011123 - Southern California Midweek Edition

Rob Bonta sworn in as California attorney general

Bonta shares plans for 2023

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress

CALIFORNIA Attorney General Rob Bonta was sworn in as the state’s top prosecutor at the California Museum in Sacramento, marking the start of a full four-year term.

In his inaugural address on Friday, Jan. 6, Bonta — the first Filipino American to hold the position — honored the diverse leaders of California, including the Filipino and Latino pioneers of the 20th-century labor movement.

“Everyone was there because of the mission. We all saw injustice in the world, and we wanted to fix it. It’s why I decided to become a public attorney — to fight for those who’ve been wronged. And

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it’s that fight for justice — for all Californians — that motivates me today,” Bonta said.

Previously, Bonta was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in April 2021 after former Attorney General Xavier Becerra left the post to serve as the United States secretary of Health and Human Services.

Bonta was previously a California state assemblymember from 2012 to 2021, and he was the first Filipino American to be elected into the state Legislature.

As assemblymember, he served the Alameda area that encompasses California State Assembly District 18, which is now helmed by his wife, Mia Bonta.

Marcos vows more big infra projects

by KRISTINA MARALIT

ManilaTimes.net

marriage

AS interracial marriage becomes more accepted and common nationally, California stands out. According to PEW, the state exceeds the national average of 17% of newlyweds being interracial couples, while the number of cross-cultural couples is also steadily growing, especially among Hispanics and Asians.

What explains these trends?

California is notably diverse: It’s no coincidence that two of the largest populations in the majority-nonwhite state are Hispanic (39.4%) and Asian (15.1%). But demographics alone do not fully reflect the complexity of interracial marriage in the US, which is closely tied to immigration policy, racial classification, and a centuries-long history of anti-miscegenation laws that were only fully overturned in 1967.

Historically, California has played a particularly consequential role in the legalization—and restriction—of interracial

COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments will no longer be free once the Public Health Emergency (PHE) expires on Jan. 11, even as the U.S. faces down a more infectious new subvariant XBB 1.5.

The new subvariant accounts for 75% of new infections on the East Coast and 40% of new cases in the country overall. Moreover, the XBB 1.5 subvariant contains five new mutations not found on Omicron, on which the current vaccine boosters are based. “It can evade antibodies better and infect human lung tissue easier than earlier strains,” said Dr. Ben Neuman, Chief Virologist of the Global Health Research Complex, Texas A&M, at an Ethnic Media Services news briefing Jan. 6.

Also speaking at the briefing were Dr. Oliver Brooks, Chief Medical Officer at Watts Healthcare, who stressed the importance of continuing to get vaccinated, boosted, and

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday, January 9 pledged to further improve the country's transport system as he led the launch of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) tunnel boring machine in Valenzuela City.

The President said there are "better days ahead," as his administration will continue to implement big-tick-

et infrastructure projects to spur economic development and create employment opportunities.

He gave assurances that projects planned and started by the previous administration will be continued and finished.

"We will continue to invest and improve on our transportation systems as well as pursue more projects in the years to come, so that Filipinos can gain greater access to places of work, commerce,

recreation and other vital areas," Marcos said.

"Having an effective and efficient transportation system will have multiplier effects on employment, the economy and our society; it will also bring comfort, convenience and an easier life for all," he added.

The MMSP was one of the ambitious undertakings green-lighted by former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose Contract Package 101  PAGE 2

PH gov’t starts probe of New Year shutdown at NAIA

by JULIE M. AURELIO, MARLON RAMOS Inquirer.net

MANILA — Top national security, transportation, and airport officials have been summoned separately by the Senate and House of Representatives

his panel to conduct an investigation into the incident while San Jose del Monte City Rep. Florida Robes,

Cybercrime among ‘greatest threats’ to Filipinos - PNP

MANILA — The Philippine National Police will be focusing on cybercrimes in 2023, Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., PNP chief, said on Monday, January 9 as he called them among "the greatest threats" that Filipinos face.

Azurin made the announcement after releasing crime data collected from July 2022 to Jan. 7, 2023, or the period since President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. took office.

"This year, the PNP shall focus on cybercrimes since [these are] now the fastest-growing transnational organized crimes which affect hundreds of victims not only in the Philippines, but in other parts of the world," he said.

The police Anti-Cybercrime Group has been issuing advisories to warn the public against threats like malware and ransomware. In late 2022, it also launched operations against an unauthorized online lending agency that also subjected borrowers to public humiliation and harassment for unpaid loans as well as scammers who defrauded buyers over online purchases.

Several Filipinos have also been reported to have been illegally recruited and trafficked through fraudulent job listings on Facebook. Promised jobs at call centers and data encoders, the migrant Filipinos ended up in cyberscam operations in Myanmar.

Mobile phone users also received a barrage of scam text messages in 2022, which led to the swift passage of the SIM Card Registration Act. Mandatory SIM card registration has been touted as a way to curb the scams but has also raised concerns on privacy rights and possible surveillance.

Azurin said cybercrimes are one of the "greatest threats to [millions of] users on cyberspace who have entrusted their personal data online."

He said the PNP will "further enhance anti-criminality capacity" and use "secure mobile artificial intelligence-driven real time technology" against online criminals. The police will also employ a "strategic approach that incorporates more science into police operations by leveraging  PAGE 2

Nazareno 2023 draws 1.2 million devotees

by JULIE M. AURELIO, MARLON RAMOS Inquirer.net

MANILA — The activities for this year’s Black Nazarene celebration draw 1.2 million devotees, lesser than the authorities’ initial projection of five million faithful.

The management of Quiapo Church said one of the reasons for the lower attendance count is the cancellation of Traslacion.

The total number of people who attended the religious activities from January 6-10 reached 1,268,435.

Most of the devotees flocked to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or the Quiapo Church which drew 925,782 attendees.

Quirino Grandstand, where the sacred image was displayed for “Pagbibigay-pugay” (giving tribute), received 254,653 devotees. This was the alternative to the traditional “Pahalik.”

The first-ever “Walk of Faith” also drew 88,000 devotees.

The “Walk of Faith” procession, from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church, was much less crowded and more orderly than the traditional “Traslacion,” where crowds swarm around the life-size

California, a long and pivotal history of interracial

Hundreds of devotees gather in front of the Quiapo Church to join the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene along Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo, Manila Monday, Jan. 9. The Traslacion (transfer) was canceled for the third straight year but their devotion to the Black Nazarene never wavered.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

which are conducting their respective inquiries into the power outage that caused vital air traffic navigation system to go offline and shut down the country’s airspace on Jan. 1.

On Tuesday, January 10, officials of the Department of Transportation, Civil Aviation

Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and other concerned government agencies will brief House transportation panel members on the airport fiasco that stranded around 65,000 passengers and grounded over 300 flights in and out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, who will preside over the 10 a.m. briefing, earlier filed a resolution for

California Attorney General Rob Bonta was sworn in by Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, Jan. 6 at the California Museum in Sacramento. Bonta, the first Filipino American to hold this post, was joined by his family during the ceremony.  Photo from Instagram/@robbonta

Rob Bonta sworn in as California...

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Bonta’s historic appointment marked the first time a Filipino American had ever been chosen to serve as California attorney general.

As the child of a Filipino mother, Bonta said that his identity plays a significant role in his post, honoring his parents for fostering his desire for public office.

In November 2022, Bonta would win the general election for attorney general of California with 57.2% of the vote.

“A few generations ago, as an Asian American, the law would have denied me the ability to freely testify in court, to access public accommodations like hotels and restaurants, to marry Mia, the person I love,” Bonta stated.

He continued, “This role is a

privilege, a duty, and a sacred obligation. I will not squander it. I will use the full authority of my office — the full force of the law — to help as many people as possible and do as much good as I can.”

Since his initial 2021 appointment, Bonta has increased the role of attorney general by tackling everything “from the housing crisis to disparities in our healthcare, education, and criminal justice systems,” he said.

Among Bonta’s achievements so far as attorney general include enacting several measures to “[protect] reproductive freedom,” reinforcing housing rights for people with disabilities and issuing warnings against illegal evictions, cracking down on human trafficking rings, and protecting healthcare rights for California’s elders and Medi-Cal

beneficiaries.

Bonta also reavowed his mission to promote gun control laws and public safety, despite his office’s failed online dashboard that was designed to promote transparency regarding data on firearm ownership but accidentally allowed the unauthorized breach of personal information in 2022.

Last month, Bonta joined 18 other states in support of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) “ghost gun” rule that would crack down on unserialized weapons that allow unauthorized manufacturers to circumvent state gun laws to make firearms untraceable.

In addition to Bonta’s inaugural address on Friday, Newsom was also sworn into his second term as California governor. g

PH gov’t starts probe of New Year...

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House good government and accountability committee chair, submitted a similar measure.

The Senate will hold its own hearing on Jan. 12 under Sen. Grace Poe’s public services committee. On Monday, Poe said the possibility that the New Year’s Day incident was an act of sabotage or a cyberattack should not be ruled out since CAAP had yet to explain the power outage that downed its communications, navigation, and surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) system.

Poe said that aside from airport and transportation officials, National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos and representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Security Council had been invited to the hearing as well.

Representatives of SumitomoThales, the joint venture that provided the CNS/ATM system, were also set to attend.

Numerous theories

“There are many theories (why the incident happened). That’s why we would like to hear it straight from them,” Poe said in a television interview.

