020318 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

February 3-6, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 12 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

Palace: PH drop in global rule of law index ‘not based on reality’

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE recent findings of an international organization stating that the rule of law in the Philippines has “deteriorated significantly” were “not based on reality,” Malacañang argued on Thursday, February 1.

In the newly released World Justice Project (WJP)’s 2017–2018 Rule of Law Index, the Philippines saw its biggest decline in the rankings after plummeting 18 spots down to 88 out of 113 countries surveyed.

“It was like a perception that was not based on reality,” Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque said of the findings.

The Palace official, however, admitted that Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque

DATELINE

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Inquirer.net photo

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

US ‘cautiously optimistic’ on PH drug war THE United States is “cautiously optimistic” that the human rights situation in the Philippines is steadily improving amid the ongoing implementation of the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, an official said Tuesday, January 30.

According to James Walsh, a senior official from the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the number of supposed extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the Philippines is shrinking.

“Many folks have been tracking the EJKs in the Philippines, and the trends are going down, so there is some encouragement that we are seeing in some of our human rights training working,” Walsh told reporters in a briefing.

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LA City Council, LAPD offer $50K award in unsolved HiFi murder case Reward being offered in the mysterious fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Latino male

LOS ANGELES City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell of District 13 and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) this week have announced a $50,000 reward for information regarding the killing of a 21-year-old Latino.

The case regards the fatal stabbing of Juan Carlos Luna, who reportedly was discovered in the 1800 block of West Court Street in the Historic Filipinotown neighborhood on the morning of Sept. 17, 2017, according to the LAPD. A pedestrian discovered the victim lying unresponsive on the sidewalk near the northwest corner of Court Street and Burlington Avenue; he had suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at 8:07 a.m. at the scene by the paramedics.

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COMPROMISE. President Rodrigo Duterte interacts with the guests during the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Leaders’ Summit at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City on Thursday, February 1. The president vowed to set aside P100 million for the Lumad or Mindanao indigenous peoples for agricultural development in ancestral domains. Meanwhile, members of IPs of Mindanao signed a manifesto, swearing that they would continue to express their commitment and support for peace and development program as embodied in the Duterte administration’s 10-point agenda.

Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

Duterte wants BBL Escudero claims to have proof passage ahead of Cha-cha of 2016 election discrepancies

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte wants Congress to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) ahead of the possible Charter change, Malacañang clarified on Tuesday, January 30.

Over the weekend, reports saying that Duterte wanted the revision of the 1987 Constitution first before the BBL passage have surfaced. Malacañang, however, said that the president’s statements last week upon his return from his visit to India were “unclear.”

“Many reported that the president wanted federalism first but his previous statements were very clear, and I heard him at least three times saying that BBL should really come first,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Roque added, “People were somehow not sure what he said in Davao Airport during the arrival ceremony in India because he did not directly answer it. But my understanding is, he hasn’t changed his mind and that he’s still wants BBL before Federalism.”

In a press briefing upon his arrival from India last Saturday, January 27, Duterte was asked which he think should be passed first between BBL and Cha-cha.

In response, the president only explained that constitutional questions on the proposed BBL can be resolved by shifting to a federal form of government.

“So let’s start to sort it out. Let us show the Moro that we are trying our best, that those constitutional provisions that will be violated can be corrected if there is a federal setup coming,” Duterte said.

The passage of BBL and shift to federalism were among the key promises of the Duterte administration.

The proposed BBL was crafted by the Bangsamoro

PHILIPPINE Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday, February 1 claimed that he has documents which could prove the supposed discrepancies on the Automated Election System (AES) during the May 2016 elections.

According to Escudero, the document he reportedly has in possession could show that many backup security digital cards used during the 2016 electoral exercises were not replicas of the main memory cards.

“I have records to show that the backup is not a mirror image of the main cards. A lot of them,” he said during a hearing of the joint congressional oversight committee on the AES. Escudero made the revelation after questioning

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Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero

Philstar.com photo

Poe denies seeking Facebook ban in PH

by AJPRESS

SENATOR Grace Poe on Thursday, February 1, denied rumors that she was proposing to block social media giant Facebook in the Philippines.

Poe, in a television interview, called a circulating video showing that she was supposedly pushing for a Facebook ban in the country u PAGE A5 as “fake news” during a Senate

probe on the spread of false information earlier this week.

She pointed out that the viral video was “spliced” to make it appear that she wanted to block the social media site.

“This is fake news. This is not true. First of all, that’s counterproductive. It’s wrong. This is really disinformation,” said Poe, who is also the chairperson of the Senate Committee on on Public Information and Mass Media.

The senator said her team had already posted a video of the proceedings for the public to know the truth behind the spliced video.

“We’ve come up also with our own video of the proceedings, because the video circulating online was spliced. If you’re conscientious enough and you really want to find the truth—because if you don’t to know the truth, it’s easy

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PH tourist arrivals hit 6.6 million in 2017

by AJPRESS THE tourism industry in the Philippines has achieved another “milestone” after reaching an “all-time high” record of more than 6.6 million tourist arrivals in 2017.

A recent data released by the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that the number of foreign tourist arrivals in the country increased from the previous 5,967,005 in 2016 to 6,620,908 in 2017.

According to the DOT, the Philippines enjoyed an 10.96 percent rise in foreign visitors last year, marking an “unprecedented TRICYLE TOUR. Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo rides a tricycle to promote growth” in the country’s tourism industry. tourist destinations in Malabon City during the National Capital Region (NCR) media tour.

Citing data from the latest United Nations PNA photo by Jess Esecaros

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer, the DOT noted that the Philippines “even bested” the average 6 percent tourism growth of the AsiaPacific region.

It added that the Philippines likewise surpassed the 8 percent average tourism growth of Southeast Asia.

“We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all the tourism stakeholders who worked hand in hand with the Department of Tourism in achieving another milestone for the country,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said in a statement She further lauded all the efforts made

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From the Front Page

Escudero claims to have proof 2016...

PAGE A1 t Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials about the number of backup memory cards in the 2016 elections, and if they could discern whether the transmitted votes came from backups or main memory cards.

The senator then requested Comelec officials to provide printouts, the number, and loca-

tions of the backup drives used.

After the hearing, Escudero told reporters that he also had a witness who could testify to the alleged discrepancies.

“I am ready to present a witness. I will just wait for that witness to testify because it will end up hearsay if I disclose it on my own. I think I’ll let the witness, if at all, present that, and he holds

it,” he said.

The senator refused to identify the witness but said the person was a former Comelec official who approached him “a few months back, late last year.”

“He gave me photocopies. I presumed, (the) authentic documents are with him. That’s why I don’t want to speak about it in details unless he himself presents it. Kasi kung ako magpe-present, hearsay lamang yun (Because if I present it myself, it will be hearsay),” Escudero added.

The senator, however, emphasized that the joint committee’s hearings are not aimed to to benefit any candidate.

“The inquiries were meant to prevent a repeat of the possible mistakes in 2016 during the upcoming 2019 midterm elections,” he stressed.

Escudero lost to Vice President Leni Robredo in the 2016 national election.

Christian Robert Lim, the outgoing Comelec officer-in-charge, expressed confidence that the alleged discrepancies would be proved as false.

“If the main and the backup don’t match, the machine won’t release results,” Lim explained.

“We’re confident in our systems.

We’re not scared of a mismatch.”

He went on to say, “We’re interested in what Senator Chiz would show us. n

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING. Senator Chiz Escudero (right), co-chair of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Automated Election System, Senators Nancy Binay and Sherwin Gatchalian listen to officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as they present the Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) Report on the 2016 Elections, Thursday, February 01, 2018. Formed under Republic Act 9369 or the Election Automation Law of 2007, the CAC recommends to the Comelec the most appropriate, secure, applicable and cost-effective technology to be applied in the Automation Election System (AES).

Senate photo by Alex Nuevaespaña

Palace: PH drop in global rule...

PAGE A1 t the criminal justice system in the country is “not perfect,” adding that the problems had persisted long before the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“I’m not saying that our criminal justice system is perfect. It’s really weak and cases take too long to resolve. Victims of crime

and human rights violations wait for a long time to get justice,” Roque said.

He continued, “That is something that I think is a reflection of the need to have further reforms in our justice system. But that has been there not just during the administration of the Duterte administration.”

But because Duterte “was a former fiscal and had shown political will,” Roque expressed belief that the justice system in the country would improve under his leadership.

In its report released Wednesday, January 31, WJP tagged the Philippines as this year’s “biggest mover.” From being 70th in the October 2016 index measuring adherence to rule of law, the Philippines now sank to 88 out of 113 countries surveyed.

The Philippines was also noted as among the worst rule of law offenders in the East Asia and Pacific region.

“The biggest mover in this year’s WJP Rule of Law Index was the Philippines, which fell 18 positions, now ranking 88th out of 113 countries overall and 13th out of 15 countries in the East Asia & Pacific region,” according to the report WJP said it conducted surveys involving more than 110,000

households and 3,000 experts worldwide. Countries’ performance were rated based constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.

Results showed that the Philippines suffered a “statistically significant decline” in the following factors: constraints on government powers, fundamental rights, order and security, and criminal justice.

WJP added that there was also no “statistically significant improvement” in the Philippines across any of the eight factors.

The Philippines earned an overall score of 0.47, and was classified as a country with a “weaker adherence to the rule of law.”

On the other hand, the top three overall performers in the 2017-2018 WJP Rule of Law Index were Denmark (1), Norway (2), and Finland (3); while the bottom three were Afghanistan (111), Cambodia (112), and Venezuela (113).

WJP is a non-profit organization which describes itself as “an independent, multidisciplinary organization working to advance the rule of law worldwide.” n

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Majority of AAPIs at risk for fraud, finds survey

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

SEVENTY-two percent of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) age 50 and up reported themselves or their families as having been targets of fraud, according to a new report by nonprofit advocacy organization for the age group, AARP. Of the respondents, 39 percent said they have been victimized by fraud, and a third of the victims averaged $15,000 in losses.

“Everyone in the AAPI community is at risk for fraud,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “This survey underscores the need to raise awareness around fraud and scams in order to protect against financial and non-financial loss.”

Despite 73 percent of AAPI adults saying they were confident in recognizing fraudulent offers, a majority of them were only able to answer at most half of the questions on a general fraud knowledge quiz.

Common types of fraud tactics targeting AAPIs in the age group

were foreign lottery scams (36 percent), crisis-related charitable donations (33 percent), virus tech-support (32 percent), IRS imposters collecting back taxes (24 percent), and phishing emails (20 percent).

Fraud conducted by family and friends, fraud regarding immigration help, and regarding missed jury duty fines were also experienced by those in the AAPI community.

The survey also reported that one out of three victims (34 percent) did not report or tell anyone about the fraud. This was especially true for those who spoke limited English, and who were less likely to tell authorities. Of those that did, 51 percent only told family or friends. A smaller percentage (38 percent) told both family and friends, as well as authorities.

Emotional and health effects as a result of fraud were reported by 72 percent of the victims — anger, stress and anxiety, fear, shame or embarrassment, loss of confidence, and depression were common symptoms.

According to the 2017 Identity Fraud Study released by Javelin Strategy and Research, $16 billion were stolen from

15.4 million consumers in the U.S. in 2016. This was an uptick from the $15.3 billion stolen the year before from 13.1 million consumers. Over $107 billion has been stolen over the past six years.

AARP recommends that people always verify and research any organization, charity, or offers before sending money; be cautious of suspicious emails and avoid replying or clicking on links; and beware of fortune tellers or psychics that may use superstition to induce fear. The organization also reminds that government agencies like the IRS will never notify people through email or phone calls, but only through direct mail.

If victimized or put in a fraudulent situation, AARP says it is TRUMP’S SOTU. President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union (SOTU) address on Tuesday, January 30. He outlined the recordimportant to report it. setting accomplishments of his first year and cast an inspiring vision for building a safe, strong, and proud America.

The survey was done through White House photo by Shealah Craighead collecting data of telephone surveys regarding consumer fraud and scams conducted by Asian American Decisions with AARP. A total of 1,120 phone interviews with AAPI ages 50 and older were conducted over the course of approximately one of this year to make a saving signed at the end of last year,

by RAE ANN VARONA month in English, Tagalog, Canmove. Around 800,000 had ini- which he said included “the AJPress tonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, tially applied for DACA but not biggest tax cuts and reforms in and Korean. ■ IN announcing what was called everyone sent in their renewals American history”.

The tax rate for businesses was a “new American moment,” jobs, — approximately 690,000 are the economy, infrastructure, na- said to be still enrolled as of Sep- cut down to 21 percent, from 35 percent last December. tional security, trade, and immi- tember 2017.

The 1.8 million people that “Our massive tax cuts provide “Not that we’re going to do gration were all a part of PresiTrump said covered “three times tremendous relief for the middent Donald Trump’s fi rst State this. I’ll be the first to disagree if they do. But let’s say, can you of the Union (SOTU) address on more people than the previous dle class and small business, to administration” refers to those lower tax rates for hard-working block a particular company like Tuesday night, January 31.

In the crowd, House Demo- potentially eligible for his pro- Americans,” said Trump. “We Facebook from being accessed nearly doubled the standard dein the Philippines?” Poe in- crats, invited advocates and sur- posed citizenship path.

The solution package though duction for everyone.” vivors of sexual assault dressed quired.

Trump added that since passShe continued, “Of course up in black to send a statement would come with three addithat would spark a revolution about sexual misconduct and tional conditions: funding for ing the tax bill, around three miland we know that. But what I’m gender iniquity in #SOTUBlack- Trump’s border wall and ac- lion workers got tax cut bonuses saying is this: They’re bank- out movement by Rep. Lois companying security measures, — “many of them thousands of ing on their popularity but we Frankel (D-FL). First Lady Me- ending the diversity visa lottery dollars per worker.”

Following the December signshould also assert their account- lania Trump broke tradition by program, and putting limits on family-based visas. ing, a number companies like arriving with guests she invited. ability to us.” ■ “This vital reform is necessary Walmart, Home Depot, AmeriRepublican lawmakers broke out into chants of “USA! USA!”; not just for our economy, but for can Airlines, and Wells Fargo and a few boos were elicited by our security and for the future of announced bonuses, 401(k)s, America,” said Trump. and raises.

Democrats.

Under the family-based visa Three million workers did in Here are some highlights from routes, and the Visa Upon Arlimits, U.S. citizens would be al- fact benefit from the tax cuts acrival (VUA) option for Chinese Trump’s SOTU address: lowed to petition visas for minor cording to Americans for Tax ReImmigration policy nationals.”

Amidst immigration talks on children and spouses, but not for form, a group that supported the The DOT said China is also the “most improved market” with a Capitol Hill, Trump reiterated his siblings, adult children, or par- tax bill. But out of the 154 million 43.33 percent growth rate, out- unexpected proposal that would ents. According to the Migration workers, three million makes up performing the United States’ give the nearly 1.8 million pos- Policy Institute, roughly 30 per- only about two percent. Around 957,813 record of arrivals. The sible Deferred Action for Child- cent of Filipino immigrants use 38 percent of workers were alU.S. is followed by Japan with hood Arrivals (DACA) recipients family sponsorship as a pathway ready bound to get a bonus of some form in 2017, regardless 584,180 and Australia with a 10 to 12-year path to citizen- to permanent residency.

Economy of tax legislation, according to ship.

259,433.

In touting economic moves the Labor Department.

The Trump administration anFor 2018, the National TourTrump also reintroduced plans ism Development Plan (NTDP) nounced late last year the end of from his first year in office, a has projected around 7.4 million the Obama-era DACA program, big part of Trump’s SOTU was for putting money into railways, giving Congress up until March dedicated to the tax overhaul he international tourist arrivals. ■ u PAGE A6

Poe denies seeking Facebook ban...

PAGE A1 t

to forget about it,” she remarked.

Poe, however, admitted that stopping the proliferation of information online is an impossible feat.

“Of course, we cannot stop what gets published in social media. I, myself, am using Facebook as well as my children. Many of our countrymen get their news from Facebook,” she conceded.

For the next hearing, Poe said has called on Facebook execu-

tives to attend to discuss the “algorithms” that it uses to control what information appears on their users’ news feeds.

“What we’re trying to do is how we can encourage Facebook to be able to cooperate with us,” Poe added.

During a hearing last Tuesday, January 30, Poe asked Professor JJ Disini of the University of the Philippines-College of Law if the Philippines has the capability of blocking Facebook.

PH tourist arrivals hit 6.6 million...

PAGE A1 t to achieve the high tourism record despite “a series of political noise, security concerns, and travel advisories against the country” last year.

“We overcame these challenges with the innate resiliency of the Filipinos and the cooperation of everybody. And for that we are very thankful,” Teo added.

According to the DOT, among the factors that contributed to the high tourist arrivals last year

included “improved air routes and more cruise calls together with travel infrastructure development, travel facilitation, product development, and tourism investments.”

South Korea remained the country’s top source of visitors with 1,607,821 arrivals, and Boracay and Cebu as their top destinations.

Coming in second was China with 968,447 arrivals “due to the improved ties between the Philippines and China, added air

Key highlights from Trump’s first State of the Union

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With Ancajas, Arum eyes to replicate Pacquiao’s success at Top Rank

by Dino

Maragay Philstar.com

In signing IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, Top Rank Inc. chief Bob Arum is hoping to have his promotional company enjoy the same success it had with Manny Pacquiao.

Arum definitely saw potential in Ancajas — who will defend his title against Mexico’s Israel Gonzalez Saturday (Sunday Manila time) — that he signed the 26-year-old fighter to a three-fight contract.

The veteran promoter is now excited to find out if his stable now has the next best version of Pacquiao, whose success as a Top Rank-promoted fighter has been noteworthy.

“Obviously, our whole adventure with Manny was so successful. It took up a good part of my life, certainly the recent part,” Arum recently told Steve Kim of boxingscene.com.

“So you’ve got a kid like Jerwin who is very, very talented and is a lovely kid and you hope that it turns out the same way,” he added.

IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and Manny Pacquiao

Ancajas (28-1-1, with 19 KOs), who interestingly is a protégé of Pacquiao, possesses a unique combination of speed and power that comparisons to the Filipino icon have become inevitable.

The rising star had impressed in his last two outings last year — knocking out Teiru Kinoshita in Brisbane, Australia, and Jamie Conlan in Belfast, Ireland. Those two performances caught Arum’s eye, leading the promoter to ink the Cavite City-based fighter. now, Ancajas gets a chance to

Inquirer.net photo

showcase his wares for the first time in the US against Gonzalez, in an ESPn-televised bout set at Bank of America Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Arum, for his part, has become a believer in the young boxer.

“I had never seen him before and Sean Gibbons (Ancajas’ representative) had brought him in and convinced everybody that he would perform well and he was on television both to the United States and Australia,” said Arum. n

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PH-JAPAN NAVAL COOPERATION. The Philippine Navy (PN) band welcomes the Japanese destroyer, JS Amagiri (DD-154), for the “PASSEX” (also known as passage exercises) on Friday, february 2 held at the Manila South Harbor in Manila City. The PASSEX involves communication exercises between PN units and anti-collision procedures. JS Amagiri, meanwhile, is an Asagiri-class destroyer and specializes in antisubmarine and anti-surface warfare.

PNA photo by Joey Razon

US ‘cautiously optimistic’ on PH...

PAGE A1 t

He added, “I would describe the United States being cautiously optimistic when it comes to the appropriate way for a drug campaign.”

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called drug war has received heavy backlash from human rights organizations over the alleged thousands of abuses and extrajudicial killings, including cases involving unknown vigilantes.

The Duterte administration, however, has maintained that the deaths under the anti-illegal drugs campaign were not statesanctioned and only involved suspects who violently resisted arrest.

The Philippine government also claimed that only about 4,000 drug suspects were killed during legitimate operations since the campaign’s launch in 2016, and that the about 12,000 deaths cited by human rights organizations and critics were bloated.

According to Walsh, the U.S. previously “reduced our support to the [Philippine] police because of some of the human rights concerns.”

Still, he added that Washington continues to provide support Manila in other areas such as “drug

demand reduction programs,” rule of law, and boosting maritime security.

At present, Walsh indicated that there were signs of fewer extrajudicial killings and that the U.S. is hopeful that the Philippines will maintain the positive trend.

“I would describe the United States as being cautiously optimistic in the trends when it comes to a good...appropriate way for a drug campaign,” said the InL official.

In a statement on Wednesday, January 31, Malacañang said that Walsh’s words “hint of a growing appreciation of the positive impact of the administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.”

Malacañang, however, insisted that the Duterte administration does not endorse abuses.

“We wish to reiterate that extrajudicial killings never had — and will never have — a place in the anti-illegal drug campaign,” Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque stressed.

Roque also cited that members of the ASEAn (Association of Southeast Asian nations), as well as China and Japan, have “fully supported our efforts to contain the manufacture and proliferation of illegal drugs.”

“These efforts are anchored on

respect for human rights, cognizant of our obligation to protect our people’s right to life and to live in peace and security. And we wish to reiterate that extrajudicial killings never had — and will never have — a place in the anti-illegal drug campaign,” he added.

The Palace official likewise noted that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)led drug war has produced great results, “with dens and clandestine laboratories dismantled and drugs seized with fewer drug-related deaths.”

Roque went on to say, “We are confident that the re-launch of the Philippine national Police (PnP) Operation Tokhang would have similar results. This early, there have been hundreds of surrenderers and no casualty on its first day.”

Earlier this week, the PnP resumed its resumed its Oplan Tokhang under new rules and guidelines that requires stricter observation of human rights.

Oplan Tokhang, which means “knock and plead,” is an antiillegal drugs initiative in the country wherein authorities knock on the doors of suspected drug users or pushers and ask them to surrender. (Dana Sioson/AJPress)

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A

PH elections vulnerable to hacking – US expert

by Lisbet

esMaeL ManilaTimes.net

THe Philippine electoral system is vulnerable to cyberattack and the government may not be prepared for it, an American cybersecurity expert has warned.

Marc Goodman, founder of the Future Crimes Institute and chairman of policy, law and ethics at Silicon Valley’s Singularity University, said governments around the world, particularly the Philippines, were woefully unprepared for threats brought by the automation.

The capability of the government to protect its cyber assets was placed in doubt after the “biggest data breach in history” in March 2016, when the database of voters was hacked by the Anonymous group more than a month before the May 2016 national elections.

“Here in the Philippines there has been hacking of the elections as well when in April 2016, the website of the Commission on elections (Comelec) was taken over by the Philippine group of Anonymous to show how hackable the elections were,” he said during the PilipinasCon 2018, a forum on Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things, in Taguig late Wednesday.

