012321 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

JANUARY 23-26, 2021 Volume 31 - No. 6 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

Immigration reform among Pres. Biden’s first directives The word ‘alien’ to be removed from immigration laws, Congress directed to provide pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AFTER the historic inauguration on Jan. 20, President Joe Biden followed through with promises to begin work on dismantling the stringent policies and measures of former President Donald Trump’s administration.

Trump’s immigration policy,

DATELINE

in particular, was layered and wide-ranging, and it was fueled by a desire to keep entrance into the United States limited and to make it more difficult for the average person to gain legal entry into the country.

“There’s a long way to go.

These are just executive actions, but we’re going to need legislation for a lot of these we’re going to do,” Biden told reporters at

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Jollibee opens in Delano, Bakersfield next

POPULAR Filipino fast-food Jollibee chain recently opened its first location in Delano, California as part of its 2021 expansion plans in North America.

The Delano location is along Woollomes Ave., complete with a drive-thru option for customers to get their Chickenjoy fix. It opened last Dec. 20.

This year, the fast-food giant is set to add 28 stories to North America, 19 in the United States and nine in Canada, working towards its goal of amassing 300 stores by 2024.

The next Kern County location is set for Bakersfield along Stockdale Highway. Though a date has yet to be announced, reports say this spring is the target.

Other beloved Jollibee favorites include Jolly Spaghetti and peach mango pie, bringing customers a taste of the Philippines.

Though the pandemic has delivered challenges across the restaurant industry, Jollibee has been able to persevere by focusing on off-premise channels apart from dine-in. At u PAGE A3

Los Angeles County expands COVID vaccine access — but biggest challenge is supply As the COVID-19 pandemic death toll passed 400,000 in the United States, three Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials joined in a “virtual town hall” telebriefing to describe the county’s expansion of its vaccination program and address community concerns.

The virtual town hall, moderated by Dr. Hector Flores, chairman of the department of family medicine at White Memorial Medical Center, occurred on the first day of the county’s new program to make vaccines available to people as young as 65.

It also coincided with opening of five new, large-scale vaccination sites, which can each potentially administer about 4,000 vaccinations per day.

The best way to make an appointment for a vaccine, the doctors said, is via the website vaccinatelacounty.com, but appointments can also be made by phone, at (833) 540-0473, between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m..

A key complaint among those attending u PAGE A4

the Oval Office on Wednesday.

Among the keystone issues, immigration remains one of the top issues of the contemporary American political landscape, and among the sweeping changes that Biden made in his first directive is how to address people in the U.S. who aren’t naturalized citizens.

The proposed bill, if passed, u PAGE A2

Foreigners with valid visas can enter PH anew

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA

AJPress

FOREIGNERS with valid visas are allowed to enter the Philippines again despite certain travel restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic, Malacañang announced on Friday, January 22.

This move comes after the country’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) amended its earlier resolution that imposed a travel ban on countries where the new, more infectious COVID-19 variant was detected.

The IATF-EID, in its Resolution 95, allows entry to personnel of accredited international organizations, and the spouse and minor children of Filipino citizens traveling with them.

“Those who arrive for medical and emergency cases, including their medical escorts, if any, are now subject to applicable testing and quarantine protocols as prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH),” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

The resolution also amended the testing and quarantine protocols for travelers coming from the countries with confirmed cases of the new virus variant. Travelers arriving in the Philippines will be tested once and then quarantined until they receive the result of a second COVID-19 test administered on the fifth day after their arrival. u PAGE A3

Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, January 20 after being sworn into office by Chief Justice John Roberts (left) as First Lady Dr. Jill Biden (right) holds the Bible.

Photo courtesy of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies

‘DEMOCRACY HAS PREVAILED’ Biden becomes president of the United States, Harris breaks barriers as VP

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

Kamala Harris takes the oath of office on Wednesday, January 20 to become the U.S.’ first woman, Black and Asian American vice president.

Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice President

SHORTLY before noon on Wednesday, January 20, Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States in a “triumph” for democracy amid the backdrop of an ongoing coronavirus pandemic and a fractured nation.

After two failed campaigns, the third time’s the charm for the 78-year-old former vice president and senator from Delaware who is the oldest president inaugurated.

Moments before, Kamala Harris — four years after she was elected a senator from Caliu PAGE A2

Amb. Romualdez: PH-US relations to run ABS-CBN makes bigger free TV smoothly under Biden administration comeback via TV5 partnership Duterte extends ‘warmest greetings’ to new leadership

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE relations between the Philippines and the United States will continue to run smoothly under the administration of newly sworn-in President Joe Biden, the Philippine Ambassador to Washington D.C. Jose Manuel Romualdez affirmed Thursday, January 21.

“We’re confident that this relationship is going to continue and we’ve had a good start,” he told the CNN Philippines’ New Day. Romualdez also assured that the Biden administration will still recognize the Philippines’ arbitral victory in the South China Sea. “First and foremost is the policy on the West Philippine Sea for instance. The policy shifted during the time of President (Donald) Trump, they recognized our arbitral award, [and it] will be continued by the Biden administration,” he said.

In July 2020, the U.S. announced that it was rejecting most of China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea. “We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the

South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them,” former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

“The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire,” he added.

In another interview, Romualdez reiterated that the U.S. will continue to recognize the arbitral award. “(U.S. State Secretary-designate Antony Blinken) said that their policy on China will u PAGE A2

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez Inquirer.net photo

by

MIGUEL R. CAMUS Inquirer.net

MEDIA giant ABS-CBN Corp. announced a partnership with rival TV5 that would allow more of its popular content to air on free television across the Philippines.

ABS-CBN said on Thursday, January 21 its programs “ASAP Natin ‘To” and “FPJ: Da King” would air on TV5 starting Jan. 24 this year. This also includes TV5’s affiliate Cignal TV, a satellite TV company.

This was possible through a blocktime or airtime leasing deal with TV5, which was once the country’s third-biggest TV network before President Duterte’s allies in the House of Representatives ended ABS-CBN’s bid for a new franchise last year.

TV5 and Cignal are part of the media of arm of telecommunications giant PLDT Inc., which is led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Robert Galang, president and CEO of Cignal and TV5, said in a statement on Thursday the

blocktime deal “marks the start of greater cooperation among our various industry players and begins a new era of partnership.”

Despite being a longtime business ally of the Lopez family that owns ABS-CBN, Pangilinan previously expressed reservations about a blocktime agreement, fearing political retribution.

But in recent weeks, ABS-CBN gained fresh support after lawmakers filed petitions seeking to grant the company a new franchise.

Without a broadcast franchise, ABS-CBN was limited to airing content on its online channels and pay television. Moreover, the loss of its franchise triggered thousands of job cuts and the closure of business divisions last year.

While it was denied a wide platform to broadcast shows, ABS-CBN retained ownership over a vast library of content and talent to produce new programs.

Some of its shows returned to u PAGE A3

A january 23-26, 2021 • La WEEKEnD aSIan jOurnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

From the Front Page

Immigration reform among...

PAGE A1 would eliminate the word “alien” from all U.S. immigration laws and replace it with the word “noncitizen,” a significant symbolic change that many immigrant advocates have been calling for decades.

“The language change on the first day of this administration, with [Vice President] Kamala Harris the daughter of immigrants, to me is not just symbolic. It’s foundational,” Jose Antonio Vargas, the Filipino undocumented journalist and founder of Define American, told CNN this week.

“How we talk about immigrants shapes the policies and it frames what are the issues really at stake here. It acknowledges that we’re talking about human beings and families.”

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer has advocated for the protection of undocumented youth, most commonly referred to as DREAMers. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

program, which went into effect in 2012 by former President Barack Obama, provides specific protections and benefits to qualified undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.

Biden — who has advocated for DACA recipients — vowed this week to strengthen the program that Trump previously tried to end by directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Attorney General to “take all actions [deemed] appropriate...to preserve and fortify DACA,” the directive read without elaborating on what those actions could look like.

Biden also called on the newly Democratic-controlled Congress to pass legislation that would provide a more permanent solution for DACA recipients as well as farmworkers and Temporary Protected Status holders.

The plan for these immigrants would include a series of background checks and taxpayer status in order for them to apply for

Biden becomes president of the United...

green cards. To streamline these processes, the bill also aims to improve immigration courts, clear visa backlogs and authorize funding for border security.

Trump’s immigration policy was a primary catalyst for civil rights and legal advocacy groups who saw these measures as harmful for the wider immigrant community, but specifically to Asian, Latino and Black immigrant communities.

“We applaud President Biden in the fulfillment of his campaign promises to take action on day one to undo many of the harsh policies of [the] Trump administration,” John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, said in a statement. “Legalizing undocumented people and reforming our family-based immigration system are top priorities for Asian American and immigrant communities.

Through our collective advocacy with Latino and Black immigrant

u PAGE A4

PAGE A1 t fornia — made history as the first female, Black and South Asian American vice president as she was sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina on the nation’s highest court. She is also the highest-ranking woman to ever serve in the U.S. government.

“This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve,” Biden declared as he began his inaugural remarks, standing at the steps of the U.S. Capitol exactly two weeks after a violent mob stormed the grounds in a last-ditch attempt to contest the election results.

He continued, “The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”

This week, the United States hit over 400,000 deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to undergo the impacts from business closures to unemployment. The new administration will also be pressed to address ongoing calls for racial justice following a summer of protests and reckoning.

“Few people in our nation’s history have been more challenged or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we’re in now. Once-in-acentury virus that silently stalks

the country. It’s taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II. Millions of jobs have been lost. Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed.

A cry for racial justice, some four hundred years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer,” Biden said.

Wednesday’s inauguration was attended by former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, while former President Donald Trump broke away from tradition and left for Florida earlier in the morning. He told a small crowd prior to his departure that “we will be back in some form.”

Though Trump has vacated the high office, his shadow looms as he will face a second impeachment trial in the Senate in the coming weeks.

Biden did not mention his predecessor, but he mentioned the divisiveness and falsities that were perpetuated, and instead called for Americans to “listen to one another again.”

“We must reject the culture where facts themselves are manipulated, even manufactured,” he said, later adding that the “answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions.”

He echoed themes from the campaign to restore the soul of the nation and decency: “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do

this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts.”

Again, he pledged to “be a president for all Americans, all Americans. And I promise you I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence was present on Wednesday, and was sent off after the ceremony by Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, who will be the nation’s first “second gentleman.”

After the Inauguration Day events, such as a shortened parade and wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Biden hit the ground running with a series of executive actions regarding issues from the pandemic to racial equity, in an effort to undo actions from the previous administration. He is slated to send an immigration bill to Congress to give a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.

Last week, Biden unveiled a $1.9 trillion virus relief package that would send $1,400 direct payments to families and funding for mass vaccinations and contact tracing, among other provisions.

Throughout this week, virtual celebrations welcomed the new administration, including one gala organized by Fil-Am BidenHarris supporters on Thursday night, January 21. n

Amb. Romualdez: PH-US relations to run smoothly...

PAGE A1 t be more or less the same as what the Trump administration had but the approach will be different, there would be cooperation in many other areas but in terms of, for instance, South China Sea they recognize… The U.S. recognizes the arbitral award so they will continue with that policy,” the envoy said in a mix of Filipino and English during an interview over GMA. “All of that is the overall picture of what the Biden administration will be doing in our part of the world,” he added.

Congratulatory letter Romualdez, in his CNN interview, revealed that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sent

Biden a congratulatory letter about a week prior to his inauguration.

“Actually, about a week or less than a week after President Biden was elected, President Duterte has already sent a congratulatory letter in which he says he’s looking forward to continuing the relationship between the Philippines and the United States,” he said.

On Thursday, Malacañang said that Duterte has extended his greetings to Biden and the U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris following their inauguration.

“Our President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte sends his warmest greetings and the best wishes to the 46th President of the United

States Joseph ‘Joe’ Biden and his Vice President Kamala Harris,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a briefing.

Biden on Wednesday, January 20, became the 46th U.S. president, while Harris was sworn in as the country’s first female, Black and South Asian American vice president.

The inauguration of Biden and Harris showed the world that the U.S. has “deep” roots in democracy, Roque affirmed.

“It has always been an exemplar to the world. And today, it has reassured the world that its people remain committed to peaceful electoral transitions and the noble principles of representative democracy,” he added. n

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A

Health issues carried weight on the campaign trail. What could Biden do in his first 100 days? by

PRESERVING HERITAGE. Workers paint the facade of the Manila Metropolitan Theater in Ermita, Manila on Friday, January 22. Once restoration works are completed, the theater is set to reopen this year.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

LA County to launch loan program to help stabilize small businesses

by AJPress A SMALL business loan program will launch on January 28, the Los Angeles County Development Authority announced this week.

