011318 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

January 13-16, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 6 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

Third petition filed against martial law extension in Mindanao

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

A THIRD petition challenging the constitutionality of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday, January 12.

The petition was brought forth by former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Loreta “Etta” Rosales, represented by her lawyer, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay.

Former human rights chief Etta Rosales and her lawyer, former Solicitor General In her petition, Rosales insist- Florin Hilbay, file a petition to invalidate the extension of martial law before ed that there is no factual basis the Supreme Court on Friday, January 12. It was the third petition against

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DATELINE

martial rule in Mindanao.

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Koreatown Island Pacific Supermarket destroyed in fire Cause of Wednesday fire still undetermined

AN Island Pacific supermarket in the Los Angeles Koreatown neighborhood has been destroyed after going up in flames just past midnight on Wednesday, January 10.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) received 9-1-1 calls from passersby starting at 12:30 a.m. early Wednesday morning, according to LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey.

Firefighters arrived at the Island Pacific Seafood Market at 229 S. Vermont Avenue to find the fire was burning through the one story building’s roof.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo

President Donald Trump and bipartisan members of the U.S. House and Senate listen to Rep. Henry Cuelllar, (D-TX) in the Cabinet Room at the White House on Tuesday, January 9 to discuss the next steps forward in achieving immigration reform. Trump urged both Republicans and Democrats to put aside their animosity and to start working together.

White House photo by Shealah Craighead

World Bank: PH President Trump denies off-color remarks, calls DACA bipartisan deal ‘big step backwards’ to remain as ‘fastest-growing’ Pressures to pass immigration bill by Jan. 19 deadline heightened ASEAN economy

by RAE

by AJPRESS IN terms of economic growth, the World Bank (WB) expects that the Philippines will continue to outpace its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia for the next three years.

In its January 2018 Global Economic Prospects report released Wednesday, January 10, the Washington-based lender said it expects the Philippines to sustain robust economic growth even as public investments are seen to be slowing down.

“The Philippines will continue to be the fastest-growing economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), despite some stabilization of investment growth,” WB stated in its report.

The WB projected the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 6.7 percent in 2018 and 2019, before moderating to

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ANN VARONA AJPress

PRESIDENT Donald Trump took to Twitter Friday morning, Friday, January 12, denying reports of him using off-color remarks during an Oval Office meeting the previous day on immigration policies with both Democrat and Republican lawmakers.

The remarks on Thursday, January 11 made headlines following a report by the Washington Post that cited people familiar with the meeting quoting Trump in calling Haiti and African countries, “shithole countries.”

Reports later said El Salvador was part of the discussion.

“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” said Trump according to the Washington Post’s re-

port.

Trump also suggested the U.S. bring in people from Norway instead, and expressed openness to allowing Asian immigrants come because he thought they helped the U.S. economically. Trump had met with Norway’s Prime Minister Wednesday.

“Why do we need more Haitians?” Trump was reported saying. “Take them out.”

The comments came a day before the anniversary of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti that killed approximately 300,000 people.

Last November, the Trump administration ended deportation protections for the approximately 60,000 Haitians who came to the U.S. following the earthquake.

They were given until July 2019 to return home.

On Friday morning, Trump ac-

knowledged his “tough language” in a tweet, but denied the comments while blaming Democrats for the backlash.

“Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is obviously, a very poor and troubled country.

Never said ‘take them out.’ Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings - unfortunately, no trust!” he tweeted.

Whether or not Trump made the comments thus became a hesaid-she-said situation with accounts coming from both parties.

On Thursday, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) called out Trump’s denial on MSNBC, describing Trump’s language in the meeting as “hate-filled, vile, and racist.”

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Palace unsure of what Operator of multiple New DILG OIC Año vows to adult care facilities put premium on human rights Duterte can do on Veloso case ordered to pay $7-M for wage theft u PAGE A3

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Majority of caregivers were Filipino

THE owner of six adult care facilities operating in the San Fernando Valley’s quiet West Hills neighborhood has been slapped with citations of over $7 million for wage theft and other law violations. This makes it the largest wage citation in Southern California in the last three years.

Adat Shalom Board and Care, Inc. has been ordered by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office to pay 149 of its former and current employers — a majority of whom are Filipino — for underpaid wages and penalties.

The caregivers cared for elderly residents 24 hours a day, six days a week, receiving

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Newly appointed Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman and former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Officer-in-Charge Secretary Catalino Cuy (right) takes a farewell look at the DILG official seal (center) as he turns over the flag of leadership to incoming DILG OIC Secretary Eduardo Año during the ceremonial turnover held at the DILG-National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Center in Quezon City on Tuesday, January 9. Cuy served as OIC for nine months, but held the DILG undersecretary post for 18 months prior to his appointment.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

NEWLY-INSTALLED Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-incharge (OIC) Eduardo Año on Tuesday, January 9, assured the public that the human rights of every Filipino will be respected and recognized under his watch.

Año, who retired as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last October, said that extrajudicial killings (EJKs) are not part of the government’s policy and will have no place during his leadership.

“I don’t believe in EJKs, it’s not a policy of the government and we will make sure that the rights of every individual are respected and recognized,” he said.

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by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

MALACAÑANG is not sure of what Philippine President Rodrigo can do in the case of convicted overseas Filipina worker Mary Jane Veloso, who remains incarcerated on Indonesia’s death row.

In a press briefing on Thursday, January 11, Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said that Veloso’s case completely lies in the hands of the Indonesian government, noting that the Filipina was “detained in foreign soil because of breach of Indonesian laws.”

“I don’t understand what exactly the president can do in this regard,” Roque said.

Veloso was charged with drug trafficking in April 2010. Her camp argues that she was falsely promised a job to be a maid in

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Mary Jane Veloso

Inquirer.net photo

A January 13-16, 2018 • La WEEKEnD aSIan JOurnaL

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From the Front Page

Third petition filed against...

PAGE A1 t for extending martial law in Mindanao due to the absence of an actual invasion or rebellion, citing that Marawi City had already been liberated from Maute terrorists last October.

She noted that the Constitution allows for martial law to be

imposed in case of “invasion, rebellion or when the public safety requires it.”

Duterte first imposed martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017 after Maute terrorists seized Marawi City, triggering an armed conflict that lasted for five months. The proclamation

was initially set to expire last July 22 but was then extended

by Congress until December 31 last year.

However, despite declaring the liberation of Marawi City, Duterte asked Congress to retain martial law until December 31, 2018 for the “total eradication” of pro-Islamic State (IS) terrorists and communists rebels in the area.

“The foregoing statements clearly show that the Maute rebellion has already been quelled and the purpose of the one-year extension is to mop up the scattered rebels and prevent them from gathering and consolidating their strength,” Rosales said.

Rosales also noted that Duterte’s reference to continued threats posed rebels cannot be used to justify the further extension.

“The president can no longer declare or extend martial law on the basis of mere threats of an impending invasion or rebellion. This is the clear, indisputable letter and intent of the 1987 Constitution,” she stressed.

She went on to point out that as the commander-in-chief, Duterte’s military powers are enough to quell the rebellion and, thus, no longer need the military control.

“In the language of the Constitution, the purpose of using military force is to ‘prevent or

ALL IN. President Rodrigo Duterte greets Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Director Carmen Pedrosa during the PAGCOR 2018 Kick Off: Game On! All in For Nation Building at the Manila Hotel in Manila on Thursday, January 11.

Malacañang photo by Toto Lozano

World Bank: PH to remain...

PAGE A1 t

6.5 percent in 2020.

On average, the WB expects the country’s GDP to grow by 6.6 percent from 2018 to 2020.

The forecasts, however, were below the government’s target range of 7-8 percent annual GDP growth from 2018 to 2022.

Last month, the WB has upgraded its 2017 growth projection u PAGE A4 for the Philippines as part of its

New DILG OIC Año vows...

nagawa ang military sa human rights (What they’re saying durAño also remarked that the ing the Marawi City crisis, so public should look at how the many apprehensions, but look military handled the Marawi no violation of human rights crisis when he was still the AFP happened)?”

At the same time, Año vowed chief.

“Look at the AFP when I was that the fight against illegal the chief of staff and the com- drugs, crime, and corruption manding general of the Army, would be “relentless” during isa lang naman ang (there’s his tenure at the DILG. “Under my watch, the DILG only one) policy and it’s always the premium on human rights will relentlessly and resolutely of every Filipino, everyone,” he wage a campaign to rid the country of illegal drugs, crimisaid.

He continued, “‘Yung sina- nality, and corruption. The sabi nila during Marawi crisis threats of communism and vioang daming apprehension pero lent extremism will also be met look, meron bang violation na head-on,” Año said.

PAGE A1 t

“quarterly forecast exercise to reflect recent economic trends.”

From the previous estimate of 6.6 percent, the WB raised its 2017 economic growth forecast for the Philippines to a stronger 6.7 percent.

“If investment growth accelerates faster along with increased spending in public infrastructure, economic expansion can be even higher in 2017 and 2018 and

exceed the current projection of 6.7 percent,” said Birgit Hansl, WB Lead Economist for the Philippines.

The Philippines posted a 6.9 percent GDP growth for in the third quarter of 2017, which was higher than the 6.5 percent growth in the second quarter of 2017, and of the 6.4 percent posted in the first quarter.

The government is slated to release the country’s 2017 fourthquarter and full-year GDP performance on January 25. n

He added, “I will strongly uphold our primary mandate to ‘promote peace and order, ensure public safety and further strengthen local government capability aimed towards the effective delivery of basic services to the citizenry.”

In addressing possible abuses of police officers and other authorities, Año encouraged the public to file complaints.

He vowed that those involved with crime groups, including police officers, would be “held accountable and will be dealt with uncompromisingly for violating our laws.”

Año allayed fears about the looming “militarization” of the DILG, which has jurisdiction

over the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Stressing that he is “no longer a military man,” Año said he will just “really focus on how to carry out the mandate of this department and make sure na ma-deliver ‘yung expectations sa atin (that the expectations to us will be delivered).”

Año replaces Catalino Cuy, who is now chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

The law states that a former military chief cannot assume the post of secretary until a year after his retirement. n

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

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A3

President Trump denies off-color remarks...

PAGE A1 t Durbin said Trump used the words “repeatedly.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) even confronted Trump on his comments during the meeting, according to Durbin.

“I cannot believe that in the history of the White House, in that Oval Office, any president has ever spoken the words that I personally heard our president speak yesterday,” said Durbin in another Friday statement.

While at a luncheon in Milwaukee Friday, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) called Trump’s comments “unfortunate” and “unhelpful,” before sharing about his Irish ancestor’s beginnings in America.

“The first thing that came to mind was very unfortunate, unhelpful. But you know what I thought of right away? I thought about my own family,” Ryan said.

“It is a beautiful story of America. That is a great story.

That is a story we have today, and that is a story we had yesterday, and that is what makes this country so exceptional and unique in the first place. So I see this as a thing to celebrate, and I think it’s a big part of our strength,” he added.

But other Republicans, such as Sens. David Perdue (R-Ga.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), said in a joint statement that they didn’t hear Trump’s comments.

“We do not recall the president saying these comments specifically, but what he did call out was the imbalance in our current immigration system, which does not protect American workers and our national interest,” they said.

The two senators — who are also co-sponsors of the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act — said Trump “brought everyone to the table this week and listened to both sides.”

“But regrettably, it seems that not everyone is committed to negotiating in good faith,” they added.

The White House did not deny Trump’s remarks on Thursday, and have yet to do so as of this writing.

Those from the attacked countries naturally shared their reactions as well.

President Macky Sall of Sen-

egal tweeted: “I am shocked

by President Trump’s statements on Haiti and Africa. I reject and condemn them vigorously. Africa and the black race deserve the respect and consideration of everyone.”

African Union spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo said African leaders were “frankly alarmed” and said, “Given the historical reality of how many Africans arrived in the United States as slaves, this statement flies in the face of all accepted behavior and practice.”

DACA “big step backwards,” tweets Trump Trump’s remarks and following backlash came after he rejected a bipartisan deal regarding the fate of approximately 700,000 (former) recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program, during the Thursday meeting.

In September of last year, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the federal protection’s end before giving Congress six months to find a fix. That gives Congressional members until March 5 to make a decision.

The looming deadline has kept DREAMer and immigration advocates focused on any affecting actions, and with a deadline for avoiding a government shutdown set for January 19, many are hoping a DACA solution is finally included.

On Tuesday, January 9, U.S. District Judge William Alsup blocked Trump’s plan to end DACA protections, saying that the plaintiffs “have clearly demonstrated that they are likely to suffer serious irreparable harm absent an injunction.”

“Before DACA, Individual Plaintiffs, brought to America as children, faced a tough set of live and career choices turning on the comparative probabilities of being deported versus remaining here,” he said in his decision. “DACA gave them a more tolerable set of choices, including joining the mainstream workforce.”

The ruling allows those previously protected by the program to apply to renew their status. It does not though require the government to accept new applications.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) — the largest legal and civil rights organization in the U.S.

for the Asian American community — said in an emailed statement that they were “deeply disturbed” by Trump’s comments, and added on to the pressure for Congress to decided on DACA. “Our nation’s strength is rooted in its global diversity and our nation’s leaders should celebrate — and not demonize — immigrants,” Advancing Justice said.

“While we condemn the President’s racism, we also call on our Congressional members to not fall for this latest distraction,” the group added. “Congress must focus on passing a clean Dream Act that does not come at the expense of our long-standing family-based immigration system and diversity visa program.”

In a succession of Friday tweets, Trump expressed his issues with what he called the “so-called” bipartisan proposal, by describing it as a “big step backwards.”

Trump argued in his five tweet assertion that the deal did not properly fund the wall, and that it slackened policies on both the family-based immigration Chain Migration system, as well as the diversity visa lottery system. He said he wants a merit-based system of immigration.

Under the proposed bipartisan deal, Trump tweeted that the U.S. would be “forced to take large numbers of people from high crime countries which are doing badly.”

The proposal was introduced by Senators Durbin, Michael Bennett, and Robert Menendez from the Democratic party; and Republicans Lindsey Graham, Jeff Flake, and Cory Gardner.

The six said in a statement before the deal’s rejection that they had “reached an agreement in principle that addresses border security, the diversity visa lottery, chain migration/family reunification and the Dream Act.” Following the meeting on Thursday, Trump’s congressional liaison Marc Short said that they were “pleased that bipartisan members are talking” but added he thinks there’s “still a ways to go.”

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said, “we still think we can get there.” ■

10-YEAR VALIDITY. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano shows the first batch of Philippine passports with 10-year validity on Friday, January 12 at the DFA-ASEANA in Pasay City. The previous passport was valid for only five years.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

Koreatown Island Pacific Supermarket...

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Humphrey said the structure lasted for about an hour and 45 minutes, and was put down before it was able to destroy the other 10 stores in the L-shaped Koreatown strip mall.

The supermarket shares the strip mall with business like Kowloon Dimsum and Banco de Oro (BDO) remit.

A total of 104 Los Angeles

firefighters were dispatched under the command of Assistant Chief Roy Harvey.

No injuries have been reported as of this writing, and fire loss to the Filipino supermarket is still being tabulated.

The cause of the fire also remains under active investigation of this writing.

Wednesday’s fire is the second of three structure fires to

happen within a two mile radius in the past two weeks.

Another fire was reported that morning at 3:16 a.m. on the 1700 block S. New Hampshire Avenue with one civilian fatality. Just last week, a structure fire a mile away resulted in the death of a 74-year-old man who was found inside his senior-living apartment unit. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

Palace unsure of what Duterte can do...

PAGE A1 t Malaysia and instead was lured to be a drug mule without her knowledge.

She was on the execution list but was given a last-minute reprieve on April 29, 2015, after Manila told Jakarta that her one of her alleged recruiters, Maria Kristina “Tintin” Sergio, had been arrested in the Philippines.

Roque also added that the Indonesian government is showing “clemency on daily basis” by “not carrying out the punishment of death penalty.”

“She continues to be alive despite being meted the death pen-

alty but there is such a thing as sovereignty, and the matter is completely in the hands of the Indonesian government, although, the Indonesian government, by not carrying out the punishment of death penalty, had shown clemency, on a daily basis,” the Palace official said.

Earlier on Wednesday, January 10, Veloso, in a recorded message, appealed to Duterte to allow her to testify against Sergio and her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao, who supposedly tricked her into transporting illegal drugs.

“President Duterte, just like the case I am facing now, if you will

not give me a chance to testify to reveal the truth in this case, how then will you be able to know that I am only a victim and the one who violated the law was Cristina Sergio?” Veloso said.

Last week, the Philippine Court of Appeals (CA) denied Veloso’s appeals to stand witness against her recruiters.

The CA reversed the earlier decision of the Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court (RTC) in taking Veloso’s testimony in Indonesia, saying that allowing it is a “violative of their right to confront the witnesses or to meet them face to face guaranteed under Section 14 (2) of the 1987 Constitution.” ■

A January 13-16, 2018 • La WEEKEnD aSIan JOurnaL

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Trump administration clears way to force some Medicaid enrollees to work

by Phil Galewitz californiahealthline.org

THE Trump administration early Thursday, January 11 initiated a pivotal change in the Medicaid program, announcing that for the first time the federal government will allow states to test work requirements as a condition for coverage.

The announcement came in a 10-page memo with detailed directions about how states can reshape the federal-state health program for low-income people.

The document details who should be excluded from the new work requirements — including children and people being treated for opioid abuse — and offers suggestions as to what counts as “work.” Besides employment, it can include job training, volunteering or caring for a close relative.

Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), said the policy change is an effort to give states more flexibility. She

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma Photo by Pete Marovich for Kaiser Health News

told reporters in a call Thursday that it could lead to a decline in Medicaid enrollment.

“We see moving people off Medicaid as a good outcome because that means they do not need the program anymore and have transitioned to a job or can afford insurance,” she said. “This policy helps people achieve the American dream.”

CMS officials said they did not have any estimates on how much Medicaid enrollment would drop as a result of the policy.

Adding a work requirement to Medicaid would mark one of the biggest changes to the program

since its inception in 1966. It is likely to prompt a lawsuit from patient advocacy groups, which claim the requirement is inconsistent with Medicaid’s objectives and would require an act of Congress.

Republicans have been pushing for the change since the Affordable Care Act added millions of “able-bodied” adults to Medicaid. It allowed states to provide coverage to anyone earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (about $16,600 for an individual).

The Obama administration turned down several state requests to add a work requirement.

Ten states have applied for a federal waiver to add a work requirement — Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin.

Officials in several other states have said they are interested in the idea.

ALL EYES ON THE TARSIER. A Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta or Carlito syrichta) clings to a bamboo tree at the Philippine Tarsier and An HHS official, who spoke on Wildlife Sanctuary in Bohol. The sanctuary, located in Canapnapan, Corella, Bohol, was established to save the tarsier and its habitat from

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extinction.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

US reiterates ‘full commitment’ to protect PH, Asia Pacific

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE United States on Wednesday, January 10, reiterated its full commitment to defending the Philippines from possible foreign attacks, as it further vowed to continue to promote and protect international rights in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are fully committed to our alliance with the Philippines. There is absolutely no ambiguity about our commitment to defend the Philippines should a foreign force attack the Philippines,” U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim told GMA-7 News to Go. During the interview, Kim also reaffirmed that Washington remains “fully committed” to the Asia-Pacific region.

He denied that Washington’s shift in policy and attitude to-

ward Asia is “giving space” for China to expand and dominate the region.

“There has been a lot of commentary on this but the U.S. is fully committed to the region.

We are not going anywhere.

What’s important are trade and security,” the envoy said.

“I don’t think it’s accurate to say we’re retreating and giving space to China,” he added.

Kim also maintained that the the role and position of the U.S. government regarding the South China Sea issue has not changed, which is to promote and protect international rights, such as freedom of navigation and freedom of flight.

“This is not solely for the U.S. but good for everybody. If we don’t have freedom of navigation, we will all suffer. So we are (conducting) freedom of

Operator of multiple adult care...

PAGE A1 t pay of less than $3 an hour, according to the complaint.

“Adult care facilities require caregivers to work around the clock, making workers in this industry vulnerable to wage theft and exploitation,” California Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su said in a statement on Tuesday, January 9.

During the years in which the caregivers were employed, the state of California increased its minimum wage from $9 per hour in 2014, to $10.50 per hour in 2017 for companies with 26 employees or more.

The live-in caregivers at Adat Shalom Board and Care were reportedly paid way less, receiving fixed monthly amounts of $1,500 to $1,800 per month, or $2.40 to $2.88 an hour.

Many of the company’s elderly residents and hospice patients under the caregivers’ care suffered from Alzheimer’s and dementia, said the statement.

The citations issued against Adat Shalom Board and Care total $7,137,036 and account for underpayment of minimum wages and overtime pay, meal period violations, and liquidated damages. The average amount due to each affected worker will be over $15,500 per year, not including civil penalties.

Encino attorney Patrick White, whose firm is representing Adat Shalom Board and Care, told the LA Daily News that the company “vehemently denies that it violated any California wage and hour law. The audit conducted by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement is wrong. The company intends to appeal and vigorously fight the citation.”

The investigation was prompted after the Labor Commissioner’s Office received a report of labor law violations from the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC),

a non-profit organization in Historic Filipinotown that focuses on workers rights among the Filipino community.

“This case should be a signal to both caregivers and RCFE [Residential Care for the Elderly] owners alike that it is not acceptable to cut expenses by paying illegally low wages to the people who are providing the direct care. Pilipino Workers Center is here to support caregivers who are victims of wage theft so that they can recover the wages that they have already earned and to help transform the industry’s standard practices,” said PWC’s Executive Director Aquilina Soriano Versoza in an emailed statement.

“When caregivers are paid properly and have good working environments, both the caregivers and the people receiving care benefit from a better quality of life,” she added.

