On Instagram, Andrea posted a similar video this time reflecting on 2023 which she compared to a wild roller coaster, “It’s like I was three different people this year, with everything that has happened shaping me into who I am now.”

The actress noted key moments like beginning her own makeup business Lucky Beauty, getting noticed by idols like BLACKPINK and Sabrina Carpenter, attending Milan Fashion Week, and the previously mentioned solo trip to Spain.

“This year, like a lot of people, I have been hurt and I have hurt, I have cried and I have laughed, I have loved and I have lost, I have been broken and repaired, I have stumbled and learned,” Andrea said.

The young actress ended by describing 2023 as a year of healing that made here stronger and wiser, and hoped 2024 would be one of growth.

Features

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 5-11, 2024

Tragic event leads to a sweet and successful ending on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday DOLORES was petitioned by her U.S. citizen mother in 2003 as a married child under the F3 classification. After 18 long years, the National Visa Center (NVC) notified them they could now start preparing their paperwork.

Unfortunately, events took a bitter turn when Dolores’ husband had a heart attack and passed away a month later.

Dolores’ brother, Don, consulted with the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel where leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Gurf-

9

inkel proposed that they inform the NVC of the husband’s death, so Dolores’ petition could be converted from “married” (F3) to “single” (F1), resulting in visas being immediately available for Dolores and her children. Atty.

PAGE 10

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BITTERSWEET GREEN CARD BECAUSE HUSBAND DIED, ON A BRAND-NEW SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Dolores (center) was petitioned by her U.S. citizen mother in 2003 as a married child of a U.S. citizen (F3). Finally, in 2021, the National Visa Center (NVC) notified the family that they could now start preparing their paperwork, even though the priority date was not yet current.

However, the husband, who had a heart condition, became excited over the prospect of immigrating to the U.S. and had a heart attack and died. It was a bitter turn of events. Ironically, because of her husband’s death, Dolores’ petition was converted from “married” (F3) to “single” (F1) and it was considered “current”. Leading Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to have the case queued for interview and requested expedited processing because the petitioner was already elderly and sickly. The “sweet” outcome of the unfortunate turn of events was that Dolores and her children – Keno (left) and Kobey (2nd from left) – were able to immigrate to the U.S. sooner. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, January 7 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

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(Advertising Supplement)

SCAMMERS follow the headlines — and the seasons. As the new year rolls around, we’re sure to hear lots of “new year, new you” advertising around health and fitness products. But some of those promotions are just scams out to get your money. Here’s how to spot them.

Scammers often post ads online for things like weight loss pills, patches, or creams. The ads sometimes look like news reports about a “miraculous” new product to help you lose weight without dieting or exercising. (Except it won’t.) Scammers might even steal logos from real news organizations to make their posts seem more real.

If you take the next step and check out the reviews, you might find positively glowing ones.

Which scammers often write themselves or pay others to do it. Same with those dramatic “before” and “after” pictures: Scammers often use stock or altered photographs, not photos

Screen capture from web

of people who used what they’re trying to sell you.

Scammers will say just about anything to get you to buy their weight loss or fitness products.

To spot the scams, keep an eye out for these common false promises: • If someone says you don’t have to watch what you eat to lose weight, that’s a scam.

• If someone says using their product helps you lose weight permanently, that’s a scam.

• If someone tells you that, to lose weight, all you have to do is take their pill, that’s a scam.

• If someone promises that you can lose 30 pounds in 30 days, that’s a scam.

• If anyone says their product works for everyone, that’s a scam.

Spot one of these scams? Tell the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

(Ari Lazarus/Consumer Education Specialist, FTC)

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JANUARY 5-11, 2024 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

Minding Your PCGSF recognized in the 2023 Finances Startup Ecosystem Stars (SES) awards

PARIS – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco was one of the government entities recognized for its support for the development of the startup ecosystem in the inaugural awards called Startup Ecosystem Stars (SES).

SES Awards, presented by Silicon Valley-based global open innovation platform Mind the Bridge (MTB) and the International Chamber of Commerce, recognizes individuals and government-related organizations focused on supporting innovation and the growth of startup ecosystems in their own region.

“We thank Mind the Bridge and the International Chamber of Commerce for recognizing the consulate’s efforts in supporting startups. Together with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, we will continue to work with Dynamico 2023 Startup Ecosystem Stars recognition from International Space and other entities in supporting the growth Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Member Candace Johnson of PH startups. We are optimistic that our startups last December 7, 2023 in Paris, France. San Francisco PCG photos will continue to innovate and support sustainable development in the country,” Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer said.

The consulate works closely with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, led

by Trade Commissioner Celynne P. Layug, to support the growth of startups based in the Philippines, as well as foreign startups seeking to expand into the Philippines. The consulate also has a public-private partnership with Dynamico Space in providing exposure for Philippine startups in Silicon Valley and mentorship as they grow their startups.

