020323 - San Diego Edition

Millions to lose coverage during the ‘unwinding’

STARTING in April millions of families could see their health coverage disappear as the government unwinds pandemic-era policies.

During 12 months after April 1, 2023, between 15-18 million Americans will lose health coverage provided during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

“Through COVID legislation, states have mostly kept people covered through Medicaid without interruption in exchange for an increase in their Medicaid federal matching funds,” says Farah Erzouki, Senior Policy Analyst, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). She spoke to reporters during an Ethnic Media Services briefing cosponsored by CBPP last week.

When that program ends, so will the continuous coverage requirement, and all 89 million Medicaid enrollees will have to reapply to renew their eligibility. Erzouki says enrollment in Medicaid grew to 89 million-plus people since February of 2020, an increase of 30%. It was the biggest

to tackle larger US military presence in Philippines

by Michael Punongbayan Philstar.com

in the disputed South China Sea. Austin flew to Manila Tuesday night, January 31 from South Korea, where he had said that the U.S. would increase its deployment of advanced weapons such as fighter jets and bombers to the Korean Peninsula to bolster joint training with South Korean forces in response to North Korea’s growing nuclear threat.

In the Philippines, Washington’s oldest treaty ally in Asia and a key front in the U.S. battle against terrorism, Austin visited Zamboanga City on Wednesday, February 1 as the most senior American defense official to set foot in Mindanao since U.S. troops were deployed to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in its war against

US, PH agree to four new Edca sites

by John eric Mendoza Inquirer.net

MANILA —The United States and the Philippines have agreed to four new additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the country, a move that was met with protests from progressive groups.

The announcement came in light of the arrival of U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III at the Department of National Defense (DND) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, for his meeting with Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

“Today, the Philippines and the United States are proud to announce their plans to accelerate the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the full agreement to designate four (4) new Agreed Locations in strategic areas of the country and the substantial completion of the projects in the existing five Agreed Locations,” the DND said in a statement.

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AT a meeting to simplify the nation’s covid vaccination policy, the FDA’s panel of experts could agree on only one thing: Information is woefully lacking about how often different groups of Americans need to be vaccinated. That data gap has contributed to widespread skepticism, undervaccination, and ultimately unnecessary deaths from COVID-19.

The committee voted unanimously on Thursday, January 26 to support the FDA’s proposal for all vaccine-makers to adopt the same strain of the virus when making changes in their vaccines, and suggested they might meet in May or June to select a strain for the vaccines that would be rolled out this fall.

However, the panel members disagreed with the FDA’s proposal that everyone get at least one shot a year, saying more

President Marcos okays tax refund for foreign tourists

by JeroMe aning Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the implementation of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund Program for foreign tourists by 2024 in an effort to boost tourist arrivals in the country, Malacañang said on Sunday, January 29.

The program is among the “Quick Wins” recommendations presented by the tourism cluster of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) in a meeting with Mr. Marcos last Thursday, January 26.

PSAC is composed of business leaders and industry experts providing technical advice to the President on the government’s economic objectives in six key sectors — agriculture, digital infrastructure, health

MENTAL HEALTH OR GUN CONTROL OR BOTH?

AAPI community leaders seek solutions following recent shootings in Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay

by Klarize Medenilla AJPress

CALIFORNIA’S vast Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has been wrought with multiple tragedies: the Lunar New Year party massacre on Jan. 21 that killed 11 people and injured others and the Jan. 23 Half Moon Bay shooting that killed seven people.

Most of the victims of these two murderous rampages were Asian Americans and members of the Hispanic community,

but there continues to be little to no clear explanations for what led to these tragedies. With the proximity of these attacks and the widely celebrated Lunar New Year, the Asian American community is on high alert, especially as it tries to move on from wrongly being placed in the crosshairs of racist violence and harassment during the peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gloria Pan, Senior Vice President, National Member Engagement, Campaign Innovations & Gun Control at MomsRising,

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care, infrastructure, jobs generation, and tourism.

According to the Palace, the president will soon issue an executive order on the tax refund, which other countries are also implementing as an enticement to tourists.

This would allow foreign tourists to get a refund on the VAT they have paid for their purchases here which they would bring back to their home countries.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue collects a 12-percent VAT on goods sold in the country.

Travel tax, e-visas

The Department of Tourism (DOT) recorded 2.65 million visitors from February to December last year—much higher than the 163,879 in 2021, but still significantly lower than the prepandemic level of 8.26

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GoFundMe created for Fil-Am man killed in Monterey park shooting

by AJPress

THE family of a Filipino American man killed during a Lunar New Year shooting in Monterey Park, California has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral costs.

Valentino Alvero, 68, was one of 11 individuals killed during the mass shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Saturday night, Jan. 21 as the Asian American community celebrated Lunar New Year festivities nearby.

“We want to honor his memory the way he

City Council approves state funding to house people living in encampments City secures $2.45M to help unsheltered residents in East Village

SAN DIEGO – Working to expand pathways to move San Diegans off the streets and into housing, the City Council on Monday, January 30 authorized the expenditure of a $2.45 million grant awarded to the City of San Diego to help end people’s homelessness in East Village.

San Diego was one of eight communities across the state last October to be awarded a portion of $48 million in Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF). Nineteen other communities received ERF grant funds in the first round in early 2022.

“We know what ends homelessness: outreach, shelter, housing,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “This infusion of state dollars will help us address homeless encampments in a part of Downtown where they have had a major impact on quality of life. I look forward to seeing positive results, both for the community and those experiencing homelessness.”

The ERF program is a competitive grant that aims to assist local jurisdictions

in ensuring the safety and wellness of people experiencing homelessness in encampments; resolve critical encampment concerns and transition individuals into safe and stable housing; and encourage a data-informed, coordinated approach. As part of the grant application process, the City of San Diego identified an area, including the blocks surrounding the Old Downtown Central Library with a heavy concentration of encampments: Broadway to F St., and 7th to 10th Ave. in East Village. The encampments include approximately 50 single adults, with more than half being African American and/or over age 55.

“With City Council’s approval, we are excited to accept this grant funding and put it to use,” said Hafsa Kaka, Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department Director. “The City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department will be working diligently

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FDA experts are still puzzled over who should get which COVID shots and when

MANILA — United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III is in the country for talks about deploying U.S. forces and weapons in more Philippine military camps to ramp up deterrence against China’s increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and

WARM WELCOME. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (left) welcomes United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III during a courtesy call at the President’s Hall in Malacañang Palace on Thursday, Feb. 2. During the meeting, Marcos emphasized the importance of further bolstering the cooperation between the Philippines and the United States.

PNA photo by Rey S. Baniquet

President Marcos okays tax...

million.

According to the department, the 2.65 million international arrivals translated to P208.96 billion or $3.68 billion in tourism revenues. Of the total arrivals, 2.02 million were foreign tourists while 628,445 were Filipinos based abroad.

The DOT said it aims to draw 4.8 million tourists to the country this year.

While he granted the tax refund for purchases by foreign tourists, Mr. Marcos also approved the automatic inclusion of the travel tax in all airline tickets. Passengers currently have the option to pay the tax in advance with their ticket purchase, online before their flight, or at the airport during the day of their flight.

Taxable individuals may be charged the full travel tax of P2,700 for first-class flights and P1,620 for economy-class flights. The standard reduced travel tax for minors 2 to 12 years old, journalists whose travel is in pursuit of an assignment, and authorized individuals by the President of the Philippines is P1,350 for first class and P810 for economy class.

The privileged reduced travel tax for legitimate spouses of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), unmarried children of OFWs below 21 years old, and children of OFWs with disabilities even above 21 years old are P400 for first class and P300 for economy class.

The president also gave his go-ahead on the

Austin to tackle larger US military presence...

terrorism in 2002.

Aboard a U.S. plane with tail number 1003 that landed at the Edwin Andrews Air Base at 11:30 a.m., Austin’s party motored to the regional Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) under tight security and was welcomed by Gen. Andres Centino, AFP chief of staff.

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Wesmincom chief, confirmed that Austin met with Filipino generals and a small contingent of U.S. counterterrorism forces based in a local military camp.

rollout of e-visas this year.

Furthermore, he scrapped the One Health Pass (OHP), which was the lone requirement for monitoring health, immigration, and customs concerns, as well as the practice of loud-speaker announcements in the country’s airports.

PSAC noted at the meeting that these proposals are aimed at improving airport infrastructure and operations and promoting tourism investments, among other objectives.

Marcos and the council also agreed to prioritize China and India in terms of trade and other relations.

New app

PSAC then informed the president that it is working on an app called e-Travel, which integrates all information on immigration, customs, and health and quarantine measures.

The app, which could be introduced to the public by February, is being modified to allow easy data input for families and other groups, they said, adding that the database will include tourist destinations, information on available transportation and hotels, and traffic monitoring.

Tourists can complete the form through the app before boarding or while onboard their plane.

Marcos highlighted to the group the importance of digitalization, which he said would allow tourists to easily fill out forms while traveling and enable authorities to ensure security at the borders. n

City Council approves state funding...

with our outreach teams to deliver a focused approach to move people from East Village encampments into a safe environment with intensive supportive services.”

This grant will focus efforts on placing clients into longterm permanent supportive housing (PSH) through the Coordinated Entry System. If long-term housing is not

available for a particular client, this grant will help subsidize shorter-term bridge housing, such as independent living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, placements with family and CalAIM-supported housing. When referrals to PSH are identified, the program will use hotel rooms as temporary housing placements to help support individuals’ independent living skills.

The announcement follows the opening of a 36-bed shelter for women at the Old Central Library last week. The shelter is just one of many to open in the past year, including a 150-bed Rosecrans Shelter, a 33-room Seniors Landing bridge shelter and an 11-room, 22-bed Safe Haven for unsheltered residents who struggle with substance abuse.

(City of San Diego Release) n

The more than 100 U.S. military personnel mentioned have provided intelligence and combat advice for years to Filipino troops battling a decades-long Muslim insurgency, which has considerably eased but remains a key threat in the South.

Austin’s visit to the Westmincom was his first engagement with the AFP since he arrived, opening an opportunity for him to personally find out the security situation in Mindanao, where local forces are still battling remnants of terror groups.

Austin also held a closeddoor meeting with Centino, Galido and Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., Philippine Navy chief and long-time Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander.

No official statements were released about Austin’s discussion with the AFP officials, said Lt. Col. Abdurasad Sirajan, Westmincom spokesman.

