020423 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

US gets greater access to PH military facilities

4 more ‘agreed sites’ to be picked under EDCA

by PIA LEE-BRAGO, RALPH EDWIN VILLANUEVA Philstar.com

MANILA — The  Philippines  has granted the United States military access to four more sites,  the defense chiefs  of the two countries said on Thursday, February 2, amid mounting concern over China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and tensions over self-ruled Taiwan. Washington would be given access to four more locations under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA),  Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez and visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a joint news conference. During Austin’s courtesy call at Malacañang earlier on Thursday, President Marcos emphasized that the U.S. will always be involved in the future of the Asia-Pacific region.

Austin, who was in the  Philippines  for talks as Washington seeks to extend its security options in the country as part of efforts to deter any move by China against Taiwan,  described Manila’s decision as a “big deal” as he and his counterpart reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering their countries’ alliance. Austin and Galvez did not say where the new locations would be.

But it has been widely reported that most of the new locations will be on the main island of Luzon –the closest Philippine landmass to Taiwan – where the U.S. already has access to two bases.

The fourth will reportedly be on Palawan, facing the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, taking the number of sites there to two.

Before his courtesy call on Marcos, Austin met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.

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DFA: PH-US alliance ‘rock solid’

by DANIZA FERNANDEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — The PhilippineUnited States alliance is “rock solid,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Friday, February 3.

peoples,” he added. Austin, meanwhile, stressed that the U.S. “remains determined to support regional peace & prosperity in the [IndoPacific].”

FEMA, the federal Small Business Administration, Cal OES and community organizations are pulling out all the stops to speed aid to victims of California's recent torrential rains.

If you’re a California business or nonprofit owner who could use a couple of million dollars to get back on your feet after this winter’s rainstorms, the federal government may have you covered.

Or if you’ve got up to $41,000 in personal expenses you can’t meet and insurance won’t pay for, FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Administration, might be able to help you out there, too.

At a Jan. 31 press briefing hosted by the

Marcos OKs 7 more ‘high-impact’ projects

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has approved seven more "high-impact" projects as part of his government's goal to realize social and economic transformation in the medium term, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) chief Arsenio Balisacan announced on Friday, February 3. Balisacan said the projects were greenlighted during the President's meeting with the NEDA board on Thursday, February 2 in Malacañang.

"In line with the strategies identified under the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028, the approval of these high-impact projects is a manifestation of the Marcos administration's strong commitment to improving the quality of life of the Filipino people," Balisacan told reporters during a Palace briefing. He said that in the next six years, "we can look forward to seeing more of our agencies and sectors working hand in hand toward creating a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society."

On Thursday, Malacañang announced  PAGE A4

WHEN Margarette Nerette arrived in the United States from Haiti, she sought safety and a new start.

The former human rights activist feared for her life in the political turmoil following the military coup that overthrew President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1991. Leaving her two small children with her sister in Port-au-Prince, Nerette, then 29, came to Miami a few years later on a three-month visa and never went back. In time, she was granted political asylum.

She eventually studied to become a nursing assistant, passed her certification exam, and got a job in a nursing home. The work was hard and didn’t pay a lot, she said, but “as an immigrant, those are the jobs that are open to you.”

A few years later her family joined her, but her

Typhoon-devastated Filipinos are vulnerable to tra cking - UN report

MANILA — Cases of human trafficking in the Philippines spiked after major typhoons wiped out local communities’ agricultural industries, making the country a striking case study globally of how climateinduced income losses can lead to trafficking.

This was mentioned in a United Nations Office on

Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report 2022 released last January 24 that described the emerging connection between the climate crisis and the increased displacement in regions prone to harsh weather events.

The report described the situation in the Philippines, along in Bangladesh, Ghana and

the Caribbean Islands, as an example of how “weather-induced natural disasters can expose communities reliant on fishing, farming and agriculture to higher risk of trafficking.”

“The widespread and intensifying impacts of climate change are heightening vulnerabilities to  PAGE A4

Manalo made the remark after he met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who visited Manila “I had a very good first meeting with [Defense Secretary] Austin. There’s no doubt—PH-U.S. Alliance is rock solid,” Manalo posted on Twitter.

“We identified key initiatives to improve mutual understanding of our priorities & challenges and to strengthen our relationship in ways that would secure our

“We deeply value our ironclad alliance & working shoulderto-shoulder with such an indispensable ally & friend,” the U.S. official wrote on Twitter. During Austin’s visit, the Philippines and the U.S. agreed to have four new additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites across the archipelago.

The Philippine Department

China accuses US of countering peace in expanding access to PH bases

MANILA — As the United States and the Philippines add new locations under a military basing agreement, Beijing accused Washington of escalating regional tensions anew.

The United States' actions, the Chinese Embassy said on Thursday, February 2, "undermine regional peace and stability" and "contradict the common aspiration of regional countries to seek peace."

This comes as U.S. Defense Secretary Austin hammered down Washington’s promise to back the Philippines in asserting its rights over the disputed waters in the South China Sea, saying it is ready to assist its treaty ally should there be armed attacks.

The Philippines has welcomed the possibility of holding joint patrols with the U.S. in the West Philippine Sea, as it is within the ambits of the two countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty.

the "common aspiration of the Filipino people to pursue sound economic recovery and a better life in cooperation with China." “China always holds that defense and security cooperation between countries should be conducive to regional peace and stability, not target against any third party, even less to harm the interests of a third party,” the Chinese Embassy in Manila said in its statement.

“It is hoped that the Philippine side stays vigilant and resists... being taken advantage of and

China, in response, doubled down on its rhetoric, claiming that the expanded U.S.-Philippines cooperation runs counter to  PAGE A2

ARRIVAL HONORS. United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III (right) and Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Rommel Anthony SD Reyes (left), troop the military line during the arrival honors held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday, Feb. 2.

As long-term care sta ng crisis worsens, immigrants can bridge the gaps, experts say

After the storms: Calif. o cials share resources for recovery

Austin visited Camp Navarro in Mindanao where Philippine and U.S. service members are working closely together to ensure the long-term prosperity of the region.

Photo from defense.gov

US gets greater access to...

Malacañang has yet to release details of the meeting.

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

“The Philippine-U.S. Alliance has stood the test of time and remains ironclad. We look forward to the opportunities these new sites will create to expand our cooperation together,” it added.

“Our alliance makes both of our democracies more secure and helps uphold a free and open  Indo-Pacific,” said Austin, whose visit followed  U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ trip  to the  Philippines  in November, which included a stop in  Palawan in the South China Sea.

“We discussed concrete actions to address destabilizing activities in the waters surrounding the  Philippines, including the West Philippine Sea, and we remain committed to strengthening our mutual capacities to resist armed attack,” Austin said.

“That’s just part of our efforts to modernize our alliance. And these efforts are especially important as People’s Republic of China continues to advance  its illegitimate  claims in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

$82-M investments

The additional locations under the EDCA bring to nine the number of military bases the U.S. would have access to, and Washington had announced it was allocating more than $82 million for infrastructure investments at the existing sites.

The EDCA allows U.S. access to Philippine military bases for joint training, pre-positioning of equipment and the building of facilities such as runways, fuel storage and military housing, but not a permanent presence.

Galvez, a former military chief,  had said  the U.S. had requested access to bases on Northern Luzon, closest to Taiwan, and on Palawan, facing the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

There was no immediate

comment from the Chinese embassy in Manila.

Outside the military headquarters, dozens of protesters  opposed to the United States maintaining a military presence in the country chanted anti-U.S. slogans  and called for the EDCA to be scrapped.

Ties between the U.S. and the  Philippines, a former colony, were soured by predecessor Rodrigo Duterte’s overtures toward China, his famous antiU.S. rhetoric and threats to downgrade their military ties.

But Marcos  has met with U.S. President Joe Biden twice since his landslide victory in the elections last year and reiterated he cannot see a future for his country without its longtime treaty ally.

“I have always said, it seems to me, the future of the  Philippines  and for that matter the Asia Pacific will always have to involve the United States,” Marcos told Austin.

A senior U.S. defense official noted that the presence of U.S. forces in the Philippines, upon the invitation of the government, is a show of true partnership.

“What we’re doing with Philippines is working with them,” the official said in a news release in the U.S. Defense Department website.

“So that together as an alliance, we can help ensure their future, and so they have the capability to defend their own sovereignty and prevent the kind of coercion that they’re facing on a day-to-day basis,” the official added.

China, the official said, is the nation doing the coercion, even after losing a landmark ruling at an international tribunal in 2016. The tribunal in The Hague ruled that China’s excessive claims in the South China Sea were illegal according to international law.

“What the Philippines is trying to do, is uphold its rights,” the official said. “And we’re trying to help them do that in the same way we are with other partners around the region. That’s what this is really about, not about simply countering China.”

‘Terribly complicated’

In his opening remarks during Austin’s courtesy call, Marcos said the situation in the Asia Pacific region has become “terribly complicated” and its

“troubled waters” could only be navigated properly with the help of partners and allies in the international sphere.

He described the ties between the Philippines and its “longest partner and ally” as “strong” and “so historically embedded in our common psyches.”

“And as we traverse these rather troubled waters, geopolitical waters, the economic waters that we are facing, I again put great importance on that partnership specifically with the United States but all partnerships and alliances that we are able to make with our friends around the world,” the President said without elaborating.