MTB CEO and co-founder Marco Marinucci congratulated the Philippine Consulate for the recognition and looked forward to cooperation in building Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona (left), representing the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco, with global open innovation platform Mind the Bridge CEO and co-founder Marco Marinucci.

Philippine Ambassador to France H.E. Junever M. Mahilum-West (left) congratulates the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco, represented

by Consul Vanessa G. Bago-Llona, for its recognition in the 2023 Startup Ecosystem Stars awards.

up startups.

Aside from the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, among those shortlisted in SES Awards were Alberta Innovates and the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council.

The 2023 SES Award was presented to Mariya Gabriel, Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria and former European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. The award was given as part of broader recognition across four categories, comprising 15 regions and cities.

Some of the SES awardees were the United Kingdom’s Venture Capital Unit, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO Startup Programmes), Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Basque Government, the City of Hamburg, Investissement Québec and Global Digital Innovation Network – Born2Global from the Republic of Korea.

According to a May 2023 report from the Asian Development Bank, a supportive ecosystem for startups has been established in the Philippines.

Fintech and e-commerce are key verticals in the country, driven towards greater digitalization in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Education (edtech), health (healthtech), agriculture (agritech), and environment (greentech) are emerging startups in the Philippines, promising high development impact.

The awarding ceremony in Paris was attended

by Consul and economic officer Vanessa G. Bago-Llona, who represented the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco.

(PCGSF Release)

Atty. RAymond BulAon

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Tax problems? Don’t let the IRS ruin your life!

IS the government after you for unpaid IRS taxes that you cannot afford to pay? Do you get sick to your stomach not knowing what the government will do next to collect what you owe?

Most people think they have no recourse when it comes to dealing with the Internal Revenue Service.

This is absolutely NOT TRUE! Don’t let the IRS take advantage of your lack of knowledge – because they will (it is, after all the, the government we’re talking about here).

News Alert: The IRS just announced this week that it will now go FULL-FORCE again in collecting taxes that you owe! This was temporarily put on pause during the pandemic and so the IRS was not doing much to collect in the last 3 years. That is about to change so expect to get a collection letter to be in your mailbox soon! What does that mean? That means that if you have ignored your IRS tax problems in the past, you can’t afford to do that anymore. The IRS is a giant collection agency that will not be ignored! They have an arsenal of weapons in their hands to make sure that you pay every penny that you owe. I’m talking about the IRS garnishing your wages, putting a tax lien on your home and other assets, freezing your bank account, and revoking your U.S. passport! You don’t think that can happen to you? Do you really want to find out the hard way or do you want to do something about it now BEFORE the worst happens?

There are completely legal and ethical ways to put the IRS at bay.

What you need is the knowledge about IRS procedures and rules that will help you in fighting the tax man. You have legal rights as a taxpayer but if you don’t know what they are, there’s a chance you’re not getting a fair deal when dealing with the government. These powerful strategies I’m talking about can buy you precious time to save your business, your assets, and your sanity!

Is your tax bill GROWING every day? Believe it or not, the penalties and interest that the IRS is charging you can exceed 20% in some cases! This means that if you can just get some of the penalties and interest removed from your account, you can drastically reduce the total amount of your tax debt. Of course, the government will not tell you this and it is up to you to find out for yourself how this can be possible under certain circumstances.

Ultimately, you want to accomplish four primary objectives when fighting the IRS: 1. Remove the threat and worry of the taxing authorities taking aggressive collection action against your income and assets.

2. Seek a reduction in the total amount of debt.

3. Negotiate a formal resolution to your tax situation that will be the most affordable arrangement given your financial situation.

4. Ensure the appropriate steps are taken to permanently eliminate any possibility of a future tax burden.

HUMAN rights advocate, educator, lawyer and former Philippine Senate senatorial candidate Atty. Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” Diokno visited the Bay Area in the last quarter of 2023 to touch base with the Filipino American community and friends and drum up support for the nonprofit Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation in an intimate event at Patio Filipino in San Bruno, CA organized by close friend and Bay Area entrepreneur Joe Santos.

Known as the Bantayog, the project is a monument, museum and historical research center that honors the heroes and martyrs of the struggle against the dictatorship of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The Bantayog, Atty. Diokno said, helps “keep the memories and the truth about what happened in martial law alive for our youth.”

Located in Quezon City, Philippines, the Bantayog features a “Wall of Remembrance” where the names of martyrs and heroes who were victims of the abuses of the Marcos dictatorship are inscribed. More than 300 names have been included in the granite wall which includes tribal leaders, journalists, priests, student activists and political leaders.