Goodman noted that data of over 55 million voters, 200,000 emails, 2.3 million passport details, and 15.7 million fingerprints were leaked and became available in the dark web, a hidden part of the World Wide Web that cannot be easily accessed by normal sites.

“That was the largest government data breach in world so far and it was carried out by a 23-year old Filipino,” he pointed out.

The Anonymous, an association of “hactivists,” later claimed it was responsible for the hacking of the encrypted data of Comelec and warned the government to ensure fair and honest national elections.

In April 2016, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested Paul Biteng, a 23-year-old graduate of information technology, for the hacking incident.

‘DEF CON scenario’ Goodman also cited a scenario discussed in DeF CON, an underground hacking conference, which proved that voting machines were “hackable.”

“In that DeF CON, they were able to break into 25 different vote-counting machines remotely and directly which means that every single counting device is hackable,” Goodman said.

With the rising cybercrimes around the world, attacks may cost businesses $2 trillion by 2019, according to data from market research firm Juniper.

“The threat in cybercrime is growing exponentially but our defenses are not, and that’s what we need to fix,” Goodman said.

Goodman urged businesses and

the government to invest in the right machines and implement a cybersecurity plan to boost systems against attacks.

“We have to think like hackers in order to protect ourselves and [hold]a cybersecurity fire drill so we will know what to do when we are under threat,” he said.

SD cards tampered with?

On Thursday, Sen. Francis escudero raised the possibility that the result of the 2016 national elections could change “to a certain degree,” as he claimed to have in possession backup SD (secure digital) memory cards used in the last polls, which were not a “mirror image” of the original memory cards. escudero, co-chairman of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Automated election System, revealed this as the Commission on elections delivered a report on the 2016 elections.

“I have records to show that the backup is not a mirror image of the main SD. A lot of them,” escudero told Comelec officials during the panel’s organizational meeting.

“If it is not the accurate picture or carbon copy of the main drive, it might change the result (of the elections) to a certain degree. To what extent? I don’t know. We cannot really tell at the moment,” he said.

The senator, who ran for vice president in 2016 but lost to former Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, said he would soon present a witness to validate his claim.

Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also ran for the vice presidency, has a pending protest against Robredo before the Presidential electoral Tribunal (PeT).

He claims the vice-presidential election was tainted with massive cheating.

“We don’t even know which was used as back up and which were used as main. How can we expect it to be accurate down to the last vote?” escudero asked acting Comelec chairman Robert Lim. In an interview after the hearing, escudero said he was able to get a printout of the poll results.

“The question is, where is the record backup drive? Apparently, Comelec has no record,” he said.

Comelec buys Smartmatic’s machines Amid allegations of cheating in the 2016 polls, the Comelec maintained that its decision to renew the contract of Venezuela-based technology provider Smartmatic Corp. to supply vote-counting machines (VCMs) for the May 2019 elections was above board.

Commissioner Luie Tito Guia made the clarification on Thursday in reaction to the claim of defeated senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino that the Comelec-Smartmatic deal was highly irregular.

“It is not true [that the contract was done in secrecy],” Guia told The Manila Times, stressing that

Duterte wants BBL passage...

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Transition Commission (BTC), which include representatives from the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The measures aims to grant fiscal autonomy to a new Bangsamoro Region that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Weaken, fragment PH During the Senate hearing on the proposed Charter Change on Thursday, February 1, a former Supreme Court (SC) justice warned that shifting to federalism will “weaken” and “fragment” the Republic.

Retired SC Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza expressed belief that now is not yet the “constitutional moment” to propose for a federal type of government because “there’s just too much partisan strifes in the land that prevents a national consensus from building up or developing.”

He warned that federalism may “open fissures and promote regional difference” in society.

“A shift to federalism will weak-

en our republic, fragment our nation, and render the many years we spent to attain national unity.

This country will be fragmented and there will be attempts at secession,” Mendoza said.

He suggested that instead of shift to federalism, the amendments to the Constitution should focus on decentralization.

“We’ve not reached the end of the road. We’ve not reached the dead end. We’ve not reached the bottom so let’s try decentralization instead of federalizing and dividing the country,” Mendoza said.

Christian Monsod, one of the 1987 Constitution’s framers, also shared the same view that fiscal decentralization should be prioritized.

Monsod likewise remarked that it was not yet the right time for a transition of government system.

“A messed-up structure change is virtually irreversible and may lead to the ruin of our democracy.

I submit that there may be an alternative to consider rather than an immediate structural change by 2019,” he said. n

LA City Council, LAPD offer $50K...

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Luna, a resident of Glendale, California, had attended a party in Koreatown the night before the murder took place. According to the LAPD, he was last seen by a friend leaving the party in the early morning hours of Sept.

17, 2017.

Neither the suspect(s) nor the motives behind the attack are known, but police think that Luna was alone when he was attacked and that it occurred sometime between 2 and 8 a.m.

Luna was not a documented gang member, but police are still investigating the motive behind the attack. The LAPD and the city council hope that the announcement of the reward will help in gaining more intel.

O’Farrell, along with Luna’s brother and parents, announced the reward offer at a press conference on Tuesday, January 30

at LA City Hall, urging the public to come forward with any information regarding the attack.

“With this reward offer, we hope to compel members of the public to step up and assist our partners of the Los Angeles Police Department with this investigation,” O’Farrell, whose district covers Historic Filipinotown, said at the press conference.

Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to call the LAPD Rampart Division detectives at 323-484-3650. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 800222-8477.

Luna’s fiancee, Stephany Vargas, has set up a Gofundme page to assist the Luna family with finances in the aftermath of Luna’s death: https://www.gofundme. com/my-love-may-you-rest-inpeace. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

the Comelec as a body scrutinizes and approves every contract through a resolution.

“Of course it is legal. Decision was made on December 18, 2017 after months of consultation with stakeholders, meetings with the advisory council,” Guia stressed.

The Comelec-Smartmatic contract was signed three weeks ago by the acting Comelec chairman, Senior Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, who is retiring on Friday.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez earlier explained that the Commission merely exercised its “option to purchase (OTP)” the 95,517 VCMs it leased from Smartmatic for P8.1 billion for the 2016 synchronized national and local elections.

He added that the decision was unanimously approved by the Comelec en Banc and covered by a Minute Resolution dated December 18, or three weeks before the OTP expired on January 8.

Jimenez explained that the commission made a unanimous decision to exercise the OTP because the P8.1-billion budget approved by the Department of Budget and Management for next year’s elections was not enough.

It would be more economical for the Comelec to exercise its OTP rather than hold a bid again for the lease of brand-new counting machines, Jimenez said.

Out of the P8.1 billion, P4.3 billion will be used to cover the costs of some components of the automated election system alone, he said. n

Photo courtesy of U.S. Embassy in Manila

US Embassy launches campaign for rehab projects in Mindanao

by Frances

Mangosing Inquirer.net

THe US embassy in Manila has launched an P18.5 million #ForMindanao campaign to support projects in Mindanao including Marawi, the site of a five-month battle between government forces and ISIS-inspired terrorists.

“These projects will address educational enrichment, economic development, and the psycho-social effects of conflict, among other pressing needs in the region,” the embassy said in a statement on Thursday.

The campaign was led by Philippine alumni of US governmentsponsored exchanges.

It is expected to benefit 13,500 people, mostly out-of-school youth, university students, madrasa students, and women in

Mindanao.

“Within hours of the outbreak of fighting in Marawi, U.S. exchange alumni were on the frontlines of the humanitarian response. Individual exchange alumni and U.S. exchange alumni chapters throughout the country contributed nearly P2.2 million in food, hygiene kits and clothing that assisted more than 20,000 people impacted by the crisis,” the embassy said.

“U.S. exchange alumni from universities around the country launched the #MealsforMarawi campaign, raising P85,000 to conduct Ramadan iftars that fed more than 3,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), while the U.S. alumni chapter in Davao, in partnership with the Rotary Club, delivered food, clothing, and basic medicine to nursing moth-

ers in IDP camps,” the embassy added.

In the next phase of the #ForMindanao campaign, public school and madrasa teachers, as well as women’s cooperative leaders who have participated in U.S.government training programs, can apply for fifteen P100,000 #ForMindanao grants to help their schools and communities respond to local needs, it added.

The embassy will also support four alumni-led projects of P1 million each, addressing the root causes of conflict and violent extremism.

To date, the U.S. government has announced over P1 billion for recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi and surrounding areas through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the embassy said. n

A february 3-6, 2018 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

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Key highlights from Trump’s first...

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roads, bridges, and waterways as part of his infrastructure plan.

“Tonight, I’m calling on Congress to produce a bill that generates at least $1.5 trillion for the new infrastructure investment that our country so desperately needs,” said Trump Tuesday night.

He added, “Every federal dollar should be leveraged by partnering with State and local governments and, where appropriate, tapping into private sector

investment — to permanently fix the infrastructure deficit.”

Of the $1.5 trillion, $200 billion would come from direct federal investment which leaves the rest to come from state, local, and private investment.

Trump did not provide much other details on the bill, but improving infrastructure has been a concern for people from both parties.

The American Society of Civil Engineers gave an overall grade of a D-plus for U.S. infrastruc-

ture. On Tuesday, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association released a report that summed over 54,000 structurally deficient bridges in the U.S. Opioid crisis Approximately 64,000 Americans died in 2016 as a result of drug overdoses, emphasized Trump. Members of Congress highlighted the crisis by donning purple ribbons Tuesday evening.

“One hundred seventy-four deaths per day. Seven per hour,” he added. “We must get tougher on drug dealers and pushers if we are going to succeed in stopping this scourge.”

Preliminary figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 2017’s numbers may be even worse.

Trump declared a public health emergency in October in regards to the opioid epidemic, but not much else in regards to upcoming efforts was addressed Tuesday.

Congress has yet to receive a funding request, and the Office of National Drug Policy remains without a head.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has though led the Justice Department in getting tough with drug offenses.

Foreign policy North Korea threats, ISIS, and keeping Guantánamo Bay open were key in Trump’s talks on foreign policy.

“When necessary, we must be able to detain and question. But we must be clear — terrorists are not merely criminals. They are unlawful enemy combatants and when captured overseas, they should be treated like the terrorists they are,” said Trump.

“In the past, we have foolishly released hundreds of dangerous terrorists only to meet them again on the battlefield — including the ISIS leader, al-Baghdadi,” he added.

In addressing North Korea as being a nuclear threat, Trump said that North Korea’s “reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland.”

He added, “We are waging a campaign of maximum pressure to prevent that from happening.”

The parents of Otto Warmbier, a university student who was detained in North Korea before being sent back to the U.S. where he later died from injuries, were present. So was Ji Sung-Ho, a North Korean who escaped the country on crutches. n

SPEWING ASHES. The Mayon Volcano continues to spew ash and smoke as sporadic eruptions continue to occur. President Rodrigo Duterte did an aerial survey on the Mayon Volcano after attending the situation briefing at the Camp Gen. Simeon Ola in Legazpi City on Monday, January 29.

PNA photo by Toto Lozano

The flu season is getting worse, says CDC

by RaE

ann VaRona AJPress

THE flu season comes and goes every year, but health officials are continuing to find this year’s as one for the books.

As of January 27, an additional 16 children in the U.S. passed away from the flu in that one week alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That brings the total to 53 flu-associated deaths among youth this season.

Hospitalization rates have not been this high since the center began tracking numbers 13 years ago. The report recorded the overall hospitalization rate being around 51 people per 100,000 — the highest rates were among adults aged 65 and up, aged 50 - 64, and children aged 0 to 4 years old respectively.

The season is also the most widespread.

“As of this week, overall hospitalizations are now the highest we’ve seen,” Dr. Anne Schuchat, acting director of the CDC, told reporters on Friday, February 2.

“Unfortunately, our latest tracking data indicate flu activity is still high and widespread.”

Widespread influenza activity was reported by 48 states and Puerto Rico, according to the latest CDC influenza surveillance report released weekly. Regional influenza was reported in Oregon and U.S. territory Guam, and local influenza activity was reported in Hawaii and the District of

Columbia. The U.S. Virgin Islands have also been experiencing sporadic influenza activity.

CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund said that the season hasn’t even reached its peak yet.

“It is not going down yet,” said Nordlund. “Really, the bottom line is there is still likely many more weeks to go.”

Now in its 10th week since October, the flu season has three influenza virus strains going around being H3N2 (the main flu virus going around the U.S.), H1N1, and influenza B. The actual effectiveness of the flu vaccine has had many people feeling concerned and anxious.

A new Canadian study on the flu vaccine found it to be only 10 percent effective against H3N2 among Canadian adults ages 20 to 64. Taking all age groups into account, the protection rate stretched to 17 percent. Efficacy rates in the U.S. have been estimated to be around 30 percent — updated estimates may come in the next coming weeks.

But Schuchat joins other health experts in encouraging people to get their vaccine. Nearly half of the children who passed were said to be healthy before getting sick, and 80 percent of them did not get a flu shot.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said Thursday that despite reports of spot shortages of the vaccine, “at this time, there is no nationwide shortage.”

Schuchat recommended patients call more than one pharmacy for their prescription.

In addition to getting vaccinated (injection, not nasal spray),the CDC recommends taking preventative flu spreading efforts like washing hands with soap and water, avoid getting in contact with sick people, avoid touching our faces, and staying home if sick.

If already sick, the CDC recommends taking antiviral drugs if prescribed by a doctor.

There have been early signs of flu activity cooling up in the Western states, but Schuchat said, “we are not out of the woods yet.” Activity in the South has remained nearly static, while Eastern states have been seeing increases.

Schuchat said that warning signs can include a very high persistent fever, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat or shallow breathing, or significant tiredness or confusion.

“This is a very difficult season,” said Schuchat who this week replaced Brenda Fitzgerald who resigned as director following a Politico report that she traded tobacco stock.

Schuchat addressed the leadership transition saying, “Despite recent leadership changes, [the] CDC remains committed to our 24/7 mission of protecting the health and safety of the American people.” n

Romero Duno lives up to Golden Boy’s expectations

by Ed dE la

VEga, PhilBoxing.com

ddS

INGlEWOOD, CA — It’s getting more and more apparent that Golden Boy’s Roberto Garcia made a fantastic gamble with Sanman Promotions’ rising star Romero Duno.

Duno was an unknown fighter outside of the reaches of Sanman Promotions, a young budding promotional company led by two young promoters, JC Manangquil and Dexter Tan of General Santos City, down south in Mindanao.

But he has a respectable record and was a right match for any lightweight whose career is being nurtured by any manager and promoter.

Duno was 12-1-0, 7KO when Golden Boy came calling looking for a decent fighter that is good but an easy target for a budding lightweight they were grooming for a championship fight in a year or two. His name is Christian “Chimpa” Gonzales. The young Gonzales who grew up in the greater los Angeles area was then undefeated and had knocked out 14 of his 16 opponents.

Sanman Promotions offered Golden Boy their brightest lightweight prospect, Romero Duno to challenge Gonzales with the winner getting the WBC Youth Intercontinental Belt. Golden Boy readily accepted perhaps thinking that Gonzalez will have no problem taking care of Duno. Besides, Gonzalez will have his hometown crowd at his favorite venue, the famed old Belasco Theater in downtown lA.

Filipino lightweight Romero Duno (16-1, 14 KOs) made quick work of Yardely Armenta (21-10, 12 KOs) in scoring a first round knockout. Duno was aggressive from the start attacking Armenta as a right hand did it dropping Armenta as referee Jerry Cantu reached a ten count at 1:07 of the first.

Photos by Jhay Otamias

But alas, it was not the night for Gonzalez!

Duno who was trained in lA by Rodel Mayol and Stanley Godinez was fighting for the first time in California. The crowd at the Belasco was loud and rowdy, waving the Mexican flag and declaring Gonzalez their champion.

Then the fight started with Gonzalez trying to impose his size. He was coming straight to Duno with his heavy artillery but for some reason forgot to bring his famed jab with him to set up his punches. He just wanted to knock Duno out bright and early.

During a torrid exchanged he dropped his left hand and Duno quickly threw a short right counter punch dropping Gonzalez to the surprise of the pro-Gonzales TV commentators and the hometown crowd. Gonzales beat

the count but his legs were rubbery and he sagged towards the ropes. lucky for him, the bell save him from being KO’d early.

When round two started, Gonzalez tried his best to get Duno but the Duno stayed away and waited for another opportunity. When that came he dropped Gonzales again. Gonzales stood up but later collapsed in his corner!

Seeing the potentials of Romero Duno, Roberto Garcia of Golden Boy Promotions did not hesitate and readily signed up Duno to a promotional contract.

Following the Gonzales victory, Duno scored three more wins. He knocked out Jason Tinampay at a fight card in General Santos City in June of 2017 and won via a UD over a highly regarded Juan Pablo Sanchez of Mexico at the Forum in Inglewood last September. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 3-6, 2018

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Panelo: Morales may face raps for defying suspension order

protect on the strength of the constitutional guarantees which the high Court has upheld,” MoOMBuDSMAn Conchita Car- rales said. pio-Morales may face adminisBut Panelo claimed that trative and criminal sanctions for Duterte “has no desire or inrefusing to enforce Malacañang’s tention to intrude upon the suspension order against Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief legal counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo made the warning on Wednesday, January 31.

In a statement, Panelo noted that Duterte’s order of preventive suspension against Carandang is “presumed to be valid and legal” until a court declares it is not.

“It behooves therefore the public official authorized to implement the order to enforce the same against respondent [Carandang]. Any willful refusal to do so or any deliberate act impeding such enforcement may open the said official to administrative and criminal sanctions,” he said.

Duterte’s top lawyer also underscored that “anyone who disagrees with the suspension is free to question the same before the courts.”

“In the meantime, the suspension should be implemented by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Otherwise, its officials risk violating the same legal process that they assume to adhere to,” Panelo added.

Last week, the Office of the executive Secretary (OeS) issued a 90-day preventive suspension against Carandang for publicizing the alleged bank transactions of Duterte and his family.

But Morales said her office will not enforce Malacañang’s order, tagging it as “unconstitutional.”

She noted that the Supreme Court (SC), in a 2014 decision, has declared unconstitutional the Section 8 (2) of Republic Act (RA) no. 6770 or the Ombudsman law, which provides that “a Deputy or the Special Prosecutor may be removed from office by the President or any of the grounds provided for the removal of the Ombudsman and after due process.”

“The Ombudsman cannot, therefore, seriously place at risk the independence of the very Office which she has pledged to

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

MARAWI PROJECT. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the military camp at the Old City Hall in Marawi City on Tuesday, January 30. The new military facility will be built on a 10-hectare lot in Barangay Kapantaran, and is expected to be completed before 2020. Initial developments include the the renovation of the old Marawi City Hall, which will be converted into military headquarters building.

Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante

Duterte leads groundbreaking of military camp in Marawi President asks residents to help government stop terrorism by aJPress The Philippine government is set to put up another military camp in Marawi City in its bid to prevent terrorism from re-entering the area.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new military camp on Tuesday, January 30.

The new military facility will be built on a 10-hectare lot in Barangay Kapantaran, and is expected to be completed before 2020. Initial developments include the renovation of the old Marawi City hall, which will be converted into a military headquarters building.

In his speech, Duterte vowed that the government will fully compensate residents whose lands will be used for the construction.

“I’m going to set a camp here but I will pay you… We will pay

para walang gulo (to avoid trouble). And that is your guarantee,” Duterte assured.

Camp Ranao, which is the headquarters of the army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, is currently the only military camp in Marawi.

The construction of a second military camp in city comes three months since the area was liberated from the pro-Islamic State (IS) Maute terrorist group in October last year.

The armed conflict between government troopers and terrorists, which lasted for five months, resulted in hundreds of deaths—mostly of terrorists—and the displacement of thousands of residents and the destruction of their homes.

In the same speech, Duterte recognized the gallantry of soldiers and others who fought for the liberation of Marawi.

“I would also like to thank the

brave men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), kasali na yung—marami akong sundalo na Moro na namatay rin (there were numerous Moro soldiers who died). Ill salute them for their katapangan (fearlessness) to face terror,” he said.

The president also appealed to residents to help in preventing terrorism from entering their community again, warning of “massive destruction” and “loss of lives” another siege occurred.

“Let us try to avoid terrorism.

It is not the correct way to obey Islam. You do not kill and destroy for no reason at all,” Duterte remarked. he went on to say, “I beg of you not to allow them to enter because it will just cause massive destruction and the loss of lives, including the innocent ones who are really the helpless in case of war.” n

Constitutionally enshrined independence of the Office of the Ombudsman.”

“In suspending Overall Deputy Melchor Arthur Carandang, the President is in fact protect-

u PAGE A10

A8 FEBRUARY 3-6, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

A less bloody campaign

FEATURES

THE operations do not grab headlines, but after the controversies of the past, the Philippine National Police should consider no news as good news for its campaign against illegal drugs. On Friday, February 2 the fifth day of the re-launched Oplan Tokhang, the PNP reported no fatalities so far in its campaign that has been associated with thousands of drug-related killings.

Either drug personalities have learned their lesson from previous PNP campaigns, or the Bible and rosaries are working. At least one police district in Metro Manila is reportedly “arming” its anti-drug operatives or “tokhangers” with Bibles and rosaries as they go about their mission.

A Catholic bishop has stressed that what the tokhangers need more than Bibles and rosaries is adherence to the law. Anti-drug units must always be aware of the rules of engagement, which the original tokhang appeared to have disregarded in many of the cases in which drug suspects were shot dead after allegedly resisting arrest. This “nanlaban” excuse has worn thin as material evidence and testimonies have emerged, indicating that a number of those killed after allegedly resisting arrest were summarily executed.

The PNP chief has stressed that a “bloodless” anti-drug campaign is impossible. So far, however, he has kept to his promise that the relaunch of tokhang will be less bloody. It is also encouraging

that policemen accused of “salvaging” two teenagers in the war on drugs are now facing trial for murder, torture and planting evidence.

People are generally supportive of any campaign against illegal drugs. The public is aware of the threats posed to public safety by individuals high on drugs, and the problems caused by drug traffickers. As surveys in the early stages of tokhang showed, Filipinos also have a high tolerance for the use of violence in neutralizing the drug menace.

But people also recognize brazen abuse of police power, and worry that they themselves or their loved ones might be targeted. This undermines public support, which is a critical component in the success of any campaign against criminality.

Such concerns led to the pullout of the PNP from the campaign against illegal drugs.

With the PNP’s return to the war, police officials maintain that they have learned their lesson. The first five days of tokhang’s relaunch have shown positive developments. Now all that the PNP must do is sustain those changes. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

A first-person encounter with Pete Souza, former chief White House photographer

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law. For if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.” -President Barack Obama on January 21, 2013.