Prevalence of wage theft Wage theft remains a huge problem across the home-health and personal-care industry which is considered one of the nation’s fastest-growing occupational sectors. This is unfortunate as the aging population grows.

A recent study released last September by advocacy organization National Employment Law Project (NELP) found that a significant amount of their 3,000 respondents from 47 states and Washington D.C reported working after hours, often without pay.

Forty percent said they “never” received overtime pay, 12 percent said “sometimes”, and 11 percent reported not even knowing if they did or not.

Furthermore, 57 percent of the worker respondents reported not having sick-day benefits. Of the senior age respondents, an even larger percentage said they didn’t have any benefits for their retirement.

“In a sad irony for a workforce

Third petition filed against...

PAGE A2 t suppress’ activities of the enemies of the State,” Rosales said.

“To this end, the full powers of the military may be used by the president against those who engage in ‘lawless violence, invasion or rebellion,’ without the need to impose martial law,” she added.

The SC is set to hold an oral arguments on two consolidated petitions previously filed by the so-called “Magnificent Seven”

of the House of Representatives, led by Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, and by human rights advocates and cause-oriented groups represented by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), on January 16 and 17.

Rosales asked the high court to consolidate her petition together with the first two appeals, and that hers be included in the upcoming oral arguments.

In a statement, Malacañang acknowledged the latest petition

navigation exercises to make sure we promote those rights,” he explained.

While noting that the U.S. is not a claimant in the South China Sea row, Kim stressed that Washington “care very deeply about how the dispute should be resolved.”

The U.S. envoy went on to say, “The dispute should be resolved peacefully and should be done according to international law and practices.”

“So this is why we have efforts to come out with a strong set of principles, code of conduct to govern how we settle this dispute,” he continued.

Right now, Kim said the challenge for the U.S. government is how to “work with a growing expanding China so that the whole region can benefit from a constructive partnership with China.” n tasked with helping our seniors live with dignity, of the 112 workers in this group aged 65 or older, 79.5 percent do not have employer-provided retirement benefits,” the study said.

In 2017, the Labor Commissioner’s Bureau of Field Enforcement (BOFE) received 17,924 reports of labor law violations from various industries — more than double 2016’s report number of 5,650.

The bureau went on to conduct 2,291 inspections, with 112 of them in residential care homes.

One investigation resulted in a lawsuit filed by L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer in May of 2017, against Health Alliance Nurses Corporation (Health Alliance), a caregiver agency that also had workers in West Hills.

Versoza told the Asian Journal then that the lawsuit could result in over $9 million of restitution for the workers.

In a rally outside an upscale living facility, a former employee of the agency shared her experience of receiving only $150 a day for her live-in, 24-hour day job.

“If you calculate it, that’s only $5 an hour, even if there is already a law that provides protection for caregivers,” shared Rufina Tubo, referring to the 2016 Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

She added that the company was supposed to pay its workers $330 a day for $10 an hour.

A trial date for the case is set for August 17, 2018.

In 2014, the Labor Commissioner’s Office launched its “Wage Theft is a Crime” outreach campaign as a resource for workers to learn how to identify wage theft and take action, and to inform employers about their responsibilities.

“Getting the word out about cases of wage theft informs workers of their rights and empowers them to take action,” said Peter Melton of the DIR Communications Office. (Rae Ann Varona/ AJPress) against Duterte’s martial law extension.

Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque, however, claimed that the one-year martial law extension in Mindanao “enjoys overwhelming presumption of constitutionality.”

“The declaration of martial law, the extension for a year enjoys overwhelming presumption of constitutionality, given that both the executive and the legislative branches of government have found both legal and factual basis for the declaration of martial law,” Roque said. n

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A

US envoy: New DILG chief can help reform Philippine police

by Jefferson

AntipordA ManilaTimes.net

FORMER Armed Forces chief Eduardo Año’s takeover as head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) could help straighten up some members of the police force who have not been behaving well, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said.

Año on Tuesday, January 9, officially took over as officer-incharge of the DILG replacing Catalino Cuy, who was appointed as chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DBB) by President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to Kim, Año’s strong leadership could help in straightening up the Philippine National Police (PNP) ranks and enable the police organization to effectively address the country’s problem on illegal drugs and crime.

“I had a chance to work with him [Año] when he was the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I think he is an honorable

man, very dedicated and committed,” Kim said in a television interview.

The U.S. ambassador was among those who called for full accountability in the killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos during a supposed anti-drug operation carried out by members of the Caloocan City police in August 2017.

Apart from delos Santos, members of the PNP were also charged for the killing of 19year-old Carl Arnaiz, who was accused by police of robbing a taxi driver.

The Senate in 2017 adopted a resolution condemning the killings and conducted a separate investigation on the matter.

“I think many Filipinos would agree with me that there is more work that needs to be done in terms of investigations and accountability involved and these allegations of police abuse,” Kim said.

But the U.S. ambassador noted that while there has been no full satisfaction, the issue has

been addressed many times during his discussions with Duterte and other senior officials of the Philippine government.

“I’m hoping that his [Año] leadership in the DILG will translate into more responsible behavior by some of the police officers who are not behaving in a best possible way,” Kim said.

One of the challenges Ano would be facing as head of the DILG is the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the government and Kim expressed belief that the former miliary chief would be able to handle it effectively.

According to the U.S. diplomat, he was not surprised that police were not able to eradicate the drug problem within the time period set by Duterte and nobody really expected that it could be done.

“I think in General Año, as new head of the DILG, you have a very strong leader and he has been very clear that he will deal with this issue in a strong, honest and sincere manner and I believe him,” he said. n

PAGE A4 t

foundation.)

The Trump administration, along with many Republican leaders in Congress, has long supported such a move. The failed efforts in the House to replace Obamacare included a work requirement for Medicaid.

In its guidance to states, CMS said they should consider how some communities have high unemployment rates and whether enrollees need to care for young children or elderly relatives.

CMS also advised states to make work requirements for Medicaid similar than those used with food stamps to “reduce the burden on both states and beneficiaries.”

“This new guidance paves the way for states to demonstrate how their ideas will improve the health of Medicaid beneficiaries, as well as potentially improve their economic well-being,” Brian Neale, CMS deputy administrator and director for the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, said in the press release.

Verma, who has said she doesn’t think Medicaid should become a way of life for people who are not disabled, said the new guidance shows how the administration is trying to give states more flexibility in running Medicaid.

“Our policy guidance was in response to states that asked us for the flexibility they need to improve their programs and to help people in achieving greater wellbeing and self-sufficiency,” she said.

Verma, who worked with Kentucky and Indiana on their work requirement waivers as a health consultant before joining the Trump administration, recused herself from the decision on those states’ waiver requests.

Jennifer Walthall, secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, applauded the new CMS guidance and said she expects the state’s work requirement request to be approved “in the coming days.”

“Whether it is a job, training, volunteering, substance abuse treatment, additional education or another opportunity, becoming an active and productive member

GRIM REMINDER. Malacañang on Thursday, January 11, downplayed the potential backlash from the Japanese government over the controversial comfort woman statue erected along Roxas Boulevard. “I don’t think it is really a diplomatic issue. Our ties with Japan remain very strong. We have every reason to be optimistic that bilateral relations with Japan will become even stronger,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. According to reports, Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Seiko Noda on Tuesday told Duterte that “it’s regrettable for this kind of statue to suddenly appear” during their meeting in Manila. The seven-foot bronze statue, unveiled last December 8, was installed in remembrance of around 1,000 women sexually abused by Japanese soldiers during World War II. Philstar.com photo

Cebu waters unbeatable — travel mag

by CAtherine

tAlAverA Philstar.com

CEBU continues to be on the radar of foreign travelers as an international travel magazine has cited Cebu for its clear waters and warm climate.

Conde Nast Traveler magazine included Cebu in its list of “10 Warm Places We’d Rather Be Right Now,” which featured warm-temperature destinations of the community is an important that editors of the magazine are part of healthy living,” she said in dreaming about during the winter a statement. season.

This story was produced “I’d rather be wading through

by Kaiser Health News, an edi- the clear Philippine Sea as schools torially independent program of of brightly colored tropical fish the Kaiser Family Foundation. n swim around me,” Conde Nast

Trump administration clears...

the condition of anonymity because the official had not been authorized to discuss the developments, said the agency may approve Kentucky’s request as early as Friday. Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican, first sought to add such a provision in 2016. The current request would require ablebodied adults without dependents to work at least 20 hours a week.

Kentucky, which has some of the poorest counties in the country, has seen its Medicaid enrollment double in the past three years after the state expanded eligibility under the ACA. While more than 74 million people are enrolled in Medicaid, only a small fraction would be affected by the work requirement.

That’s because children — who make up nearly half of Medicaid enrollees — are excluded. So are the more than 10 million people on Medicaid because they have a disability.

More than 4 in 10 adults with Medicaid coverage already work full time, and most others either go to school, take care of a relative or are too sick to work.

Still, critics fear a work requirement could have a chilling effect on people signing up for Medicaid or make it harder for people to get coverage.

Jane Perkins, legal director for the National Health Law Program, a patient advocacy group, said a lawsuit is likely once CMS approves a state waiver.

“We believe that the work requirement is indeed a problem because it is not consistent with Medicaid’s objectives” to furnish medical assistance, she said.

“Programs that assist people in finding and keeping work are effective, not programs that penalize them by stopping health insurance or blocking them from getting health coverage in the first place.”

But work requirements have strong public backing. About 70 percent of Americans say they support states imposing a work requirement on non-disabled adults, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll last year.

(Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the

Conde Nast Traveler magazine included Cebu in its list of “10 Warm Places We’d Rather Be Right Now,” which featured warm-temperature destinations that editors of the magazine are dreaming about during the winter season.

Philstar.com photo

Traveler senior editor Erin Florio said.

“I’ve snorkeled all over the world; even knee-deep, the waters off the coast of Cebu can’t be beat,” Florio added.

Cebu is joined by other warmtemperature destinations like Buzios in Brazil, Chiang Mai in Thailand and Karpathos in Greece, among others.

Last October, readers of the international travel magazine voted Cebu and the Visayan islands as the second best island in the world in 2017.

“Not as wild as Phuket in Thailand, Cebu City is more personal, with plenty of up-and-coming

restaurants and shopping,” Conde Nast Traveler earlier reported.

Boracay and Palawan also secured the first and third spot on the best islands in the world list.

The Philippines has been receiving continued interest from international tourists in recent years for the country’s beaches.

Just last week, Travel+Leisure included five Philippine beaches on the list of 365 beaches to visit in 2018. Among these are the Seven Comandos Beach, Payong-Payong Beach, Hidden Beach and Linapacan islands, all in Palawan.

The white beach in Boracay was also included in the list. n

A January 13-16, 2018 • La WEEKEnD aSIan JOurnaL

Dateline USa

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Kobe Paras upbeat on co-Gilas pool members

Kobe Paras

KoBE paras is satisfied with his potential teammates when the 2023 FIBA World Cup fires off in the philippines. paras bannered the 23 names bared by Gilas pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes, which includes current collegiate stars Thirdy Ravena, Robert Bolick and CJ perez.

Ateneo prodigy Kai Sotto is among the high school standouts who made it to the list along with Will Gozum and AJ Edu. “I saw the lineup and I’m hapPhilstar.com photo

py with the group of guys,” paras said in a video interview posted

by ABS-CBN’s Steve Angeles.

He added that he is excited to represent the philippines again in the international scene.

“I’m happy that coach picked me as well. You know me, I love representing my country so I’m really happy he chose me,” added paras.

The 20-year old paras said he is thrilled to play alongside other Fil-Am players Remy Martin and Dwight Ramos.

“I need to talk to them because we’re representing LA (Los Angeles) and the philippines so it’s going to be cool,” he said.

Head coach Chot Reyes said the list is “by no means final,” and might include or remove other names in the future. (Philstar.com) BAMBOO PROCESSING FACTORY. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar tours the bamboo processing factory at C5 Extension Road, Pulang Lupa Uno, Las Pinas City, after its inauguration. Villar, chair of the Senate agriculture and food committee, wants to spur the bamboo industry’s growth and sustainability. She encourages stakeholders to boost bamboo output to augment earnings from bamboo production. Senate photo

Brian Viloria out to claim WBA flyweight title

by Joaquin

Henson Philstar.com

Reigning IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas Inquirer.net photo

Top Rank hypes Ancajas

Top Rank Inc., one of the biggest boxing promotional companies, has started marketing its newest fighter, reigning IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas.

In a Twitter post, Top Rank shared a short video clip of Ancajas’ highlights in an effort to drum up interest in the Filipino’s upcoming fight against Mexico’s Israel Gonzalez.

Ancajas, a protégé of Manny pacquiao, will make his U.S. debut against Gonzalez on February 3 in Corpus Christi, Texas. It will be his first fight under Top Rank. (Philstar.com)

BRIAN Viloria is out to prove he’s still on top of his game when the Hawaiian punch battles unbeaten Artem Dalakian of Ukraine for the vacant WBA flyweight title at the Forum in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 24.

Viloria, 37, is a former IBF/WBC lightflyweight and WBA/WBo flyweight titlist. When Japan’s Kazuto Ioka relinquished the WBA 112-pound championship last November, the governing body picked No. 1 contender Dalakian and No. 2 contender Viloria to dispute the vacant throne.

“I’ve worked very hard to earn this shot for a fifth world title and I’m not going to let it slip away,” said Viloria. “I won my first world title in Los Angeles and I couldn’t be more excited to be back home to fight for the championship in front of my friends, family and supportive fans.”

Viloria lives in Los Angeles with his wife Erica and their son Tyler.

In 2005, he claimed his first world title via an opening round knockout over Eric ortiz for the WBC lightflyweight belt at the Staples

Brian Viloria

Philstar.com photo

Center in L. A. “I’ve been working in the gym for more than a month in the hope that this fight would materialize,” said Viloria. “I want to thank Mr. (Akihiko) Honda and his staff at Teiken promotions for delivering this opportunity, and also to Tom Loeffler of 360 promotions for including this bout on the second successful ‘Superfly’ event.

I’m eager to prove once again that I’m the premier flyweight in the world and you can count on seeing the best Brian Viloria ever. I’ve always given the fans an honest account in the ring and they won’t be disappointed on February 24.”

The bout will be shown on HBo Boxing After Dark. It’s an added attraction to the second edition of HBo’s superflyweight series. Viloria is coming off back-to-back wins over Mexicans Ruben Montoya and Miguel Cartagena to raise his record to 38-5, with 23 Kos. Dalakian, 30, is the WBA Continental and International flyweight ruler.

His record is 15-0, with 11 Kos. It will be Dalakian’s first fight outside of Ukraine.

“Viloria is a good boxer and was a champion but his time is up,” said Dalakian who was born in Azerbaijan and is now based in Ukraine. “I’m going to the US to become a world champion and to prove to everyone that I’m the best.”

Ioka, 28, is a three-division world champion who recently ended his ring career in the wake of a split from his father and trainer Kazunori over his marriage to singer Nana Tanimura last May. Ioka hasn’t fought since retaining the WBA title on a decision over Thailand’s Noknoi Sittiprasert in osaka last April. His father cited “lack of motivation” in suggesting retirement and Ioka made it official a few days ago. n

UN Security Council lauds inter-Korean talks, sanctions against North Korea UNITED NATIoNS -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday welcomed the latest interactions on the Korean peninsula, but remained adamant in upholding sanctions against North Korea.

“Members of the (Security) Council welcomed the latest steps and communications that have occurred between the DpRK (Democratic people’s Republic of Korea) and the Republic of Korea,” Kazakh ambassador to the United Nations Kairat Umarov, who serves as the rotating president of the Security Council for this month, told reporters after closed-door consultations of the council.

“Members of the council noted that such initial dialogue between the two Korean states can open possibilities for confidence and trust building on the Korean peninsula, to reduce tensions and drive toward de-nucleariza-

tion,” he said.

They expressed the hope that such interactions would indeed lead to the de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula, he said.

Despite the positive development, the Security Council would not budge on sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs.

“The members of the Security Council reiterated that the DpRK and all other member states should comprehensively and strictly implement all relevant resolutions of the Security Council,” said Umarov.

North Korea and South Korea on Tuesday started high-level talks, the first in about two years, at the truce village of panmunjom that straddles the heavily guarded border between the two neighbors.

A joint press release issued

after the dialogue said North Korea had agreed to send a delegation to the 2018 Winter olympics to kick off in February in South Korea’s eastern county of pyeongchang, and the 2018 paralympics in March.

Seoul and pyongyang also agreed to hold a separate dialogue between their military authorities after agreeing that they should make joint efforts to ease military tensions and create a peaceful environment on the Korean peninsula, among others.

North Korea also reopened a military hotline with South Korea across the western border Tuesday during the inter-Korean high-level talks.

The Security Council has adopted 10 resolutions containing sanctions against pyongyang since 2006. (PNA with reports Xinhua)

2 foreign fugitives facing sexual raps abroad fall in Visayas

by Julius

n. leonen Inquirer.net

AGENTS of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested two foreigners in Visayas based on records that they are long wanted for cases of pedophilia and other crimes in their own countries.

British national Robert Michael Eastwood, 67, and American Frank Carson Jr., 68, were apprehended in separate operations by the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), the bureau said in a statement on Friday, January 12.

Eastwood was charged in the United Kingdom with sexual assault against a 13-year-old

girl, indecent assault, sexual assault against a 16-year-old girl; armed robbery; and gun possession, according to BI intelligence officer and FSU chief Bobby Raquepo.

Carson, meanwhile, flew out of the United States after a California court ordered his arrest for failing to face the case for sexual offense, Raquepo said.

Carson was also an undocumented alien as the U.S. government cancelled his passport.

Eastwood was arrested on Wednesday, January 10, in Barangay Canuntog, ormoc City while Carson was collared on Thursday at the Alegria palms Subdivision in Cordova, Cebu,

the BI said.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the arrests were made after the British and the U.S. embassies informed the BI of their case status.

“As usual, the two of them will be deported as they pose a risk to public safety and security and they will be placed in our blacklist to ensure that they do not return to the philippines in the future,” Morente said.

Eastwood and Carson were detained at the BI detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig pending issuance by the BI board of commissioners of the order for their summary deportation, the BI chief said. n

TRASLACION AFTERMATH. Personnel of the city of Manila’s public service division collect trash during a massive clean-up drive a day after the procession of the Black Nazarene.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 13-16, 2018

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

SWS: More Filipinos oppose revolutionary gov’t by aJPress

CLEAN AIR CAMPAIGN. Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (i-ACT) personnel from HPG, LTO, and LTFRB conduct “Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok” operation along Marcos Highway in Barangay Santolan, Pasig City on Wednesday, January 10. I-ACT started the campaign to flag down road unworthy public transport in compliance with the PUV Modernization Program.

PNA photos by Joey O. Razon

SC orders DOH to answer Dengvaxia petition

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THe Philippine Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday, January 10 directed the Department of Health (DoH) and several other agencies to answer the petition filed by the Gabriela party-list together with the families of vaccinated children seeking to compel the government to provide free medicine and hospitalization to children who were administered with Dengvaxia.

According to SC Spokesperson Theodore Te, the court gave respondents Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, education Secretary Leonor Briones, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge

Catalino Cuy, DoH-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control program director Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, and Food and Drug Administration Director General Nela Charade Puno 10 days from receipt of notice to comment on the petition.

In their petition, Gabriela party-list and more than 70 mothers are demanding that the government should provide long-term consultations and treatment to those vaccinated.

“These free medical services shall continue until it would have been determined and declared by competent and medical and/or scientific experts that the threat/s brought about by the Dengvaxia vaccine have been minimized or eliminated,” the petition stated.

The petitioners also wanted the court to compel the respondents to publicly disseminate, on a regular basis, the report of the DoH task force created and designated to monitor and review the school-based immunization program involving Dengvaxia, and submit the result of the review to the Senate and House of representatives committees on health.

The DoH stopped the dengue immunization project on December 1, 2017 after French-based pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur claimed that new clinical analysis revealed Dengvaxia could lead to more cases of severe disease when administered to a person who has never been infected before. n

Duterte to fire agency chairman, 70 PNP officers by chRistina

Mendez

Philstar.com

MANILA — An agency chairman, some 70 policemen and three generals will be next to get the boot as President rodrigo Duterte continues his firing of officials suspected of involvement in corruption under his “purging regime.”

He bared his plan on Thursday, January 11 before a gathering

at the Manila Hotel of officials and personnel of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

(Pagcor), the government’s gambling regulator.

“I am in the thick of firing people. I intend to fire another maybe 70 or 49 policemen and three generals for corruption,” Duterte said.

He also said he is “firing another chairman of an entity in government” possibly within the

week.

“I think that I’ll be spending a lot of time just to clean up government and would consume four years for the time that I would be there. Ayaw ko na lang mag-drama,” Duterte said. “This is really a purging regime.”

He stressed he is unforgiving of officials who tolerate corruption in their agencies. He also maintained that while the gam-

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More Filipinos are opposed to the idea of Philippine President rodrigo Duterte declaring a revolutionary government, according to a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Based on the survey results released Friday, January 12, 39 percent of Filipinos opposed the proposal to establish a revolutionary government, while 31 percent supported it. The remaining 30 percent said they were undecided about the issue.

This results in a net agreement score of -8 percent against revolutionary government.

The opposition was highest in Balance Luzon at 46 percent, followed by the Visayas at 43 percent, Metro Manila at 39 percent, and Mindanao at 21 percent.

In Balance Luzon, only 30 percent said they supported it, posing a net score of -16 against revolutionary government.

