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FEBRUARY 7-13, 2020 Volume 13 - No. 14 • 16 Pages 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • 2500 Plaza S. Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858

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Scrapping VFA may put at risk PH’s DATELINE USA Jollibee adding 25 new anti-terror, defense pacts–DFA branches in US, Canada FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by CHRISTIA

FAST food giant Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) is setting up 25 stores in the U.S. and Canada this year as part of its ongoing expansion overseas.

“We’re opening 25 this year in Canada and U.S. for Jollibee,” Beth dela Cruz, president of JFC North America — Philippine brands told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of Tortazo, the firm’s new food concept with renowned chef Rick Bayless.

She said the planned number of stores to be opened this year is the company’s biggest in a single year.

Since the start of the year, Jollibee has opened stores in areas including Arizona in the U.S., Regina in Canada, and Maui in Hawaii.

Dela Cruz said another Jollibee outlet is slated for opening in Houston, Texas next month.

To date, there are 50 Jollibee stores in the U.S. and Canada.

The company’s target is to have a total of 250 stores for all its brands in the U.S. and Canada by 2023, Dela Cruz said.

Of the 250 stores, 150 will be located in the U.S. while 100 will be in Canada.

While the number of Filipinos is among the considerations of JFC in selecting a location for Jollibee stores, she said the brand is also attracting non-Filipino customers.

MARIE Inquirer.net

RAMOS

MANILA — Two weeks after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to abrogate the two-decadeold military agreement with the

United States, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. warned of possible repercussions on the Philippines’ defense and counterterrorism efforts should the government terminates the pact.

Facing senators in a hearing into the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Locsin said absence of the agreement could result in the “severe curtailment” of the United States’ defense obligations, counterterrorism support

and military assistance to the Philippines.

“The absence of a VFA would result into a severe curtailment of defense engagement of the Philippines and the cancellation of

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60-year-old Chinese woman is third nCoV case in PH

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, February 5, confirmed the third case of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines — a 60-year-old Chinese woman who came from Wuhan and traveled to Cebu City via a flight from Hong Kong on January 20.

“The DOH confirms that a sample from a 60-year-old female tested positive for the 2019-nCoV. This is the third case of nCoV in the Philippines,” said Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo.

According to him, the Chinese tourist initially tested negative after she was admitted to a hospital in Bohol for a fever and runny nose.

After the Chinese woman was discharged,

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ALERT VS. NCOV. A holding area for suspected cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) is set up at the entrance of the Mandaluyong City Medical Center on Thursday, February 6. Local governments across the country have stepped up efforts against the virus which has already claimed over 500 lives worldwide, mostly in China.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Duterte widens travel ban from China to Hong Kong, Macau PH House panel

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told the Senate that only 17% of the 331 copassengers of the Chinese couple who tested positive for the novel coronavirus have been contacted.

Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a temporary travel ban on travelers coming from mainland China as well as Hong Kong and Macau amid the threat of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines, Malacañang said over the weekend.

The ban will cover all foreigners arriving from China and its territories, including those who visited the region

within 14 days, according to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Sunday, February 2.

He also said that only Filipino citizens and those who hold a permanent resident visa issued by the Philippine government can enter the country, but they will need to undergo a 14-day quarantine period.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management

approves divorce bill

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

A HOUSE committee on Wednesday, February 5, approved three measures seeking the legalization of divorce in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.

House bills 100, 838 and 2263, which seek to legalize divorce and dissolution u PAGE 2 of marriage in the country,

were approved by the House Committee on Population and Family Relations.

The bills will be consolidated by a technical working group before being discussed at the plenary.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a staunch advocate of the divorce bill in the country, will head the technical working group.

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From the Front Page

Scrapping VFA may put at risk...

PAGE 1 cooperative defense activities in the Philippines,” he said.

Locsin said the VFA provides the legal framework for the presence of U.S. forces in the country.

“The U.S. will not operate without the VFA,” he added.

US commitment under MDT Locsin said the VFA is a

“substance” that makes the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) effective.

“An armed attack on the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea, would trigger the MDT,” he said.

“This is an unequivocal commitment that have been conveyed mainly verbally in the past, it is now in writing…

Foreign Affairs Sec. Teodoro Locsin Jr. tells senators during a public hearing on the Philippines — United States Mutual Defense Treaty Thursday, February 6, that he drafted a notice of the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) but has yet to send it to the U.S. pending the direct instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Senate photo by Voltaire F Domingo

The sinking of a Philippine vessel triggers an American response,” he added.

With this in mind, the foreign affairs chief said the termination of the VFA “will very likely dilute the commitment of the U.S. under the MDT. “The MDT is a deterrent to any attack from any power,” he added.

Locsin said the VFA “allows the U.S. to provide a total package approach on defense articles that would be compatible with equipment assets and systems that are already in place.”

Locsin said the U.S. has given the Philippines a total of US$ 554.55 million in security assistance and security cooperation programs from 2016 to 2019.

“This includes US$267.75 million in foreign military financing for the procurement of defense articles for the same period. In addition, under the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs], the Philippines is able to receive after

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Duterte widens travel ban from China to...

PAGE 1 of Emerging Infectious Diseases, meanwhile, has been given the authority “to ban the entry of travelers from other areas with confirmed widespread 2019-nCoV ARD (acute respiratory disease)” if necessary.

On Friday, January 31, Duterte received flak from netizens after he ordered a ban on travelers only coming from the Hubei province in China.

Hubei province is where Wuhan City is located, the epicenter of the 2019-nCoV. “We have immediately implemented the expanded travel ban, hence all foreign nationals, regardless of their nationality, who will be coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions shall be turned back and not allowed to enter the Philip-

pines,” said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente in a statement.

“We urge everyone to temporarily refrain from unnecessary travel, and to bear with the government as we implement this measure,” he added.

Suspected PH cases of nCoV rise to 80 The Department of Health on Monday, February 3, revealed that there are now 80 individuals under investigation (PUIs) for suspected infection of 2019-nCoV. According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, 67 out of the 80 patients were placed in isolation in hospitals while 10 have already been discharged as they were found to be negative for the deadly virus.

He added that 30 of the

PUIs also tested negative but remain under strict monitoring.

The DOH confirmed Thursday the first 2019-nCoV case in the Philippines — a 38year-old Chinese woman who arrived in the country via Hong Kong last January 21.

Her companion, a 44-yearold male, was confirmed to be the second case as well as the first confirmed carrier of the virus in the country.

The second case passed away on February 1 after he was confined for fever, cough and sore throat.

According to Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the World Health Organization’s Representative in the Philippines, his death is the first new coronavirus-related death outside of China. n

PH House panel approves divorce...

PAGE 1

He also authored HB 100 or the Absolute Divorce Bill.

“It is safe to say that a divorce bill has been approved by the panel subject to consolidation by a TWG, which will meet on 12 February 2020,” Lagman said.

Other members of the TWG include Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, A Teacher Party-list Rep. Victoria Umali, Negros Occidental Rep. Juliet Ferrer, and Bukidnon Rep. Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba.

Lagman urged the other lawmakers to stop talking about divorce “as if it were the greatest of all tragedies” in the

upcoming plenary session.

“Divorce is not a monster that will destroy marriages and wreck marital relationships. Let us be clear about this — the monsters that lead to the demise of a marriage are infidelity, abuse, financial problems, lack of intimacy and communication, and inequality,” he said.

“Divorce may be distressing but it is far from a death sentence. In fact, it can often save people from relationships and situations that can inflict more long-term emotional, psychological and physical damage,” he also noted in his sponsorship speech.

Meanwhile, Rep. Eddie Villanueva (CIBAC Party-List) said the passage of a divorce bill is unnecessary, reasoning that it does not address the issues of high cost of litigation and slow-grinding disposition of cases.

“Why pass the divorce bill when it will not really solve the real issues of those wishing to get out of unfortunate wedlock — the high costs of professional fees and the slow disposition cases? The divorce bills filed in Congress simply enumerate and consolidate remedies for broken marriages already existing in our current laws,” he said. n

Jollibee adding 25 new branches in...