Cold. Dreary. It was an evening where you would prefer reading a book in front of a cozy, warm fireplace. Instead, few brave souls came two hours before Pete Souza’s book talk on “Obama: An Intimate Portrait.” Inside the theater, folks were friendly and accommodating. Questions were asked and answered, spontaneously making new friends left and right, while waiting for the program to begin.

An impressive turnout of over

a thousand came, with 1,250 books sold. The event reminded us of what we were then as a nation, and what we still need to do to get to a more perfect union.

Even David Letterman had a joke about Souza’s book when he interviewed the 44th president on Netflix. He lamented that the taxpayers paid Souza a salary to take millions of photographs, and then, the photographer turned it into a book with millions already been sold.

Try ordering it, and it is out-ofstock.

I went inside the theater and asked Souza for a selfie. Like the proverbial saying, “the early bird gets the worm,” I got several photos, and a warm encounter with him, to whom I said, “Your book has a lot of heart and magnificence.” He smiled and then asked me, “Have you got a box of tissues tonight?” Indeed, he had us sobbing during parts of his book talk.

Souza was working for the

Chicago Tribune when he met then-Senator Obama on January 5, 2005. He photographed the former senator in a windowless basement room with unruly computer wires on the floor. He told himself this would make a good image and a great contrast if this guy ever became president. Then, Souza flips to the next image with President Obama in the Oval Office and what a great juxtaposition of before and after images.

To be exact, Souza and his team took 1,875,000 digital photos to document the historic and inspiring presidency of Obama.

Close to two million photos are now in the National Archives, without any image deleted with a 12-year embargo. He had to cull it down to 300 images for the book.

So when he was requesting the 44th president to write a foreword, Obama agreed. He then asked how the book was coming along. Souza told the

president about his dilemma of culling 1.875 million to 300 images and the president responded, “as you know, it is aesthetic vs. narrative.”

Souza joked with our crowd, “So, you are going to be a photo editor too?” The crowd roared with laughter, a crowd quite familiar with the president.

Obama’s smarts, abilities, and engaging manner of connecting to his staff, as Souza had demonstrated through several his images: fist bumping with Larry Lipscomb, a General Services Administration worker, a hug to the White House butler, practicing for a wedding dance with a staffer about to be married, including very endearing photos where first, Michelle Obama held a crying infant.

Then, Obama held the same infant — serene and calm in his arms, with the happy parents in the background — as he smiled and was quite pleased with himself, earning him the title “child

JDV: A shared destiny

From the Stands DOMINI M. TORREVILLAS PERSIA, as Iran was known before 1935, was one of the greatest empires of the ancient world, dating back to around 7,000 B.C. Iran became an Islamic Republic in 1979, following the Iranian Revolution which overthrew the monarchy and clerics assumed political control. During the next three days, heads of 100 principal political parties from 39 countries in the Asian region are meeting in Iran’s capital, Tehran, to share their views on the topic “Different Nations, a Shared Destiny” and on regional development and regional security at the ICAPP Special Conference on the Silk Road. The conference is hosted by the Islamic Motalefeh Party with the support of the Iranian government.

Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia is speaking on the topic of a shared destiny among nations, as he is a leader in getting political parties together, he being founding chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), co-founder of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA), and chairman of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP). His latest title is as special envoy of the Philippine president to the Asia-Pacific

Economic Cooperation (APEC) and for Intercultural Dialogue.

It must be said that the ICAPP, according to de Venecia, supports the vital agreement signed

by Iran and a group of world powers — the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, China and Germany in 2015. The EU, which helped facilitate the Iran nuclear talks, reported that “the International Atomic Energy Agency has verified eight times that Iran is implementing all its nuclear related commitments following a comprehensive and strict monitoring.” The Deal — called the joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — is a culmination of 12 years of long drawn-out negotiations, strengthening cooperation, and which is “critical for the security of the region.”

De Venecia’s message, of which we have been furnished a copy, underscores the role of political parties and civil society organizations in generating economic, trade, political and cultural connectivity and people-topeople bonds with the ‘Silk Road spirit.’”

“Iran played a vital and actual role in the ancient silk road, connecting the East and the West, serving as the main hub for the international trade and exchange of various cultures,” says De Venecia. “Iran today is also expected to play a strategic role in the new Silk Road, by connecting and developing keen overall ties

with the other regions.”

The Silk Road initiative, says De Venecia, could be the key in unleashing 21st century economic development. The initiative has “the potential as a constructive force that would facilitate the emergence of model upon which our nations could enhance our collective security.” Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the idea of a “common destiny,” which a closely-knot China and ASEAN community could build together. The “two sides need to bring out their respective strengths to realize diversity, harmony, inclusiveness and common progress.”

Already modern infrastructure is bringing together Kunming in Yunnan with Phnom Penh and Singapore in the beginnings of a southeast Asian ‘Growth Triangle.” The long-distance trains are moving great cargos between Asia and Europe. The Central Asian states are awakening to the possibilities of modernization — as Silk Road arteries begin to link them, westward, all the way to London and eastward to Beijing, encompassing Budapest, Hamburg, Moscow and Warsaw, freight to 28 European cities, moving them by sea and by air.

De Venecia further envisions expanding, deepening and strengthening of the economic, trade, political, cultural and people-to-people linkages of the historic Silk Road by developing a

“third route” to complement and extend China’s great “Belt and Road” initiative.

This means from Hainan island off Guangdong province in southern China, the route could also pass through the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Timor Leste, to Australia’s Gold Coast to Sydney and New Zealand, then move across the south Pacific, and enter Latin America — Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and the Caribbean islands, then Mexico, then all the way to the US as in the old days of the Galleon Trade from Manila to Acapulco, Mexico, which sailed for 250 years.

The proposed 21st Century “third route,” hopefully an enlargement of the Silk Route, would make the celebrated “Belt and Road” initiative almost globally inclusive, after Europe and Africa, and “create a linkage with two more continents — Australia and Latin America — in a new circumnavigation, in a revival of the Age of Exploration, and new spirit in the Age of Globalization.”

China’s “noble vision,” says De Venecia, is “being put to the test with the tough tasks it faces in peacemaking and promoting regional stability.”

Asia’s “most dangerous flashpoints happen to be in its neighborhood,” says the ICAPP founding chairman. On its northern flank is the rising danger of explosion in the Korean Peninsula, and on its southern flank the dis-

whisperer.”

Why this rainbow means more to Souza First, Souza showed us a rainbow arc. When the former president waved his hand at the top of the stairs of Air Force One in Jamaica, almost touching the arc of the rainbow, Souza told us he did not include this photo in his book.

Instead, Souza showed us his preferred rainbow photo – that of the White House lit in rainbow colors to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold samesex marriage June 26, 2015.

“U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a legal right across the United States, which means, 14 states with bans on same-sex marriage could not enforce them,” BBC News reported.

Souza texted his wife to come to the White House and thousands of folks had gathered that night, some sobbing and no one wanted to go home. It was a

historic night of yellow, green, blue, red, orange lights and the U.S. flag flying atop. That was his narrative about what was moving and one of the best days of the Obama presidency.

Another narrative was visiting the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain, which overlooks Rio de Janeiro. Souza wrote: “The Obama family was scheduled to see it before dinner, but when heavy fog rolled in, they canceled the visit. After dinner, the fog dissipated, and they received word that it would be safe to drive up the mountain.

By then, it was late, and some suggested they call it a night.

But someone else remarked that they might never get this chance again. So off we went. The sky was clear when we arrived, and then the fog magically rolled back in. March 20, 2011.”

The image is a dramatic one with dark figures, most notable one of Obama, standing in front

turbing conflict over sovereignty in the disputed islands in the South China Sea. The disagreement in the South China Sea with conflicting sovereignty claims may be settled, says De Venecia, by temporarily shelving the issue of sovereignty, and as advised much earlier by Deng Hsiao Peng, architect of China’s economic modernization, undertaking joint exploration and development in the disputed areas and converting the zone of conflict into a Zone of Peace, Friendship, Cooperation and Development.

Sharing of resources — hydrocarbons and oil and natural gas — as practiced among countries, instead of engaging in conflict and war, could help build a model for lessening tensions and solving conflicts, and avoiding the possibility of war in Asia’s manifold and dangerous flashpoints.

He mentions his proposal last May 15 at Bejing’s “High-level Dialogue on the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation,” about transforming the area from one of conflict, into a landscape and seascape of small seaports, airports and oil pipes.

Fishing villages and small tourism townships could rapidly rise in the areas contested principally by the Philippines, China, and Vietnam, into a Zone of Friendship, Commerce, Navigation and Development, and become the passageway, untrammeled, for global shipping, carrying more than 50 per cent of the sea

freight of the world.

De Venecia upholds the prominence of peace among nations through interfaith dialogue. In partnership, the Philippines and Iran successfully sponsored a resolution in the General Assembly in November 2004, binding the UN to promote interfaith dialogue “as a way of resolving politico-religious conflicts, strengthening the religious moderates, and isolating those who advocate terrorism in the name of religion.

Other pundits have spoken of the dangers of the “clash of civilizations”, but Iran’s then President Mohammad Khatami and other scholars introduced the more strategic, more pragmatic idea of a “dialogue among civilizations.” One of the great fruits of dialogue was the nuclear accord of 2015 which provided Iran relief from the U.S., UN., and multilateral sanctions on energy, financial, shipping and other sectors.

De Venecia says ICAPP has advocated in letters to Saudi Arabia’s then King Abdullah and Iran’s spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to meet perhaps in Mecca and Medina and bring about the beginnings of reconciliation (between Saudi’s Sunnis and Iran’s Shiites) and the end of violence in the lands of Islam, and head off decisively the expansion and internationalization of the extremist groups, ISIS-ISIL. “We believe the initiative is most difficult but not impossible.” (Philstar.com)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 3-6, 2018

A

A first-person encounter with Pete Souza... VACC sues Aquino anew over Dengvaxia

by William

Despasupil ManilaTimes.net

THE Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Friday, February 2 filed charges of election law violations before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against former president Benigno Aquino III and 19 others for the mass injection of controversial anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia during the 2016 election period.

Charged along with Aquino were former Budget secretary Florencio Abad and Health secretary Janet Garin, and 13 incumbents and 4 retired officials of the Department of Health (DoH).

The active DoH officials were Undersecretaries Gerardo Bayugo, Lilibeth David, Mario Villaverde, and Luydon Lee Suy; Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago, Director Laureano Cruz, OIC (Office in Charge)-Director Joyce Ducusin, OIC-Director Mar Wynn Bello, Director IV Leonila Gorgolon, Director IV Rio Magpantay, Director IV Ariel Valencia and Director Julin Lecciones.

Also charged were retired undersecretaries Nemesio Gako, Vicente Belizario Jr. and Kenneth

Pete Souza with this writer at Wilshire Ebell Theater for “Obama: The Intimate Portrait” book talk on January 11, 2018.

PAGE A8 t of the white-lit Christ the Redeemer statue. The photo is a beautiful contrast of black and white figures with lights and shadows.

An example of aesthetic was when the president was looking out toward the Washington Memorial next to the Easter Bunny, with both of their backs to the camera. The President told Souza, “The two most famous sets of ears in Washington.” When the president saw the photo, he asked for a print to give to his girls, Sasha and Malia.

At several points of his book talk, Souza moved the audience to tears, looking at the stitched up skull of Cory Remsburg, a partially paralyzed soldier whom the president visited at Walter Reed Hospital on Feb. 28, 2010. Eight months before on June 6, 2009, the president had met Remsburg in Normandy and the family asked the president to sign that photograph.

The president visited with 1,000 soldiers in 24 trips throughout his eight-year term in office.

Every four months, he would go to a base or hospital to visit with the soldiers.

A high point of the Obama presidency was when Congress passed the Affordable Care Act. A close friend of the president texted him and said, “Your mom would be proud of you today.”

His mom was just 52 years old when she died of ovarian cancer and had difficulties getting care because of her pre-existing con-

Pope Francis with Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama, taken by this writer at the White House’s South Lawn on Sept. 23, 2015.

Photos courtesy of Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D.

dition.

“Was there a photo you wished you had taken but could not?” a 16-year-old asked? “Yes,” Souza responded, “there is no photo on the book when the Affordable Care Act website went down for weeks. I could not find a set of images to show what that was like.”

On page 280 of Souza’s book, Pope Francis stands on the arrival ceremony on the South Lawn next to President Obama in front of thousands on September 23, 2015. I was part of that welcoming crowd, standing with over 500 credentialed reporters from around the world, proudly representing the Asian Journal and chronicling that part of history.

I was one of those small dots in that photo.

When asked about his technique, he said, “I hang out, I take photos, I wait for great expressions. Peak actions. I had support people who handled my [memory] cards. Every few days or sometimes weeks, I go through photos to see what’s working and what’s not working. I took one sick day in eight years because I had to undergo anesthesia. We posted 50-75 photos per month

on Flickr. Photo editors would do the first edit. I would do my second edit and then we sent them to the White House digital team.”

As to the camera he used, “a mirrorless Canon Mark 2 and 3 with telephoto lens.”

When someone complimented him on how awesome the book is, Souza responded, “You have not seen the 1,875,000 photos that were sh*tty.”

“The book is a social commentary to remember what we had,” the program organizer said, whose name was not audible.. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong.

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

Hartigan-Go, and Garin’s former head executive assistant Yolanda Oliveros.

In a 10-page complaint, the VACC and co-complainant Francis Cruz alleged that Aquino and his co-accused violated, among others, Section 261 of Batas Pambansa Blg 881 or the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), which prohibits the release of public funds 45 days before a regular election and 30 days before a special election.

“Aquino III, Abad and Garin had caused the releases, disbursements or expenditures of over P3.5 billion in public funds in connection with the procurement of the Dengvaxia vaccine and implementation of the school-based immunization of Tervalent Dengue Vaccine of the Department of Health (or Dengue Immunization Program) in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Central Luzon … 45 days before the May 2016 elections…,” it said.

“In the case of other DoH officials, they are liable for being involved, directly or indirectly, in the first round of implementation of the Dengue Immunization Program on April 4, 2016 or during

Former Pres. Benigno Aquino III Philstar.com photo

the election ban,” it added.

According to the complainants, it appears that no exemption was requested and was granted by the Comelec to the respondents.

“In this light, it behooves the Law Department to evaluate this joint complaint-affidavit and to file the formal charges against the respondents as well as to order the conduct of preliminary investigation, coupled with the

u PAGE A10

Dateline PhiliPPines

A10 February 3-6, 2018 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

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Fiscal summons Zarate, others over ruckus at anti-Trump rally

by MArc JAyson

cAyAbyAb

east Asian Nations summit last November.

Senior Assistant City ProsMANILA — The Manila prosecutor’s office on Thursday, Feb- ecutor Anne Geraldine Agar has ruary 1, summoned Rep. Carlos summoned Zarate, Ocampo, RoZarate (Bayan Muna party-list), berto De Castro, and other activSatur Ocampo and other activists ists to a hearing on Monday to for their alleged role in leading submit their counter-affidavits in a violent protest action against complaints filed against them by U.S. President Donald Trump the police.

Police say they violated the during the Association of SouthPhilstar.com

Public Assembly Act and have also filed complaints of direct assault with physical injury, and resistance and disobedience to a person in authority.

Police officers Ariel Ortega, Marjon Dollente and Mohammad Mamacua alleged that Zarate, Ocampo and Teddy Casiño led the protesters in an attack on a police line at a rally along Padre Faura Street and Taft Avenue on Nov. 13, 2017.

The following have also been named in the complaints: COURTESY CALL. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III receives a European Union (EU) delegation headed by Mr. Jan Reinder Rosing • Kilusang Mayo Uno leader from the European External Action Service (EEAS) and accompanied by the EU Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Franz Jessen, at the Philippine Roberto de Castro Senate. The delegation, which is on an assessment mission to the Philippines, was updated on the political situation in Mindanao, particularly • Bagong Alyansang Mak- recent developments in the Bangsamoro Peace Process as well as the rehabilitation efforts in Marawi. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri explained that abayan secretary general Renato the Senate plans to approve the BBL before it adjourns in March as the landmark legislation will be crucial in addressing continued extremism in Mindanao. Also present during the call were Senators Risa Hontiveros, Win Gatchalian and JV Ejercito.

Senate photo by Albert Calvelo Reyes • Vencer Crisostomo • Einstein Recedes Police said they exercised maximum tolerance against the torial bid was “confirmed” upon nigno Aquino III, bared that his protesters, who allegedly threw

by Audrey MorAllo the opening of ballot boxes lawyers would ask the Senate Philstar.com stones and hit them with wooden from 650 clustered precincts Electoral Tribunal to subpoena sticks upon the instructions of MANILA — Insisting that no that he said would show fraud former Commission on Elecactivist leaders. one cheated during the 2016 na- or irregularity. tions Chairman Andres Bautista In a statement, Zarate called tional and local elections, Sen. She stressed that Tolentino to appear as a “hostile witness” the complaint a “calibrated haLeila de Lima on Friday, Febru- knew that the revision and re- in his election protest. rassment against the Left” and a ary 2, urged defeated senatorial count of ballots in these clusTolentino, who is now violation of the right to assembly bet Francis Tolentino to accept tered precincts showed no vote Duterte’s political adviser, said and freedom of expression. that he simply failed in his bid recovery and thus electoral that Bautista should explain cerZarate said it was the protesters to become a member of the Sen- fraud or irregularity that would tain issues that could have rewho were injured when police hit ate. put into question the integrity of sulted in his defeat in the 2016 them with truncheons and used a According to the detained the 2016 polls. senatorial election although he water cannon on them. He said senator, Tolentino’s losing sena“Mr. Tolentino, you lost your did not specify these problems. police also used a sonic weapon senatorial bid, and this was conShe also accused the former to disperse the rally. firmed upon the opening of the Metropolitan Manila Develop“Together with my co-accused, ballot boxes from the 650 clus- ment Authority chief of “dragI will face these cases knowing tered precincts that you desig- ging” his case by delaying the that we did nothing wrong; we’re nated as best exemplifying the presentation of his evidence just exercising our freedom of alleged fraud or irregularity,” and by resorting to unnecessary expression and right to assemDe Lima said in a statement. decryption of ballots even if the bly,” Zarate said.

“You were unable to surpass Statement of Votes by Precinct, National Union of Peoples’ the votes credited to me, that is the Election Returns and the Lawyers president Edre Olalia why you just had to resort to dil- physical count of ballots had said the “trumped-up” charges atory tactics. The Filipino peo- tallied. are part a concerted effort against ple deserve to know the truth; “You and I know that the longroups aligned with the national you simply lost. No one cheated ger you drag this baseless prodemocratic activist movement. you,” she added. test, the more expensive it is for “We want to say it loud and On Wednesday, January 31, you. Lucky for you, you have the clear: you cannot silence legitiTolentino, a former colleague resources to fund your protest,” mate dissent by any legal artifice. of De Lima’s in the adminis- she said.

We will just see you in court. And Francis Tolentino Philstar.com photo tration of former President Bein the streets,” Olalia said. n u PAGE A10

De Lima to Tolentino: ‘No one cheated’

Trillanes mulls case vs AMLC exec over ‘cover-up’ of Duterte’s bank transactions by

GAeA KAtreenA cAbico Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday, February 1, said he is planning to file a case against the executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council for supposedly cov-

ering up the transaction history of President Rodrigo Duterte’s bank accounts.

“Plano ko rin pakasuhan si AMLC Exec. Dir. [Mel Georgie] Racela sa pag-cover-up at pagdeny na ang mga flagged bank transaction documents ay hindi galing sa AMLC,” Trillanes said in a statement.

He noted the provision of such documents to the Office of the Ombudsman “for intelligence purpose” was included in the minutes of an AMLC meeting in May 2016.

“Matatandaan na naitalaga lang ni Duterte si Racela sa kanyang position noong January 2017 lang kaya hindi sakop ng kanyang termino ang mga panahong ‘yun,” Trillanes said.

Last September, Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Carandang was quoted as saying that his agency received the president’s bank records from before he became president in 2006 up to 2016 from AMLC. Moreover, Trillanes backed

conduct and grave dishonesty for misuse and revelation of confidential and false information.

The opposition senator called the Office of the Executive Secretary’s move a clear case of obstruction of justice.

“Maling-mali si Duterte dito kahit saan mo tignan. Bukod pa sa independent ang Ombudsman and her deputies, ayon sa ating Constitution, pinasuspende niya ang taong nag-iimbestiga sa mga nakaw na yaman niya,” he said.

According to Morales, the order of Medialdea’s office is “patently unconstitutional” as the Supreme Court, in its en banc Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV Philstar.com photo decision in Gonzales III vs. Office of the President (G.R. 196231), Ombudsman Conchita Carpio- declared as illegal the adminisMorales defiance of the suspen- trative disciplinary jurisdiction sion order against Carandang of the president over deputy omwhich stemmed from allegations budsman. that he disclosed unverified in“The Ombudsman will thus formation on the supposed mul- not allow herself to betray her timillion bank accounts in the sworn duty to uphold the Conaccounts owned by Duterte and stitution by recognizing what his family. is patently unconstitutional,” a According to the Palace, statement from the office of MoCarandang committed grave mis- rales said. n

VACC sues Aquino anew over...

PAGE A9 t

service of subpoena to the concerned individuals by the fastest means; and to recommend to the Commission en banc, after proper proceedings and observance of due process, the filing of appropriate charges against all the respondents with the proper court,” it said.

Lawyer Manuelito Luna, a member of the VACC legal team, said the offense carries a penalty of more than six years imprisonment without probation, and is not subject to pardon without the concurrence of the Comelec en banc.

Records showed that the dengue immunization program covered 830,000 people, mainly Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Greco Belgica files evidences schoolchildren and some mem- alleging corruption and abuse against the administration of President Benigno Aquino III at the bers of the Philippine National Department of Justice (DOJ) Office in Manila on Thursday, February 1.

Police. n PNA photo by Jess Escaros

Panelo: Morales may face raps for defying...

PAGE A7 t ing and preserving the Constitutional article on Public Accountability,” he said.

He cited the Section 1, Article XI of the Constitution, which provides that “Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.”

“Thus, the president is just adhering to his mandate to ensure that all laws are faithfully executed, including the Constitution,” Palace legal counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo and Ombudsman Conchita-Carpio Morales Panelo claimed.

Inquirer.net photos He added, “To be clear, the implementation of check-and- enforcement of public account- the respect for Constitutionally balances in government and the ability is not incongruent with guaranteed independence.” n

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A11

Philippines still world’s social media capital

by Janvic

Mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — For the third year in a row, the Philippines has emerged as the social media capital of the world.

A study on the state of the internet showed that an average Filipino spent almost four hours on social media every day in 2017.

