011520 - SoCal Midweek Edition

January 15-17, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 3 • 2 Sections - 18 Pages

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Tuesday, January 14, said the Taal Volcano shows no signs of slowing down, with its ongoing ash eruptions continuing to trigger volcanic earthquakes.

“As we speak, there are still earthquake events so we expect more activities in the next few days,” said Philvocs chief Renato Solidum.

The temblors will persist as magma continues to move up the

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crater, causing more volcanic explosions, he said.

As of Tuesday, a total of 212 volcanic earthquakes in the Taal area have been recorded, 81 of which were felt with intensities ranging from Intensity I to V. “Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity,” Philvocs said.

Solidum also warned of the threat that earthquakes pose to the houses situated in nearby areas.

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Lawmakers push creation of disaster resilience department

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by JAVIER ISMAEL ManilaTimes.net

AMID Taal Volcano’s intense activity, several lawmakers are calling for the early passage of a bill seeking the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

Leading the call in the Senate is Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara.

“During these instances we are reminded of the need for an

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73% of Filipinos believe number Following criticism, of drug users declined — SWS Robredo defends drug

by HELEN

City of Oxnard welcomes first Fil-Am police commander THE city of Oxnard, California now has its first Filipino American police commander.

Marc Amon, who has been with the Oxnard Police Department for the past 24 years, moved up the ranks on Saturday, January 11.

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FLORES Philstar.com

MANILA — About three in four Filipino adults believe the number of illegal drug users in the country has declined since President Duterte took office in 2016, but almost the same figure think there were “many” human rights abuses during the conduct of his campaign, a latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed.

The poll, conducted from Dec. 13 to 16 and released late Sunday, found 73 percent of respondents saying the number of illegal drug users has fallen compared to when Duterte assumed the presidency in June 2016, against 14 percent saying it has risen.

Twelve percent of Filipinos say it “stayed the same.”

Of the 73 percent who think the number of drug users in the country has decreased, 28 percent said it has “fallen a lot” and 46 percent claimed it has “fallen somewhat.”

The survey also showed 76 percent who “see” many human rights abuses, such as extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the antiillegal drug operations. Of that number, 33 percent said “very many,” 42 percent said “somewhat many” while 24 percent believe “there have been few” abuses.

The nationwide survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults.

Malacañang said it was “unsurprised” with the survey results, attributing this to what it

Gov. Newsom unveils $222-B state budget Duterte denies embracing oligarchs under his watch The plan affirms the governor’s long-promised goals on public schools, health care and homelessness among other progressive reforms

DELIVERING on his promises of a more liberal Golden State, California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new $222.2 billion plan that bulks up funding to address some of the state’s most pressing matters including homelessness, public schools, climate change, and criminal justice reform.

“We are the world’s capital of innovation,” Newsom wrote in the state budget, released on Friday, January 10. “We have more people with access to health care and higher education than any other state. California is showing

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by CATHERINE

VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has vehemently denied that he has embraced cronyism in the country under his watch.

The president made the statement as he once again slammed the country’s oligarchs.

“Maraming daldal, mga mayayaman na interesado, ‘Ibigay ni Duterte iyan sa crony niya.’

Wala akong crony (Many interested oligarchs are claiming, ‘Duterte would give that to his crony.’ I don’t have crony),” Duterte said in his speech during his visit to Cotabato on Friday. January 10.

“May girlfriends ako. Crony, wala ako.

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Walang silbi, hindi ko mayakap ‘yung mga buang na iyan. Ang akin, girlfriend. Wala akong crony (I have girlfriends. Crony, I have none. Cronies are useless. I cannot hug those fools. I only have girlfriends, not crony),” he added in jest.

Duterte’s statement came a month after his officials disputed the report of Nikkei on how he started his own brand of cronyism while attacking the country’s oligarchs.

The December 4 report, titled “Crony capital: How Duterte embraced the oligarchs,” noted that during the presidential campaign, he took aim at the “corruption and excesses of wealth-hoarding families” like the Ongpin clan.

The report, however, claimed that Duterte’s

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war report anew

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

PHILIPPINE Vice President Leni Robredo defended the drug war report based on her findings as former co-chair of the InterAgency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) after receiving flak from administration allies.

“If they dismiss it as a mere political [attack], it just means they did not read the report,” she said on her radio show on Sunday, January 12.

In her 40-page report, Robredo detailed how the administration failed to curb the illegal drug

supply and address the country’s drug problem.

She also cited figures from government agencies, revealing that less than 1% of shabu out of the estimated total consumption in the country had been seized by the government in the past three years.

Malacañang, in response, said the vice president was “just trying to be relevant” with her report.

Meanwhile, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said her report was a “mere political move.”

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

73% of Filipinos believe number of... described as the attempt by critics to “demonize” the administration’s anti-narcotics campaign.

“The administration’s war on drugs has been demonized by the relentless disinformation launched by (the) president’s vocal critics and the political opposition at its inception and

not without the cooperation of some shameless media outlets.

A lie repeated many times over is somehow stamped with a perception of truth,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. He added that “these rambunctious peddlers of disinformation have associated the extrajudicial killings, which

are not state initiated, with the government’s drug-related operations. This constant vilification has gained an undeserved currency.”

Panelo insisted that drug-related deaths happen because of “violent resistance” by the suspects in buy-bust and police operations or are the result of internecine killings within the drug organization.

“Crushing the illegal drugs that have proliferated during the past administrations due to neglect requires aggressive strategies against those who have been used to being coddled by those in power,” the Palace spokesman said.

“The president is unconcerned about the popularity of his policies. He remains obedient to the constitutional command to him of serving and protecting the Filipino people regardless of the consequences to his life, honor and liberty,” he added.

The SWS said 44 percent of Filipinos think Duterte was “sincere” in appointing Vice President Leni Robredo as co-chairperson of the Interagency Committee on Antiillegal Drugs or ICAD, while 27 percent said otherwise.

Twenty-nine percent were undecided about the matter.

Nearly half or 49 percent, however, agree the removal of Robredo from the ICAD is an admission by the administration that its war on illegal drugs is failing, while 21 percent disagree, for a net agreement score of +28, classified as “moderately strong.”

Thirty percent were undecided, the pollster said.

The survey also found 60 percent agreeing and 15 percent disagreeing that Robredo had the right to see the list of highvalue targets when she was cochairperson of ICAD, resulting in a “very strong” net agreement of +45. Twenty-five percent were undecided about the matter.

For 56 percent of respondents, there’s nothing wrong with the United Nations Human Rights Council’s move to investigate the alleged EJKs in the government’s drug war, while 20 percent disagree with the statement, for a net agreement score of “very good” +36. Twenty-four percent were undecided about the matter, the SWS said.

“The danger from the earthquake events would be possible landslides on steep slopes like those on the caldera wall beneath Tagaytay Ridge. Houses with thick cover of ash might be affected by shaking as roof is heavier,” he said.

He added that Taal volcano’s ongoing eruption generated “500-meter-tall lava fountains topped by dark gray steam-laden plumes reaching approximately two kilometers tall that dispersed ash to the southwest and west of

the main crater.”

On Sunday, January 12, the Taal Volcano spewed ash up to nine miles (14 kilometers) into the air.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the alert level to four, signifying an “explosive eruption” that could happen in the coming hours or days.

The province of Batangas declared a state of calamity on Monday. Volcanic ash spread not only in Batangas but also in

other parts of the Calabarzon region, as well as in Metro Manila and Central Luzon.

Flights to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were halted from Sunday evening to Monday morning, only partially resuming Monday afternoon.

“Civil aviation authorities must advise aircraft to avoid the airspace around Taal Volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from the eruption column pose hazards to aircraft,” said state volcanologists. n

Lawmakers push creation of disaster... agency dedicated and capable of dealing with all of the challenges brought about by natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and typhoons. We have filed Senate Bill 331 or the proposed ‘Disaster Resilience Act of 2019,’ a measure that has the backing of the president,” Angara said in a statement on Monday, January 13.

During times of disaster, the department will carry out measures to ensure the protection of the people, including preemptive and forced evacuations. It is also tasked to develop and implement programs on disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery.

In the House, a consolidation of 30 measures was approved by the committees on government reorganization and disaster management in November.

The proposed department will consolidate several agencies and supervise risk assessment and reduction, preparedness, response, rescue, relief, recovery and rehabilitation during calamities.

“The occurrence of these unpredictable natural disasters make it more urgent for Congress to pass the measure creating the Department of Disas-

ter Resilience, which will be in charge of providing emergency response to natural disasters such earthquakes, typhoons, floods and volcanic eruptions,” House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said.

Cayetano has said the DDR bill will be prioritized when Congress resumes session on January 20.

Deputy Speaker and 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Michael Romero, who also supports the creation of the DDR, said: “I believe the Taal Volcano eruption is enough reason for Congress to convene in special session this week to tackle the disaster resilience bills and perhaps authorize additional funding for disaster response measures.”

“Time and again, the wrath of nature reminds us to come up with strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response,” Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, chairman of the House Committee on the Welfare of Children, said.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. also asked President Rodrigo Duterte to certify the DDR proposal as urgent.

“Several disasters have befall-

en our country in the past weeks and months, but the Department of Disaster Resilience bill has hardly moved. Taal Volcano being so close to Metro Manila, is, I believe, the push factor to get the DDR bill moving fast. I hope the senators feel the same way about the urgency of the DDR bill,” Garbin said.

A similar measure was approved on third and final reading during the 17th Congress, but its Senate counterpart failed passage.

Agusan del Norte First District Rep. Lawrence Fortun, one of the authors of the DDR bill, noted the urgent need to establish permanent and “absolute nobuild zones” based on climate and disaster hazards.

“The ongoing phreatic explosions at Taal Volcano are a stark and grim reminder of the urgent need for a national land and water use law with strong provisions on permanent and absolute no-build zones and with harsh penalties on any local government or government office that violates,” Fortun said.

“A national land and water use law would also force coastal towns and cities to adapt to sealevel rise and sinking of their lands,” he added. n

Duterte denies embracing oligarchs... three years in office showed that the systemic transformation has turned out to be “more like a personal vendetta.”

“One prominent tycoon who spoke on condition of anonymity described the takedown of Roberto Ongpin as ultimately insignificant — ‘a grain of sand,’” the article read.

“Rather than sending a clear message to the country’s business oligarchs, the episode left

many believing that Duterte has simply opened the door to a new wave of business people and loyalists, who have been given access to political power and lucrative government contracts,” it said.

But Duterte, in his latest speech, pointed out that one of the pressing problems in the country was the existence of “shameless” oligarchs.

He said the rich usually choose their preferred candidate for

President for their own benefit.