Atty. Diokno is the current chair of the foundation.

According to Atty. Diokno, there were many Filipino Americans involved in the anti-dictatorship movement in the Bay Area who have been recognized by the Bantayog for their work and contributions. He added that it is important that what happened before would not happen again, especially as the Marcoses are back in power.

As the foundation does not have that big a budget, Atty. Diokno, when asked how the Fil-Am com-

munity can assist the foundation, told the Asian Journal that “your support in any way, financial or otherwise, would be very helpful to us…We want to reach as many young Filipinos as possible. So, any kind of help that will help us achieve that goal would be very, very welcome.”

Atty. Diokno was also kind enough to share his thoughts on some topics about the Philippines.

The founding dean of the De La Salle University College of Law told the Asian Journal that among the pressing problems of the Philippines that the government must address include the education crisis, where students in the country are in the lower ranks when it comes to reading, math and science; the problem with the justice system which is still beset with issues of impunity, corruption and human rights violations; and the high prices of goods which continues to be a common complaint among Filipinos across the nation.

Atty. Diokno revealed that Filipino Americans can help the country in many ways, even when addressing the problems in their own hometowns or communities.

“Marami tayong magagawa. For example, the issues of poverty, hunger and malnutrition, I think we will find that in most areas in the country, especially among children. And that’s an urgent need that must be addressed. I think the Filipino community abroad, including Filipino Americans, can do a lot to help with those problems,” the former special counsel of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee said.

Talking about food security, Atty. Diokno said that much needs to be done to assist the famers and fisherfolk in the country, as he cited the example of the portion of

If you owe the IRS, the State or both and don’t have the money to pay them, I would like to help you resolve your tax liabilities.

My office will work diligently to prevent any enforced collection action such as bank account and accounts receivable levies and seizure of assets. After you hire me, you will never have to talk to the IRS again! As your attorney, I will call the IRS and deal with them directly while trying to find the best solution for your situation. I can help you wherever you are in the United States. How about a good night’s sleep for a change? I know that having IRS problems can be very stressful, but unless you do something about it, nothing will change, and your problems just get worse over time. Call me now for a quick consultation and let’s talk about how we can get rid of your IRS problems forever! *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** NOTE: Due to the current lockdown order caused by COVID-19, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty.

Ray Bulaon has been in private practice for 23 years and have helped more than 6,000 clients obtain debt relief. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-471-8273.

(Advertising Supplement)

Diokno encourages Fil-Ams to donate to foundation for heroes, martyrs

Atty. Chel Diokno (standing, 7th from left) poses with attendees after the event.

Former senatorial candidate, Atty. Chel Diokno (holding the mic) answers a question about pressing issues in the Philippines.

Photos by Joseph L. Peralta/AJ Press

tariff money from the Rice Tariffication Law that is supposed to be set aside for subsistence farmers who are saying that they are not receiving the money, as well as the plight of Filipino fishermen who are being edged out by commercial fishers and China’s fishing industry.

Atty. Diokno told the Asian Journal that he hopes the Marcos government would be more transparent and have accountability, especially when it comes to public funds. The disbursement of confidential funds by the Office of the President should be accounted for, as the people, Atty. Diokno stated, deserve to know what happened to the money. Any violations should be dealt with accordingly, he added.

As a final message, Atty. Diokno appealed to both Filipinos and Filipino Americans “to help us protect our democracy because our democratic institutions have been under attack, and we need the support of everyone to protect and preserve them.”

The small gathering celebrating Atty. Diokno’s visit to the Bay Area featured short speeches from Atty.

Rodel Rodis and Atty. Ted Laguatan, who were both active in the anti-Marcos dictatorship movement in the Bay Area.

Donations to the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation can be made through LELO, which is a nonprofit in the U.S. so contributions can be tax-deductible, with mailing address PO Box 28489, Seattle, WA 98118. Please make check payable to LELO and indicate that it is a donation for Bantayog. (Joseph L. Peralta/AJ Press)

Tragic event leads to a sweet and successful...

PAGE 9 Gurfinkel also requested expedited processing because the petitioner was elderly and sickly. If something happened to her, the petition could be at an end.

The “sweet” ending of this tragic situation was that Dolores

and her children, Keno and Kobey, were able to immigrate to the U.S. sooner while the petitioner – Dolores’ mother and the boys’ grandmother – was still alive.

Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citi-

zen Pinoy” on Sunday, January 7 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

(Advertising Supplement)

Atty. Gurfinkel was able to bring Dolores (center) and her children Don Rosete (left) hired leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Keno (left) and Kobey (2nd from left) to the U.S. sooner after the Gurfinkel (right) to help with the case of his sister, Dolores (center). reclassification of Dolores’ petition from F3 to F1.

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