The loan program is made possible through a $10 million business recovery assistance fund issued by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The funds were made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Recovery Assistance, and are intended to prevent job loss and business closure. The Program will provide flexible and affordable capital to small businesses Countywide.

The Small Business Stabilization Loan Program will provide eligible businesses with a competitive interest rate for loans ranging from $50,000 to $3 million. Businesses interested in applying for the Program must have been in operation for at least two years and are seeking working capital, equipment purchases, real estate acquisition, or refinancing of existing loans at higher interest rates.

The Small Business Stabilization Loan Program will start accepting applications on January

28, 2021, and will remain open indefinitely. To apply for the Small Business Stabilization Loan, the applicant is required to attend an online “Applying for An Affordable & Flexible LACDA Loan” webinar to learn more about requirements of the application process and documentation needed. Webinars are currently available for registration. Upon completion of the webinar, the LACDA will then connect interested applicants with a Technical Assistance provider to assist with the business loan application. Further details are available at BizStabilization.LACDA.org.

“The recent surge in COVID19 cases is once again harming the vitality of small businesses in the County of Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda L. Solis, Supervisor to the First District.

“The launch of LACDA’s Small Business Stabilization Loan Program will help guide our local small businesses to recovery and set them on the path to long term prosperity. Our economic healing depends on the wellbeing of this sector and their employees. I urge our small business community to take advantage of this new

Foreigners with valid visas...

PAGE A1 t “From the strict observation of an absolute 14-day facility-based quarantine period for Filipino citizens coming from areas where travel restrictions are in place, the IATF amended this to prescribed testing and quarantine protocols,” said Roque.

“Passengers coming from, or transiting through, countries where travel restrictions are in place due to new COVID-19 variants…shall be tested upon arrival and shall be quarantined until the result of the subsequent test administered on the fifth day is released,” he added.

ABS-CBN makes bigger free...

PAGE A1 t free television on Oct. 10 via a blocktime deal with the TV network of Eddie Villanueva, a lawmaker and influential evangelist and founder of Jesus is Lord Church.

This allowed ABS-CBN to air shows on A2Z Channel 11 in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. On the other hand, TV5 provides a wider reach given its nationwide presence. n

Jollibee opens in Delano...

PAGE A1 t

the onset of the pandemic, the brand encouraged its customers to experience the joy of Jollibee from the comfort and safety of their own homes via call ahead pick-up, take-out and drive-thru.

By April, Jollibee announced the launch of its nationwide delivery service via DoorDash.

“We have remained nimble and optimistic which has led Jollibee to defy expectations amidst an extremely difficult year and experience double-digit sales growth across North America,” Maribeth Dela Cruz, president of Jollibee Group North America, Philippine Brands, previously said in a statement. “Make no mistake though, we would not be weathering these hard times without the support of our customers.”

Last December, locations were also opened in San Antonio, Texas, Mira Mesa, California, and downtown Toronto. (AJPress)

The Philippines has banned the entry of foreigners coming from over 30 countries with the new COVID-19 variant until the end of January.

Included in the country’s travel ban list are Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Oman, mainland China, United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, the United States, Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, Brazil, and Austria. n

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive proposals for PS74144 - Info Security Policy & Standards Assessment at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

A Pre-Proposal conference will not be held. This project is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) SetAside contract. To participate in this RFP, proposers must be SBE certified with LACMTA prior to proposal due date. For information on the Set-Aside Program, visit: HYPERLINK “https://business.metro.net/Vendor”https:// business.metro.net/Vendor Portal/faces/home1/certifications.

All proposals must be received on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at the address listed above, sent to the attention of Victor Zepeda. Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened.

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

1/23/21 CNS-3432777# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

program.”

The program has been augmented with technical assistance partners that offer complementary one-on-one financial consultations, application assistance, and evaluating how ready a business is to commit to a loan with the LACDA. Technical assistance is available in various languages. n

Victoria Knight Kaiser Health News

JOE Biden ran on an expansive health care platform during his 2020 presidential campaign, with a broad array of promises such as adding a government-sponsored health plan to the Affordable Care Act and lowering prescription drug prices. Perhaps most significantly, he pledged to get control of the COVID pandemic that claimed more than 400,000 American lives

by Inauguration Day. President Biden now faces major challenges in accomplishing his health care agenda; among the biggest will be bridging partisan divides in both Congress and the nation at large.

Even with the Democrats’ newfound majority in the Senate — the result of victories by the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s runoff elections — differences in health policy between the party’s moderate and progressive wings will persist.

“With razor-thin Democratic majorities in both the House and the Senate and many other priorities in addition to health care, Biden is unlikely to succeed in accomplishing all of his health agenda,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at the KFF. (KHN is an editorially independent program of KFF.) Still, Democratic control of the Senate will allow Biden to pursue some of his health care priorities “using a two-pronged strategy of legislation and executive actions,” Levitt said.

PolitiFact and KHN teamed up to analyze Biden’s promises during the 2020 presidential campaign and will monitor his policies over the next four years to see which ones materialize. But, for now, as Biden settles into the West Wing, what are his chances of making progress on health care?

The COVID pandemic In his first 100 days in office, Biden has promised to get 100 million doses of COVID vaccine in the arms of Americans and — if Congress provides the funds to do so — get all kids back into schools safely. He asked people to wear face masks in public for those 100 days. He also has repeatedly promised he would get the COVID pandemic under control.

Other COVID promises include a pledge to double the number of drive-thru testing sites and create a national pandemic testing board. He said he wants to invest $25 billion in COVID vaccine distribution and to ensure that every American has access to the vaccine at no cost. He’s also promised to use the Defense Production Act to ramp up personal protective equipment supplies and restore national stockpiles.

During his first two days in office, Biden took steps to accomplish these goals, using executive orders to put in place masking mandates regarding federal buildings and interstate travel — for example, in airports and on commercial aircraft, trains, ferries and intercity bus services — and reengaging the United States with the World Health Organization.

He also issued orders to create a COVID response coordinator who will lead the federal government’s efforts for providing vaccination, testing and supplies, set up a national pandemic testing board, establish international travel protocols, use the Defense Production Act to provide necessary supplies and ensure minority communities are provided resources to combat the disease. The White House released a 200-page plan on Thursday that outlines the Biden administration’s strategy to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some members of his COVID leadership team — such as Jeff Zients, tapped to coordinate the White House’s COVID response, and Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who will lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — don’t require Senate confirmation, meaning they can get to work right away. But Biden’s pick for Health and Human Services secretary, Xavier Becerra, will need approval by the Senate, a step that will likely be eased because of Democrats’ Georgia victories.

Still, how his nomination plays out — as well as Biden’s other selections for posts that require confirmation — could be an early sign of whether the new administration will face strong partisan resistance.

While the executive orders are strong signals of what Biden hopes to accomplish, he will need Congress to fund his plans to expand testing and vaccine distribution. Biden outlined the week

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Los Angeles County expands COVID vaccine...

PAGE A1 t the town hall was the difficulties in getting through to make appointments.

“Please bear with us,” said Dr. Seira Kurian, director of the DPH’s medical affairs division.

“We’ve had really huge call volume and number of hits on the web site. I know people are having issues.”

The vaccinatelacounty.com website also has a wealth of information on the pandemic, from safety measures, statistics, lists of non-compliance citations, and much more, available in more than 100 languages via a “translate” button at the top of the opening page.

Along with Kurian, the other panelists -- Dr. Paul Simon, DPH chief science officer, and Dr. Eloisa Gonzalez, director of its cardiovascular and school health divisions -- all emphasized that a steady and sufficient supply of vaccines for the county to administer will be the most important thing to ensure the vaccination program’s success.

The uncertainty about when those supplies will be on hand is behind the frustrations people experienced in trying to make

vaccination appointments.

The vaccines are being offered at no charge and with no regard to immigration status.

The doctors tried at least to ease concerns over the safety of the vaccines so far. Simon pointed out, for instance, that despite fears of anaphylaxis – an allergic reaction – to the vaccines, out of 2 million vaccine doses administered so far, there have been 21 cases of anaphylaxis, none of them fatal.

It also seems that the vaccines already available work against the new, more-contagious strains of the virus that have emerged in recent weeks and Simon also said that the vaccinations have not been found to endanger pregnancies and are equally effective across racial and ethnic lines.

The two vaccines currently available, made by the pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna, require two doses.

The second Pfizer shot should be taken 28 days after the initial one. For the Moderna vaccine, a second shot can be taken in 21 days. So far, the county has administered 77,000 second doses, along with almost 300,000 initial

ones.

Gonzalez, warning that rumors and bad information can spread just as fast as contagion, tried to put to rest false reports, for instance, that the vaccines are made with cells culled from aborted fetuses, that the virus is a “plannedemic,” or an outright hoax.

“This virus is simply part of nature,” she said, “like Ebola, influenza, SARS.” But, she said, Latinos have the highest percentage of COVID-19 cases and deaths. “Get the vaccination!”

While the whole world continues trying to develop and distribute vaccines to keep people safe from COVID, the doctors said, it’s still also important – even after having received the vaccine – to maintain social distancing and mask-wearing precautions.

And while the vaccine rollout is still in its early stages, they urged people to be patient but persistent in making those vaccine appointments.

“These vaccines are such. A gift, we have to maximize their availability,” Simon said. “We look forward to better times as we have better supply.” (By Mark Hedin Ethnic Media Services)

LAX adds rapid antigen tests to on-site COVID-19 lab offerings Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) now offers COVID-19 test results in as little as 30 minutes with the addition of rapid antigen tests at the airport’s innovative on-site laboratory.

Antigen tests are the latest addition to the laboratory, which opened in late December by offering rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) nasal swab tests with results available in 3-5 hours for tests collected at the lab across from Terminal 6, and results in less than 24 hour for samples collected at the Terminal 2 and Tom Bradley International Terminal locations.

The new nasal-swab antigen tests, which are available only at the Terminal 6 lab location, cost $80 and have results available in just 30-60 minutes. PCR tests remain $125 each.

“With more than 22,000 tests administered since we opened our initial solution in November, it is clear there is a strong demand for fast and accurate COVID-19 testing at LAX,” said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). “Los Angeles World Airports is excited to announce our newest testing option, a rapid antigen test, which, along with our rapid and 24-hour turnaround PCR tests, will provide travelers and airport employees quality, fast and affordable testing options to help facilitate essential work and travel.”

While PCR tests are required

to enter certain destinations or skip quarantine periods upon arrival, antigen tests provide the fastest results, cost less and may be accepted by certain airlines and destinations that allow an antigen test in place of a PCR test. Customers are responsible for knowing the type of test results that are acceptable for their destination or purpose for testing.

The lab initially will have the capacity to process up to 200 antigen tests per day, in addition to 1,000 PCR tests per day, so appointments are highly recommended for all test options and can be booked online.

The on-site testing program at LAX has constantly evolved during its first two months of operation, with test results moving from 24-48 hours during the interim testing solution in November, to as little as 30 minutes today.

Customers will continue to be tested at one of four open-air collection windows and receive test results electronically. The airport does not receive test results or personal information from customers.

Locations: • The primary lab and collection site is located across from Terminal 6 on the Lower/Arrivals level. Guests can access the facility by vehicle drop-off along the outer arrivals curb at Terminal 6, or by walking from any of the parking structures. For

pedestrians coming from Terminals 1, 2 and 3 a shorter path to the testing site is possible along East Way, Theme Way and West Way. This is the only location that offers rapid PCR results in 3-5 hours, and the only location that offers rapid antigen tests with results in 30-60 minutes.

• LAX guests also may purchase and conduct the PCR nasal swabs at two other locations: the Tom Bradley International Terminal on the Upper/Departures level at the check-in counters located in Aisle C, along the north side of the terminal; and at the Terminal 2 Lower/Arrivals Level baggage claim area. Tests collected at these sites will be brought to the lab for processing, with results in under 24 hours.

Hours of operation: • The test sites will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the lab location across from Terminal 6, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Terminal 2 and Tom Bradley locations.

Appointments: • Appointments are strongly recommended and can be booked online here. Tests may be available on a walk-up basis, depending on demand.

Costs: • Rapid PCR test: $125 • Rapid antigen test: $80 • Guests will receive an itemized receipt to submit to their insurance providers for reimbursement, if the tests are covered by their healthcare provider. n

Immigration reform among...

PAGE A2 communities through the Value Our Families campaign we are one step closer to a more humane and just immigration system that puts families first.”

The bill also touched upon the U.S.-Mexico border and vows to end the national emergency declaration that allowed the Trump administration to dip into other government funds to build the wall, one of the former president’s strictest achievements that cost American taxpayers roughly $15 billion.

Throughout Trump’s presiden-

cy, a total of 453 miles of the wall had been completed and weathered barriers and fences had been fortified, and roughly 47 miles of the new wall have been constructed in areas where there were no barriers at all, Customs and Border Protection said in a statement.