“Tayong mahihirap wala tayong problema. Ang problema dito sa Pilipinas ngayon, yung mga mayayaman (The poor have no problem. The problem here in our country now is the oligarchs),” according to Duterte.

“Hindi ako galit sa mga mayayaman, but usually or historically, it has always been the oligarch, ‘yung sa taas, mamili sila ng presidente na kandidato. ‘Pag

Census poses no risk to DACA holders, experts say, encouraging participation

by PILAR MARRERO Ethnic Media Services/La Opinion

In this issue, we continue with our occasional series meant to answer the most frequently asked questions regarding the census.

If you have a question or doubt about the census, please write to pilarmarrero700@gmail.com and we will consult the experts to get the answers. These questions were gathered through social media.

Question: “I am a citizen and I live with my boyfriend, who has DACA. If the Supreme Court approves ending DACA, should I include my boyfriend’s information in the census count of my household? I am afraid including him may have negative consequences for him.”

The DACA program, a deferredaction decision allowing temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of immigrants who arrived in the United States as children, was put in place by President Barack Obama in 2012. In 2017, the Trump administration announced it would phase out the program, alleging that it was illegal from the very beginning.

Several lawsuits argued that Trump’s planned termination of DACA violates federal law requiring certain procedures before major rules are changed, as well as equal protection and due process guarantees.

Federal courts issued nationwide injunctions blocking the administration’s plans to end DACA and forcing the continuation of program renewals. The Supreme Court took up the cases before lower courts had fully heard them, an unusual step. A hearing was held in November in front of the Supreme Court, which could issue its ruling at any time before June.

That means the final decision on DACA could come in the middle of census field operations, which start in remote areas of Alaska in January and continue through several phases up until the end of July.

More than 700,000 people in the

United States have active DACA permits, and they often live in mixed-status families with others who have a variety of immigration situations or are native-born citizens. People may fear that they are putting family members in some kind of danger by naming them in the household’s census response.

But that is not so, said Daniel Sharp, legal director for the Central American Resource Center in Los Angeles, a leading organization helping young immigrants with DACA become aware of their rights under terms of the policy.

Sharp worries that DACA holders or their families won’t participate in the census due to the misconception that their name and other information could be disclosed to the Department of Homeland Security and used against them for potential immigration enforcement.

“There’s a two-part answer to that question,” Sharp said.

The first is that the Census Bureau has very strict laws about sharing personal information.

“The confidential protection laws that apply to the census information are among the strongest that exist in our laws,” Sharp said.

“The U.S. Census Bureau is prohibited from virtually all interagency information sharing.”

That means the Census Bureau can’t disclose the person’s name, their immigration status or any other information. It can only share “aggregated data,” meaning how many people are in a particular demographic group, for example, but cannot pass on any individual’s information to any other department of the government. “This is by law,” Sharp added.

The second answer to that question is that adding the DACA holder to a particular household’s census answer does not give the government any additional information it does not already have due to the person’s having applied for DACA. “The federal government al-

ready has all this information,” the lawyer said. “Whatever risk of deportation the individual DACA holder has is independent of whether or not they participate in the census. They have given their information to the government when they applied and renewed their DACA. Even if they moved, the government could track their social security number and find where they work or live.”

Furthermore, the information given to the government by DACA holders is protected under terms of the 2012 policy stipulating that the government may not use the information for immigration enforcement unless the person poses a national security risk.

The issue itself is in litigation right now. The federal government is under a nationwide injunction to follow its original 2012 promise about not sharing or using DACA recipients’ private information for enforcement purposes against them or their family members unless certain circumstances exist, such as that the person poses a national security threat or has committed certain crimes.

Sharp says that adding DACA holders to the census responses in the household where they live is “desirable and encouraged.

The information is safe, and it’s important to be counted.”

Sharp also recently emphasized that even in the case of an adverse Supreme Court decision on the DACA program, most of those affected would still have the right to defend themselves in court against a deportation order and are likely to be able to stay in the country for years, even in that worst-case scenario.

Activists and lawyers want to make sure that every DACA holder is counted in the census because even if they spend years battling to legalize their status in the long term, they have the right in the meantime to get the resources and services everyone else gets from the once-every-10year population count. n

73% of Filipinos believe number of... how to improve the ongoing war ICAD in November last year.

Duterte sacked Robredo, one Robredo recently released on drugs.

In her 40-page report, the vice of the critics of his bloody drug her report on her 18-day stay at war, less than three weeks after ICAD, which contained her find- president called Duterte’s drug appointing her as co-chair of ings and recommendations on u

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Lawyer to withdraw ICC complaint vs Duterte

by EVELYN

MACAIRAN Philstar.com

LAWYER Jude Sabio on Tuesday, January 14, said he is set to withdraw before the International Criminal Court (ICC) the communication against President Duterte, whom he accused of committing crimes against humanity as a result of his war on drugs campaign.

Sabio said that he is set to send an email to Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor, wherein he would express his interest to withdraw the 77-page communication titled “The Situation of Mass Murder in the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte: The Mass Murderer.”

He would also ask the ICC to set aside the legal matter with regard to the allegations of the war on drugs in the Philippines, saying that these were merely “part of the political propaganda” of Sen. Leila de Lima, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and some members the Liberal Party (LP), who are critics of Duterte.

In a text message, Sabio said, “I will send by email later my let-

Following criticism, Robredo defends...

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier called Robredo a “colossal blunder” after her report said the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign was a “massive failure.”

Robredo stressed that the opening parts of her report outlined that the creation of ICAD was a correct measure but suggested that the Dangerous Drugs Board be made the lead in the ICAD instead of the PDEA to maximize it.

“Ano yung political doon? Nagsusuggest ako ng mga paraan kung papaano yung ICAD gawing mas responsive. Sinasabi ko nga, tama yung ICAD, maayos yung pagka-form nito (What was political about that? I suggested ways to make ICAD more responsive. I’m reiterating, the ICAD is

right, its creation was good),” she said.

Robredo also urged the different ICAD agencies to agree on the numbers that they present to the public after the Philippine National Police claimed that the data she cited in her report were unofficial estimates. This despite the information coming from the national police agency in the first place.

“Iba iba yung datos ng mga ahensiya. Mga ahensya kayo ng gobyerno, puwede magkasundo muna kayo (The data from the agencies are conflicting. You’re all agencies of the government, can you please agree among yourselves first)?” she said.

She added, “Yung mga pagaaral na ginawa ko, galing din naman sa mga ahensya. Sapat na para makapag-ambag ako tung-

kol sa mga rekomendasyon (The probe I did, [the information] were from the agencies. They were enough for me to share my recommendations).”

Robredo also lamented being fired from her position as ICAD co-chair.

“I didn’t waste my 18 days. I wish I was given more chances and time so I could’ve done more,” she said.

On October 31, 2019, Robredo was appointed as ICAD co-chair to help PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino in curbing the drug menace. She was fired two weeks later due to alleged “missteps,” such as meeting with foreign personalities and groups that have prejudged the drug war and failing to present new measures to stop the drug proliferation in the country. n

spokesman for the Philippine National Police (PNP), yesterday insisted that police officers conduct anti-narcotics operations with respect for human rights, a rule that he said is contained in the operational procedures being observed by policemen on

Trillanes, Senator De Lima and their LP-led opposition which I do not wish to be part,” he added.

Sabio was accompanied by lawyer Larry Gadon when he had his affidavit notarized in Quezon City.

Gadon said, “Attorney Jude Sabio who filed a complaint and information before the International Criminal Court against President Duterte has executed, signed and sworn an affidavit and statement withdrawing the ICC case, saying that he did not approve of what Trillanes and other LP personalities have resorted to aimed at besmirching the honor of the President.”

Trillanes was not bothered by Sabio’s move and said the “withdrawal” would not have any effect in the ongoing ICC probe against Duterte because the court has its own processes.

He said what matters is the testimonies given by Matobato and retired policeman and self-confessed Davao death squad member Arturo Lascañas, that Sabio simply “facilitated” in writing for submission to the ICC. n

City of Oxnard welcomes first Fil-Am police...

He will be in charge of the East District of the city.

He oversaw the department’s crime reduction unit in his previous post as a sergeant.

A lifelong resident of Oxnard, Amon began his career with the police department in 1996 as a patrol officer after seeing family friends becoming officers across Southern California.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do as a cop but I loved the idea of becoming one of the good guys in my hometown,” Amon told the Asian Journal in an interview. “I find it funny that a lot of people are apprehensive about being a police officer where they grew up but I always ask, ‘Why would you ever want to do this anywhere else?’ This is where your family and friends live. Aren’t they the ones you want to protect and serve the most?’”

He has been in various roles the ground. since joining, such as SWAT op“The Police Operational Proerator, field training officer, traucedures sets the rules of engagema support team member and ment that police should observe hostage negotiator. He was prowhen conducting drug operations with emphasis on respect for human rights,” he said in a statement. n

73% of Filipinos believe number of... war a “massive failure” and criticized the confusing government figures on the number of illegal drugs users and its failure to reduce the supply of drugs in the country in the past three years.

Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac,

ter-withdrawal that I executed today (Tuesday) addressed to Prosecutor Bensouda regarding my intention to withdraw my earlier ICC communication. I am set to submit it personally with the ICC anytime soon.”

In his 28-page affidavit, Sabio mentioned that he reportedly did not receive the financial support in representing Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed assassin whose deposition was part of the ICC case.

Sabio said, “Madame Prosecutor, in light of all these and under the circumstances obtaining, I am left with no choice but to formally withdraw from your office the communication that I filed way back on 24 April 2017.

I fervently request that it be expunged or erased from the record, and that it should not be used in any way in the ongoing preliminary examination.”

“I also fervently request that the legal matter pending with your office in relation to the war on drugs in the Philippines should be set aside and thrashed (sic) for being just a part of the political propaganda of Senator

moted to senior officer in 2008 and then sergeant a year after, a position he’s held before his new role as commander.

Amon oversaw the neighborhood policing team and field training program before moving to the personnel and training unit and then the crime reduction unit. Under his leadership, the recruitment team sent the largest classes to the police academy in the department’s history, according to the OPD. About 60 miles north of Los Angeles, Oxnard is home to over 182,000 residents, with Filipinos being the majority Asian American group at 5% of the population, according to the last census. There are about 25,000 Fil-Ams overall in Ventura County.

“Being a commander in my city will hopefully strengthen my department’s relationship with the Fil-Am community. I hope they feel a little more connected and develop more trust in how [the] OPD is continuously trying to work with everyone to make Oxnard a better place to live,”

Amon said.

Fil-Ams currently make up 3% of Oxnard’s 227-member police force.

“Filipinos, Asians, and Pacific Islanders don’t typically gravitate toward law enforcement or public safety as career options, so it is up to those of us already serving within to recruit and mentor the next generation,” Amon noted.