Having a respective net score of -17 and -7 against revolutionary government, the opposition is also strong in Visayas and Metro Manila. only 26 percent in the Visayas and 31 percent in Metro Manila said they backed the proposal. on the other hand, more respondents in Mindanao expressed support towards a revolutionary government at 38 percent, resulting in a net score of +16 in favor of the proposition.

According to SWS director for sampling and data processing Gerardo Sandoval, the same survey also showed that the creation of revolutionary government gained little support even from those who expressed much trust in and satisfaction with Duterte’s performance. results showed that the support for a revolutionary government posted a neutral score of only +1 and +2 from Filipinos who have much trust and were satisfied with Duterte’s performance respectively.

“In terms of one aspect, they could be satisfied and supportive, but in terms of other aspects being pushed by the president, it does not get much support,” Sandoval said in a press briefing.

“Hindi automatic na (It’s not automatic that) if you are satisfied and if you trust the person, lahat

ng ipu-push niya ay susuportahan (everything he will push for will get support). of course, it would depend on what issue is being pushed by the leader,” he added.

The SWS survey was conducted from December 8 to 16, 2017 among 1,200 respondents nationwide using face-to-face inter-

views. It has a margin of error of ±3 percent nationwide, ±4 percent for Luzon, and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao.

In a previous speech, Duterte warned of declaring a revolutionary government if things have

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A January 13-16, 2018 • La WEEKEnD aSIan JOurnaL

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OpiniOn

‘Tokhang’ relaunched, again

Features

After rejoining the war on drugs, the Philippine National Police is set to relaunch this month its Oplan tokhang. the controversial anti-drug campaign has seen thousands of drug personalities killed since 2016, with PNP officials admitting that there were cases of mistaken identity and police abuses.

It is the second time that the PNP is rejoining the war on drugs. It was pulled out of the campaign following the gruesome execution of South Korean business executive Jee Ickjoo on Oct. 18, 2016 by members of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group right inside PNP headquarters at Camp Crame. The AIDG was dissolved, but the PNP eventually revived its bloody campaign, dubbing it Double Barrel Reloaded.

Double Barrel was muzzled and the PNP was again pulled out of the war last year following a string of killings of teenagers believed to have been summarily executed. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency was then given the lead in fighting the drug menace. The law in fact specifically tasks the PDEA to be the lead agency in the campaign against illegal drugs, with the PNP and other law enforcement groups providing support.

With the PNP rejoining the campaign, national police chief Ronald dela Rosa has vowed that the relaunch will adhere to the original concept of tokhang, under which police will knock on private homes and “plead” with drug personalities

to surrender.

In the previous campaign, witnesses in several cases said there was no pleading. Instead cops simply barged into homes and dragged out suspects, a number of whom were shot dead after allegedly resisting arrest. When those killed included teenagers, surveys showed public support for the war plummeting.

President Duterte has made it clear that he intends to make good on his campaign promise of eradicating or at least making a significant dent against the drug menace. The public generally supports any anti-drug campaign, but there are no quick fixes to this complex problem. Greater zeal is needed to stop large-scale smuggling of drugs from countries such as China. Equal attention must be given to the social and public health dimensions of the problem and the need to give drug abusers a second chance.

Since the start of this administration, egregious abuses and mistakes have been committed in waging the war on drugs. In relaunching Oplan Tokhang, there is no excuse for repeating those abuses and mistakes. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Does Pres. Trump’s ‘shithole countries’ racial slur resonate with you?

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS TRUMP denied it. The president of the United States tweeted he did not describe certain nations from Africa as “shithole countries” during a bipartisan meeting on immigration when he rejected a bipartisan deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Trump also denied he demanded that people from Haiti be removed from negotiations about protected status for people from certain countries.

BUT he lied. He lied again to the American people and the world with this denial. lawmakers in the room with him during that private meeting confirmed

the president indeed uttered those appalling racially charged comments disparaging immigrants from Africa and Haiti and said that the United States should instead take in more immigrants from Norway — a rich country that is predominantly “white.”

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois recounted that Trump “said these hatefilled things and he said them repeatedly,” confirming reports by the Washington Post and other news organizations.

“Why do we want all these people from ‘shithole countries’ coming here?” Trump told senators in the Oval Office.

Durbin also confirmed that Trump said, “Haitians. Do we need more Haitians?” and pushed to take them out of the country.

“Then he went on and started to describe the immigration from Africa that was being protected in this bipartisan measure. That’s when he used these vile and vulgar comments, calling the nations they come from ‘shitholes,’” Durbin confirmed.

“The exact word used by the president. Not just once but repeatedly. That was the nature of this conversation.”

Meanwhile, Republican Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue said they “do not recall the President saying these comments specifically,” other GOP senators confirmed this happened in the Oval Office.

South Carolina Republican Senator lindsay Graham, who was also in that bipartisan meeting issued this statement: “The president and all those attending the meeting know what

I said and how I feel. I’ve always believed that America is an idea, not defined by its people but by its ideals.”

These recent comments from Trump caused outrage not only from among many Americans but from people all over the world, especially because this statement by the president is not an isolated case.

After all, Trump first grabbed the attention and won hearts of some Americans when he pushed the conspiracy theory that former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. This has been followed by other anti-immigrant remarks and policy statements as a candidate and as the president of the United States, while defending “white” people.

However, it was a different story from the Trump camp. In

a report by CNN, a White House official told CNN that “the president’s ‘shithole’ remark is being received much differently inside of the White House than it is outside. The official said that although this might enrage Washington, staffers predict the comment would resonate with Trump’s base.”

How ironic that this weekend, we celebrate Martin luther King Jr. Day, in remembrance of the civil rights leader and peace advocate who said, “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Unfortunately, President Donald Trump’s own words and actions do not reflect the inclusive values of America, a nation built by immigrants of All color.

Where are the leaders of the Republican Party? Where is the

outrage?

This development just makes a lot of kababayans ask: Does Trump think we Filipinos, who are people of color as well, come from a “shithole” too?

Do you share Trump’s racist sentiments? If you voted for him, how do you even defend him again and again for his lies and racist comments? Are you part of that “base’ who lauds him because his comments resonate with your own values?

If not, where is your outrage?

Where is the condemnation? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

New Year’s opportunity to set our souls on fire Chain migration is family reunification “Everybody can be great…because any- Rhizomes body can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.

You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You PRoSy abaRquezonly need a heart full of delaCRuz, J.d. grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. AllOW me to share what I learned to live by, for decades, which keeps me inspired, which keeps me jumping out of bed, and which keeps me engaged with folks and seeking new travels.

It is a life that is simple in wants. Well not all that simple — as I can enjoy yellowtail sashimi with shaved truffles and miso sauce to flambé wagyu beef on rocks, to roasted yellow, white and purple cauliflower with cilantro and jalapeño dressing for my 39th wedding anniversary to at times, street tacos al pastor at $1.25 each with a slice of roasted pineapple at the corner gasoline station, when we both are not into cooking that evening.

How did I evolve to this place in my life where I can be ‘at home’ to the most luxurious flavors in upscale restaurants, be in the company of multimillionaires, and at the same time, ‘at home’ with blue-collar workers, grassroots musicians, students and professionals?

I was once this fastidious petty bourgeois, middle-class individual, who wanted to dress up in lace in a high school prom, and who wanted to be seen in the right places with the right people until I got to the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

It was once a snooty kind of life in high school, that looked down on what was not practiced within my comfort zone. It was also a very stressful kind of life that selfselects and discards prematurely what is not aligning with that precondition. It

was quite tiring.

Until, I got to vacation in the provinces. I found it so satisfying to eat in the market with school friends and buy the local suman and drink the tsokolate.

I found it even more gratifying to spend hours in conversation at the local coffee shop and exchanged lessons about life.

It made me less dependent on acquired commodities.

In my first months-long extended trip to the provinces of the Philippines, I had packed two balikbayan boxes and sent it months in advance. I had lived for a month in leyte, without these boxes.

When they arrived, I simply gave away most of the stuff.

It taught me a big lesson: all that really mattered were relationships with family, relatives, true friends and dear classmates from elementary and high school. There is something so genuine about lives spent with classmates, as it is simple bonding moments, choosing to be with one another!

Investing in self-care to serve others It is life that climbs trails and sees beauty in the ordinary wildflowers: the white sage brushes that give off their smell in the morning, toyon or what looks like red holly berries, hence the name Hollywood (no wonder I keep taking a photo of the Hollywood sign, visible at the horizon, along with downtown skyscrapers); prickly pear cactus that is being rehabilitated, and mulefat with white buds about to be blown off by the winds.

Imagine being greeted with this new bloom of the prickly pear cactus the first few days this January. But, can you even imagine being greeted by the bighorn sheep on Christmas Day, one that is called desert reindeer? You simply know God is greeting you through this big ani-

Bighorn Sheep (Desert Reindeer) Photo by Enrique De La Cruz

Toyon aka Holly Berries from which the name Hollywood was derived Photo by Prosy Delacruz

mal, who stopped, and who allowed us to take his photo.

It is a life that prefers to see the changes of colors in the mountains, soaked by the rising sun or the setting sun. I still have to figure out the colors of sunset and sunrise just by looking at the colors

u PAGE A9

eliminate famPRESIDENT Donald Trump’s an- Commentary ily reunification nouncement that he disaffirms an imwould put an end to migrant worker’s “chain” migration as humanity. It exa feature of immigraploits his talent and tion law is worrisome labor, but prevents and ill-advised. What him from buildhe really means is enRique de la CRuz, Ph.d. ing stronger bonds that he would elimiwith society. This nate “family reunification” — a pro- is foolish and ignorant, for when viso which enables naturalized citi- these social bonds break, the social zens to petition for immediate family costs could be enormous. members to immigrate — as a feaThe promise of family reunification ture of U.S. immigration policy. This is a major incentive for immigrant is backward and makes a mockery of workers to apply for citizenship, this country’s avowed commitment thus cementing their bonds with to family.

America. Taking away the ability of For immigrants, in particular, elim- naturalized citizens to sponsor faminating family reunification as a fea- ily members to immigrate creates a ture of immigration law enables the double standard fraught with constiexploitation of immigrant talent and tutional issues. Should a native-born labor, while denying them the ability citizen be barred from sponsoring to establish communities. Families their foreign-born wife or husband, are the building blocks of commu- too? What about underaged children nities, and without families, viable from a former marriage? If not, why immigrant communities will find it should native-born citizens enjoy a hard to take root. This is the hard- privilege that foreign-born citizens earned lesson inscribed in Filipino- do not have? Shouldn’t citizenship American historical memory. Prior to bestow upon an individual, regardthe World War II, when Filipino im- less of whether they are foreign-born migrants were unable to bring their or native-born the same rights and families, they were unable to estab- privileges? ** lish viable communities. They were As Filipino Americans, we have reduced to loose bands of migrant suffered immensely from misguidmale workers, following the harvest, ed and racially based immigration subject to exploitation and discrimi- policies of the past. We cannot and nation. should not silently stand by as misinFamilies constitute an essen- formed and misguided immigration tial support system to a healthy reform ideas are legislated into law. workforce especially an immigrant **The founding fathers reserved workforce. It is vital to its mental only one right for native-born citihealth, for it is this connection to love zens: the privilege to run for presiones that grounds an individual and dent of the United States. cements his/her bonds with society *** at large. Without family, an individEnrique de la Cruz is Professor Emeritus of ual’s bonds with society become that Asian American Studies, California State University, Northridge. He may be contacted at enrique.dela. much more tenuous and brittle.

Changing immigration policy to cruz@csun.edu.

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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OpiniOn & Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 13-16, 2018

A

Aquino no-show in arraignment on Mamasapano bloodbath case

by Ma.

Reina TolenTino ManilaTimes.net

CLASS ACT. Teacher Maybeth Ferrer holds class at Araullo High School on UN Avenue in Manila. Ferrer and other public school teachers are hoping for a pay increase after salary hikes were implemented for soldiers and police. However, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno rejected calls to increase the salary of public school teachers, saying it was not among the priorities of the government.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo

New Year’s opportunity to set...

PAGE A8 t

of the mountains, which my husband competently does.

It is a life that does not shy away from making myself available to folks who share their innermost dreams, aspirations, and sometimes, life’s deep-seated angst and issues. It is a life that stays open to receive folks at various stages of their lives, even to hear their tragedies, which at times, disturbs me for hours, and one in which I have to resort to praying to the Holy Spirit to surrender all my angst and implore God to help them.

I now spend the later chapters of my life with few true good friends who contribute to my spiritual development, whose lives are equally generous to serve others, and whose lives are not just for themselves, but serving others.

It is quite endearing to also hear the pleasant news from Stephanie, whom I had mentored since 3 years old. She is about to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management and with three courses shy before graduation, already has a full-time job at a major transport company. I used to tell her that she was unique, so special as God gave her the golden hair, as if telling everyone she is God’s beloved. I brought her to all my public events, including high tea at the Biltmore Hotel and several bookstores to introduce her to books and love for reading.

But, even with the best parents, she went through some difficulty, not of her own making, but from witnessing the near-death emer-

gency of a college student who was addicted to drugs and had passed out, prompting her to call an ambulance to save her. It turns out that the student’s irresponsible mother was enabling her addiction by supplying her with marijuana-laced brownies.

That incident traumatized Stephanie’s sensitive heart and beautiful disposition to be in a slow mode to finish college.

While taking community college courses, she became a receptionist, airline customer representative, sales representative and all those jobs formed her life’s perspective.

She became more diligent about college education, got herself tutored in subjects she was weak at, and voila, in the last two years, led her team to complete several university team projects.

Even with a full-time college load, she babysits her preschool niece and toddler nephew.

Stephanie’s mother takes the time to have high tea with her, a daily one-on-one bonding, after her mom puts in a grueling day of caregiving to an almost 90-year-old German woman, who was raised under Hitler’s time in Germany, and who can exhaust her mom’s patience and even more so, after a long commute of hours from the Valley.

Imagine what her mother has to do to make Stephanie feel like God’s beloved. No wonder she bloomed and soared!

No dreams are now too big for Stephanie. She got her first professional job by herself as she knows her worth and more importantly, her capacities. She

now faces her life with positivity and vigor and knows that her future is bright.

After her graduation this May, Stephanie will travel to Europe, her very first, accompanied by her dad, her mom, her brother, her sister-in-law and her niece and nephew.

If you ask me what fuels my soul to be on fire — it is being part of the lives of others, whom I mentor, folks like Stephanie whom I have known since she was 3 years old, and one who pushes herself to be her best now that I feel so lucky to be a witness to her life. She even told me, “I see myself getting married someday.”

This 2018, set your souls on fire, by maximizing your service to others, but also, by maximizing your self-care, so you can be a living presence to others, much like this toyon aka holly berries from which the Hollywood name was derived or the bighorn sheep, aka a desert reindeer. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 9 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong.

She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.

FORMER President Benigno Aquino III did not show up to the scheduled arraignment on Friday, January 12 for his graft and usurpation of authority cases in connection with the botched Mamasapano raid in January 2015.

The Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division deferred to February 15 his arraignment as well as the pretrial of the cases against former Philippine National Police (PNP) director general Alan Purisima.

Aquino’s lawyer Romeo Fernandez said he thought the Sandiganbayan would tackle only the motion to quash the charges filed by the former president.

Aquino’s presence was not required in the hearing on the motion to quash, he said.

Fernandez also said he was unaware that the arraignment was also scheduled on Friday.

The 39-page motion to quash said the Ombudsman’s charge sheet failed to state a violation of the Revised Penal Code and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices

ALL ALONE Disgraced former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima appears before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court for a hearing on his graft and usurpation case in connection with the January 2015 Mamasapano raid. His ex-boss, former president Benigno Aquino 3rd, was a no-show.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy L. Matinez

Act, and was filed “without authority.”

“As exhaustively discussed,

when Oplan Exodus was devised and implemented, sole executive power was vested in Mr. Aquino under Article VII of the 1987 Constitution. He likewise had the duty to ensure that all laws are faithfully executed, and accordingly, ensure the arrest of the internationally wanted Marwan and Basit Usman.

He had not been removed from office by way of impeachment, which, under the Constitution, is the only way by which his powers of control and supervision over the Executive Department, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), and the PNP could be taken away from him,” the defense said in the motion.

“All of these acts fell squarely within Mr. Aquino’s powers, functions, and prerogatives as then President of the Philippines, and therefore, cannot be deemed as criminal acts. The [charges], therefore, must be quashed for accusing Mr. Aquino of acts which are actually justified and legal under the circumstances,” the defense said. n

A10 January 13-16, 2018 • La WEEKEnD aSIan JOurnaL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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PH’s bond with China getting stronger, says Duterte

by AJPress

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Inquirer.net photo

Marcos on not running for Senate in 2019: ‘I already won as VP’

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr. on Wednesday, January 10 ruled out the possibility of running for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm elections, saying he already “won” the 2016 vice presidential race.

Speaking at the “Kapihan sa manila Bay” media forum, the former senator expressed confidence that he would win his electoral protest against Vice President maria Leonor “Leni” robredo.

“Bakit ako tatakbo ng senador eh nanalo na ‘ko ng bise presidente (Why will I run for senator when I already won as vice president?)” marcos told reporters.

In a recently released survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) from December 8 to 11 last year, marcos ranked 7-8th in the Senate’s so-called “magic 12” or list probable senatorial race winners.

While appreciating the public’s “continued support,” marcos maintained that he is focused on his case against robredo, as he pointed to the importance of knowing the “real” result of the 2016 vice presidential election.

“Hindi ko titigilan itong protestang ito dahil tapat ang aking paniniwala na dinaya ako noong nakaraang halalan (I will not give up on this protest because I believe that I was cheated during the last elections),” marcos stressed.

He continued, “At ipapalabas ko ang tunay na bilang ng boto nang malaman ng tao kung sino ba talaga ang pinili ng taong bay-

an bilang bise presidente (And I will strive to show the real count of the votes so the people will know who the nation really chose as vice president).”

During the same forum, marcos accused the Presidential electoral Tribunal (PeT) of being “unfair and unjust,” citing in particular the supposed “disturbing series of decisions” made by Supreme Court Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa. robredo won the vice presidential race with just 263,473 more votes than marcos. The latter accused her of benefiting from “massive electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities” during the vice presidential election in 2016. marcos’ electoral protest was raffled off to Caguioa, who is just one of the members of the SC, sitting as the electoral tribunal.

“It’s become very obvious that the strategy has been to delay, delay, and delay. mukhang hindi na fair ang treatment sakin sa PeT (Looks like PET is no longer treating me fairly),” marcos said.

“There has been a disturbing series of decisions made by Justice (Benjamin) Caguioa that were clearly unfair and unjust,” he added.

Among several PeT rulings — which the former senator claimed were unfair include the tribunal’s order asking him P36 million out of his P66.2 million protest fee on April 14, 2017 — fell on Good Friday when most banks were closed for the Holy Week.

It can be recalled, however, that PeT immediately moved first installment deadline on the next working day, which is on April 17,

2017. marcos also criticized PeT for delaying the deadline of robredo’s P8 million initial counterprotest fee from the original April 17, 2017 to may 2 of the same year because she “couldn’t pay on time.”

‘Too presumptuous’ In a statement, robredo’s camp chided marcos for being “too presumptuous” in claiming that he already won the vice presidency.

“It was too presumptuous for mr. Ferdinand marcos (Jr.) to claim that he already ‘won the vice presidency’ or he is just dreaming,” said lawyer romulo macalintal, robredo’s lead counsel. “mr. marcos is merely trying to preempt the coming results of the recount of ballots where his ridiculous and frivolous claim of massive election cheating will be proven false and a mere imagined victory, which is the usual reaction of an election loser who cannot accept defeat in good grace,” macalintal added. robredo’s camp also stressed that she was already proclaimed winner by Congress, further nothing that “no one has ever won in a recount of automated ballots” based on past recount of ballots.

“For the results of the recount will just tally with the results generated by the vote counting machines from the automated election system, which marcos himself admitted to be credible and for which his first cause of action questioning the system was dismissed by the Presidential electoral Tribunal (PeT),” macalintal said. n

THe bond between the Philippines and China is improving every day, said President rodrigo Duterte during a meeting with the delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by the close staff of China President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, January 9.

In a Palace press statement, the president reiterated, “our desire and wish of the Filipino people that we make our bond stronger’.”

According to malacañang, CPC Central Committee member meng Xiangfeng and three other CPC leaders held discussions with Duterte. Accompanying them were Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua and Chinese embassy counselor Sun Yi. The other delegation members were Yuan Zhibing, director general of Bureau one International Department of the CPC; Lin Zhi, division chief, Personnel Bureau, CPC; and Du Dingding, division chief, Bureau one International Department.

The CPC members were invited by the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which was represented at the meeting by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, the party president, and energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the party’s vice chair.

PH still trusts China When asked to comment over

the reported airbase with military facilities and hospital that China built in the Kagitingan reef (also known as Fiery Cross reef), Presidential spokesperson Harry roque said on Tuesday that the Philippines was still relying on China’s good faith that the Chinese government would not undertake new reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea. “When we say we are relying on China’s good faith, it is because China has committed not to embark on new reclamations,” roque said during Palace briefing. roque further explained that China has already reclaimed Kagitingan and is the subject of the arbitral tribunal’s decision that the island is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“So when we invoke the good faith of China, it is against making further reclamations and not making further works on islands that it had already reclaimed,” roque said.

“So I hope that is very clear. So the good faith we’re relying on is the commitment of China not to embark on new reclamations,” he added. roque, however, affirmed the statement of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who said that the Philippines would file a diplomatic protest against China if they had indeed built an airbase with military facilities in Kagitingan

Island. “of course, that’s the proper remedy ‘no. But that’s something that the Department of Foreign Affairs will have to address,” roque said. roque said if China would militarize the island, it would be a “further threat to peace and security in the area.”