“We want to know what really

happened. I was talking to (individuals)… connected with one of those that supply the maintenance. They were saying, ‘Don’t rule out a cyberattack for this or sabotage.’ Because until now there’s really no categorical answer to what caused the power outage,” she added.

She said it was “unfortunate” that the government had failed to pursue a project that would have unified the country’s military and commercial air navigation system.

“When we were supposed to upgrade the system for the air traffic control, there was supposed to be one system that would merge both our national security and defense, as well as our commercial airspace. But unfortunately, that was not done,” Poe lamented.

“Our military [has its] own system to determine if there’s a violation of our airspace, but it’s not connected with the CAAP system,” she said.

Asked whether Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista should quit his post over the incident, Poe said: “Absolutely not.”

“First of all, Bautista was just sworn into office and this is a long-standing situation,” she noted.

“This didn’t just happen over-

night,” she added. “Obviously, it stems from many years of transactions, maintenance, and upgrades.”

Poe said her committee had also invited former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who earlier denied allegations that he had diverted a P13-billion allotment for the upgrading of the CNS/ATM system to NAIA beautification projects.

“(We’re) not just singling out Secretary Tugade. This is a chance for him also to correct the impression that it was during his time that all these things may have been neglected,” she said.

Wake-up call

For Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, the airport fiasco should be a “wake-up call” for the government to strengthen CAAP and improve the country’s air traffic navigation system.

He said he had filed Senate Bill No. 1003 as “part of the efforts to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of air transport in our country.”

Under the measure, the secretaries of the Department of Tourism and the Department of National Defense would become members of the CAAP governing board.

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Marcos vows more big infra...

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is a joint venture between the Philippine government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The tunnel boring machine, Marcos noted, highlights Japan's expertise in technology and trailblazing contributions in the modern world. "They will help us shape our railway infrastructure and keep them at par with the highest international standards," he said.

He also acknowledged the joint venture of Filipino and Japanese companies for working with the

"I hope that both you and the DoTr (Transportation department) will not waver on your commitments to finish the contract package by the end of 2027 to ensure that Filipinos will get to enjoy the project at the soonest possible time," Marcos said.

Once completed, it will have 17 stations connecting Valenzuela City to Pasay City. It is expected to serve over 519,000 passengers daily once it becomes operational.

Based on the project overview,

CP 101 is located at the north end, with the package consisting of a depot and three stations: Quirino Highway station, Tandang Sora station and North Avenue station with six tunnels between them.

The East Valenzuela station will be constructed in the depot area located in Mindanao Avenue with a total range of 6.9 kilometers.

Pre-construction work is ongoing in Quirino Highway and Tandang Sora stations. Work at the North Avenue station started in August 2021. g

Cybercrime among ‘greatest threats’ to...

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innovative applications or analysis and technology and evidence-based practices" in carrying out its duties, he said. Index crimes down by 8.03%

In the same briefing, Azurin said incidences of crime went down to 105,568 from July 2022 to January 7, 2023 against 112,746 in the comparable period in 2021. Index crimes — those against persons, such as murder, homicide, physical injury and rape and against

property, like theft and cattle rustling — have also gone down by 8.03% to 19,484 in the same period, the PNP chief said.

Despite the lower numbers, theft (6,682), rape (3,762) , and physical injury (2,608) were the most frequently reported crimes in the recording period.

Non-index crimes were also down 5.98% to 86,089 although the PNP noted a 9.05% increase in those in the Visayas at 17,199 incidents against 15,771 in the comparable period.

Crime clearance — when at least one suspect has been identified and charged either at the prosecutor's office or in court — efficiency was relatively unchanged at 97.19% against 97.93%.

Crime solution — when a suspect has been identified and charged and has been taken into custody — efficiency was meanwhile at 81.78% against 80.51% in the comparable period. (Jonathan de Santos/ Philstar.com)

TUNNEL BORING MACHINE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. officially launches the tunnel boring machine to start the construction of the Metro Manila Subway tunnels in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City on Monday, Jan. 9. President Marcos marked the day as the beginning of underground works for the nation’s “Project of the Century”.

PNA photo by Alfred Frias

Philippine government on the MMSP's CP 101.

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA sworn in for second term

SAN FRANCISCO – California

State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA was today sworn in to her second term leading the world’s fourthlargest economy as the state’s primary banker. She was officially sworn in at a family ceremony with her father, Dr. William Ma, by her side in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Judge Lillian Sing, the first Asian-American female judge to serve in Northern California, administered the oath of office.

“I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence California’s voters have placed in me to serve an additional four years as your State Treasurer,” Treasurer Ma said after the ceremony. “During my first term in office, we built more affordable housing than ever before, helped thousands of Californians achieve financial freedom, and oversaw trillions of dollars in transactions to invest in small businesses, infrastructure, and schools while helping millions of Californians get back on their feet after COVID-19.”

In this four-year term, Treasurer Ma says that she will continue to prioritize funding projects to address the state’s housing crisis, expanding tools to help Californians improve their financial independence, and reinvesting in the cleaning and greening of California’s economy.

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought into stark contrast the realities that many California families still struggle with today –from finding affordable housing, to saving for their children’s education, to job security,” said Treasurer Ma. “As your state banker, my goal has always been to leverage our state’s enormous assets to level the playing field so all Califorians can get ahead. That

has been my guiding principle over the last four years, and will continue to be across my public service career.”

Treasurer Ma has already secured major expansions to her office’s families and quality of life initiatives beginning in 2023.

Notably, Treasurer Ma was a leading advocate to raise the federal minimum age eligibility for the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account, granting greater access to financial tools to millions of Americans living with disabilities both in California and across the nation.

She recently implemented the Hope, Opportunity, Perseverance and Empowerment (HOPE Act) program in her office, to provide direct financial aid to children whose parents passed from COVID-19. Also in 2023, her office will play an integral role in the California Dream for All account, providing downpayment assistance to qualifying individuals and families towards the purchase of their first home.

Fiona Ma is California’s 34th State Treasurer. She was first elected on November 6, 2018 with more votes than any other candidate for Treasurer in the state's history. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant elected to the position. The State Treasurer’s Office provides financing for schools, roads, housing, recycling and waste management, hospitals, public facilities, and other crucial infrastructure projects that Californians rely on every day.

Last year, her office processed more than $3.2 trillion in payments and provides transparency and oversight for an investment portfolio of more than $200 billion. She also is responsible for $93 billion in outstanding general obligation and lease revenue bonds of the state.

To stay up to date on all of the latest developments from Treasurer Ma, join her mailing list at www.FionaMa.com. 

In California, a long and pivotal history of...

PAGE 1 Gold Rush prompted expansions of anti-miscegenation laws that affected other racialized groups.

marriage in the US. Understanding these historical dynamics provides crucial context behind today’s data on interracial marriage in the state.

Immigration and interracial marriage Anti-miscegenation laws have existed in California since statehood in 1850. Though the state’s Civil Code initially only restricted whites from marrying “negroes or mulattoes,” the wave of Chinese immigration during the

Following German race theorist Johann Frederich Blumenbach’s widely accepted racial classification scheme, Chinese immigrants were classified as “Mongolians.” They were explicitly treated as a threat which demanded policy intervention. Delegates to California’s 1878 Constitutional Convention, for instance, pushed for restrictions on Chinese people’s rights over

fears that they would “overrun us” or “Mongolize this land.”

Since most Chinese immigrants were men, interracial marriage was viewed as especially threatening to the white population. During the Convention, the chair of the Committee on Chinese explicitly contrasted the “Chinaman” with the “prudent, intelligent, sympathetic white man” who would “not marry unless he can see a reasonable chance of maintaining wife as well as  PAGE 5

Back to the future with...

tested, as XBB 1.5 emerges; Jill Rosenthal, Director of Public Health Policy at the Center for American Progress, who predicted a significant drop in people seeking treatment, testing, and vaccines as PHE ends; and Sophia Tan, a research data scientist at UC San Francisco, who discussed a novel new study published in Nature which studied the impact of COVID-19 in the prison population.

“Anyone who’s telling you that COVID is over is misinformed,” said Dr. Neuman, noting that in each of the last three years COVID was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. behind heart disease and cancer.

Neuman said Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) peaked in November and the flu season peaked in December. But COVID-19 is not slowing down. So far it has not overwhelmed hospitals and some experts say it might not become as bad as the Omicron surge last year.

Neuman noted that the Omicron virus has seven or eight mutations compared to the original Alpha strain and the XBB has 12. “Based on the rapid rise, it would appear that it is living up to its genetic destiny. It appears that it is very infectious and is overcoming at least some components of immunity,” he said.

Americans have returned to work and resumed their lives as if the pandemic is over, noted Dr. Brooks. Many people have refused vaccines and stopped wearing masks.

Brooks treats COVID patients and talks to them about vaccine confidence, vaccine convenience, and vaccine complacency. He says public health messaging has failed to address these “three Cs.” He noted that only 15% of the U.S. population has received the updated, bivalent booster. Only one-third of older adults, who are

most at risk of dying from COVID, have taken the updated booster. And there is a very low percentage of fully vaccinated children, as parents hold off because of fears based on misinformation.

“It’s our job to get the community vaccinated. So when I hear we’re not getting vaccinated anymore, to me that’s just a challenge. I can’t stop,” said Brooks. “If you get vaccinated you are not only protecting yourself but also your community. “ When the pandemic began three years ago, supplies of tests and masks could not keep up with COVID’s advance. The country could be caught flat-footed again.