Outside of the department, he is a member of the Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers (FALEO) Association and the Filipino American Council of Ventura County. He said he uses those platforms to help other FilAms see the benefits of a career in law enforcement.

“Policing is a truly noble profession and it will always play a major role in society. Filipino and Asian communities are growing rapidly in many parts of the country and just like every other culture, we need proportionate leadership representation to shape those communities,” Amon said. (Christina M. Oriel/ AJPress)

Gov. Newsom unveils $222-B state... the nation and the world what big-hearted, effective governance looks like.”

And that’s what Newsom wanted to highlight in a presentation of the budget at the state capitol on Friday.

Despite all the issues plaguing Californians, unemployment is at a record low (3.9%), job growth has remained consistent for 117 months, 3.8% economic growth over the last half-decade and $19 billion in rainy day savings.

Referencing President Donald Trump’s goading of California’s issues, Newsom rejected what he calls the “California derangement syndrome.”

“If I’m not willing to stand up to a bully, if I’m not willing to stand up to someone who is attacking immigrant communities and refugees and attacking people working very hard every single day to feed their families, then I don’t belong here,” Newsom said.

The new state budget calls for closing a state-operated prison within the next five years, improving the technology used in wildfire responses, increased funding for climate change initiatives and establishing a state consumer financial protection bureau, but social reform in three areas — education, health care and homelessness — were key in the governor’s presentation on Friday.

Public schools K-12 education, another cornerstone of the Newsom administration, comprises most of the 2020-2021 budget (28%, or $84 billion) following outrage among public school educators on low wages, mounting class sizes and staff retention.

Through Proposition 98 — an initiative from 1988 that secures minimum level funding from state and local property taxes for K-12 schools and community colleges — the state should see an increase of $3.8 billion for these schools.

One of the proposals included a $100 million grant program that will offer $20,000 to teachers who commit four years to teach

in low-income schools as a way to improve the quality of teaching in poorer neighborhoods.

The K-12 budget also allocates $900 million toward teacher recruitment and retention in these lower-income areas.

Calling the state of special education in California “a crisis,” Newsom also proposed that $895 million should be directed toward providing more sophisticated resources and services for students with disabilities. A special focus will be placed on early intervention and screening for preschoolers.

The nutritional value of school lunches has been an issue propagated by parents across the state who worry about the effect of frozen cafeteria food on their children. To address this, the state budget is directing $70 million toward improving the quality of food in public K-12 schools.

The initiative, first lobbied

by California First Partner Jen Siebel Newsom, was inspired by the Obama administration’s efforts to improve school nutrition across the country — initiatives that have been rolled back by the Trump administration.

Health care Amid the continuing national debate on health care, California could be the first state to implement its own generic drug label. One of the most ambitious proposals laid out in the state budget, the proposal could drastically lower the cost of pharmaceuticals for patients for whom the only options are the name brand drugs.

Generic drug manufacturers said that drug prices skyrocket because of name-brand companies, some of whom are the only manufacturers of certain medicines.

The budget also said that the state would continue to move towards a single market for drug pricing and would establish a new Office of Health Care Affordability to maintain transparency within the pharmaceutical industry.

Overall, the budget will allocate $167.9 billion towards all health and human services pro-

grams, a majority of which will be towards the funding of MediCal; as previously reported in the Asian Journal, Medi-Cal is now available for all young adults between the ages of 19 to 25 regardless of immigration status.

Notably, the way the state treats mentally ill people could be changing drastically, as well.

At Friday’s presentation, the governor did not provide any specific plans, but he promised to revisit the 1967 LantermanPetris-Short Act which limited the authority of officials to detail those with mental disorders.

Additionally, the budget secures $45.1 million for the implementation of a Behavioral Health Quality Improvement Program which will bulk up county-operated mental health and substance abuse facilities because Newsom noted that mental health treatment should be “community-based.”

Homelessness One area that California continues to struggle in is the state’s mounting homelessness, a stain left behind from the Jerry Brown administration which Newsom has been promising to correct since he was elected governor in 2018.

Calling it “the issue that defines our times,” Newsom proposed $1.4 billion for homeless services that zero in on immediate funding for emergency rental assistance and lodging and health care facilities for those suffering from mental illnesses.

According to a 2018 count from the United States Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, California has nearly 130,000 homeless residents.

Newsom previously confirmed $4.5 billion in loans and land from tech giants Apple, Facebook and Google to support affordable housing, but this budget offers little policy changes that would make it easier for developers to build. However, Newsom said that his administration is looking to create a new government agency dedicated to housing the homeless. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Duterte denies embracing oligarchs... nandoon na, puro pabor, pabor, pabor (I’m not mad at rich people, but usually or historically, it has always been the oligarchs who choose their presidential bet. If elected, they always ask for a favor),” he said.

The president, however, made it clear that everything was well with the rich who have “social conscience.”

“Kaya ang may problema sa Pilipinas sa panahon ko, yung mga mayayaman na walang hiya.

Kayong mga mayayaman na you

know, you have the social conscience, wala kayong problema sa akin (The problem in the Philippines under my watch is the shameless oligarchs. Those rich who have a social conscience, you have no problem with me),” he said. n

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

PH, China to discuss possible joint maritime drill

by AJPRESS THE Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday, January 14, welcomed China Coast Guard Vessel 5204 as it undergoes a port call to the country.

The two coast guards will hold a bilateral meeting to discuss issues such as hotlines of commu-

nication and search and rescue operation.

They will also be discussing the possibility of conducting joint exercises on maritime security.

“This is the first time in history that the PCG and CCG formally sit down and talk to enhance relationship and establish smooth coordination in relation to maritime search and rescue, mari-

time law enforcement, maritime safety, marine environmental protection, and maritime security,” said PCG commandant Adm. Joel Garcia in a statement.

PCG personnel and their Chinese counterparts will also exchange best practices on maritime affairs and law enforcement as well as conduct cross-deck visits on their respective vessels.

“CCG’s port call in Manila is intended to enhance cooperation and understanding between Philippines and China, specifically in the conduct of patrol operations in a way that will not instigate provocation,” the PCG said.

Garcia justified the CCG’s visit to the country following previous reports of harassment of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, stressing that the PCG was welcomed in China when it visited Beijing as part of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

This marks the third meeting between the PCG and the CCG. The previous meetings were held in Subic and Beijing. n

Duterte rejects Manila Bay reclamation projects

by CATHERINE

VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he was unlikely to approve any proposed reclamation project in Manila Bay, saying the scope of the proposals was “almost mind-boggling” and “stupefying.”

Duterte made the statement after the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) last month said at least four reclamation projects had been given the green light.

“That entire, how many?

10,000 hectares? It would be, surely, for habitation. There might be some offices or some residences there,” the president said in a television interview on Monday, January 13.

“But you have to make an audit now of whether or not the environment of the entire area there can absorb the waste and where would it go after being treated. Because now, you must have water treatment. If you have a new building, make sure you are connected to [a] water treatment facility,” he added.

Duterte said he was not ready to approve any reclamation project if there was no concrete plan showing how the environment would be protected.

“That big [of an area] is stupefying. Mukhang (I think), I am not ready for that. I am not ready even to say I will grant it. Not in my time,” the President said.

“As long as there is no guarantee that the environment will be protected and the health of the people also safeguarded,” he

added.

PRA General Manager Joselito Gonzales earlier said the approved projects were the Navotas City Coastal Bay Reclamation Project, Pasay 360-Hectare Reclamation Project, Pasay 265Hectare Reclamation Project and the Horizon Manila 418-Reclamation Project.

In February last year, Duterte gave the power to approve reclamation projects back to the PRA. n

DTI warns traders as masks run scarce

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Monday, January 12, warned that charges would be filed against business establishments and individuals found selling face masks and basic goods at “unreasonably” high prices.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez issued the warning as reports that drug stores and other establishments have run out of masks, particularly the N95 masks that can filter fine dust.

“The Department of Trade and Industry hereby issues notice to all retailers that we have dispatched teams to monitor and observe the movement of retail prices in the market,” Lopez said.

“Those found to have unreasonably increased their prices for gas masks, face masks and other similar items, which act is tantamount to profiteering, shall be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.

Lopez said the DTI might suggest to retailers to ration or limit the purchase of masks per customer.

Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo, meanwhile, urged the DTI to immediately impose price caps on basic necessities in Batangas, which has been placed under a state of calamity.

He called on consumers to report to the DTI or police those selling overpriced face masks.

“Profiteers and hoarders of face masks can be charged with prohibited stockpiling, also known as hoarding, and profiteering under our laws, especially the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7394) and the Price Act of the Philippines (RA 7581),” Salo said.

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Niña Taduran said some stores were selling masks for 200.

As face masks became scarce, a Syrian video blogger (vlogger) distributed N95 masks in Metro Manila for free.

Basel Manadil, known as “The Hungry Syrian Wanderer,” said he bought face masks to give to people who needed them the most.

“Went all around the Metro trying to find N95 masks the whole day as it’s sold out almost everywhere!” Manadil posted on social media. “I bought everything I find [that it’s] pricey to give away for free to anyone and bring to Batangas and Tagaytay myself. It’s so sad to see on my news feed that some people sell or buy all stocks and resell them at a very high price as high as P200-400 each mask!” (ManilaTimes.net)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive Proposals for Request for Proposals (RFP) No. PS67015 - Audit Services Staff Augmentation Bench at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, February 13, 2020.

Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened.

Each proposal must be sealed and marked RFP No. PS67015.

For a copy of the Proposal specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Gregory Baker at bakerg@metro.net.

1/15/20 CNS-3331498# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

OPINION

Enhancing disaster preparedness

FEATURES

IN some lakefront towns of Batangas, visibility was zero after Taal Volcano exploded on Sunday, ejecting a massive plume of ash. The volcanic particles were borne by the wind to much of Batangas and Cavite, parts of Laguna and all the way to Metro Manila.

The last time the country saw such an enormous amount of ashfall was when Mt. Pinatubo woke up from hundreds of years of sleep and erupted in June 1991. The eruption of what most people didn’t even know was a volcano altered weather patterns around the planet and Pinatubo’s ash cloud reached as far as Vietnam.

Pinatubo led to improvements in the country’s preparedness for volcanic eruptions. Volcanic warning protocols have become better coordinated with evacuation and other emergency responses undertaken by local government units. Health officials now have on hand water purification tablets for distribution to areas where water supply has become contaminated by volcanic debris.

As experts have pointed out, however, the latest activity in Taal is showing areas where there is still room for improvement in preparedness for volcanic eruptions. Evacuation centers remain inadequate. The zero visibility due to the ashfall shows the need for fog lamps, to prevent accidents

and improve relief assistance.