“And again, I have always said that it seems to me that the future of the Philippines and for that matter the Asia Pacific will always have to involve the United States simply because those partnerships are so strong and so historically embedded in our common psyches that we can only – it can only be an advantage to both our countries,” he added.

“And so from the defense perspective, we will continue to work together with our great partners to build and modernize your capability as well as increase our interoperability,” Austin said in response to Marcos’ remarks.

In a speech delivered in New York last September, Marcos said he could not imagine the Philippines’ future without the U.S. as its partner.

“Now of course, this has evolved as time has gone on but the strength of that relationship continues. And we envision a further strengthening of those relationships,” Marcos said at a forum at the New York Stock Exchange on Sept. 20.

It was Austin’s second visit to the Philippines. He first visited the country in 2021 during the Duterte administration. In that visit, Austin thanked Duterte for his decision to withdraw the termination letter for the Visiting Forces Agreement.

In 2020, Duterte announced that he would terminate the VFA following the U.S. cancellation of the visa of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who – as national police chief – was chief implementer of his administration’s war on drugs.

Malacañang later said other reasons for Duterte’s decision

DFA: PH-US alliance ‘rock...

of National Defense said that the “expansion of the EDCA will make our alliance stronger and more resilient and will accelerate the modernization of our combined military capabilities.”

Meanwhile, China said that

U.S. actions “escalate regional tension and undermine regional peace and stability.”

The Philippines and China have an ongoing maritime row in the West Philippine Sea.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the

Philippines has rights on the West Philippine Sea, invalidating China’s nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea. Despite the ruling, Filipino fishers continue to experience aggression and harassment by China. 

China accuses US of countering peace in expanding...

PAGE A1

dragged into trouble waters,” it added.

China also accused the U.S. of going on a smear campaign against Beijing. Austin, during Thursday’s joint press briefing, said discussions with his Philippine counterparts included

the “destabilizing activities” in the waters around the country.

“These efforts are especially important as People’s Republic of China continues to advance this illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea,” Austin said.

Philippine Ambassador to

Westmincom visit

On Wednesday, Austin visited the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City and discussed with its chief Maj. Gen. Roy Galido ways of further improving interaction between the local military and members of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force 511.2 (JSOTF 511.2).

The JSOTF is a small US military team tasked to provide technical assistance and training

to its Filipino counterpart in countering terrorism. Galido said Westmincom was grateful to Austin for the visit.

“This shows how strong is our working relationship and how committed our most powerful ally to help us in addressing our security issues here in southern Philippines,” Galido said, mentioning in particular the campaign against terrorism and insurgency. 

the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, meanwhile, said in a separate interview that the new areas of joint military operations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between Manila and Washington are not meant to oppose any country. (Kaycee Valmonte/Philstar.com) were the U.S. Senate resolution linking his administration to human rights violations, the demand of some American lawmakers to free detained opposition senator Leila de Lima, and the U.S. travel ban on persons behind her detention. Duterte eventually agreed to recall the abrogation of the VFA, an offshoot of the Mutual Defense Treaty signed by the Philippines and the U.S. in 1951.

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

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After the storms: Calif. o cials share...

Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), along with Listos California, five speakers detailed how people can get this and other help from federal, state and local governments and community based organizations.

“We’re known for our wildfires and earthquakes,” said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, of Cal OES. “We hadn’t really thought that we would have a major flooding incident in California.”

But after “nine atmospheric rivers, trillions of gallons of water, many weeks of wind, snow and rain and 21 deaths recorded so far,” she said, the federal government has approved Gov. Newsom’s request for emergency declarations for nine California counties, making them eligible for immediate federal assistance.

Now, FEMA, the federal Small Business Administration, Cal OES and community organizations led by Listos California are pulling out all the stops to speed aid to the people who need it.

Some checks have already been cut.

FEMA has established 10 disaster recovery centers.

Additionally, there are seven local assistance centers open under the auspices of Cal OES, with another seven coming soon, Crofts-Pelayo said.

Listos California has compiled a list of disaster recovery resources, available in simplified Chinese, Spanish, Korean, English, Filipino, Vietnamese.

“We have multiple overlapping disasters,” Robert Troy, also of Cal OES, said, citing ongoing wildfire and earthquake projects dating back to 2020.

“So, every time we go out and repair a damaged road or facility post-disaster, we encourage local communities to also invest in mitigation so we can better withstand future disasters.”

Troy also cited the federally and state funded Public Assistance Program, which, like the federal approval of the hardest-hit counties cited by Gov. Newsom, is operating in Calaveras, Merced,

Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties. “We expect more counties to be added,” Troy added.

From “mass care and emergency services, disaster case management, crisis counseling assistance, legal services and disaster unemployment assistance, individual assistance is a pretty sizable subcomponent of FEMA,” said FEMA Region 9 Emergency Management Specialist Brian Bui, stationed in Oakland.

Additionally, through its individual and household programs (IHP), “two main subcomponents include housing assistance and other needs assistance.

“Survivors may be eligible for rental assistance, temporary lodging, repair assistance or replacement assistance and other needs.” The current maximum for each category of help is $41,000 per household, he said, emphasizing that the deadline for registering is March 16.

“This is for expenses or losses not covered by insurance,” Bui added.

Besides the state local assistance centers and joint disaster recovery centers, where staff is ready to help people navigate the application process, including with in-language help, people can also call 1-(800) 6213362 or go to disasterassistance. gov.

Asked about how immigration status would affect storm victims’ eligibility for aid, Bui said there are three “categories of eligibility”: U.S. citizen, non-national citizen and qualified alien – someone with a green card or an H1B visa.

Luis Santos-Serrano, of the federal Small Business Administration, described his agency’s low-interest (starting at 3.3055%) physical disaster loan program, available up to $2 million, “for businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.”

The loans are available to see operations through not just repairing or replacing damaged materials, but also surviving cashflow constraints caused by the damage, that caused closures or decreased activity. “SBA disaster loans are the primary source of money to pay for repair or replacement or cost not fully covered by insurance or other compensation,” he said.

Homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence, and more to rehab rental properties or replace personal property.

He encouraged applying for the loans through the disasterassistance.gov website by the March 16 deadline, and said that doing so does not obligate anyone, but would enable applicants to later accept the loan if they ultimately decide to do so.

The deadline for the working capital loans is Oct. 16, and interest rates for homeowners can be as low as 2.313%, he said. More information is available at 1-(800) 659-9551. There is multilingual one-on-one help available for completing the application process at the disaster assistance centers.

Dayana Contreras, of Catholic Charities of Diocese of Fresno described how Listos California, partnering with Salvation Army, St. Vincent De Paul and local churches, brought truckloads of emergency supplies — such as fresh drinking water and snacks, bags of food by the hundreds, diapers, pillows and blankets – to people in water-drenched Merced County and, at a fairgrounds Disaster Relief Center, helped people apply to services such as CalFresh, immigration programs including asylee status, help with rent or utilities despite barriers of language, hearing loss and more.

“We’re working all around the clock as we kick off our new disaster case management program,” she said, including hiring more case managers, and expect to be busy for at least the next two years. (Mark Hedin/ Ethnic Media Services)

Typhoon-devastated Filipinos are...

trafficking in persons,” the report stated.

“Rising and shifting temperatures and weather patterns are disproportionally affecting poor communities

relying on the primary economic sector, including agriculture and the extraction of natural resources.”

UNODC’s study provided a “global picture of the patterns and flows of trafficking” based on an analysis of trafficking

As long-term care sta ng crisis worsens...

PAGE A1

children didn’t want to follow her career path. When she was a teenager, Nerette’s daughter, now 25, would ask, “Mom, why are you doing that?” Nerette said. Her daughter considered the work underpaid and too physical.

After many years, Nerette, now 57, left nursing home work for a job with the Florida local of the labor union SEIU1199, which represents more than 25,000 health workers. As the local’s vice president for long-term care, she is keenly aware of the staffing challenges that have plagued the industry for decades and will worsen as aging baby boomers stretch the limits of long-term care services.

The U.S. is facing a growing crisis of unfilled job openings and high staff turnover that puts the safety of older, frail residents at risk. In a tight labor market where job options are plentiful, longterm care jobs that are poorly paid and physically demanding are a tough sell. Experts say opening pathways for care workers to immigrate would help, but policymakers haven’t moved.

cases in 141 countries.

The study found that climaterelated disasters have doubled in frequency, leading to “loss of livelihoods and increasing displacement” of 23.7 million people in 2021 alone.

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In the decade leading up to 2031, employment in health care support jobs is expected to expand by 1.3 million, a nearly 18% growth rate that outpaces that of every other major occupational group, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. These direct care workers include nurses of various types, home health aides, and physical therapy and occupational therapy assistants, among others.

Certified nursing assistants, who help people with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating, make up the largest proportion of workers in nursing homes. In the decade leading up to 2029, nearly 562,000 nursing assistant jobs will need to be filled in the United States, according to a far-reaching report on nursing home quality published last year by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

But as the U.S. population ages, fewer workers will be available to fill those job openings in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private homes. While the number of adults 65 and older will nearly double to 94.7 million between 2016 and 2060, the number of working-age adults will grow just 15%, according to an analysis of census data by PHI, a research and advocacy organization for older and disabled people that conducts workforce research.

Immigrants can play a crucial role in filling those gaps, experts say. Already, about 1 in 4 direct care workers are foreign-born, according to a 2018 PHI analysis.