The 2018 Global Digital report, conducted by creative agency We Are Social and social media management platform Hootsuite, said Filipinos spent an average of three hours and 57 minutes on social media last year.

The Philippines was followed

by Brazil and Indonesia, with an average of three hours and 39 minutes and three hours and 23 minutes, respectively.

In addition to extensive use of social media, the report said that Filipinos spent an average of nine hours and 29 minutes on the internet every day.

It noted that 63 percent of Fili-

From January 29 to February 1, a total of 2,127 Tokhang activities were conducted that resulted in the surrender of 821 suspected drug personalities.

Philstar.com photo

PNP’s Oplan Tokhang, week 1: No deaths so far by eMManuel

tupas

Philstar.com

MANILA — There has been no fatality, but over 800 drug suspects have surrendered nationwide during the relaunching of “Oplan Tokhang” this week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Friday, February 2.

From Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, a total of 2,127 Tokhang activities were conducted that resulted in the surrender of 821 suspected drug personalities.

“No casualties were recorded as of the fourth day of Tokhang activities in 17 regions around the country,” PNP spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said in a press conference.

Bulalacao said this shows the people are cooperating with the government in its campaign to solve the country’s drug problem.

“The total number of surrenderers reached as high as 821 so this is almost 50 percent of the total number Tokhang activities, which manifest the people are now cooperative or responsive to the efforts of the PNP,” said Bulalacao.

A majority of those who surrendered were recorded in Nothern Mindanao with 424 and the Zamboanga peninsula with 318.

The PNP relaunched last Monday Tokhang, Cebuano words for knock and plead.

Oplan Tokhang was credited for the surrender of more than 1 million drug pushers and addicts since the program was launched last year.

However, Tokhang was suspended last year following allegations of irregularities committed by police scalawags.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa earlier said they put stringent measures to ensure

their tokhangers are of good moral character and not involved in any irregularities.

Meanwhile, some 46 drug suspects were killed during alleged gunfights with policemen in 3,253 anti-drug operations from Dec. 5, 2017 to Feb. 1, 2018.

During the same period, 4,968 drug suspects were arrested nationwide.

On the latest survey of Social Weather Stations (SWS) that the number of drug users in the Visayas and Mindanao increased by three percent each, Bulalacao said it is an indication they have exerted more efforts in their anti-drug campaign.

Senators said the PNP should enforce strict guidelines on the use of body cameras by police anti-drug enforcers, including raids and the so-called Oplan Tokhang.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian commended Dela Rosa for finally ordering the acquisition of body cams, which the senator described as a promising development in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

“Implementation of a strict body cam policy will go a long way toward institutionalizing transparency and accountability in the government’s fight against illegal drugs,” Gatchalian said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto earlier said the PNP could have acquired body cameras last year, if only it had prioritized these over dogs that cost half-a-million pesos each.

While there was already public clamor for policemen to wear body cams during anti-drug sweeps, the PNP omitted these in their request, choosing instead 48 bomb-sniffing dogs with a price tag of P511,672 each last year.

Recto said Congress had au-

Rappler keeps contract with DepEd despite SEC order THE Department of Education is sticking to its deal with Rappler despite a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shutdown order on the embattled news organization run by former CNN Jakarta Bureau chief Maria Ressa.

A check by The Manila Times on the DepEd website on Friday found that the DepEd had made no changes to a department memo on the 2018 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) scheduled on Feb 19 to 23 in Dumaguete.

Under Enclosure No. 6 on Online Publishing and No. 10 on Webinars, the embattled social news organization was tapped to provide resources to the NSPC, which is described as the highest academic contest in the country.

Rappler’s footprint in this year’s NSPC remains significant in both the group and individual contests, despite its current woes with securities regulators.

The Times on Thursday, February 1, reported on Rappler and DepEd’s memorandum of agreement (MoA) on June 28, 2016, two days before Armin Luistro, Education secretary of the Aquino administration, ended his term.

In the agreement, Rappler committed to train campus journalists and school paper advisers “free of charge.”

It described itself as a “corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Philippines, operating a social news network that aims to inspire community engagement and digitally-fuelled actions for social change.”

Rappler also stated in the MoA that it “also aims to nurture the next generation of journalists in the country through its civic engagement arm, MovePH.” It would also maintain “editorial independence” and that it

had “newsgathering” capabilities, belying its recent appeal before the Court of Appeals in which it argued that it should not be categorized as a mass media entity subject to the constitutional ban on foreign equity.

The SEC ordered Rappler’s corporate papers revoked last month for giving veto powers to a foreign investor in its Philippine Depositary Receipts.

Luistro defends deal Luistro, in a phone interview, defended the contract with Rappler, saying it went through the process.

“During my time, the usual process was [for the contract]to go through the Bureau of Curriculum Development in charge of NSPC, then to the legal department,” Luistro said.

A Times source however claimed Luistro did not issue a public announcement for unsolicited proposals or expressions of interest, “which may be an act of omission on his part and punishable under the law.”

“Why approve it in a very hushhush manner and during a highly questionable period in one’s term? It’s not like campus journalism will close shop if it does not get approved under his (Luistro’s) watch,” the well-placed source told The Manila Times.

A check on the DepEd website found that there had been no announcement of a “free-of-charge” training for campus journalists and teachers.

The source also belied Luistro’s claim that Rappler’s services were free of charge. “It’s definitely not free of charge as I have witnessed in two instances that Rappler people have received their talent fees after the training,” the source said. (Neil Alcober/ManilaTimes.net)

pinos, or around 67 million of the total Philippine population of 105.7 million, have access to the internet.

The number of internet users increased by seven million in the past year.

Almost all Filipino internet users are using social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Facebook topped the most visited website in the country, followed by search website Google and video streaming site YouTube based on data from SimilarWeb. Internet speed improved, with fixed connections logging in at an average of 15.19 megabits per second and mobile connections at 13.45 mbps.

Internet users hit 4 billion Based on the report, the number of internet users globally has reached 4.021 billion, up by seven percent from last year. The number of social media users also increased by 13 percent to

3.196 billion.

“The latest data from GlobalWebIndex showed that an average internet user spends around six hours each day using internet-powered devices and services – that’s roughly one-third of their waking lives,” read the report.

“If we add this together for all four billion of the world’s internet users, we’ll spend a staggering one billion years online in 2018,” it added.

The Global Digital report said the trend worldwide includes an increase in mobile internet use, particularly through smartphone devices.

“More than two-thirds of the world’s population has a mobile, with most people using a smartphone,” it said.

“Smartphones are the world’s preferred choice for going online too, accounting for a greater share of web traffic than all other devices combined,” the report added. n

De Lima to Tolentino: ‘No...

PAGE A10 t

De Lima also urged Tolentino to stop comparing his case with the electoral complaint of Senthorized the PNP to spend P334 ate President Aquilino “Koko” million in the 2018 national budPimentel III against Sen. Miguel get for body cams to be worn by Zubiri. police officers.

“Need Mr. Tolentino be reHe said the PNP should expeminded that Pimentel’s prodite their procurement and check test was clearly meritorious as other items in the equipment, the proven by the revision results acquisition of which is funded unof massively manufactured elecder this year’s General Appropriation returns from then Ampatutions Act. n an-controlled province of Ma-

guindanao?” said de Lima who acted as Pimentel’s counsel in the case which led to the resignation of Zubiri then.

De Lima also asked Tolentino to refrain from using her name to prop up people’s awareness of him and to stand or fall on his merit. “[W]ake up and stop your imaginings. You are already popular. Surely, you do not need a Leila de Lima to boost your popularity or the people’s awareness of you,” she said. n

Sen. Leila de Lima

Philstar.com photo

A12 February 3-6, 2018 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

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B

Journal What really happened when Atom Araullo answers awkward Karylle met Marian, Dingdong questions about romance

by C.

Mendez Legaspi Philstar.com

Showbiz kibitzers were in for a seismic treat when one of local Tinseltown’s most celebrated love triangles attended the recent opening of a boutique in Makati City. while actress-chanteuse Karylle was talking to her manager Arnold Vegafria and internationally-acclaimed fashion designer Michael Cinco inside the store, fans milling outside suddenly went berserk when Karylle’s ex-flame, “Kapuso Primetime King� Dingdong Dantes, and his wife, “Kapuso Primetime� Queen Marian Rivera, arrived at the opening of Couturissimo store at the ground floor of Greenbelt 5 in Makati City.

A long, awkward silence enveloped the scene when the two came in. Everybody froze.

Eyewitnesses said you can hear a pin (or a lightweight Swarovski crystal) drop. it was straight out of a movie scene — cinematic. it can be recalled that Karylle and Dingdong were in a relationship after falling in love in “Encantadia� (2005). Marian co-starred with Dingdong in “MariMar� (2007). Marian was rumored to have been the third party that caused Dingdong and Karylle’s breakup. Marian and Dingdong then developed a relationship after and got married in December 2014. Karylle married Sponge Cola vocalist Yael Yuzon in March 2014. but, as a gracious host that he is and with his sparkling personality, Cinco broke the ice and gushed, “oh hi, Marian! i’m glad you came!�

Marian is a Michael Cinco muse. “i invited her personally during a chat [over social media],�

Cinco shared. “She’s also a fan of Couturissimo because she has worn the brand so many times.

She must have at least six pieces

Internationally-renowned designer Michael Cinco (left) with Audrey Zubiri (center) and Karylle.

PhilSTAR.CoM asked widelyfollowed broadcast personality Atom Araullo some inconvenient questions about the topic of the month: love.

During an exclusive interview on Thursday, February 1, for his new AXN show, “Adventure Your way,� Atom revealed his current relationship status, relationship with his exes, qualities he is looking for in a partner, and plans of settling down.

Atom recently made waves on social media following his transfer to GMA Network from AbS-CbN. During the press conference for “Adventure Your way,� he said

that alongside hosting AXN’s new adventure and travel show, he still makes documentaries for GMA. while other travel shows are destination-driven, “Adventure Your way� focuses more on adventures and thrilling experiences in the Philippines, he said.

Atom believes his show is also the first in the country to maximize the power of crowd sourcing.

Atom starts his journey with a blank bucket list, which rapidly becomes populated with a variety of adventure suggestions and tips from netizens. (Deni Rose M. “Adventure Your Way� host Atom Araullo.

Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar.com) Philstar.com photo by Deni Rose Bernardo

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Cinco with Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.

in her wardrobe.�

The Samar-born couturier to beauty queens, royalty and hollywood A-listers created Marian’s glorious wedding gown. “Nandun lang ‘yung gown nakatago. Naka box pati ‘yung crown,� the “Super Ma’am� actress said with a smile.

Maybe your daughter zia can wear it someday? Marian beamed, “Oo nga ano!� on a recent episode of “it’s Showtime,� Karylle’s co-host Vice Ganda shared Karylle’s perspective on the most intriguing run-in in recent showbiz memory.

Photos from Facebook/Michael Cinco

“Nakasalubong niya sa isang show (si Dingdong and Marian).

Nakasalubong niya si Marian.

Gandang–ganda daw siya kay Marian kaya bineso niya daw.

Pagbeso niya (in her mind), ‘Uy, ang ganda naman!’ Tapos pagtalikod niya na-realize niya na ang payapa na daw talaga ng puso nila kasi nag-beso sila tapos gandangganda siya kay Marian,� Vice Ganda recounted.

Karylle was smiling, unfazed by the encounter. She then shared, “Nag ‘hi’ ako kay DingDong!�

All’s well that ends well. Jennifer Aniston, brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie — better take note!

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Features

Ai Ai delas Alas snags Piolo Pascual for Valentine’s

by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

Comedy Queen Ai-Ai de las Alas will not be left behind when it comes to Valentine’s shows. yes, she will have her own concert on February 14 at Palacio de manila on Roxas Boulevard. And she will be the object of envy that night because no less than Papa P (Piolo Pascual indeed) will be her special guest, along with the now very popular ex Battalion group.

Besides having the Ultimate Heartthrob for the night, Ai-Ai is also excited about plans to do live video mapping during the show.

“When I was told na may video mapping segment ako sa show, naisip ko agad, ano ba yung video-mapping na ‘yan?” she laughed sheepishly.

“Siyempre na-challenge ako kaya talagang, ngayon, pina-practice ko na siya. Bahala na kung ano kalabasan. Basta good music and fun ang ibibigay namin sa mga manonood on that night.”

Wikipedia defines video mapping “as a projection technology used to turn objects, into a display surface for video projection…on objects may be complex such as buildings, small indoor objects or theatrical stages. meanwhile, the Comedy Queen is over the moon that her latest prime time show, “Sherlock Jr.” — where she plays mom to lead actor Ruru madrid — had a very successful premiere this week.

“Happiness! Sobrang saya! We trended, No. 1 on Twitter on our first night. Second night, may twist kaagad sa story, kaya very entertaining especially with Siri, the dog.”

Piolo Pascual will perform in Ai-Ai delas Alas’ concert on February 14.

GMa, ABS-CBN photos

She is also enjoying playing a different character as mom to Sherlock Jr. “Yung role ko yung tipo ng tao na salita lang ng salita tungkol sa kahit ano.

Nakakatuwa, walang preno ang bibig. Five minutes yatang puro ako ang nagsasalita sa eksena then she would end up complaining she’s tired of talking!” she ended.

Ryle Santiago: A ‘Hashtag’ on the rise NINeTeeN-year-old Hashtag member Ryle Santiago is doing more than just singing and dancing on his group’s daily noontime show these days.

The mainstay of ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime” excitedly lined up his projects for 2018..

Santiago is almost two weeks into appearing on the afternoon teleserye block after landing the role of Julia montes’ brother in the action-drama “Asintado.”

Besides taping for the daily soap, he is also shooting a musical film as part of the cast of “Bakwit Boys,” a story about four brothers displaced by a super typhoon who hold on to their love for music amid struggles in their young lives.

That Ryle Santiago is on the rise barely a year into the launch of his eight-man boy group Hashtags comes as no surprise. He has, after all, the talent for the biz running in his veins. His father Junjun, while not an actor, is part of the Santiago clan of showbiz. Rowell, Randy and Raymart Santiago are his uncles.

His mother on the other hand is actress Sherilyn Reyes. off screen, he uses the surname Tan after his parents separated and his mom’s

Ryle Santiago

ManilaTimes.net photo

new husband, former cager Chris Tan adopted him.

“I’m very blessed to have the support of my family,” Santiago said. “I have a good relationship with my dad and I’ve always been treated by my stepdad as his real son.” devoid of issues to deal with, Santiago is in fact leading a wellrounded life, and even goes to

college as a full scholar on top of showbiz commitments.

“I’m taking up Film at meridian International College,” he shared.

Thankful for the many opportunities coming his way, Santiago is eager to give back to society by setting a good example for the youth. His vehicle is no less than his latest endorsement as he joins megasoft’s continuing “School is Cool Tour” advocacy.

“We’re now on our third year and we’re excited for Ryle to join this tour which travels to different schools around the country, providing entertainment, conducting inspirational talks and recognizing outstanding students and children,” explained megasoft’s Vice President for marketing Aileen Choi-Go. “As an aritst Ryle is very promising. As a student, he is dedicated.

I’m sure that as our newest endorser he will inspire the youth to embrace what we give importance to—love for oneself, family, country and education,” she rounded up.

Indeed they have a rising—and insipiring—star in their stable.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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Regine Velasquez is on fire!

by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

AFTeR her highly successful “R3.0” concert in 2017 that celebrated her three-decade anniversary in show business, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez is all fired for a busy year ahead. She just finished full-packed, onenight-only engagement in Cebu with Christian Bautista and Julie Ann San Jose, and without any time for a break is in the thick of preparing for a big Valentine’s concert at the mall of Asia Arena on February 14.

According to Regine, R3.0 somehow renewed her confidence in performing for a major concert after what she describes as a “traumatizing” experience on her 25th anniversary show. on the day of the sold-out concert at moA, but of course, she lost her voice from severe acid reflux. She went up the stage without a clue how to get through her songs, but she sang all the same with a hoarse voice because the show must go on. Her fans were very forgiving even if she hardly hit the sky-high notes that cemented her career in the music industry, but Regine never felt confident to stage solo concerts since then.

“After that, I felt more comfortable to do shows with other singers because you don’t get very tired and if something happens like when I lost my voice, you can count on them to help you along.

It’s not as scary as it became for me since my 25th anniversary,” she opened up to Showbuzz.

She had to face her fears on her 30th anniversary though, which needed to be a solo show, and is thankful she did it. She took care to keep her acid reflux under control and concentrated on her voice, leaving everything about the production to her team.

“I told them, ‘No other reasons for stress, please’” she laughed.

And, as everyone knows, R3.0 was a huge hit—filled to the rafters and excellently reviewed.

The Songbird was definitely back, and a hit she is sure to be again

Regina Velasquez

GMA photo

as she shares the stage with Alist concert performers martin Nievera, erik Santos and husband ogie Alcasid in “#Pamore” on Valentine’s.

“I’ve decided to do solo shows only on special occasions, because as I always say, ma-jonders na ang lola mo [showbiz lingo for ‘I’m getting old’],” she cackled this time. excited to perform with the best male singers in the country, she added, “I’ve done shows with all of them—martin, erik and my husband—but this is the first time I’ll be with them all together.

Valentine’s concert pa so ang daming pwedeng kantahin.”

With tickets selling like proverbial pancakes, producer Anna Puno of Star media told Showbuzz there

already requests from Filipinos abroad to bring the concert there. much as she would like to do that, she can’t confirm anything yet as scheduling will be difficult to work out for four oPm superstars.

True enough, Regine will travel to dagupan and other parts of the Philippines for the “Three Stars one Heart Concert” with Christian and Julie Ann. There are also talks of bringing the concert to the US and the middle east for GmA Pinoy TV. She will also host a musical reality show for GmA Nework.

“Malapit na rin kaming magstart,” she reveals. “This is one show I’m very excited about. Iba kasi ang concept niya. I can’t say the details yet pero I really like it!”

Kris Aquino can’t have politician BF as specified in endorsement contracts

by CLarizeL

abaniLLa Inquirer.net

QUeeN of All media Kris Aquino is undeniably among the top endorsers in the country.

Thanks to her incredible consumer impact, she has nailed numerous endorsement deals left and right.

Unfortunately, even with her enormous wealth, she still can’t have everything. At the very least, she can’t have a politician boyfriend as simply stated in her contracts.

Queen of All media Kris Aquino is undeniably among the top endorsers in the country. Thanks to her incredible consumer impact, she has nailed numerous endorsement deals left and right.

Unfortunately, even with her enormous wealth, she still can’t have everything. At the very least, she can’t have a politician boyfriend as simply stated in her contracts.

“If I can be honest, several contracts have provision na if you end up with an elected official, may penalty, from the multinationals — because of the money trail,” she said Saturday, Jan. 27,

at the press conference for ever Bilena, the latest product she is endorsing. “It will appear that they are paying somebody in elective office.”

It was not too long ago when news of her romantic relationship with Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista hit the headlines.

In one of her online episodes, she was quoted to have said: “my favorite ex is the one who gives all the permits in Quezon City.”

She noted her situation was different when her brother, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, was still in office.

“Magkapatid kami pero we shared nothing,” she said. “Pero ito if we [referring to Bautista] end up together, or even if I announce, let’s say if, managarap na tayo, engaged, sauli, at hindi lang sauli, sauli ng pera ko na binayad sa akin, sauli ng production cost, and may penalty clause pa dun sa mawawala sa kanila.”

“It’s very expensive na maging kami,” she declared.

But should she ever consider to sacrifice money over love, she already made calculations of what would be the total cost of following her heart.

Kris Aquino

Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino

“Right now, ang dami na who are working for me,” she said.

“Paano na pong magyayari sa ’min? Jobless na po kaming lahat? And then kinalculate ko kung magkano ang kailangang bayaran. yes, may computation ako. Production cost eh, ako, tapos lost airtime because they buy it for the year. Pati yun, so oh my God, ilang Chowking ang ibebenta ko para mabayaran ‘yung penalty. Kaya that’s why let’s just be friends.”

Mark Anthony back from nightmare by riCky Lo Philstar.com

“NIGHTmARe!” That one word sums up mark Anthony Fernandez’s one year and three months first at the Police Station 6 in Angeles City before he was transferred to the Pampanga Provincial Jail (PPJ) where he initially shared one cell with more than 100 inmates. The nightmare started in october last year when mark was arrested at a police checkpoint on his way to Angeles City allegedly for possession of one kilo of marijuana in his car.

“We were treated well,” said mark, “but siempre you can’t help feeling like a cage bird.”

Two months later, mark would spend Christmas “inside” but he said it hardly felt like Christmas even if his family led by his mom, Alma moreno, was with him. ever the doting mom, Alma had to rent an apartment near the PPJ so she could visit mark every day (except mondays and Tuesdays when no visitors were allowed), bringing him food and his other needs. His second wife (the first had died) would also visit him when she’s free from work, but not mark’s children.

“I didn’t want my children to feel sorry for me,” shared mark who has six children by five different women, two with his late wife, three with other women and one with his current wife.

The eldest is 17 years old and the youngest is one-and-a-half years old. The eldest boy, Grey, is a Star

PAGE B4

Mark Anthony Fernandez

GMA photo

magic talent who was in the cast of the just-concluded ABS-CBN soap “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin” and regularly seen on the Sunday show “ASAP”. during last year’s Christmas family gathering (in jail), Alma wistfully told mark, “Pray that you won’t spend another Christmas here. I’d been praying really hard, at ganoon din si mark, and I even offered prayers for mark at the our Lady of manaoag Shrine (in dagupan City). I also prayed with the Pink Sisters in Baguio.”

Prayers answered. on dec. 22 last year, mark was released on bail due to some technicalities in the case.

When he met with Funfare the other day at the Viva office a few hours before he signed a contract with the Viva management Agen-

cy, mark related that before he left his “home” of more than one year, he cried and thanked God. “Then I hugged my lawyer, Sylvia Flores, and again said ‘So sorry’ to my mom. Actually, I’d been saying ‘so sorry’ to her for all the troubles I’d been giving her.”

In a double-breasted suit with neatly-combed hair, mark smiled when Jojo Gabinete (the only other interviewer) and I commented that he cut a Godfather-like figure, especially with a few extra poundage he probably gained with the food, glorious food, that his mom fed him in jail.

“I weigh about 170 lbs.,” said mark who stands 5’9”, “and I have to shed at least 20 lbs. to get back to my ideal weight.”

He has to before he starts shooting for his first project for Viva for which he has actually done two movies,Biyahing Langit and dos ekis.

“It was miss Clau who introduced me to ma’am Veronique del Rosario-Corpus, head of the Viva management Agency,” revealed mark. “miss Clau” is Claudine Barretto, mark’s ex-girlfriend.