Additionally, the DHS announced that starting Thursday, Jan. 21, it would halt deportations for certain noncitizens in the U.S. for 100 days and would cease enrollments in the Migrant Protection Protocols policy, otherwise known as the “remain

in Mexico” program, which required Central American asylum seekers to wait in Mexico pending American court hearings.

In a memo issued late Wednesday, Acting Secretary of the DHS David Pekoske said that the U.S. is facing “significant operational challenges at the southwest border as it is confronting the most serious global public health crisis in a century,” adding that pausing these measures also gives the department time to review current programs and policies laid out by previous administrations. n

PAGE A3 t before his inauguration in a $1.9 trillion proposal to address COVID and the economy. However, the president could face difficulty in getting bipartisan agreement on this plan, with some Republicans criticizing it as too expensive. It took Congress seven months to pass a second COVID relief bill in December.

Other limiting factors include whether the supply of vaccine is adequate to reach 100 million doses and whether organized efforts are put in place to increase testing and ramp up production, said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.

One area in which Biden could face pushback: mask-wearing.

Even though he has already issued executive orders regarding mask use in federal buildings, for instance, broader mask mandates fall under individual governors’ authority, and some Republican state executives remain resistant.

Even if Biden makes inroads on that front, Americans will have to accept this step as part of their daily lives. A December KFF survey showed that while most Americans, regardless of party, wear a mask whenever they leave their house, there is still a lag among Republicans.

“I think Biden’s biggest challenges in fulfilling his COVID goals are in bringing a divided country together with the bully pulpit of the presidency,” said Levitt. “If testing and the vaccine and maskwearing are successful in only blue America, then it will be hard to succeed overall.”

Health insurance As Barack Obama’s vice president, Biden was instrumental in the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage to millions of people but has drawn fierce Republican opposition.

Biden’s health agenda promises to expand the ACA and undo many of the steps taken by President

Donald Trump to dismantle it.

“I’ll not only restore Obamacare, I’ll build on it. You can keep your private insurance. If you like it, you can choose a Medicare-like public option,” Biden said during a campaign event in Pittsburgh on Nov. 2.

Adding a government-run public option to other ACA health care plans is one of Biden’s most ambitious pledges. It’s a controversial idea even within the Democratic caucus, where some members want instead to move to a singlepayer health plan like “Medicare for All.” Remember the debates during the Democratic presidential primary?

Health policy experts we consulted said implementing a public option seems extremely unlikely in the current environment. So does lowering the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 60, another divisive idea among Democrats.

But both moderates and progressives — even lawmakers across the aisle — might be able to come together on initiatives that could shore up the ACA and make coverage more affordable, such as expanding eligibility for premium subsidies.

Biden doesn’t need Congress to restore parts of the ACA that were changed via regulations issued by the Trump administration. He can instruct agencies to issue new rules that would reverse such Trump initiatives as allowing states to implement work requirements for some adults who gained Medicaid coverage in the ACA expansion of that program. Still, regulatory changes take time. And, in some cases, altering them can be complicated.

Take, for instance, the Trump administration’s rules promoting short-term or association health plans. That metaphorical cat is already out of the bag, said Joseph Antos, a health care scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

“There are a lot of people insured through those plans and so [changing that policy is] a very tricky thing,” said Antos. “I don’t

think it would be wise for him to do anything to reverse that [rule] even though there has been a lot of noise from the left.”

In Antos’ view, the main advantage in gaining Senate control will be helping speed confirmation for key nominations, “which opens the door to new thinking on regulations.”

Drug prices On the campaign trail, Biden made clear his intent to bring down prescription drug prices. He promised to lower costs by 60%.

Among the related policy ideas he floated: repealing the law that bars Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices and allowing the importation of prescription drugs from other countries.

But details of these proposals aren’t yet available, leaving some experts to question their feasibility.

Of course, the pharmaceutical lobby won’t be enthusiastic about any drug pricing legislation and would likely mount an aggressive campaign to defeat it. And just as with any other proposal, there will be the hurdle of getting Congress to agree on what to include in a drug pricing bill. Plus, given the rapid development of COVID vaccines, Capitol Hill may be more sympathetic to the drug industry.

But Stacie Dusetzina, an associate professor of health policy at Vanderbilt University, said it’s possible Biden could succeed in lowering drug prices by limiting drug price increases to the rate of inflation and capping out-of-pocket spending for seniors covered by Medicare. n Both the House and Senate included similar proposals in past drug pricing bills, she said, and “those are both things I think could legitimately move forward, if anything moves forward.” n KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

Health issues carried weight on the campaign...

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A

Palace justifies easing of age restriction: For kids’ mental health, PH economic recovery

by Krissy

AguilAr Inquirer.net

President Rodrigo Duterte gives a thumbs up after checking one of the printed national ID cards following his submission in the registration process for the National Identification System administered by the Philippine Statistics Authority at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday, January 21.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal

Duterte registers for national ID system MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte had his biometrics and personal data captured for his national identification the other day in a bid to support the program and water down controversy surrounding its supply contract.

Photos released by Malacañang on Thursday, January 21 showed the President flashing his freshly minted Philippine ID Card, shortly after Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) personnel processed his registration for the National ID System program.

This comes on the heels of graft complaints filed against seven Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) officials before the Office of the Ombudsman over the P1.75-billion supply and equipment contract to produce 116

million Phil ID cards.

Last Thursday, Malacañang expressed confidence that BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno – one of the respondents in the complaint – would be able to answer the graft raps filed by Ricardo Fulgencio IV, a self-styled anti-corruption crusader.

“We stand by the integrity of Governor Diokno and we know that anybody has the right to file charges but we are confident that Gov. Diokno will be able to clarify these issues,” said presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. Fulgencio, who heads the group Stop Corruption Organization of the Philippines Inc. (SCOPI), alleged in his 10-page complaint that BSP officials circumvented the government procurement law in awarding

the contract to AllCard International.

Apart from Diokno, other respondents in the complaint were BSP Security Plant Complex bids and awards committee chair Prudence Angelita Kasala, BSP director Rogel Joseph del Rosario, BSP-SPC acting production manager Carl Cesar Bibat, BSPSPC BAC vice-chair Marianne Santos and BAC members Salvador del Mundo and Giovanni Israel Joson.

Roque said the complaint will not prevent the government from pursuing the national ID program.

Duterte signed in August 2018 Republic Act 11055, the Philippine Identification System Act, which aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens. (Philstar.com)

No ‘strings attached’ in PH vaccine talks – DFA official

by ChristiA

MArie Inquirer.net

rAMos

MANILA — A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official told senators on Friday, January 22 there were no “strings attached” in the government’s vaccine supply transactions with China and other countries.

This assurance came after Senator Risa Hontiveros followed up on her question earlier in the hearing about preserving

the country’s national interest in negotiations for the procurement of vaccines.

“Allow me to convey the assurances that our transactions on vaccine supply with our global partners at the bilateral and global levels do not have strings attached or bearing any quid pro quo of any sovereign territorial consideration,” DFA Assistant Secretary Eric Tamayo said during the Senate hearing on the government’s vaccination plan.

“We can assure that in the particular case of the donation from China, at no time did the China side even hint at tying the vaccine donation to any consideration,” he added.

China earlier pledged to donate 500,000 doses of the Covid19 vaccine to the Philippines.

“Vaccine diplomacy would at best be an expression of goodwill, and solidarity to the Philippines during this time of pan-

STOP THE SURGE Wear a mask

Stay home

Washing hands frequently

Stay 6 feet apart

covid19.ca.gov

u PAGE A8

MANILA — Allowing children as young as 10 to go out of their homes in modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) areas will be “good for their physical, social and mental health” and will help the country’s economic recovery, Malacañang said on Friday, January 22 Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque assured the public that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease “weighed all sides” before deciding to ease restrictions from 15 to 65 years old down to 10 to 65 years old.

“Filipino children have already stayed in their homes for ten months now, and allowing those to leave their houses, especially on a weekend activity, is good for their physical, social and mental health,” Roque said in a statement.

Roque also stressed that the easing of the age restriction is different from allowing children to come to face-to-face classes because physical distance inside classrooms would not work.

“Students attending face-toface classes would have higher exposure to the virus given the intensity of interaction of children in school with their classmates,” said Roque.

“On the other hand, children who are allowed to go out on the weekend or during their free time (as online classes / modular learning are ongoing) will be with their parents and/or relatives. It is family bonding and interaction is akin to a ‘family bubble’ since it is limited to family members – the same people they are with at their homes – thus it is safer,” he went on.

Roque said those who are at least 10 years old have started to develop cognitive skills of following instructions from adults, adding that they “are less frisky compared to younger children.”

The Palace official also said the decision was part of the government’s goal to spur economic recovery.

“This IATF decision likewise forms part of the overarching goal of reopening the economy thus promoting recovery. Not easing restrictions may have a

longer impact on jobs, income, poverty and hunger leading to further economic deterioration as well as health issues,” Roque said.

Acting Socioeconomic Plan-

ning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua earlier proposed to let more children and families outside their homes go shopping and spend money while observing safety protocols. n

A6 JANUARY 23-26, 2021 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPiniOn

FeatURes

No early relief in sight

WITH the arrival of COVID vaccines still uncertain amid controversy over the nationwide vaccination campaign, businesses are seeing no relief in the near future as the country enters its 11th month of pandemic quarantines.

The uncertainty is causing businesses to shut down indefinitely.

Some investment departures may be for good. Last Wednesday, the Makati Shangri-La, one of the busiest five-star hotels in the country before the pandemic, announced that it would temporarily cease operations beginning next month and would be letting go of a still unspecified number of its workforce.

The assistance package promised to the employees indicates the length of the shutdown: the hotel will give the displaced workers not only financial compensation but also healthcare coverage and even grocery support until the end of the year. The hotel, which has been operating since 1993, reportedly sees slow recovery prospects. It was allowed to reopen for staycations last October, but business clearly has been underwhelming. If such a major hotel is foundering in the pandemic, what’s it like for the smaller ones?

The travel and tourism industry was among the first and continues to be among the sectors worst hit by the economic impact of the pandemic.

But many other sectors are also reeling, with enterprises likely to close shop as the vaccination program crawls along.

Last Thursday the Department of Trade and Industry announced that Nissan Philippines is ending its car assembly in the country this March.

The company said it would be letting go of 133 employees at its assembly plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna. The decision was reached amid poor sales of Nissan Almera vehicles, according to the DTI. In line with its commitment to remain engaged in the Philippines, the company will continue marketing and distributing Nissan vehicles imported from its manufacturing sites in Thailand and Japan.

As indicated by administration officials, the initial vaccination of frontliners will start no earlier than March, even as a more infectious COVID variant has arrived in the country. Nationwide inocula-

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS A NEW CHAPTER in America’s history has begun. From out of Donald Trump’s legacy of dividing America and sowing hatred and mistrust among our people comes the most difficult task of realizing the dream to unite us once again so we can all work together to build our country back better.

The 45th president of the United States left behind an America losing the war against the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 people and counting, and an economy so devastated that has led to job losses and business closures, and that has threatened the survival of many hardworking Americans, quashing their dreams and exasperating their spirits.

Trump left behind an America that has been isolated from the rest of the free world where it used to reign as the beacon of democracy and the leader in protecting and saving the environment. He brought out the worst even among good people, leading by example in his lies, hateful rhetoric and demonization of people who look different, talk different, and pray differently, and those who do not go along his personal and political agenda that has threatened our democracy.

Trump left behind an America

Philstar.com photo

tion is expected only in the third quarter. Another half a year of waiting for relief will be fatal for many more enterprises, from micro to large-scale. The

government must get its act together and speed up the rollout of a credible vaccination program that is acceptable to Filipinos. (Philstar.com)

The daunting task of uniting the ‘divided states of America’ is upon us: Are we brave enough to see, be the light? that has retrogressed from the leaps and bounds in progress made possible by the leadership of presidents before him who took to heart their oath of protecting and defending the Constitution and being a true public servant to the American people in this democracy.

President Joe Biden, in his inaugural speech on Wednesday, January 20, reminded us that “Democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”

The 46th president of the United States said: “We must end this uncivil war” and “unity is the path forward.” Though millions did not vote for him, he vowed to be the president for ALL Americans.

“Without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury,” he said. “No progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos.”

“We will press forward with speed and urgency,” Biden said.

“For we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build, and much to gain.”

This message resonated with us Americans who voted for him, crying for help to reclaim the soul of America, daring to dream on and unite this country again.

It was the poetry read during the

inauguration that truly pierced our souls, our faith, and challenged us to do our share to make this dream a reality.

In an interview with Anderson Cooper, Amanda Gorman — the 22-year-old black young woman who is the nation’s first-ever youth poet laureate — said as the power of words had been used to divide us, she wanted to use the same power of words in poetry to help heal our nation and unite our people again.