“We do think that immigrants are critical to this workforce and the future of the long-term care industry,” said Robert Espinoza, executive vice president of policy

at PHI. “We think the industry would probably collapse without them.”

Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have long struggled to maintain adequate staff. The problem worsened dramatically during the pandemic, when those facilities became hotbeds for covid-19 infections and deaths. More than 200,000 residents and staff members died during the first two years of the pandemic, representing about a quarter of all covid deaths during that time.

Since March 2020, the longterm care industry has lost more than 300,000 jobs, bringing employment to a 13-year low of just over 3 million, according to an analysis of BLS payroll data by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living.

Immigration policies that aim to identify potential workers from overseas to fill long-term care job slots could help ease the strain. But unlike other countries that face similar longterm care challenges, the U.S. generally hasn’t made attracting direct care workers from abroad a priority.

“Immigration policy is longterm care policy,” said David Grabowski, a professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School whose research focuses on the economics of aging and long-term care. “If we really want to encourage a strong workforce, we need to make immigration more accessible for individuals.”

Most of the roughly 1 million immigrants to the U.S. annually are family members of citizens, though some come in on employment visas, often for highly skilled jobs.

On his first day in office, President Joe Biden proposed comprehensive immigration reform that would have created a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers and revised the rules for employmentbased visas, among other things, but it went nowhere.

“There hasn’t been a lot of interest or political will behind opening up more immigration opportunities for mid- to lowerlevel care aides such as home health aides, personal health aides, and certified nursing assistants,” said Kristie De Peña, vice president for policy and director of immigration policy at the Niskanen Center, a think tank.

The Biden administration didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Some local and regional organizations are working to connect immigrants with health care jobs.

Ascentria Care Alliance provides social services, refugee resettlement, and long-term care services in five New England states. With state and private philanthropic funding, the

organization is beginning to help refugees from Ukraine, Haiti, Venezuela, and Afghanistan get the supportive services they need — language, housing, child care — to enable them to take health care jobs at Ascentria’s longterm care facilities and those of health care partners.

The group has long helped refugees resettle and find jobs in traditional settings like warehouses or retailers, said Angela Bovill, president and CEO of Ascentria, which is based in Worcester, Massachusetts. “Now we’re looking at what it would take to move them into health care jobs,” she said.

The alliance is applying to the Department of Labor for a grant to scale up the program. “If we get it right, we’ll build a pathway and a pipeline to move at the fastest rate from immigrant to effective health care worker,” Bovill said.

Some long-term care experts say the U.S. can’t afford to drag its feet on putting policies in place to appeal to immigrants.

“We’re competing with the rest of the world, other countries that also want these workers,” said Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute.

Canada, for instance, is going all in on immigration. In 2022, it welcomed more than 430,000 new permanent residents, the most in its history. Immigration accounts for almost 100% of Canada’s labor force growth, and by 2036 immigrants are expected to make up 30% of the population, the government said.

In the U.S., immigrants account for about 14% of the population, according to an analysis of census data by the Migration Policy Institute.

Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot aims to identify and recruit refugees who have skills Canadian employers need.

In January, after visiting a refugee camp in Kenya, recruiters offered jobs in Nova Scotia to 65 continuing care assistants.

In a December survey of 500 U.S. nursing homes, more than half said staffing shortages have forced them to turn away new residents.

These staffing challenges, said industry representatives, are likely to become an even heavier lift, with more closed facilities, units, or wings, after the Biden administration announced last year that it would establish minimum nursing home staffing requirements.

A government mandate alone won’t solve long-standing problems with inadequate training, pay, benefits, or career advancement, experts said.

“Young people aren’t going to clean 10 to 15 patients for $15 an hour,” Nerette said. “They’ll go to McDonald’s. We need to face that reality and come up with a plan.” (Michelle

Andrews/Kaiser Health News)

Marcos OKs 7 more ‘high-impact...

PAGE A1

that the first public-private partnership project approved by the NEDA board is the construction of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Cancer Center project.

Presidential Communications

Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement the P6-billion project will modernize the country's oncology services and cancer care. The Cancer Center, with a lot area of 3,000 square meters, will be built within the UP-PGH campus in Manila. It will have 300 beds (150 charity beds for the UP-PGH Area and 150 private beds for the Private Area), 15 to 20 floors, 350

full range of cancer treatments, including radio oncology (radiotherapy), imaging, medical oncology, and support for the UP-PGH's teaching and research activities.

Balisacan said the NEDA board, chaired by the President, also approved the development of the new Dumaguete airport, which will replace the existing Dumaguete-Sibulan airport.

The new airport will cost about P17 billion, P13 million of which will be funded through official development assistance (ODA) loan from the South Korean government.

"Under this project, a new airport facility in Bacong, Negros Oriental, will be developed with domestic and international standards for operational safety and efficiency," Balisacan said.

The new Dumaguete airport will enhance the province's tourism and trade potential

economic activities and standard of living, he said.

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) will shoulder the remaining P3.9 billion, and the project will be implemented within 7 years, Balisacan said.

Another project involves increased funding for upgrading the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) by P7.6 billion, from P21.9 billion, and one that utilizes the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan balance of P2.12 billion to set up a new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance-Air Traffic Management system maintenance, and resiliency enhancement to include maintenance contracts, an ultimate fall back system and the feasibility study for the independent back-up system.

"The approval includes a

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

DFA, DMW plan transition concerning OFW assistance

by KAYCEE VALMONTE Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines is preparing to hand over 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

Minority bloc to reject Maharlika Fund bill

SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said the minority bloc will reject the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) as he insisted that the government has "no extra" wealth to support this endeavor.

The senator made the remark on Thursday, February 2 in an online interview when asked whether he and Sen. Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros will support the proposed MIF measure.

high interest rate, among others.

"Those are professionally-run funds which are very transparent. And look what happened. That is now the question of timing. The condition of the world economy is really bad," Pimentel said in Filipino and English.

PAGE A4

60-month loan with a validity extension from 2023 to 2028 to cover their preceding intended utilization," Balisacan said.

"This approval shall enable the upgrade of our eighttransport facilities and improved passenger experience by enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our air traffic service in Philippine air space following international standards," he added.

Balisacan said the MRT-3 project will upgrade the train system to its "original, asdesigned state."

"All subsystems will be restored, renewed, and upgraded including the tracks, signaling system, power supply, and overheads, as well as maintenance and rehabilitation," he said.

The project will integrate other MRT 3-related projects such as the common station, the Dalian trains, and the transition to a four-car train configuration.

This rehabilitation project aims to enhance the safety and level of service of the MRT 3 and to promote its use to help alleviate the worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila,"

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio along with other officials assist 102 OFWs in their arrival documents at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City as they return to the Philippines from Kuwait through the repatriation program of the government on January 20, 2023. Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman 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 DFADMW 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.  

Marcos OKs 7 more ‘high-impact...

Balisacan added. The NEDA also approved the Department of Agriculture's (DA) P6.6-billion Mindanao

Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), which aims to increase agricultural productivity, resiliency and access to markets and services of organized farmers and fisherfolk groups in selected areas.

Balisacan said around P5.3 billion of the estimated total cost of the MIADP will be financed through an ODA from the World Bank, while the remaining P863.461 million will come from the DA and the local government units (LGUs).

The MIADP covers selected ancestral domains in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos), Caraga and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

"The project will be pivotal in reducing poverty, unemployment and food insecurity among indigenous peoples. It will improve the economic situation of the

indigenous people in Mindanao and further strengthen the capacity of LGUs to implement support programs that address weak market linkages and poor infrastructure in geographically isolated ancestral domains," Balisacan said.

Also approved was the first phase of the Department of Public Works and Highways' flood resilience project to improve strategic flood risk management planning, developing flood protection infrastructure in the river basins of Abra in Luzon, and Ranao and Tagum-Libuganon in Mindanao.

The P20-billion project is to be financed through an ODA loan from the Asian Development Bank.

The NEDA board also confirmed the DoTR's request for "changes in scope, increase in cost, and the extension of implementation" of the Davao Transport Modernization Project.

The high-priority bus system for Davao City will interconnect bus services along 29 routes.

The project's implementation period has been extended from 2023 to 2029, Balisacan said. 

"We cannot defend the indefensible. We cannot justify what is unjustifiable. So, we do not need this law," Pimentel said, adding that the MIF bill contains unclear provisions, hence, defective."

He said the government has no compelling reason to set up the MIF because it does not have excess money to support it. "Kaya sintunado na yung batas (That's why the [proposed] law is out of tune)."

The senator said the "extra" funds in the Landbank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines cannot be used for MIF since these are already programmed for farmers loan assistance.

He also raised the competency of the people who will run the corporation that will handle the MIF. He questioned why the proposed law grants power to the chairman of the said corporation

Minority Leader Koko Pimentel ManilaTimes.net file photo

to acquire loans on behalf of the Filipino people to run the MIF.

"Posibleng maipamana pa

natin yung utang (It is possible that we will pass on the debt [to future generations], " Pimentel said.

He cited the case of Norway whose sovereign wealth fund lost a record $164 billion as a result of war in Europe, high inflation,

Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero said he is open to the creation of the MIF but reiterated that the proposed legislation in its current form needs further amendments to address the "many gaps and loopholes."

The senator stressed this on Wednesday, February 1 during the hearing on Senate Bill 1670, filed by Sen. Mark Villar, which proposes the establishment of the MIF to boost government resources.