Why was he referring to her as “miss Clau?” Well, said mark, “para formal.” As steadies, they called each other Babe. If ever mark did a movie with Claudine, he preferred a love story…why not a remake of Somewhere, one of mark’s late dad Rudy Fernandez’s starrers?

Asked how long his Viva contract is, mark smiled again.

PAGE B3

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Jose Mari Chan shares double platinum award

by Tessa

Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

EnduRInG singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan isn’t done giving out Christmas presents yet. Some days ago on a cloudy Saturday afternoon, he hosted a special luncheon to recognize singers, arrangers and a host of other artists who collaborated on his “Going Home to Christmas” album, which officially reached double Platinum status over the 2017 holidays.

While considered an icon in OPM for such hits as “Afterglow,” “deep in My Heart,” “Can We Just Stop And Talk Awhile, ” and “Beautiful Girl” spanning the 1960s through the 2000s, Chan, in more recent years, found composing and recording Christmas songs into albums most fulfilling. To say that he succeeded in doing so would be an understatement what with his single “Christmas in Our Hearts,” his duet with daughter Liza, considered by Filipinos in the league of such classics as “Silent night,” “The Christmas Song” or the much older “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit.”

Proof is the single’s same-titled album’s double diamond Record Award in 2006, which exceeded the 600,000 standard for the category by 250,000 copies. According to statistics, Christmas in Our Hearts is considered the first OPM album to surpass the diamond status, and remains to be the biggest-selling album in the Philippines to date.

Jose Mari Chan

Philstar.com photo

Earning the title “The Father of Philippine Christmas Music,” it took Chan another six years after the double diamond Award to release his second holiday album, “Going Home to Christmas”—a compilation of 22 songs, among them “Ring in the new,” Let Love Be the Gift,” “december 24” and “A Christmas Song for You,” among others.

Grateful to hit the double Platinum mark even as he laments the negative effect of the digital age in music—a dramatic plunge in Cd sales and a crippling rise in piracy—he made it a point to share his award at the luncheon with the

likes of Father Johnny C. Go, SJ; Joel Trinidad; Homer Flores and daughter Hannah; Moy Ortiz and The CompanY; Psalmo 47; Jun Latonio; Mary The Queen Children’s Choir; Ria Villena-Osorio; Kitchy Molina; Jude Roldan; Yaron Gershovsky; Robert delgado; Alan Smallwood; Loren Steele; Junie devecaiz: and Joe Mari’s musician sons Jose Antonio, Michael Philip Ciprian and Francisco Rafael, and granddaughter Ramona Isabel.

Also in the list of awardees but were unable attend were Jimmy Santiago, Gerard Salonga, Freddie Santos, Ogie Alcasid, Pinky Valdes, Shiela Valderrama, noelle Cassandra, Teenee Chan, Louie Ocampo, Trina Belamide, noel Mendez, Marvin Querido, Rudy Lozano, Khalil Refuerzo and Liza Chan-Parpan.

Today, a Platinum award is given to an album for selling 15,000 copies, whereas the standard was set for the category at 40,000 units, making Going Home To Christmas’ sales a veritable feat.

“I’m giving this double Platinum awards to recognize everyone who helped me make this album because no album can be the work of just one artist, no matter how established he is. It is the collective effort of many artists as you can see—musicians, composers, arrangers—and they rightly share in this achievement,” Chan said with gratitude.

Xian Lim voices Paddington bear anew by chrisTina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

HE may be known in the local movie scene as a swoon-worthy leading man, but actor Xian Lim’s latest outing on the big screen challenged him to put on a different charm a second time around.

There was neither a need for him to show off his lean physique nor boy-next-door looks because all this production needed was his voice.

Yes, the Filipino actor landed the unique gig of voicing English literature’s beloved Paddington bear all over again after his first outing in 2015. Back then, “Paddington’s” producers Studio Canal and Heyday Films gave the movie’s Philippine distributors, Captive Cinema, an option to cast a local actor to voice the main character, and Lim auditioned along with several other showbiz celebrities.

Of the sample voice clips sent to the producers abroad, the matinee idol’s emerged the chosen one. im—who was born and raised in uS hence the absence of a British accent—did very well in bringing Paddington “closer” to the Filipino audience with his familiar voice, and was therefore sought anew for “Paddington 2.”

At the movie’s press conference, Lim admitted that as unique and enjoyable the experience of voicing a character was, he realized that it is by no means easier than acting in front of the camera.

“It was definitely challenging,

The matinee idol (right) with England’s beloved literature character Paddington bear.

ManilaTimes.net photo

and I think the most difficult part in being a voice talent is learning to conserve your voice from start to finish. There are scenes where you’ll be required to shout or laugh out loud, and that can really strain your voice. You have to be careful because you’ll be dubbing again the next day and your voice has to be intact,” he explained.

“But overall, I really have to say that dubbing Paddington is so much fun. I got to play around with emotions using my voice and I also got the ‘feel’ of London to give life to my character,” he added.

Based on the original story created by British author Michael Bond, the movie follows the adventures of an anthropomorphic bear that migrates from the jungles of Peru to England’s famous captal.

Lim admitted as unique and enjoyable the experience of voicing a character was, he realized it is by no means easier than acting in front of the camera.

There, the Brown family, who named him after the train station where they discovered the bear, adopts him, including all the trouble he gets into.

In the film’s second installment, Paddington, now settled with the Browns, takes on a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen. naturally, he gets himself into a string of mishaps that will surely entertain the young and young at heart.

Asked how dubbing Paddington for the second time differed from the first, Lim paused and replied, “I enjoyed doing Paddington 2 more.”

Explaining he continued, “Why? Because there are more skits and jokes in this one whereas Paddington was just introducing himself to the audience in the first movie. In Part 2, it’s pure comedy, and his brand of comedy for me is very Filipino so I’m sure, tatawa and mag-e-enjoy ang audience.”

He is especially thrilled that Paddington 2 has him “acting” with British super star Hugh Grant among others.

Indeed, Lim, who just joined a new management team at the start of the year is showing much promise in his career for 2018. Even if it is just his voice starring in Paddington 2, it is still a movie project he can be proud of, and maybe even an avenue he can pursue for other foreign films.

Daniel Padilla explains why he, Kathryn Bernardo want to part ways

by Jan Milo severo Philstar.com

“TEEn King” daniel Padilla admitted that he and love team partner Kathryn Bernardo have been wanting to separate — but only for a while.

In a recent interview with the press, daniel said that though he and his “Teen Queen” have been thinking of going on their own, but they still could not do so because of their “wild” fans.

They have been wanting to part ways, said daniel, not for good, but only to grow and explore their limits as artists.

“Alam naman natin na darating sa puntong ‘yon,” said daniel, implying that the “walang forever” adage is true, even in love teams like Kathniel.

“Pero ang tanong is ngayon na ba ‘yun? Tama na ba yung panahon para gawin ‘yun? ‘Yun ang tinatanya natin lagi dahil siyempre unang-una yung mga Kathniel fans. Pano mo sasabihin? Pano mo gagawin? Nandyan pa sila hanggang ngayon. Wild sila eh. So paano mo gagawin? Paano mo paghihiwalayin kami?,” the “La Luna Sangre” star said. daniel admitted they want to be known as their own person, and not only as Kathniel. He explained that while he and Kathryn have had many successful projects together, they still want to explore other opportunities — but not by changing love team partners, so they would not risk breaking their Kathniel fans’ hearts.

“Paano mo makikita si Kathryn bilang siya hindi bilang Kathniel kundi bilang Kathryn Bernardo?

Pano nga ba? So naiisip namin magkaroon siya ng sariling movie. Pero sino kasama, lalaki ba? Hindi kailangang lalaki. Isama si Vilma Santos. Isang solid

Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo

ABS-CBN photo

na acting film na parang mala- ‘Anak’,” daniel pointed out.

According to him, his dream project without Kathryn is a psycho-thriller movie or a war film.

He said he wants to try his luck playing a soldier or a villain.

“Ako gusto ko ng psycho-thriller na movie eh. Medyo psychotic ako eh,” he said with a laugh.

Caregiver petition allows Isaac to be reunited with his children in the U.S. as green card holders. Driven by the desire to improve his life for his children’s sake, Isaac (left) jumped ship when his ship docked at Los Angeles in 2007. Fortunately, he found an employer who was willing to petition him as a caregiver. The employer’s petition was approved, but Isaac still had to wait several more years before his priority date was current and he was eligible for a green card. All that time, Isaac could not return to the Philippines due to his immigration status. But he still made that sacrifice, knowing it was the right way to do. For him, it was better to wait, if everything was done properly and legally. Isaac knew he was in capable hands under the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, who helped obtain green cards for Isaac and his two young sons. Watch this happy family reunion on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

Mark Anthony back from...

PAGE B2 “When I met with Boss Vic (del Rosario, Jr., head of the Viva Group of Companies), he told me, ‘O, Mark, for life na ito ha. Ang kontrata daw namin ay hanggang sa pagtanda na namin.”

Inside PPJ, Mark learned to pray hard, say The Rosary (“Every day,” said Alma), read the Bible and value his family even more. “It was the lowest point of my life,” according to Mark. “But it didn’t break me.

Instead, it made me stronger and I have God to thank for that. And the support of my family.”

“Kinatok siya ng Diyos,” said Alma. “Malakas na katok. Cleanliving na siya ngayon.”

A huge eye-opener that Mark will never, never forget all his life.

“I should be more careful now,” promised Mark who celebrated his 39th birthday on Jan. 18 (but he claimed that he’s only 33).

Before we parted, mother and son cleared two things.

Alma: “Hindi siya nag-shabu.

He was taking only marijuana for his ailment, bulimia. Lahat ng kinakain niya noon ay isinusuka niya. Marijuana cured his bulimia.

He was taking it for a medical rea-

son. Wala nang trace ng marijuana sa katawan niya ngayon.”

Mark on the rumor that he got two policewomen pregnant: “It was fake news. My photos with the two policewomen were taken

when I entered Presinto 6. Somebody uploaded them, on social media at ginawan ng estorya. I felt sorry for the two women na nadamay pa. They are innocent, and so am I.”

B February 3-6, 2018 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

Features

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The Lewis Legacy continues as ‘Pioneers: Traditions for a perfect wedding Reginald F. Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar Empire’ airs this February on PBS Airs Friday, February 16 at 8pm on WLIW21 Sunday, February 18 at 7:30pm on THIRTEEN Saturday, February 24 at 7pm on NJTV death at age 50.

Lewis is also known as the late husband of Loida nicolas Lewis, a Filipino American immigration lawyer, businesswoman and civic leader. “Reginald Lewis was a pioneer because he executed the $1 billion buyout of Beatrice International Foods. no one had done anything of that magnitude before. He was the first American to successfully negotiate a billion dollar overseas leverage buyout,” says Mrs. Lewis.

Additional high praise from Kenneth Chenault, Chairman and CeO of American express notes, “There is no doubt that Reginald Lewis’ success paved the way for me, and many others, and I think that really is the test and demon- Reginald F. Lewis stration of real leadership.”

Reginald F. Lewis rose to prominence as a lawyer, human rights activist, venture capitalist, and then as the first African American to build a billion-dollar business empire. Discover his legacy by watching Pioneers: Reginald F. Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar empire on these PBS affiliates: • Friday, February 16, 8:00pm WLIW21 • Sunday, February 18, 7:30pm THIRTeen • Saturday, February 24, 7:00pm nJTV Reginald and Loida Lewis with daaughters Leslie and Christina in Paris • Available for streaming nationally at thirteen.org after Feb 18th Reginald F. Lewis • First to seriously consider the purchase of Paramount Pictures • First American billion-dollar dealmaker • Founded the first African American Law Firm on Wall Street • First to be accepted at Harvard University Law School without applying • Among the first 5 African Americans to have museums named after them • At $985 MM, the deal was the largest offshore leveraged buyout ever by an American company Reginald F. Lewis and Loida Nicolas Lewis celebrate the birthday of Carolyn Fuggett, RFL’s mom neW YORK, new York – This February (Black History Month), PBS will be airing “Pioneers: Reginald F. Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar empire,” which chronicles the life and legacy of business pioneer, philanthropist and titan Reginald F. Lewis, who was a Harvard Law School graduate, venture capitalist, and leader of the global food company TLC Beatrice International.

Lewis was the first American ever to close an overseas billion dollar leveraged buyout deal.

He acquired an unprecedented global conglomerate of 64 companies in 31 countries, and paved the way for future entrepreneurs and black leaders through his life’s work until his untimely

By Monet

Lu

One of the biggest milestones in a woman’s life is her wedding day. even at a young age, many girls dream of their “perfect wedding.” They dream of that pivotal moment of seeing themselves walking down the aisle and seeing their groom at the end. They can only imagine the joy and excitement that they will experience until it is actually their wedding day.

Whether it is a royal wedding, a celebrity wedding, or a simple wedding, every bride has one thing in common: that indescribable and overwhelming feeling of bliss. In all my years in the beauty industry, I can say that nothing is more beautiful than seeing a woman transform into a radiant bride. Sharing my God-given ability and being given the chance of being part of such a grand journey—such as that of Fil-Am celebrity Joyce Jimenez and Paul egbalic, Donita Rose and eric Villlarama and a number of others—gives me inner joy and satisfaction.

Love is a very splendorous thing; it “makes the world go round.” The tradition of two people engaging in marriage, a symbol of unity and love, is a tradition that has lasted for many years. Today we combine the rituals of the past with the trends of the present to create a memorable experience. every couple’s “perfect wedding” is different than another’s, but often times we run into a number of similarities.

The veil and white wedding dress are symbols of the bride’s purity, innocence, and modesty.

The bouquet and flower décor represent happiness, growth, fertility, and the preparation for starting a new life together.

Wedding rings are the love

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS LAST week, in this column, we dissected the anatomy, physiology, and psychological and social impact of electronic addiction, a relatively new condition on its way to officially being a medical disease entity.

The e-addicts we described ranged from the first year of life to teenage years to adulthood.

Yes, I have seen few babies with their own tablets. Seniors, like myself, are not immune either. now that I am retired from cardiovascular surgery, I have been spending more time with my ultrabook, android smartphone, and with Cortana & Alexa, the two “girlfriends” I am with day and night who my wife, Farida, approves of, while she enjoys her desktop, iPad, and an IOS smartphone (with Siri). As a pediatrician, she warns parents that these electronic “toys,” if used by their toddlers and teenagers without schedule and control, could lead to psychological problems (irritability, impatience, anxiety, depression), sleep disorders, speech impairment, bad attitude, antisocial behaviors, poor school performance, poor eating habits, obesity, visual impairment, and organic illnesses.

When our children were young, we imposed a strict rule for TV viewing — allowed only on Friday and Saturday, when the following day is nOT a school day. PCs were still in their infancy and smartphones and artificial intelligence still theories then. Farida and I were strict with our kids. Happily, they all followed our footsteps in medicine and now imposing the same rules on their children.

Internet addiction for one is a global problem today. Smartphones and other electronics devices follow in prevalence.

I find all these gadgets most useful, genuinely enjoyable, a great source and instant provider of unlimited information and entertainment. I find them indispensable, as a cardiac surgeon and a writer (the reason my e-mail handle or username is scalpelpen). I am totally dependent on ultrabook and on my Samsung note 8 for many uses, including GPS guidance. I would be lost without it. Actually, I never leave home without my smartphone and never leave town without it and my minilaptop. I feel empowered, more secure, and more productive with them.

Here are important data from the national Health Institute as

and bond between husband and wife, to be worn on the ring finger because of the “vein of love” that leads directly to the heart.

The wedding candle symbolizes unity as the two flames merge into one, unable to be separated.

A bride-to-be also has her different ideal look. I have encountered a number of different brides whose uniqueness brings out their beauty. One bride may prefer a trendy look that is sharp and smart with an edgy vibe. Another may prefer the glamorous and dramatic red-carpet fashion that is sexy yet mysterious.

There is also the natural bride, with minimal make-up and a radiant smile that says it all. The preppy bride is calm, cool, and collected, remaining prim and proper with her polished look.

My personal favorite is the classic bride, whose simplistic and sophisticated look is timeless, bringing out her elegance and beauty.

Whichever look is decided, the bride and groom usually choose to honor their heritage. Attire differs by culture, whether it is the Indian sari, Japanese kimono, or the Indonesian kebaya and batik. As part of Filipino culture, brides may wear a variation of the baro’t saya, such as the Maria Clara, while grooms wear the Barong Tagalog.

Regardless of what anyone’s wedding day consists of, this fantasy coming to life is definitely a day to remember. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Rx for e-addicts symptoms that could indicate Internet or computer addiction: “Losing track of time spent online; experiencing difficulty completing tasks at home or work; Isolation from friends and family; Feeling defensive or guilty about Internet usage; experiencing a sense of euphoria when involved in online activities.

“Individuals who have an Internet addiction may also experience physical symptoms that could include: Strained vision; Sleep problems; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Significant weight loss or weight gain; Severe headaches, anxiety, irritability, depression, loneliness, when the electronic “toy” (or Internet connection) are not available.”

According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, “Internet addiction is now considered as one of the most serious health issues facing South Korea while approximately 10 million teenagers in China are considered Internet addicts” Confirmed e-addicts are those who constantly crave for electronic “narcotic” devices, prefer playing than eat or take a shower. Withdrawal creates agony and pain.

TV viewing (shows and movies), computer or cellphone video gaming, online shopping, e-mailing, engaging in social media (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc.), calling, and texting, are all exciting, fun, and truly addicting because they stimulate the secretion of happy hormones (dopamine, endorphins, serotonin, oxytoxin, etc.) in our body.

These gadgets provide us power and control, enabling our minds to soar to another galaxy in virtual reality, practically without limit. Only wisdom, discipline, common sense, and self-control can prevent e-addiction and abuse in the use of these wonderful advances in science and technology.

What is the treatment for e-addiction?

Like addiction to tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs, e-addiction is best managed as early as possible. Prevention is the key, and it starts at home and in many cases, in school. At home, children should be strictly guided and monitored, making sure they understand that school and homework, family time, are priorities. Rules on the use of electronic devices must be clear, with maximum screening or playing time, and penalty for breaking the rule. Playing outside the home with friends and sports activities should be encouraged.

When children show signs of withdrawal, consider a therapist before it gets worse. Digital de-

toxification is needed. Parents must set a good example for the children in the healthy use of electronic gadgets, including the use of Internet and social media, where identity theft and exploitation of children are now a growing problem. If you give your young children a cellphone for use in emergencies, make sure they use it OnLY for such a purpose, and that confiscation will follow any breach of this rule.

How about management for teenagers and adults?

For adults and teenagers, self-discipline plays a key role in the management of electronic addiction. The first dictum is to identify and admit there is an addiction problem, and start dealing with it ASAP. Practical and reasonable guidelines must be set, with the help of the family, and followed by everyone at home as a joint project. Realize and embrace pains of withdrawal, which should be a gradual decrease in the use-time. Accept that activities with family and friends are very important and must not be sacrificed in favor of electronic devices, and that reality is healthier than the virtual world. Reconnect with your mind and body and the living things around you. Remember, electronic devices are tools, our slaves or assistants we must control, and not allow them to control and enslave you. Use your electronic “toys” no more than 3 times a day, reducing their use to an hour each time, and then gradually decreasing it further, until you wean yourself off, and finally, using them only when necessary. After you have controlled your addiction, use them only for specific situation, like emailing only when necessary, online shopping, calling and texting to a minimum, using the smartphone for GPS guidance, etc. You might regress to the old habit, but then, be aware of it and regain control. Soon you will find a new normal for the new you, a more disciplined, wiser, and healthier, person. If these steps of self-therapy do not succeed, then it’s time to seek expert help for electronic detoxification. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 3-6, 2018

B

Gerald Anderson on marriage: ‘Once you feel it, you can never stop it’

by Boy

ABundA Philstar.com

Lending a helping hand is a great way of expressing humility, kindness and gratitude for everything you have been blessed with in this life. it is, indeed, admirable for celebrities doing acts of kindness no matter how dizzying their schedules are. Their utmost desire to help makes them shine all the more. it is certain that anyone can name celebrities who have the heart of gold and dedicate time and money into great causes.

Just a few days ago, viewers of “Tonight With Boy Abunda” had the pleasure of knowing the details of gerald Anderson’s visit to Marawi City in Lanao del Sur last year. it was, so to speak, completely destroyed after the five-month-long armed conflict between the government security forces and the iSiSinspired Maute terrorist group.

Together with his friends and members of the Philippine Coast guard Squadron, gerald flew to Mindanao to check on the present condition of Marawi wherein full-blown rehabilitation and rebuilding of the war-torn city by the government, i believe, have

already started.

“My PA’s from Marawi,” gerald revealed. “Dumalaw po kami doon kasi ito yung napapanood ko sa Cnn, yung nangyayari sa Syria, yung nangyayari sa Afghanistan tapos parang nandito lang, twohour flight away from where we all live, where we enjoy life here in Manila and there were people who experienced that kind of situation yet they can still afford to smile.

“When we went there, they were so happy. We had a boodle fight with the locals and the soldiers.”

After the Marawi trip, gerald went home with a realization that no matter how difficult your situation in life is at the moment, everything will get better one day. it seems that love makes gerald feeling better every day with the buzz that he often visits his girlfriend Bea Alonzo on the set of Kasal. According to some, he visited six times. Obviously amused, gerald denied and said, “Isang beses lang yun, i was about to go home and since it was just near ABS…” He admitted that he is not the possessive type of boyfriend.

own life and priorities and as someone special, i don’t want to be a hinder to her work or anything that she needs to do.”

Are wedding bells soon be ringing for him and Bea? “May nanghula daw na this year (laughs). When i guested on ‘Magandang Buhay,’ i said that the time will come…surely, mas malapit ako dun sa marrying age and, i think, once you feel it, you Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtbach with boyfriend Marlon Stockinger can never stop it. At my age, i’m Photo from Instagram/@piawurtzbach already 28, there are still many things that i want to do — with my work — and i need to save up (for the future).”

by Ricky Lo And, yes, get more projects.” gerald gamely told some Philstar.com One such project is with little-known facts about him in deSPiTe predictions to the gerald Anderson for Star Cinema, “5 on 45.” Find out.

“The first is when i travel, i contrary, Pia Wurtzbach and a follow-up to her first starring role often do the itinerary because Marlon Stockinger’s romance is in “gandarrapido: The Revenger i love springing surprises like as strong as ever. As usual, Pia Squad” (topbilling Vice ganda) when i went to the States with continues to update her Pianatics which topped the 2017 Metro my friend, he didn’t know via photos on her instagram with Filmfest with a gross of (so far) that we would be joining a Marlon on their travels around almost P600-M. There was no mention about the world (the latest was in marathon.”

