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USA

DATELINE CA Asian Americans celebrate statewide Paid Family Leave extension FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

New law extends paid family leave benefits from six to eight weeks and increases the rate of pay THE State of California has, since 2004, been a champion of paid family leave (PFL) for those nursing a newborn child or caring for a sick relative, and the new recommendation from the governor rectifies that.

As a part of his recently released Paid Family Leave Task Force Recommendations and yearly state budget for 2020-2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed increased job protections for workers and extending the benefits of the state’s PFL program to 12 weeks.

Last year, the state had passed a law, SB 83, that increased PFL from 6 to 8 weeks effec-

u PAGE A3

US organizations, public figures raise funds for Taal Volcano victims FOLLOWING the Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas, Philippines this week, members of the Filipino American community and various American public figures have raised funds for those affected by the disaster.

The Taal Volcano began spewing clouds of ash on Sunday, January 12. The ash — which has spread more than 62 miles — has created a public health hazard and prompted the evacuation of half a million people in and around the affected zones, as previously reported in the Asian Journal.

u PAGE A3

Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

Duterte to consider Trump’s invitation to US-ASEAN summit dential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Relations between the United States and the PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte may Philippines have been tense over the past few be persuaded into accepting President Donald weeks as Trump signed the U.S.’ 2020 budget in Trump’s invitation to an upcoming summit in the December.

The budget reportedly included an amendment United States with Asian leaders, Malacañang said that the U.S. Secretary of State “shall apply subon Tuesday, January 21.

Malacañang released a statement on Monday, section (c) to foreign government officials about January 20 that Duterte was among the 10 South- whom the secretary has credible information have east Asian leaders invited by Trump to U.S.-ASEAN been involved in the wrongful imprisonment of…

Sen. Leila De Lima who was arrested in the Philipsummit on March 14 in Las Vegas.

“Given that this is an ASEAN meeting of leaders, pines in 2017.”

The sub-section refers to the Global Magnitsky baka ma-persuade si presidente na um-attend (The president might be persuaded to attend),” Presi- Human Rights Accountability Act that authorizes

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

the U.S. government to slap sanctions on persons tied to human rights violations, including barring them from entering the U.S. Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution condemning Philippine government officials involved in De Lima’s detention.

Malacañang further said that the invitation for the Philippine president was first extended during the ASEAN-U.S. meeting in Bangkok in November, with Trump saying that the summit would provide “an excellent opportunity” to broaden and deepen cooperation between the U.S. and ASEAN on “matters of great importance” to the nearly one billion people in the U.S. and Southeast Asia.

u PAGE A3

Robredo to Bongbong: Accept poll results

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

FORMER Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has to accept the 2016 election results if he plans to run for a national post in the 2022 elections, Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo said on Monday, January 20.

“If he wants to run again, he can. That’s his right,” she said in Filipino during an interview.

She added, “But if he runs again, he just has to make sure that he will accept the election results because if he can’t accept the results of the election, he will just drag down all the institutions.”

Marcos filed an electoral protest before the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), after he lost to Robredo in the 2016 vice presidential election.

u PAGE A4

TAAL ON TUESDAY. Aerial shot of Taal Volcano on board a Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) UH-1 Huey helicopter on Tuesday, January 21, during the PAF and Joint Task Force-Taal aerial reconnaissance at Taal Volcano. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said fewer sulfur dioxide emissions and volcanic earthquakes were observed in Taal Volcano for the past 24 hours, but it remains on Alert Level 4 (hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days).

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Dela Rosa on US visa cancellation: ‘What a good birthday gift’ SWS: Duterte satisfaction rating

reaches new record high

by MAILA

AGER Inquirer.net

MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa admitted feeling bad after learning on the eve of his birthday that his US Visa had been canceled.

“I sent an official letter to the US embassy inquiring from them if really my visa was canceled so I received their official answer the day before my birthday, January 20, what a good birthday gift— informing me that my visa is no longer valid for travel to the United states,” Dela Rosa told reporters on Wednesday, January 22. The senator turned 58 on Tuesday, January 21.

The US government gave no reason for the cancellation of his visa but Dela Rosa suspects it might have been because of his role in the government’s brutal war on drugs especially during his time at the Philippine National Police (PNP).

As then chief of the PNP, Dela Rosa led the

MENDIOLA AJPress

THERE is currently a shortage of 11 million nurses in the United States, an immigration company said on Tuesday, January 21.

U.S. employers are going overseas, including the Philippines, to hire qualified nurses, according to Frony Fortich, chief operating officer of Fortich Permanent Immigration Services based in Quezon City.

MENDIOLA AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte received a record-high satisfaction rating in the fourth quarter of last year, according to a new Social Weather Stations survey released Tuesday, January 21.

Based on 1,200 respondents, 82% of adult Filipinos were satisSenator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at the weekly Kapihan sa Senado on July fied with Duterte’s performance.

4, 2019.

Inquirer.net file photo by Cathy Miranda On the other hand, 10% of the bloody drug war that resulted in the deaths of thou- respondents were dissatisfied, sands of drug suspect. while the remaining 8% were u PAGE A4 undecided, resulting in a net satisfaction rating of excellent +72.

This new rating surpassed Duterte’s previous record of “very good” +68 in June 2019.

“Nurses are a critical part million additional nurses will It is also seven points above the of healthcare and make up the be needed by 2020,” Fortich very good +65 registered in September 2019. largest section of the health noted.

SWS also noted that public He also said that there will profession,” said Fortich in a release. His company has been re- be more registered nurse jobs satisfaction with Duterte rose in cruiting nurses for employment available through 2022 than any almost all geographical areas.

Duterte’s net satisfaction ratin U.S. hospitals for several de- other profession in the U.S., as stated by the American Nurses ing hit a new record +66 in Balcades. ance Luzon in December 2019, Citing a World Health Statis- Association.

Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau up by 12 points from +54 in Septics Report, there are approximately 29 million nurses and of Labor Statistics projected 11 tember 2019.

It stayed excellent in the Vimidwives in the world, 3.9 mil- million additional nurses are lion of which are currently in the needed to avoid a further short- sayas, at a new record +79 in December, up by 4 points from age.

United States. u PAGE A4 the previous record +75 in Sep“Estimates of upwards of 1

US hospitals need Filipino nurses

by RITCHEL

by RITCHEL

President Rodrigo Duterte

AJPress file photo

tember, as well as Mindanao, at In Metro Manila, Duterte’s rat+81 in December, up by 5 points ing stayed very good at +66 from from +76 in September. u PAGE A4

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Dateline USa

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From the Front Page

CA Asian Americans celebrate statewide...

PAGE A1 tive July 2020 as a way to fulfill Newsom’s goal to expand PFL to six months (for two parents if leave is consecutive) by the 20212022 fiscal year.

(Newsom’s latest 12-week expansion recommendation was a legislative requirement in order to reach that goal of six months of PFL.) Additionally, Newsom recommended increasing wage replacement from 60 or 70% to 75 or 90% of the applicants’ salaries.

(The rate depends on an individual’s annual earnings.)

And Newsom’s extension of PFL is widely supported among the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) electorate of which an overwhelmingly 81% of voters are aware, according to a recent poll from Change Research.

But the poll shines a light on the disparity between awareness of the program and application of it. Only 17% of AAPIs have accessed the California PFL program and 60% didn’t know that PFL is entirely funded by employees’ payroll tax deductions, and employers do not pay into the program.

In other words, PFL is something that employed AAPI’s already pay for through the California State Disability Insurance (CASDI) tax that can be found on payroll documents.

First 5 California, an organization dedicated to educating guardians about caring for a child in its critical first five years of life, said in a statement that the AAPI community should take advantage of “this benefit they’ve already paid for.”

“Especially with the potential expansion of Paid Family Leave, women and men are better empowered to achieve their professional goals and balance the responsibilities of career and parenting/caregiving,” the statement read.

PFL has been a national talking point and lawmakers have proposed increasing the benefits of PFL and establishing a federal PFL program for decades.

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, PFL programs financially support employees who take time off from work to care for a newborn or a family member with a severe illness. Specifically, PFL beneficiaries could use

the paid time off to bond with a new child, whether it be by birth, adoption, or foster care placement.

Additionally, PFL could apply to individuals who need to care for a seriously ill child, parent, parentin-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or registered domestic partner. For specific eligibility requirements or to apply, visit the California Employment Development Department (EDD) website.

In 2004, California was the first state to institute a PFL program. According to California First 5, PFL is directly linked to “higher rates of breastfeeding and improvements in overall child health.”

According to the EDD, more than 18 million Californians have benefited from the program.

“We are thrilled that the Governor agrees that strong families need strong Paid Family Leave policy and that voters are in turn ready to make expansion a reality,” Erin Gabel, chief deputy director at First 5 California and Paid Family Leave Task Force appointee, said in a statement.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) n

performers and volunteers to help with the event. Actress and singer Joan Almedilla is slated to perform; to get in touch, email them at info@filmamarts.org.

Celebrities in the Philippines have already called for donations for the effort, but the news has also motivated American celebrities to give back.

While performing his new stand-up set in Manila over the weekend, comedian Dave Chappelle also donated P1 million to Rayomar Outreach Foundation, a non-profit raising money to provide aid to Taal volcano victims.

Katrina Razon, daughter of Solaire Resort & Casino Chairman and CEO Enrique Razon, posted an Instagram photo with Chappelle expressing many thanks to the comedian, who performed at The Theatre at the casino on January 14 and 15.

“Dave not only sent audiences here into hysterics, [but] he also demonstrated how kindness and wisdom prevail the way,” Razon wrote. “Dave once said, ‘Constantly take inventory of what’s important [to] you.’ Thank you, Dave. For the laughter and nuggets of wisdom.”

Seismologists warn of imminent danger Authorities began issuing evacuations from a 9-mile danger zone surrounding the volcano, displacing about half a million residents, many of whom live in Batangas. Evacuees are currently being cramped into 373 evacuation centers that are serving as temporary shelters.

As of Thursday, January 16, about 121,455 individuals (including more than 26,000 families) have been evacuated, according to the latest update from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Batangas.

Maria Antonia Bornas, chief science research specialist at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivocs), told reporters that Phivocs is “analyzing what this seeming calm of the volcano means” and that the activity from the volcano had “generally waned to weal emission of steam-laden plumes” since the initial release of ash.

But the potential imminent threat of a massive eruption hangs in the balance as seismologists warn evacuees not to return to their homes; according to Phivocs, there have been 100 recorded tremors in the area

American comedian Dave Chappelle pledged P1 million to Taal Volcano victims through the Rayomar Outreach Foundation following his performance in Manila, according to a post by Pinay entrepreneur Katrina Razon (far right).

Photo courtesy of Katrina Razon

Duterte to consider Trump’s invitation...

PAGE A1 The invitation was then reiterated by the U.S. through a letter dated January 9.

“This will provide excellent opportunity for us to broaden and deepen our cooperation on matters of great importance to the nearly one billion people in the United States and Asean nations that we have the privilege to represent. The American people and I hope to see you in the United States soon,” Trump’s letter since Wednesday, January 15 read.

The American president addwhich means that magma was still rising. But that didn’t stop ed: “As the ASEAN outlook on residents who took advantage of the Indo-Pacific makes clear, we a lull in the ash emission. (Klar- share a common vision for the future of this dynamic and diverse ize Medenilla/AJPress) n

US organizations,public figures raise funds...

PAGE A1 The natural disaster caused by one of the deadliest volcanos has disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, and it kickstarted a global call for donations and aid.

The non-profit organization the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) issued a statement on Wednesday, January 15 announcing that it would raise funds for the thousands of affected Filipinos through a GoFundMe account, and they are encouraging more people to donate.

“The unrest and destruction resulting from such natural disasters can have devastating effects on survivors — physically, emotionally, and financially,” NaFFAA Chairman Brendan Flores said. “It is our genuine hope that the financial support we amass together can go miles towards helping families rebuild.”

The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), a Bay Area-based non-profit Filipino advocacy group, also joined the state-side effort to provide aid to Taal victims through a fundraiser.