He said the administration should not rush the Senate into passing its own version of the MIF bill.

House Bill 6608, authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez, was approved in the House of Representatives on December 15 last year after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. certified the proposal as urgent. Escudero questioned several provisions in the bill, saying that unless they are addressed immediately by the administration's economic team, its passage is bound to get delayed. (ManilaTimes.net)

Typhoon-devastated Filipinos are...

PAGE A4

“Economic hardship and other challenges put more people at direct risk of being trafficked while increasing the incentives for others to engage in trafficking activities,” the report added.

The UNODC study also warned that “as regions of the world become increasingly uninhabitable, people on the move will face high risk of exploitation along migration routes.”

Typhoons in the Philippines

The report cited the devastation left by Typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan), one of the strongest typhoons in the world, on the more than four million people in the Eastern Visayas region in 2013.

Aside from the thousands

of families it displaced, the typhoon also destroyed the local agricultural and fishing industries that many families below the poverty line relied on for income. A typhoon that lasted for nine days led to 21,000 families losing their livelihoods, which made them vulnerable to traffickers.

The report stated: “Between 2013 and 2015, national authorities recorded about 670 cases of trafficking in persons in the regions affected by the typhoon alone, and key informants in government and NGOs reported that these cases increased after the disaster.”

A similar level of destruction took place when Typhoon Odette (internationally known as Typhoon Rai) displaced more than 590,000 people in several

provinces in the country in 2021 UNODC estimated that about 216 million people would migrate within their own countries by 2050 “due to slowonset climate change impacts.” These refer to climate-related events that happen over a period of time, such as sea level rise, forest degradation and loss of biodiversity, among others. UNODC observed a dramatic reduction in the number of detected human trafficking victims in 2020, the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to restrictions on mobility. While cases of human trafficking picked up again by 2021 in Europe and the Americas, some countries in Southeast Asia detected a lower number of trafficking cases in 2021. 

Senate

Credible defense

STRATEGIC partnerships are important, President Marcos says, in dealing with a “terribly complicated situation” and “troubled waters.” Along this line, he has approved the expansion of U.S. military access to Philippine facilities.

The defense secretaries of the two countries announced that four new sites would be identified for increased American military access under the 2014 Philippines-U.S. Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. The four are in addition to five existing EDCA sites where the U.S. is providing $82 million for infrastructure development.

The new sites will still have to be announced, but at least one of them is expected to face the South China Sea, where Beijing has been constructing artificial islands to enforce its socalled nine-dash-line claim over nearly the entire area. Visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that the expanded access will not entail permanent basing arrangements for U.S . troops. Austin and his Philippine counterpart Carlito Galvez also said the four new “agreed locations” would be picked in consultation with affected local communities. Activities at the sites will include joint military training exercises, disaster response as well as counterterrorism.

The existing EDCA sites are located at Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan; Basa Air Base in Pampanga where fighter planes of the Philippine Air Force are based; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva

Just Thinking

THE proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC) continue to be viewed from the lens of domestic practice.

Last week, the Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC) authorized the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) to resume its investigation in the situation in the Philippines. To not much surprise, the Philippine government’s response was to deny that the ICC had jurisdiction in the first place. Immediately, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra expressed their intention to challenge the PTC decision before the ICC Appeals Chamber.

Now, on its face, it may appear as if the Philippine government is having its cake and eating it too. On one hand, it claims that the ICC has no authority over the situation in the Philippines. Yet, on the other, it invokes that very same court’s appellate authority over that very same situation. The question must thus be asked— as, indeed, I have been recently asked: By filing an appeal, will the Philippines be impliedly

I OFTEN focus on the externalities because most understand them better. Distractions and disruptions are among the most common of externalities today. When there is a lack of depth and the game of life is played mostly at the surface, we will not only see but will be swayed by distractions and disruptions. Like bamboo, the winds and rains most affect us.

I would like to focus on the inner layers of life, too.

Unfortunately, when the vast majority of Filipinos are hovering in the dimensions of survival and security, the inner dynamics will often be unnoticed. In fact, one most important reason why peace and prosperity are at the top of the universal wish list is that stability and abundance naturally open the doors for the subtle and artistic.

Peace and prosperity, however, have a hollow ring to them from over-use without corresponding affirmation.

Ecija; the Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City. The announcement was the most dramatic indication yet that the avowed pivot to China pursued by the Duterte administration is shifting gears. While the Marcos administration continues to engage with Beijing especially on economic matters, Manila is strengthening security ties with its long-standing treaty ally Washington. Austin has committed greater U.S. support for Philippine military modernization. The two countries are also reported to be planning joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

Progressive groups are protesting the agreement to pick four more agreed sites under EDCA. But the Department of National Defense, in a statement, declared that expansion of the EDCA “will make our alliance stronger and more resilient and will accelerate the modernization of our combined military capabilities.”

“The Philippine-U.S. alliance has stood the test of time and remains ironclad. We look forward to the opportunities these new sites will create to expand our cooperation together,” the statement added. While strengthening alliances, the country

should also move to boost its self-defense capability. Philippine security officials have been talking for years about the need to develop credible self-defense capability, with no reliance

on outside help. At the very least, the country should have its own resources to monitor and patrol its maritime area. It makes for tighter alliances based on mutual respect. (Philstar.com)

ICC probe: Buckle up, we’re in for a long ride

recognizing, and thus accepting, the ICC’s jurisdiction?

It’s a good question. One that builds upon our own domestic legal quirks on voluntary appearance (i.e., the rule that says that court acquires jurisdiction over persons by their “voluntary appearance” in court). But in its essence, the concern is less legal than it is practical. Sure, Rule 14, Section 23 of the Rules of Civil Procedure may provide for the rule on voluntary appearance, yet there’s also a reason why a rule for a civil procedure is so uncritically applied to criminal cases as well. It’s not so much the dictate of law, but the dictum of logic.

We, Filipinos, just love that touch-move mentality. That “ayan kasi,” “you get what you ask for” cinematic moment. The biblical climax that screams “you reap what you sow.” But fortunately or unfortunately (depending on where you stand), international criminal litigation does not quite work that way. Certainty not under the Rome Statute.

So, let’s go back to the question: By filing an appeal, would the Philippines have effectively surrendered jurisdiction to the ICC? The answer is no, for

Politicians and other societal leaders mouth the peace and prosperity vision to justify plans and programs. Sadly, peace and prosperity in the Philippines are terribly selective. Many agents of discord have sown so much distrust. We are not enemies to feel angry at so many. We just succumb to partisan provocateurs; worse, even just to trolls and bots spreading malicious lies.

I am not talking about anything new. In fact, I have been writing about distractions and disruptions. My doing so is because we have to remain aware of distractions in our daily lives and disruptions that will upset us in a more intense manner. Being unaware will jolt us like bolts of lightning. Because they will come no matter what. Because our awareness and preparation will determine how mildly or badly we will be affected. Where should our focus lie?

If many of us are caught in the survival mode of daily life, then we must address the lack of basic essentials that force us into poverty. Those better than the poor but know they still lack enough security will themselves

several reasons—none of which involve the filing of an appeal ad cautelam. (For my nonlegal readers, ad cautelam or “with caution” is used to preface how a submission is made to question the jurisdiction of the court and not to surrender thereto.)

First of all, the very notion of voluntary appearance adopted in the Philippine Rules of Court would not apply for these purposes. The ICC never claimed personal jurisdiction over the Philippines, as the court does not try nations, but individuals. Indeed, Article 25(1) of the Rome Statute clearly provides that “the Court shall have jurisdiction over natural persons.”

Second, should the Philippine government, indeed, file an appeal at this stage, it will be pursuant to Article 18(4) of the Rome Statute. Notably, however, Article 18 is titled “Preliminary rulings regarding admissibility,” and admissibility alone. This is in contrast to Article 19, which is entitled “Challenges to the jurisdiction of the Court or the admissibility of a case.” An appeal pursuant to Article 18, therefore, would not “voluntarily surrender” jurisdiction, as jurisdiction is not at issue.

File photo shows an alleged drug dealer is handcuffed after a drug buy bust operation conducted by policemen where they caught this 18-year-old boy selling marijuana in Manila. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs has left nearly 4,000 drug suspects dead and seen human rights groups claim he was responsible for a crime against humanity. The anti-drugs campaign enjoys popular support while the fiery-tongued Duterte has rejected any criticism of his human rights record. Philstar.com photo

And third, Article 18(7) goes on to expressly provide that “a State which has challenged a ruling of the Pre-Trial Chamber … may challenge the admissibility of a case under article 19”—that is, as earlier stated, a challenge against both admissibility as well as jurisdiction. Notably, Article 19 deliberately refers to a “case” which, as opposed to a “situation,” contemplates a later stage wherein there is a specific allegation against a specific individual. In contrast to

an Article 18 appeal, an Article 19 challenge isn’t made against the OTP’s investigation, but against a case founded on the outcome of said investigation. Thus, even after filing an Article 18(4) appeal, the Philippine government as well as the individual accused would still be entitled to raise admissibility and jurisdiction issues.