Read “The Hill We Climb” with your eyes, heart and soul of faith and love for our country. We cannot speak for other people but we can introspect and answer these questions: “Are you brave enough to see the light? Are you brave enough to BE the light that America needs toward healing and unity?”

When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?

The loss we carry, We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace And the norms and notions of what just is Isn’t always just-ice And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it Somehow we do it Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed

a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished We the successors of a country and a time Where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one And yes we are far from polished far from pristine but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect We are striving to forge a union with purpose To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another We seek harm to none and harmony for all Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true: That even as we grieved, we grew

That even as we hurt, we hoped That even as we tired, we tried That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious Not because we will never again know defeat but because we will never again sow division Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree And no one shall make them afraid If we’re to live up to our own time Then victory won’t lie in the blade But in all the bridges we’ve made That is the promise to glade The hill we climb If only we dare It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit, it’s the past we step into and how we repair it We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy And this effort very nearly succeeded But while democracy can be periodically delayed it can never be permanently defeated In this truth in this faith we trust

For while we have our eyes on the future history has its eyes on us This is the era of just redemption We feared at its inception We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour but within it we found the power to author a new chapter To offer hope and laughter to ourselves So while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?

Now we assert How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

We will not march back to what was but move to what shall be A country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation Our blunders become their burdens But one thing is certain: If we merge mercy with might, and might with right,

u PAGE A8

Biden: Reclaiming US credibility Where do Fil-Am conservatives go from here?

Commentary

BOBBY M. TUAZON PHILIPPINE-U.S. relations under the new Biden presidency will be shaped by America’s foreign policy on China in East Asia, most especially the South China Sea issue. Unlike the hawkish Trump administration, moderation and predictability may define Biden’s foreign policy on Beijing. But this doesn’t mean it will be less tough on issues that Washington sees as a threat to U.S. primacy, or that it will allow China to have free rein.

At the outset, Joe Biden is expected to overturn Trump’s wholesale withdrawal from key global institutions and multilateral agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Paris Climate Accord, the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the World Health Organization, three major arms control pacts, and UN special agencies. In rescinding Trump’s “America First” mantra, Biden will take a multilateralist tack to put America back at

“the head of the table,” as the new president had pledged.

In East Asia, the Biden foreign policy team will stabilize an alliance system that was shaken by Trump’s mishandling of Japan and South Korea, its two key allies, when it threatened trade sanctions and demanded payments for U.S. facilities. Similarly, Philippine-U.S. defense ties endured a decrease in joint exercises and President Duterte’s threats to scuttle the pivotal Visiting Forces Agreement. That defense partnership will likely receive a shot in the arm with the United States’ recent hint to reform the cold-war Mutual Defense Treaty to remove Philippine defense officials’ doubts about its deterrent effect on Chinese irredentism in the South China Sea. It will be a folly, however, to see Biden drifting from a foreign policy that stands for America’s geopolitical interests and hegemony in the region. The strategic containment of China, backed by an arc of alliances and military hubs, is a bipartisan consensus in the U.S. Congress. Bipartisan support is behind U.S. naval operations in the South China Sea as well as in the East China Sea and the Taiwan Straits. These operations will

be sustained under Biden, whose defense team is led by consultants to powerful arms contractors who profit from tensions and wars across the world.

On this note, America’s onesided defense partnership with the Philippines will remain. The May 2022 elections will be closely watched to make sure that Duterte’s successor is friendly to Washington.

Unfortunately for Biden, however, the chips are down, making the task of retrieving U.S. global leadership more daunting. Ravaged by the pandemic, its economy is in disarray and unemployment is at an all-time high. The Trump loyalists’ siege on the Capitol accentuated a deep political chasm that portends of more unrest fed by rightist supremacy, racism, and anti-immigration. Western observers concede that America has lost its credibility in the world. Its own allies are increasingly skeptical about the world hegemon’s stability, rationality, and capacity to lead.

The United States must begin to accept a new world no longer dominated by a unipolar power, as seen in the rise of China as

u PAGE A7

Commentary

LISA NOETH ON January 20, 2021, 45 left the footsteps of the White House.

In the last four years, he led the America First movement. Many of us became proud to be an American again.

President Trump’s legacy of ‘America First’ policies brought back manufacturing jobs, signed economic relief for the middle class and families through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, protected the sanctity of unborn, secured our borders, reformed the Department of the Veteran Affairs, and lowered the prices of prescription drugs.

The lasting impact of President Trump’s legacy is he increased the support of minority groups in the GOP, especially the Asian American Pacific Islander community, from 21% in 2016 to 25% in 2020 for Asian Pacific men then 15% in 2016 to 39% in 2020 for Asian Pacific women according to GOP

Former U.S. President Donald Trump White House photo

Chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel.

As the nation witnessed the peaceful transition of power during the Inauguration on Wednesday, where do Fil-Am conservatives go from here?

There is an obvious split between the Republican Party itself between the actions of a handful of Republicans In Name Only (RINOs) and conservative patriots.

Now is the time for Fil-Am conservatives to focus our efforts towards supporting our state and local elected officials, who will be our voice in government for the upcoming legislative session.

Be involved in the legislative session.

Contact your local representative to let them know they need to

prioritize the needs of their own constituents, especially securing the integrity of future elections to restore confidence in our electoral process.

This is our opportunity as FilAm conservatives to listen to the call to run for office and to support candidates who will uphold our values of freedom, faith, 2A rights, and free speech.

Lastly, Fil-Am conservatives need to get involved in the local GOP and the community to make a positive impact from volunteering in various organizations or joining county boards committees, and commissions to serve the community.

Seventy-five million of us aren’t going away as the new GOP. Let’s continue to strive as Fil-Am conservatives to find a common ground by engaging in discussions with those with different views. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Lisa Noeth is a Fil-Am conservative commentator and Nevada Young Republicans co-director.

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

RUNNING AGAIN. After more than a year of closure, the Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT-2) reopens on Friday, January 21 its Santolan, Katipunan, Anonas to Recto stations. The trains will be using a temporary source of power, which means the movement of the line will be slower than normal.

PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

DOJ: Public may appeal Pimentel acquittal

by RobeRtzon

RamiRez

Philstar.com

MANILA — After the Department of Justice received flak for clearing Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III of violating quarantine protocols, DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Friday, January 22 the public can appeal the decision.

“The resolution of the investigating prosecutor in the case… may be the subject of an appeal to the Office of the Secretary. So it is not proper for me to make any comments on the resolution at this time,” he said.

Guevarra added that the public can file a petition for review with the DOJ secretary’s office “under the rules of the National Prosecution Service on appeals.”

The public has slammed the decision, with many saying that quarantine protocols are only meant for the powerless and the poor.

Pimentel, a lawyer, was criticized after he allegedly violated quarantine protocols when he went to the Makati Medical Center (MMC) last year to accompany his pregnant wife even if he was already manifesting symptoms of COVID-19.

Lawyer Rico Quicho filed the complaint against Pimentel for violating Republic Act 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

In an interview, Quicho criticized the prosecutors on how they interpreted the law when they said Pimentel should not be held accountable for not disclosing his health status as he is not someone from the Department of Health.

“They would just have to justi-

fy how they would let go of Koko Pimentel while thousands of ordinary citizens languish in jail because of breach of protocol. It is what it is. Nakakahiya (Shameful),” he said.

“The DOJ tried and they missed the point,” he added.

The DOJ said Quicho was not the proper party to file the case, noting that the evidence he presented was based on news reports.

The MMC, however, submitted to the DOJ a report on the incident.

As far as Guevarra is concerned, the DOJ will always uphold the fairness of the law and equal justice for all.

Guevarra said a large number of people arrested for quarantine violations “were subsequently released and their cases were dismissed by DOJ inquest prosecutors.” n

Biden: Reclaiming US...

PAGE A6 t

well as Russia, Iran, India, and other Asian countries. Military power has lost its potency in coercing countries to come to America’s heel. For this reason, the Biden administration should come to terms with China’s economic success and diplomacy— indeed, of its institutional stability that made pandemic control possible.

Managed correctly, Biden’s multilateralist approach can be a step in the right direction. No less than its own allies like Germany and France have long taken the multilateralist train in easing tensions,

forging calibrated cooperation with Russia and other countries, preserving global institutions like the United Nations, and fighting the pandemic. Biden should welcome China’s recent challenge to reset the two countries’ ties by initially cooperating on COVID-19 response, economic recovery, and climate change.

These confidence-building measures may augur well toward stopping the momentum of a new cold war ignited by Trump, as well as easing further tensions in the South China Sea. Continued naval operations and military structures in the South China Sea should not

stop the two major powers from engaging in diplomacy and military dialogues. Opting for peace and development, countries in the region are refusing to be drawn into a protracted tension between the two countries. (Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Bobby M. Tuazon teaches at the University of the Philippines Manila and is Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) director for policy studies.

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Senate bill on UP-DND pact ‘reasonable’

by Catherine

S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

Malacañang on Thursday, January 21 described as “reasonable” the proposed measure that will institutionalize the agreement between the Department of National Defense (DND) and the University of the Philippines (UP) that restricts military and police operations in UP campuses.

In a virtual press briefing Thursday, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Senate Bill (SB) 2002 “seems to be a reasonable proposal but that has to be enacted into law.”

Filed on Wednesday, January 20. SB 2002 seeks to amend Republic Act 9500, the “UP Charter of 2008,” to require police and military units to provide UP officials prior notification before they are allowed to enter UP campuses.

Senators Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Juan Edgardo Angara, Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay and Mary Grace Poe said the 1989 accord was not a “Do not enter” sign for law enforcement, and it was unfortunate that it was being abrogated for the wrong reasons.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana scrapped the pact, saying UP has become a hotbed of subversion and its students were easy prey for communist rebel recruiters.

“We believe that DND should not break the agreement with UP. Our role as a legislator is to ensure that the spirit of the 1989 Accords is protected and set in stone to ensure that our students are protected from unreasonable state intrusion,” the four senators said in a statement.

UP President Danilo Concepcion is against the termination, calling it “totally unnecessary and unwarranted” and was done without consulting the university.

Lorenzana is sternly opposed

to institutionalizing the accord and threatened to go to the Supreme Court to defend his decision to abrogate it.

“I oppose it,” he told reporters on Thursday. “I am ready to go to the [Supreme Court] to defend my action.”

He said he believes SB 2002 will not prosper.

Lorenzana also cited a statement from the Office of the Solicitor General that supports the termination of the agreement, signed in by former president Fidel Ramos, then Defense secretary, and then UP president Jose Abueva.

The statement, attributed to Gabriel Villanueva, state solicitor and OSG’s spokesman for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, criticized the additional steps state forces must take before they could enter UP campuses.

It stated that the termination of the agreement will “in no way” suppress UP’s academic freedom.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said on Thursday he respects Lorenzana’s decision to

scrap the agreement.

Go said Lorenzana was merely upholding what is best for the UP community and its students.

“Ako naman, nirerespeto ko po ang desisyon ng Secretary of National Defense. Hindi naman po lahat. Iilan diyan talagang ginagamit po. Nakikita niyo naman po. Ilan sa kanila nanawagan na pabagsakin ang gobyerno (I respect the decision of the Secretary of National Defense. Not everybody is observing the accord. We can see that some of them are calling for the downfall of the government),” he said.

He said there were UP faculty members inciting students to demand the downfall of the government.

Go urged students and youth groups to focus on their studies and finish their education so FOR CYCLISTS ONLY. Cyclists use a bike lane allotted for them by the local government unit at SM Business Park in Pasay City on Thursday, January PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr. that they could help the govern- 21. Bicycles have become an alternative mode of transport amid the coronavirus pandemic. ment and contribute further to the country’s development as “Iskolar ng bayan” (Scholars of the nation).

He appealed to them to up- PAGE A6 t see it states, hold the rule of law and respect If only we’re brave enough to we will rise from the sunbaked then love becomes our legacy the democratic institutions. n be it and change our children’s birth- south *** We will rebuild, reconcile and right The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints So let us leave behind a country recover and every known nook of our expressed by the author do not necessarily better than the one we were left nation and reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of with every corner called our coun- the Asian Journal, its management, editorial Every breath from my bronzetry, board and staff. pounded chest, our people diverse and beauti*** we will raise this wounded world ful will emerge, Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public into a wondrous one battered and beautiful service and educational broadcasting since 1989 We will rise from the goldWhen day comes we step out of with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino limbed hills of the west, audience using different platforms, including we will rise from the windswept the shade, aflame and unafraid digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on northeast The new dawn blooms as we a new public service program for the community. where our forefathers first realfree it You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ ized revolution For there is always light, icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook We will rise from the lakeif only we’re brave enough to at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos. rimmed cities of the midwestern

The daunting task of uniting the ‘divided...