More recently, U.S. forces have intensified and broadened joint training, focusing on combat readiness and disaster response with Filipino troops in the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast, which faces the South China Sea, and in its northern Luzon region across the sea from the Taiwan Strait.

American forces have been granted access to five Philippine military camps, where they could rotate indefinitely under a 2014

defense pact called the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

In October, the U.S. sought access for a larger number of its forces and weapons in an additional five military camps, mostly in the north. That request would be high on the agenda in Austin’s meetings.

Defense ties

“The visit of Secretary Austin definitely, obviously will have to do with many of the ongoing discussions on the EDCA sites,”

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Romualdez said at a news briefing.

On Thursday, February 2, Austin was scheduled to hold talks with Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Romualdez said.

Austin and Galvez are expected to have a meeting in the morning and a short press briefing in the afternoon at the DND building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Expected to be discussed are matters involving U.S.-Philippine military relations and exercises, including the EDCA.

Austin will separately call on President Marcos, who has taken steps to boost relations with Washington since June.

The U.S. defense chief is the latest American senior official to visit the Philippines after Vice President Kamala Harris in November in a sign of warming ties after a strained period under Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. Austin last visited the Philippines in August 2021 and met with then defense chief Delfin Lorenzana.

At the time, he reassured that America’s “ironclad” commitment to its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines “extends to the South China Sea.”

Recently, Romualdez said that the Philippines needs to cooperate with Washington to deter any escalation of tensions between China and self-ruled Taiwan, not only because of the treaty alliance but to help prevent a major conflict.

“We’re in a Catch-22 situation.

If China makes a move on Taiwan militarily, we’ll be affected – and all ASEAN region, but mostly us, Japan and South Korea,” Romualdez told The Associated Press, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the 10-member regional bloc that includes the Philippines. – Roel Pareño, Pia Lee-Brago n

GoFundMe created for Fil-Am man...

would want, with a big funeral Mass and party,”

the fundraiser page created by Alvero’s daughter Kristenne Reidy, reads.

Previously, his family confirmed in a statement that he was among the victims and remembered him as “a loving father, a dedicated son and brother, a grandfather who loved his three granddaughters fiercely, an uncle who loved his nieces and nephews like his own.”

“He loved people and hearing about their lives, and in return he shared his own stories with so much gusto and enthusiasm that you couldn’t help but listen and laugh along with him,” the statement continued.

“He loved ballroom dancing, he loved his community, and was the life of any party.”

Alvero was a hospitality worker who was planning to retire in his home country of the Philippines, according to his son Val Anthony Alvero’s interview with CNN.

Alvero’s GoFundMe can be found at: www. gofundme.com/f/valentino-marcos-alvero.

The identities of the remaining victims, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office are: My My Nhan, 65; Xiujuan Yu, 57; Lilian Li, 63; Ming Wei Ma, 72; Diana Tom, 70; Chia Yau, 77; Yu Kao, 72; Hongying Jian, 62; Muoi Ung, 68; Wen Yu, 64. GoFundMe has a centralized page with verified fundraisers for the victims and their families affected by the shooting.

In addition to the individual campaigns for the victims, a GoFundMe campaign named the “Monterey Park Lunar New Year Victims Fund” has been organized by community groups, spearheaded by legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California. It seeks to provide financial support to families who have experienced loss as well as those who have been physically harmed by the shooting. The page has raised over $916,000 of its $1 million goal, as of Friday, Jan. 27. n

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a joint press conference with the South Korean Defence Minister after their meeting at the Defence Ministry in Seoul on January 31, 2023.

Photo by Jeon Heon-Kyun / Pool / AFP

IS BACK. Tourists return to Boracay as COVID restrictions are eased.

Valentino Alvero, a 68-year-old U.S. citizen of Filipino descent, was among 11 killed in a shooting massacre at Monterey Park in California on Saturday, January 21, his family confirmed in a statement.

Photo courtesy of Karmel Kwan/Twitter

US, PH agree to...

Galvez, however, did not divulge the location of the four new sites as coordination with the local government units (LGU) in the said areas are still ongoing.

“We withhold the announcement of the EDCA sites because our protocols and also our diplomatic notes have not been completed. So we need to complete all the staff work, including our consultations with the LGUs,” Galvez said in a press conference.

The Edca was signed in 2014 to address Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea and respond to natural disasters.

But it can be recalled that military officials has already previously identified Zambales, Cagayan, Isabela, and Palawan as possible sites. The sites are notable since it faces China and Taiwan.

Furthermore, the United States has allocated over $82 million for infrastructure investments at the existing five sites under the EDCA, according to the DND.

Currently, there are five predetermined Edca sites located at Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, which is closest to the Kalayaan Group of Islands; Basa Air Base in Pampanga, the home of the Philippine Air Force’s fighter planes; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, the country’s largest military camp and a frequent location of PhilippineUS military exercises, MactanBenito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu

Millions to lose coverage during the...

experiment in universal health care since the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010.

“Access to coverage and healthcare services has been critical during this time of increased hardship. At the same time, this continuous coverage policy has meant that most Medicaid enrollees probably have not had contact with their Medicaid agencies in three years, and in some cases, even longer,” she said.

Erzouki said that people would have to do the paperwork in order to keep their medical coverage. People have moved during the pandemic or may not receive their renewal notice in the mail.

Erzouki said in the coming months

Medicaid agencies are going to be overwhelmed processing cases and documents. She estimated seven million people could lose their coverage due to paperwork issues although they are still eligible.

“They need to make sure that their Medicaid agency has updated contact information for them,” said Laura GuerraCardus, CBPP’s Director of State Medicaid Strategy.

and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City.

Members of progressive organizations staged a protest at the front of Camp Aguinaldo along EDSA Ave. in light of the recent developments.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said the country should not be allowed to be used as a “staging ground” for what the group calls a U.S. military intervention in the region.

“Filipinos must not allow our country to be used as the staging ground for any U.S. military intervention in the region,” said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes in a statement.

The U.S. is engaged in provocations with China using the issue of Taiwan. Allowing U.S. to use our facilities will drag us into this conflict which is not aligned with our national interests,” Reyes added.

Labor union Kilusang Mayo Uno also called for the abolishment of Edca as they condemn the “subservient” foreign policy of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“We vehemently condemn the Marcos Jr. regime for its foreign policy, and its continuation of past regimes’ subservience to the United States,” the KMU secretary-general Jerome Adonis said in a statement.

The Edca was signed in 2014 to address Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea and respond to natural disasters. n

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have dubbed the end of expanded health coverage an “Unwinding.”

The Biden Administration could extend the date of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for another 90 days and the continuous coverage requirement would remain for another three months. However, at some point it would end.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projects that some 8.2 million Medicaid recipients who reapply will no longer qualify and will have to transition to another source of coverage. Another 6.8

million will lose Medicaid coverage despite still being eligible.

“Check your mail,” says Guerra-Cardus. People could receive letters at some point from either Medicaid or CHIP and they should complete the renewal forms if they get one, she says. If they don’t qualify, they may be able to get affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace and can learn more by visiting www.healthcare.gov

“However, people are given a pretty limited time after they lose Medicaid coverage to transition to the ACA. So the concern there is that people won’t have enough time to enroll in the marketplace after they lose Medicaid coverage without experiencing some sort of gap in coverage,” she said.

Eligibility and income requirements vary widely by state. So contacting non-profit groups can help you fill out state-specific applications forms. For local help filling out an application go to: https://widget. getcoveredamerica.org

Children (5.3 million) and young adults (4.7 million) will lose CHIP/Medicaid coverage. Nearly one-third of those predicted to lose coverage are Latino (4.6 million) and 15% (2.2 million) are Black, according to CMS. Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, covers 15 million people regardless of immigration status.

“One third of our population use this as insurance for children. Over half of all California children have coverage through Medi-Cal,” says Kristen Testa, Health Director at The Children’s Partnership.

“So this unwinding will have a tremendous effect on all those families. Every one of them is going to have to renew,” she said.

Calling this period “an all hands on deck situation,” Testa noted there are communitybased organizations all over California that

are trained and given grants to help with enrollment.

“There’s also the California Health Department website that has listings across the state,” she said.

California passed a continuous coverage law last year for young children that won’t go into effect until 2025, so some kids are going to lose coverage in the interim.

“So the important thing is for everybody to know and help our community renew their coverage and know where to go,” she said.

Not so lucky are people in 11 states that did not expand Medicaid under the ACA or the American Rescue Plan.

CMS estimated 383,000 individuals, who will lose eligibility for Medicaid, would fall in the coverage gap in the remaining 11 non-expansion states – with incomes too high for Medicaid, but too low to receive Marketplace tax credits.

CMS noted that state adoption of Medicaid expansion in these states would mitigate potential coverage loss at the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Those states are Wyoming, Wisconsin, Kansas, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

“This is a moment where we’re going to really feel the stark differences across our country. In the eleven remaining nonexpansion states, eight of which are in the south, there is already too little access to healthcare coverage for people, including communities of color,” Guerra-Cardus said.

After being able to take care of their healthcare needs for several years, she said that some people suddenly will lose coverage and not have any other option for affordable coverage. (Peter White/Ethnic Media Services) n

AAPI community leaders seek solutions...

said in a national press briefing, “This was a horrific intrusion on one of our most cherished holidays” and that following the string of anti-Asian attacks, the Asian American community is “feeling more unsafe than ever.”

The many families of these victims are still healing and reeling from the sudden deaths of their loved ones, most of whom were in the coveted twilight years of their lives. Seeking solutions or pondering what could have been done to prevent these tragedies won’t bring back their loved ones, but it’s crucial to prevent these kinds of attacks from happening, Pan said.

It’s important to point out that it is unclear if the motivations behind these murders were

related to any hate crime, as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice, in the way that the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings were.

Investigators of the Monterey Park massacre have yet to confirm a motive for the shootings; the shooter killed himself the following day.

A Half Moon Bay prosecutor told reporters that the shooter may have snapped after he was forced to pay $100 to repair a forklift he damaged at work and alleged bullying from his coworkers and long working hours.

Regardless of the motive, Asian American leaders across the country recognize the presence of military-grade firearms in both events, sparking eerily familiar conversations about the gun epidemic in the United States.

According to Gun Violence

Archive, there have been 40 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2023: more than there have been days in the year so far. (The organization categorizes a mass shooting as an event where three or more people are shot.)