Traumatized residents need more counselors for mental health.

Despite the clear danger, there were still people in the high-risk zones who showed strong reluctance to abandon their homes. One of the reasons was that they would have to abandon livestock and pets, which are not allowed in evacuation centers.

In other countries, there are evacuation areas and special shelters even for animals where their owners can continue caring for them during disasters. People breed livestock for livelihood, and keep pets for personal wellbeing. Being forced to abandon the animals can be extremely distressing for the owners. Wildlife also need protection from natural calamities.

Every calamity should lead to better measures for preparedness, resilience, emergency response and disaster mitigation. Taal Volcano should open opportunities for enhancing disaster response capability. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Commentary

REYNALDO O. ARCILLA PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte aka Digong’s statement that the Philippines would side with the United States if violence erupts and Filipinos get hurt is a bit unclear, if not premature.

What if Filipinos are hurt or killed due to U.S. military action like bombing Iranian or Iraqi targets where overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are located? Whose side do we choose then?

I believe it is also ill-advised for Digong to say that he would allow transit through the Philippines of U.S. troops and warships for refueling and getting provisions during an Iran-U.S. armed conflict.

“I said that’s normal. We allow ships of…the gray ships of other nations to park here and get some… ‘yung provisionings nila (their provisionings),” he said.

Normal, yes, but not when they are gray ships of nations that are at war with another country, especially where we have a good number of OFWs. He added that this was in honor of the country’s defense ties with the U.S., meaning the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

Huh?! Surely, he does not have to be reminded that the U.S. did not honor its commitment in that treaty insofar as our dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea is concerned.

Besides, it doesn’t seem logical that the U.S. would use the Philippines for transiting troops and

Commentary

JAIRUS BONDOC NEWS fakers went wild online this week as Taal Volcano erupted. Their dark motives varied.

Don’t fall victim.

Via phone messaging spread a dramatic photo of a crater aflame with black plume billowing out, supposedly taken from a helicopter of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. In truth it was a pickup of a Jan. 2009 online post, of the Santiaguito lava dome formed by the explosion of Santa Maria volcano, Guatemala. Whoever mislabeled it as Taal must have wanted to impress his circle that, in reflected glory, he has contacts inside the prestigious Phivolcs. Or, he found malicious glee in his prowess at instant but false research. Falling for and forwarding the image, many did aid his calculation. It was like the

Siding with US in Iran-US conflict is premature

replenishing fuel and provisions.

There are U.S. bases much closer to Iran and Iraq where it can do those things, like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, not to mention its military bases in Western Europe.

In short, I agree wholeheartedly with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto 3rd that the Philippines should remain neutral in the Iran-U.S. quarrel.

US prevented Iran FM from addressing Security Council Last week, I wondered why the United Nations Security Council had not taken up the U.S.-Iran crisis even after Iran rained ballistic missiles on two air bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq.

It turned out that the reason the council had not done so was because the UN denied entry to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif to address the council in New York.

Under the agreement between the world body and the U.S., the latter is obligated to allow the entry of members’ representatives to attend UN meetings. What the U.S. did, according to UN sources, however, was to simply ignore the Iranian request for its foreign minister to enter the U.S. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, when asked why Zarif was denied a visa, flippantly said that the U.S. State Department does not respond to visa matters.

As a result, the council could not be convened to deliberate on the issue. It has not been able to do so up to this writing.

Fortunately, after exchanges of threats and counterthreats, both Iran and the U.S. appear to have

decided not to escalate their dispute.

But I do not think the world is out of the woods yet, so to speak.

‘Tweeterboy’ Locsin on Suleimani In a Philippine Star report dated Jan. 6. 2020, Foreign Secretary Teodoro “Tweeterboy” Locsin Jr. said that Iran’s top military commander Qassem Suleimani, who was assassinated by the US, was not a terrorist.

This was contrary to the U.S.’ assertion that Suleimani was a known terrorist for leading militant groups that killed hundreds of Americans.

Locsin said Suleimani was a “great” general. “He was a soldier, not a terrorist. He was a general, possibly one of the best in modern times, and never lost a battle so far as I know,” he tweeted.

“He was a soldier and soldiers die as he did, in battle, by assassination by any means to stop his brilliance from carrying the day, day in, day out on any battlefield.

Honor the enemy, honor yourself,” he added.

Locsin’s comments on Suleimani most probably did not please the U.S.. But the U.S. knows that deep down, he remains a Washington admirer and a member of the Yellow horde.

I just hope that the Philippine National Police (PNP), which has started profiling groups that “may sympathize with the death of Suleimani to thwart possible retaliation,” does not include Locsin in its list.

“There are also security concerns, kasi syempre merong

sympathetic either by race or ideology, so the PNP is profiling possible threats, possible groups who may take advantage or who might sympathize,” PNP Officer in Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said in a press briefing last week.

Locsin’s behavior “‘Pag pikon ka, talo. (If you’re short-tempered, you lost).”

That’s how, for one, I would describe Locsin’s behavior toward the group of Filipinos demonstrating at the Department of Foreign Affairs last weekend.

Media and other quarters described his behavior as arrogant, undiplomatic, unprofessional, inexcusable and unbecoming.

I call it juvenile.

Digong to visit Kuwait?!

“Duterte visit to Kuwait still a go” — story in the Philippine Daily Inquirer datelined Jan. 6, 2020.

What?!

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong’ Go, who still doubles as Digong’s Man Friday and sometimes as spokesman, said: “He (Duterte) plans to go [to Kuwait] this quarter or sometime March or April because after the agreement with Kuwait in 2018, the relations of our two countries have been good as well as the conditions of the OFWs there.”

What is intriguing is Go’s statement, as reported by the Philippine Star, that the Kuwaiti government has granted many requests made by the government. Pray tell, what are those?

On the other hand, Digong himself said he was not keen on having a deployment ban to Ku-

wait as justice was being done in the case of the murder of OFW Jeanelyn Villavende.

“The situation is quite different.

We do not see apathy there. And the police authorities in Kuwait acted swiftly, and they have arrested the spouses,” he said on TV last week.

“There were arrests made and there’s an investigation going on. Apparently, justice is being done,” he added.

Last Saturday, however, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said he wanted a permanent deployment ban of Filipino workers to Kuwait after he received a “fake and dishonest” autopsy result from Kuwaiti authorities on the death of Villavende. (The NBI autopsy later revealed that the poor victim was also sexually abused.)

“Wala na tayong ipadadala doon. Mga walang kuwenta ‘yang mga Kuwaiti na ‘yan. Biro mo ‘yong ginawa nila sa ating kababayan. ‘Pag ikuwento ko sa inyo, baka pati [kayo] magwewelga na. Masyado nilang inapi ang ating kababayan (We will not send anyone there anymore. Those Kuwaitis are worthless. Imagine what they did to our countrymen.

If I tell you, even you will protest.

They abused our countrymen),” said Bello.

“We will not allow injustice done to our OFW. We will see to it that the culprits will answer for their crimes,” he added.

What does Digong have to say now?

Go on alleged P40-M donation Last week, this space referred

to a news report that Go, tagged as a bilyonaryo by no less than Digong, donated P40 million for the construction of a new town hall for Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya.

The good senator had since clarified that the report was incorrect. He said that he merely promised to help the vice governor of the province and the mayor of Kayapa raise the funds necessary for building a town hall to replace the 70-year-old dilapidated one.

Perhaps Go would be well-advised to inform the public of the result of his fundraising efforts in due course. *** Reminder This is to remind President Digong of his campaign promise to rid the country of foreign troops and military bases.

He only has two-and-a-half years left before his term ends.

The longer he waits, the more difficult it would be for him to accomplish this noble objective.

It would be his greatest legacy.

History will single him out for freeing the Philippines from U.S. neocolonialism, achieving true independence and paving the way to greater economic progress. *** From an internet friend: Funny quotes: When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did — in his sleep. Not yelling and screaming like the passengers in his car.

– Will Ferrell I don’t think my wife likes me very much. When I had a heart attack, she wrote for an ambulance.

– Frank Carson. (Inquirer.net)

Beware: That fake news can be a crime set up previous week’s hot resends of “Drone footage of Soleimani’s assassination,” complete with sound effects of a walkie-talkie conversation. Many who passed it around may still not know it’s from a 2014 iOS videogame “AC130 Gunship Simulator: Special Ops Squadron.”

Also via SMS spread a bogus “NDRRMC Update #1” purporting that Taal’s Alert Level had been raised to 5. Meaning, as Phivolcs earlier announced, volcanic tsunami could occur within the caldera. The longish “bulletin” enumerated threatened lakeshore towns, which were in fact already being evacuated by civilian officials and soldiers.

One giveaway of the falsity was a reference to “Laguna de Bay and Manila de Bay,” a frequent geographic confusion – Laguna de Bay means Lake of Bay town; Manila Bay, not Manila de Bay, is the seascape named after the national capital but also abutting four provinces. Another slip was that seawaters allegedly were

rising not only in far off Bauan and Balayan Bays but also in Tagaytay City up in the ridge overlooking Taal. Still, notwithstanding the fact that there’s no sea beside hilltop Tagaytay, nearby residents panicked. The digital dis-informant achieved his aim of sowing public hysteria. Phivolcs had to dispel the distracting wrong report, with the help of busy local officials and newsmen.

There were other news manipulators. One politico sought to grab headlines by falsely accusing Phivolcs of failure to alert the public about Taal’s activity.

In fact since Mar. 2019 state volcanologists had been reporting on that volcano’s act-up, as they did on five others. Just because the politico wasn’t paying attention doesn’t mean there were no updates. Another lawmaker publicized his leading — actually interloping in — the emergency work of executive agencies. Premature electioneering.

It gets worse. Another SMS

spread a warning to “turn off your cell phone tonight, 10:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.” Volcanic tremors supposedly will emit “strong radiation from cosmic rays, nuclei-atomic ... Ibinalita ni Kuya Kim at sa BBC News Cable ...

Delikado at baka nakamamatay daw. Huwag itabi sa pagtulog ang CP. And please paki forward din sa iba for their information – from Phivolcs.” It was plainly a hoax. Yet spreaders must have been taken in by the scientific mumbo-jumbo, laced with the name-drops of ABS-CBN celebrity weather-caster “Kuya Kim” Atienza and very credible BBC News. A quick check showed that the item had spread and been denied by ABS-CBN as far back as 2014. BBC in turn had reported in 2010 how people in Ghana were duped by the digital rumor.