Last March, the White House asked Congress for $22.5 billion in emergency spending that would replenish funds for testing, treatments, vaccines and other COVID-related infrastructure. But Congress rejected the request in the 2023 budget bill.

“That short-sighted failure to invest in the response leaves us without the tests, treatments and vaccines we need going forward and leaves us unable to continue to track the disease and unprepared for future surges,” said Jill Rosenthal of CAP.

Without the money to pay for it, the White House abandoned its National Preparedness Plan. Unlike the past two years, people without health insurance will have to pay $120 for vaccines which now cost the government $30.

The U.S. government bought 20 million doses of Paxlovid at $530 each but supplies are expected to run out by 2024. The price for Paxlovid on the private market is expected to skyrocket by then.

Once PHE ends, people enrolled in private insurance and the Affordable Care Act will once again have to pay co-pays for testing, vaccines, and treatments in the same manner they did before PHE. An estimated 27.5

million people in the U.S. are uninsured: they will have to pay for the full price for testing, vaccines, and treatments.

Some states, including California and Rhode Island, are looking at ways that they can automatically enroll people who are going to lose Medicaid coverage into lowcost marketplace plans. Oregon has developed a bridge health program which will allow existing Medicaid members who earn a certain percent of the federal poverty level to stay enrolled in Medicaid, said Rosenthal.

Researchers from University of California San Francisco and UC Berkeley had some good news. They looked at breakthrough infections, reinfections, and people who had both in California prisons and published their findings last week.

“The question that we were really wondering is what are the benefits from vaccination in terms of preventing the future transmission of COVID,” said Tan of UC San Francisco.

They couldn’t find better test subjects than inmates living in close quarters whose movements are highly regulated. Researchers tested, traced infections and secondary cases, tracking the virus as it spread through the prison population.

Results showed that any type of vaccine had a 22% reduction in infectiousness; one or two prior infections reduced it by 23%; inmates with both prior vaccination and prior infection had 40% reductions in their infectiousness.

“So, not only do vaccines ideally protect you from getting infected, but if you do get infected, we see that there’s this hidden benefit that they are preventing and reducing the risk of you transmitting disease to other people,” Tan said. (Peter White/ Ethnic Media Services)

PH gov’t starts probe of New Year...

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“The technical glitch… was a wake-up call for all of us about the need to address the gaps in our air transport systems and the CAAP is front and center in all of this,” Angara said.

After the Jan. 1 incident, CAAP Director General Manuel Tamayo acknowledged that the agency’s CNS/ATM system, which was completed in 2019, was already

outdated, adding that they had made some recommendations for its improvement to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The system suddenly went offline on the morning of Jan. 1 due to a power supply problem.

Two uninterruptible power supply units also failed to work, leaving the air navigation system unable to tap into commercial or standby power.

After conducting some troubleshooting, CAAP technicians were able to restore partial operations around 4 p.m. with the CNS/ATM system returning to normal mode almost two hours later. But by then, over 300 flights to and from Manila had either been canceled, delayed, or diverted, affecting around 65,000 passengers flying to their destinations after the holidays. 

Palace announces more appointments

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, January 10 announced more appointments to key positions in the Executive Branch and stateowned financial institutions.

The new appointees include:

1. Antonio Paolo Serrano Lim, Assistant SecretaryOffice of the Senior Deputy Executive SecretaryOffice of the President

2. Peter Anthony Joseph Felarca Felix, Assistant SecretaryOffice of the Senior Deputy Executive

SecretaryOffice of the President

3. Manuel Lahoz Argel Jr., Acting Member, Representing the Employers' GroupSocial Security CommissionSocial Security System

4. Lolibeth Ramit-Medrano, CommissionerPhilippine Competition Commission

5. Michael De Jesus, Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, and Member, Board of DirectorsDevelopment Bank of the Philippines

6. Emmeline Calderon David, Acting Member, Board of DirectorsDevelopment Bank of

the Philippines

7. Maria Lourdes Arcena, Acting Member, Board of DirectorsDevelopment Bank of the Philippines

8. Jaime Zita Paz, Acting Member, Board of DirectorsDevelopment Bank of the Philippines

Meanwhile, lawyer Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil earlier in the day was sworn in by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), four months after serving as its officer-in-charge. g

Supreme Court: PH’s 2005 joint exploration deal with China, Vietnam unconstitutional

by tetCh torres-tupas Inquirer.net

MANILA – The Supreme Court on Tuesday declared the country’s 2005 Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) with China and Vietnam unconstitutional.

Voting 12-2-1, which took 14 years, the SC said the JSMU violated the Constitution for allowing wholly-owned foreign corporations to explore the country’s natural resources without observing the safeguards provided in Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution.

The JMSU was signed in

2005 between China’s National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Vietnam’s Oil and Gas Corporation (PETROVIETNAM), and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC).

Under the undertaking, joint explorations will be conducted in the South China Sea, covering 142,886 square kilometers. The agreement covers six islands claimed and occupied by the Philippines in Spratly, such as Pag-Asa Island, Likas Island, Lawak Island, Kota Island, Patag Island, and Panata Island.

But, up to 80 percent of the JMSU site is within the Philippines’ 200mile exclusive economic zone,

prompting the filing of petitions seeking to declare the agreement unconstitutional.

Respondents, however, argued that Section 2, Article XII of the Constitution was inapplicable because it contemplates the exploration, development, and utilization (EDU) of natural resources while the JMSU only involves pre-exploration activities.

The SC, through Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, said that the term “exploration” pertained to a search or discovery of something in both its ordinary or technical sense and ruled that the JMSU involves the exploration of u PAGE 5

Marcos approves onion importation

by Bella Cariaso ManilaTimes.net

In

27, 2023.

"President Marcos and Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban already talked, and the President approved the importation of 21,060 metric tons," Estoperez said.

He said the volume of the importation was reduced because of concerns from farmers that the imported onions will flood the market.

The Chief Executive agreed on the allocation of the imported bulbs — 50 percent or 10,530 MT will go to Luzon and 25 percent or 5,265 MT each will be allocated to the Visayas and Mindanao.

"We will make sure to be more strict in the entry of the imported onions," Estoperez said.

Based on monitoring by the DA, he added, the farmgate prices of onions ranged from P280 to P300 per kilo.

A memorandum on the onion importation was signed on Jan. 6, 2023, but was only made public on Jan. 10, 2023.

In his memorandum, Panganiban defended the importation, saying it is necessary to stabilize retail prices in the market.

"Prices should be substantially lower than the SRP (suggested retail price) set by the DA after the arrival of the imported onions," he said.

Based on the memorandum, of the total 21,060 MT of onion import, 3,960 MT will be white onions and 17,100 MT will be red onions.

Panganiban said the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPIC) will only be until Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

"The imported, fresh onions should only be stored in an accredited cold storage facility as indicated in the approved SPIC. No transfer to a new cold storage warehouse should be allowed," he added.

"Fresh yellow (white) onion and fresh red onion should be properly sorted in separate rooms," Panganiban said.

In an interview with The Manila Times on Monday, January 9, farmers group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura President Rosendo So opposed the government's decision to import onions, saying the DA should be blamed for the spike in prices after it did not approve a proposal of Sinag to import onions in November 2022, when traders would have been unable to take advantage of the bulb shortage.

So said only the traders will now benefit from the importation of onions.

"It is still the traders who will handle the importation. What they will do is to hoard their stocks at cold storage facilities. If the purpose of the DA is to bring down the farmgate prices, the losers here are the farmers," he added.

Based on DA monitoring on Tuesday, January 10, the retail prices of onions in the various markets in Metro Manila were between P420 and P600 per kilo.

The prices of the bulbs ranged from P420 to P500 per kilo at Muñoz Market in Quezon City, but were sold at as high as P600 per kilo at the New Las Piñas City Public Market in Las Piñas City.

Other prevailing prices of the bulbs were P500 to P550 per kilo at Guadalupe Public Market in Makati City, San Andres Market in Manila, Pasay City Market in Pasay City and Malabon Central Market in Malabon City.

At Pritil Market also in Manila, the prevailing price was P500 per kilo; Marikina Public Market in Marikina City, P500 to P600 per kilo; Pasig City Mega Market in Pasig City, P480 to P500 per kilo; Commonwealth Market in Quezon City, P480 to P580 per kilo; and Mega Q-Market also in Quezon City, P450 to P500 per kilo.

The President also on Tuesday

Marcos, who also sits as the country's Agriculture chief, issued the directive during his first Cabinet meeting this year in Malacañang.

"The problem with the onions we've been trying... since kasi ang dami nating nahahanap na smuggled onions, pinipilit kong ilabas diyan sa market (we find a lot of smuggled onions, I'm trying to get them out there in the market) [and] unfortunately, we do not know the source of these onions. So they all have to be inspected. Hindi puwedeng random (It can't be random)," he told his Cabinet officials.

The President raised the need to tap third-party inspectors to conduct the phytosanitary inspection to check for transboundary diseases.

Marcos said some of the confiscated onions were not fit for human consumption based on previous inspections, as he pointed out that the cost of inspection is 5,000 per kilo, which is much higher than the value of the onion.

"So 'yun lang ang quandary natin (that's our quandary). We are trying to negotiate with third parties to do the inspection. But right now we are still reviewing all of that," the President said.

In an earlier interview, Marcos said the government is finding ways to release the seized onions to the market so that the supply would increase and prices would go down.

"We will stick firmly to the recommended price. The DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) will continue to monitor," Marcos had said.