PAGE 1 “What we are finding right now is there is a lot of non-Filipinos who actually go to us.

Non-Filipinos wouldn’t line up on the first week [of store opening] because the lines are like two to four hours wait and then after the line has slowed down a bit, you get the locals,” she said.

Dela Cruz said there are some areas where there are more non-Filipino customers than Filipinos like Manhattan.

In terms of bestselling products at Jollibee’s U.S. and Canada stores, chicken joy tops the list, followed by peach mango pie and spaghetti.

“But non-Filipinos are saying they like the palabok be-

COMING TOGETHER. With chef Rick Bayless’ renowned expertise in Mexican cuisine and Jollibee Foods Corp.’s scalability, the Tortazo brand is poised for further growth and success. In photo are (from left) Ernesto Tanmantiong, CEO, Jollibee Foods Corp., Bayless and Tony Tan Caktiong, chairman and founder, Jollibee Foods Corp.

Contributed photo

cause it’s unique,” she said.

Apart from Jollibee, JFC’s other brands in the U.S. are

Red Ribbon and Chowking.

(Louella Desiderio/Philstar. com)

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Dateline USa

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US missionaries of Quiboloy’s PH to keep custody of convicted US soldier in transgender slay if VFA terminated KJC ‘traumatized’ by raids MISSIONARIES of the Philippine-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) Christian church in Los Angeles and in Hawaii said they were “traumatized” by the surprise raids of armed federal agents on their offices and compounds last January 29.

The raids stemmed from a human trafficking investigation that led to the arrests of three church leaders for allegedly participating in an immigration fraud scheme that brought KJC followers to the United States to raise funds for an alleged bogus charity.

In a statement, Annabelle Juarana, a church missionary in Van Nuys neighborhood in Los Angeles said she had “never experienced anything like this” when armed men broke down the door to her house and aimed guns at them.

Kapitanna, 22, said they were lined up outside to be handcuffed and helicopters were circling the compound, telling them to raise their hands.

“This was something that we only saw in the movies and now it was happening to us.

We’re just church missionaries here, we have no guns or anything. We have nothing to hide,” Kapitanna said.

He added they were gathered in the worship center and were all questioned by

the agents if they were forced to do fundraising against their will and if there were documents taken from them.

Diana Lozano, a 78-yearold U.S. citizen, said she denied to agents that they were held against their will and forced to do fundraising.

She added that she keeps her own travel documents like many other missionaries of the church.

Jennifer Calloa said they were traumatized by the early morning raid. She also said the federal agents made them “feel like we were the worst criminals.

She further said that senior citizens and very sick people were left to stand outside in the cold morning air without jackets.

“I told the FBI that there was no need to let us go through this, letting us feel like we were the worst criminals. I told the agents that we could have let them in the gate, accommodated them willingly and answered all their questions if we had known they wanted to come in,” Callao said.

“They told me they were informed that we had heavily armed guards here. We told them they were misinformed about us here. They were very apologetic and said they were just doing their job,” she added.

KJC’s congregation in

Waipahu, Hawaii, was also raided by more than 50 FBI agents.

Chelcey Guerrero said two agents held her and her one-year-old baby Moanna at gunpoint. The agents also pointed their guns at her father, Rolando Guerrero, who was deaf and could not hear the agents’ instructions.

KJC said federal agents also visited their compounds in San Francisco, Delano, Virginia, Houston, Missouri, and New York while the raid in Los Angeles was taking place.

Ruby Ragel, 70, said FBI agents visited her home in San Bernardino.

FBI was reportedly acting on an affidavit filed before the United States District Court against KJC for conspiracy to commit immigration fraud last January 27.

KJC founder, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, denied the allegations, insisting that “under no circumstances does the Kingdom of Jesus Christ or its members engage in any act that violates the law.”

He added the filing of a criminal complaint was part of a “grand conspiracy of lies concocted by men and women who were once part of KJC but struck alliances with forces jealous of the meteoric rise of Pastor ACQ and the KJC.” (Daphne Galvez/Inquirer.net)

Scrapping VFA may put at risk...

PAGE 2 sale servicing in the form of maintenance packages that increase the articles’ value and lifespan,” he said.

He added that the US plans to grant the AFP about US$ 200 million in aircraft, training, equipment and construction in 2020 and in 2021, and more than US$ 45 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF).

“Without the VFA, the U.S. Departments of State and Defense will be hard put to get funds from the U.S. Congress for FMF and other defense assistance programs to the Philippines,” he added.

Locsin further pointed out that the VFA promotes interoperability between the Philippine forces and law enforcement agencies and their counterparts in the U.S. He said the termination of the VFA might impact joint

activities between the militaries and law enforcement agencies of both countries set for 2020, which the Philippine military and law enforcement agencies need to “enhance their capabilities in countering threats to national security.”

“There are some 390 activities lined up for this year,” he said.

Vital in countering security threats “The VFA allows for continued support for addressing non-traditional security threats. Through the VFA, U.S. forces have been instrumental in assisting the Philippines to combat non-traditional security threats such as trafficking in persons, cyber attacks, terrorism and illegal narcotics through training, joint exercises and exchange visits,” he said.

“The U.S. has also provided

support for humanitarian assistance and disaster response as well as search and rescue operations,” he added.

The foreign affairs chief said assistance given by the United States on counterterrorism, especially on intelligence and capability building, “have proven to be vital.”

“This support was crucial in enabling the Philippines security forces to prevail in the battle of Marawi in 2017,” he said.

“Curtailment of the [U.S.] Department of Defense’ support resulting from a terminated VFA would diminish the AFP’s immediate capabilities to degrade and deter terrorism and respond to terrorist emergencies,” he added.

During the hearing, Locsin underscored the need for a “vigorous” review of the VFA. n

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THE American soldier convicted of killing Filipina transgender Jennifer Laude will stay under the jurisdiction of the Philippines even after the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States is formally terminated, Malacañang on Thursday, January 30 said.

According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the country won’t lose custody of U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, who is currently detained at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Pemberton was sentenced to serve a jail term of up to six years by the Olongapo Regional Trial Court in 2015 after he was found guilty of killing Laude.

“We acquired jurisdiction over him and therefore the jurisdiction remains. You must remember that the VFA states that we cannot acquire jurisdiction unless of particular importance and we already did that,” he said, adding that the agreement’s termination “will not affect the acquisition of jurisdiction by the Philippine courts.”

The VFA, which came into force in 1999, covers the conduct of U.S. soldiers in the Philippines.

Among the provisions of the deal include lax visa and passport policies for U.S. troops, and the rights of the U.S. government to retain its jurisdiction over its military personnel when they commit

Joseph Scott Pemberton

crimes in the Philippines.

On Jan. 23, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to scrap the VFA after the U.S.’ cancellation of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s visa, giving the U.S. a month to “correct” the cancellation of Dela Rosa’s visa.

However, Duterte recanted his statement the next day, saying he is no longer waiting for the U.S. to “correct” the cancellation of Dela Rosa’s visa and ordering the termination of the VFA. Panelo, for his part, stressed that the VFA termination has no impact on the country’s other defense deals with the U.S. “It (VFA) refers to privileges of military personnel with

Photo from Olongapo City Police

respect to [the] acquisition of jurisdiction in relation to the commission of crimes as well as the movement of their aircrafts and vessels. The other agreements will remain,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr., who was the legal counsel of the Laude family, called for the transfer of Pemberton to the state penitentiary in Muntinlupa.

“I call on the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to exercise vigilance as U.S. authorities will definitely attempt to spirit him out of the country to prevent his detention in Muntinlupa where he truly belongs,” Roque said. n

60-year-old Chinese woman is third nCoV...

PAGE 1 she returned to China through a flight from Cebu on January 31.

On January 30, the DOH confirmed the first 2019nCoV case in the Philippines — a 38-year-old Chinese woman who arrived in the country via Hong Kong last January 21.

Her companion, a 44-yearold male, was confirmed to be the second case as well as the first confirmed carrier of the virus in the country.

The second case passed away on February 1 after he was confined for fever, cough and sore throat.

According to Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the World Health Organization’s Representative in the Philippines, his death is the first new

coronavirus-related death outside of China.