That same rumor spread by SMS in America in 2008, in relation to Mars’ orbit close to Earth. It was a setup for crime, said Coolbuster.net. Cyber-

scammers went about announcing serious accidents befalling certain targets. Relatives and friends could not verify with the victims because the latter’s gadgets were off. Confused and distraught, they gave in to inducements of “urgent” bank transfers or phone loads. Similar to the old “dugo-dugo” voice calls, the modus could have duped Filipinos this time.

That fake news can prelude cyber-fraud is expected in this age of digital truth distortion.

It thrives on people’s readiness to believe, as discussed by Malcolm Gladwell in “Talking to Strangers.” Legislation has been attempted in many lands, but wide scopes have only served to curtail free speech. Ferdinand Marcos had criminalized rumormongering during his dictatorship, yet used the trick for his own plunderous purposes. Authoritarians today accuse political foes and media critics of fake news, yet themselves employ big-lies tactics like Hitler and

Stalin, recapped Peter Pomerantsev in “This Is Not Propaganda.”

If only info-tech instantly can identify and take down fake news, and expose and punish the perpetrators. But the best antidote is digital education and constant vigilance. People must learn to discern reliable news sources and outfits.

Good news nonetheless prevailed. By Monday, Uratex Foundation headed by Naty Cheng had rushed two truckloads of foam mattresses and t-shirts to evacuees in Batangas. Two other deliveries of 400 pieces each are set today, plus more as soon as sewn. Lamoiyan Corp.’s philanthropic CEO Cecilio Pedro rushed in thousands of packs of Hapee toothpaste and brushes. Tzu Chi Philippines will follow through with work-for-pay rehab, as in past disasters. Countless other citizens swiftly pitched in to aid countrymen forced to flee their homes. (Philstar.com)

BUSINESS NEWS

Airlines promise to bring home for free Filipinos caught in US-Iran conflict

by MIGUEL

R. CAMUS

Inquirer.net

The Philippines’ three major domestic airlines have committed to assist the government in bringing home Filipinos living in the Middle East should tensions between the United States and Iran worsen.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced Friday, January 10 that the carriers promised free flights as part of a plan to evacuate Filipinos from conflict areas in the region.

“Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have agreed to accommodate, free of charge, stranded Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates or in any of their available Middle East flights, once the plans for the repatriation have

been outlined,” CAAP director general Jim Sydiongco said.

“Air Asia, on the other hand, has agreed to the possible allocation and free accommodation of repatriated Filipinos who need to go back to their respective provinces in their domestic flights,” he added.

PAL and Cebu Pacific operate flights to the Middle East while AirAsia Philippines flies to destinations in the Philippines and Asia.

Philippine Airlines confirmed on Friday it was already coordinating with the concerned Philippine embassies, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“We will carry, free of charge, affected Iran-based or Iraq-based Filipinos via PAL’s network of flights from the Middle East to

Manila,” PAL president and chief operating officer Gilbert Santa Maria said in a statement.

“These OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) who are certified for repatriation by the Philippine government can make use of available seats on our regular Manila-bound flights from Dubai in the UAE, or alternately from Doha in Qatar, and Riyadh or Dammam in Saudi Arabia,” he added.The DOTr said repatriation measures were also being finalized with officials from the Department of National Defense.

“When needed, our aviation sector, and the whole of DOTr, will fully support the government’s efforts in this repatriation.

We will ensure that there will be no delays in getting our OFWs home and safe,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in the statement. n

Duterte line veto sought on alcohol, e-cigarette bill

by MARY

GRACE Philstar.com

PADIN

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Finance (DOF) is asking President Duterte to veto a provision in the newly approved sin tax bill, which prohibits government authorities from investigating alcohol and electronic cigarette firms without a court order.

In an interview, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez expressed concern over one of the provisions of the bill on alcohol and e-cigarette taxes, which was approved recently by the bicameral conference committee.

“There is a line there that says we cannot raid before the court order. You cannot check (warehouses) without a court order. I said, that’s not allowed,” Dominguez said, adding “that’s how we catch these guys.”

To repeal the provision, Dominguez said the DOF had sent a letter to Malacañang asking President Duterte to veto the item in the bill.

“I sent him a memo already, right after the bill was passed, toward the end of the year,” Dominguez said, adding that a line veto would be allowed as the

bill is a tax measure.

The bill, which seeks to increase taxes on alcohol and ecigarettes, was passed by Congress on Dec. 18 last year. If Duterte does not sign or take any action on the bill, it will lapse into law by Jan. 24, Dominguez said.

The ratified bill seeks to impose a specific tax rate of P35 per liter on fermented liquor by 2020, which will increase to P37 by 2021, P41 by 2023, and P43 in 2024, with a6% indexation thereafter.

Distilled spirits will also be levied an ad valorem tax of 22%, plus a specific tax rate of P42 per liter in 2020, P47 in P2021, P52 in 2022, P59 in 2023, and P66 in 2024, with a 6% indexation thereafter.

The bill also raises the specific tax rate of sparkling and still wines to P50 per liter this year, also with a 6% indexation in the following years.

The specific tax rate for heated tobacco products will also be increased to P25 per pack in 2020, P27.50 by 2021, P30 by 2022, and P32.50 by 2023, with a 5% indexation after.

For vapes, salt nicotine products will have a specific tax rate of P37 per milliliter in 2020, P42

in 2021, P47 in 2022, and P52 in 2023, with a five % increase every year afterwards.

Free base vape products will also be imposed a tax of P45 per milliliter this year, which will further increase to P50 in 2021, P55 in 2022, P60 in 2023, and 5% each year thereafter.

According to estimates from the Department of Finance (DOF), the approved bicam version is estimated to generate P22.2 billion in incremental revenues during the first year of implementation.

However, the DOF also said that the provision in the bill exempting all prescription medicine for high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension from the value added tax would cut the projected revenues by P5.2 billion in 2020, resulting in a net incremental revenue of P17.1 billion.

The bulk or 60% of the additional collections will go to the Universal Health Care (UHC) program, 20% to the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health, and the remaining 20% to programs seeking to attain the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). n

Pinoy ang census. ‘Pag kasali tayong lahat, mas malakas at tumpak ang 2020 Census.

1 THE

ASIAN JOURNAL

MDWK T h e A s ian Jour nal MD W K M A G A Z I NE - J a nua r y 15 , 2 0 2 0

Wednesda y, JANU ARY 1 5, 2020

MAGAZINE

2

cover story

ON THE COVER AJPress Illustration by Godwin Gasacao

T h e A si an Jour nal MDW K M A G A Z I NE - J a nua r y 15, 2 0 2 0

Leadership, creativity and prosperity: What the Year of the Metal Rat really means BY

KLARIZE M. MEDENILLA / AJPRESS

TO most people in the western world, rats have a bad reputation.

They’re scrappy, dirty vermin who have been recognized as little furry vessels of disease; it was known that rats were responsible for the spread of bubonic plague in the 14th century that killed nearly half of Europe’s population. English-speaking cultures have even commandeered the word “rat” to refer to unscrupulous, disloyal people.

But in Chinese culture, especially in the context of the zodiac, the rat is a highly regarded creature that symbolizes wealth and opportunity. Rats are seen

as resourceful, clever creatures who know what they want and do whatever it takes to get it.

This coming Lunar New Year will welcome the year of the metal Rat, the first of the 12 zodiac animals. Those born in the years of the Rat — e.g.

1912, 1924, 1236, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 and 2020 — are said to be gregarious opportunists who thrive in leadership positions.

The Chinese zodiac animals exist within five Heavenly branches which represent the five elements of nature: metal, water, wood, fire and earth.

2020 is the year of the metal

Rat, and folks born during this year are said to reliable members of the community who can not only endure moments of misfortune, but spin them in their favor.

The specification of metal also signals that this will be a good year in the production of many industries like automobiles, information technology, cosmetics and health.

Legend has it that the order of the zodiac animals was determined through a competition hosted by the Jade Emperor, the ruler of Heaven, Earth and Hell. According to the myth, the emperor chose 12 animals and had them participate in a great race to the emperor’s palace,

and whoever got their first would be the first categorized in the zodiac.

One version of the story purports the Rat and Cat being best friends before the race.

Together they schemed to race alongside each other and ride atop the Ox who would’ve been too oblivious to notice the two creatures using him as a vehicle.

But during the race, the rat, ever the opportunist, sprinted forward, sending the Cat flying off the Ox and into a nearby river; this has been said to explain the animosity felines have towards rats, mice and other small rodents. As the Ox neared the finish line, the Rat lunged ahead and crossed the finish line

first.

Much like western astrology, there are compatibility pairings within the Chinese zodiac system. Those born in the Rat are best matched with those born in the years of the Snake, Rooster, Ox, Pig, Rabbit, Goat, Dog and Tiger. Alternatively, the myth suggests avoiding those born in the year of the Horse as they are said to be the opposite sign of the Rat. Once the Lunar New Year arrives on January 25, experts in the Chinese zodiac recommend consuming nuts, cheeses and other foods rats enjoy. They also recommend dressing in the finest clothing and jewelry to

mirror the Rat’s love for decadence.

Most importantly, the Year of the Rat signals a brand new start to the zodiac, and it promises great productivity and creative energy for all.

How the Philippines celebrates Lunar New Year

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Lunar New Year signifies not only the beginning of a new year in the Chinese calendar, but also the start of the Spring season. Unlike the fixed new year of the Gregorian calendar commonly celebrated on January 1st, the date of the Lunar New Year varies, determined by the appearance of the new moon — which is why it’s called the Lunar New Year, as it’s based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar.

The Lunar New Year is one of the most important and celebrated holidays in China as well as across the world where there are diaspora Chinese communities. And while the Chinese community in the Philippines only makes up 5% of the country’s total population, the Lunar New Year is still one of the most awaited events here.

How Filipinos celebrate Lunar New Year: Traditions and superstitions Most Filipinos flock to Binondo in Manila for the

Lunar New Year. Founded in the 16th century, Binondo is considered as the oldest Chinatown in the world. Because of this, it becomes the center of all Lunar New Year celebrations in the Philippines, with the area festooned with Chinese lanterns and various red decorations.

Spectators crowd the streets of Chinatown to watch the Parades of Dragons and Lions, a colorful and dynamic performance accompanied by the loud banging of drums and cymbals. The dragon, in China, is believed to represent great power, auspiciousness, and strength. During the parade, it is usually controlled by eight to 10 dancers.

Meanwhile, the lion represents safety and luck. It is commonly carried by two dancers with one of them in charge of the head, making the lion’s ears wiggle and its eyes blink.

The color red is prevalent during the festivities as it is a special color in Chinese culture, signifying energy, happiness, and good luck. Most people wear red clothing as

it represents vitality as well as strength. Elders also hand out red envelopes (Ang Pao) to children. These envelopes contain money, and giving them is believed to bring good luck and long life to both the giver and receiver.