Statistically, the United States dominates the world in the number of gun-related deaths and homicides. In 2020, those in the U.S. were responsible for 79% of gun-related killings; that same year, Canada was responsible for 37%, Australia for 13%, and the United Kington for 4%, according to data from the U.S. CDC, UK House of Commons, Statistics Canada, and the Australian Institute of Criminology.

Gun ownership is also significantly higher in the U.S. than in any other country, with

an estimated 120.5 firearms per 100 residents — this is up from 88 per 100 in 2011, according to a Small Arms Survey.

“Only in America do we see this kind of carnage, this kind of chaos, this kind of disruption of communities and lives,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said last week.

According to AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director Varun Nikore, 70% of Asian Americans support stronger gun control legislation but noted that interest in gun ownership among AAPIs, along with the U.S. population in general, has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like the many mass shootings that reach national and international attention,

Mr. and Mrs. Avanceña, a couple of 39 years, enjoy their vacation in Davao City as they spend their Thursday morning, Feb 2 taking photo souvenirs at the People’s Park. The couple said the secret of their lasting relationship is putting God at the center of their marriage. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

ICC resumes probe on PH’s drug war

by John Eric MEndoza Inquirer.net

MANILA — The pre-trial chamber of the International Criminal Court has granted its prosecutor’s request to resume the investigation of the Philippines’ war on drugs during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“Following a careful analysis of the materials provided by the Philippines, the Chamber is not satisfied that the Philippines is undertaking relevant investigations that would warrant a deferral of the Court’s investigations on the basis of the complementarity principle,” the ICC said in a statement released on Thursday, February 2.

In September 2021, the ICC prosecutor announced that it was opening a formal inquiry into the Duterte administration’s drugs war after several petitioners accused him and his subordinates, including his former police chief, Ronald dela Rosa, now a senator, of being responsible for the death of thousands of drug suspects.

But it halted the proceedings in November 2021 at the Philippine government’s request.

Even President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the ICC need not conduct its investigation since Filipinos “have a functioning judiciary.”

But the ICC said the Philippine government’s efforts to probe the drug war “do not amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps” that sufficiently mirror the ICC investigation.

“After having examined the submissions and materials of the Philippines Government, and of the ICC Prosecutor, as well as the victims’ observations, the Chamber concluded that the various domestic initiatives and proceedings, assessed collectively, do not amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps in a way that would sufficiently mirror the Court’s investigation,” the ICC further said.

“This conclusion does not preclude the Philippines from providing material in the future in order for the Prosecution, or the Chamber, to determine inadmissibility of the investigation or of any actual case, if and when needed,” the chamber added.

In 2018, critics of the government’s drug war, along with relatives of suspects killed in police operations, filed a complaint against Duterte before ICC for crimes against humanity.

Duterte said he was ready to face the ICC case lodged against him.

Official estimates from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency pegged the drug war deaths at 6,262 people as of May 31 or during Duterte’s time.

AAPI community leaders seek solutions...

urgency toward stronger legislation that makes it harder for the wrong people to get guns occurred almost immediately in the aftermath of the Monterey Park shooting.

“No one policy will solve this issue, but an assault weapons ban will dramatically reduce these mass shootings,” said Po Murray, co-founder and chairwoman of gun control group Newtown Action Alliance and Newtown Action Alliance Foundation.

Murray also stressed the importance of stronger restrictions and practices in purchasing firearms in general. Currently, lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are pushing for safer storage solutions for firearms and permit requirements to purchase guns.

In addition to gun control legislation, Asian American community leaders also believe that mental health should a priority and that

counseling services for Asian immigrants should be more accessible.

A Stanford University panel in 2022 stated that in one study, less than 9% of Asian Americans sought mental health services or intervention over one year compared to 18% of the entire U.S. population.

It’s unconfirmed whether either the Monterey Park or Half Moon Bay shooter was diagnosed with a mental disorder, but mental health is a usual suspect in mass shooting investigations.

Dr. Brett Sevilla, a Filipino American medical director at the Los Angeles-based Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers (APCTC), told Ethnic Media Services that elderly Asian immigrants are not as likely to prioritize mental health counseling as a solution.

“Plenty of elderly Asian immigrants have

FDA experts are still puzzled over...

unserved psycho-social support needs, but there is an intense stigma related to mental illness,” Sevilla said, noting that the collectivist thinking of many AAPI families can make one person’s struggle a reflection of the entire family. “Most families will try to contain it within the family or may reach out to clergy. A psychiatrist is very low down the list.”

According to Dr. Sheila Wu, director of APCTC, it’s common for elderly Asians, especially men, to portray themselves as strong and silent, which often belies what’s really going on mentally.

“In our culture, a man in his 60s is a father figure, who does not become vulnerable, share his feelings, or say he needs things. He would feel a lot of shame if he did,” Wu said.

The investigations into both shootings are ongoing. (By Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) n

information was needed to make such a declaration. Several panelists noted that in recent studies, only about a third of people hospitalized with a positive covid test actually were there because of covid illness. That’s because everyone entering a hospital is tested for covid, so deaths of patients with incidental infections are counted as covid deaths even when it isn’t the cause.

The experts questioned the rationale for annual shots for everyone, given that current vaccines do not seem to protect against infection for more than a few months. Yet even a single booster seems to prevent death and hospitalization in most people, except for the very old and people with certain medical conditions.

“We need the CDC to tell us exactly who is getting hospitalized and dying of this virus — the ages, vulnerability, the type of immune compromise, and whether they were treated with antivirals. And we need immunological data to indicate who’s at risk,” said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center and a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Only then can we decide who gets vaccinated with what and when.”

Offit and others have expressed frustration over the lack of clear government messaging on what the public can expect from covid vaccines. While regular boosters might be important for keeping the elderly and medically frail out of the hospital, he said, the annual boosters suggested by the FDA and the drug companies may not be necessary for everyone.

“The goal is to keep people out of the hospital,” he said. “For the vulnerable, it would be important for vaccines to keep up with circulating strains. But for the general population, we already have a vaccine that prevents hospitalization.”

Other panelists said the government needs to push research harder to get better vaccines. Pamela McGinnis, a retired official of the National Institutes of Health, said she had trouble explaining to her two young-adult sons why they promptly got sick after venturing out to bars one night only weeks after getting their bivalent booster.

“‘Think how sick you would have gotten if you weren’t fully vaccinated’ is not a great message,” she said. “I’m not sure ‘You would have landed in the hospital’ resonates with recipients of the disease.”

Members of the FDA’s advisory committee have been irked in recent months, saying the agency didn’t present them with all the data it had on the bivalent vaccine before it was released in September. And some critics have said the FDA should have instructed drug companies to include only the newer strains of the virus in the shot.

Asked about that Thursday, Jerry Weir, a senior FDA vaccine

officer, said his “gut feeling” was that a vaccine matched to a single omicron strain would have performed better than the bivalent shot, which also contains the original covid strain. “But the real question is where we’re headed,” he said, “and I don’t know the answer.”

Perhaps the most important presentation Thursday was from Heather Scobie, who keeps tabs on covid at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She reported that fewer than half of Americans 65 and older had gotten the latest booster, and that only twothirds of that age group had gotten even a single booster.

Yet evidence continues to mount that it’s mostly the elderly who are at serious risk from covid. Death rates from the disease have declined in every age group except those over 75 since April, despite the uptick in new strains. Except for the very old, the death rate has hovered around 1 in 100,000 since April. Earlier in 2022, babies 6 months old and younger were hospitalized and died at relatively high rates. Vaccination levels in the 4-andunder group hover at about 10%.

While acknowledging the FDA’s desire to regularize its covid vaccine policy, panel members said it’s still too early to know for sure whether covid will surge only in the winter, like flu, respiratory syncytial virus, and other respiratory infections.

“For the next few years we may not know how often we need to make a strain change in the vaccine,” said Dr. Steven Pergam, medical director of infection prevention at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Or even if people who are not in poor health or elderly need additional boosters. One vaccine-maker represented at the meeting, Novavax, said it would need to know by the end of March which strain to include in its vaccine for fall. Companies with mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna can change their formulas faster, but their products aren’t clearly better than Novavax’s.

All three of those vaccinemakers revealed at the meeting that they are developing singledose vials or prefilled syringes.

Up to now, they’ve delivered their vaccines in multidose vials, but since the government has run out of money to buy vaccines, individual pediatricians may order them in the future. Since the vaccine must be used quickly once a vial is open, doctors are leery of wasting vaccine and losing money. (Arthur Allen/Kaiser Health News)

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. n

An FDA committee voted unanimously to support the agency's proposal for all covid vaccinemakers to adopt the same strain of the virus when making changes in their vaccines. KHN.org photo

Garlic price also shoots up

by Bella CaRiaso ManilaTimes.net

WHILE consumers are still grappling with the high prices of onions, the retail price of local garlic has increased to P400 per kilo even if there was no shortage of the pungent bulbs.

“We don’t have a shortage of garlic. We have a small supply of local garlic, a small supply as the preference of our consumers is the big [imported] garlic,” Department of Agriculture (DA) deputy spokesman Rex Extoperez told The Manila Times

He said that the country is only producing four percent of its garlic requirement.

“I visited Occidental Mindoro and I found out that many garlic farmers shifted to onions as consumers prefer imported garlic,” he added.

Estoperez said the Philippine weather is not conducive to planting garlic.

“Some farmers in Occidental Mindoro tried to plant big garlic but the cloves did not grow, and they said it was because of the weather,” he said, adding the situation will be discussed during the DA meeting this week.

“We will tackle if we need to produce more local garlic or will just depend on importation,” he said.

Bureau of Plant Industry data said that the country’s garlic production in 2022 reached 45,656 metric tons compared to the 93,951 metric tons of imported garlic.

Meanwhile, the prices of onions remain high despite the efforts of the DA to make the bulb cheaper.

An official of the DA said on Wednesday, February 1 that no consensus was reached on the price cap of onions during a meeting with stakeholders ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The official, who requested

anonymity, blamed the onion farmers and importers for the failure to bring down the prices of onions.

“The retail prices of imported onions remain high and the farm gate price is also high. Farmers were saying the importation was not needed as it’s already the peak season but when is the peak season? For importers, where are the imported onions, the prices are still high?” the official said.

Prices of onions did not go down despite the 3,500 metric tons of imported onions flooding the market.

The retail price of imported onions ranged between P180 and P250 per kilo and local onions between P170 and P330 per kilo.

The DA official said onion farmers should not use their losses in previous years to justify high farm gate prices.

“They should adopt a certain percentage of the cost of production plus profit margin in the farm gate price,” he said.