“This event displaced thousands of our fellow countrymen, disrupting their economic livelihood and will continue to affect them emotionally and economically in the foreseeable future,” NAFCON said in a statement posted to Instagram, noting that farm workers and fishermen, “the most vulnerable sector of our society” are among the most affected by the disaster.

NAFCON also mentioned an open call for doctors, nurses, members of the health care circuit and community volunteers to join them on a “medical mission” to help these regions affected by natural disasters.

Fil-Am Mayor Arvin Amatorio of Bergenfield, New Jersey recently called for donations to the relief effort, according to a Facebook post from his wife Ilya.

Partnering with fellow Fil-Am Marc Pascual, councilman of Bergenfield, Amatorio brought two balikbayan boxes of N95 masks to be distributed to Filipinos in the Batangas area.

The creative community has also begun organizing events focused on raising disaster relief aid. According to its Facebook page, FilAm ARTS is hosting a benefit in Glendale on Sunday, January 26 and is looking for

DANCE FOR A CAUSE. Popsters, a fan group of pop singer Sarah Geronimo, gathered on Saturday, January 18 at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila for “Tala para sa Taal” dance flash mob to raise funds for the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili

region, based upon respect for sovereignty, commitment to good governance and adherence to the rule of law.”

Malacañang has said that a meeting between Duterte and Trump would “reaffirm the longstanding alliance between the Philippines and the U.S.” Duterte has been receiving invitations from Trump to visit the U.S. since April 2017 after their “friendly” conversation that also tackled regional security issues.

“It was a very friendly conversation, in which the two leaders discussed the concerns of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regarding regional security, including the threat posed by

North Korea,” a previous White House statement read.

It added, “President Trump also invited President Duterte to the White House to discuss the importance of the U.S.-Philippines alliance, which is now heading in a very positive direction.”

Then-presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella also confirmed the invitation, describing the conversation between Duterte and Trump as “warm.”

“If you are in Washington, give me a call and we’ll have coffee.

Or, if you are in New York. And besides, you are doing it (antidrug campaign) right,” Duterte quoted Trump during a speech in Pasay City on April 19, 2017. n

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Ex-aide of Imelda Marcos is New York’s No. 2 tax cheat

Vilma Bautista, former aide of Imelda Marcos, stole a Manet painting from her, sold it for $32 million and was convicted of tax fraud.

Reuters photo

NEW YORK – A former aide of Philippine ex-first lady Imelda Marcos is New York state’s No. 2 most delinquent taxpayer according to public records.

Vilma Bautista, 81, owes $14,281,977.75 in taxes, according to records released by state Department of Taxation and Finance, a New York Post report said.

Bautista’s tax woes stem from her theft and sale of Claude Mon-

et’s 1899 work “Water-Lily Pond” and three other pieces from Marcos’ Upper East Side townhouse in 1985.

Bautista sold “Water-Lily Pond” was was convicted of tax fraud over the illegal sale of a Monet painting she had stolen from Marcos for $32 million to a London art gallery in 2010. A jury in 2013 found her guilty of lying about the sale on her taxes.

Although sentenced in 2014,

she didn’t begin serving her prison term at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in Westchester until December 2017.

She served nearly two years before being paroled last December.

Ahead of Bautista, at No. 1 on the state’s list of top 250 delinquent taxpayers, is Gene Friedman, “New York’s Taxi King,” who owes over $18.6 million, reported the NY Post. (Inquirer.net U.S. Bureau) n

HELPING. Government troops help one of the 2,500 evacuees from Talisay, Batangas settle in his temporary home in Dasmariñas, Cavite on Saturday, January 18 after he was forced to leave his home last January 12 when Taal Volcano erupted. ManilaTimes.net photo by Boy Josue

Dela Rosa on US visa cancellation...

PAGE A1 But the senator said it is no longer surprising that the US would cancel his visa as he already had prior knowledge about it.

“Kung sama ng loob e tao lang tayo, talagang sasama ang loob [We’re just human, you’d really feel bad),” Dela Rosa said.

“I’ve been helping my coun-

terparts from the US government, particularly their enforcement—the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation], the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency], and other agencies ng [of] US. We’ve been working together, ngayon after that ganito, tanggalin nila [but now this, they’ll just have to cancel it]? It’s quite bad.”

“Sino bang masaya dyan. Say-

ang din, hindi na ako makapunta dun [Who’s going to be happy with that? I will no longer be able to go there],” he added.

Dela Rosa said he would try to apply again for a new US visa in case President Rodrigo Duterte joins and invites him to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Las Vegas this March. n

PAGE A1 September 2019 to December Health coverage has been in- 2019.

Across socioeconomic classes, tegral to maintaining a person’s overall well-being and is essen- Duterte’s net satisfaction rating tial in addressing the significant rose from very good to excellent health disparities for many mar- in class E, at +71 in December ginalized and immigrant commu- 2019, up by 14 points from +57 in September 2019. nities.

It also rose from very good to Over a million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) in California alone have gained access to health coverage since 2013 A1 as a result of the ACA through PAGE Robredo’s lead over Marcos inCovered California or expanded creased by almost 15,000 votes, Medi-Cal. after the PET’s revision and reThe organization offers in-lan- count of ballots from the pilot guage support (Tagalog hotline provinces – Camarines Sur, Iloilo is 8550-300-2552) and can con- and Negros Oriental – Marcos nect community members with chose.

Covered California navigators.

Following this, Robredo has Additionally, individuals may ap- asked the tribunal to dismiss the ply directly through the Covered electoral protest filed by Marcos.

California website (www.covThe former senator, on the eredca.com) to learn more, sign other hand, asked the tribunal to up for, or renew a plan before annul the votes in the provinces of the window closes on January 31, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and 2020. n Basilan due to alleged election

excellent in class D, at +72 in December, up by 6 points from +66 in September, and stayed excellent in class ABC, at +76 in December, up by 6 points from +70 in September.

The SWS’ latest survey also asked respondents about Duterte’s promises and which among those promises they think

will be fulfilled, to which 52% said they are expecting “all or nearly all/most” of Duterte’s promises to be fulfilled.

The SWS survey was conducted from Dec. 13 to 16, 2019. It has a margin of error of 3 percent for national figures, and ±6 percent for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. n

AAPI communities urged to enroll in health SWS: Duterte satisfaction rating... coverage before January 31 deadline ASIAN American and Pacific Islander community members have until January 31 to enroll in one of Covered California’s qualified health plans.

In a press conference last week, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Advancing Justice-LA) joined Covered California, the state’s marketplace created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to remind the community about the deadlines and importance of enrolling.

California has one of the longest open enrollment deadlines, until January 31 to enroll, which means that health coverage would begin on February 1.

There is no deadline or Open Enrollment Period for Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program for low-income community members. Those who qualify for MediCal can sign up at any time all year round.

On December 18, 2019, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the individual mandate requirement and sent the case back to a federal district judge in Texas, who previously ruled the entirety of the ACA unconstitutional.

However, as the decision makes its way through the court process, where 17 state attorney generals, are seeking to protect the ACA, the ACA continues to be in effect.

Therefore, any individual with an ACA health plan will have health coverage and will not lose access to their coverage through 2020.

Advancing Justice-LA also assured the community that the public charge rule has been stopped from going into effect by a federal lawsuit and they should not be afraid of enrolling in Covered California or Medi-Cal because it will not jeopardize their ability to get legal permanent residence (also known as getting your green card).

Robredo to Bongbong: Accept poll...

Time to ring census alarm bell, advocates warn congress As crucial count gets started, experts fear many will be missed

by Mark Hedin Ethnic Media Services

WITH the United States about to begin its monumental task of counting everybody in the country once every 10 years, the House Oversight Committee held a hearing on Thursday, January 9, to see what the Census Bureau is doing to avoid overlooking socalled “hard to count” communities.

Arturo Vargas of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials objected to the “hard-tocount” designation: “What makes people hard to count are the enumeration strategies.”

For instance, he said, all outreach efforts to Latinx residents are in Spanish. And despite the Supreme Court barring the proposed addition of a question about everyone’s citizenship, the Census Bureau, he said, is squandering its “trusted brand” status by forbidding staff from discussing what has become a very alarming concern, particularly in

ethnic communities.

Vargas was joined at the committee hearing dais by Marc Morial of the Urban League, Vanita Gupta of the Leadership Conference, John Yang of Asian American Advancing Justice, Kevin Allis of the National Congress of American Indians and Darrell Moore of the Center for South Georgia Regional Impact.

In her initial remarks, Gupta cited the Census Bureau’s slow pace of hiring for the enormous task: “The Census Bureau has acknowledged that it’s way behind.

It needs more applicants in all 50 states.”

This year, the Census Bureau is optimistic that computerizing the primary response mechanism for the first time will help minimize the expense of tabulating printed questionnaires and paying enumerators to knock on the doors of non-responders.

But it also is doing all its hiring online, which has depressed interest, and is having to compete in a relatively strong job market

as compared to the run-up to the 2010 Census. Other reasons cited for the hiring lag include that, as the first census to prioritize online responses, enumerators have to be comfortable with tech tools.

And the hiring and onboarding process, including background checks, has been so drawn out that applicants have drifted off in pursuit of other opportunities.

Vargas, like others, recalled the troubled rollout of the healthcare. gov website set up to enroll people in the Affordable Care Act and recommended that the Census Bureau be ready with plenty of paper questionnaires in case the online response rate falls short of expectations.

Even in its rosiest predictions, the Census Bureau still only expects about a 60% initial response rate via online questionnaires, Morial noted. For African American men, 40% is probably more realistic, he added.

Yang criticized census hiring for being slow and “inconsisPAGE A5

violence, regardless of the test recount results.

He previously announced that he plans to run for a national post in 2022.

“I can be a congressman, I can be a senator. If I retire, I can be governor in Ilocos Norte,” Marcos said.

In response, Robredo advised: “Everyone who will run for office should accept the results of the elections. If you lose and you won’t accept it, it would be better

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo Philstar.com photo

not to run anymore.”

Robredo also laughed off Marcos’ notion to revise history textbooks after he claimed that his family was treated unfairly in the history books.

According to him, the history books were full of “propaganda” forwarded by their political rivals to besmirch their reputation.

“That one is slightly hilarious,”

Robredo said in Filipino.

“I agree that there is (something) lacking in our education system, in the sense that our students were not taught well on the effects of the dictatorship before. Because if it’s effective, the things that happened during those days should no longer be happening now,” she added. n

US hospitals need Filipino...

PAGE A1 “Employment opportunities for nurses are projected to grow at a faster rate (15 percent) than all other occupations from 2016 through 2026,” Fortich said.

He pointed out that lack of potential educators, high turnover, and inequitable distribution of the workforce are some of the reasons why the nursing profession continues to face shortages.

Fortich also commended the AJPress file photo Filipino nurses who have stepped in and helped the shortage of “Certainly, Filipino nurses, ing in the U.S., help alleviate the nurses in the U.S. hospitals. many of whom are already work- shortage,” he said. n

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Rappler asks SC: Can the president ban Khan joins Pacquiao sweepstakes press from covering public events?

by Joaqin

Henson Philstar.com

File photo shows a member of the Presidential Security Group barring reporter Pia Ranada from entering MalacaĂąang complex.

Philstar.com photo by Alexis Romero

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — Online news site Rappler has asked the Supreme Court to determine whether the president can ban a member of the press from coverage based on an accusation of being a “liar� or “fake news.�

In a 66-page Reply filed Monday, January 20, Rappler told the high court that the Palace ban on Rappler reporters and correspondents “is not rooted in any provision of the Constitution or a statute enacted by Congress,� but was based on a “hollow imputation of Executive Power in response� to President Rodrigo Duterte’s distrust on some members of the press.

The ban against Rappler staff started on Feb. 20, 2018, when a member of the Presidential Security Group banned Pia Ranada from entering MalacaĂąang complex.

On March 1, 2018, Duterte said in a speech that he is banning Rappler reporters from events where he will be in attendance.