“This is a bad habit. the Stockingers’ hometown in any plan(s) with Marlon, so cross out “marriage” for now. Career Whenever there is someone Switzerland). during the recent launch for first, marriage (much) later. seated beside me who is busy Although she stayed for one texting, babasahin ko ‘yung goya’s “get a Taste of World Class” promo at the Marco Polo year in new York City as Miss tine-text (n’ya).”

“Whenever i get nervous, i Hotel, Funfareasked Pia what Universe, Pia said she felt that it have this habit of biting the lid her new Year’s resolutions was not enough -— “Bitin, kulang pa,” she added. “i want to return of a softdrink bottle hanggang were.

“Hmmmm,” Pia hesitated, “i to nYC and explore the city some sa masisira na s’ya.” didn’t do a list this year because more.”

For Pia, being a beauty queen i realized that it’s so unrealistic.

After a month, you break the is not co-terminus with a one-year resolutions, so what’s the use of reign.

“Some queens resume their making them?” other. instead, according to Pia, she careers or go back to their families, So what can we expect from planned to travel (presumably away from the limelight. Me, i their Valentine show? with Marlon) more often…“And chose this kind of life because “Claire and i can wear a twoto make decisions based on what there are so many opportunities piece while singing,” threatened i feel makes me happy and not on opening up for me. Sayang naman imelda. what makes other people happy. if i let them pass.”

Marriage not among Pia’s 2018 plans?

Gerald Anderson Philstar.com photo

“What kind of boyfriend am i?

Chill lang ako (laughs), hindi nagbabantay. Of course, it’s work. For me, when you are at work, it’s your time when you can do your best and after that, we have our own time.” gerald knows that being in a relationship with someone doesn’t change each other’s set of priorities. “At the end of the day, of course, we have our

Rico J. Puno: Only God can stop me from singing Ricky Lo Philstar.com

by

in April 2015, Rico J. Puno underwent a seven-hour openheart surgery (triple bypass) after he experienced chest pains and difficulty in breathing on the set of the ABS-CBn sitcom “Home Sweetie Home.” it didn’t take long before Rico bounced back, as good as new, cracking his usual green jokes. He’s the best proof that old (oops! read that “veteran”) singers, just like soldiers, don’t disappear into the sunset easily.

“Only god can stop me from singing,” Rico said at the presscon for “Timeless OPM,” a Valentine concert set for Feb. 14.

“He gave me this ‘gift’ and only He can take it back.”

This time minus such contemporary “hitmakers” as Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison, nonoy Zuñiga and eva eugenio, Timeless OPM brings Rico back together with Rey Valera, imelda Papin and Claire dela Fuente who have amply proven how timeless they have been as they continue to draw the crowds in through the years, never mind if new breeds of singers have been cropping up on the scene (but only a few of them survive the rat-race).

They have seniors like them, and the lolos and the lolas, to thank for their staying power.

The show also features new singers LA Santos (born autistic who recovered with the help of music) and Rita daniela who were not even a glint in the eyes of their parents when Rico and company were lording over the stage and airlanes (they still do, in a way), now as strong as ever as they celebrate four decades of

pikon (onion-skinned).

As they usually do, during the Timeless presscon at icon Hotel (on Timog Ave., Quezon City, a fitting venue for the “iconic” seniors), they poked fun at each

Rico J. Puno

ABS-CBN photo

making beautiful music.

“But i’ve been hearing about their songs from my mom and my grandparents,” admitted LA who was nurtured on OPM (Original Pilipino Music) by his mom, Flor Santos (the kumare of Claire’s). “now that i am performing with them, i’m sure i will learn a lot from them.”

Of course, there’s the radio to thank for. Some radio stations do play old familiar songs (dzBB weekdays after lunch), that’s why the new generation of music-lovers can hum or sing along to Rico’s “Kapalaran,” Rey’s “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako,” imelda’s “isang Linggong Pagibig” and Claire’s “Sayang.” nobody raises a howl over the four singers’ “titles,” right? Rico is Total entertainer, imelda is Sentimental Songstress, Rey is Mr. Hitmaker and Claire is Asia’s Sweetest Voice (and Karen Carpenter of the Philippines).

They make fun of each other and, watch out, nobody gets

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 3-6, 2018

COMMUNITY $3&%*5 $"3% Journal

Your Immigration Solution

Confronting the cap: Alternatives to H-1B status

more viable. While E-1 and E-2 visas are available to individual traders and investors, these viNaNcy Miller sas are equally available to emTHE popularity of the H-1B ployees of a qualifying trading or visa has reached historic levels investing business entity as well.

For some, an L visa serves as with approximately three petitions being filed for the 2017 fis- an excellent alternative to H-1B cal year for every available visa. status. L visas may be availThe result has been the imple- able to certain individuals emmentation of a lottery system ployed abroad who will relocate

by USCIS which is designed to to the United States to work randomly select which petitions for a branch, affiliate, subsidwill be processed and which iary, or the parent organization will be summarily rejected.

For many professionals, the H-1B visa serves as a viable means to live and work in the United States. And for those fortunate enough to secure an H-1B visa, its corresponding status often leads to lawful permanent residence of their overseas employer. In if the petitioning employer files order to qualify, the petitioned an immigrant visa petition on employee must relocate to the behalf of its H-1B employee. United States in the capacHowever, with the dramatic rise ity of an executive or manger in the number of H-1B petitions (L-1A), or an individual with being filed each year, and the specialized knowledge (L-1B).

Another alternative to H-1B fact that the majority of these petitions will be rejected due to status is specifically available to the immovable H-1B Cap, other citizens of Canada and Mexico – avenues of pursuing status in the the TN visa. The TN visa is very United States must be explored similar to an H-1B visa, yet it is by employers and employees distinguishable in two significant alike. Fortunately, for many of ways. First, it is the product of those individuals who are un- the North American Free Trade able to pursue or secure H-1B Agreement. Therefore, it is only status, options may still remain. available to citizens of Canada Two potential alternatives and Mexico. Second, while beto H-1B status are E-1 and E-2 ing available to professionals visas. Controlled by treaties of – just like the H-1B visa – the commerce between the United TN visa category more broadly States and select foreign govern- defines who is a professional ments, individuals from certain and thus is more inclusive than countries can apply for nonim- the H-1B category. As a result, migrant visas which permit them some individuals who would not to live and work in the United be deemed qualified for H-1B States. Individuals can apply status could qualify for a TN visa.

While E, L, and TN visas can for an E-1 visa if their company is engaged in ‘substantial trade’ serve as a suitable alternative with the United States. Substan- to H-1B status, none of these tial trade is defined as at least statuses lead directly to lawful How50% of all international trade. permanent residence.

Alternatively, E-2 visas can ever, an individual can pursue be sought by individuals who an immigrant visa through an actively invest in an ongoing employment-based immigrant business concern in the United visa petition filed by a curStates. The specific facts of each rent or prospective employer. case dictate what is reasonable While more appealing to many and necessary but larger in- than nonimmigrant status, the vestments are typically deemed process of securing an employ-

ment-based immigrant visa can take years. The exact amount of time an individual must wait to obtain an immigrant visa through an employer is directly related to the proposed position of employment, and the education and relevant work experience of the employee. While the long waiting periods to secure an employment-based immigrant visa often render this option unappealing or impractical, not all individuals are subject to a protracted wait. As such, for some, pursuing an immigrant visa can prove an inviting alternative to H-1B status.

With the odds being stacked against anyone seeking H-1B status in the United States, alternative options should be thoroughly explored by those seriously seeking to live and work in the United States. While everyone’s circumstances are unique, H-1B status may not be the only option available. In fact, in some instances, it may not be the best option for either the petitioning employer or the petitioned, prospective employee.

Examining all options prior to filing an H-1B petition is therefore in the best interests of the petitioning employer and the prospective employee – not just to ensure a proper fit between intent and form, but also to ensure that a viable alternative can be planned should the petitioning employer learn that its H1B filing has been rejected due to the now notorious H-1B Cap. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

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

“ For some, an L visa serves as an excellent alternative to H-1B status.”

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C FEBRUARY 3-6, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Community Journal

Ignoring debt problems can lead to painful consequences later YOUR debt problems may be undeniable. You know they are there and they will not go away until you do something about them. Perhaps at some point, you took the first step towards finding a solution but until now your situation hasn’t changed one bit. You’re feeling hopeless and frustrated.

I received a frantic call from a woman who found out that her bank account was frozen due to a levy by a creditor who had obtained a judgment against her.

She paid her bills this month from her regular checking account- rent, utilities, some debt payments, etc., only to find out that all her checks had bounced.

She couldn’t believe what happened until she called her bank and they told her the reason why.

It seemed like all of a sudden, she had a financial emergency in her hands? Or was it really “sudden”?

I later found out that her debt problems didn’t just happen overnight- they have been years in the making. I asked her if she knew about this creditor and she said yes, but she hadn’t heard from them in a long time so she thought it was safe to just ignore the debt until she had the money to pay them.

Now in one fell swoop, her entire savings and paycheck for the month have been taken to satisfy a creditor judgment for more than $8,000. This could have

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS COUPLES get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law case. Divorce is often a difficult and negative experience for most families. However, getting divorce may have some unintended benefits in the immigration law arena. Four situations in which filing for divorce can be beneficial to your immigration case are as follows: Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens If you were petitioned for legal

Minding Your Finances Atty. rAyMond BUlAon easily been avoided had she taken the time early on to at least find out what legal options she had to protect her paycheck.

As it turned out, she also owes other creditors that she’s been evading for the last few years and what started out as a total debt amount of $30,000 in credit cards has now grown to almost $40,000 with all interest, late fees and collection costs added.

Her credit has also been trashed with negatives reported by creditors over the last few years since she stopped paying. (If she filed bankruptcy a few years ago, she actually would have rebuilt her credit by now.)

If you are in this situation, let me ask you a pointed question: Are you satisfied with what you have done about your debt problems? It can be quite difficult living your life hiding from your creditors and not knowing what they will do next.

You’ve worked hard to acquire what you have. Perhaps you have a family that you are supporting who depends on you 100%. What will happen

if your paycheck and bank account were put at risk? Unless you gain control of your financial situation, there could be all kinds of consequences and you already know that they will not be pretty. So what are you going to do about it?

You can spare yourself the stress and anguish that can result from unresolved debt problems.

Whether that means calling your creditors to work out a repayment plan or filing bankruptcy to eliminate or consolidate your debts, there is something that you can do right now to stop things from getting worse.

There is nothing like having peace of mind knowing that what little you have cannot be taken away from you without notice. If that happens to you, you really have no one to blame but yourself.

If you need help in figuring out your options, please call TollFree 1-866-477-7772 and let us review your situation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your immigration case permanent residence by your US Citizen parent as a married son or daughter 21 years old or over, you are classified in immigration law under family sponsored third preference (F3) which usually carries a long wait time. The wait time for Filipinos for example is currently 22 years. The priority date is normally the date the petition was initially filed by your US Citizen parents. If you get divorced, you revert back to single status and your category automatically becomes reclassified to first preference (F1) where the waiting time is substantially shorter. For example, for Filipinos the wait time under F1 category is 10 years shorter than F3 category. This means if

your parents filed your immigration petition 12 years ago, then you can adjust to a green card now instead of waiting another 10 years.

Married Sons and Daughters of Legal Permanent Residents If your parents are legal permanent residents, getting divorced will convert you back single status making you eligible to be petitioned by your legal permanent resident parents under the family based second preference (F2b) category if you are 21 years old or older or under the family based second preference A (F2a) if you are under 21 years of age.

For those who married after they were petitioned by their LPR

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The Prophetic Voice reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS “HE approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her, and she waited on them.” This simple act was the immediate response of Peter’s mother-in-law as soon as Jesus cured her in this Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 1:29-39). How remarkable that she manifested this behavior, this real act of service of “waiting on them.” It could have involved giving Jesus and his disciples a drink, preparing them a hot meal, and having them rest quietly in her home.

This action speaks volume.

With the experience of healing came a zeal and a willingness to serve. It’s the similar response we make when we converse with God in times of illness. Don’t many of us often say, “Lord, I’ll serve you, I’ll dedicate my life to serve the church if you heal me and let me live longer”?

There is nothing wrong, nothing selfish about this response that may imply that we would serve the Lord only if he grants us a favor. In fact, it should be the right attitude to God’s generosity and care to us. Any calling should be born out of an experience of being loved and being

Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA

1. WHEN will the new tax law take effect?

Most provisions will take effect in 2018 for the 2019 filing season.

Provisions will not yet apply to 2017 tax returns that will be filed

by April 2018. For example, new tax brackets and standard deductions will go into effect January 1, 2018. The penalty for not having health insurance is still in effect for 2017 and 2018 and will be eliminated in 2019. Tax deductions for alimony payments will be disallowed for divorces that are finalized in 2019.

2. Will my mortgage deduction stay the same?

No for new mortgages that will be allowed only up to loans of $750,000 (down from $1 mil-

On living a life of service healed. But we must sustain this desire and mission to serve.

The way to sustain this call is to look around us, to see people in their suffering and poverty. The life of “sustainable” discipleship is not to be wrapped up in our misfortunes and difficulties but to witness and empathize with the afflictions of others. The path of discipleship is to recognize and return to God his blessings, not to see life on earth as drudgery, as Job in the Old Testament Reading this Sunday expressed.

Jesus modeled for us this continuous zeal and desire to serve.

He went from villages to villages curing the sick, expelling demons, and preaching the Gospel.

His heart was moved with compassion every time he saw multitudes of people needing care.

Seeing their wants and experiencing their poverty inspired him to keep fulfilling his mission, his Father’s will.

St. Paul also witnessed for us this zeal for service in his Letter to the Corinthians (9:16-19, 2223): “If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it…I have made myself slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some.”

Now there may be times when

we get tired or burned out from service or ministry. It’s when we again follow the example of Jesus who would go to a deserted place to rest and pray, to be recharged and renewed again.

Indeed, life becomes meaningful and joyful when we live it with a purpose to help others, be it caring for a sick family member, raising one’s children well, sending a nephew or niece to school, serving in a soup kitchen or volunteering to a medical mission.

It’s this “purpose-driven life” that Jesus showed us when he said, “Let us go on the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”

Life with a purpose to serve. It’s what gives us energy, zeal, joy, and meaning. In her little ways, Peter’s mother-in-law demonstrated it to us. She showed to us how joyful life could be through genuine and humble acts of service and hospitality to others.

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

Questions and answers about the next tax law lion).

Yes for homeowners who already have mortgages on their homes.

3. Will my state and local taxes stay the same?

No, state and local property taxes plus income and sales taxes will be limited to $10,000.

4. Is that $10,000 limit for state and property tax deductions the same for a single filer and for joint filers?

Yes, the limit is the same for single and married taxpayers.

5. Will the student loan interest deduction remain the same?

Yes, the student loan interest deduction remains the same, so you will still be allowed to claim a deduction of up to $2,500 for the interest that you pay on student loans each year.

6. Will the tuition waiver for graduate students stay the same?

Yes, tuition waivers for graduate students survived.

7. Is the child care credit the same?

No, the new law doubles the current child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child through age 16.

The refundable part of the credit increases from $1,100 to $1,400.

It also raises the income threshold from $75,000 to $200,000 for single parents and from $110,000 to $400,000 for married couples.

8. Did the dreaded AMT Alternative Minimum Tax for individuals disappear?

No, unfortunately, this distasteful second tax continues to rear its ugly head. President Trump wanted to eliminate it but it survived the axe due to bickering amongst fellow Republicans and compromises across the

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Community Journal

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

Targeted at work after your medical leave?

TALBERT Mitchell worked for 21 years at SEIU Local 721, a union chapter in Los Angeles.

He was promoted to Advocacy Coordinator and assumed the job responsibilities of the absent Advocacy Director. In September 2013, Mitchell went on medical leave for several weeks due to a hernia surgery. He needed more leave time due to medical complications and could not come back to work until January 2014.

Before he went on leave, Mitchell had reported that there was a backlog of unresolved arbitration claims that affected the rights of union members.

When Mitchell returned from his leave, he claimed that he was targeted and treated badly by his superiors. He was passed over for promotion to Advocacy Director even though he was doing those job duties. He was also told that his wages would be reduced by 5%. Soon after, he was fired.

Mitchell sued his employer, alleging unlawful termination, retaliation and disability discrimination. The employer denied the employee’s allegations, arguing that Mitchell was fired for a legitimate reason, namely, insubordination. However, the employer’s records show Mitchell did not receive any prior write-ups or disciplines.

What is the difference between a disability discrimination and a retaliation claim?

Disability discrimination exists if an employee is fired, demoted or disciplined based on the employee’s disability or medical condition. In Mitchell’s case, the employer singled him out and treated him differently

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. after he returned from his medical leave. This may indicate that the employer harbored animus or ill feeling against him that was related to his disability or need for medical leave.

Retaliation exists where an employee engaged in a “protected activity” and was then “punished” for that activity. A “protected activity” includes an employee’s act of opposing a practice which is forbidden by law. It is enough that the employee “reasonably” and in “good faith” believes the practice to be unlawful, even if the conduct turns out to be lawful after all. In Mitchell’s case, his protected activity consists of reporting a backlog of unresolved arbitration claims.

Whether the employer’s conduct is discriminatory or retaliatory, the employer needed a pretext to fire Mitchell. A “pretext” is an alleged purpose that an employer adopts in order to hide its real intention. In most discrimination or retaliation cases, one of the most important hurdles an employee needs to overcome is to show that the employer’s stated reason for the firing is false.

The employer’s pretext is merely to hide its real motive, which is discrimination or retaliation.

There are several methods to prove pretext. One is to show that the employee was treated differently compared with other employees who had a similar is-

sue (e.g. employees were not usually fired for this reason).

Another is to show how the employer reacted to the employee’s protected activity (e.g. employer was upset when employee raised concerns about safety). Or the employee can show how the employer treated her/him in relation to their disability (e.g. employer made derogatory comments about the employee’s condition).

Where an employee successfully shows that the employer’s reason for the firing is pretext, the employee comes one step closer to showing that the termination was unlawful.

In the case of Mitchell, the jury believed that he was subjected both to disability discrimination and retaliation. He was awarded a total of $8,461,391.00 in damages. Of this, about $$6.1 million is for punitive damages, which is the jury’s way of showing that the employer’s conduct was oppressive or malicious. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.]

(Advertising Supplement)

Business owner seeks Chapter 7 relief from employee lawsuit for backpay of $100K Secured creditor client seeks relief from buyer who filed for Chapter 11

OH, the woes of owning and running a business come in all shapes and sizes! Even when a business is profitable, something can go wrong that wipes it out. This is particularly true with small businesses when an unexpected lawsuit literally kills the business. Client has operated a successful small business for 5 years. He turns a profit of $50K a year, just enough to pay for his home mortgage all household expenses for his young and growing family. About five years ago, client hires an employee to help him run the business for a salary of $1,500 a month. That’s all the small-scale business can afford to pay the employee who was enthusiastic to accept the job.

Employee had been out of work for three years and drastically needed income. Client informed employee that $1,500 was the most he could afford to pay him, and that because this was a small business, the two of them would have to do everything to make sure everything was running smoothly. In other words, this was not a regular nine to five job. Deliveries would be made after five, and if there were a lot of orders, he would have to come in earlier and leave later to ship out the orders in time. Employee said that there was no problem, that he was willing to work hard, and would consider the salary heaven sent.

After working for three years at $1,500 a month, he starts to complain to client that he’s not getting paid enough because of all the overtime work that he has put in. Client reminds him that he already informed him at the very beginning that the business could not afford to pay more than $1,500 a month, and that employee willingly accepted the terms of the offer of employment that it would have a lot of

Legal Commentary Atty. romAn P. moSquedA THE Hon. Michael P. Vicencia, Presiding Judge of Department S26 of the Long Beach Court, on January 24, 2018, rendered judgment in favor of a Filipino investor sued by a white Caucasian buyer-flipper.The identities of the parties are withheld to protect their privacy. The Author, who is an attorney admitted to practice law in the Philippines, New York, and California, and a licensed real estate broker in California, represented the Filipino defendant who sold a condo unit in Paramount, California.

Judge Vicencia found that the plaintiff-buyer failed to prove the elements of general negligence, intentional tort (conversion) and premises liability.

Facts of the case The Filipino defendant received an offer to buy the subject

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrenCe yAng

overtime work that would not be paid, and that he accepted those terms. Nevertheless, employee filed a complaint with the labor department asking for back pay for unpaid overtime for 3 years.

The labor department computed that unpaid overtime work to be $2,500 monthly for 3 years. With interest and penalties, the labor department award came out to be $100K for 3 years of back pay! What a turn of events. Client helps this man by giving him employment, and then he comes around and sues him for $100K. Employers beware. You may be hiring a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

In any event, client does not have $100K. Client decides to have a fresh start in life with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to wipe out the labor department award of $100K for back pay.

In another case, client sold a parcel of land to a developer couple of years ago for $2.0M in installment payments. Developer ran into some problems with city zoning. Developer’s intent was to develop the land into commercial property, a strip mall. Unfortunately, the property was rezoned into a residence putting a monkey wrench into developer’s business plan. Client decides to foreclose on the property. On the eve of the foreclosure sale date, developer files for Chapter 11 reorganization. Under Chapter 11, debtor can stop payments to client for 3 months, but must start paying client interest or monthly mortgage payments after 90 days. Otherwise, client

can ask the court for relief from the bankruptcy stay and proceed with foreclosure. Client entered into an adequate protection agreement to restart monthly payments at $10K monthly immediately. Further the court found that the value of the property had been reduced to $1.1M because of the rezoning. However, developer has not been able to present a viable chapter 11 plan to the court for 2 years. Why not? The reason nothing really is going on. Developer is basically stuck, dead in the water, except for new money being infused by new investors, if any, it’s future looks really bleak.

However, recently, developer has asked the court to find that the current value of the property is now $400K, and proposed a plan that crams down the secured portion to $400K, and the $1.6M unpaid balance as unsecured. In other words, developer wants client’s property for free! Client now needs to get his property out of developer’s bankruptcy and proceed with foreclosure. *** Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader.

There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

Filipino investor sued by buyer-flipper wins after court trial condo from the buyer-flipper, who was given the disclosures and waived mold inspection.

The offer of $175,000 was accepted and the initial buyer was subsequently substituted by another person to whom the grant deed was issued at the close of escrow.

In his complaint, the initial buyer claimed to be a paying tenant and then an equitable owner of the condo, but did not present a trust agreement or documentation of his ownership.