The price of the agricultural commodity skyrocketed to over P700 per kilo, with authorities blaming unscrupulous traders and hoarders for the high prices.

Setback Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel 3rd also on Tuesday said he is opposed to the importation of onions, adding it will mean a major setback to Filipino farmers.

"The move could negatively affect the income and business of local farmers who are about to harvest locally-produced onions," Pimentel also said in a statement.

The DA, he added, should no longer import onions.

"There is no need to import onions since it's harvest season already. There is always a time lag. If we authorize the importation now, the actual importation will happen maybe weeks or months later. That will coincide with the availability of locally produced onions," Pimentel noted.

"It looks like we allowed the hoarders, the illegal importers, and the price fixers to profit from the peak season of Christmas," he said.

"Now, we will bite into the trap and if we now agree with the importation of onions, we will now be affecting the local farmers."

Pimentel questioned why it took DA so long to decide to import when it could have done it during the off-season to manage the prices of onions.

The senator urged the government and the private sector to go after those behind hoarding and price-fixing.

"If we could boycott the purchase of these imported onions or minimize our consumption, let's do it," Pimentel said.

He urged the DA to go after hoarders and price fixers to prevent market manipulation of agricultural products.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also on Tuesday called for the

CHEAPER ONIONS. People buy white and red onions at a Kadiwa stall at the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards on Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan.10. The Department of Agriculture has set the suggested retail price of red onions at P250 per kilo from Dec. 30, 2022 to the first week of January 2023 while Kadiwa stores sell them for as low as P170 a kilo. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has approved the importation of 21,060 metric tons of onions, 940 MT less than the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) of 22,000 MT.

a radio interview, DA deputy spokesman Rex Estoperez said the President wants the imported bulbs to arrive on or before Jan.

ordered the phytosanitary inspection of smuggled onions seized in various operations to ensure their safety before releasing them to the market.

In California, a long and pivotal history of...

children.”

The chairman’s words reveal how interracial marriage was intertwined with immigration.

A crucial portion of antimiscegenation laws, he stated, was restricting immigration to “the Anglo-Saxon race, or kindred varieties of men” worthy of the “great privilege of American citizenship.”

Such rhetoric also shows how racial classifications were neither scientific nor consistent. The convention was marked by confusion over what “Mongolian” exactly meant: Though the chairman explicitly identified “Chinaman,” other delegates included Native Americans, Black people, even Caucasians under the label. Instead, “Mongolian” explicitly became a shorthand for people of color perceived as criminals, foreign invaders, or other threats to white society. (Said one delegate: “If you expect to wipe out crime, you must wipe out the presence of the Mongolian in our midst.”)

Accordingly, in 1880, Civil Code Section 60 was amended to restrict “Mongolians” from marrying whites. However, the lived realities of people of color in the state continued to defy classification. Section 60 only restricted marriage with whites, allowing other people of color to marry: Sikh farm workers, for instance, circumvented antimiscegenation laws to marry Mexican women, since both were considered “brown.”

Legal challenges to antimiscegenation laws

Other racialized groups continued to challenge those laws in court by exposing inconsistencies in racial categorization. In 1933, Salvador Roldan, a Filipino man, was denied a marriage license to his white wife. He appealed, arguing that Filipinos should qualify as “Malayan”—and thus allowed to intermarry with whites—instead of “Mongolian.” In Roldan vs. Los Angeles the court agreed, settling contemporary debates over how to classify the Filipino population.

The case had the potential to set an important precedent against anti-miscegenation laws. Instead, it sparked instant backlash from white politicians. In the week after the decision, the California State Legislature promptly amended Section 60 to include “Malayans” in the list of races prevented from marrying whites, further

entrenching interracial marriage restrictions in state laws.

Section 60 did not face another challenge until the 1940s, when the conscription of white men during World War II allowed women and other people of color to formally enter the workplace. This created opportunities for interracial relationships that did not exist before.

One such couple was Andrea Perez (whose race was listed as white, despite being Mexican American), and Sylvester Davis, a Black man. The couple was barred from marrying by Section 60 and appealed by arguing that anti-miscegenation laws violated their religious freedom.

In Perez vs. Sharp, the court agreed—but not solely on the basis of first amendment rights. Importantly, the case finally affirmed marriage as a “fundamental right of free men.” The majority opinion also explicitly refuted many racist arguments against interracial marriage and questioned the validity of previously accepted racial classification schemes.

Perez created a domino effect against anti-miscegenation laws: 14 states subsequently struck down their interracial marriage bans. The rest were eliminated by the landmark Supreme Court case Loving vs. Virginia (1967), which cited Perez as a precedent. The case was also referenced in In re marriage cases, the California case which affirmed gay marriage rights in 2008.

Though California played a pivotal role in officially legalizing interracial marriage, it would be decades until taboos surrounding cross-cultural couples began to fade across the state the nation.

Interracial marriage today

Recent interracial marriage trends are heavily influenced by the Hart-Celler Act of 1965, which opened immigration to more Asian and Hispanic populations.

Subsequently, as scholar Hsin-Yi Cindy Liu observed, interracial marriage became a sign of integration into mainstream US society. This trend is reflected in California’s increasing diversification, as well as the over 200% increase in the state’s mixed race population from 2010 to 2020 alone. Mexican and German ancestry. Their story is among those told in the California Love Stories project.

Today, couples benefit from favorable public approval of interracial marriage—at a time where immigration and an increasingly diverse California creates more opportunities for it. Simultaneously, however, racism remains an ongoing issue in both the state and the nation. The racialization of the US border—a direct echo of past xenophobic rhetoric that restricted both immigration and interracial marriage—is a particularly relevant example.

This complex history creates different effects for couples of all different races and cultural backgrounds. California Love Stories, a collaboration across 20 ethnic media outlets statewide, shows the lived experiences of interracial couples in a society that is, though more accepting than in the past, still racialized.

Ultimately, their experiences reflect the often complex, sometimes difficult, but ultimately rewarding dynamics at the heart of interracial marriage in today’s world. (Julia Tong/Ethnic Media Services)

Nazareno 2023 draws 1.2 million...

statue of the Black Nazarene.

Traslacion has been canceled for the third time — first in 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the country.

The annual procession is a reenactment of the 1787 Traslacion — literally means “solemn transfer” — of the image from its original shrine in Bagumbayan, the present Rizal Park, to the Quiapo Church.

Traslacion not the sole reason for low turnout Quiapo Church spokesperson Fr. Earl Valdez said while the cancellation of Traslacion could be one of the factors for the low attendance, that is not the sole reason.

“Probably,” Valdez told INQUIRER.net when asked if the cancellation of Traslacion led to the low attendance, “but we can’t

say that that’s the only reason.”

Valdez said the pilgrimage of the replica images in nearby provinces and cities of Luzon could be why fewer devotees flocked the church and the grandstand this time.

The priest also presented a half-glass full perspective on the situation.

“At the very least there are people who are eager to practice their faith and devotion since it is the first celebration of the Feast with minimal restrictions in terms of mobility and crowd control,” he also said.

More trash

Meanwhile, the Manila Public Information Office said the total garbage collected in Quiapo Church and Quirino Grandstand has also increased compared to previous years.

“As per [Department of Public Services], for this year total

Supreme Court: PH’s 2005...

PAGE 4

the country”s natural resources, particularly petroleum.

Citing the text of the fifth whereas clause of the JMSU, which states the Parties “expressed desire to engage in a joint research of petroleum resource potential of a certain area of the South China Sea as a pre-exploration activity,” the Court said that it is clear that the JMSU was executed to determine if petroleum exists in the Agreement Area.

Named respondents in the petition were then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, her Foreign and Energy secretaries, the PNOC and the Philippine National Oil CompanyExploration Corporation.

Concurring with Justice Gaerlan include Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and ten other justices. Meanwhile, Associate Justices Amy Lazaro-Javier and Rodil Zalameda dissented while Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando was on leave. g

volume is 265 metric tons from January 6-10 equivalent to 99 truck loads,” Manila public information officer Princess Abante said on Tuesday.

Previously, the local government collected 88, 57, and 34 truckloads of trash in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, according to Abante.

“We collected more trash compared to previous years due to the pandemic setup,” she said. g

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RFP NO. MS318-23 FLAGGING AND RIGHT OF

ENTRY

The Authority (SCRRA) is seeking proposals for Flagging and Right of Entry services. Proposal documents can be accessed at vendor portal https://metrolinktrains. com/doing-business. This project is subject to Federal funding guidelines and a DBE Participation Goal. For further information contact: Tammi Phillips, Contract Administrator, at phillipst@ scrra.net. 1/11/23 CNS-3647365# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

SOUVENIRS. Calendars bearing the image of the Black Nazarene are among the items for sale in Quiapo, Manila on Monday, Jan. 9. Since the weekend, thousands of devotees have flocked to the district to join the activities of the Feast of the Black Nazarene. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Marjorie Rogers and Salvador Roldan, 1931.

CAAP brain drain

GOVERNMENT officials are reassuring the public that they are fixing the technical problem that shut down Philippine airspace on the first day of the year. New cooling fans, circuit breakers and uninterrupted power supply systems are reportedly being procured to prevent a repeat of the national embarrassment that occurred at the at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on January 1.

Apart from technical issues, however, manpower problems are emerging again at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, which is in charge of air traf-fic management. On Monday, January 9, CAAP director general Manuel Antonio Tamayo sought a pay increase for air traffic controllers to prevent them from seeking greener pastures overseas mostly in the Middle East. Tamayo noted that the pay in certain countries can be six times higher than what the Philippines offers to its air traffic controllers.