The announcement came a day after Christopher “Bong� Go, Duterte’s longtime aide and since elected a senator, said the news site delivers “fake news�—a comment often used for reports seen as critical of the administration.

In April 2019, Rappler report-

ers sought relief from the SC and assailed Duterte’s order to prohibit them from covering his public events. ‘Pretextual’ accreditation “Involved here is the invocation of executive power and an attempt by the Government to directly interfere in the workings of the Philippine Press,� Rappler stressed before the court. “The question posed by Petitioners affects intersecting fundamental rights under the Constitution. Thus, the Honorable Court is duty-bound to demarcate clearer borderlines between the Press and the executive Branch, which is a settled disposition of Hierarchy of Courts,� it added.

Rappler then argued the SC has the power to “determine whether or not Executive Power includes the power to brand a member of the Press as ‘liar’ or ‘fake news’ or ban a member of the Press from covering newsworthy public events...involving the presence and participation of the Chief Executive.�

Palace accreditaion needed Rappler pointed out that the government, through a Comment filed by the Office of the Solicitor General, invoked accreditation and registration requirements from the Media Accreditation Registration Office and International Press Center.

OSG said that Rappler’s ac-

creditation with the IPC and MARO expired on December 2017. While Ranada filed for an application in 2018, the IPC denied it due to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s ruling that revoked the media company’s Certificate of Incorporation.

The online news company assailed the SEC ruling before the Court of Appeals. The appellate court sent the case back to the SEC to evaluate the legal effect of the supposed donation by foreign investor Omidyar Network of all its Philippine Depositary Receipts to Rappler staff.

A PDR is a financial instrument allowing foreigners to invest in a Filipino company without owning any part of it.

Rappler raised that the “accreditation requirement� is merely “pretextual,� or merely a justification of the ban that Duterte had announced. “As the ban was directed by the highest administrative officer of the executive branch, respondents, who are his subordinate officers, cannot be expected to disobey, much more countermand, the directive of the Chief Executive,� it added.

It stressed: “A Chief Executive who bans an entire media organization on a personal determination that it is ‘fake news’ is not ordinary business in Constitution-based society.� n

vajo-language census materials. “Does the Census Bureau understand our needs?� Allis asked. “Hard to say.� The way things are going so far, he said, “is deeply concerning� and lacks “proper attention given to the purpose of the census, what it can do, what it can’t. The Census Bureau has identified this as an issue, but we have yet to see that this will be addressed properly.� “The census is a big deal,�

Morial said, echoing Allis’ call for increased advertising and media outreach and a hope that accurate census data will improve decision-making and equitable distribution of resources and political representation. That outreach, he emphasized, should extend all the way through the non-response follow-up process scheduled into August.

Morial also noted, with chagrin, that in the waning days of the Obama administration, the census had been on the brink of reversing its policy of counting prisoners where they’re incarcerated and not in their home communities.

Moore attracted attention for his reports on organizing efforts in rural Georgia. As committee members from both sides of the aisle pressed him for one-sizefits-all ideas on how to reach rural populations, he repeated that the answers lie with local organizers and activists.

“You’ve got to have trusted voices in your community,� he counseled Arizona GOP Rep. Paul Gosar. “The communities know about their needs best - what works in one community will not work in others.�

Responding to West Virginia GOP Rep. Carol Miller’s concerns about the mountain communities she represents, considered 60% hard to count, Moore advocated more creative outreach efforts, perhaps at sporting events and churches, in addition to the food pantries and mobile mammogram services she had suggested.

Vargas listed educators, health care providers, local officials and minority-led organizations including newspapers and radio as trusted sources for census outreach. Many at the hearing advocated using librarians and, particularly as a way to meet the technology concerns, libraries themselves to help maximize participation.

A benefit of the computerized effort is that easily sortable data will reveal where there’s more work to be done in getting people counted, and where the census is being embraced, Yang noted. “The Census Bureau better step up its game and respond to the concerns we’ve raised today, or the risk is grave. It’s time to ring the alarm bell,� Morial warned. n

Time to ring census alarm bell, advocates...

PAGE A4 tently inclusive� in its diversity.

He cited the chilling effect of the failed citizenship question proposal, which makes it even more important that enumerators and partnership specialists be culturally competent.

He also noted that the written questionnaire, available only in Spanish or English, excludes Asian Americans, the fastestgrowing minority group in the country. Yang did, however, single out for praise the recent announcement of media campaigns in Hindi and Urdu.

The Native American population, which the Census Bureau believes it undercounted by at least 4.9% in 2010, is plagued by mistrust, privacy concerns, a sense of futility as to the usefulness of responding at all and the feeling that going online to fill out the census form, not always even possible, is a significant risk, Allis said.

Census-taking is about to begin in Alaska (Jan. 21), but no native partnership specialists are on board yet, he said. And as with hiring, the census’ work to establish partnerships with community organizations to help obtain a complete count is behind schedule.

New Mexico Democratic Rep. Deb Haaland, one of only two Native women ever elected to the House, noted the absence of Na-

MANILA — Former super WBA/ IBF lightwelterweight champion Amir Khan is suddenly in the candidates’ list for super WBA welterweight champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent with interest from Middle East promoters stirring the pot to make an intriguing option for a title defense.

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said recently there’s still nothing definite in Pacquiao’s schedule. However, he noted the target is to stage Pacquiao’s next fight in April. Whether the fight will be in the US or the Middle East or somewhere else is up in the air. The opponent is also a question mark at this point with former two-time world champion Danny Garcia a leading contender. Garcia’s chances hinge on how he performs against Ukraine’s Philstar.com file photo Ivan Redkach in Brooklyn this Sat- Pacquiao and Khan interesting because there are lot KOs. Khan, 33, was a silver medurday.

Believe it or not, MMA brawler of unknown things that play into alist at the 2004 Olympics and is Conor McGregor is now in the the fight,� said Gibbons, quoted of Pakistani descent. As a pro, his candidates’ list, too. Last Sat- by Michael Woods in SBNation. losses were to Terence Crawford, urday, January 18 McGregor “Mayweather been there, done Canelo Alvarez, Garcia, Lamont zoomed back into contention that. McGregor doesn’t beat ei- Peterson and Breidis Prescott. “Qatar will host the World Cup with a 40-second demolition of ther one but the Senator brings in 2022 and is clearly a player Donald Cerrone at the T-Mobile a fresh look.�

While there is talk of McGregor in promoting big international Arena in Las Vegas. Shoulder strikes and a kick to the jaw set as a future opponent, Khan has sporting events along with Saudi up Cerrone for the stoppage but joined the sweepstakes. Last July, Arabia,� said Gibbons. “There’s McGregor also showed stunning Khan stopped Australia’s Billy interest in bringing the Senator power with his left hand. For his Dib in the fourth round to bag the to the Middle East for a fight. next fight, McGregor wants a re- WBC International welterweight We’re exploring that possibility. match with Floyd Mayweather crown in Jeddah. The win raised We’re sorting out a lot of moving Jr., whom he lost to by a stop- Khan’s record to 34-5, with 21 parts.� n page in 2017, or a duel with Pacquiao.

Gibbons isn’t ruling out McGregor as an opponent for Pacquiao. Before McGregor’s win over Cerrone, Pacquiao wished him good luck in a video message. “We’ve put Conor’s name out there,� said Gibbons. “We teased it a little bit. If the fans Realtors with a strong want a McGregor fight with the background in Senator, why not? I think it’ll be architecture. an exciting and competitive fight.

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A6

JANUARY 24-30,2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

FEATURES

OPINION

Virus control

PERHAPS the boy would be cleared of the novel coronavirus, like the three other Chinese travelers who were allowed to proceed with their vacation in Boracay. Unlike the three who had no history of visiting Wuhan in China, however, a five-year-old Chinese boy now being monitored in Cebu came from Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel CoV outbreak for which there is still no cure.

The Department of Health said the boy had a fever, cough and throat irritation before arriving in the Philippines, and had tested negative for the known CoV strains of SARS and MERS. The DOH had sent samples to Australia for testing on the type of coronavirus, and the results are expected on Jan. 23.

In China, where SARS also originated, the deaths from the novel coronavirus continue to rise, as health professionals confirm that human transmission is possible in cases of 2019-nCoV. The World Health Organization is still convening in Geneva, Switzerland to determine the appropriate response to the spread of the new coronavirus in Asia. Japan, South Korea and Thailand have also reported possible cases of 2019-nCoV – mainly people who have visited Wuhan.

From 2002 to 2003, SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome killed 349 people in the Chinese mainland and another 299 in Hong Kong. Two deaths were reported in the Philippines in 2003: a Filipina nursing assistant who was visiting from Canada, who infected her father.

The coronavirus is easily transmitted through coughing or sneezing, so it can spread rapidly.

With numerous reports of the virus spreading from Wuhan, the government should have imposed more stringent controls on the entry of travelers from Wuhan. If the Chinese boy tests positive for the novel coronavirus, its spread could become as difficult to place under control as African swine fever. Greater effort is needed to prevent this from happening. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS “A truly free and independent press is a vital component of any healthy democratic society. [...] the prime value of journalism is that it imposes transparency, and thus accountability, on those who wield the greatest governmental and corporate power.” — Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras and Jeremy Scahill.

This is the vital role a free and independent press plays in a democracy. For many journalists, whether in the Philippines and elsewhere around the world, this is a sacred function worth fighting for to defend democracy.

This is also at the heart of the petition spearheaded by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) to the country’s House of Representatives and published through change. org for public support.

If watching the news, documentaries, teleseryes, variety shows, drama anthologies and comedies delivered by The Filipino Channel here in the United States is important to your life here in America, and more importantly — if you are concerned about the impact on Philippine democracy of the Duterte administration’s public threat and declaration to shut down ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation by not renewing the franchise set to expire on March 30, 2020 — then you have to make a stand and let your voices be heard.

“We call on Congress to do

Philstar.com photo

Let your voices be heard and fight for democracy: Support the petition to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN what is right and immediately pass the bill to renew ABSCBN’s franchise. The quo warranto petition the Office of the Solicitor General reportedly plans to file before the Supreme Court for the revocation of the network’s franchise is proof that this government, in a supremely undemocratic act, is out to silence a media outfit because of the animosity of one man, the president of the Republic.

While we are dismayed at Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s brazen conflict of interest when he admitted having a personal beef with the network whose franchise the chamber he heads is supposed to deliberate on, we continue to hope that you, the elected representatives of the people, can rise above your leader’s petty vindictiveness and strike a blow in defense of freedom of the press and of expression.

At the very least, if the president is really hell-bent on shutting down ABS-CBN, let him bear full responsibility by passing the bill renewing the network’s franchise and let him veto it if he dares to. Do not be accomplices in the rape of democracy. #NoToABSCBNShutdown,” the petition reads.

As reported by Rappler, the online news organization that has also fallen from grace under the Duterte administration, there are at least nine bills filed with Congress seeking a renewal.

The report further says ABSCBN’s television broadcast arm

would have to cease operations if the renewal is not granted on time. The network, though, may reportedly still be able to operate by distributing its content onto other media platforms, such as online and through the company’s publishing and movie production arms. However, it will be the end of ABS-CBN programming on free TV as we know it.

Duterte calls ABS-CBN and newspaper the Philippine Daily Inquirer “bastos (rude)” for allegedly reporting unfair news about him and writing in favor of the interests of the owners. He says that one day, “karma will come” to them.

He says the Inquirer is “bullsh8t” and that ABS-CBN “published trash.” Duterte calls the Prietos and Lopezes, the respective owners of the companies, “oligarchs and elites.”

In response, Inquirer says it has “upheld the highest standards of excellence in journalism” since its founding in 1985.

The timeline as published by Rappler: March 31, 2017: The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) calls out Duterte for lashing out against the media, saying it was a “brazen abuse of your immense power as chief executive of this land and only shows how little, if any, appreciation you have of democracy and governance.”

April 6, 2017: ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III says that the administration’s

Unintended effects of a Duterte US trip Postscript

FEDERICO PASCUAL JR. As this is being written, no word has come out of Malacañang if President Duterte is accepting President Trump’s invitation for him, with nine other Southeast Asian leaders, to attend a summit in Las Vegas on March 14.