Without specifying, the official said the reasons the importers mentioned were “unreasonable, illogical.”

“We will talk again with the farmers and importers to bring

Investment grade still at risk as debt-to-GDP ratio stays above 60% in 2022

by Ramon Royandoyan Philstar.com

down the prices to benefit the consumers,” he added.

Earlier, Estoperez said the retail prices of onions will go down between P100 and P120 per kilo because of imported bulbs flooding the markets.

DA monitoring data said the retail price of imported red onions ranged between P180 and P220 per kilo; and imported white onions, between P180 and P250 per kilo.

The retail price of local red onions ranged from P200 to P330 per kilo and local white onions between P170 and P300 per kilo.

At Mega Q Mart in Quezon City, the retail price of onions ranged from P200 to 250 per kilo.

Onions were sold for as high as P330 per kilo at New Las Piñas City Public Market in Las Piñas.

The DA said the country’s annual onions consumption is estimated at 260,000 MT or 21,679 MT monthly. At least 100,000 MT of onions were presumably wasted because of a lack of cold storage.

In 2022, a total of 283,172 MT of red and yellow onions, as well as shallots, were harvested locally from 29,728 hectares of production area. n

ICC resumes probe on PH’s...

Also, the Philippine National Police said 61 people were killed in anti-narcotics operations since 2022 when President

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office. This was despite the new anti-illegal drugs campaign of the Marcos administration that

focuses on demand reduction and drug user rehabilitation instead of the killing of drug users, according to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos. n

MANILA — The national government’s outstanding debt, as a share of the economy, remained within alarming levels in 2022, keeping the threat to the country’s creditworthiness. The Philippines’ debt-toGDP ratio, a gauge of the government’s ability to settle its liabilities, settled at 60.9% in 2022, the Department of Finance reported Thursday, February 2. This was notably a better showing than the 63.7% ratio recorded in the third quarter of 2022. But it was slightly higher than the 60.5% ratio recorded at the end of 2021.

Nevertheless, the DOF said the 2022 figure fell below the Marcos administration’s ceiling of 61.8% debt-to GDP ratio for last year. Treasury data showed the state’s debt pile sagged 1.7% month-on-month to P13.42 trillion in December 2022.

While this is a welcome development, Nicholas Antonio Mapa, senior economist at ING Bank in Manila, warned that the Philippines’ hardwon investment grade credit rating would remain at risk of a downgrade if the debtto-GDP ratio stays above the 60% threshold that is deemed manageable for developing economies.

A downward revision of the credit rating would have serious repercussions on the Philippines. For one, a lower rating would make borrowing money offshore more expensive for both the government and Philippine companies. A downgrade could also affect the country’s appeal to foreign investors.

“The longer we stay above 60 percent we will always be susceptible to a downgrade. It’s clear that the strategy for fiscal consolidation hinges on growth to hit or surpass target,” he said in a Viber message.

The country’s debt-to-GDP ratio hovered at 39.6% in

Not academically proficient

THE problems besetting the various aspects of Philippine education were enumerated on Monday, January 30. Attending the release Monday of the Basic Education Report or BER 2023 prepared by the Department of Education, President Marcos committed to boost education infrastructure as well as upskilling programs for teachers. He made the commitment as Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte said “Filipino learners are not academically proficient” and many of them “may fail to meet the standards of the demanding and competitive world.”

The Vice President, who delivered the education report, identified inadequate school infrastructure and resources “to support the ideal teaching process” as the most pressing problem. Duterte also noted the “weak teaching methods… in addressing 21st century skills.”

Basic education learners, meanwhile, cannot understand mathematics problems or comprehend text of moderate length. The Vice President said there are also learners who suffer from emotional abuse, exhaustion and psychological fatigue.

Duterte also cited “cracks” in DepEd procurement processes including the lack of transparency and accountability – problems that hounded the procurement of laptops for teachers’ use during the COVID pandemic lockdowns. The curriculum under the K-12 program, meanwhile, will be tweaked as it has failed to

deliver on its promise of producing students who are employable upon finishing basic education, she said. BER 2023 showed that the majority of senior high school graduates still find it necessary to pursue higher education to obtain gainful employment.

The lack of classrooms has been a problem for many decades. Despite a continuing program to build more schools and classrooms, the infrastructure expansion cannot keep up with the booming student population.

Even before the pandemic, international studies have also shown that Filipino 10-yearold students rate poorly in mathematics and reading comprehension. The basic education curriculum has been revised in the past years to put more emphasis on the teaching of the sciences, mathematics and English proficiency. Yet the BER 2023 shows that more must be

done. The exodus of teachers slowed down as pay and benefits were improved, and there has been a continuing government program to hire more educators. But the country continues to suffer from a lack of qualified teachers. The hybrid learning mode employed during the pandemic lockdowns highlighted the inadequacies of

teaching skills especially in the use of digital technology for education.

With the problems identified, they must now be confronted with greater commitment, effort and resources. Education is supposed to narrow social inequities and open opportunities for advancement in life across income classes. This can still be achieved. (Philstar.com)

US, PH mull potential restoration of bases

INVOKING the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty – acknowledging and repeatedly stressing its applicability in the West Philippine Sea (a Philippine proposition earlier rejected by the Obama administration) –the United States appears to be angling to use Subic Bay once more as its naval base in this part of the world.

After the Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to reject the continued presence of American bases, Subic is now a freeport, with a 300-hectare shipyard that was built in 2006 by the South Korean firm Hanjin. Considered in 2015 as one among the top 10 shipbuilders in the world, Hanjin was sold to U.S.-based Cerberus Capital Management in 2020 in the wake of the Korean company’s financial troubles. (It is now known as the Agila Subic Shipyard.)

Cerberus appears to have entered the picture to foil a move by Chinese investors to buy the facility, according to a report last year citing an unnamed “security official.”

It was “very opportune

Glimpses

THERE are so many times in our lives when it is easy to drop the high road for an easier, safer, and more profitable one. Yet, despite making choices much lower, even opposite the high road, we still look for it. There is an inherent attraction to the high road; it has logic, lots of logic, but beyond that, like a siren, it sings to the soul.

If the high road were not indelibly etched in our soul, if it is purely a matter of personal choice without an inborn, inner nudging, there would vastly be more of humanity unable to attain it. That there is a universal voice encouraging us to seek and move towards the high road is a deep message about its primacy in the totality of human creation.

I believe that religions resonate with humanity, that even before religions had their intellectual packaging, primitive man already looked to the sky

that the (U.S.) came into the picture,” Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez candidly admitted in a forum early this month. “We would like to have more economic activity between the Philippines and China, being a neighbor, but we were also quite disturbed by the fact that they came in very strongly wanting to take over that project.”

The shipyard could soon see the presence of U.S. Navy ships because an American defense contractor, Vectrus Inc., has set up shop there. Earlier, in May last year, the Philippine Navy had leased the shipyard’s northern part to set up a naval operations base.

Security cooperation and “issues related to the South China Sea” were the core issues tackled at a four-day meeting held in Manila last week, billed as the 10th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue. In a joint statement, the Philippine and U.S. foreign affairs and defense panels highlighted Subic Bay as “priority site” for “high quality, private sector-led infrastructure investment as a means of supporting Philippine economic growth and enhancing connectivity in the Philippines.”

But the visits by U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson

and the heavens, feared yet revered the sun, resonated with the moon, was awed by the stars. It was not from teachings; rather, the sense of the supernatural was an impulse that man simply followed.

It appears, too, that while the history and development of man did have their very primitive stages, there was an unerring thrust toward the high road. In human time, it may seem like forever from one century to another, from one millennium to another. But in that context of seeming forever, the pattern of seeking the light, of moving to refinement, of expressing artistry – in other words, the high road – jumps out.

Every society, no matter how crude, crass, or violent, will profess they are acting so because they are pursuing elements of the high road. Many times, their leaders will be mouthing the high road but acting the opposite. Dictators and tyrants align themselves and their rhetoric to the high road in order to justify their cruelty to their enemies. Even in utter hypocrisy, the worst

last November and, last week, by Lindsay Ford, the U.S. defense deputy assistant secretary for South and Southeast Asia, showed their specific interest in the shipyard. Notably, Ford was joined by Maj. Gen. Chris McPhillips, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s director of strategic planning and policy directorate. That move aroused more curiosity over the U.S. military’s plans on how to maximize use of the shipyard.

Besides the Subic project, the U.S. is hurrying up the completion of building facilities inside five selected Philippine military bases: three in Luzon, one in the Visayas and one in Mindanao. Purpose: to enable, as soon as possible, the U.S. armed forces to store war equipment and other materials in these facilities.

The five sites, however, seem not enough for the U.S., as it presses for hastening the verification of “additional agreed locations” for the same purpose.

On this point, DFA Undersecretary Teresita Lazaro clarified that “we agreed to finalize the procedures for the additional agreed locations. In fact, it is a work in progress.”

Lazaro co-headed the Philippine panel with Defense

Undersecretary Angelito de Leon. The U.S. panel was coheaded by Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Ford representing the defense department.

One can easily see that, in effect, the U.S. facilities would be mini-military bases within Philippine bases, wherein U.S. and not Philippine jurisdiction would prevail.

Note that under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), such facilities would be strictly controlled by American forces and off-limits to Filipinos. EDCA is the executive agreement that implements the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA, which allowed the rotational stay of U.S. troops – numbering 600 per batch – in the country throughout a year.

Last week’s 10th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue was intended to “facilitate focused and sustained inter-agency coordination, planning and implementation of action plans on priority areas.” The 9th BSD, held in Washington DC, came out with a “Joint Vision for a 21st Century United States-Philippines Partnership,” which Ambassador Romualdez said “outlined several areas of

cooperation aimed at boosting security and economic ties” in the face of “current realities and challenges.”

Besides the above-cited moves, at the 10th BSD, the two panels agreed on the following:

• The U.S. will host a “maritime dialogue” this year to identify potential points of maritime activities;

• The Philippines will take steps to “streamline technology transfer” and develop a “road map for defenses mobilization;”

• Aside from the BSD, defense and foreign affairs ministers of both countries will hold their “two-plus-two ministerial dialogue” – the third since 2012 and 2016 – and stage a “policycentric tabletop exercise” by the third quarter of 2023. Supposedly intended to ensure “more coordinated responses to potential flashpoints,” no further details were provided.

• Set a year-end target for the conclusion of their General Security of Military Information Agreement to help simplify technological transfers of their respective defense units; and

• Reconvene the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement meetings that apparently have been temporarily sidelined.