“But the point is, has there been a breach of Chinese commitment not to reclaim any new islands or shoals in the area? For as long as there is none, then we continue to respect that they are true to their commitment not to do so,” he explained. roque also said, “From the very beginning China, we knew, was militarizing the area by reclaiming these areas and by using them as military bases.

“So the fact that they are actually using it now as military bases, as far as I’m concerned, is not new, new. It’s not news.

Because we’ve always been against the militarization of the area. But the good faith commitment is not to reclaim new islands. I hope that’s very clear,” he added.

Since Duterte assumed office in 2016, he has maintained a friendly stance with China to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations. Duterte resolved to have a bilateral dialogue with China over the long-standing maritime dispute over conflicting claims onparts of the South China Sea. n

Alejano: DFA approved Chinese think tank request to study Philippine waters by ian

nicolaS cigaral Philstar.com

mANILA — A lawmaker on Friday, January 12, claimed that the government has granted China’s request to conduct marine scientific research in Philippine waters, including the potentially resourcerich Benham rise.

Without revealing the source of his information, rep. Gary Alejano (magdalo party-list) slammed the Department of Foreign Affairs for supposedly allowing the Institute of oceanology of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Io-CAS) to conduct research in waters off eastern Luzon, where Benham rise is located, and off eastern mindanao.

The Chinese marine scientific research will take place on January 24 to February 25 this year.

Alejano said the Chinese researchers will be joined by the University of the Philippines — marine Science Institute “as a requirement.”

Aside from the Chinese think tank, Alejano also claimed that a similar request for the same area

was sent by French-based nonprofit organization Tara expeditions Foundation.

However, Tara expeditions’ request was declined, he said.

The DFA has yet to reply to Philstar.com’s request for comment.

In 2012, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf approved the Philippines’ undisputed claim to the Benham rise.

President rodrigo Duterte earlier signed an executive order officially renaming Benham rise to “Philippine rise” to assert the country’s sovereignty there following reports that Chinese research vessels were spotted surveying the area in 2016.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had described the presence of these Chinese ships as “very concerning,” adding the vessels sometimes stayed for as long as a month reportedly in search of areas to park their submarines.

In response, China dismissed Lorenzana’s report, saying their ships were “exercising navigation freedoms and the right to inno-

cent passage only.” The Philippine Navy now regularly patrols the said continental shelf.

Why China?

In the same statement, Alejano questioned the granting of permit to Io-CAS to conduct a research in Philippine waters, citing China’s maritime encroachment in the disputed South China Sea, which both manila and Beijing claim.

Alejano, a former marine officer, said Tara expeditions was a better choice if the Philippines is seeking additional resources and manpower to study eastern waters.

He also stressed that unlike China, France has no territorial conflict with the Philippines.

“Geographically speaking, France is not an immediate security threat,” Alejano said.

According to Alejano, information from the DFA’s maritime and oceans Affairs office show that China has sought several times for a permit to conduct research in Benham rise since 2015, but all were rejected because of “denial of involvement of Filipino experts.” n

SWS: More Filipinos oppose revolutionary gov’t PAGE A7 t

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

gone “out of control” and if the government was at risk of being overthrown violently.

“If things go out of control and [the] government is weakened— that is my predicate,” the president

said in November last year.

He added, “If my country is weakened and I see revolutionaries bringing firearms on the streets, well, maybe you shouldn’t have second thoughts, I will declare a revolutionary

government.”

Duterte, however, later backtracked on the idea, saying he would not declare a revolutionary government after the military expressed that it would not support his plan. n

Duterte to fire agency chairman...

PAGE A7 t

bling industry has helped boost the economy, it has also spawned illegal activities.

He called on casino executives not to hesitate to report corrupt activities of government officials they’re dealing with.

“Lahat naman tayo ayaw ng corruption, ayaw ng mali (All of us hate corruption, wrongdoing). even in gambling there are so many allied crimes with it,” he said.

In his remarks, Duterte warned Pagcor officials as well as those in the private sector against engaging in corrupt activities.

“Kasi pati kayo, you are abetting a thing which we have put our hearts into, itong corruption,” he said.

In the same event, Duterte also called on police officers to go after drug personalities and reiterated his promise to support law enforcers pursuing his fierce campaign against illegal drugs.

“But for policemen and soldiers who are prosecuted or facing charges in court, in the performance of duty or duty-connected, I will tell you, ‘I will protect them,’” he said.

His campaign has left thousands of suspected drug offenders dead, many at the hands of unidentified gunmen who were suspected of being in cahoots with policemen or were policemen themselves in disguise.

“If it’s done in good faith, in the performance of a duty, diyan ninyo maasahan (there you can count on me),” Duterte said. “And that is how I protect those who are honest and who are hardworking.

But I hit hard those who are corrupt and should not be there in police work.”

He warned erring policemen to expect no mercy from him. “either you go out of the service and

“I am in the thick of firing people. I intend to fire another maybe 70 or 49 policemen and three generals for corruption,” President Duterte said.

Philstar.com/File Photo

look for a lucrative job, maybe cleaning the garbage there sa basura or… I will not hesitate to… I have fired so many before and I will fire so many of you now and in the future,” he said.

Duterte lamented that corruption has caused so much damage to the country.

“It has been pulling us down through the years. I don’t know but I think it was mine kasi may nangyari eh and every administration has a component there of corruption and crime,” he said.

Sought for comment, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General ronald dela rosa claimed he was clueless about the identities of police officials set to be dismissed by Duterte.

I’m not aware because there are still cases being handled by the Napolcom (National Police Commission),” Dela rosa said on Friday, January 12, in an ambush interview.

Dela rosa said he would have to ask Napolcom about the identities and other details about the police officials. meanwhile, Senate majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said it’s within the President’s power and

prerogative to fire or replace officials.

“He (Duterte) can fire his appointees anytime for any reason or no reason at all,” Sotto said in a text message.

Some of the officials Duterte had earlier fired were found to have engaged in what malacañang said were excessive foreign travels.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the most vocal critics of Duterte, however scoffed at the President’s pronouncement, saying he should be first to go in his own purge.

“I’ll only believe Duterte’s claim of purging if he shows his bank accounts because up to now he still can’t explain why he has billions of pesos,” Trillanes said.

Senators earlier backed Duterte’s move to sanction junketing officials in the executive branch even as they stressed they don’t have that sort of problem in the Senate.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III was referring to Duterte’s threat to impose a “starvation diet” on foreign trips in the executive branch.

“Very good!” Pimentel said of Duterte’s plan, adding such a move, however, is not applicable in the Senate, being part of a separate branch of government.

He said the legislature is separate and independent of the executive branch of government.

“I’m actually encouraging my colleagues to travel so we will have ‘an internationally engaged Senate’ which is part of my vision for the Philippine Senate and also to take some of the traveling burden off my shoulders,” Pimentel said when asked whether official travels of senators would also be limited or stopped. (With reports from Paolo Romero, Emmanuel Tupas)

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 13-16, 2018

A11

Lombard by the Bay: World destination, future home in the heart of Batangas Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate and Dev’t to launch condotel project

by AJ Press Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate and Development Inc. in a joint venture with Blue Stock Development Holdings Inc. will be launching their condotel project — Lombard by the Bay — in the country soon. The project, in collaboration with Architect Eric Asinas of Arch Haus Asia, is a semi-modern residential and commercial development consisting of 892 units and one commercial that will soon wind its way in the world destination Montemaria, Batangas City.

Just a two-hour drive away from Manila, Lombard by the Bay is strategically located at the southernmost tip of Batangas Bay in Batangas City. It is situated on a plateau overlooking Verde Island Passage, which is considered as the center of marine biodiversity of the world.

As a township development in Montemaria, the newest reli-

gious tourism destination, Lombard by the Bay is within walking distance from the Mother of All Asia Tower of Peace, the tallest statue of Virgin Mary in the world.

“We not only envision Montemaria as a world destination for pilgrims and foreign and domestic tourists, but also the future home of thousands of overseas Filipinos — whether it be for their retirement, investment, or a vacation home when they return which is why we are so excited with Lombard By The Bay especially since Roger Oriel and Rene Cinco of Premier Asia Pacific truly share our passion, vision, and drive for helping the Philippines,” said Regina Mandanas, president and chief executive officer, Abacore Capital Holdings Inc. Lombard by the Bay will be perfect for pilgrims, devotees, and tourists alike seeking luxurious accommodations surrounded by vivid green panorama and

a 360-degree view of the calming ocean. Its groundbreaking has already started last December 20, 2017 and its completion is expected in 2019.

“The breathtaking and serene views of the Verde Isle Passage, the tallest statue of Virgin Mary, the beautiful Mother of All Asia Tower of Peace, and the future home and travel destination for millions of people is incredibly exciting. But when I look around the entire site of Lombard by the Bay, what I think about and what drives us to work so hard are all of the jobs that we will create for the Philippines. And it’s not simply jobs for this project, but the trickle effect this place will have throughout the entire Province of Batangas and the country at large. It is truly an exciting and blessed day for all of us,” said Roger Oriel, chairman of Premier Asia Pacific.

“I feel that this is one of the best condominium projects in the country. It is unique and

will attract people all over the world,” said Rene Cinco, president and chief executive officer of Premier Asia Pacific.

Cinco is a leading expert in mortgage banking, residential and commercial property development, property management, and commercial financing. He was also an active member of the National Association of Realtors in the United States and the Commercial Marketing Group in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate and Development is a real estate company that believes in the economic development of the Philippines and catering to the needs of developers and buyers looking to expand their property and investment portfolio. Premier Asia Pacific’s goal and mission is to reconnect overseas Filipinos back to their Philippine roots by offering a complete package of real estate investment services in the Moth- (L-R) RJ Oriel, Rene CInco, Regina Reyes Mandanas and Roger Oriel at the groundbraking of erland.

Lombard by the Bay Project at Montemaria, Batangas City.

Shannon Bridgman, RJ Oriel, Roger Oriel, Governor. Dodo Mandanas, Rene Cinco, Architect Eric Asinas and Architect Pach Cansana at a luncheon meeting to launch Lombard by the Bay Project at Montemaria, Batangas City.

Groundbreaking of Lombard by the Bay Project at Montemaria, Batangas City.

Photos taken by AJPress

Mother of All Asia Tower of Peace, the Tallest Statue of Virgin Mary in the world

A12 January 13-16, 2018 • La WEEKEnD aSIan JOurnaL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 13-16, 2018

SHOWBIZ&STYLE

B

Journal Why Juday is the down-to-earth drama queen James Reid: ‘Singing is really my core’ by

Tessa Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

Judy Ann Santos is certainly a drama queen in the literal sense.

Since making her professional debut on television in “Kaming Mga ulila� 39 years ago, she has won a total of 24 best actress awards for dramatic portrayals both on the small and big screens, and continues to be considered the superstar of her generation to this very day.

It was therefore both surprising and admirable how this veritable icon in Philippine show business admitted to all and sundry that she had actually lost her confidence in acting very recently.

Candid and down to earth at the grand media conference for her upcoming starrer with Angelica Panganiban—a dramedy titled “Ang dalawang Mrs. Reyes�—Juday simply confessed she needed to seek validation from her director and colleagues if had pulled off a scenes or not. Something the veteran actress had probably not done for a very long time. used to making as many as five to seven films a year at the height of her career, Juday took intermittent breaks from moviemaking since marrying Ryan Agoncillo in 2009. Eager to focus on her family life after devoting all her time and energy to her career

since age eight, she only filmed one title a year or even none at all following the birth of son Lucho in 2010 and Luna in 2016. [Her adopted daughter yohan is now 13 years old].

As such, the seasoned actress acknowledged she felt panicky at the start of shooting for Mrs. Reyes, a movie by multi-awarded director Jun Robles Lana (“die Beautiful,� “Bwakaw,� “A Barber’s Tale�), which required not just Juday’s penchant for shedding tears, but precise comedic timing. “It took some time bago ako kumalma,� related the first-rate actress who went as far as saying she felt terrified to shoot her lines across Angelica who is, as direk Jun put it, already “plakada� (an expert) in comedic acting. “I think it was after the third shooting day, I had to talk to sina direk Jun (Lana) and the rest of the production staff to ask if, OK ba yung trabaho ko? ‘May kulang ba?

Ano pa ba ang dapat kong gawin?’ Ganoon ako hindi ka-confident sa trabaho ko. I needed that assurance na natawid ko yung ginawa kong punchline.�

She recalled feeling the same way in her most recent movies “Kusina� (2016) and “Tyanak�

(2014).

Saying she felt she just “lost it,� Juday even poked fun at her

by ricky

calderon ManilaTimes.net

MILLEnnIAL heartthrob James Reid said it’s by choice that he neither did movies nor teleseryes in 2017. At the press conference of “Jadine: Love Revolution� held over the week, the other half of the successful Jadine tandem said he simply wanted to concentrate on his music.

He explained that the movies he and nadine are doing now, including one directed by Antoinette Jadaone [who helmed their top-rating series “On The Wings of Love (OTWOL)�], was supposed to be finished in 2017. “But I wanted more time to do

Judy Ann Santos marks her return to mainstream movies via ‘Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes.’

age and said she found the digital cameras unnervingly quiet compared to the whirring sounds of yesteryears’ contraptions. “Ganoon ako ka-walang confidence sa trabaho ko or sa sarili ko as an actress. Feeling mo, you just lost it. Ikaw ‘yung bagong luma sa grupo tapos ikaw ‘yung pinasok sa kumukulong tubig na lahat hitik na hitik sa experience,� she poetically expressed.

Even more admirably, she said that when she finally got her groove back, she felt excited at the prospect of learning new approaches in moviemaking and acting. “Eventually, na-enjoy ko yung buong proseso, kasi ang motivation ko is to learn and to challenge myself, and I guess I’m about to reach my finish line kapag naipalabas na ito.�

To some extent, it is understandable why Juday felt unsure of herself in portraying the role of Lian in the movie. A career-driven woman who marries her college best friend (Joross Gamboa) only to find out after many years he is having an affair with another Behind the scenes with her fellow lead Angelica Panganiban who has more experience in comedy man—the husband of Angelica’s than Santos.

Photos courtesy of Star Cinema PAGE B2

my album,� said James. “doing movies will always be there but we wanted to give more attention to my music, my album, and our forthcoming concert.�

The Jadine concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on February 9 will showcase new music.

It will be unlike their first, which was heavily based on the theme of OTWOL and “Till I Met you.� “This one is just original music but the message behind everything really is ‘revolution,’ a change—it’s from wanting to stop all the bashing and hatred.

We really want to spread love, a new age of love,� he shared.

James interest in music beJames Reid PAGE B2

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B January 13-16, 2018 • La WEEKEnD aSIan JOurnaL

EntErtainmEnt

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Maxene Magalona honors Francis M in beach wedding Gloc-9 pays tribute to Francis Magalona

by Deni

Rose A. BeRnARDo

by JAn

Milo seveRo Philstar.com

Philstar.com

Nearly a decade after the death of late rap master Francis Magalona, his daughter Maxene Magalona has tied the knot with model-musician robby Mananquil in a beach wedding in Shangri-la Boracay on Thursday, January 11.

Despite her father’s absence, Maxene made sure to still pay tribute to him by attaching a picture of the late rapper in a locket in her wedding bouquet, styled by renowned event stylist Teddy Manuel.

“Simple yet meaningful bridal bouquet today for @maxenemagalona. a touch of a locket makes a touching sentiment to share and remember her father on her wedding day,” Manuel, in an Instagram post, said of the concept behind the bouquet.

Saab, Maxene’s sister, also had a locket like that when she got married in 2015. She, however, was unable to attend her sister’s wedding since she is expecting twins and was forbidden by her doctor to travel.

“Today my maid-of-honor gets married and, as her matron-ofhonor, I’m so sad that I can’t be with her physically,” Saab said in an Instagram post.

“I really wish I could be there, but with her big and selfless heart, she told me not to worry about it because the safety of my babies is what’s most important. I love you, @maxenemagalona, and I am currently crying buckets from Manila,” said Saab.

Saab still wore her matron-ofhonor gown even if she stayed at

MaNIla — after years of staying at the top of the Philippine rap industry, Gloc-9 still makes sure that his feet are on the ground.

During a recent interview with Philstar.com, Gloc-9 gave credit to his mentor, Original Pinoy Music (OPM) “King of rap” Francis M. “Ako ay isang text lang. anything na magagawa ko para kay elmo o kanino man na miyembro ng pamilya ni Sir Kiko (Francis M), wala akong second thought. lagi ‘kong gagawin yan. Lagi

lang gawin ay i-sustain ‘yung ginagawa namin for the past seven years...na sana makatisod pa ko ng mga songs na masusulat ko parati. S’yempre unang-una pa rin don ay kung masaya pa rin ako sa ginagawa ko. Sometimes, tinatanong ko pa rin ‘yan eh. Kung ito pa rin ba ‘yung gusto kong gawin. Pero laging oo pa rin naman ang sagot ko. Ito pa rin ang aking ligaya.”

For his ninth album, Gloc-9 decided to only make six tracks, five of them are new, for him to release faster products. “‘ang ‘rotonda’ ay mga awitin na kwento ng iba’t ibang tao. ‘Yun naman din talaga ang aking laging ginagawa — ang mag-kwento.”

For him, the songs in the album have a personal connection.

Theses songs are his views on different things.

“Yung title track na ‘rotonda,’ although medyo social commentary pa rin sya, but if you listen to the song, medyo mas reflection s’ya ng buhay kaya ‘rotonda’ din ‘yung title ng CD, dahil naniniwala ako na sa buhay natin, lahat ng nangyayari, lahat ng mga taong nakikilala natin, pangit man o maganda, sa buhay natin, dadaanin ulit natin’ yan eh. Kaya ko sya philstar.com photo tinawag na ‘rotonda.’”

akong nakasuporta d’yan eh.

Ang naitulong sa akin ng tatay nya ay hindi ko matutumbasan.

Anything na kaya kong ibalik sa kanila, gagawin ko,” Gloc-9 told members of the media during his “rotonda” album launch at eastwood, Quezon City.

No wonder why the public loves aristotle Pollisco, a.k.a.

Gloc-9, apart from his rapping skills. The multi-awarded music icon has no plans of slowing down as his game plan is to sustain the momentum.

“Sa totoo lang, ang tina-try ko

Maxene Magalona and Robby Mananquil exchanged ‘I do’s’ in Boracay on January 11.

Instagram/@officaltIMyap

home during Maxene’s wedding.

Netizens were also touched when Maxene chose her late dad’s hit, “Girl Be Mine,” as her bridal march song.

“It’s so romantic,” some netizens commented on Twitter.

Maxene met robby through his band, Pulso, which plays with the band of her sister Saab in events.

Maxene recalled that one day, robby just sent her a message online, and from there, they started to connect and fall in love.

“I will love you for a hundred years and more. Because a lifetime is not enough,” the two were quoted as saying as vows in their wedding, attended by celebrities like principal sponsor Gary Valenciano and TV host Tim yap. after Maxene’s wedding, netizens are also asking, will her brother and his love team partner, elmo Magalona and Janella Salvador, be the next ones to exchange “I do’s”?

Gloc-9

Why Juday is the down-to-earth drama queen PAGE B1 Cindy (as portrayed by JC Devera).

They are both Mrs. reyes in the movie, both driven to outrage and wild antics just to get back at their men.

Indeed, it has been intriguing to watch Judy ann Santos, who is praised for her controlled acting,

go a little over the top in spewing her lines from Mrs. reyes’ official trailer. It will certainly be very interesting to watch her, as she puts it, pull off the entire material.

“It took me some time to do a movie again because I really wanted something different, something that would challenge

me,” the gifted actress explained. “and reading the script of ang Dalawang Mrs. reyes, I knew ito na yon,” she ended.

Co-produced by Star Cinema, Quantum Films and IdeaFirst Company, ang Dalawang Mrs. reyes hits cinemas nationwide on January 17.

PAGE B1 came widely known when he collaborated with fellow “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB): Teen Clash 2010” housemate Bret Jackson on “We are Whatever.” as a solo artist, he ventured out with a selftitled album and “reid alert,” an Original Pilipino Music album with touches of pop and r&B. He now has “Palm Dreams” as his third studio album.

“I think Palm Dreams is still very pop—it’s r&B, pop and a mix of dancehall, a little bit of electronic, a little bit of hip-hop.

It’s what pop is, a combination of different genres, whatever is

now,” he informed.

James’ brand of music is expected to be featured in the upcoming concert, so fans are sure to be entertained with “Cool Down” and “Il2lU” as well as “Bahala Na” and “Para-paraan,” some of the songs featured in his third album.

James’ passion for music is very evident in conversations.

“Well, I’m definitely more comfortable singing and performing,” he said. “Singing is really my core. When I’m on stage, I feel stronger.”

James won the Best Southeast asia act at the MTV europe Mu-

sic awards. He was also named No. 4 in TC Candler’s list of “100 Most Handsome Faces” for 2017, ahead of Joe Jonas (No. 100), Daniel Matsunaga (No. 88), leonardo DiCaprio (No. 87), lee MinHo (No. 84), Brad Pitt (No. 78), Chris Pine (No. 69), Zayn Malik (No. 67), enrique Gil (No. 61), Chris Hemsworth (No. 59), Mario Maurer (No. 58), Harry Styles (No. 54), Shawn Mendes (No. 48), Henry Cavill (No. 44), Zac efron (No. 32), David Beckham (No. 26) and Idris elba (No. 8). Just ahead of him are Kim Tae-Hyung (No. 1), Jason Momoa (No. 2) and armie Hammer (No. 3).

Stealing the spotlight? Elmo, Janella show sweetness at Maxene’s wedding James Reid: ‘Singing is really my core’ aFTer Maxene Magalona, are elmo Magalona and Janella Salvador next in line to exchange “I do’s”?