As of this writing, the number of persons under investigation (PUI) in the country for possible 2019-nCoV has risen to 133 — of which 63 are Filipinos while 54 are Chinese.

Stop xenophobia President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, February 3 asked Filipinos to stop their xenophobia against Chinese nationals after netizens called for the government to bar all Chinese from entering and sending those in the country back to China amid the 2019nCoV outbreak.

“If the question is if I will bar Chinese from entering, the answer of course is no.

That is an utter disrespect to a human being… This kind

of mentioning the Chinese and blaming them, it’s like xenophobia,” he said during a late night press briefing with Cabinet officials at Malacanang.

“We are a community of nations. We cooperate. China has been kind to us, we can also show the same favor to them. Stop this xenophobia,” he added.

According to Duterte, the posts against the Chinese were in “bad taste.”

He also reminded the public that the Chinese were not at fault for the emergence of the disease.

“It happened in China — at least the first [case] — but that is not the fault of anybody. Not of the Chinese, not the Filipinos, not of anyone,” Duterte said. n

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OPINION

FEATURES

Second worst in the world THE five-minute challenge of driving along EDSA from Cubao, Quezon City to Makati

by December last year was not met. And now traffic congestion in Metro Manila has been ranked as the second worst in the world.

Netherlands-based location technology provider TomTom, in its latest Traffic Index covering 416 cities in 57 countries, ranked Metro Manila behind only Bengaluru in southern India among the most traffic-choked mega cities in the world.

In Southeast Asia, only the Indonesian capital of Jakarta was also included among the 10 worst in the TomTom Traffic Index, ranking 10th. Thai capital Bangkok, which now has a subway system, placed 11th.

Last year, traffic navigation app Waze also ranked Metro Manila as the worst place in the world for driving, with motorists taking an average of 4.9 minutes to negotiate a single kilometer – and this was in September, before the Christmas season traffic congestion.

TomTom reported worse congestion during the evening rush hour than in the morning rush, with 6 to 7 p.m. on Fridays as the worst time with

5

an average of 143 percent road congestion.

Filipinos are aware of the costs of traffic gridlocks. A 2018 study of the Japan International Cooperation Agency said traffic jams were costing the country a staggering P3.5 billion in “lost opportunities” daily, with the figure projected to triple by 2030.

The government is hoping that new bypass roads combined with road clearing operations and better enforcement would ease the gridlocks.

Tolls on bypass roads, however, are keeping away motorists, who refuse to leave their vehicles at home due to the acute inadequacy of public transportation. A subway can ease road congestion, but this project is just getting started.

Motorists have called for the opening of selected streets in gated villages all over Metro Manila to serve as alternative routes. They argue that any road that has become heavily commercialized, such as those in the country’s largest subdivision, BF Homes in Parañaque, must be declared as a free public thoroughfare. Political will, however, has been spotty or lacking in heeding such calls.

Editorial

The tragedy of our ‘China first’ policy Horizons

RICHARD HEYDARIAN THEY say the greatest heartbreaks are born out of initial hope, and that the true character of a man is revealed only when given absolute power. What began as a potentially noble effort to reduce our hackneyed dependence on a superpower ally soon degenerated into a mind-boggling, brazen policy of subservience to an authoritarian superpower ever-creeping into

our national waters.

No wonder China has described President Duterte as its “most respected friend.”

Ironically, the more Mr. Duterte acquiesces to China, the harder the potential backlash against not only Chinese citizens, but also our FilipinoChinese countrymen. When people feel that their government is failing them, they tend to take matters into their own hands. As Newton’s basic third law of motion dictates: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

There is no definitive “Duterte algorithm” at play.

Yet, there are patterns of thought and behavior worth

Philstar.com photo

There are other measures that can be undertaken within the relatively short term. Upgrading railway services must be given urgency, both for passengers and cargo. Water transportation can use a boost, along the Pasig River and in

Manila Bay. The TomTom Traffic Index merely reflected what everyone in Metro Manila already knows: traffic congestion is a serious problem still begging to be fixed. (Philstar.com)

Secretary Locsin’s Washington meetings

analyzing. Mr. Duterte’s most revealing speech was arguably the press conference he gave in Palawan a month before his decisive election.

Many remember that speech for his headline-grabbing “Jetski” comment, when he claimed that he “will ride a jet ski” and “carry a flag” to the Spratlys where he will warn the Chinese “suntukan o barilan (fist fight or gun fight)?”What many overlooked, however, was his shockingly transparent signal of transactional acquiescence to China: “[If you] build me a train around Mindanao, build me train from Manila to BiPAGE 10

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ THE Washington, D.C. meetings we arranged for Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin was, in my view, highly productive and our messaging extremely successful.

We first had a meeting at the State Department with Deputy Secretary Stephen Biegun (Secretary Pompeo was out on a five-nation tour) wherein we discussed matters

of mutual interest on a wide range of topics that include the new coronavirus outbreak, which has been declared by the World Health Organization as a global public health emergency. The number of cases continues to spike with the death toll rising in Wuhan, China which has been pinpointed as the epicenter of the outbreak.

A fairly large number have reportedly died with the number of confirmed cases continually rising. In several countries that include the U.S., the infection is now spreading through human-to-human contact. The World Health Organization also made an ap-

peal to the global community to “show solidarity and cooperation.”

The denuclearization issue with North Korea was also discussed, considering that the situation continues to be a security challenge in the Asia Pacific region. In fact, Undersecretary for Defense and Policy John Rood asserted that North Korea poses an “ongoing, credible threat” to the U.S. and its allies, most especially South Korea and Japan.

Security analysts agree that the threat of a nuclear arms race is real, with North Korea as well as Iran perceived to be “inciting” this race.

PAGE 10

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Filipinos repatriated from Hubei to be quarantined in New Clark City as the quarantine area, and the Palace had already announced that this was where the repaMANILA — Overseas Filipino triated Filipinos would stay.

Better facilities at New Workers returning from Hubei Province in China, the ground Clark City The Bases Conversion and zero of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease Development Authority ofoutbreak, will be quarantined fered the use of New Clark at the Athlete’s Village in New City, Duque said.

He said that one room will Clark City in Tarlac, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III be allotted per person for said in a press briefing Thurs- safety and convenience. The rooms are big enough to acday, February 6.

Each person will be given commodate a family of three.

“The movement of the quarone room, originally meant to be used by athletes training antined people shall be limthere, to stay in. After a two- ited to the building only, and week period under quarantine, packed lunch will be served the repatriated Filipinos will and prepared for them every be discharged if found to not day within the facility,” he said. be infected.

“By the way, the rooms However, returning Filipinos exhibiting symptoms have televisions. Each one of of the novel coronavirus will them. And a refrigerator, air immediately be admitted as conditioner, it’s such a nice Patients Under Investigation at place. Very nice rooms. And hospitals instead of being sent we believe nothing less should be provided to our kababayto the quarantine area.

The government initially ans, OFWs.” Repatriation flight being eyed the use of the massive drug rehabilitation center in readied There are at least 45 OFWs Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija

who have expressed their interest to be repatriated, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay, who was also at the briefing, said.

Dulay said they are already taking care of requirements like clearances and that the Filipinos will undergo checkups before boarding the planes.

The first batch of OFWs is expected to depart on Saturday and arrive on early morning Sunday, but Dulay said this is subject to change.

The repatriation is still open for application and OFWs can still sign up by reaching out to the Philippine consulate in Shanghai. The Foreign Affairs department said it is ready for the number of Filipinos to grow.

Dulay, however, said that Chinese authorities have yet to give its clearance for the OFWs to be repatriated.

China has implemented a lockdown in Hubei’s capital Wuhan City and nearby areas in order to contain the virus. n

I was not even apprised of that department order by anybody in the Bureau of Corrections in my entire stay there.”

“Knowing that the DoJ (Department of Justice) has administrative supervision over BuCor and considering the gravity of the crimes of former Mayor Sanchez, Faeldon should have consulted with the Secretary of Justice regarding this,” said Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee who led the GCTA inquiry.