Ambassador Romualdez has

Why take the high road?

will use the words of the high road.

There are many among us who feel deep frustration and even the beginnings of despair. They have been trying so hard to stay within the high road, struggling to resist compromise and corruption. Yet, they say that things are worse than ever, that many societal leaders have totally sold out their pride and principles for money and power. Sad, but with ample basis.

The very instincts of man may recognize the attraction of the high road but there are baser instincts that demand urgency over others. The need for survival will too often overwhelm the subtle voice of nobility, of heroism. When hunger dominates the lives of people, subtlety is temporarily muted, drowned in the noise of grumbling stomachs. No matter how divinely ordained the high road may be, it cannot just subvert the primal needs of man.

Those among us who may insist on the high road, risking everything including life itself,

can do so because he or she has tasted the sweetness of purity, nobility, and altruism. We can give up the lower for the higher because we have known enough the flavor of the supernatural, enough for our courage to make a painful exchange. But those who have been left behind are not expected to know what a few have known, and will not sacrifice their survival for what they cannot understand.

The high road, then, demands of those who adhere to it a kind of advocacy beyond the conviction. Knowing the difficult path to the high road, the temptations that overcame us before we overcame them, those who have managed to attain to the next level or levels of life and understanding, can discern quite quickly that many remain in the grip of survival. Their decisions, then, will be to ensure survival. Survival is at the foundation of the totem pole – which means it must be served first before the journey upwards.

From dictatorial rule, which humanity has been used to from the start, to freedom and

democracy, is a journey of lifetimes. If dictation had been the experience of mankind for millennia, it needs enough counterforce to reverse it and then move forward to the high road. But since the beginning of humanity to the present time is almost too much to measure not only in time and influence, shedding it from habit and culture for the refined will surely demand a great effort.

Thank goodness that several societies and countries have gone ahead of us in the political journey of man. They may have been most brutal and violent in their early stages but they did eventually learn from the pain of savagery. Their lessons drove them to try new ways. We have seen totalitarianism slowly gave way to shared power, even the beginnings of democracy. Their paths inspire us to follow, not necessarily them, but the universal journey to the high road. It does not mean that they have fully transcended their old patterns; but the high road has become competitive and will fight to go even higher.

I do not believe that patience

also disclosed that in the past few months, “we have been discussing with the White House a possible visit by President Marcos to Washington.” The objective, he wrote, is “to further cement the ties between the longtime allies on various areas of mutual concern and interest. We hope to find a suitable schedule for both our leaders to meet this year.”

Last Thursday, January 26, in a television interview, Romualdez couldn’t help turning up the volume on the trumpets and drums that the current administration has been deploying to promote its initiatives.

Certain U.S. officials are impressed by Marcos Jr., according to him. “They find it refreshing, to say the least. They’ve obviously seen him when they came here… and they were very pleased to hear the things that the president has articulated, especially with regard to our relationship with the U.S..” (Philstar.com)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * Email: satur.ocampo@gmail.com

alone can contain the painful frustrations that afflict those who see and know the ethical decay eating away at the Filipino collective soul. There has to be courage to accompany convictions. Short of that, it is despair that will set in and anger that will erupt. Yet, either or both will simply be distractions in an already arduous journey we know as the high road.

It becomes even more grating when those who sell themselves to greed and lust for power at any cost seem to get away with anything, with everything. And, around us, are whispers from their secret agents trying to tell us, “If you cannot beat them, join them.” Devils come in many disguises. There is nothing easy about the high road or the effort to come closer to it. But look at it this way. If we do not want to fall back, what else is there for us? (Inquirer.net)

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

the filing of criminal charges against various individuals before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila on Thursday, Feb. 2. The BIR filed charges against 53 individual and corporate taxpayers for tax evasion totaling P3.57 billion, as part of the agency’s “Run After Tax Evaders” program.

Amnesty International calls for ‘independent, impartial’ investigation of Lapid’s killing

MANILA — Amnesty International has called for an “independent and impartial” investigation into the killing of journalist Percival Mabasa, known as Percy Lapid, as his case remains in the “preliminary phase” four months after his death.

“Amnesty International urges the Philippine government to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the investigations into the killing of Lapid and Villamor are prompt, thorough, independent and impartial in order to determine the truth and create trust from the Philippine public and the international community in the probe,” the organization said in a statement dated February 1.

“All those responsible for or otherwise involved in these killings, including those who ordered them, should be brought to justice in fair trials if there is enough evidence against them.”

Lapid was shot in October last year while he was in his vehicle, near the gate of his private subdivision in the capital region. The rights organization is also calling on foreign governments and other global groups to keep monitoring his case.

The Department of Justice prosecution panel is set to resume its preliminary investigation on February after they denied the appeal of suspended corrections chief Gerald Bantag, primary respondent in the case, to have them recuse from handling the case.

Bantag and his co-respondents, including another official of the corrections bureau, are set to file their counter-affidavits next week.

Slow pace

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines noted that Lapid was the the second journalist killed under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. His show, “Lapid Fire,” was known for its critical analysis of government officials, including Bantag.

While an investigation into Lapid’s killing is underway, Amnesty International questioned how it is being conducted – particularly its slow pace and the death of middleman Crisanto Villamor Jr., who the organization said could have provided more details and information on the operation that led to Lapid’s killing.

“Given the Philippines’ poor record on the protection of suspects and witnesses, including following the death of Villamor, the government must also ensure that adequate measures are in place for the safety and security of all suspects and witnesses to the case,” Amnesty International said.

Bantag is facing a separate murder complaint over the killing of Villamor. (Kaycee Valmonte with Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com) n

DFA, DMW plan transition concerning OFW assistance

by Kaycee Valmonte Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines is preparing to handover the full responsibility of assisting overseas FIilipino workers to its newly established migrant workers department this year.

According to a joint circular between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers, the DFA said it will continue to

provide Assistance to Nationals (ATN) and legal services to OFWs until March 31 this year, “pending the full turnover of ATN functions to the DMW.”

“It shall retain and disburse ATN and legal assistance funds to assist OFWs, until such time that the concerned Migrant Workers Office (MWO) is fully-equipped with the operational and financial requirements to provide such assistance,” the circular read.

The announcement comes

as the DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs helps the DMW in its transition to be the agency fully in-charge of providing assistance to OFWs.

The two agencies have established a technical working group (TWG) to implement changes during the transition.

The group is chaired by DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs and is co-chaired by the DMW Undersecretary

for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services. Both departments will also assign three officials each to joint the DFA-DMW TWG. Throughout the transition, the DFA will be training and mentorship to the DMW’s MWO staff to prepare them to handle OFW cases and other concerns.

The DFA will also start turning over existing ATN cases to the DMW, along with relevant data and other information. n

Dog ownership in Philippines highest in Asia

by Kaycee Valmonte Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines has one of the highest dog and cat ownership rates in Asia, and this is seen to drive pet food sales to expand nine percent this year, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said.

In its latest pet food market brief, the USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service forecasted pet food sales in the Philippines are estimated to grow by nine percent to $434 million this year.

“Product prospects include dry and wet pet food as well as treats and mixers,” it said.

“As pets became more popular household companions, especially during the pandemic, pet ownership and pet food sales have grown immensely over the past five years,” the USDA added.

The report, citing the 2021 Rakuten survey in Asia, said the Philippines ranked the highest in terms of dog ownership at 67 percent and the second highest in cat ownership at 43 percent.

And according to the Pet Food Institute, more than 50 percent of the dog and cat population feed on table scraps, showing a large potential for conversion to dry pet food.

The USDA said it projects sales of dog

food, mostly dry, to increase by nine percent this year.

“Economy dry dog food forms the bulk of dog food sales due to the high demand for affordability and convenience,” it said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. agency said cat food – mostly wet type – is estimated to grow by 13 percent this year.

“Mid-priced wet cat food remains the preferred pet food for cats in the Philippines,” it said.

The report also said pet food treats and mixers also present an opportunity.

“Growth in pet food for birds, fishes and small mammals or reptiles remains minimal, averaging $4 million since 2017,” the USDA said.

With one of the highest dog and cat ownership rates in Asia, the U.S. agency said the Philippines presents a growing opportunity for U.S. pet food.

This, as most pure-breed pet owners are found to prefer imported pet food despite more local manufacturers showing interest in tapping the market.

“While people were confined to their homes during the pandemic, dog and cat adoptions increased and pet food consumption grew. Dog and cat food exports from the U.S. reached a record high in 2021 and will continue to increase, though with slower growth in 2023,” the USDA said.

The country imports a majority of dog and cat food from Thailand, the U.S. and Europe.

Pet food from the U.S. dominated the market from 2016 to 2019. In 2021, the Philippines ranked as the ninth largest market for U.S. dog and cat food. n

Investment grade still at risk as...

2019, or before the pandemic turned the domestic economy on its head. In 2020, the former Duterte administration embarked on a borrowing spree to fund its crisis response, bloating the state’s debt load.

The Marcos administration, which inherited the heavy debt burden, set a fiscal

consolidation strategy that would entail imposing and reforming taxation measures to fatten national coffers. The government now looks to trim the debt-to-GDP ratio to less than 60% by 2025, and then down to 51.1% by 2028. That said, economic growth in 2022 helped trim the ratio, as GDP benefitted from the boons

of a reopened economy.

“We think that as long as we have a credible fiscal program and GDP remains robust, there is little reason for a credit downgrade,” Domini Velasquez, chief economist at China Banking Corp., said.

For ING Bank’s Mapa, 2023 could prove to be a trying time for the Philippines’ growth

ambitions, as it looks to outgrow base effects and roiling global headwinds.

“Other countries in the region, most notably Indonesia has successfully completed its fiscal consolidation plan postCovid. Our timeline, suggests that we will only achieve this a couple more years from now,” he said. n

Owners bring their pets to the city plaza in Dagupan, Pangasinan for free veterinary services on March 26, 2022. The city veterinary office and its partner agencies and groups organized the event in observance of Rabies Awareness Month. Photo by Cesar Ramirez

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. (center, holding papers) leads

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NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000612

GGG Mobile Tire Service located at 25488 HWY 94, Potrero, CA 91963.

Registrant: Juan Gabriel Rivera Jr, 25488 HWY 94, Potrero, CA 91963.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/10/2023.

Signature: Juan Gabriel Rivera Jr.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/10/2023.

AJ 1097 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, and 02/03/2023.

LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000064

Kim’s House Desserts And Sandwiches located at 9510 Miramar Rd., San Diego, CA 92126.