Now, from the Duterte administration to the Marcos Jr. administration, the government has made clear that they will

Distractions and disruptions

look for the consistency of income and savings. Distractions, then, will not allow clarity but instead trigger confusion. We cannot control distractions but we control how they capture our attention, how they bring our emotions into turmoil. By being alert and forewarned, we have better chances of preventing distractions from disturbing our work to produce more, to earn more. Disruptions, on the other hand, are more unpredictable. We can hardly avoid them, like the global pandemic, like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, like the loss of air space management last January 1 which effectively stopped all the flights to and from the Philippines. Disruptions will come, no doubt, and we cannot stop them. But finding a solid ground for the bad times will lessen the impact when they come.

The solid ground is capacity. Capacity is the fundamental element of self-sufficiency, and self-sufficiency is the fabric of independence. The most consistent vision for Filipinos is to build our capacity to take care of ourselves. It begins with our

fundamental needs like water, food, air, community, and safety. We must develop the various capacities to plant food, to have clean water and air, to build communities where members intentionally have roles to help one another, and attain a sense of safety.

The crucial role, then, is inside the family, the most basic unit of community. It is not the government. It is one family relating to another, and more families relating to each other, until a natural system emerges from individual capacities. If we have no one to do things for us, then we do things ourselves. That means we must have the capacity to do these things with the least of help from elsewhere.

The need for subsidy is not economic. It is simply human development. In families and communities, the very young and the very old have to be subsidized. The sustainable well-being of families and communities require that those growing up must be nurtured, and those who have served must be honored. Taking care of our own is the central goal, and subsidy is definitely needed.

Nurturing the young is not only an instinctual activity, not for humans anyway. Emotionally, we are driven to do so. Practically, we must do so intelligently. We can see that as the young grow up, we grow older. We know the young will soon do things for themselves, and then for us.

Honoring the older generations is a critical motivation for young adults to commit to nurturing and developing their children. They must have a sense of assurance that their old days will not force them to work as hard, that they can rest, and still contribute with their vast experience and wise insights.

The advent of governments, in the case of Filipinos, has been one long failing process. One government after another has nurtured the weak, not from birth to childhood, but all the way to the grave. Poverty is like the weakness of the very young. It can be subsidized but subsidized intelligently. Because if the subsidized young do not take over the work of productive adults, then those who nurtured them did not do their job well. Or at all.

“exhaust all legal remedies” against the ICC. Alas, as outlined above, the coming appeal is far from being the last hurdle we face.

Best we buckle up. We are in for a long ride. (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. ***

Email: thinkjustly@gmail.com

I must admit that the honoring of the senior members of society has borne more fruits. And it is not a matter of resources more than it has been a matter of priority. Society and government have prioritized the seniors to the point that more resources in the last several decades have found their way to them. Perhaps, the fact that society cannot procrastinate in helping seniors before they die has given a sense of urgency.

During all of these, distractions and disruptions will occur. But if we build a house of stones instead of straws, we can endure the storms of our lives better. Even the three little pigs of nursery rhymes knew they had to be safe against the big bad wolf. Certainly, enough erudite and resourceful Filipinos can do better than the three little pigs.. (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.

* * *

Email:  eyesgonzales@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter  @eyesgonzales.  Column  archives  at EyesWideOpen on FB.

RAPHAEL PANGALANGAN

Wanted: Private operators for NAIA, subway

by ELIJAH FELICE ROSALES Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has taken the first step toward privatizing transport assets as it tapped a multilateral institution to look for a private operator for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and two railways.

Transportation Secretary

Jaime Bautista said on Thursday, February 2 the DOTr and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed transaction advisory service agreements for the modernization and expansion of the NAIA, as well as for the operations and maintenance segment of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) and North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).

For NAIA, the ADB will assist the DOTr in crafting the technical, financial, commercial and legal studies, including the traffic report and market sounding, for the privatization of the airport. The multilateral institution will also work with the DOTr from the preparation

to the signing of a concession deal with the future operator of NAIA.

Furthermore, the ADB will prepare and finish almost the same deliverables for the MMSP and the NSCR. The ADB will also help in building the capacity of the future operators and in managing the projects.

“By extending ADB’s advisory services on the MMSP and NSCR, we can fine-tune the selection process for the most qualified and experienced private sector operators for our rail projects once completed,” Bautista said.

“Meanwhile, we look forward in earnest to ADB’s advice on how best to proceed in modernizing and expanding NAIA whose operations and maintenance we propose to privatize,” he added.

In defense of the privatization of state assets, Bautista said the government has to be creative in completing infrastructure projects even with its fiscal space tightened by pandemic spending.

NAIA, for instance, serves as the busiest airport in the Philippines handling nearly 48 million passengers in 2019. In spite of this, the gateway has suffered multiple issues due to its outdated facilities and limited capacity making it ripe for an upgrade.

The MMSP, the first underground railway in the Philippines, is set for completion by 2028. The P488.48-billion rail line will stretch for 33 kilometers from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City, cutting travel time from end to end to just 41 minutes.

The P873.62-billion NSCR, meanwhile, will extend from Clark, Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna, and is expected to be finished by 2029 at the earliest.

The NSCR will extend two services upon the commencement of operations: a commuter service that will transport commuters between Central Luzon, Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog; and an airport service that will trim travel time between Manila and Clark to less than an hour. 

Amnesty International calls for ‘independent, impartial’ investigation of Percy 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 corespondents, 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)

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in Las Vegas on Citizen Pinoy

IN this brand-new episode, leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel and the Citizen Pinoy team went to Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa, a skincare clinic co-founded by the husband-and-wife team of Frances Calayan-Cuento

‘Best experience of my life’: Janella embraces motherhood, wants to make son Jude proud

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

Janella also said that she and Markus are co-parenting Jude, and have not  experienced any trouble since they broke up.

The actress shared that Jude does not  recognize her when she’s Valentina on “Darna,” but points at the television when Janella is playing her Regina character.

“Actually pagnanonood kami tuwing dinnertime, nandiyan siya kumakain pero dedma lang,  hindi niya pinapansin,” Janella laughed.  “Hindi niya nakikila siguro sa TV, pero pag Regina ang lumalabas, ‘Mama!’ gumaganyan siya.”

As “Darna” comes to a close, Janella said she would carefully choose what her next roles will be, and is taking into

Chai Fonacier on Mark Strong, creepy interaction with spiritualist

by Marinel Cruz Inquirer.net

I HANDLED them with ‘takot,’” quipped Cebuana actress Chai Fonacier—as a wordplay to the phrase “handle with care”— while talking about the props she used in the psychological thriller “Nocebo,” where she plays a Filipino folk healer in Ireland.

Chai said the props were bought in Quiapo, Manila, a well-known site for folk medicine

Dolly de Leon cried, ‘felt bad’ after Oscars snub but stresses: ‘Yung mga nominees, they all deserve it’

by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

DOLLY de Leon confessed that she cried and “felt bad” for a few days after she was not included among the best supporting actress nominees for this year’s Academy Awards.

The “Triangle of Sadness” actress admitted that the Oscar snub initially affected her, but she stressed that she is already over it and that all the nominees are deserving of the nods. De Leon spoke about this during an interview for TV Patrol on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

“Umiyak ako, nalungkot ako (I cried, I felt sad). I felt bad,” she said. “I felt bad for about two to three days and then after that, OK na ‘ko (I was already OK).”

She also expressed support for the best supporting actress nominees, especially American actress Jamie Lee Curtis who De Leon apparently roots for.

“Ang importante nakakuha tayo ng buzz,” she addressed her fans. “‘Yung mga nominees, they all deserve it. Kung mag-aasim tayo wala namang magagawa ‘yon e. Love love lang tayo.”

(What’s important is that we generated buzz. The nominees—they all deserve it. Even if we sulk [over the snub], it won’t do anything. Let’s just [spread] love.)

Aside from Curtis who was nominated for her role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” other celebrities vying for the best supporting actress award are Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”), Hong Chau (“The Whale”), Kerry Condon (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) and Stephanie Hsu (“Everything Everywhere All at

Filipino American Business Association of Glendale celebrates Lunar New Year

Once”).

“Triangle of Sadness,” meanwhile, earned Oscar nominations for the best picture, best director and best original screenplay.

De Leon played the role of Abigail, a cleaner and “toilet manager,” in “Triangle of Sadness.”

Her performance in the satirical black comedy film earned several recognitions including the best supporting actress nominations from the  Golden Globe Awards  and  British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).

She also recently bagged the best supporting actress award at the Guldbagge Awards, Sweden’s equivalent of the Academy Awards. g

Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration...

with Kapamilya from Las Vegas, Nevada on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 5 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET through select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

A VERY successful and wellattended Lunar New Year Party by the Filipino-American Business Association of Glendale (FABAG-GLAC) was held at Wokcano Restaurant in Burbank, CA.

The program included a group prayer and candle lighting ceremony for the Victims and Families of the Monterey Park incident which was led by Fr. Rodel G. Balagtas of Incarnation Catholic Church in Glendale.

The main message to all was that - “Given the horrible incident in Monterey Park, this is a more important moment and event to highlight the strength of the AAPI community. Come out and celebrate us. In UNITY, there is STRENGTH.” Emceeing the program and doing some fun games was FABAG Past President Edith M. Fuentes, while Past President Marlene Cagatao and President Jo Solomonson did

lots of raffles and giving away of red envelopes with $2 bills for everyone.