On January 11, Maxene married musician robby Mananquil in an intimate beach wedding in Boracay. Besides them, the couple that was arguably the most photographed during the occasion was elmo and Janella or Team elNella.

Check out these photos that show elmo and Janella’s undeniable sweetness in Boracay, as if they are the newlyweds. (Deni AJ Ad - 1 - Jan 2018_Layout 1 1/11/18 3:36 PM Page 2 Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/PhilJanella Salvador and Elmo Magalona photos from Instagram/@elmomagalona star.com)

Protect yourself and your family in the New Year

age gracefully

Herb Roasted Tofu Is Sweet and Savory Treat

Sweet and Savory Maple Herb Roasted Tofu

Serves 2–3

BY GRACE O

If you think tofu always lacks flavor, you have to give this sweet, savory, and herbaceous soybased holiday entree a try. A simple blend of oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and tamari or soy sauce combine to create a flavorful entree that’s wholly worthy of a coveted spot on your holiday table. The added aroma from fresh, wintry herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage is just a bonus. Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will love this comforting and festive main dish!

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Slice tofu into 3 squares by cutting block twice along thinnest edge.

Spread tofu squares on baking sheet and set aside.

2. Whisk together grapeseed oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and tamari/soy sauce in a small mixing bowl and then brush mixture generously onto each side of the tofu squares. Spread sprigs of fresh herbs on top of tofu squares and place baking sheet on center rack of oven and bake until golden brown and aromatic, about 30 minutes.

3. Remove tofu from oven and transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil before serving if desired.

© 2018 by FoodTrients.com

1 block drained and pressed extra firm tofu 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free) 12–16 sprigs fresh herbs (I used a blend of rosemary, thyme, and sage) Extra virgin olive oil for serving (optional)

GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks – The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won the National award for Innovation from the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry.

Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com

Every year people start the New Year off by making resolutions and setting goals to improve their lives. Here’s something you can do right now to protect yourself and your family and it doesn’t require getting sweaty or joining a club - get covered with a quality health insurance plan through Covered California.

Covered California is the state exchange established under the Affordable Care Act, where Californians who do not have health insurance can sign up for quality health coverage and find out whether they qualify for financial help in paying for their premiums. While there has been a lot of debate about the future of our health care system, the ACA remains the law of the land and now is the time to sign up if you do not have health insurance.

“Covered California remains strong, and the good news is that for most consumers, the price of their coverage is going down in 2018,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “If you do not currently have health insurance, now is the one time of the year when you can enroll without needing to meet special qualifying conditions.”

While the open enrollment period in most states ended on Dec. 15, Covered California’s open-enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, 2018, giving Californians more time to explore their options and find the plan that best suits their needs.

Having health insurance is important because it protects consumers and their families against potentially enormous medical bills if they get sick or injured. Covered California’s new ad campaign focuses on day-to-day examples of how life can change in an instant. Whether it is stumbling off a curb while checking your phone, slicing your hand while in the kitchen or discovering that there will be a new addition to the family, being covered is the best plan when life changes.

“More than 28,000 Filipinos are currently enrolled in a plan through Covered California,” Lee said. “We want to make sure everyone in the Filipino community knows about their options and the financial help that is available to help bring that health coverage within reach.”

Consumers can see their options and find out if they qualify for financial help in just a few easy steps. All they need to do is visit www.CoveredCA. com and click on the “Shop and Compare” button.

With their ZIP code, household income, household size and the ages of those who are applying for coverage, they will quickly find out which plans are available and whether they qualify for financial assistance.

For example, an individual could earn up to $48,240 a year, and a family of four up to $98,400, and qualify for financial help that would lower the cost of their monthly premium. Not only do a majority of Covered California consumers benefit from financial help, but a new analysis shows that the price they pay for their coverage is going down this year.

“Even if you have checked Covered California out before, check again,” Lee said. “Finding out whether you qualify for financial help only takes a few minutes and the prices could be more affordable than you think.”

In addition to signing up online, consumers can get free, confidential in-person assistance to find out more about their coverage options. Covered California has partnered with insurance agents and community organizations across the state, who speak Tagalog and a variety of other languages, to help consumers find the best fit for their health care needs.

Consumers interested in speaking with someone in person can visit the “Find Help” page on www.CoveredCA.com and enter their ZIP code to locate a certified enroller near them. They can also contact Covered California’s service center at (800) 300-1506. Covered California provides resources in Tagalog on its website at https://www.coveredca.com/tagalog/.

“California is the most diverse state in the country and we want to do everything we can to make sure that people in every community can get the coverage they deserve and the care they need,” Lee said.

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 13-16, 2018

B

Julia Montes looks up to Kathryn Bernardo for action scenes

by DeNi

Rose a. BeRNaRDo Philstar.com

After Mara, it is now Clara’s turn to become an action star. following the “La Luna Sangre� success of Kathryn Bernardo, who starred as Mara in the remake of “Mara, Clara,� it is now the turn of Kathryn’s “Mara, Clara� co-star, Julia Montes, to show prowess in combat scenes for upcoming ABSCBN soap opera “Asintado.�

In an interview last Monday for her upcoming soap opera “Asintado,� Julia told The Star that though she and Kathryn are no longer costars, Kathryn always tell Julia her experiences in doing fight scenes for “La Luna Sangre.� “Na-eexcite ako every time na nagkwekwento nga s’ya,� Julia enthused.

Julia admitted that she also now consults Kathryn on how to prepare doing battle shots for “Asintado.â€? “Lalo na ‘yun si Kath, masyado ‘yung health-conscious‌ ilang beses na ‘yun naggi-gym, etc.

Sa kanya ako mas nagtatanong ngayon.�

Julia affirmed that it is now the age of femme fatales in filipino soap operas, with roles such as Kathryn’s Malia in “La Luna Sangre� dabbling from dramatic to kick-ass. “Siguro, ‘yan na nga po ‘yung trend ngayon na iba na ang woman empowerment, parang pinapakita natin na wala nang babae’t lalaki sa mundo – lahat tayo pantay-pantay at lahat tayo palaban!�

She said, she and Kathryn are excited to be part of a new generation of actors that value gender equality. “Ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na ang management, ang ABS, open na ang babae iba lumaban na rin. Sakto na kami ni Kathryn

Julia Montes and Kathryn Bernardo ABS-CBN photo

nandun na kami sa line na ganun.

It’s exciting for us!�

Coco Martin’s devotion Julia, rumored girlfriend of Coco Martin, admitted that she and the “Ang Probinsyano� star share the same faith in Quiapo’s famous Black Nazarene.

Last January 9, millions trooped to the Black Nazarene’s annual traslacion procession, and among the blackened Christ’s known devotees is Martin.

Julia told Philstar.com that she, too, is a believer of the Nazareno. “Yes, napagkwentuhan namin ‘yun before and meron din naman akong beliefs and naging Catholic din naman ako ngayon, so I do believe in that,� Julia explained.

She recalled that her devotion began even before she and Coco became an item. “Nu’ng childhood ko, before nasa Pandacan kami, malapit kami sa Quiapo, dun kami nagsisimba ng lola ko bukod sa Baclaran.. So, meaningful s’ya sa’kin kasi lumaki akong lola’s girl tapos nagkataon,

‘yun ‘yung pinupuntahan naming church, so meaningful s’ya sa’kin every time may pupuntahan kami tapos dadaan ng church, talagang I make it a point na bababa ako at mag-pe-pray.�

Likewise, Julia is somewhat following Coco’s footsteps as an action star.

In “Asintado,� Julia plays Ana, a spunky and tough member of a rescue team who aspires to give her adoptive family a good life. “Mas straightforward po s’ya and palaban. ‘Yung mga previous role ko, palaban din po sila, pero ito mas iba ‘yung journey n’ya that’s why iba rin ‘yung pinaglalaban.

So, bagay na bagay ‘yung (title na) ‘Asintado’ kasi lahat kami may inaasinta,� the actress said.

Since Julia is already into firing guns, firing a weapon in “Asintado� is no longer a problem for her. She shared that through the soap, she can finally showcase her skills in military martial arts Krav Maga.

In the upcoming Valentine’s, Julia said that she and Coco still have no plans yet. She disclosed, however, that Coco spends time with her and her family every weekend. “‘Pag Saturday at Sunday, parati kami magkasama. So, kapag special occasions, napa-plano namin ‘yan ng weekends,� she elaborated. even during weekdays or when Coco has a taping for “Ang Probinsyano,� Julia assured that she and Coco are always in touch. “Continuous pa rin naman ang communication kahit na busy s’ya,� she added.

A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE THAT INCLUDED RETROGRESSION OF PRIORITY DATES, AGING OUT AND THE FATHER SUCCUMBING TO CANCER JUST BEFORE VISA ISSUANCE ON THIS SUNDAY’S ‘CITIZEN PINOY!’ In July 2007, Raffy’s mother adjusted status in the U.S., hoping to immediately bring her husband and son, Raffy (left) to the U.S. from the Philippines. However, her priority date retrogressed (moved backwards) and the wait stretched for years.

Several setbacks occurred, including further retrogression of the priority dates, Raffy aging out, and Raffy’s father being diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately he passed away in the Philippines without seeing his American dream come true.

Raffy’s mother then retained the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel, who took over the case from two previous attorneys, who were not taking active steps to move the case forward. Watch how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to convince the Embassy to reconsider Raffy’s denial, showing he qualified under the Child Status Protection Act, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.

Enrique Gil takes ‘huge step’ in introducing Liza Soberano to family in Spain

It was a “huge step,� shared Gil to ABS-CBN News. “It’s my first time to introduce somebody to my family sa Spain. It was crazy.�

Soberano, who celebrated her 20th birthday in Spain, and Gil’s grandmother hit it off.

Gil said his grandmother was all praises for the actress. “Sinasabi niya sa akin na she loves Liza so much. Very edukada, very well-brought up woman.

Natuwa naman ako (She told me she loves Liza so much. Very educated, very well-brought up woman. It made me happy), � he said.

Soberano also had only nice things to say about Gil’s “animated� grandmother. “She’s just like Quen (referring to Gil) but 10 times more. for her age, she’s very hyper and she’s very funny,� she gushed. the birthday girl was treated to her dream Disneyland Paris trip, care of her love team partner. He scored them a VIP tour for her family.

Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano Photo from Instagram/@enriquegil17

“Sa mga exits kami dumadaan na parang Kardashians (We passed through the exits just like the Kardashians),� he said.

In an Instagram post, Soberano thanked Gil for the “magical�

Disneyland trip.

She said, “You make my dreams come true!â€? (NiĂąa V. Guno/Inquirer.net)

Marian Rivera brought to tears

by Dingdong’s anniversary video

by NiĂąa

GuNo Inquirer.net

MArIAN rivera was in tears even before she watched the heartfelt anniversary video that husband Dingdong Dantes worked hard on.

Dantes and rivera married on Dec. 30, 2014.

She noted that he’s a man of few words, which made the video even more meaningful. “Bihira lang ‘yan na magsalita ng talagang tungkol sa amin, or pag may interview, mga pasingit-singit lang ‘yan (He rarely talks about us, or even in interviews, he only interjects).� “So, dun sa video, ibinuhos niya ang mga gusto niya talagang sabihin sa akin (So in the video, he poured out what he really wanted to say to me).�

She related how he presented the video to her in an interview with the Philippine entertainment Portal. “Sabi niya sa akin, ‘Mahal, may gift ako sa ‘yo, pero hindi materyal na bagay, pero buong puso kong ginawa’ (He said to me, ‘My love, I have a gift for you.

It’s not a material object but I put my whole heart into it’).�

When he revealed that it was a video, “pagtingin ko, music pa lang, humihikbi na ako (when I looked, from the music alone, I was already sobbing).� the video showed the couple in their travels, their “royal wedding� and then as a complete family with baby Zia. the “Super Ma’am� star said she was sobbing when Zia came into the screen.

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes Photo from Instagram/@dongdantes

“Dun ko lalo na-realize na ang sarap ng family na ito (I realized even more how happy this family is),� she said. the entire family from both sides—even her father in Spain— also watched the video before it was released to the public. “Sana palagi mo ‘yang panoorin para malaman mo kung gaano kita kamahal (I hope you always watch this so you know how much I love you),� he told her.

She shared how busy their schedules could get, so she watches it on her phone wherever she is.

As for her anniversary gift, “nag-nighties lang ako (I just wore a nightgown),� she joked, seriously adding that she gave him a simple gift.

DEAR ROSALYNN

A Documentary of First Lady Rosalynn Carter One of the most accomplished and inspiring First Ladies in United States history, Rosalynn Carter has worked tirelessly throughout her life to make the world a better place. We invite you to join the students and staff of St. Genevieve Parish Schools as we honour her at the premiere of our documentary Dear Rosallynn, February 2, 2018 at the Rose Bowl. )URP EULQJLQJ PHQWDO LOOQHVVHV RXW RI WKH VKDGRZV DQG Ć“JKWLQJ IRU EHWWHU PHQWDO KHDOWK FDUH WR DGGUHVVLQJ RXU QDWLRQĹ?V FDUHJLYLQJ FULVLV Ć“JKWLQJ IRU ZRPHQĹ?V ULJKWV DQG LPSURYLQJ WKH ORW RI WKH ZRUOGĹ?V SRRUHVW SHRSOH 5RVDO\QQ &DUWHU KDV EHHQ DQ XQVWRSSDEOH IRUFH IRU JRRG Learn about her incredible life, and discover more about two of her greatest loves, her precious hometown of Plains, Georgia, and the boy she met there over 70 years ago, Jimmy Carter.

Friday, February 2, 2018 11:30 AM Welcome Ceremony 12:15 PM PREMIERE of Dear Rosalynn documentary 1:30 PM Luncheon with Rosalynn Carter At the Rose Bowl Locker Room

$150/PERSON 1HW SURFHHGV EHQHĆ“W WKH ,QVSLUDWLRQ %XLOGLQJ &DPSDLJQ of St. Genevieve Parish and Schools $25/PERSON Film Only Attire: Smart Casual FOR TICKETS: www.sgps.org/rosalynn Rain or Shine

B January 13-16, 2018 • La WEEKEnD aSIan JOurnaL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS NINeTeeN years ago, I wrote my article entitled “how to Prevent Cancer”, a serious topic I also discussed in my book, Let’s Stop “Killing” Our Children (www.philipSchua.com).

A review on cancer in the United States in 2014 by the American Cancer Society revealed that almost 50 percent of cancer deaths were related to smoking, unhealthy diet, and bad lifestyle and behaviors.

In the U.S., 36.5 million adults smoke, with 16 million living with a smoking-related illness.

While smoking has gone down by about 15 percent, obesity has tremendously increased.

Forty-five percent of cancer mortality and 42 percent of cancers detected were caused by preventable or modifiable risk factors, not genetics. These cancer-inducing factors include Tobacco, Alcohol, Bad diet, Absence of exercise – (TABA).

Actually, obesity (“taba” in the Philippine dialect) is also, in itself, a great risk factor for cancer. Lifestyle is definitely the key to disease prevention, including cancer, heart and metabolic diseases, stroke, and Alzheimer’s.

Smoking is responsible for 29 percent of deaths, followed by obesity, 6.5 percent, and alcohol, 4 percent. Secondhand smoke is also a killer, possibly worse.

Smoking on top of excess drinking would obviously be more deadly. here below are data from this study which was published in CA, a cancer Journal for Clinicians: “Smoking accounted for 82 percent of lung cancers. excess body weight was associated with 60 percent of uterine cancers and about one-third of liver cancers.

Alcohol intake was associated with 25 percent of liver cancers in men and 12 percent in women; 17 percent of colorectal cancers in men and 8 percent in women; and 16 percent of breast cancers in women. exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight or tanning beds was associated with 96 percent of skin cancers in men and 94 percent in women.”

My September 2, 1999 article on cancer and its prevention, reprinted below, is still pertinent, applicable, and relevant today,

Features

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Ins and outs of 2018

Is cancer preventable? confirmed by the recent study presented above.

What are the causes of cancer?

In our previous article column, we defined what cancer was and discussed its etiologies (causes), and other specific issues on cancer. The most striking information we revealed last week was that more than 75 percent (3 out of 4) of all cancers in humans were caused by only three things: diet, tobacco, and alcohol. Majority of cancers are preventable, and that it is within our power to prevent this deadly malady. The genetic factor could also be positively influenced and changed by a healthy lifestyle to one’s advantage.

So, what is the problem?

The problem is the lack of discipline on our part. We continue to eat a lot of red meat, a lot of high cholesterol or fatty foods and high carb diet knowing these are bad for our heart and also increase our chances of having cancer of the colon, breast and uterus, etc. Smokers know tobacco cause cancer of the throat, lungs, kidney, urinary bladder, pancreas, among others, and still fume away with gusto.

Moderate to heavy alcohol drinkers are aware that ethanol causes not only liver cirrhosis but cancer of the digestive tract, liver and breast, and are not scared to bend their elbow and say “cheers!” unabated. It is no longer the lack of awareness or knowledge that is leading many of us to self-destruct. It is the lack of discipline, inner strength and resolve. When one loves to hold on to something very precious, like life and happiness, one should be ready to make sacrifices.

What other natural foods prevent cancer?

Fruits and vegetables in general have powerful antioxidants in them that reduce the risk of cancer. Broccoli, beans, oat meal, lettuce, processed tomatoes, bokchoy, strawberry, oranges, papaya, pineapple, kiwi, watermelon, langka, and all the other leafy vegetables and fruits are anti-cancer to a great extent. But unless we eat them daily, they won’t work. Of course, abstinence from animal fats, tobacco and alcohol are essential. And so with avoidance of chemical pollutants, radiation exposure and UV rays from sunlight.

Does exercise reduce cancer risk?

Yes. Physical exercises does not only control body weight and lower cholesterol but also reduces the risk of cancer. One does not have to jog for half an hour a day to get the benefit. Walking 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes after dinner are vigorous enough to do the job. Brisk walking for those who can tolerate it is even better. Parking away from your destination and getting of the bus or jitney and walking the rest of the way, using stairs for a couple of floors instead of elevators, drinking a tall glass warm water before each meal, and being physically active in general, are most helpful in reducing cancer risk, besides abstinence from red meat and alcohol.

How about those “anti-cancer pills and juices”?

Pills and juices being marketed as anti-cancer are as effective as tap water from your faucet.

The manufacturer’s claims have no scientific basis whatsoever.

At least drinking tap water is a hundred fold cheaper and has no potential serious complications.

Besides, drinking a lot of water is good for your kidneys, unlike those pills and juices, which might cause damages to your kidneys and liver.

What is a sound anti-cancer strategy?

There are several behavioral and lifestyle changes we can do to lower or prevent cancer, and many of these changes are common sense and practical measures. But, as I stated earlier, first, we must have the discipline, determination and resolve. Then, we must religiously implement our strategy.

A safe and sound cancer prevention strategy includes all of the following regimen: (1) abstinence from tobacco (2) eating fish and a high-fiber, low-carb, low fat, diet (with a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole-grain, bran, etc.) instead of red meat; (3) taking multivitamins; (4) doing regular physical exercises for half an hour at least four times a week; (5) avoidance of exposure to too much sunlight, polluted air, agents like asbestos, household chemicals in our home environment or workplace; and, (6) limiting alcohol ingestion to one or two drinks a day, or none at all; (7) Stress management through rest and relaxation with family and friends; and (8) Meditation for inner peace. In short, stay away from carcinogens and PAGE B5

By Monet

Lu

The start of a new season means different things to different people. But as a hair expert, it primarily means one thing for me: new season equals new haircut.

Winter is here and it’s the best time to hit up the salon and get your season haircut. But before you do, check out these chicest hairstyles and cut. Based on my opinion, these are the six best “hair looks” that are suitable for both men and women this season.

Let me start with the ladies.

The bob cut Seventy percent of my customers would request this type of cut for either of the following reasons: a new phase in their life (a relationship status-change or a new job), wants a new look to reinvent their selves, or just because someone they know—and like—is sporting it. Your reasons may or may not fall under any of the aforementioned categories, but you are definitely in the best season to get a bob cut.

There is one thing you need to remember if you’re interested in trying a bob like Keira Knightley’s, Ginnifer Goodwin’s or Rachel McAdams’s. You have to be prepared for the attention—or the shock (if you had long hair)—that this haircut draws. Know that this cut makes a serious statement.

Don’t dare if you can’t take the heat. Also, you have to manage your hair’s density with this look, or else the bob will look like a mushroom.

Grown-out lob According to Marie Claire’s “20 Chicest Lobs of the Year,” ‘The Lob was this year’s tour de force cut.’ But while it is lovely, it is also way too much work to blow out the strands as regularly as the LA traffic permits. Don’t worry, I have good news! You can still grow you Lob and look like you step out of the salon every time.

Just ask your stylist to texturize your mane for body and movement. You can also add some beachy waves to this cut. That is what’s great about a grown-out lob, you can style it in a variety of ways and it still looks chic.

One renowned stylist’s reminder: “Use a combination of oil and hold products to blow dry,” he suggested, “and style with a flat iron to add bend.”

Choppy and messy Since we are on the subject of adding playful waves and body to your hair, let’s push it further with

some carefully sliced strands. It’s razor-meets-gorgeous! You may check out Kim Kardashian for inspiration for this style.

If you think this should be your look for autumn, enhance the “messy” effect by using a curling wand on your waves. Use plenty of texturing sprays to out some volume at the roots.

The Mixie Mixie is portmanteau for midlength pixie. This haircut is best suited for fine to normal strands that are straight. I suggest this cut for those who aren’t ready for a super short style, but want something short yet feminine.

For the men After the goddesses, we move on to the gods of killer haircut.

And what easier way to describe the famous cuts is to name the celebrities who are sporting such looks. Allow me to borrow and coin the styles with their names.