A wave of indignation sweeps University of the Philippines campuses, including the main one in Diliman, Quezon City, over the Department of National Defense’s unilateral abrogation of its June 30, 1989, accord with the UP System that bars policemen and soldiers from its campuses.

Inquirer.net photo by Niño Jesus Orberta

No ‘strings attached’ in PH vaccine talks – DFA...

PAGE A5 t

demic,” Tamayo went on.

“It may be noted that the COVAX facility itself is some form of a donation mechanism to benefit lower and middle-income countries,” he added.

The COVAX facility is a platform that aims to ensure rapid, fair, and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for people in all

countries.

The Philippines is currently in talks with different vaccine makers from around the world.

“I’ve been working also with the diplomatic corps and asking for help because there are many countries who are buying more than six times or seven times their population and here comes the other country that they don’t

have even ten percent of their own but they are willing to help us,” vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez said earlier in the hearing.

Galvez also earlier assured that the Philippines will not “compromise its stake” in the West Philippines Sea over the procurement of anti-COVID shots from China. n

Make sure all Filipino seafarers can vote in 2022 election, Comelec told

by ChriStia

Marie Inquirer.net

raMoS

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been prodded to make sure that all Filipino seafarers will get to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming national elections in 2022.

During the hearing of the Senate electoral reforms committee on Wednesday, January 20, Senator Francis Tolentino raised the plight of Filipino seafarers, who are not able to cast their vote because they are at sea most of the time.

“Comelec should look into the plight of our seafarers. The seafarers cannot vote [while] they’re at sea,” he said.

While the current process allows seafarers to vote by going to the nearest embassy or consular post during the 30-day voting period, the senator noted that most seafarers are at sea for six months, the usual duration of their contracts.

“They’re being required to go to the nearest consular post to vote. How can you do that? So this would require technology.

This would require a lot of innovation on the part of Comelec.

How could you do this? I really don’t know. Ang laki po ng nawawalang boto at sila po ‘yung gustong bumoto,” he added.

(A big number of votes are being lost. They are the ones who want to vote.)

Tolentino also suggested that Comelec deputize Filipino captains of Philippine-flagged vessels – which, he noted, are considered part of the country’s territory under the law – to oversee the casting of ballots by Filipino seafarers under their authority while at sea.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez agreed with Tolentino’s sentiment and said the poll body is studying other ways to provide seafarers various avenues to cast their votes.

“Right now meron po tayong

tinatawag na [we have what we call] ‘vote anywhere’ para sa mga [for the] seaman. Which means that whatever port they’re in, they can actually go to the consular office or embassy there, and actually vote,” Jimenez told senators.

“Ang problema po, gaya nga ng sinabi ni Sen. Francis, eh hindi naman sila palaging nakadock. So what happens if they don’t dock during the 30-day voting period?” he added.

(The problem is, like what Sen. Francis said, their ships are not always docked. So what happens if they don’t dock during the 30day voting period.)

He said allowing online voting would be one way to meet the needs of the seafarers.

“They have shipboard internet so if we have online voting using internet technology then possible pong makaboto ‘yung mga seafarers natin habang sila ay naglalayag [it’s possible that they can vote while they’re at sea],” he said.

However, he pointed out that Comelec has yet to make use of online voting technology to allow seafarers to vote while at sea.

“Limitado tayo sa abilities natin [Our abilities are limited].

What we do as an accommodation to seafarers is that we allow them to vote anywhere. So as long as they’re making port calls, there is an embassy or consulate there, then they can vote there,” Jimenez said.

Senator Imee Marcos, chair of the Senate panel, suggested that the 30-day voting period be extended for seafarers.

“Takot pa tayo sa online, and wala pa tayong in place na security features. Is it possible to extend the voting period para lang sa kanila kasi ‘yun nga nakalaot sila nang anim na buwan,” she said.

(We are still wary of online voting, we don’t have security features in place yet. Is it possible to extend the voting

period just for them because some of them are at sea for six months.)

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, on the other hand, proposed that Comelec study the possibility of expanding the coverage of local absentee voting to include seafarers.

“Paano kung isali natin sila sa system ng local absentee voting na pwede sila. Kasi ‘yung vote anywhere nila abroad, limited sa party-list, senators, vice president and president, the same as local absentee voting,” Pimentel said.

(Why don’t we include them in the local absentee voting system? Because the ‘vote anywhere’ system is also limited to party-list, senators, vice president and president, the same as local absentee voting.)

“Kasi kung ang local absentee voting, inexpand natin for the media eh, so siguro a little amendment to the law, we can also include them. Pero choice nila,” he added.

(We expanded the local absentee voting for the media, I think with a little amendment to the law, we can also include seafarers. But it’s still their choice.)

Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Voting Secretariat acting vice-chairman Edgardo Castro noted during the hearing that seafarers are usually discouraged to register as overseas voters.

“There’s very low registration on the part of seafarers as overseas voters because they’re discouraged by the fact that—since they don’t know where they will be during the election time, therefore—they keep their options open for being able to vote here, as a result, they don’t register as overseas voters,” Castro said.

Marcos said all the ideas raised by the senators are “really urgently necessary so that we can finally capture the seafarers’ vote” in the next elections. n

Lawyer to amplify long unheard Moro, IP voices at anti-terrorism law debate

by KriStine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — In the highly anticipated face off between legal luminaries and Solicitor General Jose Calida on the contentious Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, Moro lawyer and peace advocate Algamar Latiph bears the honor and responsibility of speaking for fellow Muslim Filipinos and for indigenous peoples.

Latiph and three other Moro lawyers filed the 16th petition against the anti-terrorism law.

His co-petitioner, lawyer Bantuas Lucman, who victims of human rights violations, is designated as his alternate.

Latiph served as a chair of the Regional Human Rights Commission for the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, now Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He later served in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the panel that

worked on the draft of the charter for the new region.

In a piece published on MindaNews last August, Latiph said he and the other lawyers filed their petition challenging the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 that, they said, “would be used, as a tool, to legitimize curtailment of our liberty and freedom. And love.”

He continued: “Prejudice did not come into existence in haste, as the seeds of prejudice, against the Moro, were consciously planted as far back as 300 years ago.”

The Moro experience: Terrorist-tagging, mistaken identity and Islamophobia Latiph will specifically argue whether Section 56 repealing RA 9372 — the Human Security Act of 2007 — violates the constitutional mandate to compensate victims of torture or similar practices as well as the right to due process.

Section 56 repeals the Human

Security Act, which contains a provision of compensation of P500,000 a day to people wrongfully accused and arrested under that law.

Under this provision of the HSA, farmer Edgar Candule sued the government for P480.5 million in damages for his detention from 2008 to his release in 2010.

No similar provision is found in the ATA, with its supporters saying the provision on damages hampered security operations.

The Latiph petition detailed how the Bangsamoro has been suffering from prejudice since the 16th century, when Spain depicted them as “pirates and savages,” and how this persists to this day.

Muslims have also been branded as “mananakop,” at least once — by then Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas — and as “a member of an uncivilized tribe” in a 1917 Supreme Court ruling, they added. n

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President Biden’s proposed immigration bill/amnesty: Who benefits?

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ IT’S official: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in as president and vice president, and the Trump era of strict immigration enforcement and demonizing of immigrants is now over. We look forward to positive changes in immigration laws, and President Biden has now submitted his proposed immigration reforms to Congress, entitled “the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.”

But first a word of caution: this is only a proposal. It must pass both the House and Senate, and be signed by the President. This Bill could be subject to change, such as amendments, deletions, etc. Therefore, there is nothing to apply for or file until it becomes law.

It is a lengthy bill, with numerous provisions, but here are some of the highlights of the bill in its present form: • Replaces the word “alien” with “noncitizen” in U.S. immigration laws.

• Immediate green cards for DACA and TPS. They could be eligible for U.S. citizenship three years later.

• 8-year pathway to citizenship for the approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. It requires registering with the U.S. gov-

ernment, background checks, payment of back taxes, proof the person was in the U.S. as of January 1, 2021. Thereafter, they apply for a green card after five years, and U.S. citizenship three years later. You should already gather documents now to show you were in the U.S. and keep them safe, such as bank accounts, rental agreements, phone bills, etc.

• Allows certain immigrants who were deported but had been living in the U.S. for at least three years to return to the U.S. to be reunited with their families. It would depend on the reasons they were deported. If they had committed felonies, they may not be eligible.

• “Recaptures” unused visas from prior years. Before, if the allotment of annual visas weren’t issued, they were lost.

Like a phone plan with no rollover minutes.

• Increases the number of visas available for family petitions so that more family members can immigrate.

• Eliminates per-country allotment of visas for employment-based petitions, and instead allocates visas on a first come first served basis, based on the person’s priority date.

This could benefit people from India and China where there was a long line or backlog but may cause people from other countries, such as the Philippines to wait longer.

• Won’t count derivative spouses and children of persons being petitioned through employment against the annual allotment or quota of employ-

ment-based visas. This could increase the number of visas available for employment-based petitions. Before, if a worker had a spouse and three children, that would count as five visas being used up. Now, only the worker is counted and the family members will not reduce the number of employment-based visas.

• Provides for work permits for the spouses and children of temporary work visa holders, like H-4 spouses of H-1B visa holders.

• Will end the 3/10 year bar for people who have overstayed.

Therefore, they may no longer need the provisional waiver.

• Will clear the visa backlogs for family and employmentbased cases. This could mean that the government will infuse thousands and thousands of additional visas so that the current lines or waiting times are eliminated.

• Increases the number of immigration judges to reduce backlogs in immigration courts.

Many people in the U.S. are unable to apply for green cards under existing programs, such as family petitions or employment sponsorship, because they are out of status. Instead, they are required to return to their home countries. Therefore, even if you are under petition by a family member or employer, you should consider this as an option, if it becomes law. Under immigration law, a person can be petitioned in as many different ways as are available, all at the same time.

PAGE B2

YOUR WORKSPACE, YOUR FUTURE.

LEADING U.S. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL (TOP AND LEFT) CONTINUES TO PROVIDE RELEVANT IMMIGRATION INFORMATION AND ANSWERS TO KAPAMILYA, VIA ZOOM, THIS SUNDAY. Liza of Concord, CA (center) asks if there is a faster way to expedite her son’s petition. It was filed in August 2018 and has been pending since then. From San Antonio, TX, Gio (right) would like to know if his nephew still qualifies for a visa under the CSPA because the nephew’s mother was petitioned when the boy was only two years old. The parents were approved and arrived in the U.S. when his nephew was already 26. Many other questions regarding family petitions will be discussed and answered by Atty. Gurfinkel. Be sure to watch an encore episode of “CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style” this Sunday, January 24 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

H.E.R. to perform ‘America the Beautiful’ at 2021 Super Bowl

By AJPress

BLACK Filipina American R&B artist H.E.R. will be performing at the 2021 Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida.

The Grammy Award-winning artist will perform “America the Beautiful” before kickoff, the NFL announced on Tuesday, January 19. She follows in the footsteps of Yolanda Adams, who performed

the song in 2020.

This year’s game will be on February 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan will sing the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the NFL also announced.

“I’ll be in Tampa Bay for the @NFL#SBLV to sing America the Beautiful as part of the Super Bowl on @CBS Kick-Off Show at 6 PM ET,” said H.E.R. in a

tweet.

“Make sure to tune in!” she added.

H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella Wilson, was born in Vallejo, California to a Filipina mother and an African American father.

She rose to fame in 2009 after participating in Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing.” At the age of 14, she signed to RCA Records PAGE B2

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Pinay chefs highlighted during Fil-Am actress Ginger 10-day festival supporting LA’s Gonzaga to star in Marvel’s ‘She-Hulk’ series women-owned restaurants By ritChel

By Christina

MendiOla

AJPress

fILIPINA American actress Ginger Gonzaga has been cast in the upcoming “She-Hulk” Marvel series for Disney+.

“She-Hulk” is a series that centers on Jennifer Walters, an attorney who has similar powers to her cousin, Bruce Banner/The Hulk. She will be played by actress Tatiana Maslany (“orphan Black”).

Meanwhile, Gonzaga will play the role of Walters’ best friend.

Actor Mark Ruffalo will reprise his role as The Hulk, while Tim Roth will reprise his Hulk character of The Abomination.

The series will be directed by Kat Coiro and Anu Valia, with Jessica Gao leading the writing for the series.

Gonzaga on Wednesday, January 20, took to social media to express her excitement in joining the cast of “She-Hulk.”

“I’m beyond excited to join #Shehulk! We will be directed by #KatCairo! @ChairmanGao is gifting us her hilarious writing & I get to run amok w/ the insanely talented #tatianamaslaney.