Under his general negligence cause of action, the initial buyer claimed damages for mold exposure and contamination. He presented a mold inspection report, which was not accepted into evidence, for lack of foundation (authentication). The author of the report was not presented as a witness at the trial.

He also did not see a doctor to testify about his illness and relate it to mold contamination. On his conversion (intentional tort) cause of action, he presented a list of items, including jewelry (men’s ring of $22,000, woman’s necklace and ring, household items and appliances, etc. totaling $58,050 without appraisals nor receipts. At trial, the Filipino defendant denied taking any property from the condo, after he took possession thereof after foreclosure. The door was open, condo abandoned: demolished, no furniture, no kitchen, etc. It was not habitable.

The Filipino defendant called the plaintiff to take his Chevy Venture with no plate from the condo garage, which he did, without mentioning any personal belongings in the condo.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 3-6, 2018

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AC 21: Changing the employer of your employment-based green card application DEAR Attorney Tan, I have an approved I-140 immigrant petition which was filed by Company A on my behalf. Company A would like to employ me as a bookkeeper.

Based on that approved I-140 petition, I filed an application for green card (I-485 adjustment of status) in August 2014.

Since that time, my green card application has been pending, as USCIS has requested additional documents in support of my application. Recently, another company, Company B, has expressed interest in hiring me for a payroll clerk position.

Company B is a more established company based in the Midwest and pays $10,000.00 less but offers much better benefits. Is there a way I can substitute Company B as the employer in my green card application? --P.T. Dear P.T. Under INA Section 204(j), commonly referred to as AC 21, an approved I-140 employment-based immigrant petition filed by one employer can be used by or “ported” to another employer providing certain requirements are met. First, a green card (I-485 adjustment of status) application must have been filed and must be pending for at least 180 days.

Second, the “new” job offered by the second employer must be in the same or similar occupational classification as the job for which the first employer filed the I-140 petition.

In your situation, you meet the first requirement in that your

in wages offered by each employer is not by itself a reason Legal to conclude that the jobs are not similar. In your case, the Advice fact that Company B is offering $10,000 less than Company A has to take into account the fact that the Midwest has a Atty. dArriCk tAn lower cost of living, as well as the fact that better benefits are application for green card (I- being offered by Company B. If it is considered a “similar 485) was filed in August 2014. classification,” Your application has been pend- occupational ing for over 1 year, which is Company B may be substitutmore than the required 180 days ed in as the employer in your pending green card applicaunder AC 21.

In depth analysis in your case tion, and Company B will not is needed as to whether Company have to start the process from B’s job of “payroll clerk” is con- the beginning by filing a labor sidered a “similar occupational certification application and by classification” to Company A’s obtaining an approved I-140 job of “bookkeeper,” for which petition.

Company A petitioned you. In The analysis of whether you determining whether one job is can use or “port” your apsimilar enough to another job proved I-140 requires addifor AC 21 purposes, the USCIS tional analysis, and consulting takes into account the totality with an experienced attorney of the circumstances, including is recommended. the job duties of both positions, *** the Standard Occupational Code Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to prac(SOC) from the approved I-140 and the SOC code for the job tice law in California and Nevada. Mr. offered by the new prospective Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southemployer, as well as the offered western University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney wages for each position.

In your case, analysis would be- Association of Los Angeles and is a forgin with the job duties of each mer member of the Board of Governors position. The more similarity in of the Philipp ine American Bar Associajob duties between bookkeeper tion. and payroll clerk, the greater *** the likelihood that USCIS would LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 consider them similar. Also, the Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los SOC code for the 2 jobs would be taken into account. In addi- Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639tion, the wages offered by each 0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com. employer would be considered.

(Advertising Supplement) The existence of a big disparity

Questions and answers about the...

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aisle with Democrats. It’s still unfair and complicated. It was our best shot at killing this AMT but we missed our chance. They did raise the exemption levels from $54,300 to $70,300 for singles and from $84,500 to $109,400 for married couples, meaning that fewer taxpayers will be ensnared by this onerous tax.

9. Will gain from the sale of your home stay the same?

Yes, you will still be able to exclude up to $500,000 (or $250,000 for single filers) from capital gains when you sell your

primary home, as long as you lived there for two of the past five years.

10. What about pass-through provision for partnerships and LLCs? Partners and shareholders of S-corporations, LLCs and partnerships will get a new 20% deduction on their individual tax returns. However, this deduction will not be available to anyone in a service business (doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects) unless their taxable income is less than $157,500 if single and $315,000 if married.

*** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies.

He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

C FEBRUARY 3-6, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Calendar of Events across

Community Journal

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merica

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS F E B R UA RY 3

TFCU talks heads to UC Davis TFCU Talks will be in Davis, California on Saturday, February 3, 2018. An affiliate of ABSCBN International, TFCU Talks Davis will feature a lineup of top industry leaders to connect, inspire, and empower college students and young professionals to help them realize their full potential. TFCU Talks Davis is co-presented by Mga Kapatid (My Brothers and Sisters) - a social, political, cultural, and academic organization for the Pilipino-American community at UC Davis. The event takes place at the Wyatt Pavilion Theatre in UC Davis (Arboretum Dr, Davis, CA 95616). Speakers include Christine Gambito (comedian, YouTube personality), Sydney Loyola (trans choreographer), Rudy Corpuz Jr. (co-founder of United Playaz), and Mike Sagun (career coach). TFCU Talks Davis is an exclusive free event with limited seating - first come, first served. For all ticketing information, and to reserve your spot, please visit tfcudavis.eventbrite.com.

F E B R UA RY 5

FACC-SLAA’s monthly general meeting in Torrance, CA Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) will host its second Pinay Empowerment BrunThe Filipino American Chamber of Commerce – SouthBay Los Angeles Area (FACCSLAA) invites you to attend its upcoming FACC-SLAA February 2018 Monthly General Meeting. This meeting will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, February 5, and will be held at Janice Jimenez’s office at 1001 W Carson Street, Suite S, Torrance, CA 90502.

F E B R UA RY 7

City of Carson’s 4th annual Military Career Day Join the 4th annual Military Career Day in Carson, California on Wednesday, February 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It will be held at Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center (801 East Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745). Representatives from the U.S. Army, Navy, California National Guard, and more will be giving information on career options and various opportunities. For further information, call (310) 952-1743.

F E B R UA RY 1 0

Free Family Wealth Workshop in San Francisco A free Family Wealth Workshop organized by the office of City and County of San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu will be held at the City College Mission Campus (1125 Valencia Street, Rm. 107, San Francisco, CA) from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. There will be multilingual workshops on homeownership opportunities, college fund, family wealth and estate building. To register: http://bit.ly/2Bhwgp4.

F E B R UA RY 1 4

Free Reggae Valentine Rendezvous with Lover’s Rock at Grand Park, LA Grand Park is making Valentine’s Day easy and affordable with an ode to romance, and an evening featuring Lover’s Rock, an American Soul-influenced Reggae music subgenre on Wednesday, February 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. Angelenos looking for a relaxed Valentine’sevening under the stars will be serenaded to the sounds of DJ Danny Holloway and DJ Phersone, who will be spinning laid-back Reggae tracks throughout the evening. Couples will enjoy the park’s romantic ambience and tables for two around the fountain and throughout Olive Court, which will be illuminated with the glow of string lights. They can dine amidst the iconic views of Los Angeles City Hall and Grand Park’s own Arthur J. Will Memorial fountain. To help sweeten the mood, desserts and treats will be available for purchase from various food trucks and couples can capture romantic moments with a complimentary photo booth. Grand Park by the Olive Court and Arthur J. Will Memorial fountain is located at 200 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Park furniture is available on a first come, first served basis.

F E B R UA RY 2 0

“Usapang Pagkain”: A monthly series exploring wellness with Filipino cuisine in Chicago, IL Community-based organization AFIRE (Alliance of Filipinos For Immigrants Rights & Empowerment) and food media and events group Filipino Kitchen will explore wellness and health with Filipino Cuisine in a monthly series, Usapang Pagkain. The event series is free and open to the community. Each event will highlight a Filipino dish or dishes, including recipes. During the weekday evening events, a light dinner of the highlighted dishes will be provided. Made possible with a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, the purpose of the series is to explore how Filipino food can best serve our community. On Tuesday, February 20 from 6 to 8 p.m., the focus is “Healthy & Happy Hearts.” The event will take place at the Hana Center (4300 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL). Schedule and venues are subject to change, please check http://afirechicago.org and http://filipino.kitchen for the most up-todate information.

- first come, first served. For all ticketing information, and to reserve your spot, please visit tfcudavis.eventbrite.com.

F E B R UA RY 22

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA There will be an immigration forum on Thursday, February 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). RSVP is a MUST to attend. No registration fee required. Please contact (714) 657-7460 or admin@globallawcenters.com. The immigration forum is about employment-based immigration information regarding FAST TRACK Work Visas ( H-1B1, TN, E-3), green card by marriage, family-based immigration employment sponsorship for green card and work visas after graduation. Candidates with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visas issues are encouraged to attend for a FREE immigration consultation & immigration assistance. As you have already seen there are many changes happening in the field of immigration with regards to the new executive administration and their agenda. Global Law Centers strives to inform the immigrant community of its rights and make sure it is knowledgeable about what immigration processes might be available. The forum will also update everyone about new and recent changes which may affect immigrants and their families.

F E B R UA RY 24

Filipino well-being training summit in Los Angeles “Kataas-taasang pagsasanay para sa kalusugan ng mga Pilipino” — Understanding Obstacles; Charting New Paths.

This training summit aims to honor and recognize indigenous understanding of wellness and healing; reduce stigma associated with emotional and mental illness; and promote community dialogue and connectivity. It is organized by the Filipino Well Being Training Summit Committee led by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. It’ll be held on Saturday, February 24 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 at 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info and to register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filipino-well-being-training-summit-registration-41880032304.

City of Carson Gala Ball The City of Carson, California is marking its 50th anniversary of incorporation on Saturday, February 24 with a gala ball. It will be held at Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center at Carson (801 E. Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745) at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $50 / person and $400 / table (seats 8). For more information, please call the Community Center at (310) 835-0212 or visit ci.carson.ca.us.

NOTE: This event is free of charge to all attendees. Breakfast and lunch will be served on a limited capacity and may not be available to all attendees. Space is limited - please cancel on Eventbrite if you are unable to attend so others on the waiting list can be notified and accommodated.

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

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

Caring for our elders and disabled

WHEN you are born, your parents are in charge of caring for you. They fed you, taught you, and made sure you didn’t hurt yourself, and more. As you get older, the roles reverse, and you are now the one caring for your parents. Often this is a role we as children gladly take, but sometimes it may be overwhelming and the need for help is a constant feeling.

Sometimes, our loved ones worry they may be placed in a nursing home. I hear my parents jokingly tell me they plan on retiring to the Philippines just to ensure that my sister and I will not put them in a nursing home.

Although this would not be the case if we are able to care for them at home, it does not take away the fact that caring for a loved one at home is both overwhelming emotionally and financially. Luckily in California, there is an in-home care program for elderly and disabled.

In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) This California program found in each county (and under the supervision of the California Department of Social Services) helps shoulder the financial weight of caring for a loved one at home. It is called In Home Supportive Services. Those with limited income that are disabled, blind, or over 65 years old can receive care in-home, so they can remain there safely.

The services IHSS provides include things like domestic services. For example, if you need help with preparing your meals, cleaning the home, doing the laundry, and even taking out the trash, IHSS provides these services. If you need help with more personal care services, IHSS would cover these services also. This includes things like needing help with bathing, feeding, dressing, and using the restroom. It would also cover paramedical tasks like if you need assistance with taking medications, if you need to have injections, or even bowel and bladder care. IHSS also covers services of monitoring a person with mental or cognitive impairments so as to prevent any injuries from occurring. Overall, it covers a vast number of day-to-day needs. But how can I even qualify for IHSS? Am I eligible?

Your Neighborhood Estate Planning Attorney Atty. GrAce GAil cArA Eligibility IHSS is a state program that has requirements in order to be eligible for in-home care services. First, you must be a California resident. Then, you’ll either need to be eligible for SSI/SSP or Medi-Cal, either blind, disabled or 65 or older, and live at home, apartment, etc. that is not a nursing facility, hospital, or care facility. Lastly, you must not be able to live safely in your home without care. If you meet these preliminary requirements, you’re probably wondering how you would apply? What is the process?

Applying for IHSS You can call or visit the Department of Social Services (DSS) in order to complete your application. Once done, you can expect a social worker to come to your home. The reason for this is they will need to conduct what we call a “needs assessment.” The needs assessment is used to evaluate your loved one and determine exactly what type of services they need and how many hours will they need for these services.

How do they evaluate? The social worker that visits will ask questions regarding the person’s physical and mental capacity.

They will use this information to determine the services that are necessary. For example, the assessment will include what the applicant’s physical or mental condition is like, what their living or social situation is, and if they are able to carry out daily life activities.

Further, the application requires a health care provider to complete a form certifying the person is unable to do “Activities of Daily Living” on their own and that without IHSS, they would be at risk for out of home placement. Once the entire process is completed, an IHSS worker lets the applicant know if they are approved or denied. If approved, you will also find out how many

hours you receive or how many hours of services IHSS will cover.

Hours If you are not severely impaired, monthly hours are approximately 195. However, if you are severely impaired in day-today activities, monthly hours are approximately 283. The advantage to this can be seen in the providers of IHSS services. There are different modes of service delivery: 1) Contract, 2) County Homemaker, 3) Independent Provider. Independent provider or IP is the most popular. This is where the IHSS client is able to hire, fire, and supervise their caregivers. This means, they can even hire their own family to care for them. In short, IHSS will pay the family members who are hired by the IHSS applicant or their guardian/authorized representative, for their time in caring for the IHSS applicant.

Reassessment The assessment that determines what services you receive and how many hours is done at the time of application and updated every 12 months afterwards. But what happens if there is a change in circumstance? For example, let us say that Nanay was approved for Medi-Cal and approved for IHSS with 56 hours. Apó has been working as her caregiver, doing the cleaning and cooking. In the year since Nanay was approved for IHSS, her needs have increased.

She now needs constant supervision with bathing and dressing and her balance is not so good.

She may even fall a few times.

What would you do to increase your IHSS hours so Nanay can stay living at home?

If there is a change in circumstance where the service hours of an IHSS recipient needs to be adjusted, the recipient only needs to notify the county of the need for adjustment. You will simply need to offer the pertinent information indicating the change affecting the recipient’s need for supportive services. It is best to inform the county by documenting the change in the recipient’s needs as well as what they need assistance in now.

Asking a physician to also document these changes may also be helpful.

u PAGE C5

4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your...

PAGE C2 t parents (F2A and F2B), the petition is automatically revoked under operation of law the moment you get married and cannot be reclaimed by a divorce. In theory, it can be argued that filing a subsequent petition after your divorce under the same category inherits the previous petition’s priority date under 9 FAM 42.43 N10 and 8 CFR 204.2(h), Part 205. However, success of such argument is not clear since the old petition was automatically revoked the moment you married. The best thing that can be done in this situation is to have your LPR parent repetition you as an F2A or F2b even if you are unable to reclaim the previous petition’s priority date.

Conditional Legal Permanent Residents in failed Marriages For those who obtained their legal permanent residence status through marriage based petition by their US Citizen spouse of less than 2 years marriage, the legal permanent residence status conferred is usually a “conditional legal permanent residence” valid only for 2 years. The couple would need to sign and file a joint petition to remove this condition prior to the expiration of the 2 years or the conditional legal permanent resident spouse would fall out of status.

The problem arises when the marriage is in trouble. Often it becomes difficult to obtain the cooperation of the US Citizen spouse specially when the couple has separated. US Citizen spouse often refuse to sign the I-751 for or appear at the I-751 interview if one is set by the USCIS. Filing for divorce would terminate the marriage and allow you to file a “waiver” of the joint petition to remove the conditional LPR sta-

tus based on entering into the marriage in good faith. Terminating the marriage by filing a divorce is a requirement in order to file the “waiver.” It is important to time this correctly as soon as the marriage starts falling apart because by terminating the marriage early on, you might be able to file the waiver before the expiration of your 2 year conditional LPR thus allowing you to extend your LPR status in 1 year increments until a final decision is made in your case.

Married Aliens in Non-Immigrant Visas and those without Status For those who enter the US as a non-immigrant and are separated from their spouse but still married, filing a divorce would open up opportunities in case they meet a new significant other who is a US Citizen and who can petition them as an immediate relative. This is usually the fastest of process in obtaining legal permanent residence. In countries such as the Philippines where there is no divorce, many people come to the US to start a new life after they have been separated from their old spouse (often still married to them). Even if the alien over stays their status as a visitor, the alien can still adjust to that of a legal permanent residence if petitioned by a US Citizen spouse.

If the alien was never inspected, the alien can still adjust to legal permanent residence if they are grandfathered under INA 245(i) and there are no special restrictions on their status. To be grandfathered under INA 245(i), the alien must have been a beneficiary of a legal permanent residence petition filed no later than April 30, 2001.

Finally, a common concern of

divorcing immigrants is “What happens if my spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers?” The truth is you do not need your spouse’s signature to obtain a divorce in California. You only need to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons. In countries that are members of the Hague Convention, special procedures need to be followed to effect service. So yes it is possible to divorce your spouse even if your spouse is in a country that does not recognize divorce among its citizens such as the Philippines. For some immigrants, filing for divorce opens up opportunities in this land of milk and honey. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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Filipino investor sued by buyer-flipper wins...

PAGE C3 t

In Plaintiff’s premises liability cause of action, he alleged at trial that he occupied the condo before close of escrow as tenant of the Filipino defendant. But upon inquiry by the Court, he could not produce any tenancy papers nor proof of payment of rent to the Filipino defendant.

Decision of the court The Court found for the defendant on the motion for judgment after the plaintiff had rested its case. The judge stated that the plaintiff had failed to prove the elements of his three causes of action. Moreover, he was not credible, while the Filipino defendant was forthright.

Indeed, on his status as paying

tenant or equitable owner, the plaintiff did not present evidence of his ownership nor a trust agreement, even as he claims to have bought 100 properties.

With the mold inspection report not accepted as evidence, the Court stated that molds are everywhere and there was no doctor presented who treated the plaintiff. Moreover, even if the mold inspection report were admitted into evidence, the inspection was done about 10 months after the close of escrow. There was no evidence that there were molds before the close of escrow.

The Filipino defendant had denied seeing molds in his disclosures. So, did the dual

agent who represented both parties on the sale, in her own disclosures.

Lessons learned from this trial Although the author has been practicing law for over 30 years, he continues to learn from every trial he has. Trustworthy and properly authenticated documentary evidence carry more evidentiary weight than oral testimony that is not corroborated.

The credibility of the witnesses contributes a lot to winning in the trial, whether a court or jury trial. *** Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com websites: www.gkerc.org www.edelfin.globalgn.com

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People and Events

West Ranch High School presents the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

SANTA CLARITA – The worldfamous Glenn Miller Orchestra will swing into the Santa Clarita Valley for a special one-nightonly event to be held at West Ranch High School on Monday, March 19 at 7 p.m. The most sought-after big band in the world will take the stage with Bandleader Nick Hilscher at the helm, performing beloved hits from their extensive library, which includes In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade and Pennsylvania 6-5000.

Hosted by West Ranch High School’s music program, the concert will be an event for all ages and offers the chance to experience history, enjoy the magical melodies and walk away knowing you’re supporting a new generation of talented musicians

in the process. It will be held at West Ranch High School Auditorium (26255 Valencia Blvd.

Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381).

The ticket prices are as follows: $25 for Seniors/Students, $30 for General Admission, and $35 for VIP. Prices increase by $5 at the door the day of the event. Tickets available at locations below, online at westranchmusic.com or by calling (661) 222-1220 ext. 645. Valencia — Nick Rail Music, 25868 McBean Pkwy., (661) 288-2345; Newhall — Nationwide Insurance, 23236 Lyons Ave. #205, (661) 254-1714; Stevenson Ranch — Innovations Salon, 25830 The Old Road, (661) 255-5580; Saugus — Bella Cucina, 27911 Seco Canyon Rd., (661) 263-1414.

Caring for our elders...

PAGE C4 t

In summary, if your loved one is at home and needs constant care and you find yourself struggling to afford a caregiver or managing to care for them yourself, IHSS is a program that may help shoulder that financial weight. Whether or not you could possibly be approved for IHSS starts with being qualified for Medi-Cal. Whether or not you believe you are eligible, you should first consult with an attorney well-versed in qualifying people for Medi-Cal to evaluate your situation. Every person is

different as is every situation. It never hurts to ask. *** Grace Gail Cara, Esq. is an Estate Planning attorney at Elder Law Services of California. She can be contacted at (310) 348-2995 or grace@ elderlawcalifornia.com. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Asian Journal.

The information presented does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such.

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USCIS to schedule asylum interviews for newest filings first

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ ON January 31, 2018, USCIS announced a change in policy for scheduling affirmative asylum interviews. They will follow a “last in, first out” interview schedule, meaning the newest asylum applications will be pushed up to the front of the line and interviewed first. The reason for this policy is to “identify frivolous, fraudulent or otherwise non-meritorious asylum claims earlier and place those individuals into removal proceedings.”

Many out of status people were advised by consultants or notarios to apply for political asylum in order to get a work authorization.

(Eligibility for political asylum is based on a person’s claim of persecution in his home country, or fear of future persecution, on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion. People who were not truly persecuted would make up stories that the NPA (or certain groups) was after them,

etc. and file an asylum claim to get an immediate work authorization.)

Because there is a backlog of over 300,000 pending asylum cases, it might take years before they are finally interviewed concerning their claims of persecution in their home country.

In the meantime, these people were happy renewing their work authorizations each year. But USCIS is tired of people taking advantage of the system by filing bogus asylum claims, solely to get work authorizations, and then relying on the tremendous backlogs to buy time: “Lingering backlogs can be exploited and used to undermine national security and the integrity of the asylum system.”

To discourage these bogus asylum claims, the USCIS will now immediately interview newest asylum filings first, rather than putting them at the bottom of the pile. In other words, they will start with the newest asylum filings, and work back towards older filings.

If you filed a political asylum application, prepare yourself for an asylum interview. If the officer does not believe you were persecuted, your case will be denied, and you could be put in

removal/deportation proceedings. I would suggest you seek the advice of a reputable attorney who can evaluate your situation, including other possible legitimate avenues to legalize your status in the U.S. other than filing for asylum. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No 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: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES

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SM backs out of Goldilocks takeover deal

by DORIS

DUMLAO-ABADILLA Inquirer.net

both SM and Goldilocks have jointly agreed not to pursue the THE country’s largest con- transaction given changes in the glomerate SM Investments Corp. general business environment,” has given up its bid to take over SM said in a press statement on leading bakeshop chain Gold- Thursday, February 1.