The “Ryan Gosling” cut Google it if you don’t agree with me, but I must say this style is suited for any face or hair type.

Ask your stylist for something high and tight on the side. Make the top about an inch longer and polish the look by combing it with a matte pomade. I must warn you: this is a head-turner look. Proceed with caution.

The “Chris Pine” cut If you’ve seen “Starship enterprise,” you pretty much have an idea of your new look sans the highlights. Rock the “Chris Pine” cut by going shorter and

with much tight on the sides. And please make sure you go easy on the pomade or you just might become the next most eligible bachelor.

For curly hair I also have a recommended cut for those who have curly hair. This is also for those who want a more modest, subtle and less-attentiongrabbing look.

If you’ve got curly hair and a more angular face, go with a round cut. You’re going to have to ask your stylist to cut about a half an inch longer on top than on the sides for best results.

And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. These haircuts are sure to make you look trendy this season. For a more detailed explanation and on-point demonstration, visit Monetsalon. com or at its brand new location at 20113 Vanowen St., Winnetka,CA and at 8340 Van Nuys Blvd, Panorama city inside the Island Pacific supermarket for information,call 213-216-4923 or 818-891-8949. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

ABS-CBN names Olivia De Jesus as new global COO ABS-CBN Corporation, the Philippines’ largest media and entertainment network, has named Olivia De Jesus as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of ABSCBN Global Ltd., the organization that oversees all international subsidiaries of ABS-CBN and manages its global flagship brand, TFC (The Filipino Channel).

De Jesus takes over her position from Rafael Lopez who has retired. Lopez will continue to be engaged by the company as executive adviser to the president and CeO of ABS-CBN Corporation.

As COO, De Jesus will provide the leadership and vision necessary to grow the Global business.

She will drive strategy formulation and establish initiatives to expand the company’s product lines and markets. She will effectively manage the company’s regional business operations, product management, content creation, support functions and corporate services to ensure that financial strength and operating efficiencies are achieved.

Prior to her appointment, De Jesus held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in ABS-CBN. As Managing Director of North America since 2007, De Jesus effectively managed a diverse content, experience and service portfolio, making the region the

Olivia De Jesus is the new Chief Operating Of cer (COO) of ABS-CBN Global Ltd.

consistent dominant contributor to ABS-CBN Global’s consolidated growth. Under her leadership, cross-functional teams launched successful initiatives that have been adopted global-wide such as TFC@theMovies, One Kapamilya Go event, Lifestyle Network Global, Myx TV, Adobo Nation among others. These led to new revenue streams, garnered industry awards and solidified ABS-CBN‘s position as a leading and thriving global brand.

Most recently, De Jesus also spearheaded the development of innovative content for the emerging global Filipino millennial market through projects such as TFCU Talks, the reality travel show, “Discovering Routes”, and

the very successful 1st Cinematografo International Film Festival in San Francisco.

Since joining ABS-CBN in 1996, De Jesus has held other positions such as Director for Marketing Communications at the International Division, head of Manila Operations at ABS-CBN Global, Managing Director at Creative Programs Inc. and Global head of Content Strategy. Prior to joining ABS-CBN, De Jesus was an award-winning senior creative at McCann-erickson and Saatchi & Saatchi in the Philippines.

De Jesus has been very active in the community as Managing Director of ABS-CBN North America. She served as Board Director and Treasurer for the Asian American Advertising Federation (3AF) from 2008 to 2011. She was named among the Filipina Women’s Network’s (FWN) 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the U.S. in 2012. She still serves as Vice Chairman of the Board for ABSCBN Foundation International, the non-profit philanthropic arm of ABS-CBN. De Jesus completed an Advanced Management Program from harvard Business School in 2015. She graduated from the University of the Philippines, Diliman with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication.

(Advertising Supplement)

Fifty shades of white: Anastasia Steele stuns in Monique Lhuillier wedding gown

by Katrina

Hallare Inquirer.net

On Instagram, Filipino-French fashion designer Monique Lhuillier posted a promotional photo of Anastasia Steele (played by Dakota Johnson) wearing one of her creations.

PRePARe to see a Filipinodesigned wedding gown in the last film of the “Fifty Shades” trilogy.

On Instagram, Filipino-French fashion designer Monique Lhuillier posted a promotional photo of characters Anastasia Steele (portrayed by Dakota Johnson) and Christian Grey (played by Jamie Dornan) from the erotica film series “Fifty Shades of Grey”. The photo depicts a scene from the movie adaptation of the final installment of the series titled, “Fifty Shades Freed”, set for a worldwide release on Feb. 14.

In the photo, the actors are seen sharing a kiss in their wedding. The stunning white lace number Steele wore is the designer’s creation.

“The climactic final chapter begins Valentine’s Day. Can’t wait to unveil the dress!” Lhuillier wrote.

Meanwhile, in the movie’s officaial Instagram page, another photo showed more details of Steele’s wedding gown. It revealed that the dress is supported with buttons down the back.

The bride definitely looked radiant in her gown while sharing the first dance with her husband.

Look in love, Anastasia!

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 13-16, 2018

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Sarah Lahbati grants Zion’s wish RICKY LO Philstar.com

by

AS early as October last year, Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez announced in a gender-reveal party that they were having another boy set to be delivered sometime in April, on the same month their first son Zion turns five years old.

“It’s Zion’s wish to have a baby brother,” said Sarah in a Funfare interview during a baby shower sponsored by stroller brand Aprica over the weekend. “Wish promptly granted. Zion was so happy that he was the life of the shower party. He can hardly wait to see his brother.”

The Gutierrez clan was all accounted for, headed by grandparents Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama; Ruffa with daughters Lorin and Venice; Elvis and wife Alexa with daughters Arias and Ezra; Tonton with daughters Aneeza and Aneeka; Ramon Christopher with son Diego and daughters Janine, Maxine and Jessica; Rocky’s son David; and Richard’s twin brother Raymond who emceed the program.

Here’s Funfare interview with Sarah: It’s another boy for you. Do you already have a name for him?

We have a name in mind, but we’re not entirely sure about it yet.

How did you find out about your pregnancy? How did you announce it to the family?

Chard noticed my extreme fatigue and mood swings. That’s when we knew that Zion’s wish to have a sibling came true. We told our family right away. My parents were very surprised at first, but eventually happy to know that Zion will be a brother and will finally have a playmate after four years of waiting.

How different is this pregnancy from the first? How is Chard helping you with the pregnancy?

Well, the obvious difference is

Sarah Lahbati, Richard Gutierrez with their son Zion Photos courtesy of Nice Print Photography

that there are two children to think about. I feel more knowledgeable in terms of pregnancy lessons because of my experience with Zion, which is a great thing for me. Chard tries hard to spend time with Zion and I when he is not taping for La Luna Sangre. He always reminds me to talk to the baby and make him listen to baby music. He’s very supportive.

Zion is turning only five years old this April. How would you deal with jealousy, if there would be any?

I’m thankful that he is very understanding. I taught him early on to always share, help other people and socialize with other kids. He’s very much loved at home, and I always include his baby brother in our conversations or plans so that he feels that this is real and he has something to look forward to. I don’t have to worry too much about him getting jealous.

Are you giving birth by Caesarian section or natural birth?

I’m hopefully giving birth normal again. I try to avoid getting a C-section.

Are you nursing the new baby the same way you did with Zion?

I plan to breastfeed as long as I can like with Zion.

What kind of parents are you (spare-the-rod-and-spoil-thechild type or disciplinarian)?

I’m very much the disciplinarian, but that doesn’t mean I don’t let him have fun and let him explore. It’s a balance I am still trying to master. Haha!

How many more children do you want to have?

As of now, I am not thinking about more kids in the future because my pregnancy isn’t easy, it never really is. When I had Zion, I was pretty much set on not having more kids but changed my mind later on. So we never know.

So when are you getting married?

Maybe when we’ve settled from having a newborn. I don’t know yet. We’ll see!

Lolo Eddie’s speech during the baby shower said it all: “The big family of the Gutierrez is getting bigger and bigger!”

The Sea of Galilee during the time of Jesus

by EMIL

PERITO

THE Sea of Galilee’s main harbor is located in the city of Tiberias. There, fresh water springs from the slopes of Mt. Hermon in the north, flows into the Jordan River, before filling the Sea of Galilee — Israel’s largest freshwater lake. In the Gospels, it is called by various names such as Sea of Tiberias or Gennesaret where many of Jesus’ works were recorded being performed.

This northern shoreline is where Jesus first called on his disciples Peter, Andrew, James

and John (Mt 4:18-22). It was in the Galilee region that Jesus spent a significant amount of his time in his ministry, performing many miracles. On one famous occasion, Jesus wanted to cross the Sea of Galilee from the west to east but was so tired that He fell asleep on the boat (Mk 4:3541). A great storm rose up, and the disciples — afraid for their lives — awoke the Lord. Jesus rebuked them for the lack of faith, then ceased the wind and calmed the sea. The disciples were amazed that even the sea obeyed Him.

Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati are joined by their respective families. Back row, from left: Raymond, Ruffa, Elvis, Alexa, Eddie, Annabelle, Abdel and Esther Lahbati, Jessica, Janine, Ramon Christopher. Front row: David, Aria, Zion, Maxine and Diego.

Is cancer preventable?

PAGE B4 live a healthy life-style through self-discipline.

So, if you are serious about reducing your risk for cancer, do not look for a miracle pill or juice, lotion or potion. Starting today, make some simple changes in your lifestyle as suggested above.

You’ll be amazed how this could change your life and those of your loved ones, for the better.

Sounds simple and inexpensive? You bet. Try it. You may even live to appreciate the ben-

efits from your sacrifices of today on your 100th birthday. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States.

Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

)ROORZ XV RQ

The Sea of Galilee is a popular pilgrimage site among Christians. Here, one may walk the paths of Jesus, and even see or ride on a boat from His time. These are only few of the many biblical places included in our pilgrimage itinerary to the Holy Land.

Established in 1995, Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us in one of our organized trips to the Holy Land in March and October 2018. For more information, contact Air Plus Travel at (562) 863-0624, or visit us at www.airplustravel.net.

B January 13-16, 2018 • La WEEKEnD aSIan JOurnaL

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Becoming a US citizen despite a not-perfect past IT is no surprise that many people dream of one day becoming a U.S citizen. After all, a person must be a U.S. citizen to vote in elections, file petitions so their parents can immigrate to the U.S., be issued a U.S. passport, etc. Despite the many advantages of U.S. citizenship, it should also come as no surprise that people sometimes do things that make their path to U.S. citizenship more challenging. These mistakes are a part of life. But the question here is: do these mistakes prevent a person from being granted U.S. citizenship?

And, thankfully, the answer is: not always.

One of the most common ways a person acquires U.S. citizenship is through the process known as naturalization. There are several requirements a person must satisfy for their application to be approved. They include permanent resident status for a prescribed period of time, physical presence in the U.S., and good moral character. Many applications are denied because the applicant lacks the requisite good moral character.

The concept of requiring an applicant to possess good moral character for a prescribed period of time prior to submitting their application is one of the more complex requirements of naturalization. Many acts that one might not think of as evidencing bad moral character may nevertheless be considered in making a good moral character determination. The Immigration and Nationality Act lists several specific acts that preclude an applicant from establishing good moral character. These include lying to obtain an immigration benefit, committing certain criminal offenses, the willful failure to pay support for dependents, and engaging in an extramarital affair which tended to destroy an existing marriage. However, the list of prohibited acts is not absolute. Thus, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service may deny an application on good moral character grounds even though their act was not specifically prohibited. Furthermore, acts outside of the required good

Your Immigration Solution ATTY. DEVIN CONNOLLY & NANCY MILLER moral character period can also be considered in determining an applicant’s good moral character. However, as the saying goes – good moral character does not mean perfect moral character.

Proof of why those acts do not define the person can help overcome a prior misstep.

Regarding prior criminal acts, a disqualifying criminal conviction in the prescribed period of required good moral character will automatically render an individual ineligible for naturalization. However, a disqualifying criminal offense outside of the prescribed period can also cause an application for naturalization to be denied. The government is afforded broad discretion to examine otherwise non-disqualifying criminal convictions outside the prescribed period to determine if the underlying facts warrant a favorable finding of good moral character. Therefore, an analysis of good moral character extends far beyond the prescribed period. These issues may not result in an automatic denial but they must be adequately explained.

When applying for naturalization with a criminal history, it is important to determine whether the conviction could not only cause the non-citizen’s application for naturalization to be denied, but also whether it will cause the Department of Homeland Security to attempt to take away their permanent resident status (Green card) and deport them to their native country. The answer to this question depends on various things, including whether the underlying crime is considered a ‘Crime Involving Moral Turpitude’ or an ‘Aggravated Felony,’ the date of the crime and the date on which the person was issue their green card, etc. This should be care-

fully analyzed before submitting an application for naturalization.

Another issue that is not uncommon is an applicant failing to register with the Selective Service. If you are a male living in the U.S. and between the age of 18 and 25, you are likely required to register with the Selective Service. Failing to register before you turn 26-years-old is often grounds for a denial of an application for naturalization. The applicant must then wait until they turn 31-years-old before they may be granted U.S. citizenship.

A final issue worth mentioning is the submission of incorrect or fraudulent tax returns. Claiming ineligible dependents, not reporting all income, or filing under the wrong category could potentially cause an application to be denied.

The process of acquiring U.S. citizenship is often far more complex than one might anticipate.

It is important to remember, though, that past mistakes are not fatal and that even potential set-backs may ultimately result in U.S. citizenship. As with all requests for immigration-related benefits, one should know the positive and negative ramifications of the request before filing the application. Therefore, when contemplating the possibility of obtaining U.S. citizenship, the application should consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney to determine if it is advisable and how best to succeed. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com website: www.rreeves.com *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

(Advertising Supplement)

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C JANUARY 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Community Journal

3 reasons why bankruptcy might be the best solution for debt problems IF you’re in debt and are considering bankruptcy as an option for you to get needed relief, perhaps just hearing the word “bankruptcy” makes you extremely nervous. Maybe the word conjures up images in your mind of losing everything you have and not having a financial future.

Relax. It’s not what you think.

Regardless of what you may have heard about bankruptcy, it is really nothing more than a petition that you file with the court in order to get relief from debts that you can no longer pay.

If you were physically sick, the best thing to do is to go to get immediate medical help. If you’re not well, you may be admitted to a hospital where you can get medical care and treatment until you recover and are able to function again.

The same is true if you are financially sick and are no longer able to take care of yourself. I always tell my clients that bankruptcy is like getting a needed surgery. Yes, it may hurt but it’s exactly what you need to get bet-

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon ter.

How do you know if bankruptcy makes sense for your situation?

Well, here are four situations that may tell you if you are going the right direction.

You can no longer afford to make your monthly debt payments. If you are always late in making your debt payments and you are sometimes forced to borrow even more just to pay other debts, this is a serious sign of financial trouble. To get out of debt, you need to stop borrowing and not do the exact opposite. Otherwise, the financial hole you’re in just keeps getting deeper every month.

Your income is not sufficient to even pay for living expenses,

let alone pay your debts. This is one of the most common reasons why people file bankruptcy. If you have suffered a loss of income and can’t even cover basic necessities such as rent, food, utilities, etc., the question is whether or not you’d be able to replace the lost income right away in order to avoid defaulting on your debts. If your current situation is likely to continue for a long period of time, it will not take very long to be broke unless you have financial reserves.

Sadly, most people don’t.

Your credit is already damaged. A lot of people consulting with me about bankruptcy often ask about the impact that filing may have on their credit. That’s understandable, especially if maintaining a good credit rating is important to you. But if your credit is already damaged due to late payments, repos, foreclosure, lawsuits or judgments, what “credit” are you really trying to protect? Filing for bankruptcy may actually help you re-establish

One traditional way of obtaining permanent residency for most immigrants is through a petition by a US citizen spouse Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRSuA ReyeS the alien cannot obtain his or her green card inside the United States. Then it becomes a catch 22 situation because if the alien spouse leave the US, the alien spouse becomes subject to the 3/10 year unlawful presence bar.

The alien spouse may apply for a provisional waiver of the 3/10 year bar inside the US which will give the alien spouse some assurance that he or she may be able to come back the US if he or she interviews at the US embassy overseas for the immigrant visa.

Along with the application and petition, the alien is also required to take a medical examination by

The Prophetic Voice ReVeRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAS

WHERE shall we find God? In a distant space? In a sacred place? In the desert, the sea, or on a mountaintop? Where does he dwell? In each of us is a longing to see God, to feel his presence, to connect with him.

Many saints found or experienced him in silent prayer or liturgy. Some found him in the faces of the heartbroken, the poor, the lonely, and the sick. They found him in the acts of serving, loving, and reconciling.

But do we realize that we can find God within us, in the depths of our hearts and souls where selfless love and genuine care for our loved ones ooze? In the activities of our hearts where we feel the passion of a relationship, we can feel his presence. These happen even in ordinary days and ways.

It can happen in the early u PAGE C5 morning when you prepare lunchboxes for your kids on their way to school, or when you pick up the clothes of your spouse and your children from the dryer and fold them neatly.

It can happen when you sit with your nephew or niece and engage in a heartfelt conversation with him or her. It can happen by the bedside of your sick father or mother as you feed him or her and feel the tenderness of a physician designated by the your love.

USCIS. The result of that physical examination is reported in a USCIS form and sealed in an en- Tax velope submitted with the Petition and Adjustment Application. Tips The alien spouse may also apply for a work authorization card with the Petition and Adjustment application. The work authori- VictoR Sy, zation card will allow the alien cPA, mBA spouse to work legally in the United States, obtain a social se1. THE standard deduction curity card, and a driver’s license is doubled: Republicans want while that person is waiting for to simplify our tax code so more his or her green card interview. people can claim standard deWork Authorization card are usu- ductions instead of more complially issued in about1 to 2 months cated itemized deductions. This from filing the application. becomes a reality after the new The green card interview law doubled the standard deis usually set in about 5 to 6 duction from $6,350 to $12,000 months from the time the Pe- for single filers, from $9,350 to tition and Application is filed. $18,000 for heads of households, The green card interview is the and from $12,700 to $24,000 for most important step in the pro- married couples filing jointly. cess. It is through this process 2. The personal exemption is that the USCIS officer usually gone: Old law allows you to claim u PAGE C5 a $4,050 personal exemption for

Permanent residency through marriage to US citizen spouse

AS a spouse of a US Citizen, an alien is considered an immediate relative and entitled to immediately apply for a green card inside the United States. This is usually done by simultaneously filing an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and an I-485 Application to adjust status. However in order to do this, the alien spouse must have been inspected when the alien entered the United States or if not inspected must be grandfathered by section 245(i) of the immigration and nationality act. Being inspected means that the alien entered using a valid visa, paroled inside the United States, entered using the visa waiver program. The alien is grandfathered by section 245(i) if a family petition or a labor certification has been filed for the benefit of that alien prior to April 30, 2001. If the alien was not inspected nor grandfathered under section 245(i), such as if the alien crossed the border illegally,

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Come and see

“What are you looking for?’ they said to him, “Rabbi (which translated means teacher) “where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and you will see.”

In any mundane thing, –John 1:35 God lurks in and shows his presence. Only with hearts that are attuned to God’s power and grace and only with the eyes of faith can we say this truth about God. He reveals himself to us as we center our hearts in him in tranquility and silence. He’s there dwelling within us, and he wants us to enjoy the power and depth of his presence.

Call any of these moments sign, sacrament or mystery, but the truth is that God, indeed, wants to make himself known to us. He wants to engage himself with us even in this earthly life.

We don’t have to wait for the end of one’s life to see him. In fact, each moment of feeling his presence in the ordinariness of life should be an anticipation of the grand moment when we will see him face to face.

The Gospel this Sunday is an invitation to “come and see” God through our relationship with his Son, Jesus Christ. In God’s plan of salvation, God, our Father, chose to manifest himself to us in the flesh through Jesus Christ—Christ who dined with sinners, feasted at weddings, rested with friends in their homes, visited sick, and fed the hungry. Jesus’ earthly life

and ministry is God’s testament to his desire to be one with us.

Hence, discipleship happens to people who are sensitive to God’s presence, whose hearts are beaming with gratitude for his power in our lives. Discipleship — a continuous invitation of God to follow the ways of Jesus Christ — happens only to people who see God even in ordinary days and events.

Indeed, it happens to people who are passionate about their love and care for others, whose hearts have eyes that see the mysteries of God’s love and power every day of their lives! ***

From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

What you should know about the new tax law Part I: The basics

yourself, your spouse and each of your dependents, which lowered your taxable income. You can no longer claim exemptions when you file your 2018 taxes in 2019.

3. The child tax credit is expanded: The child tax credit has doubled from $1,000 to $2,000 for children through age 16. It’s also now available to single taxpayers who earn $200,000 and married couples who earn to $400,000.

4. A new tax credit for nonchild dependents is introduced: Taxpayers may now claim a new $500 temporary credit for non-

child dependents. This can apply to a number of people adults support, such as elderly parents, children over age 17, or adult children with a disability.

5. Obamacare penalty for not having health insurance is gone: Republicans failed to repeal Obamacare but managed to get rid of the individual mandate which penalizes people who do not have health care insurance (effective in 2019).

6. Tax brackets stay at seven tax brackets but rates changed: President Trump pushed to simplify tax computation by reduc-

u PAGE C4

Community Journal

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#MeToo is not just a movement, it is evidence in discrimination claims THE #MeToo campaign started about 10 years ago but only recently developed into a movement and exploded into public attention in the wake of news stories regarding Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, who stands accused by approximately 70 women of sexual harassment and sexual assault. The #MeToo movement has now spread far and wide and brought to light sexual abuses in many workplaces – from academia to politics to sports.