Editorial

This problem was first raised way back in 2014, when CAAP personnel sought the help of then senator Bam Aquino following the departure of five air traffic controllers for abroad. Documents submitted to Aquino by CAAP personnel at the time showed that apart from low pay, contractual schemes also bedeviled the air traffic officers. Of some 500 air traffic controllers recruited by CAAP from the Civil Aviation Training Center, Aquino

BABE ROMUALDEZ

ANALYSTS, experts and think tanks especially here in Washington, D.C. are carefully watching the developments in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region particularly because these have created a ripple effect impacting the future of the rest of the world. Undoubtedly, the far-reaching consequences of the Ukraine war are of major concern, especially coming on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is absolutely no doubt that the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is at the top of the list of global threats in 2023, an assessment that analysts, risk consultancy groups and the like collectively agree upon.

According to Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer, one of the top 10 global risks of 2023 is the possibility of Russia turning into “the world’s most dangerous rogue state” if cornered – thereby posing a threat to global security.

FIRST word

THE rationale for all the talk about the “first hundred days” of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was to enable him to “hit the ground running,” and take effective control of the government as quickly as possible.

The early days, it was thought, constitute a window of opportunity for him to get a head start on his governance agenda.

With the President’s approval very high, and Congress open to new leadership, it was seen as a time of opportunity and change. 184 days, seventh month But now here we are in the year 2023.

The hundred-day timeline is just a memory; 184 days and six months have passed since BBM’s accession to office. And he is now into his seventh month in the presidency.

For all the hype and the travels, however, there is still no palpable sign that President Marcos has achieved effective control of the executive branch and the bureaucracy, or that he has made headway in advancing his promised programs.

Unsurprisingly, he is encountering his biggest problems

said 195 were on job-order status. He noted that since the CAAP’s creation in 2008 through Republic Act 9497, no graduate of the CATC had become a regular employee.

CAAP officials said air traffic controllers undergo at least 18 months of training before being deployed to an air traffic management facility anywhere in the country for apprenticeship and capability rating. Upon completion of these requirements, however, the new air traffic controllers are drawn to jobs overseas with much higher pay.

Tamayo warned that the brain drain could mean the lack of personnel with sufficient skills to prevent a repeat of the airspace shutdown. The Governance Commission for GOCCs or GovernmentOwned and Controlled Corporations has said it is studying the CAAP’s request for higher salaries for air traffic con-trollers.

For many years now, brain drain has been a

Bremmer points to an escalation in Vladimir Putin’s nuclear saber rattling and also warns against “Kremlin-affiliated hackers” who could mount increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks on Western firms, governments and infrastructure – inflicting untold damage not only to Europe and the U.S., but beyond.

New York-based The Arkin Group also flagged geopolitical developments that leaders should watch out for in navigating this “new and evolving world order.” While Putin will persist in his assault, Ukraine will not back down and will continue to prevail (as seen in the major offensive launched at the start of the year that resulted in the death of an estimated 400 Russian soldiers).

Ironically, what Putin must have envisioned to be his crowning glory could turn out to be his undoing. The shockand-awe tactic at the start of the invasion in February last year was bogged down by the fact that Russian soldiers initially deployed were under-equipped and undertrained, and proved to be no match for Ukrainians who were not only ready to defend their country to the

in the cabinet departments where he has desisted from appointing a cabinet secretary — specifically, defense, agriculture, health and communications.

In a government system where the cabinet secretary in a given area is envisioned to function as the president’s main adviser in that area, President Marcos has encountered the most headaches and uncertainties in the headless departments. Some of those whom he quickly named did not pass muster with the congressional Commission on Appointments, while others simply could not measure up to the job. His first executive secretary, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, faltered big-time as “the little president.” He had to be quickly replaced by former Supreme Court chief justice Lucas Bersamin.

At first, the problem was a hideous foul-up in a sugar importation order at the Department of Agriculture whose leadership BBM provisionally reserved for himself.

Thereafter, the problem shifted to an acute shortage of onions, which must be remedied by the government’s importation and marketing of the commodity.

Then attention turned to foreign relations, as our new president was showered with plenty of invitations from various countries and forums for him to visit, and he had to choose which one to

problem not only in aviation but also in public health care, education and many industries. The Philippines has lost even weather forecasters to other countries. At this point, the country cannot hope to match salaries

and benefits offered in places such as Dubai. The long-term solution is to raise the level of economic development so that Filipinos need not go abroad for meaningful employment. (Philstar.com)

2023: The world as we see it today

death, but also had strategically prepositioned anti-aircraft gunners. Another significant factor would be the anti-aircraft missiles and drones from countries supportive of Ukraine like the U.S.

The International Monetary Fund has also sounded the alarm over the Ukraine conflict’s “severe economic repercussion in Europe, with higher energy prices, weaker consumer confidence and slower momentum in manufacturing resulting from persistent supply chain and rising disruption costs,” at the same time warning that about half of the European Union will be in recession in 2023.

Saying the world took a dangerous turn in 2022, the Council on Foreign Relations lists several Tier 1 (high priority) risks or potential conflicts to watch this 2023, based on the results of the 15th annual Preventive Priorities Survey conducted by its Center for Preventive Action.

An escalation of the armed conflict in Ukraine resulting from the employment of unconventional weapons, the spillover into neighboring countries

(including cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and/or the direct involvement of NATO members) has become a real danger, warned CFR. It also points to the continuing tensions between the U.S. and China – describing the relations between these two majors as plummeting – because of their differences over Taiwan.

“As if Taiwan and Ukraine were not enough to worry about, several disputes in other parts of the world also became more menacing in 2022, notably those involving Iran and North Korea,” CFR also noted, its assessment echoed by other think tanks that have expressed concern over the probability of Iran becoming a nuclear weapons state, as well as North Korea’s relentless missile launches with Kim Jong Un ordering the “exponential” expansion of their nuclear arsenal.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies will hold its annual forecasting conference this Thursday regarding policy challenges in the Indo-Pacific Region. Growing tensions in the region is a major cause of concern, especially with the intense

strategic competition between the U.S. and China. I was asked to deliver a keynote speech for the event where a CSIS team of experts will be conducting panel discussions on the political and economic developments on the region. Immediately after that event, I will proceed to the International Institute for Strategic Studies where I was invited to its Americas Ambassadors Forum to share our foreign policy thrusts and priorities as well as my perspectives on the geopolitical and economic challenges that impact the Philippines and the region.

Given the continuing challenges that nations face in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, a key priority for nations would be economic recovery more than pursuing military might.

As many experts have noted, a nation’s military supremacy has its foundations on superior economic development. Put another way, the main driving force for most countries is still the economy, and this to a large extent determines their relationship with other nations.

Taken in that light, the U.S.

New year chaos

visit first. He honored tradition by visiting Asean first, picking Indonesia and Singapore as his first stop. This was followed by a quick trip to New York City to address the UN General Assembly, to introduce himself to the international community. Then he turned to visit China and President Xi Jinping upon the advent of the new year, when the latter was significantly being battered by a galloping Covid crisis.

Then presidential focus turned to selling the nation on the idea of creating a sovereign wealth fund, which the government tried once before, with the Malampaya Fund, but which unfortunately was feasted on and looted by the powers that be at the start of the new century.

Rumors of destabilization

And now the attention has turned to the military and the police, which have landed together on the President’s plate for serious study and attention. While the secretary of interior and local government was named early in the person of Benhur Abalos, the challenge of leading the Defense department has been held in abeyance, leaving the task to the ministration of an acting secretary and junior officials in the department.

During the weekend, both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) took the unusual tack of dispelling wild rumors of

a destabilization plot against the government. At the same time, the PNP announced that it was going on full alert.

While the nation has had no whiff of a coup aborning for some time, the twin moves of the AFP and PNP had the effect of confirming for many that there is restiveness and disgruntlement in the armed services today, and that the threat of destabilization cannot be dismissed lightly.

Ironically, the jittery situation followed a bewildering move by Interior Secretary Abalos to “request” all police colonels and generals to tender their courtesy resignations, to facilitate an ongoing investigation of ranking PNP officers for possible involvement in the illegal drug trade.

The resignation call quickly generated front-page stories as the police top brass, beginning with the PNP chief, filed one after the other their courtesy resignations.

The PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., on Thursday submitted his courtesy resignation and urged the rest of the police leadership to follow his lead as the “cleansing” of the force begins.

In turn, the AFP was wracked by talk about mass resignations from military service, as officials and personnel of the Department of National Defense were said to have submitted their resignations out of disappointment over the

designation for a second time of Gen. Andres Centino as the new AFP chief, succeeding Lt. Gen. Vicente Bartolome Bacarro who held the top post for barely five months. Centino was Bacarro’s predecessor.

Acting Defense Secretary Jose Faustino Jr. and three other undersecretaries were also said to have resigned from their posts, but these could not be confirmed.

It was in this light that rumors started flying fast and loose in Camps Crame and Aguinaldo about a destabilization plot brewing.

Both the AFP and the PNP dutifully tried to talk down the rumors and gloss over the impact on officer morale by the demanded courtesy resignations of top police officials and the sudden replacement of the military chief.

Col. Jorry Baclor and Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP public affairs office chief and PNP spokesman, respectively, denied there was such talk about destabilization plots as they claimed that the situation at the Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon City was normal.