Thanks @Marvel & @disneyplus 4 your support & having me in the fam! Get ready! It’s AWESoME!” the fil-Am actress said in a tweet.

Gonzaga, born to a Dutch mother and filipino father, previously starred in Showtime’s “Kidding,” alongside Jim Carrey as well as the stand-up comedydrama series “I’m Dying Up

M. Oriel

AJPress

A fIVE-CoURSE kamayan feast from Ria Barbosa’s Petite Peso with baboy tim (braised pork belly) and pancit at the center. A box of pan de sal and custards from Kristine de la Cruz of Creme Caramel. Cocktails from Pinay-owned gin bar Genever to pair with a three-course vegetarian dinner.

These are some of the exciting takeout menus and collaborations from filipina American entrepreneurs who are joining over 100 women-owned restaurants this week for a 10-day inaugural virtual food festival starting Thursday, January 21.

Born out of the food industry’s challenges during the pandemic, Re:Her is a new non-profit organization seeking to amplify women-owned restaurants — especially the smaller operations that don’t get enough media attention — across Los Angeles County as well as to build a resource network for grants and mentorship opportunities.

“We thought about what can we do to drive business to our restaurants and create awareness during this time? That’s when we started talking about this idea — actually it wasn’t a festival at first — it was more like a collaboration dinner,” Fil-Am actress Ginger Gonzaga to star in Marvel’s ‘She-Hulk’ series Photo from IMDb Dina Samson, co-owner of RosHere,” of which Carrey served writer of Hulu’s comedic daily soblu and Superfine Pizza who as the executive producer. pop culture recap show “The is one of the founding board Gonzaga was a series regular Morning After.” She had also members of Re:Her, told the on ABC’s “Mixology” and TBS’ been on HBo’s “Togetherness” Asian Journal.

Samson is among nine top “Wrecked,” and was the host and and Hulu’s “Chance.” women restauranteurs like Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill, Lien Ta of All Day Baby and Kimberly Prince of Hotville Chicken.

The festival, which runs until All immigration services are provided attorney-client relationship is, or shall Jan. 30 and is sponsored by by, or under the supervision of, an be, established with any reader. openTable, will offer an array WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com active member of the State Bar of of take-out menus for any type Follow us on Facebook.com/Gurfin- of cuisine you’re craving and in California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the kelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and any neighborhood of the greater particular case. The information and YouTube: US Immigration TV LA area.

Call Toll free to schedule a consulopinions contained herein (including Chef Ria Barbosa of Petite testimonials, “Success Stories,” en- tation for anywhere in the US: Peso is creating a single-tray 1-866-487-3465 dorsements and re-enactments) are of portion of the “kamayan” feast (866) – GURFINKEL a general nature, and are not intended for two with “baboy tim” (braised Four offices to serve you: to apply to any particular case, and do pork belly, soy, star anise), half LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ BBQ chicken, longanisa crepinot constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES nettes, chicken liver “inasal” the outcome of your legal matter. No (Advertising Supplement) skewers, pancit (noodles), garlic rice, and polvoron.

Chef Kristine de la Cruz of Créme Caramel offers a Pan de sal & Custard Box filled with six assorted housemade “pan de sal,” her version of the popular boiled and baked bread roll of the Philippines and Crème Caramel’s popular custard desserts, including their house special and customer favorite, Ube Upside Down Pie. Pan de sal flavors are original, havarti cheddar, almost everything, strawberry cream cheese, ube cheesecake, and butter pearl. While custard flavors are vanilla creme caramel, ube upside-down pie, coconut pandan chia pudding (Vegan), banana nutella bread pudding, calamansi cheesecake, and one surprise flavor.

Boxes are $40 and can be picked up at the bakery’s Sherman oaks location.

Samson’s Superfine Pizza will present “Around the World with Pizza” featuring specialty Thai, Mexican, Spanish and Japanese cook-at-home pizza kits by the women behind Ayara Thai, Casa Vega, Gasolina Cafe, and n/naka.

Meanwhile, Rossoblu will have a three-course vegetarian feast from Jan. 22-24 with The Butcher’s Daughter with produce from Alma Backyard farms, and featuring creations

by Chefs Jamie Lee and Rose Wilde and cocktails by Genever.

Pick-up is available at Rossoblu in Downtown or The Butcher’s Daughter in Venice and the meal is $59.

President Biden’s proposed...

PAGE B1 Amnesty and immigration reform is a developing story, and there will be much more to report as the bill winds its way through congress. I will provide updates on the details on who is included, what are requirements, etc. So stay tuned. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York.

Petite Peso’s Kamayan Feast during the Re-Her festival until Jan. 30.

Photo courtesy of Ria Barbosa

Creme Caramel’s famous ube upside down pie

There will also be cooking demonstrations and virtual tastings on how to make margaritas and cocktails or tasting cheese from four women-owned cheese shops; and virtual conversations on topics from family businesses to being a woman in a maledominated industry. opportunities to pay it forward include Meals by Genet’s collaboration with the Nickel Diner in providing comfort meals to the unhoused, food-insecure folks living on the streets of Downtown LA. A $13 contribution to the “Pay It forward” Meal Program with RE:Her will provide a hot meal to the homeless and support consistent employment at Nickel Diner.

They intend to feed the homeless community 50-200 meals twice a week for the next two months and beyond.

Chef Melissa Perello of M. Georgina has also assembled a

10-course snack-themed meal kit, curated by acclaimed female chefs from around the country, with benefits going toward World Central Kitchen.

The first 100 participants to fill up their 10-Day Passports — by visiting 10 participating restaurants and collecting a sticker — will win an exclusive RE:Her gift bag.

After the 10-day festival, Re: Her has more projects under its sleeve like coinciding with Women’s History Month and in the summer. A long-term goal is setting up a grant program that will support women-owned businesses.

“Any donation that’s made and profits from merchandise sold will go to this grant program,” Samson added.

To see the full list of events, categorized by neighborhood, visit https://www.regardingherfood.com/.

H.E.R. to perform ‘America...

PAGE B1 and released the single “Something to Prove” under her real name in 2014.

In 2016, she debuted under the H.E.R. persona with her debut EP “H.E.R. Volume 1.”

She then released other EPs “H.E.R. Volume 2” and “The B Sides” in 2017 before releasing her first compilation album “H.E.R.” which consisted of tracks from the singer’s first two EPs plus six additional songs.

In 2018, she released “I Used to Know Her: The Prelude” and “I Used to Know Her: Part 2.”

H.E.R. received five nominations at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019, winning Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Album. The year after, she received three nominations: Song of the Year (“I Can’t Breathe”), and two for Best R&B Song (“Better Than I Imagine” and “Slow Down”).

H.E.R.

Photo from Instagram/@hermusicofficial

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Barbie says pandemic hastened her ‘adulting’ By allan

PolicarPio Inquirer.net

Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo

Philstar.com photos

‘Hair flip is life’: 5 most iconic ‘Flip-inas’ in recent years

By Kathleen

a. llemit

Philstar.com

CNN news anchor Pinky Webb trended on Twitter yesterday evening because of a seemingly unconscious gesture — the hair flip.

Webb was interviewing Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque about the controversial issue of the termination of the 1989 accord between the University of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense. As Webb continued her interview that included the comment by UP Professor Danilo Arao’s challenge to UP alumni serving on the current administration, the former alumnus of the College of Law seemingly lost his composure and questioned the anchor’s line of questioning. Webb, in turn, remained cool and collected and, at one point, did a hair flip.

Netizens were all amused and went on a spree over the muchtalked about exchange. If it’s not on a shampoo commercial, hair flips are usually seen as a gesture that the Urbandictionary.com defines as “The act of flipping one’s hair over one’s shoulder to convey a dismissive sentiment, acknowledge a compliment, or assert one’s sassy nature.”

So, we’re listing down some of the most famous hair flips in pop culture memory.

Vice President Leni Robredo The second highest in command gave the ultimate clapback at a government official’s shade on her COVID-19 efforts in April last year. Apart from saying that she had no time to engage in verbal tussle amid a pandemic, she also shared a GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) image of herself doing a hair flip.

Catriona Gray The statusque Filipino-Australian beauty showed her dominance at Miss Universe 2018 during her famous pasarela, the “Lava Walk,” where a major highlight is — you guessed it — a hair flip.

Mocha Uson Although Angel Locsin dragged and pulled Mocha’s

Pinky Webb

Mocha Uson

Julia Barretto

Catriona Gray

hair in a memorable scene from the movie “Four Sisters and A Wedding,” Mocha’s hair seemed to still look perfectly straight and not disheveled — and she still managed to wave it briefly as she ran away from the confrontation.

Julia Barretto Maja Salvador, Bea Alonzo, Kim Chiu, Julia Barretto. They can’t go star in a hair commercial without doing the flip, can they? These gorgeous ladies proved that nobody can take their crown, not even a man.

Jamie on what guides her in writing inspirational songs

DOES Jamie Rivera, recently elevated to the CMMA (Catholic Mass Media Awards) Hall of Fame, let the Christian spirit guide her when she writes (or performs) inspirational songs?

“I pray to the Holy Spirit in everything that I do, not just in writing songs,” said Jamie, reminding people to describe her songs “inspirational” and not Christian. “I ask for guidance, enlightenment and discernment in all my decisions in life.”

It was five of Jamie’s “inspirational songs” that helped her clinch the CMMA honor: Sayo Lamang (composed by Fr. Manoling Francisco and was used in 2011 for a movie of Star Cinema with the same title), Kuya Pedro (composed by Jamie and Noel Espenida, theme song for the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod), We Are all God’s Children (composed by Jamie and Noel Espenida for the 2015 Papal visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines), Pag-isipan Mo ang Boto Mo (composed by Jamie for the 2016 Presidential election reminding the Filipinos, especially the first-time voters to vote wisely) and Inang Maria ng Lindogon (a song Jamie wrote for Our Lady of Lindogon in Simala, Cebu, because she asked Mama Mary for a special favor for her daughter and it was granted).

What inspires Jamie to write spirit-enriching songs?

“I am inspired by their faith, the virtues of the people I write about and how they have affected the lives of others who are asking for their intercessions. I am in awe of their obedience to God,

Jamie Rivera

Philstar.com photo

despite the trials and hardships they went through and would want to emulate their work and write them into songs in order for people to increase their hope, love and give charity to our unfortunate brothers and sisters.”

According to Jamie, what inspires her even more are the comments and messages she gets on social media.

“I am amazed by their accounts of how my songs have changed their lives and how their faith and hopes are broadened by just listening to my songs. It gives them a prayer to sing in times of troubles and uncertainties like the song Heal our Land.

It makes them realize that material things at the end of our lives wouldn’t count anymore because God is our ‘Tanging Yaman.’

“It inspires them to help others because God is calling us by name to help the poor and lame, after all we are all brothers and

sisters in Christ because ‘We are all God’s children.’ And they are being reminded of the love of God by sending His only Son to us as they hear ‘Tell the world of His Love.’”

Jamie’s marriage is one of the few that is so private, so fiercely guarded that the public hardly has any idea about her husband and their children.

How does she do it?

“By setting a line and boundary between my singing career and my private life. I am also not fond of posting personal pictures in my social-media account as a respect for my family and protect my family’s privacy.”

After releasing seven albums, how many more does she plan to do?

“I do not plan how and when I will have a new album, it all depends on the events that will happen in the country like the forthcoming celebration of the 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines wherein I sang We Give Our Yes for the Archdiocese of Manila. The song was composed by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo.”

And what does she consider the song of her life?

“A song by Kathy Troccoli titled My Life is in Your Hand. It says that we do not know what each day will bring to us. It could be a good day or a bad day, but we must always remember that God is always present and He knows what is best for us.

So I will sing for His glory, for whatever comes my way He will be with me.” (Ricky Lo/Philstar. com)

FOR Barbie Forteza, 2020 turned out to be a year of “adulting.”

While she’s the type to live in the present and take things one day at a time, the COVID-19 pandemic compelled Barbie to ponder her future.

“What happened made me stronger and more responsible as an adult. I didn’t really think too far ahead. But now that there’s a pandemic, I thought, ‘So, this can really happen.’ I thought these things—the world shutting down—only happened in the movies,” she said at a recent virtual conference for her primetime series “Anak ni Waray vs Anak ni Biday.”

“I was fortunate to have been ready for what happened. But what about the future?” she added. “So I tried planning my future and made goals I hope to accomplish this year. I also learned how to save and be more mindful of my expenses and income.”

The 23-year-old actress also realized how fragile life can be.

“My parents’ health is something I used to take for granted.

I would be like, ‘Ah, andiyan lang naman sila,’” she said. “But now I really believe that health is wealth. I’m more mindful of my family’s and my own health.”

For the entirety of her career, Barbie’s parents or handler would always accompany her to taping or other work commitments. But because only a limited number of people are allowed to join locked-in tapings, she had to go alone. She enjoyed the experience.