“His failure to consult the Secretary of Justice is gross inexcusable negligence on his part and shows how he did not exercise due diligence,” he added.

Aside from Faeldon, the committees found BuCor officials liable for grave offenses and direct bribery for “accepting money for the promise of early release of prisoners.”

They are Ramoncito Roque, chief of the documents and record section; Corrections Senior Inspector Benilda “Mabel” Bansil; and Corrections Officer Veronica “Boday” Buño, who were ordered dismissed by the

Office of the Ombudsman.

Also found to have committed grave abuse and direct bribery were officials of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Hospital, including its head, Dr. Ermesto Tamayo; medical officer Ursicio Cenas; and nursing attendant Meryl Benitez.

Tamayo and Benitez were liable for malfeasance when they accepted money in exchange for inmates’ confinement at the NBP hospital. Cenas was accused of accepting money in exchange for medical records.

“The BuCor, alas, is manned by rotten apples, and corrupt officials. It is rotten to the core— and, from top to bottom. If we are to improve its functions, if we are to have the Bureau regain the trust of our people, no less than a massive change in personnel and in character is required,” Gordon said.

“Mere lancing of the boil will not be sufficient; putrefaction in that agency is so far advanced, only a total replacement of the whole bureaucracy will allow us to see a new, honest, sincere, serious, and effective agency,” he said. n

by Ratziel

San Juan Philstar.com

Senate panels recommend graft raps vs Faeldon over good conduct law scandal

by BeRnadette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

FOUR Senate committees have recommended the filing of graft charges against sacked Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon for his alleged involvement in the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) scandal.

In a 34-page report, the Senate committees on justice, constitutional amendments, blue ribbon, and finance accused Faeldon of wrongdoing when he did not follow the procedures of Department [of Justice] Order (DO) 953 in releasing convicts under the GCTA scheme, particularly convicted rapist-killer former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez.

Sanchez was convicted of killing University of the Philippines Los Baños student Eileen Sarmenta and her companion, Allan Gomez, in June 1993.

During the Sept. 4, 2019 public hearing on the controversy, Faeldon testified, “The Department Order 953 was practically not familiar with me.

SAFETY FIRST. Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez (2nd from left) announces postponement of major sports activities to safeguard the athletes against novel coronavirus during a press conference at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum on Thursday, February 6. Among the deferred events are National Sports Summit, Philippine National Games, Batang Pinoy, and Children’s Games. Also in photo are (from left) PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez, Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo, Commissioner Arnold Agustin, Charles Raymond Maxey, and PSC Board Member Stephen Fernandez.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

Duterte to water firms: Give us back money, then we can talk PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, February 6, said he was willing to talk to the embattled water concessionaires if they would return the money to the people.

Duterte made the statement on Thursday as he reiterated that the government would not pay a single centavo from the billions of pesos in refund sought by Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. “So where is the money?

Where is the money of the Filipino people? Where is the money of the average Filipino na mahirap na magbabayad (who is having difficulty paying), who pays his water bill and he has to pay because if it will be cut off, it would give him

a lot of headache for the day,” Duterte said in his speech during an event in Malacañang.

“Iyan ang gusto kong malaman. Saan ang pera ng p***** i** na ‘yan (That is what I want to know. Where is that @#&^%$*)? Give us back the money. Give it back to the people and maybe we can talk about solving your problem. It will not be the problem of this government,” he added.

The president said he was “not afraid that there will be no water because I will just take over and nationalize water in the Philippines.”

“Marami akong sundalo (I have plenty of soldiers)…

Most of the generals who have retired are here. Eh ‘di (So) you go there and fix the… Distribu-

tor lang ‘yan sila eh (They are just distributors) and yet they have come out to be 10 times, 20 times richer,” Duterte said.

“They’re trying to reach out for a settlement. Let us see how it develops. Talagang galit ako as in galit (I am really angry, as in angry),” he added.

The president, known for being tough-talking, said that he would show the public how to he would slap millionaires.

“Hindi ako nagyayabang.

Talagang nananampal ako ng tao. Marami ditong nagpunta dito. ‘Yung gusto ng pera, pinapakain ko ng pera. ‘Yung mga undersecretary sinasampal ko, pinapaluhod ko pa (I am not boasting. I really slap people. A lot of people come PAGE 10

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment confirmed that the Filipina household worker who died in Dubai died of coronavirus but it is not clear which strain.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said it is not yet clear if the 58-year-old Filipina worker died from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD) or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Bello said it was confirmed last February 2 that the Filipina worker was infected by a coro-

navirus, according to a report by radio dzMM. The Labor chief did not identify the victim but said she was from General Santos and worked in Dubai as a household service worker for 28 years.

According to Bello, the Filipina’s remains would have to be cremated immediately because of the virus.

The first cases of the 2019nCoV ARD in the Middle East have been confirmed in the United Arab Emirates January 29.

The first confirmed cases in

the Middle East are four members of a family that traveled from Wuhan City, the epicenter of the outbreak in China’s Hubei province, according to a report from CNBC. As of February 5, the World Health Organization has recorded 24,554 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus globally, most of which are from China.

China’s National Health Commission reported that the outbreak has reached 28,018 nationwide with a death toll of 563. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/ Philstar.com)

Filipina in Dubai died of coronavirus but unclear if nCoV or MERS-CoV

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The tragedy of our ‘China first...

PAGE 5 col… build me a train going to Batangas, for the six years that I’ll be president, I’ll shut up [on the West Philippine Sea disputes].”

A month earlier, in one of a series of interviews with Filipino statesmen and experts conducted by Chinese media, Mr. Duterte made it clear that “What I need from China is help to develop my country.”

In exchange, as the Chinese narrator put it, “he says he would not count on the Americans coming to the Philippines’ rescue, and would have even considered dropping an arbitration case the Aquino administration filed against China.”

I watched that interview closely, partly because the news package included interviews with me as well as Sen. Grace Poe, then the other top contender for the presidency.

Almost four years later, China is yet to build any major infrastructure project in the Philippines. For years, I warned that China could take Mr. Duterte for a ride with empty infrastructure promises in exchange for major geopolitical concessions. I called this the “Chinese chimera” phenomenon.

Instead, what we have gotten is the influx of Chinese

online casino workers, and more recently, prostitutes, who have upended the socioeconomic landscape in major cities. The Pogos and such types of shady, low-quality investments have created hundreds of thousands of jobs for the Chinese, but not much for Filipinos.

Nonetheless, enough people in power have benefited from these dubious businesses, so much so that Mr. Duterte decided to stand up to China, for the very first time, when President Xi Jinping, who has banned gambling at home, pushed for their closure.

Unable to boast of any bigticket Chinese infrastructure investments, Mr. Duterte has instead resorted to the bogus claim that if we resist China in the West Philippine Sea, there will be war. Never mind that none of our neighbors who have directly challenged China faced even the threat of war in the past three decades.

Nor did the Benigno Aquino III administration, which had the audacity to take China to an international arbitral tribunal.

The hollow nature of Mr. Duterte’s “independent” foreign policy has been on full display in recent months.

When a suspected Chinese

militia boat rammed a Filipino fishing boat within our exclusive economic zone last year, the president chose a combination of prolonged silence and perplexing meekness to downplay the situation as “a little maritime incident.”

It exactly mimicked the Chinese talking points, which dismissed it as an “ordinary maritime accident.”

Even more shockingly, when neighbors and major countries began shuttering their borders to China amid the new coronavirus epidemic, the Duterte administration worried about the “political and diplomatic repercussions” of any serious countermeasure against inbound travel from China. As Beijing began to lock down Wuhan and surrounding areas following a weeks-long cover up, the administration still welcomed more than 100 Chinese from the area.

Time and again, the president has seemingly prioritized diplomacy with China over the protection of his own people. What we desperately need today is an end to this “China first” diplomacy in favor of a more balanced, selfrespecting and truly mutually beneficial relationship with Beijing. (Inquirer.net)

PH partially lifts deployment ban to Kuwait

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

MANILA — The Philippines has partially lifted the ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Thursday, February 6.

This, after the Philippines and Kuwait agreed on the standard employment contract for Filipino household service workers.