Accepting or declining the invitation to the proposed summit between Trump and the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) does not look like an easy decision, considering the sensitive political issues wrapped around it.

Many times, Duterte has said he was not interested in going to the US – mostly in reaction to American officials’ meddling in Philippine affairs and their criticism of his war on illegal drugs.

He has also said that the long

haul between Manila and the US (which could stretch to 15 hours depending on his port of entry) would be too grueling.

Two weeks after March 14, the proposed date of the summit, Duterte will be 75 years old.

Why should Duterte accept the invitation? First, it will disprove claims of his critics that he, one of several Philippine officials and private enablers, is barred from the US for instigating the continued detention of opposition Sen. Leila de Lima on drug charges.

Second, it could confirm that Duterte is a good friend of Trump, whose phone conversation in 2017 had been leaked by Malacañang to show that the US President approves of his way of waging a bloody war against drug traffickers and abusers.

Third, a US visit would help douse speculation that Duterte is dragging the Philippines farther left, away from its ally of longstanding toward communist China in the guise of charting an independent foreign policy.

Fourth, it could even improve his high trust rating among Fili-

pinos, a big majority of whom still hold America close to their heart while harboring mistrust of China’s intentions toward to the Philippines.

Before looking at the other side – why Duterte might hesitate to accept the invitation to the proposed summit on March 14 – recall the antecedents.

In 2017, then newly elected Trump attended the ASEAN summit in Manila chaired by Duterte, who was similarly new on the job. At the time, the Philippines was also hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

But after Manila, Trump skipped two successive annual meetings of the regional bloc – the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific meetings in 2018 in Singapore, and the ASEAN summit on Nov. 3-4, 2019, in Bangkok.

Trump’s absence gave China, a neighbor that Duterte has been cultivating as a friend and benefactor, a psychological opening to continue asserting its regional presence in the disputed South China Sea.

anger triggered by the reports is “part and parcel” of the work of a media institution. ABS-CBN maintains that the company has observed “fair and balanced” reporting.

April 27, 2017: Duterte accuses ABS-CBN of “swindling,” claiming that the network did not show his political ads during the 2016 campaign although they were already paid for.

These comments come just a few days after Duterte renewed the franchise of GMA Network, ABS-CBN’s rival, for another 25 years. Meanwhile, HB 4349 remains at the committee level.

Duterte tells Congress, “No need to renew it.”

May 19, 2017: Duterte says he will file charges of “multiple syndicated estafa” against ABSCBN, in a speech at an event launch of housing designs for the military and police. “Kawalang hiya ninyo, kapal ng mukha ninyo, putang-ina ninyo, leche kayo (You have no shame, your faces are too thick, you sons of b*tches),” he says, addressing ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III. “Gabby Lopez, I paid ABS-CBN P2.8 million...You accepted my money, you never bothered to show my propaganda (political advertisements). After the elections, you didn’t return the money,” he adds. He says other candidates such as his running mate Alan Peter Cayetano and vice presidential candidate Francis Escudero experienced the same.

August 3, 2018: The president

repeats his threat to block ABSCBN’s franchise in a speech at the inauguration of a drug rehabilitation facility in Bukidnon. He challenges ABS-CBN executives to let him slap them if records show he has less than P40 million in his bank accounts.

June 12, 2019: The Philippine Star reports that the House of Representatives froze HB 4349.

A lawmaker, who requested anonymity, says no action on any bill seeking to renew the ABSCBN franchise would be taken as long as the network still has issues with the president. ABSCBN later says it is unable to comment on or clarify this report.

July 1, 2019: HB 4349 lapses after 17th Congress adjourns, but its same sponsor Representative Micaela Violago refiles the first bill in the 18th Congress to extend ABS-CBN’s franchise.

October 29, 2019: House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano announces they are set to deliberate on the franchise renewal.

At this point, there are at least 5 bills filed that seek to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.

December 3, 2019: In a speech before new Malacañang officials, Duterte says he is still angry with ABS-CBN, telling the network, “If you expect that (the franchise) will be renewed, I’m sorry. I will see to it that you’re out.” This is the third time Duterte reiterates this threat.

December 4, 2019: Cayetano says they will no longer tackle the franchise renewal bills for

the remainder of 2019, saying there will be “more than enough time” for deliberations in 2020.

Although Cayetano said earlier he has a “personal complaint” against ABS-CBN for “unjust meddling” in the 2016 elections, he gave assurances there will be “fair” deliberation in the House.

House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr says the majority congressmen “might perhaps toe the line” with Duterte, which would make it “almost next to impossible” to renew the franchise.

December 30, 2019: Duterte tells ABS-CBN it would be better to “just sell” the network, remarking that Congress renewing the franchise is unlikely.

January 2, 2020: House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chair Franz Alvarez promises his committee would deliberate on the franchise renewal bills.

He tells ABS-CBN that securing a franchise from Congress is “not a right, but a privilege.”

WHAT IS YOUR STAND? Whether you are for or against the petition to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN, you have to speak up and speak out. ***

In Bangkok last year, US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross stood in for Trump. It was the lowest level US representation at the meetings since Barack Obama upgraded ties with ASEAN in 2011.

O’Brien read Trump’s message where he invited the ASEAN leaders to a special summit in the US in early 2020. This was the invitation reiterated in the Jan. 9 followup letter announced

by Malacañang the other day.

With the US delegation downgraded in Bangkok, only three ASEAN leaders showed up to listen – those from Thailand (the chair and host), Laos (the coordinator between the bloc and the US) and Vietnam (the chair of this year’s ASEAN summit).

Duterte did not attend.

Also high in the background is the passing last month of a US budget provision banning the entry of Philippine officials behind the detention of De Lima.

Conceivably, Duterte is on top of the list, but his being a sovereign may entitle him to special treatment.

A provision on “Prohibition on Entry” permits the US State

Secretary to apply subsection (c) to foreign government officials about whom the secretary has “credible information” as having been involved in the “wrongful imprisonment” of De Lima.

Subsection (c) refers to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which authorizes the US government to slap sanctions on persons linked to human rights violations, including banning them from the US and freezing their Stateside assets.

Malacañang responded by threatening to require American visitors to secure visas. It also banned US Sens. Dick Durbin and Patrick Leahy, authors of the amendment, and Sen. Edward Markey, who supported it, from entering the Philippines.

On the other hand, Duterte cannot help noticing certain details and possible consequences of his visiting the US. The group invitation is not for a state visit, but for a working summit. Based on the skimpy details announced so far, the trip does not include Duterte’s calling at the White House.

Among the blessed events that Philippine leaders look forward to is being received by the US

President at the White House. So important is this detail that a Filipino official is usually assigned to record how many minutes they were in the Oval Office.

The visiting dignitary is sometimes treated to a colorful parade rolled out in the White House lawn. In the case of then President Cory Aquino, she was accorded the honor of addressing the joint session of an adoring US Congress.

What awaits Duterte? From the gambling and crime hot spot that Las Vegas is, will the brash mayor of Davao be whisked to the White House for special attention? If not, how would Duterte and his coterie take it?

The timing of the visit requires delicate balancing by his host. Already under extreme stress from anti-US sentiments in key capitals and the impeachment trial in the Senate, Trump cannot risk a Duterte visit jeopardizing his quest for reelection in November.

Any public display of affection for Duterte – in case he singles him out for special attention – could cost him some political points at the polls. (Philstar. com)

Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

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

A7

Motorcycle taxi pilot run to continue, TWG confirms

by RICHARD

MERCURIO AND NEIL JASON SERVALLOS Philstar.com

MANILA — Motorcycle taxis will continue operating in Metro Manila and Cebu as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) decided to continue its pilot study in the meantime, the technical working group (TWG) studying the legality of motorcycles-for-hire said yesterday.

“We will continue with the pilot study, but then we will come up with guidelines, we will talk to the providers with the guidance of the transport secretary,” Antonio Gardiola said in an interview aired on CNN Philippines.

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go announced on Monday, January 20 following a Senate committee on public services hearing on motorcycle taxi bills that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) would continue its pilot testing of motorcycle taxis.

Go said he was able to persuade Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra III and Gardiola to scrap the plan to stop the pilot testing.

This was affirmed by Gardiola, who said Go talked to him and asked him to reconsider.

What prompted the TWG to continue the program, despite its earlier decision to terminate it, was the sentiment of senators and resource persons present during the hearing on motorcycle taxi regulation last Monday, Gardiola said.

In its recommendation submitted to lawmakers and the DOTr, the TWG stressed that the earlier issuance of a 20-day temporary restraining order by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 223, which temporarily prevented the imposition of the 10,000-rider

Train for a Career of Value!

LEGALIZE MOTORCYCLE TAXIS. Senator Christopher Lawrence Go and other senators have expressed support for the legalization of motorcycle taxis, during the public hearing presided

by Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, January 20. Under the proposed Motorcycles-for-Hire Act, filed by Senator Edgardo Angara, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code will be amended to permit motorcycles to be registered with the Land Transportation Office as “for hire” and may be used as a commercial vehicle to transport passengers and goods.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

cap, had “greatly compromised the integrity of the study’s data gathering design.”

The TWG added that the pending cases filed by Angkas before the Quezon City RTC Branch 223 and the Mandaluyong City RTC Branch 212, questioning the study’s revised guidelines, have also hampered the implementation of the study, which will run until March 23.

While the TWG has decided to continue the pilot test for now, Gardiola said they were not mistaken when they decided to discontinue the program.

“For me … if you are conducting a study, it will be very difficult to gather data when you are being restrained. It’s also very difficult to implement guidelines if they are not heeded. Without regulation, it is anarchy,” Gardiola said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Cagayan de Oro included The government has included Cagayan de Oro City as a testing area for the pilot run, Assistant

Transportation Secretary Alberto Suansing said.

Suansing, a consultant of the TWG, said the decision to include Cagayan de Oro was reached during a meeting with the three stakeholders – Angkas, Move It and JoyRide.

Tugade and members of the TWG, led by Gardiola, were present during the meeting.

The TWG is also considering General Santos City as another area for testing, Suansing said.

He added that the number of rider participants will also increase, but did not go into specifics.

The TWG said it invited the ride-hailing firms and other stakeholders in a meeting at the Land Transportation Office to present what was discussed and agreed upon.

The pilot run was launched last year as lawmakers have set their sights on regulating motorcycle taxis as safe alternative public utility vehicles. ■

Maguindanao massacre trial reopened 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes orPhilstar.com dered the cases revived after Kagi Faizal and Gambayan Kasim were MANILA — The Quezon City brought to court last week.

Faizal and Kasim were schedcourt handling the murder cases filed in connection with the Magu- uled to be arraigned Tuesday, indanao massacre has reopened January 21 on murder charges in the decade-long trial following connection with the Nov. 23, 2009 the recent arrest of two more sus- carnage.

Once arraigned, the suspects pects.

Regional Trial Court Branch will undergo trial, starting with the

by JARVIC

MATEO

prosecution presenting evidence against them.

Solis-Reyes had ordered the cases against those who were still at large to be archived following the promulgation of judgment against over 100 suspects last month.

Based on police records, Faizal was apprehended on Jan. 6 in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguin-

u PAGE A8

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PNP chief to step up drive vs drugs, scalawags DTI, BOI conduct quick check of business industries in Calabarzon, business as usual after Taal Volcano eruption

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — Newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa was sworn in Tuesday, January 21 by President Duterte in Batangas, the province worst affected by Taal Volcano’s continuing unrest.

Residents displaced by the volcanic eruption witnessed the oath taking, which was held at a gymnasium in Sto. Tomas City. The president also conferred the four-star rank on Gamboa before posing for photos with the police chief and his family.

Gamboa, who was appointed

by President Duterte as the 23rd PNP chief last Friday, January 17 vowed to press forward in the campaign against illegal drugs and weeding out scalawags from the organization.

He promised to focus on highvalue targets, such as large-scale drug traffickers.