“I was excited to go taping without my parents or a plus one. Fewer people are allowed, so only the makeup artist is there. But I was proud because I felt like I could be independent at work,” she pointed out.

Prior to the resumption of production, Barbie focused on her social media presence to connect with her fans.

“I just wanted to share with my supporters what I have been busy with during the quarantine, since we all couldn’t go out.

Maybe they would be able to relate to what I’m doing. It’s a

Barbie Forteza

way to relieve stress,” she said.

“Doing TikTok wouldn’t hurt; it’s better than staying in the room and sulking there all day.”

“I learned how to cook. I was forced to work out because I no longer had an excuse. But it was nice because, in a way, we ended up having similar quarantine routines,” she added.

Through her vlogs, the Kapuso star hopes to show a side of her that people don’t usually see on television.

“The reason I started this is because I wanted them to know the real Barbie, not just Barbie, the actress. I’m a little bit deeper than [how I seem] in all fairness to me!” she quipped. “I want to show that I’m a regular person when I’m not working or taping: I’m a daughter, a sibling, a girlfriend. That’s something they can relate with.”

Barbie sees herself continuing her efforts in the digital space, because she believes that’s where show biz is headed.

“I think it’s now part of our job, because, slowly, everything is going digital. Look, even our press conference now is digital.

The Metro Manila Film Festival was held via streaming,” she pointed out.

And it doesn’t hurt to have extra income amid the lack of projects and side gigs. “It’s another plus, a win-win situation—you get to stay relevant and update the supporters, and it also helps

GMA photo

financially,” she said.

Barbie couldn’t be more excited to be back at work and doing what she does best. “I entered show biz for one reason—to act.

It’s my motivation. And the pandemic took that away from me for quite some time. I re-watched some of my favorite films by Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and Viola Davis, and that really made me miss acting,” she said.

“That’s why I gave my 100 percent even in YouTube or online experiments.”

A television adaptation of the 1984 movie of the same title, “Anak ni Waray,” which resumed airing last Jan. 18, has Barbie playing Ginalyn, the daughter of Amy (Snooky Serna), who has been warring with her best friend-turnedenemy, Sussie (Dina Bonnevie), because of a man.

Ginalyn crosses paths with Sussie’s daughter, Caitlyn, and become good friends. Unbeknown to them, they’re actually half-sisters who were switched at birth.

“Locked-in taping was challenging for us. Prior to the actual taping, we did a lot of scriptreading, which helped me condition myself and my emotions.

The flow of the story was clear because we did a lot of prep work,” she said. “I took it one day at a time. I adjusted to the changes as they happened, so I don’t get overwhelmed.”

B january 23-26, 2021 • La WEEKEnD aSIan jOurnaL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 23-26, 2021 B

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Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, mBA HOUSING demand is outpacing supply. Unsold inventory is down to only three months of supply. California wildfires reduced lumber and helped push up housing prices by 11%. The beneficiaries: homebuilders. Here are my top housing stocks with specific ratings and buy recommendations.

1. Beazer Homes BZH Rating: • Good: Price/Sales ratio low, industry high rank #7, CFRA buy, Reuters outperform.

• Schwab: Equity A. • Sy grade: A. • Buy? Yes. 2. D. R. Norton Homebuilder DHI Rating: • Good: Yahoo buy, MSN buy, Zacks #1 - B value B growth B VGM, Bar Charts buy, Tip strong buy, positive technicals , positive momentum, return on investments up 21%, upgrades.

• Bad: Price to sales ratio high, Stock Invest sell, hedge down by 5.5M shares, insiders sold.

• Schwab: P/E ratio 11 down

Top housing stocks to 8, PEG .71, equity A up from B, annual div 1.11%, net profit margin high 11%, long term debt low 26, ROI high 21, EPS high, Argus buy, Suisse outperform, Ned buy, CFRA 5*****, Undervalued $202, Institutions own 82%.

• News: Bullish.

• Sy grade: A. • Buy? Yes. 3. Lennar Corp LEN Rating: • Good: Undervalued, performance up, short-term, midterm, long-term up, MSN buy, Zacks #1 strong buy, B value, B growth, A momentum, A VGM, Forward P/E low 8.63, Dividend 1.24%, short-term moving average positive, momentum up, asset growth up.

• Schwab: Equity A, Ned buy, Argus buy, Reuters outperform, Institutions own high 94%, Fair value high $261.

• News: Bullish.

• Sy grade: B+.

• Buy? Yes. 4. Patrick Industries PATK Rating: • Good: Yahoo high buy, undervalued, performance up mid-term, long-term, MSN strong buy, Zacks #1, Bar Chart strong buy, Stock Invest high buy, Tip Rank moderate buy, 7/10, Technicals up, Momentum up, ROI up.

• Bad: Hedge down, insiders sold.

• Schwab: Equity B, Edge Long, Growth good.

• Sy grade: A. • Buy? Yes. 5. Winnebago WGO Rating: • Good: Performance up shortterm, mid-term, long-term, Yahoo high Buy, MSN strong buy, Zacks #1, Bar strong buy, Stock Invest buy, Tip Ranks strong buy, solid 10/10, technicals up.

• Bad: Hedge down, Insiders sold.

• Schwab: Reuters outperform, Edge long.

• News: Very bullish.

• Sy grade: A. • Buy? Yes. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

Marriage during removal proceedings Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAmSon ANG I-130 Petition for Alien Relative ng isang U.S. citizen (USC) o lawful permanent resident (LPR) para sa kanyang dayuhang asawa batay sa kasal nila na naganap noong ang dayuhan ay nasa removal proceedings na ay karaniwang hindi maaaprubahan hanggang ang dayuhan ay manirahan sa labas ng U.S ng dalawang taon mula sa kanyang kasal sa USC/LPR. Ang removal proceedings ay nagsisimula sa pagfile ng U.S Immigration Officer ng Notice to Appear (NTA) laban sa dayuhan sa Immigration Court. Ang dayuhan ay masasabing nasa removal proceeding habang ang kanyang kaso ay nasa Immigration Court - kasama dito ang mga administrative at judicial appeal ng kanyang kaso, at habang ang kanyang kaso ay administratively closed.

Ang isang exception sa restriction sa itaas ay para sa mga bona fide marriage. Ang magasawang USC/LPR at dayuhan ay maaaring mag-apply ng bona fide marriage exception upang maiwasan ang pag-alis ng dayuhan sa U.S ng dalawang taon at ang paghihiwalay nila ng kanyang asawang USC/LPR sa panahong ito. Upang matupad ang mga bona fide marriage exemption requirements, kailangang patunayan ng dayuhan sa pamamagitan ng malinaw at nakakakumbinsing ebidensya na ang kanilang kasal ng USC/LPR ay good faith marriage, naaayon sa batas ng lugar kung saan sila kinasal, ang kasal ay hindi naganap upang ang dayuhan ay makakuha ng mga immigration benefit, at walang pag-aayos na pinansiyal dulot ng kasal sa pamamagitan ng dayuhan at asawang USC/LPR. Ang USC/LPR at dayuhan ay kailangang magsubmit ng ”bona fide marriage exemption letter” kasama ng I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. Kailangang isaad nila ang mga dahilan para sa exemption at kailangan ding magbigay sila ng mga documentary evidence para sa kanilang

Pastor’s Notes reVerend rodeL g. BALAgtAS “I TELL you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out, “ St. Paul tells us in this Sunday’s Second Reading (1Cor 7:29-31) Paul’s warning becomes more personal to us as we get into our senior years, as we contemplate the brevity and fragility of life.

As one more scripture passage reminded us a few weeks ago, “One day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. (Peter 3:8) So how do we take this reminder on the shortness of time?

I would say, let us live every day with the pure intentions of following God’s will and commands and wishing everyone’s goodness and well-being.

I would also suggest that we reflect on our renowned senior world leaders’ commitment, fidel-

eligibility sa exemption. Ang mga sumusunod ay maaaring ibigay bilang documentary evidence: mga litrato ng kasal, mga litrato ng mga-asawa at ng kanilang relasyon bago pa ang kasal, lease agreement at mga titulo sa mga pag-aari nila, health insurance at iba pang insurance policies, joint phone bills at utility bills, joint tax returns, joint bank statements at credit card statements, birth certificates ng mga anak nila, mga sulat mula sa mga kaibigan at kamag-anak, at iba pang mga ebidensya ng bona fide marriage at relasyon ng mag-asawa.

Maliban sa mga documentary evidence na ibinigay ng magasawang USC/LPR at dayuhan, ang USCIS ay maaari ring tumingin sa social media tulad ng Facebook, Instagram, at Whatsapp sa determinasyon nito tungkol sa kinauukulang kasal.

Ang USCIS ay gumagamit at tumitingin sa mga pampublikong impormasyon sa pagsusuri, pag-imbestiga at pagdetermina ng validity ng mga visa petitions, lalung-lalo na yung mga dayuhan na nagpakasal sa USC/ LPR habang nasa removal proceedings. *** Generally, an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative filed by a U.S citizen (USC) or lawful permanent resident (LPR) for an alien spouse based upon a marriage entered into while the alien spouse-beneficiary was in removal proceedings may not be approved until the beneficiary has lived outside the U.S for two years, beginning on the date of the marriage. Removal proceedings commence when a U.S Immigration Officer files a Notice to Appear (NTA) against an alien with the Immigration Court. A person is considered to be in removal proceedings during both administrative and judicial appeals of the proceedings. Additionally, a person is considered to be in removal proceedings when such proceedings are administratively closed.

An exception to the above restriction is for bona fide marriages. The spouses can apply for the bona fide marriage exception so that the alien beneficiary-spouse does not have to depart the U.S for two years.

To satisfy the bona fide marriage exemption, the beneficia-

ry must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the marriage was in good faith, in accordance with the laws of the place of the celebration, did not marry to obtain immigration benefits, and did not marry as a result of financial arrangement with the USC or LPR spouse.

The ”bona fide marriage exemption” must be in writing and submitted with the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. The request must state the reason for seeking the exemption, and must be supported by documentary evidence establishing eligibility for the exemption.

Evidence of the bona fides of the marriage must be submitted, such as: wedding photos, photos of the couple and their relationship prior to the marriage during removal proceedings, lease agreement and titles to properties jointly owned, health insurance and other insurance policies, joint phone bills and utility bills, joint tax returns, joint bank statements and credit card statements, birth certificates for children, letters from family and friends, and other evidence to show that the couple has a bona fide marriage and relationship.

Aside from the evidence presented, the USCIS may look into social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp to determine the bona fides of the marriage. USCIS uses publicly accessible information during its evaluations, investigations and determinations of visa petitions, especially for a beneficiary who gets married to a USC or LPR spouse while in removal proceedings. ***

Atty. LAwrence yAng LET’S assume that you have incurred too much debt. What do I mean by too much debt? By this, I mean that you are now a slave to creditors because your debt level is beyond what your income can handle comfortably such that there is every month you have no savings. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of filing for bankruptcy for the following clients: Client no. 1: Senior with $18K levy on her bank account.

This client is 60 and is married. She makes about $2,000 a month as a caregiver. Her husband is 58 and works part-time earning about $1,000 a month.

Their combined net income is $3,000. They don’t own a house.

They own a 2016 Camry with a money purchase loan. They pay $400 a month for this. Last week, her bank calls her and tells her that a judgment creditor has levied her checking account.

The money in that account was $1,500 and it’s now frozen. The bank gives her a copy of the notice of levy. It says that she owes the creditor $18,000. She tells me that she doesn’t know why there’s a judgment against her for $18,000 but suspects that this has something to do with the pick up that was repossessed 10 years ago.

Apparently, the pickup creditor filed a lawsuit against her for the repo deficiency nine years ago. But she tells me that she remembers that the repo deficiency was only $7,000 so why is the levy for $18,000? Well, judgments accrue legal interest at 10% p.a. so now it’s $18,000 because it includes compounded legal interest for 9 years.

So, what’s the next judgment enforcement action from the creditor she can expect? If the creditor finds out who her employer is, the next step will be a wage garnishment. The wage garnishment will deduct 25% from her gross monthly income.

That’s something the client cannot afford because 25% of her $2,000 salary is $500 a month.

They use that to pay their room rent of $600, or the car payment of $400. They don’t have minor children so other monthly necessities are about $1,400. It’s quite clear that even without the judgment of $18K, the client household is financially tight and all

they earn goes to pay monthly expenses.

Before the bank levy, they could save a little at the end of the month. With a 25% wage garnishment imminent, what feasible remedy does the client have to be relieved of the $18K judgment?

She can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This will wipe out the judgment of $18,000 as well as all her other debts so she can get a fresh start without any debt.

She can keep her 2016 Camry if she continues her car payments even if she files Chapter 7.