“The governing board of the [Philippine Overseas Em-

ployment Administration] came up with a resolution lifting the ban parti Skilled, semi-skilled and professional workers are now allowed to fly to the Gulf nation. Household service workers, however, are still covered by the prohibition.

Bello said the relaxation of the deployment ban is effective immediately A total deployment ban was enforced in January following the brutal killing of domestic helper Jeanelyn Vil-

lavende. She was physically tortured and sexually abused before she died in the hands of her employer in December 2019, autopsy report of the National Bureau of Investigation showed.

Bello earlier said Manila will only lift the total deployment ban once the Kuwaiti government provides official status report on the cases of Villavende and slain household workers Constancia Dayag and Joanna Demafelis. n

Duterte to water firms: Give us back...

PAGE 7 Manila Water, which servichere. Those who want money, I es the eastern portion of Metro make them eat money. I slap the Manila, is owned by the Ayalas undersecretaries, I even make while Maynilad, the water conthem kneel),” he said. cessionaire in the western part “I’ll give you the ultimate in- of the metropolis, is controlled sult of your life. You kneel down by business tycoon Manuel V. or else I’ll throw you sa (to)… Pangilinan.

Iyan ang gusto ninyo? Eh aabot The president had threatsa inyo ‘yan. ‘Yan ang sigurado. ened to sue water concesTalagang ginagawa ko ‘yan (Is sionaires and former governthat what you want? I’ll make ment officials for economic sure this happens. That’s for plunder over a tribunal ruling sure. I really do that), I humili- that ordered the Philippines ate people,” Duterte added. to pay the two water conces-

sionaires for the losses they incurred after the government disapproved their petition to raise their rates.

The Ayala-owned firm, for example, took the government to court for refusing its proposed rate increases from 2013 to 2017, citing a provision in its concession deal which directs the state to “indemnify” the utility firm against any losses that could result from regulatory actions. (Catherine Valente/ManilaTimes.net)

Dateline PhiliPPines

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EMPOWERING PWDs. A person with disability (PWD) begs for money at an intersection along Congressional Avenue, Quezon City on Monday, February 3, which is a common sight on the streets of Metro Manila. The government, through the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) PWD Economic Empowerment Program, focuses on areas of disability prevention, rehabilitation, and equalization of opportunities. It also intends to enhance PWDs’ capacity to attain a more meaningful, productive and satisfying way of life and ultimately become self-reliant, productive and contributing members of society.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Secretary Locsin’s Washington meetings

PAGE 5 For the most part, the meeting was productive, and both parties reaffirmed the value of the alliance between the US and the Philippines based on deep ties, shared values and the historic friendship between the two nations and their people. Most importantly, we all recognize the value of mutual respect especially with regard to each nation’s sovereignty as befitting equal partners and allies.

We later had a conversation with U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, who requested to speak to us. Senator Risch emphasized that we must continue to work together on areas of mutual interest, and that the sovereignty of each nation must be respected.

The most significant part of the meetings we arranged for Sec. Locsin was our meeting at the White House with National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien. Ambassador O’Brien expressed keen understanding of President Duterte’s concerns and sentiments on sovereignty. He of course pointed out that the White House has no control over what the U.S. Senate does in terms of resolutions filed. Ambassador O’Brien told us he is looking forward to the meeting between President Trump and President Duterte in Las Vegas this coming March.

Status of Senator De Lima’s case Just recently, I sent out to U.S. senators a status update on the criminal cases that have been filed against Senator De Lima, all of which I obtained directly from the courts

themselves. Here are the highlights: On Criminal Case No. 17167 pending before Branch 256 of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court presided by Acting Presiding Judge Grace Chavez-Ty, the senator and numerous co-accused are charged with conspiracy to sell drugs – an offense where bail may be denied when evidence of guilt is strong.

About 10 hearings have been conducted after the case was transferred from Branch 206 to Branch 256 on Feb. 14, 2017 as a result of Senator De Lima’s motion to inhibit then Acting Presiding Judge Lorna Domingo, which the latter granted. The next hearings are scheduled this Feb. 21 and 28 for continuation of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence. All accused were present during court proceedings.

On Criminal Case 17-166 where the senator and Jose Adrian Dera are charged with conspiracy to sell drugs, with the case pending before Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 and filed on Feb. 17, 2017.

More than 20 hearings having been conducted since then. The latest hearing was scheduled on Jan. 24. Both co-accused were present during court proceedings.

In Criminal Case 17-165, Senator De Lima and Ronnie Dayan are also accused of conspiracy to sell drugs, with the case filed on Feb. 17, 2017 but received by Branch 205 from Branch 204 of the Muntinlupa RTC on Jan. 22, 2018.There have been approximately 15 hearings conducted, including motions, since September 30, 2019. A

hearing was scheduled last January 24 for the presentation of evidence by the prosecution. Both the senator and Dayan were present during court proceedings.

Many people have told me they find it rather ironic that our judicial system — patterned after the United States — is being assailed by U.S. senators. Except for the fact that we do not have a jury system, we have the same process. We have lower courts (municipal trial courts), regional trial courts, the Court of Appeals as well as the Sandiganbayan that has jurisdiction over graft and corruption cases involving government employees.

The Supreme Court, which like in the U.S. is the final arbiter of the law, is consistently working to introduce reforms that, in the words of Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, would “provide swift, efficient, fair and responsive justice for all regardless of stature.”

A major priority is de-clogging court dockets from the Supreme Court down to the lowest courts. Another reform initiative is automation via the eCourts project to make monitoring and processing of cases more efficient through technology. Misfits and the corrupt will also be weeded out through a system that allows the court to initiate investigations even in the absence of complaints.

As I have consistently said, we will continue to engage with all the branches of the U.S. government on any issue, with the clear understanding of mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty.

(Philstar.com)

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COMMUNITY Journal

AFTER HER PARENTS’ DEATH, A DAUGHTER DID EVERYTHING SHE COULD TO SALVAGE THEIR PETITION AND REALIZE THEIR PARENTS’ DREAM – ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY. Ismael (left) was petitioned by his father back in 1996. He patiently waited for his petition to be current. However, when their mother passed away in 2009, their father’s health started to deteriorate, too. Tatay Samuel died in 2014, and his petition for his son Ismael “died” with him. Ester (3rd from left) promised their parents that she would do whatever it takes to get their eldest brother, Ismael, to join the rest of the siblings and their families in the U.S. That was their parents’ dream and Ester intended to honor that. She went through two lawyers who filed for humanitarian reinstatement, but got denied. She filed the humanitarian reinstatement on her own, but that was also denied. She even asked the help of a congressman, but the most it got them was a status update. As a last resort, Ester went to consult with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right). See how Atty. Gurfinkel was able to help Ester fulfill her promise to their parents and bring Ismael and his wife, Glen (2nd from left), to the U.S. on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Supreme Court clears way for new public charge regulations Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ THE U.S. Supreme Court recently cleared the way for the Trump Administration to enforce new (and tougher) public charge regulations, which USCIS announced will become effective on February 24, 2020. The new regulations expand the list of public benefits as well as the factors USCIS officers may consider to determine if it is “more likely than not” a person will ever become a public charge (or dependent on taxpayers for care and support).

The plan is to deny green cards unless the person proves they are self-sufficient or relies on family for support, and not on public assistance. USCIS will be evaluating whether a person would be considered “inadmissible” to the U.S. “based on his or her likelihood of becoming a public charge at any time in the future…”

“Public charge” means a person had received certain public benefits for over 12

months in a three-year period. These benefits include: • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Cash benefits for income maintenance • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) • Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) • Medicaid and certain housing benefits. (Medicaid for aliens under 21, pregnant women, and emergency medical services would not be considered against the person.)

As part of the public charge evaluation, USCIS will consider the alien’s age, health, private health insurance, assets, education, credit score, ability to speak English, employment history, etc., to determine the likelihood that the person will become a public charge at any time in the future. Some of the “negative factors” include if a person is over 60 or under 18 years of age. Aliens must also submit a Declaration of Self-sufficiency (Form I-944).