Since Gamboa will turn 56 – the mandatory retirement age for the uniformed service – on Sept.

2, he will serve as PNP chief for only eight months. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986.

Prior to his appointment,

It’s business as usual as employees of a company based in FPIP does its clean-up of the debris brought about by the Taal Volcano eruption.

President Duterte puts a cap on Gen. Archie Gamboa after swearing him in as the new chief of the Philippine National Police in a ceremony held during their visit to Taal evacuees at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines gym in Sto Tomas, Batangas on Monday, January 20.

Philstar.com photo by Krizjohn Rosales

Gamboa was the PNP’s officerin-charge for three months after his classmate, former police chief Oscar Albayalde, went on non-duty leave amid allegations of protecting “ninja cops” or police officers who recycle seized prohibited narcotics.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said honesty was

Duterte’s consideration in choosing Gamboa as PNP chief.

Also present during the oath taking were Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Sen. Christopher Go. A ceremonial giving of government assistance to families affected by the volcanic eruption immediately followed. n

Sandigan drops raps vs Napeñas, Purisima by michAel

PunongbAyAn Philstar.com

MANILA — The Sandiganbayan on Tuesday, January 21 dismissed the graft and usurpation charges filed against former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Allan Purisima and former Special Action Force director Getulio Napeñas Jr. in connection with the Mamasapano massacre in 2015.

Appropriate charges can still be filed, however, against Purisima and Napeñas, according to the Sandiganbayan.

The order to dismiss the charges came five months after the anti-graft court approved a motion of the Office of the Ombudsman seeking to withdraw similar cases filed against former president Benigno Aquino III. The Sandiganbayan noted that the dismissal of the criminal complaints did not mean that the accused had no liability over the incident that resulted in the death of 44 police commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015.

It said it was merely ruling on

the accusations that Purisima and Napeñas violated Section 3(a) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and usurped official functions in carrying out the police operation dubbed Oplan Exodus.

“What the court merely ruled is the non-existence of probable cause against Napeñas in both charges and the insufficiency of the allegations in the information filed against Purisima,” it said.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Associate Bayani Jacinto issued separate dissenting opinions, disagreeing with the decision.

The anti-graft court said it is dismissing the cases against Purisima and Napeñas “without prejudice to filing of appropriate charges against them.”

The Sandiganbayan said both accused could not be charged of violating Section 3(a) of RA 3019, which penalizes acts of “persuading, inducing or influencing a public official to perform acts that violate rules and

regulations promulgated by competent authorities.”

It said there was no evidence showing Purisima or Napeñas received or expected to receive any consideration when the former supposedly influenced the other to violate the PNP chain of command.

The court said Purisima was under preventive suspension and technically not the PNP chief at the time.

“There is no mention in the information, nor any evidence on record, that accused Napeñas received or expected to receive any material remuneration or consideration therefor,” said the decision dated Jan. 21, 2020.

On charges of usurpation against Purisima, who performed the function of PNP chief even as he was suspended, the court said the pieces of evidence presented were insufficient.

“It could not be said that Purisima was under the pretense of being a PNP chief because he was ordered by his president and commander-in-chief to perform such supervision and monitoring,” the ruling said. n

IT is business as usual for most companies operating in the CALABARZON Region (Region IV-A) following the eruption of the Taal Volcano last Sunday, January 12, 2020.

“After a temporary disruption of one to two days, our factories in the CALABARZON Region have resumed operations,” Trade Secretary and Board of Investments (BOI) Chairman Ramon Lopez said. “With a resilient Filipino workforce, these companies remain strong and can positively overcome obstacles with the ‘Make It Happen’ mindset,” he said.

“In any situation of natural disasters, of course, the most urgent task is to ensure the safety of the people affected, and in the case of industries and businesses, the safety of its employees,” he said. “But after this, the BOI immediately conducted inspections in the affected industries to get a general assessment of the situation on the ground, taking note of the businesses’ concerns on its employees, utilities such as power and water, and logistics,” Secretary Lopez said.

Officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Board of Investments (BOI) composed of BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo, BOI Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa, DTI Region IV-A Assistant Regional Director Marissa Argente, and BOI Director Bobby Fondevilla conducted visits on January 15, 2020 to companies based in some of the industrial parks in the CALABARZON Region to get a general assessment of the situation in the areas affected by the eruption of the Taal Volcano.

“It’s mostly business as usual as we aim to ensure operations in Region IV-A remain uninterrupted. We are on standby to help companies in their contingency plans and we will not hesitate to provide relief and support to firms affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.” Undersecretary Rodolfo said.

The DTI and BOI Team visited companies in three industrial parks.

Officials of the First Philippine

DOST Undersecretary Renato Solidum (left) gives a brief on the current situation and possible scenarios of the Taal volcanic eruption. Joining him in the briefing were Geo hazard experts Raymond S. Rodolfo and Arlene Mae P. Tengonciang and Bobby Batungbacal, representing the industry stakeholders.

The DTI and BOI Team in a meeting with officers of Denso at their plant in Carmelray Industrial Park.

Photo taken two days after the Taal Volcanic eruption from the floor of a factory based in the Carmelray Industrial Zone. The factory has a clean room capability tolerance of 100 particles per million (ppm).

Industrial Park (FPIP) in Sto. Tomas, Batangas informed the DTI and BOI Team that its business as usual in the park and that contingency plans are in place in the instance of worst case scenarios.

Power and water utilities temporarily shut down when the eruption happened. About 90 percent of the companies however have already resumed operations as of Tuesday, January 21 while the remaining 10 percent will operate once their raw materials arrived, according to the FPIP. “As a response, these companies conduct three-day inventories and most of them operate on a “just-in-time” system. We also noted they maintain shuttle

buses for the safety commute of their workers,” said Executive Director Dichosa.

“The companies also highlighted the importance of accuracy of information gathered from the government agencies and established communication protocols particularly cascading of information from the heads down to the employees,” said Director Fondevilla.

FPIP also informed the team that they are already doing a parkwide clean up of all the debris including collection of ashfalls from locators which will be given to the barangay for possible other uses such as fertilizers and conversion to hollow blocks. n

De Lima asks SC to appoint new judge in her drug case

by KRistine Joy

Philstar.com

PAtAg

MANILA — Sen. Leila de Lima has asked the Supreme Court to designate a new judge to take on one of her drug cases pending before Muntinlupa courts after Judge Antonietta Medina supposedly said she would not be conducting more hearings.

In a two-page letter to Court Administrator Midas Marquez, De Lima asked to SC to appoint a presiding judge to hearing Criminal Case No. 17-167, one of her three drug cases.

The specific case charges De Lima, former Corrections chief Franklin Bucayu, alleged bagman Wilfredo Elli and Jose Adrian Dera, aides Ronnie Dayan and Joenel Sanchez, and inmate Jaybee Sebastian with conspiracy to commit drug trading. It is pending before Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256.

Judge Medina is currently the pairing judge for the case, after Judge Gener Gito, the acting presiding judge, was relieved of his designation.

“As Judge Medina has already inhibited twice from one of my other pending RTC cases, my counsels and I have recently been informed that she will not be conducting any hearings from Criminal Case No. 17-167,” she said.

Senator Leila de Lima

De Lima’s case was first raffled to Medina in 2018 but a Rappler report quoting Fhillip Sawali, chief of staff of the senator, said the judge inhibited and said verbally that she’s a classmate and “kumare” of De Lima.

The case was re-raffled back to her sala, after Judge Myra BayotQuiambao also recused herself, but she once again inhibited.

Three years in detention, only five out of 54 prosecution witnesses De Lima stressed that since her detention almost three years ago and her arraignment in July 2018, “only five out of 54 identi-

fied prosecution witnesses have been called to testify.”

“In view of the foregoing developments, we fervently hope that your good office would act earnestly and immediately on the matter appointing a presiding judge to hear Criminal Case No. 17-167 pending before [Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256],” she added.

Six judges have taken their hands off the drug cases against De Lima, either by inhibiting or opting for early retirement.

Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz opted for early retirement in May last year. n

PAGE A5 danao. Kasim was nabbed three days later in Sharif Aguak town.

The two were among the 80 suspects who were unaccounted for when the court issued its verdict in December.

Solis-Reyes ordered the transfer of the suspects at the Quezon City Jail Annex at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

In a 761-page decision, the judge convicted 28 accused – including five members of the Ampatuan clan – of 57 counts of murder.

Fifteen others were found guilty

of a lesser accessory to the crime of murder. Fifty-six suspects were acquitted.

Sandigan junks Ampatuan’s plea Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan has dismissed the motion of convicted murderer Andal Ampatuan Jr. to dismiss his graft case in connection with the allegedly anomalous fuel supply of the Maguindanao provincial government when his late father, Andal Ampatuan Sr., was governor from 2001 to 2008.

In a resolution dated Dec. 16 but obtained by reporters only

Tuesday, January 21 the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division found no merit in Ampatuan’s argument that he should not have been included in the complaint as his name was not mentioned in the dispositive portion as among the respondents.

The cases involved 21 counts of graft over the provincial government’s purchase of fuel and lubricants amounting to P238.3 million from Ampatuan’s gasoline station.

Ampatuan and his brother Zaldy were sentenced to life in prison without parole for the massacre. n

Philstar.com file photo

Maguindanao massacre trial...

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SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 24, 2020

Friday, January 24, 2020

SF

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 24, 2020

Anticipated 2020 book releases

by Filipino & Fil-Am authors by aJPress WITH the new year upon us, a top resolution that individuals continue to promise is: read more books. Luckily, like 2019 — which was a stellar year to accomplish the goal as there were over a dozen new releases

by Filipino and Filipino American authors across genres — 2020 is shaping up to be another good year with more literature choices to come. Here are a few mustread titles on the Asian Journal’s radar set to be released later this year.

The Vanished Birds By Simon Jimenez

“The Vanished Birds” by Simon Jimenez (January 14) Author Simon Jimenez makes his novel debut with “The Vanished Birds,” a mind-bending adventure that defies space and time. A mute child with a special musical ability gets taken in by Nia, a solitary female ship captain drifting through time. “Soon, these two outsiders discover in each other the things they lack.

For him, a home, a place of love and safety. For her, an anchor to the world outside of herself. For both of them, a family. But Nia is not the only one who wants the boy,” says the description by publisher Del Rey.

Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco

“Wicked as You Wish” by Rin Chupeco (March 3) Launching the “A Hundred Names for Magic” series, Rin Chupeco’s “Wicked as You Wish” is an alternative history fairy tale about found family, modern day magic, and finding the place you belong. Prince Alexei, the sole survivor of the Kingdom of Avalon’s royal family, is exiled to a town where magic doesn’t work and few know his true identity. His friend Tala, however, knows but is keeping a secret of her own as a spellbreaker. When Avalon’s most powerful weapon, the Firebird, reemerges after decades in hiding, Alex, Tala and a group of friends band together to reclaim the magical kingdom.

How to Make Friends with the Sea - Tanya Guerrero

“How to Make Friends with the Sea” by Tanya Guerrero (March 31) “How to Make Friends with the Sea” is Tanya Guerrero’s debut middle grade novel about 12-year-old Pablo and his mother who move around every few months. Her job as a zoologist has now brought them to the Philippines, where she soon fosters Chiqui, an orphaned Filipina girl with a cleft lip. With the constant changes, Pablo has been grappling with anxiety, butsoon realizes that he must be strong for Chiqui and face certain fears, like the sea.

more about his past, including how he fought on the U.S. side in World War II, and his early years in America. Kaia begins to see how his sacrifices enabled her family’s present life, and what winning really means. A Bay Area resident, Respicio’s debut novel, “The House That Lou Built,” received the Asian/Pacific American Library Association Honor Award in Children’s Literature and was an NPR Best Book of the Year.