Pros: No more judgment of $18,000 and no more debt; can save $500 a month; credit score will increase every year if she handles her car payment well after bankruptcy, and handle her new credit cards obtained after bankruptcy well; peace of mind, no need to worry about future garnishment or bank levy from any creditor; becomes productive again; credit score increases every year and becomes very good on 5th year and perfect between sixth to 10th year. The credit score will be over 700 on the sixth year. On the 10th year, no record of Chapter 7, credit is perfect.

Cons: None Client no. 2: Senior owes $60K credit cards, owns a house.

The client, 74, is recently widowed after her husband died last year. She owns a house with $150,000 of equity. Her social security is $1,000. And she has a pension of $2,000. Her house payment is $2,000. Pension takes care of the house payment completely, so she has $1,000 left from social security. She lives by herself.

She should be in good financial shape as her monthly necessities in $600. She still has $400 left from her social security income.

The elephant in the room is that she owes $60,000 of credit cards. When she was still working, she was able to make the minimum payment of $1,800 a month to keep the $60,000 current. But she stopped working when her husband died last year. Doesn’t want to work anymore. Just wants to live and enjoy life.

Chapter 7 will wipe out the $60,000 credit cards. She gets to keep her house because her equity exemption is $175,000,

which covers the $150,000 of house equity.

Pros: No more $60,000 credit cards so no more pressure to pay $1,800 a month of minimum payments to keep them current.

Fresh start with no debt. Still owns her house and still has her social security and pension income untouched. Peace of mind and peaceful life. Saves $400 a month, which she can use to travel wherever she wants to, or use it any way she wants to.

Cons: None Client no. 3: Young man with 2 corporations The client is 40 and owns two corporations. Both businesses were doing good and making $100,000 a year net profit, but because of the trade war, his cost has gone up because of the increased tariff for merchandise made in China. Now, both businesses are losing money. One company has a debt of $300,000.

The other company has a debt of $250,000. Creditors are threatening to sue.

The client will file Chapter 7 for both corporations to wipe out $550,000 of debt of the business. If creditors sue the client personally, which is unlikely unless he has signed personal guaranties, the client can also file a personal Chapter 7 for a fresh start without debt.

Pros: Fresh start in life. No business or personal debt. Keeps all his personal assets. Look for a new business to do, and maybe become the next Walt Disney who also did Chapter 7 twice for a fresh start. Now Disney is a multibillion global business — fresh start for Mr. Disney after two Chapter 7s.

Cons: None If you need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. You only have stressful debt to lose. *** DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE FOREGOING IS CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE. EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South, Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

(Advertising Supplement)

Starting the new year fresh with a divorce Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS

TO many people, the New Year signifies a chance to have ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a a fresh beginning. This is also member of the State Bar of California for the time of the year many peoover 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the ple realize when a marriage Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson is not working out and it may received her Legal Management degree from be time to start a new life as a the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris single person whether or not Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. you have children. You can She was a Professor for over 10 years, decide to take action and file a teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor divorce.

Before you take any action, Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law you need to think on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working about your situcarefully. with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and ation First, you should Working with Labor Laws (2005).

SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire decide whether Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA you should move 90010; Phone: (213) 381-5710; Email: info@ out of the family residence or not? samsonlawfirmpc.com.

(Advertising Supplement) If you and your spouse are communicating and have some type of respect left with one another, “Above all, it demands hope: it may be more economical to the confidence that God is for continue residing in the same us, the trust that God cares for household until you resolve us and guides our lives, and the the issues in the divorce case. conviction that God wants us to However, if your relationship is share eternal life with the risen heated and riddled with conflict, Christ in the fullness of God’s then someone should move out.

If your spouse has threatened kingdom.”

As we hear of Simon, Andrew, you, hurt you, or committed John, and James in this Sunday’s domestic violence, you may file Gospel, drop everything to fol- a domestic violence temporary low Jesus, let us reflect on our restraining order and request calling. May it be aligned to the the court to order your spouse vision of Christ to bring healing, to move out of the house. In peace, and progress in this world the same application, you may where people of every race, col- also request for custody, supor, language, gender, and char- port, and attorney’s fees. If on acter can enjoy freedom, liberty, the other hand you decide to be the one to move out, you should and justice! move somewhere close to your spouse if you have children to *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints make it easier for both of you expressed by the author do not neces- to co-parent with the children.

Second, you should decide sarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its whether your spouse is the management, editorial board and staff. type who will disclose all the financial assets or not after *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pas- you file for divorce. Although tor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, the family code (family code 2100 et seq.) imposes a duty California.

The moment is here! ity, and courage, like Pope Francis, to make this world a better place. Despite their old age, they are actively seeking what is best for people. They continuously face the world arena to deal with conflicts and sufferings, to bring to mind God’s purpose and will.

Like them, we must face each day with courage and power to change one’s life to benefit others and bring progress to our world. Every day and every moment is precious. The words of the Gospel this Sunday ring true, “This is the time of fulfillment.

The kingdom of God is hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

We must always keep in mind and recover the vision of Jesus Christ: a kingdom of peace, justice, truth, love, mercy, equality, unity, and dignity for all people.

This vision demands a response that involves not only a change in attitude but a change of life.

Explicating this vision, the authors of Sacra Pagina’s commentary on the Gospel of Mark state:

What are the pros and cons of filing for bankruptcy?

Debt Relief

to disclose all material facts and information, spouses’ are not always forthcoming in disclosing completely all assets, debts, income and expenses specially after a divorce case is commenced. What sometimes happens is once a divorce case is commenced, assets are either not disclosed, disappears, or documents/ bank statements are not produced even with formal discovery. You should gather and make copies of all financial documents before filing the divorce.

Third, there is an automatic temporary restraining order (ATROS) in place once you file and serve your spouse with the divorce papers. The four standard mutual restraining orders

party’s written consent or court order. fam c 2040(a)(4). There are exceptions to the above restrictions. One exception is for property transfers in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life. Examples would be property transfers as part of your usual business operations or to pay for usual household living expenses. Another exception is payment of reasonable attorney’s fees. fam c. 2040(a)(2). If you need to do any transactions that may violate the ATROS, it is best to do it prior to filing and serving the divorce petition provided you do not breach your fiduciary duty to your spouse. If you are thinking of filing a divorce, it is best to consult an experienced family law attorney before taking any action. *** P l e a s e n o te t h a t this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist.

He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com. Visit our website at Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

“If you and your spouse are communicating and have some type of respect left with one another, it may be more economical to continue residing in the same household until you resolve the issues in the divorce case.” are 1) removing their minor children from the state without the prior written consent of the other party or a court order. family code Section 2040(a)(1) 2) restraint from transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community, or separate without the other party’s written consent or court order; fam code 2040(a)(2) 3) restraint from cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability held for the benefit of the parties and their child for whom support may be orders. Fam C 2040(a)(3).

4) restraint from creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer without the other

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Gender discrimination and retaliation: ‘Bro culture’ exists in big and small companies Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. FRAnCOISE Brougher was employed as Chief Operating Officer of Pinterest, Inc., a multi-billion dollar image sharing service. Prior to working at Pinterest, Ms. Brougher worked for Google and Square. During her two-year tenure, she helped guide Pinterest into becoming a publicly traded company, grew its customer base and accelerated its growth.

However, Ms. Brougher realized that when she raised questions about strategy decisions, CEO Ben Silbermann criticized her for “not being collaborative” and that she should keep quiet and “be mindful” of how she acted in group settings. He also discouraged her from being direct, saying it was unacceptable for her to say “we have basically not improved x.” While women were encouraged to be assertive at work, they are labeled uncooperative when they act assertively; in contrast, men who act assertively are praised.

Ms. Brougher also discovered that her pay was substantially less than that of her male peers.

When she complained about this disparity, the CEO authorized a partial adjustment to her compensation package. But from then on, she was excluded from the CEO’s mostly male inner circle, and was no longer invited to Board meetings and Ads team meetings.

In addition to being victimized by the “bro culture,” the male CFO started undermining Ms. Brougher by working directly with her team and excluding her in communications. He made derogatory comments such as asking “What is your job anyway?” and trivializing her role at the company saying she “Seems to be a champion for diversity issues” while ignoring her complex role as being practically the second in command to the CEO. When she confronted him about his behavior, he yelled at her and hanged up on her.

Ultimately, the CEO terminated her employment, instructing her to transfer her responsibilities to the CFO who was hostile to her. The CEO indicated that her termination had to do with her “cross-functional” relationships. The issue though appears to be her objections to her male peer’s sexist and hostile behavior.

The termination shocked Ms. Brougher. It also cost her tens of millions of dollars in lost earnings and equity compensation.

She sued Pinterest to hold it ac-

countable and also to change its culture.

California law prohibits discrimination on the basis of “sex,” defined to include a person’s “gender”; and “gender” includes a person’s “gender identity” and “gender expression.” Discrimination based on sex comes in many forms; failure/refusal to promote; unequal pay; disparate treatment in terms of socio-business relations (i.e., golf, meetings after meetings, power lunches, etc.); and using “lay-offs” to get rid of female employees who get pregnant.

The California Fair Pay Act (aka the Equal Pay Act) also prohibits an employer from paying any of its employees wage rates that are less than what it pays employees of the opposite sex, or of another race, or of another ethnicity, for substantially similar work and performed under similar working conditions. If differences in wages exist, the difference must be legally justified based on factors that have nothing to do with sex, race, or other protected characteristics.

Reporting unfair pay or unequal treatment (i.e., discrimination) due to a protected characteristic is a protected activity.

Employers who suspend, demote or fire employees for engaging in such protected activity may be liable for retaliation.

In her lawsuit, Ms. Brougher claimed that Pinterest violated

the above California laws. Rather than proceed to trial, Pinterest agreed to pay Francoise Brougher $22.5 million in damages to settle the case. Of the settlement amount, $2.5 million will go towards non-profit organizations who work towards advancing the cause of women and minorities in the tech industry.

Despite laws protecting employees, the “glass ceiling” – that invisible barrier that prevents women from obtaining (or keeping) upper-level positions – remains intact. Female employees performing similar work and are paid less than their male counterparts, or who have experienced gender-based derogatory or hostile treatment from their male colleagues, should consult with experienced employment attorneys to discuss their remedies. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost.

You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers.

He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.]

(Advertising Supplement)

Mariel Rodriguez with husband Robin Padilla

Photo from Instagram/@marieltpadilla

Mariel denies rumor that Robin impregnated Mocha administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has already ACTRESS-television host responded on the accusations Mariel Rodriguez has dismissed on Friday through her official rumors alleging her husband, Facebook page. action star Robin Padilla, was Showing her followers a having an affair and eventu- video of her working out, she ally impregnated starlet-turned- wrote, “Buntis daw ako kay Presidential appointee Mocha Robin? Wala pong katotohanan Uson. yang tsismis na yan. Napakabait Rodriguez mentioned that the po nung tao. Nakakahiya naactor is still grieving the recent man kay idol Robin at Mariel. death of his brother Royette Sigurado ako ang nagpapakalat Padilla who passed on at the age niyan ay yung mga bitter sa of 58 after a heart attack. ating gobyerno.

Showing an emotional photo “Alam ng lahat na ako at si sir of her husband, Padilla wrote Robin ay masugid na supporter in her social media account ni Pangulong Duterte kaya on Thursday night, “So many nalang sinisiraan kami. Kulelat people are sending me messag- kasi sa survey ang pambato es… ‘checking’ on me. People nilang si Robredo kaya kung are tagging me bla bla bla… anu-ano paninira ang iniimbenlet me tell you this. ROBIn’S to nila. Lunch break! Workout BROTHER PASSED AWAY. He na muna tayo!” she added. is grieving. He has never been Padilla and Rodriguez marin so much pain all his life. He ried 10 years ago in three difdoesn’t need your baseless ferent ceremonies — Muslim, gossip.”

Born Again Christian and an She added, “Namatayan ng Igorot wedding. kapatid yung asawa ko. Please In March 2015, Rodriguez lang po. He doesn’t even know revealed that she had suffered anything about all this rumor a miscarriage, which would but I am putting a stop to this have been her first child with nOW. May oras para maging Padilla. In August 2015, Padilla assholes now is not that time. announced that he and RodriPlease.” guez were expecting triplets.

Rumors began circulating However, a few weeks after the when showbiz website pep. announcement, a statement was ph published a blind item titled released from Padilla’s manager “Controversial female personal- that Rodriguez had suffered a ity, nabuntis ng sikat na aktor?” second miscarriage. on January 20. netizens quickly Finally Rodriguez successshared the article where many fully gave birth to their first immediately speculated the child, Maria Isabella, in novemblind item pertained to Padilla ber 2016. Three years later, in and Uson. november 2019, they welcomed The controversial starlet, their second child, Maria Gablogger and current deputy briela.

By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

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