According to USCIS, “self-sufficiency has been a core tenant of the American dream. Self-reliance, industriousness, and persever-

ance laid the foundation of our nation and have defined generations of hard-working immigrants seeking opportunity in the United States ever since.” In other words, the Trump administration wants to stop situations where a person is petitioned for a green card, and as soon as they get that green card, they apply for as many public benefits as possible, considering those benefits to be “free,” but in reality, are being funded by taxpayers. Trump doesn’t want new immigrants living off of taxpayers. Instead, they either must support themselves or seek support from their family members, especially from the one who signed the affidavit of support.

But what will happen after February 24, 2020, when people petition their elderly parents as immediate relatives? It’s likely the parents are retired or over 61, such that the USCIS (or the Embassy) could deny the visa, based on the “likelihood” of the beneficiary becoming a public charge at any time in the future.

If you’re considering petitioning family members, you should do so as soon as PAGE 12

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Visit Auschwitz and swear never to take your life for granted (Conclusion of 3 Parts)

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Continued from the previous week…)

It is said that 1.3 million were in Auschwitz, of which over a million Jews either died of starvation, exhaustion, or shot directly for any arbitrary infraction. Most were herded like sheep and silenced by the gas chambers. There were 13 other death camps and starvation camps in other parts of Europe but Auschwitz was Nazi Germany’s massive, industrial model for the final solution, devised by Adolf Eichman, of exterminating the Jews in Europe. In all, 6 million Jews died in the holocaust, estimated to be about a third of the Jewish population at that time. To give one an understanding of that number, the city of Los Angeles has a population of 4 million people.

Sleeping arrangements were 4 to 5 decks high, about 5 or 6 people cramped on a deck. The weakest prisoners would be sleeping in the lowest bunk. Prisoners were starved to death especially in the winter. Most were so hungry, they ate grass in the spring and snow in the winter.

The weak prisoners, men, women and children, marked for disposal were fooled into thinking they were taking showers not knowing that they were headed for the gas chambers. The bodies were incinerated in 5 massive crematories. It was a mark of pride for the German crematory company, Topf and Sons, to dispose of the remains of the dead—a maximum capacity of cremating close to 5,000 human remains per day. A few remaining survivors of the camp remember being given the task of shoveling the ashes for final disposition. Ashes were often mixed with Auschwitz soil around the crematories.

Some of the ashes were scattered in a nearby river.

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

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

Otherwise, the whole cycle repeats itself.”

The verdant trees now lining the riverbanks seem to be silent, living witnesses.

Lt. Col. Rudolf Hess was the ruthless camp commandant. Hess lived in luxury in a bungalow with his spouse and five children right there at the camp.

Just before the Russians liberated the camp, Hess tried to obliterate evidence but Auschwitz was a crime too massive to hide. Like a cornered rat, he tried to escape but he was captured and in 1946, was meted out swift justice. He was hanged right there near his bungalow at Auschwitz. A marker tells the story.

The story of Auschwitz was documented in black and white film by a young Russian photographer, Alexander Vorontsov, who came with the Russian Army which liberated the camp. It is through the filter of his eyes and his lenses that we have the images of the horror that was Auschwitz, a crime against humanity that beggars belief.

If your circumstances permit you and would like an understanding and appreciation of our own life on earth as it relates to those within your immediate orbit, carve out time to see Auschwitz. You will come out of the experience quiet and somber. It is like going through a silent, day-long spiritual retreat that will stay with you forever.

Auschwitz gives you a deeper understanding of the human story, our story, as it unfolds even now. We see increasing incidents of a turn towards socialism by leftists, which is communism lite and a marked rise of anti-Semitism fueled by raging radical Islamic terrorism. The level of hatred is on the rise.

Most importantly, for ALL freedom-loving people everywhere, the push

towards globalism for a one-world order, with the elite, unelected few calling the shots over hapless, ordinary working people on how we are to live our lives on planet earth at every level, must be met by a stern, effective, concerted pushback.

How about HELL NO!” Auschwitz is a stark reminder of why this should never happen again. As the few survivors, now in their eighties and nineties are dying and fading away, Auschwitz must serve as an eternal red flag that this horror of a story can and will have sequels in the future if we do not address this threat head on and reject it.

Finally, if your heart is in he right place, Auschwitz will tug at your heartstrings. There still won’t be any answers to the question WHY. Suffice it to say, that evil exists and can take root and fester in the human heart if you let it.

In the darkness, the slightest flicker of light makes your heart glad. In the horror of Auschwitz, you will begin to appreciate your own God-given life as your own light. If you live in the light of freedom right now and would like to preserve it for the succeeding generations, treasure it, defend it and—if you have to—fight for it.

If you believe that Jesus Christ who came in the flesh to conquer death over two thousand years ago, is the center of your being because his message is one of love and kindness for all humanity, you will be deeply convinced yet again, that even in the darkest of days, death can never extinguish the light. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com.

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Health@Heart PhiliP S. ChuA, Md, FACS, FPCS WITH the pandemic of Novel Corona Virus infection, which has a scary treacherous incubation period of up to 14 days and where victims could spread the virus even before any symptoms appear, avoiding exposure to the virus is the next best thing to vaccination (which might be available soon).

As of February 3, 2020, new estimates report 75,000 cases of nCorona virus infection in Wuhan, Hubei, China, with 362 deaths (including the first death outside of China, a 44-year-old in the Philippines), 11 cases in the USA, and 150 cases in 24 other countries, making it a pandemic.

During the SARS outbreak, there were 8096 cases, with 349 deaths This has been surpassed by the nCorona virus infection of today. The MERS, between June 2012 and December 2019, has 2499 Cases, with 861 deaths. The plague (Black Death) of 1347 (the late Middle Ages), one third of the population of Europe was wiped out.

Putting all these in the proper perspective: In the United States, in the 20192020 flu season, 180,000 patients were hospitalized and 10,000 died, according to the CDC. This, however, does not mean we could lower our guard when it comes to the nCorona infection.

Well-known protection aids to prevent germ contamination or infection are masks, gloves, condoms, etc. But they are useless and ineffective, if not used

Of masks, gloves and condoms

properly.

In the health/medical and food industry, these protective aids are utilized to protect and prevent infection for the public, the consumers, less for the users, in general. Masks and gloves are worn by healthcare providers, especially in the operating rooms and surgical areas, ERs, ICUs, etc. to prevent germs from infecting patients. In food service, as in restaurants, fastfood chains, etc., masks and gloves are used to prevent bacterial contamination of food items, which would cause gastrointestinal infection, some being serious or even fatal. And the same thing with condoms, which are used to prevent both partners from acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If not used properly and making sure the condom does not touch any surfaces with germs (practically all surfaces, tables, beds, doorknobs, handles, rails, etc.) or contaminated fingers, this protective rubber, is useless.

As a cardiac surgeon who had acquired a “sterility radar-detector” discipline from decades of training and practicing sterile technique, I could quickly discern even a tiny (subtle) breach in sterility among those using masks or gloves. The general public is obviously not trained to a degree of sophistication about sterility like a trained surgical nurse or surgeon would be, so lay people could easily misinterpret or misunderstand or minimize the significance of “total” sterility. It is either sterile or not. Ninety-nine percent “sterile” is not sterile. Allowing 100 germs out

of a million to contaminate is not sterile. Like pregnancy, it is either pregnant or not pregnant.

The Mask There are a variety of masks on the market: the popular round-of-the-mill surgical masks, the favored more effective N95 respirator masks, cold avenger pro soft shell masks, and more sophisticated and specialized ones.

Masks of any type must be worn properly, covering the nose and the mouth, snug-fit, to filter air that is inhaled and exhaled. Sometimes we see people with masks on, with their nose exposed. That is wrong – it defeats the purpose of wearing a mask. The goal is to filter outside air before it is inhaled, and for those with respiratory infection, to filter the bugs in, minimizing the dose of the bacteria that is exhaled, to protect the healthy ones.

Gloves To show concern for the health and safety of their customers, food handlers in some restaurants use gloves. But, like masks, if gloves are not used properly, bacterial contamination of food will never be contained or minimized.