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles

Fairest by Meredith Talusan

Any Day With You by Mae Respicio

“Any Day with You” by Mae Respicio (May 5) 12-year-old Filipina American Kaia is the main character in Mae Respicio’s forthcoming middle grade book, “Any Day With You.” When her greatgrandfather Tatang, who has lived with Kaia and her family in Santa Monica all her life, decides that he wants to go back to the Philippines, Kaia devises a plan to make him stay by working on a short movie inspired by the Filipino folktales that he used to share and entering it in a contest at her summer camp. She learns

“Fairest” by Meredith Talusan (May 26) This coming-of-age memoir by award-winning author and journalist Meredith Talusan chronicles the journey of a precocious boy with albinism in the Philippines who would migrate to the United States, study at Harvard and transition to become a woman. Navigating through race, class, colorism and belonging within the gay community, “Talusan shares poignant and powerful episodes of desirability and love,” according to publisher Viking. “Her evocative reflections will shift our own perceptions of love, identity, gender, and the fairness of life.”

“Where Dreams Descend”

by Janella Angeles (June 2) In “Where Dreams Descend” — the first book in Fil-Am writer Janella Angeles’ Kingdom of Cards fantasy duology — readers will be transported to a city covered in ice and ruin where a group of magicians embarks on a series of games in search of the next headliner of the Conquering Circus. There’s romance, secrecy and unseen danger along the way as we meet Kallia, a powerful showgirl out to prove she’s the best no matter the cost; Jack, the enigmatic keeper of the club and more than one lie told; and Demarco, the brooding judge with a past he can no longer hide.

The Groom will Keep His Name by Matt Ortile

“The Groom Will Keep His Name” by Matt Ortile (June 2) The debut collection of essays covering topics, such as dating, identity and sexuality, comes from Matt Ortile, managing editor of Catapult magazine. Releasing this June by Bold Type Books, an imprint of Hachette, “The Groom Will Keep His Name” charts Ortile’s journey moving from Manila to Las Vegas and the experience of being bullied for his skin tone, Filipino accent and femininity. The essays explore the idea of social media personas and ultimately, lead to a realization of “radical self-love.”

Amboy: Recipes from the Filipino-American Dream

“Amboy: Recipes from the Filipino-American Dream” by Alvin Cailan and Alexandra Cuerdo (August 25) Famed Fil-Am chef Alvin Cailan — founder of popular breakfast sandwich purveyor Eggslut and host of online series “The Burger Show” — has teamed up with “Ulam” documentary director Alexandra Cuerdo for a cookbook illustrating the dual identity as an “amboy,” a Filipino growing up in America. Set to be released

by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in late summer, this cookbook narrates Cailan overcoming “cultural traditions and family expectations to find his own path to success.”

Expect Filipino comfort classics from the lens of a Fil-Am upbringing and anecdotes about Cailan’s rise as a chef.

Gerald gets help on personal James, Nadine confirm split issues from new show

by Krissy aGuilar Inquirer.net

CELEBRITY couple James Reid and Nadine Lustre conManilaTimes.net firmed on Monday that they WITHOUT a doubt, Gerald had broken up.

Anderson is one of the names The couple issued a joint that made waves in showbiz statement aired over “Tonight last year — not because of his With Boy Abunda” Monday movies nor his stint in basketnight, January 20, announcing ball via Maharlika Pilipinas Bastheir separation. ketball League (MPBL) — but “It’s true that we have for all the negative reasons. split up but not for all the reaAnderson was dragged into son that are being spread on the Bea Alonzo-Julia Barretto the tabloids and social media controversy which dominated but because, after quiet and the internet for a long time. mature conversations, we The issue started from the Andecided to focus on ourselves derson-Barretto sighting at the — not only for our careers but birthday party of Rayver Cruz for our personal growth as we Despite a challenging year he faced in 2019, Gerald Anderson stays focused in his small screen comeback. are still young and we want to in July. The stolen shot of the ABS-CBN photo achieve as much as we can,” two went viral.

Prior to all these, there of arguments that ultimately led to speculations about infithe statement read. have already been talks about led to “one big fight,” where delity in her relationship.

“We agreed that going an alleged Barretto-Anderthere came the realization that separate ways was best for Netizens then began acson romance that blossomed the relationship was no longer both of us. We are in good cusing Anderson and Barretto during the shoot of their first healthy, and that they were of cheating their respective terms and are still really movie, “Between Maybes” “just hurting each other.” partners. Thus, the birth of good friends and will con(May 2019). This was released Focused the hashtags #TeamBea and tinue to work with each other a month prior to the announce- #TeamJulia, pitting the two Indeed, Anderson faced a especially when it comes to ment in June that Barretto and women against each other. challenging year in 2019. But music,” it added.

Joshua Garcia have broken up according to him, he doesn’t But in separate interviews, The actors also took the after two years of dating. mind all the bashings he has the two denied the accusaopportunity to thank those The day after the Barretto- tions online. The 30-year-old been receiving, but is only who have supported them.

Anderson sighting, Alonzo focused on his new show “A actor revealed on ABS-CBN’s “Thank you for all the posted a cryptic message on “TV Patrol” that he and Alonzo Soldier’s Heart,” that preJadine fans for their undying her Instagram account, which had been having a succession Continued on Page SF3 support and we hope that you

by iza iGlesias

Goodbye to Hotdog’s Dennis Garcia

by BaBy a. Gil Philstar.com

DENNIS Garcia was a maverick. The guy who played good bass for his band Hotdog just never played by the rules elsewhere. Some 50 years ago, he took Filipino songwriting out of the “giliw, sapagkat, irog” rut when he wrote Pers Lab. That spelling took everybody by surprise. It should have been First Love.

But Dennis would have none of that. He wanted the everyday language that was being spoken by the people, which Hotdog’s Dennis Garcia went home to a Manila at that time had evolved into somewhere in the great beyond last Jan. 18. He was 69 years old.

Philstar.com photo a mix of English and Tagalog.

Recorded by Hotdog with Ella del Rosario singing lead vocals, Pers Lab became a big hit. It was the phenomenon that gave birth to the Manila Sound and its fabled golden age. It propelled Filipino pop music into the modern era.

From that time on, local music became a force to contend with in the hit charts and all those foreign artists found themselves contending with a formidable force for the first time.

The words, new and colloquial, were not the only things that sold Pers Lab to many appreciative listeners.

It was also a great piece of

songwriting that fully conveyed the exciting, discomfiting time of young love. Dennis was very good with that.

He could take the simplest of emotions or any particular moment and turn it into a song that everybody could relate to.

When the disco era came along, Dennis, with music by his brother Rene, created Annie Batungbakal, a sales girl who lived her dreams of a better life in the bright, dance filled evenings of Coco Banana. Of course, Dennis welcomed her outings and her special outfits with the words, Bongga Ka ‘Day and Annie B

James Reid and Nadine Lustre

ABS-CBN photo

continue to support us now and in the future. We shall forever be grateful to them for their love and understanding,” it read.

The couple did not disclose further details on why they decided to part ways.

Their breakup came a few days after rumors about their separation surfaced online

following reports posted on several entertainment sites.

Lustre also earlier called out an entertainment columnist over an article about their supposed breakup.

It was back in 2016 when Reid and Lustre first admitted their relationship during their first major concert titled “JaDine in Love.”

was indeed the most bongga of females, or gays or even men. Dennis never differentiated genders. And the infectious rhythms and sentiments of those songs, plus others that the Garcia brothers composed, have never faltered in intensity or audience appeal after all these years.

And then, there is Manila.

Paeans are constantly being written about the great cities of the world. We know of New York, New York, I Love Paris, I Left My Heart In San Francisco, among others. I listen to them and I think, how nice that the songwriters so captured the charm of those famous places.

But not quite like the way Dennis wrote his tribute to

the city of Manila. It was composed during one of his Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) stints creating advertising campaigns for agencies in various Asian cities. The lyrics are so on point about Manila in every way. Some 40 years after I first heard the song, I still cannot help but marvel over how he encapsulated in just a few lines all the longing of a Pinoy far from home for the strange but oh so irresistible beauty that is Manila.

You all know the song. It is an ageless earworm. It was the brilliant piece of songwriting that got 55,000 people singing and dancing as one at the Philippine Arena during the opening of the Southeast Continued on Page SF3

community

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 24, 2020

Immigration Corner

February 2020 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

October 01, 2009

April 01, 2009

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holders

December 01, 2019

Current

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holders

November 01, 2009

May 01, 2009

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens

November 01, 1999

May 01, 1999

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens

January 01, 2000

July 01, 1999

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

FAMILY CATEGORY:

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

WHY AM I BEING HELD FOR QUESTIONING, AND MY PASSPORT AND GREEN CARD BEING TAKEN EVERY TIME I ENTER THE U.S. EVEN IF I AM A PERMANENT RESIDENT? THIS QUESTION AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED ON CITIZEN PINOY: YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT! The fourth and final batch of Kapamilya who came to the Citizen Pinoy taping in Virginia get the chance to have their questions answered this Sunday. Find out if someone is able to acquire her work permit if there is an employer willing to sponsor, even if her B1-B2 visa already expired a year ago. And get to know what the best option is for someone who filed all necessary paperwork for humanitarian reinstatement after their father died, but the documents were misplaced by the USCIS. Get answers to these and more on an encore episode of --- CITIZEN PINOY, this Sunday at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Gerald gets help on...

From Page SF2 miered on Monday.

“Kasama sa territory namin ang bashing. Exposed kami, open kami dahil sa social media. Kumbaga, open para sa kahit sino ang mag-comment. Pero nasa atin na yan kung paano natin tatanggapin.

Alangan naman dahil may nag-bash sa akin, titigil na ako [sa pagtatrabaho]. E, ang dami ko pang pangarap, ang dami ko pang pinapakain. Hindi naman ako yayaman diyan sa bashers,” Anderson pointed out during the show’s special screening and press conference on January 16.

“Kailangan [maging mahinahaon], e. Alangan namang sasabayan ko yung gulo. At naging malaking tulong ito, itong mga boys, yung taping, yung training. Malaking tulong talaga,” he added.

Tribute to soldiers Anderson’s comeback to the small screen through “A Soldier’s Heart” is a tribute to Filipino modern-day heroes. It is a timely and relevant series shedding light on the hardships of Filipino soldiers, who symbolize bravery for dedicating their lives to the country.

Besides Anderson as Alex, six other brave soldiers will forge a loyal brotherhood despite their differences as they face the hardships and triumphs of their vocation.

Alex’s band of brothers include Elmer (Vin Abrenica), Benjie (Yves Flores), Abe (Carlo Aquino), Michael (Nash Aguas), Phil (Jerome Ponce) and Jethro (Elmo Magalona).

According to the actor, to be able to feel the real experiences of soldiers for the show, members of the cast had to train with the Philippine Army for three days.

“Dumaan kami sa three-day Scout Ranger course. Pero disclaimer, hindi dahil three days lang madali siya. Siniksik nila ang two weeks worth na training in three days. So imagine that, talagang mahirap siya,” he recalled.

“Grabe talaga yung ginawa namin sa Army. Sa tatlong araw, parang dalawa o tatlong oras lang yung tulog namin.

Natutulog kami sa lupa, yung unan ko ugat ng puno, umuulan, kinakagat kami ng lamok.

Buti walang nagkasakit pero maraming na-injure. Si Yves hindi nakalakad, si Jerome hindi rin nakalakad. But makikita n’yo as a team, walang iwanan, e, kasi wala namang celebrity treatment sa training,” he continued.

“Pero sa totoo lang, naeenjoy ko yung ginagawa ko at alam ko na meron kaming ginagawa para sa bansa natin dito sa show. Kahit pagod na, at talagang nakakapagod siya, very fulfilling pa rin,” Anderson

shared.

Trained by Matteo Guidicelli Meanwhile their colleague in the industry, Matteo Guidicelli, who graduated from his 30-day Scout Ranger Orientation and Leadership Development Course in July last year, made time for the cast who underwent the three-day course in the Army — not to visit them, but to lead them in the hardcore training.

“Si Matteo pinahirapan niya talaga kami. Hindi siya nakakainis kasi alam mong may dahilan kung bakit. Pag sumigaw siya ng lublob, kailangan lublob talaga sa tubig. Pag sinabi niyang dapa at magcrawl, gagawin mo. Minsan hirap na hirap na kami pero kailangang tapusin. Higher officer din kasi siya. He’s an Army reservist Probationary Second Lieutenant,” the actor from General Santos City said.