Registrant: Tiger Eats LLC, 5189 Caminito Cachorro, San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Tiger Nguyen.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/03/2023.

AJ 1104 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1104

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000476

Kinme Omakase located at 2505 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Artisan Bento LLC, 2505 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9001673

Little Tree House Child Care located at 210 Camino Vista Real, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Silvia Adriana Vasquez Zamora, 210 Camino Vista Real, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/24/2023.

Signature: Silvia Adriana

Vasquez Zamora.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/24/2023.

AJ 1107 01/27, 02/03, 02/10, and 02/17/2023. AJSD 1107

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9001194

Divine Grace Board & Care III located at 9315 Francis Dr., Spring Valley, CA, 91977.

Registrant: a. Henedina T Castillo, 9315 Francis Dr., Spring Valley, CA, 91977.

b. Severo N Castillo, 9315 Francis Dr., Spring Valley, CA 91977.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9002452

Throw Lights located at 718 Sycamore Ave., Space 113, Vista, CA 92083. Registrant: Throwlights INC, 919 North Market Street, Suite 950, Wilmington, DE 19801.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/01/2016.

Signature: Andrew Zhao. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/01/2023.

AJ 1110 02/03, 02/10, 02/17, and 02/24/2023. AJSD 1110

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9002462

The Glowed Mantle located at 7736 Arjons Drive, San Diego, CA 92126.

Registrant: Jennifer Thuy Ngoc Vo, 4965 Perkon Placce, San Diego CA 92105.

This business is conducted by Individual.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000752

S.D Excavation located at 1364 Santa Cora Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: John Arnold, 1364 Santa Cora Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91913.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/11/2023.

Signature: John Arnold. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/11/2023.

AJ 1098 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, and 02/03/2023. AJSD 1098

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9027483

Eden New Beginning located at 1237 Graves Ave., Apt #611, El Cajon, CA 92021.

Registrant: David Osnaya, 1237 Graves Ave., Apt #611, El Cajon, CA 92021.

This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: David Osnaya. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/20/2022.

AJ 1099 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, and 02/03/2023. AJSD 1099

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000774

DAKINE FITNESS OF CALIFORNIA located at 6593 Plaza Ridge Rd., San Diego, CA 92114.

Registrant: Janet Gonzales, 1241 Bodega Bay Dr., Chula Vista, CA 91915.

This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Janet Gonzales. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/12/2023. AJ 1100 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000805

RICE IMPORTS LLC located at 3518 Lynch Lane, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

Registrant: RICE IMPORTS LLC, 3518 Lynch Lane, San Ysidro, CA 92173. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/06/2023.

Signature: Andy Saeteurn. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/12/2023.

AJ 1101 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1101

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000452 Rootz To Locz located at 1050 Kettner Blvd., Suite D #1033, San Diego, CA 92101. Registrant: Anita Howard, 1050 Kettner Blvd., Suite D #1033, San Diego, CA 92101. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Anita Howard. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/09/2023.

AJ 1102 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1102

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000898

Elite Garage Door Services located at 4630 Border Village Road, Suite N, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

Registrant: Jesse Gil, 4630 Border Village Road, Suite N, San Ysidro, CA 92173. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Jesse Gil. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/13/2023.

AJ 1103 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/2023.

Signature: Shihomi Sakai Borillo.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/09/2023.

AJ 1105 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1105

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9001324

Oxeda Smoothie Club located at 560 Greenbrier Dr. Unit 105, Oceanside, CA 92054.

Registrant: Oxeda Company LLC, 4122 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Johny Oxeda.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/20/2023.

AJ 1106 01/27, 02/03, 02/10, and 02/17/2023. AJSD 1106

This business is conducted by Married Couple.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/27/2011.

Signature: Henedina T Castillo.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/19/2023.

AJ 1108 02/03, 02/10, 02/17, and 02/24/2023. AJSD 1108

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9002242

D and D Plumbing located at 3 E Parsley St., Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: David Louis Martinez, 3 E Parsley St., Chula Vista, CA 91911.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/02/2010.

Signature: David L. Martinez.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/30/2023.

AJ 1109 02/03, 02/10, 02/17, and 02/24/2023. AJSD 1109

EMPLOYMENT

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/27/2023.

Signature: Jennifer Thuy Ngoc Vo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/01/2023.

AJ 1111 02/03, 02/10, 02/17, and 02/24/2023. AJSD 1111

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9002398

It’s A Cold World located at 3608 S. Granada Ave., Spring Valley, CA 91977.

Registrant: Gregory Borja, 3608 S. Granada Ave., Spring Valley, CA 91977.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/01/2023.

Signature: Gregory Borja. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/01/2023. AJ 1112 02/03, 02/10, 02/17, and 02/24/2023. AJSD 1112

SAN DIEGO

Jinkee denies pregnancy, breakup with Manny

By Kristofer Purnel Philstar.com

JINKEE Pacquiao, wife of former professional boxer Manny Pacquiao, has debunked rumors that she has broken up with the ex-senator and is pregnant with another child.

In an episode of “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda,” the host announced such gossip about Jinkee being pregnant and splitting with Manny was fake news. “Hindi ako buntis, hindi kami magkahiwalay ni Manny. We are very much in love with each other and we are doing great,” Boy paraphrased what Jinkee had told him, adding that the couple is investigating who began such rumors.

Actress and talent manager Annabelle Rama, a friend of the Pacquiaos, further debunked such rumors in an Instagram post where she showed support for the couple.

“

Unang una, imposibleng mag-hiwalay ang mag-asawa dahil sa nakikita ko ang sweet nila and happy family,” Annabelle wrote in the caption, adding that Jinkee was busy helping complete a three-hectare mansion that will become their dream home.

Annabelle concluded, “Kaya ‘yung mga ‘marites,’ tigilan niyo na. Alam ko kung sino ang gumagawa ng chismis, mamatay ka sa inggit.”

Jinkee thanked Annabelle for her support in the comments, even joking she looked fat in the photo the manager posted: “Hayaan mo na sila, God

Kate to star in int’l live action fantasy series on Filipino supernaturals

By Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

KATE Valdez was the muse on paper and, in a rare feat, she will continue to be the face of “Dreamwalker” when it will premiere as a live action series in 2024.

The “Unica Hija” actress will star in the eight-episode series that will be produced by London/ Singapore-based international content investment studio 108 Media.

Boxer Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee

Photo from Instagram/@jinkeepacquiao

bless them! ‘Vengeance is mine I will repay, says the Lord.’”

On her own Instagram account, Jinkee showed images of the mansion located in General Santos City, and even posted a photo of her with Manny.

The Pacquiaos have been married since 1999 and have five kids together — Emmanuel, Michael, Mary Divine, Queen Elizabeth, and Israel. n

Senator Raffy Tulfo’s impressive performance for a political greenhorn

By ronnie CarrasCo iii ManilaTimes.net

A WEEK ahead of the official opening of the Senate session this year, all legislators were already expected to resume their respective committees’ hearings to tackle urgent matters as well as buckle down to hearing several lined up bills.

At the same time, citizens were earnestly looking forward to the feisty line of questioning and strong presence of Senator Raffy “Idol” Tulfo, chairperson of the Committees on Energy and Migrant Workers.

Modesty aside, Tulfo has proven himself to be the most active neophyte senator as though he were an old-timer.

Known for grilling personalities embroiled in anomalies and fiercely throwing mind-boggling questions to resource persons, the senatorial greenhorn by far has attended roughly 50 committee hearings since he assumed his post less than a year ago.

Aside from leading committee hearings on energy and the plight of the migrant workers, he has also dipped his finger in the committee deliberations on health and demography, public information and mass media, labor/employment and human resources development, agriculture/ food and agrarian reform, justice and human rights, public order and dangerous drugs, local government, among others.

If that’s not what you can call it multi-tasking, we don’t know what is.

As the public very well knows, Idol — as he is addressed by his teleradyo following — is a known defender of the poor and the aggrieved.

Name it, Idol has listened to and continues to listen to their never-ending tales of woes. After all, Idol’s 20-year career as a broadcaster has been dedicated to genuine public service. This did not escape even

Raffy Tulfo has proven himself to be the most active neophyte senator as though he were an old-timer. TV5 photo

the watchful eye of the officers and members of the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) which bestowed on him the Excellence in Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award in the recently concluded Star Awards for Television.

So, you might eagerly ask: what does it take to be a Raffy Tulfo?

Popular for his brand of public service where he acts swiftly on the problems of ordinary citizens, Idol is bringing his experience and expertise in crafting meaningful laws in his first term in the 19th Congress.

Living up to his monicker, he is the go-to man behind the multiawarded and widely popular programs, “Raffy Tulfo in Action” and “Wanted sa Radyo” on Radyo Singko/TV5.

As a media person, he began his broadcasting career as a disc jockey in a local radio station in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

It didn’t take long enough before he clinched his first big break in the broadcast industry when he became a newscaster/reporter of PTV 4.

Since then, Raffy hosted

several public service programs

one after another on thenABC 5. Such a break had given him the opportunity to provide immediate remedies to disputes of whatever kind.

As fate would have it, Raffy soon became the anchor of primetime TV newscast, “Frontline Pilipinas.”

His advocacy includes promoting and protecting the rights of families, OFWs and locally based workers.

Using the might of the pen to keep the public well-informed and vent out his opinions on burning yet timely issues, his hard-hitting columns were widely followed in several tabloids such as Abante and Bulgar.

Not at all content with merely doing newspaper opinion pieces, Raffy later ventured into publishing a nationwide tabloid called Iskandal.

His storied life chapters way before he became who he is now might strike your fancy.

Unknown to many, Raffy wore different hats and took on different — if not odd — jobs both in the Philippines and the US in the sanctimonious name of survival.

Did you know that he worked as a vegetable vendor, dishwasher, waiter, nursing aide, account receivables clerk, shoe salesman and insurance representative?

Born on March 12, 1960 in Quezon City, Raffy is the eighth of the 10 children of Ramon Tulfo Sr. and Caridad Teshiba-Tulfo.

He pursued his studies in Holy Trinity College of Puerto Princesa City, Trinity College of Quezon City and Ateneo De Davao University.

Hiding his light under a bushel so to speak, he is currently one of the top social media influencers with 25M solid subscribers in his YouTube account, 20M followers on his Facebook account, 3.2M in his TikTok account and 1.5M in his Instagram account.