All bacterial infection from contaminated vegetables, poultry, and meat results from contacts with germs and inadequate washing and cleaning. Water is an effective cleansing agent.

Refrigeration is essential in food preservation. Ultraviolet C lamps have been used to help sterilize food raw items in farms, warehouses, factories, and even in stores.

UVC light kills bacteria, viPAGE 13

Supreme Court clears way for...

PAGE 11 possible, because any application or petition already pending with USCIS as of the effective date will still be evaluated under the old, more lenient standards on public charge.

You should also seek the advice of an attorney in connection with petitioning family members and/or preparing affidavits of support, as the attorney could help evaluate and identify any potential public charge issues, which could result in a denial.

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

case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

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An ‘acting piece’ for Xian and Cristine Catriona takes on mission

WHEN there is violence in a marriage, you can expect conflicting narratives from the couple involved.

“Untrue”, a psychologicaldrama-thriller from “Kita Kita” writer/director Sigrid Bernardo, will show that there’s a lie in every story, unraveled in her latest offering via a dark and intriguing ride.

Cristine Reyes and Xian Lim play Mara and Joachim, two lonely Filipino migrants in the country of Georgia who find solace and companionship in each other.

They hastily get married, without even getting to know each other very well.

When their fiery romance turns into heated arguments and physical abuse, Mara goes straight to the Georgian police. Following her narration of how she married a mad man, Joachim defends himself with his own version of events, pointing to his wife as the real lunatic.

In this he-said/she-said film, a strange apparition of a woman adds to the suspense. As Mara and Joachim fight to discredit each other, truth, lies, and a dark past are brought to the surface.

Director Bernardo described “Untrue” as “an acting piece,” and in previ-

of making cleft children smile as their ambassador

By Ian

BIong Inquirer.net

Xian Lim and Cristine Reyes star in Sigrid Bernardo’s psycho-drama-thriller, which is among Viva Vision’s offering for the year.

Photo from Instagram/@vivaartistsagency

ous interviews commended Reyes and Lim for their dedication to their roles which resulted in remarkable performances.

“Untrue” had its world premiere as a featured film at the prestigious Tokyo International Film Festival in October 2019 along with seven other notable Filipino films.

Recalling the beginnings of doing the movie at media conference last week,

Reyes and Lim shared how they went through an intense 10-day acting workshop before leaving for Georgia since they only had a precise number of days to shoot abroad.

Reyes, who had to dye her hair red to portray the fiery Mara, elaborated “We only had three weeks to shoot in Georgia so we needed to do our rehearsals before leaving. When we got there, we PAGE 15

MISS Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has been crowned a new title, and it is that of a global ambassador by Smile Train, an international charity dedicated to helping children with cleft conditions.

Gray is grateful for her new role and is “super honored to continue working to create smiles” with the organization, she announced on Instagram on Tuesday, February 4.

“Children’s causes have been and continue to be so close to my heart and I can’t wait to travel and raise awareness for cleft around the world, as well as here in the Philippines,” she noted.

Gray started working with Smile Train after winning Miss Universe back in 2018. The international nonprofit group meanwhile

Catriona Gray Photo from Instagram_@catriona_gray

has been a partner of the Miss Universe organization since 2016.

The Filipina-Australian beauty queen recently raised around P388,000 through her birthday fundraiser, which was donated to Smile Train Philippines.

She shared the good news

on Instagram last Monday, February 3.

Last October, Gray went to South America along with other beauty queens to visit the Brazillian arm of Smile Train, where they spent their time bonding with the young beneficiaries.

Even before joining Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Universe, however, Gray has been involved in charity work since it has always been her advocacy to help underprivileged children.

Other than Smile Train, Gray has also been helping out Young Focus, a Philippine-based nonprofit organization that aims to provide impoverished youth access to free, quality education and proper nutrition.

While her birthday fundraiser was for Smile Train, Gray celebrated her birthday with the kids of Young Focus in Tondo, Manila.

She turned 26 years old on Jan. 6.

WE ARE

On Gastric Cancer...

PAGE 11 ruses, molds and fungi and some parasites.

Frequently, I observe food handlers wearing gloves touching utensils, microwave door handles, chopping board, table, and other items, as they touch the food items they are preparing, like sandwiches, the bread, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, peppers, and the wrappers. The proper use of gloves in this situation starts with clean gloves that are held only at their “entry edge,” without touching the palm and finger parts of the gloves. Once worn, they much touch only food items, and not anything else. So, the practical way to do is to glove the nondominant hand, which will handle food items only, and the dominant ungloved hand to hold the knife, and other utensils, the edge of the plate or paper wrapper, the microwave door handle, etc. Obviously, the gloved hand (or one of the fingers)

must not be used to scratch oneself. The glove should be changed every couple of hours, since they too could harbor germs from the atmosphere.

If gloves could not be used properly, it is better not to use them at all, and simply wash the hands before preparing any sandwich or handling any food item.

Indeed, the sight of gloved hands among food handlers could give a false sense of security…and carelessness among food handlers.

No material things on earth, including money, are worth more than health and life. Billionaires in their hospital or death beds, including cancer victim Steve Jobs, iconic Apple founder, knew only too well how wealth becomes meaningless and useless to a dying person. Jobs was quoted as having said these last words as he was dying: “I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others’ eyes my

life is an epitome of success. However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to.

At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death….(and paraphrasing: that family, loved ones, are our true wealth.”

While fact-checking found this famous quoted statement, which went viral on the internet, to be false, the wisdom, the truth, validity, and eloquence in it are touching, inspiring, and an eye-opener.

So, let’s take good care of ourselves, our health, our life. After all, we have only one life to live. No spare. No back-up. *** For a gift of health, visit philipSchua.com. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

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info@asianjournalinc.com

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people events arts culture entertainment

Ella Jay Basco and her star-making turn in ‘Birds of Prey’

I

by

MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

N 1991, Hollywood introduced to the world a young Filipino American by the name of Dante Basco through the Steven Spielberg film Hook, starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. The then 16-year-old Basco played the role of Rufio, the leader of the Lost Boys.

Fast forward to almost three decades later and we have another Basco playing a breakout role in her debut film feature, as Cassandra Cain in Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).

Meet Ella Jay Basco, the precocious 13-year-old out to steal your hearts in the film that’s going to focus on Harley Quinn, the character played by Margot Robbie in the 2018 film Suicide Squad. Ella Jay’s dad is the eldest among the Basco Brothers.

“I feel amazing.

This is definitely one Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain in Warner Bros. Picturesʼ Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Pictures/ & © DC Comics

of my biggest accomplishments in my acting career so I am super proud,” an excited Basco told us in an interview.

Ella Jay went through an arduous month–long audition process to get the role.

To prepare, she watched a bunch of movies, practiced her martial arts skills and read some comic books about Cassandra Cain.

Finding out that she got the role was “very emotional moment and super exciting” for her.

“I mean I totally cried. I knew from that moment on, my life would change forever,” she exclaimed. “I just couldn’t wait to start.”

Her next step after finding out that she has been cast was to go out and buy a bunch of comic books, from Birds of Prey to Harley Quinn and Oracle. “It definitely helped me figure out Cassandra Cain’s origin story, about how she felt and how tough she has to be in such a crazy world like Gotham.”

In fact, it was a particular storyline in a comic that initially inspired Margot Robbie (who also wears a producer hat for the film) to include the Harley/Cass relationship that ultimately plays out on screen. “In my research, I read Harley Quinn: Behind Blue Eyes, and I knew I wanted to explore that mentor-mentee relationship,” she said. “It told me a lot about who Harley was and what she was capable of. We didn’t use the exact storyline from the series, but just understanding her and her connection to Cass in that way was enlightening.”

Basco then met Robbie and the rest of the cast. The first table read, where the cast would read out the script, was unfor-

Ella Jay Basco with the rest of the girl gang at the world premiere of Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) in London. From left: Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Harley Quinn herself, Margot Robbie.

Photo by Craig Gibson

gettable for her.

She was amazed at how friendly and welcoming these big Hollywood stars were.

“They are all so sweet, such great role models for me in the industry,” she remarked.