Apart from becoming a cultural phenomenon, the phrase “me-too” is actually found in the law, as when plaintiffs invoke “me-too” evidence in support of their claims for damages involving sexual harassment and discrimination.

Such cases are notoriously difficult to prove by way of documents or witnesses. Employees often struggle to show that the employer intended to unlawfully harass or discriminate against them.

Thus, an employee may be left with indirect or circumstantial evidence to show the employer’s motives or pattern and practice. This is where an employee may introduce “me too” evidence – witnesses who will provide testimony that the same employer harassed them in a similar manner.

Although the concept of a “me-too” evidence may sound straightforward, California courts have grappled with its application. Consider the following case: Lorraine Pantoja worked at Thomas Anton’s law firm.

Anton slapped Pantoja’s buttocks, touched her leg while offering her $200, and asked for a shoulder massage. Pantoja heard Anton use the word “Mexicans” in a derogatory way. Finally, he called Pantoja

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. a “stupid bitch” and fired her.

Pantoja sued her employer for race discrimination, sex discrimination, and sexual harassment.

Anton contended if he used the word “Mexican” once, this is not enough to create a racially harassing environment. The

“

the trial court and ruled that testimonies from other employees should have been admitted. Evidence that Anton harassed other women outside Pantoja’s presence is important to show that Anton harbored a discriminatory intent based on gender. The me-too testimonies of other employees would have enabled the jury to evaluate the credibility of Anton’s arguments that he did not direct profanities at persons and did not have a discriminatory intent.

The court also noted that derogatory or abusive language motivated by gender bias may create a hostile working e n v i r o n m e n t .

Thus, the Pantoja case shows that courts may consider “me too” evidence in harassment and discrimination cases. This is true particularly where the case involves the same harasser, and the me-too witnesses are in the same protected class as the plaintiff (the employee who filed the case).

Apart from becoming a cultural phenomenon, the phrase ‘me-too’ is actually found in the law, as when plaintiffs invoke ‘me-too’ evidence in support of their claims for damages involving sexual harassment and discrimination.

”

trial judge excluded testimonies from other employees tending to show racial bias on Anton’s part.

The trial judge also excluded testimonies from other employees tending to show all evidence of acts of discrimination and harassment because Pantoja did not personally witness such acts.

Anton claimed that he never harassed anyone because that was something he would not do. He said his frequent use of profanity was always directed at situations, not people.

The jury was not allowed to hear evidence that Anton had sexually harassed others. Eventually, the jurors found against Pantoja. Pantoja appealed.

The Court of Appeal reversed

***

The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic.

All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.]

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 13-16, 2018

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrenCe yAng

THE client is 74. Her husband passed away two years ago. Her only source of income is social security of $2,000 a month, which was her husband’s social security. Her own social security was $1,500 a month. So how come she only has $2,000 of social security and not $2,000 plus $1,500?

Because when you are married to each other, the widow or widower, gets to keep only the higher of the two. Since her social security was $1,500 and her husband’s social security was $2,000, when her husband died, she got to keep the $2,000. However, her own social security disappears! Sad but true — it sucks.

That’s the unfair way that it works.

The client and her deceased husband owned a house with $100,000 of equity. It had a fair market value of $450,000 and a first mortgage balance of $350,000. The mortgage payment was $1,600 a month. So you can see immediately that there’s a problem. Since client inherits the higher social security benefit of $2,000 but loses her own social security benefit of $1,500, after paying the mortgage of $1,600, there’s only $400 left for expenses. The other problem is the client owes $40,000 of credit cards. She needs $1,300 a month of minimum payments to keep these cards current.

Well obviously, she wanted to keep living in the house. So right after husband died, she tried to get a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage pays off the balance of your mortgage like a refinance, but unlike a refinance, she would not have to pay a monthly mortgage payment. She gets to live in the house until she dies.

The balance of the mortgage gets bigger every month because even though she doesn’t have to pay the monthly mortgage, the unpaid mortgage payment is added to the outstanding balance of the loan. If she actually did get a reverse mortgage, she would not have to pay $1,600 a month for mortgage, she can pay zero every month and she can live in the house until she dies.

The problem of getting a reverse mortgage is that there is a maximum limit that it will pay off. That maximum limit is about $300,000. Since client owes $350,000, she is over by $50,000.

C

Senior needs bankruptcy relief. But Chapter 7 or 13?

This is resolved by paying down the $350,000 to $300,000. In other words, she has to get $50,000 from somewhere then pay down the mortgage to $300,000. After that, the reverse mortgage will pay off the $300,000. It is quite easily done when you are able to get $50,000 from somewhere, however, it is impossible to do when you have no sources to resort to. The client was not able to produce $50,000 so she couldn’t get a reverse mortgage.

So why not sell the house and rent a room for $500 a month?

She doesn’t want to do this.

She’s lived in the house with her husband and children for most of her life, so she wants to live the rest of her life in the house.

Since the client is still perfectly healthy at 72, she may still live to 90, another 20 years. So what does she do? A relative who lives out of state wants to buy a house in California as an investment. She is willing to sell the house to the relative for $100,000 below market and in exchange, the relative agrees to let her stay in the house without paying rent for as long as she wants, or until she passes on.

This is a good deal for the client because she gets to live in the house without having to worry about a mortgage or rent payment. Just as a caveat, if you are thinking of this kind of arrangement, make sure that you create a life estate and record it with the recorder’s office. A life estate is a right to live in the house until you die. Whoever buys the house cannot evict you because of the life estate. The client did not create a life estate but merely relied on the goodwill of the relative who purchased the house. What happens if the relative sells the house? Since there is no life estate, the client will most likely have to start paying rent to the new owner. But let’s hope this never happens until after the client has left this world and spend the rest of eternity with Jesus, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit in heaven.

In Heaven, she can live in a mansion for free because Jesus said that in His Father’s house, there are many mansions where she can stay for free: “In my Father’s house there are many mansions, and if not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2 Our problems on the earth are so many and myriad. Even a place to stay and live is a problem.

In heaven, our loving God provides us with everything for free!

Now that client has lived in the house rent-free for a year, she’s getting tired of using $1,300 from her $2,000 of social security benefits. In the last 12 months, $16,000 from her $24,000 of social security to keep her $40,000 of credit card debts current. Is this a financially sound thing to do for the rest of her life? I don’t think so. She just paid $16,000 in one year, yet she owes the same $40,000 of credit card debt.

If she lives another 20 years, she would have paid her credit card masters $320,000 yet she will still owe the same $40,000!

She’s thought the whole thing over and wants to get rid of the $40,000 cards with a Chapter 7 petition. I would certainly file a Chapter 7 for her to discharge the $40,000, but its really not that simple. The problem is that she sold her house to the relative for a lot less than market value. This is a red flag in Chapter 7. In Chapter 7, the trustee can sue the relative to get the house back. It’s a big problem.

The alternative is a Chapter 13 with the lowest plan payment possible, maybe $250 per month for 60 months. After paying $15,000 of principal, no interest in Chapter 13, the balance $25,000 would be discharged.

She can still have $1,750 of social security left for what she wants to do after the plan payment. Maybe she can take a cruise in Southeast Asia. That’s a good thing to do and enjoy when you’re 72 and still healthy.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally.

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18 *** Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader. There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

C4 JANUARY 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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People & Events Project Angel Food receives $30,000 donation FACC-SLAA to hold membership from the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation meeting on January 15 to help fight hunger in LA County Food has prepared and PROJECT Angel delivered nearly 11 milFood has just received lion meals – currenta $30,000 donation ly 11,000 per week – free of from the Enterprise charge to men, women and Rent-A-Car Foundachildren living with critition to help combat cal illnesses. Project Angel food insecurity in Los Food expanded its initial Angeles County. The mission from serving peodonation is part of a ple living with HIV/AIDS to program called include medically tailored Fill Your Tank, which meals, prepared by the staff celebrates Enterprise and volunteers, for those Rent-A-Car’s 60th ancombatting cancer, kidney niversary. The profailure, diabetes, congesgram will provide $60 tive heart disease and other million, over six illnesses. The mission has years, to fight hunger around the globe. The Chef Daniel Clavel with volunteer (Photo courtesy of Project Angel Food) always remained intact, to feed and nourish the sick, program donations munities more visible. made locally are determined by Richard Ayoub, executive di- by delivering healthy, nutritious local Enterprise operations. rector of Project Angel Food said, meals throughout 4,400 square Valerie Brandon, regional “Los Angeles County has the miles of LA County.

More than 98 percent of Projvice president, in presenting highest food insecurity rate in the donation to Project Angel the country. In these extremely ect Angel Food clientsare livFood said,“Enterprise- Rent-A- difficult times we are seeing ing below the poverty level, Car is woven into the fabric of much greater hardships among and Project Angel Food is their the Los Angeles County commu- our clients, who are increasingly lifeline, filling a vital need in nity, and food insecurity is an is- concerned about food awareness. all communities. The client desue for our community. This do- Last year for the first time in our mographics are testimony to nation to Project Angel Food will twenty eight year history, we had this, 37 percent Latino, 29 persupport those in our community a waiting list of clients needing to cent African-American, 22 perwho need a little help to reach join our food program. This do- cent Caucasian, 6 percent Asian/ to their full potential.” Hunger is nation will go a long way toward Pacific Islander, 1 percent Native American and 5 percent multioften invisible and the campaign eliminating that anxiety.” helps make hunger in our comSince 1989, Project Angel cultural. ■

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS JA N UA RY 2 0

Dinner for GK e-Rotary Club for PH incoming governors in Westminster, CA The 6-year-old GK e-Rotary Club will be hosting a dinner for two incoming Rotary District Governors from the Philippines — Gov. Mar Reyes from QC D3780 and Gov. Nisce from La Union D3790 — on Saturday, January 20, at the new Luxe Buffet Restaurant at 2008 Westminster Mall, Westminster, California (restaurant is in the 2nd floor of the mall, along Bolsa Ave. at Godldenwest, just off the 405 freeway).

Invited guests include Consul General Adelio Cruz, presidents and officers of several Filipino-American organizations, like the Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of OC, the PressClub of California, the Phil American Society of CPAs, Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, the Historic Filipino Town Rotary Club and many others.

Please come and witness the launching of our first GK e-Rotary Annual Fil-Am and their Friends Young Professionals Ambassador Tour to the Philippines in July, that will also a part of the official Phil Government Ambassador Tour that is being done annually for many years now. For more information, please contact the Project Chair, Jhenny Evans at (714) 5986446, or e-mail at jhenny_evans@yahoo.com; or Ernie Delfin at (714) 746 3088 or e-mail him at ernie.gkerc@gmail.com.

JA N UA RY 2 1

31st anniversary of the Feast of Santo Niño in Los Angeles Santo Niño Cruzada USA, with the participations of the Filipino Catholics Choir of St. Paul the Apostle Church, The Saint Junipero Serra Province Knights of Columbus and The Southern California Sinulog Dance Co., is inviting everyone to attend the holy mass of its 31st year anniversary celebration of the Feast of Santo Niño, the Divine Infant Jesus, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 3:30pm. The main celebrant is Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik to be concelebrated by various priests from different parishes. We also offer this mass to honor the late Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who returned to our Creator on October 18, 2017 in Cebu, Philippines. The Santo Niño image that we use to celebrate the annual feast was given by Cardinal Vidal to Los Angeles Archbishop Emeritus Roger Cardinal Mahony and Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik several years ago. For more information, please contact any of the following officers and members: Romy and Tess Esturas (213) 387-6982; Tess and Rey Edpao (818) 469-7292; Carmen Estrada (213) 413-2881; Fe Montano (323) 218-1587; Ester Paredes (213) 864-1149; Lilia Figuracion (626) 394-2661; Fe Reyes (213) 413-5286; Cherry Guerrero (323) 747-6508; Cherry Nicodemus (323) 304-6195; Vicky Samia (818) 851-2262; Tessie Cruz (213) 361-0937; Purita Prather (626) 798-4674; Lourdes Cronin (310) 880-6069; Maria Oclarino (213) 427-0353; Jun Panlaqui (213) 413-2881; Flora Ferrer (323) 556-4855.

JA N UA RY 25

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA There will be an immigration forum on Thursday, January 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). RSVP is a MUST to attend. No registration fee required. Please contact (714) 657-7460 or admin@globallawcenters.com. The immigration forum is about employment-based immigration information regarding FAST TRACK Work Visas ( H-1B1, TN, E-3), green card by marriage, family-based immigration employment sponsorship for green card and work visas after graduation. Candidates with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visas issues are encouraged to attend for a FREE immigration consultation & immigration assistance. As you have already seen there are many changes happening in the field of immigration with regards to the new executive administration and their agenda. Global Law Centers strives to inform the immigrant community of its rights and make sure it is knowledgeable about what immigration processes might be available. The forum will also update everyone about new and recent changes which may affect immigrants and their families.

Asian American Professional Association intro session in Rosemead, CA Join the Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) introductory session on Thursday, January 25! Hear from Paul Park, Founder and CEO at American Dream Builders Now Inc. As a “Gold Miner” Paul’s mission is to search and help develop hidden potential, inspire, and motivate others to dream big. He believes “If you can dream it, you can do it. Build your dream and it will build you.” During the second half meet and interact with AAPA Mentors!

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., with the program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It will be at Southern California Edison, GO-1 Employee Lounge at 2244 Walnut Grove Ave., Rosemead, CA. It is free and open to all professionals. To RSVP, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ aapa-introductory-session-tickets-40791228663.

F E B R UA RY 1 0

Annual dinner/dance at St. Finbar School in Burbank, California You are invited to the annual dinner/dance at the Albert Hall of St. Finbar School (2120 W. Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91506) on Saturday, February 10 from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. For tickets, please call: Marian Nobleza at (818) 562-6819.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

THE Filipino American Chamber of Commerce - SouthBay Los Angeles Area (FACC-SLAA) invites fellow businesspersons, professionals, colleagues, and friends to attend its upcoming January 2018 monthly general membership networking meeting.

This very first meeting of the year will be from 6:309:00 p.m. on Monday, January 15th, and will be held at Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Carson (2 Civic Plaza Dr., Carson, CA 90745). Among other items in the agenda, FACC-SLAA will be introducing its 2018 set of Officers and Board of Directors, and will be going over the calendar of activities it has planned for the year especially the upcoming induction and

fundraising gala at the Long Beach Marriott on Saturday, March 24th. Be sure to have your “elevator pitch” ready, and bring plenty of business cards!

FACC-SLAA seeks to provide programs, tools, and services that offer Filipino professionals, businesspersons, and community members in the SouthBay and Los Angeles Area of Southern California the opportunity to enhance their businesses, communities, and Filipino-American cultural heritage, while at the same time contributing to the economic, professional, and cultural vitality of the Filipino-American community wherever they might engage in commerce. ■

Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles to hold outreach missions in National City and Las Vegas A TEAM from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will conduct a Consular Outreach Mission in National City, California from Jan. 20-21 and Jan. 27-28 in Las Vegas.

The following consular services will be rendered: 1. Renewal and/ or first-time applications for Electronic Passport (ePassport). No lost passport applications will be accepted.

2. Applications for the retention and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship pursuant to Republic Act 9225 or Dual Citizenship Law. Oathtaking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants. Applicants are advised to wear appropriate clothing for the occasion.

3. Applications for Report of Marriage & Birth, Notarization will be accepted but these will be processed in Los Angeles and returned to the applicant by mail.

4. Registration for Overseas Voting (OV) for the 2019 National Elections for Senators and Party List Representatives.

National City In National City, it will be held at Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO) at 832 E Ave, National City, CA 91950 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. All submissions/applications must be coursed through philippineoutreach.sandiego@gmail.com for this particular outreach only.

Your application will not be preprocessed if you submitted: by mail or email before the positing of the Consulate’s notice on Dec. 19, 2017; Through third-party facilitators. The Consulate General is not affiliated with any travel agency, law office or any other commercial establishments offering to facilitate online applications for a fee; After January 5, 2018 or until the maximum number of applicants is reached,

whichever comes first; and An application for lost passport. The final list of applicants with the confirmed appointment schedule will be posted on the Consulate General’s website (www. philippineconsulatela.org) on or before January 12, 2018. No walk-in applicants will be accepted.

Las Vegas The Consular Outreach in Las Vegas will be held at 3900 Paradise Road, Suite 181, Las Vegas, NV 89169 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to 1 to 5 p.m. The consular outreach mission is being undertaken in cooperation with the Las Vegas Philippine American Lions Club. All submissions/applications must be coursed through the email (lasvegas.outreach@ philippineconsulatela.org) for this particular outreach only.

Your application will not be pre-processed if you submitted: By mail or email before the posting of this notice on December 27, 2017; To the outreach email (lasvegas.outreach@philippineconsulatela.org) with incomplete requirements. Please check the Consulate’s website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) for the complete list of requirements; Through third party facilitators.

CONSULAR SERVICE

The Consulate General is not affiliated with any travel agency, law office or any other commercial establishments offering to facilitate online applications for a fee; After January 12, 2018 or until the maximum number of applicants is reached, whichever comes first; and an application for lost passport.

The final list of applicants with the confirmed appointment schedule will be posted on the Consulate General’s website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) on or before January 19, 2018.

No walk-in applicants will be accepted.

Fees Fees must be paid in person at the scheduled appointment.

The Consulate General will only accept payments in cash, postal money order or cashier’s check.

Personal checks will not be accepted.

Payments should be paid directly to the collecting officer/ cashier of the Consulate General onsite during the outreach program and inside the venue only.

Please be informed that the Consulate General has not authorized other people or entities to collect fees for all consular services rendered.

FEE

ePassport

$60 per passport

Dual Citizenship

$50 per applicant Possible additional fees: $25 per derivative dual citizen $25 for Affidavit of Explanation

Report of Birth/Marriage

$25 per reported birth/marriage Possible additional fees: $25 each for required affidavit or certification to be notarized or recorded by the Consulate General

Notarization

$25 per document to be notarized

What you should know about...

PAGE C2 t ing brackets from seven to three but could not muster enough support so we are stuck with the old seven tax brackets. On a good note, rates for some of these brackets were lowered.

7. Capital gains exclusion on the sale of your home sellers remains the same: Homeowners who sell their primary home for a gain will still be able to exclude up to $500,000 ($250,000 for single filers) from capital gains (as long as they lived there for two of the past five years).

8. Electric car tax credit survives: You can still claim a credit of up to $7,500 for your plug-in electric car. Credit is good only on the first 200,000 electric cars sold by each automaker.

9.

Charitable contributions survive and sweet-

ened with a bigger deduction limit from to 50% to 60% of Adjusted Gross Income.

10. Moving and Entertainment Expenses: The Act denies a deduction for all entertainment-related expenses and disallows a deduction for all moving expenses.

11. Kiddie Tax Simplified: The child’s tax is no longer affected by the tax situation of the child’s parent or the unearned income of any siblings. Taxable income attributable to net unearned income is taxed according to the brackets applicable to trusts and estates, without the benefit of the 12% rate bracket.

12. Sexual Harassment or Sexual Abuse Settlements: The Act provides that no deduction is allowed for any settlement, payout, or attorney fees related

to sexual harassment or sexual abuse if such payments are subject to a nondisclosure agreement. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 13-16, 2018

C

Influenza cases are Councilmember O’Farrell announces series increasing in California of Silver Lake community improvements Health officials encourage Californians to get vaccinated

Photo courtesy of CDC

SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced this week that flu activity in California is widespread and at levels usually seen at the peak of the influenza season. Health officials encourage Californians to get vaccinated.

“With the increase in influenza impacting many communities across the entire state, it is important to get a flu shot now if you have not done so already,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Although influenza season usually peaks between December and February, flu activity can occur as late as May, which means it is not too late to get vaccinated.”

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to respond fully. Vaccine effectiveness does vary for the different strains and year by year. Data will be available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in February about vaccine effectiveness.

“Vaccination will prevent infection in a large number of cases. If disease does occur after vaccination, the vaccine can reduce the severity of flu symptoms,” said Dr. Smith. “Getting the flu shot is still the best way to protect yourself and others from flu.”

Some people are at high risk for serious flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death including: · Pregnant women · Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old · People 65 years of age and older · People who have certain medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

For those at high risk of serious flu complications, getting vaccinated is especially important. It is also important for caregivers of anyone at high risk including children younger than 6 months, who are too young to get a flu vaccine.

Individuals in a high-risk group that experience symptoms

of flu (fever, chills and feeling very tired accompanied by a sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches, or nasal congestion), should contact their health care provider early in the illness. Antiviral drugs can be prescribed by a physician, and work best if started within two days of getting sick. Individuals who are not in high-risk groups and who have mild illness typically do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. These individuals should stay home and avoid contact with other people. Anyone who experiences more severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, difficulty eating or drinking, or confusion should contact their health care provider or seek emergency care.

To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, you should also: · Stay home while sick and limit contact with others · Cover your cough or sneeze with your sleeve or disposable tissue · Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer · Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth CDPH closely tracks influenza and posts updated information on the CDPH Influenza website at the end of the work week. As of the most recent report, for the week ending December 30, 2017, 27 influenza-associated deaths in persons under 65 years of age were reported to CDPH. Only influenza deaths in persons less than 65 years are reported to CDPH so the total number of deaths due to influenza is higher.

The flu vaccine is available in many locations, including doctors’ offices, health departments, pharmacies, health centers and travel clinics, as well as at many employers and schools. Use the HealthMap Vaccine Finder at to find the nearest location where you and your family can get vaccinated. For more information, please visit www.cdph.ca.gov.n

Permanent residency...

PAGE C2 t

determines whether the marriage, which forms the basis of the Petition, was entered in good faith. The adjudicating officer usually asks detailed questions about the marriage relationship between the US Citizen spouse and alien spouse. If the couple do not have children, the marriage are usually subject to closer scrutiny. Along with this inquiry process, the USCIS would usually request for certain documents that proves a bonafide marriage.