Special guests and dignitaries in attendance were Hon. Philippine Consul General Edgar Badajos, Senator Anthony J. Portantino, Glendale Mayor Ardy

Ardashes Kassakhian, FACLA

Pres. Trinity Foliente and Cora Oriel of Asian Journal, Glendale YMCA CEO and President George Saikali, Officers and Board Members of FABAGGLAC,

Chai Fonacier on Mark Strong...

services, and were shipped all the way to Ireland for the shoot. The actress also had to “consult a spiritualist” before portraying Diana, who uses traditional folk healing methods on the family of the character portrayed by French actress Eva Green

Christine (Eva), a fashion designer, suffers from an illness that perplexes her doctors and frustrates her husband, Felix (Mark Strong). They welcome into their lives Filipino nanny Diana, who uses traditional folk healing to reveal a horrifying truth about Christine’s baffling sickness.

Respect for culture

“Nocebo,” by Irish filmmaker Lorcan Finnegan, is currently screening in local cinemas with TBA Studios as its distributor.

“I only spoke with the Filipino practitioner via Zoom. She gave me instructions. Later, when she meandered from our topic, she said, ‘Chai, you come from a long line…’ When I asked, ‘of what?’ She just said, ‘You will know when you’re ready.’ What she said terrified me,” Chai recalled.

“The Irish production team showed so much respect for our culture. Even the smallest props were handled with so much care. When the spiritualist told us to be careful not to pass by a cemetery while carrying a particular prop, the team made sure to check if there was any cemetery on our route,” Chai told Inquirer Entertainment during a recent virtual interview.

The actress said they put notes on every single item, too. “These are instructions given by the spiritualist on how to handle stuff. As for me, I handled them with takot. The props used by my character are items that real practitioners use,” she pointed out. “One note said, ‘Do not say this out loud.’ So when my director instructed me to ‘act like you’re chanting,’ I really felt scared because I didn’t want to say anything I didn’t understand and accidentally open a portal.”

Never felt homesick

“Do you know what I chanted? ‘Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.’ It’s a placeholder text in layout design. When I checked, I learned that it’s Latin, but it’s gibberish, so it’s safe,” she recalled. “I think because, collectively, we had so much respect for the culture and the props we had, no one committed any mistakes in handling those things.”

Chai said only a few scenes were shot in Manila, primarily because Eva, who was supposed to fly with her here, already had other commitments. “It’s amazing what the production team did. They set up an entire area in Ireland that looked like Manila. We shot the interior scenes there. The

place looked warm even though we were all feeling cold. They got Filipino background actors based in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The exterior scenes were shot in Manila. While the gap between the shooting in Ireland and the Philippines took two months, you will never notice it. The continuity team was amazing.”

Chai said she stayed for a month and a half in Ireland for the movie, but she never felt homesick. “I didn’t miss anything from the Philippines because I knew I would go home eventually. What I realized was that the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) I met there have no idea when they will come back. Slowly, I came to understand their plight from an experiential point of view. The idea that I’m far from home and unsure of when to return would probably drive me crazy,” she pointed out.

Wonderful stay

Chai said it helped that she had a wonderful stay in Ireland. “There was no racism, at least in the area where I stayed. Everybody called each other, ‘Love,’ just like the male cashier of the store I often bought groceries and wine from. He told me, ‘You’re new in this neighborhood. What are you here for?’ I said, ‘I’m doing a film.’ He said, ‘Good luck, Love!’ He would greet me every time I returned to the store. Most of the people I met were nice. I feel like Irish people are the opposite of their dreadful weather. They’re very warm,” she observed.

Chai was repeatedly asked what it was like to work with Eva in previous promotional interviews, so we opted to inquire about her working relationship with British actor Mark Strong. She recalled a rare and funny moment she shared with Mark during filming. “We were part of the scene, but the cameras were all pointed at Eva. Mark elbowed me and showed me a meme from his cell phone. We had a hard time trying to stifle our laughter. He’s such a crazy guy!”

There was also a time when Chai confided in Mark. “I told him, ‘I feel like I’m not doing well. We’ve been working for a week, but I feel my character is starting to gel only now.’ He said, ‘That’s normal. Just trust in the process, trust in the script. You were hired for a reason.’ He is very generous with advice,” the actress said.

When she admitted to Mark how much she liked his work, (“particularly in ‘The Young Victoria”), the actor’s reaction surprised Chai. “He said, ‘Thank you, but you ladies are doing the heavy lifting for this film. I’m just here to support.’ This seasoned actor, who knows that he is playing a minor character, is very humble about it,” Chai stressed. g

Jeff (left) asks Atty. Gurfinkel (right) how long it will take him to petition his brothers.

Dolly de Leon

Photo Instagram/@dollydeleon

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) with Radiant Med-Spa co-owner Muyie Cuento (left) at the clinic on 8650 W Tropicana Ave., Suite 113, Las Vegas, NV 89147.

Jennylyn, Dennis show Las Vegas home overlooking Red Canyon

by Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

Vice Ganda gets called out for ‘unfair treatment’ of ‘It’s Showtime’ co-host Karylle

By anne Pasajol Inquirer.net

VICE Ganda admitted that his recent banter with his “It’s Showtime” co-host Karylle was out of line, and vowed that he will make it up to the actresssinger as well as the viewers.

The comedian was earlier called out by netizens after he apparently talked to Karylle in a sarcastic tone during an episode of the noontime variety show on Thursday, Feb. 2. Karylle was recalling an instance when their co-host Vhong Navarro rehearsed a certain song but was not able to perform during the show, because Vice Ganda suddenly assigned the song to someone else.

“Anong problema natin, Karylle? (What’s our problem then, Karylle?)” Vice Ganda asked, to which she responded, “Natatawa lang kami kasi nga ni-practice daw [ni Vhong].”

(We just find it funny because Vhong rehearsed for it.)

“OK na ‘yan (That’s already OK), Karylle,” the comedian said, dismissing the conversation.

A clip of their exchange made rounds on social media, particularly on Twitter, eliciting comments from netizens who called for “respect” and “fair treatment” of Karylle.

“I felt bad for Karylle. She deserves better,” one @ clintonfredsua2 tweeted. “Kung may ill feeling ka, be professional on screen and talk it out privately ‘di ‘yung on national TV pa talaga na parang bastusan.” (If you have ill feelings towards her, be

professional on screen and talk it out privately instead of seemingly disrespecting her on national TV.)

“I want to defend you [Vice Ganda] but I can’t. The way you’re treating Karylle is too much,” a certain @hikatjaaa stated. “Being friends with a person doesn’t excuse your behavior. Seeing you shrug them off like that while they’re talking, it’s so off. Please don’t see this as hate. Please learn from this.”

“I hope (Vice Ganda realizes that)  we’re not trying to throw hate at him, but we only want fair treatment [and] respect for Karylle,” one @blckftness said.

“I’m a fan of Vice Ganda and [‘It’s Showtime’ but it] felt off [with Karylle],”  a user that goes by the handle @ilooovvvetoeat tweeted. “[Of course], we don’t know their inside jokes, but I feel bad for Karylle.”

Vice Ganda then addressed the incident and said he “acknowledges” his mistake, via his Twitter page.

“Oh so I am being called out. Yes I acknowledge sablay ako do’n (that I was wrong there),” he wrote. “Bawi po ako. Bawi right away.” (I will make up [for my mistake] right away.)

Meanwhile, former “It’s Showtime” host Kim Atienza seemed to have chimed in as he described Karylle as “one of the kindest souls in showbiz.”

“Karylle is one of the kindest souls I know in showbiz. She will never talk negatively against anyone,” he tweeted. “I love Karylle.”

Karylle has yet to comment on the matter as of this writing. g

AFTER a successful filming of “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” Dennis Trillo is off to Las Vegas to see his and wife, actress Jennylyn Mercado, in their Las Vegas property that overlooks the famous Red Canyon.  It’s not a new property per se. In a column by Reggee Bonoan in Bandera, it was revealed that the Vegas property was bought by the couple two years ago and was only turned over to them last November.  Jennylyn flew there first with her nine-month-old baby girl, Dylan, and Dennis followed after wrapping up his filming of the top-rating historical portal fantasy that is airing its final two weeks.  The actress posted the two-

Lord” with a heart emoji.

According

Sunshine elated over renewed friendship with Cesar, tells him

By anne Pasajol Inquirer.net

SUNSHINE Cruz opened up about her reconciliation with her ex-husband, actor Cesar Montano, saying she even advised him to “behave” in his relationship with his current partner, Kath Angeles.

The actress spoke about how her renewed friendship with Montano completed the “lacking piece” in their daughters’ lives, in an interview for “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Thursday, Feb. 2.

“Very happy ako kasi nakikita ko kung paano nagsha-shine ang eyes ng mga anak ko, and sila na mismo ang nagsasabi na ‘yung piece na lacking sa heart nila [ay] nabuo ulit,”

she told show host Boy Abunda. (I am very happy because I see how my daughters’ eyes shine, and they even told me that the lacking piece in their heart is now complete.)

“Sabi ko nga kay Cesar, ‘Magpakabait ka na d’yan kay Kath—napakaganda, napakabait.

Napakaswerte mo,’” she added. “‘Magbehave ka kasi kung hindi makakaaway niya kaming lahat ng mga anak ko.’”

(I even told Cesar, “Be good to Kath—she’s very pretty, kind. You are very lucky. You should behave or else you’ll find an enemy in me and my children.”)

Cruz and Abunda also discussed her past as a “sexy star,” with the actress admitting that she came to a point when she regretted that part of her life as it was one of the reasons

behind her separation from Montano.