Starting Young Ella Jay thinks that she was about maybe 8 or 9 years when she committed to the job.

“I definitely remember seeing kid actors in the business and I remember telling my mom that I wanted to be in the industry and I wanted to be seen on the screen,” she recalled.

Coming from a family of performers most likely influenced her choice of career, specially seeing her uncles, including Dante and Dion, in TV shows and movies.

The Bascos are originally from the Santa Barbara area in California. Her grandparents are originally from the Philippines.

Her dad Derek, the oldest of the Basco brothers, married Emily, a Korean American.

Despite being a newcomer, Basco is quickly making a name for herself with PAGE 15

Ella Jay Basco at the world premiere of Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) in London.

Photo by Tim P. Whitby

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Heidi lauds Marcelito’s singing: ‘This is what talent sounds like!’

By Ryan

aRCadio Inquirer.net

HEIDI Klum could not help but praise Marcelito Pomoy for his latest performance on “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” which made him one of the show’s finalists.

“Two amazing voices in on[e] person… @marcelitopomoy8,” she said on her Twitter page last Tuesday, Feb 4. “THIS is what talent sounds like.”

Klum accompanied her post with a clip of Pomoy’s rendition of Andrea Bocelli’s “Con Te Partirò.” During his performance, Pomoy once again featured his iconic “doble kara” style of singing, where he easily transitions between a “female” and a “male” voice.

Meanwhile, Klum’s fellow

Marcelito Pomoy Photo from Instagram_@marcelitopomoy8

America’s Got Talent judge Heidi Klum Photo from Instagram/@heidiklum

judge Howie Mandel also commended the Filipino’s singing prowess.

“Have you heard his dual voices?” He said in a separate post. “Marcelito Pomoy did an INCREDIBLE job.

WOW!” Pomoy’s latest perfor-

mance has earned him a spot on the U.S. show’s finale as one of its finalists. The singer rose to fame after becoming the grand winner of “Pilipinas Got Talent” in 2011. He has since released two albums, namely “Split” (2013) and “Duet Yourself” (2016).

Heart Evangelista has poured her love for dogs into relief efforts.

Photos from Instagram/@iamhearte

Heart visits Taal-affected animals, calls for aid

By Cha Lino Inquirer.net

WEEKS after Taal Volcano’s eruption, actress Heart Evangelista went to Batangas to check on the affected animals and help address their needs. Aside from her volunteer work, she also urged the public to donate more food and supplies for the animals.

Evangelista joined the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) on its drive to Batangas, as seen on her Instagram post today, Feb. 6. To ensure her safety, the

actress wore an N95 face mask and a black cap together with PAWS’ green volunteer uniform.

While other dogs were being fed, Evangelista cradled one in her arms. “Don’t worry little one, we’re all doing what we can to give all of you the love and care you need during this time,” she assured the dog.

In Batangas, the actress also helped in feeding other stray animals and taking care of horses. Evangelista shared with her followers the current state of the surrounding area near the

volcano via her Instagram Stories.

“5 [kilometers] away from Taal with @pawsphilippines,” she captioned her pictures.

Evangelista also said that the organization is in need of financial support. The actress declared, “We really need more financial aid for meds and transportation.”

Evangelista announced that animals in Batangas still need help as she took her call for donations to Twitter.

Evangelista assured her followers that “no amount is too small.”

Ella Jay Basco and her...

PAGE 14 her dramatic acting chops and ability to perform.

She has appeared in television shows like “Veep,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Teachers,” “Superior Donuts,” “Happyland” and the short film “Glimpse of Heaven.”

Basco started her career at six months old in an Old Navy print campaign. Outside of acting, Basco is a singer/songwriter and accomplished musician, playing the guitar, piano and ukulele. She is also a trained dancer.

Shooting Birds of Prey With Birds of Prey, Ella Jay gets to join the DC Extended Universe.

The film’s cast is led

by Robbie (“Bombshell,” “Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood,” “I, Tonya”) who returns as Harley Quinn, alongside Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“10 Cloverfield Lane,” TV’s “Fargo”) as Huntress; Jurnee SmollettBell (HBO’s “True Blood”) as Black Canary; Rosie Perez (“Fearless,” “Pitch Perfect 2”) as Renee Montoya; Chris Messina (“Argo,” TV’s “Sharp Objects”) as Victor Zsasz; and Ewan McGregor (“Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep,” the “Trainspotting” films) as Roman Sionis.

Ella Jay’s favorite scene was the first scene she ever shot, which was the apartment scene with Margot.

“That was probably the best one, my favorite, because we got to know each other,” she said of her costar. “We talked a lot not just about acting, but about what we like, and our hobbies. We really opened up to each other and I really liked that.”

Due to the circumstances of the story, the young actress spent the bulk of her scenes alongside Robbie. “Margot was like a big sister to me, we had the best time with each other.

She taught me so much about working with people

on- and off-camera. It was amazing.”

Cassandra, at age 12, has learned to tough it out on the streets of Gotham. Cass, as she’s known, is a street urchin, a smart-mouthed kid surviving on her own— thanks in part to her uncanny knack for pickpocketing.

Cass also has a colorful vocabulary and it was a little weird watching a kid spewing those curses like a pro.

“That’s definitely something that I am never allowed to do in real life,” she said laughing. “It was interesting because as an actor you pretend and play different characters that you may or may not relate to, but definitely I am not allowed to say those words.”

Shooting the film was quite a process and it made her realize the smaller components needed to come up with a beautiful final product.

“I learned that it takes a village to produce a film of such a large scale. Everybody has a super important job while shooting and everybody is super important and we should all work as a team and be supportive of each other,” she said. “I learned that on the set of Birds of Prey, everyone was just supportive, welcome and loving.”

It is interesting to watch how the lives of the four women become interwoven with each other, something that was smoothly and effectively told through the storytelling process.

Kudos to the women behind the scenes: director Cathy Yan (“Dead Pigs”) and screenwriter Christina Hodson (“Bumblebee”).

Yan, the first Asian woman to direct a superhero genre film, wrote and directed Dead Pigs, which won the Special Jury Prize for ensemble acting at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. In her previous life, Yan was a

15

reporter for the Wall Street Journal in New York, Hong Kong and China.

It’s all about girl power in the film, with the girl gang coming together in order to restore order in Gotham and protect Cass at all cost.

“I feel super proud and it is so cool to be a part of this girl gang, it is exciting that this is happening even,” Basco said.

Also earning nods is the film’s diverse cast.

“Representation is super super important. We’re kind of the minority and I think it is important for our stories to be heard,” she said.

“In being with Birds of Prey, I was able to honor my culture and I was able to represent my Filipino side in that way and that is super important because we all have a story, we all have an opinion and we all deserve to be heard and represented,” Basco added.

Basco found shooting the film as a beautiful and enriching experience. Working with Robbie and the entire cast, along with Yan, made her realize how it was to work with great mentors.

“It was honestly so exciting to work with all of them, they’re so inspiring,” she said. “Every day was a fullon learning experience, and so much fun. Everybody was super nice; it was like one long dream.”

The director had nothing but good words for the young actor as Yan admired the hard work that her youngest actress put in.

“Ella was so impressive,” she said. “This is her feature debut, so I can’t imagine how she must have felt to show up to set and work with Margot Robbie every day, but she was a total champ, incredibly mature for her age. And she really understood Cass and brought a certain authenticity to her—a real kid, not a shiny, perfect version of a little girl.”

An ‘acting piece’ for Xian and...

PAGE 13 worked every single day — no days off — to be sure we fulfilled every sequence in the script.

Shot mostly in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, Lim also recalled how the cast and crew had to endure the freezing weather.

“It was extremely cold and

the temperature dropped to negative-one,” the actor, who in turn had to gain 20 pounds and grow a beard for Joachim, related. “The shoot was really challenging for everyone. We were acting in really strong winds, freezing, doing heavy drama… nothing came easy for this movie.”

According to the pair, Georgia was chosen as the film’s setting because the story called for a place that isn’t filled with too many migrant Filipinos. In fact there were only 30 Filipinos living in Georgia when they did the shoot and they met every one of them. (ManilaTimes.net)

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