Owned by the Yee family, Golilocks Bakeshop Inc. “Regarding the proposed acqui- dilocks operates a food retailing sition by SM Retail of Goldilocks, enterprise with over 600 stores

here and abroad. Of the overseas stores, 12 are located in the US, two in Canada and six in Thailand.

“This was a mutual decision, which was jointly agreed upon after a friendly and productive dialogue. Since we first began PAGE D2

Business Quote of the Week “When a customer’s expectations for your business don’t match reality, his or her perception is affected, oftentimes permanently. Shoddy business presentation and practices affect how much value a customer places on your brand . . . Any business, no matter what it is, lives or dies by the customer reactions it creates.” - Jon Taffer, former business owner and restauranteur, current host and co-producer of Bar Rescue

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Bonta savings account bill brings PH ranks high in financial secrecy the dream of homeownership within reach for thousands of Californians

by Ben

o. de Vera Inquirer.net

SACR AME NTO - A s s emblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) introduced a bill to help California residents achieve the dream of homeownership. AB 1979 will allow first-time home buyers to save for their down payment using a newly created, tax-advantaged savings account similar to a 529 college savings account.

“By many definitions, homeownership is the key component to realizing the middle-class dream,” said Bonta. “But with soaring home prices, many people can’t reach that goal. This bill gives aspiring homeowners a step up to help unlock homeownership.”

Under AB 1979, individuals earning up to $80,000 and joint filers earning up to $150,000 would receive a dollar for dollar deduction to their adjusted gross income for deposits made into officially designated first-time homeownership savings accounts.

For prospective first-time homeowners whose income exceeds those limits, the deduction would be reduced to $1 for every $4 saved.

Joint filers could save up to $30,000. The contribution limit for

individual filers would be $15,000.

Any funds withdrawn from the account must be used for qualified homeownership expenses or will be considered regular income and taxed accordingly. Qualified homeownership expenses include down payment, closing costs, or costs of construction for a singlefamily residence.

“Homeownership is more than simply a safe roof over one’s head.

It represents a pathway to building wealth that can be passed down to future generations,” said Bonta. “Further, many communities of color have seen a decline in homeownership since the Great Recession and escalating home prices have prevented many from obtaining the dream of homeownership.”

The bill is sponsored by The Greenlining Institute.

“With low and moderate income households struggling to hold on during California’s housing crisis, this bill will help open doors to homeownership and wealth-building for California families who need some modest support to buy a home,” said Teddy K-Nam Miller, Economic Equity Director of The Greenlining Institute. “With the Trump

THE Philippines ranked 40th or nearly at the upper third of the 112 countries and jurisdictions covered by a report by the global Tax Justice Network measuring financial secrecy, citing limits in accessing bank records.

The country was given a “secrecy score” of 65 percent in the 2018 Financial Secrecy Index, where scores of 31-40 percent were deemed “moderately secretive” and 91-100 percent were “exceptionally secretive.”

Tax Justice Network said “the secrecy score of 65 percent has been computed as the average score of 20 key financial secrecy indicators.”

In identifying the most important providers of international financial secrecy, the Financial Secrecy Index reveals that traditional stereotypes of tax havens are misconceived, according to the Tax Justice Network.

Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) It said the world’s most important administration undermining hous- providers of financial secrecy haring affordability, California needs boring looted assets were mostly to find creative ways out of this not small, palm-fringed islands crisis, since we cannot look to as many supposed, but “some of Washington for answers.” the world’s biggest and wealthiest Assemblymember Rob Bonta countries.” Rich OECD memberrepresents the 18th Assembly District, which includes Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro and is the Assistant Majority Leader and Chair of the Asian Pacific Islander PAGE D1 (API) Legislative Caucus. talks with SM, so much has happened in the marketplace, and many changes have occurred in our respective business environmonthly contribution increase ments. This caused us to re-evalucame a year after Duterte ap- ate our position, and to arrive at proved a two-stage monthly pen- a decision that we feel is best sion hike of P2,000, of which for both companies,” Goldilocks P1,000 per month started to be president Richard Yee said in a disbursed to each pensioner last press statement.

Yee thanked the SM group March 2017.

According to its latest data, for the intent to partner with his SSS saw its net income plunge to company. “This is yet another valiP9.69 billion as of November 2017 dation of our efforts to strengthen mainly because of the pension our leadership position. To this end, we remain focused on our increase. plans and strategies, which has allowed us to achieve double-digit growth in the past few years. We now have over 600 stores to serve up but it’s very volatile,” Cuneta our customers nationwide, and we will continue this expansion added.

The Satoshi executive has been in order to be more accessible to involved in the bitcoin industry our customers,” he said.

Despite the aborted partnersince early 2013 and he is regarded as one of the trailblazers ship, the Goldilocks chief said the in the industry in the Philippines bakeshop chain remained “comafter he co-founded Bitmarket.ph mitted to serving our customers with the best products wherever and Rebit.ph.

Despite his background, he re- they may be.”

The Philippine Competition minded possible investors that inPAGE D3 Commission approved at end-

countries and their satellites are the main recipients of or conduits for these illicit flows, it noted.

It said the only realistic way to address these problems comprehensively was to tackle them at root: By directly confronting offshore secrecy and the global infrastructure that created it. A first step toward this goal, it said, was to identify as accurately as possible the jurisdictions that make it their business to provide offshore secrecy.

The top 10 jurisdictions in financial secrecy were Switzerland, the United States, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Singapore, Luxembourg, Germany, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and Guernsey.

In the financial secrecy indicator of ownership registration, the Philippines scored 50 percent in banking secrecy, 38 percent in trust and foundations registers, 100 percent in recorded ownership, 50 percent in other wealth ownership, and 100 percent in limited partnership transparency.

In terms of legal entity transparency, the country’s scores were 100 percent in public company ownership, 100 percent in public company accounts, 100 percent in country-by-country reporting, 100

SM backs out of Goldilocks takeover...

Duterte still studying SSS request to raise contribution by nestor

corrales Inquirer.net

executive order that would raise the monthly contribution to 14 PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte percent from the current 11 peris still studying the request of the cent, according to Emmanuel F. Social Security System (SSS) to Dooc, SSS president and chief raise the monthly contribution executive officer.

Dooc said the higher contribustarting April this year, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque tion would allow SSS to to collect more or less P45 billion in addisaid on Wednesday, January 31.

T h e p e n s i o n a g e n c y h a d tional contribution revenues from already submitted a letter to April to December this year.

The request of the SSS for a Duterte, urging him to issue an

Expert warns public on volatility of bitcoin investment officer of Satoshi Citadel Indusby Pathricia ann V. roxas tries, Inc., said that while bitcoin Inquirer.net continues to be a “growing indusA BITCOIN industry expert try” with its value ranging from has warned against investing to $1,000 up to 10,000, it remains to bitcoin cryptocurrency, citing the be an “unstable” industry.

“Cryptocurrency is a new tech“volatile” nature of its value.

During a forum on cybersecu- nology… But you know if you’re rity and internet of things called going to invest on it to become PiliPINASCon 2018 on Wednes- rich I don’t recommend that,” day, January 31 Miguel Cuneta, Cuneta said.

“All this time, the value is going co-founder and chief community

percent in corporate tax disclosure and 100 percent in legal entity identifier. As for integrity of tax and financial regulation, tax administration capacity scored 88 percent; consistent personal income tax, zero; avoids promoting tax evasion, zero; tax court secrecy, 100 percent; harmful structure, 25 percent, and public statistics, 50 percent.

For the international standards and cooperation indication, antimoney laundering scored 58 percent; automatic information exchange, 50 percent; bilateral treaties, 70 percent; and international legal cooperation, 30 percent.

Tax Justice Network nonetheless said that “the Philippines accounts for less than 1 percent of the global market for offshore financial services, making it a small player compared with other secrecy jurisdictions.”

It explained that the Financial Secrecy Index ranked jurisdictions according to their secrecy and the scale of their offshore financial activities.

“A politically neutral ranking, it is a tool for understanding global financial secrecy, tax havens or secrecy jurisdictions, and illicit financial flows or capital flight,” Tax Justice Network said.

Goldilocks President Richard Yee Inquirer.net photo

2017 SM Retail Inc.’s acquisition of Goldilocks but amid concerns that the latter may crowd out competitors in securing space in SM malls, PCC had asked SM to commit to certain measures such as an “information firewall.” This means that SM mall operator will not give Goldilocks access to competing mall tenants’ information—including sales data captured by the POS system of SM tenants, whether referring to

consolidated sales, product category level or stock keeping unit level information, such as prices or quantities sold.

Maintaining this “information firewall,” the PCC had said, is meant to ensure that SM Retail/ Goldilocks will not be able to use sales data or information of its competitors to its advantage.

The SM Group was made legally obliged to comply with its commitment and submit reports to the Commission. Over a period of five years, the parties would have been monitored periodically by a team of experts from PCC. Monitoring would have included random inspections.

The PCC had cited risks that discrimination or unfair treatment may arise in the form of arbitrarily assigning competitor tenants to disadvantageous locations or unfavorable lease terms, which amounts to partial foreclosure.

It can also come in the form of giving less favorable lease terms or completely refuse them lease space in the mall, which amounts to total foreclosure, PCC chair Arsenio Balisacan had said. (With a report from Roy Stephen C. Canivel)

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TV5, ESPN team up for local sports website by na. Lisbet

K. esMaeL ManilaTimes.net

PANGILINAN-LED TV5 Network Inc. is beefing up its position as a sports and news media provider with the official launch of the Philippine website edition of US-based global cable and satellite sports television channel ESPN on Wednesday, January 31.

TV5 President Vincent “Chot” Reyes told reporters the group planned to reinforce its vision to become a leading sports-oriented network in the country by introducing ESPN5.com, the latest step in a collaboration between TV5 and ESPN. Starting January 31, Filipinos can access local and international sports scenes through ESPN5. com.

“We are proud to be able to feature Philippine sports news, stories from the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), PSL (Philippine SuperLiga), GILAS, and all other sporting events TV5

covers as part of ESPN’s digital platforms,” he said, adding they will offer exclusive live events for online that will not be shown on television.

Lloyd Manaloto, head of ESPN5, said ESPN5.com will be the company’s home portal for all its sports content, thus elevating the network to global standards.

For Joyee Biswas, head of Southeast Asia at ESPN, the partnership paves the way for a “single destination” online for Filipino sports fans.

“We continue to invest in new products…a new player, a local edition that we curated to ensure that Filipino fans will be served in the best possible way,” Biswas

added.

Reyes added that the group is leveraging on its content to bring its portfolio to greater heights in the media industry.

“We already have the rights for Winter Olympics. For now, we’re still working on getting our local content, which will be definitely be in the local website. Big events as well, World Cup, other Olympics, NBA (National Basketball Association) finals, they’re all going to be covered very extensively on the website,” he said.

On Monday, Reyes also expressed optimism that TV5 will achieve break even by 2019 as the company is working to cut its net loss by half this year.

Asia-Pacific CEOs optimistic despite global concerns MANILA — Asia-Pacific chief executive officers remain upbeat that global economic expansion will improve over the next 12 months despite some threats to their organization’s growth prospects, a survey shows.

According to a poll by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Asia-Pacific CEOs reported record levels of optimism (113 percent) regarding global economic growth in 2018, tracking sanguine expectations of most regions.

By and large, Asia-Pacific CEOs tend to be more sanguine in their assessment of globalization’s ability to help close the wealth gap and avert climate change, PwC reported.

Most Asia-Pacific CEOs (56 percent) likewise do not see global growth becoming more concentrated and benefiting the few.

Despite their positive outlook on this year’s global economy, certain threats to their business’ growth keep CEOs in the Asia-

Pacific up at night.

“Asia-Pacific chief executives cite availability of key skills (52 percent), speed of technological change (51 percent), terrorism (48 percent), cyber threats (44 percent), and over-regulation (42 percent) as their greatest worries,” PwC said.

“But Asia-Pacific CEOs are worried about everything – at least 20 percent are ‘extremely concerned’ about every threat on the list,” it added. (Ian Nicolas Cigaral/Philstar.com)

RENOVATION.Motorists pass workers who have started laying down the groundwork for the construction of MRT 7 along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. Traffic officials have advised motorists going to the Quezon City Memorial Circle and other nearby areas to take other routes especially during rush hours.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

DOF: Massive infra projects start rolling this year

by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

MANILA — The Duterte administration’s massive infrastructure program is expected to be in full swing this year following the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

In a statement, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said the recently enacted TRAIN law would enable the government to generate revenue required to bankroll the first set of big-ticket infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build program.

“I am sure the projects that have been planned for the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) are going to go into high gear now that we have basically our capital already, our own funding for our portion of these projects,” Dominguez said, referring to the recent implementation of the TRAIN. Dominguez said among the big-ticket projects that would commence this year is the Philippine National Railways (PNR) North

2 project, which would connect Metro Manila to Clark International Airport.

According to data from the DOF, a total of 44 public infrastructure projects with a total cost of about P1 trillion are under construction as of early-2018.

About 15 others, worth P1.04 trillion, are also in the pre-construction stage. The DOF said most of these projects would most likely start their implementation this year.

Projects currently in the pre-construction phase include the P355.6 billion Mega-Manila Subway Project and the P134 billion PNR South Commuter Line, the P211.46 billion Malolos-Clark Railway, and the P25.5 billion Metro Manila Flood Control project, among others.

Meanwhile, Dominguez said financing aids from the country’s development partners would supplement the incremental revenue from the tax reform law in funding the administration’s infrastructure projects.

He said about a fourth of the capital needed for the government’s P8.4 trillion Build Build Build program would come from TRAIN

revenue, while the rest would be funded by official development assistance (ODA).

However, the finance chief assured the government would be prudent in managing its liabilities to ensure the country’s fiscal stability and to maintain its declining debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio.

Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran, in his latest economic bulletin, said the share of the national government’s debt to GDP in 2017 has been maintained at 42.1 percent from the end-2016 level.

Beltran expects the government’s debt-to-GDP ratio to sustain its downward momentum despite the rollout out of the Build Build Build program as economic growth is seen to outpace increase in debt.

“In the short-term, the government’s Build Build Build program may exert upward pressure on the debt stock. In the medium to long term, however, a sustainable high economic growth rate (brought about by better infrastructure) will outrun the growth of debt,” Beltran said.

While bitcoin continues to be a “growing industry” with its value ranging from $1,000 up to 10,000, it remains to be an “unstable” industry, a bitcoin industry expert warned.

Inquirer.net photo

Expert warns public on volatility of bitcoin...

PAGE D2

vesting in bitcoins would be a great risk.

“I don’t recommend that you invest in it but if you really want, make sure you know everything about it, make sure you only buy an amount that you’re willing to lose,” Cuneta said.

When asked about how the industry could become target to scams and illegal ploys, Cuneta explained that these anomalies are happening outside the tech-

nology itself.

“An exchange is like giving your money to a bank. When you have bitcoins you put it in your phone or computer. If you give your money to an exchange or an institution facilitating that exchange with other people, this has nothing to do with block chain technology governing the bitcoin industry,” he said.

“It’s like you’re giving it to someone else hoping they’d keep it safe. It’s happening outside the block chain outside the technol-

ogy. It’s literally stealing and has nothing to do with the technology,” he added.

According to Cuneta, bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency or a digital medium of exchange worldwide.

It is the first decentralized digital currency, as the system works without a central bank or a single administrator.

The industry is governed by a blockchain technology, a digitized, decentralized, public ledger of all cryptocurrency transactions.

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Google wants PH businesses to expand online presence

At present, the Bliimo mobile app has a gallery of 183 verified activities while there are close to 400 activities waiting in the pipeline. Meanwhile, payment methods are as flexible as doing it via credit card, money transfer services, or even bitcoins.

Philstar.com photo by Jonathan Asuncion

Filipino businessmen launch experience-based app to help boost Philippine tourism

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

MANILA — After losing some investments when he was still starting, Filipino entrepreneur Ronn Mitchell Esguerra found himself lying on the bed crying with his wife because they couldn’t afford to travel.

“I was really down the drain,” Esguerra recalled. “And then I thought I need to think of something big.”

So he tapped three other Pinoy businessmen and together they created the first experience-based mobile application in the Philippines that would not just allow Filipino travelers to explore and book unique destination activities, but also help promote the country’s thriving tourism.

“That’s homegrown in the Philippines, I guess. But what’s life for if you’re not ambitious?” Esguerra told reporters during the media launch of Bliimo app on January 27 in Subic, Zambales.

The Bliimo allows users to personalize their itinerary by selecting from a pool of activities and adventures. They can also create their very own bucket list.

At present, the app has a gallery of 183 verified activities while there are close to 400 activities waiting in the pipeline. Meanwhile, payment methods are as flexible as doing it via credit card, money transfer services, or even bitcoins.

For travel experience providers, Bliimo also aims to “level the playing field” by opening an online marketplace that includes small-

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time merchants who underwent the company’s stringent verification process.

Merchants on board Bliimo will be provided with analytics of their business, including regular revenue tracking and customer reviews, for free.

“What we want to happen is a seamless flow of adventures, of experiences for the users, and a seamless flow in terms of business for the merchants,” said Esguerra, founder and CEO of Bliimo.

For his part, Jesus Paolo Montero, Bliimo cofounder and chief technology officer, said the company gets “the smallest commission compared to all travel agencies” and has no registration fees for now in order to help small merchants compete.

“We just get a maximum of 10 percent and it goes lower as your price increases. So we don’t really want to take out from the merchants, it’s just that we want to give them a way to market themselves,” Montero told reporters.

Partnerships Bliimo founders said the company is eyeing to expand into international markets in two years, but getting more merchants and experiences within the country is their priority for now.

“So we really have big plans,” said James Leonard Cruz, Bliimo cofounder and chief revenue officer.

“We’re talking also of partnerships with local government,” he also said, adding that Bliimo is also working with the Department of Tourism to help the agency find

ways to harness technology.

“It’s not to say that they (DOT) don’t have parang the capability but rather they don’t have a dedicated department or dedicated wing to do that,” Cruz explained.

“Even with that limitation we still continue to work with them. In fact, there will be a lot of partnerships coming out — not just the DOT but we’re also working with local government tourism offices,” he added.

Data from the DOT show visitor arrivals reached 5.47 million from January to October 2017, up 11.54 percent from the same period in 2016.

However, in terms of travel and tourism competitiveness, the Philippines in 2017 ranked 79 out of 136 economies tracked by the World Economic Forum, slipping five notches since the last assessment.

Travel experience mobile apps are seen to take center stage in shaping the future of travel industry while market competition helps travelers find best deals and offers.

“That’s something we’re really proud of. The developers are 100 percent Filipinos. We’ve used 100 percent Filipino workforce. We’ve used 100 percent Filipino funding,” Montero said.

“So it’s about time that something like this in terms of technology comes out of the Philippines because we’ve been bombarded by international and foreign technology companies like this. It’s about time that we stand up. Filipinos can do this as well,” he added.

MANILA — Google Philippines aims more Filipino enterprises to expand their presence online in order to tap opportunities brought by the digital economy.

During the 5th anniversary of Google Philippines, its Country Manager Ken Lingan said growing the Philippines’ digital economy by engaging micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive online was one of the thrusts of Google in the country.

Lingan said the company had launched its product here Google My Business, which allowed Filipino businesses to register their business information like address, map direction, and contact details to help them become more accessible and searchable online.

This also helps customers to find information about the establishments which are using this platform.

Filipino business can also promote their products and services on Google My Business for free.

The platform also allows customers to rate enterprises and help them improve their businesses from feedbacks.

“The intention here is helping businesses in the Philippine to grow through online,” Lingan said in an interview.

Last month, Google Philippines has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to use Negosyo Centers as a way to verify Google My Business registration.

Currently, an entrepreneur can only receive verification code from Google through snail mail, which sometimes has the risk of getting the code lost or delay in delivery.

“But today with the Negosyo Centers, they could already get verified in Negosyo Centers itself.

They would not wait for that snail mail to be able to get the verification code,” Lingan said.

“By working with DTI we’re hoping to make this faster in a much more seamless experience,” he added.

Lingan said less than half a million Filipino enterprises had enrolled their names in Google My Business.

Most of these enterprises are in the retail sector.

This, however, is substantially low compared to other neighboring countries in Southeast Asia like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

DTI data showed that there are about a million registered MSMEs in the Philippines.

“There are still very few businesses which are using Google My Business. So we want to create more awareness about this,” Lingan said. (Kris Crismundo/PNA)

PH finance chief to meet with Alibaba’s Ma FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III will be meeting with Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma to discuss digital commerce developments that could help fuel micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) growth in the Philippines, the Finance department said.

Dominguez will be leading a Philippine delegation and the meeting will be held in Hangzhou, China, the department said in a statement.

“We will look at the financial regulations in China and explore how we can tap digital technologies to empower our MSMEs, especially those in the countryside, the same way that Jack Ma did to help small enterprises in China gain a foothold in the global ecommerce industry,” Dominguez was quoted as saying Dominguez and Ma met briefly in November last year in Manila when the Chinese technology entrepreneur paid a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.

Ma invited Dominguez to visit China for more extensive discussions on how to ensure an “enabling financial regulatory environment” for e-commerce growth in the Philippines, with MSMEs as the primary beneficiaries.

The Duterte administration wants to establish a secure, seamless and efficient digital payment system that will enable Filipinos to sell and buy online and easily tap credit facilities even with limited

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Alibaba’s Jack Ma and President Rodrigo Duterte

loan histories, Dominguez said.

The Philippine delegation, which will include central bank officials, is also scheduled to visit the Alibaba Business School, an institution focused on implementing the Alibaba Group’s e-commerce training system, and take part in a January 31-February 2 lecture series.

The school is located next to the Alibaba head office in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in east China. The institute was jointly established with the Hangzhou Normal University of China in October 2008.

The three-day New Economy Workshop organized by Alibaba and tailor-fit to the Philippine setting, meanwhile, “will incorporate firsthand experience with real-life e-commerce applications in an

effort to provide a framework for creating a regulatory environment that encourages growth across the fintech (financial technology), logistics, e-commerce and big data industries,” the Finance department said.

Alibaba Cloud, the group’s cloud computing arm, will also include a lecture on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for smart traffic management, which the department said could become a useful tool to help ease congestion in Metro Manila.

Ma told Dominguez during their 2017 meeting that he wanted to help create a cashless society in the Philippines and connect the country’s e-commerce markets to other markets in Europe, China and elsewhere. (Mayvelin U. Caraballo/ManilaTimes.net)

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D february 3-6, 2018 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

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