So, who says only female showbiz celebrities reign supreme on social media? n

Pokwang bares real reasons behind split with husband

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

COMEDIENNE Pokwang

spilled more details about her ex Lee O’Brian, over a year after they ended their marriage after six years together.

Pokwang posted on her Instagram account a short video of her emerging from a pool, set to the “Mission Impossible” theme, and in the comments section, one user called the actress “talakera” which is why O’Brian left her.

The comedienne clapped back at the user, “T**ga nagising lang ako sa katotohanan na anim na taon ko na pala siya palamunin at limang taon walang child support! Wag ka na baka madamay ka sa demandahan namin.

She continued further by

saying O’Brian did not leave her, and dared the user to ask instead why she sent him away.

“Super tanggol ka, type mo ba siya? Di ka papatulan niyan kung waley ka pakinabang!!!”

Pokwang said in her final retort.

“Or kaibigan mo ‘yung babaeng involve? Pakisabi congrats, nagtagumpay siya na wasakin ang puso ng anak namin na ngarap na mabuo kaming muli!”

Pokwang and O’Brian first met in 2014 while working on the film “Edsa Woolworth.”

They welcomed their child Malia Francine in January 2018. But in November 2021, they officially called it quits.

Last July, Pokwang initially admitted that the cause of their breakup wasn’t over money or a third party, “Siguro napagod lang kami... Kasi ako ‘yung taong lahat tinitiis ko, hangga’t kaya

The production features familiar names in the Philippine filmmaking scene. “Respeto” director Treb Monteras II will serve as showrunner/director while his colleague, “Deleter” and “Birdshot” director Mikhail Red will be the series director. Los Angeles-based writer Kaitlyn Fae Fajilan will serve as head writer.

In an interview with Philstar. com, “Dreamwalker” author Michael “Mikey” Sutton said he will make the actress a comic book hero in 2018 and it seems he has kept his word.

“In 2018, I promised Kate that I would turn her into a comic book hero and a Hollywood star. Five years later, I fulfilled my promise.

I’m a man of my word,” he said.

Sutton was recovering from a near-fatal stroke when he came across an episode of Kate’s 2018 drama “Onanay.”

The Filipino-American author and editor-in-chief of pop culture site GeekosityMag.com said he was struck with Kate’s timeless beauty and emotionally rich performance.

With a muse and a story in mind, culled from his own experience of supernaturals growing up in his birthplace Angeles City in Pampanga, Sutton wrote his story with the help of visual artist Noel Layon Flores, whom he met through social media.

It was Flores who connected

as head set designer. Kate was among the main cast of the beloved TV fantasy show.

Sutton said he did imagine “Dreamwalker” to be a streaming show. He was inspired, but was also realistic and thought it was not possible. But five years later, 108 Media took notice when he posted Flores’ first art.

“I had an exciting feeling there was something in the air,” he shared.

During their initial talks, he kept mentioning Kate but felt that he did not have enough “leverage” to demand that they cast the actress as the series lead.

His and Kate’s dream came true when the producer said they were tapping the actress to star

in the series as well.

“I created her for and because of Kate Valdez. It’s means everything to me if Kate has the lead role,” Sutton said.

“Dreamwalker” is a graphic novel about a monster-slaying vlogger named Kat who survives a bus crash and wakes up having the ability to enter people’s dreams. The Filipino-American heroine finds herself gifted with the ability that she uses to wield against Filipino supernatural beings as she investigates the source of the monster wave in the Philippines while attempting to help those affected by the looming threat.

Apart from Monteras II and Sutton, series executive producers also include 108 Media executives, president Justin Deimen, creative producer Kirstie Contrevida and CEO Abhi Rastogi. n

Comedienne Pokwang Photo from Instagram/@itspokwang27

Kate Valdez will star in the upcoming live action adaptation of the graphic novel on Filipino supernatural creatures “Dreamwalker.”

Photo from Instagram/@valdezkate_ him to Kate. Flores worked on several projects for GMA-7 shows including the 2016 reboot of “Encantadia,” where he served

ko, ako lang,” and even defended O’Brian as a good person. Pokwang is currently a host on the variety show “TiktoClock” and will next be seen in the first-ever Filipino Prime Video original film “Ten Little Mistresses.” n

CDC study reports bivalent boosters protect against COVID-19 variants

A NEW study released recently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the new bivalent COVID-19 boosters add protection against the new variants of the virus. Another study showed that the bivalent vaccine also protects against severe disease.

Wastewater surveillance shows that those variants, XBB and XBB.1.5, make up about 25% of the virus circulating in San Diego County. The County Health and Human Services Agency continues to urge people to get vaccinated with the booster to protect themselves — particularly people who are 65 years of age and older. Those people are the group most at risk of suffering serious complications, including death, from the COVID-19 virus.

“COVID-19 virus variants are still widespread in our county and it’s important that people protect themselves by getting vaccinated if they haven’t been already,” said County Public Health Officer Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H. “While cases, hospitalizations and deaths are decreasing, these events are still occurring in San Diego County. These new studies reinforce the data that bivalent boosters, can protect you, your family and friends from getting seriously ill or dying.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and California Department of Public Health recommend a bivalent booster for everyone six months of age and older. Previous CDC studies have reported that people who have not been vaccinated run much higher risks of dying from COVID-19 than those who have been vaccinated.

To date, more than 540,000 San Diegans have gotten vaccinated with the bivalent COVID-19 booster since it became available here in September 2022. The County Health and Human Services Agency reports that 80.5% of San Diegans — nearly 2.7 million people — got their primary COVID-19 vaccinations.

COVID-19 vaccines, including bivalent boosters, and flu vaccines are widely available

at local medical providers and pharmacies. The County continues to offer vaccinations throughout the region at its vaccination sites (https:// www.sandiegocounty.gov/ content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ phs/community_epidemiology/ dc/2019-nCoV/vaccines.html).

Check online for the days and hours sites will be open.

Preventive measures

In addition to vaccination and staying home when ill, San Diegans can take other precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19, as well as seasonal illnesses like the flu. These measures include:

• Cleaning hands thoroughly and often.

• Staying away from sick people.

• Wearing a facial covering, especially in crowded indoor settings.

• Regularly cleaning commonly touched surfaces.

• Conducting home testing when exposed or when ill. The federal government is providing free at-home COVID-19 tests available again through the winter for a limited time. Households can order one pack of four free tests through the U.S. Postal Service. For more information about testing, go to the County of San Diego COVID-19 testing webpage.

COVID-19 vaccination progress

• More than 2.69 million or 80.5% of San Diegans have received the primary series of one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines.

• Bivalent boosters administered: 556,351 or

City of San Diego starts full enforcement of sidewalk vending in beach areas

Certification by Coastal Commission, City Council allows full implementation of ordinance citywide

SAN DIEGO – Starting

this area.

22.3% of 2,498,111 eligible San Diegans.

• More vaccination information can be found at coronavirus-sd.com/vaccine.

The County Health and Human Services Agency now publishes the Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report weekly (https://www.sandiegocounty. gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/ programs/phs/Epidemiology/ SDC_Respiratory_Virus_ Surveillance_Report.pdf).

The report is published each Thursday and tracks key respiratory illness indicators.

COVID-19 data

For the week ending Jan. 21, 2023, the report shows:

• 1,831 COVID-19 cases were reported to the County in the past seven days. The region’s total is now 974,767.

• The 1,831 cases reported in the past week were lower compared to the 2,402 infections identified the previous week.

• Thirteen additional deaths were reported in the week ending Jan. 21, 2023. The region’s total is 5,716.

• Nine of the people who died were 65 or older.

• Eight of the people had been vaccinated and five were unvaccinated or had not completed the primary vaccine series.

• All thirteen had underlying medical conditions.

Influenza data

For the week ending Jan. 21, 2023, the report shows the following:

• Two additional flu deaths; the season’s total is now 39.

• Both had underlying medical conditions.

u PAGE 11

Wednesday, February 1, the City of San Diego will begin fully enforcing the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance in City beach areas after the Ordinance became effective in the Coastal Overlay Zone last month, following certification by the California Coastal Commission and the San Diego City Council. The Ordinance went into effect in June 2022 in all areas outside the Coastal Overlay Zone, bringing the city into compliance with Senate Bill 946, a California law that decriminalized sidewalk vending statewide and set parameters on how cities could impose regulations. However, implementing and enforcing the sidewalk vending regulations within the Coastal Overlay Zone required certification of the California Coastal Commission and City Council approval of any modifications to the Ordinance in

The Sidewalk Vending Ordinance requires pushcart and stationary sidewalk vendors to apply for permits to use the public right of way or public property while regulating how, when and where permitted sidewalk vendors conduct business. Sidewalk vendors are explicitly prohibited from interfering with public access to the shoreline.

In addition, the Ordinance bans sidewalk vending in the Gaslamp Quarter and other specified areas.

Over the past several weeks, city Park Rangers have been sharing educational materials with vendors to outline the parameters on how they can operate legally in and around beach communities. Vendors operating illegally may be cited for violations and subject to fines ranging from $200 to $1,000, depending on the number

and types of violations. Carts, equipment and goods may also be impounded. Since the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance went into effect last year, more than 500 sidewalk vending permits have been issued to local vendors selling jewelry, clothing, apparel, artisan products, home décor, candles, fine art collectibles, novelty items and food products, among a wide array of other items. All pushcart and stationary sidewalk vendors operating within the City of San Diego are required to have a valid and current Business Tax Certificate, Sidewalk Vending Permit and City issued photo ID. Food vendors must also have a San Diego County Health Permit and Food Handler Card. More information about permits and the application process is available at sandiego. gov/sidewalk-vending.

(City of San Diego Release) n

Pilot program for older adults offers rental subsidy

THE County of San Diego Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities is launching a pilot program to provide 222 seniors at risk of experiencing homelessness a rental subsidy.

This program was approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors last September. Eligible adults over 55 years old would be provided $500 a month for 18 months to help them stabilize. Assistance payments are anticipated to begin this spring.

San Diego’s 55 years or older population is expected to balloon to more than 1.1 million people by 2030.

“Older adults, in particular people on fixed incomes, are struggling with rising rents and represent a growing part of our homeless population,” said Barbara Jiménez, Community Operations Officer who oversees the Department of Homeless Solutions & Equitable Communities. “This pilot program will help people remain in their homes while also offering light case management services to connect participants to supportive services.”

According to the 2022 We All Count Pointin-Time Count, 25 percent of people who were unsheltered were 55 years and older.

Eligible applicants must:

• Have a household income at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income.

• Be using more than half of their income toward housing.