The Lunar New Year won’t be complete without setting off fireworks and firecrackers, or generally

just making noise. Doing this is supposed to drive away bad spirits, bad luck, and the mythical beast called Nian.

Filipinos commonly use horns and cooking pots to create noise.

Chinese families also gather to have their New Year’s Eve dinner where they usually serve tikoy (year cake), which is made from sticky rice and symbolizes unity among family members; noodles for long life and represent the eater’s life; fish and dumplings which

are believed to signify good fortune. Families also prepare 12 different round fruits as they are believed to bring luck and fortune to them. The New Year’s Eve dinner is perhaps the most important dinner for Chinese families — that’s why it’s necessary for all the members of the family to be present for it.

During the Lunar New Year, people across the globe greet with either Gong Xi Fa Cai, which means “you attain greater wealth,” or Kung

Hei Fat Choi, which means “congratulations and be prosperous.”

AJPress Illustration

by Godwin Gasacao

entertainment

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T h e As ian Jou r n al MDWK MAGAZ IN E - Jan u ary 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

Fil-Am composer gets Oscars 2020 nomination for ‘Frozen 2’ song

by JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

Marcelito Pomoy performing ‘The Prayer’ with signature dual voices, drawing a standing ovation from “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” judges and audience.

Photos screengrabbed from Youtube/America’s Got Talent

Marcelito advances to ‘America’s Got Talent’ semifinals

by JAN

MILO SEVERO

Philstar.com

FILIPINO singer Marcelito Pomoy has advanced to the semifinal round of “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” after “superfans” voted for him.

“Superfans” is the new element in the show. They are fans from each of the 50 states of the USA. Marcelito’s performance of “The Prayer,” singing both male and female parts, got a standing ovation from the judges and the audience of the show.

“That was what I call a 10, a simple as that. I have a feeling that the super fans will put you through to the next round,”

Simon Cowell said.

“That was so unique, you are a beautiful, wonderful singer with a young woman trap inside of you,” Howie Mandel added.

Judges Alesha Dixon and Heidi Klum also praised Marcelito’s unique performance.

“I want to see something different, something unique, and Marcelito you just gave that to us. It was absolutely brilliant,” Alesha said.

“Honestly, this is one of the craziest things I ever heard in my entire life. Your voice, your range, your sound is just so out of this world,” Heidi said.

The program, which functions in a similar format to

AGT, features a variety of participants from across the “Got Talent” franchise – winners, finalists, and other notable entries competing against each other across a series of preliminaries to secure a place in a grand finals and a chance to win a cash prize and the title of America’s chosen “World Champion” within the “Got Talent” franchise.

Marcelito is the grand winner of the second season of “Pilipinas Got Talent.” He is known for his ability to sing in both tenor and soprano.

He makes regular appearances on “ASAP” and his first studio album, “Duet Yourself,” was released in 2011 under Star Records.

LizQuen’s real love is back on prime time

by TESSA

MAURICIO-ARRIOLA

ManilaTimes.net

THE new year marks the much-awaited return of on and off-screen love team Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil to prime time television in a series about opting to love in a world full of endless choices. Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and Richard Arellano, “Make It With You” premieres this week on ABSCBN Primetime Bida.

At a grand media conference before the weekend, LizQuen talked about their latest and “most mature” project for TV to date. Soberano will bring life to Billy, a girl who takes on odd jobs just to make ends meet for her family. Incredibly resourceful, Billy hustles as a matchmaker in Croatia on the side just so she can regularly go on dates and get free meals and gifts she can sell for more income.

“Billy’s a very challenging character for me because we’re very different. She’s very outgoing, loud, spunky and confident — everything I can say I’m not in real life,” the lovely and talented actress admitted. “So when I was taping for the first few days, I was having a hard time — nangangapa ako sa character.

“And yet I can say that my take away from doing Billy is having more confidence in myself now. She’s very

Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano

decisive and knows what she wants and she’ll do whatever she needs to do. As Liza, I’m starting to be more comfortable with myself as well and more confident to speak up when I would just keep things to myself before,” she added.

Meanwhile, Gil will play Gabo, a lost soul who finds himself wandering in Croatia hoping to finally determine his path in life. Determined not to return to the Philippines, he doesn’t let any hardship deter his spirit and faces every struggle living in a foreign land head on.

Billy and Gabo live two different, separate lives, until one day, Croatian socialite Antonia approaches Billy to match her with Gabo in

ABS-CBN photo

exchange for money. To make sure Gabo is worthy of meeting Antonia’s father, Billy teaches the young man the culture and traditions of Croatia. But, as they spend moments together, they find themselves falling for each other.

“It was such an experience doing this series in Croatia what with the language barrier and needing to tape guerilla-style sometimes,” Gil chuckled. “But as always its very special to get to work together again.

Also part of “Make It With You” are Ian Veneracion, Katya Santos, Fumiya Sankai, Eddie Gutierrez, Pokwang, Vangie Labalan and former QC Mayor Herbert Bautista in his showbiz

Jodi on ex Jolo’s wedding

by JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

ACTRESS Jodi Sta. Maria refused to comment on the recent marriage of her former boyfriend Jolo Revilla to beauty queen Angelica Alita in California.

During the recent press conference of her iWant series “My Single Lady” which she also produced, Jodi said Jolo was a thing of her past that she did not want to talk about anymore.

“Ay nako, tapos na po ‘yun. ‘Wag na nating pagusapan,” Jodi said.

When asked if she wanted to be married someday, the versatile actress said she’s leaving it all to the Lord.

“Ako naman wala akong nakikitang problema sa season ng life ko ngayon. I’m actually embracing my single blessedness. If it’s the Lord’s will for me to get married in the future, why not? Kung hindi pa, I’ll just wait for his plans and purposes for my life. Ganoon lang po,” she said.

Jodi and Jolo were in a relationship that started in 2012. They broke up last 2018.

Last December, Jolo married Binibining Pilipinas 2016 1st runner-up Angelica Alita

Jodi Sta. Maria

in a garden wedding in Newport Beach, California.

The two confirmed their

Photo from Instagram/@jodistamaria

relationship last February 2019 and were engaged in September 2019.

FILIPINO-American Robert Lopez and wife Kristen Anderson Lopez have received another Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for “Into The Unknown,” from the soundtrack of Disney’s blockbuster animated film “Frozen 2.”

According to a BroadwayWorld report, Robert said that “Into The Unkown” is a collaboration with artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios.

“For us, ‘Into The Unknown’ is more than a song - it’s a culmination of a decade-long collaboration with the incredible artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios, led by our partners and friends Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck,” he said.

“We have been so lucky to work hand-in-hand almost daily for five years helping to craft the story and songs for ‘Frozen 2.’ To be honored by the Academy once more

Robert Lopez with wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez

Inquirer.net photo by Ruben V. Nepales

means the world to us,” he added.

Robert and Kristen won the Oscar for their hit song “Let It Go” for the movie “Frozen” in 2014. The couple also won an Oscar for the song “Remember Me” from the Disney film “Coco” in 2017.

Robert is the youngest of only 15 people to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award. He is also the only person to win all four more than once.

Robert and Kristen’s Best Original Song is the only nomination that “Frozen 2” got at the Oscars for 2020.

Ai-Ai now wants surrogate pregnancy – for health reasons The comedienne also explains why she isn’t in favor of same-sex marriage

by MARINEL

R. CRUZ

Inquirer.net

COMEDIENNE Ai-Ai delas Alas said she would no longer push through with her initial plan to conceive a baby with husband Gerald Sibayan and would look for a surrogate mother, instead.

“She has to be Filipino and has to have the same blood type as mine,” declared the 55-year-old actress.

Ai-Ai said it was Gerald who convinced her to disContinued on Page 4

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entertainment T h e A s ian Jour nal MD W K M A G A Z I NE - J a nua r y 15 , 2 0 2 0

Exes John Lloyd, Shaina to star in new film

by JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

AFTER a brief appearance in the Metro Manila Film Festival 2019 entry “Culion,” on-leave Kapamilya actor John Lloyd Cruz is back in making movies as he will star in the upcoming film “Servando Magdamag.”

ABS-CBN recently released a video of what’s in store for the network this 2020. One of the movies lined up this year is Ricky Lee’s “Servando Magdamag” starred by John Lloyd Cruz and his former girlfriend Shaina Magdayao, directed by Lav Diaz.

It is not clear, however, how long the movie will take. John Lloyd and Lav collabated in the eight-hour “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” and the four-hour “Ang Babaeng Humayo.”

Other films included in the ABS-CBN Films trailer were “Fangirl” (Paulo Avelino), “U Turn” (Kim Chiu), “Love or

Shaina Magdayao and John Lloyd Cruz

Money” (Angelica Panganiban and Coco Martin), “Motel Acacia” (JC Santos), and “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” (Daniel Padilla and Charo Santos).

ABS-CBN’s streaming platform iWant also has new original content such as “Call Me Tita” (new season), “Batang Poz” (new season), “I Am U” (Julia Barretto and Tony Labrusca), “I” (Zanjoe Marudo and Lovi Poe), “The Tapes” (Sam Milby and Yassi Pressman), “Sunday Night Fever” (Nathalie Hart and Diether Ocampo),

ABS-CBN photo

and “Quezon’s Game” (online premiere).

On television, meanwhile, viewers can look forward to “Love Thy Woman” (Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Yam Concepcion), “Kahit Minsan Lang” (Bea Alonzo and Richard Gutierrez), “Ligaya” (Ivana Alawi), “Heart to Heart” (Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber), “The Voice Teens” (new season), “Everybody, Sing!” (Vice Ganda’s game show) and “Tanging Mahal” (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla).

Ai-Ai now wants surrogate...

From Page 3 continue with the plan. “We had an argument recently. He said he didn’t want to bring the issue up with me before because he knew I would just get mad. He said he didn’t want me to get pregnant for health reasons,” Ai-Ai shared with Inquirer Entertainment.

“I eat only organic food and cannot take just any kind of medicine when I’m sick.

Only recently, I took antibiotics to battle an infection and, as a side effect, I couldn’t move my lips,” Ai-Ai recalled.

“Gerald is worried about what could happen to the baby if I get sick while conceiving. He is also concerned about the effect of the medicine to me, in case I need to take some for the baby.”

The couple recently started a medical procedure called in vitro fertilization, wherein mature eggs are fertilized by a sperm in a laboratory and, later on, implanted in a woman’s uterus. Ai-Ai

also reported that they now have three ready embryos.

“If possible, I want the surrogate mom to be someone I know,” she said during the media gathering of GB Sampedro’s “D’ Ninang,” the latest comedy flick produced

by Regal Entertainment.

At the event, Ai-Ai was also made to discuss her stand on same-sex marriage.