Despite all the sacrifices they had to do in the Army, Anderson said it was already an achievement for them especially when they get to send the important lesson for those who will watch their show.

“Sobra po akong nagpapasalamat na dumaan kami sa training na yun dahil kahit papaano totoo yung mga eksena namin. So sobrang thankful po ako na ako yung pinili para maging Alex Marasigan. Dun

First Preference

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning in October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month).

This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance or Final Action Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. ***

Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty,

guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES

pa lang sapat na motivation yun para buong puso kong ibinuhos ang sarili ko sa proyektong ito,” Anderson said.

“Pangalawa, gusto namin pag napanood nila, maiiba yung respeto nila sa mga sundalo natin at sa pamilya ng mga sundalo. Bata pa lang ako, yun na talaga yung pangarap ko. So malapit sa puso ko ito. Pero nung

dumaan kami sa training, nakita ko yung pinagdadaanan nila, ibang level talaga. Sana makita nila yung ibang parts na yun sa show namin,” he continued.

“Na-realize ko yung mga nirereklamo natin on a daily basis, mga maliliit na bagay, yung patience mo parang mahihiya ka nang konti sa mga pinagdaanan ng mga sundalo

natin — sa training nila, sa mga bakbakan nila, hindi po alam kung makakabalik sila,” Anderson ended.

Joining the ensemble cast of “A Solder’s Heart” are Sue Ramirez, seasoned actors Ariel Rivera, Irma Adlawan, Raymond Bagatsing, Sid Lucero, Rommel Padilla, Mickey Ferriols, Nikki Valdez and Ketchup Eusebio.

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

January 01, 2019

June 01, 2018

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

January 01, 2019

June 01, 2018

(Advertising Supplement)

SF

celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 24, 2020

celebrity world

Weddings galore in March for entertainment industry stars

By Ferdie Villar THE month of March will see a couple of the entertainment industry’s big stars getting hitched.

According to my good friend Ricky Lo of The Philippine Star, engaged couples Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez will say their “I do’s” in ceremonies planned in March, which is when summer season starts in the Philippines.

Richard and Sarah’s wedding is said to be scheduled on March 14, while Matteo and Sarah’s nuptials date is being kept secret by the couple.

Richard and Sarah have two kids together, Zion and Kai, who many expect to be part of the wedding ceremony.

Matteo and Sarah, meanwhile, officially became a couple in 2013, and they announced their engagement last November via a post on Instagram where Sarah’s left ring finger showed of a sparkling diamond engagement ring.

To both couples, congratulations! *** Many celebrities are coming to together to help the communities displaced by the recent eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas province.

The latest to put their talents together for a worthwhile cause are Broadway star/singer Isay Alvarez and husband Robert Seña, multi-awarded composer Vehnee Saturno and entrepreneur Dr. Carl Balita, according to Funfare (column by Ricky Lo in The Philippine Star).

Their project is the “Tulong Taal Musical Collaboration” to be held on February 1, 2020 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

According to Vehnee, who composed a song, Tulong Taal, that calls on everyone to help, many artists are volunteering to perform and join them in their advocacy.

Singers who are said to be part of the group recording Tulong Taal (a la “We Are The World” style) include Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez, Christian Bautista, Mark Bautista, Angeline Quinto, The CompanY, Jaya, Ice Seguerra, Frenchie Dy and Kakai, among others.

As for the musical collaboration at the Astrodome, those performing include Jamie Rivera, Jenine Desiderio, The CompanY, Richard Reynoso, Bayang Barrios, the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir, Robert Seña, Isay Alvarez and Frenchie Dy. Both Isay and Vehnee expressed their sadness upon seeing the pictures coming out of the areas devastated by the ashfall that rained down from Taal Volcano.

Isay also said she used to swim in Taal (Lake) as a youngster, while Vehnee revealed that the name Taal in the vernacular is synonymous with the terms genuine and authentic. *** Ai Ai de las Alas swears she has nothing more to do with former child actor Jiro Manio, who has recently been charged with frustrated homicide at a Marikina Police Station, according to PEP.ph.

The two had collaborated on the Tanging Ina films (Ang Tanging Ina, Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat, Ang Tanging Ina Mo [Last Na ‘To!]).

The Comedy Queen said she has had no communication with the actor since she learned that

Manio has been using marijuana when he gets let out from a rehab center in Bataan.

Ai Ai felt that all the effort she did for Jiro was for nothing, and she saw that the person whom she treated as her own was not going to change.

“Parang pakiramdam ko, yung lahat ng binuhos kong effort, lahat ng binuhos ko na tulong, pangaral, suporta sa pamilya, parang natapon na lang nang ganoon,” Ai Ai was quoted as saying. “Nasa rehab ka, bakit nagma-marijuana?”

Jiro was twice sent to rehab centers by Ai Ai, with the last one located in Bataan where the actor stayed for almost two years.

Ai Ai feels like she has done enough for Jiro.

“Tutal, nung ipina-rehab ko siya, 23 years old na siya…

24, 25, 26… matanda na siya.

Hindi naman siya 17 o menor de edad… So, sabi ko, ‘Siguro, tama na yung nagawa ko para sa kanya,’” the Comedy Queen said. “Nung magpaalam na siya, ibinlock ko na siya. Hindi ko na pinansin. Ano pa ang magagawa ko? Kung yan ang gusto niya, e, matanda na siya.”

Marian Rivera, known as the Primetime Queen in Philippine entertainment, will be the lead actress in the GMA Pinoy TV teleserye “First Yaya.”

Action star Ramon (Bong) Revilla Jr., who is a senator in the Philippines, will return to his acting roots via the new GMA Pinoy TV teleserye “Agimat ng Agila.”

Tulong Taal, a project spearheaded by (from left) Dr. Carl Balita, singer/Broadway star Isay Alvarez and music composer Vehnee Saturno, seeks to help the displaced families and victims of the recent Taal Volcano eruption.

Philstar.com file photo

Nora Aunor, known as the Superstar in Philippine entertainment, returns to television in the GMA Pinoy TV teleserye “Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit.”

Comedy Queen Ai Ai de las Alas says she has done all she could to help former child star and ‘anakanakan’ Jiro Manio, who has reportedly been charged recently with frustrated homicide.

Inquirer.net file photo

Pop princess Sarah Geronimo and actor Matteo Guidicelli will reportedly tie the knot this March.

The couple is keeping details of the nuptials a secret.

Photo from Instagram/@matteog

Showbiz couple Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati will also be getting married on March 14. Their children Zion and Kai may reportedly be part of the wedding entourage.

Philstar.com file photo

New dim sum menu unveiled by Graton’s Boathouse Asian Eatery

GRATON Resort & Casino’s Boathouse Asian Eatery recently unveiled its new dim sum menu at a media preview for Asian print/news outlets.

Boathouse Asian Eatery is one of Graton’s four upscale, fullservice restaurants, and is the creation of Catherine Do, Hans Mogensen and Executive Chef Tu Do. Created by Master Dim Sum Chef Pit-fun Li, the dim sum menu is available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with prices ranging from $6.50 to $8.50 for many of the popular items.

Boathouse Asian Eatery started to offer the dim sum fare to Graton’s patrons starting December 1, 2019.

Among the dim sum items in the menu include Shrimp & Pork Shumai, Har Gow Shrimp Dumplings, House Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumpling), Steamed Chicken Feet, Char Sui Pork Bao, Lotus Leaf Sticky Rice Chicken, Black Bean Pork Ribs, Pan Fried Pork Potstickers, Hong Kong Daikon, Roast Duck (1/4), Char Sui BBQ Pork, Pork Congee, Dumpling Noodle Soup, Red Bean Sesame Balls, Egg Tart and Red Bean & Tapioca Pearls.

All in all, there are about 34 items in the dim sum menu which represents items that are very popular with the dim sum crowd.

In an interview with Asian media, it was revealed that Master Chef Li started learning how to make dim sum when he was 14 years old. At 17 years old, he began his culinary career as an apprentice under Master Dim Sum Chef Han Rong Li at the Guangzhou Restaurant Group, after which he joined the East Ocean Gourmet Group where he served as head chef for the dim sum department.

Via a translator (Executive Chef Alex Chen), Master Chef Li revealed that he still uses traditional methods and recipes when making dim sum, and dishes at the Boathouse Asian Eatery are made from scratch

dim sum menu at Boathouse Asian Eatery by Master Chef Li. Since its debut in 2013, Graton Resort & Casino has welcomed more than 10 million guests. In addition to gaming (3,000 slot and video poker machines, 130 table games, live poker), it features a customizable, 20,000-square-foot multiuse special events center; a Spa & Salon featuring high-quality treatments and services; a 1,200-square-foot health club; a 148,000-gallon swimming pool Master Dim Sum Chef Pit-fun Li (left) and Executive Chef Alex Chen were on hand to answer questions from that has a bar, pool-side dining, the media at the launch of Boathouse Asian Eatery’s new dim sum menu. cabanas and lounge chairs; and a host of dining options for a wide variety of eaters (630 Park Steakhouse, Tony’s of North Beach, Daily Grill, Boathouse Asian Eatery, and quick-serve restaurants in the Marketplace).

Graton Resort & Casino guests can get a good night’s sleep in one of the 200 upscale hotel rooms and suites which have modern and contemporary décor and feature 320thread count Egyptian cotton sheets.

Entertainment is also available at Graton Resort & Casino, which hosts local and internationally-renowned artists in The Ballroom (Nelly and REO Speedwagon are among the entertainers slated in 2020, while established artists like and only use the freshest ingre- the most popular items so far dients. Futhermore, they do not are Chicken Feet, Har Gow and Ken Jeong, Boyz II Men and LeAnn Rimes have performed other steamed dumplings. use MSG when making their in the past). Sky Bar hosts a Chef Chen also divulged dim sum items. that they will add more items to live DJ on Friday and Saturday “We spend a lot of time the dim sum menu later on, and nights, while 630 Park Steakselecting the ingredients,” Executive Chef Chen, who studied may add more days/times when house and G Bar both feature live entertainment seven days the dim sum menu is offered French and Chinese cuisine, a week. after they have had enough said. “We do this process Owned and operated time to evaluate the response every day. Everything you eat by the Federated Indians of is made from early this morning of the restaurant’s customers Graton Rancheria and nestled and based on demand. in-house.” in Sonoma County, Graton “Dim sum has been among The dim sum items also Resort & Casino has a comour most requested cuisines, can please the western palate manding presence amongst the so we’re excited to bring as the dishes have Cantonrolling hills of Northern Calithis amazing experience to ese/Hong Kong origins which fornia’s wine country. It is one our guests,” said Do. “We’re means the food is not very delighted to have [Master] Chef of the country’s largest private strong or very heavy. There employers and is located in Pit-fun Li on board as he creare also dipping sauces and Rohnert Park, next to the Golf ates dishes that emphasize the some menu items that are on use of natural ingredients which Course Drive exit off the 101 the sweet/sour side that may Freeway. For more information, brings out the classic dim sum please different types of cusvisit www.gratonresortcasino. profile without using MSG.” tomers.

Visit Graton Resort & Casino com. (JLP/AJPress) According to Master Chef (Advertising Supplement) to sample the specially-created Li and Executive Chef Chen,

Baron welcomes baby girl

by Cha Lino Inquirer.net

ACTOR Baron Geisler appears to be one happy father after welcoming his newborn baby at a hospital in Cebu.

Talitha Cumi is the actor’s first child with his psychologist wife Jamie Evangelista.

Geisler said he is “in love” with his baby girl as he shared a few photos of his sleeping child on his Instagram account yesterday, Jan. 20. The actor also posed with his wife while she was lying on the hospital bed, with Geisler holding Evangelista’s hand.

Geisler got some congratulatory messages from fellow celebrities such as Paolo Paraiso, China Cojuangco and Cai Cortez, among others.