• Have their name on the lease or rental agreement.

• Have a landlord willing to participate in the

program.

• Not be receiving any other rental subsidies.

• Sign consent forms to participate in the program.

Pilot program participants who meet the eligibility criteria will be selected at random. To apply for this rental subsidy, email your full name and contact information to HSEC-OHS. HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 619-980-4168. Application assistance and translation services will be provided. (Cassie Klapp/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

California Volunteers is recruiting fellows from participating colleges for next academic years’ program, helping thousands of students pay for college by serving their community

SACRAMENTO — On Wednesday, February

1, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday and California Volunteers, Office of the Governor announced applications are now open for next year’s #CaliforniansForAll College Corps. More than 3,000 students will be selected from partner campuses to participate during the 2023-2024 academic year.

College Corps is a statewide, paid service program, launched during the 2022-2023 academic year, which provides meaningful work to college students in exchange for serving their community. The program helps participants graduate on time and with less debt while gaining valuable work experience. Students will receive up to $10,000 for completing up to 450 hours of community service.

“Giving back to your community through service is at the very heart of what it means to be a Californian – and that’s what College Corps is all about. There’s nothing more valuable than getting hands-on with service projects that make our state a better place for all,” said Governor Gavin Newsom,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

Through their service, College Corps Fellows contribute to tackling the biggest issues facing our state. Fellows will work in their communities to tutor and mentor low-income students, distribute meals to those facing food insecurity and take climate action.

“In California, if you are willing to serve your community and give back in a meaningful way, we are going to help you pay for college. This is a win-win-win. Helping to pay for college, gaining valuable work experience, and having a meaningful

impact on your community,” said California Chief Service Officer Fryday.

California has an estimated 75,000 undocumented students who don’t qualify for federal work-study or most job opportunities, and often struggle to make ends meet. However, College Corps is uniquely open to AB 540 CA Dream Act Students, ensuring that at participating campuses, all eligible California college students have a chance to earn money while serving their community.

“As an AB 540 CA Dream Act student, joining the College Corps program was the best decision I made for my education. I can cover my educational expenses, gain work experience, and make a difference in my community,” said Wendi Lizola, Sacramento State College Corps Fellow. “Students will no longer feel limited due to their background. College students should definitely apply to the program today!”

In the first four years of this new program, College Corps will engage more than 12,000 California undergraduates to make a positive difference in their communities. This service and career development program will help build a diverse generation of leaders prepared to transform California for the better. Funding was made possible by the efforts of Governor Newsom and lawmakers.

Priority application deadline is March 15, 2023, but the final deadline will vary by campus. Program details, deadlines and applications are available at www.CACollegeCorps.com.

(California Volunteers, Office of the Governor Release) n

California recruiting more than 3,000 students for #CaliforniansForAll College Corps

Pass It On in 2023:

Renewing fraud prevention

IF you’re one of the resourceful, dedicated people who uses Pass It On (https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/pass-it-on) and Pásalo materials to help older adults avoid scams, thank you!

You’re part of an enormous network that’s shared more than 17 million fact sheets and bookmarks, in English and Spanish, at coffee chats, financial literacy classes, information fairs, and in libraries, lobby tables, and other community meeting places over the last eight years. Now we’ve got more reasons for you to Pass It On.

Check out the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) refreshed Pass It On website. We’ve added new online and print information about business impersonators and investment scams and updated our existing materials about common scams that often affect older adults — like romance, tech support, and grandkid scams.

You’ll also find updated downloadable Power Point presentations about the 13 topics Pass It On covers — complete with speaker’s notes — and a print Sample Pack with 13 fact sheets to enhance your presentations. Don’t worry, you’ll still find straightforward advice for older adults that respects their lifetime of experience.

For the next few weeks, we’re hosting short webinars about new Pass It On materials for people who do outreach and education with older adults. We’ll talk through the process for ordering free print materials to enhance your trainings and group presentations, demonstrate the Power Point presentations for each topic; and talk about ideas for sharing Pass It On with your community.

Want to learn how to link Pass It On to your website? We’ve got you covered. Check out the schedule below and find one focused on your area of focus: aging services, community support, law enforcement, or library staff and volunteers.

Schedule and information:

• Webinars — Reaching Older Adults about Scams: Pass It On

• Open to all

• February 8, 3 pm EST — Focus on aging service and community-based organizations (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/ events/2023/02/reaching-older-adults-about-scams-pass-itfebruary-8-2023)

• February 15, 3 pm EST — Focus on law enforcement (https:// www.ftc.gov/news-events/events/2023/02/reaching-older-adultsabout-scams-pass-it-february-15-2023)

• February 22, 3 pm EST (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/ events/2023/02/reaching-older-adults-about-scams-pass-itfebruary-22-2023)

• March 1, 3 pm EST (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events/2023/03/reaching-olderadults-about-scams-pass-it-march-1-2023).

(Bridget Small/Consumer Protection Specialist, FTC) n

California Senate Republicans announce robust 2023 legislative priorities to fix California

SACRAMENTO – Joined by California families, homeless advocates, and small business owners who have been severely impacted by Sacramento Democrats’ misguided policies, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) and members of the California Senate Republican Caucus announced their legislative priorities which aim to cut costs, tackle crime, act on homelessness, invest in students first, build muchneeded water storage, and reduce wildfires.

“Life hasn’t been easy for the average Californian under oneparty rule,” Leader Jones said.

“Our caucus is prepared to fix the problems plaguing families up and down this state. Gavin Newsom’s ‘California way or the highway’ has people literally fleeing because of the high cost of living, worsening homelessness crisis, and failing schools.

California Senate Republicans have a plan that addresses these major issues along with others and we look forward to working with our legislative colleagues to get the job done. Government should work for you, not the other way around.”

“I am committed to working with my colleagues on shaping a more affordable California,” said Senate Minority Caucus Chair Janet Nguyen (R-Huntington Beach). “Increasing the state’s renter’s tax credit, supporting local government efforts to build more economical housing

This Black History Month, take charge of your credit

THE FTC honors the contributions and legacy of Black Americans across U.S. history. One of the top consumer issues that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has heard from people living in majority Black communities is related to credit bureaus. Your credit history tells businesses and potential employers a story about how you use money. What is your credit history saying about you — and is it accurate?

Businesses might run your credit report to decide if they want to lend you money, give you a credit card, or rent you an apartment. You could pay more for things like a loan or even utility services if the report shows that you pay your bills late or take on more debt than you can afford to pay back.

Sometimes that information is accurate — but sometimes it’s not. Take charge using these steps to manage and protect your credit:

• Monitor your credit regularly. Through December 2023, get a free copy of your credit report from the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — every week if you want. But even if you just do it yearly, look closely for problems or mistakes, like someone else’s information, payment history

or account information that’s wrong, or accounts that you didn’t open yourself.

• Dispute errors right away. If you find mistakes, dispute them with each credit bureau that has the mistake and the company that reported the incorrect information. Both parties have to investigate your claim and correct the information if they find that it’s inaccurate. If you find accounts you didn’t open, it could be identity theft. Go to IdentityTheft.gov to get a free personal recovery plan that walks you through each step, including getting fraudulent information removed (or “blocked”) from your credit report.

• Place a credit freeze. One way to help protect against identity theft or misuse after a data breach is to freeze your credit report. That limits access to your credit and makes it hard for someone to open new accounts in your name. And you can do this (for free) even if your identity hasn’t been stolen.

Share this information with someone in your family, faith community, or social organization and check out ftc. gov/creditmatters to learn more about understanding your credit.

(Terri Miller/Consumer Education Specialist, FTC) n

CDC study reports...

PAGE 10

• Emergency department visits for influenza-like illness: 3% of all visits (compared with 3% the previous week).

• Lab-confirmed influenza cases for the week: 89 (compared to 158 the previous week).

• Total lab-confirmed cases to date: 20,638 (compared to 1,472 at the same time last season and a 5,983 prior 5-year average during the same week). Data updates to

of their children. We must do better.”

the County’s coronavirussd.com website will be published Thursdays around 5 p.m., with the exception of holidays. More information about the flu is available on the County’s influenza website (https://www.sandiegocounty. gov/content/sdc/hhsa/ programs/phs/immunization_ branch/Vaccine_Preventable_ Diseases/Seasonal_Influenza/). (Gig Conaughton/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

California Senate Minority Leader Brian

(R-San

outlines the Republican caucus’ list of legislative priorities in a video released on Wednesday, January 25. and suspending the gas tax are priorities to me. It’s time to cut costs for hard-working families and taxpayers. California should be affordable and attainable for everyone.”

“California voters have made their priorities clear in approving funds to protect the state from drought and floods. The primary solution is building more water storage. Prioritizing, and actually following through on issues California taxpayers approved is what we’re here to do,” said Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber).

Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) said: “Republicans are focused on providing solutions to the realworld problems Californians face every day. We are fighting to lower gas and utility prices, provide quality education for our students and create safer communities for our children and families. On the first day of session, I introduced Senate Bill 14 in order to address

the growing crime of human trafficking by making it a serious and violent felony—a law that should have been changed years ago.”

“California has spent billions on a problem that keeps getting worse. We need to concentrate on results, not just actions, to this seemingly intractable problem and our caucus has put forth solutions to help the countless homeless individuals left languishing on our streets,” said Senate Budget Vice Chair, Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks).

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) said, “It is a California constitutional duty to ensure we have a robust and competitive public school system.

As evidenced by the impact schooling has on the criminal justice system and understanding the unique needs of every child, we must grant parents the choice to find the schools and school districts that best fit the needs

“With a crime rate 13% higher than the national average and one of the leading causes of death for our young people being fentanyl poisoning, we must act now to make public safety and tackling crime our priority. The common-sense policies we have introduced will be a key factor in holding criminals accountable, keeping drugs off the streets, and making our communities safe once again,” said Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta).

Prior to today’s rollout of legislative priorities, Senator Niello and Leader Jones delivered a budget priority letter to Governor Newsom and Democrat legislative leaders. The budget letter outlined a detailed list of 2023 priorities from Senate Republicans. The California Senate Republican Caucus outlined the following priorities:

• Cut Costs

• Tackle Crime

• ACT on Homelessness

• Invest in Students

• Prevent Wildfires

• Build Water Storage. In a follow-up video to the press conference, all California Senate Republicans expressed their commitment to addressing these issues this legislative session. To watch the video, go to https://vimeo. com/790908965/3fa16b3efe.

(CA Senate Republican Caucus Release) n

Jones

Diego)