“I have been asked by a lot of my LGBTQ friends to be their ninang. I don’t turn down any of them. I’m OK with them having a (homosexual) relationship—that’s love. Only God has the right to judge us,” she pointed out. “What I’m not in favor of is them getting married. I just follow what the Bible says: A man is for a woman; a woman is for a man.”

However, she clarified that she would still support a couple who would exchange vows in a civil ceremony, “like in a garden or a beach setting,” she said, “just not inside the church. I’m all for

domestic partnership, but as a Catholic, I adhere only to what the Bible tells us.”

Ai-Ai said she was well aware that engaging in a debate on the issue would be quite cumbersome. “This is because we all have different opinions about it. Even members of the LGBTQ+ community are divided on this matter. I just want to simplify it—if you love each other and want to organize a ceremonial exchange of vows, I’m OK with that. ‘Wag lang sa simbahan,” she declared.

Incidentally, Ai-Ai plays a ninang, or godparent to many in her latest film. She portrays a pickpocket with a big heart, “like the female version of Robin Hood,” she added. “She extends help to her community.”

Ninang also takes pickpockets (Kiray Celis and Angel Guardian) under her wing. But her life takes a different turn when she finds her long-lost daughter (Kisses Delavin), who is unaware of

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Barona Resort & Casino Welcome the Year of the Rat at San Diego’s Best Casino with over $518,888 in cash giveaways from Jan. 25-Feb. 8

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While the celebration rings throughout the casino, Barona’s restaurants will

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Traditional lion dance kicks off the Lunar New Year festivities at The Americana at Brand in Glendale, CA.

The Americana at Brand in Glendale, CA to host Lunar New Year celebrating Year of Metal Rat

MARKING its 11th year, the highly anticipated annual Lunar New Year celebration returns to kick-off the Year of the Metal Rat, hosted by The Americana at Brand on Sunday, January 19, 2020 from 2 to 5 p.m. The festivities will feature an opening parade highlighting the classic Dragon Dance, as well as the Lion Dance, traditional Korean and Chinese dances and a dazzling magic show.

Additional activities include calligraphy, sugar painting, dough figurine making and more.

The festivities will showcase food and drink for purchase from Bacari GDL, along with Asian-inspired specialty vendors including Belly Bombz, Lee’Poof Cotton Candy, Seoul Street and Woo’s Crepe. Guests will also have the opportunity to receive lucky red envelopes

from the God of Wealth that contain prizes and special offers redeemable at Nordstrom, Ray-Ban, Kiehl’s, gorjana and other select retailers and restaurants at The Americana at Brand.

Visit https://AmericanaAtBrand.com for a full list of specials and a complete schedule of events.

The Americana at Brand is located at 889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210.

Sharon explains why she’s postponing showbiz retirement

by RATZIEL

SAN JUAN Philstar.com

MEGASTAR Sharon Cuneta recently opened up on her choice to postpone retirement plans and renew her contract with ABS-CBN. “Whenever I say that, ‘Lord,’ like I said it once, ‘I’m slowing down na, Lord. I’m tired na po. I think I’m done na.’ Tapos he sent ‘Madrasta,’” Sharon recalled, referring to the critical and commercially-successful 1996 film where she starred opposite Christopher de Leon.

(Whenever I say that “Lord,” like I said it once, “I’m slowing down now, Lord.

I’m tired already. I think I’m done.” And then sent “Madrasta.”)

Almost bowing out at the 30-year-old mark, the actress went on to win the Best Actress titles of all the major Philippine award-giving bodies, namely the FAMAS Awards, the FAP Awards, the Gawad Urian Awards, and the PMPC Star Awards for Movies, for her moving portrayal of a newfound stepmother.

The Kapamilya actress, who turned 54 last week, mulled retirement after spending much of her life in show business and thought of working more on personal life.

“Since last year, l have seriously been thinking of semi-retiring. I am so very tired. It has been 41 years of work, work, work for me, and at some point, kailangan na rin sabihin sa sarili na ‘tama na,’ (you need to admit that ‘enough is

tion to spread God’s love and how she wishes to serve as a good example to the Philippine audience.

“Kasi whatever... kahit saan akong mag-concert, kahit anong gawin ko, kahit sa TV shows — basta may pagkakataon, I try my best, you know, to be a good Christian and godly daughter to inspire people also…so I glorify Him all the time.”

(Whatever project...no matter where I hold a concert, regardless of what I do, even in tv shows — as long as I have an opportunity, I try my best, you know, to be a good Christian and godly daughter to inspire people also...so I glorify Him all the time.)

“So maybe may assignments pa ako (So maybe there are assignments left for me).”

Sharon said she plans on finally retiring when she hits 55 on Jan. 6, 2021, but is unlikely Sharon Cuneta to finish her required seven Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta movies before then. enough’),” she posted emotion“It’s impossible. The most I ally on Instagram in September was able to do was four and it last year. almost killed me. I did it twice Nonetheless, Cuneta signed in my whole career when I was on for seven more movie in my 20s,” she said, referring projects, effectively pushing to 1984 and 1987. back her retirement, and is set Despite the exhausting to continue her legacy of enter- feat, the actress left with a FAP taining Philippine audiences for Award for Best Actress in 1984 over 40 years. for “Sa Hirap at Ginhawa” and In what seems like a revela- a FAMAS Award nomination tion, the beloved singer-actress in 1987 for “Pasan Ko Ang received a load of successful Daigdig.” projects “one after the other” Sharon placed the cap at and said she finally got the three movies a year but it will message. depend, according to her, on “Okay, Lord. I guess you the schedule and the director. don’t want me to stop yet.”

Based on this, we might Sharon revealed her motiva- expect the “Megastar” to shine

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community

Young client has $1-M judgment against him, needs bankruptcy relief Fight for dear life

T h e A sian Jo ur nal MD W K M A G A Z I NE - J a nua r y 15 , 2 0 2 0

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA I STAUNCHLY believe that the gift of life is from God and that life begins at the moment of conception. For me, there can be no equivocation on this issue.

That is why, the decision by the state of Virginia to uphold late term abortion up to the moment of birth is, in my opinion, the most heinous and barbaric of all evils during the present time. This must be challenged and erased from the face of the earth.

Abortion is nothing less than the murder of innocents — a most grievous offense against the Holy Spirit from whom ALL LIFE emanates.

It is the duty of all who hold human life sacred to fight for it and uphold moral laws that guarantee the life of future generations.

This moral issue far transcends

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

When you file a divorce petition, you have to serve your spouse with the summons and petition. Your spouse then has 30 days to file a response after

“I’ve noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.” —Ronald Reagan any earthly concerns.

The economy, the war on terror, national security, taxes, energy independence — all these are important issues. And PRAISE THE LORD, all these are being dealt with after decades of corrupt and feckless leadership.

In due time, all of our earthly concerns will come to pass. The issue of abortion IS fundamental to our humanity and must take center stage.

The amoral and immoral left of the political spectrum are pushing climate change as their focus and political mantra. Climate has been changing for 4.5 billion years.

These hucksters just found a way to push a globalist agenda getting their hands on trillions of dollars in a world where nationalism, patriotism and the right to worship are sidelined so that an elite few can rule the world

based on the flimsy phenomenon of climate change. Most of the media have been paid to push this nonsense.

Climate change is nothing more than the rebranded new idolatry making it the be-all and end-all of life as we know it on planet earth. Don’t be deceived.

Abortion strikes at the root of our essence as human beings.

This is a call to fight for the unborn — the most defenseless of all creatures, a call to preserve the life of thinking, feeling, spiritual beings in human form.

Estimates of the number of abortions in this country alone have reached the 50 million mark, the population of a small country. Worldwide, the figures could be staggering.

I would enjoin those among you who also believe that proContinued on Page 6

Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuses to sign? being served with a divorce petition. If your spouse fails to file and serve you with a response, you can file a request for default against your spouse after 30 days. You can also file a proposed judgment for the court to approve. The default procedure can be done even if there are issues of property division, custody, visitation, and support. However, the Court will still review your proposed judgment and property division to make sure it conforms to the policy towards equal division of community property. Meaning, you have to propose a division of community property that is pretty much equal between the spouses. If your proposed property division is one sided such as distributing all community property to you and giving all the community debts to your spouse, the Court would probably not grant your judgment. The Court would probably set a hearing for you to

explain why this is an equal division of community property.

The only time you may need your spouse’s signature is if your spouse files a response to your divorce petition. This is called “contesting” the divorce. If your divorce is contested by your spouse, you can resolve the case either by “settlement” or by “trial.” However, you do not have to settle all the issues in the case at once. Under the concept of divisible divorce, you can settle some of the issues and set the other issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on for trial.

Our office try to resolve cases through settlement because it is more cost effective and the parties are usually happier with the outcome. In that situation, the parties may avoid the cost and uncertainty of going to trial by executing what is called a stipulated judgment which is in essence an agreement as to all the Continued on Page 6

Continued on Page 6

THE client is 38 years old and single. He is a professional with a license and makes about $100,000 gross a year. He rents a room near his workplace, where he stays on weekdays; on the weekends, he stays at the family residence, which he pays $1,800 a month for, with his parents and a younger brother.

He has $60,000 of credit cards.

But the big gorilla in the room is that 10 years ago, the client was involved in a business. He apparently was the CEO of the business but was not actually involved in running the business. A business deal turned bad, and the business and client were sued for a $1-million breach of contract.

The client never filed an answer, so a default judgment for $1 million was obtained against him.

Ten years later now, the creditor has tried to enforce a judgment of $1 million by levying on his bank account, hereby obtaining $5,000 in cash from the client.

The client filed a Chapter 7 petition a couple of months ago.

A default judgment can still be litigated as an adversarial case regarding dischargeability if fraud was part of the complaint.

If an answer was filed and so the case was litigated and there was a finding of fraud by the state court, all bets are off. This judgment will not be dischargeable.

The client also owes the IRS $26,000 in income taxes for the year 2006. In addition, he has $40,000 of credit cards which are all current.

Let’s assume that the $1 million judgment is dischargeable because it’s based on a breach of contract cause of action. If no answer was ever filed and it was, in fact, a default judgment for $1 million, then we look forward to litigating the dischargeability of this million-dollar judgment in federal court if the judgment creditor objects to its discharge.

Is the $26,000 owed to the IRS dischargeable? Yes, assuming conditions for discharge are met. What are the conditions?

There are time requirements.

The return must at least be three years old, and the IRS must have made an assessment at least 240 days before the bankruptcy was filed. Another requirement is that there must have been no fraud involved. There are other re-

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG quirements but I would say that the client would have no problem complying with the discharge requirements for the $26,000.

If the IRS objects to discharge, then the correct response from the client would be an adversary proceeding against the IRS in the Chapter 7 case to have the trial judge determine if the $26,000 is dischargeable.