They declared that there was no truth to rumors of mass resignations from the AFP, as well as officials and personnel from the Department of National Defense due to their disappointment over the reappointment of Centino as AFP chief.

has to step up to the plate and up its game because China and even Russia are using economic interests to influence the foreign policy decisions of nations.

Take India, for instance, that has become the biggest buyer of Russian oil after European countries have stopped buying as part of the sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. For India, it’s really simple: they need oil, Russia is selling at very cheap prices and there is nothing anybody can do about it.

While the threat of global recession looms, there is optimism that the Southeast Asian region will fare better with solid growth expected due to the resilient performance of ASEAN economies. As I’ve pointed out, opportunities are there if we play our cards right – let’s just not drop the ball this time around. (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.

A Medal of Valor awardee, Bacarro was said to have been well-accepted and wellrespected by the military and DND personnel and his “arbitrary replacement” has demoralized the military organization and defense department staff.

They claimed that Centino took advantage of his connections with people close to the President, hence his return as the top military official.

Col. Redrico Maranan, PNP public information officer, described as fake news a memorandum circulating that the PNP was on full alert due to the alleged AFP destabilization plot.

“It’s not true, but we are on heightened alert status because of the Feast of the Black Nazarene,” Maranan said.

Abalos said the submission of courtesy resignation is a “quick way” of dealing with the suspected involvement of PNP personnel in the illegal drug trade, in contrast with the lengthy process of disciplining rogue officers.

Maranan said 956 ranking officers are expected to submit their courtesy resignation.

The highest ranking official is a police general.

There are 812 police colonels.

Azurin said 22 names were submitted to President Marcos for vetting, which will be reduced to five.

Babe’s

PH rings up $3B in fresh foreign debt

THE Marcos administration successfully priced its $3-billion bond triple-trance dollar issuance, for which demand was so strong that the order book peaked at $28.2 billion, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a statement on Tuesday, January 10.

The Philippines is borrowing $500 million through 5.5-year bonds at a cost of 4.743 percent;

$1.25 billion through 10-year bonds at 5.001 percent; and $1.25 billion through 25-year bonds at 5.5 percent.

Diokno said that compared to the guide prices, they were able to secure final prices that were lower by 50 bps [0.5 percentage point] for the 5.5-year and 10year bonds and 45 bps [0.45 ppt] for the 25-year bonds, while still upsizing the transaction from

an initial target issue size of $2 billion

Proceeds from the new issue are mainly to support the national government’s expenses, which are projected to surpass revenues by P1.47 trillion in 2023.

Settlement of this latest issuance is scheduled for Jan. 17. (Ronnel W. Domingo/ Inquirer.net)

OFWs on death rows to be tackled in multi-agency meet

GOVERNMENT agencies will sit down this week to tackle transnational matters, including overseas Filipinos on death row.

During a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople said she will meet with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Friday.

Sixty-five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are on death rows, according to data shared during budget hearings last year.

“For example, iyon nga mga death row cases, iyong pagtransfer ng (those in the death row cases, the transfer of the) ATN (Assistance to Nationals) work from the ATN officers of our embassies to our migrant workers attachés, the kind of training that’s needed to capacitate them in preparation for that very delicate job,” Ople said of the topics to be

discussed.

Ople deferred the issue of the executive clemency for OFW Mary Jane Veloso to the DFA as it was raised by Manalo during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Indonesia in September last year.

Veloso has been jailed in Indonesia since 2010 when about 2.6 kilograms of heroin were found in her suitcase.

Six months after her arrest, Veloso was meted out the death penalty.

Manalo has appealed to his Indonesian counterpart, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, for executive clemency for Veloso.

The sealing of labor deals and ongoing negotiations abroad can be attributed to Marcos’ recent international visits to different countries, Ople said.

She said there are ongoing bilateral labor talks with Romania, Hungary, Portugal and Hong Kong.

“A lot of it really can be attributed to the President’s popularity. But we also have to

Marcos approves onion...

PAGE 4 bought a half kilo of onions for almost P500.

creation of a task force that would zero in on stopping rampant smuggling and hoarding of agricultural products.

The senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the task force should be headed by the DA and should involve the National Bureau of Investigation.

"Obviously, there is a shortfall in supply of onions, but prices continue to climb even with the entry of additional supply in the market," Gatchalian also noted.

He surmised that certain groups or individuals may be hoarding supply and manipulating prices to push onion prices even higher.

The senator said he recently

"Not only the households are the victims here, [but] it has also affected the small businesses. There is a need to probe the issue of smuggling in the country and file charges of economic sabotage against the smugglers," he added.

Gatchalian said smugglers are likely to continue with their illegal activities unless the government tracks down bigtime smugglers and appropriate charges are filed against them.

"Their data shows that the conviction rate is very low, and this is one of the issues that the Committee on Ways and Means will look into. We will look into the products that are being

shout out as well doon sa (about the) reputation, excellent reputation ng (of) Filipino workers,” Ople said.

The Philippine side will go to Singapore in March to finalize the implementation of protocols in preparation for the hiring of more Filipino health workers while Portugal plans to employ Filipinos for its tourism sector.

Hong Kong’s Minister of Labor and Welfare also broached the possibility of holding exploratory talks on the deployment of Filipino caregivers, Ople said.

When the President goes to Japan in February, the DMW will be renewing a bilateral agreement forged under the Labor department, Ople said.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia may hire about 6,000 Filipinos this month.

Among the DMW’s 2023 plans are more scholarship programs for children of OFWs and opening about 1,000 positions to address better the needs of migrant workers. (PNA)

imported and how much tax is being paid, and how many cases were filed. We will also look into the problem of the BoC because if there is no conviction, the smugglers will continue with their illegal activities," he added.

Republic Act 10845 or "An Act Declaring Large-Scale Agricultural Smuggling as Economic Sabotage," was enacted into law in 2016.

Smuggled agricultural products, however, continue to enter the country unabated.

Aside from onions, other agricultural products being smuggled into the country include sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, carrots, fish and vegetables, according to the Agriculture department. g

PAGE 6

New year...

He said he would be evaluated by a committee that the President will create to determine if he was in any way involved in the narcotics trade, or if he had been tolerating police officers who were.

Azurin said that not all PNP officers were pleased with Abalos’ “request.” They are wary because their careers are on the line, he said.

Despite the resistance from some officers, Azurin expects everyone to comply before January 31.

“If you’re not involved, there’s nothing to worry about,” he said.

He said his resignation can also be considered as an application for retirement.

First lady wades in

As if the situation was not knotted enough, the first lady, Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos, waded into the controversy by issuing a denial that she had intervened in military and agency appointments.

She sent a video message to Malacañang reporters, declaring that she had no involvement in any appointments made by President Marcos. She particularly denied influencing appointments in the military.

“I leave that up to my husband. And if I find out that somebody is using my name, I shall tell my husband not to appoint you, OK?” she said.

Mrs. Marcos instructed PSG commander Col. Ramon Zagala to “disseminate the information.”

The first lady’s statement came a day after Centino was given a second tour of duty as AFP chief.

Talk circulated that Bacarro, whom Centino replaced, had a close affiliation with former executive secretary Rodriguez, whose relationship with the first lady soured before his removal. Ironically, the first lady’s denial of involvement in appointments may not kill the rumors, but only lead the public to talk about her some more.

It is bizarre that she had instructed the PSG chief to

disseminate her statement. The idea of harnessing the presidential security chief as a messenger mirrors the strange decision to make do with a “press briefer” in the dissemination of information about the actions and decisions of the President. (ManilaTimes.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.

* * *

Email: eyesgonzales@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.

DEVOTION. A replica of Jesus Christ nailed on the cross stands out outside Quiapo Church in Manila as most devotees brought their Black Nazarene statues in different sizes on Monday. Jan. 9. The Traslacion (transfer) procession was canceled for the third consecutive year but thousands of devotees still joined other activities of the Feast of the Black Nazarene. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Precious Paula Nicole pays homage to her Filipino roots at ‘DragCon’ UK

By Lora reyes Inquirer.net

Drag

Philippines’ first-ever drag

continued to bring Filipino drag excellency to the international stage as she sashayed her way to the United Kingdom for this year’s three-day RuPaul’s DragCon, an annual convention that brings the fans and RuPaul’s Drag Race queens together.

During the 3-day expo, which started on January 6 to 8, Precious strutted down the pink runway and proudly represented the Philippines through her sickening looks.

On the expo’s first day, Precious wore a red and yellow indigenous-inspired ensemble, complete with a beaded necklace and headpiece.

The next day, Precious paid homage to the most celebrated Filipino shero, Darna, by wearing an outfit made by Filipino fashion designer Mara Chua that is heavily inspired by Darna’s attire.

For the last day of DragCon UK, Precious served the audience with another sickening look inspired by another Filipino comic character, ZsaZsa Zaturnnah, where she was clad in a red and pink bodysuit made by Chua, paired with a headpiece and vibrant red hair.

Aside from her looks, Precious’ booth at DragCon UK also screamed Filipino as it was designed as a traditional Filipino cafeteria. On display were logos of Filipino brands where she replaced the text with her name, photos of the Golden Gays, a poster of Divine Divas, fiesta banners, and a big sign that says, “PR3CIOU5 STORE.”

The Filipino drag superstar also took the UK stage by storm with performances of Gloc 9’s “Sirena” and Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala” during the After Hours All-Winners show, a segment where all the winners of RuPaul’s Drag Race perform.

What a way to proudly present the Philippines!