“There was a time na ni-regret ko ‘yon, especially naging malaking parte ‘yon ng aking separation ng aking ex-husband,” she continued. “But at the end of the day, mas naging stronger ako, mas natuto ako and ang ginawa ko ay pinatunayan ko sa mga tao na hindi lang ako sexy star or bold star—I can also be a singer, I can be an actress and most especially, I am a good mom.”

(There was a time when I regretted [being a sexy star], especially [because] it was a big factor in my separation from my ex-husband. But at the end of the day, I became stronger, and I learned. [What I did] was I proved to the public that I am not just a sexy star or a bold star—I can also be a singer, I can be an actress and most especially, I am a good mom.)

During the interview, Cruz also spoke about her breakup with Macky Mathay and said that she chose to keep mum about it for the sake of his and the actress’ kids.

“Ang na-realize ko dito sa relationship [with Macky] and even with Cesar, tatlo ang importanteng bagay sa relationship, hindi lang love. Dapat nando’n ang trust at respect,” she said. “‘Pag may isang nawala do’n, it’s not going to work.”

(What I realized in my past relationships with Macky and Cesar is that there are three important factors in a relationship, and it’s not just love. There should also be trust and respect. When you lose any of the three, it’s not going to work.)

Cruz admitted that both her past relationships with Montano and Mathay failed due to lack of trust. g

Transforming The Construction Industry

—B enjun Wu, Leading Expert

The construction industry is undergoing a transformation as the demand for efficient and cost-effective solutions continues to grow.

Prefabricated construction, also known as off-site construction, is a method of building structures using components that are manufactured in a factory and then assembled on-site. This approach incorporates many technical concepts in the field of modern shipbuilding and large aircraft manufacturing and is gaining popularity among builders and developers as it offers several advantages over traditional construction methods.

One of the key benefits of prefabricated construction is speed. Since most of the work is done in a factory, the construction process is much faster, reducing the time required for completion.

This is especially important in today’s fast-paced world, where time is money and delays can be costly. In addition, prefabricated construction eliminates the need for on-site materials storage, reducing the risk of theft and damage.

In addition to speed and cost-effectiveness, prefabricated construction also offers improved quality control. By manufacturing components in a factory, builders can ensure that the materials meet the highest standards and that the components are assembled correctly. This reduces the risk of errors and defects, leading to improved overall quality and durability of the

of Prefabricated Construction Systems

by R achel S ong

finished product.

The prefabricated construction industry is also contributing to the growth of the green building movement. Prefabricated construction often involves the use of sustainable materials, such as recycled steel and wood, which reduces the carbon footprint of the building process. In addition, the energy-efficient design of prefabricated buildings can result in significant energy savings, making them a more environmentally responsible option.

As a leading figure in the field of prefabricated construction, Benjun Wu explained his understanding of prefabricated construction: “Prefabricated construction is not a traditional single discipline. A successful professional of prefabricated construction is an artist, an engineer and a businessman, who has deep understandings of architectural aesthetics, engineering techniques, and commercial cost accounting.”

Applying new technologies to the prefabricated construction and transforming technological value into commercial value for customers is the secret of Benjun Wu’s great success in the industry of prefabricated construction. He invented the “prefabricated interior wall system”, which optimizes the interior space layout, improves the functionalities of interior walls and veneers, reduces the pollution in the interior decoration process, and

CNC Production Line

makes the building more environmentally friendly through a variety of new technologies such as the identification technology of available space in the interior environment, the design of interior wall strip keel system, and the UV curing technology. The advantage of Wu’s system lies in the optimization of the design and construction process through the extensive use of advance computation technologies. At the same time, the application of this unique prefabricated construction technology also greatly reduces indoor energy consumption and maintenance cost. This system has been successfully applied to many landmark construction projects such

as the Zhongxi Times Building (in Guangdong, China), which greatly exceeded the original designs, and was awarded the highest honor of China’s construction industrythe National Construction Decoration Award.

Another game-changing invention by Wu, the “prefabricated energysaving wall”, significantly improves the thermal insulation performance of buildings, reduces the building energy consumption, and achieves outstanding energy costsavings. The prefabricated energy-saving wall uses a proprietary plug-in mechanism to connect the wall components, which effectively reduces

construction time and building material costs.

At the same time, it also improves the thermal and sound insulation performance of the building.

Wu’s prefabricated energysaving wall has been widely applied to major commercial projects in China, such as the Sinosafe Insurance Headquarters Building project which was also awarded the National Construction Decoration Award.

Wu’s technical innovations such as the “prefabricated interior wall system” and “prefabricated energysaving wall” are the “secret weapons” making his company a leader in the industry. Regarding the future development of the

prefabricated construction, Wu concluded: “When the pandemic forced the country to build multiple “mega-hospitals” in a matter of weeks, we should be glad that prefabricated construction technologies have advanced to a point that allowed us to accomplish the task. The combination of architectural aesthetics, new technologies, and socioeconomic benefits is crucial to the development of the prefabricated construction industry. While architectural aesthetics and functionalities are very useful, aesthetics and functionalities achieved through the use of prefabricated construction technology are much more powerful.”

Celebrity couple Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado has bought a Las Vegas property as seen on the Instagram Story of the actress. Photos from Instagram/@dennistrillo

Vice Ganda and Karylle Photo screengrabbed from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment

Sunshine, Sam, Cesar, Kath, Angelina and Chesca

Photo from Instagram/@sunshinecruz718

storey house with an overhead garage door on her Instagram Story two days ago. She simply captioned it with “Thank you,

to the actress’ manager Becky Aguila, the property is located in

Summerlin Residential Community, Las Vegas Valley of Southern Nevada in the United States. g

CONSIDER this common factual situation. You are over 21 years old and your U.S. citizen parent petitions you while you are inside the United States. Since this is a preference category, you have to wait many years for your priority date to be current. As the years go by, your petitioning parent dies which in turn revokes the petition. Can you still apply for your green card when your priority date becomes current?

Under Section 204(l) of the immigration and nationality act, you may apply for a green card despite the death of the petitioner once your priority date becomes current as long as 1) you were in the United States at the time of the Petitioner’s death, and 2) you continuously resided in the United States until the present time when you apply for adjustment of status. This provision does not apply to beneficiaries that are outside the United States. This provision also applies to both approved and pending Petitions.

Can I qualify for a green card despite the petitioner’s death?

petitions such as unmarried sons and daughters of us citizens, spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of lpr, married sons and daughters of us citizens, and brothers and sisters of us citizens.

Derivative beneficiaries of pending or approved employment- based immigrant visa petitions are also covered by this section. This includes the

satisfied by the qualifying I-864 of a spouse, parent, mother-inlaw, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild or legal guardian of the beneficiary, as long as the petition was “approved” prior to the Petitioner’s death.

DHS discretion does not mean “guaranteed” approval.

copy of the Petitioner’s death certificate, proof of substitute sponsor’s relationship to the beneficiary, and meet all the I-864 requirements.

* * *

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.  The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.  This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.  The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you.

Under Section 204(l) of the immigration and nationality act, you may apply for a green card despite the death of the petitioner once your priority date becomes current as long as 1) you were in the United States at the time of the Petitioner’s death, and 2) you continuously resided in the United States until the present time when you apply for adjustment of status.

spouse and unmarried children under age 21 of an individual who was sponsored under the employment-based category.

If you fail to meet the requirements of INA 204(l) because you did not continously reside in the US since the death of the Petitioner, you may still try to reinstate the Petition under 8 CFR Sec. 205.1(a)(3)

Humanitarian Reinstatement.

This avenue is available to all family based petitions as outlined in INA section 204(l)(2). This includes 1)immediate relative petitions and 2)preference family

The DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security) may exercise discretion “for humanitarian reasons” to reinstate the petition and to allow the Affidavit of Support requirements to be

The case will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Some of the factors that the DHS may consider are 1) disruption of an established family unit; 2) hardship to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; 3) beneficiary is elderly or in poor health; 4) beneficiary has had lengthy residence in the US; 4) beneficiary has no home to go to; 5)undue delay by USCIS or consular officer in processing petition and visa; 6) and Beneficiary has strong family ties in the United States.

The beneficiary must be prepared to show proof of the original I-130 that was filed, proof of I-130 approval if approved, a

This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law

Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC.  This article is not a solicitation.

* * * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the Family law section, Estates and Trust, and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com. Web: kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Kate to star in int’l live action fantasy

series on Filipino

supernaturals

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.

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 him to Kate. Flores worked on several projects for GMA-7 shows including the 2016 reboot of “Encantadia,” where he served 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. g

by Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

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 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 multi-awarded 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

California law entitles new fathers to baby-bonding leave with guaranteed job protection

several public service programs one after another on then-ABC

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 TeshibaTulfo.

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? g

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr

Q: MY wife and I are having a baby. My wife has scheduled to go on maternity leave. Somebody mentioned to her about bonding leave for new dads. However, I heard from a friend at work that our company doesn’t give paternity leave. He told me that a guy in another department went on leave after his baby was born, and they basically got rid of him. I think they said he was laid off because they didn’t need him anymore, but I heard they hired someone to replace him. Might that happen to me if I try to take baby bonding leave?

A: First of all, congratulations! The birth of a child is a wonderful blessing, and it’s commendable that you’re eager to form a positive bond with your baby and partner. In California, the importance of taking that time to bond as a family is recognized by the law, which protects new parents—including fathers—for taking leave to bond with a new child.