Geisler announced October last year that he is having a bouncing baby girl. Baby Talitha appears to have arrived early, as the actor said they were expecting their child in February 2020.

“Please help me pray for mommy and baby’s health and safe delivery,” Geisler said in his post on Oct. 27.

Geisler also asked his followers for parenting tips and thanked the “Lord for this priceless blessing and answered prayer.”

The actor married Evangelista at a civil wedding last September, after being in a relationship since 2018.

Geisler appeared in the action TV series “Ang Probinsyano” with actors Coco Martin, Yassi Pressman and Susan Roces.

Baron Geisler with baby Talitha and wife Jamie Evangelista

Photo from Instagram/@baron.geisler

Goodbye to Hotdog’s...

From Page SF2 Asian Games last December.

It goes like this, “Hinahanap hanap kita Manila/ Ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga/ Mga jeepney mong nagliliparan/ Mga babae mong naggagandahan/ Take me back to your arms Manila/ And promise me you’ll never let go/ Promise me you’ll never let go/ Manila Manila/ Miss you like hell, Manila/ No place in the world like Manila/ I’m coming home to stay.”

Dennis went home to a Manila somewhere in the great beyond last Jan. 18. He

was 69 years old. It was only a little over a year since his younger brother Rene, who sang lead vocals and played guitar for Hotdog, passed away.

Responsible for the sudden send-off was a combination of kidney failure and heart attack. Coincidentally, it was right after a Hotdog gig at the Bar 360 of Resorts World Manila. If he had been a soldier, I guess it can be said that he died with his boots on. I do not think he would have wanted it to be otherwise.

Keep your 2020 resolutions

IT’S the perfect time to review our resolutions. If you have not made any resolutions yet, below are many personal habits that you can improve easily – and often free. They are examples from the basics, such as exercising more and living healthier to finding easier ways to save money.

1. Make One Change at a Time Please remember your resolution does not need to start on the first day of the year and you can start your New Year’s resolution even though the first day of the year has passed. Focusing on one change at a time will help you keep your resolution for a longer period. Take control of one habit, and then move on to another.

2. Make Small Changes It is difficult to make a big change suddenly. It would be better to focus on small changes instead of one big goal.

Let’s say if you want to save up money for your vacation, make a change in your spending and living habits. You can make your coffee or tea at home instead of buying beverages outside. Replace your soda with water, and you will also be surprised how quickly you will save up for your vacation fund by quitting smoking too.

The little changes will add up and help you accomplish your bigger goal of saving money.

3. Write Out Your Goals Writing out your goals makes more of an impact than by just thinking about them. It requires an extra step and will likely help you keep your eyes on the prize for a little longer.

4. Reward Yourself

Setting up little rewards for meeting your goals or steps along the way will help you stay motivated. Think of a reward that helps you stay within reason and feel motivated to keep moving towards the prize. For example, treat yourself to a movie at a theatre if you have quit smoking for a week, or get a new suitcase that you have always wanted when your vacation fund reaches a certain amount.

5. Don’t Give Up Most of the time, making changes involves setbacks.

Don’t give up on your goal. If you mess up your plan, think about the reasons you want to change. Get back on track and make it happen. You can also talk to experts to help you stay with your plan. For instance, quit coaches at ASQ is a free service for smokers who want to seek advice on staying quit and offer free patches to eligible smokers as well.

As the new year proceeds, keep checking in on the goals you’ve set for the year. You can tell someone else about your goals so they can help you along the way. Having a support group will add encouragement and motivation.

As long as you don’t give up completely, you will be able to achieve your goal one day.

ASQ is operated by the Asian Smokers’ Quitline (ASQ).

ASQ provides FREE evidencebased smoking cessation services in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese to Asian communities in the U.S. Studies have shown that smokers who enroll in ASQ services double their chances of quitting successfully.

We encourage Chinese-, Korean- and Vietnamesespeaking smokers to call ASQ if they want free help on quitting smoking. Friends and family of smokers may also enroll to learn how to help smokers quit. Cessation advisors who speak Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese are ready to offer useful information. Smokers can receive a free two-week supply of nicotine patches while supplies last.

We encourage health care providers and community leaders to refer Chinese-, Koreanor Vietnamese-speaking smokers by visiting our website and selecting “Web Referral.” ASQ will provide cessation advice and free patches at no cost to your patients.

Visit www.asq-shop.org to order free promotional materials and fact sheets about smoking. Shipping is free.

Over 15,000 Asian language speakers from all 50 states have enrolled in ASQ services since 2012. ASQ is funded by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

ASQ is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time).

To enroll, call or register online today: • Mandarin & Cantonese – 1-800-838-8917, www.asqchinese.org • Korean – 1-800-556-5564, www.asq-korean.org • Vietnamese – 1-800-7788440, www.asq-viet.org.

To learn more about ASQ in English, visit: www. asiansmokersquitline.org.

Monette AdevA MAglAyA ONCE long ago when I was probably 9 or 10, while scouring through my aunt’s bookshelf, I came across a tattered pocketbook. I can’t remember the exact title of the book but it had the words “6 million” on the cover.

Leafing through the pages, I saw black and white captioned pictures. In one photo, there were images of skeletal men and women with sunken, sad eyes staring at the camera wearing black and white striped uniforms with tattooed numbers on their left forearms. There were barbed wires around brick buildings in this place called Auschwitz in Poland.

The haunting images were seared in my mind. In the intervening years, life happened. Although I would occasionally pick the book and browse through it, I knew that book showed me the darkness of the human soul.

It forced me to grow up. That book showed me pure horror.

Fast forward to 2018, more than 50 years later, …

A side trip to Poland from Rome gave me the chance to see Auschwitz up close. The complete name though is Auschwitz-Birkenau to include another camp in the area. In fact, there were 3 Auschwitz camps, designated I, II and III as Nazi Germany thrived on forced labor. The tour bus drive from beautiful Krakow, where we were staying, was a little less than an hour.

It was a bright day but the tall stand of verdant, mature weeping willow trees with their bowed heads of drooping leaves at the entrance of the Auschwitz Memorial set the somber tone for the day.

There were a good number of visitors and sure enough, there were stringent security procedures. These days, tightened security measures are signs of our time. Then as now, things Semitic seem to trigger hatred among the evil ones that boils over to insanity, rage and cruelty.

Pure hatred for the Jews moved Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany at the height of its power in World War II to

Edmund Burke once wrote, Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.”

I would like to add, “One must learn from it as well.

Otherwise, the whole cycle repeats itself.” murder brutally and systematically 6 million Jews.

I listened intently as our expert guide told us the story of how a million Jews were murdered in that place. I had to keep up because there was so much to take in. We walked between the barracks where the prisoners were kept. Auschwitz Camp I had 20 barracks initially. I felt as though silent ghosts were still looking out from behind bars after 73 years since the last living prisoner left hell on earth for freedom in the winter of 1945.

In 1939, Germany invaded Poland and much of Europe’s neck was under its boots.

Auschwitz, a part of Hitler’s final solution to exterminate the Jews in Europe, was kept a secret from the world for 2 years in the beginning of the war. It was located in South Poland on 15 acres. It was chosen for the main railroad that went through Poland and Germany. The death camp was converted from a complex of Polish military barracks. Crematories, gas chambers and warehouses were added. There was housing for the camp commandant, Rudolf Hess, and the brutal SS guards.

There was, alongside the camp, an industrial complex of factories that systematically fed off the camp’s slave labor for a host of companies that was building Nazi Germany’s war machinery. In many parts of Europe, these companies supported Hitler.

Most were German companies but a few were from England, like Barclays, from Switzerland, like Nestle and even from the US, like Chase.

Complicit with the war effort at the time are globally recognized names.

They included Deutsche Bank, Siemens, Daimler Benz of Mercedes Benz, Audi, BMW and Bayer. Hundreds of thousands of slave labor were used, particularly in the automotive industry. Hugo Boss manufactured the smart

looking, sleek German uniforms. There are many other companies that continue to thrive globally to this day, 75 years later.

Sadly, billions of people today remain largely unaware or ignorant of these companies’ involvement in various capacities in the holocaust.

Some of these companies were forced into cooperation by expediency or the need to survive but most were clearly in for the pure profit motive — humanity be damned.

After the war, there were recriminations and sanctions.

There were political apologies and largely unknown and undisclosed monetary reparations made to the Jewish nation through the years that followed.

But if there was genuine contrition and complete change of heart, only God knows for certain. With the passage of time and our collective human tendency to refuse to learn from the past, anti-Semitism is percolating and heating up once more.

True and final reckoning is yet to come.

Walking through the exhibits, I was riveted by the display of the mountain of empty canisters which contained the gas Zyklon (Cyclone, an insecticide) used for the gas chambers.

The exhibits showed the mountains of luggage, shoes, and personal effects — of eyeglasses, pipes, canes and myriad others. There was a huge mound of hair cuttings.

These drew gasps among the visitors.

The black and white photos of the prisoners along the corridor walls of one of the barracks put a face to the numbers. Each photo staring out of the walls told a tragic story.

(To be continued …) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc. com

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 24, 2020

California divorce with a twist: The military spouse The CTV Files

Atty. lilli BAculi collins, esQ

SAN Diego is “military town” and Navy and Marine Corps families abound, as well as retirees from different branches of our military.

The military life is a test of resilience and grit for many families, with divorce as almost an expectation rather than the exception.

The following seeks to address or clarify some common misconceptions about military divorce. We urge individuals considering divorce to seek a licensed, competent, and experienced attorney to help guide them through the maze.

“I found out my wife had an affair while on deployment. I want to file for Divorce but she does not want to. But it’s all her fault.”

California is a no-fault divorce state. A party filing for divorce does not need the consent of the other in order to file a Petition for Dissolution (Divorce) or, in some instances, to get a judgment of divorce.

Note that the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) gives military members a wide (Advertising Supplement) range of legal protections not available to the general public, such as postponing court proceedings. This includes divorce and child support. In general, the SCRA covers all active duty servicemembers, reservists and the members of the National Guard while on active duty.

“What? I have to share my retirement earnings? This is mine!!”

Generally, all of your assets prior to the marriage is

Visit Auschwitz and swear never to take your life for granted Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

community

just your own separate property. However, California is a community property state and so once you get married, all property acquired during marriage is community property.

And if anything out of the community property is used towards separate property, the community might turn out to have a claim on part(s) of separate property. Separate property are “all property acquired before marriage; all gifts, bequests, devise, or descents. All property acquired or exchanged with traceable separate property; and all property acquired after separation.”

For military retirement purposes, the portion of retirement earned during marriage before separation is considered community property. A spouse is eligible to receive a portion of the military spouse’s retirement no matter how long they were married so long as the military spouse was earning retirement benefits while they were married.

The Court may divide “disposable” retired pay, which is the “gross” monthly retired pay minus certain deductions.

“S/he is the one who left our family. I shouldn’t have to pay support.”

Issues of marital infidelity and family support can be handled directly within the military, with each military branch having their own guidelines. In California, however, since this is a nofault divorce state there is no assignment of blame or fault; fault does not factor in the equation on the issue of support. Some of the factors that the Court will look at to determine whether there is basis for support, and if so, in what amount, are – length of marriage, age of parties, if there are minor children in the marriage, income of both

parties.

“I’m smart enough to handle my own divorce. Why do I need an attorney?”

You don’t need an attorney. There is no requirement that you must have an attorney. However, in cases involving issues such as military divorce, domestic violence, custody disputes, child support, spousal support, and division of community property assets it would be wise to seek advice from a licensed and experienced attorney so as not to waste your time and money, not to mention the court’s time and resources, especially when you have to keep going back to court because of incomplete or missing documents that could have been addressed from the very beginning by a competent and knowledgeable attorney.

Not all divorce cases are the same. It is important to be properly informed about your rights and responsibilities under California law in divorce proceedings. The wrong advice or information can and will hurt you, and waste your time and money. Consult a licensed and experienced family law attorney to help you navigate through your divorce. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www. chuatinsayvega.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

SF6

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 24, 2020