All of the $40,000 credit cards are dischargeable. So, a discharge order, in this case, will wipe out the following for the client: 1) $1 million judgment; 2) income taxes of $26,000 for 2006; and 3) $40,000 of credit cards.

The discharge gives the client a fresh start without any debt at the age of 38. It’s a great deal of course. Who wants a $1 million judgment hanging like a heavy yoke around your neck anyway?

I mean, the client now earns $100,000 a year but if he has to pay the $1.0M back, what kind of life would that be for him? Not much fun to say the least.

Looking back, it would have

been better for the client to do his Chapter 7 petition at the age of 28. That would have wiped out the judgment 10 years ago.

By now at the age of 38, he would have a perfect 800 credit score again and no record of the bankruptcy. Well, this happens when the person refuses to face the problem head-on and resolve it at the right time. The problem remains and festers and becomes bigger and bigger like a snowball going down a hill. Ignoring it doesn’t solve the problem or make it go away. Judgments can be renewed every 10 years for another 10 years.

In other words, as long as the creditor renews the judgment before it expires on the 10th year, the judgment is still in effect in perpetuity. It can be valid for the entire lifetime of the debtor and even after death. After death, the judgment becomes a claim against the assets of the debtor.

So spare your descendants the headache of having to deal with your debts when you die by getting your fresh start by wiping out all your debts while keeping all if not most of your assets while you are still alive and kicking because in 10 years, there is absolutely no record that you ever filed, and your credit score becomes perfect again as long as you handle Continued on Page 6

community 6

Fight for dear life From Page 5 tecting the life of the unborn is of supreme importance to the well being of this nation and of the world to pray like you’ve never prayed before, because so much is at stake. For those who can take action, there are thousands of pro-life groups that are doing all they can to fight this evil.

We are up against a powerful enemy. Note one so-called actress just recently in an event ascribed her decision to abort

her child as one of the reasons she got her meaningless award and questionable success in that cesspool of amoral swamp called Hollywood.

The consequences of doing nothing and allowing the horrible evil of abortion to continue unchallenged, unabated are dire. Sometimes, we feel that by ourselves alone, we are powerless to stop this horror from being indelibly imprinted into the fabric of modern life.

But persist in prayer. Together as one voice, countless silent prayers sent heavenward by millions among us who believe in the power of prayer and trust in God’s divine mercy are being heard. Miracles rain down upon the earth.

So here is one bold prediction.

Human life will not only survive but thrive. Abortion will be no more. Even as we speak, there are and will be for an untold number of generations yet to come, bumper crops of humans born to bless the earth with meaningful lives pleasing to God. ***

Young client...

From Page 5 new credit on a timely basis.

Please note that Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice before his business, Disney — which includes theme parks worldwide, Marvel, and movies and is worth billions of dollars — became wildly successful. Milton Hershey of Hershey Chocolates also filed for Chapter 7 before his chocolate business became a worldwide business also worth billions.

I mean, I don’t think you can say that you’re smarter than Walt Disney or Milton Hershey, right?

So, a fresh start under bankruptcy law is not just something good, it’s something very good.

Even Orange County filed for bankruptcy relief about 15 years ago. It still looks pretty good over there next door, doesn’t it?

What’s Forever 21 doing now?

It’s under bankruptcy reorganization. What did Pres. Trump’s businesses do in the 90s? They filed at least four bankruptcy reorganizations.

If you need debt relief, please set an appointment. I will analyze your case personally. ***

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

T h e As ian Jou r n al MDWK MAGAZ IN E - Jan u ary 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

Minding Your Finances ATTY. RAYMOND BULAON SLEEPLESS nights… Stressed out… Worried about the future… Always broke no matter how hard they work…Feeling hopeless about their situation.

This is what most people are going through when they are considering bankruptcy in order to get out of debt. The word “bankruptcy” often produces negative feelings because some people equate it with failure.

They think that filing bankruptcy means they have failed and that they are admitting defeat. But nothing can be further from the truth.

Listen to me! Bankruptcy is not about failing; it’s about starting again and putting the past behind you so that you can move on to bigger and better things.

A lot of creditors will lie to you when you’re in debt and tell you that bankruptcy is the ‘worst mistake’ you can ever make because your credit will be ‘ruined forever’ and that you will never be able to buy a car or house again.

Wrong again.

The truth is that bankruptcy is a fact of life. At one time or another, everyone experiences financial difficulties. When you’re in a situation where you have done everything you can to pay your creditors but nothing has

Bankruptcy can give you a fresh financial start in 2020

worked, bankruptcy may be your only option so you can start a new life. And this is exactly what Congress intended when they passed bankruptcy laws. So with bankruptcy, you get another chance. You wipe the slate clean and move on with your life, free from the burdens of debt.

Can you just imagine what would happen if we had no bankruptcy laws that can help people get out of debt when they can no longer help themselves? Filing for bankruptcy means that you are filing a petition for relief from the bankruptcy court. The court reviews your application and determines whether on not you are entitled to the relief you are seeking. It is not for dishonest people who are trying to cheat the system.

Contrary to what others think, most people who file for bankruptcy are honest, hard-working people who have gotten themselves in a big financial mess.

In some cases it is caused by factors beyond their control. In other cases, it is a result of making bad financial decisions. But who hasn’t made a bad decision in their life at least once? Life is not perfect. Neither are you.

Filing bankruptcy can help you regain your footing if you have lost control of your finances. If you are living your life without a financial plan for the future, you will never achieve financial se-

curity. So you can say that bankruptcy is a tool that allows you to reorganize your finances so you can plan a better future for yourself and your family. It is neither good nor bad in and of itself. You can use a tool for the wrong or right reasons. Using it for the wrong reasons is NOT the intent of our bankruptcy laws.

Is it for you? Maybe, yes.

Maybe, no. It certainly is not for everyone. But when appropriate for your situation, it could be the best thing that ever happened to you- and it could be a big turning point in your life if you are drowning in debt. This is what you need, isn’t it? Why not make this year 2020 the year that you finally get out of debt so you can start a new life?

If you need some straight talk about bankruptcy and get all your questions answered, I will give you a free initial consultation so we can talk about your situation. Just call 866-477-7772 and schedule an appointment. I have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. ***

Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse...

From Page 5 issues in the divorce case.

For issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on, you will have to go through the litigation process which involves obtaining discovery, exchanging declarations of disclosures, and preparing the case for trial. Ultimately, you will obtain your divorce at trial in addition to adjudication of the distribution of community assets and debts amongst other issues. It is in the best interest of the party to retain the representation of competent counsel who will assert his or her rights under the family code.

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EMPLOYMENT

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Nine-hour novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague to be held on January 25

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

Parsnip’s Executive Chef Jeffrey Salazar, of Filipino heritage, is partnering with the BOSFilipinos community for a one-night only Filipino feast. The spotlight for this Pop-Up dinner is Filipino cuisine, still a rarity in Boston, and a move towards building better intercultural relations, removing boundaries, and creating a global community. Please email info@bosfilipinos.com if you have any questions.

Santo Niño Cruzada USA is inviting all devotees of Santo Niño to come and join us in the 33rd year anniversary mass celebration of the Feast of Santo Nino, the Divine Infant Jesus, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. The principal celebrant is Bishop Alex D. Aclan. Please come early since the pre-liturgy will start around 3:00 p.m. Participants include the Knights of Columbus - Los Angeles District, Precious Blood and St. Kevin Church Choirs, Southern California Sinulog Dance Co and other dance groups and religious organizations. This mass will also be offered to honor the late Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who gave the Santo Niño statue that is used to celebrate the annual feast, to Los Angeles Archbishop Emeritus Roger Cardinal Mahony and Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik several years ago. For more information, please contact Romy & Tess Esturas at (213) 387-6982.

All are welcome to the Sto. Niño Feast Day on Sunday, January 19 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Long Beach, CA. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. with the procession; 3 p.m. mass; and 4 p.m. reception at Msgr. Gualderon hall (just across the street). Please bring your Sto. Niño images for blessing at the mass. For more information, please contact Beth Silva at (562) 7564201 or Tony Silva at (562) 822-5803. The church is located at 540 W. 6th Street, Long Beach, CA 90802.

THE annual nine-hour novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Winnetka, California (19855 Sherman Way, Winnetka, CA). This year’s theme is …and He said, “Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3). Beginning at 6:45 a.m., every hour, after the novena prayer, different subtopics are presented by invited dynamic and inspirational speakers.

This year, the speakers are Reverend Beto Villalobos, Pastor of Saint Joseph the Worker

Church, Winnetka, Reverend Joel Henson, Director of Ongoing Formation, Office of the Vicar for Clergy, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Reverend Kevin Rettig, Pastor, Holy Angels Church, Arcadia, Reverend Marinello Saguin, Administrator, Our Lady of Grace, Encino, Reverend Rodel Balagtas, Pastor, Church of the Incarnation, Glendale, and the Saint Joseph the Worker Youth Ministers, Jon Fernandez and JPee Barrientos. Topics include: “Jesus Keeps us Young”; “Walking with Christ in the Modern World”; “God Loves, Christ Saves, He is Alive—and the Holy Spirit Lets Us Experience These Through the Gospel”; “The

Youth: A Grace and a Blessing”; “Discovering our Gifts Through Journeying Together”; “Guiding the Youth in Their Discernment as Members of the Body of Christ.”

Lunch is provided and the Holy Mass is celebrated after the Novena. A blessing of the Infant Jesus images and a blessing of children will also take place.

Now on its 37th year, the novena is attended by devotees from all over the United States, the Philippines, Australia and other parts of the globe. For more information, please contact Leo Nevada at (818) 633 3926 or visit the organization’s website at www.

IJPAG.com. n

Register for a free parenting workshop at Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) every Thursday starting January 23 until March 26. It will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA. Opening Doors is an evidence-based comprehensive training program created by and for Latino parents with children ages 0-5. Despite this, Opening Doors has been facilitated to not only Latino families, but to Black and Asian families with positive results.

This program hopes that parents can raise their children to reach their highest potential. The first five years of a child’s life are integral for lifelong learning and social and brain development.

This program’s approach strives to build parent leadership skills through an understanding that they are their child’s first teacher and their home their child’s first school. Building upon the tenets of understanding your child, ensuring children’s success at home, and continuing education at home, the mission of Opening Doors is to encourage parents as leaders of their families and as their child’s first teacher and advocate. This program works with parents wholly so that they can empower themselves to be mindful and positive forces in their children’s lives. For any questions, contact Eddy M. Gana at eddy@sipacares.org. and register at BIT.LY/OPENINGSIPADOORS. More information about SIPA can be found at sipacares.org.

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