Under the California Family

Rights Act (“CFRA”), employers are required to allow new parents up to 12 weeks of leave to welcome a new child into the family, whether through birth or adoption. CFRA applies to all California employers with at least 5 employees. An employee is entitled to CFRA leave so long as he or she:

(i) worked for the employer for more than 12 months; and

(ii) worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 months before the leave.

The 12 weeks of babybonding leave under CFRA may be taken in a continuous block of time, or in separate 2-week blocks. However, all bonding leave must be taken within 12 months of the child entering the family. CFRA provides job protection, so it is unlawful for an employer to fire you for taking the bonding leave. An employee who is terminated for exercising this right can hold the employer liable for damages, including reinstatement and back wages.

Note that the 12 weeks of job-protected leave guaranteed by CFRA is unpaid. However, fathers on bonding leave are entitled to partial wage replacement under a separate statute, California’s Paid Family Leave (“PFL”) law. The PFL

is funded through the State Disability Insurance Program, and provides benefit payments for up to 8 weeks of bonding leave, at 60% to 70% of the employee’s past salary. You may also use vacation pay, sick pay, PTO or other paid leave benefits available through your employer to supplement PFL benefits to receive 100% of pay. Again, my congratulations to you and your family!

* * * 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 Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine for 11 years, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.] (Advertising Supplement)

Jinkee denies pregnancy, breakup with Manny

By KRistofeR PuRnell 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 bless them! ‘Vengeance is mine I  will PAGE B6

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

‘It’s best to part ways’:

Lovi as the husband beater in internationally-acclaimed film ‘Latay’

By Maridol ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

SHE hasn’t experienced domestic violence, but actress Lovi Poe knows where it is coming from.

“You only hurt the ones you love because you know they’re always there,” she said at the recent media conference of Latay,” to be shown February  8 in cinemas nationwide.

But Lovi doesn’t condone domestic violence. This is precisely why playing Lori, a husband beater in Latay, was extra difficult for her. Lovi would rather get hurt than injure anyone, physically, verbally and emotionally. She shuns any form of argument.

That’s why she relied a lot on director Ralston Jover, who guided her in the explosive scenes with Allen Dizon, who plays Olan, the battered husband. Had she been in her character’s shoes, Lovi would rather bid her husband goodbye rather than stay on and hurt him.

“If you don’t love your husband, respect him,” Lovi declared.

When love is gone, she thinks it’s time to let go. Lovi is the first one who will urge her fellow ladies to stop hurting their husband or partner.

She believes some people are

not meant for each other, “so it’s best to part ways.”

Allen agrees. “Better split up than continue fighting. I can’t imagine hurting my wife or partner. It’s hard to fight women because they’re helpless. Best to talk about it when both of you have calmed down. That’s better than physical violence,” he said.

Allen believes that respect and

Clients fit into classic Chapter 7 profile & eligibility for honest debtors

love start to fade once you hurt the other person. So the few who still love his/her partner even if they get hurt – physically and emotionally – are a keeper.

Latay” puts the spotlight on domestic violence, and explains what in the characters – their family, their psyche, etc. –   drive them to suffer so.

The film, produced by BG Productions International, won the Gold Award at the Wallachi International Film Festival in Romania. It won writerdirector Ralston Jover the Best Screenplay award at the Queens World Film Festival in New York. Other awards are:

• Best Director, Foreign Language Feature Fusion International Film Festival in Poland,

• Silver Remi for Best Mature/ Adult theme feature at the WorldFest in Houston,

• Awards of Excellence in Direction for Jover, and Award of Excellence in Acting for Allen Dizon at the 7th Art Independent Film Festival in India,

• Best Global Feature Film at the 10th International Film Festival in Manhattan;

• Best Actress for Lovi, Best Actor for Allen and Best Production Design at the 19th Gawad Tanglaw   Awards, • and Best Actor for Allen at the 69th FAMAS awards. g

DIFFERENT clients have different financial and asset situations, which make them start thinking about getting rid of accumulated debt. Nobody starts with borrowing money with the intention of defaulting and not being able to pay back.

Certainly, in my over 30 years of practice in bankruptcy law, I have seen potential clients — not many actually, very few — who have deliberately perpetrated fraud by borrowing a lot of debt without any actual intent of paying back. But by and large, clients are referred to in bankruptcy law as “honest debtors.”

Bankruptcy law provides “honest debtors” with the opportunity to start fresh again in life without the burden of accumulated debt.  This is a very important right and privilege given to individuals in the U.S. to give every individual the chance to become productive people again without the burden of accumulated debt, with the caveat that this privilege is given only to an honest debtor.  Who is an honest debtor?

Let’s give an analogy. You

live everyday without the intention of getting sick. But then everyone who is human actually does get sick once in a while. When you do get sick, then you need medication to get well. Say you’re perfectly healthy, enjoying life then, all of sudden, you get COVID-19 that’s so severe that you can’t breathe and you need to get intubated. Intubated means that since you can’t breathe on your own, a procedure that involves sticking a tube down your throat into your windpipe forces air in and out of your lungs using a ventilator. Our Latino brothers and sisters refer to this as the dreaded “El Turbo”. Imagine your lungs to be a balloon and the ventilator forces air into the balloon then sucks it out again, air forced in, then sucked out continuously. Then, you’re given maybe a host of new medicine like Remdisivir to fight the inflammation in your organs and lungs. If the medical treatment works, then you eventually recover and you’re back to normal good health.

So the analogy is that you go through life living and enjoying life every day. You like to travel and eat. So year after year, you travel and tour a country that you haven’t been to before. You charge all the costs and expenses to your Visa and MasterCard. In year one, you owe $5,000; in year two, $10,000; in year three, $15,000; in year four, $20,000; in year five, $25,000; and in year six, $30,000.

In addition, you like to eat in restaurants, not even the high class ones like Mr. Chow, just the ordinary restaurants that serve good food. Every time you eat out, it costs $100. You eat out 3X a week. So in one month, your eating out costs you $1,200 a month, all of which you charge to your credit cards. Every year of eating out, you add $14,000 to your credit card debt. Do the math, in just six years of eating out costs you more than traveling abroad every year. Six years of eating out adds $80,000 to your credit card debt.

Therefore, in six years of enjoying life by traveling abroad and eating out, your total credit card debt is $30,000 plus $80,000; you now owe $110,000 just by enjoying life. Now you walk into my office and tell me you owe $110,000 of credit cards and you need $3,500 to keep them current every month. Your income before the pandemic hit was $100,000 a year. Your wife used to make $50,000 a year. With the pandemic, your income is reduced by half, and your wife lost her job. She’s been getting pandemic unemployment of $3,000 a month. You own a house and the mortgage is $2,000 a month. Your home equity is $350,000 because the fair market value of your house in LA is $750,000 and your mortgage balance is $400,000. You pay $500 a month for a MB 350 2018 model with another two years to go.

So the question is are you an honest debtor? And the answer is YES, of course you are.

Remember our analogy? You were going through life enjoying each day of your life, but all of a sudden, you get hit with a serious case of COVID that requires the El turbo. Don’t tell me that it was your intention to get COVID all along. Of course, it’s certainly not true that it was your intention to get COVID all along.

The same is true with your

accumulated credit card debt of $110,000. You were just enjoying your life traveling and eating out, not realizing that your debt was getting bigger every year, because that’s what those credit cards are designed for. It’s designed for a slow build up that prevents you from feeling the build up. Your income was good before the pandemic hit. Therefore, you’re exactly the honest debtor that bankruptcy law envisioned. You need a fresh start in life without the burden of accumulated debt of $110,000 that requires $3,500 a month to keep current.

In Chapter 7, you will keep your house, your car, all your other assets within applicable exemptions, even if your house equity is now $350,000, you keep it as you get rid of your $110,000 in credit card debt! That is a sweet deal, but absolutely necessary to give you a fresh start in life to make you productive again.

This is the reason why Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice. After his second fresh start without accumulated debt, his business, started becoming more and more successful until now, it’s a multi-billion dollar business worldwide!

This is also the reason why Milton Hershey filed for Chapter 7 once. After getting a fresh start without accumulated debt, his Hershey chocolate business became more and more successful until it became the multi-billion biggest chocolate business that is the biggest and most successful in the world!

In short, Mr. Disney and Mr. Hershey were both honest debtors, same as you and all my clients, all of whom are honest debtors.

So they get a fresh start in life without accumulated debt, keep all —if not most — of their assets so they become productive again.

In fact, some of my previous clients are now millionaires after being given their fresh starts some time ago.

Another client also has $400,000 of equity in his house and he owes $200,000 in credit cards. He used these cards to fund his business before the pandemic struck. His business is now dead in the water, and not able to recover. He needs a fresh start in life by wiping out the $200,000 of credit cards. He is also an honest debtor who deserves to become productive again. I have no doubt that with his determination he will become a millionaire in the near future after he gets rid of accumulated debt of $200,000. After becoming a millionaire, he will become a multimillionaire then, maybe just maybe, he may be so talented that he may even become a billionaire.

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

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Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice for anyone. There is absolutely no attorney-client relationship established by reading this article.

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Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South, Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)

Jinkee denies pregnancy...

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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. g

Boxer Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee Photo from Instagram/@jinkeepacquiao

Singer-actress Lovi Poe Photo from Instagram/@lovipoe