Some of these documents may be in the form of pictures, joint utility bills, health insurance documents, and many more. If everything goes well, the USCIS officer will approve the case and a green card will be mailed to the alien’ address within a reasonable time period. If the couple has been married for 2 years or more, the alien spouse will recieve a permanent greencard. If the couple has been married for less than 2 years, the alien will receive a conditional green card.

The alien spouse will have to file a petition to remove the condition 3 months prior to the expiration of the conditional greencard

which is good for 2 years. *** 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, P.C. 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 has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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3 reasons why...

PAGE C2 t credit much faster (usually two to three years) instead of having a lot of collection accounts on your record. Remember that as long as you do not pay creditors, they will continue to report you month after month which then makes it impossible for you to regain your credit.

Because every situation is unique, there may be reasons other than the above which make filing bankruptcy the best option in getting out of debt. Before going down this road, of course, you need to know the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision.

I would like to help you get out of debt and explore all possible solutions. For a free attorney consultation, please call TollFree 1(866) 477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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Pedestrian safety and beautification projects will help enhance recreational facility and surrounding area

SILVER LAKE - Several new projects that will benefit the community are either underway or about to begin installation near the Silver Lake Recreation Center and Reservoir Complex, Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell announced on Thursday, January 11.

The following projects are taking shape in the area: • The Department of Recreation & Parks will begin installation to replace the chain link fence at the Silver Lake Dog Park, with a new vinyl-coated fence along Silver Lake Boulevard. Both small and large dog parks will be temporarily closed to allow crews to regrade the dirt along the border and complete the installation. Construction will take place from January 15th to January 26th. Please remember: Dogs are not allowed in other areas of the park at any time.

• The Councilmember funded a new pedestrian-activated warning beacon (a flashing yellow light for vehicular traffic in both directions) next to the Silver Lake Recreation Center at Silver Lake Boulevard and Van Pelt Place. This dangerous stretch of road will now be safer for residents who want to access the dog park, as well as the soon to open South Dam walking path (more info below). Construction should wrap up by the end of the month, and should be activated in the coming weeks.

• Working with local residents and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, the Council office will fund the planting of 30 Chinese Flame Trees and Australian Willows along West Silver Lake Drive.

The Council office received requests from nearby residents to plant the trees to provide much needed shade along the walking path. The trees will be planted later this month to take advantage of the remainder of the rainy season.

• The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) will open the South Dam of the Silver Lake Reservoir. This will provide greater access to the facility, enhance the pedestrian experience at the complex, and allow park-goers to have closer access to the water which is something the community has desired for a long time. The Council office and LADWP will host a community celebration and grand opening for the pedestrian access on February 10.

While there is a temporary inconvenience on some of these projects, especially the dog park improvements, Councilmember O’Farrell

Photo courtesy of the Office of Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell

says the area will re-emerge vastly improved.

“The Silver Lake Reservoir and Recreation Center are special gathering places, and I am thrilled to partner with the community on enhancements in the area,” he said. “The work taking place over the next several weeks will improve safety, accessibility, and help green the area and clear the air we breathe. These are all things I have fought for during my time in office, and I will continue to do so on your behalf in the years ahead.”

More information on the grand opening of the South Dam will be announced in the coming weeks.n

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California becomes a sanctuary state

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ CALIFORNIA has become the first state in the nation to be a “sanctuary state.” This means California will not cooperate fully with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in apprehending illegal aliens or in connection with enforcing immigration laws.

However, this does NOT mean people who are out of status in California are immune from being apprehended or removed from the U.S. ICE can still go after people and enforce immigration laws in California.

• Some of the highlights of the sanctuary state law include: • Police can no longer ask people about their immigration status or investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest people for immigration enforcement purposes.

• Prevents immigration enforcement “to the fullest extent possible” at public schools, public libraries, hospitals, and county court houses.

• Unless the alien has been con-

victed of certain crimes, such as serious or violent felonies, assault, battery, abuse, rape, etc. police would not cooperate to immigration authorities.

• Police will also be prevented from detaining a crime victim or a witness to a crime solely because they are suspected to be out of status.

• Local authorities will not provide information to the ICE regarding a person’s release date from prison, unless that person had been convicted of certain serious crimes.

• Local authorities will, otherwise, not be “performing the functions of an immigration officer.”

• State jail officials cannot release out of status individuals to immigration authorities “unless authorized by a judicial warrant.”

Once again, this does not mean that people living in California somehow cannot be apprehended, detained, or removed from the U.S. It only means California will generally not assist ICE in immigration enforcement actions.

However, the best solution for people who are out of status is to find ways to legalize their status.

There may be forms of relief or benefits available to a person.

That is why I would recommend you consult with an immigration attorney, who can evaluate your situation, whether you live in California, or any other state.

Remember, even if you live in a sanctuary city or state, ICE will still enforce immigration laws. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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Philippines needs new air routes to attract more tourists

by CATHERINE

TALAVERA Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines needs to offer more routes to various destinations in the country to attract more tourists, the Department of Tourism said.

“We are asking airlines to help us by opening new routes,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo said in a forum on Thursday, January 11.

Teo said more airlines should operate more flights to Palawan, Cebu and Clark in Pampanga.

She earlier encouraged Chinese charter operators to mount flights to other airports such as Clark, Palawan, Davao and Cebu.

Last September, the DOT inked an agreement with Chengdu-based charter operator Hanglv International Travel Group to boost the thriving route between mainland China and Manila.

Earlier this week, Philippine Airlines assistant vice president for passenger sales Antonio Herrera said they were planning to increase their chartered flights given the influx of Chinese tourists into the country.

PAL operated several scheduled chartered flights from China to Kalibo and other domestic destinations such as Puerto Princesa in Palawan and Bohol in 2017.

Business Quote of the Week “User experience is everything. It always has been, but it’s still undervalued and under-invested in. If you don’t know user-centered design, study it. Hire people who know it. Obsess over it.

Live and breathe it. Get your whole company on board.”

- Evan Williams, co-founder of Twitter

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TRAIN to push 2018 revenues to P2.806 trillion

by Mary

Grace PadIn

Philstar.com

Shakey’s Pizza lines up 20 new stores in 2018

by IrIs

Gonzales Philstar.com

MANILA — Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. (SPAVI), the listed full service restaurant of the Po family, plans to open 20 new stores this year to bring its store network to 228.

Last year, the company opened 24 new stores across the globe.

SPAVI president Vicente Gregorio said 2017 was a banner year for the restaurant operator, which marked its maiden year as a publicly listed company.

“This is the fastest we’ve grown in terms of store network. We have a strong belief in our brand and our strategy, and are keeping pace with the accelerating growth of our economy,” Gregorio said.

“We will continue to take advantage of the positive consumer sentiment in the Philippines and hope to open even more stores, including those outside the typical first tier cities,” he added.

Last year, Shakey’s opened in provincial locations such as Iligan, Puerto Princesa, Antique, Gapan, and Palo, Leyte, following the growing urbanization trend in such areas.

The new stores carried rede-

signed interiors as the company hopes to elevate American family casual dining concept to another level.

Gregorio said the new design is meant to address Filipinos’ demand for better food and service.

“As the Filipino is now looking for more premium dining experiences, we are driven by our mission to consistently ‘wow’ them.

This includes upgrading our look, launching innovative products, and emphasizing a high quality of service,” he said.

Shakey’s opened in the Philippines in 1975 where it maintains market leadership in both the full service and pizza chain categories.

In the first nine months of 2017, Shakey’s grew its recurring income by 15 percent.

System wide sales rose by 15 percent, driven by same store sales growth of six percent and an expanding local store network.

Apart from the Philippines, it also owns the perpetual rights to the Shakey’s brand for the Middle East, Asia (excluding Japan and Malaysia), China, Australia, and Oceania.

MANILA — The national government’s revenue is projected to reach P2.806 trillion this year due to additional collections to be generated from the final tax reform law, data from the Department of Finance (DOF) showed.

According to DOF estimates, the government’s revenue program for this year may be slightly adjusted upward to P2.806 trillion from the previous forecast of P2.789 trillion during the Development Budget Coordination Committee’ (DBCC) meeting last Dec. 22, 2017.

The slight increase was brought about by President Duterte’s line veto on five provisions of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN).

This is also higher by 17.55 percent than the projected 2017 revenue of the government, which is anticipated to reach P2.387 trillion.

According to the DOF, the P2.806 trillion revenue program for the year corresponds to 16 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, higher than the 15 percent projected for 2017..

Of the total amount, P2.637 trillion is expected to come in the form of tax revenues.

About 77 percent of the amount will be accounted for by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), with a total collection goal of P2.039 trillion this year. This is 16 percent higher than the estimated P1.758 trillion collection of the bureau in 2017.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), meanwhile, is expected to collect P581.3 billion, 29 percent up from P450.3 billion last year. Other officies are seen to contribute P15.9 billion.

Meanwhile, non-tax revenues this year are seen to reach P166.8 billion, while income from the disposition and privatization of assets is estimated at P2 billion.

By 2022, the national government’s revenue is forecast to jump to P4.414 trillion, equivalent to 17.1 percent of the GDP. A total of P4.247 trillion of this amount will come in the form of tax revenues, with P3.312 trillion coming from the BIR and P914.8 billion from the BOC. Republic Act 10963 or the TRAIN Act, which contains Package 1A of the DOF’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), aims to simplify the country’s tax system by by lowering personal income tax rates.

It also seeks to adjust excise taxes of fuel, automobile, coal and sugar-sweetened beverages, and expand the tax base by removing value-added tax exemptions.

Earlier, Duterte vetoed five items of the law, including the provisions (1) granting a special tax rate of 15 percent on the gross income of employees of regional headquarters, regional operating headquarters, offshore banking units, and petroleum service contractors and subcontractors; (2) providing zero-rating on the sales of goods and services of separate customs territories and tourism enterprise zones; and (3) exempting self-employed and professionals with total annual

According to DOF estimates, the government’s revenue program for this year may be slightly adjusted upward to P2.806 trillion from the previous forecast of P2.789 trillion during the Development Budget Coordination Committee’ (DBCC) meeting last Dec. 22, 2017.

Philstar.com photo

gross sales and/or gross receipts not exceeding P500,000 from the percentage tax.

He also vetoed the provisions (4) exempting various petroleum products from the excise tax when used as input, feedstock, or as raw material in the manufacture of petrochemical products; or in the refining of petroleum products; or as replacement fuel for natural gas fired combined cycle power plants; and (5) earmaking

the incremental revenues from tobacco taxes for tobacco productivity programs, and as share in the income of tobacco-producing provinces.

The DOF earlier said it expects Congress to approve in the first quarter of this year additional provisions under “Package 1-B” of the CTRP. The agency is also preparing to submit the second package of the tax reform program this month.

Overseas Filipino Bank to be launched in January

by Ben

o. de Vera Inquirer.net

THE acquisition by the Land Bank of the Philippines of the Philippine Postal Savings Bank has been green-lighted by the country’s anti-trust body, paving the way for the launch of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFB) later this month, officials told the Inquirer.

In a text message Thursday, January 11 Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) Chair Arsenio M. Balisacan said they approved the transaction this week.

Under the country’s anti-trust law or Republic Act No. 10667, all merger and acquisition transactions worth P1 billion and above must first be approved by the PCC. Last December, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ policymaking Monetary Board approved the state-run lender’s application to acquire Postbank.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III told report-

ers Thursday that the OFB’s headquarters in Liwasang Bonifacio would be launched on Jan. 18.

Landbank president Alex V. Buenaventura earlier told the Inquirer that the OFB would be launched either on Feb. 19 or 20, the two dates given by President Duterte as options based on his availability.

In October, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 44, creating the OFB. Under EO 44, the Philippine Postal Corp., which owns Postbank, and the Bureau of Treasury were ordered to transfer their shares of the thrift bank to Landbank at zero value.

Landbank was also ordered to infuse capital to the OFB. The President earlier promised to create a bank dedicated to the needs of overseas Filipino workers.

Dominguez had said the soonto-be opened OFB would be open to all Filipinos abroad, whether they are already immigrants or just contract workers.

Photo fromFacebook/FamilyMart Philippines

Dennis Uy completes FamilyMart PH buyout by dorIs

duMlao-aBadIlla Inquirer.net

DAVAO-based businessman Dennis Uy has completed his 100-percent buyout of Philippine FamilyMart CVS Inc. (PFM), which operates a chain of 67 convenience stores in the Philippines, from the Ayala and Tantoco groups and their Japanese partners.

The foreign partners, FamilyMart Co. Ltd. and Itochu Corp. likewise unloaded their interest in PFM in favor of Uy-led petroleum retailer Phoenix Petroleum, based on a disclosure by SSI Group to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday, January 12.

But when as the Japanese partners have sold their stake, a new exclusive area franchise agreement for Family Mart was

granted to PFM under the management of Phoenix Petroleum, the Uy-led oil firm said in a separate disclosure.

PFM is the official franchisee of the Family Mart brand of convenience stores in the Philippines while Phoenix is a leading independent oil company which has a wide network of retail stations as well as commercial and industrial clients all over the country.

Prior to this transaction, Ayala Land Inc. (through ALI Capital) and the Tantocos’ SSI Group owned 60 percent of PFM while FamilyMart Co. and Itochu respectively owned 37.6 percent and 2.4 percent.

The deal was cleared by the country’s anti-trust body, the Philippine Competition Commission, last January 3.

Embrace China Telecom, Filipinos told

by Ma. lIsBet

K. esMael

ManilaTimes.net

FILIPINOS should welcome China Telecom as the third player in the Philippine telecommunications industry, instead of dwelling on the possible security risk issues its entry poses, a cybersecurity expert said on Thursday, January 11.

Rey Lugtu, president of digital transformation consultancy firm Hungry Workhorse, said Filipinos should give China Telecom or other foreign telcos a chance to compete with the so-called duopoly of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom.

“Para gumanda ang internet [natin], we have to give chance to other telcos,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a press conference on the Cyber Security and the Internet of Things Forum, to be held at Enderun Colleges in Taguig City on January 31.

Lugtu said PLDT and Globe have entertained foreign partners to boost their network operations, noting the former’s partnership with Chinese telecom firm Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. “Most of the networks supplied in PLDT comes from HuaPAGE D5

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Moody’s: TRAIN revenue a boost to infrastructure plan

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA — The additional revenue from the implementation of the tax reform law will put the Philippines in a better position to pursue its massive infrastructure program, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

Christian de Guzman, vice president and senior credit officer at Moody’s, said in a webcast the enactment of Republic Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act last month would translate to higher revenue.

“This puts the Philippine government in a better position to accommodate the ambitious infrastructure development agenda,” he said.

The Duterte administration has committed to spend P8.4 trillion to ramp up infrastructure spending in the country until 2022.

The additional revenue from the law that was signed by President Duterte on Dec. 19, 2017 was initially placed at P82.3 billion, but was raised to P90 billion after several provisions of the law were

immediately vetoed.

“However, the ultimate impact on growth of the government’s fiscal position will ultimately be determined by the government’s ability to improve the implementation and disbursement performance,” De Guzman said, adding that “It is not just the revenue picture we are talking about here, but also the spending picture.”

The Philippines has been incurring a budget deficit as it spends more than it generates revenues.

De Guzman said the implementation of the TRAIN would also improve debt affordability.

“Revenue has been a key weakness of the Philippine government as compared to similarly rated peers in the past. So this tax reform and the expected pick up in receipts will help close that gap,” he said.

Furthermore, Moody’s said the alleged ongoing domestic security threats used by the Duterte administration to extend martial law in Mindanao even after Marawi was liberated from terrorists last October would not affect the country’s gross domestic product

(GDP) growth.

“We have not, nor do we expect those domestic security threats to pose an immediate risk to economic growth. The Philippines continues to maintain robust real GDP growth, most fastest in the region, and we expect that performance to be maintained in 2018,” De Guzman said.

Moody’s sees the country’s GDP expanding 6.8 percent this year from the projected 6.5 percent last year.

The Philippines has booked 75 straight quarters of uninterrupted growth after the GDP expansion accelerated to 6.9 percent in the third quarter of last year from the revised 6.7 percent in the second quarter.

Economic managers penned a GDP growth of between seven and eight percent this year from the range of 6.5 to 7.5 percent last year.

Moody’s rates the Philippines at Baa2 or a notch above minimum investment grade on a stable outlook at par with the rating of S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

PCSO chairman resigns

by audrey

MoraLLo Philstar.com

MANILA— Malacañang on Friday, January 12, announced that Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz, an “invaluable worker in government,” had resigned from his post for health reasons.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque however clarified that Corpuz is not the chairman whom President Rodrigo Duterte said he would fire because of corruption.

“This is to announce that Mr. Jose Jorge Elizalde Corpuz has resigned as Chairman and Member, Board of Directors, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office due to health reasons,” Roque said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Duterte announced that he was set to fire a “chairman” of a government office as part of his administration’s ferocious campaign against corruption in government.

During his speech before executives of the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation, the president also bared that he

Resigned Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz Inquirer.net photo

was planning to relieve “another set” policemen from their posts.

Roque said that the set of cops to be fired included 17 policemen and three generals, a continuation of his efforts to rid the Philippine National Police of corrupt officers.

“We wish him better health,” Roque said in a separate text message about the resignation of Corpuz, “he was an invaluable coworker in government.”

PSCO recently got embroiled in a controversy following the revelation that it spent millions of pesos for its Christmas party in a posh hotel in Mandaluyong City in December, a move that its general

manager defended.

Board Member Sandra Cam questioned the “lavish” Christmas party thrown by the government agency in December and warned that she would seek a legislative inquiry into it.

PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan however defended the party and clarified that around P6 million was spent on the occasion and not P10 million as alleged by Cam. “It’s the cheapest and most affordable since it’s near the PCSO office and we will not be having problems about our parking spaces,” Balutan said in a television interview.

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PCC approves SM’s purchase of Goldilocks

by AngelicA

BAllesteros ManilaTimes.net

HENRY Sy-led SM Investments Corp.’s (SMIC) plan to acquire pastry firm Goldilocks Bakeshop, Inc. has been approved by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).

In a statement, the antitrust regulator said the acquisition— to be made via SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPH) subsidiary SM Retail, Inc.— could proceed after all parties submitted commitments to address potential competition issues.

A statement of concern was issued last month by the PCC’s Mergers and Acquisitions Office (MAO).

Identified issues include the possibility of partial or total foreclosure in terms of retail space at SM malls for competitors of Goldilocks and the potential for the

SM Group to share a competing mall tenant’s business information to Goldilocks since the mall operator, through its point-of-sale (POS) system, had access to sales records.

The SM Group was said to have been able to address the concerns through initial undertakings following with a series of hearings and discussions. A final commitment was submitted on December 28.

“While selection of tenants in a mall is market-driven and based on consumer preferences, a mall operator should not be allowed to discriminate mall tenants and lease applicants, especially those that compete with stores owned by the mall itself,” PCC Chairman Arsenio Balisacan said.

“Such discrimination or unfair treatment can come in the form of arbitrarily assigning competitor tenants to disadvantageous

locations or unfavorable lease terms, which amounts to partial foreclosure. It can also come in the form of giving less favorable lease terms or completely refuse them lease space in the mall, which amounts to total foreclosure,” he added.

SMPH also committed to data protection, pledging it would not give Goldilocks access to competitors’ information including sales data captured by the POS system.

“The commission appreciates SM’s move to make these voluntary undertakings–proof that PCC and the business community can work together to promote a culture of competition,” Balisacan said.

The transaction is expected to allow the SM Group to expand its retail business. The Goldilocks chain has over 500 stores nationwide.

‘Too much growth’ in airline industry by reicelene Joy ignAcio ManilaTimes.net

THE global airline industry is experiencing “too much growth” and this would lead to difficult times ahead, a top official of Cebu Pacific warned.

In an interview on Centre for Aviation TV, Cebu Pacific Chief Executive Adviser Michael Szucs said “the industry’s over-ordered, and we think there’s too much capacity.”

He also said Cebu Pacific maintains a very conservative outlook over the next five years, compared to other carriers forecasting double-digit growth, which he questioned.

“I am not sure if the infrastructure can deliver it. I’m not sure if the financial performance can deliver it,” Szucs said.

PAGE D2

“They’re not [going to get a profit]overnight. People will end up with portfolios of routes. They are [going to]end up with a high proportion of poor performing routes. It’s not financially sensible,” he added.

According to CAPA, over 2,900 orders of Airbus A320neo and

Embrace China Telecom...

wei. You can look it up on the web [on]what kind of vendor Huawei is. Huawei is a professional company trusted by China and private investors [there],” he said.

“People are still worried, [but]there’s no evidence [of a cyberthreat.]Dahil China lang, nagiging allergic na tayo,” Lugtu added.

Worries over the security threats China Telecom poses emerged in December, when a

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report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer said allowing the Chinese company to access local telco infrastructures could bring “disaster” to the country as the “biggest cybersecurity threat to the Philippines came from China.”

But Allan Cabanlong, Department of Information and Communications Technology undersecretary for Cyber Security and Enabling Technologies, told The Manila Times the Philippines

Inquirer.net photo

1400 orders of Boeing 737 MAX have been placed globally. Of these, over 350 are scheduled for delivery by year-end.

“There’s a capacity correction or a realization coming in. I think there’s too much growth coming in… I think it’s a difficult year ahead,” Szucs said. has to embrace innovation to upgrade telco services.

“As a government official in charge of cybersecurity, I always believe that we should not be affected by ‘pessimism,’ as this would hinder innovation. It’s OK for China Telecom or any telco to come in,” he said.

“If you think about negativity, wala na tayong improvement sa Pilipinas,” he added.

Lugtu also said Filipinos need to be knowledgeable on cybersecurity, given the changing times, to protect themselves from cyberattackers.

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