Precious isn’t the only Filipino drag superstar who got to showcase her Pinoy charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. The expo was also attended by Drag Race Philippines’ Prince and Corazon, Canada’s Drag Race season 2’s Stephanie Prince, and Canada’s Drag Race season 3’s Kimmy Couture. Now, talk about Filipino representations!

Precious was named the first Filipino drag superstar after competing alongside fellow 11 drag artists to win the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines.

Drag Race Philippines is one of the latest international editions of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which premiered on August 17, 2022. The show was hosted by Paolo Ballesteros, with KaladKaren and Drag Race alum Jiggly Caliente as permanent judges.

Dolly featured in British Vogue’s ‘30 World’s Most Famous Stars 2023’ list

By HannaH MaLLorca Inquirer.net

DOLLY de Leon proved that she’s on the top of her game in the entertainment industry after being featured in British Vogue’s 2023 Hollywood portfolio alongside awardwinning actors Cate Blanchett, Eddie Redmayne, and Hugh Jackman.

The U.K. basedpublication’s 2023 Hollywood portfolio features 30 of the “World’s Most Famous Stars” who gained widespread recognition for performances that “speak to the very core of what it means to be human.”

The actors were dolled up in glamorous outfits inspired by the Roaring Twenties, and were captured by entertainment photographer Greg Williams.

In the feature, De Leon donned a cream feather boa, sparkly gray dress, and matching gray high-heeled shoes, and was posing on a column at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California, in the U.S.

Incidentally, the actress is now in Hollywood for the 80th Golden Globes Awards, where she is nominated for the Best Supporting Actress category.

De Leon told British Vogue that Bette Davis is her favorite

Old Hollywood icon, while Meryl Streep is the actor she admires the most.

She also opened up about the “best piece of advice” she received, noting that her work as an actress “can never be taken away.”

“Always remember that the work can never be taken away from you. Maybe I’ll do another project after this or this will never happen again, but the work will never go away,” she added.

The actress also delved into peculiar moments of her acting career, saying that rolling in the mud and putting on “fake blood” are some of

the moments that make her “feel physically dirty.”

Also included in British Vogue’s feature are “Triangle of Sadness” star Harris Dickinson, and “Everything Everywhere All At Once” stars Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Sadie Sink of “Stranger Things” and Emma Corin of “The Crown” were also featured in the report.

De Leon made history for being the first Filipino actress to be nominated in the Golden Globes for her work in the Cannes-winning film “Triangle of Sadness.”

Luis, Jessy welcome first child

By iza igLesias ManilaTimes.net

CELEBRITY

In their respective Instagram posts Saturday, the first-time parents showed a glimpse of their daughter they named Isabelle Rose Tawile Manzano or Rosie.

“I never knew I could love like this. My little Rosie. Isabelle Rose Tawile Manzano,” Mendiola captioned.

She also shared a mirror shot of her a few minutes later saying, “Missing my baby’s kicks in my womb. Almost two weeks postpartum.”

Meanwhile, Manzano posted a photo of him holding their newborn and said, “Hi Peanut.”

Celebrity friends have poured out their congratulations to the family.

Gary Valenciano commented, “So so so so happy Luis!! Wow!!”

“Can’t wait to meet you!” posted Anne Curtis.

“Congratulations, Jessy! So excited to meet Rosie,” shared Iza Calzado.

Angeline Quinto wrote,

Jo Koy spends the holidays around the Philippines with family

By Kristofer PurneLL Philstar.com

The comedian has been in the Philippines the past couple of days, which he summarized as “the most beautiful family vacation we have ever taken.”

The video was a drone shot, which expanded further

show Jo Koy’s entire family cheering at the

outside a hilltop.

Jo Koy had visited Baguio City, his maternal relatives in La Union, and was most recently in Bacolod, Negros Occidental. While in Bacolod, the comedian attended an unveiling and ribboncutting courtesy of the Jo Koy Foundation, the charity organization he founded.

The actor-comedian even went on a motorcycle ride with his son and namesake Joseph, and spotted a sari-sari store with the name “JokJok Store” but coined it as “JoKoy Store.”

Jo Koy had a very productive 2022 having done several comedy shows, including one in the Philippines, and starred in the Filipino family-inspired film “Easter Sunday.”

“I just want to tell eveyone out there that [the Philippines] is the most beautiful place on the planet. God, I love the Philippines!” Jo Koy proudly exclaimed.

Precious Paula Nicole was named the first Filipino drag superstar after competing alongside fellow 11 drag artists to win the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines. Photo from

COME through, world, because Precious Paula Nicole’s reign begins now!

Race

superstar Precious Paula Nicole

FILIPINO American comedian Jo Koy is surely enjoying the holidays being back in the Philippines, going around the country with his family.

“We’re in the Philippines, and I’ve got my whole family with me!” he added in the caption of his Instagram reel.

Dolly de Leon

Photos from Instagram/@dollyedeleon

Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola

Photo from Instagram/@jessymendiola

couple Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola are officially parents as they introduce their first child to the world.

“Awwwww. Congratulations Jessy and Kuya. Hello Peanut!”

“So so precious!!!

Congratulations Lu and Jessy,” Bianca Manalo said.

Mendiola, 30 and Manzano, 41, first announced they were expecting in August

2022 through a vlog and a photoshoot taken in Benguet. Later on, they threw a gender reveal party and revealed that they are having a baby girl. After five years of dating, the couple finally tied the knot in Batangas in February 2022.

to

camera

UERM-MAASC resumes humanitarian medical missions

WITH most of the COVID travel restrictions lifted, the UERM~Medical Alumni Association of Southern California decided to resume their annual humanitarian endeavors.

The recent earthquakes affecting Northern Luzon, specifically the province of Abra as the epicenter, helped the group decide to go to City of Bangued, its capital, and resume their medical mission and feeding and gift giving programs. Current consul General Edgar Badajos of the City of Los Angeles, a native son of Bangued, also played a major factor in the group’s decision to go to Abra in January, 2023.

Three Barangays were chosen namely Banacao, Sagap and Calaba in the City of Bangued. With the help of Abra Governor Dominic Valera and Bangued Mayor Mila Valera, the medical mission has been scheduled for January 30, 31 and February 1, which will also include feeding and gift giving programs to 500 school children in these three Barangays.

The Abra Medical Society and member Dr. Joselito Bringas, together with wife Councilwoman of Bangues, Rowena Bringas are also helping UERM~MAASC in this endeavor.

UERM~MAASC, UERM~MAAAI, group and individual donors provided the much needed funds for us to be able to resume our annual medical mission.

A total of forty volunteers led by UERMMAASC President Dr. Jose Pauline, include MD’s, RN’s and paramedical personnel mostly from Southern California are involved in this project.

This mission is made possible by the generosity of our alumni members and donors but most importantly the unselfish dedication of our volunteers here and in the Philippines. We also thank our dear Lord for the opportunity to serve and for His guidance and blessings. May we continue to help our needy kabayans, stay healthy and have a better life one Barangay and one community at a time – Ed Banez, MD.

Jerald, Kim reveal breaking up several times before

CELEBRITY couple Jerald Napoles and Kim Molina revealed that they have broken up many times before, but still chose to be with each other.

During the press conference of their upcoming film “Girlfriend Na Pwede Na” last Friday, Jerald said they haven’t had an extreme fight, but there were times that they needed space away from each other.

Kim added that their relationship is not perfect but they talk to each other to make it work.

“Marami rin kaming ayaw sa isa’t isa, but we always make it a point that when we

clash, we talk about it and we eventually realize that we still have a lot of things to be grateful for about each other. And so, we’re still together,” Kim said.

“And pareho rin kaming mag-isip, e. We have the same goals in life. You can consider me as babaeng Jerald and he, lalaking Kim, so talagang may connect,” she added.

The couple, also known as KimJe, will headline the first offering of Viva Films this year.

Directed by Benedict Mique, “Girlfriend Na Pwede Na” is showing in cinemas starting January 18. (by Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com)

Elisse on ‘battle scars,’ motherhood & McCoy

By Charmie Joy Pagulong Philstar.com

FANS were shocked and sad over the “breakup” of McLisse early this week. But prior to McCoy de Leon’s confirmation that he and partner Elisse Joson have gone on separate ways, the latter said that she felt that McCoy was the right guy for her and that she has envisioned herself in a simple wedding with the former.

During the contract signing event with the Cathy Valencia Advanced Skin Clinic at its BGC branch last Dec. 10 where Elisse is one of the endorsers, she was asked by select press members about their plans of tying the knot. She replied, “That is the goal, but of course, realistically we want to be more prepared. Kasi siyempre with the baby honestly, (we’re) not prepared.”

“So ngayon para mas maayos ang maging steps sa future. We have to prepare for something big like that. But that’s really where it will lead  naman. Parang no pressure lang din to anybody,” she added.

When furthered if she saw McCoy as the right guy for her, she answered, “I don’t see anybody else.”

The Kapamilya actress’ supposed dream wedding with McCoy was a simple ceremony. Hindi na ako nangangarap ng something bongga . I think what matters is yung kayong dalawa. The people that love you are there to support. Family is there to support. Yun lang parang simple wedding also is more meaningful nowadays,” she shared.

In a Dec. 19 Instagram post, McCoy uploaded a photo of him and his one-yearold daughter Felize with a caption that read, Lagi mong tatandaan na mahal kita. Ikaw lang ang nakakaalam. Ikaw lang ang makakaintindi sa akin. Ikaw lang ang maaasahan ko. Ikaw lang ang rason kaya

ako nabubuhay. Ikaw lang ang lahat lahat ko.

“Sana ‘pag tanda mo ‘wag magbago tingin kay daddy ha. Pasensya na kung hindi lang talaga nakaya ni daddy. Sana maikwento ko sayo pagtanda mo.  Don’t worry  masasaya naman ikukwento ko na may konting problema hehe para naman maintindihan mo si daddy,” the post said.

“ Basta ha lagi kang nasa isip ni daddy pasensya na rin kung dito ko nailagay message ko. Hindi ko na alam paano kita makakausap eh ,” he continued.

He concluded the post with, “’ Wag bibigyan ng sakit sa ulo si  mommy  ha i -love mo siya. Last na… anak ‘wag mo silang pansinin ok? Mahal na mahal kita anak ko. Miss na miss na kita sobra ….*hug na mahigpit *.” The penned message has been edited afterwards.

On the other hand, in now-deleted Instagram stories posted on Wednesday, January 4 the Deleter actor

issued an apology and refuted a rumor circulating that a third party caused their split. McCoy was linked to a social media influencer amid the reported breakup.

While not giving details on what caused the separation, he said, “ Wala po  involve (d) na ibang tao (sa) pinakarason kung bakit kami naghiwalay. Sana po maniwala po kayo. Hindi ko po intensyon manakit ng tao o manloko. Sadyang dumating lang po sa point na sobrang bigat lang ng problema kaya po ako sumuko. ”

Whatever led to the breakup, Elisse’s explanation about a Dec. 3 post now seems to be getting new meaning. She posted a photo of herself clad in a bikini showing her stretch marks and post-pregnancy figure, with the caption “Battle scars,” on Instagram. She said during the contract-signing event that it was not only about the physical scars brought about by pregnancy but also about what she was going through internally.

“Actually, they think siyempre yun yung battle scars talaga is yung pinagdaanan sa pagbubuntis, ” she said. “But what I was thinking of when I was posting it is the battle scars internally. There’s a lot going on for me. You know personal life, work life, yung sabay-sabay so parang sabi ko ‘pag mom na pala talaga andaming kailangang pagdaanan, andaming challenges, so battle scars are not just yung physical, it’s inside.”

On what she discovered about herself when she became a mom, Elisse stated, “ Akala ko dati na matapang na ko in facing different challenges, but now that I am a mom, parang ngayon talaga mas na-te -test talaga na  you don’t decide for yourself anymore. Not just for myself anymore, but every

Celebrity couple Jerald Napoles and Kim Molina Photo from Instagram/@

UERM-MAASC Officers and Medical Mission Team spearheaded by President Dr. Jose Pauline.

Elisse Joson: “As a mom, you don’t decide for yourself anymore.”

Photo from Instagram/@elissejoson

Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuse to sign?

Barrister’s Corner

Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

THERE seems to be a misconception in the general public that you can only obtain a divorce in California if your spouse will sign the divorce papers. I get this question a lot from our family law clients. The fact is that California is a no fault state and you do not need your spouse’s signature in order to get a divorce. What is more important is being able to properly serve your spouse with the divorce petition and satisfy the jurisdictional requirement of the Court by showing that either you or your spouse resided in the State for at least 6 months prior to filing the petition and in the County for 3 months prior to filing the petition.

When you file a divorce petition, you have to serve your spouse with the summons and petition. Your spouse then has 30 days to file a response after being served with a divorce petition. If your spouse fails to file and serve you with a response, you can file a request for default against your spouse after 30 days. You can also file a proposed judgment for the court to approve. The default procedure can be done even if there are issues of property division, custody, visitation, and support. However, the Court will still review your proposed

judgment and property division to make sure it conforms to the policy towards equal division of community property. Meaning, you have to propose a division of community property that is pretty much equal between the spouses. If your proposed property division is one sided such as distributing all community property to you and giving all the community debts to your spouse, the Court would probably not grant your judgment. The Court would probably set a hearing for you to explain why this is an equal division of community property.

The only time you may need your spouse’s signature is if your spouse files a response to your divorce petition. This is called “contesting” the divorce. If your divorce is contested by your spouse, you can resolve the case either by “settlement” or by “trial.” However, you do not have to settle all the issues in the case at once. Under the concept of divisible divorce, you can settle some of the issues and set the other issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on for trial. Our office try to resolve cases through settlement because it is more cost effective and the parties are usually happier with the outcome. In that situation, the parties may avoid the cost and uncertainty of going to trial by executing what is called a stipulated judgment which is in essence an agreement as to all the issues in the divorce case.

For issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on, you will have to go through the litigation process which

involves obtaining discovery, exchanging declarations of disclosures, and preparing the case for trial. Ultimately, you will obtain your divorce at trial in addition to adjudication of the distribution of community assets and debts amongst other issues. It is in the best interest of the party to retain the representation of competent counsel who will assert his or her rights under the family code.

* * * Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.  The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.  This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.  The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you.  This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC.  This article is not a solicitation.

* * *

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

Elisse on ‘battle scars,’ otherhood...

From Page 9

decision talaga kailangan pag-isipan and now I see how strong mothers are, not just me but like all the mothers in general, hands down talaga .”

When queried how has things changed for her and

McCoy since becoming parents, she noted, “First, I think yung mga simple arguments and away hindi na pwede. Nakita mo na may negative trait yung partner mo , you can’t just say I don’t like

that about him and leave. You really have to work on it. Kasi ngayon we’re still growing eh, individually. So what we’re trying to do now is, of course, grow together so yun yung nakita ko sa kanya yun .”

Barbie on falling in love with a politician

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actress Barbie Imperial revealed that she’s open to falling in love with a politician.

In an interview with the media after the press conference announcing Star Magic and Mavx Productions’ partnership, Barbie said most of her business partners are businessmen.

“Pwede naman. Hindi kasi po siguro kasi halos kaibigan ko, mga business partners ko, mga politician kaya po siguro nali-link,” she said.

She also added that she’s now ready to fall in love again.

“I’m ready, matagal na ‘yung last din and nag-heal naman na, so, yeah ready. But ang main focus syempre parang medyo hindi naman nawala pero medyo nawalan ng inspirasyon before parang medyo tinamad and I think that’s normal naman. Tayo naman ‘di ba napapagod, nagpapahinga. But now ‘yung focus ko talaga parang career talaga,” she said.

Barbie said she has already moved on from her ex-boyfriend Diego Loyzaga. Wala po kaming communication kumbaga happy po kami sa kanya-kanya naming mga buhay,” she said.

She revealed that they were supposed to have a movie under Viva, but it did not push through.

Gerald on secret marriage with Julia

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

on guys hindi ko gagawin sa inyo iyan. Kapag dumating tayo diyan, there’s nothing to hide,” he said.

“At saka hindi na ako sa edad na iyan. Wala na dapat ganyan. So, no, it’s not true!” he added.

“Oh!

Gerald, however, said that Julia is the one he wants to spend his life with.

“Is she the person? Yeah, she’s the person. But you know, knowing me, kapag nangyari ‘yun, I want to start a family right away,” he said.

Gusto ko tuloy-tuloy na. So, before that comes, kailangan ano na tayo, I’m in a position na I know na kahit anong mangyari, magiging set ‘yung family ko,” he added.

Gerald and Kapuso actress Kylie Padilla star in the film “Unravel,” directed by RC delos Reyes.

Cristy Fermin recalls how she allegedly paid for Toni Gonzaga’s concert tickets she thought were free

MANILA

In an episode of “Showbiz Now Na,” Cristy

“Juicy”

she was shocked when the actress’ mother later asked for payment.

Nong nasa ‘Juicy’ pa ko, concert ni Toni Gonzaga, Araneta din, nagpadala si Mommy Pinty ng ticket kay Alex. Binigay sa akin lima. Tapos ako naman natutuwa. Tapos sa isang taping namin, lumapit sa akin si Alex, ‘Nanay ‘yun daw pong bayad sa tickets sa concert ni ate,’” Cristy said.

The veteran host said she paid for the tickets but didn’t watch the concert.

Pinabayaran sa akin ni Mommy Pinty, totoo pinabayaran. Binayaran ko, pinamigay namin. Hindi rin namin pinanood,” she said.

Meanwhile, in a report by Reggee Bonoan in

Bandera, a source told the columnist that the ticket sales to the anniversary concert of Toni on January 20 at the Araneta Coliseum is not doing well as hoped.

The source also claimed that Mommy Pinty recently bought 500 tickets to the concert. (by Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com)

Actress Barbie Imperial Photo from Instagram/@msbarbieimperial

Dapat meron kami. Dapat iso-shoot namin nung December, under Viva ata ‘yun. Hindi ko lang sure kung bakit hindi na-push,” she said. Barbie stars in the film “I Love Lizzy” with Carlo Aquino, to be shown in cinemas on January 18.

Gerald Anderson with girlfriend Julia Barretto Photo from Instagram/@andersongeraldjr

KAPAMILYA actor Gerald Anderson denied that he and girlfriend Julia Barretto are now married.

In an interview with the media after the press

conference announcing the partnership between Star Magic and Mavx Productions, Gerald said he and Julia will never tie the knot secretly.

Secret!? No, no, come

This year marks Toni Gonzaga’s 20th year in the entertainment scene. Philstar.com file photo

— Veteran showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin claimed that Toni Gonzaga’s mom Pinty gave her concert tickets, but she was asked to pay for them.

said her

co-host Alex Gonzaga gave her tickets during one of their tapings for their showbizoriented show back in 2018, but